bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
65 Machine and Deep Learning Modelling Strategies for Body Weight Prediction of Cattle and Swine
Authors: Tulpan Dan 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) are two sub-fields of that focus on creating predictive models from data. The algorithms used in ML and DL have been widely used in various livestock science studies, but it is uncommon for both ML and DL to be applied to the same problem. This talk presents examples where both ML and DL algorithms were successfully applied for prediction of body weight of cattle and swine. Often referred to as data-driven modelling, ML uses algorithms such as linear regression, Decision Trees, Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) and Random Forests to generate predictive models from data. These models are then used to make predictions based on new input data. On the other hand, DL is a more advanced sub-field of AI that uses deep neural networks (a larger version of traditional ANNs) to make predictions. While the domain of application of DL is somewhat restricted to problems where datapoints have stronger relationships among them (e.g., digital images, text) DL algorithms can handle more complex relationships between input data and the target variable, making them ideal for solving more challenging problems. In the case of body weight prediction of cattle and swine, both ML and DL algorithms have been successfully used to make predictions. For example, ML algorithms have been used to predict body weight based on factors such as age, gender, and morphometric measurements. On the other hand, DL algorithms have been successfully for either direct predictions based on the relationship between body weight and other physiological parameters, such as feed intake or growth rate, or as an assistive technology for decluttering and segmentation of animal subjects from digital images with variable backgrounds. In conclusion, both ML and DL are useful tools in the field of livestock science, and both have been successfully used in the prediction of body weight of cattle and swine. However, the choice of which approach to use and its success rate will depend on the specific problem at hand and the complexity of the relationships between the input data and the target variable.
67 Leveraging Ai/Ml to Address Critical Challenges in Livestock Research
Authors: Clarke Jennifer 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
In recent years the scientific community has witnessed extraordinary growth in the development and application of techniques from Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) to address pressing societal challenges. Contrary to more traditional linear models, some AI/ML approaches suffer from a general lack of interpretability and in disciplines/industries where understanding biological relationships among predictor and predictand is important, utility and even trust in resulting predictions is a potential issue. Regardless, the livestock research community has shown considerable interest in the utilization of AI/ML methods, coupled with advanced cyberinfrastructure, to address large-scale data challenges from the use of sensors and internet of things (IoT) to solve problems related to animal identification, welfare, behavior detection, genome-to-phenome, and data quality concerns from large-scale non-research sources (to name a few). The effective application of AI/ML to problems in livestock research requires an understanding of what methods are available; the benefits and pitfalls of these methods; what resources are required including data and metadata, cyberinfrastructure, and interdisciplinary skills; best practices; and how AI/ML methods compare with alternative approaches. Awareness of the above-mentioned items is critical to avoid reproducibility issues and the possibility of using overly complex models for simple tasks. Each of these topics will be addressed, including a gentle introduction to AI/ML, in the context of examples from livestock research and a view towards future developments and application.
