clayton livestock research center 2018 annual …this report was not as a formal release. therefore,...

Glenn Duff, Editor

New Mexico State University

5/15/2018

Clayton Livestock Research Center 2018 AnnualP rogress Report

2018

NMSU Clayton Livestock Research Center 2018 Annual Report

TABLE OF CONTENT

Item Page

Faculty and Staff ....................................................................................................................2

Advisory Committee Members..............................................................................................4

Notice to Users.......................................................................................................................5

Executive Summary ...............................................................................................................5

Introduction............................................................................................................................6

Revenue and Expenditures.....................................................................................................7

Physical Plant and Equipment ...............................................................................................9

Impacts of Research...............................................................................................................9

Research Projects ...................................................................................................................10

Teaching ................................................................................................................................12

Service ...................................................................................................................................13

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Permanent Faculty and Staff Glenn C. Duff, PhD

Professor and Superintendent

Michael L Barnes, B.S.

Farm/Ranch Manager

Started April 2018

Consuelo Sowers, M.S.

Farm/Ranch Supervisor

Started November 2017

Temporary Staff Josiah Brooks

M.S. student working under direction of Dr. Glenn Duff.

Duties of Personnel

Dr. Glenn Duff is a Professor and Superintendent at the Clayton Livestock Research Center. Dr.

Duff’s allocation of effort includes research (55% research), teaching (10%), outreach (10%)

Service (10%) and administration (15%). Mike Barnes was hired as farm/ranch manager in the

spring 2018. A total of three full time employees were on staff in 2018. Consuelo Sowers

received her M.S. degree from Kansas State University in spring 2018. She has compiled data

from the last 40 years on health and performance of newly received beef cattle (described later).

Josiah Brooks started his M.S. program in August 2018. Josiah received his B.S. degree from

NMSU. His project (described later) evaluated effects of preconditioning programs for beef

cattle received on wheat pasture. In addition Josiah was the Teaching Assistant for ANSC 429

(stocker/feedlot management).

We have requested a farm/ranch manager and received approval in December 2018. In addition,

we are in the process of recruiting an assistant/associate professor for the center. The original

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closing date was August 2018 but was extended to December 2018 to get a larger pool. It is

anticipated that this person will work on health and performance of newly received beef cattle.

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2017 CLRC Advisory Committee

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

FRANK BURTON – Springer, NM

BILL BROCKMAN - Clayton, NM

BRUCE DAVIS – Springer, NM

BEN CREIGHTON - Clayton, NM

CURTIS KELLING - Cuero. NM

GARLAND KING - Clayton, NM

BOARD MEMBERS

DAVID WALKER CHAIR – Springer, NM

DON REIF – Clayton, NM

JERROD WEBSTER - Clayton, NM

PAT RILEY – Clayton NM

BILL CANTRELL- Clayton, NM

MR. & MRS. CHASE CARTER – Clayton, NM

MATT THOMPSON – Texline, TX

LINDA CAIN – Logan, NM

MAX GEARY – Clayton, NM FERRON LUCERO – Clayton, NM

JOHN LYNCH - Alamogordo, NM

DAVID PRATHER – Clayton, NM

WHITNEY BROCK - Clayton, NM

RED MILLER – Grenville, NM

LEHMER JEFFERS – Gladstone, NM

MICHAEL NIXON – Nara Visa, NM

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS

BOE LOPEZ

BLAIR CLAVEL

MICHAEL ATKINSON

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Notice to Users of this Report This report has been prepared as an update of activities at the Clayton Livestock Research Center

– Clayton in 2018. This is not a formal Agricultural Experiment Station Report of research

results.

Information in this report represents results from research projects in various stages of

development. Readers are cautioned against drawing conclusions or making recommendations

because of data in this report. Researchers have made every effort to check the accuracy of the

data presented.

This report was not as a formal release. Therefore, none of the data or information herein is

authorized for release or publication without the written approval of the New Mexico

Agricultural Experiment Station.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The focus of the Clayton Livestock Research Center (CLRC) is to conduct research on

improving the health and performance of newly received beef cattle and nutrition and

management to slaughter. The center also has an irrigated pasture that was planted to wheat in

August 2018. The irrigated pasture has traditionally been planted in wheat; however, there are

opportunities to work with other research centers evaluating other forages.

To remain viable over the next 5 to 10 years, we will need to seek funding for deferred

maintenance at the center. Another major obstacle at the center is labor. We will need to fill

critical positions for livestock supervisor and general labor. Filling all of these positions will be

vital for the success of the center. In addition, we will need to secure grant funding in the form

of industry support. Infrastructure to allow personnel of the center to teach distance education

courses is vital. Having fiber optic at the CLRC is needed to teach these courses.

