Summer Research

This summer I have been helping one of the professors at State with her research project. She has been looking at how feeding heifers whole cottonseed may or may not effect the age they reach puberty. My job in this project is to take blood samples from the heifers every 10 days and then analyze those samples for the amount of progesterone they contain. When a heifer begins cycling and reaches puberty, progesterone levels increase. You might recognize progesterone as the hormone that maintains pregnancy in humans and animals. Progesterone also plays a key role in the estrous cycle of the heifer. Along with collecting a blood sample, we record the heifers weight to see if they are gaining weight during each 10 day interval.  We also look at the overall health of the heifer by checking her eyes and watching her as she exits the chute to make sure she is healthy. A chute is used when collecting blood samples to make sure the heifer and the person collecting the blood is safe. It also gives us a chance to get a good look at the heifer up close and make sure she is in tip top condition.
Collecting blood from a heifer is just like a person going to the doctor and having blood drawn. We collect the blood in a sterile tube, that is kept cold until we get the sample back to the lab for analysis.
Blood collection in cattle is used for more than just research. There are now pregnancy tests available for cattle where the producer can take a blood sample from the tail vein, just like Katie and I did, and send the sample into a lab. They analyze the sample for a protein, Pregnancy Specific Protein B, and if the protein is detected the cow is considered pregnant! This is a great option for producers who may not have access to a veterinarian for the cattle to be tested for pregnancy by ultrasound or palpation.
Here are some photos that were taken the past week -

Our patient. The heifers are very calm in the chute and usually will wait patiently until we are done. While we are collecting the blood sample, the guys will look her over to make sure she is in good health.

Katie collecting a blood sample from a vein that runs on the bottom side of the cows tail.

The blood entering the tube. This is usually a very fast process.

We record the weight of the heifer.

Katie and I, the blood collecting team. It's a dirty job by the time we get through with all the heifers. I have never been very good at staying clean! Maybe Mike Rowe could come out and do a show? 

A blood collection day is never complete without Shipley Donuts for our morning snack! 

ATTN YOUTH: Want to BEEF up your Animal Care knowledge?

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Kansas State University BCI (Beef Cattle Institute) is offering FREE online Youth Animal Care Training for high school age youth and younger. There are several different training programs offered including Beef Quality Assurance, Beef Industry Food Safety, Dairy Animal Care and Quality Assurance, and Youth Human Equine Management. Each training consists of a set of videos, followed by a quiz, and the the fun part - printing your certificate!

CLICK HERE to go to the training website. (source)

This is a great opportunity for 4-H and FFA members involved in either beef, dairy, or equine projects. With record books right around the corner, this is great way to add another project meeting and training to your book!

Visit the link above for contact information and more information pertaining to the online training.

The perfect way to relax after a long day!

One of my favorite places to go on walks here is at the beef unit. There is nothing better than going on a walk and passing by pastures of cows. It's a perfect way to end the day! Here are some pictures from our walk the other day...
The dogs might like walking out there more than we do. They LOVE having space to run and play!

Katie, Kieler, and Kobe

Tori and Darby

Katie loves Mississippi and the cows :)