bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
26 Evaluation of sire versus dam effect on age at first calving in Brahman heifers
Authors: Earnhardt Audrey L , Neuendorff Don A , Long Charles R , Welsh Thomas H , Randel Ron D
Published: November 2020

This study evaluated the possible effects of sire and dam on age at first calving in Brahman heifers. A total of 570 heifers born between the years 2001 and 2017 were exposed as yearlings to fertile bulls through time of pregnancy determination. A calving code was determined by calculating the mean (993 d) and standard deviation (187 d) of heifer age at first calving. Heifers considered to calve early (≤899 d; calving code = 1) or late (≥1087 d; calving code = 3) were at least half a standard deviation (94 d) away from the mean. All other heifers were considered to have a normal age at first calving (900 to 1086 d; calving code = 2). There were 35 sires with 5 or more daughters, resulting in a total of 543 heifers evaluated for the effect of sire. There were 323 daughters of evaluated heifers, which were evaluated for the effect of dam calving code. Also evaluated was the effect of dam and sire calving code on age at first calving of female offspring (n = 287). Variables analyzed included dam and sire of the heifer, age at first calving, and calving code. Data were analyzed using the GLM procedures of SAS and proportions were tested using Chi-square. Sire calving code did affect (P < 0.01) age at first calving and calving code in heifers, but dam calving code did not affect daughter calving code and age at first calving (Table 1). The proportion of daughters calving early compared to sire calving code significantly differed from the expected proportions (P < 0.01), whereas the proportions of daughters calving early for dam calving code did not differ (Table 2). A selection effort to produce Brahman heifers capable of calving early will not be effective from the dam side, but can be effective on the sire side.
298 Can phenomics contribute to improved livelihood and food security in South Africa?
Authors: Visser Carina , De Freitas Allan , Koster Este Van Marle , Myburgh Herman
Published: November 2020

In South Africa, there are almost 14 million cattle, which constitute 1.6 million dairy and 12.5 million beef cattle. Of the latter, approximately 53% are kept in commercial systems and the remaining 47% in informal systems. Phenotypic and pedigree recording of livestock faces constraints in terms of the extensive nature of the farming systems and the large informal livestock sector consisting of communal and small-holder farmers, which is characterized by a general lack of resources such as financial, infrastructural and extension support. Animal recording thus remains a challenge in both the commercial and informal agricultural sectors. This review will evaluate the use of precision phenotyping in the beef and dairy cattle industries of South Africa, and highlight the challenges, limitations and possible impact of the technology. Measuring objective, relevant phenotypes, such as activity level, temperature, and weight of an individual animal over time, could assist in detecting sickness before it exacerbates to the point of death. Weight measurement would be especially useful in the developing sector, where infrastructure is not available and could provide insight into the nutritional needs of the livestock, timing of the mating period, the possibility of disease or internal and external parasites. Measuring vital parameters and using them to predict various future occurrences would empower emerging farmers to optimize productivity by providing critical information to the farmer at any given time. Phenomics will provide new and emerging farmers the opportunity to participate in the agriculture economy, which will have a lasting effect of upliftment and empowerment and also contribute to the country’s agriculture output and its gross domestic product. Farmers will benefit from the use of automated technologies in terms of improved animal welfare and economic sustainability in resource-poor areas.
67 Occurrence of Mycotoxins in Forage-Based Feeds from US and Canada
Authors: Gott Paige N , Schwandt Erin F , Ramirez Shelby M , Hendel Erika G , Murugesan G Raj , Hofstetter Ursula
Published: November 2020

Mycotoxins are secondary fungal metabolites that contaminate a variety of feedstuffs and are detrimental to animal health and productivity. The risk of broad-spectrum mycotoxin exposure is elevated for ruminants due to the complexity of their diets. This study investigated the occurrence and contamination levels of mycotoxins in forage-based feeds including corn silage, haylage (including various cuttings of multiple forage sources), and straw samples from across the US and Canada. Samples were screened for the six major mycotoxin groups: aflatoxins, type A trichothecenes, type B trichothecenes (B-Trich), fumonisins (FUM), zearalenone (ZEN), and ochratoxin A via LC-MS/MS technique. Samples submitted for clinical health or performance concerns were excluded from the data set. The B-Trich occurred most frequently (95% positive) among 92 corn silage samples harvested in 2019 followed by ZEN (34%) and FUM (9%). Mean contamination levels (parts per billion, ppb) on dry matter basis were 2,788 ppb, 456 ppb, and 194 ppb, respectively. Only 4% of silage samples were below the limit of detection (LOD) for all mycotoxins evaluated. Among 20 haylage samples from 2019 crop year, B-Trich were the most frequently detected, with 50% of samples positive at a mean concentration of 3,222 ppb. Twenty-one 2019 straw samples were submitted for analysis, with 100% testing positive for some level of B-Trich (mean 2,001 ppb) and 81% ZEN positive with an average of 640 ppb. Seventy-one percent of straw samples were positive for both B-Trich and ZEN. Preliminary mycotoxin survey results from US and Canada suggest B-Trich and ZEN are the most frequently occurring major mycotoxins in 2019 forage-based feed samples. Based on the frequency and levels of mycotoxin contamination identified in the current data set, continued analysis of forage-based feeds is warranted as mycotoxins pose a potential risk to the health, performance, and reproductive success of ruminants.
54 Evaluating the effectiveness of Lactobacillus zeae against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli F4 infection in a porcine intestinal epithelial cell model
Authors: Chen Yanhong , Liu Shangxi , Yu Changning , Liu Song , Gong Joshua , O Karmin , Yang Chengbo
Published: November 2020

