Animal Sciences Commons^™

Field Experience And Production Challenges In Australia And New Zealand, Nick Rodgers

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

Variability management represents the primary technical challenge facing the Australian and New Zealand (ANZ) broiler industry's vertically integrated operations. This analysis examines systematic approaches to controlling seasonal performance fluctuations, raw material quality variations, emerging disease pressures, and evolving welfare demands. Key variability sources include climatic extremes, season to season raw material quality and nutrient value variability and intermittent [mostly enteric] disease challenges, particularly in no antibiotics ever (NAE) production systems. Solutions require a scientific, data-driven approach with insights from field experience for causation identification and a collaborative approach within business functional units, and across industry collaborators such as suppliers and …

Characterization Of An Acetogenin-Carrying Nanosuspension And Its Effect On Bacteria Of Interest In The Poultry Industry, Brandon A. Lopez-Romero, Gabriela Aguilar-Hernandez, Billy Hargis, Maria De Lourdes Garcia-Magana, Ulises M. Lopez-Garcia, Rosa I. Ortiz-Basurto, Adalberto Zamudio-Ojeda, Juan D. Latorre, Efigenia Montalvo-Gonzalez

Poultry Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

This work aimed to develop a nanosuspension (NSps) as an acetogenin (ACGs) carrier, using soy lecithin (SL) and hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (beta CD) named NSps-beta CDSL-ACGs. It was characterized by various spectroscopic techniques (DLS, FTIR, UV-vis diffuse reflectance). Moreover, the NSps morphology was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Also, the antibacterial activity of NSps-beta CDSL-ACGs was evaluated against strains of interest in the poultry sector. NSps-beta CDSL-ACGs presented nanometric size (207-239 nm), acceptable polydispersity index (PDI) values (0.13-0.17) and a high Z potential value (-47.17-50.36 mV), demonstrating high stability. The presence of ACGs in NSps-beta CDSL-ACGs was confirmed by FTIR analysis. …

Effectiveness Of Maternal Bovine Appeasing Substance Administered To Newly Received, High-Risk Stocker Calves, Elle Johnston, Rosie Whittle, Robin Cheek, Beth Kegley, Jeremy Powell, Shawna Weimer

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Stocker cattle purchased at auction can be susceptible to disease due to the stressors associated with the auction process and are referred to as “high-risk.” The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of a maternal bovine appeasing substance, FerAppease^®, on the growth performance, health, and behavior of stocker cattle. Male beef calves (n = 80) were purchased at auction and transported to the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Savoy Research Complex Beef Stocker Unit. On day 0, bulls were castrated, and steers and bulls were assigned to 8 pens (n = 10 calves/pen; …

Color Development Of Direct Acidified Pork Sausage Containing Alternative Curing And Reducing Agents, Jacob R. Tuell, Harley Francis, Sydney Bentz, Ashley R. Pitti, Morgan L. Denzer, Derico Setyabrata

Animal Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

This study evaluated the inclusion of preconverted alternative cures (celery powder [CELERY], beet powder [BEET]) compared to conventional sodium nitrite (NaNO2 [NITRITE]) formulated to 125 ppm of ingoing nitrite (NO2) in pork sausage acidified with encapsulated citric acid. Formulations included cherry powder (CHERRY) at 1000 ppm as an alternative cure accelerator, conventional sodium erythorbate (ERYTH) at 547 ppm, or no cure accelerator (NONE). The application of a holding period (OVERNIGHT) or not (IMMEDIATE) prior to thermal processing was evaluated. Batches (n = 3) were prepared in a 3 x 3 x 2 factorial arrangement of cures, accelerators, and holding periods. …

Discovery: The Student Journal Of Dale Bumpers College Of Agricultural, Food And Life Sciences - Volume 26 2025, Several Authors

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Letter From The Dean, Jeff Edwards

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Featured Faculty Mentor/Student Team, Kelly Loftin, Eva Berryhill

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Assessing The Prevalence Of Ehrlichia Spp. In Ticks Associated With Canids In Arkansas, Eva Berryhill, Kelly Loftin

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Canine ehrlichiosis is a common disease seen in dogs. The southeastern United States has been identified as an area of high prevalence, including Arkansas. Changes in climate, household income, and tick population are factors contributing to high prevalence. Canine ehrlichiosis is caused by three Ehrlichia spp., which are E. canis, E. ewingii, and E. chaffeensis. Ticks transmit the pathogen, specifically Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Dermacentor variabilis, and Amblyomma americanum. For this study, the goal was to determine the prevalence of Ehrlichia spp. in Arkansas that causes canine ehrlichiosis. Ticks were collected from host canines and environmental …

Letter From The Faculty Editor, Beth Kegley

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Broiler Breeders Today: Feather Development And Nutrition, Justina Caldas

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

The broiler industry in the US has observed a consistent decline in fertility and hatchability, particularly the past 5 years. There are numerous managerial and nutritional approaches to optimize the pullet and subsequent mature broiler breeder, and these proceedings focus on feathering. Moreover, these proceedings examine the quantity and quality of broiler breeder plumage as affected by both pullet and hen nutrition.

