bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
296 Effects of dietary antimicrobials on the ruminant gastrointestinal tract microbiome
Authors: Vincent Tyler J , Nolasco Lester R , Suriyapha Chaichana , Johnson Timothy A , Schoonmaker Jon P
Published: May 2024

Monensin, tylosin, and chlortetracycline (CTC) are antimicrobials frequently employed in high grain feedlot cattle diets to inhibit liver abscesses and enhance growth. However, increased public concerns regarding antibiotic resistance have created a pressing need to develop alternative strategies. A more mechanistic understanding of how antimicrobial drugs effect the microbiome in the ruminant gastrointestinal tract (GIT) may help develop effective alternatives. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine changes in the GIT microbiome of grain-fed feedlot steers after antimicrobial drug administration. Thirty individually housed Angus x Simmental steers [body weight (BW) = 355 ± 16.8 kg] previously fed a 56% forage diet were immediately transitioned to a 93% concentrate diet and assigned to one of three treatments (10 steers/treatment): 1) control, without antibiotics, 2) 75 mg of tylosin and 200 mg of monensin per animal per day (TYLMON), and 3) 70 mg of CTC per animal per day. Fecal samples were collected on d 0, 7, 14, 28, 56, 112, and at slaughter and digesta were obtained from the rumen, jejunum, and cecum at slaughter. DNA was extracted from samples, amplified via 16S PCR, and sequenced. Jejunal samples had the least alpha diversity compared with ruminal, cecal, or fecal samples (P < 0.001). There were no differences in measures of alpha diversity in the ruminal, jejunal, or cecal digesta at slaughter (P ≥ 0.10). However, overall measures of alpha diversity (Shannon entropy, observed features) in feces were greater in CTC-fed steers (P ≤ 0.009) as well as in TYLMON-fed steers (P ≤ 0.04) compared with control steers. Measures of alpha diversity for all treatments decreased in feces from d 0 to 7, then increased from d 7 to slaughter (time effect, (P ≤ 0.001). There were no differences in fecal alpha diversity between treatment groups on d 0 (P ≥ 0.50), but by d 28 both TYLMON and CTC treated steers had greater fecal alpha diversity compared with the control steers (P ≤ 0.05). With regard to differential abundance, Phascolarctobacterium and Prevotellaceae UCG-003 were more abundant in feces of control steers relative to antimicrobial treated steers (P < 0.05). Bifidobacterium, Dorea, CAG-56, and Erysipelotrichaceae UCG-003, were the 4 genera found to be in the greatest abundance in the feces of TYLMON-fed relative to control steers (P < 0.05). Akkermansia, Succinivibrio, and Turicbacter were the 3 genera found to be in the greatest abundance in the feces of CTC-fed compared with control steers (P < 0.05). Taken together, these data suggest that differences in the microbiome associated with dietary antimicrobial treatment occur to a greater extent in the lower sections of the GIT, and that these changes in the microbiome occur after 28 d of feeding.
294 Development of a model to predict forage intake and growth of bottle-fed Holstein calves
Authors: Lancaster Phillip A , Baldin Geovana C , Hildebrand Caleb , Larson Robert
Published: May 2024

Models to predict intake and growth of preweaning calves have received less attention than postweaning calves. The objective was to develop a model to predict forage intake and growth of bottle-fed Holstein calves. Data on milk intake, alfalfa hay intake, and body weight (BW) of 40 Holstein calves from birth to 200 d of age were acquired from Abdelsamei (1989). Milk and forage intake equations were those used by Lancaster et. al. (2021; 10.1093/jas/skaa406). NASEM growth equation evaluation and new equation development were performed using a dataset compiled from the literature by Hildebrand et al. (2022; 10.1093/jas/skac064.321). The mean absolute error to predict milk intake was less for WOOD at peak milk less than 10.88 kg/d, and was less for NASEM at peak milk greater than 10.88 kg/d. A combination of NASEM and WOOD milk yield equations to predict milk intake resulted in CCC of 0.969 and MB of -0.74% and was used to predict milk intake in subsequent analyses. Prediction of forage intake by TED06, BAK76, TED09A, TED09B, and HOL82 had CCC of 0.878, 0.920, 0.729, 0.874, and 0.234 with MB of -17.49, -1.58, -64.40, -35.60, and -341.16%, respectively. Prediction of BW for the same intake equations with the NASEM growth equation had CCC of 0.876, 0.929, 0.819, 0.864, and 0.402 with MB of -21.54, -14.67, -30.10, -25.13, and -99.78%, respectively. With observed BW, prediction of forage intake by TED06, BAK76, TED09A, TED09B, and HOL82 resulted in CCC of 0.935, 0.936, 0.958, 0.964, and 0.640 with MB of -0.55, 6.57, -11.90, -8.83, and -92.26%, respectively, indicating high precision and moderate accuracy. With observed forage intake, prediction of BW by the NASEM growth equation resulted in CCC of 0.926 and MB of -17.08% indicating high precision and poor accuracy. Evaluation of the NASEM growth equation in Holstein cattle resulted in CCC of 0.329 and MB of 61.47%. A new growth equation was developed: EBG, kg/d = 0.78498 ± 0.24035*RE, Mcal/d^(0.78500 ± 0.06033)*EBW, kg^(-0.14323 ± 0.0742) with RMSE = 0.0599 ± 0.0207 and R2 = 0.8795 ± 0.1078. With observed forage intake, prediction of BW with the new growth equation resulted in CCC of 0.992 and MB of -0.11%. With the new growth equation, prediction of forage intake by TED06, BAK76, TED09A, TED09B, and HOL82 resulted in CCC of 0.914, 0.766, 0.881, 0.901, and 0.412 with MB of 15.47, 40.53, 18.11, 17.02, and -172.88%, respectively. Prediction of BW resulted in CCC of 0.978, 0.940, 0.968, 0.969, and 0.701 with MB of 2.83, 8.91, 3.87, 3.92, and -38.73%. In conclusion, prediction of forage intake and BW in Holstein calves were hindered by use of the NASEM growth equation, and a new growth equation more precisely and accurately predicted forage intake and body weight.
295 Development of a model to predict forage intake and growth of nursing beef calves
Authors: Lancaster Phillip A , Baldin Geovana C , Hildebrand Caleb , Larson Robert
Published: May 2024

