Animal Sciences Commons^™

Measuring Aquatic Organism Responses To Grassland Restoration: Does The Field Of Dreams Really Exist?, David A. Schumann

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Landscape homogenization and the degradation of riparian areas has greatly impaired stream ecosystems throughout North America. Conservation programs may repair riparian ecosystems to indirectly improve water quality and instream habitat heterogeneity in hopes to elicit biological responses. However, focused manipulations on isolated stream fragments have rarely achieved biological goals. Prairie streams with restored riparian areas were appraised (chemical, physical, and biological variables) to quantify the indirect effects of prevalent grassland conservation practices on aquatic resources. Riparian rehabilitation, via passive methods, promoted bank-stabilizing vegetation along all conservation stream reaches. Riparian vegetation and function quickly recovered from previous agricultural disturbances at conservation …

Response Of Dairy Cows To Dietary Starch Concentrations: Performance, Nutrient Digestion, And Gas Emissions, Juan Isidro Sanchez-Duarte

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Three studies and a meta-analysis were conducted to determine the performance, nutrient digestion, and gas emissions of dairy cows fed diets with different starch concentrations (19 to 27% of DM). Study 1 evaluated the effects of reducing corn grain starch with non-forage fiber sources (NFFS, soybean hulls and beet pulp) in diets of soybean meal (SBM) or canola meal (CM). In study 1, reducing starch from 27 to 20% with soybean hulls and beet pulp had a negative effect on dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield and energy-corrected milk (ECM), regardless of the crude protein (CP) source. Those effects were …

Effects Of A Large-Scale Habitat Enhancement Project On Largemouth Bass Behavior, Feeding, And Growth In Grand Lake, Texas, Chance Kirkeeng

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The quality of habitat, or the environment suitable for an organism to survive and reproduce, is often described by the type of features present and the quantity and condition of such features. Habitats in many ecosystems are declining and the loss of important habitats likely affects the success of organisms reliant upon those features. Habitats in reservoir ecosystems are especially at risk because of aging processes that are degrading reservoir habitats at faster rates than habitats in other ecosystems. Habitat enhancement projects are one tool used to combat the effects of aging reservoirs but the benefits of these management actions …

The Effects Of A Blend Of Essential Oils On Rumen Efficiency Of Lactating Dairy Cows, Kali Linville

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of SS a blend of commercially available essential oils (EO) on rumen microbial efficiency and kinetics, and consequently, effects on production parameters of dairy cows fed a low-starch diet and in vitro analysis of varying doses of SS on ruminal fermentation at different stages of lactation. The study consisted of two experiments, the in vivo Experiment 1, was conducted on a commercial robotic dairy in southwest Minnesota outfitted with two Lely Astronaut A4robotic milking units (Goter’s Clay & Dairy Equipment of MN, INC., Pipestone, MN). One hundred-seven Holstein cows were …

Effect Of Ultrasonication On Biofilm Forming Ability Of Common Dairy Sporeformers, Taghreed Almalki

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Sporeformers are common dairy contaminants, which are of a great concern to the dairy industry. Quality of dairy products is affected by these sporeformers such as Bacillus species, which are a significant cause of spoilage of dairy products. Thermal processes such as pasteurization have been used to inactivate pathogens, but some of the sporeformers and their endospores are resistant to such heat treatments. Beside thermal treatments, various new approaches are being developed to improve the quality of dairy products. Amongst these, ultrasonication is a promising non-thermal technique for the inactivation of thermoduric sporeformers and their endospores. Current study was carried …

An Evaluation Of Deer And Pronghorn Surveys In South Dakota, Kristopher W. Cudmore

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

To properly manage white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), and the American pronghorn antelope (Antilocapridae americana), wildlife managers must identify population perimeters, sample size, age and sex ratios of these three species. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate age and sex ratios and determine a minimum sample size for each study area for all deer species and pronghorn, in addition to deriving a methodology and population estimate for white-tailed deer in the Black Hills. Sample size needed for both species of deer and pronghorn ranged from 60-70 groups of does. Age ratios calculated from daylight …

