Artificial intelligence's ability to translate dairy-related texts from English to Spanish has not been well described in agriculture. This study aimed to determine the accuracy and comprehensibility of dairy-related translated text generated with ChatGPT (GPT-4o) and to determine the text's appropriateness for a dairy employee. Eight dairy udder health and stockmanship-related English texts were gathered from extension and university websites for translation. Four texts were summaries of 260 words or less and the other four texts were procedure lists with 8 steps. The texts were translated with a large language model (ChatGPT-4o) and displayed in a side-by-side presentation. The presentations were sent to 23 reviewers with a rubric for evaluation of accuracy, comprehensibility, and perception of the translation. Additionally, the reviewers were asked to evaluate if the translations were suitable to be shared with dairy employees. Overall, reviewers "Strongly agreed" or "Agreed" that the texts were accurately translated, including technical terms, and that the main idea of the text was correctly reproduced. They also "Strongly agreed" or "Agreed" that the translation was easy to understand, flowed naturally, was clear and coherent, and there was consistent translation of phrases that were repeated. Additionally, reviewers believed that there were "None" or "Few" instances where the meaning of the text is unclear due to the translation. Finally, the reviewers mostly agreed that they would present the translations to dairy employees. Thus, ChatGPT (GPT-4o) can accurately and comprehensibly translate dairy-related text. However, it is important to still have oversight and review the output.
Abstract Ram semen is sensitive to thermal and oxidative stress due to greater concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the sperm cell membrane, rendering it inherently fragile during preservation. Adenosine (9-β-D-Ribofuranosyladenine) serves as an essential component in adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis, and plays a key role in sperm energy metabolism and function. This study investigated the effects of adding different adenosine concentrations (0%, 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1%) to Tris-egg yolk extender on the quality of chilled semen of Assaf rams. Semen was collected from seven rams every five days over a one-month period at 7:30 a.m, pooled, and extended in Tris-egg yolk, after which adenosine stock solution was added at the designated concentrations. Samples were then cooled to 4 °C and stored for 72 h. Motility, viability, membrane integrity, and morphology were assessed at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and comparison of means using Bonferroni test. Incorporating 0.75% adenosine significantly improved semen quality at 48 and 72 h versus other groups (P < 0.05 for all parameters). At 48 and 72 h, respectively, the 0.75% group showed higher total motility (70.9% vs. 60.1%; 56.7% vs. 44.4%), progressive motility (45.2% vs. 34.8%; 39.4% vs. 25.8%), membrane integrity (HOST-positive: 70.3% vs. 64.2%; 68.2% vs. 55.3%), and viability (68.5% vs. 61.2%; 61.8% vs. 52.1%) than the control, with fewer abnormal spermatozoa (12.7% vs. 18.4%; 14.8% vs. 23.5%). Storage time also significantly affected all parameters (P < 0.05), with no significant adenosine × time interaction (P > 0.05). These findings have practical implications for improving sheep reproductive efficiency, given the physiological fragility of the PUFA-rich ovine sperm membrane. Supplementing Tris-egg yolk with 0.75% adenosine is recommended to extend the usable storage life of chilled ram semen up to 72 h, offering greater flexibility in the scheduling and logistics of artificial insemination programs, pending further in vivo fertility trials and comparisons with commercial extenders. Whether this beneficial effect extends to ram semen cryopreservation remains an open question for future research.
Heat stress (HS) impairs lactating sows' ability to provide adequate nutrition for their litters, prompting the development of management practices and new housing systems to alleviate its effects. However, few have investigated materials used in farrowing crate construction and their influence on sows' ability to remain euthermic. Therefore, the study objective was to assess the association of metal (MTL) versus plastic (PLS) crate flooring with sow euthermia and litter performance under natural summer HS conditions. Landrace x Large White lactating sows and their litters (N = 23) were housed in individual crates in a single barn containing one room with MTL (n = 12) and one room with PLS (n = 11). Temperature and relative humidity were measured in 5 min intervals and were similar between the MTL (25.7 ± 1.8°C and 88.0 ± 5.9%, respectively) and PLS (25.4 ± 1.9°C and 86.2 ± 6.2%, respectively) rooms. All sows were provided ad libitum feed and water and piglets were cross fostered to standardize litter sizes (12.0 ± 1.4 piglets/litter). Sow vaginal temperature (TV) was assessed in 10 min intervals daily, and respiration rate (RR; breaths per minute [bpm]) and ear, shoulder, rump, and tail skin temperatures were measured at 0800, 1200, 1600, and 2000 h daily during the last 7 d of lactation. Sow average daily feed intake (ADFI) was measured weekly and litter weights were determined on d 1, 7, 14, and at weaning (d 19.7 ± 1.8) to assess average daily gain. Piglet mortality was monitored starting at d 2 of lactation immediately post-crossfostering and continued throughout the trial. The sow was considered the experimental unit for sow-based measures, and litter was considered the experimental unit for litter-based measures. Parity was similar (P = 0.60) between MTL (2.25 ± 0.86) and PLS (2.88 ± 0.90) sows. Sow ADFI was increased (P < 0.01; 0.98 kg/d) for MTL versus PLS sows. Greater TV (P < 0.01; 0.08°C) was detected for MTL versus PLS sows. Respiration rate was increased (P < 0.01; 10 bpm) at 2000 h for MTL versus PLS sows. Ear and shoulder skin temperatures were greater (P < 0.01; 0.34 and 0.65°C, respectively) in MTL versus PLS sows. Average daily gain was similar (P = 0.55; 249.3 ± 11.6 g/d) for MTL and PLS litters. Mortality was greater overall (P < 0.01) for PLS (20.25 ± 5.14%) versus MTL (10.77 ± 5.44%) litters. In summary, MTL increased sow ADFI which may have influenced TV, RR, and skin temperatures, and was associated with lower pre-weaning mortality in litters.
