The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of production stressors on live animal oxidative stress responses and postmortem meat quality. Dairy steers (n = 40; 110 +/- 11.8 kg body weight [BW]) were randomly allotted to 1 of 4 treatment groups (n =10/treatment): 1) control; 2) transport (TRANS), 4-h transport period; 3) lipopolysaccharide (LPS; intravenous administration 0.10 mu g/kg BW); and 4) vaccine (Mannheimia haemolytica toxoid vaccine; OneShot, Zoetis). Calves were fitted with indwelling jugular catheters on day -1. Plasma was isolated from whole blood at -1, -0.5, 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 h relative to application of treatments on day 0. Plasma was used to evaluate indicators of oxidative stress via colorimetric assays. Calves were humanely euthanized at 6 h after treatment application, where the entire Longissimus dorsi (LD) was collected, vacuum packaged, and aged 7 d postmortem. The LD from each calf was fabricated into 2.54-cm thick steaks and allotted to retail display for 0, 3, 6, or 9 d. Steaks aged 9 d were evaluated for instrumental and trained color evaluation every 12 h. All steaks were analyzed for malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations after aging. Time of treatment application or display, treatment type, and their interactions were analyzed with calves as a repeated measure using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS. Total antioxidant capacity was greatest (P < .001) across all challenge points for TRANS calves compared to other treatments antemortem. Discoloration was greatest in LPS and TRANS calf steaks toward the end of retail display (P = .011). Retail display & times; treatment (P = .01) resulted in the greatest concentration of MDA in TRANS calf steaks (P < .001). These data suggest that when stress is not managed properly antemortem, it may contribute to decreased color and lipid stability in postharvest meat products.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different stressors on physiological and innate immune variables in weaned dairy calves. Holstein steers (n = 40; 110 ± 11.8 kg body weight [BW]) were housed in individual pens in an environmentally controlled barn. Steers had ad libitum access to water and a starter ration. Steers were randomly allotted to four treatment groups (n = 10/treatment): (i) control (CON), (ii) transport (TRANS; transported in a livestock trailer for 4 h), (iii) lipopolysaccharide (LPS; administered i.v. 0.10 µg/kg BW), and (iv) vaccine (VAX; administered a Mannheimia haemolytica toxoid vaccine). One day prior to administration of stressors, indwelling jugular vein catheters and rectal temperature (RT) recording devices were placed in all steers. Whole blood was collected at -1, -0.5, 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 h relative to administration of stressors for serum, plasma, and hematology. There was a treatment × time interaction (P ≤ 0.01) for all hematology parameters except for hemoglobin and platelets. Monocyte, lymphocyte, neutrophil, and white blood cell concentrations were reduced (P ≤ 0.02) in steers administered LPS compared to all other treatments. For steers administered the VAX treatment, white blood cell and neutrophil concentrations and the neutrophil: lymphocyte ratio increased (P ≤ 0.04) 4 h post-treatment application compared to other treatments. There was a treatment × time interaction (P < 0.01) for RT where values increased in LPS and VAX steers at 1 and 4 h, respectively, while RT decreased in TRANS steers at 5 and 6 h. There was a treatment × time interaction (P < 0.01) for cortisol concentrations, where steers administered LPS produced the greatest increase in cortisol compared to all other treatments. There was a treatment × time interaction (P ≤ 0.02) for all cytokines except for interleukin-13 (P = 0.12). Concentrations of these cytokines remained greater in LPS and VAX steers compare to CON and TRANS. These data demonstrate the differential immune responses to common challenges experienced by dairy calves.

