bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
175 Analysis of Cryopreserved Semen Quality: With the Tools Available, What Is Possible to Be Interpreted
Authors: de Andrade André F
Published: May 2021

Identifying doses of post-thawed semen with high and low fertility potential is the main objective pursued by professionals and companies involved in commercializing frozen semen. In post-thaw semen, we can evaluate the motility characteristics and the integrity of the spermatozoa membranes and their DNA so that we can identify the number of cells that have the minimum characteristics to be considered with the potential to fertilize the oocyte. However, even with these analyzes using fluorescent probes, flow cytometry, and a computerized semen analysis system, it is impossible to predict the dose’s fertilizing potential accurately. The spermatozoa and seminal plasma originate from an individual (e.g., boar, bull, stallion), and even the spermatozoa and seminal plasma from this individual are different between different ejaculates. Factors such as genetics, age, ambiance, nutrition, and semen manipulation can alter the cryotolerance capacity of a given ejaculate, thus affecting its fertility potential. However, recent studies with assessments of proteomics, lipidomics, metabolomics, and miRNAs have associated cryotolerance and semen fertility with markers that can be evaluated before the ejaculate cryopreservation process—in this way, creating the possibility of selecting high fertility doses before the freezing process. Suppose these biological markers will conclusively make it possible to inform whether post-thawed semen dose has high or low fertility potential. In that case, only future research work verifying fertility will allow us to know. In the meantime, it is highly recommended to evaluate the post-thaw semen by assessing characteristics of motility, the integrity of the plasma and acrosomal membranes, and the integrity of DNA. Thus, ensuring that inseminations are carried out with the minimum number of sperm able to provide a high potential for fertility. These minimum numbers are related to the species and type of cryopreserved semen: conventional or sexed.
209 Large Offspring Syndrome: Effects of in vitro Production on Embryo Epigenetics and Development
Authors: Rivera Rocio Melissa
Published: May 2021

In cattle, the use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) can result in a congenital overgrowth condition known as large/abnormal offspring syndrome (LOS/AOS). The phenotypic characteristics of LOS include; somatic overgrowth, abdominal wall defects, large organs, breathing difficulties, skeletal defects, hypoglycemia, abnormal placentas, difficulty suckling, and perinatal death. LOS can have detrimental effects on the offspring and dam and also pose managerial and financial challenges to the producer. Research from the Rivera laboratory has demonstrated that LOS is an epigenetic syndrome. As in cattle, ART can promote the development of congenital overgrowth in humans, a condition known as Beckwith Wiedemann Syndrome (BWS). For the past 13 years, the Rivera laboratory has been characterizing LOS and we have shown that LOS and BWS are phenotypically and epigenotypically similar. In our studies, using gestation day ~105 Bos taurus taurus x Bos taurus indicus F1 hybrids, we showed global misregulation of imprinted and non-imprinted transcripts, micro RNAs and global misregulation of DNA methylation. In brief, LOS fetuses displayed variable loss-of-imprinting in kidney, liver, muscle and brain, when compared to controls. Biallelic expression of imprinted genes in LOS was associated with tissue-specific hypomethylation of the normally methylated parental allele. Not only was there loss of allele-specific expression of imprinted genes in LOS, but we also observed differential transcript amounts of these genes between control and overgrown fetuses. In addition, a positive correlation was observed between bodyweight and the number of biallelically expressed imprinted genes in LOS fetuses. From this work, we concluded that LOS is a multi-locus loss-of-imprinting condition. Current work, aims to determine if LOS is identifiable during pregnancy using day 55 fetal ultrasonography and day 55 and 105 maternal blood. In addition, we aim to determine how serum supplementation of culture medium can program preimplantation embryos to develop LOS. Findings will be discussed.
76 Growth and Health of Limousin Crossbred Dairy-beef Calves in an Automated Feeding System
Authors: Heins Brad J , Sharpe Kirsten
Published: May 2021

The objective of this study was to determine growth and health of Limousin crossbred dairy-beef calves fed alternative milk allowances in an automated group feeding system. The study was conducted at the University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center’s, Morris, MN dairy. Forty-eight Limousin-sired crossbred calves were assigned to feeding groups by birth order during two calving seasons from September to December 2019 and March to July 2020. Calves were introduced to the Holm & Laue HL100 Programmable Calf Feeder (Holm & Laue GmbH & Co KG, Westerronfeld, Germany) at 5 d and were randomly assigned to one of two treatments. Treatments for calves were 8 L/d (8L) or ad libitum (AL) milk allowance. Calves were weaned from the automated feeder at 56 d. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS. Independent variables for analyses were the fixed effects of season of birth, sex of calf (M or F), treatment group and sex of calf nested within season of birth was a random effect. No differences (P > 0.05) were found between 8L or AL groups for birth weight. The AL calves (109.4 kg) had higher (P < 0.01) weaning weight than 8L calves (95.3 kg). Furthermore, the AL calves had higher (P < 0.01) hip height (95.6 cm) and greater (P < 0.01) heart girth (110.2) compared with 8L calves (93.8 cm and 104.8 cm, respectively). The AL calves (1.14 kg/d) had higher average daily gain at weaning compared to 8L calves (0.91 kg/d). Males calves were not different (P = 0.39) for average daily gain compared to female calves (1.07 kg/d versus 0.98 kg/d). Drinking speeds of AL calves were lesser (P < 0.05; 1,222 mL/min) than the 8L calves (1,453 mL/min). The AL calves and 8L calves were not different for hygiene scores or health scores. The results from this study indicate advantages to feeding dairy-beef calves ad libitum whole milk during the pre-weaning period.
75 Management of the Young Calf When Dams Are Limit-fed in Confinement
Authors: Grabau Morgan , Wilke Karla , Drewnoski Mary E
Published: May 2021

