Forage legumes, besides their use as ruminant feed supplements, contribute to other agricultural, forestry and natural ecosystems’ sustainability around the world. Our objective in this summary is to emphasize that versatility in the face of biotic, abiotic and socio-economic variability is among the most important traits that forage legumes contribute to sustaining human populations in those diverse ecosystems. Forage legumes could contribute even more to agroecosystems if we 1. consider ecosystem services as well as food, feed and fuel production; 2. more fully exploit what we already know about forage legumes’ multiple uses; and 3. focus greater attention and energy exploring and expanding versatility in currently used and novel versatile species. To draw attention to the importance of this versatility to sustainable grasslands, here we review multiple legumes’ roles as forage, bioenergy, pulses (legume seeds for human consumption), pharmaceuticals and cover crops as well as environmental services, in particular soil health, C sequestration and non-industrial organic N. The major points we single out as distinguishing sustainable versatile forage legumes include (1) multiple uses; (2) adaptation to a wide range of edaphoclimatic conditions; (3) flexible economic contributions; and (4) how genomics can harness greater legume versatility. We predict that, because of this versatility, forage legumes will become ever more important as climates change and human pressures on sustainable agro-environments intensify.

Background: Biochar (BC) amendment to soils can affect crop yields negatively, especially during the first season following application, by binding essential nutrients; however, little data exist on its effects on warm-climate forage yields and nutritive values. We determined the effects of BC (0, 5, 10 Mg DM ha(-1)), dairy manure (0 and 10 Mg DM ha(-1)), soil type (loamy sand, sandy loam, clay loam), and tillage practices (till [incorporation of soil amendments with tillage] vs. no till [soil amendments surface application]) on the nutrient profile and dry matter yield (DMY) of Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.), maize (Zea mays L.), and sorghum-Sudan (Sorghum drummondii (Nees ex Steud.) Millsp. & Chase). Methods: Bermudagrass was harvested at the boot stage, sorghum-Sudan when the canopy reached 90% light interception, and the maize 90-120 days after planting as silage. Samples were dried and analyzed for nutrients and DMY. Results: BC and manure application were not detrimental to forage production or nutritive value to cattle in the first growing season. Conclusions: Effects varied across tillage and soil type; thus, it is essential to consider soil texture and nutrient makeup before choosing the proper tillage and amendments. Longer study periods may produce different results since, over time, BC can act as a slow-release source of nutrients.

Microbiomes have become an increasingly important field of study in the past decade, with data supporting microbial roles in disease control, metabolic efficiency, and more. Microbial DNA is detectable outside the digestive tract, including in blood. Bloodborne pathogens such as hemotrophic Mycoplasma are endemic in cattle. Hemoplasmas are associated with reduced male fertility and decreased milk production in dairy cattle, but their impact on beef cattle remains unclear. Strain variability, such as between the Massachusetts and INFAP01 strains of Mycoplasma wenyonii, may complicate detection. Coinfection with multiple species likely contributes to disease progression from latent to acute infection. To assess microbial DNA in blood and quantify erythrocytic M. wenyonii, blood was collected from 120 beef cattle in Erath County, Texas: 61 cows, 55 calves, and 4 bulls. DNA was extracted and used to prepare 16S rRNA V4 libraries and perform PCR. After rarefaction, ASVs were analyzed and separated into four groups: adult females (n = 61), adult males (n = 4), juvenile males (n = 27), and juvenile females (n = 28). Statistical analysis revealed differences in Actinobacteria by sex (p < 0.001) and higher Bartonella and Mycoplasma abundances in adults (p < 0.001). PCR revealed that M. wenyonii infection was more frequent in adult females (p = 0.006), suggesting age-related variation in infection.