Objective: The objective was to determine the effects of liver abscesses on complete blood counts (CBC) and liver function and to identify blood -based biomarkers for detection of liver abscesses in feedlot cattle. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected on a subset of beef x dairy crossbred heifers with and without liver abscesses (n = 94; n = 113, respectively). From these blood samples, CBC and serum chemistry analytes related to liver health (alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transferase, bile acids, total bilirubin, and cholesterol) were analyzed to characterize animal health and model for liver abscesses. Abscess presence was predicted using logistic regression models and machine learning algorithms, with individual heifer serving as the experimental unit. Results and Discussion: In a binary system (abscessed or not), heifers with liver abscesses had lower concentrations of lymphocyte (LYM) and total white blood cell (WBC) concentrations but elevated platelet-to-LYM ratio. Serum chemistry measures were not affected by abscess presence or liver score (severity). In univariate, predictive modeling of CBC measures, only total WBC concentration was accurate (65.85%) at predicting liver abscess presence; however, this was not deemed an acceptable biomarker due to its poor specificity (54.79%). Using total WBC, basophils, red blood cells, and procalcitonin as variables to predict liver abscess condition, the LogitBoost model produced the greatest accuracy (80.65%) and specificity (85.71%). An accurate blood test that allows for the detection of liver abscesses during the finishing phase may allow for therapeutic management or alternative marketing of cattle; however, the marginal accuracy demonstrated in this study combined with the impracticality and cost of analyzing a blood sample may not be feasible. Regardless, the most explanatory CBC variables in cattle with abscessed livers were suggestive of an immune response. Implications and Applications: Liver condition influenced the CBC of beef x dairy heifers but not serum chemistry. Multivariate predictive models showed potential for predicting liver abscess condition based on CBC. The results of this study warrant further investigation for biomarkers of the liver abscess condition. An antemortem indicator for liver abscesses could prove useful for making management decisions and in research applications, particularly in evaluating interventions.

The United States plays a fundamental role in meeting the global demand for beef. Environmental concerns and volatile weather conditions have increasingly impacted beef production in recent years. To mitigate these issues, the cattle industry has begun to integrate sophisticated technological solutions into production processes. Utilization of these technologies, known as precision livestock farming (PLF) include the use of sensors, robotics, and big data analytics. PLF can enhance production and reduce illness-related losses by providing real-time insights for whole farm operations through the integration and analysis of generated data. PLF technology is still in the early stages of development and implementation, thus little is known about the factors impacting producer adoption in beef production. The objective of this study is to examine factors affecting adoption of PFL, particularly big data technology, in beef cattle production. Results of a binary probit analysis indicate that herd size and prior adoption of sensor-based technology positively affected the adoption of big data technology by U.S. beef producers. It was also found that producer age negatively impacted big data technology adoption. Results of this study were consistent with similar adoption assessments conducted on beef producers, in which farm size and farmer age were found to be common factors affecting technology adoption.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different stressors on physiological and innate immune variables in weaned dairy calves. Dairy steers [n = 40;10 ±1.8 kg body weight (BW)] were transported to the Calf Building at the USDA-ARS Livestock Issues Research Unit where they were housed in individual pens in an environmentally controlled room. Calves had ad libitum access to water and a starter ration. At arrival, calves were randomly allotted to four treatment groups (n = 10/treatment): 1) Control, 2) Transport (transported in a livestock trailer for 4 h), 3) Lipopolysaccharide (LPS; administered i.v. 0.10 µg /kg BW), 4) Vaccine (administered a Mannheimia Haemolyticatoxoid vaccine; OneShot, Zoetis). One day before application of stressors, indwelling jugular vein catheters and rectal temperature (RT) recording devices were placed in all calves. Whole blood was collected at -1, -0.5, 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 h relative to application of stressors for serum, plasma, and hematology. There was a treatment × time interaction (P ≤ 0.01) for all hematology parameters except for hemoglobin and platelets. Monocyte, lymphocyte, neutrophil, basophil, and white blood cell concentrations and the neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio were reduced (P < 0.02) in calves administered LPS compared with all other treatments. For calves administered the Vaccine treatment, white blood cell and neutrophil concentrations and the neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio increased (P < 0.04) 4 h post-challenge compared with other treatments. There was a treatment × time interaction (P < 0.01) for the change in RT relative to baseline values. The change in RT increased following administration of LPS and peaked at approximately 3 h post-challenge before decreasing to near baseline values. In contrast, RT began to increase 3 h post-challenge in calves administered the Vaccine treatment, where the greatest RT values were observed at 6 h post-challenge. There was a treatment x time interaction (P < 0.01) for cortisol concentrations, where calves administered LPS produced the greatest increase in cortisol compared with all other treatments. There was a treatment x time interaction (P < 0.01) for tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) and macrophage inflammatory protein-1b (MIP-1b). Concentrations of TNF-a remained greater in LPS and Vaccine calves compared with Control and Transport calves while MIP-1b concentrations remained omcreased for calves administered LPS compared with the other treatments. Results from this study suggest that common challenges experienced by dairy calves differentially influence physiological and immunological variables in weaned dairy calves.