Models to predict intake and growth of preweaning calves have received less attention than postweaning calves. The objective was to develop a model to predict forage intake and growth of nursing beef calves. Data on milk intake, forage intake, and body weight (BW) of 51 Hereford calves from birth to 200 d of age were acquired from Boggs (1977). Milk and forage intake equations were those evaluated by Lancaster et. al. (2021; 10.1093/jas/skaa406). Forage digestibility was evaluated with a dataset on in vitro and in vivo measurements. Milk energy concentration was evaluated with a dataset on milk yield and composition. NASEM growth equation was evaluated using the dataset of Hildebrand et al. (2022; 10.1093/jas/skac064.321). Model precision and accuracy were evaluated using the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) and mean bias (MB). The NASEM and WOOD milk yield equations predicted milk intake reasonably well (CCC = 0.796 and 0.820; MB = 4.29% and 1.31%, respectively); the WOOD equation was used in subsequent analyses. Forage intake prediction was imprecise (CCC = 0.348 to 0.613) and inaccurate (MB = 19.36 to 57.67%). Body weight prediction was moderately precise (CCC = 0.574 to 0.766) and moderately accurate (MB = 6.39 to 15.79%). With observed BW, forage intake prediction was moderately precise (CCC = 0.528 to 0.834) and highly to poorly accurate (MB = 0.81 to 27.56%). With observed forage intake, BW prediction by the NASEM growth equation resulted in CCC of 0.821 and MB of 9.69%. Published equations relating IVDMD to in vivo OMD were imprecise (CCC = 0.437 to 0.520) and moderately to highly accurate (MB = -9.46 to 7.67%). A new equation was developed: OMD, % = 7.7719 ± 4.3825 + 0.8937 ± 0.0772*IVDMD, % with RMSE = 2.803% and R2 = 0.9055. Milk energy concentration changed with days in milk (DIM; P < 0.05) and milk yield (P < 0.05): Energy, Mcal/kg = 0.7525 ± 0.0037 + 0.00069 ± 0.00016*DIM -0.00012 ± 0.00003*DIM*Yield, kg/d with RMSE = 0.031 and R2 = 0.527. Evaluating the NASEM growth equation in beef cattle resulted in CCC of 0.777 and MB of -13.56%. A new equation was developed: EBG, kg/d = 7.9279 ± 0.8254*(RE, Mcal/d/EBW, kg0.75) ^0.7083 ± 0.0385 with RMSE = 0.1127 and R2 = 0.6940. With observed forage intake, BW prediction with new equations resulted in CCC of 0.901 with MB of 1.58%. With the new equations, forage intake prediction by TED06, BAK76, TED09A, TED09B, and HOL82 resulted in CCC of 0.822, 0.700, 0.434, 0.686, and 0.380 with MB of -7.01, -5.08, 36.87, 13.24, and 10.96%, respectively. Body weight prediction resulted in CCC of 0.935, 0.938, 0.896, 0.926, and 0.886 with MB of -7.34, -6.21, -0.09, -5.35, and -9.41%. In conclusion, prediction of forage intake and BW in nursing beef calves were hindered by use of IVDMD, constant milk energy concentration, and the NASEM growth equation.
306 Awardee Talk: Characterization and surveillance testing of problematic pathogens within the livestock industry using metagenomic and long read sequencing
Authors: Neujahr Alison C
Published: May 2024

With increased intensification of livestock production, the rate of disease susceptibility and emergence of pathogens has increased. Currently in the beef cattle industry, infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK), is a problematic disease that is not well understood where vaccines have shown to have low efficacy. This is partly due to the lack of understanding of the ocular microbiome, where IBK disease progression may be a result of a polymicrobial disease due to certain bacterial and/or viral taxa predisposing the animal to infection. To understand the microbial ecology of IBK we used metagenomic shotgun sequencing to characterize the bovine ocular microbiome and virome. Infected and healthy beef calves were sampled before, during, and after IBK infection and shotgun metagenomic sequencing was performed to identify microbial changes during IBK infection. Preliminary data showed that we were able to identify 230 contigs consisting of bacteriophages such as Escherichia virus, Bacillus virus, Corynebacterium virus, and Mycoplasma virus. Out of the 230 bacteriophages, 213 of them are lytic phages. Additionally, preliminary data showed bacteria contigs such as Moraxella bovoculi, and Mycoplasma bovoculi Like IBK, the rate of disease emergence has increased in the last decade. As such, rapid in-field surveillance tools are greatly needed to monitor the emergence of known and unknown pathogens for early intervention. Current tools such as RT-PCR and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) require previous genomic knowledge to detect pathogens and are limited to the pathogen of interest. We have developed a long-read sequencing-based surveillance tool that eliminates the need of prior knowledge to detect both bacterial and viral pathogens simultaneously. The approach we developed can rapidly and accurately identify pathogens within clinical samples in as short as 12 h from sample collection to results. Here we present sequence-based microbiome studies and tools to help understand disease etiology and develop novel surveillance tools to improve food security within the livestock industry.
9 Use of new technology to measure methane emissions
Authors: Thompson Logan , Beck Matthew
Published: May 2024

