Hushton Block, Ph.D.

Research on beef production systems, particularly from a nutrition or nutrition management perspective, to support improvement and advancements with beef cattle production.
Current research and/or projects
Principal investigator on "Individually targeted cow-calf nutrition and management on pasture in support of a net zero carbon beef target." which is looking at improving the nutrition and management of cow-calf pairs on pasture to reduce the methane emissions intensity per unit of beef production in support of a net zero carbon target for beef production.
Collaborator on "Genetic analyses of feed intake, feed efficiency, female fertility, and cow lifetime productivity in beef cattle raised under two environments." where I am participating in the estimation of cow life time energy intake based on historical cow weight and condition data in support of determining the effect of conceptus corrected weight change on cow fertility and culling rate.
Professional activities / interests
Interested in all aspects of beef cattle production systems, particularly from a cattle nutrition or nutritional management (targeted production) perspective. The intention is to develop and use nutritional and production models and economics to assist with cattle management decisions in support of improving and advancing beef cattle production. This includes economic, environmental, and social sustainability considerations.
Education and awards
Ph. D. Animal Science; University of Nebraska-Lincoln; 2003. “Wet Corn Gluten Feed and Steam Flaked Corn for Feedlot Cattle and Evaluation of 1996 NRC Beef Energy Equations”
M. Sc. Animal Science; University of Saskatchewan; 1999. “Target Finishing Beef Steers and 1996 NRC Beef Model Evaluation”
B. Sc. Animal Science; University of Alberta; 1996
Key publications
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Olson, C.A., Li, C., Block, H., McKeown, L., Basarab, J.A. (2021). Phenotypic and genetic correlations of beef replacement heifer feeding behaviour, feed intake and feed efficiency with cow performance and lifetime productivity. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics, [online] 138(3), 300-313. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jbg.12522
2021 - View publication details
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Olson, C.A., Li, C., Block, H., McKeown, L., Basarab, J.A. (2020). Phenotypic and genetic correlations between feeding behaviours and feed efficiency in crossbred beef replacement females. Canadian Journal of Animal Science, [online] 100(4), 781-785. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/CJAS-2019-0212
2020 - View publication details
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Dugan, M.E.R., Vahmani, P., Rolland, D.C., McAllister, T.A., Block, H.C., Proctor, S.D., Guan, L.L., Prieto, N., Aalhus, J.L., Lopez-Campos, O. 2017. Sequential feeding of extruded flaxseed (LinPRO-R) and hay increases the n-3 PUFA biohydrogenation intermediates in longissimus thoracis of steers. ICoMST, Cork, August 13-18, 2017.
2017 - View publication details
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Vahmani, P., Aalhus, J.L., Rolland, D.C., McAllister, T.A., Prieto, N., Block, H.C., Proctor, S.D., Guan, L.L., Dugan, M.E.R. (2017). Sequential Feeding of Lipid Supplement Enriches Beef Adipose Tissues with 18:3n-3 Biohydrogenation Intermediates. Lipids, [online] 52(7), 641-649. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11745-017-4259-9
2017 - View publication details
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Vahmani, P., D. C. Rolland, T. A. McAllister, H. C. Block, S. D. Proctor, L. L. Guan, N. Prieto, J. L. Aalhus, and M. E. R. Dugan. 2016. 1306 Feeding steers extruded flaxseed and hay in a total mixed ration or sequentially can have substantial effects on beef fat polyunsaturated fatty acids and biohydrogenation intermediates.. J. Anim. Sci. 94(Suppl5):629-630. doi:10.2527/jam2016-1306
2016 - View publication details
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Vahmani, P., Rolland, D. C., McAllister, T. A., Block, H. C., Proctor, S. D., Guan, L. L., Prieto, N. P., Aalhus, J.L. & Dugan, M. E. R. (2016). Feeding steers hay with extruded flaxseed together or sequentially has a profound effect on erythrocyte trans 11-18: 1 (vaccenic acid). Canadian Journal of Animal Science, 96(3), 299-301.
