Life Sciences Commons^™

Evaluation Of Animal Welfare By The Self-Expression Of An Anxiety State, M. P. Carey, J. P. Fry

Assessment of Animal Welfare Collection

Although mental well-being has long been accepted as an important aspect of animal welfare, the subjective feelings of farm or laboratory animals are regarded as lying beyond the scope of scientific enquiry. We now report that pharmacological conditioning of pigs with a drug, pentylenetetrazole, known to induce anxiety in man, permits investigation of the presence or absence of this psychological state during exposure to a variety of environmental stimuli encountered during normal husbandry. Such pharmacological conditioning therefore provides a valuable means to assess and improve elements of animal welfare and should be applicable to other species that show operant behaviour.

Conflict And Cooperation: Sociobiological Principles And The Behaviour Of Pigs, David Fraser, D. L. Kramer, E. A. Pajor, D. M. Weary

Sociobiology Collection

The pig provides many examples of how principles of behavioural ecology and sociobiology can lead to insights into farm animal behaviour. According to parent-offspring conflict theory, parents should tend to give a level of parental investment somewhat below that solicited by the young. When closely confined during lactation, sows can do little to limit the amount of contact with the piglets, and the young stimulate a prolonged, high level of lactation. Certain alternative housing systems allow the sow to limit the stimulation she receives, and the resulting reduction in lactation can actually be advantageous to both parties. Communal care of …

Mirror Use By African Grey Parrots (Psittacus Erithacus), Irene M. Pepperberg, Sean E. Garcia, Eric C. Jackson, Sharon Marconi

Sentience Collection

No abstract provided.

Population Dynamics Of Black Bears In Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Alex Brandon Coley

Masters Theses

Previous estimates of black bear (Ursus americanus) population density from Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP or Park) were low to intermediate when compared to other populations throughout the range of the species. These estimates conflicted with other research on GSMNP bears that indicated a high-density population with consistent growth from the early 1970's to the late 1980's. Thus, the focus of my research was to calculate appropriate estimates of population size and density and evaluate them with respect to trapping regime, demographic data, and hard mast production.

I determined effective study area sizes by calculating the average …

Indicating Acts During Counting By A Chimpanzee (Pan Troglodytes), Sarah T. Boysen, Gary G. Berntson, Traci A. Shreyer, Michelle B. Hannan

Sentience Collection

A chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) experienced in counting arrays of 0-7 items and trained for comprehension of number symbols, spontaneously displayed a variety of indicating acts (e.g., pointing, touching, and rearranging items) during counting. Twenty-five sessions were videotaped, and all trials were evaluated for the relations among number of items presented, number of indicating acts displayed, and the Arabic number selected to represent the array. Significant correlations included the relations between number of items and the cardinal number selected by the animal, between the number of items and indicating acts displayed by the chimpanzee, and between the number of indicating acts …

European Wasps : Eradicating An Unwanted Pest, Marc Widmer, John Van Schagen

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

European wasps were first found in Western Australis in 1977. Mark Widmer and John van Schagen outline the pest's life history and control progeams which are in place.

The Distribution, Ecology And Natural History Of Shrews (Insectivora: Soricidae) In Southern West Virginia, Jeffrey Jerome Hajenga

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

A survey of the soricid (shrew) fauna of southern West Virginia was conducted between May 16, 1994 and May 27, 1995. Twenty-five sites were established in Mercer and Summers counties within seven habitat types. Pitfall traps were used and through a limitation of fluid depth within the trap the selectivity for soricids was increased to over 83% of the total capture. Overall, a total of 653 shrews comprising seven species (Sorex cinereus, S. /ongirostris, S. fumeus, S. dispar, S. hoyi, 8/arina brevicauda, and Cryptotis parva) was captured. Two of the species taken (S. hoyi and S. dispar) are new county …

Geographic And Nongeographic Variation In The Genus Microtus (Mammalia: Rodentia) In West Virginia, Tina M. Savage