Effect Of Traditional Versus Fenceline Weaning On Lamb Stress, Emma N. Sutton, Kenneth P. Coffey, Eva Wray, Derico Setyabrata, Bryan Kutz, Shawna Weimer

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Stress in sheep can negatively affect productivity and increase their susceptibility to illness and parasites. The traditional method of weaning lambs is the abrupt separation of lambs from their dams. An alternative method of weaning, fenceline weaning, where offspring are separated from their dams by a single fence but retain visual and auditory contact, has been found to reduce stress in cattle and may also reduce stress in sheep. The objectives of this study were to evaluate body weights, fecal egg counts, and behavior to determine if traditional or fenceline weaning has lower stress associated with weaning in lambs. The …

Kinetics Of Protein And Amino Acids, S. Y. Liu, M. Toghyani, S. P. Macelline, P. H. Selle

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

Protein and amino acid nutrition is key to poultry growth and sustainability, with synchrony between glucose and amino acid availability being critical for efficient feed conversion. While non-bound amino acids (NBAA) are rapidly absorbed and increasingly used to reduce crude protein levels, their fast uptake may disrupt amino acid balance and reduce nutrient utilization compared to protein-bound amino acids. Future research should redefine amino acid requirements in low-CP diets, explore the metabolic fate of NBAA, and investigate how protein sources affect gut microbiota and host metabolism.

Low Protein Diet Strategy, S. Y. Liu, P. V. Chrystal, M. T. Kidd, M. Toghyani, S. P. Macelline, P. H. Selle

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

Reduced crude protein (CP) diets can lower nitrogen excretion and improve litter quality, but their effectiveness varies depending on the grain type, with wheat-based diets often showing poorer broiler performance compared to maize or sorghum. The digestive dynamics and synchrony between NBAA and protein-bound amino acids, along with starch-to-protein ratios, influence feed efficiency and fat deposition, which remains a challenge in reduced CP diets. Optimizing amino acid supplementation and exploring alternative protein-rich ingredients may help improve outcomes, especially in regions with limited access to soybean meal.

Leukocyte Infiltration Profiles At The Site Of Intradermal Injection Of Silikon-1000 In Scleroderma-Prone Ucd200/206 And Healthy White Leghorn Chickens, Katee L. Johnson, Jossie M. Santamaria, Chrysta N. Beck, Gisela F. Erf

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Intradermal injections of silicone-based fillers for the face and body may cause chronic inflammation and fibrotic reactions in some individuals. Chickens from the UCD 200/206 White Leghorn (WL) line spontaneously develop a fibrotic autoimmune disease known as scleroderma/systemic sclerosis (SSc). Using the SSc-prone UCD and healthy WL chickens, a longitudinal study was conducted to examine the cellular inflammatory responses to intradermal (i.d.) injections of sterile SILIKON-1000. Specifically, the pulp (a skin derivative) of growing feathers (GFs) was i.d. injected with sterile SILIKON-1000 or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) as injection control (8 and 3 birds/line, respectively; 10 µL/GF; 20 GFs/bird). Two GFs …

Contents, Discovery Editors

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Instructions For Authors, Discovery Editors

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Identification Of Salt Tolerance And Stress Response In Us Department Of Agriculture Tomato Germplasm At The Seedling Stage, Ibtisam Alatawi, Haizheng Xiong, Kenani Chiwina, Hanan Alkabkabi, Qun Luo, Neelendra K. Joshi, Xiaolun Sun, Xuan Zhuang, Kai-Shi Ling, Ainong Shi

Horticulture Faculty Publications and Presentations

Soil salinity is a significant abiotic factor that impedes sustainable crop production in key agricultural regions worldwide. Saline cultivation adversely affects soil quality, whereas the use of saline water for irrigation disrupts the physiological and biochemical processes of plants. Continuous irrigation with high salt concentrations leads to a gradual buildup of soil salinity, thus hindering optimal plant growth and development. Consequently, there is a growing emphasis on breeding salinity-tolerant cultivars of various crops. In this study, 71 tomato accessions sourced from 20 countries and provided by the US Department of Agriculture were evaluated under controlled greenhouse conditions and subjected to …

