Digital Commons Network^™

Supplementing Distillers' Grains In Extensive Beef Cattle Systems, Kelsey Rolfe

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

A 3-yr study evaluated effects of supplementing modified wet distillers grains with solubles during summer grazing and subsequent feedlot sorting on long yearling steers. During summer grazing, supplemented steers had greater ADG and were more profitable than non-supplemented steers. At feedlot entry, supplemented steers were 48 kg heavier than non-supplemented steers. Feed efficiency and DMI were not different between supplementation treatments during finishing. Supplemented steers were fed 24 fewer days to reach a similar 12^th rib fat thickness, had greater LM area, and lower marbling compared to non-supplemented steers. Overall profitability favored supplementing steers because less expensive summer gains …

Nutrient Management In Beef Feedlots And Forage Replacement With Byproduct And Crop Residues, Annie J. Doerr

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

Finishing cattle performance and mass balance was evaluated with Micro-Aid was fed in diets containing wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) at 35% (DM basis). Micro-Aid is a feed ingredient derived from a Yucca extract which contains saponins, and was included in the treatment diet at 1 g/hd daily in the supplement. There was no difference in performance and carcass characteristics between treatments. In the winter experiment, cattle fed Micro-Aid had a greater amount of OM and DM removed from the pen surface. Micro-Aid in the diet increased the amount of manure N and decreased N lossis in the winter. …

Evaluation Of Condensed Distillers’ Solubles And Field Peas For Feedlot Cattle, Anna C. Pesta

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

Limited previous research has investigated feeding high levels of condensed distillers solubles (CDS) as an energy source for feedlot cattle. As an energy dense and relatively inexpensive by-product feed from ethanol production, CDS may provide another opportunity to replace high priced corn in finishing diets. Two feedlot studies and one metabolism study were conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding CDS in both corn-based diets, and in combination with other by-product feeds on cattle performance and carcass characteristics. Inclusion of up to 36% CDS, providing 9.4% dietary fat improved performance relative to a corn-based control, with the optimum level of …

Effects Of Dietary Supplementation Of Conjugated Linoleic Acid In Horses, Shannon Headley

All Theses

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) reduces inflammation via the inhibition of cyclooxygenase II , thus reducing prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production. Conjugated linoleic acid has a suggested osteoclast-suppressive role in bone remodeling and osteoarthritis, which are dependent on bone resorptive stimulator PGE2. Bone resorption marker, deoxypyridinoline (DPD), and bone formation marker, bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), have been modulated by CLA supplementation in other species. Recent research in equine exercise physiology investigated dietary supplementation of polyunsaturated fatty acids as a possible prevention and treatment for osteoarthritis, but CLA supplementation has putative effects on skeletal function or inflammation in horses has not been reported. …

Detection Of Two Pathogens Of High Importance To The National Poultry Improvement Plan: Salmonella Spp. And Mycoplasma Spp., Robin Levi Jarquin

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In 1935, the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) was created to control Salmonella gallinarum and Salmonella pullorum . These two pathogens were devastating economically for poultry producers. Through cooperative efforts using vaccination and strict biosecurity, these two pathogens were eradicated from the United States. Currently, the NPIP program is targeting two other poultry pathogens, Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis and Mycoplasma . In the broiler industry it targets 2 specific Mycoplasma species (synoviae, gallisepticum). Vaccinations for these bacteria are available, but are not fully effective at controlling all strains and serovars. Thus, constant monitoring systems and strict biosecurity measures are necessary …

Effect Of Supplemental Trace Mineral Source (Organic Versus Inorganic) On Bull Semen Quality, Matt Rowe

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Studies indicate that organic forms of trace minerals can improve cow reproductive performance, particularly during periods of stress. However, limited information is available on the effects of organic trace mineral supplementation on bull fertility. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of organic versus inorganic trace mineral supplementation on bull semen quality before and after freezing, as measured by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). Angus and Balancer bulls were assigned to inorganic (n = 9) and organic (n = 10) trace mineral treatments, based on initial semen quality, breed, body weight, and age. The bulls were maintained in …

The Effect Of Amylase Supplementation With Low-Starch Rations: Effects On Milk Production And Feed Consumption, Alfred Eaton

