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Description Of A Pathologic White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus Virginianus) Mandible From Central Georgia, Patrick M. Powers, Alfred J. Mead

Georgia Journal of Science

A pathologic mandible was observed in a male white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) harvested in central Georgia during the 2015 fall hunting season. The deer was approximately four and a half years of age and displayed no outward indication of injury or evidence of irregular tooth attrition at the time of death. Upon soft tissue removal, the mandible displayed signs of premortem trauma. The pathology was consistent with secondary bone deposition associated with bone breakage. The nature of the fracture suggests that it may have been caused by antler impact during male-to-male sparring. A physical examination of 621 white-tailed …

Verification Of Echosounder Measurements Of Thickness And Spatial Distribution Of Kelp Forests, Huamei Shao, Kenji Minami, Hokuto Shirakawa, Takashi Maeda, Toshiaki Ohmura, Yoshikazu Fujikawa, Norishige Yotsukura, Masahiro Nakaoka, Kazushi Miyashita

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

Acoustic methods can be used to assess seaweed meadows. The accuracy of the methods is a key factor in the estimation of seaweed distribution and conditions. We obtained and verified thickness and spatial distribution values measured using an echosounder. We determined the thickness of seaweed growing in the coastal waters off Higashidoori-mura, Aomori, Japan on June 5-6, 2013. Acoustic data were collected using an on-board quantitative echosounder at 120 kHz. The thickness was also directly measured at 14 points. The root mean square error (RMSE) of the thickness determined by the acoustic and direct methods was calculated. A survey to …

Rumen Fluid Metabolomics Analysis Associated With Feed Efficiency On Crossbred Steers, Virginia M. Artegoitia, Andrew P. Cassady, Ronald M. Lewis, Harvey C. Freetly

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

The rumen has a central role in the efficiency of digestion in ruminants. To identify potential differences in rumen function that lead to differences in average daily gain (ADG), rumen fluid metabolomic analysis by LC-MS and multivariate/univariate statistical analysis were used to identify differences in rumen metabolites. Individual feed intake and body-weight was measured on 144 steers during 105 d on a high concentrate ration. Eight steers with the greatest ADG and 8 steers with the least-ADG with dry matter intake near the population average were selected. Blood and rumen fluid was collected from the 16 steers 26 d before …

Cost Of Feed Per Pound Of Gain In Cal Poly's Dairy Calves, Kayle Anna Phelan

Agricultural Education and Communication

California is ranked one of the top five states in the United States for dairy production. It produces approximately 40 billion pounds of milk per year for US production. California’s dairy industry is not only the largest milk producer in the nation, but it is also the most financially prominent in the agricultural industry. This industry lead is purely because of its careful management practices. The way calves are raised depend on the resources used, the natural environment present, and the operation of the dairy farm. Essentially, there are numerous ways to care for a cow and calf. However, the …

Winter Diet Of Bobolink, A Long-Distance Migratory Grassland Bird, Inferred From Feather Isotopes, Rosalind B. Renfrew, Jason M. Hill, Daniel H. Kim, Christopher Romanek, Noah G. Perlut

Environmental Studies Faculty Publications

Effective conservation of migratory bird populations depends on advancements in our understanding of processes throughout the life cycle. Fundamental information about wintering ecology (e.g., habitat use and diet composition) remains limited, which limits assessment of threats to populations during winter. Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) is a year-round grassland obligate and Nearctic-Neotropical migrant that undergoes 2 complete molts each year, including a complete prealternate molt on the South American wintering grounds. This unusual winter molt provides a rare opportunity to examine, using stable isotope analysis, the timing and contribution of foraging resources in the Bobolink diet prior to northbound migration …

The Recovery Of Protein From Egg Yolk Protein Extraction Granule Byproduct, Irene Jennifer Kaufman

Master's Theses

In addition to proving an excellent source of nutrients, eggs are used in the food, cosmetic, and biotechnology industries for their rheological and bioactive properties. Much of the potential for the added value is in individual components of the egg, rather than the whole egg. At low speed centrifugation, yolk separates into two distinct fractions—granules and plasma. It is becoming increasingly popular in the industry to remove the plasma fraction of the egg yolk to use for its livetins, particularly immunoglobulin Y, leaving behind a granule by-product (“yellow cake”). Previous research has shown potential added-value from the granule fraction, especially …