Background and aim Soil salinity presents major constraint for symbiotic root-microbe interactions and overall crop productivity. While compost amendments are effective, availability is limited in drylands where salinity is prevalent. As an alternative approach, we investigated the foliar application of signaling compounds. Methods In this study, cowpea plants were evaluated under the treatments of foliar application of strigolactones (SL), salicylic acid (SA), SL and SA or SLSA, and coumarins (CMR), under soil amendment with gypsum (GP) and compost (CMP), and unamended natural saline soil as the control soil (CS) treatment. The microbiome structure in the rhizosphere, roots, leaves, and seeds were assessed, along with root traits, nodulation, arbuscular mycorrhizal (AMF) colonization, nutrient concentrations, and biomass yield. Results Several treatments exhibited positive effects, with CMP and SLSA yielding the most comprehensive improvements. The SLSA outperformed CMP in enhancing nodulation and AMF colonization. Only CMP induced a significant shift in the rhizosphere and root microbiome structure, while the leaf and seed microbiomes remained stable. An AMF Rhizophagus in the rhizosphere and AMF Diversispora in the root endosphere of SLSA treatment, and Actinobacteria and Streptomyces in the root endosphere of the SLSA treatment showed increased abundance. The increased abundance of several microbial groups with SLSA indicated their effectiveness as beneficial keystone taxa, which appears to be an influential factor for impacting salinity tolerance in the legume. Conclusions Overall, these findings confirm that the application of signaling compounds is a viable strategy for enhancing symbiotic root-microbe interactions and improving plant productivity in saline soils.

The increasing use of antibiotics in livestock poses environmental risks, leading to contamination of agricultural soils and propagation of microbial antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs). This study examined the impacts of wood- and manure-derived biochar (BC) on antibiotic residues, ARGs, and microbial communities in sandy loam and clay loam soils amended with manure in Cynodon dactylon pastures. We hypothesized that BC amendments would influence the degradation of antibiotics and the structure of microbial communities based on their physicochemical properties and soil types. Our results demonstrated that wood BC reduced the concentrations of tetracycline and sulfonamides, particularly in sandy loam soil, due to its larger surface area and hydrophobic properties. In contrast, manure BC provided additional nutrients and supported atmospheric nitrogen-fixing microbial groups, especially in clay loam soil, while exhibiting variable efficiency in reducing antibiotic residues due to its lower surface area and higher ash content. These findings underscore the differential impacts of each BC type, emphasizing the need for tailored BC applications based on soil type to effectively mitigate antibiotic contamination and promote sustainable agricultural practices. In conclusion, wood BC was more effective in enhancing soil health by reducing antibiotic residues and improving microbial diversity, particularly in sandy loam soils, while manure BC was beneficial for nutrient cycling in clay loam soils.

Yearling rough-stock bulls (n = 38) were utilized in a randomized complete block design to evaluate dietary hempseed meal (HSM) inclusion on growth (ADG), intake (DMI), and efficiency (F:G). Bulls were blocked by body weight (BW), grouped into 10 pens (n = 3–4 bulls/pen), and randomly assigned to an HSM or control supplement treatment (CON; 72.5% cottonseed meal, 14.5% soy hulls, 13% fat). Treatments were offered at 10%, while 90% was fed as a mixed ration [50% Bermuda grass hay, 40% textured commercial feed (10% CP)]. Diet samples were dried and DMI was calculated. F:G was evaluated using DMI and ADG. Blood for plasma analysis and BW were obtained on sample days, prior to feed delivery. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure in SAS version 9.4. The results were considered significant when p ≤ 0.050. There was no treatment × time interaction, or treatment effect for interim BW, ADG, or F:G (p ≥ 0.100). A treatment × time interaction occurred for DMI (p < 0.01), and BW (p = 0.01) increased in all bulls over time, while ADG decreased (p = 0.005), suggesting that interim live performance was not affected by HSM. Plasma urea nitrogen increased over time (p < 0.001) in all bulls, with greater concentrations observed in HSM bulls (p = 0.043).

