M. J. Hersom

Effect of castration technique on beef calf performance, feed efficiency, and inflammatory response.

The objective of this experiment was to examine the effect of castration technique on daily feed intake (DFI), daily water intake (DWI), growth performance, residual feed intake (RFI), and inflammatory response in weaned beef calves. Seventy-five beef calves (214 ± 3.2 kg; 200 ± 26 d of age) were housed in a GrowSafe 4000 feed intake facility 7 d post weaning (15 calves/pen). Calves were offered a total mixed ration (TDN = 67.3% and CP = 12.2%, DM = 89%) for ad libitum consumption. On d 0, calves were assigned to 1 of 5 treatments (n = 15 calves/treatment): 1) steers castrated surgically pre-weaning (52 d of age; CON); 2) intact bulls (BULL); 3) bulls castrated by the Callicrate Bander on d 0 (No-Bull Enterprises LLC.; BAN); 4) bulls castrated by the Henderson Castrating Tool on d 0 (Stone Mfg & Supply Co.; HEN); and 5) bulls castrated surgically utilizing an emasculator on d 0 (SUR). Average daily gain, DFI, and DWI were recorded over 84 d. Blood was collected from a sub-sample of calves (n = 45) on d 0, 2, 6, 9, 12, and 15 relative to castration. Castration decreased (P = 0.06) ADG for castrates compared with CON from d 0 to 14 but not d 0 to 84. Daily feed intake and DWI were similar (P > 0.10) among treatments during d 0 to 84. Gain:feed was not affected by castration technique; however, RFI tended (P = 0.09) to be negative for CON and BULL compared with castrates on d 0 to 14 but not d 0 to 84. Acute phase protein analyses indicated that surgical castration (SUR or HEN) elicited a short-term inflammatory response in calves, whereas calves castrated with BAN elicited a delayed response. Calves castrated pre-weaning had improved d 0 to 14 ADG, feed intake, and inflammation response compared with calves castrated at weaning. Banding elicited a delayed negative response in ADG, DWI, and inflammation. In weaned calves, castration method did not affect performance, DFI, DWI, or inflammatory response during the 84-d trial.

Effects of calf weaning age and subsequent management system on growth and reproductive performance of beef heifers.

Brahman × British crossbred heifers (n = 40 and 38 heifers in yr 1 and 2, respectively) were used to evaluate the effects of calf weaning age and subsequent management system on growth and reproductive performance. On d 0, heifers were ranked by BW (89 ± 16 kg) and age (72 ± 13 d) and randomly assigned to a conventional management group that was normally weaned on d 180 (NW; n = 10 heifers annually) or early weaned (EW) on d 0 and 1) limit fed a high-concentrate diet at 3.5% of BW (as fed) in drylot until d 180 (EW180; n = 10 heifers annually), 2) limit fed a high-concentrate diet at 3.5% of BW (as fed) in drylot until d 90, then grazed on Bahiagrass pastures until d 180 (EW90; n = 10 heifers annually), or 3) grazed on annual ryegrass pastures until d 60 (yr 1; n = 10 heifers) or 90 (yr 2; n = 8 heifers), then on Bahiagrass pastures until d 180 (EWRG). On d 180, all heifers were grouped by treatment and rotated on Bahiagrass pastures until d 390. Grazing heifers were supplemented at 1.0% BW until d 180 and at 1.5% BW from d 180 to 390. From d 0 to 90, EW180 and EW90 heifers were heavier (P ≤ 0.02) than NW and EWRG heifers, whereas NW heifers tended (P = 0.09) to be heavier on d 90 than EWRG heifers. In yr 1 and 2, EW180 heifers were heaviest (P < 0.0001) on d 180. In yr 1, EWRG heifers were lightest (P < 0.0001), whereas EW90 and NW heifers had similar BW (P = 0.58). Conversely, EW90, EWRG, and NW heifers achieved similar BW on d 180 of yr 2 (P ≥ 0.18). Positive correlations were detected (P ≤ 0.05) between liver IGF-1 mRNA abundance on d 90 and ADG from d 0 to 90 and between liver IGF-1 mRNA abundance on d 180 and ADG from d 90 to 180. The EW180 heifers were youngest (P ≤ 0.01) at puberty. From d 260 to 340, the percentage of pubertal heifers was greater (P ≤ 0.03) for EW90 vs. NW heifers but did not differ (P ≥ 0.15) between EWRG and NW heifers. The ADG from d 0 to 90 and the plasma IGF-1 on d 90 and 180 explained approximately 34% of the variability in age at puberty. In summary, the EW90 and EW180 heifer management systems evaluated in this study altered the BW at the time of NW and were good alternatives for anticipating puberty achievement compared to NW heifers.