Effects Of Variable Nitrogen Fertilization Rates And Dried Distillers Grains Plus Solubles Supplementation On Forage Use, Animal Performance, And Economic Outcomes Of Steer Calves Grazing Winter Wheat Pastures, Cody E. Gruber, Miriam A. Snider, Michelle L. Johnson, Tom Hess, Elizabeth B. Kegley, J. Daniel Rivera, James A. Mitchell, M. Shane Gadberry

Animal Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

With the continued increase of fertilizer prices, stocker cattle producers may utilize alternative management strategies to mitigate costs and extend the grazing season to achieve better utilization of a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop. One potential strategy is to reduce pasture nitrogen (N) fertilization rates combined with animal dietary supplementation. In this 3-year (yr) study, wheat pastures (1.62-hectare (ha)) were stocked at fixed rates of 2.47 and 4.94 steer/ha in the fall and spring respectively. Nitrogen was applied as urea to experimental pastures at three different rates: 1) 100.9 (100N), 2) 134.5 (135N), and 3) 168.1 kg N/ha (168N). These …

Providing Proteins To Belizean Residents Through Poultry Products, Ellis Freel

Poultry Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Belize is a food insecure, developing country. Although Belize has plenty of nutritious food in-country, the exportation of that food to generate income contributed to a distribution issue of that nutritious food. More impoverished areas of Belize do not have access to nutritious food because of the lack of affordability and high export rates. Diets with a lack of food, or lack of balanced, nutritious food can negatively impact growth and cognitive development, especially in children. Poultry is one of the only products in Belize not able to be exported. Implementing poultry into Belizean diets would affordably alleviate food insecurity …

Economic Evaluation Of Grazing Steers On Summer Annuals Sod-Seeded Into Warm-Season Perennial Pasture, Ivanelle Meyer, Michael P. Popp, Christine C. Nieman, James L. Mitchell, Kenneth P. Coffey

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

Objectives

Materials and Methods

Results and Discussion …

In Ovo Administration Of L. Animalis, B. Licheniformis, , Or Their Combination Influences Ross 708 Broiler Chick Hatch Performance And Immuno-Physiological Parameters, C. N. Beck, K.G.S. Wamsley, C. D. Mcdaniel, A. S. Kiess

Poultry Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

There is a demand for novel pathogen mitigation strategies in antibiotic-free poultry production, which has triggered the development of various probiotic application methods. One application method is the in ovo (in egg) administration of probiotics on incubation day (d) 18, where the unhatched chick consumes a probiotic before hatch and prior to being exposed to environmental pathogens. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of in ovo L. animalis, B. licheniformis, or L. animalis + B. licheniformis (10⁶ cfu/50 mL L each) administration on hatch performance (N = 21 egg flats/treatment, 30 …

The Relationship Between Chute Behavior And Morbidity In Cattle, Andrea Rankin

Animal Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Most cattle see a handling chute at least once in their lives. Handling plays a huge role in cattle management, whether it’s for transportation, auction sales, deworming, medical treatments, or AI purposes. Morbidity related to Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) is one of the biggest causes of economic loss for ranchers and can be related to handling stress. Auction-derived calves (ADC; n=92) were brought to the University of Arkansas Savoy Research Facility for processing and monitoring for behavioral cues and disease. The objective of this study was to find a relationship between the calves’ behavior in the chute and morbidity. The …

The Impact Of Wild Pigs (Sus Scrofa) On Avian Occupancy And Vegetation Structure, Kenneth Wilson

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Invasive species, particularly wild pigs (Sus scrofa), pose a significant threat to native ecosystems through both direct and indirect impacts. Wild pigs are large-bodied omnivorous species that can consume a wide variety of plants and animals and are known for destructive foraging behaviors, which likely threatens avian communities through habitat alteration and can impact the long term structure of ecosystems where they are present.

