Hushton Block, Ph.D.

Image Hushton Block
Beef Production Systems Research Scientist

Research on beef production systems, particularly from a nutrition or nutrition management perspective, to support improvement and advancements with beef cattle production.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Administration Building

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

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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. Canadian Journal of Animal Science, [online] 96(3), 364-375. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjas-2015-0118

    2016 - View publication details

  8. 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

  9. 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. Canadian Journal of Animal Science, [online] 95(3), 475-486. http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/CJAS-2015-046

    2015 - View publication details

  10. 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. Canadian Journal of Animal Science, [online] 95(2), 129-141. http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/CJAS-2014-046

    2015 - View publication details

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. 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. Canadian Journal of Animal Science, [online] 94(4), 583-593. http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/CJAS-2014-034

    2014 - View publication details

  16. 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. Canadian Journal of Animal Science, [online] 94(4), 571-582. http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/CJAS-2014-033

    2014 - View publication details

  17. 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

  18. 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

  19. 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

  20. Khakbazan, M., Carew, R., Scott, S.L., Chiang, P., Block, H.C., Robins, C., Durunna, O.N., Huang, J. (2014). Economic analysis and stochastic simulation of alternative beef calving and feeding systems in western Canada. Canadian Journal of Animal Science, [online] 94(2), 299-311. http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/CJAS2013-185

    2014 - View publication details

Contact

Research facility

Lacombe Research and Development Centre
6000 C and E Trail
Lacombe, AB T4L 1W1
Canada

Expertise

Agriculture›Beef
Agriculture›Grazing›Grazing management
Agriculture›Grazing›Pasture systems
Agriculture›Livestock›Livestock management
Agriculture›Nutrition›Cow
Agriculture›Nutrition›Nutritional value of ruminant feed
Agriculture›Nutrition›Ruminant
Animals›Production

Language

English