227 Evaluation of Beef Cattle Performance on Nontraditional Beef Cattle Finishing System Compared with Traditional Beef Cattle Finishing System
Authors: Guelker Lakan D , Karisch Brandi B , Rivera Daniel 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
While much research exists examining finishing cattle in conventional systems (confined cattle feeding, or feedlot systems), few data exist regarding finishing cattle in non-traditional systems, particularly in the micro-climates of the Gulf Coast. Non-traditional finishing systems feature additional variables and complexities versus feedlot finishing. The objective of this trial was to compare two non-traditional low input finishing cattle programs with a greater input traditional cattle finishing management program. Crossbred beef heifers [n = 12, initial body weight (BW) = 400 kg] were used to evaluate performance and cost of finishing beef cattle on limit-fed supplemental rations (CORN and SBH) compared with a totally mixed, free-choice ration (DIET). Animals were blocked by BW and randomly allotted to three treatments (CORN, n = 4; SBH, n = 4 and DIET n = 4). Two limit fed diets were combinations corn and a protein based mixing pellet (CORN) or soyhulls and a protein based mixing pellet (SBH), both fed at the rate of 1.9% of BW, while providing the heifers with free-choice access to bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) forage during the summer months; DIET was a more conventional total mixed ration that provided both the concentrate and roughage component and included corn, soyhull pellets, mixing pellet, and cotton gin motes. Cattle were finished for 132 (n = 6) or 174 d (n = 6) and harvested at the MSU Meat Laboratory in Starkville located 235 miles from the trial location. Data were analyzed using MIXED procedure of SAS By design, dry matter intake during the entire finishing phase was greater (P = &lt; 0.0001) for the free-choice DIET (10.8 kg. per day), compared with the limit fed diets (8.5 and 8.4 kg. per day). Overall average daily gain (ADG) was similar (P= 0.10) between both limit-fed diets (0.99 and 0.98 kg. per day for CORN and SBH). Average daily gain of cattle fed DIET (1.14 kg. per day) tended to be greater (P &lt; 0.06) than both CORN and SBH diets. No differences were noted in G:F at any point during the study (P &gt; 0.20). No differences (P &gt; .0.05) were evident for slaughter weight, hot carcass weight, shrink, and dressing percentage among treatments. Total cost of gain for CORN and SOY were $1.74 and $1.65 cents per kilogram compared with DIET of $1.74 cents per kilogram (P = 0.76). Results indicate limit fed CORN and SBH diets could be a viable option to finish beef just as efficiently as a greater roughage total mixed ration (DIET).
80 Precision Nutrition to Enhance Poultry Performance and Health: the Role of Functional Amino Acids
Authors: Rochell Samuel J 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Dietary amino acids drive the performance and meat yield of modern broiler strains, and as such, amino acids are among the most economically important nutrients in poultry feeds. At the same time, minimizing N excretion is an increasingly prevalent sustainability target for poultry producers across the world, and this goal is often pursued by feeding reduced crude protein diets. Moreover, poultry production has largely transitioned away from the use of in-feed antibiotic growth promoters, bringing attention to the impact of dietary protein and amino acid levels on the intestinal and overall health of broilers. In response to these dynamic scenarios, research from our lab and others has attempted to more precisely link dietary supply of essential and non-essential amino acids with their functional needs for broilers subjected to various pathogenic and environmental stressors. This presentation will address existing research and knowledge gaps related to functional amino acids in the context of precision nutrition to enhance poultry performance and health.
255 Effects of Dietary Valerate Glycerides on Serum Inflammatory Markers, Serum Metabolomic Profile, and Intestinal Mucosa Gene Expression in Weanling Pigs Infected with a Pathogenic Escherichia Coli
Authors: Kovanda Lauren L , Rengman Sofia , Tawde Snehal , Pos Jeroen , Kim Kwangwook , Liu Yanhong 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Our previous work showed that dietary valerate glycerides reduced frequency of diarrhea and β-hemolytic coliforms in fecal cultures of pigs infected with F18+ Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). However, the impact of these feed additives on the immune response and intestinal physiology of newly weaned pigs experiencing ETEC-associated diarrhea has not been evaluated. The present experiment aimed to determine the effects of dietary valerate glycerides on intestinal mucosa gene expression, systemic inflammatory status, and serum metabolomic profile of weanling piglets infected with F18+ ETEC. Sixty weaned piglets (6.97 ± 0.75 kg body weight; 21 days old) were randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments: nursery basal diet (control), 0.075% or 0.1% monovalerin, or 0.1% trivalerin added to control. After a 7-day adaptation, all piglets were orally inoculated with F18+ ETEC (1010 CFU/3 mL) on d 0, d 1, and d 2 post-inoculation (PI). Serum samples were collected on d 0 prior to ETEC inoculation, d 3, d 6, and d 21 PI to analyze concentration of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), and haptoglobin. Serum samples from d 6 PI were submitted for untargeted metabolomics analysis at the West Coast Metabolomics Center. Six replicate pigs per treatment group were euthanized on d 7 PI to collect jejunal and ileal mucosa for gene expression analysis. Data were analyzed in RStudio by ANOVA in a linear mixed model with treatment as fixed effect and pig as random effect. Metabolomics analysis was performed using the online platform, MetaboAnalyst. Pigs fed trivalerin had reduced (P &lt; 0.05) serum TNF-α on d 0 and d 6 PI compared with pigs in control. Whereas pigs supplemented with 0.1% monovalerin tended (P ≤ 0.10) to have decreased serum TNF-α on d 0 and d 3 PI, and less (P &lt; 0.05) serum CRP on d 3 PI compared with pigs in control. No differences in serum concentrations of haptoglobin were detected among dietary treatments. Preliminary results for gene expression analysis indicate a tendency (P = 0.078) for increased mRNA expression of tight junction protein, ZO-1 in pigs fed 0.1% trivalerin compared with control. Among all valerate derivative treatments, significant fold changes [FC &gt; 2, log2(FC) &gt; 1] for individual metabolites were detected, where levels of adenosine, putrescine, and shikimic acid were decreased compared with the control group. No differential metabolomic profiles in serum were identified on d 6 PI as indicated by a lack of cluster separation using principal component analysis (PCA). In conclusion, valerate glycerides could regulate gene expression of the intestinal epithelium and systemic immune response of weanling piglets infected with F18+ ETEC.