Serum Biochemistry Panels In African Buffalo: Defining Reference Intervals And Assessing Variability Across Season, Age And Sex, Johanna Rigas, Claire E. Couch, Morgan A. Movius, Anna E. Jolles, M Elena Gorman, Brianna R. Beechler

Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Science Faculty Publications

Serum biochemical parameters can be utilized to evaluate the physiological status of an animal, and relate it to the animal’s health. In order to accurately interpret individual animal biochemical results, species-specific reference intervals (RI) must be established. Reference intervals for biochemical parameters differ between species, and physiological differences including reproductive status, nutritional resource availability, disease status, and age affect parameters within the same species. The objectives of this study were to (1) establish RI for biochemical parameters in managed African buffalo (Syncerus caffer), (2) assess the effects of age, sex, pregnancy, and season on serum biochemistry values, and (3) compare …

Functional Analysis And Treatment Of Self-Injurious Feather Plucking In A Black Vulture (Coragyps Atratus), Kristen L. Morris

Thesis Projects

Feather plucking (FP) is a maladaptive behavior observed in captive avian species. This self-injurious behavior results in damage to and removal of feathers and skin tissue, resulting in animal welfare and financial consequences. The etiology and maintenance of FP have been hypothesized through medical and environmental processes, yet a definitive solution has not been found. The current study investigated the environmental variables maintaining the FP of a Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus), as well as evaluated a function-based treatment for this behavior. The behavior was found to be maintained by positive reinforcement in the form of contingent attention. Treatment …

Avs Corner, May 2017, Peyton Voirin, Leslie Wood, Kim Hill, Johanna Johnson, Annie Kate Herlong

AVS Corner

No abstract provided.

Beyond Capture: Development And Validation Of A Method To Assess Body Condition In Mule Deer (Odocoileus Hemionus) Using Camera Traps, Rachel A. Smiley 6820420

University Scholar Projects

Advances in technology and availability associated with camera traps have resulted in a rapid rise in their use to monitor wildlife distribution, abundance, and behavior. We focus on assessing body condition, a new application of camera traps. Body condition indices must relate to the percent body fat if they are to be useful. To acquire measurements of body fat, most body condition indices require capture or mortality of animals to estimate, which has limitations when applied to free-ranging animals. We developed a non-invasive, visual body condition index (VBCI) to assess body condition of mule deer that can be applied …

Predicting The Onset Of Parturition By Determining Calcium In Prepartum Milk Of Sheep, Lensey Watson

Animal Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Multiple methods of pregnancy detection can be used in sheep production. The gestation period for sheep is usually between 144 and 150 days; however, depending on the breed and age of the ewes, this number can vary. A breeding marker, such as a breeding crayon, is used to detect when the ewe is bred by the ram, and the date the ewe will lamb is typically calculated based on an average 145-day gestation. Unfortunately, this method provides only a rough estimate of when the ewe could lamb. In addition, because sheep routinely give birth to multiples (twins, triplets, and, sometimes, …

Beyond Capture: Development And Validation Of A Method To Assess Body Condition In Mule Deer (Odocoileus Hemionus) Using Camera Traps, Rachel A. Smiley 6820420

Honors Scholar Theses

Advances in technology and availability associated with camera traps have resulted in a rapid rise in their use to monitor wildlife distribution, abundance, and behavior. We focus on assessing body condition, a new application of camera traps. Body condition indices must relate to the percent body fat if they are to be useful. To acquire measurements of body fat, most body condition indices require capture or mortality of animals to estimate, which has limitations when applied to free-ranging animals. We developed a non-invasive, visual body condition index (VBCI) to assess body condition of mule deer that can be applied …

Identification Of Molecular Signatures Of Environmental And Nutritional Stress Responses In Poultry, Phuong Hieu Nguyen

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Poultry production plays an important role in the food supply and security for billions of people. Poultry meat is considered the most efficient, nutritious source of protein, without religious taboos, and is relatively inexpensive. However, the poultry industry is facing substantial challenges. The global environmental temperature has experienced dramatic changes in the last few years. Modern broilers are not well adapted to environmental challenges (heat and cold stress), which have resulted in heavy economic loss in the poultry industry worldwide. In addition, the use of feed restriction regimens in management of breeders as well as the transportation of young chicks …

