Dr. Joe Emenheiser performs an ultrasound scan on a beef x dairy calf at the UConn Kellogg Dairy Center. Photo: Kara Bonsack
Dr. Joe Emenheiser, our livestock ExtensionEducator, will present on the use of ultrasound technology for meat quality improvement.Demand for local meat is at unprecedented highs, and ensuring quality meat products is vital for economic development. Ultrasound technology allows meat quality traits to be objectively measured in live animals, enabling livestock producers to make more informed selection decisions. Join us for a fun and educational session!
Dr. Joe Emenheiser performs an ultrasound scan on a beef x dairy calf at the UConn Kellogg Dairy Center. Photo: Kara Bonsack
Article by Joe Emenheiser, Ph.D.
Meat quality improvement can improve economic development for livestock producers. Ultrasound technology is used to evaluate body composition traits. This means livestock producers can check meat qualities in live animals. It leads to better livestock selection and breeding decisions.
A three-year grant project on beef and dairy crossbreeding is improving growth and carcass composition. Dairy farms are using more beef x dairy crossbreeding because of milk price volatility and decreased value of replacement dairy heifers. Beef prices and demand are also strong. Beef and dairy crossbreeding are not new, but we have not studied it with modern genetics. Our team is looking at the effects and economics of different management practices.
We ultrasound UConn crossbred calves monthly and evaluate the effects of different nutrition protocols. Our team considers this information along with data on calf performance, carcass value, and cost of production. It informs Extension programming and recommendations for livestock producers.
Northeast SARE funds this project. Collaborators are Drs. Sarah Reed, Kristen Govoni, and Steve Zinn from the UConn Animal Science Department and Dr. Tara Felix from Penn State University.
Dr. Joe Emenheiser performs an ultrasound scan on a beef x dairy calf at the UConn Kellogg Dairy Center. Photo: Kara Bonsack
Article by Joe Emenheiser, Ph.D.
Meat quality improvement can improve economic development for livestock producers. Ultrasound technology is used to evaluate body composition traits. This means livestock producers can check meat qualities in live animals. It leads to better livestock selection and breeding decisions.
A three-year grant project on beef and dairy crossbreeding is improving growth and carcass composition. Dairy farms are using more beef x dairy crossbreeding because of milk price volatility and decreased value of replacement dairy heifers. Beef prices and demand are also strong. Beef and dairy crossbreeding are not new, but we have not studied it with modern genetics. Our team is looking at the effects and economics of different management practices.
We ultrasound UConn crossbred calves monthly and evaluate the effects of different nutrition protocols. Our team considers this information along with data on calf performance, carcass value, and cost of production. It informs Extension programming and recommendations for livestock producers.
Northeast SARE funds this project. Collaborators are Drs. Sarah Reed, Kristen Govoni, and Steve Zinn from the UConn Animal Science Department and Dr. Tara Felix from Penn State University.
UConn Extension is pleased to welcome Dr. Joe Emenheiser as our new statewide Livestock Extension Educator. Joe was raised in PA on a small family farm and got his start in the livestock industry with market lambs in 4-H. He built his own flock by shearing sheep and went on to attend Oklahoma State University and graduate with a degree in animal science. He was on the Reserve National Champion Meats and Livestock Judging teams at OSU, and then went to Virginia Tech where he received his MS in quantitative genetics and PhD in beef production systems.
Joe’s interest in meat quality improvement and carcass evaluation led him to work in both the livestock industry and in academia. He comes to us from the University of Vermont where he taught in the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences and was formerly the state Extension Livestock Specialist. He has also taught at the Vermont Technical College. Joe has developed his own flock of Suffolk and he serves on the Breed Improvement Committee of the United Suffolk Sheep Association. He will be working with diversified livestock producers statewide focusing on livestock and meat production systems and economic development.
Joe will be based in Brooklyn at the Windham Extension office. He will also be teaching one course a semester in the Department of Animal Science, including Livestock Management and Livestock and Carcass Evaluation.