The American Society of Animal Science Southern Section has a rich history of collaboration and hosts an annual professional development meeting for ASAS members. The Section meeting includes scientific presentations, academic quadrathlon, undergraduate and graduate student competitions, symposia, and networking opportunities for its members. The Section has used strategic collaborations to foster multi-state projects and initiatives. One of the key discipline focus areas of the Section is forage-based beef production systems. The Section holds two symposia focused on research, Extension, and industry topics related to beef cattle management. The Bill E. Kunkle Interdisciplinary Symposium was started in 2014 to honor the impact of Dr. Kunkle, University of Florida, and fosters multi-disciplinary communication of beef cattle science. The SERA 41 Symposium is part of the regional NIMSS project focus-group on improving production efficiency of the beef cow herd in the Southeast US. The NIMSS group works collectively to create partnerships and common goal-oriented projects across the Southern Section states. The section is also home to the Randel Physiology Lecture series which was formed in 2016 to highlight Dr. Ron Randel’s commitment to the Southern Section physiology section, and to promote high-quality science for the next generation of physiologists and endocrinologists. More than 25 peer-reviewed publications and several webinars have resulted from these symposia and invited lectureships. This creates a referenceable resource for scientists on emerging topics and identifies potential priority areas of focus for scientists within the Southern region. Another highlight of the Section is the collaborative work of the Extension committee. The Extension committee collaboratively fosters Extension program development across the Southern region. The committee developed a regional webinar series in 2015 for regional training of Extension agents on livestock and forage management topics. Subsequent in-service training courses have emerged through both virtual and in-person delivery. Training is primarily focused on forage-based livestock management systems. Through these opportunities, the Southern Section has remained a gathering point for professional engagement and should continue to evolve to meet the needs of animal scientists.

The objective of this study was to validate the shelf-life of marinated and frozen chicken tenderloins. Treatments were randomly assigned to the age of the tenderloins post-harvest, days aged (DA): DA4, DA5, DA6, DA7, and DA8. Microbial analyses were used to analyze the growth of aerobic, psychotropic, and lactobacilli bacteria to assess the shelf-life of bulk-packaged chicken tenderloins. Tenderloins were sampled fresh, then vacuum tumbled in a marinade. After marination, the tenderloins were sampled with the remaining tenderloins packaged and frozen (−25 °C). After freezing the chicken tenderloins were slacked in a refrigerated cooler (2.2 °C) for up to 132 h (h) and sampled at 36 h, then every 24 h following. After marination, each treatment significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in aerobic and psychotropic counts except DA4. During slacking, no treatment crossed the threshold of 106 CFU/mL (Log 6) set for this study. Though none crossed the threshold, treatments DA4, DA5, and DA6 had significant (p < 0.05) increases in aerobic bacteria after 7 days of age. The psychotropic bacteria continuously grew at each sampling period, with DA4 and DA5 surpassing the other treatments (p < 0.05) at 108 h and 132 h reaching 105 CFU/mL. Every treatment remained below the spoilage threshold, suggesting that this method of storage is suitable for chicken tenderloin shelf-life.

