Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Epidemiology, and Public Health Commons^™

Effects Of Replacing Antibiotics With Bacillus-Based Probiotics In The Diet Of Lactating Sows On Reproductive Performance, Feed Intake, Serum Immunoglobulin Levels, Milk Production, Oxidative Stress Markers, Fecal Short-Chain Fatty Acids, And Piglet Growth Performance, Chutikan Srisang, Tip-Apa Akkhaphan, Preechaphon Taechamaeteekul, Junpen Suwimonteerabutr, Rafa Boonprakob, Suparlark Nuntawan Na Ayudhya Dr, Lea Hübertz Birch Hansen Dr, Padet Tummaruk

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

This clinical trial investigated the effects of adding a Bacillus-based probiotic to the lactation diet of sows (without in-feed antibiotics) on maternal and piglet outcomes. A total of 109 Landrace × Yorkshire sows (parity 1–7) were assigned to either a control group (n = 61) or a treatment group (n = 48) receiving Bacillus subtilis – 541 and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens – 516. Piglets in the treatment group also received the probiotics via creep feed from day 3 until weaning. Blood samples were collected within 12 h after farrowing to assess serum immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, and IgM) and malondialdehyde (MDA) …

Seroprevalence Of Small Ruminant Lentiviruses (Srlvs) And Peste Des Petits Ruminants Virus (Pprv) In Nonvaccinated Sheep And Goats In Sarawak, Malaysia, Bura Thlama Paul, Ali Saidu, Maria Eva Barudi, Faez Firdaus Abdullah Jesse, Juriah Kamaludeen, Suhaili Mustafa, Masnindah Malahubban, Ali Hanafiah Hakim, Krishnan Nair Balakrishnan, Mohd Azmi Mohd Lila

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs) and Peste des Petits Ruminants virus (PPRV) are economically important viral diseases that threaten small ruminant production globally. While previous studies have reported their serological status in Peninsular Malaysia, there is limited epidemiological information on their occurrence in East Malaysia. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors of SRLVs and PPRV among nonvaccinated sheep and goats from selected smallholder farms in Sarawak. A total of 245 serum samples collected from sheep (n = 117) and goat (n = 128) were screened using commercial ID Screen^® PPR competition (PPRC ver. 0821) and MVV/CAEV …

Bacterial Identification And Antibiotic Sensitivity Profiles From Captive Birds At Taipei Zoo, Younjung Chang, I-Li Liu, Jane-Fang Yu, Lih-Chiann Wang

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Bacterial infections are common in zoo birds. They may be caused by pathogenic bacteria or opportunistic bacteria due to trauma or stress-induced immune compromise. Improper use of antibiotics contributes to the development of resistant bacteria, making treatment complicated or ineffective. However, comprehensive clinical investigations into bacterial prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility in zoo-captive birds remain limited. This study identified the bacterial species present in captive diseased birds at the zoo and conducted a 12-year analysis of their antibiotic susceptibility profiles. The specimens from 48 birds at Taipei Zoo from 2006 to 2017 were submitted to a commercial reference laboratory for bacterial …

Possible Cross-Resistance And Horizontal Gene Transfer Associated With Halquinol In Escherichia Coli And Salmonella Enterica Isolated From Pigs, Nisit Chansong, Songsak Srisanga, Nutthavut Mahawatthanaunkul, Rungtip Chuanchuen

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

The aims of this study were to determine the possible cross-resistance and horizontal gene transfer associated with halquinol in Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. from pigs. Two of each E. coli and Salmonella isolates exhibiting low halquinol MIC (8 and 16 µg/ml, respectively) and susceptible to antibiotics tested were selected for in vitro stepwisehalquinol exposure experiment. Another E. coli (n=19) and Salmonella (n=6) isolates with high halquinol MICs (16-64 and 32-64 µg/ml, respectively) containing plasmids were used for transferability testing of halquinol resistanceencoding gene(s) using filter mating method. In vitro exposure to subinhibitory concentrations of halquinol promoted neither resistance to …

Genetic Characterization Of Lpai-H4n2 And H4n8 Viruses Recovered From Free-Grazing Ducks In Thailand, Supanat Boonyapisitsopa, Supassama Chaiyawong, Kamonpan Charoenkul, Kitikhun Udom, Ekkapat Chamsai, Napawan Bunpapong, Somsak Pakpinyo, Alongkorn Amonsin Prof. Dr.

