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Effect of Conditioning Time on Standardized Ileal Digestibility of Amino Acids and Total Tract Digestibility of Energy in Diets Fed to Growing Pigs
Get PDFTwo experiments were conducted to determine the effect of conditioning time prior to pelleting on digestibility of energy and AA in swine diets. Treatments consisted of a mash diet, and three separate pelleted diets that were conditioned for either 30, 60, or 180 s prior to pelleting. For exp. 1, a total of 12 barrows (DNA 200 × 400, DNA; initially 99.1 ± 5.95 lb) were allotted to a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with four treatments and four periods for a total of 12 replicate pigs per treatment. Pigs were housed individually in metabolic crates equipped with a cup-drinker, a feeder, and partial metal diamond-slatted flooring. For each experimental period, the first 5 d were considered adaptation to the diet and during d 6-7 ileal digesta was collected. For exp. 2, a total of 12 barrows (DNA 200 × 400, DNA; initially 75.2 ± 2.27 lb.) were allotted to a replicated 4 × 3 balanced incomplete Latin square design with four treatments and three periods for a total of nine replicate pigs per treatment. Pigs were housed individually in the same metabolic crates as exp. 1. For each experimental period, the first 5 d were considered adaptation to the diet, and the following 5 d were considered the collection period. During collection, a screen and urine pan were installed to allow for the total and separate collection of feces and urine samples. For exp. 1, a treatment effect (P \u3c 0.001) was observed for SID of CP, all indispensable AA, all dispensable AA, and total AA, excluding Lys, Met and Trp, which show no differences. The SID of CP, Arg, Leu, Thr, Ala, Ser, and Tyr was greater (P \u3c 0.05) in the pelleted diets compared to the mash diet. For His, Ile, Phe, Val, Asp, and Glu, mash diets had decreased (P \u3c 0.05) SID compared to the pelleted diets conditioned for 60 s and 180 s. However, there was no evidence of difference in SID of Val for any of the conditioning lengths. For SID of Cys, mash diets had decreased (P \u3c 0.05) SID compared to the pelleted diets conditioned for 180 s, and there was no evidence of difference between the mash diets and pelleted diets conditioned for 30 s or 60 s. For the concentrations of DE and ME in both as-is and dry matter-basis, diets conditioned for 60 s had the greatest (P \u3c 0.05) concentrations compared to the mash, 30 s, and 180 s treatments. These results indicated that long-term conditioning, up to 180 s, did not negatively impact AA acid digestibility or ME, and improved AA digestibility for certain AA compared to diets conditioned for 30 s. It was also demonstrated that conditioning the diets for 60 s optimized the DE and ME of the diet
Effects of Increasing Standardized Ileal Digestible Valine:Lysine Ratio on Growth Performance of Finishing Pigs
Get PDFTwo experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of increasing standardized ileal digestible (SID) Val:Lys ratio on the growth performance of 85 to 150 lb (Exp. 1) and 195 to 260 lb (Exp. 2) finishing pigs. In Exp. 1,647 pigs (DNA 600 × 241) were randomly allotted to one of six dietary treatments with eight or nine pigs per pen and 12 replications per treatment. Diets were corn-soybean meal-based, and low and high Val diets were manufactured and blended to create intermediate Val:Lys ratio diets. Diets were formulated to contain 0.90% SID Lys, and treatments consisted of SID Val:Lys ratios of 60, 63, 66, 69, 72, and 75%. At the conclusion of the 27-d study, all pigs were fed a common diet for 30 days and then randomly re-allotted to one of six diets formulated to contain 0.65% SID Lys and SID Val:Lys ratios of 63, 66, 69, 72, 75, and 78% (Exp. 2). In both experiments, blood samples were drawn from three pigs per pen on d 15 for plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) analysis. In Exp. 1, final BW, ADG, and ADFI increased (quadratic, P \u3c 0.05) as Val:Lys ratio increased. Pigs fed the diet with 66% SID Val:Lys ratio had the greatest ADG, whereas pigs fed 72% SID Val:Lys ratio had the greatest ADFI. As the Val:Lys ratio increased, feed efficiency worsened (linear, P \u3c 0.05). Valine and Lys intake increased (quadratic, P \u3c 0.05) as the Val:Lys ratio increased