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to determine if immunosuppression altered Salmonella (SAL) translocation from the GI tract subsequently contaminating the carcass during fabrication.Materials and MethodsWeaned Holstein steer calves (n = 20; BW = 102 ± 2.7 kg) received dexamethasone (DEX; n = 10; 0.5mg/kg BW), a synthetic glucocorticoid, or saline (CON; n = 10; 0.5mg/kg BW) for 4 d (from d –1 to d 2) via a jugular catheter prior to oral inoculation of nalidixic acid resistant Salmonella Typhimurium (3.4×106 CFU/animal) via milk replacer on d 0. Fecal swabs were obtained daily to ensure SAL infection. Blood was collected to assess hematological markers of immunosuppression. Upon harvest (d 5), the ileum, cecal content, lymph nodes (ileocecal, mandibular, popliteal and prescapular), and synovial (stifle, coxofemoral, and shoulder) swabs were collected for the isolation of the inoculated strain of SAL. The trim obtained during fabrication was then ground separating both fore and hind quarters of each carcass. Ground beef samples were collected using a random grab method then combined for a composite sample for each fore quarter and each hind quarter for every carcass. The sample were diluted with 225ml of PBSResultsFollowing inoculation, 100% of DEX calves shed the experimental strain of SAL for 5 d, 90% of CON calves shed from d 1 to 3, and 100% of CON calves shed from d 4 to 5. A treatment by tissue interaction (P < 0.01) was observed for SAL in tissues collected at harvest. Greater (P < 0.001) concentrations of SAL were quantified from the cecum of DEX calves (3.86 ± 0.37 log10 CFU) than CON (1.37 ± 0.37 log10 CFU); There was no difference in SAL concentrations between DEX and CON calves in ileal tissue (P = 0.07), nor ileocecal (P = 0.57), mandibular (P = 0.12), popliteal (P = 0.99), or prescapular (P = 0.83) lymph nodes. Salmonella was isolated from the stifle joint of one calf in the CON group; however, SAL was not isolated from any other joint fluids sampled. The prevalence of SAL in the ground beef samples was recovered in 7 of the 80 (8.75%) samples taken. This is important to note as it was 3.3% of swabs collected from the CON treatment and the opportunity exists for stifle joint fluid to come in contact with meat during hind quarter fabrication.ConclusionThe observed data suggests that the grab method for ground beef sampling may not be a correct quantification of overall presence of SAL in a ground beef sample. Therefore, further studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of pathogen sampling methods on ground beef.

Nutritional management during the backgrounding phase may influence beef calf performance and ease-of-transition into the feedyard. The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of various diets on performance of calves during backgrounding, transportation, and arrival at a feedyard. In June 2019, 119 fall-born steers (n = 79, 266 ± 34 kg BW) and heifers (n = 40, 236 ± 26 kg BW) at E.V. Smith Research Center (Shorter, AL) were weaned and randomly assigned to one of four diets (3 pens per dietary treatment, 10 calves per pen): cool-season baleage (oats, annual ryegrass, and crimson clover; B), cool-season baleage and 1% BW of a commercial, high-energy grower supplement (BC), cool-season baleage and 1% BW dried distiller’s grains with solubles (DDGS; BD), or ‘Tifton 85’ bermudagrass hay and 1% BW DDGS (HD). After a 10-d acclimation period, calves began a 60-d backgrounding trial and were weighed at d 0, d 30, and d 60. There was a diet × period interaction (P = 0.0017) such that ADG decreased from 0.38 to 0.19 kg/d for calves on B, while in treatments with supplementation, calves maintained gains of 0.67 kg/d or greater into the second, 30-d period. After the end of the backgrounding trial, calves were transported to Hy-Plains Feedyard in Montezuma, KS. Calves were weighed prior to transport, immediately after transport, after 24 h rest, and 7 d on feed. Immediately after tranport, B calves had the greatest shrink (12.8%, P < 0.001) compared to calves that had received supplemental feed (10.1%). After 7 d, B calves regained the lowest percentage of pre-shipping BW (93.5% weight, P < 0.01) compared to calves that had received supplemental feed (96.3% weight). These data suggest that supplementing forage-based diets may provide a performance advantage during the preconditioning phase and better prepare calves for transportation and the transition into the feedyard.

