A prospective online survey instrument was designed to identify skills, traits, and competencies perceived important for career success by those in various management levels of the poultry industry. The survey instrument consisted of 26 questions. Questions assessed the importance of personality characteristics and competencies, and evaluated the effectiveness of industry recruitment activities. Principal respondent targets included those in human resources, sales/marketing, live production/processing, and complex management. Most participants self-classified as working in live production or as a complex manager. Participants selected work ethic, teamwork ability, initiative to work, leadership ability, and problem-solving ability as the 5 most important characteristics/competencies. Additionally, participants indicated completion of an internship, a student's undergraduate major, a student's grade point average, knowledge of a foreign language, and completion of undergraduate research as the 5 least important knowledge bases and experiences. Respondents identified individual university contacts as the most critically important avenue for student engagement. Data suggests undergraduate studies should focus on developing leadership skills, problem-solving abilities, teamwork abilities, and promoting an initiative to work. Further, emphasizing relationships between higher education and industry can expand opportunities for graduates to enter the poultry industry.

In poultry feed manufacturing, grinding of corn contributes significantly to feed cost. Efforts to reduce grinding demands while maintaining bird performance can prove economically beneficial. This research assessed varying corn particle size (CPS) in a broiler crumbled starter diet and its impact on performance, organ weights, and nutrient digestibility. Three dietary treatments, differing only in CPS (832, 1,432, or 2,036 μm) were fed to broilers from 1 to 21 d of age during 2 repeated studies. Most live performance parameters were not affected by varying CPS; however, increasing CPS worsened FCR. Likewise, in this research, CPS did not drastically alter organ weights other than proventriculus, with decreasing proventricular weight as CPS increased. Higher CPS also enhanced calcium digestibility. Within the CPS range in this research, there were only small effects on performance, organ weights, and nutrient digestibility.

Early and late season kudzu leaves were collected to analyse dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), acid detergent fibre (ADF), and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) in situ rumen disappearance to assess kudzu quality. Four studies were conducted during different growing periods [2 repeated early season (ES); 2 repeated late season (LS)] to determine age variability effects. Kudzu was incubated in the rumen between 0.25 and 72 h to determine total rumen degradation (%) and the rate of disappearance (% h(-1)). Data were analysed as a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with repeated measures. Regression analysis was used to determine the degradation rate. Overall season effects (across incubation times) for dry matter disappearance (DMD) were significantly different (P < .0001). There were also significant season by incubation time interactions for DMD. Rumen degradation rate was determined to be 2.41% h(-1) across both seasons, with no significant seasonal difference (P = .3396). Results from this study are indicative that ES kudzu is more degradable than LS. Although there are significant seasonal effects on kudzu DMD during certain incubation times, DMD overall for ES and LS is still indicative of high rumen degradability.

A study was conducted to assess the effects of photoperiod length (constant 23L:1D vs. a photoperiod program going from decreasing to increasing quantity of light), light intensity (bright vs. a dim, reducing intensity), and feed ME levels (low vs. high) on performance and carcass characteristics of female broilers grown to 56 d. Use of a treatment with early decreasing photoperiod followed by an increasing photoperiod reduced feed consumption and subsequent BW early. However, growth compensation occurred and feed consumption and BW were similar across photoperiod treatments by study end. Likewise, reducing light intensity (from 1 to 0.25 fc) stimulated feed consumption and a subsequent BW improvement early, as compared with high-intensity (2 fc) lighting maintained at a constant level. However, the disparity in feed consumption and BW, as influenced by light intensity, did not persist throughout the growing period. Feed conversion was not noticeably affected by photoperiod or light intensity treatments. Minimal effects of lighting were observed for carcass or part yields; however, there appeared to be a subtle substitution effect between leg, wing, and breast yield influenced by lighting program. Birds exposed to the decreasing–increasing photoperiod and dim, reducing light treatments yielded more leg and wing at the expense of breast. Feeding a low ME diet resulted in increased feed consumption and feed conversion. However, birds consuming a low ME diet were more uniform. No effects of treatment on mortality were measured. These data indicate that a decreasing–increasing photoperiod can be used effectively to reduce early growth, yet allow birds to compensate as they approach market age. Low intensity lighting, however, appears to stimulate early feed consumption and growth, although this effect is transitory. Furthermore, the increased feed conversion of birds grown on the low energy diet may make its use less desirable.

