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. 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. Canadian Journal of Animal Science, [online] 94(2), 259-271. http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/CJAS2013-180

    2014 - View publication details

  2. Rosser, C.L., Beattie, A.D., Block, H.C., McKinnon, J.J., Lardner, H.A., and Penner, G.B. (2013). "Effect of Harvest Maturity of Whole-Crop Oat (Avena spp.) on Forage Intake, Rumen Fermentation and Total Tract Digestibility.", CSAS-CMSA Joint Annual Meeting, Banff Park Lodge Resort Hotel and Conference Centre, Banff, AB, Canada, June 18-20, 2013, O03-GS, pp. 4.

    2013 - View publication details

  3. Block, H.C., Durunna, O.N., Robins, C.D., Entz, M.H., Khakbazan, M., and Scott, S.L. (2013). "Effect of rested grazing and alfalfa inclusion in bromegrass pastures on cow-calf productivity.", CSAS-CMSA Joint Annual Meeting, Banff Park Lodge Resort Hotel and Conference Centre, Banff, AB, Canada, June 18-20, 2013, O36, pp. 17.

    2013 - View publication details

  4. Mapiye, C., Turner, T.D., Rolland, D.C., Basarab, J.A., Baron, V.S., McAllister, T.A., Block, H.C., Uttaro, B., Aalhus, J.L., and Dugan, M.E.R (2013). "Effects of feeding flaxseed or sunflower-seed in high forage diets on biohydrogenation intermediates in adipose tissues of yearling steers.", ADSA-ASAS Joint Annual Meeting, Indianapololis, USA, July 2013. (Abstract)

    2013 - View publication details

  5. Straathof, C., Paradis, F., Block, H.C., Colazo, M.G., Yaremcio, B., Li, C., Bruce, H.L., and Fitzsimmons, C.J. (2013). "Investigating RFI and diet interactions on ADG, body weight, rib and back fat thickness in pregnant Angus heifers.", CSAS-CMSA Joint Annual Meeting, Banff Park Lodge Resort Hotel and Conference Centre, Banff, AB, Canada, June 18-20, 2013, P25, pp. 35. (Poster)

    2013 - View publication details

  6. Mapiye, C., Turner, T.D., Rolland, D.C., Basarab, J.A., Baron, V.S., McAllister, T.A., Block, H.C., Uttaro, B., Aalhus, J.L., and Dugan, M.E.R (2013). "Effects of feeding flaxseed and sunflower seed diets in high forage diets on biohydrogenation intermediates in adipose tissues of yearling steers.", ADSA-ASAS Joint Annual Meeting, Indianapololis, USA, July 2013. (Abstract)

    2013 - View publication details

  7. Mapiye, C., Turner, T.D., Rolland, D.C., Basarab, J.A., Baron, V.S., McAllister, T.A., Block, H.C., Uttaro, B., Aalhus, J.L., and Dugan, M.E.R (2013). "Beef production and quality of yearling steers fed high-forage diets with flaxseed or sunflower-seed.", CSAS-CMSA Joint Annual Meeting, Banff Park Lodge Resort Hotel and Conference Centre, Banff, AB, Canada, June 18-20, 2013, P29, pp. 37. (Poster)

    2013 - View publication details

  8. 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., and Dugan, M.E.R (2013). "Enriching hamburger with PUFA biohydrogenation products by supplementing steers fed high forage diets with either flaxseed or sunflower seed: Effects of adipose tissue source on palatability and fatty acid composition.", CSAS-CMSA Joint Annual Meeting, Banff Park Lodge Resort Hotel and Conference Centre, Banff, AB, Canada, June 18-20, 2013, P20, pp. 32. (Poster)

    2013 - View publication details

  9. Turner, T.D., Mapiye, C., Rolland, D.C., Basarab, J.A., Baron, V.S., McAllister, T.A., Block, H.C., Uttaro, B., Lopez-Campos, O., López-Campos, Ó., Aalhus, J.L., and Dugan, F.M. (2013). "Inclusion of perirenal fat to enhance the bioactive fatty acid content of hamburger.", 2013, Banff, Alberta, Canada, June 18-20, 2013.

    2013 - View publication details

  10. Block, H.C., Rosser, C.L., Beattie, A.D., McKinnon, J.J., Lardner, H.A., and Penner, G.B. (2013). "Effect of harvest maturity and crop on forage yield and the productivity weaned beef calves strip-grazing annual swaths.", CSAS-CMSA Joint Annual Meeting, Banff Park Lodge Resort Hotel and Conference Centre, Banff, AB, Canada, June 18-20, 2013, O37, pp. 18.

