Identification of Breed Differences in Known and New Fescue Toxicosis Associated Phenotypes in Charolais-and Hereford-Sired Crossbred Beef Cows

Beef cattle phenotypes are affected by the consumption of toxic fescue. Toxic fescue’s impact is dependent on heat stress and breed composition, with genetic variability for robustness to toxin exposure believed to exist within and across breeds. The study objective was to characterize the effect of fescue toxicosis across breeds for known and novel heat and fescue stress-associated phenotypes. One-hundred crossbred fall-calving Charolais- and Hereford-sired cows of parities 1–3 were allocated to graze either toxic fescue (n = 50), non-toxic fescue (n = 25), or a rotation between toxic and non-toxic fescue (n = 25) for 156 days. Phenotypes impacted by breed (genetics) included hair coat score (p < 0.0001), hair reduction/shedding rate (p < 0.05), rectal temperature (RT) (p < 0.0001), vaginal temperature (p < 0.05), serum phosphorus concentration (p < 0.02) and respiration rate (RR) (p < 0.003). Cows on toxic fescue experienced reduced hair shedding efficacy (p < 0.0001), higher vaginal temperatures (p < 0.0001), increased systolic blood pressure (p < 0.04), increased RR (p < 0.0001) and reduced average daily gain (p < 0.0001), compared to cows grazing non-toxic fescue. Calves born from cows with higher RT during the last third of gestation had higher RT at weaning (p < 0.02), indicating potential physiological effects of in utero heat stress. The study indicates that beef cows exhibit variable responses to toxic fescue within and across breeds which may impact future calf phenotypes.

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Dexamethasone and fish oil improve average daily gain but not muscle mass or protein content in feedlot wethers after chronic heat stress

Translational Animal Science ◽

10.1093/tas/txab163 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_S1) ◽

pp. S46-S50

Author(s):

Micah S Most ◽

Pablo C Grijalva ◽

Haley N Beer ◽

Rachel L Gibbs ◽

Zena M Hicks ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Fish Oil ◽

Protein Content ◽

Muscle Mass ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Daily Gain

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Dietary supplementation of artificial sweetener and capsicum oleoresin as a strategy to mitigate the negative consequences of heat stress on pig performance

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skaa131 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (5) ◽

Author(s):

Morgan E Biggs ◽

Kellie A Kroscher ◽

Lidan D Zhao ◽

Zhenhe Zhang ◽

Emma H Wall ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Relative Humidity ◽

High Intensity ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Artificial Sweetener ◽

Monocyte Count ◽

Negative Consequences ◽

Environmental Treatment ◽

Ad Libitum ◽

Daily Gain

Abstract Pigs exposed to elevated ambient temperatures exhibit reduced daily gain, alterations in muscle and fat deposition, and decreased health. Negative aspects of gastrointestinal (GI) function, integrity, and permeability also occur. High-intensity sweeteners can ameliorate the negative effects of heat stress (HS) by increasing GI glucagon-like peptide-2 production while capsicum oleoresin has been shown to reduce inflammatory response. The effects of an artificial high-intensity sweetener and capsicum oleoresin (CAPS-SUC; TakTik X-Hit, Pancosma, Switzerland) on growth performance of pigs were examined. Forty-eight pigs (12 wk of age, 43.2 ± 4.3 kg) were assigned to six treatments: thermoneutral conditions (21 ± 1.1 °C; 40% to 70% relative humidity) fed ad libitum with (TN+) or without supplement (TN−), heat stress (35 ± 1 °C; 20% to 40% relative humidity) fed ad libitum with (HS+) or without supplement (HS−), and thermoneutral conditions pair-fed to HS intake with (PFTN+) or without supplement (PFTN−). Supplementation (0.1 g/kg feed) began 2 d prior to the 3-d environmental treatment period. Body weights (BWs) and blood samples were collected on days −1 and 3. Rectal temperature (RT) and respiration rate (RR) were measured thrice daily and the feed intake (FI) was recorded daily. Intestinal sections were collected for histology. Pigs in HS conditions exhibited increased RT (~1.2 °C) and RR (~2.7-fold) compared with TN and PFTN groups (P < 0.01). HS+ animals had increased RR when compared with HS− animals (P < 0.02). Heat stress decreased FI compared with TN. HS and PFTN decreased (P < 0.05) average daily gain compared with TN. Supplement did not alter the BW gain. HS and PFTN decreased (P < 0.05) Gain:Feed compared with TN during environmental treatment. Supplementation with CAPS–SUC increased Gain:Feed by 0.12 (P < 0.05). Circulating glucose concentrations tended to decrease in CAPS–SUC vs. non-supplemented HS and PFTN animals (P ≤ 0.1). Circulating insulin concentrations as well as monocyte count increased in HS compared with PFTN (P < 0.04) but did not differ from TN and likely linked to altered FI. CAPS–SUC increased basophil count (P < 0.02), irrespective of environment. Ileal villus height tended to decrease during HS and PFTN compared with TN (P < 0.08), indicating an effect of intake. Overall, CAPS–SUC supplementation increased pig feed efficiency and may improve immune response.

