bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
PSXIII-17 Comparative Study on epididymal spermatozoa parameters of Large White × Landrace and Windsnyer boars
Authors: Netshirovha Thivhilaheli Richard , Lubisi Mfanuzile Welcome , Raphalalani Zwivhuya Constance 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Windsnyer pigs are an early maturity breeds that grows slower than Large White x Landrace pigs. There is a concern that the genetic variation in the Windsnyer pig breed is becoming extinct. The aim of the study was to compare semen quality of epididymal spermatozoa derived from slaughtered Large White x Landrace (n = 15) and Windsnyer (n = 15) boars aged between 10 to 12 wk with an average body weight (BW) of 20.0 ± 2.60 kg were used. Boars were fed ad libitum, and water was made available through nipple drinker for a period of 3 mo, were humanely slaughtered following the routine abattoir protocols. Semen was collected from the head of epididymis of Windsnyer and Large White x Landrace testicles. Spermatozoa samples were extracted from the head of epididymus by making incision with a razor. Semen samples were then evaluated for semen volume, pH, sperm concentration, morphology. Sperm motility was evaluated using Computer-Aided Sperm Analyser. Analysis of variance was used to test the difference between the breeds. The average percentage of Windsnyer and Large White x Landrace sperm total motility was 92.4 ± 4.0 and 94.0 ± 4.1 %, respectively (P &gt; 0.05). The sperm velocity on the curve line for Windsnyer was less (147.2 ± 39.2) compared with the Large White x Landrace (178.3 ± 30.1µm/s; P &gt; 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed between the two breeds for rapid sperm and total sperm motility. No significant differences were observed in Windsnyer and Large x Landrace boar epididymal boar semen volume (8.2 and 9.0 mL, respectively) or semen pH (7.0). The average sperm concentration for Windsnyer and Large White x Landrace boar was [2.5 ± 1.2 and 1.1 ± 1.0 (x109 mL-1], respectively (P &gt; 0.05). There were no significant differences between Windsnyer and Large White x Landrace boar in abnormal sperm morphology. However, sperm with distal, head, and midpiece abnormalities were significantly different in Windsnyer (14.0 ± 3.6; 3.6 ± 6.0 and 3.4 ± 3.7% and Large White x Landrace boar (5.4 ± 4.7; 4.7 ± 1.0 and 0.4 ± 1.0%), respectively. In conclusion, Windsnyer had more distal, head and midpiece epididymal sperm abonormalities than Large White x Landrace boars.
PSXIII-14 Effect of melatonin supplementation during in vitro embryo culture on cleavage rates following in vitro maturation and fertilization of bovine oocytes
Authors: Singh Mahipal , Irving Alexis , Abolude Abosede , Moawad Adel , Ma Xiaoling , Kouakou Brou 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
In vitro embryo production (IVEP) is an important advanced reproductive technology and has great potential in enhancing livestock production. However, in vitro culture (IVC) of embryos exposes them to stress resulting in compromising quality and efficiency of embryo production. Melatonin has been reported in several studies to reduce oxidative stress and improve the efficiency of IVEP. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of melatonin supplementation in IVC media on cleavage rates of bovine embryos. Bovine ovaries (n = 22) were obtained from local abattoir with ovarian weight of 7.29 ± 3.31 g, and size of 3.65 ± 0.69 cm. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were recovered from 2 to 8 mm size follicles by aspiration using an 18-gauge needle attached with a 10 mL syringe. COCs were matured, fertilized, and cultured in vitro using IVF Bioscience bovine media and their protocols. Oocytes were in vitro matured for 23 h at 38.8°C, 5.5% CO2 in a humidified atmosphere and assessed for maturation by assessing COC expansion. Fully expanded and partially expanded COCs were fertilized for 20 h in a 4-well dish with frozen/thawed bull semen. Following IVF, the cumulus cells were removed by vertexing, and the presumptive zygotes were cultured in vitro with and without 1 µM melatonin in 4-well dishes in triplicates under the oil for embryo development at 38.8°C and 5.5% CO2. Cleavage rates were determined on d 3 of culture. The percentage of cleaved embryos was calculated as (number of zygotes cleaved/total number of fertilized oocytes) x100. Data were analyzed by student’s unpaired t- test with Welch’s correction using GraphPad Prism software. The cleavage rate was greater in melatonin supplemented group (54.17 ± 11.24%) than the control (49.83 ± 7.36%) but the difference was not significant (P &gt; 0.05). In conclusion, under our experimental conditions, melatonin supplementation during embryo culture, following IVM/IVF of the bovine oocytes, did not significantly improve cleavage rates.