2016 - View publication details
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Fryza, S., Carlberg, J.G., Khakbazan, M., Robins, C.D., Block, H.C., Scott, S.L., Huang, J., Durunna, O.N. (2016). An economic analysis of resting versus nonresting perennial pastures during the critical acclimation period, 96(3), 364-375. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjas-2015-0118
2016 - View publication details
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Vahmani, P., Rolland, D.C., McAllister, T.A., Block, H.C., Proctor, S.D., Guan, L.L., Prieto, N., Aalhus, J.L., Dugan, M.E.R. (2016). Feeding steers hay with extruded flaxseed together or sequentially has a profound effect on erythrocyte trans 11-18:1 (vaccenic acid). Canadian Journal of Animal Science, [online] 96(3), 299-301. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjas-2016-0017
2016 - View publication details
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Mapiye, C., Vahmani, P., Aalhus, J.L., Rolland, D.C., Baron, V.S., McAllister, T.A., Block, H.C., Uttaro, B., Dugan, M.E.R. (2015). Fatty acid composition of beef steers as affected by diet and fat depot. South African Journal of Animal Sciences, [online] 45(4), 386-394. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/sajas.v45i4.5
2015 - View publication details
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Turner, T.D., Aalhus, J.L., Mapiye, C., Rolland, D.C., Larsen, I.L., Basarab, J.A., Baron, V.S., McAllister, T.A., Block, H.C., Uttaro, B., Dugan, M.E.R. (2015). Effects of diets supplemented with sunflower or flax seeds on quality and fatty acid profile of hamburgers made with perirenal or subcutaneous fat. Meat Science, [online] 99 123-131. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2014.08.006
2015 - View publication details
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Durunna, O.N., Baron, V., Scott, S.L., Robins, C., Khakbazan, M., Block, H.C. (2015). Effects of resting perennial pastures during the sensitive pre-dormancy period in western manitoba: Pasture productivity and beef cattle performance, 95(2), 129-141. http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/CJAS-2014-046
2015 - View publication details
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Khakbazan, M., Durunna, O.N., Sirski, T.K., Brewin, D.G., Huang, J., Berry, N., Iwaasa, A.D., Scott, S.L., Robins, C.D., Block, H.C., Lardner, H.A. (2015). The effects of spring versus summer calving on beef cattle economic performance in western canada, 95(3), 475-486. http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/CJAS-2015-046
2015 - View publication details
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Mapiye, C., Aalhus, J.L., Vahmani, P., Rolland, D.C., Basarab, J.A., Baron, V.S., McAllister, T.A., Block, H.C., Uttaro, B., Procor, S.D., and Dugan, M.E.R (2014). "Subcutaneous biohydrogenation product profiles of steers fed forage-based diets with sunflower-seed and wheat dried distillers' grains with soubles.", ICoMST, Uruguay, August, 2015. (Abstract)
2014 - View publication details
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Fitzsimmons, C.J., Muhire, G., Paradis, F., McKeown, L.E., Straathof, C., Block, H.C., Colazo, M.G., Li, C., Yaremcio, B., Basarab, J.A., and Bruce, H.L. (2014). "Pregnant beef heifers categorized by residual feed intake measured in adolescence exhibit differential intake andfeeding behaviors when fed a restricted diet. 2014.", ADSA-ASAS 2014 Joint Annual Meeting, Kansas City, MO, USA, July 20-24, 2014. (Poster)
2014 - View publication details
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Mapiye, C., Aalhus, J.L., Turner, T.D., Vahmani, P., Baron, V.S., McAllister, T.A., Block, H.C., Uttaro, B., Dugan, M.E.R. (2014). Inclusion of sunflower seed and wheat dried distillers' grains with solubles in a red clover silage-based diet enhances steers performance, meat quality and fatty acid profiles. Animal, [online] 8(12), 1999-2010. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1751731114001955
2014 - View publication details
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Durunna, O.N., Block, H.C., Iwaasa, A.D., Thompson, L.C., Scott, S.L., Robins, C., Khakbazan, M., Lardner, H.A. (2014). Impact of calving seasons and feeding systems in western Canada. I. Postweaning growth performance and carcass characteristics of crossbred steers, 94(4), 571-582. http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/CJAS-2014-033
2014 - View publication details
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Durunna, O.N., Girardin, L.C., Scott, S.L., Robins, C., Block, H.C., Iwaasa, A.D., Khakbazan, M., Lardner, H.A. (2014). The effects of spring versus summer calving on beef cattle reproductive and growth performance in western Canada, 94(2), 259-271. http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/CJAS2013-180
2014 - View publication details
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Durunna, O.N., Block, H.C., Iwaasa, A.D., Scott, S.L., Robins, C., Khakbazan, M., Dugan, M.E.R., Aalhus, J.L., Aliani, M., Lardner, H.A. (2014). Impact of calving seasons and feeding systems in western Canada. II. Meat composition and organoleptic quality of steaks, 94(4), 583-593. http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/CJAS-2014-034
2014 - View publication details
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Mapiye, C., Aalhus, J.L., Vahmani, P., Rolland, D.C., McAllister, T.A., Block, H.C., Uttaro, B., Proctor, S.D., Dugan, M.E.R. (2014). Improving beef hamburger quality and fatty acid profiles through dietary manipulation and exploitation of fat depot heterogeneity. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology, [online] 5(1), http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/2049-1891-5-54
2014 - View publication details
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Mapiye, C., Aalhus, J.L., Turner, T.D., Rolland, D.C., Basarab, J.A., Baron, V.S., McAllister, T.A., Block, H.C., Proctor, S.D., Dugan, M.E.R. (2014). Types of oilseed and adipose tissue influence the composition and relationships of polyunsaturated fatty acid biohydrogenation products in steers fed a grass hay diet. Lipids, [online] 49(3), 275-286. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11745-013-3876-1
2014 - View publication details
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