bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
19 Technology to Efficiently and Effectively Evaluate Body Condition
Authors: Knauer Mark 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Multiple tools are currently available to effectively evaluate gilt and sow body condition. Both A-mode and B-mode ultrasound technology can provide accurate measures of backfat while B-mode ultrasound can deliver precise measures of loin eye area or loin depth. More recently, Knauer invented and developed the sow body condition caliper. The sow caliper technology has been implemented in 39 countries across the world. Quantifying the angularity from the spinous process to the transverse process of a sow’s back, the sow body condition caliper has moderate correlations with weight, backfat and muscling. Recommendations for the “ideal” sow caliper score in relation to reproductive performance come from multiple, large scale studies conducted on commercial farms across an array of modern genetic lines. Results suggest a sow caliper angle of 127.5 to 132.5° maximizes subsequent reproduction. Going forward, tools should be developed to automate the estimation of sow body condition. While the sow caliper provides a low-cost phenotype, automating A-mode and B-mode ultrasound also warrant investigation. Perhaps scientists should collaborate with industry experts to speed the development of automated sow body condition tools.
18 Tools Used and Needed in the Gilt Pool
Authors: Knox Robert V 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Efficient management of gilts requires optimizing boar stimulation to induce a synchronized pubertal estrus for breeding at the optimal stage of body maturity. However, variation in stimulation methods and environment can reduce synchrony, delay puberty, and lead to breeding less than ideal gilts. These issues add open day costs, disrupt animal flow, and can reduce lifetime productivity and longevity. Emphasis on employee training and support with regular assessment and opportunities for feedback can help, especially with daily labor rotation and employee turnover. Certain principles of gilt management, such as methods to maximize boar stimulation, must be applied, while adjusting for available labor and gilt housing. Evaluation for effectiveness often only includes the proportion of gilts mated and those culled due to anestrus. However, a holistic system may need to include gilt selection criteria, pubertal response, and subsequent herd performance. Further, symptoms of estrus vary by gilt, technician interpretation, stimuli applied, and environment. These symptoms can range from clear positive to clear negative or even uncertain and may change within the timeframe of assessment. Effective methods are needed to help producers in gilt selection, evaluation of stimulation, reproductive status diagnosis, and impact of nutrition and environment. Practical approaches that aid in selection based on dam and birth measures, as well as age, growth, and weight are needed. Evaluation of the quality of the stimuli applied from the boar and technician should advance from subjective toward precision. Methods to accurately diagnose the reproductive status of the gilt may include semi or automated sensing systems or manual approaches for measuring hormones, body temperature, vaginal resistance, ovarian and uterine structures, animal behavior, motion, and posture. To be useful, selected methods must be evaluated for their practicality, flexibility in farm systems, costs, accuracy, labor, and actionable perspective.
28 Nutritional Interventions for Intestinal Health of Nursery Pigs: Protein and Amino Acids
Authors: Pluske John 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
A major priority for the swine industry is the need to successfully transition and then manage the young pig in the period after weaning. Antimicrobial compounds have traditionally been used to assist with this transition. However, bans and restrictions on some antimicrobial compounds and antimicrobial resistance have required different strategies to ensure that the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) can function as effectively and efficiently as possible after weaning. It is well recognized that the protein content and composition of diets offered to pigs following weaning affects GIT structure and function, with the feeding of crude protein diets generally related to looser stools, an increased incidence of post-weaning diarrhea, and more antibiotic treatments. Feeding lower protein diets generally show opposing effects. There are numerous proteinaceous dietary raw materials available for use in post-weaning diets to assist with overcoming post-weaning GIT dysfunction. In this context, feeding highly digestible protein supplements reduces the availability of protein for microbial fermentation in the distal regions of the GIT, which in turn can modulate the microbiota. Blood plasma, e.g., spray-dried porcine plasma, positively influences GIT structure and function, as do spray-dried intestinal hydrolysates. Soy protein hydrolysates from fermentation or enzyme treatment that reduce the contents of anti-nutritional factors also confer production and GIT benefits in the nursery. Some peptides are known to have biological functions beyond their nutritional value and possess antimicrobial, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory activities. The use of such compounds in diets in the nursery warrants further investigation. Practically, the incorporation and use of protein supplements is just one facet in dealing with post-weaning challenges, and needs to be considered holistically with other targeted nutritional and health measures.