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

nfluenza A viruses (IAVs) can infect birds and various mammals. In this study, we retrospectively isolated and characterized IAVs (n=8) from oropharyngeal and cloacal swab samples of free-grazing ducks collected during December 2018 to December 2021, by using egg inoculation and whole-genome sequencing. The IAVs could be subtyped as IAV-H4N2 (n = 3) and IAV-H4N8 (n = 5) using real-time RT-PCR assays. Genetic and phylogenetic analyses revealed that all eight genes of Thai IAV-H4 belong to the Avian Eurasian lineage. Both Thai IAV-H4N2 and IAV-H4N8 exhibited low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) characteristics and were susceptible to oseltamivir and amantadine. This …

Prevalence, Antimicrobial Resistance Characteristics And Virulence Genes Of Streptococcus Suis In Pigs In Upper Northern Thailand, Wanida Mala, Rangsiya Prathan, Si Thu Hein, Sunpetch Angkittitrakul, Asinamai Athliamai Bitrus, Rungtip Chuanchuen

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, virulence genes and antimicrobial resistance of Streptococcus suis from pigs in Upper-Northern Thailand. A total of 768 nasal swabs were obtained from pigs at the municipal slaughterhouses in five provinces including Phayao (n=202), Nan (n=190), Chiang Rai (180), Chiang Mai (n=130), and Mae Hong Son (n=66) in 2018-2019. The prevalence of S. suis varied from 3.0%-9.4%, of which the highest prevalence was in Chiang Rai (9.4%) and Mae Hong Son (9.1%). Of all 59 isolates confirmed to be S. suis, serotype 8 (50.8%) was most commonly identified, followed by serotype 10 (3.4%), …

Digestibility, Palatability, And Nutrient Composition Of Three Species Of Whole Prey In Three Species Of Snakes, Morgan R. Kienzle

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

Snakes in human care often lack diversity in the diet. Rodents account for the majority of meals, while wild snakes are consuming a varied diet composed of multiple different whole prey species. By feeding only one species of prey, the chance of nutrient deficiencies and other health concerns increases. To promote variety in the managed diet, two commercially available whole prey species (mice (Mus musculus) and chicks (Gallus spp.)) and one novel species (Seba’s short-tailed bats (Carollia perspicillata)), were analyzed for their dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), crude fat …

The Survey Of The Prevalence Of Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (Egus) In Non-Racing Thoroughbred Horses In Thailand, Teerapol Tum Chinkangsadarn, Sangtawan Tubkleaw, Ananya Rungjarusub, Jitsupa Trangkatarn, Kawinthida Thaworn, Parichart Tesena

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

This study aimed to determine the prevalence, types, and risk factors of Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) in non-racing Thoroughbred horses in Thailand. A total of 56 Thoroughbreds, aged 5 to 22 years (mean age: 12.43 ± 4.65 years), were included. Before sedation, a comprehensive history and physical examination were conducted. Gastroscopy was performed to identify gastric ulcers, using the Equine Gastric Ulcer Council 0–4 scoring system for non-glandular ulcers, while glandular ulcers were assessed as present or absent. Data on breed, age, sex, activity status, behavior, appetite, and medical rehistory were collected. The overall prevalence of gastric ulcers was …

Effect Of Feeding Fenugreek Extract And Encapsulated Lecithin On Finishing Cattle Performance, Carcass Characteristics, And Liver Abscesses, Sofia Suarez Lorences, Rebecca L. Mcdermott, Joshua R. Benton, Robert Bondurant, Willard Lemaster, James C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

A feedlot study was conducted to evaluate the effects of adding fenugreek extract and encapsulated lecithin (Furst-McNess Company, Rockford, Illinois, United States) on finishing cattle performance, carcass characteristics, and liver abscesses. Treatments were applied as a 2×2 factorial that included a control diet with no additive; a diet containing fenugreek extract; a diet containing encapsulated lecithin; and a diet containing both fenugreek extract and encapsulated lecithin. Tylosin was not included in any diets to test natural occurrence of liver abscesses. No interactions were observed between fenugreek extract and encapsulated lecithin treatments but neither feed additive impacted intakes, …

Effects Of Allocation Frequency On Cattle Performance And Forage Utilization When Swath Grazing A Sorghum-Sudangrass Hybrid In Eastern Nebraska, Thomas E. Aquino, Mary E. Drewnoski, Pedro Henrique J. Fernandes

