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EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS, AND RUMINAL BUFFERING OF FEEDLOT CATTLE CONSUMING DIETS CONTAINING CORN-GRAIN MILLING BYPRODUCTS
Full text linkFeeds such as Sweet Bran™ (SB) and wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS) contribute high concentrations of dietary energy and low starch while potentially providing buffering qualities that may improve rumen health and performance. Feeding combinations of SB and WDGS is common but research is limited. This study evaluated the effects of SB and WDGS in the diet alone or in combination on performance, carcass characteristics, ruminal pH, and rumination time of finishing beef cattle. The study was a randomized complete block design using pen as the experimental unit. Steers (n = 455; 373 ± 15.5 kg) were randomly allocated to 48 pens (12 blocks, 4 pens/block) and transitioned over 20 d to 1 of 4 steam-flaked corn-based dietary treatments containing: no byproducts (CON), 20% WDGS (WDGS), 20% SB (SB), or 20% SB and 10% WDGS (COMBO). Within each pen, 2 steers were randomly selected to receive an indwelling ruminal pH bolus to quantify pH of the rumen and a 3-axis accelerometer tag to measure rumination for the first 92 d of the study. Diet samples were collected weekly to determine particle size, NDF concentration, and physically effective fiber (peNDF). Cattle performance (BW, DMI, ADG, G:F) was not different (P = 0.96) through the transition period across all treatments. Overall, final BW, DMI, and ADG were greater (P < 0.01) for WDGS, SB, and COMBO than CON. Although overall G:F was not different (P = 0.48), feed cost of gain was greatest (P < 0.01) for CON, intermediate for WDGS
and SB and least for COMBO. Hot carcass weight was greatest (P = 0.04) for SB and WDGS, intermediate for COMBO, and least for CON. A tendency (P = 0.09) was observed for yield grade; it was greatest for WDGS, intermediate for SB and COMBO, and lowest for CON. Dressing percentage, marbling score, quality grade, 12th-rib fat, ribeye area, and percentage KPH fat did not differ (P ≥ 0.32) among treatments. Abscessed livers were not statistically different (P = 0.27), but CON had a numerically greater percentage of liver abscesses. The percentage of particles > 4.0 mm was greatest (P < 0.01) for CON, intermediate for SB, and least for WDGS and COMBO. However, NDF (P < 0.01) and peNDF (P < 0.01) were greatest for COMBO, intermediate for WDGS and SB, and least for CON. A treatment × day interaction (P < 0.01) was observed for daily rumination minutes per kg of DMI, NDF, and peNDF. A treatment × h interaction (P < 0.01) was observed such that CON cattle spent less time ruminating at 0800 and 1000 h in a 24 h period. Ruminal pH was greatest (P < 0.01) for COMBO, intermediate for SB and WDGS, and least for CON, but SB did not differ from COMBO or WDGS. Ruminal pH was least (P < 0.01) for CON from 0800 to 1800 h. Addition of WDGS and/or SB improved performance and reduced feed cost of gain when incorporated into steam-flaked corn-based finishing diets. Relationships between peNDF, rumination behavior, and ruminal pH suggest that SB and WDGS similarly enhance buffering capacity when steam-flaked corn is replaced in the diet
DIGESTIBILITY OF A DIET WITH OR WITHOUT REED SEDGE PEAT IN EXERCISED HORSES
No full textAn experiment was conducted to determine the effect of a diet containing Reed Sedge Peat (RSP) on nutrient digestibility, and serum glucose and insulin concentrations in mature exercised horses. Six stock-type geldings, ranging from 8 to 19 yr of age, were randomly assigned in a replicated 3 3 Latin Square design, and fed a diet consisting coastal Bermudagrass hay and a concentrate with or without RSP. Three dietary treatments consisted of: control with no RSP (CON); 10 lb/ton (4960 mg/kg) RSP (RSP10; Kent Nutrition Group, Muscatine, IA); and 20 lb/ton (9920 mg/kg) RSP (RSP20). The 12-wk study consisted of three 21-d dietary adjustment periods followed by a 3-d fecal collection period. Blood samples were collected via I.V. pre- and post-prandial, and before and immediately following a Standard Exercise Test (SET) on d 21 of each period. Horses were fed hay at a minimum 2% of body weight each day and 2.2 kg/d of each dietary treatment. Feed and feces were analyzed for DM, CP, ether extract (EE), ADF, NDF, ash, and calcium (Ca) and phosphorous (P) concentrations. Serum was analyzed for glucose and insulin concentrations. There was an effect of period on apparent DM (P = 0.02), NDF (P = 0.04), ADF (P = 0.01), Ca (P = 0.03), and P (P = 0.01) digestibility. Horses consuming RSP20 