Prevalence of Brucellosis in Cattle under Different Management Systems in Mbale District, Eastern Region of Uganda

The research study was conducted on prevalence of Brucellosis in cattle under different management systems in Mbale District, Eastern Region of Uganda. The research design adopted was a purposive sampling. 48 respondents from different farms were selected using a random sampling to allow equal representation of the farms. The data were collected using both blood samples and questionnaires. A total of 78 serum samples collected from different cattle were serologically assessed using Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and Serum Agglutination Test (SAT). The high sero-prevalence of 37.5% was recorded in female cows followed by male bulls (20.0%) and female calves (20.0%). Bull calves and heifers showed negative result with RBPT and SAT (0.0%). A total of 24(30.7%) and 22(28.2%) were recorded for RBPT and SAT respectively. However, although there was higher prevalence of Brucellosis in communal grazing than the rest of other grazing systems, there was no statistical significant difference between Brucellosis and grazing systems (p>0.05). Similarly, considering the type of breeding methods of fertilization, there was a statistically significant relationship between the type of breeding (artificial and natural insemination) methods and management system practiced (p<0.05). The study concluded that contamination of common grazing environment was due to aborted foetuses which is accompanied by shedding of large number of Brucella species and that there was lack of knowledge on the causative agents, as well as mode of transmission. The researchers recommend that cattle grazing systems that limit mixing of herds should be encouraged to reduce the contamination of common grazing environment.

AGE DYNAMICS OF THE LIVE WEIGHT OF YOUNG YAKS OF THE ALTAI POPULATION

Проведено изучение интенсивности роста молодняка яков алтайской популяции, характеризующегося энергичным ростом. Динамика роста молодняка яков изучена путем определения их живой массы в разные возрастные периоды: при рождении, в возрасте 7, 12, 18 мес. По результатам взвешиваний определен абсолютный прирост, абсолютный среднесуточный прирост живой массы, относительная скорость роста. В период от рождения до 7-месячного возраста, который совпал с летним периодом пастбищного сезона, живая масса бычков увеличилась на 131,4 кг, а телок — на 120,2 кг. Интенсивность роста составила соответственно 625,7 и 572,4 г, что свидетельствует о достаточно хорошей молочности маток. В зимний период (возраст молодняка — от 7 до 12 мес) интенсивность роста резко снизилась: живая масса бычков и телочек составила всего 161,3 и 143,7 кг, со среднесуточными приростами — 94 и 58 г соответственно. С началом вегетации пастбищных растений приросты молодняка по сравнению с зимним периодом резко увеличились. В возрасте от 12 до 18 мес они были равны: 476 г — у бычков и 439 г — у телочек. Общий прирост живой массы бычков за этот период составил 86 кг, у телочек — 79 кг. Полученные данные свидетельствуют о достаточно хорошем развитии молодняка яков алтайской популяции. The growth rate of young yaks of the Altai population, characterized by vigorous growth, was investigated. The growth dynamics of young yaks was studied by determining their live weight at different age periods – at birth and at the age of 7, 12, 18 months. According to the weighing results, the absolute gain, the absolute average daily gain in live weight, and the relative growth rate were determined. In the period from birth to 7 months of age, which coincided with the summer months of the pasture season, the live weight of bull calves increased by 131.4, and heifers — by 120.2 kg, i.e., the growth rate was 625.7 and 572.4 g, respectively, which characterizes a fairly good milk yield of cows. In the winter period (age from 7 to 12 months), the growth rate decreased sharply: the live weight of calves and calves was only 161.3 kg and 143.7 kg, with average daily gains of 94 and 58g, respectively. Subsequently, with the beginning of the growing season of pasture plants, the weight gain of young animals in comparison with the winter period increased sharply. At the age of 12 to 18 months they were equal: 476 g-for steers and 439 g-for heifers. The total increase in live weight of calves during this period was 86 kg, of heifers — 79 kg. The data obtained indicate a fairly good development of young yaks of the Altai population.