PSXI-4 Effect of annual forage diversity on soil nitrous oxide emissions in semiarid Canadian Prairies
Authors: Machado Pedro Ferrari , Alemu Aklilu W , Akhter Fardausi , Iwaasa Alan D , Lemke Reynald , Luce Mervin St , Nimegeers Jason , Tedla Haben Asgedom , May William 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Nitrogen transformation, either from organic amendments or synthetic fertilizers, contributes to nitrous oxide (N2O) emission, a potent greenhouse gas from agricultural soils. In grazing systems, N2O emissions can occur in both stages of production, during the forage growth phase mainly related to fertilizer use and residue transformations as well as the animal phase from animal excreta deposition and transformation. Different management practices with potential to reduce N2O emissions, including the adoption of diverse forage mixtures (poly cropping) has gained attention. Poly cropping can promote high resource use efficiency and influence edaphic-climatic conditions, major controllers for soil N2O emissions. However, information on the effect of poly cropping on soil N2O emissions in the Canadian Prairies under semiarid climate and Brown Chernozem soils is limited. The overall objective of this study was to explore the potential of using poly crop mixtures as an alternative feed source for Canadian beef cattle and its impact on soil N2O emissions. Three treatments were considered: i) control, forage oat monoculture, ii) simple mix, containing four different annual forage species (forage oat, forage pea, forage brassica, and hairy vetch), and iii) complex mix containing eight annual forage species (forage oat, forage pea, barley, forage brassica, hairy vetch, red proso millet, teff grass, and, chicory). Treatments were established in a completely randomized block design scheme with three replicates. The study was conducted at the Swift Current Research and Development Centre, the driest climatological condition in the Canadian Prairies. Following pre-seeding field preparation, treatments were established by the end of May and Urea Phosphate (34-17-0) fertilizer was split-applied at 112 kg/ha. Nitrous oxide emission was measured over the crop phase in 2023 growing season, the first year of a 3-yr trial, using the manual chamber method. Furthermore, ancillary measurements were performed. During the 2023 crop growth phase, N2O emissions ranged from 446 to 610 g Nּ ha-1, and were not affected by treatments. Soil inorganic N was greater in parts of the season for the complex mix, but that did not translate into greater cumulative N2O emissions. Overall, the treatments did not affect soil volumetric water content in the topsoil, a key factor dictating N2O emissions. This project will continue until 2026 and capture emissions from different seasons including major spring-thaw. In those years, measurements will also be extended to an on-farm sites involving farmers situated in contrasting edaphic-climatic conditions of the Canadian Prairies.
PSXII-14 Fecal near infrared reflectance spectroscopy for indirect prediction of methane emissions from grazing cattle
Authors: Rodrigues Barbara , Fox William , Dudak Jessica , Winkler Taylor , McCoy Christopher , Tolleson Douglas R 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Methane (CH4) production from enteric fermentation of ruminants accounts for over a quarter of the greenhouse gas emissions from the agriculture sector in the U.S. Accurate and precise quantification of CH4 is essential to identify strategies for mitigating CH4 emissions. Numerous techniques and methodologies exist for measuring enteric CH4 emissions from ruminants, however, many were designed for specific research purposes, potentially limiting their applicability on commercial farms. Our objective was to evaluate the application of fecal near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (FNIRS) to provide inputs for indirect CH4 prediction calibrations. The Grazingland Animal Nutrition Laboratory (GAN Lab) has produced FNIRS predictions of grazing livestock diet quality since 1995 in conjunction with animal performance (weight/body condition change) generated by the Nutritional Balance Analyzer (Nutbal) Software package. FNIRS is a non-invasive approach that provides a significant opportunity to inform models