s of papers 21 As the linear relationships between Tb and the respiratory parameters were unaltered by air movement it is proposed that the beneficial effects of this forced ventilation regime are through direct convective cooling and a reduction in deep body temperature. Convective cooling thus reduces the requirement for respiratory evaporation and therefore improves water conservation in addition to decreasing hyperthermic stress. The air movement induced reduction in thermal polypnea will also avoid excessive acid-base balance disturbances. It is proposed that air movements consistent with those achievable on mechanically ventilated commercial transporters will potentially improve productivity and welfare during journeys undertaken in hot conditions.

A research study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary supplementation with vitamin E and a zinc-amino acid complex (Zn-AA) on the incidence of cellulitis in broiler chickens. Vitamin E and Zn-AA supplementation did not influence body weight, but subtle feed conversion and mortality treatment differences were observed. Furthermore, a trend in cellulitis lesion reduction was indicated through combined supplementation of vitamin E and Zn-AA. The results of this study indicate an overall positive effect from higher dietary vitamin E and Zn-AA level on cellulitis incidence.

In the poultry industry, several alternative methods for disposal of dead birds have been developed. This study evaluated the efficacy of a dehydrated poultry mortality-soybean meal (DPSM) product, made from 60% on-farm whole dead birds, 40% soybean oil meal, and a preservative amendment, for inclusion in broiler diets. Composite samples of the DPSM product were obtained for nutritional and microbiological analysis. A subsequent 42-d broiler growout experiment was conducted using DPSM incrementally (0 to 100%) substituted for the protein source component (i.e., soybean oil meal) in starter and grower diets.Nutritionally, the DPSM product was similar to soybean oil meal (SBOM), with approximately 51.5% CP, 2.81% Lys, 0.72% Met, 1.85% Thr, 3.14% Arg, and 1.36% TSAA. True amino acid digestibilities of DPSM, however, were higher than soybean oil meal. Likewise, crude fat (18.03%) and ash (8.00%) concentrations of DPSM were higher than those typically observed for SBOM. Although at low levels, 13 genera of bacteria (including some pathogenic organisms) were isolated from the DPSM product. When replacing SBOM in broiler starter and grower diets, DPSM, at lower, more practical replacement rates, did not significantly influence body weight, feed consumption, or feed conversion. According to the results,of this study, using DPSM in partial substitution for SBOM in broiler diets was a safe, efficient, and economically feasible alternative for dead bird disposal.

To determinate the effect of chromium-methionine level in diet on hatchability of Japanese quail in dry tropic weather under temperaturecontrolled in summer season, a completely randomized design experiment was conducted. Thousand two hundred eighty Japanese quail (960 females and 320 males), they were divided in 160 groups of eight (six females and two males), and were allocated in wire cages (25 x 30 cm); groups of four cages (32 quails) formed an observation. The avian were randomized assigned to consume diets (21% CP; 2.9 Mcal DE/kg), in that consist the treatments, containing one of four levels (0, 100, 200 and 400 ppb) of supplemental chromium from chromium-methionine (MicroplexTMZinpro,CO.MN). Chromium 100 ppb increased (P<0.05) the average daily feed intake with relation of the remainder treatments (36.9 vs 36.3 g/day). The hatching was not affect (P>0.20)by treatments (mean value = 78%); egg hatching was similar (P>0.20) across treatments (66%). Supplementation with level of 100 ppb of Cr increased (P>0.05) in 19% the number of newly born quails by day (81 vs 68), and hatchability in 22% (55 vs 67.5%) with respect to control (Cr 0 ppb). Levels of 200 and 400 ppb tended (P=0.11) to decrease in 18% the number of newly born quails by day (68 vs 56) respect to control. Chromium 200 and 400 ppb had similar (P>0.20) hatchability than control (55 vs 46%). It is concluded, that 100 ppb of supplemental Cr from Cr-Met, improve hatchability and newly born quails by day of Japanese quail in dry tropic weather under temperature-controlled in summer season.