had greater (P = 0.03) overall mean serum glucose concentrations compared to horses consuming RSP10 and CON. Overall mean serum insulin concentrations increased (P < 0.01) after horses consumed the grain and hay diet, then decreased significantly 8 h post-prandial. Analysis of the data recorded during the SET indicated mean serum glucose and insulin concentrations decreased (P < 0.01) after submaximal exercise. Data reported in this study suggests no benefit was observed in nutrient digestibility when RSP was added to horses’ diets. However, greater glucose concentrations after RSP20 diet consumption suggests feeding RSP20 alters glucose metabolism and increases energy availability for performance horses, but the mode of action is not clearly understood. Therefore, further research may be warranted to investigate effects of RSP on glucose and insulin dynamics in horses
EFFECTS OF ACCELERATED DIET TRANSITION ON HEALTH, PERFORMANCE, CARCASS TRAITS, AND ECONOMIC OUTCOMES IN FEEDLOT HEIFERS
No full textAccelerating the diet transition in feedlot cattle may improve growth efficiency and performance while simultaneously reducing operational costs of feed delivery. Megasphaera elsdenii is a lactic acid utilizing bacteria and exogenous administration could mitigate the accumulation of lactate in the rumen and risk for acidosis caused by rapid diet transition. Our objective was to determine the effects of different applications consisting of d 0 only (LAC1) or d 0 and d 92 (LAC2) of a 20 mL solution containing 2.5 × 108 CFU/mL Megasphaera elsdenii (LAC) during an accelerated diet transition protocol compared to a standard diet transition (CON) without LAC on health, performance, carcass traits, and economic outcomes in feedlot heifers. A total of 2,047 heifers (initial BW = 325 ± 29 kg) were received in 10 different arrival blocks and randomly allocated within block to 1 of 3 dietary management treatments: The CON diet transition consisted of 6 d on each of 4 step-up diets with increasing concentration of starch from steam-flaked corn and bunk hay provided until d 3. The accelerated diet transition consisted of 3 d on each of 3 step-up diets without additional bunk hay. Health, performance, and carcass data were analyzed using mixed models with pre-planned contrasts (CON vs LAC). Economic data were analyzed using a partial budget analysis mixed linear model with treatment as the fixed effect and block as the random effect in both statistical models. All cause morbidity after re-implanting differed (P = 0.06); CON was less (2.2%) than LAC1 and LAC2 treatments (3.7 and 4.7%, respectively). The CON treatment had greater combined DMI (hay plus ration) from d 0 to 92 (P = 0.03) and overall (P = 0.03); however, ADG did not differ (P ≥ 0.72) amongst treatments. Therefore, improved G:F was observed for both LAC treatments from d 0 to 92 (P = 0.02) and overall (P = 0.02). Marbling score was greater for LAC2 (506) than CON (493) or LAC1 (495; P = 0.10). Frequency of A+ liver adhesions was also greater for CON (12.3%) than LAC2 (10.4%) or LAC1 (8.3%; P = 0.05), which suggests that a successfully managed accelerated diet transition with LAC may reduce liver abscess severity. Accelerating the diet transition with LAC resulted in reduced feed and yardage cost (P = 0.06), feed delivery cost (P < 0.01) and total cost (P = 0.05). In conclusion, accelerating the diet transition in feedlot heifers resulted in reduced DMI, improvements in G:F ratio and marbling score, and reduced frequency of A+ adhered liver abscesses and operational costs
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
DIETARY STARCH DILUTION STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE RUMEN HEALTH AND PERFORMANCE IN FEEDLOT CATTLE
Full text linkABSTRACT
The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of starch dilution with
different sources of dietary fiber from terminal implant to slaughter on feedlot cattle
performance, carcass characteristics, and rumen buffering characteristics. Steers (n = 416;
372 ± 2.67 kg) were allocated to 48 pens in a randomized complete block design. Pens of
cattle (n = 12 per treatment) were assigned to 1 of 4 treatments consisting of steam-flaked
corn-based diets containing: 1) CON; 7.50 % corn stalks on a DM basis fed for the entire
feeding period, 2) CS; 14.75% corn stalks on a DM basis fed from terminal implant to
slaughter, 3) WD; 9.50% wet distillers grains with solubles, and 7.50% corn stalks on a
DM basis fed from terminal implant to slaughter, and 4) NR; 19.00% wet distillers grains
with solubles, and 0.0% corn stalks on a DM basis fed from terminal implant to slaughter.
