bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PSV-1 A comparison of Holstein-cross cattle and beef-cross cattle in terms of performance and carcass quality
Authors: Winebold Deedra M , Tollefson Rebecca L , Deaton Claire , King Adam , Case Riley , Robertson Joel , Church Emily R , Holder Amanda
Published: May 2024

Crossbreeding Holstein cows to beef sires has increased in popularity as a means to increase marketability of the dairy offspring. A large portion of these dairy-cross animals are offspring of Holstein cows and Angus bulls. The objective of this study was to evaluate the carcass quality of 3 crossbred beef steers (Hereford x Angus) and 3 dairy x beef cross steers (Holstein x Angus). These animals had been a part of a previous study evaluating the additive effect of implanting strategy combined with inclusion of a beta-agonist and represent the three different treatments evaluated on that study with one dairy-cross and one beef-cross animal coming from each treatment. All steers were fed a mixed ration consisting of 30.0% rye silage, 28.0% DDGS, 30.0% rolled corn, 10.5% soybean meal, and 1.5% mineral supplement (22.0% CP, 2.90 Mcal ME/kg DM). Animals were fed daily at 0700 and 1700 and weighed weekly at 0630. For the duration of the trial, animals were housed in drylot pens with ad libitum access to feed and water and had shade structures in each pen. Following a 15-d adaptation period, feed intake was recorded for 45 d. Data were analyzed as a completely random design in SAS v9.4. The animals were evaluated in terms of growth and performance, carcass quality, and feed efficiency. There was no difference in intake for either treatment; however, beef-cross steers gained significantly more than their dairy-cross counterpart on the same diet. After the intake portion of the study was completed, all six chosen animals were slaughtered and evaluated for carcass quality. Following 14 d aging, samples from the ribeye area were collected from each animal and subjected to sensory analysis and other assessments of quality. Other than a numerical difference in marbling score between treatments, there were no statistical differences in meat quality between the two crosses indicating that dairy-cross animals are an important addition to the beef industry.
PSI-13 Digestible and metabolizable energy concentrations in soybean meal, fermented soybean meal, and soy protein concentrate fed to nursery pigs
Authors: Song Yoon Soo , Kim Beob Gyun
Published: May 2024

Accurate information of energy concentrations in protein supplements is critical in formulating diets for nursery pigs. Soybean products are widely used in nursery pig diets due to the high crude protein (CP) concentrations. The objective of the present study was to determine the digestible (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) in soybean meal (SBM, 48.5% CP), 3 sources of fermented SBM (FSBM-A, FSBM-B, and FSBM-C; 52.6% CP, 55.1% CP, and 49.8% CP, respectively), and soy protein concentrate (SPC, 58.4% CP) fed to nursery pigs. Twelve barrows with an initial body weight of 8.7 kg (standard deviation = 0.5) were individually housed in metabolism crates. A replicated 6 × 4 incomplete Latin square design with 12 animals, 6 experimental diets, and 4 periods was employed. A basal diet contained 96.9% corn as the sole source of energy. The experimental diets were prepared by replacing the basal diet with SBM at 31%, FSBM-A at 27%, FSBM-B at 26%, FSBM-C at 29%, and SPC at 24%. Each period consisted of a 4-d adaptation period and a 4-d collection period. The marker-to-marker procedure was used for the quantitative collection of feces. Urine was collected for 96 h. The difference procedure was employed to calculate the DE and ME values of the soybean ingredients. Additionally, a 3-step in vitro assay was conducted to determine in vitro total tract disappearance of nutrients in the ingredients. The DE concentrations in FSBM-A (4,171 kcal/kg as-fed), FSBM-B (4,111 kcal/kg as-fed), FSBM-C (4,027 kcal/kg as-fed) and SPC (3,999 kcal/kg as-fed) were greater (P < 0.05) than that in SBM (3,724 kcal/kg as-fed). The ME concentrations in FSBM-A (3,883 kcal/kg as-fed) and FSBM-B (3,841 kcal/kg as-fed) were greater (P < 0.05) than that in SBM (3,528 kcal/kg as-fed) but did not differ from those in FSBM-C (3,728 kcal/kg as-fed) or SPC (3,767 kcal/kg as-fed). The DE:gross energy (GE) was greatest (P < 0.05) in FSBM-B but lowest (P < 0.05) in SBM with intermediate ratios for other 3 ingredients whereas the ME:GE and ME:DE were not different among the 5 ingredients. The in vitro total tract disappearance of dry matter and organic matter in SPC was less (P < 0.05) than that in other ingredients. In conclusion, fermented soybean meal and soy protein concentrate contain greater energy concentrations compared with soybean meal.
PSI-18 Effects of heat treatment and multi-carbohydrase supplementation on the digestibility of phosphorus in field peas fed to growing pigs
Authors: Lee Jinyoung , Patterson Rob , Nyachoti Martin
Published: May 2024