Two hundred twenty-six Angus crossbred steers (initial BW = 230 ± 19 kg) from a single ranch in South Dakota were enrolled in a 38-d study to evaluate the effects of a high shear dry extruded corn product on growth performance, total tract starch digestibility, and serum glucose and insulin of receiving feedlot steers. Steers were randomly allocated to pens of 6 or 7 steers per pen, with 3.66 m of linear bunk space. Dietary treatments (n = 12 pens/treatment) were initiated on d 0, including a diet with dry rolled corn (ROLL), steam flaked corn (FLAKE; 0.29 to 0.31 kg/L) or high shear dry extruded corn (EXT; Hi-Gel; Insta-Pro International; Grimes, IA). Bodyweights were measured prior to feeding at study initiation (d -1 and 0), d 17, and on d 37 and 38. On d 37, blood and fecal grab samples were collected from one steer per pen. Estimated total tract starch digestibility was calculated using the equation proposed by Zinn et al. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure in SAS 9.4 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC) with pen as experimental unit. Body weights were assessed using a 4% shrink to account for gut fill. Initial weights were used as a covariate in the analysis of growth performance data. Corn processing method did not influence BW, ADG, or DMI throughout the study (P ≥ 0.15). There was however, an increase in feed efficiency (G:F) in EXT compared to ROLL with FLAKE being intermediate (P = 0.007). Corn processing method influenced estimated total tract starch digestibility where EXT and FLAKE were greater than ROLL (P = 0.0002). Serum glucose and insulin were not influenced by dietary treatment (P ≥ 0.19). Weekly TMR samples were evaluated using a Penn State shaker box. There were greater particle size and more variability in the EXT TMR between week compared to ROLL and FLAKE (TRT x week P ≤ 0.04). Our results indicate the improvements in feed efficiency and estimated total tract starch digestibility offered by high shear dry extrusion are comparable to that of steam flaked corn (SFC) in diets containing 25 to 30% corn. Overall, results from this study indicate high shear dry extruded corn is a potential alternative for feedlot operators to increase starch digestion and feeding value of corn grain in feedlot receiving diets.
Measurements of pH-value in equine faeces are often performed in studies on nutrition and health in horses, but a standard protocol for it is lacking despite the knowledge that different sample handling may affect the pH-value. Sample handling prior to pH-measurement is often determined by practical settings and has been reported to vary in published studies within the area. The purpose of the current study was therefore to investigate the influence of different combinations of storage time and temperature on the pH-value in equine faecal samples in comparison to immediate pH-measurement at defecation. Faecal samples from 105 horses were collected, and each sample was divided into 14 sub-samples. The sub-samples were stored in room temperature (+20 to + 21°C), in a refrigerator (+4 to + 6°C) or in a freezer (-20°C) for different periods of time, after which pH was measured. Measurement of pH was performed immediately at defecation (reference value, RT0), after 2 h in room temperature (RT2), after 2, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 48 h in a refrigerator (RE2-RE48;), after 24, 48 and 72 h in a freezer (F24-F72), and after 1, 3 and 6 months in the same freezer (F1M-F6M). Measurements of pH were done on undiluted liquid pressed from whole faecal samples using a two-point calibrated pH-meter and was repeated three times on each sub-sample. Data were analysed using an ANOVA mixed model procedure with sample treatment (temperature and time) as a fixed effect and horse as a random effect, and with Dunnetts adjustment of P-values as all sample treatments were compared to the reference value at RT0. Results showed that mean pH ± SD at RT0 was 6.60 ± 0.04 and that it differed (P < 0.01) from all sample treatments except RT2, RE8 and RE48 (P > 0.34). All frozen samples had higher (P < 0.01) mean pH-values compared to RT0, and ranged from 6.65 ± 0.38 at F48 to 6.75 ± 0.40 at F72. All other frozen samples had pH-values between 6.65 and 6.75. Refrigerated samples RE2 and RE4 had lower (P < 0.001) mean pH-values (6.52 ± 0.36 for both) and RE12 and RE24 samples had higher (P < 0.001) mean pH-values (6.67 ± 0.34 and 6.67 ± 0.38, respectively) compared to RT0. The results of this study therefore showed that if pH cannot be measured immediately at defecation, storage of equine faecal samples in room temperature for 2 h or in a refrigerator at + 4 to + 6°C for 8 h or 48 h is another option, as pH at these timepoints did not differ from RT0.
