Animal Sciences Commons^™

Pregnancy Influences On The Rumen Environment Of Angus Heifers Differing In Feed Efficiency, Miranda Gabrielle Martin

Masters Theses

With an expected increase in population by 2050, the demand for more animal protein will increase. To improve the sustainability of US cattle production, producers and researchers have historically focused on improving the feed efficiency of steers, producing a more marketable beef product. However, without a successful pregnancy, there would be no marketable animal to feed. The objective of this study was to examine the physiological changes that occur during pregnancy and their impact on the rumen microbial communities and the correlation to feed efficiency status in Angus heifers. Utilizing 17 cannulated Angus heifers, feed efficiency data was previously collected …

Physically Adjusted Neutral Detergent Fiber System: Effects Of Dextrose And Non-Forage Fiber On Performance, Feeding Behavior, Digestibility, Rumen Fermentation And Rumen Bacterial Abundance In Dairy Cattle, Jorge Luis Bonilla Urbina

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The newly proposed physically adjusted NDF system (paNDF) system aims to maintain a favorable rumen environment (e.g., pH) by taking into account both the physical and chemical composition of diet. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the effects of water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) and non-forage NDF inclusion in a paNDF system on production performance, rumen pH and fermentation profile, rumen bacterial abundance, feeding behavior and nutrient digestibility in late-lactating Holstein cows. Nine fistulated multiparous Holstein cows (2nd and 3rd parity) were used in a triplicated 3×3 Latin Square experiment. Each period lasted for 21 d with 14 d …

Transitioning To Net Energy: A Swine Story, John F. Patience

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

Net energy (NE) is one member of the sequence of energy systems which also includes gross energy (GE), digestible energy (DE), and metabolizable energy (ME). It is perhaps the most sophisticated because it attempts to consider more components of the ingredient or diet which normally cannot be used by the pig for maintenance and/or productive purposes. Gross energy makes no such adjustment and therefore has little direct value in diet formulation. Digestible energy corrects for energy which is lost in the feces, and metabolizable energy also adjusts for energy lost in the urine. The data in Table …

Investigation Of Methionine And Lysine Derivatives As A Source Of Rumen-Protected Amino Acids For Lactating Dairy Cows, Mark Avila Fagundes

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Cows have a protein requirement for growth, maintenance, and lactation. In order to meet those protein requirements, dairy farmers can supplement or feed cattle with specific amino acids, the building blocks that make-up protein. However, in order for the amino acid product to be effective it must avoid degradation in the rumen and be delivered in the small intestine for absorption. Lysine and methionine have traditionally been recognized as the most limiting amino acids for lactating dairy cows. Therefore, nutrition companies have focused on finding ways to encapsulate or protect lysine and methionine from rumen microbes. The N-acetyl-L-methionine and N-acetyl-L-lysine …

Effects Of Added Calcium Carbonate On Weanling Pig Growth Performance, Alan J. Warner, Joel M. Derouchey, Mike D. Tokach, Jason C. Woodworth, Robert D. Goodband, Jordan T. Gebhardt

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 695 barrows (DNA Line 200 × 400; initially 12.9 lb) were used in two groups in a 28-d study to evaluate the effects of added dietary calcium carbonate on phase 1 nursery pig growth performance and fecal dry matter. Upon arrival to the nursery research facility, pigs were randomly assigned to pens (5 pigs per pen) and pens were allotted to 1 of 5 dietary treatments with 27 or 28 pens per treatment. Dietary treatments were formulated to provide 0, 0.45, 0.90, 1.35, and 1.80% calcium carbonate added at the expense of corn. Analyzed Ca for treatment …

Respiratory Chain Activity And Protein Expression In Skeletal Muscles From High And Low Feed Efficient Swine Within The Same Genetic Line, Earsie L. Alcorn De Feliz

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Current as well as past studies have provided evidence for a connection between macroeconomic/agricultural and cellular/biochemical basis of feed efficiency (FE; gain:feed) in farm animal production. Our investigation of respiratory chain activity, mitochondrial protein oxidation and protein expression was an expansion to the subcellular/molecular level. In this study we investigated the entire complex (Cx) of the electron transport chain (ETC) for differences in Cx activities in mitochondria isolated from skeletal muscle in high (HFE) and low (LFE) feed efficient swine within the same genetic line. Review of literature provided information for the connection between feed efficiency, mitochondrial function, and muscle …

