bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
259 Evaluation of Methane and Carbon Dioxide Production from Cattle on Different Diet Adaptation Strategies
Authors: Mansfield Cindy , Sjostrand Rebecca L , Troyer Braden C , Heil Holly A , Norman Mitchell M , Youngers Maggie , Watson Andrea K , Erickson Galen E
Published: October 2023

An experiment was conducted to evaluate impacts of RAMP (Cargill Corn Milling, Blair, NE) on methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, performance, and carcass characteristics of beef cattle during the grain adaptation phase and finishing phase. Crossbred steers [n = 64; initial body weight (BW) = 347 ±7 kg] were utilized in two treatments; RAMP, fed 100% RAMP during step one and then stepped up to a common finisher diet consisting of 65.5% steam-flaked corn (SFC), 22.5% Sweet Bran (SB), 8% wheat straw, and 4% supplement. The second treatment was control (CON) fed 30.5% SFC, 22.5% SB, 8% wheat straw 35% alfalfa hay, and 4% supplement during step one and then stepped up to the common finisher diet. There were 8 steers per pen and 4 paired replications. Replications were stepped up together and rotated through a two-chamber emissions barn in 5-day cycles to measure CH4 and CO2 emissions at three time points: step one of step-up phase, early feeding phase (one week after starting the finishing diet), and later finishing phase (13 weeks after starting the finishing diet). Performance data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS with treatment and BW block as fixed effects and emissions data analyzed with BW block and treatment as fixed effects and barn chamber as a covariate. Feeding RAMP during step one of the step-up phase led to a decrease in CH4, as g/d (P = 0.03) and a decrease in the CH4:CO2 ratio (P = 0.02). However, CH4 as g/kg of dry matter intake (DMI) was not affected by treatment (P = 0.25). Control steers had a decrease in CO2 as g/day (P = 0.03), but not as CO2 g/kg of DMI (P = 0.31). There were no differences in DMI (P = 1.00) during the step-up phase, averaging 10.3 kg/d for both treatments. For measures taken while all cattle were on the common finishing diet, RAMP did not reduce CH4, as g/d or g/kg DMI (P ≥ 0.27), CO2 as g/d or g/kg DMI (P ≥ 0.37), or CH4:CO2 (P = 0.12). There were no significant differences in DMI (P = 0.49) whole cattle were in the emissions barn during the feeding phase. There were no significant differences for interim (d 66) cattle performance including BW (mean 504 kg; P = 0.84), DMI (mean 9.7 kg; P = 0.27), ADG (mean 2.33 kg/d; P = 0.88), or G: F (mean 0.246; P = 0.30). Feeding RAMP to cattle during the grain adaptation phase resulted in a 12% decrease in methane emissions on a g per day basis without affecting cattle performance. This reduction in emissions didn’t carry over into the finishing phase when a common diet was fed.
263 Effects of Programmed Compensatory Gain on Feedlot Steer Performance
Authors: Buessing Zachary , Schwager Jebadiah , Murphy Michael , Hannon Bruce , Shike Daniel W , McCann Joshua C
Published: October 2023

The objective was to determine the effects of programmed compensatory gain on feedlot steer growth performance. After a period of growth restriction, a return to ad libitum intake will result in compensatory gain as cattle convert feed more efficiently due to reduced maintenance costs. Simmental × Angus steers (n = 159; BW = 278 ± 49 kg) were blocked by BW, stratified by sire, and allotted to 10 pens. Each pen contained a 3.0 m-long bunk to allow 19 cm of linear bunk space per steer. Pens were randomly assigned to one of two treatments on d 0: control (CON) or programmed compensatory gain (PCG). To achieve programmed compensatory gain, previously growing animals were maintained at a constant BW by reducing the amount of feed offered by 3.29% daily for 10 consecutive d. Thus, on d 54, PCG steers were consuming 72% of original dry matter intake (DMI) and subsequently returned to ad libitum intake to facilitate a period of compensatory gain. Feed intake for CON pens was managed using slick bunk management for the entire experiment. Steers were fed a common diet consisting of 20% corn silage, 20% modified wet distillers grains, 25% high moisture corn, 25% dry rolled corn, and 10% supplement inclusion on a dry matter basis. Steers were feed twice daily at 0800 h and 1200 h. Data were analyzed using MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4 using a beta distribution. The model included fixed effects of treatment and block. From d 39 to 63, average daily gain (ADG) was greater (P = 0.03) for PCG steers compared with CON steers. No treatment effect (P = 0.36) for dry matter intake was observed from d 39 to 63 as PCG and CON steers were consuming 9.49 and 9.67 kg, respectively. Thus, PCG steers had a greater (P = 0.01) gain:feed (G:F) than CON steers from d 39 to 63. Body weight was not different (P = 0.38) on d 148. Also, ADG from d 0 to 148 was not different (P = 0.54) as PCG and CON steers gained 1.92 and 1.91 kg, respectively. From d 0 to 148, overall dry matter intake was not affected (P = 0.91) by treatment. However, programmed compensatory gain steers had a greater G:F (P = 0.01) compared with CON steers for the overall feeding period (0.216 vs 0.210, respectively). In conclusion, programmed compensatory gain improved G:F of feedlot steers over a 148 d-finishing phase without affecting final body weight. Effects of programmed compensatory gain should be further evaluated in a commercial setting with large feedlot pens.
309 Evaluation of Encapsulated Megasphaera Elsdenii Ncimb 41125 in an Accelerated Beef Step-up Program and an Acidosis Challenge Model
Authors: Mansfield Cindy , Sjostrand Rebecca L , Troyer Braden C , Norman Mitchell M , Spore Tyler , Corrigan Mark , Erickson Galen E , MacDonald Jim C
Published: October 2023

