Life Sciences Commons^™

Effects Of Grazing Vs. Resting On Soil Chemistry And Plant Community Dynamics For The Central Coast Of California In 2012, Jessica Combs

Animal Science

No abstract provided.

In Vivo And In Vitro Digestibility Of A Complete Pelleted Feed In Horses, Cassandra Renee Sweeney

Master's Theses

ABSTRACT

COMPLETION OF AN IN VIVO DIGESTIBILITY TRIAL IN HORSES AND IN VITRO DIGESTIBILITY ASSAY DEVELOPMENT

Cassandra Renee Sweeney

In vivo analysis of equine feed digestibility has been the gold standard since the late 1800's, although it can be time consuming, costly, and labor intensive. In vitro digestibility analysis may be more economical and beneficial to both feed manufacturers and consumers. The availability of accurate in vivo data is crucial for critical evaluation and validation of any potential in vitro method (Coles et al., 2005). Ten adult American quarter horse geldings were used in the in vivo digestibility evaluation of …

Open Pulled Straw (Ops) Vitrification Of Mus Musculus Morula And Blastocyst Survival In Two Common Cryopreservation Medias, Gina Marie Cirimele

Animal Science

The objectives of this study were to: (1) determine an optimal cryoprotectant of mice embryos; and (2) determine whether morula or blastocyst stage is ideal for vitrification in both medias. One experiment was performed using two different medias for vitrification with open pulled straws (OPS) with morulae and blastocysts. In the first protocol, we called V, embryos were exposed to 10% ethylene glycol (EG) for 5 minutes, then 40% ethylene glycol and 0.6 M galactose for about 30 seconds, loaded into an OPS, and plunged into liquid nitrogen. In the second protocol, we called VG, embryos were exposed to 7.5% …

Efficiency Of Two Cryopreservation Methods Using Direct In-Straw Rehydration After Repeated Vitrification Of Mouse Embryos, Ashley Morgan Payne

Animal Science

Experiments were conducted to determine which of two direct in-straw rehydration methods was optimal for obtaining high survival of mouse embryos after repeated vitrification. The first vitrification method compared was a one-step design, designated “House method,” where embryos were equilibrated in 3.5 M ethylene glycol for 3 min before rapid plunge vitrification in 7 M ethylene glycol/0.5 M glucose/18% w/v Ficoll 70. The second method was the commercially available BoviPRO Embryo Vitrification Kit ^TM(MiniTube of America, Verona, WI), which first exposed embryos to 1.4 M glycerol for 5 min, then 1.4 M glycerol/3.6 M ethylene glycol for 5 min, …

An Analysis Of Coastal Marine Impacts Caused By Prehistoric And Historic Fishing Practices In Morro Bay, Ca, Darin Schmicking

Social Sciences

No abstract provided.

Design, Acnd Construction Of A Portable Artificial Insemination Chute, Chris Herrera

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This senior project report discusses the design, construction, and evaluation of a portable artificial insemination chute for the use of the Cal Poly Beef Department. The design was based on the suggested modifications from operators of several other chutes currently in use.

The main areas considered for the design were; Ergonomics, cattle safety, factors effecting maximum breeding conception rates, and Portability.

The breeding chute proved superior over traditional chutes in a variety of ways. Improvement occurred in the areas of consideration as follows, user operation was simplified, animal stress was decreased, and maximum breeding efficiency was obtained.

Ear Length As A Diagnostic Character For Identifying Species Of Kangaroo Rats, Daniel W. Ziebron

Biological Sciences

The following study examines the use of ear length as a diagnostic field character for differentiating between species of Kangaroo rats in San Luis Obispo County. Data was taken from a study of Kangaroo rats in the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge, as well as various collections under the supervision of Francis X. Villablanca, Ph. D. and California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. An ANOVA was used to compare subspecies within Dipodomys heermanni and t-tests were used to compare ear lengths between Dipodomys heermanni and Dipodomys venustus. The analysis shows a statistically significant difference and supports the hypothesis …

Potential For Barn Owl As Rodent Biological Control In Central California Vineyards, Hannah Tillmann

