Land O'Lakes, Inc. is an American member-owned agricultural cooperative based in the Minneapolis-St. Paul suburb of Arden Hills, Minnesota, United States, focusing on the dairy industry. The cooperative has 1,959 direct producer-members, 751 member-cooperatives, and about 9,000 employees who process and distribute products for about 300,000 agricultural producers, handling 12 billion pounds of milk annually. It is ranked third on the National Cooperative Bank Co-op 100 list of mutuals and cooperatives. The co-op is one of the largest producers of butter and cheese in the United States through its dairy foods business; serves producers, animal owners and their families through more than 4,700 local cooperatives, independent dealers and other large retailers through its Purina Animal Nutrition (Purina Mills) business; and delivers seed, crop protection products, agricultural services and agronomic insights to 1,300 locally owned and operated cooperative and independent agricultural retailers and their grower customers through its WinField United business.
The study objective was to investigate the impact of monensin and a fermentation extract derived from Bacillus licheniformis-derived fermentation extracts (BLFE) when fed alone or in combination on production performance and feed efficiency in lactating dairy cows. Sixty Holstein cows matched for DIM (108 ± 35) and parity were assigned to 4 treatments formulated to provide 2 doses of monensin (0 and 17.6 mg/kg DM) and 2 doses of BLFE (0 and 166 mg/kg DM) in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Monensin and BLFE doses were top-dressed on a TMR without added monensin. Cows were allowed to adapt to treatments for 21 d before measuring DMI, milk yield, milk composition, and BW responses to treatments over the next 42 d. Rumen fluid VFA, apparent total-tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients, and blood AA concentrations were determined in the last week. The effects of treatments were analyzed, accounting for baseline measurements, using mixed-effects models. Neither monensin nor BLFE modified DMI, which averaged 30.8 kg/d across treatments. At this DMI level, the actual monensin and BLFE doses consumed by cows were 14 and 145 mg/kg of DM, respectively. The BLFE fed alone increased milk yield:DMI (1.19 to 1.26) and NEL:DMI (1.60 to 1.83). It tended to increase milk yield and FCM and ECM yields, DMI and milk protein yields, and CP intake. Supplementing BLFE with monensin attenuated those responses. Monensin fed alone increased BW gain (0.44 kg/d) and tended to increase the component-corrected milk yield: DMI, but supplementing it with BLFE negated those effects. Regardless of the presence or absence of monensin in the diet, BLFE increased milk protein content (3.45% to 3.52%), while monensin enhanced milk fat yield (95 g/d) and component-corrected milk yields (4.7% to 5.1%). Milk fat improvements from monensin were significant in multiparous cows but negligible in primiparous cows. In contrast, the feed and protein efficiency enhancements of BLFE were more pronounced in primiparous than in multiparous cows. Supplementing BLFE did not modify ruminal or fecal VFA profiles when supplemented alone or with monensin. Monensin tended to decrease the molar percentage of butyrate in both rumen fluid and feces, while molar percentages of acetate, propionate, and their ratio remained unmodified. Supplementing BLFE or monensin alone did not affect ATTD of CP, but supplementing both together increased ATTD of CP compared with supplementing BLFE alone (59.2% to 62.1%). The BLFE supplementation alone increased blood EAA concentrations (18%), whereas adding monensin to the diet containing BLFE reversed that increase. The poor alignment between blood AA and ATTD in CP suggests potential effects of treatment on gut microbiota metabolism or postabsorptive AA clearance. Under current feeding conditions, data show that BLFE and monensin distinctly increased milk protein and fat, respectively, and each supplement improved feed efficiency when fed alone. The potential antagonism observed when fed together suggests the need for further research to investigate interactions between monensin and BLFE at varying doses under different feeding conditions.
The increasing prevalence of dairy protein allergies, lactose intolerance, and environmental concerns associated with dairy production have spurred interest in plant-based alternatives. Among these, pulse proteins are gaining recognition as promising ingredients due to their lower production costs, rich nutritional content, functional versatility, and health benefits. This review explores the nutritional, antinutritional, and functional properties of pulse proteins and their application in the development of dairy alternatives. It also examines how different processing techniques impact the characteristics of pulse proteins and assesses the environmental benefits of pulse production. The literature highlights that pulses are an excellent source of protein, particularly lysine, and are also rich in carbohydrates, fiber, and starch, though variations exist depending on the type of pulse. Additionally, pulses are a valuable source of prebiotics, which support gut health. Their functional properties, such as emulsification, solubility, gelation, and water holding capacity, vary significantly depending on the pulse type, composition, processing techniques, and factors like pH. In terms of product applications, researchers have explored developing yogurt, cheese, kefir, and ice cream alternatives using pulses. However, challenges remain in achieving desirable texture properties and sensory characteristics. Various traditional and novel processing techniques have been investigated to ensure microbial safety, mitigate antinutritional factors, and enhance the digestibility of pulse components. Pulse-based dairy alternatives present a sustainable and nutritious option, particularly for individuals with lactose intolerance. Despite their potential, challenges persist in optimizing protein content, refining processing parameters, and addressing scalability for commercial production. Overcoming these obstacles is crucial to advancing the development and market adoption of pulse protein–based dairy alternatives. Future studies should focus on generating robust literature to optimize pulse protein content, refine processing parameters, and develop effective strategies for scaling up production to enable successful commercialization.