A metabolism experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of daily feeding of encapsulated Megasphaera elsdenii (M. elsdenii) NCIMB 41125 along with a one-time dose of Lactipro NXT (MS Biotec) on dry matter intake (DMI), rumen pH, in vitro lactate disappearance, volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration, and lactate concentration. Ruminally cannulated crossbred steers (n = 40, initial BW 437 ± 98 kg) were individually fed a finisher diet consisting of 70% steam-flaked corn, 18% modified distillers grain plus soluble, and 7% alfalfa hay. Treatments were control (Con) steers which were given no M. elsdenii and four treatments that received LactiproNXT on day 1 and were given 0 (Drench), 1×106 (Low), 1×107 (Medium), or 1×108 (High) CFU of encapsulated M. elsdenii daily throughout the experiment fed as a top-dress. Adaptation to the finishing diet was accomplished in 19 days for Con steers and 9 days for steers in the Drench, Low, Medium, and High treatments. The experiment included five continuous periods: step-up (d 1-19); finishing (d 20-88); feed restriction (d 89, 24-h full feed restriction); challenge (d 90, cattle were fed at 150% of max DMI from finishing period); and recovery (d 91-94). Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS with linear and quadratic effects of dose with drench as the intercept. There were no significant differences for DMI in the step-up, finishing, or challenge period. In the recovery period, DMI was greater for Low, Med, and High compared with Drench (P = 0.07) and there was a tendency for a linear increase in DMI with increasing the dose of M. elsdenii (P = 0.11). Recovery period DMI, expressed as a percentage of pre-challenge intake, was greater (P = 0.05) in steers fed M. elsdenii daily compared with Drench steers, and increased linearly (P = 0.06) as dose of M. elsdenii increased. Rumen pH in steers fed M. elsdenii daily was greater (P < 0.01) during the feeding period and tended to be greater during the challenge (P = 0.14) and recovery (P = 0.11) periods when compared with the Drench treatment. In vitro lactate disappearance tended to be greater (P = 0.13) in steers given M. elsdenii daily when compared with Con and Drench on d 88. For days 90, 91, and 92 combined, a treatment effect was observed for in vitro lactate disappearance with steers in the Low, Med, and High treatments having greater (P < 0.05) disappearance than Con steers, and Med steers having greater (P < 0.05) disappearance than all other treatments. An accelerated step up is possible with the drench and daily feeding of M. elsdenii. Daily feeding of M. elsdenii has a positive effect on cattle during and after an acidosis challenge event.
308 Zinc Supplementation and Implant Abscess Effects on Growth Performance and Immune System of Growing Beef Steers
Authors: Rients Emma L , Franco Carlos , Diaz Fabian , McGill Jodi , Hansen Stephanie L
Published: October 2023

Zinc is beneficial in growth and immune system function in cattle. Angus-cross steers (n = 72; initial BW = 261 ± 14 kg) were used in this 58-day study to determine the effects of supplemental Zn on growth, trace mineral status, and circulating immune cell populations. On d 0, steers received a Component E-S with Tylan implant (Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN) and were stratified by BW into twelve GrowSafe-equipped pens. Dietary treatments included: control (CON; no supplemental Zn), Zn100 (100 mg supplemental Zn/kg DM), and Zn150 (150 mg supplemental Zn/kg DM). Supplemental Zn was provided as Zn sulfate, and other trace minerals were supplemented at NASEM (2016) recommendations. Individual BW was recorded on days -1, 0, 12, 13, 27, 28, 56, and 57. Blood was collected from 9 steers per treatment on d 13 for immune cell population and function assays. Liver biopsies were conducted on 18 steers per treatment on d 14. On d 16, implant abscesses (ABSC) were evaluated, and all steers were treated with meloxicam (285 mg). Data were analyzed using the Mixed procedure of SAS (Cary, NC) with fixed effects of treatment and ABSC prevalence using steer as the experimental unit. Abscess prevalence among treatments was analyzed using Proc Glimmix. Sixty percent of steers had ABSC; ABSC prevalence was similar by treatment (P = 0.67). Steers without ABSC had greater (P = 0.04) ADG d 0 to 13 and tended to have greater (P = 0.09) ADG d 0 to 57. There was also a tendency (Trt × ABSC; P ≤ 0.09) for steers without ABSC to have greater ADG and G:F from d 14 to 27 in CON and Zn100 while within Zn150 steers without ABSC tended to have lesser ADG and G:F than ABSC steers. No other treatment by ABSC or treatment effects (P ≥ 0.14) for growth performance were observed. There were no treatment by ABSC effects for immune cell populations on d 13 (P ≥ 0.26). In Zn150 steers, activated natural killer and gamma delta T cells were increased (P ≤ 0.03) on d 13. Similarly, CD21+ MHC IIhi B cells tended to be increased in Zn150 steers (P = 0.08). Steers with ABSC had increased relative frequency of CD5+ and CD21+ B cells (P ≤ 0.05) and tended to have increased natural killer and CD21+ MHC IIhi B cells (P ≤ 0.09). In addition, steers without ABSC had greater liver Mn on d 14 than ABSC steers (P = 0.05). There were no other effects on liver trace mineral concentrations (P ≥ 0.17). These observations suggest Zn supplementation has greater impact on the cellular immune system, while ABSC have a greater effect on B cells and the adaptive immune system.
310 Evaluation of Orally Administered Megasphaera Elsdenii in Preconditioned Calves Abruptly Transitioned from a Receiving Diet with 4% Dietary Starch to a Growing Diet with 37% Dietary Starch
Authors: Francis Forest L , Gubbels Erin R , Hanson Santana , Norman Thomas , Ribeiro Thiago Lauro Maia , Rusche Warren C , Smith Zachary K
Published: October 2023

