Disease prevalence in Georgia turkey flocks in 1986

Disease prevalence in turkeys was estimated by totaling the flock size of necropsy cases submitted to the University of Georgia in 1986 for each disease reported and comparing it with the population at risk. Fowl cholera was the most prevalent disease in both commercial tom flocks (18.0%) and breeder hen flocks (14.7%). Prevalence of colibacillosis was 15.9% in commercial tom flocks, and prevalence of aspergillosis was 8.5% in commercial tom and 4.9% in breeder hen flocks.     

Histidine requirement of the young pig

A histidine (HIS)-deficient, feather meal-corn-dried whey basal diet (19% protein and 3,200 Kcal ME/kg), supplemented with lysine, methionine and tryptophan, was employed to determine the HIS requirement of the growing pig between 10 and 20 kg live weight. Using a chick bioavailability growth assay, the HIS-deficient basal diet was found to contain .19% bioavailable HIS. A preliminary pig study established that the HIS-deficient basal diet was capable of supporting good growth of pigs when supplemented with sufficient L-HIS.HCl.H2O. In the second pig experiment, crossbred pigs with an average initial weight of 10 kg were kept in individual metabolism crates and were fed to appetite in two feedings the HIS-deficient basal diet supplemented with 0, .06, .12 or .18% L-HIS. Rate and efficiency of weight gain increased linearly between 0 and .12% supplemental HIS, but the highest supplemental level of HIS did not improve performance further. Plasma HIS increased, whereas plasma urea-N remained unchanged, as the level of dietary HIS increased. The third pig experiment employed narrower increments of .06, .09 or .12% supplemental HIS, and a linear response in both gain and feed efficiency occurred. Viewing all experiments together, the bioavailable HIS requirement of the 10- to 20-kg pig was .31% of the diet. Assuming an 85% bioavailability of HIS in commercial diets based on corn and soybean meal, the total HIS level needed in practice would be .36%.     

Identification of carcass and meat quality quantitative trait loci in a Landrace pig population selected for growth and leanness

The identification of QTL related to production traits that are relevant for the pig industry has been mostly performed by using divergent crosses. The main objective of the current study was to investigate whether these growth, fatness, and meat quality QTL, previously described in diverse experimental populations, were segregating in a Landrace commercial population selected for litter size, backfat thickness, and growth performance. We have found QTL for carcass weight (posterior P > 0.75), cutlet weight (posterior P > 0.99), weight of ham (posterior P > 0.75), shoulders weight (posterior probability > 0.99), and shear firm-ness (posterior P > 0.99) on pig Chromosome 2. Moreover, QTL with posterior P > 0.75 for fat thickness between the 3rd and 4th ribs (Chromosome 7), rib weights (Chromosome 8), backfat thickness (Chromosomes 8, 9, and 10), and b Minolta color component (Chromosome 7) were identified. These results indicate that commercial purebred populations retain a significant amount of genetic variation, even for traits that have been selected for many generations.     

Estimation of genetic parameters for mature weight in Angus cattle

The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for BW of Angus cattle up to 5 yr of age and to discuss options for including mature weight (MW) in their genetic evaluation. Data were obtained from the American Angus Association. Only records from herds with at least 500 animals and with >10% of animals with BW at ≥ 2 yr of age were considered. Traits were weaning weight (WW, n = 81,525), yearling weight (YW, n = 62,721), and BW measured from 2 to 5 yr of age (MW2, n = 15,927; MW3, n = 12,404; MW4, n = 9,805; MW5, n = 7,546). Genetic parameters were estimated using an AIREML algorithm with a multiple-trait animal model. Fixed effects were contemporary group and departure of the actual age from standard age (205, 365, 730, 1,095, 1,460, and 1,825 d of age for WW, YW, MW2, MW3, MW4, and MW5, respectively). Random effects were animal direct additive genetic, maternal additive genetic, maternal permanent environment, and residual. Estimates of direct genetic variances (kg(2)) were 298 ± 71.8, 563 ± 15.1, 925 ± 52.1, 1,221 ± 65.8, 1,406 ± 80.4, and 1,402 ± 66.9; maternal genetic variances were 167 ± 4.8, 153 ± 6.1, 123 ± 9.1, 136 ± 12.25, 167 ± 18.0, and 110 ± 14.0; maternal permanent environment variances were 124 ± 2.9, 120 ± 4.3, 61 ± 7.5, 69 ± 11.9, 103 ± 15.9, and 134 ± 35.2; and residual variances were 258 ± 3.8, 608 ± 8.6, 829 ± 34.2, 1,016 ± 38.8, 1,017 ± 52.1, and 1,202 ± 63.22 for WW, YW, MW2, MW3, MW4, and MW5, respectively. The direct genetic correlation between WW and YW was 0.84 ± 0.14 and between WW and MW ranged from 0.66 ± 0.06 (WW and MW4) to 0.72 ± 0.11 (WW and MW2). Direct genetic correlations ranged from 0.77 ± 0.08 (YW and MW5) to 0.85 ± 0.07 (YW and MW2) between YW and MW, and they were ≥ 0.95 among MW2, MW3, MW4, and MW5. Maternal genetic correlations between WW and YW and MW ranged from 0.52 ± 0.05 (WW and MW4) to 0.95 ± 0.07 (WW and YW), and among MW they ranged from 0.54 ± 0.14 (MW4 and MW5) to 0.94 ± 0.07 (MW2 and MW3). Genetic correlations suggest that a genetic evaluation for MW may be MW2-based and that including BW from older ages could be accomplished by adjusting records to the scale of MW2.     

Studies on the effects of essential-oil-based feed additives on performance, ileal nutrient digestibility, and selected bacterial groups in the gastrointestinal tract of piglets

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of 2 different phytogenic products on performance, ileal nutrient digestibility, and composition of the intestinal microbiota. The 2 phytogenic products contained different essential oil mixtures (EOM) characterized by either menthol (Mentha arvensis; EOM-M) or cinnamon aldehyde (Cinnamomum aromaticum; EOM-C) as main constituents. Three treatments consisted of control diet without EOM addition and diets supplemented with EOM-M or EOM-C. Reproducibility of the effects was examined in 4 trials with a total of 300 male castrated and female piglets weaned at 25 d of age. The number of pens per treatment in trials I through III were 7, 9, and 9, respectively, for research station conditions, and 10 in trial IV for simulated farm conditions. In research station conditions, the experimental unit consisted of flat deck pens with 2 piglets per pen, whereas it consisted of floor pens with straw bedding with 5 piglets per pen in farm conditions. The feed additives had no effect on feed intake or BW gain. Improvements (P < 0.05) in G:F were observed for EOM-M supplemented diets in 2 of 4 trials as well as for the combined data of all trials. These improvements were associated with greater (P<0.05) apparent ileal digestibility of CP and of most AA. The effect of EOM-C on these response criteria was intermediate between control and EOM-M. Real-time PCR analysis of the gastrointestinal contents for 7 bacterial groups (Lactobacillus spp., Enterococcus spp., Clostridium coccoides and Clostridium leptum cluster, Escherichia spp., and Escherichia coli toxin estII) indicated no effect of treatments on the gastrointestinal microbiota. It was concluded that EOM-M consistently improved feed efficiency in weaned piglets, and it was associated with improved ileal protein and AA digestibility. In general, however, the effectiveness of EOM as feed additives differs considerably depending on the constituents.     

On-farm udder health monitoring

In this article an on-farm monitoring approach on udder health is presented. Monitoring of udder health consists of regular collection and analysis of data and of the regular evaluation of management practices. The ultimate goal is to manage critical control points in udder health management, such as hygiene, body condition, teat ends and treatments, in such a way that results (udder health parameters) are always optimal. Mastitis, however, is a multifactorial disease, and in real life it is not possible to fully prevent all mastitis problems. Therefore udder health data are also monitored with the goal to pick up deviations before they lead to (clinical) problems. By quantifying udder health data and management, a farm is approached as a business, with much attention for efficiency, thought over processes, clear agreements and goals, and including evaluation of processes and results. The whole approach starts with setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Acceptable, Realistic, Time-bound) goals, followed by an action plan to realize these goals.     

Ram management for northeastern flocks

The ram is an important member of the flock, particularly in smaller, intensively managed flocks such as are found in the Northeast. An infertile ram can spell reproductive and financial failure for the producer. A highly fertile ram can settle more ewes in a shorter time, produce more twins, and confer valuable traits on his offspring. These include wool type, rate of gain and higher sperm production and ovulation rates. Details of the breeding soundness examination, including semen evaluation are discussed. Ram management techniques appropriate for Northeastern sheep producers are presented.