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EVALUATION OF BULL AND COW FERTILITY AT PASTURE IN SINGLE-SIRE MATING

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas85-095 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 65 (4) ◽

pp. 799-809 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

M. MAKARECHIAN ◽

A. FARID ◽

R. T. BERG

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Pregnancy Rate ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Beef Cows ◽

Pregnancy Rates ◽

Low Fertility ◽

Scrotal Circumference ◽

Semen Volume ◽

Calving Season ◽

Daily Gain

Pregnancy rates and calving dates of beef cows in 27 single-sire breeding herds mated to yearling or 2-yr old bulls were used in this study. The breed groups of bulls were Hereford and Beef Synthetic and cow herds were Hereford, Hereford cross and Beef Synthetic, respectively. A week before the start of the breeding season the bulls were scored for libido, their scrotal circumferences were measured and semen samples were collected. Semen volume, sperm motility and percent normal cells were evaluated. The average bull to cow ratio was 1:20. Pregnancy rate increased as age and body weight of cows increased, but it was independent of the previous calving date. Calving date was not related to body weight or age of cow, but it was influenced by the previous calving date. Each day delay in calving after the first 5 wk of calving season resulted in a 0.7-day delay in the date of calving during the next calving season. The Beef Synthetic-sired herds had higher pregnancy rates (P < 0.05) than the Hereford-sired herds, but the average calving dates of the two groups were similar. Cows mated to 2-yr-old bulls had 5% higher (P = 0.12) pregnancy rate than those mated to yearling bulls. Five of the herds showed low fertility and late calving, probably due to low fertility of the bulls. Yearling weight and feedlot average daily gain were positively (P < 0.05) related to bull fertility. The number of services performed by a bull during a 10 min libido test and total libido score were also found to be useful in assessing bull fertility, but scrotal circumference or semen traits were not related to fertility of bulls when used in single-sire mating at pasture. Key words: Beef cattle, bull fertility, single-sire mating

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Effects of parity order on performance, metabolic, and hormonal parameters of grazing beef cows during pre-calving and lactation periods

BMC Veterinary Research ◽

10.1186/s12917-021-03019-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Matheus Fellipe de Lana Ferreira ◽

Luciana Navajas Rennó ◽

Isabela Iria Rodrigues ◽

Edenio Detmann ◽

Mário Fonseca Paulino ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Condition ◽

Metabolic Profile ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Beef Cows ◽