275 Effects of Increased Nsp with Or Without Nspase Supplementation on Growth Performance, Intestinal Health, and Intestinal Microbiome of Nursery Pigs and Implications on Subsequent Phases of Production
Authors: Baker Jonathan T , Duarte Marcos Elias Elias , Kim Sung Woo , Gormley Alexa R , Jang Ki beom 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effects of increased NSP from alternative feedstuffs in feeds with or without NSPase supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal health, immune status, and modulation of the intestinal microbiome of nursery pigs and the carryover effect from dietary nursery intervention on the subsequent phases of production. One hundred and sixty newly weaned pigs at 7.0 ± 0.3 kg BW were allotted in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement with NSP level and NSPase supplementation serving as factors and sex as block. Pigs were assigned to one of 4 dietary treatments with the control having corn DDGS as the main source of NSP and HNSP having soy hulls and wheat bran replacing corn DDGS as the source of NSP. Pigs were fed for 37 d in 2 phases (19 d and 18 d, respectively) and housed in a pen of 4. Growth performance was measured at the end of each phase. At d 37, a pig representing the median BW within each pen from each treatment was euthanized for sampling jejunal mucosa, jejunal tissue, and ileal digesta to analyze intestinal health variables, oxidative stress products, and digesta viscosity. The remaining pigs were then fed a common diet for the subsequent grower and finisher phases to evaluate the carryover effect. At the end of the finisher phase, all pigs were euthanized to obtain carcass data. Data were analyzed using Mixed procedure of SAS 9.4. Overall, NSP level and type nor NSPase supplementation had an effect on growth performance; however, HNSP tended to have improved (P = 0.087) feed efficiency (0.52 to 0.53) in the grower period immediately following the nursery phase. Additionally, HNSP increased (P &lt; 0.05) IgG (4.84 to 5.83 µg/mg of protein) in the jejunal mucosa and tended to increase (P = 0.096) the villus height in the jejunum (482.8 to 506.6 μm). The body weight of HNSP pigs was more uniform (P &lt; 0.05; 8.7 to 11.6%) than the control at the end of the 120-day trial. No differences were observed in carcass traits however, the hot carcass weight of pigs in HNSP tended to be more uniform (P = 0.089; 6.4 to 10.00%) than the control. In conclusion, increased amounts of NSP from alternative feedstuffs does not further impair or damage the intestinal health and subsequent growth performance of nursery pigs and may aid the pig through generated metabolites and alterations to the intestinal microbiota as they are transitioned to the ensuing phases of production as evidenced by the increased uniformity at the end of the trial.
