{"title":"Meeting the estimated daily optimal standardized ileal digestible lysine-to-net energy ratios for first and second parity lactating sows improved piglet growth rates.","authors":"Nicole L Gregory, Lee-Anne Huber","doi":"10.1093/tas/txaf070","DOIUrl":"10.1093/tas/txaf070","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>One hundred three sows (52 first parity and 51 second parity) were used to evaluate the effect of meeting estimated daily optimal standardized ileal digestible (<b>SID</b>) Lys-to-net energy (<b>NE</b>) ratios throughout a 21-day lactation on piglet growth performance and sow body mobilization. A 2 × 2 factorial experimental design with the variables of parity and feeding program was used (n = 25 or 26). First and second parity sows were fed either a static feeding curve providing 3.9 g SID Lys/Mcal NE throughout the entirety of lactation (<b>CON</b>) or a dynamic feeding program that met estimated daily optimal SID Lys-to-NE ratios during lactation for maternal nitrogen retention (first parity sows; ranging from 5.48 to 4.95 g SID Lys/Mcal NE on days 1 and 20, respectively) or milk nitrogen output (second parity sows; ranging from 3.12 to 4.68 g SID Lys/Mcal NE on days 1 and 20, respectively; <b>PRE</b>). Weekly optimal SID Lys-to-NE ratios were determined for lactating primiparous and multiparous sows in previous studies, whereby only maternal nitrogen retention and only milk nitrogen output were influenced by SID Lys-to-NE ratio for primiparous and multiparous sows, respectively. Performance outcomes were not influenced by the interactive effect of feeding program and parity. Average daily feed intake did not differ between the CON and PRE feeding program, while second parity sows consumed more feed than first parity sows (Parity; <i>P</i> < 0.05). No differences were observed for maternal BW loss between the CON and PRE feeding programs, while second parity sows lost less BW than first parity sows (Parity; <i>P</i> < 0.05). Sows on the PRE feeding program tended to lose less backfat depth (<b>BF</b>) than sows on the CON program, regardless of parity (Feeding program; <i>P</i> = 0.094) and second parity sows lost less BF than first parity sows, regardless of feeding program (Parity; <i>P</i> < 0.05). Overall piglet average daily gain (<b>ADG</b>; 256 vs 246 ± 6 g) and piglet BW at weaning (6.45 vs 6.19 ± 0.17 kg) were greater for sows that received the PRE compared to the CON feeding program, regardless of parity (Feeding program; <i>P</i> < 0.05), with second parity sows having greater piglet BW and ADG than first parity sows, regardless of feeding program (Parity; <i>P</i> < 0.05). Therefore, providing a dynamic feeding program to meet estimated daily optimal SID Lys-to-NE ratios during lactation improved piglet growth performance without increasing maternal body weight losses in first and second parity sows.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"9 ","pages":"txaf070"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12167701/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144310431","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cayla J Iske, Anna K Johnson, Kelly L Kappen, Roni M Deever, Cheryl L Morris
{"title":"Dietary vitamin E: effect on oxidative stress, maze learning performance, and anxiety behaviors in rats.","authors":"Cayla J Iske, Anna K Johnson, Kelly L Kappen, Roni M Deever, Cheryl L Morris","doi":"10.1093/tas/txaf049","DOIUrl":"10.1093/tas/txaf049","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The brain is particularly susceptible to oxidative stress (OS) and damage to membranes is associated with learning and memory decline, impacting animal welfare. Vitamin E is an antioxidant which crosses the blood-brain barrier. Our objectives were to assess the impact of dietary vitamin E concentrations (20, 90, and 400-ppm) on markers of OS, maze learning performance (MLP), and anxious behaviors in 3-wk old Long-Evans rats. Vitamin E concentrations, antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase [SOD] and glutathione peroxidase [GPx]), and oxidative protein damage (protein carbonyls [PC]) were measured in plasma or serum. Lipid damage (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS]) was measured in serum and hippocampus. Anxious behaviors, including freezing and grooming, and MLP were assessed in an eight-arm radial maze over 5 weeks. Activity of SOD was lower (<i>P</i> = 0.002), and PC concentrations were higher (<i>P</i> = 0.022) in the 400-ppm group (1.0 U/mL; 0.7 nmol/mg) compared to the 20 (2.9 U/mL; 0.5 nmol/mg) and 90 (1.7 U/mL; 0.5 nmol/mg). Plasma vitamin E increased (<i>P</i> < 0.050) with dietary treatment and SOD decreased as plasma vitamin E increased (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.46; <i>P</i> = 0.002) but PC (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.16; <i>P</i> = 