Effects Of Phase Feeding During Gestation On Gilt Performance, Offspring Quality And Robustness, Agatha Ampaire

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A total of 51 gilts in 6 blocks were randomly assigned to one of 3 feeding regimens: Constant (Constant-f), 2.21 kg/d of a standard diet from breeding to d 112 of gestation (1.7 g Lys/kcal ME; 3276 kcal ME/kg); Bump feeding (Bump-f), the standard diet at 2.21 kg/d from breeding to d 89 and 2.61 kg/d from d 90 - 112; Phase feeding (Phase-f ), 2.21 kg/d from breeding to d 89 (1.5 g Lys/kcal ME; 3275 kcal ME/kg) and 2.61 kg/d from d 90 - 112 (2.1 g Lys/Kcal ME; 3290 Kcal ME/kg) over 2 reproductive cycles. Sows received …

Indexing Walleye Recruitment In Eastern South Dakota Natural Lakes, Todd M. Kaufman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Because of the popularity of Walleyes and the need for recurrent supplemental stockings, substantial resources are allocated to their management in eastern South Dakota. For nearly 20 years, fall night electrofishing has been used to monitor age-0 Walleye population parameters, and index future year-class strength in select waters but with limited evaluation. Additionally, knowledge of recruitment patterns and factors that influence those patterns were of interest. Thus, the objectives of this study were: 1) to determine the utility of fall electrofishing age-0 Walleyes to index future year-class strength; 2) to explore whether measures of fall age-0 body size or condition …

A Description Of Variation In Fecundity Between Two Populations Of Wolf Spider Rabidosa Rabida In Searcy Arkansas Using Brood Size Measurements, Brandon Hogland, Ryan Stork, Amber Hug

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Fecundity, a very important population variable, can be estimated by measuring the number of juveniles hatching out of individual egg sacs. Rabidosa rabida is a large wolf spider that is common in Arkansas and much of the eastern portion of North America. This study attempts to expand previous estimates of variation in fecundity made for this species by Reed and Nicholas in Mississippi. We hypothesized that a significant variation would be found in fecundity estimates between two populations in Arkansas. We also hypothesized that this variation would be similar to the variation reported in Mississippi. Two populations of R. rabida …

Lemurfaceid: A Face Recognition System To Facilitate Individual Identification Of Lemurs, David Crouse, Rachel L. Jacobs, Zach Richardson, Scott Klum, Anil Jain, Andrea L. Baden, Stacey R. Tecot

Publications and Research

Background: Long-term research of known individuals is critical for understanding the demographic and evolutionary processes that influence natural populations. Current methods for individual identification of many animals include capture and tagging techniques and/or researcher knowledge of natural variation in individual phenotypes. These methods can be costly, time-consuming, and may be impractical for larger-scale, populationlevel studies. Accordingly, for many animal lineages, long-term research projects are often limited to only a few taxa. Lemurs, a mammalian lineage endemic to Madagascar, are no exception. Long-term data needed to address evolutionary questions are lacking for many species. This is, at least in part, due …

Effect Of Grazing Pressure On Cattle Grazing Cool Season Annual Forages, Brooke Brunsvig

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Ruminants can use plant fiber to produce food products that provide nourishment to humans. However, a precise understanding of specific plants selected by grazing ruminants remains elusive. Many long- and short-term factors impact cattle grazing behavior. Ultimately, grazing behavior can affect forage available for grazing, nutrient density of forage, dry matter intake, and animal performance. A myriad of grazing management strategies have been developed utilizing animal behavior to allow more efficient use of forage resources. Many management strategies based on manipulation of grazing behavior are simple and cost effective. Optimal performance of individual animals and amount of animal products produced …

A Comparison Of Land Use And Land Cover In Public Lands Of The Northwestern Great Plains And High Plains Ecoregions And The Implications For Grassland Birds, Dawn L. Siemonsma