Limit-feeding cows in confinement can lower feed costs; however, calves have limited time to access feed. This study was designed to evaluate management options to economically improve calf performance. Calves (n = 54) were stratified by age (105 ± 16 DOA) and assigned randomly to one of nine groups, then each group assigned randomly to one of three treatments: 1) kept with dam with access to cow diet only (PAIRS) 2) early-weaned (EW) or 3) kept with dam with access to creep (CREEP). The cow diet was 54% wet distillers grains (WDGS), 37% straw, and 8% corn. This diet was fed to meet dry cow requirements (7.7 kg DM/d) for EW, lactation requirements (10.9 kg DM/d) in CREEP, and lactation requirements plus allow for some calf intake (14.8 kg DM/d) in PAIRS. The calf diet consisted of 51% alfalfa hay, 25% WDGS, and 22% corn. Calves in the EW had greater (P < 0.01) intake (5.0 kg DM/d) than CREEP (4.1 kg DM/d) from 105 to 203 DOA. Calf ADG differed (P < 0.01) among treatments from 105 to 203 DOA, with CREEP (1.29 kg/d) being greater (P = 0.02) than EW (1.01 kg/d) and both being greater (P ≤ 0.02) than PAIRS (0.74 kg/d). At ~203 DOA, PAIRS and CREEP were weaned and all calves were fed a growing diet. Calf intakes during the growing phase (223 to 314 DOA) did not differ (P = 0.39). However, calf ADG tended (P < 0.06) to differ. The ADG of PAIRS (1.13 kg/d) and EW (1.10 kg/d) did not differ (P = 0.67) but were greater (P ≤ 0.05) than CREEP (0.92 kg/d). However, when calf value and total feed costs were considered, creep resulted in the most return over feed costs at weaning as well as at the end of growing.
78 Winter Hardy Small Cereal Cover Crops for Grazing and Silage in Nebraska
Authors: Calus Kallie , Drewnoski Mary E , Redfearn Daren , Grabau Morgan , Mitchell Robert
Published: May 2021

Cereal rye, winter wheat, and winter triticale are commonly planted cover crops in corn and soybean systems and have the potential to provide early spring grazing. The three cover crops differ in growth pattern. Therefore, a study was conducted to investigate the grazing potential of the three species, including the timing of the start of grazing and nutritive value of forage as measured by growing calf gain. A 7.3 hectare field was divided into 9, 0.81-hectare paddocks. Three paddocks (n = 3 replicates per treatment) were randomly assigned to each treatment: variety not stated cereal rye, Pronghorn winter wheat, or NT11406 triticale. Pastures were seeded in Mid-September following early maturity soybean harvest and received no fertilizer. Fifty-four steers (305 kg SD ± 5 kg) were stratified by weight and assigned to one of nine groups which were then assigned to a paddock. The paddocks were split in half. Steers were turned out when forage reached a 12.7 cm height and rotated to the other half once the occupied half reached 5 cm. Grazing began April 3 for rye pastures and April 9 for triticale and wheat pastures. Two groups of cattle grazing rye were pulled April 29 due to limited forage. All remaining cattle were pulled May 8 to allow for soybean planting. Throughout the grazing period pre and post-graze biomass did not differ (P ≥ 0.36) among treatments. Average daily gain did not differ among treatments (P = 0.88) averaging 1.79, 1.86, 1.84 kg/day for rye, wheat and triticale, respectively. Likewise, gain per hectare did not differ (P = 0.80) among treatments with 378, 399, 394 kg/ha for rye, wheat, and triticale, respectively. Rye offered grazing a full week before triticale and wheat, but all three small grain cereal species resulted in desirable animal performance.
156 Effect of Anti-yeast on Sugarcane Silage Gas Production
Authors: Neto Geraldo Balieiro , Rosa Carlos Augusto , Sampaio José Paulo , de Moraes José Evandro , Junior Carlos Alberto Toquini , Salgueiro Laís Galerani , Freitas Acyr Wanderley De Paula
Published: May 2021

Although sugarcane produces a large amount of energy per hectare, its ensiled storage leads to losses, which makes it one of the most expensive options for animal feeding. These losses occur due to fermentation of sugars and organic acids by yeasts, producing alcohol and gas. Inoculants containing Lactobacillus buchneri increase acetic acid production, which has effect against yeast. In this study, we produced egg yolk antibodies (IgY) against yeasts that ferment lactate (Candida glabrata, Pichia kudriavzevii, and Pichia manshurica) and sugar (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Torulospora delbrueckii, Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Debaryomyces etchellsii) isolated in sugarcane silage. Shortly before ensiling, doses of 0, 175, 350, and 700 g/t IgY, and Lactobacillus buchneri were applied to chopped forage. Gas losses were calculated using experimental silos in triplicate, according to the equation: G = (PCf - PCa)/(MFf) × 100, in which: G = gas losses (kg/t); PCf = weight of full silo (equipped with a Bunsen valve to allow gas outflow) at sealing (kg); PCa = weight of full bucket at opening (kg); MFf = forage mass at sealing (kg). The data were analyzed as a completely randomized design and submitted to analysis of variance and regression using the SAS (SAS, 1998), which was chosen because of the significance of the regression parameters, tested by Tukey’s test (P < 0.05) and the values of the coefficients of determination. Thirty days after sealing the L. buchneri inoculant and doses of 350 and 700 g/t IgY promoted less gas losses than control that had no any product (12.74; 15.59 and 15.28 versus 27.74, respectively, P < 0.05) and the L. buchneri did not differ from IgY doses. The gas losses decreased quadratically with the anti-yeast addition, estimating maximum of 530 g/t fresh forage. We conclude that anti-yeast use reduces gas production during fermentation. With continuity of this research, we may obtain a roughage with higher nutritional value, as its mode of action in yeast control does not involve consumption of sugars or organic acids.
163 Relative Bioavailability of Bis-glycinate Bound Copper in Beef Steers Fed a High Antagonist Growing Diet
Authors: Deters Erin L , VanDerWal Allison , VanValin Katherine , Hansen Stephanie L
Published: May 2021