Effect of dietary cation-anion difference on measures of acid-base physiology and performance in beef cattle

Dietary constituents can affect cow acid-base physiology and uterine pH. Dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) has been shown to affect cow acid-base physiology, but the effect on uterine pH has not been demonstrated. The objective of this work was to determine if DCAD [(Na + K + 0.15Ca + 0.15Mg) - (Cl + 0.60S + 0.50P)] could affect cow DMI, acid-base physiology, and uterine pH, and second, to determine if dietary supplements could alleviate any negative effects of DCAD on these variables. In Exp. 1, 21 cows were utilized to determine the effect of a negative DCAD (-0.9 mEq/100 g of DM; low-DCAD) or positive DCAD (+25.0 mEq/100 g of DM; high-DCAD) diet on cow BW, DMI, and pH of blood, urine, and uterine flush fluid. In Exp. 2, 21 cows were randomly allotted to 1 of 3 treatments: control (-3.1 mEq/100 g of DM), molasses (+2.9 mEq/100 g of DM), or molasses+buffer (+25.8 mEq/100 g of DM) to determine if supplemental liquid molasses or liquid molasses with a buffer could alleviate the effects of a negative DCAD, forage-based diet. Cows were individually fed their respective diets for 42 d in both experiments. Cow BW, blood, urine, and uterine flush were collected on d 0, 21, and 42 during both experiments. Cow ADG was not different (P = 0.71) in Exp. 1 or Exp. 2 (P = 0.47). Hay DMI did not differ (P < 0.70) between high-DCAD and low-DCAD cows before d 28, but was greater (P < 0.001) for high-DCAD cows after d 28 in Exp. 1. In Exp. 2, mean hay DMI did not differ (P = 0.39) among treatments. In Exp. 1, a treatment x day interaction (P < 0.05) was apparent for blood, pH, base excess, bicarbonate, pCO(2), and urine pH. Blood gas and pH measures peaked on d 21 for high-DCAD and declined from d 0 to 42 in low-DCAD cows. High-DCAD cows had greater (P = 0.08) uterine flush pH compared with low-DCAD cows. In contrast, during Exp. 2 there were no differences (P > 0.14) among treatments for blood, pH, base excess, pCO(2), or uterine flush pH. Urine pH exhibited a treatment x day interaction (P < 0.0001). On d 21 molasses supplemented cow urine pH was greater (P < 0.0001) than control cows, whereas on d 42 molasses+buffer had greater (P = 0.01) urine pH compared with control and molasses cows. Dietary cation-anion difference and the use of molasses-based supplements had minimal effect on forage-fed beef cow DMI. However, DCAD has the capacity to alter forage-fed beef cow acid-base physiology and potentially affect uterine physiology.

Assessment of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations of beef cows and calves across seasons and geographical locations

Vitamin D is critical for the growth and development of calves and positively contributes to immune function of cattle. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations above 20 ng/mL have traditionally been considered adequate for growth and development of cattle, but recent evidence has indicated that concentrations below 30 ng/mL are insufficient for immunity. Because little information is available regarding vitamin D status of beef cattle, the objective of this study was to evaluate vitamin D status of beef cow-calf herds on pasture as affected by season and location. Serum samples were collected from 43 cow-calf pairs plus an additional 54 calves in herds located in Florida, Idaho, and Minnesota in the spring calving season. Samples were collected again over the summer months from animals in the Florida and Minnesota herds. Effects of subcutaneous injection of vitamins A, D, and E also were investigated in a subset of calves from the Idaho herd. All cows sampled had serum 25(OH)D concentrations above 30 ng/mL at the time of calving in the spring. The average serum 25(OH)D concentrations of cows rose from near 60 ng/mL in the spring to 75 ng/mL in the summer ( < 0.001). Most calves, on the other hand, had serum 25(OH)D concentrations below 20 ng/mL. The calves in the Florida and Minnesota herds similarly rose from averages of 10 to 15 ng/mL at birth to near 50 ng/mL by the end of summer. Serum 25(OH)D of severely deficient calves increased from 3 ng/mL in nonsupplemented calves to 11 ng/mL at 48 h after birth if given a bolus supplementation of 40,000 IU of vitamin D via subcutaneous injection of a vitamin A, D, and E supplement at birth ( < 0.001). Vitamin D supplementation of cows late in pregnancy has been shown to increase serum 25(OH)D of calves; however, beef cattle generally receive very little supplemental vitamin D, as was the case for the cows studied here. The lower serum 25(OH)D of cows in spring compared with summer and the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency of calves observed here indicate that increased vitamin D supplementation of cows over the winter months or vitamin D supplementation of newborn calves would be beneficial.