Over recent decades, the impact of human-induced climate change and the role of ruminant agriculture has been of growing concern for both the public and the scientific community. This has led to rapid advancements in technology needed to measure methane emissions accurately and precisely. Primarily, these advancements have been focused on measurements of enteric methane, with the proliferation of GreenFeed emission measurement systems (GEM; C-Lock, Inc; Rapid City, SD) being utilized by animal scientists across the world. The GEM relies on spot measurements collected in a portable head-box, either in a freestall or on a trailer. The GEM uses bait feed to entice animals to place their head into the head-box to collect measurements. Use of respiration chambers or head-boxes are still considered the “gold standard”, but the GEM allows for quantification in production environments and with greater number of animals. While enteric emissions are the primary source of methane from ruminant agriculture, manure methane emissions account for 15.8% of direct emissions from cattle in the U.S. This emission source is a significant contributor to confined feeding operations’ greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), where consolidation and changes in manure handling practices have occurred over the last several decades. From 2010 to 2020, manure methane emissions were a larger contributor to climate warming than enteric methane (90.8 MMT CO2-we vs. 89.2 MMT CO2-we, respectively) when calculated using the new GWP* metric. However, few advancements have been made in quantifying emissions from manure, with the cost-effective static chamber methodology still widely used. This technique allows for the determination of temporal gas concentration change in a known volume of air with a PVC cylinder, inserted 5-10 cm in the soil and posteriorly closed with a PVC lid to generate “known volume” headspace. However, this method does have known limitations on spatial and temporal flux calculations. These limitations include: the PVC chamber may alter the soil microenvironment thereby altering soil GHG flux estimates; they have potential for technician bias; and are short term monitoring, limiting interpretations to that snapshot in time and making comparisons across experiments difficult. Differing measuring techniques, such as eddy covariance and dual-comb, that more accurately and precisely monitor the soil-atmosphere interface may help better understand gas fluxes from livestock systems.

Key Word: cattle, enteric, manure, methane
222 Effect of electronically controlled floor cooling pad on thermoregulatory performance of Duroc boars during the summer heat stress period
Authors: Licuan Daphne , Schinckel Allan P , Hundley Jamie , Nepomuceno R J , Robins Matt , Crasto Randolph , Didion Bradley A , Kleve-Feld Michael , Stewart Kara R
Published: May 2024

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of using electronically controlled floor cooling pad (ECP) to reduce physiological heat stress response during the summer season in a boar stud in Scottsville, Kentucky. Boars (n = 60; 526 ± 188 d of age) were placed in two rows of pens (2.06 x 0.66 m) of a 350 head tunnel ventilated boar barn and were randomly assigned to either CONTROL (n = 30; no ECP) or ECP treatments (n = 30). The ECP had 4.25 L cold water flushed through a group of 5 pads connected to each other, when temperature sensors reached 27°C or every 4 min for sensors placed on 5th pad and 24°C or every 4 min for sensors placed on 1st pad. Boars experienced a natural summer heat stress environment (daily temperature, humidity and dew point: mean = 24.03°C, 87.9%, 21.7°C, hourly mean high = 28.9°C, 83.4%, 25.8°C) for a period of 30 d from July 15, 2023 to August 14, 2023 wherein the cooling pad remained on and were flushing based on the set points mentioned above. Daily physiological measurements included respiration rate (RR), rectal temp (RT) and feed refusal (FR) collected during the hottest part of the day (1300 to1600 h) via counting chest or belly rises, using rectal thermometer and visual estimation, respectively. A mixed model in SAS (v.9.4) including the fixed effects of ECP, week, day, boar ID and their interactions with day in the week included as a random effect was used for the statistical analysis. Both RR and RT were decreased by ECP (P < 0.001), week (P = 0.027 and P = 0.005, respectively) and treatment by week interactions (P < 0.001). The overall RR and RT for boars on ECP (Mean = 15.2 breaths/minute, 38°C) were more stable compared with Control (Mean = 43.4 breaths/minute, 38.4°C). Increased RR (Mean = 55.7 breaths/min; daily high = 164 breaths/minute) and RT (Mean = 38.7°C; daily high = 40°C) were noted in wk 30 and 33 for CONTROL group while ECP group remained stable. The wk 30 and 33 RR and RT are caused by increased environmental temperatures and humidity (hourly mean high: temperature = 28.9°C, humidity = 84.9%, dewpoint = 21°C). FR increased as barn temperatures increased and treatment by week interactions were significant (P < 0.001), with a tendency for ECP to be overall less than CONTROL at P = 0.064. CONTROL boars had greater FR than ECP boars for wk 31 (P < 0.001), 32 (P = 0.001) and tendency for wk 33 (P = 0.098). These results indicate that the ECP effectively reduced the RR, RT and FR across the weeks with greater effects seen during the hottest weeks in the 30-d trial.
216 Is weaning body weight more important than early post-weaning feed intake? A meta-analysis exploring electronic feeding stations data
Authors: Fabà Lluís , Hulshof Tetske G , Balemans G B G , van Hees Hubèrt M J
Published: May 2024

