Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Animal Sciences Commons™

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Agriculture

Institution
Keyword
Publication Year
Publication
Publication Type
File Type

Articles 961 - 990 of 2088

Full-Text Articles in Animal Sciences

Table Of Contents Oct 2016

Table Of Contents

Professional Agricultural Workers Journal

No abstract provided.


Grazing With Goats Changed The Woodland Plant-Species Composition During Summer, Rishi Khatri, Uma Karki, Jerry Bettis, Yubaraj Karki Oct 2016

Grazing With Goats Changed The Woodland Plant-Species Composition During Summer, Rishi Khatri, Uma Karki, Jerry Bettis, Yubaraj Karki

Professional Agricultural Workers Journal

Abstract

Woodland grazing is a common practice in the Southeast; however, information is limited on its effects on the woodland plant-species composition. The study objective was to determine the effect of summer grazing on woodland plant-species composition. Before- and after-grazing observations were taken at the ground, mid, and high levels in three plots (1-acre each) along the pre-established transects. Kiko wethers (29, 6-8 months old, 26.8±0.67 kg body weight) were allowed to graze the plots after before-grazing observations were taken. After-grazing observations were taken immediately after the goats were moved out from the plots. Grazing showed a significant effect on …


Acetylsalicylic Acid Supplementation Improves Protein Utilization Efficiency While Vitamin E Supplementation Reduces Markers Of The Inflammatory Response In Weaned Pigs Challenged With Enterotoxigenic E. Coli, Jae Cheol Kim, Bruce P. Mullan, John L. Black, Robert J E Hewitt, Robert J. Van Barneveld, John R. Pluske Oct 2016

Acetylsalicylic Acid Supplementation Improves Protein Utilization Efficiency While Vitamin E Supplementation Reduces Markers Of The Inflammatory Response In Weaned Pigs Challenged With Enterotoxigenic E. Coli, Jae Cheol Kim, Bruce P. Mullan, John L. Black, Robert J E Hewitt, Robert J. Van Barneveld, John R. Pluske

Animal production and livestock research articles

Background

This experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that vitamin E (Vit E) and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), a cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, will additively reduce the production of the immunosuppressive molecule prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and hence reduce inflammatory responses in weaner pigs experimentally infected with an enterotoxigenic strain of E. coli.

Methods

The experiment was conducted in a research facility with 192 individually-housed male weaner pigs (Landrace × Large White) weighing 6.6 ± 0.04 kg (mean ± SEM). The pigs were experimentally infected with an enterotoxigenic strain of E. coli and were allocated to a 2 × 3 factorial …


Economic Impact Evaluation Of Bovine Johne’S Disease (Bjd) Management Options In Western Australia, Ananda Ghose Dr, Leo Loth Dr, Mia Carbon Dr, Bruce Twentyman Dr Oct 2016

Economic Impact Evaluation Of Bovine Johne’S Disease (Bjd) Management Options In Western Australia, Ananda Ghose Dr, Leo Loth Dr, Mia Carbon Dr, Bruce Twentyman Dr

Biosecurity research reports

Bovine Johne’s disease (BJD) is an infectious disease of cattle caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Mptb) that can also affect other ruminants such as goats, alpaca, sheep and deer. It causes chronic wasting and incurable diarrhoea leading to deaths in mature cattle. Subclinically affected animals may have reduced growth and milk production levels.

The WA cattle industry needs to determine what level of protection from BJD incursion and spread is required for WA, including at the border, and how this is best achieved. The primary decision to be made is whether BJD is best managed on a statewide basis …


Rabbit Control: Bait Stations, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia Oct 2016

Rabbit Control: Bait Stations, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity factsheets

This factsheet provides information on using bait stations for rabbit control.

Biological control agents such as the myxoma virus (myxomatosis), and rabbit haemorraghic disease virus (RHDV) or rabbit calicivirus disease, will not provide ‘magic bullets’ for reducing the impact of rabbits on agricultural production and the environment. Biological agents are more effective when they form part of an integrated approach to rabbit control. An integrated approach should use all available control options, including biological control, the use of vertebrate pesticides, shooting, and trapping programs. Control programs are most effective when they include the greatest number of properties possible (that is, …


Building Educator Capacity To Address Animal Agriculture In A Changing Climate, Crystal Powers Sep 2016

Building Educator Capacity To Address Animal Agriculture In A Changing Climate, Crystal Powers

SciComm 2016 - Lincoln, Nebraska, September 23-24, 2016

Multi-Regional Approach.

