Vitamin and mineral supplementation and rate of gain during the first trimester of gestation affect concentrations of amino acids in maternal serum and allantoic fluid of beef heifers

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of feeding vitamin and mineral (VTM) supplement and (or) rate of gain (GAIN) during early gestation on amino acid (AA) concentrations in allantoic fluid (ALF) and amniotic fluid (AMF) and maternal serum. Seventy-two crossbred Angus heifers (initial BW = 359.5 ± 7.1 kg) were randomly assigned to one of four treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with main effects of VTM supplement (VTM or NoVTM) and rate of gain (GAIN; low gain [LG], 0.28 kg/d, vs. moderate gain [MG], 0.79 kg/d). The VTM treatment (113 g•heifer⁻¹•d⁻¹, provided macro and trace minerals and vitamins A, D, and E to meet 110% of the requirements specified by the NASEM in Nutrient requirements of beef cattle. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi:10.17226/19014, 2016) was initiated 71 to 148 d before artificial insemination (AI). To complete the factorial arrangement of treatments, at breeding heifers were either maintained on the basal diet (LG), or received MG diet which was implemented by adding a protein/energy supplement to the LG diet. Thirty-five gestating heifers with female fetuses were ovariohysterectomized on d 83 of gestation and maternal serum, ALF, and AMF were collected. Samples were analyzed for concentrations of neutral AA: Ala, Asn, Cys, Gln, Gly, Ile, Leu, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, and Val; cationic AA: Arg, His, and Lys; and anionic AA: Asp and Glu. In serum, a VTM × GAIN interaction (P = 0.02) was observed for Glu, with greater concentrations for VTM-LG than VTM-MG. Concentrations of serum Cys, Met, and Trp were greater (P ≤ 0.03) for MG than LG. In ALF, concentrations of Glu were affected by a VTM × GAIN interaction, where VTM-MG was greater (P < 0.01) than all other treatments. Further, ALF from VTM had increased (P ≤ 0.05) concentrations of His, Asp, and 12 of the 14 neutral AA; whereas GAIN affected concentrations of Arg, Cys, and Asp, with greater concentrations (P ≤ 0.05) in MG heifers. In AMF, AA concentrations were not affected (P ≥ 0.10) by VTM, GAIN, or their interaction. In conclusion, increased concentrations of AA in maternal serum and ALF of beef heifers were observed at d 83 of gestation in response to VTM supplementation and rate of gain of 0.79 kg/d, which raises important questions regarding the mechanisms responsible for AA uptake and balance between the maternal circulation and fetal fluid compartments.     

Prevalence of anthelmintic resistance on sheep farms in New Zealand

AIM: To establish the prevalence of anthelmintic resistance in parasitic nematodes on sheep farms in New Zealand. METHODS: A cross-sectional prevalence study was conducted, using a standardised faecal nematode egg count (FEC) reduction (FECR) test (FECRT) for ivermectin, at a full (0.2 mg/kg) and half (0.1 mg/kg) dose rate, and albendazole, levamisole and albendazole-levamisole in combination, on 60 lambs (n=10 per group) on farms selected from throughout New Zealand. Farms that conformed with selection criteria were chosen at random (n=80) or with a history of suspected resistance to macrocyclic lactone (ML) anthelmintics (n=32). Resistance to an anthelmintic was inferred when there was <95% reduction in FEC 7-10 days after treatment. Larval cultures were performed for all control groups and for treated groups for which resistance was evident. RESULTS: Of the farms randomly selected, 36% showed > or =95% FECR for all anthelmintics tested; resistance to ivermectin at 0.1 and 0.2 mg/kg liveweight was evident on 36% and 25% of these farms, respectively. Resistance to both ivermectin (0.2 mg/kg) and levamisole was evident on 8/80 (10%) farms, to ivermectin and albendazole on 10/80 (13%) farms, and to ivermectin, levamisole and albendazole on 6/80 (8%) farms. The prevalence of resistance to a half dose of ivermectin tended to be more prevalent on farms with a history of suspected ML resistance (p=0.06). Resistance to albendazole was seen across all the main parasite genera, and to levamisole in Nematodirus, Ostertagia (= Teladorsagia) and Trichostrongylus species. Resistance to ivermectin was dominated by Ostertagia spp, although Cooperia, Nematodirus and Trichostrongylus species were also implicated. CONCLUSION: Anthelmintic resistance in parasitic nematodes of sheep is common in New Zealand. Not only was resistance to albendazole and levamisole common, but resistance to the ML, ivermectin, was at a higher prevalence than expected. Sheep farmers and advisors in New Zealand need to re-evaluate the way they manage parasites, and more research is urgently needed if the steady decline in anthelmintic susceptibility is to be halted.     

