Assessing and mitigating post-operative castration pain in Bos indicus cattle

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (5) ◽  
pp. 909 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Laurence ◽  
A. Barnes ◽  
T. Collins ◽  
T. Hyndman ◽  
G. C. Musk
Keyword(s):  
Cost Efficiency ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Technical Skill ◽  
Test Model ◽  
Not Given ◽  
Random Assignment ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Mixed Modelling

Cattle on pastoral land are subject to potentially painful husbandry procedures. In northern Australia, these practices generally occur once a year after the muster and the procedures are usually performed on animals older than 6 months of age. It is seldom that any pain mitigating medications are administered at this time and there is increasing concern that this perceived impost on the animal’s welfare will become more significant at both an economic and cultural level. There is a need to investigate the possibility of using simple, cost-effective, readily available medications, administered using relatively quick and easily taught techniques to increase the chance of industry adoption. This research used castration of 6–8-month-old Bos indicus calves as the test model because it is arguably one of the most common and most painful procedures endured by the animals. Forty-eight, 6–8-month-old Brahman bulls were surgically castrated after random assignment to six different treatment groups (n = 8): no castration Control (NC); castration (C); castration with post-operative meloxicam (CMpost-op); castration with lignocaine (CL); castration with lignocaine and post-operative meloxicam (CLMpost-op); castration with pre-operative meloxicam (CMpre-op). Serial measures of weight, blood cortisol concentrations, balk score, crush score, and daily activity (steps taken, number and duration of rest bouts) were taken. Linear mixed modelling was used to compare experimental groups. Bulls that were castrated and did not receive post-operative meloxicam (C and CL) had significantly lower average weights at all time points (Days 0–13, P < 0.001) of 170.9 kg and 168.6 kg, respectively, than those that did (CMpost-op and CLMpost-op) at 174.7 kg and 173.7 kg, respectively. When lignocaine was not administered before castration, Day 1 post-operative cortisol concentrations were significantly lower when post-operative meloxicam was provided than when it was not (CMpost-op: 47.2 nmol/L vs C: 65.5 nmol/L). When post-operative meloxicam was not given, animals that were given lignocaine before castration had significantly lower cortisol concentrations than those that received no lignocaine (CL: 52.7 nmol/L vs C: 65.5 nmol/L). Animals that were given pre-operative meloxicam had, on average, significantly lower Day 1 post-operative cortisol concentrations than animals that received no lignocaine or meloxicam (CMpre-op: 44.8 nmol/L vs C: 65.5 nmol/L). Analysis of Day 1 (the day following castration) data showed that animals that were given pre-operative meloxicam (CMpre-op) were significantly more active than animals in all other treatment groups (P = 0.038). It was concluded that 6–8-month old, Bos indicus bulls benefit from the administration of both lignocaine before surgery and peri-operative meloxicam. The analgesic methods used are readily adoptable by industry with respect to cost, efficiency and degree of technical skill required.

scholarly journals PSVIII-35 Late-Breaking Abstract: Administration of an appeasing substance at castration improves performance of pre-conditioned beef crossbred steers

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 347-348
Author(s):  
Kelsey Schubach ◽  
Bruno I Cappellozza ◽  
Marcos Renato Burim ◽  
André Velasco ◽  
Fernando Sagrado ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Minimum Distance ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Water Restriction ◽  
Improve Performance ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Improved Performance ◽  
To Receive