Dairy Science

The objective of this trial was to determine if there was an increase in milk production or a decrease in feed consumption by dairy cattle when fed an exogenous rumen-resistant amylase, named RumiStar. High feed prices have caused dairymen to look for new ways to be more efficient. Commercial feed additives have been proposed as opportunities to improve efficiency. In our study a minimum of eighty multiparous Holstein cows were assigned to each of two pens, with a minimum of forty cows in each. Cows that completed their lactation during the study period were replaced with fresh cows to keep …

Tick Infestations And Their Consequences For Migratory Songbirds During Spring Stopover, Johnny Michael Sellers Jr.

Master's Theses

Migratory birds face a number of challenges during their seasonal movement from tropical/sub-tropical Central and South America to more temperate North America. Maintaining health during migration is of particular concern. This study seeks to understand how haematophageous ectoparasites, such as ticks (Ixodida), impact host body condition as they feed on passerines during migration. We hypothesized that foraging location would impact tick acquisition by migrants and that tick burdens during migration would negatively impact body condition. We surveyed 2,064 birds during spring 2009 and 2010 and found that 2.4% of the surveyed birds were infested with one or more …

A Comparison Of The Effectiveness Of Scent Lures On Attracting Mesopredators, Tom Batter

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

A mesopredator is a medium-sized middle trophic level predator such as a raccoon (Procyon lotor), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), or coyote (Canis latrans; Crooks and Soule 1999). Mesopredators have long been trapped for recreational, economic, or academic reasons. Throughout human history trapping has been used to capture animals for food and skins, as well as to prevent personal harm and property damage from predators. In order to increase the probability of success, scent lures are often used as an attractant (Geary 1984, Mills et al. 2010, Schlexer 2008).

Fatty Acids And Lipogenesis In Ruminant Adipocytes, Taber Burns

All Dissertations

Obsesity, the excess deposition of white adipose tissue, is a growing problem in the U.S. and other developed countries. Formerly thought to be inert, adipose tissue is now recognized as a dynamic endocrine organ with its secretion of adipokines and a newly proposed class hormone class 'lipokine'. Adipocytes are the functional unit of adipose tissue and can influence the tissue through hyperplasic and hypertrophic growth. In order to investigate the mechanisms involved in adipogenesis and lipogenesis of adipose tissue, stromal vascular cultures were isolated from adipose tissue of finishing cattle for use in experiments.
There is a positive relationship between …

Protein Utilization And Requirements In Broiler Breeders, Ricardo David Ekmay

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Advances in the genetics of poultry have created unintended consequences to the broiler breeder industry. Excessive weight has been shown to have many negative effects, including double hierarchies, multiple ovulations, and fatty liver. In an effort to curb excessive body weight gain, both the protein requirements and feeding strategies of broiler breeders are being revisited. A series of studies were conducted to determine the protein and amino acid requirements of broiler breeders during the production phase and to determine the interrelationship between protein turnover and egg formation. In the first trial, a 2x3x3 factorial study was conducted to determine the …

Four Types Of Activities That Affect Animals: Implications For Animal Welfare Science And Animal Ethics Philosophy, D. Fraser, A. M. Macrae

Ethnozoology and Animal Welfare Collection

People affect animals through four broad types of activity: (1) people keep companion, farm, laboratory and captive wild animals, often while using them for some purpose; (2) people cause deliberate harm to animals through activities such as slaughter, pest control, hunting, and toxicology testing; (3) people cause direct but unintended harm to animals through crop production, transportation, night-time lighting, and many other human activities; and (4) people harm animals indirectly by disturbing ecological systems and the processes of nature, for example by destroying habitat, introducing foreign species, and causing pollution and climate change. Each type of activity affects vast numbers …

Buying And Feeding The Family Milk Cow, Allen Young

All Current Publications

This publication lists characteristics of cow breeds, how to choose the right breed for your needs, how to maintain the animal, and how to control and monitor milk production.