The Use Of Probiotics To Control The Microbial Load Present In Commercial Broiler Chicken Hatch Cabinets As An Alternative To Formaldehyde Fumigation, Lucas Elzie Graham

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Formaldehyde has been used for decades as a disinfectant in the poultry hatchery. Hatch cabinets are treated with formaldehyde to control the microbial bloom that occurs inside of the hatch cabinet as the hatch progresses. Even with formaldehyde being a known human carcinogen and the detriment that it has on living creatures millions of chicks are exposed to formaldehyde in the hatch cabinet. In these experiments we tested a lyophilized probiotic spray inside of the hatch cabinets from day nineteen to day twenty one to control the microbial bloom that occurs. Hatch cabinet environments were sampled in six experiments. Media …

In Ovo Evaluation Of Floramax-B11 On Marek's Disease Hvt Vaccine Protective Efficacy, Hatchability, Microbiota Composition, Morphometric Analysis, And Salmonella Enteritidis Infection In Broiler Chickens, Kyle Dean Teague

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

It has previously been shown that effective probiotics can accelerate gut maturation and the development of a normal microflora in poultry. This results in increased resistance to enteric pathogens encountered by chicks early in life. Our objective in experiments 1 and 2 was to evaluate the effect of in ovo administration of FloraMax®-B11 (FM) on Marek’s disease (MD) herpesvirus of turkeys (HVT) vaccine protective efficacy. In Exp. 1, day 18 White Leghorn embryos were randomly distributed in four groups, 1) HVT vaccinated, no MDV challenge, 2) HVT + FM vaccinated, no MDV challenge, 3) HVT vaccinated, challenge with virulent MDV, …

Influence Of Exogenous Phytase Level And Interaction With Supplmental Xylanase On Live Performance And Phosphorus Retention Of Broilers, Peyton Gilbert

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Two 3-week experiments were conducted, each using 480 day-old male broilers placed randomly among 96 battery cages (5 per cage; 680cm2 per bird), to evaluate the influence of phytase supplementation, with or without supplemental xylanase, on bird performance. Individual body weights and cage feed weights were taken on days 0, 7, 14, and 21, and mean BW, body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), and FCR over each period calculated. Mortality was recorded daily and used to calculate livability and adjust FCR in both trials. In trial 2, excreta was collected by cage from 14 to 21 days for bone …

Heterogeneity Of Avian Breeding Habitat On Grazing Lands Of The Northern Great Plains, Maggi S. Sliwinski

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Native rangelands in the Great Plains are largely privately owned and used for beef production. Vegetation heterogeneity is important for maintaining biodiversity, but private land may be more homogenous than desired. My research had two components: 1) to examine whether a variety of grazing strategies created vegetation heterogeneity in a large, intact rangeland, and 2) to understand beef producers’ attitudes about vegetation heterogeneity.

First, I sampled vegetation structure, composition, and bird abundance at multiple plots on eleven management units in Cherry County, Nebraska. Units were managed with commonly used grazing strategies (e.g., short-duration grazing and season-long continuous grazing). I examined …

Life History Of The Non-Native Invasive Red Lionfish (Pterois Volitans) In The Northern Gulf Of Mexico, Alexander Q. Fogg

Master's Theses

Invasive Red Lionfish (Pterois volitans) were first detected in the northern Gulf of Mexico (nGOM) in 2010 and since then their numbers have increased dramatically. From 2010 to 2015, more than 15,000 Red Lionfish were collected opportunistically from the nGOM for this study. Length and weight relationships differed significantly among ecoregions by sex and there was clear sexual dimorphism in size with males being larger and heavier. Red Lionfish age ranged from 0-4.5 years old and males achieved greater growth rate (K) and asymptotic maximum lengths (L_inf) compared to females and these parameters were also different …

The Bovine Rumen Microbiome Revealed By Different Fractions Of Rumen Contents, Ashlee L. Breakstone