Abstract Alternatives that alleviate stress-related responses and improve performance of the beef cattle herd are imperative and deserve further investigation. In previous trials, administration of the bovine appeasing substance (BAS) has improved performance of newly-weaned and feedlot received beef animals, as well as reduced the risk of dark, firm, and dry (DFD) cuts in carcass obtained from Bos indicus cattle. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the effects of BAS administration at castration on pre-conditioning performance of crossbred beef animals. On day 0, 390 crossbred Angus × Nellore animals were ranked by initial shrunk BW (255 ± 21.1 kg) and assigned to receive or not (CON) 5 mL/head of BAS (SecureCattle; Nutricorp, Araras, SP, Brazil) immediately before castration. From d 0 to 30, animals within treatments were maintained in 2 feedot pens with a minimum distance (300 m) to avoid contact between treatment groups and received a grass hay-based diet (70:30 roughage:concentrate ratio) ad libitum. On day 30, animals were individually weighed following 16 hours of feed and water restriction. Hence, a descriptive analysis was performed to evaluate pen dry matter intake (DMI) and feed efficiency (FE). Animal was considered the experimental unit and all data were analyzed using the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS (version 9.4; SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC). Bovine appeasing substance administration at castration improved ADG and BW change (P &lt; 0.0001) compared with CON cohorts (0.983 vs. 1.155 kg/d and 29.5 vs. 34.6 kg for ADG and BW change, respectively). Total DMI was similar among treatments when reported as kg/d (6.70 vs. 6.75 kg) or % of BW (2.48 vs. 2.48%), whereas FE was dramatically improved in BAS-administered animals (146 vs. 172 g/kg for CON and BAS, respectively). In summary, BAS administration improved performance of crossbred beef animals for 30 days post-castration.

Using digital data collection tools to improve overall cost-efficiency and provide timely analysis for decision making during invasive species eradication campaigns

2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 499 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. Will ◽  
Karl J. Campbell ◽  
Nick D. Holmes
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Cost Efficiency ◽  
Relational Databases ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Digital Data ◽  
Capital Costs ◽  
Project Costs ◽  
Time Required ◽  
Data Collection Effort

Context Worldwide, invasive vertebrate eradication campaigns are increasing in scale and complexity, requiring improved decision making tools to achieve and validate success. For managers of these campaigns, gaining access to timely summaries of field data can increase cost-efficiency and the likelihood of success, particularly for successive control-event style eradications. Conventional data collection techniques can be time intensive and burdensome to process. Recent advances in digital tools can reduce the time required to collect and process field information. Through timely analysis, efficiently collected data can inform decision making for managers both tactically, such as where to prioritise search effort, and strategically, such as when to transition from the eradication phase to confirmation monitoring. Aims We highlighted the advantages of using digital data collection tools, particularly the potential for reduced project costs through a decrease in effort and the ability to increase eradication efficiency by enabling explicit data-informed decision making. Methods We designed and utilised digital data collection tools, relational databases and a suite of analyses during two different eradication campaigns to inform management decisions: a feral cat eradication utilising trapping, and a rodent eradication using bait stations. Key results By using digital data collection during a 2-year long cat eradication, we experienced an 89% reduction in data collection effort and an estimated USD42 845 reduction in total costs compared with conventional paper methods. During a 2-month rodent bait station eradication, we experienced an 84% reduction in data collection effort and an estimated USD4525 increase in total costs. Conclusions Despite high initial capital costs, digital data collection systems provide increasing economics as the duration and scale of the campaign increases. Initial investments can be recouped by reusing equipment and software on subsequent projects, making digital data collection more cost-effective for programs contemplating multiple eradications. Implications With proper pre-planning, digital data collection systems can be integrated with quantitative models that generate timely forecasts of the effort required to remove all target animals and estimate the probability that eradication has been achieved to a desired level of confidence, thus improving decision making power and further reducing total project costs.

Refinement and reduction through application of a quantitative score system for estimation of TB-induced disease burden using computed tomography

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (6) ◽  
pp. 599-610 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally A Sharpe ◽  
Donna Smyth ◽  
Anthony McIntyre ◽  
Fergus Gleeson ◽  
Mike J Dennis
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Disease Burden ◽  
Test Model ◽  
Score System ◽  
Global Epidemic ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Additional Tool ◽  
Treatment Regimens ◽  
Improved Outcomes ◽  
Quantitative Score