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of orally administered Megasphaera elsdenii NCIMB 41125 (ME) in preconditioned calves abruptly transitioned from a receiving diet with 4% dietary starch [dry matter (DM) basis] to a growing diet with 37% dietary starch (DM basis). Preconditioned steers [n = 192; initial shrunk body weight (SBW) = 309 kg ± 20.6 kg] were assigned to microbial supplement treatment in a randomized complete block design. Treatments were CON: no ME; and LP: orally administered 20 mL of microbial supplement (2 × 1010 colony forming units ME/mL) immediately before diet change. Steers were abruptly changed from a receiving diet based upon soybean hulls and wheatlage with 4% dietary starch (DM basis) to a growing diet based upon high-moisture ear corn, dry-rolled corn, and wheatlage with 37% dietary starch (DM basis). Diets were switched on an equal DM basis to achieve abrupt change and steers were fed treatment diet for 49 d until study completion. Prior to study initiation, steers (n = 72; n = 3/pen) were fitted with wireless rumination tags to track daily activity and rumination time. Growth performance data and efficiency of dietary net energy utilization were analyzed with pen as the experimental unit, fixed effect of treatment, and random effect of block (location in the feedlot). Activity and rumination data were analyzed in a repeated measures analysis of covariance with individual animal as experimental unit, fixed effects of treatment, week, and their interaction, block (location in feedlot) as a random effect, and baseline activity and rumination as a covariate in the model. If no interaction was observed, main effect means of treatment and week were evaluated independently. For all statistical analysis, P ≤ 0.05 was declared significant and P ≤ 0.10 was declared a tendency. No difference (P ≥ 0.20) was observed between treatments for final SBW, average daily gain, dry matter intake, feed efficiency, calculated net energy (NE) for maintenance and gain or observed-to-expected ratio of NE for maintenance and gain. Additionally, no treatment × day differences (P ≥ 0.27) were observed for activity or rumination measures. Treatment effects (P < 0.01) were observed for both activity and rumination where LP steers had a 2% increase and 2% decrease in minutes per day active and ruminating respectively. Additionally, a positive linear effect (P < 0.01) of week was observed for minutes ruminating and quadratic effects (P < 0.01) of week were observed for minutes active and ruminating. Oral administration of ME had no effects on growth performance or efficiency of dietary net energy utilization in steers transitioned from a receiving diet containing 4% starch (DM basis) to a growing diet containing 37% starch (DM basis).
307 Effect of Calcium Magnesium Carbonate and/or Tylosin Phosphate Supplementation on Receiving Period Growth Performance in Yearling Beef Steers
Authors: Grimes Becca , Francis Forest L , Gubbels Erin R , Rusche Warren C , Smith Zachary K , Paulus Devan
Published: October 2023

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of CaMg(CO3)2 (MIN-AD, Papillon Agricultural Company, Easton, MD; MA) and/or tylosin phosphate (Tylan, Elanco, Indianapolis, IN; TY) supplementation on growth performance of yearling beef steers during transition to a finishing diet during the first 28 days on feed. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement including MA and TY. Beef steers (n = 156; initial BW = 469 ± 18.0 kg) were randomly assigned to dietary treatments pens (7 to 8 steers/pen) with pen (n = 20 pens total, 10 pens/main effect mean, and 5 pens/simple effect mean) serving as the experimental unit. Cattle were transitioned from a 30 % roughage receiving diet to a 7 % roughage finishing diet based on dry-rolled corn, dried distillers grains plus solubles, a liquid supplement, and oat silage over the initial 20 d period. Monensin sodium was included in the diet at 30 mg/kg (DM basis). The MA was included at 1.5 % of the diet (DM basis) in replacement of dry-rolled corn and TY was provided at 90 mg/animal·d-1. Data were analyzed according to a randomized complete block design with the fixed effects of MA, TY, or their interaction; block was considered a random effect. No interaction was noted between MA or TY (P ≥ 0.68) for any variables measured. The main effect of TY did not influence d 28 BW, ADG, DMI, or G:F (P ≥ 0.43). The main effect of MA reduced DMI by 1.9 % (P = 0.01), but did not appreciably influence d 28 BW, ADG, or G:F (P ≥ 0.42). MA may decrease DMI while maintaining similar BW gain and efficiency compared with non-supplemented calves.
15 Industry Perspective on the Value and Challenges of Amino Acid Feeding in Ruminants
Authors: Wertz-Lutz Aimee
Published: October 2023

The focus of this presentation is to provide a perspective on the value and challenges to meeting the amino acid needs of ruminant livestock based on experiences in the feed manufacturing and ruminant feeding industries. Monogastric nutritionists have demonstrated extensively the value of having an ideal amino acid profile from the point of growth, efficiency, and environmental stewardship. For the ruminant animal, the challenges of protein fractionation, deamination and re-synthesis of amino acids in the rumen create greater complexity both for research advancement as well as practical application to delivery of amino acid technology. In this presentation, amino acid supplies, protein synthesis, the impact of overlaid growth-promoting technologies, and return relative to investment of amino acid-feeding technology will be discussed. In addition to discussing the biological and economic aspects of amino acid feeding, thoughts on the means of delivering amino acid technology within the constraints of feed manufacturing and feeding practices common to ruminant livestock will be discussed. As genetics for improved lean growth in cattle continue to evolve, amino acid nutrition should be at the forefront of investigation of nutritional technologies which allow the improvement in genetic potential to be fully expressed. In addition to the potential value that amino acid feeding brings to ruminant livestock growth and efficiency, it also stands to merit environmental stewardship within this industry.
14 Predicting Performance Responses of Growing Cattle to Amino Acid Supplementation
Authors: Titgemeyer Evan C
Published: October 2023

Amino acid utilization by cattle can be studied by: 1) assessing amino acid requirements with foundational research and using the resultant information to predict animal performance, or 2) evaluating changes in animal performance in response to changes in amino acid supply and subsequently using those measures to predict amino acid requirements. Neither approach has yielded definitive results, and our ability to predict responses of cattle to amino acid supplementation is still quite limited after many years of research. Most supplementation studies have focused on methionine and lysine, amino acids for which ruminally protected products are commercially available. Most finishing cattle fed diets typical of the U.S. feedlot industry are not responsive to methionine or lysine supplementation, although little research is available for cattle fed beta-agonists. In some cases, growing cattle fed corn-based diets have demonstrated performance responses to lysine supplementation. Growing cattle fed forage-based diets, particularly those based on grass silages, appear responsive to supplemental amino acids. Numerous studies with Holstein steers (150 to 250 kg) maintained in a research model to make amino acids the most limiting nutrient have demonstrated linear increases in nitrogen retention, followed by a plateau, when limiting amino acids were supplemented. From those studies, maintenance requirements for amino acids appear to be small, and efficiencies of amino acid utilization for growth are less than predicted by NASEM (2016). Some factors that would be expected to increase the likelihood that amino acids are the most limiting nutrient include: decreased body weight, greater mature body weight, environments that minimize maintenance energy requirements, and diets that lead to redued amounts of microbial protein synthesis (energy sources such as fat and ruminally resistant starch). Despite the many unknowns associated with amino acid requirements of cattle for growth, potential exists to use amino acid supplementation to improve economics of cattle performance or reduce environmental impacts of cattle production.
13 Considerations When Rumen Protected Amino Acids are fed to Dairy Cows
Authors: Lee Chanhee
Published: October 2023

The modern concept of diet formulation for protein is to balance for amino acids (AA). The expectation of feeding a diet with balanced AA is better dietary N utilization, leading to decreased protein content in a diet and less N excretion. Feeding rumen protected (RP) AA can be a good option to increase some of AA that are short in supply. RP-Met and -Lys have been largely studied with early- and mid-lactation cows, and meta-analyses are available. Although studies that showed no responses to RP-AA exist, results of meta-analyses were consistent that RP-Met is effective to increase milk protein and fat yield. When RP-Met and -Lys were fed together, positive effects on milk yield and composition were also shown. If a diet adequate or slightly deficient in protein is fed especially at commercial farms, RP-His has large potential to increase production of high producing cows. Although cows have the ability to utilize digestible His efficiently for milk protein when the supply is short, studies consistently showed that additional supply of His increased milk yield and milk protein yield when His supply is insufficient. However, RP-His is not commercially available yet. Studies about transition cows with RP-AA are relatively limited, and results are variable. The inclusion of RP-Met and Lys in prepartum and postpartum diets were determined assuming that the requirements of AA are the same as early- or mid-lactating cows. In the transition cow studies, if positive production effects (e.g., milk and milk protein yield) were observed, DMI was often increased with RP-AA. If DMI was not affected, then production was not affected by RP-AA or milk fat yield was sometimes increased. The inconsistent results likely indicate potential differences in AA requirements between transition cows and early lactation cows. Because of the negative energy and protein balance postpartum, studies showed positive production responses consistently to increased dietary protein concentration. One study compared production responses between a postpartum diet with increased protein without considering AA profile and diet with increased protein with considering AA profile (casein AA). No difference in milk yield and composition was found, suggesting that the quantity of protein supply is more important than quality, or digestible AA mimicking casein AA is not ideal for transition cows. There are key components to consider when RP-AA are fed to cows to potentially increase responses. Because utilization efficiency of AA for protein synthesis decreases as the supply increases, excessive supply of AA should be avoided. To adequately supply certain AA via RP-AA, knowing accurate bioavailability of RP-AA is essential. However, recent studies questioned in vitro and in situ methods about its accuracy. Development of a gold standard in vivo method to calibrate in vitro or in situ methods is necessary.
197 Evaluating the Associations Between Piglet’s Characteristics at Birth and Growth Performance During Lactation Period on Piglets from Hyperprolific Sows
Authors: Salgado-López Pau , Aymerich Pau , Gasa Josep , Casellas Joaquim , Solà-Oriol David
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to identify the impact of birth body weight (BBW) and average daily gain (ADG) during the first week (ADG07) on the weaning body weight (WBW) of piglets from hyperprolific sows, as well as to evaluate the role played by other perinatal factors against the ADG07 and WBW. A total of 1,398 piglets [(Landrace x Yorkshire) x Pietrain] born from 87 sows between first and tenth parity (mean ± SD: 3.7 ± 2.2) were used. Each farrowing was monitored to record birth order (BO), birth time (BT), BBW, sex (SX), rectal temperature (RT), and total number of piglets born. Vitality score (VS) was established by monitoring udder stimulation and number of completed circles around the enclosure. At day 1 of life, litters were equalized to 15 piglets (62.17 ± 19.44 % BBW > 1.15 kg piglets; 37.83 ± 19.44 % BBW ≤ 1.15 kg piglets per litter). Piglets were individually weighed after litter equalization, at day 7, and at weaning (26.1 ± 0.45 d). Linear mixed models were fitted to the two study outcomes (ADG07 and WBW) and all possible explanatory variables. The adoptive sow was used as the random effect. Stepwise backward elimination of fixed effects was done to obtain optimized models. Differences between optimized models with or without fixed effects interactions were tested by ANOVA. The individual impact of BBW and ADG07 on WBW was analyzed with individual linear mixed models including only the explanatory variable to be studied (BBW or ADG07). The interaction BBW x RT (P < 0.001) fitted the best model for ADG07 prediction (Marginal R-sq = 0.22). Concerning the BBW, despite being a significant predictor (P < 0.001), it did not explain a great fraction of the variation of ADG07 (R-sq = 0.21). Increments of 100 g in BBW were associated with ADG07 increments of 8.9 g/d. The WBW final model (Marginal R-sq = 0.64) had BBW (P < 0.001), ADG07 (P < 0.001), and VS (P = 0.03) as significant predictors. Individual linear mixed models showed that ADG07 was a better predictor than BBW on WBW (R-sq = 0.59 vs. 0.31). Interaction BBW x ADG07 was significant (P < 0.001), indicating that ADG07 had a greater impact on WBW in piglets with low BBW. Regarding VS, piglets with the best VS at birth had better WBW compared with piglets with the least VS at birth (7.06 ± 1.92 vs. 6.47 ± 1.87 kg). These results suggest that growth performance during the first week has at least an equivalent influence as BBW on WBW, giving an early-life window of opportunity to apply strategies to improve the future performance of the piglets. The VS and RT have a significant role in ADG07 and WBW models.
200 Effect of Utilizing Nurse Sows Compared with no Nurse Sows on Nursery Productivity
Authors: Allen Kacey N , Meier Larissa E , Stephenson Ethan , Mauch-Swinford Emily , McNeil Brady , Sonderman John , Cross Amanda
Published: October 2023