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Geographic and nongeographic variation was assessed on 12 cranial and 4 external characters in approximately 400 specimens of Microtus (M. ochrogaster, M. chrotorrhinus, M. pinetorum, M. pennsylvanicus) in West Virginia. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were used to examine age-related variation, sexual dimorphism, elevation and geographic variation and litter size for each species of Microtus in the state. Cranial characters were more beneficial than external in detecting variation. Examination of data for each species of Microtus studied demonstrated that values and trends in variation is a specific rather than a generic trait. Age-related variation was present in some, …

Dietary Lysine And Slaughter Weight Affect Growth Performance And Carcass Characteristics In Boars And Barrows (1995), M M. Rantanen, Robert H. Hines, I H. Kim, K G. Friesen, Joe D. Hancock

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

During the growing and finishing period, the boars ate less, had better F/G, and were less fat than barrows. A high plane of nutrition (high vs moderate lysine concentrations for the growing-finishing phases) and decreasing slaughter weight from 260 to 220 lb also improved efficiency of gain and carcass leanness. However, many notable interactions occurred among the gender x lysine x slaughter weight treatments. Also, year (rotational-cross of average health status and lean growth potential vs a terminal-cross of high lean growth potential after repopulation of the farm) had pronounced effects on growth performance and carcass merits such that the …

Flavor And Aroma Of Low-Dose Irradiated, Boneless, Pork Chops (1995), S E. Luchsinger, Zepeda C.M. Garcia, Edgar Iv Chambers, M E. Hollingsworth, Melvin C. Hunt, James L. Marsden, Sally L. Stroda, Canas E. Rubio J, Curtis L. Kastner, W G. Kuecker, T Mata, Donald H. Kropf

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Irradiation and irradiation source had little to no effect on flavor and aroma of boneless pork chops, either frozen or chilled. Coupled with consumer concerns about food safety and well-documented improvement in consumer attitudes about irradiated foods, irradiation of boneless pork chops has promising potential for market acceptance.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, November 16, 1995

Yearling Scrotal Circumference Prediction Equation And Age Adjustment Factors For Various Breeds Of Beef Bulls, J.M. Geske, R.R. Schalles, K.O. Zoellner

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Scrotal circumference measurements and other data were collected on 4,218 Angus, Red Angus, Brangus, Charolais , Gelbvieh, Hereford, Polled Hereford, Limousine, Salers, and Simmental bulls born in the spring of 1991. All were participants in selected on-farm and central bull tests. Our objectives for the study were to develop 205-and 365-day age-adjustment factors for scrotal circumference and derive a 365-day scrotal circumference prediction equation based on adjusted 205-day scrotal circumference. We determined that a 205-day scrotal circumference of approximately 21 cm is necessary to reach 32 cm at 1 year. Age-of-dam adjustment factor for 205-day scrotal circumference is +.8 cm …

Breed And Management Comparisons And Genetic Parameters For Carcass Traits, K.M. Andries, R.R. Schalles, D.E. Franke, Michael E. Dikeman

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Carcass data from 5 years of a long-term, rotational , crossbreeding project were used to calculate heritabilities, genetic and phenotypic correlations , and management effects and to compare breeds for marbling, ribeye area, and hot carcass weight. Angus, Brahman, Charolais, Hereford, Polled Hereford, Gelbvieh, and Simmental breeds were involved. Sixty percent of the steer calves were fed as calves and 40% as yearlings. Heritabilities were .40 for marbling, .46 for ribeye area, and .51 for carcass weight. Genetic and phenotypic correlations were high between carcass weight and ribeye area but low between marbling and the other traits. Steers fed as …

Ad Libitum Suckling By A Foster Calf In The Presence Or Absence Of The Cow's Own Calf Prolongs Postpartum Anestrus To First Ovarian Cycle, G.C. Lamb, J.M. Smith, Jeffrey S. Stevenson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Five treatments were initiated approximately 15 days after calving: 1) calf was weaned from its dam (CW); 2) calf was present continually with its own dam (CP-O); 3) calf was present continually with its own dam but contact with the udder was restricted (CR); 4) foster calf was pre sent continually but the cow's own calf was absent (CP-F); and 5) foster calf was present continually, and the dam's own calf was present but restricted (CR+F). Cows weaned at 15 days (CW) cycled in about 2 weeks, whereas cows in the CR treatment cycled 1 week later, and cows in …