Until validated correlates of protection are identified, animal models remain the only way to test the efficacy of the new vaccines and drugs urgently needed to fight the global epidemic caused by infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Non-human primates (NHP) offer the most relevant models of human tuberculosis (TB) and are central to the development process for new interventions. Efficacy evaluations are dependent on the capability of the test model to discriminate improved outcomes between treated groups after experimental exposure to M. tuberculosis and therefore the ability to measure TB-induced disease burden is central to the process. We have developed a score system that allows us to quantify the disease burden induced in macaques by infection with M. tuberculosis, based on the extent and features of disease visible on computed tomography (CT) images. The CT determined disease burden was then verified against that obtained using an established pathology-based approach. Trials of the system as a tool to measure disease burden have shown the approach capable of revealing differences between treatment groups in order to: (a) characterise outcome of infection and enable model refinement; (b) demonstrate the efficacy of drug treatment regimens by showing differences in outcome between test groups. Initial trials suggest that the imaging-based score system provides a valuable additional tool for the measurement of TB-induced disease burden that offers the opportunity to apply both refinement and reduction within studies.

scholarly journals EFEK PEMBERIAN JUST TOMAT (LYCOPERSICUM PYRIPORME) TERHADAP SPERMATOGENESIS PADA TIKUS PUTIH (RATTUS NORVERGICUS) JANTAN DEWASA HYPERKHOLESTROLEMIA

2011 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eliza Anas ◽  
Asterina Asterina
Keyword(s):  
Enzyme Activity ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Adult Male ◽  
Control Design ◽  
Not Given ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Randomized Control ◽  
Vegetables And Fruits ◽  
Coa Reductase

AbstrakHiperkolesterolemia merupakan faktor resiko penyebab kematian di usia muda. Salah satu terapi yang sekarang dikembangkan adalah dengan banyak mengkonsurnsi sayur dan buah-buahan. Tomat mengandung zat-zat gizi antara lain likopen. Likopen memegang peranan penting didalam pengaturan kolesterol, yaitu dengan menghambat kerja enzim HMG-CoA reduktase, yang berperan dalam proses sintesis kolesterol sehingga berefek hipokolesterolemia. Sedangkan hormone testoteron dibentuk dari kolesterol. Tujuan penelitian ini ingin melihat efek pemberian jus tomat (Lycopersicum pyriporme) kukus terhadap spermatogenesis tikus (Rattus norvegikus) putih jantan hiperkolesterolemia.Desain penelitian adalah eksperimental dengan rancangan pretest and postest randomized control design, Sampel berjurnlah 24 ekor tikus hiperkolesterol, dilakukan pada 4 kelompok dimana 3 kelompok perlakuan diberikan jus tomat kukus selama lebih kurang 14 hari, sedangkan pada kelompok kontrol tidak diberikan just tomat kukus, hanya diberikan aquades.Dari hasil penelitian ditemukan bahwa pada pemberian dosis 2ml/200gr BB dan 2,5ml/200gr BB tidak ada perbedaan yang bermakna terhadap jumlah spermatogonium bila dibandingkan dengan kontrol sedangkan pada dosis 3ml/200gr BB ada perbedaan yang bemakna (P<0,05) terhadap jumlah spermatogonium dibandingkan dengan kontrol. Pada jumlah spermatosit pakiten, spermatid dan spermatozoa pada ke tiga dosis memperlihatkan perbedaan yang sangat bermakna (P.<0,01) bila dibandingkan dengan kontrol.Dari hasil yang didapatkan dapat disimpulkan, dengan pemberian jus tomat kukus dapat memperbaiki spermatogenesis tikus yang hiperkolesterolemia.Kata Kunci : Hiperkolesterolemia, Lycopersicum pyriporme, spermatogenesisAbstractHypercholestrolemia are the cause risk factor of the death in young ages. One of therapy current develop are many consuming vegetables and fruits. Tomatoes contain nutrient including lycopene. Lycopenes have important roleARTIKEL PENELITIAN28in regulation of cholesterol, which is inhibit enzyme activity, HMG-CoA reductase, which serve in process of synthesis so that have effect hypocholesterolemia, whereas testosterone is processed from cholesterol. The aim to this study is to show effect of giving the steam of tomato juices (Lyeopersieum pyripome) to spermatogenesis in adult male white mice (Rattus novergicus) with hypercholesterolemia.The design of study is experimental with pretest design and posted randomized contro design. 24 mice with cholesterolemia is performed to 4 groups, where three treatment groups are given the steam of tomato juices for abot 14 days, whereas the control is not given , but given aquadest only.Of the result is found that in giving both doses 2 ml/200 g b.w. and 2,5 ml/200 g b.w. is not significant difference to number of spermatogoium rather than control, whereas at dosage 3 ml/g b.w. there are significant difference to number of spermatogonium (13 <0,05), rather than control. In number of spermatocyte pachyten, spermatid and spermatozoa in all three doses show significant difference (P<0,01) rather than control. From the result we can be concluded that giving the steam of tomato juices can improve spermatogenesis in mice with hypercholesterolemia.Key word : Hypercholesterolemia, Lycopersicum pyriporme, spermatogenesis