Most plant-based feed ingredients contain about two-thirds of their total P as phytate. Mineral elements are chelated to phytate or entrapped in plant cell walls, and microbial or enzymatic breakdown of cell walls may be able to release entrapped P, thus leading to improvement of the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of P in pigs. Heat treatment is one of the processing methods that improve the digestibility of fiber in various feedstuffs for pigs. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effects of heat treatment and multi-carbohydrase supplementation on the ATTD and standardized total tract digestibility (STTD) of P in peas fed to growing pigs. A total of 18 pigs (23.9 ± 1.3 kg) were assigned to 1 of 3 diets in a completely randomized design to give 6 replicates per diet. Three experimental diets were formulated: 1) non-heated or 2) heat-treated (pelleted) peas as the sole source of P, and 3) heat-treated peas with multi-carbohydrase supplementation. Pigs were individually housed in metabolism crates for 12 d, including 7 d for adaptation and 5 d for total collection of feces. Pigs were offered their daily ration at 2.8 times their maintenance energy requirement. Samples of ingredients, diets, and feces were analyzed for dry matter, Ca, and P. Fecal samples were analyzed for mixed bacterial mass (MBM) and volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentrations. Data were analyzed using the PROC MIXED of SAS. The statistical model included diet as fixed effect and replicate as random effect. An alpha level of 0.05 was used to determine statistical significance and P ≤ 0.10 was considered a trend. Pigs fed the diet that contained heat-treated peas with carbohydrase supplementation tended to have greater (P < 0.10) ATTD and STTD of P than pigs fed the diet containing heat-treated peas without enzyme. The values of STTD of P were 54.4, 47.3, and 55.0% for diets containing raw peas, heat-treated peas, and heat-treated peas with carbohydrase supplementation, respectively. Heat treatment and enzyme supplementation did not affect the ATTD of Ca in peas fed to growing pigs. No significant differences were observed in fecal MBM-P and VFA concentrations. In conclusion, carbohydrase supplementation tended to increase the digestibility of P in heat-treated peas fed to growing pigs, however, there was no difference in P digestibility between raw and heat-treated peas. Heat treatment and carbohydrase supplementation did not affect fecal MBM-P and VFA concentrations in growing pigs.
PSII-11 Achieving heavier piglet weights at weaning with live yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) supplementation under field conditions
Authors: Hiscocks Sophie , Cordero Gustavo , Merriman Laura A , Wilcock Pete , Leiva Samuel F , Rosero David S
Published: May 2024

The benefits of live yeast supplementation during both gestation and lactation on piglet performance, nutrient digestibility and immune status have been well reported. However, the application of live yeast to gestation diets in some commercial practices may not be warranted. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of feeding live yeast to lactating sows on piglet performance at weaning under field conditions. Before start of the study, a total of 268 Camborough L42 gestating sows were fed a restricted, commercial diet. From ≈112 d of gestation until weaning, sows were fed a commercial lactation mash diet with or without inclusion of live yeast (Vistacell, AB Vista, UK) at 1 kg/t. Piglets were cross-fostered within treatment to standardize piglet numbers on sows, and weaned at approximately 24 d. Body weights of piglets at weaning were collected from around 40% of sows. Data were statistically analyzed by Mixed Model using JMP Pro v.16.2 software (SAS Institute Inc, Cary, NC), with significance being accepted at P < 0.05. Treatment was included as a fixed factor in all models, with sow ID and piglet ID nested within treatment included as random variables for sow and piglet performance, respectively. The interaction between treatment and parity was also included in the model for sow performance. Sow parities of 4 and above were combined into one group. Proportional piglet body weights were assessed by non-parametric Wilcoxon Test. An interaction between treatment and parity was shown for average daily feed intake (ADFI), whereby parity-1 sows fed the control diet and parities-3 and -4 sows fed live yeast had greater feed intakes than parity-2 sows fed live yeast. Sow body weights and body condition scores at weaning were unaffected by treatment. Piglet body weights at processing, the number of piglets weaned and weaning ages were also unaffected by treatment. However, piglets from sows fed live yeast were significantly heavier (7.12 kg vs. 6.85 kg) at weaning than piglets from sows fed control diets (P < 0.01). In addition, the proportion of piglets at weaning with body weights of less than 7 kg tended to be fewer (45% vs. 55%), with a greater percentage of heavier (>7 kg) piglets, from sows supplemented with live yeast (P = 0.08). In conclusion, these findings indicate that supplementing live yeast solely to the lactating sow can promote growth of nursing piglets leading to improved piglet performance at weaning.
PSII-13 Effects of benzoic acid, bromelain, adipic acid, and humic substance supplementation on nitrogen balance, urine pH, slurry pH, and manure odorous compounds in pigs
Authors: Yoo Seung B , Song Yoon Soo , Seo Siyoung , Kim Beob Gyun
Published: May 2024

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of benzoic acid, bromelain, adipic acid, and humic substance supplementation on nitrogen balance, urinary pH, slurry pH, and manure odorous compounds in pigs. Fifteen barrows with an initial body weight of 37.9 kg (standard deviation = 4.1) were individually housed in metabolism crates. The animals were allocated to a triplicated 5 × 2 incomplete Latin square design with 15 animals, 5 experimental diets, and 2 periods. The basal diet mainly consisted of corn, soybean meal, and rapeseed meal. Four experimental diets were prepared by supplementing each additive at a concentration of 10 g/kg at the expense of corn starch to the basal diet. Each period consisted of a 4-d adaptation period and a 24-h collection period for slurry, followed by a 4-d collection period for feces and urine. On d 5, feces and urine were collected for 24 h, and the feces and urine were mixed in a ratio of fecal weight to urine weight at the end of the collection to obtain slurry samples. The fecal nitrogen (N) output was greatest (P < 0.05) in pigs fed the diet supplemented with humic substances. The apparent total tract digestibility of N in pigs fed the humic substance diet was less (P < 0.05) than other groups. The urinary pH in pigs fed the adipic acid diet was less (P < 0.05) than that in other groups except the benzoic acid group. The slurry pH tended to differ among the treatment groups (P = 0.074) with the least value in pigs fed the adipic acid diet. The concentrations of indole in slurry (P = 0.084) and isovalerate in feces (P = 0.062) tended to differ among the groups with the least values in the pigs fed the humic substance diet. In conclusion, benzoic acid supplemented has the potential to increase N utilization in pigs, and adipic acid supplemented to pig diets can decrease urinary pH and slurry pH. Although benzoic acid and adipic acid have limited effects in reducing odorous compounds, humic substances have potential to reduce some odorous compounds.
PSII-20 Feeding behavior of pigs fed dietary amino acid levels adjusted according to the circadian rhythm
Authors: Veira Alini Mari , Santos Luan Sousa Dos , Marçal Danilo Alves , Brandao Melo Antonio Diego Brandão , Hauschild Luciano
Published: May 2024