Growing South Dakota (Fall 2011), College Of Agriculture &. Biological Sciences

Growing South Dakota (Publication of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences)

Page] 2 Adapting for the Future: South Dakota 4-H Efforts Move Forward
[Page] 5 Regional Transitions: Eight Extension Centers to Open in October
[Page] 6 College News [Page] 8 Making a Difference with Research: Ag Experiment Station Aids Industry & Economy
[Page] 10 Pig Potential: South Dakota's Swine Industry Offers Economic Opportunity [Page] 13 New Department Debuts: Natural Resource Disciplines Join Forces
[Page] 14 Autumn in the AIr: Grab Your Blue and Gold and Visit Campus
[Page] 16 iGrow Evolves: Usability And Content Are Being Enhanced
[Page] 18 Collection Effort: Despite Budget Cuts, Private Funds Allowed for Growth [Page] 21 …

The Efficacy Of Antibiotic Residue Screening Tests For The Detection Of Natural Antimicrobials In Milk, Stacey L. O'Donnell

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Executive Summary, Cumberland County Foodshed Assessment, Report 1, Barbara Ives

Local Food Systems

Like everyone else in these troubled economic times, Mainers are looking for ways to create jobs that will remain relevant and vital in a global economy, that cannot be outsourced, and that will regenerate rather than exploit our natural resources.

A growing number of people believe that a food system rooted in local farms, fisheries, and food production and distribution enterprises can strengthen Maine’s economy and its communities’ health, thereby increasing revenue and decreasing an expense that is crippling government agencies and individuals alike – healthcare. Business people who want to make a living related to food, and public and …

The Effects Of Acute And Chronic Hypoxia On Cortisol, Glucose And Lactate Concentrations In Different Populations Of Three-Spined Stickleback, E. A. O'Connor, T. G. Pottinger, L. U. Sneddon

Aquaculture Collection

The response of individuals from three different populations of three-spined sticklebacks to acute and chronic periods of hypoxia (4.4 kPa DO, 2.2 mg l-1) were tested using measures of whole-body (WB) cortisol, glucose and lactate. Although there was no evidence of a neuroendocrine stress response to acute hypoxia, fish from the population least likely to experience hypoxia in their native habitat had the largest response to low oxygen, with significant evidence of anaerobic glycolysis after two hours of hypoxia. However, there was no measurable effect of a more prolonged period (seven days) of hypoxia on any of the fish in …

Changing Climate, Changing Business Practices : Lessons From Innovative Growers, David Gray, Nicole Baxter, Meredith Fairbanks, Geraldine Pasqual

Bulletins 4000 -

Climate change and increasing seasonal variability are challenging the production efforts of growers in lower rainfall environments of the Western Australian grain belt. Significantly less rainfall than the long-term average has fallen across southwest Western Australia during the past 30 years.

Seasonal rainfall has also become more variable with later starts to the growing season and a general shift to more summer and less winter rainfall. Day and night-time temperatures, particularly in winter and autumn, have gradually increased, while in some areas, the risk of frost in spring has increased.

Reducing The Length Of Time Between Harvest And The Secondary Gonadotropin-Releasing Factor Immunization Improves Growth Performance And Clears Boar Taint Compounds In Male Finishing Pig, A K. Lealiifano, John R. Pluske, R R. Nicholls, F R. Dunshea, R G. Campbell, D P. Hennessy, D W. Miller, Christian F. Hansen, Bruce P. Mullan

Animal production and livestock research articles

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether altering the timing of the secondary anti-gonadotropin-releasing factor (GnRF) immunization closer to slaughter in male finishing pigs would reduce the increase in P2 fat depth (6.5 cm from the midline over the last rib), while still limiting the incidence of boar taint. Entire male pigs are immunized against GnRF to reduce the concentration of testicular steroids that in turn limits the incidence of boar taint. Additionally, testicle measurements and color measurements were taken to examine whether they could be used to differentiate nonimmunized entire males from immunized male pigs. A total …

The Relationship Of Dominance, Reproductive State And Stress In A Non-Cooperative Breeder, The Domestic Horse (Equus Caballus), Carly Anne Sinderbrand