Lay Summary Limpograss is an important warm-season perennial grass used for cattle production in tropical and subtropical regions. Limpograss production coincides with frequent rainfall and high humidity, which hinders forage conservation via hay production due to unfavorable drying conditions. Storing excess forage as silage is an alternative, but warm-season perennial grasses often ferment poorly due to limited water-soluble carbohydrate concentration. Microbial inoculants are typically used to improve fermentation; however, responses in warm-season perennial grasses have been inconsistent. The present study evaluated the effects of adding a commercial inoculant (SiloSolve FC; Lactococcus lactis and Lentilactobacillus buchneri) on limpograss nutritive value, fermentation characteristics, microbiology, and gas production. To our knowledge, this is the first study evaluating this inoculant in limpograss silage. Limpograss inoculation resulted in improved fermentation, leading to greater nutrient preservation. Although the overall bacterial community was not altered, the inoculant selectively reduced the abundance of undesirable bacteria associated with poor silage fermentation. Additionally, inoculated silage tended to reduce gas and methane production compared with the control treatment. In conclusion, inoculating limpograss silage with a Lactococcus- and Lentilactobacillus-based inoculant may be a promising management practice to improve nutritive value and fermentation.
Abstract This study evaluated changes in the active and resting behaviors of group-housed, newly weaned pigs challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). At weaning (∼21 days of age), pigs (n = 192; 5.73 ± 1.8 kg) were stratified by sex, litter, and body weight and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments (16 pigs/pen; 4 pens/treatment): 1) saline-injected control (SAL); 2) 50%-LPS, pens in which 8 of 16 pigs received LPS and 8 of 16 pigs received saline; or 3) 100%-LPS, pens in which all pigs received LPS. Following a 9-d acclimation period, assigned injections were administered on study day 10. Pigs in the SAL treatment group and 32 pigs in the 50%-LPS treatment group received a 3.0-mL subcutaneous saline injection. The remaining pigs in the 50%-LPS treatment group and all pigs in the 100%-LPS treatment group received a 3.0-mL subcutaneous LPS injection (Escherichia coli O111:B4; 300 µg/kg BW). Behavior was continuously monitored for 42 d using the NUtrack system to quantify meters walked, body revolutions, time spent standing, time at the feeder, time lying laterally and sternal, total time lying, and time sitting. During the LPS response period (days 10 to 13), pigs in the 100%-LPS and 50%-LPS treatment groups displayed a clear sickness-behavior response characterized by reduced activity and increased resting behavior (P ≤ 0.05). Compared with SAL, pigs in the LPS treatment groups walked fewer meters, completed fewer revolutions, spent less time standing and at the feeder, and spent more time lying and resting (P ≤ 0.05). At the end of the recovery period (day 19) and during the early post-recovery period, pigs in both LPS treatment groups walked more, completed more revolutions, and spent more time standing and at the feeder than pigs in the SAL treatment group (P ≤ 0.05). These later differences occurred primarily on study days 19 to 25, corresponding to 9 to 15 d after challenge. Despite these later increases in activity, pigs in the 100%-LPS treatment group had reduced nursery exit BW, reduced ADG, and less total weight gain than pigs in the SAL treatment group (P ≤ 0.05). These findings indicate that the behavioral response to LPS challenge extended beyond the LPS response period and included later changes in activity that were detected through continuous behavioral monitoring.
Hormonal growth-promoting implants are known to enhance growth performance in beef cattle, but their influence on vaccine response has not been studied extensively. Herein, we evaluated the growth performance and immunity of beef steers under different hormonal implant treatments and timing of booster vaccination. Fifty-nine crossbred beef calves were stratified by body weight (BW) and age (109 ± 18.9 kg and 70 ± 8 d of age) and randomly distributed into a completely randomized design with a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement to one of three implant treatments: (i) no implant (CON); (ii) short-term payout period implant (Synovex C; ST); or (iii) long-term payout period implant (Synovex One Grower; LT), and to one of the booster vaccination groups; at weaning (WV) or 7 days post-weaning (PWV). From implantation, and initial vaccination (d 0) until weaning (d 114), calves were raised with their dams in a single pasture. After weaning, calves were allocated to a single pen until d 63 post-weaning (d 177). Body weight was recorded, and blood samples were collected to analyze insulin-like growth factor, cortisol, β-hydroxybutyric acid, non-esterified fatty acids, leptin, serum antibody titers, and complete blood cell count. Peripheral blood lymphocyte concentration was greater in CON compared with ST and LT (P < 0.01), and greater plasma leptin (P = 0.01) in ST compared to LT, while CON was intermediate. A treatment × timing of booster vaccination (P < 0.01) was observed with greater peripheral blood monocyte counts in LT-PWV compared to ST-PWV and CON-PWV. A timing of booster vaccination × day interaction (P = 0.01) was observed for plasma cortisol with smaller concentration in WV compared with PWV at booster vaccination and d 28 post-booster vaccination. No main effects of treatments or treatment interactions were observed for serum antibody titers (P > 0.20). Implant treatment did not affect weaning weights; however, calves implanted with LT were the heaviest on d 142 (P = 0.03) and tended to have greater final body weights at the end of the study (P = 0.07). In summary, implant strategy and booster vaccination timing affected metabolic and immune parameters in beef calves but did not influence serum antibody titers. Growth performance was not affected at weaning; however, long-term-implanted calves were heavier post-weaning and tended to have greater final BW, indicating improved growth without compromising antibody-mediated immune responses.