for grazing cattle CH4 emissions. From a comprehensive U.S. dataset of approximately 30,000 samples, we selected a subset representing beef cattle grazing the gulf coast region of Texas from 2016 to 2019 (n = 85). Inputs of diet crude protein (CP), diet digestible organic matter (DOM), live weight (LW), and estimated live weight change (LWC) were used to predict feed intake (FI) employing a published equation and, from outputs generated by Nutbal, i.e. FI_Eq and FI_Nut, respectively. The FI (kg DM/animal.day) generated by both methods were applied to established prediction equations to generate preliminary estimates of CH4 emissions (CH4 FI_Eq and CH4 FI_Nut, respectively). Differences among estimations were assessed through ANOVA, with significance determined at P &lt; 0.05. The estimated FI was different (P &lt; 0.01) for both methodologies, resulting in different (P &lt; 0.01) predictions of CH4 emissions. The CH4 prediction for CH4 FI_Eq was 0.24 ± 0.03 kg/animal.day, compared to 0.38± 0.06 kg/animal.day for CH4_Nut. A difference was observed between years for the CH4 predictions estimated with CH4 FI_Eq (P &lt; 0.01). The FNIRS/Nutbal technique provided useful inputs to the established CH4 calibrations but will need to be validated against CH4 reference methods. The Gan Lab FNIRS/Nutbal dataset offers an opportunity to not only estimate U.S. grazing ruminant CH4 emissions over the past 30 years, but also predictions of current and future emissions at individual operation to national scales. This technique will enable producers with the knowledge to optimize forage resources management, mitigate CH4 emissions, and enhance the sustainability of grazing animal agriculture.
PSXII-10 Post-weaning energy balance in dual-purpose replacement heifers (Giroland-Brown Swiss cross) confined-raised and grazing-raised before and after rainy season in tropical systems livestock
Authors: Marquez Hector Javier Perez , Aviles-Ruiz Ricardo , Bravo Oscar Barron , Ruiz-Albarran Miguel , Flores-Najera Manuel 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Common management of dual-purpose (Giroland-Brown Swiss cross) cattle in the Mexican Tropical region is to rear heifer replacement post-weaning in group pens. It is assumed that placing post-weaning heifers in group pens has more access to higher energy reserves due to the reduced foraging behavior. This study compared β-hydroxy-butyrate (BHB), body condition score (BCS), and average daily gain (ADG) in the post-weaning barn-raised and grazing-raised calves. Giroland-Brown Swiss cross (n = 8) were divided into 2 groups: confined-group (CG; n = 4) and grazing-group (GG; n = 4) for 4 mo (June to September). Both groups had ad libitum access to the same pasture (star grass; Cynodon plectostachyus) containing 6.5 % and 12.4 % crude protein (CP) during 2 regional seasons (drought and rainy season). Commercial concentrate was offered daily (0.5 kg; 17.5 % CP and 1 881 Mcal/kg net energy) at 1000 h. CG bunk feeders were refilled with pasture when empty during the day and mineral salts and water were provided at libitum to both groups. BHB was estimated monthly using a test strip (Freestyle Optium Neo, Witney UK). Additionally, BCS and ADG were estimated twice per month. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) model with a factorial design was implemented to assess BHB, BCS, and ADG as dependent variables and group treatment (GG and CG), month (4 levels), and season (drought and rainy) as independent variables. BHB values were not significant in the 2 treatment groups (GG: 300 ± 40 and CG: 230 ± 20 µmol/L; P &gt; 0.05). The ADG (LS Means ± SEM) did not differ between treatment groups during drought season (GG: 419 ± 115 g compared with CG 310 ± 15 g; P &gt; 0.05). Nevertheless, the ADG was significantly different between treatment groups during the rainy season (GG 790 ± 131 g compared with CG - 110 ± 63 g; P &lt; 0.05). In addition, BCS was significantly different at the end of the experiment among treatment groups (GG: 3.13 ± 0.22 compared with CG: 2.6 ± 0.19). Our conclusion is that both management (grazing and confined) were equal to rear calves after weaning during the drought season. However, grazing the calves performed better (&gt; ADG, and BCS) than confined management during the rainy season.