Abstract Biochar has been studied as a soil amendment for the storage of stable carbon in the soil, contributing to carbon capture and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions. There may be potential for biochar use as a feed additive to reduce enteric methane (CH4) emissions from growing beef cattle, but it may be dependent on several factors, including biomass source, production methodology, biochar particle size, and several others. Thus, our objective was to determine the effects of 3 different biochars and their level of inclusion on in vitro gas production dynamics of bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) hay. Biochars included yellow pine wood (W, Waste to Energy Inc., Slocomb, AL), yellow pine wood modified with calcium hydroxide (CW), and dairy cattle manure (M, Ecochar, Heehugowaard, Netherlands). Air-dried bermudagrass hay with or without biochars was incubated for 48 h with fresh rumen inoculum collected from 4 ruminally cannulated steers. Biochars were investigated at 3 inclusion levels (IL; IL.5 = 0.5%, IL1 = 1.0%, and IL2 = 2.0% of DM). Four incubations were performed. Incubations were performed in an unbalanced, incomplete randomized block design as inclusion levels differed among incubations, with IL.5 only included in the first two incubations (Group1) and IL2 only included in the last two incubations (Group2), but IL1 was included in all four incubations, and it was used to scale the IL.5 and IL2 variables linearly. Enumeration of CH4 production was performed for all samples. Statistical analyses were performed using PROC GLIMMIX of SAS version 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). Data were evaluated by group, with biochar, IL, and biochar × IL included in the model, and incubation included as a random variable. There were no effects of biochar, IL, or biochar × IL for either group on any of the fermentation dynamics (P ≥ 0.05), including total gas production, fractional rate of gas production, and lag time before initiation of gas production, for either the exponential or log 2-pool functions. Additionally, there were no differences in grams of CH4 production (P ≥ 0.12) for either group. To compare biochars at all IL, relative CH4 production was explored after adjusting values for IL1 and IL2 in the last two incubations based on the difference in CH4 produced at IL1 in the first two incubations. In terms of relative CH4 production, the M biochar produced approximately 16 and 28% less CH4 than W and CW, respectively, at IL1. Our results indicate that M biochar may allow for reduced CH4 production from beef cattle, but several factors, including biomass source, production methodology, and particle size, should be considered to understand the differences better. Ultimately, further research is warranted to evaluate biochar in greater depth as a feed additive for growing beef cattle.

We compared the effects of wood-, manure-, and blend-derived biochar (BC) saturated/unsaturated with dairy effluents on Vigna unguiculata and Cynodon dactylon performance and soil characteristics in a greenhouse pot study. Plant samples were assayed for herbage and root dry weight and N and C percentages. Soil samples were assayed for nutrients, pH, and conductivity. Variance analysis, Tukey’s tests, Pearson’s correlations, and multiple regression analysis were performed. The performance of C. dactylon was not affected. V. unguiculata’s herbage and root production responded negatively to manure BC and 2% of any BC, respectively, which is mainly explained by the conductivity and soil P increase, respectively. When V. unguiculata was grown, BC inclusion decreased NO3-N and increased the soil P content. When C. dactylon was grown, only P was altered (increased) when manure or the blend BC were applied. The soil total C increased as the BC loading rate increased. The application of high BC rates was detrimental for V. unguiculata, but showed a neutral effect for C. dactylon. To improve dairy waste recycling, saturated 1% blend BC and saturated 2% blend or manure BC could be applied to V. unguiculata and C. dactylon, respectively, with no short-term negative impacts. Only wood BC avoided soil P build-up. BC application increased the soil total C, showing potential for C sequestration.

Studies have determined the separate effects of biochar (BC) and manure application on forage species and soil, but few examined the effects of BCs made from different feedstock applied along with dairy manure. We compared the effect of wood- and manure-derived feedstock BC as well as dairy manure amendment application on Cynodon dactylon performance and soil properties in sandy loam and clay loam soils in a greenhouse pot study. Plant samples were assayed for herbage and root dry weight as well as herbage and root N and C percent and yield. Soil samples were assayed for macronutrients, micronutrients, metals, pH and conductivity. Data analyses involved variance analysis and Tukey’s tests using R in RStudio (the IDE). In general, C. dactylon yields or mineral content were not affected by either manure or BC. However, an increase in the total herbage dry weight (30%) and in herbage N% (55%) was observed for clay loam and sandy loam soil, respectively, due to manure amendment application. There were no alterations in clay loam NO3-N and P due to any treatment; however, in sandy loam, these nutrients were not altered only when wood BC was applied. In sandy loam soil, NO3-N and P increased when manure BC along with dairy manure and when manure BC alone were applied, respectively. Thus, wood BC application should be considered to avoid these nutrient buildups when dairy manure is used as a soil amendment. This research shows a neutral (BC) or positive (dairy manure amendment) impact on C. dactylon performance. BC incorporation increases soil total C, showing potential for C sequestration. Long-term field trials could corroborate plant performance and soil parameters.