Comparison of wheat gluten and spray-dried animal plasma in diets for nursery pigs

Five experiments were conducted to determine the effects of different wheat gluten (WG) sources (Source 1 = enzymatically hydrolyzed, Source 2 = nonmodified ring-dried, Source 3 = spray-dried, and Source 4 = flash-dried) on growth performance of nursery pigs compared with soybean meal (SBM), spray-dried animal plasma (SDAP), or other specialty protein sources. In Exp. 1, pigs (n = 220, initially 6.1 +/- 2.5 kg) were fed a control diet containing (as-fed basis) 6% SDAP or WG Source 1 or 2. The WG and l-lysine*HCl replaced 50 or 100% of the SDAP. From d 0 to 21, increasing WG (either source) decreased ADG and ADFI (linear, P < 0.01), but improved (linear, P < 0.02) G:F. In Exp. 2, pigs (n = 252, initially 6.2 +/- 3.0 kg) were fed a negative control diet containing no SDAP or WG, diets containing (as-fed basis) 9% WG Source 1 or 5% SDAP, or combinations of WG and SDAP where WG and l-lysine*HCl replaced 25, 50, or 75% of SDAP. From d 0 to 14, pigs fed increasing WG had decreased ADG (linear, P < 0.05). In Exp. 3, pigs (n = 240, initially 7.0 +/- 2.5 kg) were fed a negative control diet, a diet containing (as-fed basis) either 3, 6, 9, or 12% WG Source 3, or a positive control diet containing 5% SDAP. The diets containing 9% WG and 5% SDAP had the same amount of SBM. From d 0 to 7, pigs fed 5% SDAP had greater (P < 0.04) ADG than pigs fed the diet containing 9% WG. From d 0 to 14, increasing WG had no effect on ADG, ADFI, or G:F. In Exp. 4, pigs (n = 200, initially 6.0 +/- 2.4 kg) were fed a negative control diet, the control diet with (as-fed basis) 4.5 or 9.0% WG Source 1, or the control diet with 2.5 or 5.0% SDAP. Diets containing WG and SDAP had similar SBM levels. From d 0 to 7 and 0 to 14, increasing SDAP tended to improve (linear, P < 0.06) ADG, but increasing WG had no effect. In Exp. 5, 170 barrows and gilts (initially 7.5 +/- 2.8 kg) were used to determine the effects of WG Source 1 and 4 compared with select Menhaden fish meal or spray-dried blood cells and a negative control diet (SBM) on the growth performance of nursery pigs from d 5 to 26 postweaning (d 0 to 21 of experiment). No differences were found in ADG or G:F, but pigs fed the diet containing (as-fed basis) 2.5% spray-dried blood cells had greater ADFI than pigs fed the negative control from d 0 to 21. Wheat gluten source had no effect on ADG, ADFI, or G:F. The results of these studies suggest that increasing WG in diets fed immediately after weaning did not improve growth performance relative to SBM or SDAP.     

Impact of thetexas beef partnership in extension program on profitability of beef cow-calf herds

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether beef herds could increase profitability by reducing production cost per 100 lb (hundredweight [CWTI; ie, 45.4 kg) of calf through implementation of advice from teams of veterinarians and county extension agents supported by university specialists. DESIGN: Longitudinal study. SAMPLE POPULATION: 6 commercial cow-calf herds comprising 1,927 cows. PROCEDURE: Teams of veterinarians and county extension agents provided advice on 25 profitable ranch management practices to herd owners for 3 years. Use of each practice in herds was measured on a scale of 1 to 5 for baseline year 1999. Similar measurements were made at the end of each year for comparison with baseline values. Outcomes were measured by standardized performance analysis. RESULTS: Mean weaning weight of calves per exposed cow of the 6 herds increased significantly from 1999 (2000, 26.8 kg [59 lb; 17%]; 2001, 49.1 kg [108 lb; 31%]; and 2002, 43.2 kg [95 lb; 27%]). Mean cost per CWT of calf decreased significantly from the 1999 value (2000, -$20.04 [-18%]; 2001, -$33.40 [-29%]; and 2002, -$22.52 [-20%]). Additional profits for the 6 herds were $54,407 in 2000, $135,695 in 2001, and $116,089 in 2002 (3-year total of $306,191). Mean increase in management score of herds was positively correlated with increase in net income and accounted for > 60% of increased profits. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Profitability of beef cow-calf operations can be substantially increased through a team approach by identifying opportunities for improvements in management and helping ranch managers implement profitable practices.     