29 Nutritional Interventions for Intestinal Health of Nursery Pigs: Carbohydrates
Authors: Zijlstra R T , Vasanthan T , Wu J , Gaenzle M G 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
In swine production, using feed antibiotics as antimicrobial growth promotants has been reduced; thus, feed alternatives to manage gut health are required to prevent post-weaning diarrhea. Dietary fiber, resistant starch, oligosaccharides, and exopolysaccharides are carbohydrates that together with glycoproteins are nutritional tools that may be part of managing gut health in pigs. Antibiotics are hypothesized to influence gut health via modulation of intestinal microbial profiles; fermentation and intestinal inflammation are considered important mechanisms. Dietary fiber is an alternative, but its sources differ in at least 2 key properties: fermentability and viscosity. Rapid fermentation of fiber and oligosaccharides is associated with changes in microbial profiles and increased metabolite production. Recently, microbial composition was hypothesized to be less important and combined output of metabolites should be the focus. Increased viscosity has been associated with increased gut content of virulence factors that are linked with diarrhea. Fiber properties may also manipulate retention time and physico-chemical properties of the undigested residue. Starch is mostly digested and absorbed as glucose. However, resistant starch is not digested and acts as fermentable fiber but has unique properties, because it specifically increases intestinal abundance of bifidobacteria that are associated with improved gut health. Feed ingredients and some feed additives influence kinetics of fermentation and have prebiotic activity. Their kinetics of fermentation should be quantified so that it can be considered in feed formulation. Finally, exopolysaccharides from Limosilactobacillus reuteri and unique oligosaccharides and glycoprotein may serve as receptor analogues for pathogenic bacteria, e.g., enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). These receptor analogues block lectin domains of bacterial adhesins and thus prevent adherence of pathogens to the gut wall, thereby avoiding initiation of post-weaning diarrhea. In conclusion, dietary fiber and other carbohydrates may be important solutions to maintain gut health when antibiotics are removed as growth promotants from swine feeds.
31 Relationship of Mitochondrial Phenotype to Muscle Function and Performance
Authors: White-Springer Sarah H 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Skeletal muscle mitochondria are vital for producing sufficient energy to fuel muscle contractions during exercise. Embedded within the inner mitochondrial membrane are 4 separate protein complexes that are responsible for transferring electrons from specific substrates to the final electron acceptor, oxygen. The proton gradient that is formed from the movement of electrons then drives complex V, synthesizing ATP to fuel cellular work. Recent technological advancements enable exploration beyond simple measures of mitochondria, such as density and overall function, to identify how the organelles produce energy. Specifically, high-resolution respirometry allows investigation into the capacity of each of these mitochondrial protein complexes to determine if they are differentially utilized during specific types of exercise. Further, unique profiles of utilization of these complexes may be hallmarks of success within a certain performance discipline (e.g., racing, dressage, western work, or jumping). In recent years, our laboratory has substantially contributed to progress in this area of research. Under 3 specific scenarios we: 1) defined in horses as young as 6-months-old differential utilization of complexes among breeds destined for certain racing distances; 2) demonstrated differential impacts on specific mitochondrial complexes between submaximal and high-intensity exercise training; and 3) identified a signature of mitochondrial energy production in Thoroughbred racehorses as weanlings that correlates with their race performance later in life. Complex-specific skeletal muscle mitochondrial research in horses is its infancy but has substantial promise to be used as a tool to optimize performance and prevent fatigue-induced injury in performance horses. Further, greater understanding of the inter-relationships of mitochondrial energy production, exercise training, management, and feeding protocols will be crucial to ensure horses realize their peak performance potential and to maintain animal welfare during intense training and competition schedules.
47 Plant Phenomics and Artificial Intelligence to Glean Information from Plant Sensing Technologies
Authors: Sarkar Soumik 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
One of the grand challenges of our generation is to get ready to feed 9 billion people by 2050 with sustainable use of environmental resources. However, our current agricultural system is not prepared for it. We are facing unprecedented challenges in adopting sustainable management practices, increasing production, and coping with pest and climate stressors that threaten yield; while running a profitable farm operation. In this talk, I will discuss our vision of a new cyber-plant-agricultural system that leads to an ultra-precision technology to monitor and manage plants or small plots at an individual level. To realize this grand vision, machine learning (ML) will play a large role. However, several key aspects of ML such as robustness, interpretability and data requirement need to be studied in the context of agriculture for successful deployment. In addition, high-throughput and effective plant phenotyping systems need to assimilate heterogeneous, multi-modal data for decision-making and should be suitable for distributed implementation for enhanced scalability. I will discuss a few success stories from our recent work to discuss these aspects of ML in plant agriculture that is relevant and potentially beneficial for the animal agriculture community.