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Animals that live in a social group are often organized in a hierarchy with rank determining access to resources. Maintaining a dominant position requires a high rate of energetically expensive aggressive displays and physical exertion. Lab based winnerloser studies, often conducted with individuals from non-social species, have shown that subordinates have higher stress hormone levels than dominant individuals (subordinatestress hypothesis). However, in carnivorous animals that are cooperative breeders, displays of aggression are associated with elevated stress hormone levels (dominancestress hypothesis). The effect of reproductive state on dominance and stress is not addressed within either of these hypotheses. The purpose of …

Spatial Distribution Of Human Elephant Conflict (Hec) And Characterization Of Crop-Raiding Elephants In Kasigau Region, Kenya, Simon Kasaine Kagwa

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Human-elephant conflict (HEC) is complex and a serious elephant conservation concern across Africa and Asia where elephants are found. HEC occurs whenever people and elephants share common interests. For HEC to be ameliorated and elephant conservation to be successful locally and regionally, the distribution and implications of HEC should be understood. The purpose of this study was to determine the spatial distribution of HECs and characterize elephant herds in terms of herd size responsible for crop-raiding in Kasigau. The study was generally guided by two working a priori hypotheses: (1) farms near the bush edge or livestock watering points will …

Indian Ocean Territories Aquaculture Development Plan : The Cocos (Keeling) Islands And Christmas Island, Department Of Fisheries

Fisheries Occasional Publications

No abstract provided.

Study Of The Innovative Self-Powered Sensor Based Smart Wireless Identification And Tracking Tag For Production Agriculture Application, Kumud Dhakal

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

A prototype smart animal ear tag has been developed to meet the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) animal disease traceability requirement. This novel ‘Smart Tag’ is a self–powered device capable of complete animal identification and tracking. Information on animal health, breeding and vaccination records can also be locally stored and retrieved from these small, economical and securely accessible wireless tags. These smart tags are capable of self-organizing into wireless ad-hoc networks for data reporting and retrieval. This work presents study of the distance coverage of a ‘Smart Tag’ and a cost-benefit analysis of ‘Smart Tag’ implementation. The mean distance …

Feeding Low-Fat Wet Distillers' Grains And Beef Quality, Asia Haack

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

Feeding distillers grains to cattle decreases shelf life stability of retail displayed steaks due to the increased polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFAs) content. High levels of PUFAs cause rapid oxidation of the fats in meat. To improve shelf life, a low-fat distillers grain ration, without solubles (LFWDG; 4.72% fat), was compared to a traditional diet containing wet distillers grains plus solubles (TWDGS; 6.91% fat) and a corn-based control diet (Corn; 3.64% fat). Strip loins (M. longissimus lumborum) from 45 USDA Choice steers (15 per dietary treatment) were selected to determine the effects of diet on fatty acid profile, fat composition, oxidation, …

Effects Of Lactate Dehydrogenase Haplotypes And Body Condition On Beef Cow Production, Olfat Taleb Alaamri

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) catalyzes the conversion of the pyruvate to lactate (forward) or lactate to pyruvate (reverse) in the last step of glycolysis. Objectives were to document the effects of LDH haplotypes and its SNPs, found in the promoter and coding sequence site, and body condition on beef cow production. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of LDH-B and Five single nucleotide polymorphisms of LDH-A were detected. Eight haplotypes of LDH-B were assigned with the same order of SNPs: G-348A, A-261G, N-222D, and C541A and four haplotypes of LDH-A were assigned with the same order of SNPs: T-327G, D-263C, G390A, A406G, …

Biohydrogenation Of Docosahexaenoic Acid, Catherine Klein

All Dissertations

Pathways of docosahexaenoic (DHA) biohydrogenation are not known; however, DHA is metabolized by ruminal microorganisms. The addition of DHA to the rumen alters the fatty acid profile of the rumen and milk and leads to increased trans-18:1 isomers, particularly trans-11 18:1 and 22 carbon fatty acids. This study included four in vitro experiments to identify if these are produced from DHA or if they come from other sources that are affected by DHA. In each experiment, ruminal microorganisms collected from a lactating Holstein cow were incubated in batch cultures for 0, 6, 24, and 48h and a uniformly 13C DHA …

Effects Of Ergot Alkaloids And Antioxidants On Bovine Sperm Motility, Ryan James Page

