Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

W1012 Annual Meeting Denver, CO Tuesday, August 7, 2012 8:00 Reading and approval of minutes 8:15 Treasurer's Report: Bret Hess 8:30 NIFA report (Bret Hess, AA) 9:00 Administrative Advisor's report- Bret Hess 10:15 Progress toward objectives/Station reports 12:00 lunch 1:00 Continue discussion of progress toward objectives 4:30 Business Meeting Elect new secretary 6:00 Dinner Wednesday, August 8 8:00 Develop plan to overcome likely deficiencies toward meeting milestones. Plan must be adequate to satisfy MRC (Multi-State Review Committee) that we have met our milestones, that we are capable of overcoming delays and fulfilling our objectives within the lifetime of the project, or to propose alterations to our objectives. Adjourned upon completion of a satisfactory plan.

Objective 1. Validate the utility and repeatability of the alkane assay for measuring fecal output by grazing ruminant animals. COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY CSU collected samples of 3 winter forages (vegetative wheat pasture, cornstalks and mature stockpiled Sudex) for use in validating alkane assays. These samples were collected using 2 rumenally cannulated steers on March 1, 2012. NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY Evaluation of alkane assay and preparation of samples containing beeswax have been initiated. Likewise, a library of masticate samples is being collected for future analysis. NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY Forage samples are in hand (masticate and other forms of sampling) from previous studies and are available for forwarding to laboratories for alkane analysis as needed SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY Collected diet samples to develop library of diets from Northern Mixed Prairie rangeland from north-central South Dakota for future alkane analysis. UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING Forage samples from previous studies are available for analysis. No additional progress has been made at UW this year. VIRGINIA TECH By using both n-alkane and long chain alcohol concentrations in forages, the botanical composition of simple test diets (various mixtures of red clover and fescue) were accurately estimated. In collaboration with the US Meat Animal Research Center, this approach is being extended to define the plant-wax marker profiles of cool and warm season forages in the central plains environment. Using n-alkane profiles alone, estimates of diet choices of heifers at two ages (post-weaning, yearling) when offered cubed red clover and fescue hay ad libitum very reliably reflected their actual choices. A preference of larger frame sized heifers for the more nutritious forage  red clover  was clearly evident in their diet selection. USDA/ARS FORT KEOGH Obtained protocol for GC analysis and have collected rumen extrusa samples that have been freeze dried. Objective 2. Identify the shortcoming of the 1996/2000 Beef NRC for cows grazing in Western rangeland environments. NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY  An experiment was conducted to develop and test the efficacy of a rumen protection method for Arginine HCl. An experiment was initiated aimed at evaluating the effects of rumen protected Arginine HCl on fetal development in mature beef cows grazing native rangeland. NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY Investigated approaches for strategic supplementation strategies for ruminants. OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY Impact of nutrition during sire development on daughter performance and grazing behavior in Intermountain West forested meadows. This two year project is looking at the influence of nutritional background during sire development on weight gain, change in BCS, and pre-weaned calf performance of replacement beef heifers grazing summer forested meadows. {T. DelCurto and C.J. Mueller; in progress} Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of amount (2 levels) and frequency of crude protein (CP) supplementation (daily, every 5 d, every 10 d) on ruminants consuming low-quality forage. The greater level of CP was estimated to meet ruminal requirements for degradable intake protein and the lower level was 50% of the greater level. {D. W. Bohnert, R. F. Cooke, S. J. Falck, B. I. Cappellozza, M. Van Emon, and C. S. Schauer} Determine the influence of supplement composition (energy- or protein-based) on steers (forage intake, nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, and blood metabolites), beef cows (BW and body condition score change, calf birth weight, and blood metabolites), and replacement heifers (blood metabolites, growth rates, puberty attainment, and pregnancy rates).