Lactation Period ◽

Stage Of Lactation ◽

Esterified Fatty Acids ◽

Condition Score ◽

Daily Gain

Abstract Background Metabolic profile evaluation is a tool widely used in ruminant nutrition as metabolic cues that relate nutrition to physiology. Metabolic and hormonal traits change during pre-partum and lactation according to parity in dairy cows, but studies of beef cows under grazing are scarce. The present study aimed to evaluate how metabolic and hormonal traits change over time, their relationship to performance, and determine if these factors differ according to the parity order of grazing beef cows. Thirty-six pregnant Nellore cows (12 nulliparous, 12 primiparous, and 12 multiparous) were used. The study started at 60 d prepartum until 203 d of lactation. Results The initial body weight (BW) and final BW were higher for multiparous cows (P > 0.05). An interaction occurred between parity and day (P < .0001) for body condition score. Nulliparous and primiparous body condition score were reduced from − 60 prepartum to 30 postpartum, then stabilized 60 postpartum (P < 0.05), while multiparous maintained body condition score from − 60 days until 60 days postpartum (P > 0.05). Calf BW, final BW, and average daily gain did not differ between parities (P > 0.05). Effect of day (P < 0.05) was detected for non-esterified fatty acids, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL, VLDL, progesterone, and insulin. An interaction was observed between parity and days for glucose, HDL, β-hydroxybutyrate, creatinine and IGF-1 (P < 0.05). Parity affected serum urea nitrogen, total proteins, albumin, and globulins (P < 0.05). Parity and day relative to calving did not impact total T3 and T4 (P > 0.05). Conclusions Hormonal and metabolic profile is strongly influenced by the stage of lactation. Time effects (pre-partum and lactation period) were more pronounced in nulliparous since they displayed more unbalanced metabolic and hormonal traits and lowered BCS pre- and postpartum.

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Effects of immunocastration on growth performance, body composition, meat quality, and boar taint

Czech Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.17221/99/2016-cjas ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 62 (No. 6) ◽

pp. 249-258

Author(s):

R. Stupka ◽

J. Čítek ◽

K. Vehovský ◽

K. Zadinová ◽

M. Okrouhlá ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Meat Quality ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Carcass Composition ◽

The Other ◽

Boar Taint ◽

Large White ◽

Study Objective ◽

Negative Effect ◽

Daily Gain

The study objective was to evaluate the effect of immunocastration in the period between the first and second vaccinations and subsequently between the second vaccination and slaughter on growth performance, carcass composition, meat quality, and boar taint, and compare results in immunocastrated males (IC), uncastrated boars (UCM), surgically castrated barrows (CM), and gilts (FE). The study included 70 pigs of the Duroc × (Large White × Landrace) crossbreed. Upon the overall assessment of the selected fattening indicators (average daily gain, feed intake), significant differences between CM and the other groups were demonstrated. Meanwhile, no significant differences were found between the IC, UCM, and FE groups. In this test, immunocastrates showed no negative effect from the second vaccination in relation to those carcass value indicators evaluated in comparison with UCM and FE. CM showed adversely lower carcass value parameters compared the other groups. No significant differences in pH, meat colour, drip loss, shear force, and intramuscular fat were found. The values of these indicators obtained for IC converged with those measured in UCM and FE. It was demonstrated that immunocastration prevented the occurrence of undesired boar taint. Androstenone decreased by 77% and skatole by 71% in IC as compared to UCM.

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Suplementação em sistema de creep-feeding de bezerros de corte lactentes e avaliação nutricional de matrizes de corte

Semina Ciências Agrárias ◽

10.5433/1679-0359.2015v36n5p3431 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 36 (5) ◽

pp. 3431 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Lívia Vieira de Barros ◽

Mário Fonseca Paulino ◽

David Steban Conteras Marquez ◽

Carla Heloisa Avelino Cabral ◽

Felipe Gomes da Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Milk Yield ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Beef Cows ◽

The Body ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Control Treatment ◽

Initial Weight ◽

Nutritional Parameters ◽

Linear Effect ◽

Daily Gain

This study was conducted to evaluate the productive and nutritional performance of suckling calves fed only a mineral mix (MM) or different levels of multiple supplement and the milk yield and nutritional parameters of beef cows on Uruchloa decumbens pastures. Thirty-two suckling calves, with an average age of 3 months and average initial weight of 109.3 ± 0.84 kg, and their respective mothers, with an average initial weight of 447.2 ± 47.1 kg, were used. The experimental design was completely randomized. The supplement contained approximately 25% crude protein (CP), and treatments consisted of the supply of different of multiple supplement levels for the calves. The levels of supply of the supplements were 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6% of the body weight for treatments N0.2, N0.4, and N0.6, respectively. The animals from the control treatment (MM) received only an MM ad libitum. The average daily gain (ADG) of the calves was 731.2, 810.6, 822.7, and 895.2 grams for treatments MM, N0.2, N0.4, and N0.6, respectively. Supplemented calves showed greater weight gain. The multiple supplement levels offered to the calves had a positive linear effect (P<0.10) on their ADG. The intakes in kg/ day of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), CP, non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC), digestible DM, digestible neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and total digestible nutrients (TDN) were higher (P<0.10) for animals that received multiple supplements compared with those fed only an MM. The levels of supply of multiple supplements had an increasing linear effect on ether extract (EE) intake, and a quadratic effect was found on DM intake, forage DM, OM, forage OM, CP, NFC, digestible DM, and TDN. The total apparent digestibility coefficients of DM, OM, NDF, NFC, and TDN were higher (P<0.10) for the animals that received multiple supplements. With the levels of supply of multiple supplements, an increasing linear effect was observed on EE digestibility. Calf supplementation did not affect the performance, milk yield, or nutritional parameters of the cows (P>0.10).