The use of nurse sows is one strategy producers use to manage increasing litter sizes. The impact of nurse sows on nursery finish performance is not well understood. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate differences in nursery performance given two different farrowing room management systems. Crossbred sows (n = 618) were allotted to farrowing rooms based on farrowing date (DNA L241, DNA Genetics, Columbus, NE). One treatment (NoNurse) had 0% nurse sows and the second (Nurse) had 7% nurse sows allocated per room. All pigs (n = 9,109) were individually identified and weighed at birth. Within 24 hours post farrowing, cross-fostering was allowed for both treatments. Pig movements were limited for sows with 13 to 15 live born pigs, which maximized sows rearing her own pigs. If cross-fostering occurred, pigs were moved within treatment to maximize functional teats. In both treatments, fall-behind pigs, those that were lagging in body weight gain compared with their peers, were identified, and weighed. Litter mates of the fall-behind pigs were also weighed. Fall-behind pigs were left in their original crates for the NoNurse treatment and were moved to a nurse sow for the Nurse treatment. Pigs were weaned and weaning weights were collected at approximately 21.5 days of age. At weaning, (n = 7,928) pigs were placed in commercial nurseries where mortality date and reason were recorded. Nursery mortality was not significantly different between NoNurse and Nurse treatments, with 2.34 % versus 2.64 % mortality, respectively (P = 0.48). Nursery mortality was also not significantly different for the fall-behind pigs and their litter mates in the Nurse (P = 0.80) or NoNurse treatments (P = 0.84). At approximately 10 weeks of age, a subset (n = 2,169) of pigs were placed in a research finishing barn and body weights were collected. Body weights at 10 weeks of age were 1.51 kg (P < 0.05) and 1.66 kg (P < 0.05) less for fall-behind pigs in comparison with their litter mates for the NoNurse and Nurse treatments, respectively. Body weights at 10 weeks of age for fall-behind pigs in the NoNurse treatment were 1.55 kg (P < 0.05) less than fall-behind pigs in the Nurse treatment. Management decisions can impact nursery finish performance, in this study it was observed that not utilizing nurse sows could negatively impact nursery growth, particularly for fall-behind pigs.
201 Transmission of Zearalenone, Deoxynivalenol and Their Metabolites from Sows to Piglets During Lactation with or without an Algae-Clay-Based Decontaminant
Authors: de Grave Xandra Benthem , Saltzmann Janine , Rodriguez Maria A , Molist Francesc , Danicke Sven , Santos Regiane R
Published: October 2023