Six days before administration of the terminal implant, steers were transitioned to their
treatment diets using a two-ration system, whereas CON consumed the same diet
throughout the entire feeding period. Within each pen, 2 steers were randomly selected to
receive an indwelling ruminal pH bolus to quantify rumen pH and a 3-axis accelerometer
tag to assess rumination time. Diet samples were collected weekly to determine particle
size, NDF concentration, and physically effective fiber (peNDF). At slaughter, rumens
were evaluated for the presence of scarring and lesions. Performance (BW, DMI, ADG,
G:F) was not different (P ≥ 0.34) from initial to transition. Dry matter intake and
metabolizable energy intake from transition to final were greatest for cattle consuming
CS, intermediate for WD and CON, and least for NR (P < 0.01). Final BW and ADG did
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not differ among treatments from transition to final (P ≥ 0.19); however, G:F was greatest
for NR, intermediate for WD, and least for CS and CON (P = 0.10). There was no
difference (P ≥ 0.24) in hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, marbling score, quality
grade, yield grade, and percentage KPH fat among treatments. Steers consuming CS had
greater (P = 0.08) 12th rib fat thickness. The proportion of abscessed livers did not differ
(P = 0.26) among treatments. The peNDF was greatest for CS, intermediate for WD and
CON, and least for NR (P < 0.01). Particles > 4.0 mm were greatest for CON and CS,
intermediate for WD, and least for NR (P < 0.01). A treatment × day interaction (P <
0.01) was observed for daily rumination minutes and rumination per kg of DMI;
rumination was greater for CS, intermediate for WD and CON, and least for NR early in
the finishing period and greater for CS than NR towards the end of the finishing period.
Similarly, a treatment × hour effect (P < 0.01) was observed for hourly rumination; cattle
consuming CS had greater rumination than NR at 0200, 0400, 0600, 1200, 1400, 2000,
2200 and 2400 h. There was also a treatment × day interaction (P < 0.01) for rumen pH,
but the diet appeared to have minimal effects on pH throughout the entire feeding period.
A treatment × hour effect (P < 0.01) was observed for hourly pH; cattle consuming CON
had greater rumen pH than WD and NR at 0400, 0600, and 800 h, but had minimal
effects throughout the remainder of the 24 h period. Rumen scores of cattle consuming
CON had a greater (P = 0.09) percentage of rumen score 3, but there were no other
differences among dietary treatments (P > 0.31)The results of this study indicate that
increasing the proportion of corn stalks in the diet post-terminal implant administration
increases DMI, dietary peNDF, and rumination time. However, ruminal pH was
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minimally impacted by decreased starch and greater fiber provided from either corn
stalks or WDGS and suggests that roughage can be replaced with fibrous corn milling
byproducts without negatively impacting rumen health
Effects of different respiratory vaccine regimens in high-risk, newly received feedlot steers
Full text linkVaccination against BRD pathogens is a cornerstone animal health intervention
that requires time to stimulate an active immune response, with the goal of immunization
and disease protection (Richeson and Falkner, 2020). Different antigen types may offer
advantages but the comparative safety, efficacy, and efficiency of killed virus (KV) vs.
modified-live virus (MLV) vaccines in stressed, high-risk cattle are largely unknown.
