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EFFECTS OF DIETARY COMPOSITION AND FEEDING MANAGEMENT REGIMEN ON FEEDLOT CATTLE PERFORMANCE
Full text linkThe objective of this study was to evaluate the independent and interactive
effects of dietary starch concentration and feeding management regimen on
growth performance, carcass outcomes, liver abscess prevalence, and metabolic
health in finishing feedlot steers. In a randomized complete block design,
crossbred beef steers (n = 720) were assigned to 48 pens that housed 15 steers per
pen. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial with the factors being diet and
feeding management. Diets varied in starch inclusion; low starch (42.1%; CON)
or high (64.4%; HOT) and feeding management was either consistent (REG) or
erratic (ERR) in both feed quantity (85% followed by 115% of a 4 d average
randomly once a week) and delivery times (randomly delayed 1, 2, 3, or 4 h twice
a week on randomized d). Live steer performance (BW, fecal score, and fecal pH)
were collected every 56 d until harvest. Within each pen, 3 steers closest to the
median body weight (BW) were selected to serve as a subset (n = 144). On d 0,
the subset were administered a 3-axis accelerometer ear tag (AllFlex), and an
indwelling ruminal pH bolus (SmaxTech). Data from the technologies were
collected from d 0 to d 150. At harvest, a tissue sample from the subset was
collected from the ventral sac of the rumen, adjacent to the cranial pillar, and from
the colon. The tissues were washed with sterile saline and stored separately in
polypropylene bottles with approximately 800 mL of 10% buffered formalin until
analysis of morphological and histological characteristics. When a liver abscess
was present, an additional sample was collected from the ventral sac in addition to
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the colon and liver, shipped overnight to the laboratory at Kansas State
University, and processed for bacteriological using culture and quantitative
polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) methods. Continuous data such as
performance, non-categorical carcass data, histological and morphological
measurements were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS (SAS 9.4, SAS
Institute Inc.). Pen served as the experimental unit. The model included the effects
of diet, feeding management, and their interaction, and block was included as a
random effect. Rumination and ruminal pH were analyzed as repeated measures
using PROC MIXED with the main effects of diet, management, time, and their
interactions using pen within block as the subject. Categorical data such as quality
grade and liver abscess frequency outcomes were analyzed using the GLIMMIX
procedure as binomial proportions. Pen served as the experimental unit. The
model included the effects of diet, feeding management, and their interaction, and
block was included as a random effect.
No diet × management interactions were detected for growth performance,
carcass characteristics, liver abscess prevalence, ruminal scoring, daily rumination
prevalence, fecal characteristics, histological or morphological measurements, or
pathogenic bacteria presence or concentration (P ≥ 0.10). Steers consuming HOT
had greater liver abscess frequency (55.1% vs. 33.4%) and liver scars (46.7% vs.
34.0%). Additionally, steers fed HOT had less final BW, ADG, DMI, HCW,
marbling score, and calculated YG compared to CON (P ≤ 0.05). A diet × day
interaction existed for HOT having greater rumination than CON, which primarily
occurred after they were transitioned from REC to their respective dietary
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treatments (P < 0.01). Ruminal pH was less (P = 0.04; diet × day interaction) for
cattle consuming HOT compared to CON for most of the feeding period. Steers
consuming HOT had fewer normal rumens (P < 0.01), a greater proportion of
rumens exhibiting minor damage (P < 0.01), and less rumen scarring (P = 0.05)
compared to CON. Steers consuming HOT had greater epithelial thickness in all 3
strata measured (P ≤ 0.05) compared to CON. Steers consuming HOT had 22 μm
shorter colon crypt length than CON (P = 0.03), but no difference in colon crypt
width was detected (P = 0.22). Steers consuming HOT had a greater number of
liver abscesses positive for F. subsp. funduliforme (P = 0.03) and ruminal
epithelium positive for Trueperella pyogenes (P < 0.01). Additionally, HOT steers
tended to have a greater number of ruminal epithelium samples positive for F.