{D.H. Bohnert; in progress} Comparison of the effects of protein supplementation of cool and warm season low-quality forages consumed by beef cattle: differences in intake and digestibility. Projects will compare in-situ ruminal degradation of C3 and C4 forage; compare forage intake and nutrient utilization of ruminants offered low-quality C4 and C3 forage with and without CP supplementation; and obtain novel information for validation of intake and performance models. {D.H. Bohnert; in progress} UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING Studies have been conducted investigating strategic supplementation in ruminants, especially during gestation. (with North Dakota State University) USDA/ARS FORT KEOGH A series of studies have been conducted recently at Fort Keogh that has measured forage quality and measures of animal production. These measures can be used to compare how well the NRC predicts performance of cattle grazing rangelands in the Northern Great Plains. Recently published a paper demonstrating that intensity of historical management of a cow herd influences the importance of body condition at calving as a visual assessment of future reproductive success. Recently published paper demonstrating responses to supplemental methionine and cobalt in range cows Recently published 2 papers demonstrating that small amounts of supplemental protein supplied to wintering range cows can be used at a highly efficient rate to support same animal performance as higher amounts of protein supplementation. Assessing mineral intake and contribution to whole animal well being from self fed range mineral tubs Published a series of papers dealing with drought and subsequent influence on cow, heifer, and steer performance Objective 3. Disseminate and translate research-based management strategies to stakeholders for improving ruminant use in sustainable forage production systems. COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY CSU has been working to develop a more effective forage program for the university cowherd at Fort Collins. In brief this effort centers around the following points: "Cows are on summer pasture off-site from June to November. "Focus of forage program is from December to May "Limited grazable forage at university farm "High costs of feeding harvested feeds "Irrigated land is available for intensive forage programs for Dec-May grazing options "Research-demonstration opportunity "Observations from New Zealand MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY Six Extension presentations dealing with aspects of improving beef cattle use of forages and range livestock nutrition management were given to over 150 livestock producers, county Extension agents, and other interested parties. NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY Developed and implemented a monthly ranchers meeting titled Ranchers Roundtable at the newly completed NMSU Southwest Center for Rangeland Sustainability at the Corona Range and Livestock Research Center. The Ranchers Roundtable is designed to provide a comfortable atmosphere where ranchers ask questions regarding a particular topic to a panel of experts. Topics are timely and are scheduled approximately 3 months in advance of the rancher needing to implement information garnered. To date we have held 6 roundtables and have reached over 214 ranchers whom are responsible for over 20,000 cows. NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY Data has been published in multiple formats and made available for use by stakeholders. Data has also been presented at both regional and national meetings. OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY Tim DelCurto and Chad Mueller lead an industry-collaborated Cattlemens Workshop every January. This one-day event utilizes both industry and university speakers to discuss management strategies and current events that impact beef producers in the Intermountain West. Participants at the 2012 Workshop (n = 375) traveled from Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and Nevada. Dave Bohnert and Reinaldo Cooke started a forage-testing program (http://beefcattle.ans.oregonstate.edu/html/forage/Forage.htm) which includes analysis interpretation and supplementation recommendations. SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY Evaluated interaction of weaning date (150 d vs. 210 d of age) with two post-weaning development treatments (drylot vs. rangeland) in 2 by 2 factorial treatment arrangement. Winter development programs influenced heifer growth patterns and reproductive performance. Further, winter development influenced patterns of range utilization. Day-of-sampling interactions indicated that range heifers did not adjust preferences and thus were already adapted to the range environment, whereas drylot heifers adjusted preferences over time suggesting they re-learned how to utilize the range environment. UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA "In conjunction with Doug Tolleson, Dave Schafer, Bopper Cannon, and Keith Cannon of the University of Arizona V-V Ranch, Mike Sprinkle of Intel Corporation, Tyler DalMolin of the University of Arizona Department of Animal