A total of 96 pigs (Yorkshire; 54.3 +/- 3.4 kg body weight) were used to investigate the effect of dietary lipid (0 or 1% flaxseed oil + 1, 3, or 5% poultry fat for the diets supplemented with lipids) and vitamin E (11 or 220 IU vitamin E/kg) supplementation in a 4 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments on the physical and organoleptic characteristics and fatty acid (FA) profile of pork, and the expression of genes associated with lipid metabolism. Forty-eight pens containing 2 gilts or 2 castrated males were randomly assigned to 8 treatments with 3 gilt pens and 3 castrated male pens per treatment. Pigs were harvested when they reached approximately 110 kg. Muscle and adipose tissue samples at the last rib were collected to determine the expression of genes associated with lipid metabolism. Loin muscle samples were collected for the determination of the physical and organoleptic characteristics and FA profile of pork. The percentage of the saturated FA and monounsaturated FA decreased linearly (P < 0.012), while the percentage of omega-6 polyunsaturated FA (PUFA), total PUFA, and C18:2 omega 6c increased linearly (P < 0.001) as dietary lipids increased. Flaxseed oil supplementation increased C18:3 omega 3, Cc20:3 omega 3, and C20:5 omega 3, and decreased the omega-6 to omega-3 FA and the linoleic acid to alpha-linolenic acid ratios (P < 0.001). The content of omega-3 PUFA or highly unsaturated omega-3 FA was greatest in pigs fed the diet containing 2% lipids (quadratic, P < 0.001). Serum alpha-tocopherol content was greater (P < 0.001) in pigs fed the diet containing 220 IU than those fed the diet containing 11 IU vitamin E/kg. Dietary lipid supplementation had no effect on serum alpha-tocopherol content. Dietary treatments had no effects on Wamer-Bratzler shear force, cooking loss, lipid content, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance content of the loin muscle. Similarly, no major differences were observed on the organoleptic characteristics of pork or the expression of genes associated with lipid metabolism. In conclusion, feeding flaxseed oil and poultry fat to finisher pigs was effective in improving the nutritional value of pork as indicated by omega-6 to omega-3 FA ratio without negatively affecting organoleptic characteristics or oxidative stability of pork.

The objective of this study was to quantify the effect of shipping to feedyards in western Kansas from the Southeast on the immune response of beef steers using complete blood counts. Angus- and Hereford-sired steers (n = 24, BW = 266.3±24.9 kg) from E.V. Smith Research Center in Shorter, AL, were weaned on June 14, 2018. The following day, blood was collected for analysis. These calves were a subset from a larger project involving grazing. As such, calves were then maintained in drylots for 14 d until grazing was available. Once grazing was initiated, these calves were placed in drylot pens with a diet consisting of dry hay with supplemented with 1% of BW of dried distiller’s grains with solubles. After 80 d, half of the calves were shipped (n = 12, SC) to Hy-Plains Feedyard, LLC. in Montezuma, KS. Immediately prior to shipment, immediately post-shipment, and after 24-hr rest, blood was collected. Blood was also collected from the unshipped calves (UC) at similar time points. Whole blood collected at each time point was analyzed for complete blood counts. The data was analyzed using the Mixed Procedure in SAS. No significant differences (P > 0.05) were detected post-weaning or pre-shipping. Immediately post-shipment, white blood cell, and neutrophil counts were greater in SC while lymphocytes counts were less (P < 0.05) than UC; however, these were not different after 24-hr rest (P > 0.05). Hematocrit and monocyte count were elevated in SC both immediately post-shipping and after 24 hr of rest (P <0.05), while reticulocyte count was lower in SC at those same time points (P < 0.05). Basophil counts were lower in SC at the 24-hr rest time point (P = 0.03). Results of this study indicate that SC did not completely rehydrate after 24 hr of rest and complete blood counts show differences in immune response due to shipping