This study evaluated the effects of forage neutral detergent fiber (fNDF) level and feeding strategy on growth performance, carcass traits, ingestive behavior, starch utilization, and inflammatory biomarkers in Angus × Nellore bulls fed energy-dense diets. Sixty Angus × Nellore bulls (initial BW = 398 ± 10 kg) were housed in four pens (15 bulls/pen) and individually monitored using GrowSafe and Intergado systems. During d 0 to 50, bulls received diets containing either 12% or 7% fNDF. During d 51 to 100, 30 bulls remained on their original diets, whereas the remaining 30 bulls were switched to the opposite fNDF level (12→7% or 7→12%). Dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG), and feed efficiency did not differ during the first period or across the overall feedlot period (P > 0.05). However, during the second period, bulls fed 7% fNDF exhibited greater ADG, improved feed efficiency, greater calculated energy requirements for gain (Eg; Mcal/d), greater performance-predicted dietary net energy for maintenance (NEm; Mcal/kg DM), greater performance-predicted dietary net energy for gain (NEg; Mcal/kg DM), and lower DMI required for maintenance than bulls fed 12% fNDF (P = 0.01). In contrast, bulls fed 12% fNDF allocated a greater proportion of DMI to maintenance requirements (P = 0.01). Feeding 7% fNDF increased fecal starch concentration and reduced estimated starch digestibility (P < 0.05), whereas increasing fNDF from 7% to 12% during the second period improved starch utilization compared with both the continuous 7% fNDF treatment and the 12→7% strategy (P = 0.01). Carcass traits, water intake, and the frequency of visits to the water trough were not affected by treatment (P > 0.05). Diets containing 12% fNDF increased chewing and rumination time during the first period (P < 0.05), whereas reducing fNDF, particularly following the 12→7% transition, decreased rumination time and increased idle time without affecting eating time (P < 0.05). Concentrations of lactate dehydrogenase, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and haptoglobin were not affected by treatment (P > 0.05), whereas serum amyloid A (SAA) concentrations increased in bulls fed 7% fNDF during the second period (P = 0.01). The 7% fNDF strategy improved late-feedlot growth performance but at the expense of starch utilization, as evidenced by greater fecal starch concentration and lower estimated starch digestibility. In contrast, increasing fNDF during the finishing phase improved starch utilization without compromising animal performance. Although these responses were evident during the second period, they did not result in detectable differences in overall feedlot growth performance.
This experiment evaluated feed intake, performance, fecal nutrient concentrations, health, and carcass traits of crossbred beef cattle offered a high-moisture corn-based diet containing sodium monensin. On day 0 of the study, 402 crossbred steers [initial body weight (BW) 329 ± 69.5 kg] were blocked by BW and source into 1 of 28 feedlot pens (14 to 15 steers/pen). Within blocks, pens were assigned to high-moisture corn-based diets containing (BAC) or not (CON; n = 14) Bacillus licheniformis 809 and B. subtilis 810 (2 g/steer per day; n = 14). The experimental period lasted 118 days and BAC was added to a mineral-vitamin premix, which also contained sodium monensin. Throughout the experimental period, dry matter intake was determined daily, while individual BW was obtained on days 0, 35, and 118 of the study. Based on these measurements, average daily gain (ADG) and gain to feed (GF) were also calculated. Fecal samples were collected on days 20 and 70 of the study for determination of fecal starch and nitrogen (N). On day 122, animals were transported to a commercial slaughterhouse and carcass traits were determined. All data were analyzed with SAS (version 9.4) using pen as the experimental unit. Body weight on days 35 and 118 was greater (P ≤ 0.03) for BAC vs. CON, while no changes were observed on feed intake (P ≥ 0.40). Average daily gain was also greater for BAC from days 0 to 35 (P = 0.01) and 0 to 118 (P = 0.03). Hence, GF was improved by 8.4 and 2.9% when assessed from days 0 to 35 (P = 0.03) and 0 to 118 (P = 0.04), respectively. Hot carcass weight was also greater for BAC (+ 3.5 kg; P = 0.05), while Biceps femoris fat thickness tended to be greater (P = 0.07) for BAC. Carcass-adjusted final BW, ADG, and GF were also greater (P ≤ 0.05) for BAC. No differences were observed on fecal starch and N (P ≥ 0.42), but fecal score tended to be greater for BAC from days 35 to 118 and from days 0 to 118 (P ≤ 0.09). No treatment effects were detected for the incidence of bovine respiratory cases (P ≥ 0.12), while overall morbidity tended to be lower (P = 0.06) and fever occurrence in steers showing bovine respiratory disease was lower in steers fed BAC (P = 0.04). In summary, Bacillus spp. supplementation optimized performance, health, and carcass traits of feedlot cattle fed a high-moisture corn-based diet containing sodium monensin.
