Animal Sciences Commons^™

A Literature Review On Crossbreeding In Dairy Cattle, Philip Owens

Dairy Science

The objective of the literature review was to determine whether or not crossbreeding is a profitable and a viable option for the dairymen of today by reviewing the literature and experiments that have been conducted throughout the world by today’s dairy professionals and leaders. The Dairy market today is increasingly competitive and more and more dairymen are considering crossbreeding to decrease health costs and increase profitability. Price premiums from cheese plants are given to milk producers for high components like protein and fat. In recent studies done by universities and research facilities around the world, results have found promising numbers …

Burning Manure As An Economical Energy Source, Ron Machado

Dairy Science

The dairy industry is under pressure from increasing environmental regulations, falling prices, as well as very aggressive foreign competition. Manure management and electrical costs are one area dairymen can look to cut costs. My objective for this project was to determine how cost effective biomass gasification of manure is at generating electricity. The proposed project was designed for a manure production equal to a 3,000 cow herd. I used standard capital budgeting techniques to determine the efficiency of the project, primarily focusing on the net present value, internal rate of return, and payback period.

Institution Of Presynch Protocol, Justin Breedyk

Dairy Science

The objective of this study was to compare factors of reproductive efficiency between two separate ovulation synchronization programs, with one that includes presynchronization of all fresh cows and one that does not ovsynch cows until they have been found open after initial insemination. In recent years, reproductive efficiency has declined as other areas of the dairy business have continued to excel. The investigation was performed on two dairies in Hart, Texas, White River Ranch and VB Dairy. The dairies include herds of 5,000 and 3,000 milking cows, respectively. Data was retrieved using Dairy Comp 305 and covered a two month …

A Comparison Between The Dhia Test For Somatic Cell Counts Compared To Porta Side Test On The Individual Quarters Of The High Scc Cows At The Cal Poly Dairy, Melissa Zimmer

Dairy Science

The objective of my senior project is to determine if California Mastitis Test (CMT) and the Porta Side Somatic Cell Count (SCC) Test is equivalent to the DHIA laboratory somatic cell test. The data was taken from the Cal Poly Dairy on October 19th, 2010. Samples were taken from eight Holstein cows during milking time and the tests were run in the barn. These eight cows were the highest somatic cell count cows at the Cal Poly Dairy on the previous test day October 9, 2010. During milking the cows were pre and post dipped before the samples were taken. …

Effectiveness Of A Presynchronization Program Implemented On A Modern Dairy Facility, R. (Robert) E. Thommen

Dairy Science

The objective of this study was to determine the success of a presynchronization program implemented on a modern dairy facility. The study was conducted on a 1,400 cow dairy in the central valley of California. 86 cows were involved in the study during the summer months of June through September. Cows were either assigned in the synchronization program or placed in a control group based on the last digit of their identification. At 43 DIM, presync cows were injected with their first treatment of the synchronization program. Estrous cycles of the presync group were manipulated with treatments of Prostaglandin and …

Cal Poly Embryo Recovery Record System, Kelsey Donahoo-Cheda

Dairy Science

No abstract provided.

Use Of Endovac-Bovi In Pre-Weaned Calves, Jena Glasgow

Dairy Science

No abstract provided.

Genotype And Breed Trend Influences On Citric Acid And Coagulation Times Of Raw Milk, Melissa Looney

Dairy Science

The objective of the study was to determine if citric acid levels measured in milk was related to genetic variants identified in Holstein and Jersey cows. The data used were milk samples collected from both Holstein and Jersey cows at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Citric acid levels and other constituents were measured using FTIR methods with the FOSS MilkoscanTM FT2 on each sample. Genotypes were obtained for the DGAT 1 locus using polymerase chain reaction and an enzymatic digestion using the MWO I restriction enzyme. Observations were obtained on 13 Holsteins and 12 Jersey cows. Results indicated that citric …

Ultraviolet Light As An Adjunct Treatment To Pasteurization For Microbial Reduction In Milk Intended For Extended Shelf Life, Jacob Zonneveld