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of daily dexamethasone (DEX) infusions on hematology and body temperature in response to experimental, oral inoculation with Salmonella typhimurium. Weaned Holstein steer calves (n = 20; BW=102±2.7 kg) received DEX (n = 10; 0.5mg/kg BW) or saline (CON; n = 10; 0.5mg/kg BW) for 4 d (from d -1 to d 2) while simultaneously receiving an oral inoculation of a naldixic acid resistant Salmonella typhimurium (3.4x106 CFU/animal) via milk replacer on d 0. Fecal swabs for SAL shedding were obtained daily and samples were confirmed positive starting 24 h post inoculation (d 1) to harvest (d 5). Dexamethasone (DEX) administration was achieved via indwelling jugular catheters which were fitted simultaneously with rectal temperature (RT) recording devices on d −2 relative to inoculation and placed in individual pens in an environmentally controlled facility. Whole blood was collected at -24, -12, and 0 h; and at 8-h intervals from 8 to 120 h for hematology. There was a time x treatment (There should be) for RT such that the DEX treatment resulted in a decreased RT on d -1 to 2. A treatment × time interaction (P < 0.05) was observed for total white blood cells (WBC), neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, and monocytes. Specifically, DEX increased WBC and neutrophils in DEX steers (P < 0.0001) yet lymphocytes increased following DEX administration (P < 0.05 at 24 and 48 h, respectively). Monocytes initially increased (P < 0.001) in response to the -24 h DEX treatment but slowly decreased beyond CON group levels following the 48 h DEX treatment. These data may be interpreted as either mimicking multiple acute stressors with respect to daily DEX injections, mild immunosuppression due to multiple DEX exposures, or a combination of both scenarios when juxtaposing DEX and Salmonella inoculation.

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate if diet during the background phase has an effect on complete blood counts as an indicator of the stress response and immune function of calves shipped to feedyards in western Kansas from the Southeast. One hundred twenty (n = 120) Angus- and Hereford-sired steers (n = 60, 237.9±21.6 kg BW) and heifers (n = 60, 227.6±17.9 kg BW) from the E.V. Smith Research Center in Shorter, AL, were weaned on June 14, 2018. The following day, calves were weighed and blood was collected for analysis. Calves were then held in drylots for 14 d until forages reached an adequate height to begin grazing. Calves were then stratified by weight and randomly assigned to four dietary treatments, with three pens per treatment: Grazing (G), Grazing with supplement (GS), dry hay with supplement (HS), or baleage with supplement (BS). Dried distiller’s grains with solubles fed at 1% of BW was used in each diet including supplementation. After 80 d on treatment diets, calves were shipped to Hy-Plains Feedyard, LLC. in Montezuma, KS. Immediately prior to shipment, immediately post-shipment, and after 24 hr rest, blood was collected for analysis. Whole blood collected at each of the four times points was analyzed for complete blood counts using a ProCyte Dx Hematology Analyzer. The data were analyzed using the Mixed Procedure in SAS. While no significant differences (P > 0.05) were detected post-weaning and prior to initiation of dietary treatments, differences across diets were seen in red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, reticulocyte count, platelet count, white blood cell count, neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, and basophil counts (P < 0.05). Results of this study show that post-weaning backgrounding diets can have an effect on immune response to shipping stress

In people with type 2 diabetes (T2D), the presence of microvascular disease is associated with increased risk for macrovascular events [(1)][1]. Of particular interest is whether microvascular disease is a risk factor for heart failure (HF) or has a role in its pathophysiology [(2)][2]. The