Pigs are diurnal animals that present feed intake during daylight hours, with feeding peaks in the early morning and late afternoon. However, it is possible that the concentration of amino acids (AA) in the diet throughout the day changes the meal pattern of the pigs. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the feeding behavior of growing-finishing pigs subjected to adjustment of the concentration of AA in the diet according to the circadian rhythm. Sixty-eight (body weight = 25 kg ± 2.67) barrows were assigned to four treatments, being a daily feeding program (DP) and three sequential feeding programs (SEQ). In DP, dietary AA concentration was adjusted daily, providing 100% of the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) recommendation for the 24-h period. In SEQ, the daily dietary AA concentration was adjusted every 12 h, providing a low AA concentration from 0000 to 1159 h and a high AA concentration from 1200 to 2359 h. The low and high AA concentrations of the SEQ corresponded to ±20%, ±30% and ±40% of daily AA requirements. The experiment lasted 82 d and was divided into three phases. Meal pattern variables were recorded in real time by precision feeders. The information obtained was grouped into four periods: PE1, from 0000-0600 h; PE2, 0601-12:00 h; PE3, 1201-1800 h; and PE4, 1801-2359 h. From this database, the visits to the feeder (n), meals (n), amount of time feeding (min), feed intake (g), and feed intake rate (g/min) were calculated for each period, within each experimental phase. The analysis of variance was performed considering the effects of feeding programs (FP), periods (PE), and their interaction (FP×PE), considered significant when P < 0.05. There was no interaction between FP and PE (P > 0.05; Table1). The visits to the feeder were greater (P < 0.01) in PE2 and PE3 compared with PE1 in phase one and compared with PE1 and PE4 in phases two and three. The meals, amount of time feeding, and feed intake was greater (P < 0.01) in PE2 and PE3 in all phases. Regarding feed intake rate, an PE effect (P ≤ 0.01) was observed in all phases and there was an effect of FP (P < 0.01) in phases one and three. In phase one, pigs ingested feed faster in PE3 than PE1, and in phase three feed intake rate in PE1 was less than in the other (P < 0.01). During phase one, SEQ40 feed intake rate was lower than SEQ30, while in phase three SEQ40 showed lower feed intake rate compared with SEQ30 and DP. Pigs showed greater feeding activity from 0600 to 1800 h. The AA concentration in the diet adjusted according to the circadian rhythm did not change the meal pattern of the pigs throughout the day. However, a decreased feed intake rate was observed in SEQ40 group in phases one and three.
PSIII-21 Impact of high zinc oxide supplementation or lignocellulose supplement on chronic markers of intestinal inflammation and growth of weaned piglets
Authors: Selmi Eya , Vincent Antony , Létourneau-Montminy Marie-Pierre , Verso Luca Lo , Guay Frédéric
Published: May 2024

The objective of this project was to study the effects of high zinc oxide (ZO) supplementation and fiber supplement from lignocellulose (LIGCEL) on chronic markers of intestinal inflammation and growth of weaned piglets. At weaning (21 d), 150 piglets (body weight = 6.39 ± 0.276 kg) were transferred from a farrowing farm to a nursery farm where they were divided into 30 pens of 5 piglets per pen according to their weanling weight. Each pen was assigned to one of the following three treatments: Control (CON, 150 mg/kg of zinc), ZO (2,500 mg/kg of zinc), and LIGCEL (CON+3% lignocellulose). The ZO and LIGCEL supplements were added to a phase 1 diet. The experimental diets (phase 1) were distributed for 14 d. Subsequently, all piglets received the same diets from phases 2 and 3 for two periods of 14 d. During the experiment, piglets were weighed upon arrival and after phases 1, 2, and 3. The feed was distributed every day and the total quantities calculated for each of the feeding phases. The average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion (FC) were subsequently calculated (Table 1). On d 6 and 13, the blood of two piglets per pen was collected to determine the content of D-lactate and diamine oxidase (DAO). Fecal samples from these two piglets were also taken to evaluate the calprotectin and neopterin contents. During phase 1, ADG was greater for ZO piglets compared with the CON animals with an intermediate value for the LIGCEL group (P < 0.001). The ADFI was greater for the ZO compared with the CON and LIGCEL treatments (P < 0.003). Piglets in the ZO and LIGNOCELL treatments had less FC than those in the CON group (P < 0.001). During phase 2, only the FC was greater for the ZO and LIGCEL treatments compared with CON animals (P < 0.013). During phase 3, growth performances were not affected by the dietary treatments. For the entire experiment, ZO piglets had greater ADG than those in the CON group with an intermediate value for LIGCEL treatment (P < 0.019). D-lactate decreased from d 6 to 13 while DAO increased (P < 0.001). The DAO was also greater for ZO and LIGCELL piglets compared with CON animals (P < 0.001). Neopterin was greater for ZO treatment but only on d 13 (Trt × day, P < 0.010). Finally, calprotectin decreased from d 6 to 13 (P < 0.001) but was not affected by dietary treatments. In conclusion, ZO and LIGCEL fiber act positively on growth by modulating markers of intestinal inflammation. LIGCEL fiber could, therefore, be an alternative to ZO in the diet of weaned piglets.
PSIII-20 Impact of EnduraPig on Performance of PRRSV-Negative growing-finishing pigs
Authors: Tran Huyen T , Mercado Aileen Joy L , Rao Murali Raghavendra , Crowder Stacie , de Rodas Brenda
Published: May 2024

