scholarly journals 123 Effect of a hydrolyzed yeast product on cow behavior, body eeight, body condition score, and hair coat score in cows grazing pastures containing endophyte-infected tall fescue

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 52-52
Author(s):  
Patricia L Harrelson ◽  
C Brent Rogers ◽  
Rick Martin ◽  
Johnna Scott ◽  
Brandi Banks ◽  
...  

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine if the addition of a hydrolyzed yeast product would alleviate the symptoms of fescue toxicosis in beef cattle. Thirty-eight Angus cow-calf pairs were stratified by cow age and body weight then randomly allotted to one of two treatments; control mineral (CON) or hydrolyzed yeast mineral (HYM). Cattle in both groups were allowed access to mineral for 126 d while they grazed the same eight pastures (1.21 ha each) in a rotational pattern. Mineral was provided at a target rate of 113.4 g·hd-1·d-1 every 28 d. Each pasture was grazed by cattle groups for 7 d. Mixed grass pastures containing tall fescue were utilized and evaluated for endophyte level prior to the start of the project. Due to pasture endophyte level variability (44%-73% endophyte), both groups of cattle rotationally grazed each pasture at least 2 times starting in June. Prior to entering a new pasture weekly, cows were weighed and assigned a BCS and hair coat score (HC) by two independent, trained personnel. Cow behavior was measured every 15-min within a 2-h block weekly. Percentage of cows active or inactive, outside or inside was recorded. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Cow BW change was unaffected by treatment (P > 0.23). Cow BCS significantly increased in HYM vs. CON cows (0.4 vs. 0.1; P = 0.02; SEM = 0.1) through the 126 d project. No treatment effect was observed on HC (P > 0.19). Cow behavior was impacted by treatment, as HYM cows spent more time outside compared to CON cows (P < 0.01). Results of this trial suggest that HYM cows may have experienced less heat stress as a result of fescue toxicosis as they were willing to spend more time outside and increased BCS.

2018 ◽  
Vol 96 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. 52-53
Author(s):  
P L Harrelson ◽  
C B Rogers ◽  
R A Martin ◽  
B N Bosley ◽  
F M Kilgallin ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 63-63
Author(s):  
Patricia L Harrelson ◽  
Rick Martin ◽  
Brent Rogers ◽  
Flint W Harrelson

Abstract Endophyte-infected tall fescue creates a multitude of problems for many beef producers, with supplementation being one management strategy to decrease these problems. Our research objective was to determine if supplementation with a hydrolyzed yeast product could alleviate some symptoms of fescue toxicosis in mature cows. Across the 3-yr study, Angus cow-calf pairs (n = 34, 38, 34) were stratified by cow age and body weight then randomly allotted to one of two treatments; control mineral (CON) or hydrolyzed yeast mineral (HYM). Cattle in both treatment groups grazed the same mixed grass pastures (n = 6, 8, 8; 1.21 ha each) which contained varying levels of endophyte (20 – 90%) as measured prior to each year, in a rotational pattern for 126, 133, or 140 d, depending upon year. Prior to entering a new pasture weekly, cows were weighed and assigned a BCS and hair coat score (HC) by two independent, trained personnel. Cow behavior was measured every 15-min within a 2-h block weekly. Percentage of cows active or inactive, outside or inside a barn was recorded. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Cow BW change was affected (P &lt; 0.01) by a treatment×year interaction. Cow BCS increased in HYM vs. CON cows (0.34 vs. 0.06; P &lt; 0.01; SEM = 0.08) across the entire trial. Cows consuming the HYM supplement also spent a greater percentage of time outside being active (P &lt; 0.01) and a lower percentage of time inside being inactive (P &lt; 0.01) compared to CON cows. Results from this trial indicate that the hydrolyzed yeast mineral may be an effective tool to aid in combating heat stress associated with fescue toxicosis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 147-148
Author(s):  
Lucas Hofer ◽  
Megan Myerscough ◽  
Wes Chapple ◽  
Travis T Meteer ◽  
Keela Trennepohl ◽  
...  