Large Variability In Feeding Behavior Among Crossbred Growing Cattle, David N. Kelly, Roy D. Sleator, Craig P. Murphy, Stephen B. Conroy, Michelle M. Judge, Donagh P. Berry

Department of Biological Sciences Publications

The purpose of this study was to define an extensive suite of feeding behavior traits in growing crossbred cattle and to investigate their phenotypic inter-relationships as well as relationships with other performance and efficiency traits. Time-series feeding behavior data, as well as feed intake and liveweight records, were available for 624 growing crossbred cattle, of which 445 were steers and 179 were heifers. Feeding behavior repeatability estimates were calculated using linear mixed models. Additionally, partial Spearman correlations were estimated among 14 feeding behavior traits, as well as between feeding behavior with both performance and feed efficiency traits, using residuals retained …

Effect Of Inclusion Rate Of Silage With Or Without The Presence Of Alpha-Amylase On Feedlot Performance, Carcass Characteristics, And Efficiency Measures, W. C. Rusche, J. A. Walker, Z. K. Smith

SDSU Beef Day 2020 Summary Publication

The experimental objective was to determine the interactions of silage variety and inclusion level in cattle finishing diets on cattle performance and agronomic returns to cropland when fed to beef cattle.

Technologies To Increase Animal Performance In Beef Production Systems, Caleb P. Weiss

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Three monensin levels during a stocker phase (0, 800, 1600 g/ton in a free choice mineral) and two levels during finishing (0 [U] or 37.5 mg/kg diet DM [M]) were used to determine the effects of monensin supplementation during a stocker and subsequent finishing phase on beef calves. Steers (n = 605, BW = 278 ± 27 kg) were fed pearl millet hay with soybean hull and corn gluten feed supplement (0.5% BW daily [AF basis] Block 1) or grazed fall wheat (Block 2), spring wheat (Block 3), bermudagrass (Blocks 4 & 5) or wheat with mixed-grass baleage (Block 6). …

Post-Weaning Blood Transcriptomic Differences Between Yorkshire Pigs Divergently Selected For Residual Feed Intake, Haibo Liu, Yet T. Nguyen, Dan Nettleton, Jack C. M. Dekkers, Christopher K. Tuggle

Dan Nettleton

Background: Improving feed efficiency (FE) of pigs by genetic selection is of economic and environmental significance. An increasingly accepted measure of feed efficiency is residual feed intake (RFI). Currently, the molecular mechanisms underlying RFI are largely unknown. Additionally, to incorporate RFI into animal breeding programs, feed intake must be recorded on individual pigs, which is costly and time-consuming. Thus, convenient and predictive biomarkers for RFI that can be measured at an early age are greatly desired. In this study, we aimed to explore whether differences exist in the global gene expression profiles of peripheral blood of 35 to 42 day-old …

Rumen Bacterial Community Structure Impacts Feed Efficiency In Beef Cattle, Henry A. Paz, Kristin E. Hales, James E. Wells, Larry A. Kuehn, Harvey C. Freetly, Elaine D. Berry, Michael D. Flythe, Matthew L. Spangler, Samodha C. Fernando

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

The importance of the rumen microbiota on nutrient cycling to the animal is well recognized; however, our understanding of the influence of the rumen microbiome composition on feed efficiency is limited. The rumen microbiomes of two large animal cohorts (125 heifers and 122 steers) were characterized to identify specific bacterial members (operational taxonomic units [OTUs]) associated with feed efficiency traits (ADFI, ADG, and G:F) in beef cattle. The heifer and steer cohorts were fed a forage-based diet and a concentrate-based diet, respectively. A rumen sample was obtained from each animal via esophageal tubing and bacterial community composition was …

Hops (Humulus Lupulus L.) Bitter Acids: Modulation Of Rumen Fermentation And Potential As An Alternative Growth Promoter, Michael D. Flythe, Isabelle A. Kagan, Yuxi Wang, Nelmy Narvaez

Animal and Food Sciences Faculty Publications

Antibiotics can improve ruminant growth and efficiency by altering rumen fermentation via selective inhibition of microorganisms. However, antibiotic use is increasingly restricted due to concerns about the spread of antibiotic-resistance. Plant-based antimicrobials are alternatives to antibiotics in animal production. The hops plant (Humulus lupulus L.) produces a range of bioactive secondary metabolites, including antimicrobial prenylated phloroglucinols, which are commonly called alpha- and beta-acids. These latter compounds can be considered phyto-ionophores, phytochemicals with a similar antimicrobial mechanism of action to ionophore antibiotics (e.g., monensin, lasalocid). Like ionophores, the hop beta-acids inhibit rumen bacteria possessing a classical Gram-positive cell envelope. This …