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Loss and degradation of grassland habitat are driving forces that contribute to widespread declines of grassland birds in the United States. Many studies have evaluated habitat needs for the conservation of grassland birds, but the relative contribution of public lands in representing and maintaining avian biodiversity remains poorly understood. Having a better understanding of the role that publicly managed grasslands play in the conservation of grassland bird habitat is important for assessing the value of the investment the American public makes in these lands. Therefore, I investigated spatial relations among variations in amounts and distributions of publicly owned and managed …

Effect Of Pre-Marketing Management Practices On Shrink Loss In Lambs, Ann Kolthoff

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of three common lamb pre-marketing management practices on live weight shrink loss. Additionally a producer survey was conducted to assess current marketing practices in the North Central region of the US. In these experiments, Exp. 1 (feeder lambs) and 2 (finished lambs), 60 commercial Polypay lambs (Exp. 1: 37.65 ± 0.30 kg of BW; Exp. 2: 52.56 ± 0.14 kg of BW) were allocated for each experiment to 3 treatment groups (n=20 lambs) in a 3 x 3 Latin square design. Treatments were the pre-marketing practices: original pen (ORG), transition pen (TRANS), …

Invertebrate Prey Selectivity Of Channel Catfish (Ictalurus Punctatus) In Western South Dakota Prairie Streams, Erin D. Peterson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Benthic invertebrates are an important resource for aquatic consumers and should be considered in management of sportfish populations as a factor influencing fishery health. Our study seeks to draw a relationship between invertebrate prey availability and the Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus fishery of western South Dakota through diet analysis, but invertebrate surveys in the area have not focused on invertebrates as a prey source. Our objectives were to characterize patterns in availability of the invertebrate prey base in five major river basins, and to evaluate the effects of availability on Channel Catfish prey selectivity and condition. Invertebrates were collected at …

Local And Systemic Actions Of Gnrh Relating To Estradiol And Associated Reproductive Parameters In Beef Cattle, Jerica J.J. Rich

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In cattle, estradiol is responsible for modulating many mechanisms involved in successful reproduction. Specifically estradiol is the primary signal for the initiation of standing estrus (Allrich, 1994), and cattle expressing estrus prior to fixed time AI (FTAI) have been reported to have increased preovulatory estradiol concentrations (Perry and Perry, 2008) and increased pregnancy success compared to animals that did not exhibit estrus (Richardson et al., 2016). Gonadotropin releasing hormone, classically, stimulates estradiol production via the two-cell two-gonadotropin hypothesis (Fortune and Quirk, 1988), and GnRH administered systemically in small doses (5 μg) has been reported to elicit an LH pulse similar …

Mountain Lion (Puma Concolor) Population Characteristics And Resource Selection In The North Dakota Badlands, Randy D. Johnson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Mountain lions (Puma concolor) have significant ecological impacts on the ecosystems they inhabit, leading to both biological and social ramifications. Yet, due to the relatively recent natural recolonization by mountain lions of the Little Missouri Badlands Region of western North Dakota, detailed data regarding many aspects of this population have been lacking. Therefore, we studied mountain lions occupying the Badlands Region to improve our understanding of mountain lion population ecology, resource selection, and occurrence in North Dakota. Our objectives were to: 1) improve the accuracy of home range size, subadult movement, and survival estimates of mountain lions in …

Genetic Factors Associated With Thermal Tolerance In Grow-Finish Pigs As Measured By Feeding Behavior, Amanda Jeanne Cross

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The objectives of this study were: one, use electronic monitoring to determine feeding behavior patterns of grow-finish pigs throughout the year and to identify changes that occurred during heat stress events, and second, identify genetic markers associated with changes in feeding behavior due to heat stress. Pigs were placed in a grow-finish barn at approximately eight to ten weeks of age in 6 pens of 40 animals and monitored for 4-months. Gilts and barrows were from three different sire breeds, Duroc, Landrace, and Yorkshire. Each pen had one feeder, designed to feed 5 animals at a time. Feeders were fitted …