The objective of this 56 d study was to evaluate health, performance, bacteria prevalence
in the naris, and BVDV-specific antibody titers in high-risk feedlot cattle administered
three different vaccine regimens. Between September 2024 and February 2025, 5
truckload blocks arrived with beef bull (n=387) and steer (n=63) calves (initial BW = 227
18.33 kg) derived from auction markets in central and south Texas. A generalized
complete block design was employed with a total of 15 pen replicates per treatment, with
10 calves allocated to each pen. The 3 vaccine regimens consisted of: 1) parenteral, KV
vaccine (Pro-Bac 4+ IBRk/BVDk, Bimeda; BIM), 2) parenteral, MLV vaccine (Pyramid
5 + Presponse SQ, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health; PYR), and 3) intranasal and
parenteral, MLV vaccines (Inforce 3 and One Shot BVD, Zoetis; INF). The vaccine
regimens were designed to include the same vaccine antigens, except for BIM, as this
treatment did not include BRSV or PI3V antigens. Cattle were weighed on d 0, 14, 28,
42, and 56 to determine interim and overall performance and jugular blood samples were
collected concomitantly. Serum from blood samples were analyzed for BVDV type 1a,
1b, and 2a antibody titers and to determine immune status using a test kit that indicates
the balance of cell-mediated vs. humoral immunity. Nasal swabs were collected on d 0,
14, and 56 to determine prevalence and cycle time for Mannheimia haemolytica (Mh),
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Pasteurella multocida (Pm), Histophilus somni (Hs), and Trueperella pyogenes (Tp) via
rtPCR. A treatment day interaction (P < 0.01) was observed for BVDV types 1a, 1b,
and 2a antibody titer. The PYR treatment had the greatest antibody titer against BVDV
type 1a and 1b on d 28 and 42, INF was intermediate until d 56 for BVDV type 1b, and
BIM was least on d 28, 42, and 56 (P 0.01). The INF treatment had the greatest
antibody titer against BVDV type 2 on d 28, 42, and 56, PYR was intermediate, and BIM
was least (P 0.01). Mortality rate was 14.7, 12.0, and 6.7% for BIM, PYR, and INF,
respectively but did not differ statistically (P = 0.21). Furthermore, BW, ADG, DMI and
G:F did not differ (P 0.19). A day effect (P < 0.01) was observed for D2Dx absorbance
value; the index increased on d 14 and remained so until d 56, indicating increased cell-
mediated status with time but vaccine treatment did not influence this outcome (P =
0.90). A treatment day interaction (P = 0.02) was observed for Hs frequency of
carriage such that PYR had the least prevalence on d 14, with BIM having greater
frequency of Hs carriage on d 56 (P < 0.01). Results of this study indicate that in high-
risk, newly received feedlot calves, the route and type of respiratory vaccine influenced
the BVDV titer response in favor of MLV and Hs prevalence was increased for BIM on d
56 but there were no differences between vaccine regimen regarding clinical health or
performance
NOVEL USE OF LONG-RECEIVING REGIMENS IN BEEF × DAIRY CROSSBRED STEERS
No full textWe evaluated use of a complete starter diet (RAMP; Cargill Corn Milling, Blair, NE) compared to a receiving diet containing a novel Sweet Bran- based test product (SBT; Cargill Corn Milling) in conjunction with varying transition program lengths on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and health outcomes in beef × dairy (B × D) crossbred steers. Steers (n = 3,024; initial BW = 146 ± 9.70 kg) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 transition programs: RAMP with a 60 d transition (60R), RAMP with 105 d transition (105R), or SBT with a 60 d transition (60SBT). This study was evaluated in 3 periods, growing, finishing, and the overall feeding period. Steers fed 60SBT had greater interim BW, ADG, and G:F (P < 0.01) than those fed 60R or 105R. Steers fed 105R had the greater (P < 0.01) end of transition BW and DMI, however 105R steer s had