To assess relative bioavailability of an organic Cu source, 90 Angus-cross steers (265 ± 21 kg) were blocked by body weight to pens with GrowSafe bunks and randomly assigned to dietary Cu treatments (14–18 steers/treatment): 0 mg Cu/kg dry matter (DM; CON), 5 or 10 mg Cu/kg DM as Cu sulfate (CS5; CS10) or chelated bis-glycinate Cu (GLY5; GLY10). Steers were fed a common high antagonist growing diet (0.48% S; 5.3 mg Mo/kg DM; 4.9 mg Cu/kg DM). Blood was collected from all steers on d 0, 28, 56, 84 and 124. Liver samples were collected at trial beginning (d -3/-2) and end (d 125/126). Data were analyzed using ProcMixed of SAS (experimental unit = steer; fixed effect = treatment; random effect = block). Plasma Cu was analyzed as repeated measures (repeated effect = day). Plasma and liver Cu concentrations were regressed against Cu intake using ProcGLM to calculate relative bioavailability of GLY. Initial liver Cu did not differ between treatments (P ≥ 0.63), but final liver Cu was lesser in CON versus steers supplemented 5 or 10 mg Cu/kg DM from either source (P ≤ 0.09). Final liver Cu was greater for CS versus GLY (P < 0.01). Plasma Cu for all treatments decreased through d 28; final plasma Cu was greatest for steers supplemented either source at 10 mg Cu/kg DM (treatment × day P < 0.01). Relative bioavailability of GLY was 82% compared to CS (P < 0.01) based on liver Cu but did not differ based on plasma Cu (P = 0.60). High concentrations of dietary antagonists and lower solubility of GLY (68.9% relative to CS) in rumen-like conditions (pH 5.2) may have resulted in free thiomolybdate absorption across the rumen wall and subsequent depletion of liver Cu stores in GLY supplemented steers.
157 Effects of Monensin and Protein Type on Performance of Yearling Steers Grazing Smooth Brome
Authors: Carlson Zachary E , Butterfield Kylie , McPhillips Levi J , Erickson Galen E , MacDonald James C
Published: May 2021

A two-yr study was conducted to evaluate the effects of monensin on sparing ruminal degradable protein in yearling steers grazing smooth bromegrass pastures (n = 288, initial BW = 332 kg, SD = 7). Treatment design was a 2 x 3 factorial with the following factors: 1) 0 or 200 mg monensin/steer daily; 2) no protein supplement, 1.25 kg soybean meal (SBM) as a source of RDP, or 1.31 kg non-enzymatically browned SBM as a source of RUP. Steers receiving supplemental protein were provided isonitrogenous amounts equivalent to dried distillers grains plus solubles at 0.50% BW. Steers were weighed approximately every 34 d to adjusted the amount of protein supplement. There was no interaction (P > 0.41) of monensin by protein type for average daily gain (ADG). Rate of gain for steers supplemented monensin was not different (P = 0.26) from steers not supplemented monensin. However, monensin supplemented steers numerically gained 7.9% more than steers not provided monensin when no supplemental protein was provided. Compared to steers supplemented with no protein, supplementing RDP increased ADG by 0.19 kg/steer (P < 0.001). Likewise, RUP supplementation increased ADG by 0.24 kg/steer (P < 0.001) compared to steers supplemented no protein. Supplementing RUP increased ADG by 0.05 kg/steer (P < 0.001) compared to steers supplemented RDP. Supplementing protein, especially rumen undegradable protein, improved yearling steer rate of gain on smooth bromegrass pastures. Monensin supplementation did not improve rate of gain. These data do not support the protein-sparing effects of monensin for steers supplemented with RDP.
252 Effects of Increasing Urea in Corn Silage Diets and Duration of Ensiling on the Rumen Undegradable Protein Content of Corn Silage
Authors: Spore Tyler , Jolly-Breithaupt Melissa L , Meier Nolan , Erickson Galen E , Klopfenstein Terry J , MacDonald James C , Watson Andrea K
Published: May 2021

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of increasing urea in a corn silage cattle diet and ensiling time (ET) impact on rumen undegradable crude protein (RUP) content of corn silage. In Exp. 1, ten ruminally- and duodenally cannulated heifers (body weight 265 ± 16 kg) were utilized in a 4 × 4 Latin square design and treatments were urea included at 0, 0.5, 1, or 1.5% of dietary dry matter (DM). In Exp. 2, corn silage samples were collected during feedout at 32-d intervals from the time of ensiling (d 0) to 160 d post-ensiling followed by separation in water to forage and grain components. Forage and grain samples were ruminally incubated in two steers to calculate RUP content of corn silage. In Exp. 1, DM intake increased linearly from 5.7 to 6.8 kg/d as urea inclusion increased (P < 0.001). Apparent total tract digestibility of DM and organic matter increased linearly from 55.8% to 60.8%, and 60.1% to 64.9%, respectively (P < 0.001). Total tract digestibility of neutral and acid detergent fiber increased linearly with increasing urea inclusion (P ≤ 0.004). In Exp. 2, the RUP content of the corn grain component decreased from 43.7% of CP at day 0 to 15.8% and 10.0% of CP after 32 and 96 d of ensiling, respectively (quadratic, P < 0.01). The RUP content of the forage averaged 19.3% of CP across ET ranging from 21.5 to 17.8% of CP (P ≥ 0.28). Estimated from the individual components, the RUP content of whole corn silage decreased from 32% to 17.1% of CP after 160 d in storage, a portion of which is digestible. Urea supplementation improved digestibility of corn silage diets and RUP content of corn silage decreased with storage time, primarily driven by changes in the corn grain component.
253 Impact of Corn Hybrid Selection for Fiber and Starch Traits on in Vivo Nutrient Digestion in Beef Cattle
Authors: Xiong Jiehua , Norman Mitch , Wilson Hannah , Crabtree Caleb , Erickson Galen E
Published: May 2021