Biofilm Formation By Common Dairy Sporeformers On Native And Modified Stainless Steel Surfaces, Shivali Jindal

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Aerobic sporeformers can be traced in a variety of dairy products such as milk powders, evaporated milk, and canned products, which demonstrates their capability of resisting high temperature treatments such as pasteurization and Ultra high temperatures. These bacilli also actively attach to the stainless steel surfaces, consequently resulting in the formation of biofilms. Product quality as well as its safety is undesirably affected by the growth of these sporeforming bacteria. Therefore, creating an ideal environment for the processing of dairy products is a critical challenge for the dairy industry. Hence, the objective of this research was to analyze various surface …

Lysine Bioavailability Of Two Lipid Coated Lysine Products After Exposure To Silages With Different Acidity, Jessica N. Reiners

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Three experiments were conducted to determine bioavailability of 2 lipid coated Lys products (EB and EC). In an initial experiment, Lys disassociation from 2 lipid coated Lys products was best described by a first-order kinetic model after incubation in alfalfa- or corn-silage at 2 different amounts of acidity. Greater amounts of Lys immediately disassociated from EC (15.7%) than EB (4.9%; P < 0.05). Lysine that initially disassociated in corn silage at low pH (0.5%) was less than corn silage at a more neutral pH (18.7%), whereas Lys that initially disassociated in alfalfa silage was not affected (P = 0.26) by pH. Lysine that slowly disassociated from lipid coated Lys differed by product (P = 0.01), and acidity (P < 0.01) affected amounts of Lys that slowly disassociated differently within alfalfa- or corn-silage (pH × silage = 0.02). Greater amounts of Lys disassociated from acidic corn silage (79%) than neutral corn silage (32%; P = 0.01). However, amounts of Lys that slowly disassociated from alfalfa silage was not impacted by acidity (P = 0.40). Additionally, amounts of Lys that did not disassociate (P < 0.04) within 24 h were greater (P < 0.04) when lipid coated Lys was mixed with neutral silages (44%) compared to acidic silages (21%). However, rate of Lys disassociation from lipid coated Lys products was not affected by acidity or exposure to alfalfa- or corn-silage (P = 0.21). In a second experiment, we measured in vitro ammonia release from EB and EC after mixing with alfalfa- or corn-silage at different amounts of acidity with or without monensin. Ammonia release from Lys increased (Quadratic < 0.01) with greater amounts of time; however, differences between in vitro cultures with added Lys and negative control were not detected until 36 h of incubation. By 36 h, all cultures containing added Lys were greater than the negative control. After 42 h of incubation, ammonia release from Lys was greatest from EC and when lipid and Lys-HCl in amounts identical to EB were provided to cultures; EB, Lys-HCl, and lipid and Lys in amounts identical to EC were intermediate. After 48 h of incubation, ammonia release from Lys in EB was greatest and Lys-HCl was least, but EC and amounts of lipid and Lys-HCl identical to either EB or EC were intermediate. Ammonia release from Lys were less from cultures containing monensin after 48 h of incubation. In experiment 3, 9 white-faced ewes (70.1 ± 5.2 kg BW; 5.3 ± 0.6 yr) were used to measure Lys bioavailability by a slope-ratio analysis from 2 lipid coated Lys products and Lys-HCl after mixing in corn silage. Plasma Lys concentrations increased (Linear < 0.01) in response to abomasal infusion of Lys, and bioavailability of EB, EC, and Lys- HCl were calculated to be 10.74%, 18.82%, and 11.87%, respectively. However, increases in plasma Lys from EB (Linear = 0.41) and Lys-HCl (Linear = 0.36) were not different from plasma Lys supported by diet alone, but the rate of increase in plasma Lys in response to EC tended (Linear = 0.15) to be greater than plasma Lys levels from diet. Evidently, manufacturing method among lipid coated Lys products as well as physical and chemical characteristics of diet can impact availability of Lys from lipid coated Lys products.

