Relationship between feeding behavior and performance of feedlot steers fed barley-based diets

The relationship between feeding behavior and performance of 274 feedlot cattle was evaluated using Charolais cross steers from 2 consecutive years averaging 293 ± 41 kg for yr 1 (n = 115) and 349 ± 41 for yr 2 (n = 159). Steers were blocked by BW and assigned to 3 (yr 1) or 4 (yr 2) feedlot pens equipped with a radio frequency identification system (GrowSafe Systems). Each pen contained 5 feeding stalls that allowed individual animal access to a feed tub suspended on load cells. The system recorded animal identification, duration, and frequency of feedings as well as the amount of feed consumed during each visit. Daily variation in DMI (DVI), calculated as the absolute difference in DMI from one day to the next, as well as eating rate were determined for each steer. Barley-based diets were delivered to meet steer ad libitum intake over the 213- and 181-d feeding periods for yr 1 and 2 of the study, respectively. The backgrounding periods included the first 85 and 56 d of yr 1 and 2, respectively, in which steers were fed a 14 to 30% concentrate diet, whereas the finishing periods included the last 116 and 101 d of feeding in yr 1 and 2, respectively, with the diet consisting of 77.9% concentrate. Steers were weighed individually every 14 d. To relate feeding behavior to performance, steers were grouped by ADG and G:F and categorized as high, average, or low (based on 1 SD greater than and less than the mean). In the backgrounding and finishing periods of both years of the study, steers classified as having high ADG exhibited greater (P < 0.001) DVI than steers classified as having average or low ADG. Total daily DMI was also greater (P < 0.001) for steers in the high ADG group than those in the low ADG group. Overall, those steers with the greatest G:F also tended (P = 0.15) to have greater DVI than average or low G:F steers. Compared with average or low G:F steers, DMI by high G:F steers in both years of the study was less during backgrounding, finishing, and overall (P = 0.02). Bunk visits and bunk attendance duration were less frequent and shorter (P ≤ 0.01) overall for high compared with low G:F steers. In this study, steers with more variable eating patterns exhibited greater ADG and tended to have greater G:F, a finding that is contrary to industry perception.     

Improving the efficacy of nuclear polyhedrosis virus and Bacillus thuringiensis against Helicoverpa spp. with ultra-violet light protected petroleum spray oils on cotton crops in Australia

Nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are the most commonly used biopesticides for the control of Helicoverpa spp. larvae on cotton crops in Australia. The performance of NPV and Bt against Helicoverpa spp. larvae on cotton crops, is inconsistent and at times totally unsatisfactory against high densities of Helicoverpa spp. larvae. We determined the effect of mixing petroleum spray oils, containing ultra-violet light absorbing compounds, with NPV and Bt for efficacy against Helicoverpa spp. larvae, levels of cotton plant damage, and persistence of efficacy. The study showed that the efficacy and persistence of NPV and Bt were increased when mixed with petroleum spray oil (PSO?–?Canopy®) at the rate of 2% (v/v). In the field experiments, mixing NPV with 1 and 2% (v/v) PSO, increased Helicoverpa spp. mortality from 25.9 to 31.5 and 44.8%, respectively. Similarly, the mortality caused by Bt, when mixed with 1 and 2% (v/v) PSO, was increased from 31.5 to 36.0 and 48.2%, respectively. In addition, 1 and 2% PSO mixtures with NPV increased persistence of efficacy from 1.1 to 1.6 and 2.5 days, respectively, whilst persistence of Bt was increased from 1.5 to 1.8 and 2.6 days, respectively. In another study using potted cotton plants, in which the plants were left outdoors throughout the study, the average NPV induced mortality of first instar Helicoverpa larvae was increased from 20.9% to 35.9 and 43.4% by 1 and 2% (v/v) PSO, respectively. Persistence of NPV efficacy was enhanced by 2 and 3.1 times by 1 and 2% (v/v) PSO, respectively. Similarly, Bt induced mortality of Helicoverpa larvae was increased by 1 and 2% PSO from 68.1 to 78.8 and 83.2%, respectively, and the persistence of Bt efficacy was enhanced 1.3?–?2.0 times, respectively. In a mesh house study, young cotton plants, treated with a PSO/biopesticide mixture, suffered less leaf damage than cotton plants treated with the biopesticides alone. In conclusion, the results of this study showed synergies from the combined use of UV protected PSO and NPV or Bt, against Helicoverpa spp. larvae on cotton. Such a biopesticide-PSO combinations could be a useful tool for IPM program in cotton.     

Differential detection and genetic relatedness of phytoplasmas in papaya

The genetic relatedness of phytoplasmas associated with dieback (PDB), yellow crinkle (PYC) and mosaic (PM) diseases in papaya was studied by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the 16S rRNA gene and 16S rRNA/23S rRNA spacer region (SR). RFLP and SR sequence comparisons indicated that PYC and PM phytoplasmas were identical and most closely related to members of the faba bean phyllody strain cluster. By comparison the PDB phytoplasma was most closely related to Phormium yellow leaf (PYL) phytoplasma from New Zealand and the Australian grapevine yellows (AGY) phytoplasma from Australia. These three phytoplasmas cluster with the stolbur and German grapevine yellows (VK) phytoplasmas within the aster yellows strain cluster. Primers based on the phytoplasma tuf gene, which amplify gene products from members of the AY strain cluster, also amplified a DNA product from the PDB phytoplasma but not from either the PYC or PM phytoplasmas. Primers deduced from the 16S rRNA/SR selectively amplified rDNA sequences from the PDB and AGY phytoplasmas but not from other members of the stolbur strain cluster. Similarly, primers designed from 16S rRNA/SR amplified rDNA from the PYC and PM phytoplasmas but not from the PDB phytoplasma. These primers may provide for more specific detection of these pathogens in epidemiological studies.     

Using research and education to implement practical bed bug control programs in multifamily housing

Multifamily housing facilities serving low‐income populations have been at the forefront of bed bug outbreaks. Research conducted in the past 8 years has consistently proven that integrated pest management (IPM) is the best approach for successful suppression of bed bug infestations. Bed bug IPM in multifamily settings is especially dependent upon a collaborative community or building‐wide effort involving residents, building staff and pest control technicians. Other components of a bed bug IPM program include regular monitoring to detect early‐stage bed bug infestations and combined use of non‐chemical and chemical interventions. Lastly, to reduce reinfestation rates and costs associated with bed bug control, it is critical to continue periodic monitoring and implement preventive control measures even after successful elimination of bed bugs has been achieved. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry