Large or Food Animal and Equine Medicine Commons^™

Bovine Colostrum Supplementation Optimises Earnings, Performance And Recovery In Racing Thoroughbreds, C. K. Fenger, Thomas Tobin, P. J. Casey, Edward A. Roualdes, J. L. Langemeier, D. M. Haines

Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center Faculty Publications

Bovine colostrum (BC) is the first milk produced by cows after calving and contains numerous beneficial substances for the immunity and development of the newborn calf. Because of the growth and immune factors in BC, it has become an attractive supplement for use by athletes to support immunity and health during athletic performance. In order to evaluate the effects of oral BC supplementation on equine athletes, this study evaluated the earnings, performance, recovery and incidence of upper respiratory infections (URTI) in racing horses. The study design was a randomized cross-over racing performance study. 21 horses in race training were randomly …

The Current Prevalence Of Caprine Arthritis-Encephalitis Virus In Midwestern Goat Herds, Bradley Todd Jones

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Caprine Arthritis-Encephalitis Virus (CAEV) is an incurable disease of goats that has both social and economic impacts. Clinical disease in goats includes encephalitis in kids; chronic arthritis, inflammatory mastitis and progressive respiratory disease in adults. In the last 25 years there have been significant changes in the United States goat industry with rapid growth in the meat and dairy industries. Recent prevalence studies are lacking and historic studies may not reflect changes in the industry. The purpose of this study was to establish the prevalence of CAEV in Midwestern herds that are not routinely acquiring new animals from known negative …

Genetic Parameter Estimates And Breed Effects For Calving Difficulty And Birth Weight In A Multi-Breed Population, Cashley Ahlberg

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

There are multiple breeds of beef cattle available to utilize in breeding systems to maximize production and economics. Calving difficulty (dystocia) is a significant cost to beef production and is more prevalent in first-calf heifers. The objectives of this study were to estimate genetic parameters and breed differences for calving difficulty and birth weight as a first step towards the development of across-breed adjustment factors for calving difficulty.

Two models were employed to analyze birth weight (BWT) and calving difficulty (CD) recorded on 4,579 first parity females from the Germplasm Evaluation program at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC). …

Generation And Use Of Monoclonal Antibodies To Ldentify Subpopulations Of Post Thaw Stallion Sperm, Sarah Abdulaziz Almuhanna

Masters Theses

Artificial insemination (AI) is commonly used for breeding of horses. Selecting high quality semen is critical to AI success but is difficult to achieve. In this study, we investigate the potential of generating antibodies against stallion sperm to identify subpopulations of post-thaw sperm based on surface markers. Female Balb/C mice are immunized with semen from a 24-year-old fertile stallion followed by booster immunizations each week for at least six weeks. Monoclonal antibodies are generated by fusion of myeloma cells to mouse spleen cells. Eight monoclonal antibodies resulting from these fusions are subdivided into four immunostaining patterns. These patterns differentially recognize …

Glucose Significantly Enhances Enterotoxigenic Escherichia Coli Adherence To Intestinal Epithelial Cells Through Its Effects On Heat-Labile Enterotoxin Production, Prageeth Wijemanne, Rodney A. Moxley

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

The present study tested whether exposure of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) to glucose at different concentrations in the media results in increased bacterial adherence to host cells through increased heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) production, thereby suggesting the effects are physiological. Porcine-origin ETEC strains grown in Casamino acid yeast extract medium containing different concentrations of glucose were washed and inoculated onto IPEC-J2 porcine intestinal epithelial cells to test for effects on adherence and host cell cAMP concentrations. Consistent with previous studies, all LT+ strains had higher ETEC adherence to IPEC-J2 cells than did LT2 strains. Adherence of the LT2 but not the …

Copy Number Variation In The Horse Genome, Sharmila Ghosh, Zhipeng Qu, Pranab J. Das, Erica Fang, Rytis Juras, E. Gus Cothran, Sue Mcdonell, Daniel G. Kenney, Teri L. Lear, David L. Adelson, Bhanu P. Chowdhary, Terje Raudsepp

Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center Faculty Publications

We constructed a 400K WG tiling oligoarray for the horse and applied it for the discovery of copy number variations (CNVs) in 38 normal horses of 16 diverse breeds, and the Przewalski horse. Probes on the array represented 18,763 autosomal and X-linked genes, and intergenic, sub-telomeric and chrY sequences. We identified 258 CNV regions (CNVRs) across all autosomes, chrX and chrUn, but not in chrY. CNVs comprised 1.3% of the horse genome with chr12 being most enriched. American Miniature horses had the highest and American Quarter Horses the lowest number of CNVs in relation to Thoroughbred reference. The Przewalski horse …