The influence of supplementing diets with zinc (Zn) amino acid complexes on live performance and carcass quality of female (Experimental 1) and male broiler chickens (Experiment 2) was investigated. In Experiment 1, day-old female chicks were fed, under summer conditions, one of 4 dietary treatments: a control and diets supplemented with Zn (40 ppm) from Zn-methionine, Zn-lysine, or a commercial mixture of Zn-methionine and Zn-lysine. During the rearing periods, body weight and feed conversion were measured. Randomly selected birds were processed with subsequent evaluation of foot pad lesions and carcass grades. In Experiment 2, male chicks were fed similar diets as Experiment 1, but under cool weather conditions. Live performance variables were measured and randomly selected birds were processes to assess carcass defects, carcass grade, foot pad lesions and carcass yields. In Experiment 1, feed conversion and foot pad lesions were reduced (P<0.05) in female broilers fed the Zn-amino acid complexes, with no consistent alterations in carcass grade other than improvements in wing and back bruising. Body weight of male broilers was improved at 21d with Zn-methionine and Zn-lysine supplemented diets, with improvements in back bruising. no differences in foot pad quality ir carcass yields of male broilers was observed among the dietary treatments (P>0.05). The influence of zinc complexes on broiler live performance, carcass bruising and foot pad quality appeared to vary with environmental conditions.

Two 49 day broiler growout studies were conducted to evaluate the influence of supplemental dietary selenium sources oil. meat drip loss, yield and quality parameters. Birds were fed a control diet with either no supplemental selenium, sodium selenite or selenium-enriched yeast. A random sample of test birds were processed to evaluate carcass yield, deboning yield, whole carcass and breast fillet drip loss, water holding capacity, expressible moisture and cooking loss. Carcass and deboning yield and meat quality were not significantly affected by the type of selenium added to broiler diets. However, drip loss of breast fillets was greatest when an inorganic source of supplemental selenium was used. When compared with current supplementation strategies using an inorganic form, an organic source of selenium (selenium-yeast) added to broiler diets may reduce product drip loss of deboned meat.

This study evaluated the influence of supplementing amino acid complexed zinc, vitamin E, or a combination of the two on the occurrence of cellulitis (infectious process or IP) in broilers. A skin scratch model was used to create a measurements.This experiment revealed an overall reduction in cellulitis when a combination of complexed zinc and vitamin E was fed to broilers. However, supplementing zinc or vitamin E alone was not as effective. These results underscore the potential for reducing the level and severity of cellulitis by dietary manipulation.

The effects of laidlomycin. propionate (LP) on, beef bull growth performance and sexual development were determined in, all. 84 day study. Forty embryo transfer Angus bulls were fed three complete diets containing LP levels of either 0, 10 or 20 g/t. Bulls were fed daily using electronic feeders to obtain individual feed intake. Full weight and scrotal circumference (SC) were evaluated at 28 day intervals, Breeding soundness examinations were conducted to characterize semen. Muscle mass and body fat were estimated using real-time ultrasonography. Laidlomycin propionate did not influence daily gain, dry matter intake, feed efficiency, subcutaneous or intramuscular fat deposition, but Longissimmus muscle deposition was enhanced. Among treatments, bulls had similar (P>0.05) SC measurements and no detrimental effects on semen quality or sperm morphology were observed. Supplementing growing bulls with laidlomycin propionate for improved performance did not detrimentally affect sexual development.

As the source of students shifts from rural to urban and suburban communities, students entering agricultural programs have less practical livestock experience. The career goals indicated by most of these students require knowledge of and experience with practical applications of their course work. The objective of this study was to examine the profile of students enrolled in an experiential beef cattle course 1) to describe the demographic and occupational characteristics of students enrolled and 2) to assess the perceived value of course activities to graduates completing the course as related to their skill attainment and career development. The questionnaire was sent to all 312 students who were enrolled in the course from 1983 to 1996. Over 61% of the respondents indicated they had enrolled in the course to gain experience working with beef cattle. Over 39% took the course to enhance their application to the College of Veterinary Medicine. When asked to rate the value of the course, as it related to skill development, they noted it was most helpful in teaching cattle handling skills, growth performance measurement, live animal evaluation, nutritional management, carcass and meat product value determination, and breed identification.