scholarly journals Opportunities to improve the accuracy of the United States Department of Agriculture beef yield grade equation through precision agriculture1

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 1216-1223
Author(s):  
Jerad R Jaborek ◽  
Alejandro E Relling ◽  
Francis L Fluharty ◽  
Steven J Moeller ◽  
Henry N Zerby
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Precision Agriculture ◽  
The United States ◽  
Carcass Composition ◽  
United States Department ◽  
Department Of Agriculture ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Animal Identification ◽  
The U.S ◽  
Beef Carcass

Abstract The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) yield grade (YG) equation is used to predict the retail yield of beef carcasses, which facilitates a more accurate payment for cattle when they are sold on a grid pricing system that considers carcass composition instead of body weight alone. The current USDA YG equation was developed over 50 yr ago. Arguably, the population of cattle used to develop the YG equation is different than the current diverse U.S. beef cattle supply today. The objectives of this manuscript are to promote the adoption and use of precision agriculture technologies (i.e., camera grading and electronic animal identification) throughout the U.S. beef supply chain as a means to enhance the ability of the USDA YG equation to more accurately predict the retail yield across the population of cattle that contributes to the current U.S. beef supply. Camera grading has improved the accuracy of determining beef carcass retail yield; however, the use of electronic animal identification would allow for additional information to be passed back and forth between the packer, cattle feeder, and producer. Information, such as sex, genetics, medical treatment history, diets consumed, and growth promotant administration, as well as other information could be used to create additional variables for a new augmented USDA YG equation. Herein, fabrication yields demonstrated a 5.6 USDA YG and 12.8% boneless closely trimmed retail cut difference between actual cutout measurements and calculated values from the USDA YG equation for Jersey-influenced cattle. Evidence of such disparities between calculated and actual values warrants a reevaluation of the USDA YG system and consideration for implementing advancements in precision agriculture to improve the prediction of beef carcass retail yield to more accurately account for the large amount of variation in beef carcass retail yield from the cattle in the United States.

scholarly journals A content review of precision agriculture courses across the United States

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Danielle Skouby
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Precision Agriculture ◽  
The United States ◽  
United States Department ◽  
Differential Gps ◽  
Department Of Agriculture ◽  
University Of Missouri ◽  
Four Year Institutions ◽  
Content Review ◽  
The U.S

Knowledge of what Precision Agriculture (PA) content is currently taught across the U.S. will help build a better understanding for what PA instructors should incorporate into their classes in the future. For this assessment, the University of Missouri (MU) partnered with several universities throughout the nation on a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) challenge grant. A survey was conducted with PA instructors from 44 institutions from across the U.S. participating. Each institution was assessed to determine amount of time they spent teaching on 59 different PA topics in their PA-related courses. Results were obtained from 56 PA courses. Scope of PA, Global Positioning System (GPS), Differential GPS, Yield Monitoring, and Yield Map were all topics that were frequently discussed in PA courses, whether they were entryor advanced-level or two-year or four-year institutions. Review of the content showed a need for a more standardized curriculum.

Aphomia gularis (Zeller) (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae) at Baie d'Urfé, Quebec

1955 ◽  
Vol 87 (6) ◽  
pp. 239-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. H. H. Gray
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
United States Department ◽  
National Museum ◽  
San Jose ◽  
Department Of Agriculture ◽  
States Department ◽  
Lepidoptera Pyralidae ◽  
The U.S

This moth was first reported on this continent as a pest in a consignment of peanuts, received in California from China (de Ong, 1919). Mr. Hahn W. Capps, of the United States Department of Agriculture, informs me, in litt., that 6 adults from that infestation, together with 2 from “near prunes” in 1930, and 8 from a prune warehouse in 1931, at San José, are in the U.S. National Museum.

scholarly journals Impact of beef carcass size on chilling rate, pH decline, display color, and tenderness of top round subprimals

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica M Lancaster ◽  
Brianna J Buseman ◽  
Tanya M Weber ◽  
James A Nasados ◽  
Ron P Richard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
Anatomical Location ◽  
United States Department ◽  
Department Of Agriculture ◽  
Beef Carcasses ◽  
Initial Ph ◽  
Deep Location ◽  
Beef Carcass

Abstract Beef carcass weights in the United States have continued to increase over the past 30 yr. As reported by the United States Department of Agriculture, grid-based carcass weight discounts begin when carcasses exceed 408 kg. Despite weight discounts, beef carcass weights continue to increase. At the same time, an increased prevalence of discoloration and color variability in top round subprimals has been observed throughout the industry which may be influenced by the increases in carcass weights. The objectives of this study were to assess the effects of beef carcass size and its relationship to chill time, color, pH, and tenderness of the beef top round. In the current study, eight industry average weight beef carcasses (AW, 341–397 kg) and eight oversized beef carcasses (OW, exceeding 432 kg) were evaluated. Temperatures and pH measurements were observed on both sides of all carcasses for the initial 48 h postharvest at a consistent superficial and deep anatomical location of the respective top rounds. Carcasses were fabricated into subprimals at 48 h and top rounds were aged at 2 °C for an additional 12 d. The superficial location of both AW and OW carcasses cooled at a faster rate (P < 0.01) than the deep locations. The deep location of OW carcasses had a lower pH and a more rapid (P < 0.01) initial pH decline. Quantitative color of steaks from OW carcasses had greater mean L* (lightness; P = 0.01) and initial b* (yellowness; P < 0.01) values. The delayed temperature decline and the accelerated pH decline of the deep location of the top round of OW carcasses occur at different rates than AW carcasses. Delayed rate of cooling leads to irreversible impacts on steak appearance of top round steaks fabricated from OW beef carcasses when compared with AW carcasses.

scholarly journals Exotic Haemaphysalis longicornis (Acari: Ixodidae) in the United States: Biology, Ecology, and Strategies for Management

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brittany L Schappach ◽  
Rayda K Krell ◽  
Victoria L Hornbostel ◽  
Neeta P Connally
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Vector Competence ◽  
The United States ◽  
United States Department ◽  
Haemaphysalis Longicornis ◽  
Life Stages ◽  
Department Of Agriculture ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Significant Public Health ◽  
Multiple Pathogens

Abstract The Asian longhorned tick (ALT), Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann (Acari: Ixodidae), is a three-host tick that was first detected outside of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) quarantine in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, in 2017 and subsequently found in another 14 states. In its native Asia, and where it has become established in Australia and New Zealand, ALTs feed on a variety of hosts and are economically important livestock pests and competent vectors of multiple pathogens to humans and other animals. The degree to which ALT will become a persistent livestock pest or competent vector for introduced or existing pathogens in the United States is yet unclear. Because of its vast host availability, ability to reproduce asexually, known vector competence, and the presence of multiple life stages on hosts, the expansion of ALT establishment in the United States is expected, and is a significant public health and veterinary concern. In this paper, we discuss the biology, geographical distribution, life cycle and seasonal activity, reproduction, identification, medical and veterinary implications, management options, and future concerns in the United States.

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