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MILK PRODUCTION IN RANGE BEEF COWS AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO CALF GAINS

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas68-044 ◽

1968 ◽

Vol 48 (3) ◽

pp. 323-333 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

V. M. Gleddie ◽

R. T. Berg

Keyword(s):

Milk Yield ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Beef Cows ◽

Milk Composition ◽

Age Group ◽

Total Solids ◽

Milk Solid ◽

Before And After ◽

The Relationship ◽

Daily Gain

Milk yield in lactating range beef cows was estimated by milking 42 cows four times at approximately monthly intervals during the lactation. Milking was by machine after oxytocin injection. Weights of calves, before and after suckling, over a 24-hour period were used to estimate calf consumption. Breed-age group averages for 24-hour milk yield varied from 3.7 to 8.4 kg, with an overall average of 6.4 kg. Breed of cow accounted for 82.5% of the variance in milk yield in these data. Milk yield declined on the average by 0.02 kg per day of lactation. The correlation between calf consumption and milk yield was 0.58. Butterfat was 3.9% on the average, protein 3.5%, solids-not-fat 9.1% and total solids 13.0%. Breed-age group or month of test did not significantly influence milk constituent percentages, although butterfat and total solids tended to rise as lactation progressed.A good estimate of milk yield was obtained by one test milking. Milk composition based on one test milking was not reliable. Milk yield as estimated in any month was highly related to calf average daily gain from birth to weaning. Use of two test milkings improved the relationship only slightly. Milk solid component percentages showed little relationship to calf gains.

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Evaluating a New Shade for Feedlot Cattle Performance and Heat Stress

Transactions of the ASABE ◽

10.13031/trans.12104 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 60 (4) ◽

pp. 1301-1311 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Morgan D. Hayes ◽

Tami M. Brown-Brandl ◽

Roger A. Eigenberg ◽

Larry A. Kuehn ◽

R. Mark Thallman

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Environmental Conditions ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Ground Temperature ◽

Globe Temperature ◽

The Impact ◽

Daily Gain ◽

Black Globe Temperature ◽

Cattle Performance

Abstract. Heat stress in cattle results in decreased feed intake, lower daily gain, and potentially death in susceptible animals under intense conditions. A study was carried out during the summer of 2013 at the USDA-ARS U.S. Meat Animal Research Center feedlot evaluating the impact of shade on environmental conditions and cattle performance. A novel two-tiered shade was used in half of the 14 pens, each holding 30 animals. The shades were designed to reduce solar heat load by 40% to 60% and to provide traveling shade across the pen, providing varied amounts of shade area as well as varied solar reduction potential. The objective of this study was to determine if the shade was effective at improving performance (evaluated as average daily gain, feed intake, and feed to gain ratio) and reducing environmental conditions that cause heat stress. A group of mixed-breed cattle with varied genetics including both and were selected, penned on the basis of sex, and blocked by color. Production parameters of pen feed usage were measured daily, and individual body weights were taken monthly. Environmental conditions including air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, ground temperature, and black globe temperature with and without shade were measured. Solar load on the pens was reduced when shade was provided, with both ground temperature and black globe temperature showing reductions. Cattle showed nominally better performance; however, no significant differences were found in gain or feed intake. Panting scores were significantly lower with shade provided; slopes of cattle respiration rate versus ambient temperature were significantly lower with shade during the afternoon period. Keywords: Cattle, Feedlot, Heat stress, Respiration, Shade.