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The studies that comprise this thesis were performed in an attempt to identify and eliminate stressful conditions that may lead to infertility in the male bovine. The first project was performed to determine if ergot alkaloids directly affect bovine sperm motility. Percentage of motile spermatozoa was affected (P = 0.015) by a three-way interactions between time, concentration, and alkaloid. Ergotamine and dihydroergotamine decreased (P = 0.01) sperm motility in a concentration and time dependant manner and ergonovine had a minimal effect on overall sperm motility. The number of static spermatozoa also was affected (P < 0.01) by a three way interaction and increased as ET and DHET concentrations increased. Percentages of progressively motile and rapidly motile spermatozoa decreased (P < 0.01) in a two way interaction between alkaloid and concentration. Overall, sperm motility was decreased by ET and DHET. Furthermore, the qualities of motility as represented by progressive, rapid, path velocity (VAP), progressive velocity (VSL), track speed (VCL), beat frequency (BCF), lateral amplitude (ALH), straightness (STR), elongated, and area were decreased by those alkaloids. These data verify that ergot alkaloids commonly found in toxic tall fescue are detrimental to bovine spermatozoa. In the second study two antioxidants (alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid) were added to bovine sperm culture media and cryopreservation extender. The antioxidant capabilities of these two vitamins could help reduce free radical production and help preserve sperm viability. There was an interactive effect between ascorbic acid concentration and storage method on the bovine sperm motility characteristics: motile, progressive, rapid, track speed (VCL), and straightness (P < 0.05). A bull by ascorbic acid interaction (P < 0.05) was observed for motile, progressive, rapid, path velocity (VAP), progressive velocity (VSL), and VCL characteristics. Alpha tocopherol had no affects on sperm motility characteristics. Lipid peroxidation was affected (P < 0.01) by bull and ascorbic acid. Malondialdehyde concentrations for ascorbic acid treatments (0, 5, 10, 20 mM) were 3.25, 4.2, 2.96, and 2.15 ìM respectively. Results from the second study indicate that the addition of ascorbic acid may reduce sperm motility, but help prevent lipid peroxidation.

Variation In Parenting Style In A Captive Group Of Western Lowlands Gorillas, Ana E. Fernandez

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Parenting styles were examined in a group of western lowland gorillas to determine the relationship between parenting style and multiple births with a single individual. Another interest in this study was on varying ways that motherhood can be approached, with partial attention to the relationship between parenting style and social rank. Observational data was collected by means of focal animal sampling and used to analyze contact behaviors in mother-infant relationship. Results indicated that parenting style stayed consistent within the same mother, but different between mothers.

Investigation Of In-Package Ozonation: The Effectiveness Of Ozone To Inactive Salmonella Enteritidis On Raw, Shell Eggs, Austin Donner

The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research

Food production, handling, and distribution practices pose a constant threat to the quality and safety of food products. The objective of this research is to evaluate an innovative in-package ozonation process to reduce Salmonella enteritidis on raw, shell eggs. Previous research has shown that in-package ozonation eliminates contaminants from outside sources, reduces pathogens, and extends shelf life. In this study, raw, shell eggs were inoculated with Salmonella enteritidis and exposed to ozonation treatment. Microbial recoveries were then tested to determine bacterial reductions. Measurements included: relative humidity (34 percent at 5^oC), surface temperatures (^oC), ozone concentrations, bacterial …

Oat Snp Marker Discovery And Mapping Based On 454 Pyrosequencing Of Genome-Reduced Avena Magna Murphy Et Terrell, Rachel Rebecca Redman

Theses and Dissertations

The size and complexity of the oat genomes (Avena L., x = 7) have made genetic studies, including the discovery of molecular markers, difficult. Recent attention to these species has resulted in the development of many DArT -based markers in the tetraploid A. magna Murphy et Terrill (2n = 28, CCDD genomes), along with numerous RFLP's, SSR's, DArT's, and EST-based SNPs in hexaploid A. sativa L. (2n = 42, AACCDD). Here we report the first SNP markers for tetraploid oat based on genome reduction and high-throughput pyrosequencing in two inbred lines of A. magna: A-169 (wild) and Ba …