Lactobacillus zeae (LB1) has been shown to prevent Caenorhabditis elegans from death caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) infection through downregulating the gene expression of ETEC toxins and mediating antimicrobial peptides/defense molecules under the p38 MAPK and DAF/IGF signaling pathways in the nematode. However, the protective effects of LB1 at a cellular level have not been investigated yet. In the present study, porcine intestinal cells (IPEC-J2) were used to examine the potential of LB1 on modulating intestinal barrier and innate immune functions and protecting against intestinal injuries and inflammatory reactions induced by ETEC F4 infection. The results showed that the pretreatment of IPEC-J2 cells with LB1 significantly alleviated the cytotoxicity and inhibited gene expression of interleukin (IL)-8 and IL-6, and secretion of IL-8 induced by ETEC F4 (P < 0.05). The LB1 pretreatment significantly maintained a higher value of TEER concomitantly with lower dextran-fluorescein fluxes from the apical side to the basolateral side when compared with that challenged by ETEC F4. LB1 pretreatment also prevented morphological damage of tight junction and cytoskeleton caused by the ETEC F4 challenge, indicating that LB1 pretreatment maintained the structural integrity of tight junction. However, LB1 inclusion showed no significant protection on ZO-1 expression at both gene and protein levels from the ETEC F4 challenge, but a considerable increase in the protein expression of occludin (P < 0.05). LB1 administration influenced neither ETEC F4 adhesion nor secretion of antimicrobial defensin (pBD2, pBD3), while dramatically reduced the mRNA level of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). These results suggested that probiotics LB1 could effectively protect the mucosa from ETEC F4 infection by inhibiting inflammation and maintaining barrier integrity via downregulating TLR4 expression. Our data provide further evidence on the mechanisms at the cellular level that probiotics could improve pig gut health.
65 Exploring molecular mechanisms behind Lactobacillus protection offered to Caenorhabditis elegans: the role of neurotransmitters
Authors: Li Linyan , Liu Xiaozhen , Jiang Leming , Yu Hai , Nie Shaoping , Xie Mingyong , Gong Joshua
Published: November 2020

Lactobacillus are commonly used as probiotics in livestock production to improve animal gut health and performance. We previously reported the selection of Lactobacillus zeae LB1, which was able to reduce Salmonella infection in chickens and pigs, through the life-span assay of Caenorhabditis elegans infected with Salmonella Typhimurium DT104. To understand the molecular mechanisms behind the probiotic effect, the present study used C. elegans as a model to investigate the influence of LB1 on the behavior plasticity and roles of both serotonin and dopamine in C. elegans responding to Salmonella infection and LB1 protection. Pre-exposure to LB1 did not elicit aversive olfactory behavior of both the wild-type nematode (N2) and mutants defective in serotonin (tph-1) or dopamine (cat-2) production towards DT104, although LB1 was much more attractive than DT104 to C. elegans. Life-span studies showed that both the mutants succumbed faster than N2 to DT104 infection. Pre-exposure to LB1 significantly increased the survival level of both N2 and mutant tph-1. However, LB1 provided no protection to mutant cat-2. Supplementation of dopamine restored both the resistance of mutant cat-2 to Salmonella infection and the protection from LB1 to mutant cat-2. These results suggest that both serotonin and dopamine have a role in the host defense of C. elegans to Salmonella infection, and that the LB1 protection effect was not dependent on modifying olfactory preference of the nematode, but mediated by dopamine. Additionally, the p38-mitogen activated protein kinase signaling and IGFR-1/DAF-16 signaling pathways may have also participated in the protection under dopamine regulation.
76 Investigating the effects of increased soluble fiber and incremental exercise on the voluntary physical activity and behaviour of sled dogs
Authors: Robinson Eve , Templeman James , Thornton Emma , Croney Candace , Niel Lee , Shoveller Anna-Kate
Published: November 2020

Optimization of the insoluble:soluble fibers in the diets of dogs can improve gastrointestinal health by increasing commensal bacterial growth. A growing body of research suggests that improved gut health can influence behavior via the gut-brain axis. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of an increased soluble fiber diet on the behavior and voluntary activity of actively training, client-owned Siberian huskies. Fourteen dogs were blocked for age, BW and sex and randomly allocated to either the control or treatment groups. The control group was fed a dry extruded diet that contained an insoluble:soluble fiber ratio of 4:1, and the treatment group was fed a dry extruded diet that contained an insoluble:soluble fiber ratio of 3:1. All dogs underwent eight weeks of incremental conditioning where they trained four days a week. Once a week, a 5-minute video recording was taken immediately pre- and post-exercise to evaluate behaviors. Activity monitors were used to record voluntary activity on two rest days and one active day during weeks -1, 1, 4, 5, and 7. All behavioral and physical activity count data were analyzed using a repeated measures mixed model to test for differences between dietary treatments and week. No differences were observed between treatment or control dogs for any behavior or voluntary physical activity levels (P > 0.05); however, all dogs experienced an exercise-induced reduction in locomotive behaviors prior to exercise throughout the 8-week conditioning period (P < 0.05). Additionally, all dogs were more active during the second consecutive day of rest relative to the first (P < 0.05). These data suggest that while increased soluble fiber in the diets of sled dogs may not affect their behavior, the exercise-related reduction in activity observed begins to recover within one rest day.
78 The effects of guar gum and other select gums and gelling carbohydrates on appearance, texture, and heating characteristics of wet pet foods
Authors: Dainton Amanda N , Aldrich Charles G
Published: November 2020