Animal Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

The bovine rumen microbiota is very important in terms of animal functionality and digestion. The fermentative capability of the rumen provides means for the digestion of complex plant material that is indigestible by humans. The rumen is the working ground for millions of microorganisms, primarily bacteria, to digest and ferment feed into volatile fatty acids and bacterial protein for the animal’s energy and protein needs, respectively. Of significant importance is the rumen microbiomes ability to conform to certain factors such as genetics, feed, or geographic location. These changes can have a direct measure on animal growth, health, and performance. The …

Nitrogen Excretion Of Lactating Dairy Cows Fed An Alfalfa Hay- Or Birdsfoot Trefoil Hay-Based High-Forage Diet, Mohammad Ghelich Khan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Legumes that contain condensed tannins (CT) may have lower protein degradability than alfalfa. The present study investigated the effects of feeding birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) hay on lactation performance and N utilization. Eight multiparous Holstein cows in mid lactation (150 ± 22.3 d-in-milk) were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 rations [alfalfa hay-based TMR (AHT) or birdsfoot trefoil hay-based TMR (BFTT)] in a crossover design with 2 experimental periods. Each experimental period lasted 16 d (14 d of adaptation and 2 d of total collection), and the 2 experimental periods were separated by a 7-d washout period. In the …

Evaluation Of Absorbezz On Swine Reproductive Health And A Comparative Study Of Two Commercially Available Swine Show Feeds, Scott G. Sutton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The efficacy of a feed supplement fed to gilts and sows was tested in study I. The supplement was stated to improve reproductive soundness, conception rates, immune health, and overall well-being of livestock. Thirty gilts were split into a control group (Base diet) and a treatment group (Absorbezz® 0.32 mL on base diet). Upon completion of the trial results indicate the treatment group significantly underperformed (

Two commercially available show pig growing rations were tested in study II to find a high quality, cost efficient product. A total of 10 pigs (5 barrows, 5 gilts), at an average weight of …

Backgrounding Calf Management Strategies Using Corn Residue And Double Cropped Forages, Jordan L. Cox-O'Neill

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Approximately 70% of calves in the U.S. are born in the spring and weaned in the fall, this results in a large supply of calves potentially available for backgrounding over the winter. Backgrounding systems positively impact the beef industry by efficiently using forage resources available. These systems also provide production value by enhancing the calf’s frame size, mature BW (increase HCW), and health prior to entering the feedlot. In Nebraska opportunities to integrate both crop and livestock production, by backgrounding calves abound. Approximately 13,100 metric tons of corn residue or 34,000 Animal Unit Months are available for grazing in Nebraska. …

Estimates Of Corn Residue Quality, Tasha M. King

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of corn residue harvest method on animal performance and diet digestibility. Corn residue harvest methods used in these experiments were low-stem, high-stem, and conventional. Steers had greater ADG when fed low-stem in a growing diet compared to high-stem and conventional residues. Addition of supplemental RUP to corn-residue based diets resulted in greater ADG and G:F in steers. Digestibility of DM, OM, and NDF were greatest in lambs fed diets containing low-stem residue. Low-stem residue had greater digestible energy (DE) compared to high-stem and conventional, which did not differ.

Lastly, a study was …

Evaluation Of Protein And Fiber From Distillers’ Grains Plus Solubles In Finishing Beef Cattle Diets, Zachary E. Carlson

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Four studies were conducted to evaluate the components of distillers grains plus solubles in finishing beef cattle diets. Experiment 1 evaluated the effects of five composites of feedstuffs formulated to be similar in nutrient composition to DDGS on finishing performance of cattle. Experiment 2 evaluated isolating the protein from distillers grains using a feedstuff from the wet milling ethanol industry to determine the impacts of protein on the feeding value of WDGS in finishing performance of cattle. Experiments 3 and 4 evaluated the effects of protein from distillers grains with the diets used in Exp. 2 on site of digestion, …

Use Of Byproducts In Forage-Based, Post-Weaning Beef Systems And Effects Of Serial Slaughter On Performance And Profitability, Robert Gregory Bondurant Jr.

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Crude glycerin was included in high-forage beef growing diets at 0, 4, 8, and 12% diet DM to determine the effect on fiber digestion by evaluating changes in microbial species abundance, NDF digestibility, and VFA concentrations. Total tract NDF digestibility decreased with increasing inclusion of GLY in high-forage diets. However, there was no decrease in in situ NDF digestibility and Fibrobacter succinogenes microbial populations were unaffected, indicating that fiber digestion was not directly affected by inclusion of GLY. Acetate decreased while propionate and butyrate VFA proportions increased as GLY increased.