The present meta-analysis investigated the effects of initial voluntary post-weaning feed intake (FI) and weaning body weight (BW) on daily FI and body weight (BW) development in nursery pigs housed in electronic feeding stations (EFS). In total, 18 studies (2006-2017, Trouw Nutrition, The Netherland) were used containing 1,177 mixed-sex pigs weaned at ~25 d (7.3 ± 1.5 kg BW). Studies lasted for 14 d (3 studies;162 pigs), 21 d (3 studies; 154 pigs), 31 d (7 studies; 467 pigs), or up to 38 to 52 d (5 studies; 394 pigs) post-weaning. Pigs were housed in pens with single-space EFS with 10 to 12 pigs/pen. Daily individual FI and BW at different timepoints were determined. Across studies various dietary treatments were applied by EFS with a feed phase change on d 4-8 (13 studies) or d 14 (5 studies). Classes were created with pigs above or below their respective study median on a) cumulative FI over the initial 4 d post-weaning (Fid 0-3; Hfi and Lfi), and b) BW0 (Hbw and Lbw). Mixed models were used to analyze data including FId0-3 and BW0 classes, time post-weaning, and their interactions as fixed effects while study and pen were random effects and pig was repeated measure over time. In a separate model, the FI before and after change from phase 1 to phase 2 was studied in the 2 × 2 with the diet change day as covariate. Pigs with Hfi showed greater (P < 0.05) daily FI until d 14 than their Lfi counterparts (Figure 1). Thereafter, LfiHbw pigs showed a greater FI to an intermediate level with HfiHbw being greatest and LfiLbw least (P < 0.001). Between d 20-28, LfiLbw pigs had the least FI among groups (P < 0.001). From d 28 onward, HfiHbw showed greater daily FI than the other groups (P < 0.05) with LfiLbw often having the lowest FI (P < 0.05) or similar to HfiLbw and LfiHbw (P >0.05). The BW0 was similar between FId0-3 classes (P >0.05), i.e., 8.26, 8.26, 6.85 and 6.77 kg BW for HfiHbw, LfiHbw, HfiLbw and LfiLbw, respectively whereas final BW were all different (i.e., 23.9, 21.8, 20.8 and 18.4 kg BW, respectively; P < 0.001). In absolute figures, all groups had 10 g similar decrease of FI the day of feed phase change followed with 8 g increase the day after (P > 0.05). Time spent eating per feeder visit, steadily increased from d0 (14 min) to d5 (170 min), being greater for Hfi than Lfi (P < 0.05). From d 6 onward, it remained ~172 min/visit showing some tendencies (P < 0.10) for HfiHbw spending less time. In conclusion, the present study pointed out the relevance of weaning BW and initial post-weaning FI as independent factors influencing both daily feed intake behavior and growth performance for the nursery phase.
221 Impact of parity on stall use in free access stall systems
Authors: Collier Simon A , Luttman Andrea M , Siegford Janice M , Ernst Catherine W
Published: May 2024

Consumer pressure is leading producers to transition to gestational group-housing systems. One such system, free access stalls, allows the unique opportunity to investigate the preference of the animal for individual or group-housing. The objective of this study was to describe stall use by gestating gilts and parity 1 (P1) sows in a free access stall system. A gilt pen and a P1 pen, each with 8 stalls and 1 pig allocated per stall space (n = 16 total), were used for this study. Pigs were locked in the stalls 5 d before mixing (30 dg) to allow acclimation to the new pen environment and feeding schedule. On the day of mixing, females were moved out of their stalls at noon and continuous overhead video was captured for 72h post-mixing. To characterize stall use, videos were manually decoded sows time of entry into and exit from stalls. Time spent in stalls was analyzed using a Gaussian linear mixed model with fixed effects of parity, day, interaction between parity and day, and a random effect of individual animal. On average gilts spent significantly more time in stalls compared with P1 sows (20.9 h vs 16.4 h, P = 0.050). Overall, there was no change in stall utilization over the 3 d post-mixing but there was a significant interaction of parity and day (P = 0.008). On d 1, time spent in stalls did not differ between gilts and P1s (P = 0.743). However, on d 2 and 3 we observed significant differences between parities, with P1 sows spending less time in stalls than gilts (P = 0.032, P = 0.004, respectively). In conclusion, gestating females spent more time in stalls than in loafing areas. Ongoing research will explore how gestating females use their time in each space. The observed parity differences may suggest that P1 sows adapt more quickly to group housing systems compared with gilts.
220 Litter performance, serum collagen, and hormone concentrations in prolapsed and non-prolapsed sows
Authors: Harshman Jared A , Carter Scott D , Coble Kyle
Published: May 2024

Pelvic organ prolapse is one of the top leading causes of sow mortality today and widely considered a multifactorial issue. Previous reports observed prolapsed sows having decreased serum concentrations of various trace minerals and increased tumor necrosis factor-alpha compared with non-prolapsed sows. Additionally, collagen, hormones, and previous litter performance are other factors proposed to be associated with POP. A study was completed to determine differences in serum collagen type 1 (COL1), matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1), as well as relaxin and estradiol differences in the serum concentration between prolapsed and non-prolapsed sows. Furthermore, previous litter performance, lactation days, pigs born, stillborns, mummified, and pigs weaned on prolapse rate were evaluated. The study utilized 44 prolapsed sows and 44 non-prolapsed sows of similar parity, location, management, and stage of production. Blood was collected from the prolapsed and non-prolapsed sows upon discovery. Serum samples were analyzed using radioimmunoassay for estradiol content. Additionally, COL1, MMP-1, TIMP-1, and relaxin concentrations were determined from the serum using ELISA testing. Data were analyzed using the PROC GLIMMIX procedure in SAS. Prolapsed sows had decreased (P < 0.05) COL1 and TIMP-1 concentrations in the serum compared with the non-prolapsed sows. Prolapsed sows had marginally greater (P < 0.10) MMP-1 concentration compared with non-prolapsed sows. There were no differences (P > 0.10) between prolapsed and non-prolapsed serum concentraions of sows for estradiol and relaxin. Prolapsed sows had longer lactation days (P < 0.05) in the litter before prolapsing compared with non-prolapsed sows. Additionally, stillborns in the previous litter were marginally greater (P = 0.06) in prolapsed sows when compared with the non-prolapsed sows. There were no differences (P > 0.10) in pigs born, mummified, or pigs weaned between prolapsed and non-prolapsed sows. This study suggests that there is a reduced concentration of serum COL1 and TIMP-1 found in prolapsed sows compared with non-prolapsed sows and a marginally increased MMP-1 concentration in prolapsed sows. This could influence the structural integrity of the connective tissue that supports the pelvic organs. We found no differences in serum estradiol or relaxin levels. Additionally, lactation days and stillborn pigs in the litter prior to prolapsing could be contributing factors to prolapse. This work further supports the idea that prolapse is a multifactorial issue.
291 An evaluation of soybean meal inclusion rate in pigs fed from wean to market
Authors: Weaver Eric , Hong Jinsu , Samuel Ryan S , Levesque Crystal L , Kramer Autumn , Thaler Robert C
Published: May 2024