Biological Sciences

The pocket gopher (Thomomys bottae) and voles (Microtus spp.) cause significant economic damage to vineyards. In response, many growers have taken steps to attract Barn Owls (Tyto alba) to their properties to help keep these rodent populations in check. This research project investigated Barn Owl consumption of pocket gophers and voles in Central California vineyards in order to assess the efficiency of this integrated pest management strategy. I collected a total of 715 owl pellets from five vineyard locations in Templeton and Paso Robles, California over an eight-month period during nesting and post-fledging seasons. I …

Bovine Viral Diarrhea In Dairy And Beef Cattle, William Tyler Stevenson

Dairy Science

The objective of the literature review was to understand the nature and characteristics of BVD within dairy and beef herds. The paper reviewed important aspects of the disease that are relevant and practical to producers. The ideas and opinions presented in the paper were a result of compilation and review of the current literature focused on BVD. Some particular areas of focus were general information about the disease, costs and effects, pathophysiology, virology, transmission, prevention and testing. Information provided throughout the paper attempts to link practices that producers may adopt or modify in order to minimize effects of the disease. …

Efficiency Comparison Between Two Systematic Breeding Protocols: Target Breeding And Presynchronization Program At A Large Central Valley Dairy Farm, Blake Alvernaz

Dairy Science

As dairy herd sizes increase, dairymen often initiate systematic breeding programs on their dairy in order to improve their reproduction efficiency. The objective of this study, compares systematic breeding program by comparing reproductive efficiency between two systematic breeding programs Target Breeding (January 1, 2008 to May 31,2009) and Presynchronization (Presynch) Program (January 1, 2010 to May 31, 2011) at a large central valley dairy. The traditional Target Breeding program is a systematic breeding program that is solely prostaglandin (PGF_2α) based. The more modern Presynch programs includes both Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) and PGF_2α, that allows for …

Effect Of Cnv Of Production Related Genes On Expression Of Production Traits In Dairy Cattle, Tyler Kamper

Dairy Science

The objective of this project was to determine if copy number variation (CNV) at specific genes related to BST had an effect on milk production. Hair samples from 1000 fresh heifers from Maddox Dairy in Riverdale, CA were sent to Geneseek, a Neogen Company for DNA extraction and processing. The DNA was processed using the BovineSNP50 BeadChip and the data were loaded into the GenomeStudio software. The data were manipulated in GenomeStudio to estimate the CNV at each single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of which a vast majority was two. The SNPs with a copy number of two were excluded and …

Dna Collection With Performagene Nasal Swabs: Quantity, Quality, And Cost Effectiveness, Robert Kamper

Dairy Science

The objective was to determine the quality and quantity of DNA collected via nasal swab in Holstein and Jersey cows compared to the time taken to collect the samples through a person inexperienced with the Performagene™ LIVESTOCK product. DNA was collected from 100 cows at the California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo Dairy. Holsteins (n=47) and Jerseys (n=53) were collected and samples were shipped to Iowa State University where DNA was extracted by Dr. Jim Reecy’s lab. Results were compiled into a spreadsheet based on DNA quantity in ng/ul, and protein to DNA ratios (A260/A280). Extracted DNA was sent …

Estrus Activity After Prostaglandin Injection Using Heatime Activity Monitoring Collars Used At Cal Poly Dairy, Amy Phillips

Dairy Science

The objective of the study was to determine activity using an activity monitoring system, Heatime. Data was collected from cows at the Cal Poly dairy from December 30, 2011 to January 6, 2012 whose results are from the previous program. This program involved prostaglandin in the form of Lutalyse given on Friday and cows were time bred the following Monday, 72 hours after the prostaglandin injection. Data collected from January 13, 2012 to current shows the new trial program which involved an injection of 5cc Lutalyse Monday and Tuesday, a vet check on Wednesday, time bred on Thursday, and a …

Analyzing The Correlation Between Overall Likeness And Emotional Responses Before And After The Consumption Of Dairy Beverages, Jessica L. Weber

Dairy Science

In today’s food industry there is a need for more research on the correlation between likeness of a product and what kind of emotional response this may lead to. This has potential to allow the food industry to understand consumer purchase intent and use the data collected from specific studies to gain more insight to repeat purchases. The objectives of this study were to understand more about the relationship between overall likeness of dairy beverage products from initial taste to ending taste as well as how these responses related to the emotional responses of the consumption experience. In two geographical …