Evaluation of corn silage digestibility is normally done using laboratory techniques to predict the performance if fed to cattle, which may or may not predict actual performance when fed to cattle. The objective of this study was to evaluate two Masters Choice corn silage hybrids previously selected for improved fiber and starch digestion on nutrient intake and digestion in cattle. In a 126-day digestion study, six ruminally fistulated beef steers were utilized in a 3×6 Latin rectangle design with three dietary treatments and six periods (21 days in length with 14 days of adaptation and 7 days of collection). Diets consisted of 80% corn silage (dry matter basis) of Masters Choice hybrid MCT6365 RIB (MC1; selected for greater fiber and starch digestion) and MCT6733 GT3000 (MC2; older hybrid selected for greater fiber digestion) and were compared to a conventional corn hybrid (CON; commonly grown in Eastern Nebraska). The remainder of the diet included 15% modified distillers grains plus solubles and 5% supplement. Corn silage hybrid did not impact dry matter or organic matter (OM) intake (P ≥ 0.68), but hybrid treatment impacted OM, starch, and energy digestibility (P < 0.02). Steers fed MC1 corn silage had greater (P < 0.01) total tract OM and energy digestibility, as well as digestible energy (DE, P = 0.02) content of the diet when compared to MC2, with steers fed CON being intermediate (P ≥ 0.09). Feeding MC1 also resulted in greater (P = 0.03) total tract starch digestibility than MC2, with no difference (P = 0.12) when compared to CON. Results indicated that feeding MC1 corn silage improved digestion and energy availability to the steers, which allowed for greater average daily gain and improved feed efficiency observed in the corresponding growing trial, while the opposite was true for MC2.
251 Effects of Roughage Source on Rumination Time and Ruminal Ph in Steers Fed a Steam-flaked Corn Finishing Diet
Authors: Smith Wyatt , Lockard Catherine , Lockard Caleb , Homolka Megan , Karr Kendall , Holland Ben , Word Alyssa , Jennings Jenny
Published: May 2021

Research is limited on how physically effective fiber from various roughage sources aids in rumination time and ruminal pH of finishing beef cattle. This experiment’s objective was to evaluate rumination time and ruminal pH of beef steers consuming finishing diets with varying roughage sources (corn stalks, cotton burrs, or wheat silage). We hypothesized that roughage type would not impact rumination time and ruminal pH if different sources provide similar dietary neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Ruminally cannulated steers (n = 6; average BW = 644.56 + 13.15 kg) were used in a 3 × 3 replicated Latin square with 3 dietary treatments and 3, 21-d periods (20-d diet adaptation, 1-d sampling). Steers consumed a steam-flaked corn-based finishing diet containing corn stalks (CS), cotton burrs (CB), or wheat silage (WS) included at 7% (DM basis) of the diet. Dietary NDF was similar across treatments. Steers were fitted with a sensory collar to record daily rumination (Allflex Livestock Intelligence). Ruminal pH was measured using a handheld pH probe on d-21 at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24 hr postprandial. The NDF and dry matter intake (DMI) were greatest for steers consuming the WS diet (P < 0.01) while CS and CB diets did not differ (P = 0.81). While dietary NDF and estimated physically effective NDF (peNDF) were similar among roughage sources, CB had the lowest actual peNDF, consistent with lower rumination time (P < 0.01) and lower ruminal pH (P = 0.29). This experiment’s results indicate that roughage source impacted rumination time despite feeding steers a steam-flaked corn-based finishing diet with similar roughage and NDF levels. Using rumination time (min/d) to determine peNDF was a better indicator of rumen function parameters than particle size measured via the Penn State Particle Separator equation.
278 Effect of Feeding CARS on Digestibility in Finishing Cattle Diets
Authors: Gibbons John , Watson Andrea K , Erickson Galen E , Spore Tyler , Wilson Hannah , Wilson Jonathan W , Butterfield Kylie
Published: May 2021

