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Evaluation of Phase Feeding and Complete Diet Blending on Growing-Finishing Pigs’ Growth Performance and Diet Economics
No full textA total of 962 pigs [Fast LW × PIC L02 × PIC 800; initially 58.4 ± 0.81 lb] were used in a 116-d study to compare feeding strategies (phase feeding vs. diet blending) on growing-finishing pig growth performance and diet economics. Pens of pigs were randomly assigned to one of two treatments following a randomized complete block design with barn and initial BW as blocking factors. The treatments included two feeding programs, a phase feeding strategy or complete diet blending with pre-defined mixing proportions of two diets to meet 100% of the SID Lys curve requirement estimates for 50- to 250-lb pigs. The experimental period spanned from 50 to 250 lb BW, and a common feeding period from 250 to 300 lb BW. Diets in phase feeding strategies were provided from 50 to 100, 100 to 175, and 175 to 250 lb. Pigs were fed on a feed budget set at 97, 181, and 230 lb of feed per pig for phases 1 to 3, respectively. During the common period, all pigs received the same DDGS-free diet. Feeding strategy did not influence BW or ADG at any time during the study, except for BW at d 56 and ADG on d 28 to 56, where pigs in the phase feeding group had greater (P ≤ 0.013) BW and ADG compared to the diet blending group. For ADFI, pigs fed the diet blending strategy had lower (P ≤ 0.017) ADFI than those fed by phase feeding both during experimental and overall periods, but not during the common period. Pigs fed by diet blending had improved (P = 0.012) feed efficiency compared to pigs fed the phase-feeding strategy during the experimental period but not overall. During the common feeding period (d 84 to 102), F/G of pigs previously phase fed was improved (P = 0.029) compared to pigs previously fed the diet-blending strategy. Consistently, caloric efficiency was improved (P = 0.007) with the diet-blending strategy compared to the phase-feeding strategy during the experimental period. For diet economics, pigs fed the diet-blending strategy tended to have lower feed cost per pig and per lb of gain (P = 0.078 and 0.083, respectively) than those fed the phase-feeding strategy during the experimental period, but not during the overall period. Feeding strategy had no effect on total revenue or IOFC in either period. In conclusion, diet blending improved F/G by reducing ADFI without affecting ADG during the blending strategy feeding period. However, the inclusion of a common diet diminished the F/G advantage, resulting in similar overall IOFC between the two feeding strategies
A Phenomenological Investigation of Transparency Among Agricultural Influencers on Instagram
Get PDFA phenomenological study explored how agricultural influencers portray transparency on Instagram. Guided by Vroom’s expectancy theory (1964) and opinion leadership, the study used semi-structured interviews with agricultural influencers selected through purposive and snowball sampling. Interview participants shared a common phenomenon of having a background in agriculture as it relates to their presence and transparency on social media. Findings revealed agricultural influencers’ motivations to post about agriculture on Instagram, their definitions of transparency, and how they strive to be transparent in their Instagram posts. Interview responses revealed agricultural influencers are motivated by a desire to authentically share their agricultural experience with followers and bridge the information gap between consumers and producers. Participants defined transparency as being honest, authentic, and relatable, aiming to present an accurate portrayal of agriculture without misinterpretation. This study revealed agricultural influencers foster trust with their followers and strive for open conversations while maintaining personal boundaries of sharing their daily lives on social media. As opinion leaders, results indicated agricultural influencers’ motivations and definitions of transparency align with existing literature. We recommend establishing a definition of agricultural transparency and the development of advocacy resources available to facilitate the communication of agricultural information to consumers. Future research is also recommended in examining agriculture influencers in specific niches or commodities of agriculture, as well as the examination of transparency of agricultural influencers from the consumer perspective
Pondering Theory within Extension & Community Education: An Exploration of New Frontiers & Frameworks
Get PDFA century after its humble beginnings, Cooperative Extension persists in being a strong foundation for rural communities within the United States, as well as a unique model for community education globally. Still, in our contemporary landscape, some would argue that if extension doesn’t evolve and transform, it could become irrelevant. As we look to the 21st Century, we propose five novel academic frameworks that, while respecting the traditions of extension, help to explain and move forward international extension and education processes within contemporary society. The innovative frameworks introduced are: the Emotional-Behavioral Influence Model, the Community Psychosocial Model, the Symbiotic Model of Community Reciprocity, Foundational Phases for Community Development and the Model of Urban Extension. Utilizing Extensionista as the setting in which to apply these frameworks, the authors demonstrate the utility of each model. Ultimately, these innovative frameworks are intended to augment and challenge the landscape of extension, both domestically and globally, into a more relevant future
Rural Colombian College Students’ Motivations to Participate in an International Agricultural Internship
Get PDFThis qualitative study explored rural students\u27 motivations to participate in agricultural study abroad. Thirty-five undergraduate students (24 women and 11 men) applied to participate in a 6-month cohort internship program through the application form and statement of purpose. The analysis of this information allowed us to identify the motivations of rural students to apply to a cohort internship program that offer possibilities of international exchange at a large university in the U.S. Four motivational categories to participate in the study abroad were described (i.e., academic, personal, career, and community motivations). Practical implications are provided for government and university administrators and program coordinators with rural youth motivation information to help them plan their internationalization efforts for academic exchanges
Impact of Cognitive Functioning on the Mentoring Relationships between International Graduate Students and their Academic Advisors
Get PDFInternational study is essential in developing diverse and well-rounded global citizens who will become the next generation of world leaders. International study equips students with the skills to address the world’s most pressing and complex problems. An integral factor in the success of international graduate students is the relationship dynamic with their faculty advisor. The faculty-graduate student mentoring relationship is crucial for academic and personal success and professional development (Lim et al., 2021; Woo et al., 2015). The role of faculty advisors with international students has expanded from traditional supervisory roles to include roles as translators, confidants, and pillars for social integration (Marijanovic et al., 2021; Woo et al., 2015). In this study, we hypothesize that cognitive differences, more than cultural differences, affect the productivity of this problem-solving dyad. This study investigated the lived experiences of international graduate students related to the development of and satisfaction with the faculty-student mentoring relationship. Findings show that besides cultural intelligence, clear expectations, mutual respect, and flexibility contributed to international students\u27 perceived satisfaction with the mentoring relationship
Determination of Consumer Purchase Thresholds for Discoloration of Beef Strip Steaks in Retail Display
Get PDFObjective: The objectives of this study were to determine the consumer purchase threshold for discoloration of beef steaks in a simulated retail display and to determine the best objective measurement to predict consumer purchase intent.