    2013 - View publication details

  11. Mapiye, C., Turner, T.D., Rolland, D.C., Basarab, J.A., Baron, V.S., McAllister, T.A., Block, H.C., Uttaro, B., Aalhus, J.L., and Dugan, M.E.R (2013). "Composition of biohydrogenation intermediates in intramuscular fat of yearling steers fed forage-based diets with supplemental flaxseed or sunflower-seed.", CSAS-CMSA Joint Annual Meeting, Banff Park Lodge Resort Hotel and Conference Centre, Banff, AB, Canada, June 18-20, 2013, P28, pp. 36. (Poster)

    2013 - View publication details

  12. Mapiye, C., Aalhus, J.L., Turner, T.D., Rolland, D.C., Basarab, J.A., Baron, V.S., McAllister, T.A., Block, H.C., Uttaro, B., Lopez-Campos, O., Proctor, S.D., Dugan, M.E.R. (2013). Effects of feeding flaxseed or sunflower-seed in high-forage diets on beef production, quality and fatty acid composition. Meat Science, [online] 95(1), 98-109. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2013.03.033

    2013 - View publication details

  13. Mapiye, C., Turner, T.D., Rolland, D.C., Basarab, J.A., Baron, V.S., McAllister, T.A., Block, H.C., Uttaro, B., Aalhus, J.L., Dugan, M.E.R. (2013). Adipose tissue and muscle fatty acid profiles of steers fed red clover silage with and without flaxseed. Livestock Science, [online] 151(1), 11-20. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2012.10.021

    2013 - View publication details

  14. Mapiye, C., Dugan, M.E.R., Turner, T.D., Rolland, D.C., Basarab, J.A., Baron, V.S., McAllister, T.A., Block, H.C., Uttaro, B., Aalhus, J.L. (2013). Short Communication: Erythrocytes assayed early ante mortem can predict adipose tissue and muscle trans-18:1 isomeric profiles of steers fed red clover silage supplemented with flaxseed. Canadian Journal of Animal Science, [online] 93(1), 149-153. http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/CJAS2012-054

    2013 - View publication details

  15. Mapiye, C., Dugan, M.E.R, Turner, T.D., Basarab, J.A., Baron, V.S., McAllister, T.A., Block, H.C., and Aalhus, J.L. (2012). "Relationships of trans-18:1 isomers between red blood cells and beef tissues in steers fed red clover silage with/without flaxseed.", 58th International Congress of Meat Science and Technology, Montreal, Canada, August 12-17, 2012.

    2012 - View publication details

  16. Badea, A., Block, H.C., Iwaasa, A.D., McLeod, G.J., and Therrien, M.C. (2012). "An innovative approach in extended swath-grazing waxy forage barley.", 7th Canadian Barley Symposium, Calgary, AB, Canada, July 8-10, 2012, pp. 32. (Poster)

    2012 - View publication details

  17. Amat, S., Hendrick, S., McAllister, T.A., Block, H.C., McKinnon, J.J. (2012). Effects of distillers' dried grains with solubles from corn, wheat or a 50: 50 corn: Wheat blend on performance, carcass characteristics and serum sulphate levels of feedlot steers. Canadian Journal of Animal Science, [online] 92(3), 343-351. http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/CJAS2011-127

    2012 - View publication details

  18. Legesse, G., Small, J.A., Scott, S.L., Kebreab, E., Crow, G.H., Block, H.C., Robins, C.D., Khakbazan, M., McCaughey, W.P. (2012). Bioperformance evaluation of various summer pasture and winter feeding strategies for cow-calf production. Canadian Journal of Animal Science, [online] 92(1), 89-102. http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/cjas2011-082

    2012 - View publication details

  19. Legesse, G., Small, J.A., Scott, S.L., Crow, G.H., Block, H.C., Alemu, A.W., Robins, C.D., Kebreab, E. (2011). Predictions of enteric methane emissions for various summer pasture and winter feeding strategies for cow calf production. Animal Feed Science and Technology, [online] 166-167 678-687. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2011.04.082

    2011 - View publication details

  20. Block, H.C., Bourne, J.L., Lardner, H.A., McKinnon, J.J. (2010). Evaluation of NRC (2000) model energy requirement and DMI equation accuracy and precision for wintering beef cows in western Canada. Canadian Journal of Animal Science, [online] 90(2), 245-258. http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/CJAS09072

    2010 - 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