A total of 479 weaned pigs [PIC Camborough × PIC 337; initial body weight (BW) = 26.8 kg; Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, PRRSV-negative] were used to evaluate the effects of EnduraPig (PMI Additives), a patent-pending feed additive that has been designed to support health, performance, and immune function of pigs, on growth performance of growing-finishing pigs. Pigs were blocked by initial BW and gender and assigned to 48 pens, which were allotted to one of 4 dietary treatments (12 pens/treatment, 9-10 pigs/pen), including T1) Control, T2) EnduraPig 0.1% (EP low), T3) EnduraPig 0.2% (EP medium), and T4) EnduraPig 0.3% (EP high). The EnduraPig inclusion levels were reduced by one-half when pigs reached approximately 70 kg BW (d 42). A five-phase feeding program was used with all diets formulated on a corn-DDGS-soybean meal basis to meet the nutrient requirements of growing-finishing pigs. Analysis of variance for growth measures was performed using the MIXED Procedure of SAS (SAS 9.4), and polynomial contrasts were used to evaluate linear, quadratic, and cubic effects of the EP levels. Significant differences were declared at P ≤ 0.05 and trends at P ≤ 0.10. During d 0-72, feeding EnduraPig tended to improve average daily gain (ADG) (0.96, 0.97, 1.00, and 0.97 kg, respectively; cubic, P = 0.06) with the greatest ADG observed in EP medium. During d 72 to market, feeding EnduraPig increased ADG (1.13, 1.14, 1.18, and 1.17 kg, respectively; linear, P = 0.02), average daily feed intake (ADFI; 3.48, 3.42, 3.55, and 3.49, respectively; cubic, P = 0.02) and feed:gain (3.08, 3.00, 3.01, and 2.98, respectively; linear, P = 0.10). Overall (d 0-market), feeding EnduraPig enhanced ADG (1.02, 1.02, 1.05, and 1.03 kg, respectively; linear, quadratic, and cubic, P = 0.04, 0.09, 0.01), with the greatest ADG observed in EP medium resulting in a 4.0 kg greater market BW compared with the control (128.9, 129.2, 132.9, and 130.5, respectively; linear and cubic, P < 0.05). In addition, feeding EnduraPig numerically improved feed:gain (2.51, 2.48, 2.48, and 2.48, respectively; linear, P = 0.14). With respect to BW variation, feeding EnduraPig reduced the standard deviation in market BW (10.65, 8.06, 8.86, and 9.54 kg, respectively; quadratic, P < 0.05), with the greatest reduction from EP low and EP medium (by 24 and 17%, respectively) compared with the control. In summary, data from this study indicate that feeding EnduraPig at 0.2% from 27 kg to 70 kg BW and 0.1% from 70 to market improves growth performance and reduces BW variation of PRRSV-negative growing-finishing pigs.
PSIII-14 Effect of a combined supplementation of Bacillus spp. and lactic acid bacteria probiotics on growth performance and fecal score in nursery pigs
Authors: Petersen Tiffany , Kwon Chan Ho , Jang Young Dal
Published: May 2024

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of a combined supplementation of Bacillus spp. and lactic acid bacteria probiotics on growth performance and fecal score in nursery pigs. Bacillus spp. probiotics have been shown to improve the proliferation of lactic acid bacteria in the gut of piglets. A total of 45 newly weaned piglets (initial body weight = 8.37 ± 1.38 kg; weaning age = 27.2 ± 1.05 d) were allotted to 3 treatments in 3 replicates with 5 pigs per pen based on body weight, gender, and breed for a 28-d feeding trial. Treatments were: 1) Control: no probiotic supplementation, 2) PB: Bacillus spp. probiotic supplementation, and 3) PBL: Bacillus spp. and lactic acid bacteria probiotic supplementation. The Bacillus spp. probiotic consisted of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis and was supplemented to the PB and PBL diets at the recommended level (3.2 × 109 CFU/kg diet). The lactic acid bacteria probiotic consisted of Lactobacillus acidophilus, plantarum, casei, and Enterococcus faecium strains and was supplemented to the diets at the recommended level (4 and 2 × 107 CFU/kg diet for Phase 1 and 2, respectively). Corn-soybean meal-based diets were used for d 0-15 (Phase 1) and d 15-28 (Phase 2) postweaning. Growth performance and fecal score (1 = normal, 4 = severe diarrhea) were measured in each phase. In the Phase 1 (d 0-15 postweaning), average daily gain tended to be greater in the PBL treatment compared with the Control treatment (P = 0.13; 0.268 and 0.210 kg/d, respectively), and average daily feed intake tended to be greater in the PBL treatment compared with the Control and PB treatments (P = 0.12; 0.385, 0.375, and 0.424 kg/d for the Control, PB, and PBL treatments, respectively). In the overall period (d 0-28 postweaning), average daily feed intake tended to be greater in the PBL treatment compared with the PB treatment (P = 0.07; 0.651 and 0.596 kg/d, respectively), and gain to feed ratio in the PB treatment tended to be greater compared with the Control and PBL treatments (P = 0.10; 0.618, 0.649, and 0.620 kg/d for the Control, PB, and PBL treatments, respectively). Fecal score was significantly improved in both PB and PBL treatments compared with the Control treatment from d 7 postweaning (P = 0.08) to the end of experiment (P < 0.05; 1.75, 1.41, and 1.42 for the Control, PB, and PBL treatments, respectively). In conclusion, both lactic acid bacteria and Bacillus spp. probiotic supplementation to nursery diets may have potential to improve growth rate and feed intake in early nursery period and probiotic supplementation could improve fecal consistency of weaning pigs in the nursery period.
PSVI-20 The effect of a probiotic feed additive on average daily gain and feed intake
Authors: Privett Grady A , Carpenter Benjamin , Church Emily R , Holder Amanda
Published: May 2024