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the digestibility of a novel liquid feed, Condensed Algal Residue Solubles (Veramaris, Blair, NE) in finishing cattle diets. Mass production of algae to harvest omega-3 fatty acids results in byproduct production of CARS (25.4% DM, 19.3% CP, 8.3% Fat, 9.96% Na on DM basis), made up of the de-oiled algae cells and residual fermentation substrates. The CARS product has generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status. Six ruminally and duodenally cannulated crossbred steers were assigned randomly to 1 of 3 treatments over 3 collection periods, for a 3 x 3 replicated Latin Square design. Treatments differed by increasing inclusion of CARS (0, 2.5, and 5% of diet DM) fed with CARS replacing steam flaked corn (72, 69.5, and 67% of diet DM as CARS inclusion increased). All diets contained 15% dry distillers grains, 8% alfalfa haylage, and 5% supplement. Cattle were dosed with 10 g of titanium dioxide per day. Duodenal and fecal samples were collected four times per day across four days and composited by period for each animal. Fecal samples were analyzed for titanium dioxide concentration to determine fecal output and diet digestibility. Data were analyzed with CARS inclusion and period as fixed effects and animal as a random effect. Orthogonal contrasts were used to test linear and quadratic effects of CARS inclusion. There were no significant differences for DM intake and OM intake between the different CARS inclusions (P ≥ 0.17), averaging 7.76 kg DM/d and 6.94 kg OM/d. Total tract DM digestibility was not affected by treatment (P ≥ 0.71) and averaged 73.0%. Total tract OM digestibility was also not different between treatments (P ≥ 0.93) and averaged 71.1%. Replacing steam flaked corn with CARS up to 5% of diet DM in finishing cattle diets did not affect diet digestibility.
277 Survey of Feedlot Nutritionists Provides Insight on How Industry Professionals Gather Practical Information
Authors: Rients Emma L , VanDerWal Allison , Reynolds Mary E , Loy Daniel D , Hansen Stephanie L
Published: May 2021

A survey of feedlot nutritionists was conducted regarding how industry professionals use published resources. Surveys were included in the spring 2020 mailing to 550 potential attendees of the Plains Nutrition Council meeting. Sixty-two responses were returned via postal service or an online survey platform (Qualtrics). Participants were asked to rank the importance of types of resources, peer-reviewed journals and learning platforms, and demographic questions. A scale of 1 to 5 was used, with 1 being not important and 5 being most important. Data were analyzed using PROC FREQ in SAS 9.4. An overwhelming majority of participants, 90%, reported serving the Plains and Midwest regions, with service split evenly between the regions. Seventy-nine percent of participants reported having a Ph.D. or other professional degree. Interestingly, 43% of participants reported having less than 16 years of professional nutritional consulting experience, and 39% reported having greater than 26 years of experience with the balance reporting in between. Of the resources offered, 87% of participants ranked peer reviewed journals as a 4 or 5, indicating they are one of the most important resources. Eighty percent of respondents found open access publications important (4 or 5), while only 49% said the same for articles accessed via membership/subscription. For Journal of Animal Science, 84% indicated an importance of 4 or 5. Not surprisingly, 75% responded as being a member of ASAS but only 34% responded as attending national or sectional ASAS meetings. This suggests a large population uses memberships for journals and other resources, but not for meetings. Participants were able to write in additional resources they find valuable, and 9 of 14 participants who listed additional resources responded with some form of in-house or commercial research. Through these data, feedlot nutrition researchers can better understand how to reach intended audiences in future publications.
274 Effects of Revalor ih/revalor-200 Re-implant Program or Revalor-xh on Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Finishing Heifers Fed for 179, 200, or 221 Days
Authors: Nuttelman Brandon L , Hutcheson John P , Nichols Wade T , Streeter Marshall N , Crawford Grant I , Walter Lee-Anne J , Renter David G , Amrine David , Depenbusch Brandon , Wells Tyler
Published: May 2021

The objective of this study was to compare feedlot performance and carcass traits between two implant programs in heifers harvested at 3 different days on feed (DOF; 179, 200, or 221 d). Crossbred beef heifers (n = 3,084; 291 + 3.9 kg) were used in a 2×3 factorial arrangement of treatments in a randomized complete block design. Revalor-IH (80 mg TBA and 8 mg E2) was administered on arrival followed by Revalor-200 (200 mg TBA and 20 mg E2) 94 d before harvest (IH/200) or Revalor-XH (80 mg TBA and 8 mg E2, uncoated; 120 mg TBA and 12 mg E2, coated) was administered on arrival (XH). No implant × DOF interaction was detected (P ≥ 0.09) for any parameter. Heifers subjected to IH/200 had greater (P ≤ 0.01) final BW, ADG (P < 0.01) and G:F (P = 0.01). As DOF increased, BW increased (P ≤ 0.01) while ADG (P<0.01) and G:F (P ≤ 0.01) decreased. Hot carcass weight was greater (P = 0.01) for IH/200 compared with XH (367 vs. 361 kg, respectively). Heifers receiving XH had greater marbling scores (P = 0.02; 582 vs. 568) and BF (P = 0.01; 1.78 vs 1.70 cm) compared with IH/200 while re-implanted heifers had increased (P = 0.01) REA (86.5 vs. 83.2 cm2). Heifers implanted with XH tended to be fatter than those implanted with IH/200 having a greater (P = 0.01) proportion of USDA Prime and fewer (P<0.01) USDA Select. Increasing DOF increased (P ≤ 0.03) HCW, DP, BF, REA, marbling, and proportion of USDA Prime carcasses. Growth performance and HCW were increased for IH/200 compared with XH heifers. Increasing DOF resulted in poorer ADG and G:F but increased HCW.
67 Current Status and Future Prospective of the Use of Plant Bioactive Compounds in Dairy and Beef Cattle
Authors: Calsamiglia Sergio , Rodriguez-Prado Maria , Fernandez-Turren Gonzalo , Castillejos Lorena
Published: May 2021

