Evaluation of crossbred calf and cow types for the coastal plains of North Carolina Objective: The objective of this project is to compare the performance of Angus, Angus x Braunvieh, and Angus x Hereford calves on the coastal plains of North Carolina. Station Name: Tidewater Outlying Research Station Description: Any female which is at least 3/4 Angus will be considered to be a commercial Angus cow for the purposes of this experiment. Commercial Angus females will be mated to Hereford, Braunvieh, or Angus bulls to produce Angus, Angus x Braunvieh, and Angus x Hereford calves. Performance of these calves will then be evaluated for growth, reproduction, and possibly carcass. This study is focused specifically on performance of these breeds in the coastal plains of North Carolina. Animals Needed: This experiment will require a minimum of 130 calving females each year. This project is currently projected to take 15 years to complete. More calving females would result in the project being completed sooner. Facilities: The experiment requires sorting pens, a calving barn, and a barn for intensive feeding. An area suitable for artificial insemination is also required. In addition, pasture space is needed for 130 cow-calf pairs and 50 replacement heifers. Equipment: Necessary equipment include a scales, a head gate, and semen tanks. All other equipment would be basic equipment necessary for beef cattle production. Feed: There are no special feed requirements. Normal Treatments: Bulls will be randomly assigned to cows and mated via AI. All matings will be via AI. Begin Date: 1 / 1 / 2003 End Date: 12 / 31 / 2007

Identification of methods for improving efficiency of beef production Objective: The objective of this project is to identify genetic and nutritional approaches to improving efficiency of beef production. Station Name: Upper Piedmont Beef Unit Outlying Research Station Description: Individual feed intake data will be recorded on 130 cows each year using Calan gates. This data will be used to develop methods for genetically selecting cows for improved efficiency. Individual feed intake will also be record on at least 50 bull progeny of these cows annually. Bull feed intake data will be compared to cow data to estimate the phenotypic and genetic correlations among cow feed intake and feed intake of their bull progeny. Serial ultrasound data will be collected on bulls. This data will be used to predict expected feed intake. Expected feed intake and actual feed intake will be used to estimate residual feed intake. Animals Needed: 140 lactating beef cows each year. 50 bull calves between the age of 6 and 12 months of age will be need each year. Facilities: A barn equipped to record individual feed intake on cows and young bulls Equipment: Scales for recording weights of the above animals.Ultra-sound equipment for recording back fat, REA, and Marbling. Feed: Feed requirements may change through out the experiment. Normal Treatments: Cows will be rotated through the individual feed intake facility such that at least 60 days of intake data will be available on each cow each year during lactation.Individual feed intake will be recorded on bull calves for a minimum of 90 Begin Date: 1 / 1 / 2004 End Date: 12 / 31 / 2009

Phenotypic correlations among measurement of behavior, loineye area, backfat, and growth in pigs. Objective: The objective of this research is to study the relationships among pig behavior, growth, backfat, and loineye area. Station Name: Swine Education Unit at Lake Wheeler Rd. Field Lab Description: Between 7 and 21 days of age each pig will be evaluated using the "backtest". A pig will be placed on a padded table in a supine position for 60 s and gently restrained. Each bout of struggling with at least one hind leg will be recorded as an escape attempt. Between 30 and 50 days of age pigs will be evaluated using the "resident intruder test". At 250 lbs Pigs will be weighed and scanned using real-time ultrasound to measure live weight, backfat, and loineye area. Animals Needed: 200 pigs from 7 days of age until an average weight of 250 lbs. 60 of these pigs will be replacement females which will be used for a minimum of 4 parities unless culled due to failure to breed or as a downer. Equipment: Two carts with padded surfaces will be required. Feed: No special feeds are required Normal Treatments: "backtest", "resident intruder test", At 250 lbs Pigs will be weighed and scanned using real-time ultrasound to measure live weight, backfat, and loineye area. Gilts will be heat checked to determine age at puberty. Begin Date: 06 / 01 / 2005 End Date: 12 / 30 / 2007