0.090) concentrations tended to increase with plasma vitamin E. Dietary treatment did not impact (<i>P</i> > 0.050) maze learning performance. Rats fed 20 ppm vitamin E exhibited greater freezing frequency and duration (<i>P</i> < 0.001) compared to other treatment groups, indicating heightened anxiety. The 400-ppm group exhibited lowest grooming frequency and duration (<i>P</i> < 0.001), possibly indicating less anxiousness. Working memory errors increased with serum TBARS concentrations (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.26; <i>P</i> = 0.033). In conclusion, higher dietary vitamin E concentrations reduced anxious behaviors, but did not alter MLP and was correlated with increased OS. These results suggest high concentrations of dietary vitamin E are not beneficial for rat welfare.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"9 ","pages":"txaf049"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12125622/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144200091","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Brian S Schupbach, Michael S Davis, Tracy D Jennings, Andrea L Dixon, David G Renter, Jason S Nickell
{"title":"Comparison of a novel bovine respiratory disease prediction technology and an automated animal disease detection technology to traditional methods in a U.S. feedlot.","authors":"Brian S Schupbach, Michael S Davis, Tracy D Jennings, Andrea L Dixon, David G Renter, Jason S Nickell","doi":"10.1093/tas/txaf067","DOIUrl":"10.1093/tas/txaf067","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The objectives of this study were to evaluate feedlot cattle health and performance among three different bovine respiratory disease (BRD) control programs and two different disease detection modalities (i.e., a 3 × 2 factorial design). The BRD control treatments consisted of 1) Negative control, 2) Positive control (Tildipirosin to 100% of the group), and 3) Targeted BRD control program (TBCP) based on individualized risk prediction generated by a novel technology ([Whisper On Arrival; Merck Animal Health] ± Tildipirosin based on a proprietary algorithm). The disease detection treatments consisted of 1) cattle monitored exclusively by a novel animal disease detection (ADD) technology (SenseHub Feedlot; Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates), or 2) cattle monitored by traditional pen-riding (PR) methods. Auction market-derived beef calves were procured by traditional means, transported to a single site, and randomly allocated to one of six treatment groups within each block. The study population was followed to closeout (224 d). Data were analyzed as a completely randomized block design within a 3 × 2 factorial treatment format. No interactions (<i>P</i> values > 0.05) between BRD control practices or disease detection methods were observed in this study. Across the BRD control treatments, the TBCP reduced BRD control antimicrobial use by 25% compared to the positive control. However, the positive control displayed improvement (<i>P</i> values ≤ 0.05) in BRD morbidity, overall removals, and overall mortality at the time of closeout compared to the negative control and the TBCP. Regarding disease detection, compared to cattle monitored by PR methods, cattle monitored by the ADD technology displayed a reduction (<i>P</i> values ≤ 0.05) in days to first BRD treatment, pen-deads, and overall removals. Cattle monitored by ADD technology displayed an increase (<i>P </i>= 0.06) in net financial value of $29.50/head compared to cattle monitored by PR methods.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"9 ","pages":"txaf067"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12161071/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144286582","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Elisa A Arnaud, Gillian E Gardiner, John V O' Doherty, Torres Sweeney, Peadar G Lawlor
{"title":"L-glutamine- and enzyme-supplementation via liquid feed to suckling piglets does not impact growth, health or intestinal structure.","authors":"Elisa A Arnaud, Gillian E Gardiner, John V O' Doherty, Torres Sweeney, Peadar G Lawlor","doi":"10.1093/tas/txaf066","DOIUrl":"10.1093/tas/txaf066","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The provision of liquid creep feed to suckling pigs has been shown to increase dry matter intake compared to dry creep feeding. The increased feed intake associated with liquid feeding makes it attractive as a means of delivering feed additives to suckling pigs to optimize growth and health. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of L-glutamine and enzyme supplementation of liquid creep feed on pig growth up to target slaughter weight (~120 kg), health and intestinal structure. Sixty sows and their litters were blocked on sow parity, previous number of piglets weaned and sow weight at day 107 of gestation, and the litters were randomly assigned to one of 3 dietary treatments: 1) liquid starter diet (control); 2) control diet supplemented with 10 g of L-glutamine per kg of starter diet (glutamine); and 3) control diet supplemented with a cocktail of enzymes (lipase, protease and α-amylase included at 160 Lipase units, 30,000 New Feed Protein units and 67.5 Kilo Novozymes units, respectively per kg of starter diet). Dietary treatments were fed from day 8 of age to weaning at day 28. Pig weight and dry matter disappearance (DMd) were recorded during lactation and post-weaning until pigs reached target slaughter weight (~120 kg) at 158 d of age. Carcass weight and quality were recorded. Medication usage, and the number of injections and clinical cases of disease were recorded from birth to slaughter. At day 5 post-weaning, a subset of pigs (n = 30) were sacrificed and intestinal samples were collected for histological analysis. The DMd of creep feed did not differ between treatments (<i>P</i> > 0.05). Glutamine tended to reduce piglet body weight (BW) at day 21 (<i>P</i> = 0.09) and 28 (<i>P</i> = 0.08) of lactation and from day 14 to 21, glutamine decreased piglet average daily gain (ADG) compared to the control (<i>P</i> < 0.05). Post-weaning growth was not affected by treatment (<i>P</i> > 0.05). The amount of antibiotics or anti-inflammatories administered to piglets or sows was not affected by treatment, either pre- or post-weaning (<i>P</i> > 0.05). However, glutamine tended to increase diarrhea prevalence between day 8 and 27 of lactation compared to the control (<i>P</i> = 0.09). In conclusion, supplementing liquid creep feed with glutamine tended to reduce pre-weaning growth and to increase diarrhea prevalence in piglets. Additionally, supplementing liquid creep feed with enzymes had no effect on growth or medication usage in pigs.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"9 ","pages":"txaf066"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12125623/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144200092","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
C Poppy, M N Nair, L N Edwards-Callaway, K Stackhouse-Lawson, J N Martin, C V Scharlau, H L Doering-Resch, D P Casper, T E Engle
{"title":"An essential oil blend fed for growth performance and carcass characteristics to feedlot steers.","authors":"C Poppy, M N Nair, L N Edwards-Callaway, K Stackhouse-Lawson, J N Martin, C V Scharlau, H L Doering-Resch, D P Casper, T E Engle","doi":"10.1093/tas/txaf065","DOIUrl":"10.1093/tas/txaf065","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Some essential oils (EO) are known for having antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal, and antioxidant characteristics that may be a feedlot antibiotic alternative to replace monensin sodium (<b>M</b>) and tylosin (<b>T</b>). Four-hundred cross-bred steers (BW 368.7 ± 11.0 kg) were blocked by initial BW and cattle source and randomly assigned to 1 of 5 treatments (8 pens/trt; 10 steers/pen) to evaluate an EO blend (<b>EOB</b>). Treatments were: 1) <b>Control</b>: no additives added to the steam-flaked corn-based finishing total mixed ration (<b>TMR</b>); 2) <b>EOB</b>: proprietary essential oil blend (Ralco Nutrition, Marshall, MN) added at 3 g/d; 3) <b>EOB + M + T:</b> EOB added at 3 g/d plus M and T (Huvepharma, Peachtree City, GA) at 42.4 and 8.5 g/ton, respectively; 4) <b>M + T:</b> M and T added at 42.4 and 8.5 g/ton, respectively; and 5) <b>EOB + M</b>: EOB and M added at 3 g/d and 42.4 g/ton. Individual BW were measured on two consecutive d at the start and conclusion and every 28 d during the experiment. Equal treatment pen replicates were transported to a commercial abattoir on 160, 174, and 182 d, respectively for collecting carcass data. Initial, interim 28-d periods, and final BW were similar (<i>P</i> > 0.50) among treatments However, during the 1<sup>st</sup> 3 28-d time-period steers fed EOB along or in combination demonstrated greater average daily gain (ADG) compared with steers fed the remaining treatments. The study remaining time-periods and overall study ADG were similar (<i>P</i> > 0.10) for all treatments. Steers fed Control consumed greater (<i>P</i> < 0.05) overall study DMI compared with steers fed M + T with steers fed the remaining treatments being intermediate but different (<i>P</i> < 0.05) or similar (<i>P</i> > 0.05). Overall, study feed efficiency was lowest (<i>P</i> < 0.05) for steers fed Control compared with steers fed the remaining treatments being similar (<i>P</i> > 0.10). Dressing percentages were greater (<i>P</i> < 0.05) for steers fed EOB compared with steers fed the remaining treatments. Steers fed M + T demonstrated the lowest (<i>P </i>< 0.05) liver abscesses compared with steers fed Control and EOB with steers fed EOB + M + T being intermediate and similar (<i>P</i> > 0.10). Feeding finishing steers an EOB improved early growth rate and dressing percentage with similar feed conversions to M and T, but did not impact liver abscess incidences.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"9 ","pages":"txaf065"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12161074/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144286581","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rebecca A Bigelow, Phillip A Lancaster, Brad J White, Raghavendra G Amachawadi, Tera R Barnhardt, Miles E Theurer