Study Description: Steaks from 0% to 100% discoloration were evaluated by trained panelists and consumer panelists in a simulated retail display. Trained panelists scored percent discoloration, redness, and fat color, while consumer panelists were asked to rate the sample appearance and then asked if they would purchase the sample at full price and at a discounted rate. L* (lightness), a* (redness), b* (yellowness), and spectral data were collected and hue angle, chroma, and percent deoxymyoglobin, metmyoglobin, and oxymyoglobin were calculated.
Results: The a* values were a good objective predictor of purchase intent (R2 = 0.64 full-priced and R2 = 0.56 for discounted; P \u3c 0.05). At full price, a* values of 25.3, 29.9, 34.4, and 37.6 corresponded to a 50%, 75%, 90%, and 95% likelihood to purchase, whereas if the product was discounted, a* values of 20.3, 25.8, 31.3, and 35.0 corresponded to those same thresholds. Trained sensory panel redness scores were also a good predictor of consumer purchase intent with R2 = 0.64 full-priced and R2 = 0.59 discounted (P \u3c 0.05). At full price, trained redness scores of 68.0 and 86.3 corresponded to a 50% and 75% likelihood to purchase, whereas if the product was discounted, trained redness scores of 46.8, 68.8, and 90.8 corresponded to 50%, 75%, and 90% thresholds.
The Bottom Line: The a* value and trained panel redness score are good indicators of consumer purchase intent, showing that consumers highly value redness when choosing steaks
Quality and Sensory Attributes of Tumbled or Marinated Beef Jerky
Get PDFObjective: The objective of this research was to evaluate the quality and sensory characteristics of vacuum-packaged shelf-stable beef jerky produced using tumbling or marination.
Study Description: This study used 12 USDA Select beef inside top rounds (semimembranosus) that were stored in a non-barrier shrink bag held at 36°F for 10 to 14 days before processing. On each processing day, whole rounds were trimmed, pH was measured, and the weights were obtained before and after trimming. Trimmed rounds were cut in half, and each half was allocated to a tumbled or marinated treatment. Before the processing treatments were applied, each beef round half was sliced using a slicer (Treif Puma Slicer, Shelton, CT) into 3 mm slices and then weighed. Pieces from each half were collected for determination of structural analysis, sarcomere length (SL), and myofiber diameter (MD) using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and light microscopy (LM) and for proximate analysis. After tumbling or marinating, percent pickup was measured following a 5-minute rest period, and a sample from each half of tumbled or marinated rounds was held to measure sodium chloride content (SCC), structural analysis, SL, and MD. After thermal processing, samples from each treatment were vacuum-packaged and sampled initially on day 0 and after 3 and 6 months at 68°F. Cook yield was determined after thermal processing. On day 0, the pH, moisture, and protein content, water activity (aw), instrumental color, shear force (SF), sensory evaluation, SCC, structural analysis, SL, and MD were measured. After 3 and 6 months of storage, the instrumental color, sensory evaluation, aw, SF, SCC, moisture, structural analysis, SL, and MD were measured.
The Bottom Line: Tumbling produced a jerky product that was more tender, less brittle, and more flavorful during 6 months of storage compared to marination as a processing method
Do depression and anxiety impact people’s interest in cancer screening uptake? Cross-sectional analysis of the Health Information National Trend Survey (HINTS) 6 cycle
Get PDFCancer screening leads to reduced cancer mortality. Depression and anxiety impact decision-making and may result in less interest in cancer screening (ICS), which is one of the motivators of cancer screening uptake. We examined the association between depression and anxiety and ICS. We analyzed the data of 4,512 respondents in the Health Information National Trend Survey (HINTS) 6 cycle 3. Multivariable logistic regressions were fitted to calculate for the adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals on the association between depression, anxiety, and respondents’ ICS. Overall, depression and anxiety were not significantly associated (OR=1.17, 95% CI: 0.81-1.70) with interest in cancer screening. However, among people 40 – 60 years of age, those who reported moderate/severe depression and anxiety were 33% (OR=0.67, 95%CI: 0.46-0.99) significantly less likely to be interested in cancer screening compared to those with normal/mild depression and anxiety. The study suggests the need for intentional efforts to improve ICS in people aged 40-60 years who report depression and anxiety
Role of Soil Nutrient Status in Microbial Activity and Disease
Get PDFThe soil supports many living organisms, in addition to plants. Bacteria and fungi are critical components of the soil ecosystem and play fundamental roles in the biochemistry of the soil. This study explores the interdependency of the soil microbiome and soil nutrient status
Expanding Horizons: Analyzing Men-Focused Research in Adult Education Journals 2003-2023
Get PDFWe reviewed men-centered articles in adult education journals and AERC Proceedings from 2003-2023. We uncovered how men were portrayed and how hegemonic masculinity was demonstrated