Numbered Publications: ASC
ASC-260: Controlling Reproduction in Female Yaks
Les Anderson, Jeff Lehmkuhler, Mary McCarty, Katherine VanValin | Oct. 26, 2023 (New)
The yak (bos grunniens) is a member of the bovine family and plays a vital role in the life of the people of the Himalayan region (China, Mongolia, India, Nepal, etc). The Himalayas is an especially harsh region with long, cold winters and sparse vegetation for most of the year. As with all bovine, nutrient availability, both quality and quantity of available foodstuffs, and current status of body reserves or degree of fat stored in the body dictate the ability of the cow to conceive during a breeding season. Even though conception rate (probability of conception at a single estrus event), is high (70+%), pregnancy rate (probability of conception at the end of a breeding season) is typically only 40%-60% in their natural environments because a high proportion of female yaks fail to have an estrus during the breeding window. Understanding the major factor reducing pregnancy rate is important to creating and implementing management protocols to improve the reproductive ability of female yaks.
ASC-259: Reproduction in Female Yaks
Les Anderson, Jeff Lehmkuhler, Mary McCarty, Katherine VanValin | Oct. 26, 2023 (New)
The yak (Bos grunniens) is a unique domestic animal. These animals were developed in the extreme environment of the Himalayas, where food resources can be extremely limiting. The yak provides food (meat and milk), fiber (hair), and are beasts of burden (used for pack, transportation, plowing, etc.) for the local populations. The number of yaks in the world is limited, creating a need to understand and control reproduction in the yak to improve genetic diversity.
ASC-256: Comparison of Production Levels Among U.S. Beef Breeds
Darrh Bullock | Aug. 8, 2023 (New)
Genetic trends for beef breeds, for many traits, are on the move. The genetic trend for growth in most breeds is strongly positive. Maternal weaning weight (milk) on the other hand is breed dependent, with some breeds showing strong selection for increased milk and others slightly reducing their genetic potential for milking ability. For that reason, it is important to monitor relative differences between breeds for various production traits to assist beef producers in their breed selection decisions.
ASC-255: A Guide to Body Condition Scoring Yaks
Les Anderson, Jeff Lehmkuhler, Mary McCarty | May. 1, 2023 (New)
Having issues with cows breeding back and raising a calf every year? Are your heifers taking longer to reach puberty than you think they should? Are some calves born weak and not able to stand quickly? Reproduction is closely associated with body-fat stores and muscling. Fat cells produce a hormone, leptin, that plays a role in the hormonal cascade regulating reproduction. Learning how to assess body reserves or condition as a management tool can help improve your reproductive efficiency and farm profitability.
ASC-252: Traveling with Your Horse: Trailer and Truck Packing
Fernanda Camargo | Jan. 12, 2023 (New)
Horse people love to go places with their horses. It is exciting and fun, and overall, it can be a great bonding experience - especially if you remembered to pack everything you need.
ASC-253: Traveling with Your Horse: First-Aid Kits
Fernanda Camargo | Jan. 12, 2023 (New)
While some people may say that horses will get into trouble at every chance they get, it is more likely that horses will react to any situation based on their fight-or-flight responses. Instead of quietly lying down and waiting for help like other herbivores might, they panic more easily and may get themselves in deeper trouble. Of course, there are horses that are accident-prone, and no matter how clean and free of debris their environment is (including pastures, stalls, and barns), they still manage to injure themselves.
ASC-251: Traveling with Your Horse: Caring for Your Horse Away from Home
Fernanda Camargo | Jan. 12, 2023 (New)
Any time spent with horses is enjoyable, but there is something particularly fun about taking your steady steed on an off-farm adventure. Traveling with your horse, whether to a show, trail ride or other experience, is a great way to show off your horseback riding skills, to test what you and your horse have learned in training, and certainly to socialize with other horse-loving friends.
ASC-250: Reemergence of Bedbugs as Poultry Pests
Jacquie Jacob, Tony Pescatore | Dec. 2, 2022 (New)
It is estimated that one of every five Americans has had a bedbug infestation at home or knows someone who has. However, today bedbug infestations are not limited to just homes. Cage-free poultry houses have been found to have problems with bedbugs, and the incidence continues to rise. This makes bedbugs another important external parasite for which poultry producers need to be wary.
ASC-232: Raising Replacement Pullets for Small-Scale Egg Production
Jacquie Jacob, Tony Pescatore | Oct. 27, 2022 (Minor Revision)
Poultry producers who raise their own replacement pullets have better control over the growth, condition, and development of the flock. The quality of the pullet flock will have a direct effect on the subsequent level of egg production. The two most important quality factors for a replacement flock are proper body weight and uniformity. Pullet weight at 6 weeks of age has been shown to influence subsequent egg production. Once the pullets start to lay, it is too late to solve problems from poor nutrition or management during the pullet rearing period.
ASC-249: Reading the Fine Print: Understanding Mineral Tags
Jeff Lehmkuhler, Katherine VanValin | Jul. 18, 2022 (New)
Among the variety of supplementation options currently available for beef cattle operations, a mineral can be one of the most challenging to select. Mineral tags contain important information regarding the contents of a mineral supplement and are regulated by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Understanding the information on a mineral tag will aid in the comparison of multiple products and help to ensure the selected mineral product will meet the needs of specific animals.