This study evaluated effects of an algae-clay-based mycotoxin decontaminant on levels of zearalenone (ZEN), deoxynivalenol (DON) and their derivatives in the colostrum, milk, and serum of sows, as well as in the serum of weaned piglets after maternal mycotoxin exposure from the last week of gestation to weaning (26 days). To this end, 15 sows split into 3 groups (n = 5/group) were fed diets naturally contaminated with 100 (LoZEN) or 300 (HiZEN) µg/kg ZEN, with or without an algae-clay-based mycotoxin decontaminant in the highly contaminated diet. All diets contained 250 µg/kg DON. Dietary treatments did not influence the performance of the sows and piglets. Only α-ZEL significantly increased in the colostrum of sows fed the HiZEN diet, and this increase was even greater in the colostrum of the sows fed the HiZEN diet supplemented with the test decontaminant. However, no differences in milk mycotoxin concentrations were observed at weaning. The greatest concentrations of ZEN, α-ZEL, and β-ZEL were observed in the serum of sows fed the HiZEN diet. When the HiZEN diet was supplemented with the tested algae-clay-based mycotoxin decontaminant, lconcentrations of ZEN and its metabolites were significantly decreased in the serum of sows. Although all sows were fed the same levels of DON, the serum concentration of de-epoxy-DON increased only in the serum of piglets from the sows fed a diet with the non-supplemented HiZEN diet. In conclusion, the tested algae-clay-based mycotoxin decontaminant can decrease concentrations of ZEN and its metabolites in the serum of sows and the level of de-DON in the serum of piglets.
203 Effects of Feeding Varying Levels of Mycotoxin-Containing Corn Fines on Diet Choice and Growth Performance of Nursery Pigs
Authors: Paczosa Duncan B , Chevalier Tyler B , Lindemann Merlin D
Published: October 2023

Mycotoxins in feed are known to negatively affect growth and other physiological processes in pigs. Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of feeding diets with varying levels of mycotoxins and boron (a nutrient reported to mitigate some aspects of mycotoxicosis). Screenings from the 2020 crop year corn contained mycotoxin levels of 23,038 ppb total fumonisin, 1,446 ppb zearalenone, and 5,032 ppb total deoxynivalenol (DON)l. The corn fines were added into a corn-soybean meal diet formulated to meet or exceed NRC (2012) nutrient requirements as a replacement for corn at 0, 10, and 20% for Diets 1-3. Diets 4-6 were Diets 1-3, respectively, plus 40 ppm boron from sodium tetraborate decahydrate (11.34% B). Diets 3 and 6 were formulated to approximate the cautionary levels of fumonisin and DON stated by the FDA. Exp. 1 used crossbred pigs (n = 144; mean initial BW = 10.20 ± 0.23 kg) blocked by sex and BW and randomly allotted to dietary treatments for a total of 6 replicates (4 pigs/pen) for a 21-day growth performance trial. On day 21, serum was collected from the heaviest and lightest pig in each pen for clinical chemistry assessment. Exp. 2 used crossbred pigs (n = 48; mean initial BW = 9.18 kg ± 0.12 kg) blocked by sex and BW and randomly allotted to 1 of 3 treatment comparisons including: Comparison 1) Diet 1 vs. Diet 2; Comparison 2) Diet 1 vs. Diet 3; and Comparison 3) Diet 2 vs. Diet 3. There were a total of 4 replicates (4 pigs/pen) for a 21-day preference trial. Performance and clinical chemistry data were analyzed by ANOVA using the GLM procedure of SAS with pen as the experimental unit. Preference data were evaluated via t-test. Increasing mycotoxin levels in Exp. 1 had no effect on overall ADG, ADFI, and GF (Table 1; P = 0.16, 0.53, and 0.92, respectively). The increasing mycotoxin levels did effect glucose and cholesterol (P = 0.03, and P < 0.01, respectively). There was no effect of boron on the same performance measures (P = 0.81, 0.59, and 0.76, respectively) although it did decreaser serum glucose (P = 0.02). Exp. 2 demonstrated the barrows ability to discern between diets in Comparisons 2 and 3 (P < 0.01) for each week while gilts only started to exhibit that ability during Week 3 for Comparison 2 (P = 0.06). In conclusion, pigs can differentiate and choose between diets containing these mixed mycotoxins but when not given a choice, the pigs do not have different growth performance using the particular mycotoxins and within the framework of this assessment.
195 The Impact of Developmental Housing Type on Toe Growth and Wear in Sows
Authors: Obermier Dalton , Mote Benny E , Trenhaile-Grannemann Melanie
Published: October 2023

Swine housing systems are ever-changing to improve animal husbandry. Recently, gilts are being transitioned from gestation stalls to pens with resulting phenotypic effects being unclear. Toe growth and wear are often negated during structural analysis, with objective data of their trends being limited. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the impact of housing type on toe growth and wear during gestation of golts. York x Landrace gilts (n = 321) were used at the UNL ENREC swine farm. Gilts were randomly assigned to either pen (4 pigs/pen; 2.09 m2/pig) or stall (2.06 x 0.48 m) housing at 210 days of age. For analysis, gilts were lifted in a Feet First Chute (Zinpro) to permanently mark the lateral toes on the left front and back feet at ~1 cm from the coronary band. Toe length above and below the mark was measured with a digital caliper. Measurements took place before breeding (PRE), at day 30 (D30), day 57 (D57), and day 100 (D100) of gestation, and at weaning (WEAN). Estimated marginal means were calculated with regards for development group, housing type, and initial toe lengths. From PRE to D100, stall housed gilts had greater (P < 0.01) front growth (32.5 vs. 26.8 mm), similar front wear (-25.3 vs. -23.4 mm), greater (P < 0.01) back growth (39.1 vs. 34.3 mm), greater (P < 0.01) back wear (-32.3 vs. -28.1 mm), a greater (P < 0.01) total front length (41.6 vs. 39.6 mm), and a slightly longer total back length (45.5 vs. 45 mm). From D100 to WEAN, pen housed gilts had more (P < 0.05) back wear (-5.12 vs. -4.32 mm) and subsequently less (P < 0.01) total back growth (4.88 vs. 6.50 mm); with no other differences showing significance. These results suggest that housing can alter feet conformation with stall developed gilts having longer toes when entering farrowing.
30 Microbiome Manipulation to Reduce Methane Emission in Beef Cattle
Authors: Doan Tien , Wilson Hannah , Kubwimana Fiacre , Neujahr Alison , Fernando Samodha C
Published: October 2023