In the last 20 years there has been extensive in vitro research on the effects of plant extracts and essential oils on rumen microbial fermentation. The main objectives have been to improve energy metabolism through a reduction in methane emissions and an increase in propionate production; and to improve protein metabolism by reducing proteolysis and deamination. While the positive results from in vitro studies has stimulated the release of commercial products based on blends of essential oils, there is limited in vivo evidence on the rumen fermentation and production performance effects. A literature search was conducted to select in vivo studies where information on rumen fermentation and animal performance was reported. For dairy cattle, we identified 37 studies of which 21 were adequate to test production performance. Ten studies reported increases and 3 decreases in milk yield. For beef cattle, we identified 20 studies with rumen fermentation profile and 22 with performance data. Average daily gain improved in 7 and decreased in 1 study. Only 1 out of 16 studies reported an improvement in feed efficiency. Data indicate that out of more than 500 products tested in vitro, only around 20 have been tested in vivo in different mixtures and doses. The use of statistical approaches will allow to describe the conditions, doses and responses in dairy and beef cattle performance. The search for postruminal effects offers another alternative use. Evidence for effects on the intestinal and systemic effects on the immune system and antioxidant status (i.e., capsicum, garlic, eugenol, cinnamaldehyde curcuma, catechins, anethol or pinene), and in the modulation of metabolic regulation (capsicum, cinnamaldehyde, curcuma or garlic) may open the opportunity for future applications. However, stability of the product in the GI tract, description of the mechanisms of action and the impact of these changes on performance needs to be further demonstrated.
146 Association Between Gilts and Sows Body Condition and Reproductive Performance
Authors: Huerta Isaac , Fernandez Pilar , Vier Carine M , Aguero Carmen , Lu Ning , Blanco Patricia , Sala Ruben , Cast Wayne R , Orlando Uislei A
Published: May 2021

Our objective was to determine the association between gilts and sows body condition (BC) with reproductive performance. Data from 4,543 gilts (PIC Landrace, Hendersonville TN) was collected from January 2017 and July 2019 in a 5,000-sow farm located in Spain. The sow caliper was used to assess BC and was measured in units. Measurements were taken pre-farrowing at d 110 to 113 of gestation and at the day of weaning. Caliper units were used to classify gilt BC at farrowing as thin (< 12), ideal (12–15) and fat (>15). Caliper loss was determined as the caliper units at weaning minus the caliper units pre-farrowing. Response variables included total born, retention rate up to parity 3, total pigs born and total pigs weaned up to parity 3 per gilt served. Tested predictors included BC at farrowing, caliper loss during lactation, number of weaned pigs, lactation length, age at first breeding, wean-to-estrus interval. Data were analyzed with the lm and glm functions from the stats package in R, and final models were selected based on backwards elimination. There was a significant interaction between gilt BC at farrowing and caliper loss in the first lactation. Gilts in ideal condition at farrowing had greater (P < 0.05) retention rate and number of total pigs born and total pigs weaned per gilt served up to parity 3 compared to thin and fat gilts. Fat gilts that lost more than 3 caliper units during lactation had further reduction in retention rate and productivity up to parity 3 compared to fat gilts that lost up to 3 caliper units. For every unit of caliper lost during the first, second, and third lactation, subsequent total born was reduced (P < 0.05) by 0.27, 0.12, and 0.19 pigs, respectively. Results indicated that over-conditioned females are negatively associated with retention and productivity up to parity 3.
149 Evaluation of Hammermill Tip Speed, Air Assist, and Screen Hole Diameter on Ground Corn Characteristics
Authors: Braun Michaela B , Dunmire Kara M , Sodak Michael , Shepherd Jerry , Fisher Randy , Coble Kyle , Paulk Chad B , Stark Charles R
Published: May 2021

This study was performed to evaluate hammermill tip speed, assistive airflow and screen hole diameter on hammermill throughput and characteristics of ground corn. Corn was ground using two Andritz hammermills (Model: 4330–6, Andritz Feed & Biofuel, Muncy,PA) measuring 1-m in diameter each equipped with 72 hammers and 300 HP motors. Treatments were arranged in a 3 × 3 × 3 factorial design with 3 tip speeds (3,774, 4,975, and 6,176 m/min), 3 screen hole diameters (2.3, 3.9 and 6.3 mm), and 3 air flow rates (1,062, 1,416, and 1,770 fan RPM). Corn was ground on 3 separate days to create 3 replications and treatments were randomized within day. Samples were collected and analyzed for moisture, particle size, and flowability characteristics. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS 9.4 with grinding run serving as the experimental unit and day serving as the block. There was a 3-way interaction for standard deviation (Sgw), (linear screen hole diameter × linear hammer tip speed × linear air flow, P = 0.029). There was a screen hole diameter × hammer tip speed interaction (P < 0.001) for geometric mean particle size dgw (P < 0.001) and composite flow index (CFI) (P < 0.001). When tip speed increased from 3,774 to 6,176 m/min the rate of decrease in dgw was greater as screen hole diameter increased from 2.3 to 6.3 mm resulting in a 67, 111, and 254 µm decrease in dgw for corn ground using the 2.3, 3.9, and 6.3 mm screen hole diameter, respectively. For CFI, increasing tip speed decreased the CFI of ground corn when ground using the 3.9 and 6.3 mm screen. However, when grinding corn using the 2.3 mm screen, there was no evidence of difference in CFI when increasing tip speed. In conclusion, the air flow rate did not influence dgw of corn but hammer tip speed and screen size were altered and achieved a range of dgw from 304 to 617 µm.
147 Effect of Within-pen Variation in Weaning Weight on the Growth Performance of Nursery Pigs
Authors: Morris Jenny R , Ellis Michael , Shull Caleb M
Published: May 2021