subsp. necrophorum (P = 0.09). The steers consuming HOT had approximately
23 CFU/g more (P = 0.03) F. subsp. funduliforme in liver.
Feeding management did not impact growth performance, carcass
characteristics, liver abscess frequency, liver scar presence, fecal characteristics,
rumination, ruminal pH, or colonic morphological measurements (P ≥ 0.21). The
steers receiving ERR tended to have greater (P = 0.09) ruminal epithelial
thickness for the outer most layers (stratum corneum) of the epithelium; however,
there was no difference in thickness of the stratum granulosum or stratum
spinosum/stratum basale layer (P ≥ 0.12) compared to REG. Steers that were fed
ERR tended to have a greater percentage of liver abscesses positive for F. subsp.
funduliforme (P = 0.06), and ruminal tissue positive for F. subsp. necrophorum (P
= 0.07) compared to REG. However, feeding management did not have an impact
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on the presence of other bacterial in ruminal tissue or any bacteria presence in
colonic epithelial tissue (P ≥ 0.48). The ERR treatment tended to have greater
concentration of F. subsp. funduliforme in liver abscess tissue (P = 0.06), and F.
subsp. necrophorum in ruminal tissue (P = 0.07).
Results suggest that decreasing dietary roughage concentration below that
typically used in feedlot cattle finishing diets and excluding grain-milling co
products to provide high concentrations of readily fermentable starch is an
effective strategy to induce liver abscesses in cattle but could have negative
implication on liver performance. Also, feeding a diet with high concentrations of
readily fermentable starch decreases ruminal and fecal pH, exposes cattle to
ruminal and colonic damage. While our study confirms that F. necrophorum
subsp. necrophorum is the primary etiologic agent of LA, it also reveals that
approximately 20% of abscesses were caused solely by subsp. funduliforme,
without the involvement of subsp. necrophorum. A novel and notable finding was
the high prevalence of subsp. funduliforme, either alone or in association with
subsp. necrophorum, in ruminal epithelial tissues and LA, suggesting a broader
role of this subspecies in liver abscess pathogenesis than previously understood.
Furthermore, the prevalence of F. necrophorum in colonic tissue suggests that the
colon could also be an important reservoir for pathogens related to liver abscess
development
Out of the Box
Full text linkMy work liberates the human body from the cultural constraints of body image. I focus on female figures situated in boxes as a commentary on how art has expected models and artists to fit into a restrictive frame. Paintings and drawings often exist on a rectuangular canvas or page. My work emphasizes the fact that the human body is organic rather than geometric, made of fat, muscle, curves, stretchmarks, variegated skin, organs, even scars—all of which contrast with any traditonal rectangular formats. I use my own body as a model, fitting it awkwardly and variably into the box of the picture plane. This process highlights the fact that “fitting” is a societal norm, rather than something natural, universal, or neutral. Not all bodies are the same and there is of course not just one body type. Making art in this format demonstrates how we all have basic similiar anatomical structures, but it is in the unique shapes and differences that we can find selfhood, worth, and beauty. The dominated and liberated themes in my work balance the notions of restriction and freedom. While my dominated forms are squished and contorted, my liberated figures are made of bright colors that break out of the black and white worlds in which they had been conformed; they are taken off the stretcher bars and displayed like traditional textile work. These figures are now free to align with any identity, race or otherwise. Now the figures no longer have to conform to the rigid geometric borders of the canvas and stretch out more organically, like living and changing bodies. The contrast of dominated and liberated content in my work highlights and celebrates body imperfections and non-conventional forms that should not be hidden or suppressed, airbrushed or cropped out to fit an expectation. My work shows the unapologetic form of a real body, my body, pushing against and bursting out of the frames and boxes of social norms
BRIDGES TO PROSPERITY: A STUDY ON COMPREHENSIVE TRANSITION PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS WITH INTELLECTUAL IMPAIRMENTS AND AUTISM
Full text linkABSTRACT