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is gathering information about the safety and efficacy of hemp and its derivatives as potential animal feedstuffs. Yearling rough-stock bulls (n = 38) were used in a randomized complete block design to evaluate the effects of hempseed meal (HSM) as a concentrate ingredient on growth, dry matter intake (DMI), and efficiency. Bulls were blocked by body weight (BW), grouped into 10 pens (n = 3 or 4 bulls/pen), and randomly assigned to hempseed meal (HSM) or a control supplement treatment (CON; 72.5% cottonseed meal, 14.5% soy hulls, and 13% fat). Ingredients for CON were used because they were common commercial commodities and were formulated to match the macronutrients of HSM. Treatments were top-dressed at 10% of the diet, while 90% was fed as a mixed ration [50% bermudagrass hay, 40% textured commercial feed (10% CP)]. Feed delivery, treatment delivery, and orts were recorded daily. Diet samples were dried and used to calculate dry matter intake (DMI). Blood for urea-N (SUN; VetScan Chemistry Analyzer) and BW were obtained on days 0, 21, 42, and 63. Efficiency was evaluated for each period using DMI and average daily gain (ADG). Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure in SAS 9.4. Results were considered significant at P < 0.05, and tendencies were discussed at 0.05 > P > 0.10. No treatment×time interaction occurred for BW (P = 0.999), ADG (P = 0.563), interim DMI (P = 0.672), feed efficiency (P = 0.254), or SUN (P = 0.170). Treatment did not affect BW (320.4 and 324.69 ± 121.57 kg for CON and HSM, respectively, P = 0.996), but BW increased over time (261.13 ± 74.71 and 322.5 ± 121.57 kg, initial and final BW, respectively, P = 0.001). No treatment effect on ADG occurred (0.73 and 0.84 ± 0.13 kg for CON and HSM, respectively, P = 0.680). However, ADG decreased over time (1.0 ± 0.29, 1.19 ± 0.21 and 0.79 ± 0.13 kg, d0-21, d21-42, and d42-63, respectively, P = 0.005). Daily DMI resulted in a treatment×time interaction, where HSM often consumed more DM than CON (P < 0.01). Interim DMI increased over time (7.44 ± 1.25, 7.84 ± 0.98, and 8.18 ± 0.82 kg, d0-21, d21-42, and d42-63, respectively, P = 0.0073), but when combined with ADG to determine feed efficiency, the main effects were not different (P ≥ 0.17). Over time, SUN increased (4.91, 10.52, 11.66 and 12.72 ± 0.35 mg/dL for days 0, 21, 42 and 63, respectively, P < 0.001), and HSM had greater SUN than CON (10.46 and 9.45 ± 0.30 mg/dL for HSM and CON, respectively, P = 0.0426). These data suggest that bulls fed HSM at 10% diet DM perform similarly to bulls fed the same nutrient profile of standard commercial feed ingredients, indicating comparable nutrient availability between the treatments. Conversely, increased DMI and SUN in the HSM bulls suggest a difference in nitrogen metabolism between the treatments that warrants further investigation.

Although various studies have investigated biochar (BC) soil amendments for improving soil microbial abundance, functions, and community structure, a comparison of dairy manure biochar (MBC) to wood biochar (WBC) is warranted given the large volume of manure produced in high-intensity dairy production. Additionally, the synergistic effects of different BC sources and loading percentages on microbial functions and community composition using massively parallel 16S DNA sequencing in BC-amended soils with different types of crops are limited. In this study, the synergistic effects of BC type, BC loading percentage, and crop types on soil fertility, prokaryote community diversity, and functions were investigated in a greenhouse study. The MBC and WBC were used to amend sandy loam soils at increasing BC loading percentages (0, 5, and 10%) to grow the cool-season forages crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum; an annual legume) and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.; an annual forage grass) for 120 days. High nutrient concentrations in MBC shifted microbial communities towards r-strategists and alkaliphiles, potentially increasing the rate of nutrient bioremediation from high nitrogen- and phosphorus-containing soil amendments. This study enables emerging biochar agronomic use recommendations with different crops.