Evaluation Of Supplementing Brewer's Yeast To Lactating Dairy Cows, Taylor Christine Aubrey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Probiotics have been used as effective, natural feed additives in the dairy industry to improve animal health and performance. Yeast product supplementation can be beneficial in the diet of lactating dairy cows by increasing feed efficiency, alleviating disease, and improving production performance under heat stress. Objectives of this study were to evaluate supplementing a concentrated brewer’s yeast in the ration of a lactating dairy cow by assessing milk yield and composition, blood metabolites, rumen fermentation, and feed intake and efficiency. We hypothesized that diets containing a concentrated brewer’s yeast supplement would increase milk and component yields, benefit rumen fermentation, and …

The Influence Of Chromium Supplementation On The Insulin Pathway, Carcass Traits, And Meat Quality Of Feedlot Steers, Heather Rode

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Chromium supplementation (Cr) can increase efficiency of growth in livestock by amplifying insulin signaling. Previous research showed Cr increases nutrient utilization and changes in muscle growth and fat deposition. Therefore, the objective of this research was to determine how Cr affects carcass traits, meat quality, and the insulin pathway in feedlot steers. Calf-fed steers were allotted to 0 ppb (CON) or 400 ppb Cr propionate (Cr400) for 210d in experiment 1. Two longissimus muscle (LM) biopsies were collected to examine protein abundance and gene expression after adaptation to a terminal implant and after adaption to ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC). A follow …

Detection Of High Levels Of Somatic Cells In Milk On Farms Equippedwith An Automatic Milking System By Decision Trees Technique, Beata Sitkowska, Dariusz Piwczynski, Joanna Aerts, Magdalena Kolenda, Serkan Özkaya

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The purpose of the study was to use decision trees to predict increased levels of somatic cells in cow's milk. The material for the study comprised data collected in 2012-2014 from five farms in Poland equipped with an automatic milking system. Data on 803 Polish Holstein-Friesian cows were collected. In order to predict somatic cell count data mining techniques were used to build a graphical model of a decision tree. This study found that the most important factors to anticipate an elevated somatic cell count in cow's milk are milk conductivity, lactation stage, and lactation (primiparous and multiparous cow groups), …

Effective Use Of Probiotic-Glyconutrient Combination As An Adjuvant To Antibiotic Therapy For Diarrhea In Rearing Dairy Calves, Gilberto Lopez Valencia, Octavio Zapata-Ramirez, Lilia Núñez-González, Victor Núñez-Benítez, Heriberto Landeros- López, Maria Lopez-Soto, Alberto Barreras Serrano, Victor Gonzalez-Vizcarra, Alfredo Estrada-Angulo, Richard Zinn, Alejandro Plascencia

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Thirty Holstein calves presented with infectious diarrhea during the second week following birth were utilized to evaluate the effects of a standardized product containing a combination of probiotics, ß-glucans, and glyconutrients (GLY) in support of antibiotic therapy during the early rearing phase (day 7 to day 45 following birth). Treatments were 1) antibiotic therapy (trimethoprim and sulfas; ANTIB), and 2) ANTIB plus 5 g/calf per day GLY. Treatments did not affect diarrhea duration, averaging 16.7 days. However, GLY support decreased (P < 0.05) the mortality rate and increased (P < 0.05) live weight gain. Increased weight gain was attributable to enhanced (P < 0.05) consumption of calf starter. Supplemental GLY increased (P < 0.05) serum glucose and lowered (P < 0.05) serum urea nitrogen, nonesterified fatty acids, and cortisol concentration. We conclude that daily provision of 5 g of a standardized product containing probiotics, ß-glucans, and glyconutrients to diarrheic calves under antibiotic therapy will promote health and enhance early growth performance.