Probiotic feed additive use in the swine industry has become increasingly popular as a substitute for antibiotic feed additives. This is due to the overuse of antibiotics in swine diets that has led to antibiotic residues in animal products and bacterial resistance. For this reason, we decided to feed a probiotic to prevent illnesses associated with the transition from the nursery to finisher phase. The objective of this study was to determine the effect that Fastrack probiotic had on the health and performance of post-weaning feeder pigs. The trial was conducted using feeder pigs weighing 39 kg ± 2.2 kg. To evaluate the effect of the probiotic on health, average daily gain, and feed intake, a contemporary group of pigs was split evenly into two pens. The pigs were housed in an outdoor pen with ad libitum access to water and feed coming from a Smidley automatic feeder. The feeders were filled once a week, and the pens were sanitized using the farms SOP for pen sanitation. The pigs were on trial for a total of 45 d with general health observations taken daily and body weights measured on d 0, 23, and 45. The results showed that the pigs in the probiotic pen were healthier throughout the duration of the trial with fewer individual treatments recorded. Also, there was a numerical difference in the average daily gain of the probiotic group compared with the control, with the probiotic group weighing approximately 0.45kg more than the control. There was no difference in the feed conversion rate of the pens.
PSVI-16 Inclusion of dietary micelle silymarin on production performance, egg quality, storage capacity, and blood profile Sin Hy-line brown laying hens
Authors: Lee Kyejin , Cho Sungbo , Ahammad Golam Sagir , Kim In Ho
Published: May 2024

Silymarin is known to have immunomodulating, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. This study aimed to investigate the effects of micelle silymarin (MS) supplementation on production performance, egg quality, egg water loss, and blood profile in Hy-line brown laying hens. For 12 wk, a total of 288, 28-wk-old laying hens were randomly allocated into one of three treatment groups. The dietary treatments were control (CON) a basal diet and a basal diet supplemented with 0.03, and 0.06% of MS. All hens were housed in an individual cage with 38 cm width × 50 cm length × 40 cm height. Growth performance was recorded at d 1, wk 6, and wk 12. The egg production and feed conversion ratio were recorded at the end of every week. The egg quality and water loss were measured at the end of wk 4, 8, and 12. At initial and at the end of wk 12, 5 mL of blood was collected to analyze aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), triglycerides, albumin, and cholesterol concentrations. All data were analyzed by the GLM procedure of SAS. The polynomial orthogonal contrasts of increasing dietary MS supplementation were examined by linear and quadratic effects. The inclusion of MS supplement in laying hen diet did not exhibit significant impact on growth performance. However, MS group showed linear improvement in egg weight, Haugh Units, and eggshell strength throughout the trial period (P < 0.05). Additionally, egg yolk color and eggshell thickness indicated linear improvements particularly at wk 4 and 8 (P < 0.05). While albumen height and egg water in MS group were linearly increased at wk 12 (P < 0.05). Compared with CON, laying hens fed MS supplement has linearly decreased the ALP and cholesterol concentrations in the serum (P < 0.05). Based on the findings, we inferred that the inclusion of 0.04 to 0.06% MS in the laying hen diet would not only increase the production performance, egg quality, and egg water loss traits but also to improve laying hens’ health.
PSIII-11 Impacts of late gestational in utero heat stress on small intestine dynamics of neonatal dairy calves
Authors: Guenther Maverick C , Davidson Brittney D , Field Sena , Dado-Senn Bethany , Dahl Geoffrey , Steele Michael A , Cangiano Lautaro , Laporta Jimena
Published: May 2024