266 Interactive Effects of Dietary Isoleucine and Valine Ratios to Lysine in Response to Varying Leucine to Lysine Ratios on Hepatic Protein Expression in Commercial Broilers
Authors: Ventura Diego E , Almendares Cristopher I , Kriseldi Ruben , Corzo Alex , Adhikari Roshan , Lee Jason , Williams Chance , Starkey Charles , Starkey Jessica D 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
A central composite design (CCD) study was conducted to understand the relationship among dietary branched chain amino acid (BCAA) ratios and expression of proteins related to amino acid and protein metabolism in the liver of broilers. A total of 2,592 d-old Ross 344 × 708 male broilers were randomly placed in 144 floor pens. Each pen received 1 of 15 dietary treatments in a 23 CCD with 6 center points from 20 to 35 d of age, varying in digestible ratios of isoleucine:lysine (Ile:Lys; 52 to 75), valine:lysine (Val:Lys; 64 to 87), and leucine:lysine (Leu:Lys; 110 to 185). On d 35, 1 bird per pen was selected, euthanized, and liver tissue samples were collected for protein extraction and proteomic analysis via data independent acquisition protein sequencing with a timsTOF Pro 2 LC/MS/MS and Spectronaut 15 software. Dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase (PDHX), aspartate aminotransferase (GOT2), branched-chain-amino-acid aminotransferase (BCAT1), diphosphomevalonate decarboxylase (MVD), acylamino-acid-releasing enzyme (APEH), and aspartate aminotransferase (GOT1) were identified and quantified. Protein quantification data were analyzed as a CCD using the RSREG procedure of SAS v. 9.4 with significance declared at P ≤ 0.10. When the individual AA effect in the response surface (RS) regression analysis was P ≤ 0.2, raw protein quantification data were analyzed as a 1-way ANOVA and the PDIFF option of SAS set at P ≤ 0.1 using the GLIMMIX procedure. The RS model for MVD and APEH expression were significant (P ≤ 0.0511). However, models for PDHX, GOT2, BCAT1, and GOT1 were not significant (P ≥ 0.1356) and the R2 values ≤ 0.25 for all proteins did not allow for prediction of protein expression means. No linear, quadratic, cross product, or individual BCAA ratio effects were observed for PDHX, GOT2, and BCAT1 (P ≥ 0.1977). A linear model for MVD and APEH protein expression (P ≤ 0.8030) and quadratic model for APEH (P ≤ 0.0552) were significant. MVD increased as Val:Lys ratio increased when Leu:Lys and Ile:Lys were fixed at 148 and 63 or 170 and 70, respectively (P ≤ 0.0926). Low Val:Lys ratio expressed the least hepatic APEH expression when Leu:Lys and Ile:Lys ratios were 148 and 63 or 125 and 70, respectably (P ≤ 0.0153). Hepatic MVD expression decreased as Leu:Lys ratio increased when Val:Lys and Ile:Lys were 75 and 63, respectably (P ≤ 0.0044). GOT1 expression was higher with 170 Leu:Lys ratio compared with 125, when Val:Lys and Ile:Lys ratio were 68 and 70, respectably (P ≤ 0.0460). APEH was greater with a low Ile:Lys ratio when Val:Lys and Leu:Lys were 68 and 125, respectably (P ≤ 0.0786). Varying concentrations of dietary BCAA and their interactions seem to alter hepatic protein expression and may help explain the mechanisms underlying their influence on broiler growth.
