Animal Production
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Due to cows’ universal exposure to manure, which contains E. coli and other gram-negative bacteria, as well as the requirement to maintain sec as low as possible, all cows should be vaccinated with one of the coliform vaccines available on the market. These vaccines have been proven to significantly reduce clinical coliform mastitis and have been shown to be profitable when incidence of clinical coliform mastitis exceeds 1% of milking cows.
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With the growth of the ethanol industry in recent history, the availability of distillers grains, a byproduct of ethanol production, has increased. Distillers grains can serve as an excellent source of nutrients for beef cattle. However, several considerations must be taken into consideration before utilizing this resource. These include economics, nutrient content and potentially deleterious effects when fed improperly. This publication will provide guidelines and examples of how to use this feed resource.
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The implementation of horn fly control measures, such as aerosols, bait, strips, foggers, dust bags, traps, oilers, ear tags, pour-ons, natural predators, and insect growth regulators is instrumental in reducing the new infection rate, while existing mastitis cases can be eliminated with antibiotic therapy. Such management practices will promote animal health and well-being, enhancing producer profits by ensuring that heifers calve with low sec and the potential for maximum milk yield.
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New feed ingredients are evaluated and introduced to the feed industry every year. The evaluation process is necessary and includes feeding birds different levels of the test ingredient to estimate the maximum safe level (MSL). The MSL is usually estimated with a multiple range test, ignoring the fact that this test is inappropriate for this type of feeding trials where the independent variable is continuous. This paper describes the use of the Maximum Ingredient Optimization Workbook (MIOW) in estimating the MSL and determining the optimal combination or ingredient levels and replications for most efficient experimental design of future feeding trials. The MIOW calculates the results and the related descriptive statistics (SD, SE, Cl, and R2) based on simulation and non-linear regression models (broken-line linear and broken-line quadratic models).
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An Excel workbook, Nutritional Response Determination Optimization (NuRDO). has been developed to simulate the optimal number or nutrient levels and replicates per level when planning nutritional requirement studies. With NuRDO, researchers can simulate data from what they think is the real shape of the response curve. They can then run up to 1,000 simulated experiments to see the combination of levels and replications that minimize the standard error or the requirements and other parameters for the broken-line models. SK and hyperbolic models. For example, consider the BLL model with a “true” requirement (REQ) of 5.2, a maximum of 99 units, a rate constant of 18.6 and a CV of 10%:For 5 input levels and 10 reps per level, the estimated REQ ± SD is equal to 5.196±0. 106, for 10 levels & 5 reps each, the REQ is 5.231±0 .157. The workbook can be used in this manner to determine the best combination of levels and reps to improve the chances or getting the best results possible from experiments.
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This module describes the role of energy in the body, how much energy is contained in our foods, and how to correctly identify the key nutrient classes that our bodies require from the foods we eat. All of these components are related to the general makeup of a commercial poultry diet. The module is designed to be one in a series of publications to supply relevant educational content related to the poultry industry to agricultural teachers, STEM teachers, and the general public.
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White striations in broiler breast meat tend to reduce customer confidence because severe white striping means that the cooked meat will be tougher than meat with low white striping. There is also higher fat content in meat with severe white striping. Consumers will not buy broiler breast meat with high fat and moderate to severe white striping because it is inferior in quality and nutritional value. This can cost the poultry industry significantly. Research has shown that this undesirable trait is particularly prevalent in broilers that have grown to a high body weight over a short period of time. Further research is needed to develop growing and feeding regimens to produce a heavier bird without changes in muscle quality, such as white striping.
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A pollinator-friendly and ecologically sustainable garden is both beautiful and able to attract and sustain beneficial insects, reducing the need for pesticides. This publication is based on new research in habitat management for purposes of planting insect-attracting plant species in order to intentionally draw insects to garden areas and urban landscapes. This is done by providing a refuge for the insects during winter and nectar and pollen resources. Plant selection directly affects beneficial insect populations, those insects that can provide ecological benefits such as biodiversity and natural pest control. This concept of “habitat management” can lead to potential increases in pollinating and other beneficial insect populations. An increase in these populations in landscapes will contribute to improved pollination of plants and biological pest control and reduce the need for pesticides.
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Prevalence of mastitis in dairy goats ranges between 5% and 30%, with Staphylococcus spp., otherwise known as the coagulase-negative staphylococci, identified as the most frequent cause of infection. These staphylococci produce persistent subclinical mastitis with markedly elevated somatic cell counts (SCC), which may lead to clinical symptoms.
Prevention is the key to controlling staphylococcal mastitis in dairy goats, as once this disease becomes established, chronic inflammation of mammary tissues and elevated SCC will follow, resulting in reduced milk yield and quality. This publication discusses proper husbandry practices and sanitation methods that can be implemented by producers. The results of two vaccine trials as a potential means to control mastitis in ruminants are also presented and discussed.
Vaccination should only be included as part of the whole herd approach to mastitis control. Any vaccination program must be carried out in conjunction with other proper management practices.
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