Critical thinking skills are an in-demand trait of many STEM professionals, including animal scientists. Many instructors note the importance of critical thinking, but few have a clear understanding of what critical thinking means, how to teach to enhance the development of critical thinking skills, and how to assess the critical thinking as a student learning outcome. Many higher education institutions utilize student success prediction models with the hope that early prediction can be used to provide additional assistance to students when needed to improve the student success rate. These predictive models use high school GPA and standardized test scores, like the ACT and SAT, to predict academic success in college, but models have mixed success in their predictive capacity. The purpose of this study was to determine to what extent differences in critical thinking skills explain a difference between predicted and earned GPAs for first-time animal sciences students. Previous animal sciences students, on average, failed to achieve predicted overall GPAs (P < 0.05) and GPAs in STEM courses (P < 0.05). Mean student critical thinking scores of first-time animal sciences students were significantly (P < 0.05) below normative data. Current animal sciences students significantly (P < 0.05) underperformed their predicted GPA after one semester, but differences between predicted and earned GPA after four semesters were not significant (P > 0.05). The current university-provided predicted GPA model using standardized tests and high school GPA was significant F = 68.13(1,103, P < 0.001) and accounted for 39% of the variance (adjusted R2 = 0.392) for rising junior students. The second model included students' critical thinking, graduating class size, and involvement in youth agriculture clubs. Model 2 was also significant F = 17.82(3,100, P < 0.001, adjusted R2 = 0.393). No added covariates in Model 2 were significant (P > 0.05) and the additional factors did not improve the predictive ability of the model (ΔF = 1.028(3,100), P > 0.05). Researchers recommend future research exploring the developmental factors of youth critical thinking, why predictive models overestimate GPA, grading policies, and interpersonal variables which can account for the unexplained variance in the prediction model.
Accurate prediction of feed intake (FI) in lactating sows is essential for precision nutrition, welfare monitoring, and sustainable production. Feed intake during lactation is influenced by both physiological and environmental factors, but the complexity of individual FI makes traditional modeling approaches challenging. Machine learning (ML) provides flexible tools for capturing nonlinear dynamics in sow-feeding datasets. This study evaluated multiple ML algorithms to predict and forecast FI using 17,171 daily observations from 898 lactating sows. Five ML algorithms were tested: Generalized Additive Model (GAM), Elastic Net Regression (ENET), Random Forest (RDF), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB), and Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LGB). Predictors included environmental variables (daily maximum air temperature and daily maximum dew point), biological variables (parity and lactation day), and historical data derived from recent FI events (moving averages, lag variables, and intake variability), along with their interactions. An 8:2 sow-level train/test split was employed, along with grouped 5-fold cross-validation (CV) to prevent data leakage. Model performance, feature importance, and forecasting ability were assessed. All models performed similarly, with R 2 values between 0.818 (ENET) and 0.828 (LGB) on the test sets and root mean squared errors (RMSE) between 0.993 kg (RDF) and 1.014 kg (ENET). However, GAM, ENET, and LGB showed less overfitting than XGB and RDF, evidenced by a train-test performance gap of over 5 percentage points. Forecasting accuracy remained strong for 1- to 3-day-ahead predictions (R 2 = 0.61 to 0.71) but declined progressively thereafter, suggesting that ML models captured short-term individual dynamics but gradually reverted toward lactation-specific averages over longer periods. Historical variables contributed to 71.6% of the total predictive power, with the three-day moving average being the most influential feature, according to its mean absolute Shapley additive explanatory value (SHAP) of 0.728, followed by the one-day lag (SHAP = 0.715). Models without historical variables showed decreased performance, with errors increasing from + 0.294 to + 0.316 kg/d. Overall, this study demonstrates that ML models can accurately predict daily FI when incorporating historical data, highlighting the potential of ML-driven forecasting to facilitate personalized, data-driven feeding strategies in precision swine production systems.