Expression Of Cytokine Genes And Receptors In White Blood Cells Associated With Divergent Body Weight Gain In Beef Steers, Amanda K. Lindholm-Perry, Virginia M. Cederberg, Jeremy R. Miles, Andrew P. Foote

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Previous work examining the transcriptome of steer tissue samples from animals with divergent gain have shown a relationship with the expression of genes with functions in immune and inflammatory pathways. The process of mounting an immune or inflammatory response is energetically expensive and variation in cytokine responses may affect cattle production traits. In addition, a previous study has identified variation in the transcript abundance of numerous genes, including the cytokine gene IL6ST, in the circulating white blood cells of pigs associated with high and low residual feed intake (RFI) lines. The aim of this study was to determine whether …

Effect Of Parity And Stage Of Gestation On Growth And Feed Efficiency Of Gestating Sows, L. L. Thomas, R. D. Goodband, M. D. Tokach, J. C. Woodworth, J. M. Derouchey, S. S. Dritz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The effects of parity and stage of gestation on female growth criteria and reproductive performance were evaluated at a commercial sow farm. A total of 712 females (Camborough, PIC, Hendersonville, TN) were group-housed and individually fed with electronic sow feeders. Gilts (parity 1) and sows were offered 4.4 and 5.0 lb of feed per day (4.7 and 5.3 Mcal NE per d), respectively. Females were moved from the breeding stall to pens on d 5 of gestation. A scale was located in the alleyway to weigh sows as they left individual feeding stations. Feed intake and BW were recorded daily …

Nuclear Factor [Erythroid-Derived 2]-Like 2’S (Nfe2l2) Gene Expression In Feed Efficiency And Oxidative Stress In Avian Muscle, Devin Wayne Cook

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Oxidative stress may play a role in the phenotypic expression of feed efficiency (FE). The transcription factor NFE2L2 (nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2) coordinates antioxidant response to oxidative stress and its activity is tightly regulated in part by KEAP1 (Kelch like-ECH protein 1) and the E3 ligase CUL3 (Cullin3). Thus, one objective was to determine mRNA expression of NFE2L2, KEAP1, and CUL3 as well as three antioxidant targets [glutathione peroxidase (GPx-1), superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2)] in breast muscle of immature pedigree broiler males (8 wk), immature Japanese quail males (4 wk) divergently selected for high …

Autophagy And Its Potential Role In Stress And Feed Efficiency Using Avian Lines, Alissa Laura Piekarski

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Autophagy is a highly conserved cellular mechanism that is responsible for the degradation and recycling of damaged organelles. Recently, autophagy has been involved in critical roles during overall development of the organism and degradation of damaged cellular components. This pathway has witnessed dramatic growth in the last few years and has been extensively studied in yeast and mammals, however, there is a paucity of information in avian (non-mammalian) species. First, we characterized genes involved in the autophagy pathway in male and female Jungle Fowl to determine gender and tissue specific differences. Secondly, tissue and genotype differences in Japanese quail selected …

Genetic Variance And Covariance Components For Feed Intake, Average Daily Gain, And Postweaning Gain In Growing Beef Cattle, K. J. Retallick, J. M. Bormann, R. L. Weaber, M. D. Macneil, H. L. Bradford, Harvey C. Freetly, W. M. Snelling, Mark Thallman, D. Moser, Larry Kuehn

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Feed is the greatest cost for a beef cattle production enterprise. Data collection to determine feed efficiency of animals is also costly, because both gain and intake records are needed to calculate feed efficiency. Electronic intake monitoring systems such as GrowSafe or Insentec to collect feed intake data are expensive and thus limit the number of animals that can be tested. Scientists have worked to pinpoint optimal test durations for collecting both weight gain and feed intake records to lessen costs.