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

A sorghum-sudangrass hybrid was swath grazed by growing steers (529 ± 18 lb) from November 2023 to January 2024. Treatments were offering new forage once (1X) or twice (2X) per week to determine the effect of allocation frequency on animal performance and forage utilization. Average daily gain was not impacted by treatment (1X = 0.45 ± 0.1 lb/day, 2X = 0.45 ± 0.1 lb/day). Pre-and post-graze biomass samples were collected to estimate forage utilization, which was not different between treatments (1X = 57.1 ± 3.6%, 2X = 61.1 ± 3.6%). However, there was a difference in carrying …

Impact Of Overwinter Gain On Growth And Reproductive Performance In March-Born Heifers, Josie N. Crouch, J. Travis Mulliniks, Jacki A. Musgrave, Kacie L. Mccarthy

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

Heifers developed to lower rates of overwinter gain may reduce development costs without growth and reproduction impacted. A 3-year study was conducted to evaluate different overwinter rates of gain on heifer growth rates, reproductive, and economic performance. Heifers were managed together and individually supplemented (January-May) with dried distillers grains to achieve either a low (0.75 lb/d) or high (1.50 lb/d) average daily gain. At breeding, high gain heifers were heavier than low gain heifers. Average daily gain and body condition score were similar between treatments. Overwinter treatment did not impact attainment of puberty, pregnancy rates, or the …

Impact Of Pre- And Post-Breeding Supplementation On Performance Of May-Born Heifers, Josie N. Crouch, J. Travis Mulliniks, Jacki A. Musgrave, Kacie L. Mccarthy

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications This 3-year study compared growth, reproductive performance, and economics of May-born yearling heifers that either received 2.00 lb/ heifer/ per d of a dried distillers grain supplement from pre-breeding (July) through breeding (August) or no supplement. Supplementation was offered approximately 24 days before breeding, averaging 55 days total. Heifer body weight was unaffected by supplementation. Supplementation increased average daily gain until pregnancy diagnosis, but no differences were noted after pregnancy diagnosis. Providing dried distillers grain increased the percentage of heifers that were cycling before breeding; however, no differences in pregnancy rates, percent that gave birth in the …

Interaction Of Backgrounding System And Implant Use On Growing Calf Performance, Sydney T. Vanderhoff, Braden C. Troyer, Rebecca L. Mcdermott, Mitchell M. Norman, Brandon L. Nuttelman, Galen E. Erickson, Mary E. Drewnoski, James C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

A two-year study utilized 480 weaned steers each year targeted to gain either 1 or 2 lb/d during the winter followed by ad libitum forage intake during the summer to determine the effects of winter rate of gain and implant strategy during the winter backgrounding and summer phases on steer performance, forage intake, and compensatory gain. During the winter, steers received a Revalor-G or no implant. In the summer, steers either received a Revalor-IS or no implant. The use of Revalor-G and increased rate of gain during the winter backgrounding phase had additive effects to increase animal …

Quantifying Cereal Rye Pastures Biomass With Image Analysis, Pedro Henrique J. Fernandes, Shelby L. Davies-Jenkins, Biquan Zhao, Wei‑Zhen Liang, Mary E. Drewnoski, Yijie Xiong

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

By accurately assessing the amount of forage available, producers can estimate the pasture carrying capacity to make informed decisions on management. To provide producers with a feasible and efficient approach to estimate forage mass, this project evaluated performance of two image analysis tools, Crop Canopy Image Analyzer (CCIA) and Canopeo, in estimating forage mass for cereal rye. Forage mass measured by clipping the forage (areas with 5.625 ft²) was correlated with plant cover analyzed by the two tools using photos of the forage taken 37 in above the ground. Results obtained have supported the feasibility …

Impact Of Constant Versus Variable Inclusions Of Modified Distillers Grains Plus Solubles On Feedlot Cattle Performance And Carcass Characteristics, Paige M. Madison, Rebecca L. Mcdermott, Isaque F. Vicci, Joshua R. Benton, James C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