This final composite explores the need for additional transition programs across accredited post-secondary institutions and how existing programs cross barriers as defined by the social model of disability. The first scholarly deliverable is a case study article titled “Transition Programs in Higher Education Institutions for Individuals with Autism and/or Intellectual Impairments,” which could be used to inform current case managers and parents of students with these disabilities while enrolled in high school. This case study showcases two students, one with autism and one with an intellectual impairment, who are preparing to graduate from their suburban high school. Highlighting the decisions that the case managers and the parents of these two students are facing as the students are preparing to transition to independent living and future employment, the case study looks at options to acquire these skills. The second scholarly deliverable is an empirical article titled “Bridges to Prosperity: A Study on Comprehensive Transition Programs for Students with Intellectual Impairments and Autism,” in which the purpose was to explore how barriers of the social model of disability can be identified through publicly accessible websites on ThinkCollege.net of current existing transition programs in accredited, public institutions in the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Investigating Rural Principal Turnover in Times of Change
Full text linkThis final composite explores factors contributing to elevated rates of principal turnover in rural schools. The first scholarly deliverable is a case study that explored how repeated principal turnover and shifting local politics destabilized a rural school district, and how one new principal briefly rebuilt trust and systems before renewed political changes created fresh uncertainty. This case asks readers to consider how job demands, social support, and autonomy interact to influence principals’ stress, satisfaction, and turnover decisions, and how shifts in these conditions may shape an educational leader’s choice to stay or leave. The second scholarly deliverable is an empirical study that examined principal turnover patterns in the Region 16 Educational Service Center area of Texas from 2017 to 2023, capturing trends before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on 6 years of statewide administrative data, it investigates whether contextual, demographic, or geographic factors help explain turnover in schools labeled by the National Center for Education Statistics as rural and town. Using a quasi-experimental, multi-method quantitative design, the study integrated traditional null hypothesis significance testing analysis with Observation Oriented Modeling to examine both aggregate and individual-level patterns
Enhancing Student Success: The Perceived Impact of Institutional Support Services on Retention and Graduation Rates at Hispanic-Serving Institutions
Full text linkThis multimethod case and situational analysis examined the perceived influence of institutional support services on retention and graduation at Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). Hispanic students often face cultural, linguistic, and financial challenges that influence academic achievement. Guided by Tinto’s (1997) Classroom-as-Community model, this multimethod case and situation analysis used a modified nominal group technique (mNGT) approach to explore how expectations, support, assessment, and involvement were believed to contribute to student persistence and retention. Findings indicated that culturally responsive support structures, timely feedback, and authentic faculty-student relationships were perceived as strengthening students’ belonging and academic perseverance. Implications for practice include developing inclusive institutional policies and coordinated programs that align support services with the lived experiences and cultural identities of Hispanic students
Performance of Forage Sorghum Production and Nutritional Quality under Deficit Irrigation
Full text linkAs water well productivity declines in the Texas High Plains, alternative forage crops emphasizing vegetative growth may help meet regional forage demand for the beef and dairy industries of the Texas High Plains. The objective of the one-year study was to evaluate the performance of forage sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] for differences in yield, morphology, and nutritive value under five weekly irrigation levels: I0 (0 mm), I1 (12.7 mm), I2 (25.4 mm), I3 (38.1 mm), and I4 (50.8 mm). In-season precipitation (68.7 mm), with stored soil moisture (210.3 mm) provided total water availability of 144.9 mm for the non-irrigated treatment (I₀), and 360.8 mm, 576.7 mm, 792.6 mm, and 1008.5 mm for increasing irrigation levels I₁ through I₄, respectively. Total dry matter production ranged from 11.5 tons ha-1 to 18.2 tons ha-1. A weekly irrigation of 50.8 mm will maximize yield, however forage quality due to fiber digestibility will be sacrificed. The high water use efficiency observed in lower irrigation treatments indicated more biomass produced for each unit of water, suggesting optimized water management and decreased cost of irrigation. Plant height, stalk diameter and partitioned organ weights increase with escalating irrigation levels. Highest levels of indigestible fiber are found in high irrigation treatments, which indicate that increasing treatment level reduced palatability, digestibility, and nutrient availability, which can result in reduced dry matter intake feed intake and lowered animal performance by inefficient feed utilization