Project Support.

Project Objectives • Equip Educators –ability & motivation • Provide science-based information • Coordinate state, regional and national levels.

Online Course. Outcomes -ability. Outcomes -motivation.

Understand worldviews. Meet people where they are. Start with local history.

Framing: Focus on audience’s values & concerns. Present new information so it can be heard

Science in Action: • Public wants to know how the science applies to their life. • We can point back to the basic science

SciComm Lessons Learned


Economic Contribution Of The Agricultural Sector To The Arkansas Economy In 1997-2014, Leah English, Jennie Popp, Wayne Miller Sep 2016

Economic Contribution Of The Agricultural Sector To The Arkansas Economy In 1997-2014, Leah English, Jennie Popp, Wayne Miller

AAES Research Reports and Research Bulletins

Agricultural production, processing, and retail industries are major contributors to the Arkansas economy in terms of GDP. Agriculture contributes to the economy through direct agricultural production, value-added processing, and agricultural retail activities.


Effects Of An Electronic, Motion-Activated Scarecrow On Foraging Time In Nocturnal Vertebrate Crop Pets In South Africa, Mallory Clouse Aug 2016

Effects Of An Electronic, Motion-Activated Scarecrow On Foraging Time In Nocturnal Vertebrate Crop Pets In South Africa, Mallory Clouse

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The normal behaviors of animals can disrupt human activities, resulting in human wildlifeconflict. In South Africa, nocturnal crop raiders are a significant source of human wildlifeconflict for farmers. Major nocturnal pest animals are Cape porcupine (Hystrix africaeaustralis) and bushpig (Potamochoerus larvatus). Although methods of deterring animals from agricultural areas have been explored, nocturnal crop raiding remains difficult to mitigate. Most research studies focus on deterring non-human primates and elephants, but methods that may be successful in deterring such larger mammals are not necessarily effective at discouraging smaller, nocturnal crop raiders. This study examined the efficacy of …


Genome-Wide Association Study For Feed Efficiency Traits Using Snp And Haplotype Models, Kashly Rene Schweer Aug 2016

Genome-Wide Association Study For Feed Efficiency Traits Using Snp And Haplotype Models, Kashly Rene Schweer

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

Feed efficiency has long been recognized for its economic importance in beef cattle production systems. Feed intake is not a routinely collected trait on-farm due to the expense of measuring individual feed intake. Identification of genomic regions associated with feed efficiency and its component traits would be advantageous for selection programs. The objective of this study was to uncover genomic regions associated with average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) through genome-wide association studies (GWAS) with SNP and haplotype Bayesian models. Phenotypes of ADG and ADFI along with genotypes from the BovineSNP50v2 array from crossbred steers and …


Characterization Of Broiler Lines Divergently Selected For Breast Muscle Color, Sara Katherine Orlowski Aug 2016

Characterization Of Broiler Lines Divergently Selected For Breast Muscle Color, Sara Katherine Orlowski

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

An increase in the consumption of poultry has generated an increase in demand for higher yielding broilers. This has led to an increase in atypical meat and issues with appearance. Color is a direct result of a pH decline as meat goes through rigor mortis with meat generally becoming lighter. If the pH declines too rapidly or too slowly, meat quality can suffer. Physical properties of meat can be altered by pH. A fast pH decline results in pale meat with decreased tenderness. A slow pH decline can result in darker meat with a reduced shelf-life. With a known relationship …


Growing South Dakota (Summer 2016), College Of Agriculture &. Biological Sciences Jul 2016

Growing South Dakota (Summer 2016), College Of Agriculture &. Biological Sciences