The Relationship Between Rumination And Milk Yield In Early Lactating Holsteins And Jerseys, Jason Borges

Dairy Science

The objective of this study is to determine if there is a direct relationship between rumination and energy corrected milk produced, using a technologic rumination tracking system. This technology is better known as AI24™ and is produced by Micro Dairy Logic: Advanced Dairy Solutions and SCR™, but marketed through Semex. The collar system is able to track rumination, aid in diagnosing illness/injury, predict parturition, and detect estrus in cows. The sophisticated electronic tag monitors a cow’s rumination time, chewing rhythm and time between feed boluses to determine how many minutes per day the cow is ruminating. Each collar is equipped …

Factors Affecting The Reduction Of Carbon To Nitrogen Ratio In Composted Separated Solids, Mark Fagundes

Dairy Science

The objective of the study was to determine the factors involved in the reduction of carbon to nitrogen ratio in composted separated solids. A single compost windrow was laid on a 6,000 jersey cow dairy farm located in Madera County. Samples were obtained from six separate positions on the pile, every other day. Direct pile measurements on the date of sampling included pile temperature (surface and core), height, width and curvature. Samples were removed from the windrow during each sampling meeting to determine the percent dry matter content. The collected samples were sent out to Denele Analytical Inc. to determine …

Financial Analysis Of Three Value-Added Dairy Enterprises In Vermont, Wisconsin, And New York, Kassidy Kampen

Dairy Science

Value-added agriculture has grown in recent years and is often promoted as a rural development or business survival strategy. For dairy operations, value-added often has meant adding a processing enterprise to an existing dairy farm. This case study examined whether it was profitable to transition to a value-added operation, comparing and contrasting the business characteristics and financial performance of three businesses of similar size in Vermont, Wisconsin, and New York.

The methods included the development of income statements, balance sheets, and economic costs and returns in order to evaluate the profitability of the farming and processing enterprises for each business. …

Safety Hazard Analysis And Corrective Measures For Koot Dairy, Billy Koot

Dairy Science

The objective of the study was to determine any potential safety hazards at Koot Dairy in order to prevent injuries and lawsuits. A hazard walkthrough was performed with employees to help discover hazards and determine the correctible actions that must take place. A farm safety checklist was used to assess some of the most common dairy hazards and to ensure law compliance. The checklist included many potential areas of hazard—first aid and emergency, power and electrical, farm equipment and machinery, farm chemicals, fuel tanks, confined spaces, environment, and workplace policies. After implementing the checklist, it was clear as to what …

Cal Poly Milking Parlor Standard Operating Procedures, Caitlyn Lil Morehart

Dairy Science

The objective of this project is to develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) for the Cal Poly dairy milk barn, which will help prepare students to be more efficient at milking in the newly renovated milking parlor. A double 10 parallel parlor is to be put into place to update the current milk barn. The current milking parlor is a double 8 herringbone barn which holds eight cows per side that are positioned at an angle. The double 8 herringbone parlor is to be remodeled into a double 10 parallel parlor. In addition, a double 10 parallel barn has ten cows …

Genomic Testing And Method R Variance Components Theory Of Dairy Cattle, Joseph Dewey Coleman

Dairy Science

Abstract

The objective of this study is to determine the change in reliability from non genomic evaluations or Parent Averages to genomic evaluations. Due to recent industry popularity of genomic evaluations the California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, decided to participate in the genetic movement of the dairy cattle industry. Genomic evaluations of both Holstein and Jersey cows at the Cal Poly dairy were chosen based on genetic superiority in order to possibly generate more income for the dairy and increase the herd’s popularity. Leading genomic companies such as Pfizer Animal Health, and GenSeek made genomic evaluation of the Cal …

Proposal To Implement A Surveillance System At The Cal Poly Dairy, Madelyn Cobb

Dairy Science

The objective of this project is to determine how to implement a cost effective and efficient surveillance system at the Cal Poly Dairy. This system would help monitor labor, feed, and cows while increasing the biosecurity, accountability, and efficiency throughout the Cal Poly Dairy. To make this determination, I researched different types of products and the equipment necessary that will meet the needs of the dairy currently and for future projects. A list of specifications was created that help guide the search for appropriate companies and products for this project. Talking to surveillance experts also helped create a better sense …