Soil organic and inorganic carbon (SOC & SIC) and microbial community structure are key indicators of soil quality and productivity in arid-saline soils. Salinity stress and diminishing availability of freshwater (FW) for irrigation are major constraints for productivity and improving soil quality indicators. Using treated wastewater (TW) and implementing climate-smart cropping systems are promising alternatives to replace freshwater usage in intensive cropping systems, however, impacts on the microbial community and net-carbon sequestration potential are not clearly understood. This field study was conducted in an arid saline-soil to investigate soil microbial community structure and soil carbon contents under a combination of treatments comparing bioenergy sorghum (So) and switchgrass (Sg), two irrigation water sources (FW & TW), and gypsum amendment (GA), to a native-soil control. After three years of implementing these treatments, soil samples were collected and analyzed for total carbon (TC), SOC, SIC, microbial biomass-carbon (MBC) and microbial community structure. Results showed that TW increased microbial diversity and shifted the community structure towards copiotroph-dominated prokaryotes. Several predominant and responsive taxa were associated with divergent trends of SOC, SIC and salinity parameters. Both SOC and SIC pools were sensitive to treatments and demonstrated divergent trends, as contents of TC and SOC were higher in TW-treatments, but of SIC were significantly lower in several So_TW treatments. Treatment TW_So_GA assembled a distinctive microbial community structure, accumulated the highest content of SOC (7.66 g kg−1) but recorded the lowest content of SIC (6.63 g kg−1). The lowest content of SOC was observed in native soil (4.58 g kg−1) but contained the highest SIC (8.15 g kg−1). The study results revealed the agronomic systems with higher potential for increasing TC and SOC content in arid-saline soils. Surface soil SIC was responsive to agronomic management, and several treatments produced disparate impacts on SOC and SIC stocks, which warrant for considering TC as the key indicator for assessing carbon sequestration in arid lands.

Monensin, a carboxylic polyether ionophore, is commonly added to ruminant diets as a strategy for improving animal production by altering ruminal fermentation. However, research concerning the effect of monensin withdrawal is limited. Therefore, the effect of monensin withdrawal and the subspecies of cattle on the rumen prokaryote microbiome was evaluated using ruminally cannulated steers (5 Bos indicus, BI and 5 Bos taurus, BT; 398 kg BW) consuming bermudagrass hay (13.7% CP). Subspecies were concurrently subjected to a two period, two treatment crossover design. Each 70-d period consisted of a 42 d adaptation phase with treatments including 0 (CON) or 200 (MON) mg·animal-1 monensin (Rumensin 90; Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN) fed in 0.91 kg dried distillers grains with solubles daily. Withdrawal of monensin was then evaluated for a 28-d phase following adaptation. Rumen fluid was collected via suction strainer from the dorsal and ventral sacs of the rumen at feeding on d 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28 of the withdrawal phase and frozen until further analysis. Upon completion of the trial, samples were thawed and analyzed for microbial populations using massively parallel sequencing. The V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was sequenced to analyze and compare rumen prokaryotic microbes within treatment groups and subspecies. Sequences were processed using QIIME 2 (q2) version 2021.2 and imported into R v4.1 for statistical analysis and graphical displays. Bray Curtis-based principle coordinate analysis (PCoA) provided visualization of microbial community clustering by monensin treatment and subspecies, facilitating identification of microbial community shifts resulting from treatments or subspecies. No monensin×subspecies×day interaction (P = 0.96) was observed. However, an effect of monensin (P = 0.01), subspecies (P ≤ 0.01), and day (P = 0.017) on the microbiome was present. The changes in microbial density that were observed with monensin withdrawal help to provide insight into the mode of action of monensin and its impact on potential methane mitigation in cattle.

The microbiome has a profound impact on host fitness.pH, oxygen, nutrients, or other factors such as food or pharmaceuticals, subject the microbiome to variations in the gastrointestinal tract.This variation is a cause for concern given dysbiosis of the microbiome is correlated with various disease states.Currently, much research relies on model organisms to study microbial communities since intact microbiomes are challenging to utilize.The objective of this study is to culture an explanted colon microbiome of 4 Balb/c mice to develop an in vitro tool for future microbiome studies.We cultured homogenates of the distal colons of 4 mice in trans-well culture dishes.These dishes were incubated for 24 hours in two different oxygen concentration levels and the pH was compared before and after incubation of the cultures.To analyze the integrity of the microbiome, we utilized massively paralleled DNA sequencing with 16S metagenomics to characterize fecal and colon samples to speculate whether future studies may utilize feces in constructing an in vitro microbial community to spare animal lives.We found that pH and familial relationships had a profound impact on community structure while oxygen did not have a significant influence.The feces and the colon were similar in community profiles, which lends credence to utilizing feces in future studies.The gut microbiome is of great interest and great importance for studies in a variety of different diseases.Many laboratories do not have access to germ-free mice, which is one optimal way to study mammalian microbiomes, but this technique allowed for the in vitro culturing of a majority of the prokaryotes isolated from the colons of mice.This may allow an alternative to study the interactions of this very diverse population of microorganisms without the need for germ-free conditions.