Many wet pet foods include carbohydrate ingredients that enhance viscosity for container filling or provide structure after processing. These gums and gels can cause differences in commercial sterilization as well as visible changes in product quality. Therefore, the objective was to determine the effect of different gums and gelling carbohydrates on the appearance, texture, and thermal processing metrics of wet pet foods. Treatments were added to a chicken-based formula as 1% dextrose (NH), 0.5% guar gum and 0.5% dextrose (GG), 0.5% guar gum and 0.5% kappa carrageenan (KCGG), 0.5% guar gum and 0.5% locust bean gum (LBGGG), or 0.5% guar gum and 0.5% xanthan gum (XGGG). Batters were analyzed for pH, water activity, and consistency with a Bostwick consistometer as a crude indication of viscosity. Thermocouples were placed in cans to measure cold-spot temperatures for Fo and cook-value calculations. Replicate batches (n = 3) included each treatment and were commercially sterilized in a still retort at 121 ℃ and 144.79 kPa. Can vacuum and product color (colorimetry) were measured after cans cooled to ambient temperatures. Treatments were analyzed as a 1-way ANOVA with batch as a blocking factor. Means were separated by Fisher’s LSD using statistical analysis software (GLIMMIX; SAS 9.4). Batter consistency thickened (P < 0.05) with increasing levels of gums and gelling carbohydrates. Batter pH, batter water activity, and can vacuum were not different (P > 0.05) among treatments (averaging 5.94, 0.990, and -12.9 kPa, respectively). The NH treatment accumulated the greatest (P < 0.05) Fo and cook values during the cook cycle compared to all other treatments. The NH and GG treatments were more (P < 0.05) red and yellow than KCGG, LBGGG, and XGGG. Gums and gelling carbohydrates influenced the rate of heat penetration of the foods, likely due to the differences in batter consistency, and affected product color and physical characteristics.
79 Clinical health markers in dogs fed raw meat based or commercial extruded kibble diets
Authors: Hiney Kris M , Sypniewski Lara , Pezeshki Adel , McFarlane Dianne
Published: November 2020

Anecdotal reports of health benefits of raw meat-based diets (RMBD) for dogs include cleaner teeth, improved integument, and general health. However, little to no evidence is present in the scientific literature to support assertions of improved clinical outcomes in RMBD-fed dogs. We hypothesized that healthy dogs fed diets which have undergone less processing will show a clinical benefit and improved general health markers compared to dogs fed a highly processed diet. Enrollment criteria included healthy, client-owned adult dogs fed either RMBD or extruded kibble (EK) for > 1 year (RMBD n = 28; EK n = 27). Management history, clinical examination, hematology, urinalysis and serum biochemistry measures were collected for each dog. Dental, ear and coat scores were assigned by a blinded veterinary observer and a clinical composite score (CCS) calculated. Dogs fed RMBD showed an improved CCS and coat score compared to EK dogs (CCS: Mann Whitney test, P = 0.03; Coat: Fisher Exact Test, P = 0.04). Differences in blood analytes between feeding group were observed (Table 1). For each significant difference found by univariate analysis, forward stepwise linear regression was performed with age, breed, gender, and body condition score as independent factors. Serum alkaline phosphatase activity was 50% lower in dogs fed RMBD than those fed EK (P = 0.001). BUN was higher (P < 0.01) in RMBD dogs, while glucose concentration (P < 0.05) was lower in RMBD dogs compared to EK dogs. Platelet count was greater in RMBD dogs relative to EK group (P < 0.001). Owner management differed, with greater likelihood of management interventions and sporting activities in the RMBD group. RMBD may have mild clinical benefits and significant effects on blood analytes compared to EK, even when management was considered. Further work is needed to determine the impact of owner practices, diet processing, and nutrient content on health outcomes.
88 Effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product on microbiota populations of dogs subjected to travel stress
Authors: Oba Patrícia M , Carroll Meredith , Epp Tammi , Warzecha Christine , Varney Jessica L , Fowler Jason W , Coon Craig N , Swanson Kelly S
Published: November 2020