Soybean meal (SBM) supply may result in decreased relative costs of SBM compared with other ingredients. Net energy of SBM closer to the NE of corn has been reported which may increase its relative value in formulations (Boyd and Gaines, 2023). To evaluate the effect of SBM level in two common diet formulation strategies, Corn-DDGS-SBM (DDGS) or Corn-SBM (SBM) in wean-to-market pigs (WTM). A total of 540 pigs (PIC X Duroc, 18 d of age, 5.3 kg) were weaned and blocked by body weight (BW) and sex for allocation. Six dietary treatments were assigned to 90 pens to give 15 replications per treatment in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Individual BW for average daily gain (ADG) and pen feed disappearance (ADF) were collected every 2 wk for 18 wk and carcass data were collected at average market weight of 129 kg (18 to 20 wk after placement). The mash diets were formulated to a SID lysine:NE target in 7 phases using current NE estimates for SBM, 2087 Kcal/kg, and to meet or exceed NRC requirements (2012). The NE level used for DDGS was 2,343 Kcal/kg. The treatments consisted of Low (LO), Medium (MED), and High (HI) SBM levels by providing 0.5%, 0.25% and no added lysine (AA) in SBM- or DDGS (30%)-based diets. Data were analyzed using pen as the experimental unit for performance data and the pig as the experimental unit for carcass data. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC) and P < 0.05 was considered significant and 0.05 ≤ P < 0.10 considered a tendency. The ADF tended to be less from wk 0 to 18 for pigs fed SBM than DDGS diets. SBM diets increased wk 6 BW and ADG compared with DDGS (P < 0.05). HI and MED SBM additions increased wk 6 BW and wk 0 to 6 ADG vs LO SBM (P < 0.05). SBM diets increased wk 14 and 18 BW, gain to feed ratio (G:F) and ADG compared with DDGS (P < 0.05) except for MED in DDGS diets, which was not different. HI and MED SBM additions increased wk 14 and 18 BW and 0 to 18 wk ADG vs LO SBM (P < 0.05). Carcass data indicated SBM diets increased hot carcass weight by 2 kg, loin depth, back fat and calculated lean weight, compared with DDGS (P < 0.05). LO SBM resulted in more back fat, less loin depth and lean weight compared with the use of HI or MED SBM (P < 0.05). SBM improved growth, feed and caloric conversion, and increased carcass value in high-performance WTM pigs compared with the use of DDGS. MED and HI SBM level tended to improve ADG and carcass characteristics.
287 The effect of cooling pad and Moringa oleifera on lactating sows under heat stress
Authors: Stansberry McKeeley C , Ogundare Wonders , Beckett Linda M , Reis Leriana Garcia , Fisher Elizabeth G , Tobolski Evy M , Richert Brian T , Casey Theresa M , Schinckel Allan P , Minor Radiah C
Published: May 2024

Lactating sows and their litters are particularly vulnerable to heat stress (HS). HS decreases sow fertility, feed intake, milk production, and litter growth. Approaches are needed to mitigate the negative effects of HS on animal welfare and reduce oxidative damage to tissues associated with HS. Recently, electronic cooling pad (ECP) were designed to remove heat through conductive cooling. The objective of this study was to test the efficacy of ECP and feeding an antioxidant, Moringa oleifera (4% of the diet, M), to sows from late gestation to weaning on their welfare and production performance. A study was conducted using a 2 by 2 factorial arrangements of treatments with mixed parity Yorkshire x Landrace sows (n = 48) mated to Duroc sires. The sows were exposed to moderate HS conditions from gestation d 100 to d 21 of lactation (weaning). To achieve moderate HS analogous to a summer day, farrowing room temperature was increased incrementally from 800 to 1100 h to 32º C and slowly decreased to 26 ºC from 1700 to 2000 h. Sows were limit-fed their specific diets during gestation (1.36 kg 2X/d) and fed for ad-libitum feed intake post farrowing. Treatments included HS+control corn-soy meal diet (CS), HS+M, ECP+CS, ECP+M (n = 12/treatment). Sow RR and RT were measured four times daily (0600, 1300, 1600, 1900 h) and sow feed intake during lactation was measured along with body weight (BW) change from farrowing to weaning. Birth litter size was determined, and growth of standardized litters (n = 13 piglets/sow) was measured. Milk was collected during active farrowing (d 0) and on d 3 and d 14 post-farrowing and analyzed for macronutrient content. The use of ECP decreased lactating sow RR (Lsmeans HS = 66.5 bpm, ECP = 28.2 bpm, P ≤ 0.0001), RT (Lsmeans HS = 39.2 ºC, ECP = 38.8 ºC, P = 0.003), and lactation BW loss (Lsmeans HS = -21.67, ECP = -5.1 kg P = 0.002). ECP by time-of-day interactions (P < 0.01) existed for RR and RT with ECP having a greater impact from 1300 to 1900 h than at 0600 h. ECP increased lactation feed intake (P < 0.02). An ECP by diet interaction (P = 0.0004) indicated ECP increased lactation feed intake for the sows fed the CS diet (6.48 kg/d vs 4.42 kg/d, P = 0.0004) but did not affect feed intake of sows fed the M diet. Treatment did not affect litter weaning weight (P = 0.14). M increased percent fat in milk (Lsmeans M = 12.28, CS = 11.06, P = 0.05) across all days of lactation. The reduction in sow RR and RT combined with increased feed intake and decreased loss of BW during lactation indicate that ECP improved sow wellbeing in the HS environment. Neither cooling nor M affected litter growth, despite increased fat content of milk of M supplemented sows and increased feed intake of ECP-CS sows.
293 Effects of Saccharmyces yeast postbiotics on pig feed performance and carcass characteristics when included in an elevated protein diet
Authors: Li Xiaohan , Paulk Chad B , Gonzalez John M , Vaughn Matthew , Alambarrio Daniela A , Zedonek Siara
Published: May 2024

