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Rhizoma peanut is a popular forage for cow-calf producers on the Gulf
Coast. A new study shows an additional use: Cattle may gain enough
weight grazing rhizoma peanut to go directly from pasture to slaughter
without the usual feedlot stint. Fat color and off-flavor problems often
associated with forage-finishing apparently don't occur when steers eat
rhizoma peanut. But the new study shows these animals' meat may be
dark-colored and less tender, for a slight overall reduction in quality
compared with steers fattened on grain-based feed. Producers planning to
use rhizoma peanut to finish cattle may want to choose a cattle breed with
greater genetic potential for tender meat.
Subtropical
Agricultural Research Station, Brooksville, FL
Andrew C. Hammond, (904) 796-3385
Scientists no longer need to slaughter pigs to evaluate the animal's
production of lean meat versus fat. ARS researchers have adapted
medical technology that gives accurate information on body composition
while the hogs are still alive. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) shows
"slices" of a pig's body, recording data on the animal's fat distribution,
total body fat and muscle. Another system, Dual-Energy X-ray
Absorptiometry (DEXA), provides a whole body scan of a live pig.
Scientists now chart changes in a pig's body composition as it grows.
Growth Biology
Laboratory, Beltsville, MD
Al D. Mitchell, (301) 504-7124
A longer grazing season can be gained by ranchers who graze their
animals on switchgrass pastures. ARS and Iowa State University
scientists added cool-season, nitrogen-fixing plants to pastures already
planted with warm-season switchgrass. After a year, the legume plants
provided enough nitrogen to increase growth of switchgrass. In
northcentral states, the best switchgrass forage yields come in June
through August, while the legumes produce their highest yields in cooler
months. By growing legumes such as alfalfa, sweetclover, red clover and
birdsfoot trefoil with switchgrass, livestock producers can ensure a good
forage supply through a greater part of the year.
Field Crops Research, Ames, IA
Dwayne R. Buxton, (515) 294-9654
Specific pituitary gland cells in turkeys may be hidden culprits behind
some birds' reluctance to lay eggs. That's because these cells,
called somatotrophs and normally tied to production of growth hormone, can
switch function to make a hormone called prolactin. Turkeys with high
levels of prolactin become "broody," preferring to try to sit and hatch
eggs rather than producing more. Broodiness seriously cuts into turkey
egg production that's already comparatively low, averaging only about 90
eggs over a scant 25-week laying season. It's been estimated that
boosting turkey egg turnout by just 10 eggs per hen could increase turkey
industry income by some $30 million. Researchers are using the new
information about changing cell function to search for various ways to
stop excess prolactin production.
Germplasm and Gamete
Physiology Laboratory, Beltsville, MD
John A. Proudman, (301) 504-8094
Last updated: October 30, 1996
Return to: Quarterly Report
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Last Modified: 02/11/2002
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