The level of tree legumes required to meet the maintenance energy requirements of Ongole (Bos indicus) cows fed rice straw in Indonesia

2012 ◽  
Vol 52 (7) ◽  
pp. 641 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. M. Syahniar ◽  
R. Antari ◽  
D. Pamungkas ◽  
Marsetyo ◽  
D. E. Mayberry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rice Straw ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Energy Requirements ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Tree Legumes ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Four Levels ◽  
Maintenance Requirements

Improving the productivity and profitability of smallholder cattle enterprises in Indonesia requires greater and more efficient utilisation of underutilised feed resources such as rice straw. The experiment tested the hypothesis that an Ongole cow with low energy requirements can maintain weight (W) on a rice straw-based diet with the addition of a small amount of tree legumes. Thirty-two Ongole cross (Bos indicus) cows were allocated to one of four treatments in a randomised block design with eight cows per treatment. Cows were offered untreated rice straw ad libitum with four levels of tree legumes (0, 11, 21, and 42 g DM/kg W0.75.day) for 20 weeks. Feed intake was determined daily and liveweight was measured every second week. There was no difference in total feed intake between the treatment groups (P > 0.05). Intake of tree legumes was higher when more was offered (P < 0.05), but cows did not consume all of the legumes offered to them. The inclusion of tree legumes in the diet had no effect on organic matter digestibility, ME content of the diet, liveweight gain or estimated energy balance of the cows (P > 0.05). Rice straw alone contained insufficient ME and rumen-degradable N to meet the maintenance requirements of the cows. From the regression relating liveweight change and ME intake for all cows across all diets, the inclusion of tree legumes in the diet at ~12 g DM/kg W0.75.day or 2.8 g DM/kg W.day was enough to meet the energy requirements for maintenance of Ongole cows fed rice straw ad libitum.

Relocation does not have a significant effect on the growth rate of Bos indicus cross steers

2008 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 608 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. G. Holroyd ◽  
V. J. Doogan ◽  
M. R. Jeffery ◽  
J. A. Lindsay ◽  
B. K. Venus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
The Other ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Phase 2 ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Normal Ranges ◽  
Native Pastures

This experiment tested the hypothesis that relocating cattle is detrimental to their growth. The study examined the effect of having relocated cattle mixed with, or segregated from, the local acclimatised cattle at the destination property. Bos indicus cross steers (120) were allocated to three groups and were relocated, in two separate cohorts, 980 km from northern Queensland to improved pastures in central Queensland. At the start of Phase 1, the control group (C) was moved 3 months before the other two groups. The remaining two groups grazed native pastures; one group was supplemented (SR) to increase growth rate similar to that expected from improved pasture in central Queensland and the other was not supplemented (R). At the end of Phase 1, C was significantly (P < 0.05) heavier than SR, which was significantly (P < 0.05) heavier than R. At the start of Phase 2, the SR and R groups were relocated and after transportation the R and SR groups lost 12 kg or 4.4% of liveweight and 18 kg or 5.7% of liveweight, respectively; this weight loss was recovered after 5 days. All steers were reallocated to segregated (SEG) or mixed (MIX) treatment groups forming six treatments (SEG.C, SEG.R and SEG.SR and MIX.C, MIX.R and MIX.SR). There were no significant differences in liveweights within the SEG treatments by 57 days or within the MIX treatments by 106 days after relocation. There were few if any significant differences in the plasma constituents and differential leucocyte counts of the steers and most results were within physiologically normal ranges. We conclude on the basis of these results and of other experiments that the anecdotal poor performance of cattle after relocation appears to be unfounded.