Abstract The objective was to compare the performance of cows housed in drylots or on pasture. Spring-calving, Simmental × Angus cow-calf pairs (n = 108; 77 ± 18 days postpartum) were stratified by age, body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), calving date, and calf sex. Cows were allotted into six groups which were randomly assigned to drylot or pasture. Drylot cows were limit-fed a ration consisting of corn silage, dried distillers grain, corn stalks, cracked corn, and a corn-based supplement to meet protein and energy requirements. Cows on pasture were rotationally grazed with access to free-choice mineral. Cows were artificially inseminated on day 0. Cow BW, BCS, hair coat scores, locomotion scores, and lameness treatments were evaluated throughout the 110-day experiment. Milk production and composition were evaluated on day 56. Data were analyzed using the MIXED and GLIMMIX (binary data) procedures of SAS. Artificial insemination and overall pregnancy rates did not differ (P ≥ 0.79) between groups. Drylot cows were 22 and 51 kg heavier (P ≤ 0.02) than pasture cows on days 83 and 110, respectively. Drylot cow BCS was greater (P = 0.03) on day 110. Hair coat scores were more desirable (P = 0.03) in drylot cows than pasture cows on day 110. Drylot cows had greater (P = 0.04) milk production than pasture cows. Pasture cows had greater (P ≤ 0.03) milk protein content and milk urea nitrogen. Although locomotion scores did not differ (P ≥ 0.45) on days 0 and 34, they were less desirable (P = 0.02) for the drylot cows on day 110. A greater (P = 0.02) percentage of drylot cows (33%) were treated for lameness than pasture cows (7%). Housing cows in drylots increased BW, BCS, and milk production, but resulted in poorer locomotion scores and increased lameness treatments.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 264
Author(s):  
Kathryn E. Ritz ◽  
Bradley J. Heins ◽  
Roger D. Moon ◽  
Craig C. Sheaffer ◽  
Sharon L. Weyers

Organic dairy cows were used to evaluate the effect of two organic pasture production systems (temperate grass species and warm-season annual grasses and cool-season annuals compared with temperate grasses only) across two grazing seasons (May to October of 2014 and 2015) on milk production, milk components (fat, protein, milk urea nitrogen (MUN), somatic cell score (SCS)), body weight, body condition score (BCS), and activity and rumination (min/day). Cows were assigned to two pasture systems across the grazing season at an organic research dairy in Morris, Minnesota. Pasture System 1 was cool-season perennials (CSP) and Pasture System 2 was a combination of System 1 and warm-season grasses and cool-season annuals. System 1 and System 2 cows had similar milk production (14.7 and 14.8 kg d−1), fat percentage (3.92% vs. 3.80%), protein percentage (3.21% vs. 3.17%), MUN (12.5 and 11.5 mg dL−1), and SCS (4.05 and 4.07), respectively. Cows in System 1 had greater daily rumination (530 min/day) compared to cows in System 2 (470 min/day). In summary, warm-season annual grasses may be incorporated into grazing systems for pastured dairy cattle.


Author(s):  
Parker A Henley ◽  
Frank A Ireland ◽  
Igor F Canisso ◽  
J Lannett Edwards ◽  
Daniel W Shike