Influence Of Timing And Rate Of Gain On Puberty And Reproductive Performance Of Beef Heifers, J.M. Smith, G.C. Lamb, J. Ernest Minton, Robert T. Brandt Jr., R.C. Cochran

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Seventy-seven crossbred heifers (573 lb initial body weight) were developed in drylot and limit-fed a corn, sorghum silage diet predicted to produce gains of either 1 lb/day for the entire developmental period (EVENGAIN) or .25 lb/day for the first two-thirds of the period followed by 2 lb/day during the last third (LATEGAIN). Treatments began on November 15, 1993 and continued until April 25, 1994, the onset of the breeding season. Actual daily gains averaged 1.31 lb/day for EVENGAIN heifers, whereas LATEGAIN heifers averaged .55 lb/day for the first two-thirds of the feeding period and 2.5 lb daily for the last …

Pregnancy Rates In Virgin Heifers And Suckled Beef Cows After Synchronized Ovulation Using Pgf2", Norgestomet, And Gnrh, D.P. Hoffman, C.L. Krehbiel, R.M. Mckee, Jeffrey S. Stevenson, David A. Nichols

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

One disadvantage of most estrous synchronization programs is their inability to induce cycling in prepubertal heifers and anestrous suckled beef cows. Suckled cows and virgin heifers were treated with PG F2", norgestomet, and GnRH to induce ovarian cyclicity in prepubertal heifers and anestrous suckled cows as well as to synchronize estrus in cycling females. The treatment consisted of two injections of PGF2" (day -14 and 0) plus 100 μg of GnRH and a 6 mg norgestomet implant on day -7. The implants were removed 24 h after the second injection of PGF2" (day 0). An injection of 100 μg of …

Pregnancy Rates In Mga-Prostaglandin Synchronized Heifers Bred At Estrus Or Inseminated At Fixed Times, J.M. Smith, L.R. Corah, G.C. Lamb, A.R. Spell

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The objective of this project was to study the effects on pregnancy rates of inseminating estrus-synchronize d heifers either at observed estrus or at a fixed time. In April, 1994, 574 yearling crossbred heifers, located on six Kansas ranches, were inseminated to achieve this objective. Her d size ranged from 38 to 293 head. The heifers were synchronized with the MGA-prostaglandin (PGF) system. Heifers were either inseminated 12 hr after the onset of estrus or, if not showing estrus, 72 hr after PGF. Pregnancy rates of 491 heifers bred on estrus averaged 56.6% (39.2 to 80.4%). Pregnancy rates for the …

Effects Of Grazing System And Stocking Rate On Cow-Calf Performance In The Flint Hills, R.C. Cochran, D.E. Johnson, K. C. Olson, David C. Hartnett, Clenton E. Owensby

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A 6-year study was designed to measure the influences of stocking rate and grazing system on performance of cow-calf pairs grazing tallgrass prairie. This paper summarizes the initial 3 years. Late-season rest-rotation was compared to continuous grazing over low, moderate, and high stocking rates. No differences (P>.10) were observed in body weight of cows or calves as a result of grazing system or stocking rate. However, calf weaning weight tended (P=.20) to be greater with continuous grazing than with late season rest-rotation. Cow body condition score was unaffected (P>.10) by stocking rate or grazing system. Conception rates were …

Influence Of Increasing Proportion Of Supplemental Nitrogen From Urea On Intake And Fermentation Characteristics In Beef Steers Consuming Low-Quality, Tallgrass-Prairie Forage, H.H. Köster, R.C. Cochran, E.S. Vanzant, K.K. Kreikemeier, G. St Jean, Evan C. Titgemeyer, Tiruvoor G. Nagaraja

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Five ruminally and duodenally fistulated Angus x Hereford steers were used to determine intake and fermentation responses associated with increasing the proportion of supplemental degradable intake protein (DIP) provided by urea. Steers had free access to a dormant, tallgrass-prairie forage. The supplemental DIP was provided by sodium caseinate and (or) urea , at a level that was determined previously to optimize use of a similar forage. Supplemental DIP was balanced with corn starch to provide a final supplement of 40% crude protein. Percentages of DIP from urea were: 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%. Supplements were given intraruminally. Increasing the …