39 EFFECT OF TIME OF FIXED-TIME AI ON PREGNANCY RATES IN ZEBU CROSS-BRED BEEF HEIFERS TREATED WITH PROGESTERONE RELEASING DEVICES AND ESTRADIOL CYPIONATE

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 177 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Ramos ◽  
L. Cutaia ◽  
P. Chesta ◽  
G. A. Bó
Keyword(s):  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Fixed Time ◽  
Estradiol Benzoate ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
To Receive

Two experiments were designed to evaluate the effect of the timing of fixed-time AI (FTAI) in relation to the removal of an intravaginal progesterone-releasing device (1 g of progesterone, DIB, Syntex SA, Buenos Aires, Argentina) on pregnancy rates in Bos indicus × Bos taurus cross-bred heifers. In experiment 1, 285 Bonsmara × zebu cross-bred heifers, between 18 and 24 months of age and with a body condition score (BCS) between 3.0 and 3.5 (1-5 scale) were used. On the day of initiation of treatment (Day 0), the heifers’ ovaries were palpated (92% of them had a CL) and they received a new DIB plus 2 mg of estradiol benzoate (EB; Syntex SA) and 250 μg of cloprostenol (Ciclase DL, Syntex SA). On Day 8, DIB devices were removed and all heifers received 250 μg of Ciclase plus 0.5 mg of estradiol cypionate (ECP; Cipiosyn, Syntex SA). At that time the heifers were randomly divided to receive FTAI between 48 to 49 h, 53 to 54 h, or 58 to 59 h after DIB removal. The heifers underwent FTAI with semen from 4 bulls by 2 inseminators. In experiment 2, 260 heifers from the same group as those used in experiment 1 (87% with a CL) were treated exactly as those in experiment 1, except that previously used DIB was inserted on Day 0. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed 30 days post-fixed-time AI by ultrasonography. The data were analyzed by logistic regression, taking into account the effect of time of FTAI, semen, and inseminator on pregnancy rates. In experiment 1, pregnancy rates were lower (P = 0.04) in the heifers undergoing FTAI between 48 and 49 h after DIB removal (46/95, 48.4%) than those undergoing FTAI 53 to 54 h (61/99, 61.6%) or 58 to 60 h (57/91, 62.6%) after DIB removal. However, no differences in pregnancy rates were found (P = 0.72) in experiment 2 between the 3 treatment groups, with 39/91 (42.9%) for the 48 to 49 h group, 45/89 (50.6%) for the 53 to 54 h group, and 35/89 (43.8%) for the 58 to 59 h group. There was no effect of the semen or inseminator (P > 0.2) in either experiment. We conclude that when Bos indicus × Bos taurus beef heifers are synchronized with new DIB devices and ECP, higher pregnancy rates are obtained in heifers undergoing FTAI late (between 53 to 60 h after DIB removal) than in those undergoing FTAI early (48 to 49 h after DIB removal). However, time of insemination does not apparently affect pregnancy rates when Bos indicus × Bos taurus beef heifers are synchronized with previously used DIB devices and ECP.

scholarly journals Exploring the Nexus Between Participation and Empowerment

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-53
Author(s):  
Palash Kamruzzaman
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Community Development ◽  
Real World ◽  
Cost Efficiency ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Poor People ◽  
Development Projects ◽  
External Approach ◽  
The Poor