Effects of calf weaning age and subsequent management systems on growth performance and carcass characteristics of beef steers.

Brahman × British crossbred steers (n = 40 and 38 in yr 1 and 2, respectively) were used to evaluate the effects of calf management systems following early weaning (EW) on growth performance, muscle gene expression, and carcass characteristics. On the day of EW (d 0), steers were stratified by BW and age (95 ± 14 kg; 74 ± 14 d) and randomly assigned to a control treatment that was normally weaned (NW) on d 180 (n = 10 steers/yr) or to 1 of 3 EW treatments: 1) EW and limit fed a high-concentrate diet at 3.5% of BW (as-fed basis) in drylot until d 180 (EW180; n = 10 steers/yr), 2) EW and limit fed a high-concentrate diet at 3.5% of BW (as-fed basis) in drylot until d 90 and then grazed on bahiagrass pastures until d 180 (EW90; n = 10 steers/yr), or 3) EW and grazed on annual ryegrass pastures until d 60 (yr 1; n = 10 steers) or 90 (yr 2; n = 8 steers) and then on bahiagrass pastures until d 180 (EWRG). Early-weaned steers on ryegrass and bahiagrass pastures were supplemented with high-concentrate diet at 1.0% of BW (as-fed basis) until d 180. From d 180 to 270 (yr 1), all EW steers remained in their respective treatments, whereas NW steers were provided high-concentrate diet at 1.0% of BW (as-fed basis) on bahiagrass pastures. In yr 1, feedlot finishing period began on d 270. In yr 2, the study was terminated on d 180. In both years, EW180 steers were heaviest (P < 0.0001) on d 180. On d 180 of yr 1, EWRG steers were lightest (P < 0.0001) and EW90 steers were heavier (P = 0.05) than NW steers, whereas EW90, EWRG, and NW steers had similar BW on d 180 of yr 2 (P ≥ 0.14). On d 90, muscle PPARγ mRNA expression tended (P = 0.07) to be greater for EW180 steers and was greater (P = 0.008) for EW90 vs. EWRG steers but similar (P = 0.25) between EW180 and NW steers. On d 180, PPARγ mRNA was greater (P ≤ 0.06) for EW180 vs. NW, EW90, and EWRG steers. From d 274 to 302, EW180 steers had the least ADG (P ≤ 0.09), whereas EW90 steers had similar (P = 0.19) ADG compared with EWRG steers but greater (P = 0.03) ADG than NW steers. At slaughter, carcass characteristics did not differ (P ≥ 0.22) among treatments. In summary, EW steers provided a high-concentrate diet in drylot for at least 90 d were heavier at the time of normal weaning than NW steers and EW steers grazed on ryegrass pastures for 60 to 90 d and supplemented with concentrate at 1.0% of BW. Feeding a high-concentrate diet immediately after EW enhanced the muscle PPARγ expression but did not enhance marbling at slaughter.

CASE STUDY: Use of dried distillers grains, soybean hulls, or both to background beef calves fed bahiagrass hay

ABSTRACT Two experiments were conducted to evaluate dried distillers grains (DDG), soybean hulls (SBH), and a slow-release urea (SRU) product as supplements to background beef steer calves. In both experiments, 56 Angus steers were individually supplemented for 42 d and provided ad libitum access to bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) hay. On d 0, 14, 28, and 42, BW were recorded and blood samples were collected. In Exp. 1, steers (BW = 236 ± 26 kg) were randomly allotted to 1 of 4 supplement treatments: 1) DDG (1.19 kg/d), 2) DDG+SRU (1.19 kg/d of DDG + 45.5 g/d of SRU), 3) SBH (2.63 kg/d), or 4) SBH+SRU (2.63 kg/d of SBH + 45.5 g/d of SRU). Final BW did not differ (P ≥ 0.74); however, 42-d BW gain was greater (P = 0.05) and estimated mean total DMI was greater (P