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The Clayton Livestock Research Center has been in a “stand-by” mode for the last 1.5 years.

We initiated two studies in 2018 after completing a receiving study evaluating glycerin

drenching on health and performance of newly received cattle in the fall 2017.

In addition to getting the research center open and functional, Dr. Glenn Duff taught a course on

stocker/feedlot management and dairy management. As mentioned before, there is a big

challenge in teaching at the center with slow internet connectivity.

INTRODUCTION

The Clayton Livestock Research Center was established on 320 acres of Kiowa National

Grassland, Cibola National Forest, and located 7 miles east of Clayton, NM on Highway

56/64/412. The New Mexico Legislature first appropriated funds in 1972 for construction and

operation of the Center. A special use permit was approved by the Cibola National Forest in

1973 for construction and approved by Cibola National Forest in 1975. Construction began

shortly thereafter.

The research focus at the Clayton Livestock Research Center has been to improve the health of

newly received lightweight calves. These cattle may originate in New Mexico or the

Southwestern states and brought to New Mexico for grazing. These cattle then go on to finish in

feedyards in the high plains region. Health of New Mexico ranch calves shipped outside the

state for placement on grass or into the feedyards has been long standing priority of the research

station.

Research pens, with a capacity of approximately 960 head are constructed from pipe, with fence-

line concrete bunk. The center recently replaced waters with Richie heated waters. Cattle

handling equipment in an enclosed barn includes a working-chute system, scales for weighing

individual animals. It was upgraded to a “Bud Box” design for truly low-stress handling

conditions. A loading chute and scales for weighing trucks or groups of cattle are near the

processing barn. An evaporation pond and a debris basin are located east of the cattle pens in

order to contain run-off.

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A metal, 40 x 120 foot shed contains a machine-repair shop and feed storage area. The office

laboratory building provides office space, a conference room, as well as laboratories for nutrition

research.

One of the important factors at the Center is a center pivot irrigation system on 120 acres. The

use of irrigated pasture to alleviate stress for newly received cattle and reduce costs of gain is

currently being researched. The pivot has not been used in several years but with some upgrades

to the pivot, a research program has been re-initiated.

Construction of the feedmill was completed in December 1978. It provides storage of feed

ingredients, contains a steam-flaker and dry-roller for grains and mixing of experimental diets.

The roughage boxes were upgraded with the assistance of the College of Agriculture and

Environmental Sciences (ACES) in the fall 2017.

Guidance for research direction and cooperation from New Mexico Cattle Growers has long

been the backbone of research conducted at the Clayton Livestock Research Center. Our goal is

to improve the profitability of the cattle industry and specifically New Mexico cattle.

Operational Revenues and Expenditures The Clayton Livestock Research Center receives $51,748.00 in operational funds. In addition, the center maintains a revolving fund for purchases of cattle and feed.

Expenditures for the revolving fund:

Automobile (Fuel auto parts) $ 4,251.18

Automobile maintenance $ 11,732.14

Electricity $ 28,900.95

Job Expenses (misc.) $ 43,358.80

Livestock Expenses $ 69,465.86

Livestock Purchases $1,171,818.14

Livestock Supplies $ 144,460.75

Miscellaneous $ 1,269.49

Grand Total $ 1,475,257.31

Revenue (Cactus, 5 States, Cattleman’s Commission $ 817,354.09

Net change for Revolving Fund 2018 $ 657,903.31

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https://51,748.00


A majority of expenses for the revolving account remains livestock purchases and livestock expenses.

Expenditures for Clayton Administration

Auto Fuel $ 1,201.79

Maintenance $ 3,633.01

Electric $ 13,954.93

Natural Gas $ 1,229.16

Telephone $ 3,208.91

Food and Household $ 1,064.13

Job Expenses $ 21,236.38

Livestock Supplies $ 2,108.50

Office Supplies $ 4,720.46

Miscellaneious $ 356.95

Grand Total $ 52,714.32

ENMR Capital Credits $ 4,455.08

A significant amount of expenditures go for Electric and Gas, automobile, and job expenses. It should be noted that these expenditures are for 2018 calendar year and not 2017-2018 fiscal year.

Lists of products donated: Total value = $ 17,421

The following items were provided as in-kind donations to the research program. We appreciate the in-kind donations from these companies.