an additional 44 DOF during the growing period. In the finishing period although 105R steers entered at a heavier (P < 0.01) BW, there was no difference (P ≥ 0.20) for final BW and ADG. Steers fed 105R tended (P = 0.07) to have increased DMI and lower (P = 0.03) G:F compared to 60R and 60SBT. Overall, there was no difference (P ≥ 0.16) for DMI, ADG, and G:F. The 105R steers tended to have greater (P = 0.07) BRD 1 morbidity in the growing period and less (P ≤ 0.04) BRD 1 morbidity and mortality in the finishing period than 60R and 60SBT. Overall, there was no difference in morbidity (P ≥ 0.50) and a tendency for 60SBT to have greater (P = 0.06) respiratory mortality. Carcass characteristics and quality grade distribution
did not differ (P ≥ 0.19). Liver abscess prevalence was less (P ≤ 0.02) for 105R, particularly for A+ LA, compared with 60R and 60SBT. Extending the adaptation period to 105 d reduced LA severity without negatively affecting cumulative performance or carcass traits
EFFECTS OF FOUR RECEIVING REGIMENS ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE, CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS, AND RUMEN BUFFERING CAPACITY IN LIGHTWEIGHT FEEDER STEERS
No full textThis study evaluated the effects of four feeding management regimens during the receiving period on growth performance, health, ruminal pH, rumination, and carcass characteristics of auction-derived, crossbred beef cattle (avg initial BW = 233 8.2 kg). Steers (n = 193) and bulls (n = 283) were blocked by arrival truckload, allocated to 48 pens in a generalized complete block design, and pens were randomly assigned to receive 1 of 4 treatments: 1) 7 d of a commercially available complete starter diet (RAMP; Cargill Branded Feeds, Blair, NE) followed by an 18-d transition to a common finishing diet (FIN; RAMP-7), 2) 56 d of RAMP followed by an 18-d transition to FIN (RAMP-56), 3) 7 d of RAMP (Cargill Branded Feeds, Blair, NE) followed by a 49-d transition to FIN (RAMP-LT), and 4) 7 d of a receiving diet containing a novel feed product (Cargill Branded Feeds, Blair, NE) followed by a 49-d transition to FIN (GROW-LT). Within each pen, the 2 median BW steers received an indwelling ruminal bolus to quantify pH and a 3-axis accelerometer ear tag to quantify rumination. Fecal samples were collected on d 0, 28, 56, and 84 to determine pH. On d 28, BW was greatest for cattle consuming RAMP-7 and GROW-LT, intermediate for RAMP-LT, and least for RAMP-56 (P = 0.02). On d 56, BW was greatest for GROW-LT and RAMP-LT, intermediate for RAMP-7, and least for RAMP-56 (P = 0.03). Average daily gain (ADG) from d 0 to 28 was greatest for RAMP-7 and GROW-LT, intermediate for RAMP-LT, and least for RAMP-56 (P = 0.02). Dry matter intake (DMI) did not differ (P ≥ 0.48) throughout the feeding period. Gain:feed (G:F) from d 0 to 28 and d 28 to 56 was greatest for RAMP-7, GROW-LT, and RAMP-LT, and least for RAMP-56 (P < 0.01). No differences were observed in performance from d 84 to final (P ≥ 0.35) or health outcomes from d 0 to final (P ≥ 0.32). A tendency for a treatment × day interaction (P = 0.06) was observed for daily rumination, where rumination increased as roughage was added in the RAMP-LT, GROW-LT, and RAMP-7 treatments. No treatment × day interaction was observed (P > 0.12) for ruminal pH. The GROW diet had the greatest physically effective neutral detergent fiber (peNDF) concentration, followed by RAMP and FIN (P < 0.01). Steers fed RAMP-56 and GROW-LT tended to have more 12th-rib fat than RAMP-7 and RAMP-LT (P = 0.10), but no other differences in carcass traits were observed (P ≥ 0.19). These results suggest that a complete starter diet with either gradual or rapid transition to FIN may improve performance transiently, but did not impact feedlot cattle performance or health overall
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
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