Effect of Methionine Source and Level on Performance of Growing Beef Calves Consuming Forage-Based Diets1

The effects of level and source of supplemental sulfur-containing amino acids (SAA) on the performance of growing beef calves were evaluated. In Exp. 1, 128 calves (BW = 277 ± 20 kg) were offered supplements containing 0, 2, 4, and 6 g/d of SAA from corn gluten meal (CGM), or 2, 4, 6, or 8 g/d of SAA using 88% 2-hydroxy-4-methylthio butanoic acid (Alimet, Novus International Inc. St. Louis, MO) in liquid molasses slurries for 113 d. Hay was offered as large round bales; supplements were limit-fed at 2.1 kg DM/d. Calf ADG was greater (P < 0.05) for calves supplemented with CGM or 2 and 6 g/d from Alimet than for control calves. Calves provided 2, 4, and 6 g/d of SAA from Alimet and 4 g/d of SAA from CGM had greater (P < 0.05) TDN intake than control calves. In Exp. 2, 72 heifers (BW = 371 ± 3 kg) were assigned to 1 of 3 soybean hull-based supplements that provided 0, 7.5, or 15 g/d of Alimet, which supplied 0, 2.5, or 5.3 g/d of additional SAA. Heifers were offered ad libitum access to water and hay; supplements were limit-fed at 2.3 kg DM/d. Reproductive tract score and pelvic area were measured on d 85. Supplementing 15 g/d of Alimet increased (P < 0.05) ADG during the first 30 d compared with the control diet. Heifers fed 15 g of Alimet daily tended to have greater (P = 0.08) reproductive tract scores. Alimet was effective as a source of supplemental SAA for improving the performance of growing beef calves provided forage-based diets.

Leucine/glutamic acid/lysine protein 1 is localized to subsets of myonuclei in bovine muscle fibers and satellite cells.

Skeletal muscle growth is accomplished chiefly through the actions of satellite cells, a heterogeneous population that includes the adult muscle stem cell. Located adjacent to a mature muscle fiber, satellite cells typically reside in a quiescent state. Little information exists detailing satellite cell regulation of reversible G(0). One member of the mitosin family of centromere proteins, LEK1 (leucine/glutamic acid/lysine protein 1), is present in the nucleus of nondividing mouse satellite cells. The objective of this study was to evaluate LEK1 as a marker of quiescent bovine satellite cells (BSC) in vitro and in vivo. The BSC were isolated from young bull calves (< or =7 d) and cultured in vitro for up to 9 d before fixation and immunostaining for LEK1. Results demonstrated that all myogenic cells contain the protein, with immunostaining primarily within the nucleus and immediate perinuclear region. Immunocytochemical detection of LEK1 in cryosections of mature cows revealed that the protein was present in a fraction of satellite cells and muscle fiber nuclei. Approximately 20% of Pax7-expressing satellite cells contained LEK1. An equivalent percentage of myonuclei, as defined by nuclei within a dystrophin boundary, contained nuclear LEK1. To gain insight into the functional role of LEK1, BSC were transiently transfected with plasmids coding for putative dominant inhibitory LEK1 proteins [DeltaLEK1(991) and DeltaLEK1(911)] and evaluated for cell proliferation. Both forms of DeltaLEK1 inhibited (P < 0.05) BSC proliferation, as indicated by a decrease in Ki67 immunopositive cells. In C2C12 myoblasts, DeltaLEK1(911) inhibited (P < 0.05) myoblast determination protein 1 (MyoD)-directed muscle gene transcriptional activity; DeltaLEK1(991) had no effect on TnI-Luc transcription. By contrast, both DeltaLEK1 fusion proteins inhibited myogenin expression in BSC without disrupting myoblast fusion. These results provide evidence that LEK1 serves to coordinate proliferation and differentiation in myogenic cells. Coupling the immunostaining pattern and functional data, we propose that LEK1 may serve as a useful marker for satellite cells that are preparing to fuse into adjacent fibers as well as an indicator of recently added myonuclei.