PSIX-1 Canadian Vytelle technology for determining residual feed intake in raising Qazaq Aqbas bull calves

Selection for residual feed intake (RFI) allows you to reduce feed costs and increase productivity of beef cattle. An increase in feed productivity by 10% can lead to an increase in profits by 43%, raising livestock with a low RFI can reduce feed intake by 12%, reduce methane emissions by 30%, and manure reduction by 17%. To obtain reliable trial results when determining the RFI, it is necessary to ensure the following conditions: 1) the same age of animals 2) the exchange of pedigree data between users of the system, which makes it possible to compare the EPDs within Vytelle Systems. Objects of research:QazaqAqbas bull calves (n = 46) at the age of 10–12 months in ZhanaBerekeLLP in Akmola region of Kazakhstan. Trial results confirm that residual feed intake in group 1 varied from -0.81 to 1.11, in group 2 - from -0.80 to 1.09. The RFI Rank was higher in group 1 (12.5). RADG in group 1 was at the level of -0.57 ... 0.58, in group 2 - -0.58 ... 1.13. According to the numerical rating of the animal (RADG Rank), the average value in group 1 was 12.5, in group 2 - 11.5. The average live weight at the beginning (START WT.) and end (END WT.) in the first group was 254.16 and 287.62 kg, in the second group 239.99 and 273.09 kg. The ADG in two groups was at the same level - 0.70 and 0.69 kg. The average Dry Matter Intake per day by animals during the trial was higher in the first group - 4.15, in the second group it was 3.65. For the first time in Kazakhstan national QazaqAqbas breed is tested for RFI, RADG, ADG, DMI, Raw F:G, Adj F:G.

PSV-10 The effects of maternal programming on postnatal growth and inflammation in neonatal dairy bull calves

Neonatal dairy calves are highly susceptible to respiratory and digestive diseases. A mechanism that could be predisposing calves to disease is maternal programming. We hypothesized that high milk production and/or mastitis infection during gestation will 1) affect postnatal growth and development 2) cause increased inflammation in neonatal dairy bull calves. Calves (n = 45) were selected from dams classified has high producers (HI; Top 25% for herd M305; n = 7), high producers with high SCC (HIMAST; SCC test during pregnancy over 200,000 cells/mL; n = 15), moderate producers (MOD; lower 60% for herd M305; n = 17) or moderate producers with high SCC (MODMAST; n = 6). Calves were transported to the University of Rhode Island at 24 hrs of age. Body weights and body measurements (crown rump length (CRL), skull length (SL), skull width (SW), Girth, Height) were collected at 24 hrs (Initial) and at weaning (8 weeks). C-reactive protein (Abclonal, Woburn, MA) and Malondialdehyde (Abcam, Cambridge, MA) analyses were performed on plasma samples collected 72 hrs post travel. Data were analyzed in SAS using repeated measures (BW and growth measurements) and proc mixed (inflammatory biomarkers). As expected, an effect of time was observed on calf BW, CRL, SL, SW, Girth and Height (P ≤ 0.01). However, no difference in calf BW, CRL, SL, SW, Girth and Height were observed between groups (P&gt;0.05). No effect of dam milk production and/or SCC during gestation was observed on CRP or MDA concentrations at 72 hrs post travel (P ≥ 0.17). In conclusion, high maternal milk production and/or mastitis infection during gestation does not affect calf BW and body measurements when analyzed overtime. Correlation analyses will be performed to better understand the relationship between maternal programming and calf growth. Additional inflammatory biomarkers are also going to be evaluated.

PSXIII-9 Effects of lipid and starch isoenergetic supplementation as mitigation techniques on water footprint and health of nursing Holstein calves