Theoretically, the idea of participation might appear to be replete with grand-sounding promises of empowerment for the poor and marginalised. But, in practice, participation may often take the form of enlisting people in various social and community development projects to secure the compliance of local people. In this paper, I offer a critical review of theoretical promises of participation and contrast this with a number of real-world examples. I argue that participation can be used for validating external approach and incorporated in social as well as community development projects to make it more cost-effective. In theory, giving voices to the poor is important but tokenistic inclusion can often be found in practice for cost-effectiveness. However, giving voices and/or cost efficiency arguments are not coherent with the ideas of empowerment while practices of participation often fail to address the issues of power among various actors, such as decision-makers, participation-seekers and participants. When participation is used as a prerequisite to secure fund or make the project cost-effective, empowerment of poor people does not seem to be a genuine priority. Therefore, empowerment through participation may remain lip-service.

scholarly journals Artificial eyespots on cattle reduce predation by large carnivores

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cameron Radford ◽  
John Weldon McNutt ◽  
Tracey Rogers ◽  
Ben Maslen ◽  
Neil Jordan
Keyword(s):  
Predation Risk ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Human Behaviour ◽  
Large Carnivores ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Livestock Predation ◽  
Mammalian Predators ◽  
First Time ◽  
All Treatment ◽  
Predator Signals

AbstractEyespots evolved independently in many taxa as anti-predator signals. There remains debate regarding whether eyespots function as diversion targets, predator mimics, conspicuous startling signals, deceptive detection, or a combination. Although eye patterns and gaze modify human behaviour, anti-predator eyespots do not occur naturally in contemporary mammals. Here we show that eyespots painted on cattle rumps were associated with reduced attacks by ambush carnivores (lions and leopards). Cattle painted with eyespots were significantly more likely to survive than were cross-marked and unmarked cattle, despite all treatment groups being similarly exposed to predation risk. While higher survival of eyespot-painted cattle supports the detection hypothesis, increased survival of cross-marked cattle suggests an effect of novel and conspicuous marks more generally. To our knowledge, this is the first time eyespots have been shown to deter large mammalian predators. Applying artificial marks to high-value livestock may therefore represent a cost-effective tool to reduce livestock predation.

Evaluating the Efficacy of Oxalic Acid Vaporization and Brood Interruption in Controlling the Honey Bee Pest Varroa destructor (Acari: Varroidae)

2020 ◽  
Vol 113 (2) ◽  
pp. 582-588
Author(s):  
Cameron J Jack ◽  
Edzard van Santen ◽  
James D Ellis
Keyword(s):  
Oxalic Acid ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Varroa Destructor ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Control Methods ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Colony Management ◽  
Varroa Control

Abstract A successful Integrated Pest Management approach to Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman control in managed colonies of western honey bees Apis mellifera Linnaeus (Hymenoptera: Apidae) must be an improvement over conventional control methods and include cost-effective treatments that can be readily employed by beekeepers. Herein, we tested the efficacy of oxalic acid (OA) vaporization and brood interruption as Varroa controls. Sixty experimental colonies were randomly assigned to one of six treatment groups with 10 colonies per group. The six treatments were: 1) OA applied once, 2) OA applied three times, 3) brood interruption, 4) OA applied once + brood interruption, 5) OA applied three times + brood interruption, and 6) no OA or brood interruption. The OA was applied via vaporization, with each application being 1 g OA applied through the hive entrance (label rate), on the bottom board. Brood interruption was accomplished by caging a colony’s queen in a queen cage for a period of 24 d. An additional 10 colonies were treated with amitraz (Apivar - positive control). Varroa levels were estimated before, during, and after treatment applications using sticky boards left in colonies for 3 d. Our data suggest that queen caging to achieve brood interruption during the fall season can negatively impact colony strength and survival. We observed high colony mortality in some treatments, despite diligent colony management to alleviate the side effects of the treatments. Colonies treated with amitraz were healthier and had better survival than those treated with OA vaporization. In conclusion, OA and/or brood interruption did not provide sufficient Varroa control.

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