Manure will be removed from the dirt floor and slatted floor housing after each feeding period, and periodically from the roller-compacted concrete housing. It will be tested and the results will be used to measure total manure output and manure nutrient content composition. These metrics indicate manure quality.
Miller will measure live performance traits such as live final body weight, dry-matter intake, average daily gain, and feed efficiency. The study will also track carcass characteristics such as hot carcass weight, liver abscess scores, yield grade, marbling score, fat thickness, and longissimus muscle area to assess overall performance.
“Feeding cattle under shelter can protect cattle from exposure to hot or cold weather, mud, and wind,” Miller said. “Previous research in the Midwest comparing cattle finished under shelter and cattle finished in open lot pens has shown that housing systems can impact dry-matter intake, average daily gain, and feed efficiency. Additionally, housing systems could impact manure nitrogen losses as well as manure quality and value, as nitrogen losses result in nitrogen to phosphorus imbalances when using manure as a fertilizer in cropping systems.”
This research will help producers and consultants make management decisions about which systems and diets best suit the goals of their feedlot operations.
Miller is also working on a project modeling different beef systems in Nebraska using the USDA ARS Integrated Farm Systems Model which is a computer program that simulates beef production and integrated cropping systems to predict economics, performance and environmental impact.
“I can model different management practices, and it gives outputs on differences in greenhouse gas emissions and nutrients used and lost by the system, so it also relates to my other project at the Klosterman Feedlot Innovation Center,” Miller said.
Miller is hoping to take data from her project at the Klosterman Feedlot Innovation Center to use with the Integrated Farm Systems Model.
Miller grew up on a farm in LaCrosse, Washington, and always had an interest in studying agriculture. During her undergraduate education at Washington State University, she became interested in animal science research which led her to UNL for graduate school in ruminant nutrition.
Miller is currently the research coordinator for the ruminant nutrition lab. After graduation, Miller plans to continue doing ruminant nutrition research.
Source : unl.edu