Covexin 8 - Merck Animal Health $ 1,246

Reslfor Gold – Merck Animal Health $ 8,088

Synovex C – Zoetis $ 2,607

Revalor IS – Merck Animal Health $ 2,607

Revalor – 200 – Merck Animal Health $ 379

Revalor G – Merck Animal Health $ 139

Zuprevo –Merck Animal Health $ 2,035

Dectomax – Zoetis $ 320

In addition, Cargill sells the research center Sweet Bran at a reduced price. We very much appreciate this in-kind support from these companies.

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Physical Plant and Equipment

In order to conduct research with diets typically used in the area a boiler is needed to steam-flake

grain sources. Currently we purchase steam-flaked corn, however, it costs approximately $40

over the cost of corn to buy. In addition, the steam-flaked corn that is purchased is drier than

what would be produced in-house and a thicker flake. The cost of a used boiler (installed) is

approximately $100,000 and to upgrade the airlift will be another $100,000 to $125,000. This

will get the feedyard the opportunity for mixing diets typically used and will help secure funds

for research.

The feed truck is now non-functional. Last year, it quit working and we are currently feeding

using the RotoMixer pulled behind the John Deere tractor. The feed truck is the backbone of our

feeding system. We have contacted Cactus and will be working with them to put the box on a

different cab and chassis.

Equipment shed and commodity barn. A equipment shed to house the farm equipment will

expand the life of the equipment. Likewise, a commodity barn where we can hold the necessary

ingredients for our diets will allow us to take advantage of optimum market prices when they

become available.

The restrooms in the shop are in need of repair. Several burst pipes have made the restrooms

non functional. We often hold meetings in the processing barn but currently this is not an option.

We had discussed working on research evaluating dairy/beef calf nutrition and management. In

order to accomplish this, we will need a computerized feeding system and the processing barn

remodeled.

IMPACTS:

Impact: Scientist at New Mexico State University and West Texas A & M University evaluated

the impact of drenching a glycerin solution for newly received beef heifers on health and

performance. Sickness of newly received cattle in the feedyard results in a $2 to 4 billion in

losses to the cattle industry. Dietary energy intake may be responsible for depressed immune

system. Glycerin which is a co-product of the biodiesel industry may provide a means to

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increase energy intake in newly received cattle. One method to administer the product is to

orally drench the product to provide a source of energy. Six loads of calves were used to

evaluate drenching the cattle with glycerin or water on health and performance. The drench did

not provide any advantage in performance or health.

Impact: The Clayton Livestock Research Center at New Mexico State University was opened in

1978. The focus of the center has been evaluation of health and performance of newly received

beef cattle. As such, data are being complied for a meta-analysis of research over the last 40

years. Bovine respiratory disease causes an estimated $2 to 4 billion in losses every year. In

addition, incidence of bovine respiratory disease has increased over the years. Analysis of data

at a single research location will help to identify factors responsible for bovine respiratory

disease. Data are currently being compiled for this analysis.

Health and Performance of Newly-Received Beef Cattle:

The following proceedings paper (Extended Abstract) was published for the 2018 Western

Section American Society of Animal Science meeting.

Francesca A. Lopez, Eben R. Oosthuysen, Glenn C. Duff, John T. Richeson, Kendall L.

Samuelson, Mike E. Hubbert, and Clint A. Loest. Health, performance, and complete blood

counts of newly received feedlot heifers in response to an oral drench of water and crude

glycerin. Translational Animal Science 2 (Suppl 1): 574-578. https://doi.org/10.1093/tas

/txy028.

Conclusions from published extended abstract. (Lopez et al., 2018)

“These results indicate that supplementing crude glycerin as an oral drench to newly received

feedlot calves at initial processing and upon diagnosis of illness does not affect calf performance,

health, and complete blood counts. Further research is warranted to evaluate effects of

alternative crude glycerin application techniques, such as multiple crude glycerin drench

applications and (or) supplementation of crude glycerin via drinking water, on feedlot calf

health.”

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https://doi.org/10.1093/tas


A meta-analysis of data from the Clayton Livestock Research Center on health and

performance of newly received beef cattle from 1978 to 2018.

Data are currently being compiled for health and performance studies conducted at the Clayton

Livestock Research Center over the last 40 years (1978 to 2018). These data will help to identify

management factors that had the greatest impact at reducing sickness of newly received beef

cattle. These data will be presented at the 2019 Western Section American Society of Animal

Science meetings in Boise City, ID in June 2019.

Effects of preconditioning programs on health and performance of beef steers received on

an irrigated wheat pasture.