{"title":"Beef-on-dairy calf management practices in commercial calf ranches.","authors":"Rebecca A Bigelow, Phillip A Lancaster, Brad J White, Raghavendra G Amachawadi, Tera R Barnhardt, Miles E Theurer","doi":"10.1093/tas/txaf064","DOIUrl":"10.1093/tas/txaf064","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The number of beef-on-dairy calves being produced has been steadily increasing. Many calves are sent off-site to calf ranches for raising after birth. The objective of this survey was to describe management practices of beef-on-dairy calves in commercial calf ranches. A total of 15 calf ranches were surveyed in 3 regions: the High Plains (n = 7), Midwest (n = 6), and West (n = 2). Operation capacities were categorized as less than 1,000, between 1,000 and 20,000, 20,000 to 50,000, and greater than 50,000 calves. All operations received calves less than 4 d of age. There was a variety of types of pre-weaning housing. Almost all operations fed milk replacer with one operation feeding saleable milk; feeding protocols (timing and quantity) varied among operations. Every operation offered calf starter upon arrival, but formulation of starter differed among ranches. Weaning age ranged between 42 and 72 d with about 53% of operations weaning calves at 60 d or greater. Calves spent anywhere between 0 and 180 d in a group pen setting. Thirty-three percent of operations moved calves through multiple group pens post-weaning. Similarly, 33% of operations transitioned calves through multiple diets once they were in group pens. Most operations fed the transition/grower diet ad libitum, however the ingredients used were variable among operations. All operations administered at least 2 health products such as vaccines, antimicrobials, etc. while the calf was on the property. These results provide important information regarding the management of beef-on-dairy calves at commercial calf ranches.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"9 ","pages":"txaf064"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12124250/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144200090","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jessica P Acosta, Su A Lee, Anna Fickler, Hans H Stein
{"title":"Tolerance of weanling pigs and effects on growth performance of supplementing corn-soybean meal-based diets with graded levels of a novel exogenous β-mannanase.","authors":"Jessica P Acosta, Su A Lee, Anna Fickler, Hans H Stein","doi":"10.1093/tas/txaf061","DOIUrl":"10.1093/tas/txaf061","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The hypothesis that a novel endo-β-mannanase can be used in diets for weanling pigs without negatively impacting growth performance, serum chemistry, hematological characters, or organ weights was tested. A total of 150 newly weaned pigs (75 castrated male and 75 female pigs; initial body weight: 6.20 ± 0.68 kg) were used. Pigs were allotted to three experimental diets (i.e., control, control plus 800 thermostable mannanase units (<b>TMU</b>)/kg, or control plus 100,000 TMU/kg). Pigs were allotted to pens with 5 pigs per pen for a total of 10 replicate pens per treatment. Pigs were fed phase 1 diets from d 1 to 21, and phase 2 diets from d 22 to 42 post-weaning. Average daily gain (<b>ADG</b>), average daily feed intake (<b>ADFI</b>), and gain:feed (<b>G:F</b>) were calculated. Blood samples from two pigs per pen (one male and one female pig) were collected on d 1, 21, and 42. One pig per pen from the control treatment and two pigs per pen from each of the β-mannanase treatments were euthanized at the end of the experiment and organs were collected. Data were analyzed using the Proc MIXED procedure of SAS with pen as the experimental unit. Results indicated that for the overall experiment, there were no differences in ADG, ADFI, or final body weight among treatments. However, pigs fed the diet with 100,000 TMU/kg of β-mannanase had greater (<i>P </i>< 0.05) G:F from d 22 to 42 and for the overall experimental period compared with pigs fed the control diet or the diet with 800 TMU/kg of β-mannanase. Most serum chemistry markers and blood hematological characters were not different among pigs fed experimental diets and concentrations were within the normal biological