The study objective was to determine effects of Saccharmyces yeast postbiotics (CT; celluTEIN; Puretein Bioscience LLC, Minneapolis, MN, USA) on growth performance and carcass characteristics of pigs fed an increased protein diet during growing and finishing. Pigs [PIC Camborough×PIC 337; n = 51 barrows; 57 gilts; initial body weight (BW) 28.3 ± 0.1 kg] were weighed, stratified by BW within sex, and within each two-pig strata, randomly assigned to a pen (n = 18; n = 6 pigs/pen). Pens were randomly assigned one of two dietary treatments (Diet) consisting of 0 or 100 ppm CT mixed in a four-phase dietary regimen (phase1 d 0 to 21, phase2 d 22 to 42, phase3 d 43 to 63, phase4 d 64 to 84). Weekly, feed consumption and pigs were weighed to calculate performance. On d 91, 98, and 105, the heaviest male and female from each pen was harvested and carcass data were collected. Performance data were analyzed as a completely randomized design, carcass data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design, and pen was the experimental unit). Statistical significance was determined at P ≤ 0.05 and tendencies were declared between 0.05< P < 0.10. At all four phases, there was no Diet effect on BW, average daily gain (ADG), and average daily feed intake (ADFI; P > 0.12), except CT pigs consumed less (P = 0.04) feed during phase4. There was no Diet effect on Phase2 gain to feed ratio (G:F), but CT pigs had greater Phase1 and 4 G:F and smaller Phase 3 G:F (P < 0.04). From d 0 to 84, there were no Diet effects on ADG and ADFI (P > 0.13), but CT pigs had greater (P = 0.02) G:F. celluTEIN carcasses tended to have greater (P = 0.09) weight and had greater (P < 0.01) dressing percent than control carcasses. There were no Diet effects for 10th or last rib fat thickness, but CT carcasses tended to have less (P = 0.07) first rib fat thickness. There were no Diet effects on loin eye area, National Pork Board (NPB) color score, Japanese color score, and L*, a*, and b* values (P > 0.24). celluTEIN carcasses had smaller NPB marbling and Japanese marbling color scores than control carcasses (P < 0.02). When supplemented to an increased protein diet, Saccharmyces yeast postbiotics improve feed conversion while positively affecting several important carcass measures.
285 Impact of feeding strategies on semen concentration, motility, and morphology of the mature AI boar
Authors: Scaff Taw , Denton Alicia , ford Ally , Zaicow Emma , Stewart Kara R , Richert Brian T
Published: May 2024

The objective of this experiment was to determine if varying feeding strategies of maintenance requirements of boars impacts semen concentration, motility, morphology, and cortisol of the working boar. This experiment was conducted at Purdue University over two 9-wk periods with 1-wk before each 9-wk period serving as baseline for analysis. Boars (n = 28; Acuity and Topig Norvsin) from two age groups (9 and 15 mo) and two genetics (maternal and terminal) were used. Boars were blocked by breed and age and randomly allocated to receive one of three feed intake levels of a corn-soybean meal-based diet formulated to meet NRC (2012) maintenance requirements: HIGH (150% maintenance, n = 9); MAIN (100% maintenance, n = 10); and LOW (80% maintenance, n = 9) during the first 9-wk period. During the second 9-wk period remaining HIGH and LOW boars were crossed-over to opposite treatments (HIGH-LOW, n = 9; LOW-HIGH, n = 7), and maintenance boars were unchanged (MAIN-MAIN, n = 8). Semen was collected once/wk using the gloved hand method and 3 mL of ejaculate was diluted in 27 mL of extender (Androhep Plus, Minitube). Semen concentration (Nucleocounter SP-100), motility (Computer Assisted Sperm Analysis, CASA, CEROS II), and sperm cell morphology (phase-contrast, bright-field microscopy) were analyzed. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED in SAS 9.4 with boar as experimental unit with main effects of feed intake and age with phase (3-wk period) as repeated measure. Significance was determined at P < 0.05 and a trend 0.05 < P ≤ 0.10. Three-way interactions for the first 9-wk period of feed intake*age*phase was observed for total sperm (P < 0.10) and total normal sperm (P < 0.05) with old boars fed HIGH treatment increasing sperm production, but old boars fed MAIN and LOW decreasing sperm production while young boars had minimal changes in sperm production regardless of feeding levels in the first 9-wk period. No other interactions or main effects were observed for the first period. During the second 9-wk period two-way interactions were observed for total sperm (FI*Age; P < 0.05) and total normal sperm (FI*Age; P < 0.01) with old LOW-HIGH boars having the highest total sperm and total normal sperm concentrations and young LOW-HIGH boars having the least total sperm and total normal sperm concentrations. HIGH-LOW fed boars had the greatest decrease in semen volume compared with the other treatments (FI*Phase; P < 0.01). Boars fed MAIN had minimal impacts on semen parameters compared with HIGH and LOW feed intake treatments. HIGH and LOW feed intake was observed to impact semen parameters in old boars faster than young boars with neither age being able to return to their baseline semen parameters observed at the start of the trial. Future research is needed with varying ages and feed intakes to better understand how nutritional strategies impact semen quantity and quality in the boar stud.
289 Evaluation of fecal microbiota transplantation in primiparous sows
Authors: Humphrey Dalton C , Wileman Caitlyn , Hagen Chloe S , Putnam Margaret , Bohr Ayva , Lesle Kamryn , Schmitz-Esser Stephan , Greiner Laura L
Published: May 2024