Dietary lipid supplementation can reduce de novo lipogenesis and increase intramuscular fat content of pork simultaneously, and vitamin E supplementation can increase the oxidative stability of pork. A total of 96 pigs (Yorkshire) were used to investigate the effect of dietary lipid (0 or 1% flaxseed oil + 1, 3, or 5% poultry fat for diets supplemented with lipids) and vitamin E (11 or 220 IU/kg) supplementation in a 4 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments on growth performance, serum metabolites, and carcass traits of finisher pigs, and physical characteristics of pork. Forty-eight pens containing 2 gilts or 2 castrated males per pen were randomly assigned to 8 diets with 3 gilt pens and 3 castrated male pens per treatment. Pigs were switched from finisher-1 [initial body weight (BW): 54.3 +/- 3.4 kg] to finisher-2 diets when the average pen BW reached 84.1 +/- 4.0 kg. Standardized ileal digestible Lys and Ca and P were adjusted with the DE content accordingly to maintain constant Lys, Ca, and P to DE ratios. Pigs were harvested when they reached the target BW of 110.0 +/- 3.0 kg. There were no lipid x vitamin E interactions in growth performance. As dietary lipids increased from 0 to 6%, average daily feed intake decreased linearly (P < 0.018) and gain to feed ratio improved linearly (P < 0.001) during the finisher-1, finisher-2, and overall phases. Supplementation with 220 IU vitamin E/kg reduced the efficiency of feed, Lys, and DE utilization for BW gain (P < 0.036) during the finisher-1 and overall phases. As dietary lipids increased, serum cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations increased linearly (P < 0.003). Supplementation of the diet with 1% flaxseed oil + 1, 3, or 5% poultry fat resulted in greater serum total protein, albumin, cholesterol, and triglyceride concentrations (P < 0.037) compared with no lipid supplementation. Pigs fed the diets containing 0, 2, and 4% lipids and supplemented with 220 IU vitamin E/kg had greater 10th rib BF and lower fat-free lean than those fed the dies contained 11 IU vitamin E/kg, whereas 10th rib BF was lower and fat-free lean was greater in pigs those fed the diet containing 6% lipids and supplemented with 200 IU vitamin E/kg than those fed the diet contained 11 IU vitamin E/kg (lipid x vitamin E, P < 0.020). Dietary lipids had no effect on subjective marbling score and ether extract content of loin muscle or most other pork and loin muscle characteristics, but belly thickness and width increased (linear, P < 0.040) as dietary lipids increased. Vitamin E supplementation increased marbling score (P = 0.042), but it had no clear effect on loin muscle color (subjective, and L*, a*, and b*), ham and loin muscle pH, loin muscle characteristics, or belly firmness. As expected, feed intake decreased and feed efficiency improved progressively with increasing dietary lipid supplementation from 0 to 6%. Although there were interactions, dietary lipids seemed to have no clear effects on the carcass BF or fat-free lean. Similarly, dietary supplementation with 1% flaxseed oil + 1, 3, or 5% poultry fat had no effect on subjective marbling score or ether extract content of loin muscle. Supplementation with 220 IU vitamin E/kg increased carcass leanness with 6% dietary lipids, but increased carcass BF with 0 to 4% dietary lipids. Vitamin E supplementation increased subjective marbling score, but seemed to have no clear effects on loin muscle color, ham and loin muscle pH, loin muscle characteristics, or pork belly firmness.

Increasing consumer demands markets for local and regional foods emphasize the need for bridging the gap between large and small beef processing plants to overcome foodborne illnesses due to pathogens associated with such foods. The current study evaluates operational differences in small and very small plants, which contribute to the efficacy of interventions and their impact on prevalence of aerobic bacteria, total coliforms, and E. coli. A total of 5 beef processing plants were sampled (2 USDA inspected, 1 state inspected, and 2 custom state inspected plants). It was observed that small plants achieved the greatest reduction (0.92 log(10) CFU/sq. cm) during initial processing. Very small local plants obtained the largest overall log reductions (0.8-2.1 log(10) CFU/cm(2)) of E. coli O157:H7 on beef carcasses. Further identification revealed higher prevalence of E. ca. O157 (84.2%) and STEC (55.2%) in the large plants and molecular characterization of the 19 confirmed STEC isolates revealed 57.89% of the isolates being E. coil O103, while 0.05% were identified as E. coli 026. Results from our study provide insight to differences in operational capabilities between large and small beef processors that can assist in beef safety research to mitigate foodborne illness.