with the greatest Val intake observed at the 72% SID Val:Lys ratio. Valine and Lys intake per kg of gain increased (linear, P \u3c 0.05) as the level of Val in the diet increased. Plasma urea nitrogen decreased (linear, P \u3c 0.05) as the Val:Lys ratio increased. In Exp. 2, ADG and ADFI increased (linear, P \u3c 0.05) as Val:Lys increased. However, for ADG there was little improvement from feeding greater than 69% SID Val:Lys. There were no effects (P \u3e 0.05) of SID Val:Lys on final BW, feed efficiency, or PUN. Valine intake, Lys intake, and Val intake per kg of gain increased (linear, P \u3c 0.05) as the Val:Lys ratio increased. There were no differences (P \u3e 0.05) observed in Lys intake per kg of gain. Results of this study suggest the SID Val:Lys requirement for finishing pigs is approximately 66% for 85 to 150 lb and 69% for 195 to 260 lb
Snapshot of Rural Special Education: Strategies to Attract and Retain Special Education Teachers
Get PDFThis study’s purpose was to obtain a current picture of special education in rural districts to understand what can be done to attract special education teachers and what can be done to keep them in rural regions. A survey adapted from Berry (2012) was administered via Qualtrics to special education teachers in rural Midwest US. Sixty percent of the special education teachers responded to the survey. The results revealed factors that enticed and retained teachers to rural settings included the provision of support, financial incentives, job-related factors, and rural initiatives. Although some findings revealed the factors that attracted and retained special educators were somewhat akin to factors in previous studies, slight variations were found such as broadened viewpoints of how financial benefits and support can be used to boost recruitment and retention. The results also showed that more work may be needed to address job-related factors and rural initiatives. Implications for the field are discussed
Predicting the Identities of su(met-2) and met-3 in Neurospora crassa by Genome Resequencing
Get PDFA significant number of classical genetic Neurospora crassa biochemical mutants remain anonymous, unassociated with a physical genome locus. By utilizing short read next-generation sequencing methods, it is possible to sequence the genomes of mutant strains rapidly and economically for the purpose of identifying genes associated with mutant phenotypes. We have taken this approach to connect genes and mutations to “methionineless” phenotypes in N. crassa
In Search of More Mature Uses of Data: Problematizing Education and Poetry
Get PDFAlex Romagnoli’s article in this issue, a discussion of the use of quantitative metrics in education and baseball, provides a thoughtful discussion the limitations inherent in those metrics as well as ways they can be enhanced to provide more useful information. This manuscript extends Romagnoli’s manuscript with specific illustrations of the ways grade point averages can be interpreted in context along with a call for a much more nuanced approach to data by policy makers and decision makers
Supplementation of Methionine or Choline Did Not Improve Health or Growth Performance in High-Risk, Newly Received Beef Heifers
Get PDFObjective:This study was conducted to determine if supplemental methionine or choline improves health or growth performance in high-risk, newly received beef heifers.
Study Description:In a 3-year experiment, 1,440 beef heifers (480 per year; 493 lb initial weight; Tennessee origin) were received in 15 truckloads (five per year) in October of 2020, 2021, and 2022. Heifers were limit-fed in 60-day receiving trials to evaluate the effects of supplemental methionine or choline on health and growth performance. Cattle received one of five treatments: control (no added methionine or choline); 5 or 15 g/day available methionine (8.33 or 25 g/day Smartamine M; Adisseo USA Inc., Alpharetta, GA; ruminally protected methionine); or 1.17 or 3.5 g/day available choline (26 or 78 g/day ReaShure; Balchem Corp., Montvale, NJ; ruminally protected choline).
Results:Small differences among treatments were observed for final body weight, average daily gain, and gain:feed (P ≤ 0.10), but none of the treatments differed from the control. No differences among treatments were observed for respiratory morbidity or mortality (P≥ 0.30).