Fifty primiparous (parity 3+) and 25 multiparous sows (DNA 241, DNA, Columbus, NE) were used to evaluate the impacts of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from sows to gilts on piglet scours prevalence, mortality, and fecal microbial diversity. Fresh fecal samples were collected from the primiparous and multiparous sows on approximately d 69 and 89 of gestation. The sows selected for sampling were from the same breed week as the gilts and had a historical record of low piglet mortality with increased litter size and no medical treatment during the current gestation period. The fecal samples from the sows were pooled on an equal weight basis and used for FMT solution preparation. The gilts were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: FMT or placebo (PBO). The FMT solution was administered orally to the 25 FMT gilts on approximately d 70 through 76 and 90 through 96 of gestation, while saline was administered to the 25 PBO gilts on the same days. Fecal samples were collected from all gilts and sows at the time of farrowing and at weaning. Piglets were individually weighed at birth and 5 wk post-weaning to calculate average daily gain (ADG). Scours prevalence was recorded daily from d 0 to 6 of lactation. Fecal samples were collected from two piglets per litter at weaning and 5 wk post-weaning. Pre-wean and nursery piglet mortality and morbidity were recorded. Total DNA from fecal samples and FMT solution from each timepoint were submitted for amplicon sequencing (Illumina MiSeq, Illumina Inc., San Diego, CA) at the Iowa State University DNA Facility (Ames, IA) to evaluate differences in microbial diversity and relative abundances across treatments groups. Data were analyzed using R version 4.3.1 (R Core Team, 2023). The sow and her litter were the experimental unit and results were considered significant if P ≤ 0.05 and a tendency if 0.05 < P ≤ 0.10. The number of piglets after cross-fostering and weaned were similar across treatments (P ≥ 0.721). There was no effect of treatment group on piglet birth weight or ADG (P ≥ 0.198). Scours prevalence was less in sow litters compared with PBO litters (16.7 vs. 52.0%; P = 0.039), while FMT scours prevalence was intermediate. There was no effect of FMT on pre-wean or nursery mortality (P ≥ 0.890). In conclusion, FMT did not impact gilt litter scours prevalence, growth rate, or mortality through the nursery.
288 Effects of increasing water concentrations of oregano essential oil supplementation for lactating sows
Authors: Fisk Alexandra , Denton Alicia , Scaff Taw , Pound Kara , Cabrera Rafael A , Cabrera M Dolores , Stewart Kara R , Richert Brian T
Published: May 2024

The use of essential oils as a supplement for sows has gained attention in recent years to potentially improve sow and litter performance. Sows (n = 182; avg. lactation length = 19.8 d) were blocked by parity, genetics, estimated farrowing date, and randomly allotted to one of four treatments when entering the farrowing barn. Treatments included: control, 0 mL, (CON, n = 46), 31 mL (L-OEO, n = 45), 47 mL (M-OEO, n = 46), or 63 mL (H-OEO, n = 45) of oregano oil (OEO; Ecodiar Liquid, Nutrinae, Palo Alto, CA) per liter of dosing water with medicators set at 1:128 dilution. Sows were fed a corn-soybean meal-DDGS based lactation diet that met or exceeded NRC (2012) requirements. Sow body weight (BW) was recorded upon entry, 2 d post-farrowing, and weaning. Sow backfat depth (BF) and loin muscle depth (LD) ultrasound measurements, body condition score (BCS), and Knauer sow caliper measurements were collected upon entry and weaning. Sow average daily feed intake (ADFI) was recorded daily 1-wk post-farrowing, then weekly until weaning. Sow water intake was recorded daily (DWI). Individual piglet BW were recorded d 1, d 7, and weaning. Data were analyzed using Proc Mixed procedure in SAS 9.4 with treatment and rep as fixed effects, parity class (P1, P2/P3, P4+) as a covariate, and individual sow as a random effect. Lactation length and number of piglets weaned were used as covariates for weaning data. Linear, quadratic, and cubic contrasts were analyzed among treatments. Litter scouring and medication rates were analyzed using chi-square analysis in the Proc Freq procedure in SAS 9.4. Differences were considered significant at P ≤ 0.05 and trend at 0.05 < P ≤ 0.10. Week 3 lactation sow ADFI increased for L-OEO and H-OEO treatments but decreased for M-OEO compared with CON sows (CON: 7.29 kg/d, L-OEO: 7.60 kg/d, M-OEO: 7.03 kg/d, H-OEO: 7.55 kg/d; cubic; P = 0.0427). No differences were observed among treatments in overall lactation ADFI, DWI, changes in BF, LD, BCS, and piglet and litter growth performance. Sow BW change tended to decline and then increased as OEO increased in the water (CON: -8.79 kg, L-OEO: -6.36 kg, M-OEO: -8.03 kg, H-OEO: -10.52 kg; quadratic, P = 0.0640). There was a cubic tendency for OEO supplementation to reduce loss of caliper measurement (CON: -1.91, L-OEO: -0.98, M-OEO: -1.68, H-OEO: -1.00; P = 0.0598). Percentage of piglets treated with medications for various health issues decreased in the H-OEO supplemented group compared with the L-OEO and M-OEO supplemented groups, with CON group being intermediate and not different (CON: 7.01%, L-OEO: 9.35%, M-OEO: 9.91%, H-OEO: 4.15%; P = 0.0322). Overall, there were no significant impacts of OEO supplementation on sow and litter performance in this study. Future research is needed to determine the effectiveness of OEO in health-challenged sows and litters and the long-term effects of OEO on piglets post-weaning.
290 Commercial farm evaluation of enzymatically processed soybean meal in lactating sows
Authors: Bible Megan R , Rasmussen Simone H , van Leeuwen Jessika
Published: May 2024