L-carvone is a natural monoterpene found in spearmint and other foods that can be administered intravenously to euthanize rats. We hypothesized intravenous L-carvone rapidly alters consciousness and produces death in sheep, resulting in tissue L-carvone concentrations that are commonly found in foods. Jugular catheters were placed in five adult Hampshire-Suffolk ewes, and a carotid arterial catheter was inadvertently placed in a sixth ewe. Animals were restrained in a seated position and instrumented with surface electroencephalographic (EEG) and electromyographic electrodes and a two-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) accompanied by pulse and respiratory rate and behavioral monitoring. A 50% solution of food-grade L-carvone administered as a rapid intravenous bolus at a dose of 0.5 mL/kg was followed by bilateral ocular strabismus, loss of responsiveness, shallow breathing, and a 50% reduction in heart rate within 6 ± 4 s (mean ± SD). In 4 sheep, myoclonus and increased muscle tone was present for 15-54 s after injection. Pulses were undetectable within 20 ± 9 s, and animals were apneic in 48 ± 14 s and without cardiac electrical activity 46 ± 19 s after injection. During this time, the EEG spectral edge frequency rapidly decreased, indicative of progressively altered consciousness and deepening anesthesia. Intermittent, large amplitude polyspike waves were observed on the EEGs of most sheep, consistent with seizure activity. Intra-arterial L-carvone injection yielded quantitatively similar results except for persistence of ECG electromechanical dissociation for several minutes after death. Sheep tissues collected after euthanasia were analyzed for L-carvone by liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy. For intravenous doses, L-carvone concentrations ranged from 283 ± 155 in the kidney to 2.2 ± 1.6 in the semitendinosus muscle. Intravascular L-carvone produces rapid onset of unconsciousness and irreversible death in sheep without contaminating the carcass with non-edible residues. However, increased muscle tone and EEG seizure activity make L-carvone imperfect for euthanasia when administered as a sole agent.
The present study aimed to determine the effects of feeding increasing Arg concentrations during late gestation (transition) and lactation of sows on farrowing kinetics, colostrum and milk concentration of immunoglobulins G (IgG), and sow and litter performance. A total of 90 sows (Line 241, DNA Genetics, Columbus, NE) were blocked by parity (average 2.14) and body weight (BW) on d 108 ± 1 of gestation and allotted to one of three dietary treatments of increasing SID Arg:Lys ratio (90, 105, or 120%). Sows received approximately 2.7 kg/d of their treatment diet starting from d 109 of gestation until farrowing, then allowed ad libitum access to their treatment diet. Litters were cross fostered within 48 h after farrowing to equalize litter size. At farrowing, colostrum was collected for IgG concentration analysis. Colostrum yield and intake were also calculated. Sows and one average weight barrow per litter were bled on day 18 for blood urea nitrogen analysis (BUN). On the same day, milk was also collected for proximate composition and IgG concentration. Increasing SID Arg:Lys ratio did not affect sow BW or backfat change during lactation, nor influence sow average daily feed intake (ADFI) either pre-farrow or during lactation. Average SID Arg intake increased (linear, P < 0.001) with increasing SID Arg:Lys ratio. Wean to estrus interval decreased then increased (quadratic, P = 0.044) with increasing SID Arg:Lys ratio. No differences were observed for the number of total pigs born or the percentage of total born alive, stillborn, and mummified. The SID Arg:Lys ratio did not influence litter size, litter weight, or pre-wean mortality at any time point. However, on day 10, piglets' ADG and BW tended to increase (linear, P = 0.051 and 0.061, respectively) as SID Arg:Lys ratio increased. Despite these increases on d 10, no differences in piglet performance were observed at the other time points. Increasing the SID Arg:Lys ratio from 90% to 120% did not affect farrowing duration, colostrum yield, colostrum intake, IgG concentration in colostrum or milk, milk composition, or BUN concentration in either sows or piglets. This data suggests that increasing SID Arg:Lys ratio from 90 to 120% from day 109 of gestation through weaning did not impact farrowing kinetics or sow and litter performance.
The rapid expansion of beef-on-dairy (B×D) crossbreeding in the United States has increased the need for selection tools tailored to this unique production system. The objectives of this study were to develop economic selection indexes specific to B×D systems under U.S. conditions and to evaluate the extent of sire re-ranking relative to conventional beef-on-beef (B×B) indexes. The current study utilized iGENDEC, a web-based decision support platform hosted by the Beef Improvement Federation. iGENDEC enables users to enter enterprise-specific information related to breeding goals, breeding systems, economic costs/returns, and current phenotypic performance. Using stochastic simulation, iGENDEC creates a simulated population informed by the user's parameters to enable calculation of the marginal economic value of each trait in the specified breeding objective. Using iGENDEC, economic selection indexes were constructed for multiple crossbreeding scenarios incorporating traits related to carcass merit, feed intake, and calving performance. Beef bulls (n = 27,123) were evaluated to quantify differences in ranking across production systems and index assumptions. Results indicated that BxD systems placed greater economic emphasis on feed intake and hot carcass weight, while B×B systems placed more emphasis on carcass marbling. Despite strong Spearman rank correlations between indexes (average = 0.931), only 70.7% of the 100 top-ranked sires overlapped between B×D and B×B systems, indicating meaningful differences in sire selection. Differences in production assumptions, including carcass weight targets and days on feed, further influenced economic weights and selection outcomes. Opportunity costs associated with using B×B-based indexes in B×D systems averaged $3.24 per exposure with a maximum value of $8.26 per exposure. These findings demonstrate that even small differences in index construction can lead to suboptimal sire selection and reduced profitability. Consequently, selection indexes should be tailored to specific production environments to ensure alignment with economic drivers and to maximize genetic progress in beef-on-dairy systems.