News Of The Department Of Animal Science, Department Of Animal Science

Animal Science Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Progesterone Receptor And Prostaglandins Mediate Luteinizing Hormone-Induced Changes In Messenger Rnas For Adamts Proteases In Theca Cells Of Bovine Periovulatory Follicles, Erin L. Willis, Phillip J. Bridges, Joanne E. Fortune

Animal and Food Sciences Faculty Publications

Little is known about the ADAMTS (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs) family of extracellular proteases in ovarian follicles of non‐rodent species, particularly in theca cells. In the present study, temporal changes in the abundance of mRNA encoding four ADAMTS subtypes and hormonal regulation of mRNA encoding two subtypes were investigated in theca interna cells during the periovulatory period in cattle. Gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) was injected into animals to induce a luteinizing hormone (LH)/follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) surge, and follicles were obtained at 0 hr post‐GnRH (preovulatory) or at 6, 12, 18, or 24 hr (periovulatory). ADAMTS1, ‐2, …

Development And Application Of A Fish-Based Index Of Biotic Integrity For Lakes In Eastern South Dakota, Daniel T. Nelson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) was developed to summarize the impact of watershed and water quality degradation to biotic communities and help to provide a more complete picture of water quality changes that are not captured in traditional physical and chemical measurements. In 2014, nearly 15% of South Dakota lakes did not meet their designated beneficial uses based on water quality measures but the impacts to the fish communities are unknown. The goal of this study was to develop a fish-based IBI for eastern South Dakota lakes by addressing three specific objectives:
1) Determine whether an IBI could be …

Using Rna Seq To Define Genes And Pathways Affecting Salmonella Vaccine Response In Beef Cattle, Sara Awrahman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A Salmonella siderophore receptor and porin (SRP) proteins vaccine is an intervention strategy to control Salmonella burden in cattle. The vaccine works by stimulating immunity to produce antibodies against bacterial SRPs as siderophore molecules play a major role in transporting iron to bacteria. Blocking iron uptake system by antibodies causes death of bacterial cells. The vaccine can also be useful to protect humans against salmonellosis, which causes high rates of illness and death annually, by reducing shedding of Salmonella in the feces of cattle. Though other researchers have evaluated efficacy and immune response of this Salmonella SRP vaccine, genes …

Proteome Basis Of Muscle‐Specific Beef Color Stability, Mahesh Narayanan Nair

Theses and Dissertations--Animal and Food Sciences

Fresh beef color is critical to consumers’ purchase decisions, and beef color stability is muscle-specific. Sarcoplasmic proteome plays a critical role in beef color stability. This dissertation focuses on the proteome basis of inter- and intra-muscular variations in beef color.

The first experiment examined the sarcoplasmic proteome of three beef muscles with differential color stability, i.e., longissimus lumborum (LL), psoas major (PM), and semitendinosus (ST), during wet-aging. LL, PM, and ST (n = 8) were subjected to wet-aging for 0, 7, 14, and 21 days. On each aging day, steaks were fabricated, and color and other biochemical attributes were evaluated …

Why Did The Walleye Cross The Reservoir? Explaining Adult Walleye Use Of The Missouri River Upstream Of Canyon Ferry Reservoir To Toston Dam, Tanner M. Traxler

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

Over the last decade, walleye (Sander vitreus) have been increasingly using the Missouri River upstream of Canyon Ferry Reservoir to Toston Dam, and Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks wants to understand why these walleye are moving upstream and how it could impact the existing fish community in the river. To understand if this expansion of habitat could be associated with spawning and/or foraging, we examined the composition and distribution of juvenile fish in the area. Specifically, the presence of juvenile walleye would indicate that adult walleye were using the river to spawn and/or if there were abundant prey …

Factors Influencing Mountain Lion Kill Rates Across Three Ecosystems In The Americas, Steven Cross

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

Kill rate, defined as the number of prey killed per predator per unit time, is a key component to understanding predator-prey dynamics. A multitude of factors may affect kill rates, including, variation in age, sex, weight, or presence of offspring of either predator or prey species (intraspecific variation) and events such as the theft of a kill made by another animal (kleptoparasitism). These factors may influence the time a predator spends locating prey (search time) and the pursuing, killing, and consumption of prey (handling time). The sum of search time and handling time may be measured as the time between …