A finishing trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of varying dietary inclusion of modified distillers grains plus solubles compared to a constant inclusion throughout the entire feeding period on finishing cattle performance. Treatments were arranged as a 2 × 2 + 1 factorial with two inclusions of modified distillers grains plus solubles (10% and 25%) that were constant or varying in dietary inclusion, and a corn control (0% modified distillers grains plus solubles). Increasing the inclusion of distillers grains from 0 to 25% increased both DMI and ADG when fed at a constant inclusion of 10 …

Impact Of Full-Fat Wet Distillers Grains Inclusion In Steam-Flaked Corn Based Finishing Diets, Gatlin Hissong, Bill Dicke, Doug Smith, Andrea Watson, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

Steam-flaked corn and distillers grains are common feed ingredients in finishing rations, but the interaction between the two is not well understood. A finishing trial at a commercial feedlot using 700 calf-fed heifers was conducted to evaluate cattle performance when fed 18 or 30% (dry matter basis) full-fat wet distillers grains plus solubles in steam-flaked corn based diets with 8% roughage (hay + corn silage). No effects on cattle performance were observed due to distillers grains inclusion in the diet. Final body weight, dry matter intake, average daily gain, feed conversion, and hot carcass weight were not …

Effect Of Feeding Palm Oil On Finishing Cattle Performance, Carcass Characteristics, And Methane Production, Anna M. Kobza, Rebecca L. Mcdermott, Mitchell C. Norman, Joshua R. Benton, Long Zou, James C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

Increased demand for biofuel production has increased demand and price of commonly fed supplemental fat sources in beef operations. This finishing study evaluated the effect of feeding palm oil products on performance, carcass characteristics and methane production of feedlot finishing steers. Dietary treatments were feeding no supplemental fat or feeding one of the following fat sources at 4% of diet dry matter: whole palm oil, palm stearin, palm olein, or corn oil. Feeding supplemental fat, regardless of source, increased final body weight, average daily gain, and hot carcass weight. Feeding supplemental fat had no effect on dry …

Effect Of Feeding Two Different Feed Additives (Optipartum C+ And Prime Force) On Finishing Cattle Performance And Carcass Characteristics, Sofia Suarez-Lorences, Rebecca L. Mcdermott, Joshua R. Benton, Robert Bondurant, Willard Lemaster, James C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

A feedlot study was conducted to evaluate the effects of adding two different natural feed additives, Prime Force and Optipartum C+, on finishing cattle performance and carcass characteristics. Treatments were applied as a 2×2 factorial that included a control diet with no additive; a diet containing Prime Force; a diet containing Optipartum C+; and a diet containing both Prime Force and Optipartum C+ combined. Treatment diets were fed the last 67 d prior to slaughter as designed. Cattle fed Prime Force had greater live final body weight, carcass weight, intake, and average daily gain compared to cattle …

Effects Of Replacing Wet Corn Distillers Grains With A Purefield Distillers Grains® At 15% And 30% (Dm Basis) In Feedlot Diets, Sofia A. Canafoglia, Pablo L. Loza

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

A 2×2 +1 factorial experiment was performed to evaluate the effects of replacing wet corn distillers grain (WCDGS) with PureField distillers grains, a proprietary blend of wet distillers grains plus wheat middlings (Purefield LLC, Kansas, United States) at 15% or 30% of the diet (DM basis), on finishing performance and carcass characteristics. The inclusion of either byproduct resulted in improved steer performance, and carcass characteristics when compared to the treatment without the byproduct inclusion. No interactions between byproduct and inclusion level were observed for steer performance or carcass characteristics. A tendency for higher average daily gains was …

2025 Beef Cattle Report

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Cow-calf Nutrition, Reproduction, and Management

Artificial Insemination of Beef Heifers with Multi-sire Semen, Dempster M. Christenson, Jordan M. Thomas, Daniel J. Kelly, Rick N. Funston

Impact of Overwinter Gain on Growth and Reproductive Performance in March- born Heifers, Josie N. Crouch, J. Travis Mulliniks, Jacki A. Musgrave, Kacie L. McCarthy

Impact of Pre- and Post-breeding Supplementation on Performance of May-born Heifers, Josie N. Crouch, J. Travis. Mulliniks, Jacki A. Musgrave, Kacie L. McCarthy

Growing Calf and Yearling Management

Effects of Allocation Frequency on Cattle Performance and Forage Utilization when Swath Grazing a Sorghum-Sudangrass Hybrid in Eastern Nebraska, Thomas E. Aquino, …