Accuracy of pregnancy diagnosis in late gestation is essential for adjusting nutritional demands and management protocols in sheep production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of progesterone (P4) concentrations measured via radioimmunoassay for determining pregnancy status and estimating the number of lambs expected. Blood samples were collected via jugular venipuncture at day 100 of gestation (term approximately 150 d) from 423 ewes over an 8-year period. Serum P4 concentration thresholds for predicting lamb numbers were established: non-pregnant (0 to 3.8 ng/mL), single lamb (3.9 to 12.5 ng/mL), and multiple lambs (12.6 ng/mL and above). Thresholds were compared with actual lambing outcomes to validate the effectiveness of the assay in detecting number of lambs. We hypothesized that using these P4 thresholds would provide reasonable accuracy in predicting the number of lambs, enabling more precise resource allocation and improved management decisions. The P4 radioimmunoassay demonstrated 99% accuracy for pregnancy detection and 73% overall accuracy in predicting number of lambs. Multiparous ewes demonstrated greater accuracy (84%) than nulliparous ewes (73%) in prediction of lamb number. Maternal serum P4 was positively associated with the number of lambs born (P < 0.001). The P4 × lamb birth weight interaction (P = 0.02) indicated that lamb birth weight modified the association between maternal P4 concentration and the number of lambs born, providing a biological explanation for some of the overlap in P4 concentrations between singleton- and twin-bearing ewes. Accurate prediction of pregnancy status and fetal number can improve flock management by identifying non-pregnant ewes for culling and enabling nutritional and management strategies tailored to ewes carrying single or multiple fetuses, ultimately improving animal welfare, productivity, and profitability. The reliability of the model across parities and years supports its efficacy in mixed-age flocks.
Consumer demand for beef products is driven by eating quality, affordability, and versatility. Creating value-added formulations that enhance nutritional density without compromising acceptability is a crucial part of product development. Organ meats are nutrient-dense beef byproducts that remain underutilized in U.S. food systems. Edible beef by-products contribute substantially to carcass value through domestic and export markets. Incorporating beef organs into ground beef blends may provide a value-added opportunity to enhance whole-animal utilization. Objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of beef heart, liver, or kidney at 15% inclusion on product quality and consumer acceptability of ground beef patties. Patties were formulated as control (no organ) or with heart, liver, or kidney and evaluated for cooking characteristics, instrumental color, objective tenderness, and consumer acceptance. Liver and kidney patties increased redness and chroma of raw and cooked patties (P < 0.0001). Moreover, liver and kidney patties reduced shear force and hardness compared to control and patties containing beef heart (P < 0.0001). Consumer panelists rated patties with kidney as juicier (P < 0.0001) and more tender (P = 0.0004). Sensory panelists scores report similar findings for control and heart patties for overall liking (P = 0.5208), appearance (P = 0.5823), aroma (P = 0.1756), and texture (P = 0.6387). A tendency (P = 0.0763) was observed for flavor with control and heart patties receiving higher flavor scores than the remaining treatments. Liver patties received the lowest scores for overall liking, flavor, and texture (P < 0.0001) compared to all other treatments. Results demonstrate that ground beef quality and consumer perception are influenced by organ type with beef heart maintaining characteristics like control patties. Among the organs evaluated, kidney inclusion provided the greatest improvements in juiciness and tenderness for beef patties but exhibited sensory challenges. Results indicate the need for further investigation to identify an optimal inclusion rate that maximizes eating quality and consumer acceptability. Formulation estimates suggest that replacing 15% of the beef trimmings with organ meat can reduce formulation cost while improving utilization of carcass components. Results suggest the potential for incorporating beef organs into ground beef as a value-added strategy to enhance sustainability and economic efficiency.
Our objective in this study was to identify the nonlinear mixed model that best describes the growth curve of Columbia sheep within the central region of Mexico. The study was conducted using a total of 1886 live body weight records (birth to 450 days of age) from 174 Columbia Sheep (90 males and 84 females). Only animals with at least four weight records were considered in the study. The sheep were fed twice daily with a ration of corn silage and oat hay. Animals were weaned at an average age of 75 days. Growth curves were fitted using four nonlinear mixed models: Brody, Logistic, Von Bertalanffy, and Gompertz. In all models, the asymptotic body weight (A), integration constant (b), and maturity rate (k) were estimated, with A and k modeled as both fixed and random effects. Sex was included as a fixed effect affecting only the A and k parameters. A model comparison was performed using the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), which states that lower AIC indicates better fit. Among the evaluated models, the Von Bertalanffy model provided the best fit for the data. Estimated parameters for females were A = 40.26 kg, b = 0.516, and k = 0.011 day-1, while the sex effects for males were + 9.55 kg for A and -0.001 for k. These estimates indicate that males reach higher mature body weights while maturing slightly more slowly than females. Including random effects for A and k improved model accuracy by reducing residual variance. These results provide useful information on growth characterization may help define age or weight targets for further evaluation of slaughter strategies in Columbia sheep.