Clones Of Streptococcus Zooepidemicus From Outbreaks Of Hemorrhagic Canine Pneumonia And Associated Immune Responses, Sridhar Velineni, John F. Timoney, Kim Russell, Heidi J. Hamlen, Patricia Pesavento, William D. Fortney, P. Cynda Crawford

Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center Faculty Publications

Acute hemorrhagic pneumonia caused by Streptococcus zooepidemicus has emerged as a major disease of shelter dogs and greyhounds. S. zooepidemicus strains differing in multilocus sequence typing (MLST), protective protein (SzP), and M-like protein (SzM) sequences were identified from 9 outbreaks in Texas, Kansas, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico, and Pennsylvania. Clonality based on 2 or more isolates was evident for 7 of these outbreaks. The Pennsylvania and Nevada outbreaks also involved cats. Goat antisera against acutely infected lung tissue as well as convalescent-phase sera reacted with a mucinase (Sz115), hyaluronidase (HylC), InlA domain-containing cell surface-anchored protein (INLA), membrane-anchored protein (MAP), SzP, …

Evaluation Of Pre-Harvest Screening For Antibiotics And Flunixin Meglumine In Cattle, Shuna A. Jones

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Many antibiotics and medications used in the treatment of animals have a withdrawal time; residues are a concern for the meat industry. The most recently published 2009 USDA-FSIS Residue Program Data Report listed 135,389 Inspector-in-Charge-Generated (IICG) residue samples from 43,142,500 beef and dairy cattle inspected that year at harvest. Of these samples, 1,306 contained violative antibiotic residues and 327 violative flunixin meglumine residues. Two classes of antimicrobials comprised over half of the documented violative antimicrobial residues (beta-lactams that include ceftiofur and sulfa drugs that include sulfadimethoxine). While the violative residue rate seems small, violative residues are unacceptable. Management of carcasses …

Characterization Of Corynebacterium Pseudotuberculosis Biovar Equi Isolates Obtained From Cal Poly Horses And Review Of Application Of Transposons To Better Prevent Pigeon Fever In Horses, Irene Hasen

Animal Science

No abstract provided.

Using Progesterone As An Indicator Of Ovarian Response To Stimulation In Cattle, Kayla Mariah Kauffman

Animal Science

No abstract provided.

Nebraska Bqa: Antibiotic Use Guidelines, Rob Eirich

Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance Program

Cattlemen have demonstrated a commitment to animal health through vaccination programs developed carefully in cooperation with their veterinarian. When animals must be treated with an antibiotic after disease diagnosis, producers need to follow important antibiotic use guidelines established through the National Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program.

Nebraska Bqa: Effective Cattle Handling, Rob Eirich

Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance Program

Cattlemen know the importance of proper cattle handling and its effect on animal health and performance. Beef Quality Assurance has been implementing effective cattle handling (low-stress) into educational programs since its establishment in the 1980s.

Nebraska Bqa: Handling Compromised Animals, Rob Eirich

Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance Program

Cattle producers have long recognized the need of proper husbandry and stewardship for the animals entrusted into their care. Best livestock production practices, based on research and sound science, help ensure the well-being, animal health and productivity of cattle.

Calf Branding/Processing Time And Beef Quality Assurance, Rob Eirich

Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance Program

It is spring and that means branding time across cattle country. As producers are finishing calving season and preparing for branding/processing, it is important to review Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) guidelines. Let's take a minute to look at the key BQA principles:

Audits And Assessments In Beef Cattle Production, Rob Eirich

Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance Program

Assessments and audits are becoming a part of doing business in beef cattle production, as we are seeing beef processors implementing third-party audits. Since beginning as the Nebraska Director of Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) in July, I have been studying and gathering information on the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) Assessment Guides and third-party audits in the beef industry.

Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance: Focused On The Safety, Wholesomeness And Quality Of Beef

Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance Program

Across the nation, beef producers face the challenge of making a living from the land, while producing safe, wholesome beef. Beef that will provide a great eating experience each and every time for American and International consumers.

Transitioning Cattle From Ramp® To A Finishing Diet On Feed Intake And Ruminal Ph, Cody J. Schneider, Adam L. Shreck, Terry J. Klopfenstein Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A metabolism trial was conducted where steers were adapted to high grain diets using a traditional approach or one of two RAMP^® adaptation programs. RAMP programs adapted cattle to a finishing diet either gradually over 28 days in four steps or switched to a finishing ration without steps. Feed intake and ruminal pH were monitored continuously throughout the trial. Cattle on the 4-STEP treatment spent more time eating compared to other treatments but total feed consumption was similar among treatments. Ruminal pH was greater for cattle on RAMP adaptation programs when compared to traditional grain adaptation. Cattle fed RAMP …