Late gestation heat stress in dairy cows has been shown to negatively affect offspring growth and development. In utero heat stressed calves have altered small intestine morphology and an impaired ability to absorb colostral immunoglobulin G (IgG). Thus, the objective of this study was to characterize potential cellular and molecular alterations in the small intestine of neonatal in utero heat stressed calves. In the last ~56 d of gestation pregnant dams were either heat stressed (shade; n = 41) or cooled (shade, fans, soakers; n = 41) resulting in heifers that were in utero heat stressed (IUHS, n = 15) or in utero cooled (IUCL, n = 15). Heifers were fed 3.78 L of high-quality colostrum within 2 h of birth. Apparent efficiency of absorption (AEA) of IgG was calculated by measuring IgG content fed in colostrum and in 24 h serum. Within 4.6 ± 2.3 h of birth a subset of calves (n = 8/treatment) not fed colostrum were euthanized to collect samples from the ileum. Tissue for histological analysis was placed in 10% neutral buffered formalin before being dehydrated, embedded in paraffin, cut into 5 μm thicknesses, and mounted to glass slides. The TUNEL method was used to identify apoptotic cells using the Keyence BZ-X800 Microscope. Tissue for gene expression analysis was snap-frozen and kept at -80°C before RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis. The transcript abundance of endosomal (FCGRT, DAB2, MAMDC4), tight junction (ZO1, ZO2, ZO3, OCLN, CLDN1), and heat shock (HSP90, HSF1) related genes were measured by qPCR using the CFX96 Real-Time PCR detection System (BIO-RAD). Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED or PROC GLIMMIX depending on the response variable. TUNEL results are expressed as the proportion of positive cells to total cells. Quantitative PCR data were analyzed by assessing the estimates of the model relative to the geometric mean of 3 reference genes (ACTB, GADPH, RSP9; ΔΔCT). The concentration of colostrum IgG fed to calves was not different (136.1 vs. 122.5 g/L; IUHS vs. IUCL, respectively; P = 0.32), but AEA of IgG was reduced in IUHS relative to IUCL calves (23.5 vs. 33.3%; P < 0.01). The proportion of apoptotic cells within the villi of the ileum was increased in IUHS calves compared with IUCL (2.11 vs. 1.57%; P < 0.01). Ileum gene transcript abundance of DAB2 and MAMDC4 were increased (P < 0.01), while FCGRT transcripts tended to increase in IUHS calves (P = 0.08). All tight junction and heat shock-related gene transcripts were increased within the ileum of IUHS calves (P ≤ 0.02) with the exceptions of CLDN1 and HSP90, which were not different between treatments (P ≥ 0.22).These results suggest that exposure to heat stress in utero impact small intestine integrity after birth and affect key IgG transporters, providing insight into underlying mechanisms responsible for reduced IgG absorption in IUHS calves.
PSV-10 Evaluation of the effect of probiotic feed additives in the diet to improve dairy production and quality measures
Authors: Case Riley , Holder Amanda , Bilyeu Ryan
Published: May 2024

There is limited information regarding the effectiveness of probiotic feed additives in the diet of lactating dairy cows. This study aimed to determine the effect that Fastrack probiotic had on the yield and milk quality measures of lactating dairy cows. To accomplish this goal, lactating Holstein cows (n = 80) were equally divided into two treatment groups: one supplemented with a probiotic (PRO) and one that did not receive the probiotic supplement (CON). The cows remained in their treatment groups for the duration of the 120-d study and were given ad libitum access to a total mixed ration consisting of 35% corn silage, 30% rolled corn, 10.5% soybean meal, 23% DDGS, and 1.5% mineral supplement. Cows on the PRO treatment were given 1 kg of DDGS once a day at milking that had the probiotic mixed in while the CON treatment were given 1 kg of the same DDGS that did not have the probiotic included. Preliminary results of this study show a decrease in individual treatment records for cows on the PRO treatment and an increase of 2 kg of milk yield per day.
PSV-13 The influence of diet type on beef cattle performance and meat quality characteristics
Authors: Deaton Claire , Tollefson Rebecca L , King Adam , Case Riley , Robertson Joel , Church Emily R , Holder Amanda
Published: May 2024

The objective of this study was to determine what additive effect hormonal implants and inclusion of beta-agonists in the diet have on carcass quality in yearling beef steers. Hereford-cross steers [n = 21; initial body weight (BW) = 450 ± 15 kg] were assigned to one of three drylot pens based on initial BW and sire so that each pen had an equal starting BW and sires were equally represented in each pen. Each drylot pen was assigned to one of three treatments: receiving a hormonal implant (IMP), consuming a beta-agonist (BAG), or receiving both of the previous treatments (AND). All steers were fed a mixed ration consisting of 30.0% rye silage, 28.0% DDGS, 30.0% rolled corn, 10.5% soybean meal, and 1.5% mineral supplement [22.0% CP, 2.90 Mcal ME/kg dry matter (DM)]. Animals were fed daily at 0700 and 1700 h and weighed weekly at 0630 h. For the duration of the trial, animals were housed in drylot pens with ad libitum access to feed and water and had shade structures in each pen. Following a 15-d adaptation period, feed intake was recorded for 45 d. Body weight gain for each treatment group were 1.26, 1.28, and 1.48 kg/d for IMP, BAG, and AND, respectively. Animals on the AND treatment were significantly more feed efficient than the IMP treatment with F:G ratios of 5.9 kg/kg gain and 6.8 kg/kg gain, respectively. After the intake portion of the study was completed, an animal from each pen was slaughtered and evaluated for carcass quality. Hot carcass weights for diets IMP, BAG, and AND were 347.4, 352.9, and 394.8 kg, respectively. Data were analyzed as a completely random design in SAS v9.4. There was not a significant difference between the IMP treatment and the AND treatment based on assessment from Warner-Bratzler shear force, carcass yield, marbling score, and sensory assessment (P > 0.05); however, the BAG treatment had less marbling than the other two treatments. It was concluded that the additive effect of using both a hormonal implant and a beta-agonist can improve feed intake and feedlot performance without detrimental effects on carcass quality.
PSV-7 greatOPlus (extruded blend of flaxseed and Nannochloropsis oculata biomass) improves finishing cattle performance and carcass characteristics
Authors: Nasiu Firman , Feitoza Luis F B B , Baker Adrian N , Thorn Ross L , Monteiro Ludmila S , Drouillard James S
Published: May 2024