A 70-day performance test is currently recommended for accurate calculation of efficiency, with growth data as the limiting factor. …

Lifecycle Efficiency Of Mice Divergently Selected For Heat Loss, Adrienne Bhatnagar

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

Divergent selection for heat loss as an indication of maintenance energy requirements in mice resulted in a low (ML) and high maintenance line (MH), and an intermediate control line (MC). Improved feed efficiency has been observed in ML mice, which would be economically beneficial in livestock species. However, previous work showed evidence of unfavorable correlated responses to selection in ML mice compared to MH mice. Therefore, the objective of this study was to model a lifecycle similar to a livestock production system using these lines and determine if these correlated responses diminish the benefit of improved feed efficiency by calculating …

Qtls Associated With Dry Matter Intake, Metabolic Mid-Test Weight, Growth And Feed Efficiency Have Little Overlap Across 4 Beef Cattle Studies, Mahdi Saatchi, Jonathan E. Beever, Jared E. Decker, Dan B. Faulkner, Harvey C. Freetly, Stephanie L. Hansen, Helen Yampara-Iquise, Kristen A. Johnson, Stephen D. Kachman, Monty S. Kerley, Jaewoo Kim, Daniel D. Loy, Elisa Marques, Holly L. Neibergs, E. John Pollak, Robert D. Schnabel, Christopher M. Seabury, Daniel W. Shike, W. M. Snelling, Matthew L. Spangler, Robert L. Weaber, D. J. Garrick, Jeremy F. Taylor

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Background: The identification of genetic markers associated with complex traits that are expensive to record such as feed intake or feed efficiency would allow these traits to be included in selection programs. To identify large-effect QTL, we performed a series of genome-wide association studies and functional analyses using 50 K and 770 K SNP genotypes scored in 5,133 animals from 4 independent beef cattle populations (Cycle VII, Angus, Hereford and Simmental × Angus) with phenotypes for average daily gain, dry matter intake, metabolic mid-test body weight and residual feed intake.

Results: A total of 5, 6, 11 and 10 significant …

Hepatic Mitochondrial Efficiency In Lines Of Mice Differing In Feed Intake, Thomas Murphy

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

Selection was practiced for high (MH) and low (ML) heat loss using direct calorimetry to create lines of mice differing in feed intake per unit BW (FI/BW). Selection occurred for both criteria in each of 3 replications (R); an unselected control (MC) was also maintained in each replicate. A total of 25 generations of selection was practiced; the 9 lines are presently maintained without selection. As a percentage of MC, mice of MH and ML lines differed in heat loss and FI/BW by 56 and 34%, respectively, when selection ceased. The 218 male mice measured in the present study came …

Growth Promoting Implants And Nutrient Restriction Prior To Feeding: Effect On Carcass Composition, Carcass Quality, And Consumer Acceptability Of Beef, Jessica Ann Robinette

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Implant strategy and nutrient restriction prior to finishing may alter feedlot performance, as well as carcass characteristics and consumer acceptability of beef. The objectives of these studies were to determine the effect of prefinishing implant strategy and plane of nutrition on prefinishing and feedlot performance, carcass characteristics and quality, and consumer acceptability of beef. In 2 experiments, spring-born calves were weaned in the fall (Exp. 1, n =120; and Exp. 2, n = 96) and were either finished as calves (CALF-FED) or placed on a growing program with a target ADG of 0.45 kg/d (RSTR) or 0.91 kg/d (UNRSTR) before …

Effect Of Different Diets On Growth Performance And Feed Efficiency In Early Weaned Piglets, Fi̇li̇z Akdağ, Özkan Elmaz, Can Kutay, Hidir Demi̇r

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

In this study the effects of different diets on the survival, growth performance, and feed efficiency of early weaned piglets were investigated. In this study, 96 crossbred piglets obtained from uncontrolled interbreeding of Bulgarian Large White, Large Black, and Turopolje for many years, which had weaned at the age of 28 days, were used and they were grouped equally to form one control and 2 experimental groups. Each group was fed with a different protein diet for 4 weeks: the first group was fed sunflower meal (SFM), the second group was fed soybean meal (SBM), and the control group was …

Sheep Updates 2007 - Part 1, Richard Gunner, Anthony Clarke, Kevin Bell, Hugh Dove, H. M. Burrow, Kevin Goss

Sheep Updates

This session covers six papers from different authors:

PLENARY

1. Life beyond the farmgate - the meat perspective, Richard Gunner – Principal:- Richard Gunner’s Fine Meats

2. Do you need to worry about climate change?, Anthony Clark, Centre for Resource and Environmental Studies, Australian National University and Bureau of Rural Sciences.