52 Weaning Elicits a Distinct Increase in Plasma Cysteine Concentration in Pigs
Authors: Gachman Alexandra M , Bartosh Julia , Rudar Marko 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Weaning is a stressful event in pigs that is associated with low and variable feed intake, poor nutrient utilization, and high feed costs. The sulfur amino acids (SAA) methionine and cysteine have key roles in pig production, but how SAA metabolism, and thus SAA requirements, is affected by weaning is poorly understood. The objective of this study was to determine weaning-induced changes in SAA metabolism. Pigs (initial BW = 7,233 ± 683 g) were either weaned at 21 d age and euthanized at 23 d age (n = 4) or remained with the sow and euthanized at 23 d age (n = 4). Weaned pigs were fasted but had free access to water. At euthanasia, blood and liver tissue were collected. Plasma amino acids and amino thiols were analyzed by HPLC following pre-column derivatization with 6-aminoquinolyl-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl carbamate and 4-fluoro-7-aminosulfonylbenzofurazan, respectively. The protein abundance of cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine γ-lyase (CTH), enzymes needed for methionine transsulfuration to cysteine, in liver were determined by Western blot. Total plasma non-essential amino acid (NEAA) concentrations declined in weaned compared with unweaned pigs (2,664 versus 4,290 ± 211 µmol/L, P &lt; 0.01). Among NEAA, however, only plasma cysteine concentration increased in weaned compared with unweaned pigs (total cysteine, 253 versus 173 ± 16 µmol/L, P &lt; 0.05; cystine, 43 versus 23 ± 5 µmol/L, P &lt; 0.05). Plasma methionine tended to be less in weaned pigs (53 versus 65 ± 4 µmol/L, P = 0.075), whereas plasma taurine was less in weaned pigs (64 versus 128 ± 10 µmol/L, P &lt; 0.01). The abundance of CBS and CTH protein in liver was not different between groups. Elevated plasma cysteine concentrations after weaning in pigs is likely due to decreased cysteine oxidation to taurine rather than greater methionine transsulfuration to cysteine.
50 The Influence of L-Glutamine Supplementation on Measures of Intestinal Permeability, Immune Function, and Physiological Stress in Holstein Heifer Calves
Authors: Ceja Guadalupe , Boerman Jaquelyn P , Neves Rafael C , Schoonmaker Jon P , Jorgensen Matthew , Johnson Jay S S 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
L-glutamine (GLN) supplementation improves intestinal integrity and immune function in dairy calves during controlled stress challenges. However, it is unknown whether supplementing milk replacer (MR) with GLN offers similar benefits to intestinal integrity and immune function or reduces markers of physiological stress in pre-weaned dairy calves managed under production-relevant conditions. Thirty Holstein heifer calves [1.5 ± 0.5 d old; 37.1 ± 0.9 kg body weight (BW)] were blocked by serum total protein, BW, and age, and provided MR (38L·calf-1·d-1, 24% CP, 17% fat, 12.5% solids) supplemented with GLN (10g/kg dry MR; n = 15 calves) or not-supplemented (NS/control; n = 15 calves). Calves were individually housed with ad libitum starter grain and water access until weaning (56.4 ± 0.5 d old). At 2 and 5 weeks of age, urinary catheters were placed, and calves were orally dosed with 1 L Cr-EDTA. Urine samples were collected over a 24-hr period for Cr output analysis as an in vivo biomarker of intestinal permeability. Blood was collected on study d 1, 2, 5, 7, 14, 21, 42, and 56 to measure haptoglobin, serum amyloid A, and neutrophil:lymphocyte. Two study periods were identified representing greater (P1; weeks 1-3) and reduced (P2; weeks 4-8) enteric disease susceptibility. Data were analyzed using PROC GLIMMIX in SAS 9.4 with calf as the experimental unit. Overall, total Cr output was reduced (P &lt; 0.01; 29.4%) in GLN versus NS calves. Total CR output was decreased at 2 weeks (P = 0.04; 42.6%) in GLN versus NS calves, but no differences were detected at 5 weeks. Neutrophil:lymphocyte was decreased (P &lt; 0.01; 28.3%) during P2 in GLN versus NS calves. In summary, GLN supplementation improved markers of intestinal integrity and physiological stress in pre-weaned Holstein heifer calves managed under production-relevant conditions.
