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Mark Nelson

Mark Nelson
Professor Emeritus

RUMINANT NUTRITION. The major research goal is to manipulate ruminal fermentation to optimize animal productivity. To accomplish this goal, cell wall chemistry, associative effects of feedstuffs and ruminal microbiology are studied.

Specific Research Areas:
  • Manipulation of fermentation in the rumen to affect rate of digestion, rate of passage, bacterial protein synthesis and (or) methane production.
  • Nutritional effects on meat composition and palatability.
  • Chemistry of the cell wall of feedstuffs.
Selected Publications:
  1. Nelson, M.L., J.R. Busboom, C.F. Ross, and J.V. O’Fallon. 2008. Effects of supplemental fat on growth performance and quality of beef from steers fed corn-finishing diets. J. Anim. Sci. 86:in press.
  2. Chapalamadugu, K.C., J.R. Busboom, M.L. Nelson, D. Hancock,  J. Tang, and  D.P. Jasmer  2007. Taenia taeniaeformis. Effectiveness of staining oncospheres is related to both temperature of treatment and molecular weight of dyes utilized. Veterinary Parasitology 4156:in press
  3. O’Fallon, J.V., J.R. Busboom, M.L. Nelson, and C.T. Gaskins.  2007.  A direct method for fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) synthesis:  Application to wet meat tissues, oils and feedstuffs.  J. Anim Sci. 85:1511-1521.
  4. Nelson, M.L., D.J. Marks, J.R. Busboom, J.D. Cronrath, and L. Falen.  2004.  Effects of supplemental fat on growth performance and quality of beef from steers fed barley-potato product finishing diets. I. Feedlot performance, carcass traits, appearance, water binding, retail storage, and palatability attributes.  J. Anim. Sci. 82:3600-3610.
  5. Marks, D.J., M.L. Nelson, J.R. Busboom, J.D. Cronrath, and L. Falen.  2004.  Effects of supplemental fat on growth performance and quality of beef from steers fed barley-potato product finishing diets. II. Fatty acid composition of muscle and subcutaneous fat.  J. Anim. Sci. 82:3611-3616.
  6. Nelson, M.L., H.H. Westberg, and S.M. Parish.  2001.  Effects of tallow on energy metabolism of wethers fed barley finishing diets.  J. Anim. Sci. 79:1892-1904.
  7. Nelson, M.L., J.R. Busboom, J.D. Cronrath, L. Falen, and A. Blankenbaker.  2000.  Effects of graded levels of potato by-products in barley- and corn-based beef feedlot diets. I. Feedlot performance, carcass traits, meat composition, and appearance.  J. Anim. Sci. 78:1829-1836.
  8. Busboom, J.R., M.L. Nelson, L.E. Jeremiah, S.K. Duckett, J.D. Cronrath, L. Falen, and P.S. Kuber.  2000.  Effects of graded levels of potato by-products in barley- and corn-based beef feedlot diets.  II: Palatability.  J. Anim. Sci. 78:1837-1844.
  9. Wedam, R.J., M.L. Nelson, and V.R. Franceschi.  1999.  Demonstration of endosymbiotic methanogens and hydrogenosomes in ruminal protozoa from sheep.  J. Anim. Sci. 77(Suppl. 1.):353.
  10. Ovenell-Roy, K.H., M.L. Nelson, J.A. Froseth, S.M. Parish and E.L. Martin.  1998.  Variation in chemical composition and nutritional quality among barley cultivars for ruminants:   I. Steer finishing performance, diet digestibilities and carcass characteristics.  Can. J. Anim. Sci.  78:369-376.
  11. Ovenell-Roy, K.H., M.L. Nelson, J.A. Froseth, S.M. Parish and E.L. Martin.  1998. Variation in chemical composition and nutritional quality among barley cultivars for ruminants:  II. Digestion, ruminal characteristics and in situ disappearance kinetics.  Can. J. Anim. Sci. 78:377-388.
  12. Ovenell-Roy, K.H., M.L. Nelson, H.H. Westberg, and J.A. Froseth.  1998.  Effects of barley cultivar on energy and nitrogen metabolism of lambs.  Can. J. Anim. Sci. 78:389-398.
  13. Rangngang, M.B., M.L. Nelson and S.M. Parish.  1997.  Ruminal undegradability of blood meal and effects of blood meal on ruminal and postruminal digestion in steers consuming vegetative orchardgrass hay.  J. Anim. Sci. 75:2788-2795.
  14. Nelson, M.L.  1997.  Escape protein supplementation of steers fed grass silage-based diets.  J. Anim. Sci. 75:2796-2802.
  15. Nelson, M.L. and M.J. Bozich.  1996.  Effect of storage temperature and time on fiber content of fresh and ensiled alfalfa.  J. Anim. Sci. 74:1689-1693.