Monensin is a carboxylic polyether ionophore that has the ability to alter ruminal fermentation and microbial populations in the rumen. Current research shows monensin to have beneficial effects on feed efficiency, specifically, a reduction in average daily feed intake and an increase in gain. Ten ruminally cannulated steers [5 Bos indicus (BI), 5 Bos taurus (BT); 398 kg BW] were used to measure both the effects of monensin inclusion and subspecies’ differences when provided a forage-based diet (bermudagrass hay; 13.7% CP). Subspecies were concurrently subjected to a two period, two treatment crossover design. Each 70-day period, consisted of 20-days for treatment adaptation followed by 22-days for sample collection. Treatments included 0 (CON) or 200 (MON) mg·animal-1 monensin (Rumensin 90; Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN) fed daily within 0.91 kg dried distiller’s grains with solubles. A withdrawal period (28 days) was allowed before the second period, to prevent carryover effects of monensin. Rumen fluid was collected via suction strainer from the dorsal and ventral sacs of the rumen at feeding on day 42, then subsequently frozen for later analysis. Upon completion of the trial, rumen fluid was thawed and analyzed for microbial populations using massively parallel sequencing. The V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was sequenced to analyze and compare rumen prokaryotic microbes within treatment groups and subspecies. Sequences were processed using QIIME 2 (q2) version 2021.2 and imported into R v4.1 for statistical analysis and graphical displays. Bray Curtis-based principle coordinate analysis (PCoA) provided visualization of microbial community clustering by monensin treatment and by subspecies, facilitating identification of microbial community shifts resulting from the treatments. There was no significant interaction between monensin and subspecies (P = 0.42); however, effects of monensin (P ≤ 0.01) and subspecies (P = 0.04) did exist. Due to possible links to feed utilization and methane production, this alteration of rumen microbial communities in cattle is of great interest.

Manure, a globally used soil amendment, can contribute to excessive N and P runoff, leading to water pollution. Biochar (BC) shows promise in mitigating nutrient loss by retaining soil nutrients. However, there is limited research exploring the combined effects of tillage practices, biochar, manure, forage crops, and soil types on soil nutrient characteristics in a single field study. Our objectives are to determine if, in North Central Texas, differing soil types, soil amendments, forage crops, and tillage practices affect soil nutrients when applied short term, and whether correlations exist among soil nutrient characteristics as affected by soil amendments, tillage practices, and the presence of forage crops. The study encompasses three field sites with five factors, including soil types, manure rates, biochar rates, tillage practices, and forage crop types. Soil samples were assayed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), macronutrients, and micronutrients. Data analyses involved variance analysis, Fisher’s tests, and Pearson’s correlations using R in Rstudio (the IDE). Microplots treated with manure (average 2.16 ppm) retained 60% greater average nitrate levels at the end of the growing season than those treated with a synthetic fertilizer (average 1.35 ppm) (p ≤ 0.05). Moderate and strong correlations were observed between EC and S (r (106) = 0.43, p < 0.001 in loamy sand soil; r (106) = 0.80, p < 0.001 in clay loam soil) and between nitrate and Zn, (r (106) = 0.36, p < 0.001 in loamy sand soil; r (106) = 0.44, p < 0.001 in sandy loam soil) across different soil types. Soil type (texture) emerged as the primary influencing factor on plant-available soil nutrients and characteristics, followed by manure application and tillage practices. The impact of BC and forage crop type varied depending on other experimental factors. Understanding the influence of soil type, amendment application, and tillage on soil nutrient characteristics can guide sustainable forage production practices and soil nutrient management strategies.

Mycoplasma wenyonii is hemotrophic bacteria known to cause mild anemia, localized edema, and pyrexia in infected cattle. It has been previously detected in cattle herds across the world, including United States beef herd. Mode of transmission, prevalence, and a full profile of symptoms associated with this species of bacteria have not been established. This case study aimed to elucidate the percentage of infected cattle in a local Erath County beef herd and determine which groups of cattle may have the greatest infection rates. Groups were determined based on sex and age, bull, cow, or unsexed calf. Blood was collected from 4 bulls, 61 cows, and 55 calves from the same producer on the same day. A blood extraction kit that utilized spin column-based nucleic acid purification was used to extract DNA from blood samples. Primers were constructed to be highly specific to the m. wenyonii sequence to avoid confusion with other common mycoplasma species. Extracted m. weyonii DNA was quantified using qPCR. Melt curve analysis was performed to verify the amplicon product size. Standard deviation of the melting point was calculated and selection was made within 2 standard deviations of the control. Animals with any detectable amount of m. wenyonii DNA present in their blood were considered positive for infection for the purposes of this case study. This survey yielded positive results for 2 of the 4 bulls, 19 of the 61 cows, and 0 calves. The lack of positive samples in the calf population suggests that the placenta functions as a barrier to infection. This study provides perspective on the prevalence of this microorganism in Texas cattle populations and serves as a basis for future studies. More investigation is needed to better understand the impact of this bacterial infection on Texas beef cattle producers.