51 Supplemental Lysine in Finishing Cattle Diets
Authors: Cronk Hanna K , Carlson Zachary , Watson Andrea K , Norman Mitch , McPhillips Levi J , Erickson Galen E , Ducharme Gary 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Smartamine ML (Adisseo), a bioavailable (80%) source of lysine and methionine was used to evaluate effects of increasing lysine supply on performance of beef cattle. Crossbred steers (n=120, initial BW 261 kg) were individually fed a diet of 15% modified distillers grains plus solubles (MDGS), 68% blend of high moisture and dried rolled corn, 12% corn silage, and 5% supplement with Smartamine ML top-dressed daily. Steers were assigned to 8 inclusions of lysine, 0 to 7 g/d in 1 g increments, with 15 steers per treatment. Data were analyzed with MIXED procedure of SAS as a generalized randomized design with animal as experimental unit and treatment as fixed effect. Orthogonal contrasts evaluated linear, quadratic, and cubic responses. Contrast statements compared the control with 1, 2, and 3 g/d treatments. Feeding increasing amounts of bioavailable lysine linearly decreased DMI (P = 0.04), final live BW (P = 0.04), and ADG (P = 0.02) with no effect on G:F (P ≥ 0.27). Numerical differences in DMI and ADG (P ≥ 0.26) led to a trend (P = 0.06) for improved live G:F for the 1 g/d treatment compared with control (0.188 and 0.176, respectively). During the Optaflexx feeding period (d 163-195), DMI linearly decreased (P = 0.01) as lysine increased in the diet with no differences in ADG (P ≥ 0.13) or G:F (P ≥ 0.12), with a trend (P = 0.08) for improved live G:F for 3 g/d compared with control (0.163 and 0.131, respectively). Hot carcass weight tended (P = 0.07) to linearly decrease as Smartamine ML increased in the diet, with no effect on other carcass measures including longissimus muscle area, 12th rib fat, and marbling score (P ≥ 0.18). In finishing beef cattle diets with 15% MDGS, more than 3 g/d of supplemental lysine did not improve performance.
54 Eastern Red Cedar Targeted Grazing with Goats: Tree Height Significance
Authors: Hartsfield Alanna , Smart Alexander , Xu Lan , Froehlich Kelly 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Eastern red cedar (ERC; Juniperus Virginiana L.) encroachment into grassland ecosystems, facilitated by fire suppression and overgrazing, threatens the long-term health of the Northern Great Plains. Goats consume juniper through defoliation and debarking, and debarking causes branch death. ERC do not resprout, meaning trunk girdling can effectively kill the tree, making targeted grazing with goats a potential control tool, though little is known about targeted grazing with goats on ERC. The objective of this project is to investigate how goats defoliate and debark ERC of different heights. Moderately stocked (95 AUD∙ha-1) Spanish cross-bred goats grazed 24-hour periods in each of 4 replicate ERC-invaded 0.056 ha paddocks (average 117 trees∙paddock-1). ERC of 5 height classes, up to 250 cm at 50 cm increments, were permanently tagged in each paddock. Defoliation was measured by volume (⅓πr2h) reduction (%) from pre- to post-treatment, branch browse was measured as branches browsed (%) below the browse line, and debarking was measured by trunk debarked (%) below the browse line. Tree height was a significant predictor of defoliation (r2 = 0.63, n = 159, P &lt; 0.001) and debarking (r2 = 0.53, n = 159, P &lt; 0.001). ERC &lt; 100 cm tall were significantly more defoliated (P &lt; 0.05, x̄ = 74%) and ERC 50-100 cm had significantly more branches browsed up to the browse line (P &lt; 0.05, x̄ = 85%), while ERC &gt; 100 cm were significantly more likely to be debarked (P &lt; 0.05, x̄ = 45%). Average browse line for trees 100-250 cm was 186 cm. Our results suggest that goats disproportionally defoliate and debark short (1-100 cm) and tall (100-250 cm) ERC trees, respectively. Moderately stocked targeted grazing with goats could be an effective ERC site pre-treatment for prescribed fire or other control methods.