Residual Feed Intake in Angus Bulls Objective: To estimate residual-feed-intake (RFI) and estimate the correlation among RFI, $EN, ADG, feed efficiency, ribeye area and backfat in Angus Bulls Station Name: : Butner Beef Cattle Field Laboratory Description: The experiment will include 60 weaned bull calves representing 8 sires from the Reidsville Research Station. The bulls were weaned July 1, 2006. The efficiency EPD ($EN) of the 8 sires ranged from -3.7 to +6.7. The bulls will proceed through established post-weaning vaccination and parasite elimination programs. They will be transported to the Butner Beef Cattle Center, adapted to a corn silage-based diet, and trained to use the individual feeding gates. They will be blocked on the bases of live weight and sire into groups of 12 and fed the same diet for 84 days. Two consecutive (day) full live weights and one shrunk live weight, and hip height will be recorded at the start and end of the experiment. Hip height, scrotal circumference, blood samples (for determination of metabolites and growth hormones) and ultrasound measures of body composition will be taken at the start, middle, and end of the feeding period. They will be weighed every 14 days during the feeding period. Hip height, scrotal circumference and additional blood samples may be taken in conjunction with interim weighings. The experiment will begin approximately September 1, 2006. The silage-based diet will be formulated to support 1.4 kg ADG . The supplement will contain protein, minerals, vitamins, and rumensin (Table 1). The silage and supplement will be mixed at the ratio of 5 kg silage DM: 1.44 kg supplement DM, and fed as a total mixed ration. All bulls will receive the same diet, but feed offered will be adjusted to sustain maximum voluntary intake. Animals Needed: 60 weaned bull calves from the Reidsville Research Station Facilities: 5 pens in the lower barn Equipment: Normal Feed: 230 tons of silage 21 tons of supplemental concentrate Begin Date: 09 / 01 / 2006 End Date: 01 / 15 / 2007

Selection for increased growth and leanness considering competition effects. Objective: To evaluate evaluate the importance of competition effects relative to pig growth Station Name: Tidewater Outlying Research Station Description: Pigs will be selected for increased growth and leanness considering competition effects. A randomly selected contemporary control line will be maintained. Animals Needed: This experiments will require 100 litters of pigs per year. Normal Treatments: Weighing of pigs. Collection of hair and blood Ultra-sound measurement of fat depth and loin area Begin Date: 03 / 01 / 2004 End Date: 12 / 31 / 2009

Selection for increased number of pigs born live. Objective: To determine the biological potential of pigs in terms of number of pigs born live. Station Name: Tidewater Outlying Research Station Description: Pigs will be selected for based on number of live pigs at birth. A randomly selected contemporary control line will be maintained. Animals Needed: This experiment will require 100 litters of pigs per year. Normal Treatments: Weighing of pigs, collection of hair and blood, ultra-sound measurement of fat depth and loin area. Begin Date: 06 / 01 / 2006 End Date: 05 / 31 / 2010

Selection for decreased days to 250 lbs. Objective: To determine the biological limit for growth rate in pigs. Station Name: Tidewater Outlying Research Station Description: The biological limit for growth rate in pigs is unknown. Currently, commercial pigs reach a market weight of 250 lbs in approximately 180 days. However, some pigs reach that same weight in less than 150 days. The true potential for growth is unknown. We have shown through previous research that average days to 250 lbs has been reduced by 12 days in commercial pigs during the past 25 years. The impact in reduced overhead costs is worth billions of dollars to the US pork industry. So, the question remains, how much more progress can we make before we reach the biological limit of the pig. Animals Needed: This experiment will require 100 litters of pigs per year using the Hampshire x Duroc population currently in existence at the TRS. Normal Treatments: Weighing of pigs, collection of hair and blood, ultra-sound measurement of fat depth and loin area. Begin Date: 06 / 01 / 2006 End Date: 05 / 31 / 2015

Objective: The object of this project is to determine how genetically divergent Braunvieh is from other beef cattle breeds. Approach: This research will be done in collaboration with Dr. Mike MacNeil at the USDA ARS, Miles City, MT. Dr. MacNeil has determined the genetic relationship among Angus, Charolais, Florida Cracker, Hereford, Highland, Limousin, Mexican Criollo, Pineywoods, Red Angus, Salers, Shorthorn, Simmental, Tarentaise, and Texas Longhorn. In order to add Braunvieh to this analysis, DNA samples will be obtained from 35 Braunviehs which represent a genetic cross-section of the breed. In other words these 35 Braunviehs need to be as unrelated to each other as possible. Each animal will be genotyped for the same 34 genetic markers previously used in the aforementioned breeds. Data from these genetic markers will then be used to estimate genetic distance. Results will be made available to the Braunvieh Association of America by May 31, 2007. Dr. Cassady will work with Mr. Mark Nelson to identify the 35 animals to be sampled The Braunvieh Association of America has agreed to supply semen or blood samples from the 35 selected bulls or cows. These animals will be the source of DNA for this project. Expected Results: This experiment will result in an estimate of the extent to which Braunvieh is genetically distinct from the other breeds tested. Deliverables: A report will be provided to the Braunvieh Association of America at the end of this project describing the conclusions. This research is being done as a fixed price agreement.