Our objective was to investigate impact of feeding greatOPlus (GOP), an extruded mixture of flaxseed and Nannochloropsis microalgae biomass (NBO3 Technologies LLC; Manhattan, KS) on feedlot cattle performance and carcass characteristics. Yearling steers (n = 700; 374 ± 8.2 kg initial body weight) were blocked by initial body weight and assigned randomly, within block, to 28 feedlot pens containing 25 animals/pen. Cattle were vaccinated against viral and clostridial pathogens and treated for internal and external parasites (Bovishield Gold 5, Ultrabac 7 Somubac, and Dectomax injectable; Zoetis Animal Health), and implanted with a combination implant (Component TE-200; Elanco USA). The control diet (CON) consisted of 58.3% steam-flaked corn, 20% wet corn gluten feed, 2.56% soybean meal, and 4.17% vitamin/mineral/feed additive premix. For the GOP diet, a portion of the corn and all of the soybean meal were replaced with 10% GOP (dry basis) to create isonitrogenous diets. Cattle were fed once daily, ad libitum. After 175 d on feed, animals were weighed and transported to a commercial abattoir for harvest. Animal performance measurements included average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake (DMI), and gain to feed ratio (G:F). Hot carcass weight (HCW) and incidence of abscessed livers were assessed on the day of harvest, and marbling score, 12th rib fat thickness, longissimus muscle area, and USDA yield and quality grades were determined following 48 hours of refrigeration. Cattle fed GOP had greater DMI and ADG (P< 0.05) compared with cattle fed CON, but G:F was not affected by treatment (P > 0.10). Cattle fed GOP had greater HCW compared with those fed CON (422.8 vs 409.5 kg; P < 0.01) and tended to produce more Prime and Choice carcasses (87.4 vs 83.0%; P = 0.11) with greater 12th rib backfat (1.55 vs 1.49 cm; P < 0.02) and greater yield grades (2.91 vs 2.75; P < 0.01). Marbling score (488 vs 491), longissimus muscle area (94.1 vs 93.4 cm2) and liver abscess incidence (12 vs 16% for CON and GOP, respectively) were unaffected by treatment (P > 0.10). Carcass values were calculated using base prices, premiums, and discounts published by USDA, and were greater for cattle fed GOP compared with cattle fed the control diet ($2,122 vs $2,059; P < 0.01). Including greatOPlus at 10% of the diet dry matter improved cattle performance, largely as a result of its impact on DMI and ADG.
PSVI-4 Effects of ruminal acidosis on rumen fermentation of steers adapted to a high concentrate diet
Authors: Linder Haley F , Berger Larry L , McCann Joshua C
Published: May 2024

The objective was to characterize the effects of ruminal acidosis on rumen fermentation of steers adapted to a high concentrate diet. Cattle entering the feedlot undergo a transition period where the amount of concentrates in the diet is gradually increased to mitigate the risks of ruminal acidosis. Despite a dietary adaptation, rumen acidosis still affects feedlot cattle later in the finishing phase. Ruminally cannulated steers [n = 11; body weight (BW) = 795 kg ± 54) were blocked into 2 groups based on initial BW. Before the start of the study, cattle had been consuming a finishing diet (60% dry rolled corn, 15% modified distiller’s grains, 15% corn silage, and 10% ground corn based supplement) for more than 150 d. Steers were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: control (CON) or acidosis (ACD). For the experiment, steers were fasted for 24 h and at the conclusion received the same finishing diet. Steers on ACD steers were also ruminally dosed 0.05% BW of wheat starch on h 0 and h 12 to induce acidosis. Rumen fluid was collected every 4 h for 48 h to analyze ruminal pH, ammonia, volatile fatty acids (VFA), and lactate. Fecal grab samples were collected every 8 h for 48 h to determine fecal pH. Data were analyzed with the MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4 with the effects of treatment, time, and their interaction. A treatment × hour (P < 0.01) effect was observed for ruminal pH with the ACD steers having a lower pH than CON from h 12 to 32. Fecal pH was not affected by treatment, time, or their interaction (P ≥ 0.12). Steers fed ACD had greater total VFA concentration than CON (P < 0.01). A treatment × hour interaction (P < 0.01) was observed for acetate molar proportion with CON having greater percentage acetate at h 24 through 32. Additionally, there was a treatment × hour interaction (P < 0.01) for propionate molar proportion with ACD steers having greater propionate at h 28 and 32, and then at h 40 and 44. Butyrate was not affected (P ≥ 0.58) by treatment × hour or treatment. Acetate to propionate ratio (A:P) was affected by treatment × hour (P < 0.01) with CON steers having greater A:P after h 28. Rumen ammonia and lactate concentrations did not differ (P ≥ 0.25) by treatment or the interaction with h. In steers adapted to a high concentrate diet, acidosis only altered ruminal fermentation in regards to ruminal pH and VFA concentrations.
PSI-6 Growth performance of weaned pigs fed an activated zinc oxide to replace pharmacological content of dietary zinc oxide
Authors: Ramirez Christian , Heyer Charlotte , Berghaus Daniel , Manu Hayford , Frumholtz Pierre , Urriola Pedro E
Published: May 2024