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

[Page] 2 Breaking New Ground SDSU Leads Nation With Precision Agriculture Initiative
[Page] 6 In The Driver's Seat Utility Vehicles Provide Students Hands-On Precision Ag Experience
[Page] 7 Introduction To Industry Travel To National Events Opens Opportunities For Students
[Page] 9 On The Ground SDSU Extension Specialists Have Vital Role In Bringing Data To Producers
[Page] 10 Curricula Collaboration SDSU Leaders Among Team Preparing Future Precision Ag Coursework
[Page] 12 Future Focus Ag 2020 Plan Prompts Important Reinvestments In State's Ag Experiment Station
[Page] 13 The Power Of Connections Connected Approach Helps Solve "Real-Life" Problems To Benefit Animal And …


Potential For Rangeland Grassfed Assurance Programs In Western Australia, Eric Broad Jun 2016

Potential For Rangeland Grassfed Assurance Programs In Western Australia, Eric Broad

Animal production and livestock published reports

The access to large aquifers in the Pilbara region, the investment in mosaic irrigation, the global consumer demand for certified grassfed product and the need to back any branded product with an auditable assurance program were all key factors contributing to the undertaking of this project.

The project conducted a desktop review of existing global grassfed certification programs, undertook modelling to determine the projected viability for grassfed beef, engaged with producers, butchers and processors in Western Australia to determine the potential for developing a Grassfed Assurance Program for Western Australia.

All sectors of the supply chain expressed support for the …


Design Of An Aquaponics System, Jesse Birsinger Jun 2016

Design Of An Aquaponics System, Jesse Birsinger

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This Senior Project discusses the design, cost analysis, and evaluation of an aquaponics system. The system incorporates aquaculture and hydroponics to create a source of fish protein and various crops. The system was sized based off a minimum requirement of pounds of fish available per week. The system designed is capable of generating 2080 pounds of catfish, and 16,000 pounds of produce annually. The first year of operation the system will operate at a loss due to the significant cost of the components of the system, however, the project is projected to generate a minimum stream of revenue of $10,600 …


Western Australian Wild Dog Action Plan 2016 - 2021, Wa Wild Dog Action Group, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia Jun 2016

Western Australian Wild Dog Action Plan 2016 - 2021, Wa Wild Dog Action Group, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Biosecurity published reports

The Wild Dog Action Plan 2016 – 2021 is an industry led and driven plan that considers the economic, environmental and social impacts of wild dogs and identifies the key issues for managing them across Western Australia. The plan is designed to protect the livestock and tourism industries and public safety, and recognises the ecological and cultural values of the dingo.


New And Innovative Beef Supply Chains In Thailand, Carey Ramm May 2016

New And Innovative Beef Supply Chains In Thailand, Carey Ramm

Animal production and livestock published reports

The Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia (DAFWA) has contracted AEC Group Pty Ltd (AEC) to undertake this pre-feasibility study into the creation of new and innovative beef supply chain models in Thailand.

The purpose of this study is to consider the potential industry benefits of diverting existing live export cattle into a dedicated supply chain featuring leading technology and best management practice. A range of potential supply chain models were considered, with detailed analysis focussing on importing, holding, intensively feeding, processing and distributing Western Australian live exported cattle to Thai in-country and regional export markets.

This pre-feasibility study …


Impacts From The Use Of Antibiotics In Livestock: Methods Of Transmission Of Antibiotic Resistance From Livestock To Humans, Kristin M. Walden May 2016

Impacts From The Use Of Antibiotics In Livestock: Methods Of Transmission Of Antibiotic Resistance From Livestock To Humans, Kristin M. Walden

Biology: Student Scholarship & Creative Works

Antibiotic use in livestock production has been around since the 1950s. Antibiotic feed is used in livestock and other meat producing animals for three reasons: illness prevention, illness treatment, and growth promotion. Unfortunately, since the time that antibiotics were first invented, antibiotic resistant bacteria have become a threat to public health. There are many studies showing methods of transmission of antibiotic resistance from livestock to humans. Antibiotic resistance can spread from livestock to soil, water, insects, and food, which ultimately comes into contact with humans. A proposed study to measure antibiotic resistance when eliminating antibiotic feed will provide a hypothesis …


Innovative Business Models For Value Creation In The Wa Beef Sector (Northern Beef Futures) - Conceptual Supply Chains For Four Scenarios: Final Draft For Discussion, Ernst And Young May 2016

Innovative Business Models For Value Creation In The Wa Beef Sector (Northern Beef Futures) - Conceptual Supply Chains For Four Scenarios: Final Draft For Discussion, Ernst And Young

Animal production and livestock published reports

Northern Beef Futures (NBF) is 4-year, $15M program to act as a catalyst to stimulate transformational change for the WA northern beef industry to capture growing export market opportunities, with a view to doubling the WA Beef industry value by 2025.