Effects Of Grazing System And Use Of A Pasture-Phase Implant On Grazing And Finishing Performance Of Steers, Robert T. Brandt Jr., C.T. Milton, Clenton E. Owensby

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Results are presented from the first year of a 2-year study to evaluate the effects of grazing system (intensive-early stocking or IES vs season-long grazing or SLG) with or without a pasture-phase implant (Synovex-S®) on grazing and subsequent finishing performance. Compared to a SLG system, IES resulted in faster rate of gain on pasture and more beef produced per acre, although SLG resulted in greater total pasture gain per animal. Implanting improved rate of gain and increased beef per acre, particularly for IES steers. In the feedlot, IES steers gained weight faster and more efficiently than SLG steers. However, SLG …

Wheat Middlings In High Concentrate Finishing Rations: Cattle Performance, B.S. Dalke, R.N. Jr. Sonon, D.L. Holthaus, K.K. Bolsen, Matthew A. Young

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

One hundred twenty medium-framed steers were fed one of six high (90%) concentrate rations: control (0), 5, 10, or 15% pelleted wheat middlings (WM) replacing the concentrate (dry rolled corn) and 5 or 10% pelleted WM replacing the roughage (chopped alfalfa hay). Increasing WM replacement of the concentrate increased both dry matter (DM) intake and feed/gain ratio linearly, without influencing daily gain or final weight. WM replacement of the roughage decreased DM intake linearly, but it ha d no effect on daily gain, final weight, or feed efficiency . The data indicate that WM could replace only 5% of the …

Optimal Urea Level In Corn-Based Finishing Diets Containing Alfalfa As The Roughage Source, C.T. Milton, Robert T. Brandt Jr.

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

One hundred medium-growth potential, crossbred yearling steers (766 lb) were used to identify the optimal level of urea in finishing diets, based on growth and carcass traits. The corn-base d diets had no urea o r contained .35, .70, 1.05, or 1.40% urea (dry matter basis) and no other supplemental protein. Alfalfa hay (10% of DM) was the roughage source and contained 16% crude protein. Feed efficiency and gain were improved by .35% urea, with little improvement from higher additions. Regression analysis indicated that the optimal level of urea for gain and feed efficiency was .5% of dietary dry matter. …

The Effect Of A Core Antigen Vaccine On Health And Performance Of Cattle Diagnosed With Bovine Respiratory Disease, Gerald L. Stokka, Robert T. Brandt Jr., K.K. Kreikemeier, T. Milton

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

When studied in receiving trials at three locations, health or performance of calves receiving a core antigen vaccine was not improved.

How The Price Of Different Breeds Of Feeder Cattle Has Changed Over Time, F.K. Brazle, J.R. Mintert, J. Iii Sartwelle, R.P. Jr. Bolze, Ted C. Schroeder

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Data on feeder steer characteristics, breeds, and prices were collected in 1986/87 and 1993 at Kansas and Missouri feeder cattle auctions to identify changes in buyers' preferences for various breeds. Results from models of feeder steer price/characteristics indicate that the relative value of many breeds changed over time. Relative to Hereford steers, Angus, Hereford x Angus cross, Continental cross, and low percentage Brahman steers all gained in price from 1986/87 to 1993. Longhorn Cross steers' price declined relative to Hereford steers over the same time period.

Cash Operating Income And Liquidity Management For Feeder Cattle Operations, B.D. Elliott, Michael R. Langemeier, Allen M. Featherstone

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Net cash flow measures the amount of cash remaining after all cash expense obligations are satisfied. This cash is available for additional farm investment, off-farm investment, family living, and additional debt repayment. A 5-year, average, monthly, cash-flow statement was used to determine net cash flow for 18 feeder cattle farms .Results indicate that excess cash was used primarily to invest in equipment, vehicles, and nonfarm assets. Investments in buildings increased moderately over the study period, while investment in land was minimal.