Dairy Science

The objective of this study was to determine whether ultraviolet light treatment of milk could be used in adjunct with pasteurization and to determine whether the microbial count in bulk tank raw milk was sufficient enough to receive significant results. Samples were collected from a bulk tank filled with 1600 gallons of raw Holstein and Jersey milk from the Cal Poly Dairy throughout the course of a week. Control (library) samples were also taken from the raw milk tank and stored without air or agitation for comparison. These samples were plated each day and examined 24 and 48 hours after …

Cystic Ovaries In Dairy Cattle, Lacey Morgan Rosenberg

Dairy Science

The objective of this literature review was to determine the potential causes and factors affecting the incidence of ovarian cysts in dairy cattle as well as to examine functionality of various preventative methods and treatments of cysts. The end product was to be a document outlining all the information available on the three different types of cysts that can develop on the bovine ovary, follicular cysts, luteal cysts, and cystic corpora lutea. The literature that was reviewed, most in the forms of research papers, articles, and reviews, came primarily from scientific journals and published books. The literature reviewed was only …

Use Of An Activity Monitoring System As Part Of The Cal Poly Dairy Breeding Protocol, Trevor Nutcher

Dairy Science

The objective of this study, is to determine the effectiveness of an activity monitoring system as an integral part of the Cal Poly Dairy breeding protocol. Dairy herd reproductive efficiencies have dropped in the past 40 years. Increased milk production, and genetic advancements towards more milk production, have led to reproductive rates declining. An advanced breeding program is needed to become more efficient in this area. The study consisted of the evaluation of one option, Heatime™ by MICRO Dairy Logic, and comparing it to the commonly used programs in dairies today such as synchronization methods, pedometers, and other electronic detection …

Controlling The Mineral Content Of Sweet Whey Powder In An Industrial Setting, Matthew W. Sawyer

Dairy Science

The objective of this project was to reduce the final ash content of sweet whey powder. The data for this project was collected over a two-week period, from July 13th to July 27th 2010 in a dairy plant in the Mid-West of the United States. The data is composed of particle size test, ash test, and pH test. The conclusions of this study are that multiple pre-heat treatment tank changes contribute to mineral content by requiring more buffering than usual. The low pH of this pre-heat liquid forces a need for more buffering. Particle segregation may play a role in …

Rangeland Condition Assessment Of A Portion Of The Cal Poly Sheep Unit, Colin S. Mckim

Animal Science

This rangeland condition assessment was conducted as part of the Cal Poly Rangeland Condition Assessment Project. Five pastures comprising 31.7 acres at the Cal Poly sheep unit were assessed to collect baseline ecological information. Methods used were Line-point Intercept, Belt Transect, Residual Dry Matter, and the rangeland health indicators recommended by Pyke et al., 2002. Additionally, a preliminary species list was collected. The rangeland health assessment method found all pastures to have no to slight departure from the local reference area when evaluated for soil and site stability, hydrologic function, and biotic integrity.

Comparisons Of Fish Species Inside And Outside Of Marine Protected Areas Off The South Central Coast Of California, David E. Rasmussen

Master's Theses

COMPARISONS OF FISH SPECIES INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF MARINE PROTECTED AREAS OFF THE SOUTH CENTRAL COAST OF CALIFORNIA

David E. Rasmussen

From 2004-2008 and 2008-2009 Cal Poly University researchers conducted two separate tag and recapture studies of nearshore fish populations along California’s central coast. Three locations were sampled that have experienced different degrees of fishing pressure. Big Creek MPA has been closed to all fishing from 1993 onwards and is the farthest from port of all locations. Cambria lies closest to port of the three locations and because of this has the highest fishing pressure. Piedras Blancas lies midway between …

Effect Of Feeding Zilpaterol Hydrochloride For 20 Days To Calf-Fed Holstein Steers With A 3 Or 10 Day Withdrawal Period Antemortem On Carcass Characteristics And Tenderness, Andrew D. Hosford

Master's Theses

The effect of feeding Zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH) with a 3 or 10 d withdrawal (WD) period to calf-fed Holstein steers (N=2993) on carcass characteristics and tenderness were evaluated in a feed lot experiment. Cattle were fed 0 or 8.3 mg/kg of ZH for the final 20 d of the feeding period, each treatment level was assigned a WD period of either 3 or 10 d. Treatment groups consisted of Control 3 d WD (C3) and 10 d WD (C10), and ZH fed 3 day WD (Z3) and 10 d WD (Z10). Cattle were slaughtered at a commercial facility, carcasses chilled …