NBF funded this project to identify and share with the WA beef industry some alternative global agrifood industry growth models and value chain initiatives to improve international competitiveness.

As a result of six global case studies and interviews with agri-SMEs, the following critical success factors have been identified in achieving growth:

  • Key client / market facing industry players took …


Effects Of Two-Stage Weaning Duration On Beef Cattle Growth And Vocalization, Ashley N. Deller, Emery O. Clark, Flint Harrelson, Patricia Harrelson May 2016

Effects Of Two-Stage Weaning Duration On Beef Cattle Growth And Vocalization, Ashley N. Deller, Emery O. Clark, Flint Harrelson, Patricia Harrelson

Celebration of Student Scholarship Poster Sessions Archive

No abstract provided.


Calcium And Magnesium Absorption And Retention By Growing Goats Offered Diets With Different Calcium Sources., Jennifer Long May 2016

Calcium And Magnesium Absorption And Retention By Growing Goats Offered Diets With Different Calcium Sources., Jennifer Long

Animal Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Calcium addition is necessary in order to balance the high phosphorus concentrations that are characteristic of high-concentrate ruminant diets. However, calcium sources differ in their bioavailability. Our objective was to determine apparent Ca and Mg absorption and retention in goats offered diets containing different sources of Ca. Spanish-Boer goats (n=18; 19.6 ± 1.88 kg) were stratified by BW and sex and randomized to dietary treatments consisting of Purina Antlermax 16 containing either calcium carbonate (CC), Calmin (CM) or Milk Cal (MC). Goats were adapted to a control, corn-based high-concentrate diet on pasture and then moved to individual 1.0 × 1.5 …


Grazing Method Effects On Forage Production, Utilization, Animal Performance And Animal Activity On Nebraska Sandhills Meadow, Torie Lindsey May 2016

Grazing Method Effects On Forage Production, Utilization, Animal Performance And Animal Activity On Nebraska Sandhills Meadow, Torie Lindsey

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

A study was conducted on a subirrigated meadow in the Nebraska Sandhills to determine differences in aboveground plant production, utilization, trampling, harvest efficiency, ground cover, plant functional group composition and animal performance among four grazing treatments. Grazing treatments included ultrahigh stocking density, four-pasture rotation with one occupation (4-PR-1), and four-pasture rotation with two occupations (4-PR-2). Pastures were grazed from May to August in 2014 and 2015 at equal stocking rates within years but varied among years. Stocking densities were 225,000 kg ha-1 for ultrahigh stocking density, 7,000 kg ha-1 for 4-PR-1, and 5,000 kg ha-1 for 4-PR-2. …


Meat Quality And Sensory Analysis Of Broiler Breast Fillets With Woody Breast Muscle Myopathy, Jessica Solo May 2016

Meat Quality And Sensory Analysis Of Broiler Breast Fillets With Woody Breast Muscle Myopathy, Jessica Solo

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Recently, the poultry industry has encountered an emerging muscle myopathy known as woody breast (WB), which is characterized by hardness throughout the Pectoralis major muscle. Two experiments were performed to assess sensory characteristics and acceptability of WB meat and to determine the effect of broiler age on meat quality factors in varying severities of WB. Fillets were categorized as normal (NORM), moderate (MOD), or severe (SEV) WB. In Experiment 1 (Exp. 1), descriptive (n=9 trained panelists) and consumer (n=74 panelists) sensory analysis was conducted with NORM and SEV fillets at hot and cold serving temperatures (HOTNORM, COLDNORM, HOTSEV, COLDSEV). In …


Northern Beef Infrastructure Audit: Infrastructure Plan And Business Case Summaries - Phase 4 Final Report, Acil Allen Consulting Pty Ltd Apr 2016

Northern Beef Infrastructure Audit: Infrastructure Plan And Business Case Summaries - Phase 4 Final Report, Acil Allen Consulting Pty Ltd

Animal production and livestock published reports

The Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) is leading Northern Beef Futures, a four year $15 million project funded by the State Government's Royalties for Regions program, to transform Western Australia’s northern beef industry through improving markets, businesses and productivity. The Northern Beef Futures project will support the success of the beef industry to capture new market opportunities, particularly in Asia, and secure sustainable growth.