In chapter 1, we used a combination of avian point count surveys, vegetation assessments, and camera trap surveillance to quantify how the occupancy of breeding birds in bottomland hardwood forests changed in relation to …

Neural Network Architecture Search Enabled Wide-Deep Learning (Nas-Wd) Integrated Hyperspectral Imaging Understanding For Woody Breast In Poultry Processing, Chaitanya Kumar Reddy Pallerla

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The development and implementation of a Wide & Deep (WD) learning model tailored for classification and regression tasks utilizing spectral data provides a robust solution to evaluate woody breast (WB) conditions in poultry fillets. This process begins with thorough data preprocessing, which includes loading spectral and classification datasets, imputing missing values with medians, and splitting the data into training and testing sets to ensure rigorous model evaluation. The WD model architecture integrates wide linear models and deep neural networks to harness the strengths of both approaches. The wide component excels at memorizing sparse feature interactions, while the deep component captures …

The Bacterial Cell Wall Components Lipopolysaccharide And Peptidoglycan Initiate Divergent Local Tissue And Systemic Inflammatory Response Profiles In The Chicken Model, Kristen A. Byrne, Gisela F. Erf

Poultry Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

The innate immune system plays an important role in the early defense against pathogens. To better understand the chicken’s innate inflammatory responses, we concurrently examined the cellular responses at the injection site and in the blood following intradermal (i.d.) injections of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or peptidoglycan (PGN) into the pulp of growing feathers (GFs). Both LPS from Gram-negative bacteria and PGN from Gram-positive bacteria are potent stimulators of innate inflammatory responses. The time-course study conducted revealed similarly elevated levels of heterophils and macrophages in injected GF-pulps during the first 24 h for both LPS and PGN. However, PGN also stimulated rapid …

Metagenome-Assembled Genomes Of Pig Fecal Samples In Nine European Countries: Insights Into Antibiotic Resistance Genes And Viruses, Boxuan Yang, Jianbo Yang, Routing Chen, Jianmin Chai, Xiaoyuan Wei, Jiangchao Zhao, Junxiang Zhao, Feilong Deng, Ying Li

Animal Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Simple Summary

Abstract

Efficient Correction Of Dna Hetero–Duplexes Formed During Selex Procedure, Adil Sabr Al-Ogaili, Billy Hargis, Young Min Kwan

Poultry Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background:Aptamers, oligos-based (ssDNA or RNA) and peptide-based, are now emerging as the first-choice biomolecules in various applications in medicine and biology. DNA aptamers selection process includes repeatable steps of DNA amplification and digestion. The amplification process of the enriched DNA aptamers includes using PCR. Objectiveof study:In this article, we sought to describe an efficient and robust method that corrects or permanently removes the PCR by–products during the cycles of DNA aptamers selection. Materialsand Methods:Our method is simple, efficient, and requires no enzymatic treatment. In this method, we applied repetitive cycles of thermal treatment to the enriched aptamers final products during …

A Comparison Of Inversion Test Holding Methods For Broilers, A. Perretti, S. Weimer

Poultry Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Objective, robust, and repeatable assessments of fear responses of poultry can lead to improvements in research techniques, the validity of test results, and ultimately bird welfare. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of 2 different holding methods on broiler fear responses during the inversion test, a standardized method of assessing fear in poultry. On D15 and D34 mixed-sex broilers (N = 80) were inverted and held either by their shanks (N = 40) or feet (N = 40) at arm's length away from the experimenter for 30 s. The frequency of wing flapping, head movement, attempts …

Multiomics Of Yaks Reveals Significant Contribution Of Microbiome Into Host Metabolism, Shuli Yang, Jeiyi Zheng, Huaming Mao, Paramintra Vinitchaikul, Dongwang Wu, Jianmin Chai

Animal Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

An intensive feeding system might improve the production cycle of yaks. However, how intensive feeding system contributes to yak growth is unclear. Here, multi-omics, including rumen metagenomics, rumen and plasma metabolomics, were performed to classify the regulatory mechanisms of intensive feeding system on yaks. Increased growth performance were observed. Rumen metagenomics revealed that Clostridium, Methanobrevibacter, Piromyces and Anaeromyces increased in the intensively fed yaks, contributing to amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism. The grazing yaks had more cellulolytic microbes. These microbiomes were correlated with the pathways of "Alanine aspartate and glutamate metabolism" and "Pyruvate metabolism". Intensive feeding increased methane degradation functions, …

Shell Translucency: A Novel Eggshell Quality Parameter In Broiler Breeders, Duarte Neves, Austin Jasek, Colwayne Morris, Raquel Burin, Kevin Stephens, Marco Rebollo

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

In the United States, nearly 240 million commercial broiler breeder eggs are incubated weekly with an average hatchability of 79.1% (Third Party Reporting). Between 160 eggs/hen and 125 chicks/hen the loss is considerable. In 2007, an estimated 1% improvement in hatchability would escalate profits by over $25 million to hatcheries and markedly increase profitability in broiler operations (Schaal and Gherian, 2007). In order to tap into top hatchability performances, egg management in commercial hatcheries such as egg storage time and conditions, incubation temperature and humidity, as well as turning frequency are of utmost importance (Vick et al., 1993; Reis et …