Previous research has shown that organic acids can improve the digestibility of high fiber diets, specifically NDF digestibility. Ambitine (Fortiva) is a blend of acidifiers and plant extracts designed to improve feed efficiency in late finishing pigs. The objective of this trial was to evaluate the effect of Ambitine on late finishing growth performance and carcass composition when supplemented in high fiber and low fiber diets. High Fiber diets were formulated with 20% DDGS, 0.68 SID lysine, and metabolizable energy of 3322 kcal/kg. Low fiber diets were formulated without DDGS, but with the same SID lysine and SID Lysine:Metabolizable energy as the high fiber diets. The pigs were housed in mixed gender pens with 19 pigs per pen and 15 replicates per treatment. With pen as the experimental unit, 1133 pigs with an average initial body weight of 108 kg were allotted to 1 of 4 dietary treatments. These treatments included the high fiber control diet (HF), low fiber control diet (LF), High fiber diet with Ambitine (HFA), and low fiber diet with Ambitine (LFA). Body weight and feed disappearance was measured on day 0, 21, and 35 with corresponding ADG, ADFI, and F:G calculated for each phase. First cuts were made on day 21 where the heaviest half of pigs from each pen were marketed. On day 35 the remaining pigs in the pen were marketed and carcass quality measurements were collected. Data were analyzed using the mixed procedure in SAS (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC) and the model included treatment, fiber treatment, Ambitine treatment, block, block*treatment and replicate. During period 1, there were no significant differences in BW, ADG, or ADFI between the four treatments. However, when comparing the effects of Ambitine alone in period 1, there was a trend (P=0.07) for Ambitine to improve F:G (3.24 vs 3.31). Fiber alone had no significant impact on BW, ADG, ADFI, or F:G, this was likely due to the fact that we matched SID lysine and both the high fiber and low fiber basal diets had similar energy levels. During period 2, there were no significant differences between any of the 4 treatments on any of the growth performance metrics. When comparing the carcass quality measurements, the high fiber treatments had a significantly (P< 0.05) lower percent yield and smaller (P=0.07) fat depth compared to the low fiber treatments. Overall, Ambitine improved feed efficiency before the first cut, and this improvement was independent of fiber level in the diet.
Reproductive performance of cattle is dependent on nutrition; therefore, mineral supplementation is essential when preparing the animal for conception. The objective was to compare beef cow conception rates, reproductive performance, and calf gain when consuming mineral tubs with organic trace mineral sources along with a pre-breeding drench administration of trace minerals compared to mineral tubs with inorganic trace mineral sources. Commercial Angus cows (n = 204) with calves at side were allocated randomly to one of six pastures based on pre-study weight and body condition score (BCS), as well as calving date, cow age, and parity. These six pastures contained four multiparous groups and two primiparous groups and were assigned randomly within parity type to two treatment groups: 1) supplementation with tubs containing organic complexed trace minerals or 2) supplementation with tubs containing inorganic trace minerals. Tubs contained similar macrominerals and white salt was also available in all pastures. Mineral tubs were weighed and placed into pastures on d 0. Mineral intake was determined by measuring tub weights weekly. An estrous synchronization protocol was initiated on d 29 and 30. At CIDR insertion, 30 mL of an oral drench trace mineral solution (ProFusion, Zinpro, Eden Prairie, MN) was administered only to the groups receiving the organic mineral supplementation. CIDRs were removed prior to fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI), and heat detection patches were applied (d 43 and 44). Following synchronization, FTAI was conducted at 66 h and estrus expression was determined by a missing heat detection patch or greater than 50% rubbed off the patch (d 45 and 46). Ten days after FTAI (d 56), fertile bulls were added to each pasture. The FTAI pregnancy status was determined by ultrasound ~39 d post FTAI (d 84 and 85), and calves were weighed. Overall pregnancy was determined at ~76 days post FTAI (d 121 and 122). Bulls were removed from pastures 60 days after FTAI and mineral supplementation ended (d 105). Pregnancy data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure and performance data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure in SAS 9.4. Significance was declared at P < 0.05 and tendencies were observed between 0.05 ≤ P < 0.10. There were no significant differences between estrus expression (P > 0.5769), FTAI pregnancy rates (P > 0.3492), or average daily gain (ADG) in calves from birth to d 85 (P > 0.5751). Overall pregnancy rates were 97% for cows that received organic supplement and 92% for cows that received inorganic supplement (P = 0.1467). In this high performing herd, trace mineral source did not have an effect on FTAI pregnancy rates or calf performance, but there was a trend for a greater pregnancy rate in the cows supplemented with organic complexed trace minerals.
Fungi are a diverse group of organisms that possess multiple beneficial properties for human, animal, and ecological health, including the degradation of environmental pollutants, agricultural research, and medicinal and pharmaceutical therapies. Despite these vital applications, certain fungi are responsible for the death of many each year, with untold financial implications. Penitrems, aflatoxins, citrinin, ochratoxins, among others, are mycotoxins, or secondary metabolites produced by filamentous fungi that may cause a clinically significant toxic response (mycotoxicosis) when ingested by animals. These mycotoxins are naturally occurring contaminants and appear in widely consumed feedstuffs. Dogs are unusually susceptible to their hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic, immunosuppressive, and carcinogenic effects. Mycotoxins are rapidly absorbed in canines, and with high morbidity and mortality rates, treatment is mainly supportive, and euthanasia (or death) is often elected. This paper comprehensively reviewed the current literature on mycotoxins, specifically tremorgenic mycotoxins, aflatoxins, and ochratoxins in companion animals, with a primary emphasis on canines. Electronic databases were reviewed for published articles between 1969 and the present, and 50 articles were identified for inclusion. Our review suggests a widespread gap in information on the diagnosis and treatment of companion animal mycotoxicosises and the risk of chronic exposure to mycotoxin contamination of dog food is underexplored. And given that signs may masquerade as a variety of diseases, it is postulated that mycotoxicoses have a far greater prevalence than what has been consistently thought. There is a need to create standardized diagnostic means and reporting to eliminate inconsistencies in treatment strategies and improve patient survival outcomes.