Biochar has many potential benefits in agroecosystems such as increasing productivity of crops and modifying soil nutrient content. Biochar is sourced from many waste materials which could easily and sustainably remedy current challenges in concentrated agricultural operations that use manure-based fertilizers. However, relatively little is known about its effects on forage species in conjunction with manure or biochar enriched with manure effluent. Our objective was to look at the effect of biochar and dairy effluent soil amendments on a forage legume and a grass. In this study, sandy loam soil was amended with a variety of biochar (BC) in a greenhouse setting. Factors included (1) BC type; (2) BC loading percentage; (3) effluent saturation of BC; and (4) forage inclusion. The study was repeated twice: once with Trifolium incarnatum and once with Lolium multiflorum. Plant material was assayed for biomass (BM) and C and N content. Soil was assayed for nutrient content and micronutrients. Data were not normally distributed and were consequently analyzed for variance using non-parametric methods in R. Overall, T. incarnatum showed a very strong negative (p ≤ 0.05) impact associated with increasing loading percentages of blend and manure BC on herbage BM, while effluent saturation showed no effect (p > 0.05). In contrast, L. multiflorum showed a strong (p ≤ 0.05) positive impact of increasing loading percentages of saturated wood, blend, and manure BC on herbage BM. BC impact on soil nutrients and forage varied greatly depending on type of BC, loading percentage, and forage species included. Results indicated the importance of BC properties and rates, as well as forage species for nutrient tolerances when choosing a BC amendment and loading rate.

We report the near-complete proviral genome sequence of a reticuloendotheliosis virus isolated and propagated from an endangered Attwater’s prairie chicken (Tympanuchus cupido attwateri) during a 2016–2017 outbreak at a captive breeding facility.

This study shows dairy manure-derived biochar (MBC) more effectively enhances soil fertility, carbon-nitrogen-phosphorus metabolism, and microbial diversity than wood-derived biochar (WBC). Although various studies investigated biochar (BC) soil amendments for improving soil microbial abundance, functions, and community structure, the results were not well aligned with BC feedstock, pyrolysis conditions, and agronomic application tactics. Besides, the synergistic effects of BC and its loading percentage on microbial functions and community composition using massively parallel DNA sequencing in BC amended soils with different types of crops are limited. Thus, in this study, the synergistic effects of BC type, BC loading percentage and crop types on soil fertility, microbial community diversity and functions were investigated in a greenhouse study. The MBC and WBC were used to amend sandy loam soils at increasing BC loading percentages (0, 5 and 10%) to grow crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum; an annual legume) and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.; an annual forage grass) for 120 days. Soil physicochemical properties were measured, followed by 16S rRNA (V4) and ITS amplicon sequencing of the soil microbial (archaea, bacteria, and fungi) community. Soil fertility and microbial community diversity, abundance, and functions were critically impacted by BC type and loading percentage, but to a lesser extent by crop type. Soil physicochemical properties and microbial diversity were significantly enhanced with MBC compared to WBC. These increased with increasing MBC loading rate while few changes occurred with WBC. Overall, increasing MBC loading percentage increased soil physicochemical properties in terms of nutrients and pH, and thus resulted in a shift of the microbial communities towards copiotrophs and alkaliphiles such as Egicoccus, Halomonas and Luteimonas, increasing nutrient cycling functions. Interestingly, MBC increased nitrogen and phosphorus metabolism genes, however, had mixed effects on carbon and methane metabolism genes regardless of crop type. Our study suggested that amendment of BC to soil resulted in enhanced soil nutrients, microbial diversity, and functions, but particularly so in MBC-amended soils. This study also provides insights into the impact of soil carbon amendments via BC on the soil microbiome, a process that favors beneficial bacteria and promotes plant growth while providing long-term stores of soil organic carbon. Future studies should include the possible use of MBC for broader agronomic applications which could significantly enhance agricultural and environmental sustainability at dairy and agricultural farms.