Sciences, and Bob Walker of Imperial Instruments, we obtained funding from Cargill Animal Health and successfully designed and evaluated the first ever high precision solar powered data acquisition system for obtaining individual mineral intakes by livestock in a rangeland setting. The equipment had ± 2 g resolution in pre-dawn hours when ambient conditions were constant and ± 17 g resolution when metal equipment was expanding during mid-morning, mid-day, and mid-afternoon. The SE for average range cow mineral intake was 14% of the mean in 2010 and 16% of the mean in 2011. For approximately $6,400, we developed a remote solar powered data acquisition system with low power draw components that provided reliable individual animal mineral intake in an extensive rangeland environment. "The Arizona Range Livestock Nutrition Committee presented a workshop Being a Range Cow is a Hard Way to Make a Living at Payson (50 people) and Willcox (24 people). I delivered a presentation on Managing Reproductive Stressors to Production: Nutritional and Physiological Bullets to Trigger Estrus Cycling and Enhance Fertility. In my presentation, I highlighted some of the recent work by NMSU and Mark Petersen with bypass protein. To make the connection with the audience I referred to it as the Atkins Diet for Beef Cattle. Participants rated the workshops (1 = not valuable, 5 = valuable) at 4.3 in Payson and 4.4 in Willcox. "Presented Reading the Range monitoring data on the NEPA Appeal for the Millsite Allotment at Superior to US Forest Service officials. The data presented helped resolve the appeal and enabled the permittee to increase the stocking rate in conjunction with monitoring data. The economic impact of that decision to the ranching operation was conservatively worth $24,819 per year. "Presented a talk on Range Livestock Mineral Research at the Arizona Section, Society for Range Management Summer Meeting at Mahan Park (75 people). "Presented a talk on Grazing Your Pasture at the Pasture Management Workshop for Landowners in Camp Verde (23 people). "Assisted a large ranch in Gila County with development of a nutritional management plan for the cow herd. Assisted a private ranch near Flagstaff with on the ground training for determining stocking rates to improve rangeland management. UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING "Data has been disseminated in scientific publications (manuscripts, abstracts, and proceedings), as well as stakeholder-focused field day and department research reports. (with North Dakota State University). USDA/ARS FORT KEOGH "May 22, 2012  Day seminar with NRCS clients Choteau Montana "April 4, 2012  FFA students from Richie, MT Tour and discussion "April 30, 2012 - Dickinson State University Students participated in seminar and tours "June 18, 2012 - Prairie County range tour, Terry, MT. Fort Keogh Research Update "January 24, 2011  Big Timber MT, Fort Keogh on the Road was invited for a day of seminar presentations to the local Livestock Association "November 12, 2011  Richard Waterman gave a talk on Nutrient utilization due to season, physiological stage, and management at the Sheridan County Stockgrowers Association meetings in Plentywood, MT. "June 24, 2011 - MT Ag Teachers Tour and discussion "June 2024, 2011 - Hosted Western Section American Society Animal Science "May 23, 2011 - Four Texas University students participated in a discussion by Mark Petersen about careers and how our agency works. "May 2-5, 2011 - Elementary School Tours  388 students - All Fort Keogh staff participated "April 29, 2011 - SE MT Livestock Association, Recent Advances in Water Research presented by Mark Petersen "April 26, 2011 - Dickinson State University Students participated in seminar and tours "April 21, 2011 - April 13, 2011 - Fort Keogh hosted a group of producers from Argentina. "March 26, 2011 - Senator Testors AG Business Development Conference - Mark Petersen presented current research at Fort Keogh and participated in a panel focused on Cow Efficiency "February 3-4, 2011 - NCBA convention Trade Show booth, shared and manned with ARS locations; Clay Cente, NE , Temple, TX, and Beltsville, MD "January 24, 2011 - Roundup, MT, Fort Keogh on the Road was invited for a day of seminar presentations to the local Livestock Association "January 11-14, 2011 - Richard Waterman was an invited speaker at the 2011 Beef Days in six locations in South Dakota: Martin, Hot Springs, St. Onge, Wall, Union Center, and Buffalo "January 7, 2011 - DNRC Winter Weed Series, rehabilitation after Russian Olive removal presented by Mark Petersen Objective 4. Provide professional development and mentoring opportunities for committee participants, young scientists, stakeholders, and graduate students. MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY "Coached and chaperoned the MSU Academic Quadrathalon team to National ASAS/WSASAS meetings in Phoenix, AZ in July 2012. NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY "Results from experiments will be presented at National ASAS/WSASAS meetings in Phoenix, AZ in July 2012. "Presented the impacts of water quality on livestock performance to the New Mexico Indian Livestock Days  annual meeting. This workshop covered range management, animal health, and horse care in Albuquerque, NM (200 participants) "Developed materials for graduate student to present a one day workshop on ruminant nutrition to the New Mexico Youth Ranch Camp at the Valles Caldera National Preserve. This ranch camp was a week-long event designed to acquaint youths ages 15 to 19 with new science-based concepts, advanced technologies, and applied skills, that are used successfully on commercial beef cattle operations to increase their long-term sustainability in Jemez Springs, NM (20 participants) "Developed and implemented a monthly ranchers meeting titled Ranchers Roundtable at the newly completed NMSU Southwest Center for Rangeland Sustainability at the Corona Range and Livestock Research Center. The Ranchers Roundtable is designed to provide a comfortable atmosphere where ranchers ask questions regarding a particular topic to a panel of experts. Topics are timely and are scheduled approximately 3 months in advance of the rancher needing to implement information garnered. To date we have held 6 roundtables and have reached over 214 ranchers whom are responsible for over 20,000 cows. " Training 6 graduate students, 5 masters and 1 PhD o Nigel Miller, MS o Melanie Beckman, MS o Christopher Shelley, MS o Jose Caballero, MS o Kali Benson, MAg o Travis Mulliniks, PhD " Training 2 undergraduate students involved in undergraduate research projects through the Howard Hughes Medical Institute NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY Identified multiple opportunities for professional development and encouraged younger faculty and graduate students to participate. OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY "August 2011. We conducted a two-week modular multi-state graduate student course covering Principles of Ruminant Nutrition and associated research techniques. We had 8 students (4 Univ. of Idaho, 4 OSU, 0 WSU) participate. Instructors: Chad Mueller, Tim DelCurto, Dave Bohnert, and Reinaldo Cooke. "July 2012, Shelby Filley visited Utah State University (USU) to meet with scientists and examine their research site, the Irrigated Intermountain Pasture Project, to visit their forage plots on grass-finishing beef cattle. SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY "beefSD is an educational program for beginning cow-calf producers in South Dakota. It is a 3-yr program with an intensive curriculum that includes classroom instruction, case studies of established, successful ranches to evaluate alternative beef cattle production systems, mentoring by established ranchers and other agriculture professionals, post-weaning calf performance evaluation of participants cattle, travel study trips to visit other sectors and aspects of the US beef cattle industry, and interactive web-based learning, including webinars, podcasts, a managed forum, and computer apps. "Range Beef Cow Symposium is a jointly sponsored program by Colorado State University, University of Wyoming, University of Nebraska, and South Dakota State University. It is held biennially in odd years with the next symposium to be held December 3-5, 2013 in Rapid City, SD. "Advise 1 MS and 1 PhD student. "Provide summer internships to undergraduate or high school students: 6 in 2011; 8 in 2012. UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA "Hosted and advised an undergraduate intern for the fall semester of 2011 from BYU-Idaho for the Reading the Range monitoring program. "Informally advised a graduate student from the University of Arizona Department of Animal Sciences on data analyses and manuscript preparation for a paper presented on trace mineral research at the American Society of Animal Science meeting in Phoenix. UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING "Participated in professional development opportunities as a new faculty member, and we have encouraged graduate and undergraduate students to take advantage of additional development opportunities. VIRGINIA TECH "Two graduate students and one undergraduate research student gained professional skills in the use of n-alkanes and long chain alcohols to delineate diet selection and feed intake in cattle. They were heavily involved in the planning, implementation (both field and laboratory work) and analysis of experiments designed to validate the utility of this tool in a controlled (dry lot) setting. USDA/ARS FORT KEOGH "Travis Mulliniks PhD candidate from NMSU has conducted research at Fort Keogh as a part of his doctoral studies. "Liz Read (MS student) from Montana State University conducted research at Fort Keogh. "Nickolas Dufek (MS student) from NDSU conducted research at Fort Keogh

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