Abstract This study evaluated the effect of heifer development system on body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), fescue toxicosis symptoms, reproductive performance, and subsequent calf growth of fall-calving beef heifers. Angus × Simmental heifers [n = 399; 240 ± 20.0 kg initial BW; age = 252 ± 20 d] were stratified by BW and BCS and assigned to 1 of 12 groups in each of the 2 production years. The study utilized a stratified randomized design. Pens were randomly assigned to 4 treatments: drylot (DL) development (fed ad-libitum diet consisting of 90% hay and 10% DDGS on a dry matter basis), grazing endophyte-infected fescue supplemented daily (2.3 kg as-fed/heifer/d; 50:50 mix of soybean hulls and DDGS; E+/S), grazing endophyte-infected fescue and supplemented from the midpoint of treatment period until breeding (4.5 kg as-fed/heifer/d; 50:50 mix of soybean hulls and DDGS; E+/LS), and grazing novel endophyte-infected fescue with no supplement (NE+/NS). Treatments ceased on d 168 [time of artificial insemination (AI)] and heifers were commingled and managed as a group through second breeding season. Heifers in DL had greatest (P ≤ 0.05) BW and BCS from d 28 until d 254. Furthermore, E+/S heifers had greater (P ≤ 0.05) BW and BCS than both E+/LS and NE+/NS from d 28 until d 168. On d 56 and 84, E+/LS heifers had lower (P ≤ 0.05) BW and BCS compared to NE+/NS, but on d 148 treatments reranked and E+/LS remained at a greater (P ≤ 0.05) BW and BCS compared to NE+/NS through the first breeding season. Drylot heifers had greatest (P ≤ 0.05) percentage cycling and percentage of mature BW at AI (66.6%) and had greater (P ≤ 0.05) AI and overall pregnancy rates compared to E+/LS and NE+/NS. The E+/S (55%) and E+/LS (53.7%) heifers were developed to a greater (P &lt; 0.01) percentage of mature BW than NE+/NS (49.3%). A greater (P ≤ 0.02) percentage of DL and E+/S heifers were pregnant at the end of the first breeding season (89.3 and 85.1%; respectively) compared to NE+/NS (61.5%). In summary, DL heifers had the greatest BW and BCS at AI, percentage cycling, and AI pregnancy rate. However, this strategy did not result in differing overall pregnancy rates between DL, E+/S, and E+/LS and there were no differences in milk production, rebreeding reproductive performance, and calf performance between all treatments. Finally, the poorest AI and overall pregnancy rates of the NE+/NS heifers suggests this is not a viable development strategy for fall-born heifers.


2011 ◽  
Vol 106 (S1) ◽  
pp. S166-S169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ping Deng ◽  
Ryan W. Grant ◽  
Kelly S. Swanson

The prevalence of feline obesity is influenced by numerous factors, including inactivity and overconsumption of food. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of feeding frequency on physical activity in adult cats. A total of twelve healthy adult cats were used in a cross-over study consisting of 32 d. In each of the two periods, six cats were fed either two meals or four meals daily. Throughout the study, cats were fed the same diet at amounts to maintain body weight and body condition score. Cats were individually housed 4 h/d at each scheduled feeding time, while for the other 20 h, cats were group-housed to allow for voluntary physical activity in the room with a 16 h light–8 h dark cycle. Voluntary activity levels were evaluated using Actical activity collars for seven consecutive days in each period. Daily average activity level for two-meal-fed cats (20·04 (sem 2·19), activity counts/epoch (15 s)) was not different from four-meal-fed cats (20·14 (sem 2·15), activity counts/epoch (15 s); P>0·05). In conclusion, when group-housed cats are fed to maintain their body weight and body condition score, varied feeding frequency between twice and four times daily may not affect activity levels.


2003 ◽  
Vol 86 (6) ◽  
pp. 2193-2204 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.P. Berry ◽  
F. Buckley ◽  
P. Dillon ◽  
R.D. Evans ◽  
M. Rath ◽  
...  

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brigitta Wichert ◽  
Julia Trossen ◽  
Daniel Uebelhart ◽  
Marcel Wanner ◽  
Sonja Hartnack

Obesity is a common problem in cats. In the experimental cat family of the institute of animal nutrition besides a “normal” lean phenotype, cats with predisposition to an overweight phenotype are present. To investigate energy requirements and food intake behaviour of intact male cats of different phenotypes, six “normal” lean cats (GL) and six cats disposed to overweight (GO) were used. At the beginning of the experiment, all cats had an ideal body condition score of 5. To reach this the GO cats had to pass a weight-loss program. Energy requirements of the cats were determined using respiration chambers, whereas the amount and frequency of food intake was measured with a feeding station recording the data automatically. Energy requirement at weight constancy of the GO cats was even on fat-free mass (FFM) significantly (P=0.02) lower (162.6 kJ/kg FFM/d) than that of the “normal” lean cats (246 kJ/kg FFM/d). The GO cats also showed a higher food intake34.5±1.5 g dry matter/kg body weight0.67compared to the GL cats (24.0±2.1 g dry matter/kg body weight0.67)(P=0.001). In conclusion quantifiable differences in food intake and behaviour in cats predisposed to overweight compared to “normal” lean cats were found.


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