3. Ruminant nutrition panel session - The impact of nutrition on animal health and welfare, Kevin Bell, School of Veterinary and Biomedical Studies, Murdoch University

4. Ruminant nutrition panel session - Pasture/animal interactions, Hugh Dove, Chief Research Scientist, CSIRO Plant Industry

5. Precision Cattle Breeding for …

Influence Of Corn Hybrid Traits On Digestibility And The Efficiency Of Gain In Feedlot Cattle, S. L. Jaeger, Matt K. Luebbe, C. N. Macken, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein, W. A. Fithian, David S. Jackson

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Two experiments were conducted to determine the influence of chemical and physical corn kernel traits on digestibility and feedlot cattle performance. Seven commercially available corn hybrids representing a range in kernel traits were evaluated for a variety of chemical and physical traits that included test weight, 1,000-grain weight, kernel size, starch, CP, amylose, Stenvert Hardness tests (kernel hardness traits), tangential abrasive dehulling device loss, 12-h in vitro starch disappearance, and rate and extent of in situ DM disappearance. Differences among hybrids existed for all physical kernel traits measured. In Exp. 1, 224 steers in 28 pens were fed the same …

A Study On The Fattening Traits Of Sönmez Type Lambs, Mustafa Kaymakçi, Turgay Taşkin, Ercan Kizilay

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

This study was conducted to determine the fattening performance of Sönmez type lambs weaned on average at 60±5 days old. Sixty lambs were put into four different pens, as single males (15), single females (15), twin males (15) and twin females (15), and the fattening period was 56 days in length. The daily weight gains were 282.14 g, 242.49 g, 207.31 g and 179.99 g for single males, single females, twin males and twin females, respectively. The average daily weight gain in Sönmez type lambs was 227.98 g. Feed efficiency levels in Sönmez lambs were 3.98, 4.32, 4.49 and 4.63 …

Development Of Heat And Sodiummetabisulfite Treated Fullfat Soybeans In Broiler Rations, Kemal Küçükersan, Şaki̇r Doğan Tuncer, Seher Küçükersan, Ayhan Atasever

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

This study was carried out to determine the effects of heat and sodiummetabisulfite treated soybeans in broiler rations on live weight, feed consumption, feed efficiency, and the weights of the liver, pancreas, kidney, spleen and heart and the severity of lesions in these organs. A total of 160 one- day - old Hysex Brown broiler chicks were used in the experiment. There were eight groups each containing 20 chicks. The experiment lasted seven weeks. In the group which was fed the ration containing raw soybean, live weight decreased 49.08% compared to the control group. While the raw soybean caused considerable …

The Effect Of Common Vetch Seed ( Vicia Sativa L.) Added To The Quail Rations On Growth,Carcass Yield And Some Blood Parameters, Sakine Yalçin, Adnan Şehu, İsmail Kaya

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

This study was carried out to determine the effects of rations containing 5, 10 and 15 % common vetch ( Vicia sativa L.) on live weight gain, feed consumption, feed efficiency, carcass yield and total protein and lipid values of blood serum of quails. A total of 300 daily Japanese quail chicks ( Coturnix coturnix japonica) were used in this experiment. They were divided into one control group and three treatment groups each containing 75 quail chicks. The experimental period lasted five weeks. At the end of the study live weights of 2. and 3. groups fed the rations containing …

The Effects Of Light Colour And Lighthing Regimes On The Quail Growth And Carcass Traits, Musa Sarica

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

This research was carried out to determine the effects of light colours (white florescent, red and green bulb) and lighting regimes (continuous and 2L+2D intermittent lighting) on growth performances and carcass traits of japanese quails. Live weights at the age of fifth week were 151.01, 132.84 and 160.40 (P

Optimun Levels Of Dietary Crude Protein And Monensin For Steer Calves On Limit-Fed, High Concentrate Diets, M.L. Sip, R.H. Pritchard, M.A. Robbins

South Dakota Beef Report, 1987

One hundred ninety-two Angus and Angus x Limousin calves (611 lb) were randomly allotted to one of four Levels of crude protein intake and three dosages of monensin in an 80% concentrate diet. Intake of the complete diet was restricted to allow 2.2 lb average daily gain over an 86-day period. Crude protein was fed at 90, 100, 110 or 120% of the gram daily requirement described by NRC. Monensin was fed at 120, 180 or 240 mg/head/day. Each 10% increase in dietary crude protein caused a .13 lb increase in ADG, a .34 unit improvement in feed efficiency and …