Among the major sources of methane production, ruminants account for a considerable fraction of the anthropogenic methane produced. Thus, minimizing methane emission in intensive and extensive cattle production systems while maintaining/increasing performance of animals will have a significant impact on the environment and will help develop a sustainable carbon-based market system. We believe that developing science-based dietary intervention strategies using feed additives to manipulate rumen microbial communities is a viable strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Here we show the potential impact of using an essential oil formulation to reduce methane emissions in cattle. In this study, we used in-vitro fermentation experiments to evaluate the impact of the essential oil mix in reducing methane emissions. Additionally, we evaluated microbial community changes in the presence and absence of the essential oil mix to understand microbial changes that lead to reduced methane emissions. The in-vitro fermentation experiments demonstrated a significant decrease in methane emission in the essential oil mix compared with the control with no essential oil (P < 0.05). This decrease in methane was greater than 50%. Following in-vitro fermentation for 48 hours, the resulting inoculum was evaluated for microbial community changes using 16S rDNA sequencing. Compared with the control, the essential oil mix containing bottles were greater in Anaerovibrio and Succinivibrio and had a reduced abundance of Anaeroplasma and Prevotellaceae at the genus level. Furthermore, the essential oil mix tubes were plated to isolate members that were enriched in this treatment. The isolates obtained include Lysinibacillus halotolerans and Lysinibacillus boronitolerans. Such isolates may have the potential to be effective direct-fed microbial to reduce methane emission. Here we show the potential of the essential oil mix identified to reduce methane invitro and we have an animal study planned for the near future.
31 Alternative Housing for Beef Cow/Calf Producers: A Survey of Management Practices and Health Concerns
Authors: Drayer Sadie J , McCann Joshua C , Shike Daniel W , Meteer William T
Published: October 2023

The objective of this survey was to assess how building designs impact management practices and health concerns in confinement-housed beef cow-calf operations. This oral-based, on-farm survey collected responses from 20 cow-calf producers across the state of Illinois who were currently using an alternative housing system. The survey consisted of 94 questions based on 10 categories: demographics, housing, technology use, herd health and nutrition, pasture, manure management, cover crops, feed storage, water, and genetics. There were a variety of question types including multiple choice, select all that apply, open-ended, ranking of importance, and scale from one to ten. Results were analyzed based on respondents building design type (monoslope; n = 6, gable frame; n = 5, and hoop; n = 9). For the producers utilizing a monoslope, 66.7% had cow inventories of 150 or more, whereas 60% of gable frame users had inventories of 150 or more, and 44.4% of hoop building users had inventories of 150 cows or more. For the producers utilizing a monoslope, 16.7% had rubber covered concrete slat flooring, 33.3% had a clay/lime-based flooring, and 50% had concrete flooring. For the producers utilizing a gable frame, 0% had slats, 60% had lime, and 40% had concrete. For the producers utilizing a hoop building, 0% had slats, 88.9% had lime, and 11.1% had concrete. When assessing drylot access, 0% of monoslope users were allowing cows access to a drylot compared with 40% of gable frame users and 66.67% of hoop building users. Most monoslope users (83%) had 6 months or more of under-roof manure storage, whereas 0% of gable frame users did, and only 11.1% of hoops users did. For those utilizing a monoslope, 50% were creep feeding for 4 months or more compared with 80% of gable frame users and 12.5% of hoop building users. For producers utilizing a monoslope, 60% responded cows were over-conditioned, 40% said properly conditioned, and 0% said under-conditioned. For gable frame users, 50% responded cows were over-conditioned, 50% said properly conditioned, and 0% said under-conditioned. For hoop building users, 44.5% responded cows were over-conditioned, 55.5% said properly conditioned, and 0% said cows were under-conditioned. When asked to rank calf issues, 67% of monoslope producers ranked scours first, compared with 40% of gable frame users, and 44% of hoop building users. None of the monoslope users ranked calf respiratory first whereas 40% of those with gable frame did and 22% of hoop building users did. For naval issues, 33.3% of monoslope ranked it first, compared with 20% of gable frame users, and 33% of hoop building users. In conclusion, building design type influenced management practices and health issue concerns.
40 Effect of Soybean Meal Inclusion on Grow-Finish Pig Performance and Nitrogen Balance
Authors: Swanstrom Joseph A , Humphrey Dalton C , Elefson Sarah , Miller Kayla A , Becker Spenser , Hagen Chloe S , Nisley Mitchell J , Greiner Laura L , Gabler Nicholas K
Published: October 2023