This study evaluated the effect of housing newly-weaned pigs in uniform versus mixed weight groups on nursery growth performance (5.9 ± 1.1 to 26.2 ± 2.9 kg BW). Pigs were assigned to a weaning weight (WW) quartile: Q1 (light; 4.2 ± 0.1 kg), Q2 (medium-light; 5.5 ± 0.1 kg), Q3 (medium-heavy; 6.3 ± 0.2 kg), and Q4 (heavy; 7.5 ± 0.1 kg). A RCBD was used (blocking factor = start date) with 5 treatments: Control (equal number of pigs from each quartile); Uniform Q1 (all pigs from Q1); Uniform Q2 (all pigs from Q2); Uniform Q3 (all pigs from Q3); Uniform Q4 (all pigs from Q4). There were 16 replicates and 3,503 pigs, with mixed-gender pens of 44. Pen was the experimental unit; data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS (fixed effect = treatment; random effect = replicate). Overall ADG and ADFI increased (P < 0.05) according to WW quartile for the Uniform treatments, with the Control being intermediate. There were no differences (P > 0.05) between treatments for Overall G:F. A contrast statement was used to compare Control to the mean of all 4 Uniform treatments. Compared to Control, the mean of the 4 Uniform treatments had similar (P > 0.05) overall ADG (0.44 vs. 0.44 kg, respectively) and ADFI (0.72 vs. 0.68 kg, respectively), but greater (P < 0.05) overall G:F (0.637 vs. 0.611, respectively). Comparison of pigs from each quartile within Control pens with the respective quartile in Uniform pens suggested no effect (P > 0.05) of weight quartile on ADG (respective means for Control vs Uniform: Q1 0.34 vs. 0.36 kg; Q2 0.39 vs. 0.40 kg; Q3 0.42 vs. 0.42 kg; Q4 0.47 vs. 0.45 kg). These results suggest that penning nursery pigs in uniform versus mixed weight groups had limited effect on growth performance.
148 Effects of the Immunization Against Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone in Gilts and Boars Under Commercial Conditions
Authors: Lima Gustavo , Camargos Angélica , Cavalcante Rosiel , Vier Carine M , Lu Ning , Orlando Uislei A , Siqueira Amanda , Silva Fabyano , Silva Caio
Published: May 2021

Our objective was to determine the effects of immunocastration on growth performance, carcass characteristics and reproductive tract traits of gilts and boars. A total of 1,584 gilts and boars (PIC 337 x Camborough®, 6.11±0.29 kg, 20.64±0.81 days of age) were blocked by weaning group, and the gilt pens were randomly allotted to 1 of 2 treatments, which consisted of: T1) non-immunocastrated gilts, T2) immunocastrated gilts; whereas the boar pens were alloted to: T3) immunocastrated barrows. There were a total of 12 pens per treatment for T1 and T2, and 24 pens per treatment for T3, with 33 pigs per pen. The immunization against gonadotropin-releasing hormone (administrated with Vivax®, Zoetis, São Paulo, SP, Brazil) was given at 108±1.16 and 143±1.16 days of age (21 days before harvest). Growth performance was assessed from day 143 of age until harvest. Performance data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS with pen as the experimental unit, and carcass and reproductive tract data were analyzed with pig as the experimental unit. Initial (day 143) and final (day 164) body weights were greater (P < 0.05) for T3 than T1 or T2, with no evidence for differences between T1 and T2 (P > 0.05). There were no evidence for treatment differences (P > 0.05) for average daily gain and feed efficiency. Average daily feed intake was reduced (P < 0.05) for T1 compared to T2 or T3. Hot carcass weight and lean content were greater (P < 0.05) and backfat thickness was thinner (P < 0.05) for T3 compared to T1 or T2, but no evidence for treatment differences (P > 0.05) were observed for loin depth. The ovary weights and the percentage of ovulatory follicles were greater (P < 0.05) for T1 compared to T2. Results of this study show no evidence for differences for immunocastration on growth performance of gilts or barrows. However, immunocastration influenced gilts’ reproductive tract traits.
241 Evaluation of a DFM and OA, Alone or in Combination, on Sow Reproductive and Litter Growth Performance
Authors: Thayer Morgan T , Richert Jacob A , Rulon Karissa N , Asmus Matthew D , Jones Daniel B , Radcliffe John S , Richert Brian T
Published: May 2021

Forty-seven sows and their progeny were used to determine if feeding gestating and lactating sows a Bacillus licheniformis direct-fed microbial (DFM), an organic acid blend of medium chain and short chain fatty acids (OA), or in combination improves sow lactation feed and water intake, litter growth, and subsequent reproductive performance. On approximately d80 of gestation, sows were fed one of four diets in a 2 x 2 factorial design: 1) gestation control (CON; 0.55% SID Lysine), 2) CON with DFM (1.6x109 CFU/kg of complete feed), 3) CON with 0.4% OA, 4) CON with both DFM and OA. Dietary treatments were also fed throughout lactation (1.00% SID Lysine) starting on approximately d112 of gestation when sows entered farrowing facility. There was a tendency (P = 0.079) for DFM to decrease the amount of sow body weight loss in lactation by approximately 6% compared to sows not consuming the DFM, likely related to DFM sows numerically (P = 0.124) consuming 8.4% more feed during d7-14 of lactation. Sows fed the OA diets had fewer mummies/litter (P = 0.038) compared to diets not containing OA. Sows fed diets with the DFM gave birth to lighter pigs born alive (P = 0.003) compared to non-DFM fed sows, and a tendency for an interaction (P = 0.092) existed where feeding OA+DFM lessened the decrease in born alive BW. There was an interaction tendency (P = 0.133) where sows fed DFM returned to estrus 22 hours sooner than CON, but only 8 hours sooner when sows were fed the OA+DFM diet. In conclusion, feeding a Bacillus licheniformis DFM to sows may decrease pig born alive weight but reduce sow BW loss through 6.4% more lactation feed intake, quickening the return to estrus. Feeding the OA alone or in combination did not improve sow reproductive and litter growth performance in this study, and may require a larger sample size.
242 Evaluation of a DFM and OA, Alone or in Combination, on Sow Offspring’s Nursery Growth Performance
Authors: Thayer Morgan T , Richert Jacob A , Rulon Karissa N , Asmus Matthew D , Jones Daniel B , Schinckel Allan P , Radcliffe John S , Richert Brian T
Published: May 2021