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of replacing feed-grade zinc oxide (ZnO) with decreased contents of an activated zinc oxide (aZnO) on growth performance of weaned pigs. A total of 720 pigs (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc; TOPICS, Richfield, MN) with an initial body weight (BW) of 5.88 ± 0.97 kg were distributed into 60 pens with 12 pigs per pen following a randomized complete block design. After weaning at 18 d of age, pigs were fed one of five diets differing in ZnO source and Zn content during a 3-phase feeding program for 42 d (Table 1). Experimental diets were formulated to meet minimum nutrient requirements. Mortality was monitored daily and analyzed using survival analysis. Performance data were analyzed by multiple linear regression, with BW gain as dependent variable and Zn source (ZnO, aZnO) and Zn content as the independent variables for each phase. Linear regression analysis used diet A as baseline (150 ppm ZnO). In addition, groups receiving diet E and B, both supplemented with the same ZnO level during phase-1, were compared using a t-test. A linear relationship was observed between BW gain and dietary Zn content (P < 0.001) and Zn source (P = 0.026). A slope ratio between the two Zn sources indicated that pigs provided with aZnO had a 72% greater growth rate compared with ZnO. In addition, during Phase 1, when both diets B and E offered similar Zn concentrations (1,200 ppm) as ZnO and aZnO, pigs fed aZnO outperformed ZnO-fed pigs by 490 g (P < 0.001). The mortality was 7.6% less (P = 0.009) for diet C than diet A. No differences were detected among pigs fed the test diets in Phases 1, 2 and 3 for other variables. In conclusion, results show the potential of aZnO as a suitable replacement for ZnO, but also underscore the effect of dietary Zn content on pig performance and mortality. The aZnO source is a suitable replacement for ZnO, enhancing growth performance in weaned pigs and demonstrating potential for reducing overall Zn usage, thereby mitigating the environmental impact of swine production.
PSII-10 Development of an interdisciplinary undergraduate and graduate course in precision livestock farming systems
Authors: Leonard Suzanne M
Published: May 2024

The modern livestock industry is increasingly adopting data, technologies, and automation into daily husbandry and management routines and decisions. These advances in precision livestock farming (PLF) enable improved financial margins, sustainability, efficiency, and animal productivity and welfare. However, there is currently a gap between the engineers and data scientists designing the technologies and the animal scientists and caretakers using them. At North Carolina State University a novel course on PLF Systems for undergraduate and graduate students was developed in the Department of Animal Science. Through lecture delivery, livestock production scenarios, scientific literature, and data-based homework assignments students explored data collection, management, analysis, and data-based decision making. Students gained hands-on experience with a variety of sensor types and signal processing through lab-based activities. Basic hardware and software development concepts were explored during an Arduino-based microcontroller activity. The course was developed and refined using student feedback to include additional sensor and lab-based days and additional in-class supported activities utilizing Excel for data manipulation, processing, and presentation. Self-reported student learning results were collected across two semesters (19 students; 18 Animal Science, 1 Biological Engineering) with84% of students indicated the course was effective in increasing their ability to evaluate and implement technology in livestock production systems and 74% of students reported increased knowledge of coding and software, as well as their ability to clean, analyze, and make sense of raw data. The topics and delivery methods implemented in this course could inform the basis for development of similar interdisciplinary PLF courses at other academic institutions.
PSIV-A-7 Effects of late gestational nutrient restriction of beef heifers on small intestinal crypt depth in neonatal calves
Authors: Bradshaw Samuel G , Rathert-Williams Abigail R , Redifer Colby A , Meyer Allison M
Published: May 2024

We hypothesized that late gestational nutrient restriction would impair small intestinal development in neonatal calves, including crypt cell depth and proliferation. Fall-calving crossbred beef heifers [body weight (BW) = 466 ± 30 (SD) kg; BCS: 5.4 ± 0.5] bred to a single sire were individually-fed 100% (control; n = 10) or 70% (nutrient restricted; n = 12) of NASEM metabolizable energy and metabolizable protein requirements for maintenance, pregnancy, and growth from d 160 of gestation to calving. Calves were removed from their dams immediately post-calving and fed artificial colostrum and milk replacer relative to body weight until euthanasia at 48.7 ± 0.4 h of age. The gastrointestinal tract was removed, and proximal jejunum samples were dissected from each calf and immersion-fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin. Tissues were embedded in paraffin blocks and cut into 5-µm sections that were mounted on glass slides. Slides were incubated with Ki-67 (marker of nuclear proliferation) and counterstained with Hematoxylin using an autostainer. Images were taken at 5× magnification using an upright microscope. QuPath software was used to measure crypt depth, starting at the base of the crypt region and ending at the furthest cluster of Ki-67 positive cells, perpendicular to the base of the mucosa. For each calf, 10 crypt depth measurements were taken from 4 images, resulting in 40 crypt depth measurements that were averaged. Nutritional plane was a fixed effect in the model, and maternal sire, date of study initiation, and calf sex (when P < 0.25) were considered covariates. We previously reported that calves born to nutrient restricted dams weighed less (P ≤ 0.05) at birth and 48 h than calves born to control dams. Small intestinal mass tended to be less (P = 0.11) in offspring of nutrient restricted dams but was not affected (P = 0.58) when expressed relative to body weight. Calves born to nutrient restricted dams also tended to have less (P = 0.11) small intestinal mass relative to brain weight. Maternal nutrient restriction did not affect (P = 0.95) jejunal crypt depth. Additionally, crypt depth relative to body weight was not affected (P = 0.20) by nutrient restriction. Although crypt depth was not affected, further analysis of proliferation and morphology will help to understand the relationship between maternal nutrient restriction and small intestine development in neonatal calves.