Previously, a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product (SCFP) positively altered fecal microbiota, fecal metabolites, and function of circulating immune cells in adult dogs. The objective of this study was to determine the fecal characteristics, microbiota, and metabolites of dogs subjected to travel stress. All procedures were approved by the Four Rivers Kennel IACUC prior to experimentation. Thirty-six adult dogs (mean age: 7.1 y; mean BCS: 4.9) were used. Dogs were randomly assigned to control or SCFP-supplemented (250 mg/day) diets and fed for a few months prior to a travel stress challenge. Fresh fecal samples were collected for the measurement of fecal characteristics, microbiota, and metabolites before and after travel stress. Fecal microbiota data were evaluated using QIIME2. All other data were analyzed using the Mixed Models procedure of SAS, with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. There were no differences between treatments on fecal characteristics, metabolites, and bacterial alpha and beta diversity measures. However, fecal Turicibacter increased in dogs fed SCFP (0.8% to 1.2%, P = 0.03), but decreased in dogs fed control (1.2% to 0.7%, P = 0.03). Fecal Prevotella (5% to 7%, P = 0.004), Oscillospira (0.07% to 0.1%, P = 0.004) and Sutterella (3% to 4%, P = 0.01) increased after travel stress in dogs fed control. In contrast, fecal Clostridium (11% to 15%, P = 0.01), Faecalibacterium (6% to 8%, P = 0.003), and Allobaculum (1% to 2%, P = 0.02) increased and fecal Phascolarctobacterium (1.4% to 1.1%, P = 0.001) decreased after travel stress in dogs fed SCFP. Our data demonstrate that both travel stress and SCFP alter fecal microbiota in dogs.
329 Why kennel and cattery food preference trials may not predict pet preferences in home?
Authors: Villarreal Jill
Published: November 2020

Paired preference trials conducted in kennels and catteries have been the gold standard for measuring food preferences of dogs and cats for decades. Kennel and cattery environments control for numerous confounding variables and collect precise measurements. The qualities that bring great precision to paired preference trials conducted in kennel and cattery environments also lower the external validity of their findings. Many pet food manufactures become frustrated when a finding of “no significant difference”, or even a “win,” found for food preference in a kennel and cattery environment becomes a loss when “pet enjoyment/liking” is measured in-home. I will cover key differences in the participants, conditions, and measures that likely account for such divergent findings. I will discuss advantages of early in-home product assessment for dog and cat product enjoyment/liking. Lastly, I will present new methods that can be applied to product trials conducted in kennel and cattery environments to increase the external validity of their findings.
333 Practical applications of whey protein in promoting skeletal muscle maintenance, recovery, and reconditioning
Authors: Arentson-Lantz Emily
Published: November 2020

Protein is an essential component of a healthy diet at all stages of life for growth and maintenance of muscle mass. Adequate protein intake is especially critical during periods of catabolic crises, such as periods of disuse due to illness or injury, that accelerate the loss of muscle mass and function. Therefore, the primary objective of this talk will be discussing the implementation of whey protein to optimize nutritional practices and protein intake to mitigate the consequences of disuse and aging. Increased protein and/or energy intake can be a well-intentioned but often impractical strategy to protect muscle due to limitations such as a cost or issues with satiety. Whey protein offers a practical, palatable source of protein rich in leucine, the amino acid thought to initiate muscle protein synthesis. In a recent study, we sought to determine whether increase in dietary protein quality through use of whey protein could reduce the negative effects of physical inactivity in older human adults. Findings from this study showed that whey protein protected against muscle loss. Additionally, whey appeared to offer some protection against gaining fat mass during disuse and promoted recovery of strength during recovery. These findings suggest that improving protein quality (e.g. the addition of whey protein) without increasing total energy intake may partially protect against some of the negative effects of bed rest in older adults.
98 Comparing the effectiveness of anabolic implants in Santa Gertrudis sired steers versus Angus steers
Authors: Reichhardt Caleb C , Brady Tevan J , Briggs Reganne K , Smith Laura A , Bowman Brett , Garcia Matthew D , Thomas Aaron , Thornton Kara J
Published: November 2020

This research compared the use of implants in Bos indicus influenced animals versus Bos taurus in a feedlot setting. Twenty steers were blocked by weight and breed in a 2 x 2 factorial design examining two different breeds: Angus (AN; n = 10) or Santa Gertrudis influenced (SGI; n = 10), and two implant strategies: no implant (CON; n = 10) or a combined implant (CI; n = 10). Steers were randomly placed into pens equipped with GrowSafe® bunks, fed the same ration, and weighed and ultrasounded on days 0, 28, 56, 84, and 112. Blood was collected on days 0, 2, 10, 28, 56, 84, and 112. Backfat measurements (BF), weights, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were determined. Data were analyzed using repeated measures and the ProcMixed procedure of SAS, looking at the main effects of breed, implant, and breed*implant. There were no initial differences (P > 0.05) in weight between any of the main effects. The main effects of breed, implant, and breed*implant demonstrate that AN gained more (P < 0.05) weight than SGI, CI gained more (P < 0.05) weight than CON, and the AN that received a CI had increased weight gain when compared to the AN CON, SGI CON and SGI CI. There was no difference (P > 0.05) in weight gain between the SGI that received a CI vs CON, nor was there a difference (P > 0.05) between the CON SGI and AN. There was a treatment*breed interaction for BF (P < 0.05), with AN tending to put on more BF than SGI CON (P < 0.08). A breed*treatment interaction was also observed when analyzing BUN (P < 0.05). This research provides preliminary evidence suggesting that anabolic implants are not as effective in Bos indicus influenced animals when compared to Bos taurus animals.
100 President Oral Presentation Pick: Prematurity Blunts Protein Synthesis in Skeletal Muscle of Neonatal Pigs Independently of Birth Weight
Authors: Rudar Marko , Naberhuis Jane , Suryawan Agus , Nguyen Hanh , Fiorotto Marta , Davis Teresa A
Published: November 2020