PSIV-26 Extent of use of supplemental feeding in beef cattle operations across the Southeast: A report of the regional survey
Authors: Andrew Lauren M St , Dillard S Leanne , Mullenix Kimberly , Smith W Brandon 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
With input costs on the rise, researchers and producers, alike, are seeking alternative management strategies for profitable and sustainable beef production. Studies suggest that supplemental feed provided to grazing cattle may be used to offset some of the cost. However, there is a lack of knowledge on the extent of supplemental feeding programs in the southeastern US and which feeds may be used in these programs. Thus, the objective of this study was to better understand supplemental feeding practices and choices among beef producers in the southeastern US. To address this objective, a 24-question survey was distributed through Extension and commodity organizations to beef producers across the Southeast. This survey received 118 complete responses. The majority of respondents operated cow-calf production systems (65.6%) on either tall fescue or bermudagrass pastures (32.7 and 28.0%, respectively). Approximately 88% of these producers employed some type of supplemental feeding strategy, but there is no clear decision on whether commodity or byproduct feedstuffs were preferred. The leading commodity used was corn (61.4%), while common byproducts included whole cottonseed, corn gluten feed, and soybean hulls (17.1, 16.6, and 14.4%, respectively). At the end of the survey, the participants were asked to submit a sample of their byproduct supplements to have a nutritive analysis completed to better understand what nutritional components the products they are feeding contain and how they may vary from place to place. Some of the products that were sent in include whole cottonseed, cotton byproduct, corn gluten meal, distillers grain, chicken litter, and others. The nutritional test being run on these samples included crude protein and fiber analysis. The crude protein of the samples received ranged from 13.3% to 30.3% with an average of 21.5%. The fiber profile received ranged from 45.5% to 76.3% with an average of 59.9%. With the information recorded from these tests, recommendations can be provided on different feeding methods in both commercial settings as well as research settings.
PSIV-27 Effects of organic complexed or inorganic trace mineral supplementation on cow performance and herd longevity
Authors: Cheek Robin A , Kegley Elizabeth B , Powell Jeremy G 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Records for Angus-crossbred cows (n = 219) that were born during a 3-yr project to investigate the effects of trace mineral source on beef cow performance were reviewed. For the 3-yr cow project, cows were initially assigned to 1 of 4 groups within spring and fall calving herds. Groups within each herd were assigned randomly to 1 of 2 supplemental trace mineral treatments 1) inorganic sources as Cu, Zn, and Mn in sulfate forms and Co carbonate (ING), or 2) organic sources as Cu, Zn, and Mn amino acid complexed and Co glucoheptonate (ORG). Free choice minerals were provided with appropriate mineral treatments while cattle were maintained on fescue-bermudagrass pastures that were rotated monthly. When forage or hay was limited, treatments were delivered via grain supplements. At weaning, heifer calves remained on their respective dietary treatments through their first breeding season (approximately 15 mo of age). The cow project began with pregnant cows, thus, all heifers weaned in the first year and some in other years (n = 86) were conceived before their dams received the dietary treatments. Most heifers weaned in yr 2 and 3 were conceived while their dams were on their respective dietary treatments (n = 133). After heifers were confirmed pregnant, they re-entered the cow herd. At the conclusion of this project the Cow-Calf Unit continued to keep performance records. Natural breeding occurred after artificial insemination and open cattle were culled annually. Year of performance data (calving, culling, and death records) were analyzed to determine the long-term effects of trace mineral source. MIXED procedures were used of SAS 9.4 with herd (spring/fall calving) and year weaned as random effects and individual heifer as the subject. Previously reported, heifers supplemented with organic trace mineral sources had a tendency for improved reproductive performance (P = 0.09; ING = 66%, ORG = 76.8%) and a decreased percentage of heifers culled (P = 0.07; ING = 33.7%, ORG = 22.1%) compared with heifers receiving inorganic supplementation. However, in subsequent year previous trace mineral supplementation did not influence (P = 0.65) when cows were culled (ING = 3.01 yr, ORG = 3.20 yr). The number of calves produced per cow did not differ (P = 0.45) between previous trace mineral source supplementation (ING = 2.45 calves, ORG = 2.78 calves). With heifers that were conceived on the study, there were no differences when they were culled (P = 0.25; ING = 2.83 yr, ORG = 3.51 yr) or the total calves produced (P = 0.18; ING = 2.24 calves, ORG = 2.95 calves). To conclude, supplementation of heifer calves with different sources of trace mineral did not affect their longevity in the herd, but results suggest further investigation.