A total of 86 sows (Line 241, DNA Genetics, Columbus, NE) were used to determine the effects of a cheese co-product added to lactation diets on sow and litter performance. Sows in three separate farrowing groups (approximately 31 ± 1 sows per group) were moved into the farrowing house and blocked by parity on day 112 ± 1 of gestation. Sows then were assigned to one of two dietary treatments which consisted of a standard corn-soybean-based lactation diet (control) or the control diet with 4% cheese co-product (Pro88; Keys Manufacturing, Paris, IL, USA) added at the expense of soybean meal on a digestible Lys-basis. The addition of the cheese co-product in lactation diets did not affect sow or litter performance. Offspring from the third farrowing group (395 pigs; DNA Line 241 × 600; initially 5.8 kg) were followed into the nursery and used in a 2 × 2 factorial to evaluate the effects of previous sow lactation feed treatment and addition of the cheese co-product in nursery diets in a 35-d growth trial. Nursery treatments included either a control diet or the control diet with 4% added cheese co-product fed in phases 1 (days 0 to 9) and 2 (days 9 to 21) followed by a common diet fed to all pigs in phase 3 (days 21 to 35). The cheese co-product was added at the expense of enzyme treated soybean meal in the nursery diets on a digestible Lys-basis. No sow × nursery interactions were observed. Offspring from the third group of sows fed the cheese co-product were heavier (P < 0.001) at weaning than those not fed cheese co-product, and this body weight advantage was maintained throughout the experiment. There was a tendency (P = 0.058) for fewer pigs fed the cheese co-product in the nursery to lose body weight from days 0 to 3 after weaning, regardless of previous sow treatment. During the nursery experimental period (days 0 to 21 post-weaning) and overall (days 0 to 35), pigs weaned from sows fed the cheese co-product tended to have increased (P < 0.10) gain-to-feed ratio (G: F). There were no effects on average daily gain or feed intake due to previous sow treatment. In addition, during the experimental period and overall, feeding the cheese co-product in the nursery diet increased (P < 0.05) G: F compared with pigs fed the control diet. In conclusion, feeding a cheese co-product either in lactation or early nursery diets at the expense of soybean meal or a specialty soy protein, respectively, increased G: F of pigs throughout the nursery period.
Throughout the last decade, rising sow mortality rates have afflicted U.S. pork producers, as mortality rates have increased from an average of 9.0% in 2014 to 12.5% in 2024. Part of this increase is due to increased incidence of pelvic organ prolapse (POP), which accounted for 22.6% of sow mortality in 2023. Despite widespread acknowledgement of this issue, mitigation strategies are lacking. Antibiotics represent a potential strategy to reduce POP incidence, as a 2019 survey reported POP incidence was lower when feed contained antibiotics compared to periods without antibiotics. Therefore, this study examined the effect of bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD) supplementation on POP incidence in late-gestation sows across two commercial farms. Administration of BMD differed between farms, with farm A administering BMD through the water and farm B administering BMD through the feed. A total of 1,014 sows were on trial at farm A, with 522 in the control group and 492 in the BMD group. A total of 1,275 sows were on trial at farm B, with 709 in the control group and 566 in the BMD group. Sows were administered BMD for approximately two weeks prior to farrowing and perineal score (PS) evaluations were conducted to determine presumed POP risk. In brief, a PS of 1 (PS1) presumes low risk of POP while a PS of 3 (PS3) presumes high risk of POP determined by protrusion and swelling of the perineal region. Analysis of PS between treatments revealed that BMD administration did not affect PS at either farm (P ≥ 0.13). At farm A, 60.0% of control sows and 60.6% of BMD treated sows were scored PS1 while 2.9% of control sows and 5.4% of BMD treated sows were scored PS3. At farm B, 78.3% of control and 76.7% of BMD sows were scored PS1 while 2.8% of control and 3.1% of BMD sows were scored PS3. Further, BMD did not affect POP incidence at either farm (P ≥ 0.71), with 2.7% of control sows and 2.8% of BMD sows experiencing POP at farm A, and 2.8% of control sows and 3.2% of BMD sows experiencing POP at farm B. When evaluating litter characteristics, BMD treated sows had a lower number of stillborn piglets compared to control (P ≤ 0.05), although this observation is largely due to PS3 scored sows treated with BMD having lower stillborns compared to PS3 control sows. Although BMD administration did not reduce POP incidence in the current study, further investigation into the effect of BMD on incidence of stillborn piglets is warranted.