range for pigs. However, serum phosphorus was greater (<i>P </i>< 0.05) in pigs fed the diet with 100,000 TMU/kg of β-mannanase compared with pigs fed the other diets, but red cell distribution width and mean platelet volume were greater (<i>P </i>< 0.05) in pigs fed the control diet compared with pigs fed the control diet + 800 TMU/kg of β-mannanase. Abnormalities in liver, kidney, spleen, heart, stomach, or the small intestine were not observed, and the weight of these organs was not affected by dietary treatments. In conclusion, pigs fed diets containing 100,000 TMU/kg of β-mannanase had greater G:F from d 1 to 42 post-weaning compared with pigs fed control diets or the diets with 800 TMU/kg, and β-mannanase did not negatively impact general health and growth of the pigs even if included at a very high dose.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"9 ","pages":"txaf061"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12125621/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144200095","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Deepak E Velayudhan, Yueming Dersjant-Li, Ester Vinyeta, Georg Dusel
{"title":"Application of energy and nutrient reductions to a mixed-cereal diet without added inorganic phosphate, supplemented with a novel phytase alone or with a xylanase-β-glucanase combination, achieved a production benefit in pigs from wean to finish.","authors":"Deepak E Velayudhan, Yueming Dersjant-Li, Ester Vinyeta, Georg Dusel","doi":"10.1093/tas/txaf060","DOIUrl":"10.1093/tas/txaf060","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This experiment tested the hypothesis that supplementation of a nutrient- and energy-reduced mixed-cereal diet with phytase, xylanase and β-glucanase, over an entire wean-to-finish growth cycle, would result in growth performance outcomes that were not different from those achieved by pigs fed an unsupplemented, nutritionally-adequate diet. A total of 192 weaned pigs [DanBred × Pi, initial body weight (BW) 7.2 ± 0.4 kg] were assigned to 48 floor pens [4 pigs/pen (2 male, 2 female), 12 pens/treatment], in a completely randomized design. Diets included: 1) a nutritionally adequate wheat, corn and barley-based positive control (<b>PC</b>); 2) a negative control (<b>NC</b>) based on the PC but without added inorganic P, reduced in Ca, net energy (<b>NE</b>), digestible amino acids (<b>AA</b>) and Na, supplemented with PhyG at 1,000, 1,000, 750, 500 and 500 FTU/kg in starter I (7 to 11 kg BW), starter II (11 to 25 kg BW), grower I (25 to 55 kg BW), grower II (55 to 85 kg BW) and finisher (85 to 115 kg BW) phases, respectively (NC1 + PhyG low); 3) NC1 further reduced in Ca, digestible AA and NE, (by ≤ 0.03 percentage points, ≤ 0.01 percentage points and ≤ 9 kcal/kg, respectively) supplemented with PhyG at 2,000, 2,000, 1,000, 750 and 750 FTU/kg per phase (NC2 + PhyG high), and; 4) as 2) but further reduced in NE and digestible AA (by 26 to 33 kcal/kg and ≤ 0.01 percentage points, respectively), supplemented with 2,440 XU/kg xylanase and 304 U/kg β-glucanase (NC3 + PhyG low + XB). For the overall period, growth performance (all measures) was maintained in the enzyme-supplemented treatments to a level not different from the PC, whereas in starter II and grower I, BW was increased (+ 1.82 and + 5.11 kg/pig, respectively; <i>P</i> < 0.05) and gain:feed was increased (<i>P</i> < 0.05) in NC3 + PhyG low + XB, compared with the PC. Total estimated feed costs per kilogram BW gain (BWG) were lower (<i>P</i> < 0.05) in NC3 + PhyG low + XB (-0.05 € or 7.3%) and the carbon footprint of production was reduced in NC2 + PhyG high and NC3 + PhyG low + XB compared with the PC (by 128 and 145 g CO<sub>2</sub> equivalents per kilogram of BWG, respectively, equivalent to reductions of 6.0% and 6.8%; <i>P</i> < 0.05). These results confirm the appropriateness of the applied energy and nutrient reductions for PhyG and PhyG with xylanase-β-glucanase in a mixed-cereal diet from wean to finish and highlight a potential feed cost saving and environmental sustainability benefit of the application.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"9 ","pages":"txaf060"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12125624/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144200089","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Emma N Macon, Hope A de Avila, Karen L Launchbaugh, Gordon K Murdoch