Hyper prolific sows have a high nutritional demand during lactation to produce sufficient milk for their large litters. To meet those requirements, it is common practice to include increased levels of soybean meal (SBM) in lactation diets. Which, considering the amino acid profile of SBM is a good source of protein at a reasonable cost. However, SBM cannot be digested and absorbed very rapidly in the gastrointestinal tract due to the presence of anti-nutritional factors (ANF), like trypsin inhibitors. As most lactation diets are supplemented with synthetic amino acids the incorporation of slowly digestible protein sources causes an asynchrony in release of amino acids into the blood stream. Enzyme-treated soybean meal (ESBM) is a protein source in which ANF are removed and it has been found to be a fast digestible protein source (Bible et al., 2023). It is therefore expected that the replacement of a proportion of SBM by ESBM will result in improved productivity of lactating sows. To test this hypothesis, hyper prolific sows (n = 1,078; Danbred) were enrolled on a commercial farm in Denmark. Data were collected from January 2023 through June 2023. Sows were fed their normal lactation diet from January to March (CON). Then, sows were fed a diet containing ESBM. There was a one for one replacement rate of ESBM for SBM meal. The inclusion rate of ESBM was 3%. The replacement increased the total crude protein level of the diet by less than 0.3%. It should also be noted the ESBM was fed during the summer months, which was uncommonly hot for the area. Sows fed ESBM had 0.2 more pigs per litter born alive than CON sows (19.7 vs. 19.5 pigs, respectively). Sows fed ESBM also weaned 0.1 more pigs than CON sows (16.8 vs. 16.7 pigs, respectively). There was a 5% increase in ESBM sows serviced before d 7 compared with CON sows (82 vs. 77%, respectively). Farrowing rate increased by 1.5% when sows were fed ESBM (88.9 vs. 87.4%, respectively). When pigs per sow per year was calculated, there was an increase of 0.6 pigs per sow by feeding ESBM (37.1 vs. 36.5 pigs, respectively). This on-farm experiment resulted in a 3 to 1 return on investment by feeding ESBM. First indications were that the replacement of SBM with 3% of ESBM can increase sow productivity even in hyper prolific sows. However, more research is needed to further evaluate effects of feeding enzyme-treated soybean meal to sows to see if this increased nutritional support also can help to mitigate negative effects of lactation stress on sow lifetime productivity.
292 Effects of feeding mycotoxins-contaminated feed with a mitigation strategy on growth performance and health status in weaned pigs
Authors: Hung Yuan-Tai , Reznik Gary , Fruge Emily , Lutz Trevor
Published: May 2024

Various types and levels of mycotoxins are present in feed ingredients, thus negatively impacting swine health and productivity. Appropriate sampling and frequent testing of feed ingredients are recommended to assess the risk of mycotoxins in feed and to determine mitigation strategies for mycotoxin control. However, monitoring plans do not guarantee feed will be free of mycotoxins, so in-feed mitigation strategies are implemented to minimize production losses. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a mycotoxin mitigation product (MultiSHIELD, modified clinoptilolite-based product) on growth performance and health status of weaned pigs under dietary challenges with various types and levels of mycotoxins commonly found in feed. The presence of mycotoxins was confirmed in the ground corn, which was obtained from the Midwestern United States and then used in a standard corn and soybean meal-based diet for three dietary treatments. Treatments were as follows: 1) control diet containing mycotoxins without mitigation (fumonisins B1 at 390, 454, and 527 ppb; zearalenone at 727, 846, and 982 ppb; deoxynivalenol at 671, 781, and 907 ppb in N1, N2, and N3 diets, respectively), 2) control diet with 0.15% of MultiSHIELD as mitigation level 1, and 3) control diet with 0.3% of MultiSHIELD as mitigation level 2. A total of 912 weaned pigs were allotted to 1 of 3 dietary treatments (19 pigs per pen and 16 replicates per treatment) in a randomized complete block design with the initial body weight (as blocking. The results revealed that mycotoxin mitigation, regardless of the mitigation levels, had decreased removal rate (P < 0.01), incidence of injectable medication treatments (P = 0.01), ear necrosis (P = 0.27), and scours (P = 0.18) compared with control. Overall, pigs fed mycotoxin mitigation treatment diets had heavier pen weight (P = 0.06) than those fed the control diet due to fewer removals. The results also demonstrated a significant improvement of economic parameters (i.e., income over feed cost per pen; P = 0.01) for pigs fed diets with MultiSHIELD, regardless of the inclusion level, than pigs fed control diet. In conclusion, poor swine productivity was observed due to the presence of mycotoxins in feed, and the inclusion of MultiSHIELD in feed under the mycotoxin challenge delivers a positive impact on health and economic performance of nursery pigs.