Spayed heifers were utilized in a 2-yr study to evaluate …

Effects Of Energy Restriction During Gilt Development On Milk Nutrient Profile, Progeny Biomarkers, And Growth Performance, Shana Marie Barnett

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Two experiments were conducted at separate times to evaluate the effects of sow dietary treatment on piglet growth performance. One experiment solely focused on the growth performance of parity 1 piglets from gilt batches 5 through 13. The other experiment focused on growth performance of piglets from batch 14, parity 1, as well as, analysis of growth biomarkers, GLP-2 and Insulin. Milk samples from sows of each dietary treatment were collected and analyzed for oligosaccharide composition, nutrient composition, and insulin levels.

The first experiment utilized 733 sows that were fed either a restricted (RESTR) of ad libitum (ADLIB) diet during …

Effects Of Egg Yolk On Piglet Growth Performance, Circulating Immunoglobulins, Biomarkers Of Intestinal Integrity, And Microbial Community, Kelly C. Moore

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

A total of 72 crossbred pigs weaned at 24 days were assigned to a completely randomized design (CRD) arrangement of treatments to determine the effects of egg yolk on a nursery piglet’s growth performance, circulating immunoglobulins, biomarkers of intestinal integrity, and microbial community. Pigs were provided with spray-dried plasma (SDP), spray-dried egg yolk (SDEY), or a control diet. During Phase III, ADG was affected by treatment (P < 0.10). Pigs consuming the egg yolk diet had greater (P < 0.05) ADG vs. the plasma group for Phase III. Circulating immunoglobulins (IgA and IgG) were not affected by dietary treatment. C-reactive protein (CRP) and haptoglobin (Hp) concentrations remained constant during the experiment. Treatment did effect Glugacon like peptide-2 (GLP-2) concentration (P < 0.01) where pigs fed egg yolk had the greatest concentration. Microbial OTUs were similar among treatments (P > 0.8), but there were changes over time; from d 0 to Phase I and II there was an increase in diversity (P < 0.01) followed by a decrease in …

Sensor Placement Effects Acceleration Data For Monitoring Equine Activity, Carol J. Thompson

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Monitoring horse activity continually is a valuable aid for horse caretakers to provide recommendations to help users meet their goals and improve overall horse health. Activity trackers commonly use an accelerometer to determine steps and exercise intensity. The activity level capabilities using a 3-axis accelerometer were tested in three locations on the horse. The objectives were to determine which location results in the most accurate step count, threshold values for each gait and to identify correlations between the thresholds and horse characteristics. Twenty-four horses wore three identical smartphone accelerometers, one in each of three locations: right side of the head …

Evaluation Of Different Probiotic Strains Supplemented In Commercial Broiler Rations And Their Influences On Performance, Yield, And Intestinal Microbiota., Justin M. Glasscock

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this study was to evaluate Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus licheniformis, and Bacillus subtilis, as probiotic strains compared to Bacitracin Methylene Disalicylate (BMD) 50 as the antibiotic growth promotor, supplemented in commercial broiler rations and their influences on performance, yield, and intestinal microbiota. This trial was completed as a randomized-block design with 4,800 birds split into 96, 5’x10’ pens, and randomly assigned to one of eight treatment groups. The birds were placed at a stocking density of 1.00 ft²/bird, (50 birds/pen), and reared on used pine shaving for 55 days. Throughout the study, bird …

Identification Of Meat And Poultry Species In Food Products Using Dna Barcoding, Rosalee S. Hellberg, Brenda C. Hernandez, Eduardo L. Hernandez

Food Science Faculty Articles and Research

DNA barcoding is a promising method for the sequencing-based identification of meat and poultry species in food products. However, DNA degradation during processing may limit recovery of the full-length DNA barcode from these foods. The objective of this study was to investigate the ability of DNA barcoding to identify species in meat and poultry products and to compare the results of full-length barcoding (658 bp) and mini-barcoding (127 bp). Sixty meat and poultry products were collected for this study, including deli meats, ground meats, dried meats, and canned meats. Each sample underwent full and mini-barcoding of the cytochrome c oxidase …