Postnatal growth failure reduces lean mass accretion and increases adiposity. Previously we showed that preterm birth impairs the feeding-induced stimulation of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), translation initiation, and protein synthesis in skeletal muscle of neonatal pigs. Considering that pig body weight can vary widely at birth, we wished to differentiate the effect of prematurity versus BW on these responses. Pigs delivered by caesarean section at preterm (103 d) or term (112 d) gestation were fed parenterally for 4 d. On day 4, all pigs were fasted for 4 h and were either fasted one additional hour or fed an elemental meal by oral gavage, yielding four treatment groups: preterm fasted, preterm fed, term fasted, and term fed. A flooding dose of L-[4-3H]Phe was injected into pigs 30 min after feeding (30 min before euthanasia). Preterm and term pigs were stratified according to birth weight such that preterm pigs with the highest birth weight were compared to term pigs with the lowest birth weight (n = 10–13 per group). Despite similar birth weight of pigs in these two subgroups, relative body weight gain of preterm pigs was 33% lower than term pigs (22.0 vs. 32.9 ± 1.6 g·kg-1·d-1, P < 0.001). Gastrocnemius protein synthesis increased after feeding in both preterm and term pigs, but the increase was 18% lower in preterm than in term pigs pigs (Table 1). Feeding-induced AKT phosphorylation and mTOR-dependent 4EBP1 and S6K1 phosphorylation mirrored the pattern in protein synthesis. These results suggest that prematurity (rather than low birth weight, which is frequently associated with preterm birth) perturbs mTOR activation and protein synthesis after feeding. However, it is unclear whether an inadequate response to feeding also underpins poor growth in intrauterine growth restricted piglets. Research was supported by NIH and USDA.
355 The Gut Microbiome and its Influence on Cognition and Mental Health: from Zebrafish to Horses
Authors: Ericsson Aaron
Published: November 2020

The microbial communities colonizing the gastrointestinal tract of vertebrate hosts exist in symbiosis with their host, providing a wide array of functions that confer benefit to the collective superorganism. Intuitively, disruptions in microbial community structure can lead to deleterious host effects, and multiple associations have been made between gut inflammatory conditions and dysbiosis. Considering the myriad mechanisms of bi-directional communication between the gut microbiota and host autonomic nervous system, it is not surprising that the gut microbiota is now implicated as a factor in several behavioral, cognitive, and neuro-psychological conditions affecting people. While gut microbiomes have co-evolved with (and are very specific for) their cognate hosts, the functions provided by the communities are highly conserved, suggesting that the same microbiome-induced effects observed in people may also affect companion animals like horses. This presentation will show data generated in a range of host species including zebrafish, rodents, and horses, demonstrating the influence of the gut-brain axis on behavior, and physical and mental health. The objective is to provide listeners a new appreciation for the physiological, and perhaps clinical, influence of the gut microbiota, and implications for clinical practices such as antibiotic usage and feeding changes.
366 The Ham Halo condition: Characterization and a possible approach for mitigation
Authors: King Andy , Shackelford Steven , Nonneman Dan , Rohrer Gary , Wheeler Tommy L
Published: November 2020

The Halo condition is a meat quality defect characterized by very pale lean tissue on the superficial portion of fresh ham muscles. This tissue does not allow proper cured color development and has been the subject of customer complaints for ham processors. Surveys of raw materials revealed an issue affecting many suppliers and genetic lines. Further investigation indicated that the condition was most prominent in the distal portion of the biceps femoris muscle and was present in pigs of all ages and stages of production. Halo-affected tissue had much higher proportion of white muscle fibers. Consequently, Halo-affected tissue exhibited much lower myoglobin concentration, as well as much greater lightness, and much lower redness values, compared to normal tissue in the deeper portion of the muscle. These differences are consistent with increased expression of genes coding for white muscle fiber specific proteins in the Halo-affected tissue relative to tissue from the Inside portion of the biceps femoris muscle. Virtually all muscles evaluated have exhibited some degree of the Halo condition, but significant variation exists in the size of the affected portion of the muscle as well as the severity of the condition. Sire has a substantial impact on variation in Halo condition severity. Thus, genetic selection should help mitigate the condition. We will provide an overview of efforts to characterize the Halo condition and discuss genetic selection as a means to mitigate the condition.
360 Awardee Talk: The evolution of meat flavor measurement and its importance to the livestock industry
Authors: Kerth Chris R
Published: November 2020

Meat flavor is part of the trilogy of traits that determine taste: tenderness, juiciness, and flavor. For meat, juiciness is influenced by the amount of intramuscular fat and moisture that is retained during the cooking process. Meat tenderness is primarily determined by the amount and type of connective tissue, degree of protein degradation, and muscle sarcomere length. Tenderness has been managed genetically in livestock, with significant strides being made to reduce the number of steaks rated tough. The last factor that influences consumers’ perception of meat taste is flavor and aroma. Compared to juiciness and tenderness, flavor is much more complex, as it is influenced by lipids and water-soluble compounds that serve as precursors to meat flavor. These precursors are then developed into flavor and aromas during the cooking process. Flavor is measured by consumers via sensing on the tongue, trigeminal senses, and volatile aroma compounds and is largely variable from one consumer to the next. Objectively measuring flavor is much more complicated than either juiciness or tenderness and requires either a highly-trained human sensory panel or expensive, highly-sensitive equipment. The development of the beef flavor lexicon in 2011 provided a comprehensive list of beef flavor descriptors with objective references for each and anchors along a scale of 0 to 15, allowing a trained sensory panel to objectively measure and score the flavor descriptors. Gas and liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy objectively measure volatile aroma compounds and flavor precursors, respectively. Now the use of “omics” techniques have been adapted to flavor research to help relate protein, lipids, and other metabolites with flavor characteristics. Meat flavor is what most appeals to consumers and sets it apart from plant proteins. Furthermore, flavor serves as the guardrails to keep a premium marketability on track and is something that the livestock industry has that makes their product unique and desirable.
139 Digestibility of phosphorus in heat-treated dry extruded-expelled soybean meal and solvent-extracted and expeller-extracted canola meal fed to growing pigs
Authors: Lee Jinyoung , Nyachoti Charles Martin
Published: November 2020