Performance of beef cows and calves fed different sources of rumen-degradable protein when grazing stockpiled limpograss pastures

Two experiments evaluated the effects of different sources of RDP on forage characteristics, animal performance, and ruminal and blood parameters of beef cattle grazing stockpiled limpograss (Hemarthria altissima) from January to May 2011 and 2012. In Exp. 1, 24 mature lactating beef cows and their respective calves were allocated to 8 stockpiled limpograss pastures (3 pairs/pasture). Treatments were 2 different sources of RDP, urea or cottonseed (Gossypium spp.) meal (CSM), distributed in a completely randomized design with 4 replicates. Feather meal and corn (Zea mays) meal were added to the urea treatments to balance RUP and energy. Treatments were mixed in sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) molasses, which resulted in 3 kg DM/cow per day of supplement. There were no differences (P > 0.10) in herbage mass (HM; 3,200 ± 400 kg DM/ha), herbage allowance (HA; 1.9 ± 0.2 kg DM/kg of BW), CP (5.2 ± 0.2%), and in vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOM; 47 ± 0.5%) concentrations. There was a decrease (P < 0.10) in HM (from 4,100 to 2,600 kg/ha), IVDOM (from 46 to 39.9%), and HA (from 2.5 to 1.4 kg DM/kg BW) from January to March. Cow ADG (0.23 ± 0.08 kg/d), BCS (4.6 ± 0.2), milk yield (7.0 ± 0.4 kg/d), and plasma urea nitrogen (PUN; 16.1 ± 0.8 mg/dL) and calf ADG (0.71 ± 0.05 kg/d) were similar (P > 0.10) among treatments. Sixteen cow-calf pairs were moved to 8 drylot pens after Exp. 1, maintained on the same treatment, and evaluated for forage and total DMI. There was no difference in forage (P = 0.16; 2.1 ± 0.1% BW) and total DMI (P = 0.12; 2.5 ± 0.1% BW) between treatments. In Exp. 2, 2 rumen-cannulated steers were used in a 2 × 2 Latin square design, replicated in 2011 and 2012, to test the effects of the same treatments on rumen fluid and blood parameters. There was no difference (P > 0.10) in ruminal NH3-N (12.9 ± 0.3 mg/dL), pH (6.5 ± 0.1), propionic acid (25 ± 2.2 mol/100 mol), acetic acid (69.2 ± 2.9 mol/100 mol), and butyric acid (4.5 ± 0.5 mol/100 mol) as well as branched-chain VFA (1.3 ± 2.2 mol/100 mol) concentrations in the rumen. In addition, there was no difference (P = 0.91) in PUN (7.9 ± 0.3 mg/dL) concentration between treatments. Therefore, urea can be as effective as CSM as the main source of RDP in the molasses-based supplement offered to mature lactating beef cows grazing stockpiled limpograss pastures.

Net Nutrient Flux Across the Portal-Drained Viscera and Liver of Ruminants

Tissues of the portal-drained viscera (PDV; reticulo-rumen, omasum, abomasum, small and large intestines, cecum, pancreas, spleen, and omental fat) and the liver are key to the digestion, absorption, transport, metabolism, and recycling of nutrients required for the maintenance, growth and lactation of ruminant animals. Changes in blood flow, oxygen consumption and net nutrient flux across the portal-drained viscera and liver ultimately drives animal production. The PDV is the intermediary between dietary feedstuffs and the profile of nutrients available for maintenance or production. The liver metabolizes components of portal blood as well as arterial blood and serves as a center or “hub” of intermediary metabolism for the entire animal. Splanchnic tissues (PDV and liver) use 40–60 % of the oxygen consumed by the whole body of ruminants. The large partitioning of energy expenditure stems from the important activities that splanchnic tissues contribute to homeostasis, as the removal or release of nutrients and hormones by splanchnic tissues regulates substrates provided to the animal for maintenance, growth and/or lactation. Previous research has demonstrated that differences in age, body weight, diet, and level of intake affect metabolism by the PDV and liver. Understanding rumen function and net portal-drained visceral and liver flux of nutrients is important, because dynamics of the splanchnic tissues are ultimately responsible for providing nutrients to the host animal. This chapter will summarize the literature regarding net nutrient exchange across the PDV and liver relative to specific production scenarios of ruminant animals.