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Effects of Feed Removal during Acute Heat Stress on the Cytokine Response and Short-Term Growth Performance in Finishing Pigs

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11010205 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 205

Author(s):

Kouassi R. Kpodo ◽

Alan W. Duttlinger ◽

Jacob M. Maskal ◽

Betty R. McConn ◽

Jay S. Johnson

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Temperature Treatment ◽

Cytokine Response ◽

Finishing Pigs ◽

Short Term ◽

Study Objective ◽

Acute Heat Stress ◽

Interleukin 1Α

The study objective was to evaluate the effects of feed removal during acute heat stress (HS) on the cytokine response and its short-term effect on growth performance in finishing pigs. Thirty-two pigs (93.29 ± 3.14 kg initial body weight; 50% barrows and 50% gilts) were subjected to thermoneutral (TN; 23.47 ± 0.10 °C; n = 16 pigs) or HS (cycling of 25 to 36 °C; n = 16 pigs) conditions for 24 h. Within each temperature treatment, 50% of the pigs were provided with feed (AF; n = 8 pigs/temperature treatment) and 50% of the pigs had no feed access (NF; n = 8 pigs/temperature treatment). Following the 24 h temperature and feeding treatment (TF) period, all pigs had ad libitum access to feed and water and were maintained under TN conditions for 6 d. During the first 12 h of the TF period, gastrointestinal (TGI) and skin (Tsk) temperatures were recorded every 30 min. Serum cytokines were determined at 0, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h during the TF period and on Days 3 and 6 of the post-TF period. Average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake were measured on Days 1, 3, and 6 of the post-TF period. Behavioral data were collected from Days 1 to 6 of the post-TF period. Heat stress increased (p < 0.02) the TGI and Tsk. During the post-TF period, interleukin-1α was greater (p < 0.01) in HS + NF compared to HS + AF and TN + NF pigs. From Days 1 to 2 of the post-TF period, the ADG was reduced (p < 0.01) in TN + AF compared to HS + AF, HS + NF, and TN + NF pigs. In conclusion, feed removal during an acute HS challenge did not reduce the cytokine response or improve short-term growth performance in finishing pigs.

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133 Provision of Artificial Shade During Summer Reduced Vaginal Temperature and Improved Growth Performance of Pregnant Grazing Beef Heifers

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz397.093 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 40-41

Author(s):

Gleise Medeiros da Silva ◽

Jimena Laporta ◽

Jose Carlos Batista Dubeux ◽

Ricardo Chebel ◽

Nicolas DiLorenzo

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Paspalum Notatum ◽

Beef Heifers ◽

Shade Cloth ◽

Vaginal Temperature ◽

Daily Gain

Abstract This study evaluated the effects of providing artificial shade during the summer in Florida on growth performance and vaginal temperature (VT) of pregnant grazing beef heifers. From July to September 2017 (THI from 61.5 to 92.3), 36 black-hided Angus and Angus crossbred pregnant heifers (418 ± 20 kg BW) were stratified by breed, blocked by body weight (BW) and allocated to 12 bahiagrass pastures (Paspalum notatum Flüggé; 1.3 ha, n = 3 heifers/pasture), with (SHADE; 6 pastures) or without (NO SHADE; 6 pastures) access to artificial shade. The shade structures were comprised of a shade cloth that measured 11 × 7.3 m in length and provided 26.8 m2 of shade per animal. Shrunk and full BW were obtained on d 0 and 47, and on d 14 and 28, respectively, to assess changes in BW and average daily gain (ADG). Vaginal temperature was automatically recorded every 10 min for 5 d during weeks 1, 3, 5, and 7 of the study using an intravaginal digital thermo-loggers attached to a blank CIDR. Herbage mass was measured every 14 d to calculate herbage allowance (HA), and additional heifers were used as needed to maintain the same HA among pastures. No differences were observed for HA (P = 0.78). The ADG from d 0 to 47 (P = 0.08 and SEM = 0.07) tended to be greater for SHADE relative to NO SHADE heifers (0.20 vs. -0.02 kg, respectively), whereas no differences were observed for BW (P > 0.10) throughout the study. Vaginal temperature was reduced for SHADE vs. NO SHADE heifers on weeks 1 and 3 (P < 0.001); however, no differences were observed on weeks 5 and 7 (P > 0.10). Providing artificial shade during summer to pregnant grazing beef heifers reduced vaginal temperature and tended to improve ADG.

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