Although heat treatment affects digestibility of amino acids in feed ingredients, there is less information as to whether such an effect also applies to minerals. Therefore, the objective of this research was to investigate the effects of heat treatment on apparent (ATTD) and standardized total tract digestibility (STTD) of P in dry extruded-expelled soybean meal (DESBM), solvent-extracted canola meal (SCM), and expeller-extracted canola meal (ECM) fed to growing pigs. A total of 36 pigs (19.0 ± 1.0 kg) were assigned to 1 of 6 diets in a completely randomized design to give 6 replicates per diet. Pigs were individually housed in metabolism crates for 12 d, including 7 d for adaptation and 5 d for total collection of feces. The experimental diets were formulated to contain non-heated or heat-treated DESBM, SCM, and ECM as the sole source of P. Pigs were offered their daily ration at 2.8 times their maintenance energy requirement. Data were analyzed as a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement using the PROC MIXED of SAS with ingredients, heat treatment, and their interaction; however, no interaction was observed for any variable. Pigs fed the DESBM diet had a higher (P < 0.05) ATTD and STTD of P than pigs fed SCM and ECM diets. The ATTD and STTD of P in heat treated samples were higher (P < 0.05) than in non-heated samples. In the heat-treated samples, the values of STTD of P were 49.4, 23.2, and 25.8% for DESBM, SCM, and ECM, respectively. Respective values for STTD of P in non-heated DESBM, SCM, and ECM were 48.5, 20.2, and 22.5%. The ATTD of Ca in non-heat-treated samples was lower (P < 0.05) compared to the values for heat-treated samples. In conclusion, heat treatment increased ATTD and STTD of P in DESBM, SCM, and ECM fed to growing pigs.
127 Effect of feed sweetener and feed flavor on growth performance of weanling pigs
Authors: Espinosa Charmaine D , Chen Xixi , Lei Yan , Lv Jirong , Stein Hans H
Published: November 2020

An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that feed flavor and feed sweetener improve growth performance of weanling pigs. One hundred twenty-eight pigs (5.97 ± 0.55 kg) were allotted to 4 treatments with 4 pigs per pen and 8 pen replicates per diet. A 3-phase feeding program was used. In all phases, a control diet was formulated based on corn and soybean meal, and 3 additional diets were formulated by adding feed flavor (500 mg/kg), feed sweetener (150 mg/kg), or their combination to the control diet. Fecal scores were visually assessed using a score from 1 to 5 (1 = normal feces to 5 = watery diarrhea). Experimental diets were fed to pigs for 6 wk. Data were analyzed using SAS with pen as the experimental unit. Diet was the fixed effect and replicate was the random effect. Results indicated that overall average daily feed intake (ADFI) was greater (P < 0.05) and overall average daily gain (ADG) tended to be greater (P < 0.10) for pigs fed the diet containing feed sweetener compared with pigs fed the control diet (Table 1). The observed improvements in ADG and ADFI also resulted in greater (P < 0.05) final body weight for pigs fed the feed sweetener diet compared with pigs fed the control diet. Inclusion of feed flavor, feed sweetener, or the combination of feed flavor and sweetener in diets did not affect fecal scores of pigs, but inclusion of feed flavor resulted in reduced overall frequency of diarrhea (P = 0.05). In conclusion, supplementation of feed sweetener improved growth performance and feed flavor supplementation to diets ameliorated post-weaning diarrhea of weanling pigs from d 1 to 42.
150 Effects of managing mature beef bulls on divergent planes of nutrition on novel measures of bull fertility
Authors: Dahlen Carl R , Kassetas Cierrah J , Geary Tom , Zezeski Abby , Underdahl Sarah R , Crouse Matthew S , McCarthy Kacie L , Baumgaertner Friederike , Kirsch James D , Dorsam Sheri T , Sedivec Kevin K , Ward Alison K , Caton Joel
Published: November 2020