Effect Of Using Whole Soybeans, Roasted Soybeans, Or Soybean Meal In Finishing Cattle Diets, Melissa K. Bausch, James C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson, Pablo L. Loza

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

A feedlot study compared the effect of using whole or roasted soybeans at two inclusion rates (12% and 16% of diet dry matter), soybean meal, distillers grains, or a dry-rolled corn with urea control in finishing cattle diets. Steers fed the diet with the 16% inclusion of roasted soybeans had better average daily gain, feed conversion, and hot carcass weight. All other diets resulted in similar performance to the dry-rolled corn and distillers grains treatments. Roasted soybeans fed at a 16% inclusion improved F:G over the 12% roasted soybeans as compared to the whole soybeans which were …

Analyzing The Impact Of Geographic Location, Owner Knowledge, And Veterinary Guidance On Equine Vaccination Protocols, Colleen Mcanally

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

This study explored how equine owners decide which diseases their horses are vaccinated for based on their geographic location, the knowledge they have on specific equine diseases, and how much they rely on their veterinarian’s recommendations. A total of 55 horse owners throughout the United States completed an online survey. The results showed that while most owners vaccinate for common core vaccines including West Nile Virus, Tetanus, and Rabies, fewer vaccinated for risk-based vaccines like Leptospirosis. Many owners felt confident in their knowledge of national guidelines for annual core vaccinations, but only a small number of owners were able to …

Effect Of Forage Allocation On Steer Performance When Grazing Cereal Rye, Shelby L. Davies-Jenkins, Abigail M. Sartin, Daren D. Redfearn, Mary E. Drewnoski

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

Cereal rye is the most common cover crop planted today. With its good winter tolerance and rapid spring growth during a gap in perennial pasture productivity, it is an attractive forage source in early spring. Unfortunately, optimum stocking rates and how they are related to forage biomass availability are unknown. The study objective was to understand the effect of forage allowance on steer performance when rotationally grazing fall-planted cereal rye in spring. Stocking rate was negatively correlated with pounds of forage offered. Surprisingly, amount of forage offered related to average daily gain. Growing steers grazing cereal rye …

Strategies Affecting Performance And Profitability Of May-Born Steers, Dempster M. Christenson, Jacki A. Musgrave, Richard N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

This study compared the performance and economic outcomes of differing backgrounding and feedlot systems in May-born yearling steers. We hypothesized reduced supplementation with adequate forage availability while backgrounding weaned steers will yield a similar carcass with greater profitability. It was hypothesized yearling steers backgrounded on pasture before finishing in feedlot would have a more valuable carcass that is more profitable than steers that enter the feedlot immediately. Weaned steer calves were backgrounded with ad libitum hay and 4 lb/d supplement in drylot or on pasture with 1 lb/d supplement. As yearlings, half of each backgrounding group immediately …

Impact Of Feeding Distillers Grains Compared To New Fractionated Distillers Grains (Solbran) On Feedlot Cattle Performance And Enteric Methane, Debora G. Sousa, Rebecca L. Mcdermott, Mitchell M. Norman, James C. Macdonald, Rick Stock, Ryan A. Mass, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

This study evaluated feeding wet or dry traditional distillers grains with wet and dry fractionated distillers (Solbran) fed at 40% of diet DM compared to a corn control diet on enteric methane emissions and performance. Compared to the control, there was no difference in carbon dioxide production, but there was an increase in methane production in the steers fed fractionated distillers compared to conventional distillers. Feeding steers traditional or fractionated distillers grains increased consumption, increased gain, but improved conversions only for steers fed WDGS, while steers fed the other distillers grains had worse or the same feed …

Assessing Reproductive Health In Zoo-Managed African Elephant Bulls (Loxodonta Africana), Kaitlyn Marie Campbell

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Populations of zoo-managed African elephant (Loxodonta Africana) exhibit substantial individual- and population-level variation in reproductive success, yet research has largely focused on females, leaving male fertility poorly understood. Subfertility in bulls, characterized by low libido and inconsistent semen quality, poses significant challenges to genetic management and long-term population sustainability. This study a) systematically evaluates semen quality, b) identifies physiological, behavioral, social, and environmental determinants of fertility, and c) advances ex situ conservation through the expansion of the African elephant sperm bank. Between January 2023 and July 2025, 209 semen collection events were conducted from 13 sexually mature bulls …