Water footprint (WF) of livestock can be manipulated to improve water use efficiency. The dynamics of water use by Holstein nursing bull calves (HBC) is not very well stablished. The physiological and anatomical status of HBC permits for precise-diet manipulation aiming to decreasing voluntary water intake (WI); however, WI mitigation raises concerns about potential adverse effects on hydration and health. The goals herein involve investigation of the effects of two isoenergetic supplements top-dressed on ad libitum non-medicated milk-replacer (MR) on health, hydration, and WF of HBC. A total of 23 HBC weighing 94.67 ± 12.07 kg, 2 months old, were distributed in a completely randomized design receiving one of three diets for 67 days: control (CON; n = 7) received MR only, the lipid (FAT; n = 8) received MR supplemented with fish oil (3%), and the carbohydrate (CHO; n = 8) received corn starch (7%). All animals were offered mineral mix and water ad libitum, and 120 g daily dried brewer’s spent grains. Data were analyzed with the GLMMIX procedure of SAS 9.4 with diets as fixed effect. The WF was significantly decreased for the CHO group (P &lt; 0.01). When WF values were adjusted by cold carcass weight (CCW), the CHO and FAT groups displayed a 100 L decrease in WF values compared to the CON. Though statistically significant differences were observed for Neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, and their ratio (NLR, as well as for total protein and fecal fluidity score (P &lt; 0.05), the observed ranges were within healthy thresholds for HBC. Skin hydration was assessed through use of a skin moisture meter which resulted in the CHO group having significantly higher skin capacitance of 5.30 compared to CON = 3.76, and FAT= 3.99. These results evidence the possibility of increasing water use efficiency with precision diet formulation without adverse health and hydration effects.

PSVII-21 Canadian Vytelle technology for determining residual feed intake epdsin raising Qazaq Aqbas bull calves

The Abstract reviews the experience of implementing Vytelle technology in ZhanaBereke LLP, Akmola region in Kazakhstan. The trial objects are Qazaq Aqbas bull calves: group 1 aged 10–11 months (n = 22), group 2 aged 11–12 months (n = 24). Data analysis showed that more reliable Residual Feed Intake calculated for each individual animal on the basis of their phenotypes and information on pedigree, were found in group 1. The average RFI EPD for group 1 is -0.0607, for group 2 is -0.0297. The RFI% Rank in terms of RFI EPD for both trial groups varied within 4 ... 96%. However, the average RFI% Rank was lower in the first group (45%) compared to the second group (56%). From which it follows that the RFI EPD is higher in group 1. Average Daily Gain EPDs (ADG EPD) higher in group 1 -0.0018. A higher ADG EPDs indicate a more cost-effective metric. The ADG% Rank in terms of ADG EPD for group 1 varied within 1 ... 62%, for group 2: 1 ... 63%. The average ADG% Rank was slightly lower in the first group (30%) compared to the second group (33%). From the presented data, it follows that the breeding valueaccording to the ADG EPD is higher in group 1. The average Dry Matter Intake by animals per day during the trial (DMI EPD) is equal to -0,0600 in the first group, and -0,0292 in the second group. The DMI% RANK in terms of DMI EPD for group 1 varied within 31 ... 93%, for group 2: 38 ... 96%. The DMI% RANK was lower in the first group (60%) compared to the second group (67%). Summarizing the above, we can conclude that selection for this characteristic is less effective, work will continue to increase this indicator.

290 Encapsulated Sodium Butyrate (Ultramix GF) for Transitioning Neonatal Calves from Milk to Calf Starter

Butyrate (UltraMix GF; Adisseo) is known to enhance ruminal papillae development for transitioning calves to dry feed. The hypothesis was that butyrate would be beneficial to neonatal calf growth performance. Eighty 2- to 5-d old Holstein bull calves were assigned to one of 2 treatments using a randomized complete block design. Treatments were: 1) control: no butyrate; or 2) butyrate: 0.3% butyrate added to milk replacer (MR). Calves were fed 2x/d at 0630 and 1800 h along with free choice water and a 22% CP mini-pelleted calf starter (CS). The MR was fed at 0.567 kg/d for d 1–14, then increased to 0.85 kg/d for d 15–42, and feeding reduced to 1x/d for d 42–49 with weaning occurring after the 49-d experimental period. Calves fed butyrate demonstrated greater (P &lt; 0.04) ending body weight (BW; 54.7 and 56.2 kg, for control and butyrate, respectively), BW gain (29.0 and 31.7 kg), and average daily gains (ADG; 591.3 and 647.7 g/d), compared with calves fed control. Dry matter intake (DMI) was similar (P &gt; 0.10) for both treatments, but the number of d required for calves to consume 0.9 kg CS for 3 consecutive days (47.3 and 45.7 d) was lower (P &lt; 0.05) for calves fed butyrate compared with calves fed control. Feed conversions were improved (P &lt; 0.05) for calves fed butyrate (0.53 and 0.58 kg/kg) compared with calves fed control. At the end of the 49-d study, withers height tended (P &lt; 0.10) to be greater for calves fed butyrate (85.2 and 86.0 cm) compared with calves fed control, while the remaining frame measurements (hip height, hip width, body length, and heart girth) and fecal scores were similar (P &gt; 0.10) for calves fed both treatments. Feeding neonatal calves butyrate in the MR improved growth performance and reduced the days to transition calves to CS.