Impact of coal combustion waste on the microbiology of a model aquifer

The effects of water infiltration into an alkaline coal combustion waste burial site on the chemical and microbiological aspects of a meso-scale (2.44 m diameter × 4.6 m, height, 65 tonne) model aquifer were analyzed. The spatial and temporal effects of the alkaline leachate on microbial activity, numbers and diversity were examined in the model and compared with uncontaminated control materials. Within the saturated zone below the waste there was a pH gradient from 12.4 at the water table, immediately below the waste, to 6.0 at 3.5 meters from the waste, and elevated levels of arsenic and strontium in the pore waters. Microtox testing of the contaminated pore waters indicated high toxicity (a gamma value of 1 at dilutions of 45 to 110 fold). The leachate contamination was associated with a reduction in bacterial [³H] leucine incorporation from a high of 267 fmol g^?1 h^?1 in sediments below the contaminant plume to undetectable in the contaminated zone. In comparison, leucine incorporation rates in control column sediments were 899 fmol g^?1 h^?1. Similar toxic effects were evident in reduced total direct and culturable counts of bacteria. Observations also indicated a reduction in microbial diversity and development of alkaline-tolerant microbial communities. These results indicated that any failure of confinement technologies at disposal sites would adversely affect both the chemistry and microbiology of the underlying saturated zone.     

Practical Molt Staging of Penaeus setiferus and Penaeus stylirostris

Molt staging has many applications in penaeid aquaculture as a routine procedure. Using criteria developed for various crustaceans, a method of rapid molt staging was applied to Penaeus stylirostris and Penaeus setiferus adults. The most useful characters were the degree of epidermal retraction from the setal bases and epidermal retraction from the cuticle coupled with the development of new setae. The duration of the molt cycle of P. stylirostris was 11.5 ± 1.0 days ( N = 5) at 27–29 C. The early postmolt, late postmolt, intermolt, early premolt and late premolt stages were readily determined. For P. stylirostris , the duration of postmolt was 27% of the cycle; intermolt, 17%; and premolt, 56%. The length of the molt cycle of P. setiferus at 27–29 C was 13.6 ± 1.0 days ( N = 21) with postmolt occupying 22% of the cycle; intermolt, 19%; and premolt, 59%. Unilaterally eyestalk enucleated P. setiferus had a significantly shorter molt cycle than intact P. setiferus (11.7 ± 1.21 days vs. 13.6 ± 1.02 days, P < 0.05). There were no differences in molt cycle duration between the sexes, whether enucleated or intact ( P > 0.05). A series of illustrations identifies the key characteristics for determining stage of molt in these penaeids.     

THE INFLUENCE OF FERTILIZER ON THE WINTER SURVIVAL OF INTERMEDIATE WHEATGRASS FOLLOWING A LONG PERIOD OF DROUGHT

In Saskatchewan, intermediate wheatgrass ( Agropyron intermedium Host. Beauv.) suffered severe winter injury during the 1961–2 winter season, which followed a series of drought years, the most severe being 1961. In two tests, designed to study fertilizer effects, the extent of severe winter injury increased with the rate of application. The killing ranged from 4% where no fertilizer was applied to 90% where 66 lb of N per acre were applied. Slightly more winter-killing occurred after applications of ammonium phosphate/sulphate (16-20-0) fertilizer than after ammonium nitrate (33·5-0-0).
The grass growing in rows 36 in. apart killed out to a greater extent than that growing in rows 18 in apart Less winter injury occurred after spring applications of fertilizer than after application in the fall.