The Effects Of Diet And Cooler Aging On Specific Flavor Notes In Beef, Kimberly A. Varnold, Chris R. Calkins, Rhonda K. Miller Miller, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Crossbred steers (n = 64) were grazed on warm- or cool-season grass-dominated pastures, without or with energy supplementation of wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS), and were finished on a corn-based diet with or without 35% WDGS. Finishing on corn increased desirable flavor notes and decreasedundesirable flavor notes in both L. dorsi and B. femoris steaks. In addition, grazing on warm-season grasses increased the prevalence of undesirable flavors but was often dissipated by the addition WDGS supplementation. Longer aging periods tended to increase the prevalence of undesirable flavors, especially in B. femoris steaks. It is recommended producers provide WDGS supplementation, …

Evaluation Of Genomic Predictors For Red Angus Cattle, Stephen D. Kachman, Matthew L. Spangler

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Purebred Red Angus genotypes, via the Ilumina BovineSNP50 assay, and expected progeny differences (EPD) were used to evaluate the accuracy of genomic predictors for traits that are currently reportedthrough the American Red AngusAssociations’ National Cattle Evaluation. Two genomic predictors were evaluated, one derived using prediction equations from the National Beef Cattle Evaluation Consortium and the other from Zoetis.

Follicular Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A Expression Before And After The Lh Surge, Renee M. Mcfee, Robin A. Artac, Adam F. Summers, William E. Pohlmeier, Vanessa M. Brauer, Scott G. Kurz, Robert A. Cushman, Jennifer R. Wood, Andrea S. Cupp

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Granulosa cell expression of VEGFAisoforms in dominant bovine follicles was evaluated. Collection of granulosa cells via follicle aspiration revealed altered expression of the proangiogenic VEGFA_164 isoform but not the antiangiogenic VEGFA_164B isoform prior to and after the LH surge. Expression of VEGFA_164 declines as both the LH surge and ovulation approaches. In addition, VEGFA_164 and VEGFA_164B expression prior to the LH surge was positively correlated with FSHR and CYP19A1 expression, suggesting that VEGFA expression may be regulated by FSH. These data indicate differential expression of VEGFA isoforms may be an important feature of bovine dominant follicle development.

Androgen Excess In Beef Cows Results In Altered Theca Cell Gene Expression And Fertilityand, Adam F. Summers, William E. Pohlmeier, Vanessa M. Brauer Brauer, Kevin M. Sargent, Renee M. Mcfee, Scott G. Kurz, Robert A. Cushman, Jennifer R. Wood, Andrea S. Cupp

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Within the University of Nebraska–Lincoln physiology herd, two sub-populations of cows with different concentrations of androstenedione have been identified. Androstenedione is a precursor for estradiol production, and androstenedione concentration is increased 24.5-fold in the high androstenedione cows. Our objective was to determine the cause of increased androstenedione production in high androstenedione cows and the effects on theca cell and oocyte gene expression. High androstenedione cows had increased steroidogenic enzyme abundance in theca cells and altered oocyte mRNA abundance. Increased androgen production in high androstenedione cows is associated with altered gene expression and/or mRNA stability during oocyte growth and maturation, which …

Comparison Of Long-Term Progestin-Based Synchronization Protocols On Fixed-Time Ai Pregnancy Rate In Beef Heifers, Rebecca A. Vraspir, Adam F. Summers, Doug O'Hare Hare, Larry D. Rowden, Rick N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Yearling Angus heifers at a commercial ranch in the Nebraska Sandhills were randomly assigned to one of two progestin-based fixed-time AI protocols (MGA or 14-day CIDR) to compare pregnancy rates. Heifers had similar fixed-time AI pregnancy rates between MGA and 14-day CIDR. A similar proportion of MGA and 14-day CIDR heifers displayed a second estrus; however, heifers previously synchronized with MGA tended to have a greater second AI pregnancy rate. Overall pregnancy rate was similar between MGA and 14-day CIDR treatments. The MGA system was the more cost effective synchronization protocol in this study.

Effect Of Pubertal Status And Number Of Estrous Cycles Prior To The Breeding Season On Pregnancy Rate In Beef Heifers, Rebecca A. Vraspir, Adam F. Summers, Andrew J. Roberts Roberts, Rick N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate whether pubertal status and number of estrous cycles prior to breeding influences pregnancy rate in beef heifers. Pubertal heifers were heavier and older at the start of breeding and had greater AI and overall pregnancy rate than non-pubertal heifers. Second season pregnancy rate was greater for heifers reaching puberty prior to first breeding and for heifers having ≥ 2 estrouscycles prior to breeding compared with non-pubertal heifers. Pregnancy rate was greater for heifers achieving puberty prior to breeding; however, earlier onset of puberty did not significantly improve first pregnancy rates.