Progeny from sows fed diets containing a Bacillus licheniformis direct-fed microbial (DFM), an organic acid blend of medium and short chain fatty acids (OA), DFM+OA, or a control (CON) diet from d80 of gestation until weaning were used to determine if feeding CON, DFM, OA, or DFM+OA to the dam and/or progeny post-weaning improved nursery growth performance. Weaned pigs from 47 dams (n = 384, Initial BW=6.15 kg) were blocked by initial BW and sex and allotted (6 pigs/pen, 8 pens/treatment) to one of 8 nursery treatments. Pigs from CON sows were fed a negative (NC; no antibiotics, pharmacological Zn or Cu) or positive [PC; Neo-Terramycin phases 1 and 2 (827 and 551 ppm) and Carbadox phase 3 (55 ppm)] control diet. Pigs from sows fed DFM, OA, or DFM+OA were fed the NC diet or a diet representative of their dam. Diets with DFM contained 1.6x109 CFU/kg DFM and diets with OA contained 0.5, 0.4, and 0.3% OA in phases 1–3, respectively. Weaning weight was used as a covariate for nursery performance. For all phases and overall, PC fed pigs had greater ADG, ADFI, and G:F (P < 0.05). Feeding DFM or OA in sow diets improved (interaction; P< 0.042) nursery pig G:F, but DFM+OA offspring had no improvement for d7–14, 0–14, and 0–21 G:F. Feeding DFM or OA to sows and their progeny decreased ADFI (interaction; P < 0.042) but improved G:F (interaction; P < 0.028) for d7–14 and 0–14 with DFM+OA having no improvement above CON. For d14–21 and 0–21, feeding DFM or OA to sows and their progeny decreased ADFI whereas DFM+OA increased ADFI above CON (interaction; P < 0.019). In conclusion, feeding DFM or OA to sows or their offspring may improve nursery feed efficiency and feeding DFM+OA diet to sows and their progeny may increase ADFI late in the nursery period.
237 Stable Performance with Reduced Antibiotic Use in Piglets Vaccinated with an E. coli F4/F18 Vaccine for the Prevention of F18-ETEC Post-weaning Diarrhea
Authors: Vangroenweghe Frédéric A
Published: May 2021

Post-weaning Escherichia coli diarrhea (PWD) remains a major cause of economic losses for the pig industry. PWD, caused by enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), typically provokes mild to severe watery diarrhea between 5–10 days after weaning. Recently, an oral live bivalent E. coli F4/F18 vaccine (Coliprotec® F4/F18; Elanco) was approved on the European market, which reduces the impact of PWD provoked by F4-ETEC and F18-ETEC. The objective was to compare technical results and antibiotic use following E. coli F4/F18 vaccination with previous standard therapeutic approach under field conditions. A 1600-sow farm (weaning at 26 days) with diagnosed problems of PWD due to F18-ETEC was selected. Piglets were vaccinated at 21 days with the oral live bivalent E. coli F4/F18 vaccine. At weaning, no standard group medication (ZnO and antibiotics) was applied for prevention of PWD. Several performance parameters were collected: treatment incidence (TI100), mortality and days in nursery. Statistical analysis was performed using JMP 14.0 – comparison of means. Oral E. coli F4/F18 vaccination significantly reduced TI100 (7 ± 2 days to 0 ± 1 days; P < 0.05). Mortality rate remained stable (2.05% in Control to 1.96% in Vaccinated group; P < 0.05). Days in nursery (40 ± 3 days) remained at the same level compared to pre-vaccination. The results show that live E. coli F4/F18 vaccination against PWD has led to similar technical performance parameters and mortality, in combination with a significant reduction in medication use. In conclusion, control of PWD through oral vaccination is a successful option in order to prevent piglets from the negative clinical outcomes of F18-ETEC infection during the post-weaning period.
13 Using Cameras to Predict Estrus and Ovulation
Authors: Shull Caleb M
Published: May 2021

One of the leading challenges facing the swine industry in recent years that will likely continue has been assembling a talented work force that can consistently execute farm protocols. Talented labor is difficult to find and animal husbandry is becoming a lost art. One production task that particularly requires skill is timely detection of estrus in gilts and sows. While recruiting and training talented people must remain a priority, it is important to pursue solving these problems such as estrus detection by other means, and technology utilization offers a viable path forward. Camera technologies have the potential to not only reduce the need for skilled labor to assess signs of estrus, but improve the ability to inseminate in a timely manner prior to ovulation, which could lead to improved fertility and a reduction in total sperm per mating. Several studies have been conducted to evaluate the use of infrared thermal cameras for detecting body surface temperature changes in sows. Variations in anatomical location, external ambient temperature, skin moisture, and camera technology used all have the potential to impact the applicability of those measurements. There is some evidence in the literature that vulva surface temperature or, perhaps more interesting, its relationship with other anatomical body surface locations may offer predictability of the onset of estrus and warrants additional research. It is also generally accepted that sow behavior and activity level changes, especially in the presence of boars, during the onset of estrus. Camera technologies have the ability to continuously monitor changes in temperature and behavior and offer exciting opportunities for future development.