ACIL Allen Consulting (ACIL Allen) has been commissioned by DAFWA and Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) to conduct an audit of infrastructure supporting the beef industry in the Pilbara and Kimberley regions, referred …


An Analysis Of The Characteristics And Practices Of Selected Alabama Small Livestock Producers: A Focus On Production And Processing, Jannette R. Bartlett, Mst Nusrat Jahan, David Nii O. Tackie, Akua Adu-Gyamfi, Francisca A. Quarcoo Apr 2016

An Analysis Of The Characteristics And Practices Of Selected Alabama Small Livestock Producers: A Focus On Production And Processing, Jannette R. Bartlett, Mst Nusrat Jahan, David Nii O. Tackie, Akua Adu-Gyamfi, Francisca A. Quarcoo

Professional Agricultural Workers Journal

Abstract

The study assessed the characteristics and practices of small livestock producers, emphasizing production and processing. Data were obtained from a convenience sample of 121 small producers from South Central Alabama, and analyzed using descriptive statistics, including chi-square tests. The socioeconomic factors showed most were part-time farmers; middle-aged producers; producers with at most a two-year/technical degree or some college education, and producers with $40,000 or less annual household income. A majority practiced rotational grazing, fed a combination of forage (direct from pasture), hay and concentrate, and about half conducted soil tests regularly. Furthermore, many had goats with parasite problems that …


Fatty Acid Composition Of Growing Kiko X Spanish Crossbred Intact Male Goats Fed Varying Levels Of Peanut Skins, Aleta R. Stone, Nar Gurung, Sandra G. Solaiman, Byeng R. Min, Gamal M. Abdelrahim, Anthony S. Kumi, Wendell H. Mcelhenney Apr 2016

Fatty Acid Composition Of Growing Kiko X Spanish Crossbred Intact Male Goats Fed Varying Levels Of Peanut Skins, Aleta R. Stone, Nar Gurung, Sandra G. Solaiman, Byeng R. Min, Gamal M. Abdelrahim, Anthony S. Kumi, Wendell H. Mcelhenney

Professional Agricultural Workers Journal

Abstract

The objective was to evaluate the effects of feeding peanut skins (PS) on fatty acid profile of goat meat. The diets used contained 0, 10, 20, and 30% of PS. After 92 days, longissimus muscle (LM), mesenteric adipose (MA), and subcutaneous (SA) tissue samples were analyzed for fatty acid profile. Eighteen (18), 21, and 21 fatty acids were detected in LM, MS and SC adipose tissues, respectively. No changes were detected in the fatty acid profile, but C18:0 increased linearly in LM (p < 0.05) with increasing level of PS whereas C18:1 decreased in the similar manner (p = 0.05). Total saturated fatty acid and monounsaturated fatty acid percentage increased linearly ( …


Economic Impact Of Recreational Fishing In Alabama, Gbenga Ojumu, Diane Hite, Deacue Fields Apr 2016

Economic Impact Of Recreational Fishing In Alabama, Gbenga Ojumu, Diane Hite, Deacue Fields

Professional Agricultural Workers Journal

Abstract

Anglers’ direct mail survey data were used with IMPLAN (Impact Analysis for Planning), input-output system, to estimate the economic impact of recreational fishing in Alabama and the Alabama Black Belt. Separate economic impacts are analyzed for the Black Belt and the State; and direct, indirect, and induced economic impacts were estimated for government revenues, income, and employment. Possible increases in these impacts were also estimated for hypothetically improved recreational fishing sites, using the ‘ideal’ hypothetical site characteristics. The results showed a direct total value added impact of $102.5m; indirect impact of $24.7m, and an induced impact of $8.3m, which …


Section Abstracts: Agriculture, Forestry And Aquaculture Apr 2016

Section Abstracts: Agriculture, Forestry And Aquaculture

Virginia Journal of Science

Abstracts of the Agriculture, Forestry and Aquaculture Section for the 94th Annual Virginia Academy of Science Meeting, May 18-20, 2016, at University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA.