The Bottom Line:Supplemental methionine or choline did not affect health or growth performance of high-risk, newly received heifers
Kansas State University Feedlot Boot Camp and Teaching Program: Growing Student Interest and Engagement in the Feedlot Industry
Get PDFObjective:Our objectives were to summarize the development and structure of the Kansas State University Feedlot Boot Camp and Teaching Program and examine student interest in careers in the feedlot industry after participation.
Study Description:Since 2019, 95 Kansas State University College of Agriculture undergraduate students participated in the Feedlot Boot Camp Program. The aim was to develop students’ knowledge, skills, and professional relationships in feedlot management to help meet the critical need for trained professionals in the industry. Components are a four-day Feedlot Boot Camp, student presentations, animal health day, and an optional feedlot internship. Students who completed all components earned a $2,500 scholarship.
Results:A total of 163 undergraduate students applied to participate in the program in its first five years. Of those applicants, 95 were selected to participate in the Feedlot Boot Camp Program. In surveys following the completion of the Boot Camp portion of the program, over 96% (91/95) of student participants agreed with the statement, “My interest in pursuing an internship and (or) career in the feedlot industry grew as a result of this Boot Camp.” Approximately 45% of participants proceeded to participate in feedlot internships or entered full-time jobs working in a feedlot six months after completing the Boot Camp.
The Bottom Line:The Feedlot Boot Camp program has made progress in growing student interest and awareness of career opportunities in the feedlot industry and fostering communication between employers and prospective employees
Impact of the Reggio Emilia Approach through short term study abroad and the lenses of Lundy\u27s model: Space, voice, audience, and influence
Get PDFThis study examines undergraduate short-term study abroad to Reggio Emilia, a construct that values what children know and can create as capable learners, and its impact on novice teachers’ practices to learn what skills and abilities each had for allowing children to make decisions, have control in the classroom, and reduce compliance expectations. Data indicated a lack of confidence, support, and guidance for incorporating the philosophy within an American school setting. American schools’ focus on standards-based instruction, assessment aimed at increasing test scores, and lack of teacher-driven curriculum played significant roles in the participants’ inability to employ Reggio Emilia processes into their classroom settings. While Lundy’s model of including children in decision-making for space, voice, audience, and influence is used as a lens, the role of intentionality in what occurs in the Reggio Emilia setting is examined based on the participants’ responses in focus groups conducted by the researchers The research brings to light how children’s capacity to be learners is marginalized in American schools and what the role is of teacher preparation programs in disrupting the current educational system to value what teachers understand to be best practices for young children
Effects of Supplementing Corn Silage to Fall-Calving Heifers and Cows Grazing Bermudagrass and Calf Performance and Physiology
Get PDFThe objective was to test the effect of supplemental feeding on cows grazing bermudagrass pastures on cow-calf performance and pasture management. In a completely randomized design, (n = 24) primiparous and multiparous Angus-based cross cows were allocated to bermudagrass pasture with one of two levels of supplemental feeding (non-supplemented or supplemented at 1% of BW on a DM basis of corn silage). Each treatment consisted of (n = 4) pastures stocked with three cows of different ages, a young (first-calf heifer), middle-aged (3-5 yrs.), and old (≥ 6 yrs.) cow, each averaging 155 ± 14 d of gestation at turnout. Cows were fed silage (32-42% DM and 7.83% CP) daily in fence-line bunks, with feeding amount being adjusted at each weigh date. Cows were weighed on 2 consecutive days prior to turnout (middle of the second trimester), midpoint (beginning of the third trimester), and at about 2 weeks prior to the estimated calving date for the herd. Body weight, body condition score, hair score, hair length, and rump fat measurements were taken at each weigh date. Following the final measurement day, cows were relocated to calving pastures consisting of a mixture of bermudagrass, tall fescue, and prairie grass. Supplemental feeding of late gestation fall-calving cows on bermudagrass pasture did not have an effect on cow-calf performance, calf birth weights, and milk output. However, supplemental feeding of cows with corn silage during the summer resulted in 31% more available forage in the pastures. Overall, there were minimal differences in cow performance while grazing bermudagrass pastures during the summer and with supplemental feeding of corn silage. The greatest advantage comes from a greater amount of forage available, which may offset periods of drought or allow producers to increase stocking rates on their property