During August 2018, the 120-acre irrigated pasture was planted to winter wheat. The pasture

was subdivided into 3 equal pastures. A total of 150 steers were purchased from an auction barn

located in Dalhart, TX (Cattleman’s Livestock Commission, Co, Dalhart, TX). Steers were

purchased based on reported preconditioning programs (weaned for a certain amount of time,

received respiratory vaccines (infectious bovine rhinotracheites [IBR], parainfluenza-3 (PI-3),

bovine viral diarrhea (BVD), and bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV). At receiving cattle

received the IBR, PI-3, BVD and BRSV vaccines along with a clostridial vaccine. Steers were

dewormed and received a growth promoting implant. Steers received individual identification

along with a colored tag for treatments (preconditioned or Steers were then nasal sampled on

day 2 for analysis of mannheimia haemolytica and pasturella multocida. After sampling, calves

were turned out on wheat pasture and observed daily for signs of respiratory disease. The two

observers were blinded to treatments. Cattle were rotated through pastures on day 30 and 60.

On day 90 (February 2019), cattle were be turned out into a common pasture. The initial study

will be completed at approximately 120 days (steers weighing approximately 750 lbs). Pastures

will be watered and a second group of cattle. Cattle will be treated identical to the first groups.

Effects of Nutritional Management on Finishing Cattle Performance and Carcass

Characteristics

Effects of a supplemental phytomolecules (cinnamaldehyde-eugenol and capsicum) on

performance and carcass characteristics of finishing beef steers

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The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of a blend of phytomolecules on performance

and carcass characteristics of finishing beef steers. These compounds have altered rumen

fermentation and may be an alternative (or used as a complementary product) with a common

feed additive used in the cattle feeding operations (monensin, Rumensin, Elanco Animal Health).

For cattle that are fed "natural," monensin is prohibited from use and this product may be used to

replace monensin. Additionally, for conventional fed cattle, this product may be complementary

to Rumensin (monensin). As a result, this product may improve performance of feedlot cattle

and add to the advancement of knowledge in management of feedlot cattle. We

Approximately 880 mixed breed steers, weighing approximately 340 kg (750 lb), were

transported to the Clayton Livestock Research Center in Clayton, NM. Calves were processed

immediately following arrival. Processing includes administration of vaccinations, identification

ear tags, and a growth promoting implant. Calves were randomly assigned to treatment or

control groups and sorted into pens of 20 calves (10 to 12 pens per treatment 44 pens total).

Steers will be re-implanted on day 60 and will remain on study to harvest (approximately June

2019).

Teaching As part of Dr. Duff’s allocation of effort, classes are taught from the Clayton Livestock Research

Center. During the spring semester 2018, a Dairy Management class was taught and during the

fall semester 2018 a course in Stocker/Feedlot Management class was taught. For both of these

courses, there is a problem with internet connectivity to effectively teach the class. We have

contacted our internet provider and they indicated that fiber optic will be installed in the spring

2019. This will not only enhance the undergraduate education but will also allow for graduate

students to take courses (primarily courses taught in the Animal Science Department) at the

Clayton Livestock Research Center.

Service The peer review process continues to be a fundamental role in communicating scientific data.

Allowing our peers to evaluate the scientific vigor of our research adds to the validity of research

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programs. Starting in July 2018, Dr. Glenn Duff was appointed as Associate Editor for the

Professional Animal Scientist (now Applied Animal Science). Manuscripts submitted to this

Elsevier publication go through a rigorous process before being accepted for publication.

Anywhere from 3 to 5 reviewers are selected and as Associate Editor decisions are made for

which articles are acceptable or rejected for publication. In addition to the role as associate

editor, Dr. Duff continues to review manuscripts for other journals including the Journal of

Animal Science and Translational Animal Science.

In 2015, Dr. Duff was voted in as the Western Section Representative for the board of directors

of the American Society of Animal Science. Board members help to guide and shape the

direction of the society. For 2017, there are 6,672 members (including professional, graduate

students, undergraduate students, post-doctoral students, corporate sustaining, transitional, and

institutional). Dr. Duff chaired the membership committee, served as representative for the

Council for Agriculture, Science and Technology (CAST), served as chair of an awards

committee, served as chair of the Ruminant Nutrition Section for the national meeting, and

served on the programming committee for the 2018 national Animal Science meeting that was

held in Vancouver, BC Canada. In addition, as the Western Section representative, the national

representative is on the Executive Board for the Western Section. After the 2018 national

meeting, Glenn was elected by the board members to serve as the Programming Chair for the

2019 national meetings to be held in Austin, TX in July 2019.

A major responsibility of the Superintendent position is to represent NMSU in the community.

Dr. Duff is member of Rotary International. The local Rotary Club is responsible for many

community projects. Dr. Duff served on the scholarship committee for the club. Three

outstanding high school students received scholarships from the Clayton Rotary Club.

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clayton livestock research center 2018 annual …this report was not as a formal release. therefore,...

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