{"title":"Sustainable weight of ear-borne devices for cattle.","authors":"Emma N Macon, Hope A de Avila, Karen L Launchbaugh, Gordon K Murdoch","doi":"10.1093/tas/txaf055","DOIUrl":"10.1093/tas/txaf055","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Approaches to precision agriculture are increasingly being applied to enhance animal husbandry through data collection and trend analysis. A growing number of technologies involve ear-borne devices such as EID's (i.e., Electronic Identification tags), health indicators, and location trackers. However, limited research has been conducted to determine how much weight cows' ears can sustain for a prolonged period of time. Our objectives were to determine if tag weight affects the ear healing rate, mobility, or orientation. Three tag weights (62, 89, and 124 grams) were compared to an unweighted tag (14 grams), using a commercial, two-post ear-tag (i.e., an EnduroTag). These weights were observed daily on 17 dairy and 17 beef cows for six weeks to assess overall ear health (i.e., tissue inflammation), continued mobility of the ear (i.e., movement and twitching), and severity of ear droop. Overall, the results indicate there is a significant difference (<i>P < 0.05</i>) in acute irritation, droop, and mobility between the four weight treatments examined. Furthermore, the final observation evaluating the degree of healing after six weeks also showed a significant difference <i>(P < 0.05)</i> between tag weights. This information regarding the healing outcome, orientation, and mobility of the ear is valuable to the growing suite of ear-borne technologies.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"9 ","pages":"txaf055"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12125620/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144200093","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Andrew Bamidele Falowo, Olugbenga David Oloruntola, Oluwaseyi Israel Atiba, Ojurereoluwa Adebimpe Ayodele, Olumuyiwa Joseph Olarotimi, Francis Ayodeji Gbore
{"title":"Growth performance, carcass quality, immune response, and production economics of broiler chickens fed avocado seed meal under feed restriction.","authors":"Andrew Bamidele Falowo, Olugbenga David Oloruntola, Oluwaseyi Israel Atiba, Ojurereoluwa Adebimpe Ayodele, Olumuyiwa Joseph Olarotimi, Francis Ayodeji Gbore","doi":"10.1093/tas/txaf047","DOIUrl":"10.1093/tas/txaf047","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Feed restriction is effective in reducing feed costs, however it may have adverse effects on growth performance. Phytogenic feed additives has been explored for their potential to enhance digestion and support growth in poultry. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of avocado seed meal on growth performance, carcass quality, immune response, haematological indices, and production economics of broiler chickens under feed restriction. One hundred and twenty 1-day-old Cobb 500 broiler chicks were assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement comprising two feeding regimens (ad libitum and 8-hour time-restricted feeding) and two avocado seed meal (ASM) levels (0 mg/kg and 3000 mg/kg), resulting in four treatments with 12 replicates during 42-day feeding trial. Feed restriction significantly (<i>P < 0.05</i>) decreased final body weight (11.42%), weight gain (11.60%), feed intake (11.10%), slaughter weight (12.24%), and dressing percentage (3.13%) but increased relative organ weights (lung, liver, heart, spleen, gizzard, and pancreas) of the broiler chicken compared to unrestricted group. Supplementation of ASM had no significant effect (<i>P > 0.05</i>) on growth performance and carcass traits except for relative heart and pancreas weights of the broiler chickens. Economic analysis showed that feed-restricted broilers had lower feed costs (N3376.39) but reduced revenue (N6866.87) and income over feed costs (N3490.48) compared to the ad libitum group, while ASM inclusion did not significantly (<i>P > 0.05</i>) affect economic outcomes. Feed-restricted broilers exhibited lower red (2.68 × 10<sup>12</sup>/L)) and white blood cell counts (3.20 × 10<sup>9</sup>/L), while ASM supplementation maintained normal haematological parameters. Immune responses showed elevated IgG (313.75mg/dL) and IgM (153.17mg/dL) levels in feed-restricted broilers, with ASM inclusion affecting IgM levels but not IgG concentrations. The influence of feed restriction × ASM supplementation interaction was not significant (<i>P > 0.05</i>) on final body weight, body weight gain, feed intake, cost of feed intake, revenue, and income over feed cost per bird across treatments. However, a feed restriction × ASM supplementation interaction occurred on feed conversion ratio, dressing percentage, liver, heart, gizzard, pancreas weights and IgM levels across treatments. The study concludes that supplementation of ASM at 3000 mg/kg could minimize the negative influence of feed restriction on growth performance, carcass traits, and economic returns during production.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"9 ","pages":"txaf047"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12141815/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144249769","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}