254 Effects of Nutrition on Bull Fertility

The greatest effects of nutrition on bull fertility occur by providing a relatively high plane of nutrition during calfhood when the seminiferous epithelium of the testes is developing. A high plane of nutrition from 5 to 25 weeks of age results in greater circulating gonadotropin concentrations, greater testicular volume, and greater sperm production at maturity. At this age, diet can be manipulated by creep feeding bull calves with both protein and energy supplements which could accelerate puberty and increase sperm production. Increased rate of gain in bull calves post-weaning can accelerate puberty a few weeks, but excess post-weaning gain and fat buildup in the neck of the scrotum can have detrimental effects on fertility. Considerable emphasis has been placed on specific micronutrient (especially minerals) effects on peripubertal bull fertility. Trace mineral supplementation is believed to be critical for optimal fertility and both copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) supplementation have influenced male fertility in other species. However, there are no guidelines for recommended levels of these minerals to ensure fertility. Providing organic or complexed compared to inorganic mineral to peripubertal bulls have increased liver concentrations of mineral and in some cases, have accelerated puberty, but enhanced fertility-associated measures have not been realized. Because both Cu and Zn are present in the ejaculate, mineral needs during the breeding season may differ from the off-season. During the breeding season, bulls can lose 10 to 20% of their weight and need to re-gain this weight before the next breeding season. Divergent planes of nutrition provided to mature bulls during the off-season revealed enhanced sperm energy and stress-fighting potential with decreasing plane of nutrition. Specific mineral supplementation during the off-season in mature bulls provides no beneficial effect on fertility-associated measures. In summary, significant effects of nutrition post-weaning on bull fertility-associated measures have not been realized.

PSI-8 Determining the effect of dam milk production and mastitis infection during pregnancy on blood biochemistry in dairy bull calves

Maternal programming can affect offspring health postnatally. We hypothesized that high milk production and/or mastitis infection during pregnancy will adversely affect calf blood biochemical analytes. Holstein bull calves (n = 45) were transported to the University of Rhode Island within 24 hrs of birth. Calves were classified by dam production and somatic cell counts (SCC) during pregnancy; HI (top 25% for herd M305, n = 7), MOD (lower 60% for herd M305, n = 16), HIMAST (HI with SCC ≥ 200,000 cells/mL; n = 15), and MODMAST (MOD with high SCC; n=6). Calves were sampled once a week for 8 wks. Serum was sent to the Missouri State Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (Columbia, MO) for analyses. Results were analyzed in SAS using proc mixed. At wk 1, Calcium (Ca) concentrations were greater in HI calves (11±0.61mg/dL; P =.05) than MOD calves (10± 0.25mg/dL). At wk 3, Ca concentrations were greater in HIMAST (10± 0.13mg/dL) compared to HI (8±.048mg/dL; P&lt;0.01) and MOD (9±0.36mg/dL; P =.02) calves respectively. MODMAST calves (10 ± 0.460 mg/dL) exhibited greater Ca concentrations than HI calves (P = 0.05). Aspartate aminotransferase concentrations were greater in HIMAST calves compared to MODMAST calves at wk 1 (36±2.49 Units (U)/L vs. 27±2.63U/L; P = .04) and wk 8 (79±7.08U/L vs. 47±5.71U/L; P&lt;0.01). At wk 8, total protein concentrations were greater in HIMAST (6 ± .13g/dL) calves compared to MODMAST(5±0.13g/dL; P =.01) and MOD calves(5±.13g/dL; P = .03). In conclusion, maternal mastitis infection and production level during pregnancy does affect key circulating factors in the offspring. Correlation and gene expression analyses will be performed to better understand these changes.