A critical problem in the field of meat science is the lack of understanding of consumer handling practices during transport from retail to residence. The objective of this study was to investigate consumer behaviors regarding fresh beef product handling, specifically during the period of transport from retail to residence, utilizing an electronic questionnaire. A 13-item questionnaire utilizing the Qualtrics survey platform was distributed across the United States through web-based platforms. A 43 d response period generated 1,554 responses with 1,484 completed questionnaires yielding a 95.5% completion rate. The survey revealed 46.9% of respondents shop between 17:00 h and 20:59 h. Exactly 42.5% of respondents checkout between 11 and 20 min after fresh beef product selection and placement in cart. Upon check-out, 79.6% of respondents return home from the grocery store in 20 min or less. Fresh beef products are most commonly placed in either the rear seat/floor of the vehicle or the trunk/cargo space for transport. Of the 25.8% of respondents who ran errands with a fresh beef product left in the vehicle, 60.6% admitted to leaving the fresh beef product in the vehicle between 6 and 20 min. Approximately, 55.7% do not use an insulted container to transport fresh beef products. For respondents who did use an insulated container, a bag is most commonly used for temperature abuse protection during vehicular transport. The questionnaire revealed age, gender, ethnicity, and level of attained education influenced handling behavior in retail and during transport to residence (P < 0.05). Results indicate the need for continued dissemination of proper handling behaviors as well as scientific data to support the suggestions.

Neutral electrolyzed oxidizing (NEO) water is a nonthermal and less corrosive antimicrobial treatment that has been demonstrated to have efficacy in reducing microbial contamination in food, including meat, fresh fruit, and vegetables. However, NEO water treatments can cause sublethal injury to pathogenic cells, resulting in cells that retain their viability. Consequently, these sublethally injured pathogenic cells become a serious food safety concern. This study evaluated the formation of sublethally injured Yersinia enterocolitica , Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis cells by NEO water treatments and the potential cross protection against heat, pH, NaCl, or bile salt stresses that it may generate. No cross protection was observed. By combining NEO water treatments with sublethal levels of additional stresses, significant synergistic antimicrobial outcomes were achieved. These results indicate that mild processing treatments, when combined, can effectively reduce pathogen populations while minimizing the negative impacts on food quality.

Crossbred heifers (n = 64; animal was the experimental unit) were assigned to 1 of 8 treatments in a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement, with 4 treatment days-on-feed (DOF; 79, 100, 121, 142) and 2 levels of ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC) supplementation (0 or 300 mg × hd–1 × d–1). At 24 h postmortem, carcass traits were determined by trained personnel and longissimus samples were removed for muscle fiber type analyses. Boneless strip loins (IMPS #180) were fabricated and vacuum-packaged at 24 h postmortem and aged for 21 d, cut into 2.54 cm thick steaks, then frozen for no longer than 6 mo. After thawing for 24 h, Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) and trained sensory panel analyses were conducted. Marbling was greater (P < 0.05) for control (CON; 0 mg x hd-1 x d-1 ractopamine hydrochloride) heifers than RAC heifers fed for either 79 or 100 d, but lower (P < 0.05) for CON heifers than RAC heifers fed for either 121 or 142 DOF. Feeding RAC had no effect (P > 0.05) on carcass traits, muscle fiber histology, or meat quality. The addition of RAC had no effect (P > 0.05) on Warner-Bratzler shear force. Feeding RAC had no negative impacts on carcass traits or meat quality and actually improved marbling scores in longer-fed heifers.