60 Evaluation of Fat Sources and Inclusion Rate with the Supplementation of Vitamin A or Beta-Carotene in Nursery Pigs
Authors: Elefson Sarah , Greiner Laura L 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of fat inclusion level and fat source with supplementation of either vitamin A (ROVIMIX A 1000; DSM; NJ) or beta-carotene (ROVIMIX β-Carotene 10%; DSM; NJ) on growth performance and vitamin A, D, and E status of nursery pigs (n = 216; 5.81 ± 0.92 kg). The study was a 3 X 2 factorial with main effects being no fat, 3% saturated fat (choice white grease), or 3% unsaturated fat (soybean oil) and supplemented with either 4 mg/kg vitamin A or 40 mg/kg beta-carotene. Pigs were randomly assigned to mixed sex pens and dietary treatments. Blood samples from 1 pig per pen were taken at the beginning and end of the study to evaluate vitamin status. All data were analyzed using PROC GLIMMIX in SAS 9.4 with pen as the experimental unit. Repeated measures were utilized for growth performance as well as vitamin status. There were no significant differences (P &gt; 0.05) for average daily feed intake, average daily gain, gain to feed ratio, and body weight throughout the study. There were no significant differences (P &gt; 0.05) in the vitamin status at either the start or end of the study, although there is a significant time difference (P &lt; 0.05) for each of the vitamins. There was a three-factor interaction (P &lt; 0.05) for diet X sex X time for vitamin D. Vitamin A and D values were greater at the end of the study than at the beginning, but vitamin E values were less at the end of the study than at the beginning. In general, fat inclusion level, a type, or type of vitamin A source supplementation did not affect the growth performance nor the status of vitamin A, D, or E in the nursery pig.
61 Persistence and Distribution of African Swine Fever Virus in Feed and Feed Mill Environment Over Time After Manufacture of Experimentally Inoculated Feed and Subsequent Manufactured Batches of Feed
Authors: Elijah Catherine G , Trujillo Jessie , Jones Cassandra K , Kwon Taeyong , Stark Charles R , Cool Konner , Paulk Chad B , Gaudreault Natasha , Woodworth Jason C , Morozov Igor , Gallardo Carmina , Gebhardt Jordan T , Richt Jurgen 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
To reduce the risk of feed-based pathogens causing disease, some feed manufacturers quarantine high-risk ingredients before their inclusion in feed. Data exists that confirms this practice is effective, but there is no information about swine pathogen survival in mill environments. This objective of the study was to determine survival of African swine fever virus (ASFV) in swine feed and mill surfaces. A pilot-scale feed mill manufactured a batch of ASFV-free feed (Batch 1), followed by a batch inoculated with ASFV (5.6×104 TCID50/gram; Batch 2). Then 4 subsequent ASFV-free batches were manufactured (Batch 3-6). After each batch,10 feed samples were aseptically collected in a double ‘X’ pattern. During feed manufacturing, 24 steel coupons were placed on the floor of the manufacturing area and feed dust settled on them during the milling process and overnight. Feed samples and steel coupons were stored at room temperature. Three of each were randomly selected and analyzed for ASFV DNA on d 1, 3, 7, 14, 28, 60, 90, and 180. The interaction of batch and day impacted (P = 0.023) the number of genomic copies detected per gram of feed. There were no differences of genomic copies/g in early batches; but the quantity of detectable ASFV decreased with increasing storage time after collection. In Batches 4-6, the greatest quantity of ASFV was detected on d 1, but the lowest quantity was detected on d 7, 60, and 28 or 180 for Batches 5, 6, and 7, respectively. There was no evidence (P = 0.433) of ASFV degradation on environmental coupons over the 180-d storage period. This study found that quarantine time can help reduce, but not eliminate ASFV in feed over time. However, ASFV survives on feed manufacturing surfaces for at least 180 d. Additional research is necessary to evaluate the viability of detected virus to cause illness.