Economics Of Distillers Grains Supplementation In A Forage System With Spayed Heifers, Kari L. Gillespie, Terry J. Klopfenstein, James C. Macdonald Donald, Brandon L. Nuttelman, Cody J. Schneider, Galen Erickson, J. D. Volesky

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

In a two-year study, spayed heifer calves were backgrounded on cornstalks with 2 lb or 5 lb wet distillers grains with solubles supplemented daily. During the summer, heifers grazed native range and received no summer supplementation or were supplemented with modified distillers grains with solubles at 0.6% BW daily. Heifers were finished on a common regimen, and an economic scenario was applied to each phase of production and overall. Supplementing more in winter increased profit, but summer supplementation did not impact overall profitability. Numerically, heifers not supplemented during the summer were more profitable than supplemented heifers.

Distillers Grains Supplementation In A Forage System With Spayed Heifers, Kari L. Gillespie, Terry J. Klopfenstein, James C. Macdonald Donald, Brandon L. Nuttelman, Cody J. Schneider, Jerry D. Volesky, Galen Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Spayed heifers were developed into yearlings by grazing corn residue and bromegrass, followed by native range, and were finished on a common diet. Treatments were 2 lb or 5 lb of wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS; DM basis) supplement on corn residue daily, and modified distillers grains with solubles (MDGS) fed at 0.6% BW daily or no MDGS during summer grazing. Feeding 5 lb increased winter ADG by 0.68 lb (year 1) or 0.40 lb (year 2) compared to 2 lb, and increased HCW after finishing. Summer supplementation increased summer ADG by 0.50 lb (year 1) or 0. 44 …

Effect Of Winter Supplementation Level On Yearling System Profit Across Economic Scenarios, Kari L. Gillespie, Terry J. Klopfenstein, James C. Macdonald Donald, Brandon L. Nuttelman, Cody J. Schneider

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Calves backgrounded in a forage–based, yearling system at a greater ADG maintained a performance advantage through finishing. High-level supplemented cattle gained an additional 0.18 lb daily during finishing and produced an additional 81 lb of saleable live weight compared to cattle backgrounded at a low-supplementation level. Across four economic scenarios with varying corn and distillers prices, high-level supplemented cattle returned $55.54 more than cattle fed a low level of supplementation during the winter backgrounding phase. Corn price would have to exceed $11.70/bu for high supplementation level to no longer be profitable.

Energy Value Of De-Oiled Modified Distillers Grains Plus Solubles In A Forage-Based Diet, Meredith L. Bremer, Andrea K. Watson, Dirk B. Burken Burken, James C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Sixty individually fed steers were used to determine the effects of feeding de-oiled modified distillers grains plus solubles (MDGS) on steer performance in an 84-day forage-based growing study. De-oiled MDGS did not significantly alter performance when compared to normal MDGS if fed at the same concentration in growing diets. Inclusion of either de-oiled or normal MDGS at 40% of the diet resulted in improved ending BW, DMI, ADG, and F:G as compared to inclusion of 20% MDGS in the diet.

Effects Of Forage Quality, Mdgs, And Monensin On Performance, Methane Concentration, And Ruminal Fermentation Of Growing Cattle, Anna C. Pesta, Andrea K. Watson, Samodha Fernando Fernando, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A growing study was conducted to evaluate a novel method for measuring methane concentration by feedlot cattle, and to determine the effects of forage quality, inclusion of modified distillers grains plus solubles (MDGS), and presence or absence of monensin on performance, methane concentration, and rumen fermentation characteristics. Performance was improved by use of high-quality forage and MDGS, while response to monensin was variable across basal diet type. Response of methane concentration and volatile fatty acid (VFA) profile due to diet was variable and subject to multiple interactions, reflecting the complexity of the microbial processes involved within the rumen.

Effects Of Calf Age At Weaning On Cow And Calf Performance And Efficiency In A Drylot/Confinement Production System, Jason M. Warner, Karla H. Jenkins, Rick J. Rasby, Matt K. Luebbe, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

An ongoing study evaluated the effectsof calf age at weaning on cow and calf performance and reproduction in a confinement production system. Early-weaning improved cow BW at normal weaning. Pregnancy rates were not impacted by calf age at weaning. Dry matter intake was not different between early-weaned cows and calves compared with normal-weaned pairs. Feed requirements and energy utilization were equal between early- and normal-weaned pairs when fed a distillers grains and crop residue based diet.

Effects Of Winter Supplementation On Cow Performance And Post-Weaning Management On Steer And Heifer Progeny In A Late Spring Calving System, John D. Harms, Rick N. Funston, L. Aaron Stalker Stalker, Jacqueline A. Musgrave, Andrew F. Applegarth, Adam F. Summers

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of winter supplementation while grazing dormant Sandhills winter range or meadow on cow performance and the effects of post-weaning management on steer and heifer progeny. Winter treatment had no effect on cow BCS or BW at precalving, prebreeding, and weaning. Steers and heifers fed hay gained more BW during winter treatment compared to those grazing meadow, but post-weaning management had no subsequent effects on steer or heifer progeny.