Fifteen mature beef bulls (BW = 800.4 ± 17.4 kg) were used in a 112-d experiment to evaluate effects of divergent planes of nutrition on novel measures of bull fertility. Bulls were ranked by BW and randomly assigned to one of two treatments: 1) managed on a positive plane of nutrition (POS, n = 8), or 2) managed on a negative plane of nutrition (NEG, n = 7). Bulls were individually fed a common diet adjusted biweekly to achieve targeted weight loss or gain of 12.5% of original BW. On d 112, electroejaculation was used to collect 2 ejaculates from each bull, which were combined, extended, and frozen. The Guava easyCyte 8HT Flow Cytometer was used to analyze cell membrane and acrosome integrity, mitochondrial energy potential, and oxidation status of frozen-thawed semen. Data were analyzed for effects of treatment with bull as the experimental unit using the MIXED procedure of SAS. By design, bull BW diverged (P < 0.0001) with POS bulls gaining 1.27 ± 0.08 kg/d, whereas NEG bulls lost 0.91 ± 0.08 kg/d. Treatment did not influence cell membrane integrity (P = 0.20), or proportion of live sperm with intact acrosome (P = 0.91). A greater (P = 0.04) proportion of sperm from POS bulls (35.1 ± 3.47%) were alive and stained reactive oxygen species positive compared with sperm from NEG bulls (23.8 ± 3.71%) indicating sperm from POS bulls was more prepared to withstand oxidative stressors. However, NEG bulls (27.2 ± 5.22) had a greater (P = 0.01) proportion of sperm with polarized mitochondrial energy potential compared with POS bulls (6.1 ± 4.89%), indicating greater energy for sustained motility. We conclude that plane of nutrition during spermatogenesis may impact sperm’s ability to withstand stressful environments encountered and to sustain motility in the female reproductive tract after cryopreservation.
173 Greenhouse gas emissions and land use associated with the removal of growth-enhancing technologies from backgrounding and finishing cattle in Canada: A case study
Authors: Boonstra Emily M , McAllister Tim A , Ribeiro Gabriel O , Cordeiro Marcos , Alemu Aklilu , Crow Gary , Ominski Kim
Published: November 2020

Greenhouse gas emissions from backgrounding and finishing cattle with and without the use of growth-enhancing technologies (GET) were estimated using a whole-farm model, Holos (www.agr.gc.ca/holos-ghg). Model inputs were obtained from a four-year performance study using heifers (H) and steers (S) with six treatments (n = 40 hd treatment-1 yr-1): 1) H control (HCon); 2) H implanted (HTBA); 3) H melengestrol acetate (HMGA); 4) S control (SCon); 5) S implanted (STBA); and 6) S implanted + ractopamine hydrochloride (SRAC; conducted in the last two years). All cattle were finished to achieve a consistent number of days on feed (DOF; n = 233 ± 8). Lighter finish weights were observed for HCon and SCon. As a result, DOF were adjusted (-1 to 65 d) to achieve the same final weight as GET-treated cattle. Total emissions (kg CO2e head-1) were greater for Hcon_AdjHTBA (2967 ± 183) and HCon_AdjHMGA (2766 ± 84), than HTBA (2897 ± 184) and HMGA (2730 ± 81). Similarly, total emissions (kg CO2e head-1) for SCon_AdjSTBA (3169 ± 192) and SCon_AdjSRAC (3252 ± 202) were greater than STBA (2998 ± 153) and SRAC (3097 ± 185), respectively. On an intensity basis, (kg CO2e kg slaughter weight-1), emissions from GET-treated cattle [HTBA (4.49 ± 0.19), HMGA (4.39 ± 0.13), STBA (4.28 ± 0.17), and SRAC (4.31 ± 0.25)] were lower than HCon_AdjHTBA (4.60 ± 0.21), HCon_AdjHMGA (4.45 ± 0.18), SCon_AdjSTBA (4.52 ± 0.23), and SCon_AdjSRAC (4.52 ± 0.28), respectively. Furthermore, land-use (ha 100 kg slaughter weight-1) was reduced for GET-treated cattle (HTBA (0.068 ± 0.001), HMGA (0.067 ± 0.001), STBA (0.066 ± 0.001), and SRAC (0.067 ± 0.000)) compared to HCon_AdjTBA (0.071 ± 0.001), HCon_AdjMGA (0.069 ± 0.002), SCon_AdjTBA (0.072 ± 0.002), and SCon_AdjRAC (0.0073 ± 0.001), respectively. This study demonstrates that GETs can reduce the environmental footprint of beef cattle.
167 Addition of garlic powder at low doses stimulated mineral consumption in feedlot cattle
Authors: Durunna Obioha N , Cheang-Deis Iris , Lardner Bart , Rochon Kateryn , Barkema Herman W , Block Hushton
Published: November 2020

The trial evaluated whether the addition of garlic powder increased mineral intake and reduced fly abundance in feedlot cattle. Following a completely randomized design, one hundred and four (104) spring-born crossbred steers (BW 529 ± 8kg) were recruited for the feeding trial at Lakeland College, Vermilion Alberta, Canada. Each steer was assigned to one of four treatment groups (26 steers each) where each group received a commercial feedlot mineral mixed with garlic powder to give a final supplement mix that contained either 2.5% or 5% garlic powder or 0.3% garlic-oil-based premix or 0% garlic product (as control). The animals received a feedlot ration. The different treatment groups were kept within side-by-side pens, each equipped with water troughs and automatic feeding equipment to measure individual feed and mineral consumption. Feed and mineral supplements were provided ad libitum. Differences were observed for mineral intake (P = 0.003), ADG (P = 0.002) and feed conversion efficiency (P = 0.01). Compared to the control, mineral supplement consumption increased between 18 to 50% in groups that received garlic-infused supplements. Fly counts did not differ among the groups, in part, due to low overall fly abundance. While there were no differences (P = 0.21) in the length of time the steers spent consuming feed, differences existed for time spent consuming minerals (P = 0.002) and mineral bunk visits (P = 0.0003). There was no difference (P > 0.18) in DMI, final body weight or hot carcass weight among the different groups. The hematological and biochemical parameters were within normal ranges for healthy cattle, and there was no difference in carcass quality grades (P = 0.78). Even though the impact on fly-counts was inconclusive, the preliminary results show that including low-dose garlic powder could be a practical strategy of increasing mineral consumption without any associated negative health consequences.
165 Evaluation of Milk Urea Nitrogen Measurement Precision and Accuracy
Authors: Reed Kristan F , Wood Emma , Barbano David M , Portnoy Matilde
Published: November 2020