Evaluation Of Negative Energy And Mineral Balance In Periparturient Holstein-Friesian Cattle, Ameer Ahmed Abdelhameed Apr 2016

Evaluation Of Negative Energy And Mineral Balance In Periparturient Holstein-Friesian Cattle, Ameer Ahmed Abdelhameed

Open Access Dissertations

Most cows experience a state of negative energy and mineral balance during the periparturient period. This imbalance is a major problem in the dairy industry and it is more frequently seen in multiparous cattle due to their high milk production. A large amount of fat and protein is mobilized in order to address the energy deficit during the periparturient period. The ability to accurately monitor energetics and electrolytes status using accurate, rapid, and low cost point-of-care instruments will assist in optimizing animal health and productivity.

This dissertation contains three studies that evaluated point-of-care instruments for measuring blood and plasma glucose, …


Growing South Dakota (Winter 2016), College Of Agriculture &. Biological Sciences Apr 2016

Growing South Dakota (Winter 2016), College Of Agriculture &. Biological Sciences

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

This issue includes the 2015 SDSU Extension Annual Report.

[Page] 2 Contours Program Launched: Aims to Provide Insights & Prompt Discussions
[Page] 4 Local Momentum: Formation of State's First “Food Hub” Comes To Fruition [Page] 6 Spotlight On Soil Health: New Coalition Formed
[Page] 8 Exploring A Range Of Options: Youth Programs Cultivate Interest In Natural Resource Careers
[Page] 9 Profiles In Leadership: Our Mission Continues… Ensuring All Citizens Have Access To Education & Emerging Innovation
[Page] 10 Encouraging Animal Well-Being Workshops & Trainings Help Livestock Producers Become Better Stewards
[Page] 12 Wellness Wisdom: Variety Of Efforts Available To Encourage …


Low-Intensity, Stocker-Based Channel Catfish Culture, Bartholomew W. Green, Carole R. Engle, Rebecca Lochmann, Harold Phillips Mar 2016

Low-Intensity, Stocker-Based Channel Catfish Culture, Bartholomew W. Green, Carole R. Engle, Rebecca Lochmann, Harold Phillips

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Low-intensity production of Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus is characterized by low stocking rates, low installed aeration capacity, and no automated dissolved oxygen monitoring. Two studies conducted in nine 0.25-acre ponds quantified production characteristics of stocker Channel Catfish stocked for low-intensity food-fish production in single- or multiple-batch culture. In the multiple-batch study, 0.5-lb stockers (carryover fish) were stocked at 4,500 fish/acre and 0.044-lb fingerlings at 6,000 fish/acre. Stockers were grown to mean individual weights of 1.25, 1.75, or 2.25 lb. In the single-batch study, 0.5-lb stockers were stocked at 3,500, 4,500, and 5,500 fish/acre. All fish were fed a feed containing …


Mitigation Of Ergot Vasoconstriction By Clover Isoflavones In Goats (Capra Hircus), Glen E. Aiken, Michael D. Flythe, Isabelle A. Kagan, Huihua Ji, Lowell P. Bush Mar 2016

Mitigation Of Ergot Vasoconstriction By Clover Isoflavones In Goats (Capra Hircus), Glen E. Aiken, Michael D. Flythe, Isabelle A. Kagan, Huihua Ji, Lowell P. Bush

Kentucky Tobacco Research and Development Center Faculty Publications

Ergot alkaloids produced by a fungal endophyte (Epichloë coenophiala; formerly Neotyphodium coenophialum) that infects tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) can induce persistent constriction of the vasculature in ruminants, hindering their capability to thermo-regulate core body temperature. There is evidence that isoflavones produced by legumes can relax the vasculature, which suggests that they could relieve ergot alkaloid-induced vasoconstriction and mitigate the vulnerability to severe heat stress in ruminants that graze tall fescue. To test if isoflavones can relieve alkaloid-induced vasoconstriction, two pen experiments were conducted with rumen-fistulated goats (Capra hircus) to determine with ultrasonograpy if …