ANALYZING INFLUENCES UPON STUDENT CHOICE TO ATTEND OR NOT ATTEND COLLEGE
Full text linkThis mixed-methods study identified factors influencing young adults' decisions to attend a four-year university, a trade school, or enter the workforce, with special attention to gender differences in agricultural colleges. The growing gender disparity in higher education, precipitated by increasing female enrollment in agricultural disciplines, motivated this study. Tinto’s Model of Student Departure and Chapman’s Model of Student College Choice guided an exploration of personal, social, and institutional influences on postsecondary pathways. Five major themes emerged: personal influence, external factors, and perceptions of future success among college-going students; personal influence and future success among those pursuing trades or the workforce. Survey results reinforced that students placed value on the long-term career and personal benefits offered by higher education notwithstanding concerns about student debt. Parents and agriculture teachers were found to be the most influential in forming students' beliefs about education; peers and counselors play less of a role. These findings highlight the intricate interplay between family culture and expectations with financial considerations and perceived career opportunities that place students' educational choices. Implications for recruitment, gender-based retention, and targeted outreach in agricultural programs are discussed
The Principal's Yearly Dilemma: Finding Ways to Fill Vacancies by Recruiting and Retaining Quality Teachers in a Rural-Remote District in West Texas
Full text linkThis final composite examines the challenges faced by rural-remote districts in West Texas regarding teacher recruitment and retention. The first scholarly deliverable is a case study article intended for use in teaching master’s or doctoral candidates in the field of educational leadership. The title of this article is “The Principal’s Yearly Dilemma: Finding Ways to Fill Vacancies by Recruiting and Retaining Quality Teachers in a Rural-Remote District in West Texas.” This case explores rural-remote administrator challenges when there are more teacher vacancies than there are qualified teachers with which to fill them. The final scholarly deliverable is an empirical article entitled “Teacher Recruitment and Retention in Rural-Remote Schools in West Texas.” This empirical article focuses on examining rural-remote teacher recruitment and retention efforts and the levels of satisfaction those teachers feel once hired. In addition, it explores strategies that rural-remote teachers believe would be effective in recruiting teachers to their rural-remote districts
TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND HIGHER EDUCATION STAFF JOB SATISFACTION
No full textThese two scholarly deliverables explored whether transformational leadership, often associated with support and growth, might influence staff job satisfaction in higher education. The first scholarly deliverable is a case study that could be used in classrooms or professional development to prompt discussion about leadership development and its potential impact on employee satisfaction in university settings. The second scholarly deliverable is an empirical article focusing on examining the relationship between perceived transformational leadership and staff job satisfaction, using questionnaire data to explore potential patterns and implications for leadership practice in higher educatio
THE USE OF STUDENT INTEREST-BASED CHOICE TO IMPROVE SCHOOL CULTURE
Full text linkThe final composite explores the effects of student interest-based choice enrichment on school culture. The first scholarly deliverable is a case study titled “Student InterestBased Enrichment.” This could be used to teach principals how to build relationships between students and their teachers. The model discussed in this case study polls teachers’ interests and uses that information to allow students to select which activities align with their own interests. This model allows students and teachers to explore common interests and activities, and build relationships based on those interests. The
second scholarly deliverable is an empirical article titled “The Use of Student InterestBased Choice to Improve School Culture.” This study explored the relationship between student interest-based choice advisory classes and their effect on school culture. The study used mixed methods to analyze the effects of student choice on school culture using a single case study analysis, student and teacher survey data, and teacher interviews. Quantitative data supported that students felt a strong connection to their teacher and felt a sense of belonging at school. Teachers also reported feeling a strong connection to their students and wanting to come to work. Qualitative data supported that teachers observed an improvement in behavior, attendance, engagement, and a sense of belonging. The study found that student interest-based choice advisory classes have a statistically significant impact on creating a positive school culture