PSIX-22 Maternal methane, carbon dioxide, and oxygen flux compared with progeny gas flux
Authors: Gunter Stacey A , Moffet Corey A , Friend Emalee J 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Red Angus heifers [n = 19; body weight (BW) = 370 ± 8.1 kg) and their paired offspring (BW = 283 ± 4.2 kg; 18 heifers, 1 steer) were used to compare the respiration gas parameters between dams and their progeny over 2 calving cycles (8 pairs in the 1st cycle, 11 in the 2nd). The methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and oxygen (O2) consumption of the dams were measured at 14 mo of age over a 70-d period using an automated head-chamber system (AHCS) that measured the flux of these 3 gases. Dams grazed native mixed-grass prairie and were offered a daily supplement of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) pellets (1.0 kg) via the AHCS. Dams were artificially inseminated using sexed semen (female) from a single Black Angus sire. The gas fluxes of the progeny were measured, beginning at 11 mo of age, over a 70-d period. Like the dams, during their measurement period, the progeny grazed native mixed-grass prairie and were offered a daily supplement (1.0 kg) of alfalfa pellets via the AHCS. Pearson correlations were developed between the 70-d means of daily CH4 and CO2 emissions, O2 consumption, CH4:CO2 ratio, respiratory quotient (RQ), and heat of production estimates for the dams and their progeny by regressing maternal parameters on the parameters of the progeny, using beginning dam and progeny BW as covariates, and year as an indicator variable. A dam’s CH4 emission was very strongly correlated with that of their offspring (ρ = 0.86). The CO2 emission and O2 consumption of the dams were both also very strongly (ρ = 0.92 and ρ = 0.97, respectively) correlated, with that of their progeny. The heat production and CH4:CO2 ratio of the dams were very strongly (ρ = 0.96) and fairly (ρ = 0.50) correlated, respectively, with that of their progeny. Lastly, the RQ of the dam was also very strongly correlated (ρ = 0.87) with the RQ of the progeny. These results indicate that CH4 and CO2 emissions, O2 consumption, CH4:CO2 ratio, and heat of production of the dam are fairly to very strongly correlated to the gas flux parameters of their progeny. Hence, even with this small dataset, there is evidence that beef cattle traits related to greenhouse gas emissions are somewhat heritable and could potentially be selected in breeding animals to decrease greenhouse gas emission intensity.
PSIX-21 Can seeds rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids reduce methane emissions when substituting palm oil on dairy beef calves fed high-concentrate diets? In vitro screening
Authors: Llonch Lourdes , Marti Sonia , Verge Gerard , Riera Joan , Medinya Carles , Cucurull Jordi , Pérez Anna , Fernández Belén , Devant Maria 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the rumen in vitro methane (CH4) production of concentrates feed with a different protein source (PS) replacing partially palm oil by different seeds (SE) rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Concentrate PS were: T1 = 8% soybean meal; and T2 = 15% dried distillers grain. Palm oil (CTR; 4% and 3.5% for T1 and T2, respectively) was partially substituted (1%) by flax seed (FL; 2.7%), canola seed (CO; 3%) or sunflower seed (SU; 2.3%), thus 8 concentrates were tested. Samples were ground at 1-mm and used in an in vitro digestibility assay. The rumen liquid was obtained at the slaughterhouse. Two incubation sets were done; two sampling points lasted 24 and 48 h to calculate the dry matter (DM) digestibility; a third sampling point lasted 12 d to monitor the CH4 production. Data were analyzed using a mixed effects model. Net volume of CH4 per degraded DM presented a PS effect (P &lt; 0.01); T1 produced greater net volume of CH4 per degraded DM than T2 (8.12 vs. 6.91 ± 0.330 ml/mg, respectively). Furthermore, net volume of CH4 per degraded DM presented a SE effect (P &lt; 0.01); all concentrates with seeds tested reduced the net volume of CH4 per degraded DM compared with CTR, and specifically CO produced lower net volume of CH4 per degraded DM than FL and SU (8.91, 7.47, 6.28, 7.39 ± 0.467 ml/mg; CTR, FL, CO, SU, respectively). In conclusion, the use of flax, canola, or sunflower seeds to partially substitute palm oil in concentrate feed, regardless of its PS, can be potential strategies to reduce rumen CH4 emissions, and seems that canola seed may be the most effective one.