Agronomic Performance And Silage Quality Traits Of Forage Sorghum Hybrids In 1994, M.S. Mitchem, L. Pfaff, K.K. Bolsen, Matthew A. Young

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The 1994 growing season was characterized by near norm al rainfall and temperatures. Both whole-plant DM and grain yields were excellent for all hybrid s. The middle-season Pioneer 947 hybrid had the highest grain yield. The two dual-purpose hybrids had the highest whole-plant DM yields, and the male sterile (Golden Harvest H-1) and the grain sorghum (DeKalb 42Y) had the lowest. Strong winds in the first week in September caused substantial lodging in three of the four tall middle- and late-season hybrids (DeKalb FS-5 and Golden Harvest H-2 and H-68). Two of the short height, dual purpose hybrids (Northrup King …

Relating Quality Changes To Storage Time For Baled Alfalfa, W.K. Coblentz, J.O. Fritz, K.K. Bolsen, R.C. Cochran

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The relationships between storage time and several chemical indices for forage quality were established for alfalfa hay baled at two moisture levels (29.9 and 19.7%) in conventional and laboratory bale s made at 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 times the density o f parent, conventional bales. Bales were sampled after 0, 4, 11, 22, and 60 days. For the high-moisture bales, most quality indices indicated substantial nutrient loss early in the storage period, particularly between days 4 and 11, with little change after 22 days. A nonlinear mathematical model was constructed to describe how neutral detergent fiber and several other quality …

Changes In Nutrient Content Of Rye, Triticale, And Wheat Whole-Plant Forages With Maturity, K.L. Hanson, R.S. Schalles, L.H. Harbers, Curtis R. Thompson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

We compared upland and bottomland cereals seeded during 1991 at the KSU Agricultural Research Center - Hays. The five crops (three varieties of triticale, a winter wheat, and a winter rye) were harvested as whole plants during the latter part of the growing season. Crude protein (CP), ac id detergent fiber (ADF), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) were estimated using near infrared spectroscopy. Compute r models were developed to describe nutrient changes. Crude protein content decreased whereas the two fiber components increased with maturity. Rye and wheat tended to have lower CP values when day 125 was used as the …

Process Intervention To Assure Sanitation Of Beef Carcasses And Cuts, R.K. Prasai, P.B. Kenney, C.M. García Zepeda, L.E. Mease, L.R. Vogt, B.L. Willard, Donald H. Kropf, Randall K. Phebus, R.E. Campbell, Elizabeth A.E. Boyle

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The meat industry and Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) strive to minimize carcass contamination during slaughter and subsequent processing. Because microbial contamination during slaughter cannot be avoided completely, decontamination methods must be addressed. This overview emphasizes process intervention studies conducted at Kansas State University to determine the most effective intervention points and technologies to control microbiological hazards in meat and meat products. Our research shows that trimming of gross contamination followed by washing is a reasonable approach to minimizing microbial contamination on beef carcasses. We also found that sanitation of subprimal cuts may be just as effective as treating …

Display Life And Internal Cooked Color Of Ground Beef From Vitamin E-Supplemented Cattle, C.L. Lavelle, Melvin C. Hunt, Donald H. Kropf

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Retail display life of ground beef and internal color of patties cooked to four endpoint temperatures (131, 149, 160, and 17 1EF) were determined for ground beef (9% fat) from vitamin E-supplemented (500 and 2000 IU per day) steers. Visual scores indicated that the display time required for the 500 and 2000 vitamin E samples to reach an objectionable reddish-brown/brown color was increased by 12 and 32 hours, respectively, as compared with the 0 vitamin E samples. Patties did not differ in internal cooked color regardless of vitamin E level. Vitamin E was effective in increasing retail display color stability …

Relationships Between Weaning Weight, Maternal Weaning Weight, And Milk Production In Polled Hereford Cattle, J.B. Jr. Glaze, R.R. Schalles

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Performance data from a Polled Hereford herd selected for improved feed conversion were used to calculate a variety of genetic parameters. Heritabilities were .14 for weaning wt, .18 for maternal weaning wt., and .19 for milk production. The genetic correlations were -.10 between weaning weight and maternal weaning weight and 0 between weaning weight and milk production. However, the genetic correlation between maternal weaning weight and milk was . 99, indicating they are essentially the same trait. Milk EPDs published by most breed associations are calculate d as the maternal weaning weight. Our study strongly supports this method of estimating …