335 Use of Feed Additives Added to the Milk Replacer and Concentrate Or Only to the Concentrate in Unweaned Dairy Beef Calves After Transportation and Its Effects on Performance
Authors: Marti Sonia , Blanch Marta , Devant Maria 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Previous studies have shown that the use of additives to enhance intake and immunity at farm arrival could be a strategy to minimize the negative effects of stress and feed restriction during transportation in unweaned calves. Unweaned dairy beef calves are fed low liquid feeding programs to avoid mechanical diarrheas and to enhance the consumption of solid feed to increase growth. A total of 78 dairy beef calves (57.8 ± 1.64 kg) coming from auction market were used to evaluate the effect of various feed additives [FA; comprising palatability enhancers (PE), standardized olive pomace extract (OE), and tributyrin (TB)] added to the milk replacer (MR) and concentrate or only to the concentrate on performance until 1 week after weaning. Calves were distributed in 6 treatments: calves fed MR and concentrate without FA (CTR-CTR; n = 13); calves fed MR without FA and concentrate with PE (CTR-PE; n = 13); calves fed MR without FA and concentrate with complete mixture OE + TB + PE (CTR-COM; n = 13); calves fed MR and concentrate with PE (PEPE; n = 13); calves fed MR with PE and concentrate with complete mixture OE + TB + PE (PE-COM; n = 13); calves were fed MR with complete mixture OE + TB + PE and concentrate with PE (COM-PE; n = 13). At arrival calves were only fed 2 L of MR twice daily at 12.5% and concentrate feed ad libitum. On day 35 of the study, animals were submitted to a social stress challenge, calves within one treatment were mixed for 24 h, and on day 36, calves returned to their home pens and the afternoon milk was removed. On day 42, all calves were weaned, and they were followed until day 49. Data were analyzed with a mixed-effects model. No differences were observed in concentrate intake the first week after transportation. However, an interaction between treatment and time (P &lt; 0.01) was observed among treatments in concentrate intake from day 35 until day 49 when calves were already weaned. The PE-PE and PE-COM calves had a greater (P &lt; 0.10) concentrate intake from day 28 to day 42 than CTR-CTR or CTR-PE calves, while from day 42 to day 49 the CTR-COM was the group of calves with the greatest concentrate intake. Although no differences were observed on final BW among treatments, the CTR-COM calves had numerically greater ADG than the rest of the treatments. In unweaned dairy beef calves with liquid feeding restriction, the mixture of palatability enhancers, standardized olive pomace extract, and tributyrin potentially increases concentrate intake and growth when added in the concentrate feed.
325 Understanding Variation in Residual Feed Intake of Brahman Steers Fed Two Different Diets
Authors: Silva Luis Prada e 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Improving feed efficiency in cattle is a long-standing aim of the beef industry. However, discrepancies in the ranking of bulls based on the diets used and calculation methods employed for defining feed efficiency have been observed. Hence, the objective of this research was to assess the extent to which different factors influence feed efficiency in Brahman steers. Individual DMI and ADG were measured, and residual feed intake (RFI) calculated using linear regression of DMI on ADG and midtest metabolic body weight. Eight-nine steers were initially fed a low-protein diet (LP, 8.8% CP) for 70 days, followed by a high-protein (HP, 13.5% CP) diet for another 70 days. The genetic variation among steers and the proportion of Bos indicus genes were determined using the GGP Indicus 50K assay (Neogen Corporation, Ipswich, Australia). Rumen bacteriome variation was determined with 16S rRNA gene sequencing of rumen fluid collected before and after feeding. Daily diet refusals were visually scored for the proportion of pellets versus hay and expressed as a diet selection index (1 to 3). Organic matter digestibility (OMD) was determined using total feces collection in metabolism crates. Plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) was measured in blood samples collected at four time points. The diet-animal fractionation of nitrogen isotopes (Δ15Ntail hair) was quantified in tail hair using isotope-ratio mass spectroscopy to indicate differences in nitrogen metabolism. Finally, carcass characteristics were determined at slaughter. Including carcass fat depth improved (P = 0.01) DMI prediction (R2 increased from 78.4 to 80.4%) in the LP diet but had a smaller effect (P = 0.39) in the HP diet (R2 increased from 75.0 to 75.2%). In the LP diet, the variation in carcass fat-correct RFI (RFIc) could be explained by DMI (14.5% of the variation), rumen bacteriome (5.89%), diet selection index (3.08%), PUN (1.88%), genetic distance (0.76%) and OMD (0.50%), accounting for a total of 26.6% of the RFIc variation. In the HP diet, the regression model explained 35.3% of the RFIc variation, with DMI explaining 25.9%, diet selection index 7.19%, rumen bacteriome 1.02%, genetic distance 0.73% and Δ15Ntail hair 0.50%. In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of measuring diet selection to accurately determine RFI in cattle. The results also suggest that variations in the rumen bacteriome and nitrogen metabolism parameters play a role in individual variations of feed efficiency. However, most of the variation in feed efficiency remained unexplained.