Design, Planning, And Evaluation Of Upgraded Cattle Handling Facility, Lindsey Kaeli Tulloch

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This senior project discusses the design, planning, and evaluation of a livestock handling facility for Tulloch Ranches. The facility will be an upgrade to the facility currently used at the ranch in Pine Valley, California. The design parameters for the facility were narrowed down to the following: 1. Must reduce stress to animals during handling. 2. Must be cost effective to save labor and maintenance. 3. Must show improvement from the current set- up. The above parameters combine to form a system that enables the handlers of Tulloch Ranches to manage and work cattle in a more calm and humane …

Trial And Budget Analysis Of Two Synchronized Artificial Insemination Breeding Programs For Beef First Calf Heifers, John Nino

Agribusiness

This study was designed to compare the benefits and costs of two different synchronized artificial insemination programs on two groups of beef first calf heifers. A financial budget was developed that would include cost of synchronized insemination per animal and the added value of a bred heifer compared to an open one.

The two synchronized programs were called controlled internal drug release (CIDR) and Ovsynch. They used a specific timeline and drugs to complete the synchronization process. A single low birth weight high calving ease bull was used for both groups to enforce conformity between the groups. Costs of all …

Poisonous Rangeland Plants In San Luis Obispo County, Sara Litten, Amanda Ou

Animal Science

Poisonous Rangeland Plants in San Luis Obispo County is a comprehensive educational guide to rangeland plants that are toxic to domestic livestock. This guide begins with an exploration of how the biological systems are affected by the poisonous plant toxins. The biochemistry behind these toxins is included in the discussion. Next, reference material for fourteen plants that inhabit San Luis Obispo County is provided. This information includes specific toxins found in poisonous plants, affected animals, symptoms of poisoning, stages of growth, lethal dose, and distribution of the plant in California. This section of the guide is filled with helpful photos …

Growth Hormone Alters Components Related To Differentiation, Metabolism And Milk Synthesis And Secretion In Mac-T Cells, Tasha Lynn Johnson

Master's Theses

The mammary alveolar cell-T (MAC-T) cell line is able to uniformly differentiate and secrete casein proteins in response to dexamethasone, insulin and prolactin and is extensively used to study bovine mammary epithelial cell function. Growth hormone (GH) has been shown to increase milk protein synthesis both in vivo and in mammary cell models, and induce cytoskeletal rearrangement in 3T3 fibroblast cell line and a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line. Few studies have focused on identifying the mechanisms involved in differentiated MAC-T cells’ response to GH. We tested the hypothesis that MAC-T cells would respond directly to GH and that …

Identifying Alternative Waste Conversion Technologies For Use At California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, Matthew R. Bono

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This project was undertaken to identify and study alternative technologies for converting waste streams available on the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo campus into energy. As a large campus on the Central Coast of California Cal Poly not only produces lots of waste, but has limited options for its disposal. Furthermore, the campus is in the midst of an on-going green initiative, and more efficient use of its waste products would be a welcome development for the entire campus community. This report gathers information on waste streams originating at Cal Poly and information about waste to energy conversion technologies. The …

The Presence Of Micropterus Salmoides (Largemouth Bass) Influences The Populations Of Rana Draytonii (California Red-Legged Frog) And Pseudacris Regilla (Pacific Treefrog) In Two Ponds In Santa Barbara County, California, Kenneth Lee Gilliland

Master's Theses

Alien fish have been implicated in the decline of Rana draytonii (California red-legged frog) and Pseudacris regilla (Pacific treefrog) populations. Micropterus salmoides (largemouth bass) is a common sport fish that has been introduced into the sympatric range of these two anuran species; however, no studies have investigated the individual influence that this alien fish has on these two species. I conducted M. salmoides control or eradication experiments during a four year study in two ponds within the Transverse Mountain Range of Santa Barbara County, California. Changes in the densities of all life stages of R. draytonii and P. regilla were …