Mixed-sex pigs (n = 240 PIC 337×1050; initial BW = 23 ± 4.7 kg) were used to evaluate the effects of soybean meal (SBM) inclusion on the growth performance and nitrogen balance of grow-finish pigs. Pigs were assigned across 60 split-sex pens, and pens were randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatments (10 pens∙treatments-1∙sex-1). Diets were formulated with increasing SBM for an approximate 3% incremental difference in crude protein (CP) between treatments. The treatments were: 1) low SBM (L-SBM) corn-soy diet supplemented with synthetic amino acids, 2) medium SBM diet (M-SBM) with SBM formulated to replace all synthetic lysine and equal to L-SBM in SID lysine, and 3) high SBM diet (H-SBM) contained excess levels of all amino acids. Diets were fed in four feeding phases ranging from approximately 25-50, 51-75, 76-105, and 106-135 kg for phases 1-4, respectively. From phases 1 to 4, SBM inclusion ranged from approximately 26-48% (SID Lys 1.06-1.32%), 19-41% (SID Lys 0.89-1.15%), 15-35% (SID Lys 0.76-1.01%), and 13-29% (SID Lys 0.68-0.86%), respectively. Additionally, diets within each phase were isocaloric. Pig BW and feed intake were measured for each phase to calculate ADG, ADFI, and G:F. On day 66, 18 gilts (n =6/treatment) were placed into metabolism stalls for total urine and feces collection over a 72 h period to assess CP digestibility and nitrogen balance. Pigs were marketed at approximately 134 kg BW, and carcass weight, backfat depth, and loin depth were measured at the harvest facility. Data were subject to ANOVA in SAS 9.4. Pen was the experimental unit, and the results were significant at P ≤ 0.05. Overall (d 0-98) pig ADFI, ADG, or G:F did not differ across treatments (P ≥ 0.202). However, there was a significant diet-by-phase interaction for ADG (P = 0.045) and G:F (P = 0.008), where H-SBM fed pigs grew faster in phase two compared with the M-SBM (1.07 vs. 1.02 kg/d; P = 0.026) or L-SBM (1.07 vs. 1.02 kg/d; P = 0.028) fed pigs. Consequently, in phase two, H-SBM pigs had improved G:F compared with M-SBM (0.47 vs. 0.44; P = 0.005) or L-SBM pigs (0.47 vs. 0.44; P = 0.001). However, these effects were not evident in the other phases. Apparent total tract digestibility of CP and nitrogen retention were similar between treatments (P ≥ 0.762). However, as expected, nitrogen retention as a proportion of intake, linearly decreased (P < 0.001) as SBM inclusion increased, which translated to an approximate 130% increase in total nitrogen excretion in pigs fed H-SBM compared with L-SBM (40.8 vs. 17.7 g/d; P < 0.001). In conclusion, low and high SBM formulations did not alter grow-finish pig overall performance. However, linearly increased nitrogen excretion was reported as SBM levels increased.
27 Quality Variation in Beef Chuck Eye Rolls Sourced from a Commercial Processor
Authors: Boryszewski Alicia , Heller Nicholas , McCann Joshua C , Rickard Justin W
Published: October 2023

The objective of this study was to evaluate quality variation in beef Chuck Eye rolls (IMPS 116D). Beef Chuck Rolls (IMPS 116A) were purchased from a commercial meat packer and fabricated to obtain beef Chuck Eye Rolls (IMPS 116D). Cases were transported to the Illinois State University Meat Lab and hand-sliced into 2.54 cm boneless beef Chuck Eye steaks (IMPS 1116D) (n = 161). Each roll contained between 7 to 10 steaks for use in further meat quality analyses in accordance with in-plant procedures. Upon slicing, steaks were allowed to bloom for 15 minutes and then used in subsequent quality analysis including color, cook loss, and tenderness evaluation. Instrumental color measurements [L* (lightness), a* (redness), b* (yellowness)] were taken for each steak in duplicate with a HunterLab Miniscan XE Plus Spectrophotometer using a D65 illuminant, 100 observer, and 35-mm aperture. All steaks were cooked to a final internal temperature of 71° C. Steaks then underwent cook loss evaluation as well as tenderness analysis via Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF). Statistical analysis was performed using the Proc MIXED procedure of SAS to estimate variance components of steak quality in a nested design (steak within roll within case). For all response variables, the standard error was large for the case term. Ranges of observed response values were: L* 28.03-52.15, a* 14.55-27.82, b* 12.78-25.32, cook loss 17.58-61.11, shearforce 2.10-5.86. Variance components in L* and a* values followed similar patterns in which the greatest amount of variance was contributed by steak, followed by case, followed by roll (L* 13.541 (P < 0.001) vs. 9.035 (P = 0.1790) vs. 1.958 (P = 0.1839) and a* 4.055 (P < 0.0001) vs. 1.605 ( P= 0.2124) vs. 0.632 (P = 0.1746). Case, roll, and steak contributed variance almost equally for b* though two variance components were statistically different from zero σ2case =2.133 (P = 0.2344) σ2roll = 1.627 (P = 0.0335) σ2steak = 2.37 (P < 0.0001). Case contributed approximately 1.5 times the variance in cook loss when compared with steak (σ2case = 43.687 (P = 0.1387) vs. σ2steak=29.471 (P < 0.0001)) and approximately 3.5 times more than roll ( σ2case = 43.687 vs. σ2roll = 12.077 (P = 0.0565)). The largest impact on variance in shearforce values came from steak whereas case and roll contributed almost equally (shearforce σ2case = 0.0256 (P = 0.3894)σ2roll = 0.0333 (P = 0.2040) σ2steak = 0.2454 (P < 0.0001)). Some correlations were observed: L*:a* (-0.46, P < 0.0001), L*:b* (-0.07, P = 0.3979), L*:cookloss (0.166, P = 0.0422), and cookloss:shearforce (0.274, P = 0.0007). As lower-cost alternatives to traditional center of the plate cuts continue to grow in popularity among large volume purchasers, it is important to evaluate potential differences in quality attributes. Further evaluation of the impact of case as well as steak within Chuck Eye roll on individual steak quality is warranted.