High levels of urea in blood, milk and urine have been linked to poor nitrogen efficiency, increased feed costs, poor reproductive performance and increased environmental impacts of dairy farming. Milk urea nitrogen (MUN) is a commonly used metric to manage herd nitrogen efficiency, with current recommendations for MUN to be between 8–14 mg/dL to maintain milk production and reduce nitrogen losses. However, a previous work suggests commercial analysis of MUN with mid-infrared spectroscopy (MIR) may not be precise enough to determine if a milk sample is within the recommended range. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the precision and accuracy of milk testing lab MUN measurements. Four sets of bulk tank samples were sent to 3 commercial labs and one research lab for analysis by MIR. Samples were sent to commercial labs in duplicate and MUN was also assessed through an enzymatic assay. The Euclidean distance (ED) was calculated as a combined metric of precision and accuracy. The ED was not different between labs and ranged from 0.81–1.27. Repeatability (sr) and reproducibility (sR) were estimated for commercial labs and ranged from (0.297–0.469) and (0.555–0.791) respectively. Differences between individual sample MIR and enzymatic MUN were regressed on the centered enzymatic MUN in a linear mixed model that included a random effect of lab and fixed effects for milk protein and milk fat. Regression results indicate MIR analysis over-predicts MUN at low MUN concentrations and under predicts MUN at high MUN concentrations. Results suggest MIR analysis of MUN is more accurate around milk MUN, protein, and fat concentrations of ~13 mg/dl, 3.4% protein, and 4.2% fat. Further, the combined residual error and random effect of lab suggest the standard error of an MUN MIR measurement is ±1.8.
380 Precision Management of Animals: Image Processing and Computer Vision Applications
Authors: Condotta Isabella
Published: November 2020

Growing populations, rising wealth, and urbanization are translating into increased demand for animal products, which causes a need for rapid intensification of production. With that, economic pressures mount on animal producers, who are forced to increase herds’ sizes in order to be commercially feasible, limiting time of interaction with their animals. In contrast, society is demanding closer attention to the needs of individual animals and their well-being, and reduction of the environmental impact of animal production. Paying closer attention to the animal can not only positively impact animal welfare and health, but also increase the capacity of the producer to increase sustainability while still reaching production needs. That’s when Precision Management of Animals (PMA) becomes necessary: The animals become central to the system and, by automatically interpreting their behavior and physical conditions through principles and technologies of process engineering, it is possible to generate data that feeds real-time monitoring and warning systems for producers, so they can take immediate management actions when needed. This leads to better management choices that are not driven only on profits, but, instead, on the needs of the animals and their care, which leads to a more effective use of resources, including antibiotics, grains, and water; improvement of animal welfare; and a data stream that can help guide new facility designs, and genetic evaluation and selection. Image processing and computer vision are examples of technologies that have been used as non-invasive methods of data collection in swine production with multiple purposes, including weight prediction, water usage, aggressive behaviors recognition, detection of lying patterns to evaluate thermal environment, localization of animals, locomotion assessment, behavior classification, gait assessment, animal measurement, and animal counting. When coupled with novel machine learning models, they seem to be a promising approach to solve the existent problems with PMA systems development.
228 President Oral Presentation Pick: Milk biomarkers for determining the incidence of sub-acute ruminal acidosis
Authors: Mowete Sharon Y , Santchi Débora , Kwiatkowski Ken , Plaizier Jan C
Published: November 2020

In order to test the validity of milk amyloid A (MAA) as a biomarker for inflammation and subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA), 320 milk samples from 24 commercial dairy farms in Quebec were tested for milk amyloid A using a commercial kit. These farms were divided into low risk of SARA farms and high risk of SARA farms according to the proportions of short chain and polyunsaturated fatty acids content in the bulk tank of the farms. It was assumed that farms at risk of SARA had a lower proportion of short chain and a higher proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids compared to farms that were not at risk of SARA. Farms were also blocked in groups of two farms by geographical location and management. Each block included an at-risk and a not-at-risk farm. On each farm, 7 early- to mid-lactation and 7 mid- to late-lactation cows were randomly selected for MAA analysis. Cows with a somatic cell count (SCC) of over 200,000 in pooled milk samples were not included. Data were analyzed using SAS Proc. Mixed with Stage of lactation and Risk of SARA as fixed factors, and Block as a random factor. The model also included somatic cell counts (SCC) and parity as a covariates. The concentrations of MAA ranged from non-detectable, i.e. below 0.1 ug/ml, to 3267.9 ug/ml with an average of 336.28 ug/ml.The effects of Block, Stage of lactation, and Risk of SARA on MAA were not significant. However, SCC and parity were significantly (P < 0.01) correlated (P < .001) with MAA with correlation coefficients of 0.34 and 0.26, respectively. The results show that measurement of MAA may be a suitable biomarker for subclinical inflammations such as subclinical mastitis, but not for the Risk of SARA.