Black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) and domestic horse (Equus caballus) hindgut microflora demonstrate similar fermentation responses to grape seed extract supplementation in vitro.

The domestic horse is used as a nutritional model for rhinoceros maintained under human care. The validity of this model for browsing rhinoceros has been questioned due to high prevalence of iron overload disorder (IOD) in captive black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis), which is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Iron chelators, such as tannins, are under investigation as dietary supplements to ameliorate or prevent IOD in prone species. Polyphenolic compounds variably affect microbial fermentation, so the first objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of grape seed extract (GSE; a concentrated source of condensed tannins; CT) on black rhinoceros hindgut fermentation. Equine nutrition knowledge is used to assess supplements for rhinoceros; therefore, the second objective was to evaluate the domestic horse model for black rhinoceros fermentation and compare fermentation responses to GSE using a continuous single-flow in vitro culture system. Two replicated continuous culture experiments were conducted using horse and black rhinoceros faeces as inoculum sources comparing four diets with increasing GSE inclusion (0.0%, 1.3%, 2.7% and 4.0% of diet dry matter). Diet and GSE polyphenolic compositions were determined, and sodium sulphite effect on neutral detergent fibre extraction of CT-containing forages was tested. Increasing GSE inclusion stimulated microbial growth and fermentation, and proportionally increased diet CT concentration and iron-binding capacity. Horse and black rhinoceros hindgut microflora nutrient digestibility and fermentation responses to GSE did not differ, and results supported equine fermentation as an adequate model for microbial fermentation in the black rhinoceros. Interpretation of these results is limited to hindgut fermentation and further research is needed to compare foregut digestibility and nutrient absorption between these two species. Supplementation of GSE in black rhinoceros diets up to 4% is unlikely to adversely affect hindgut nutrient digestibility or microbial viability and fermentation.

Genome-wide association analysis for feed efficiency in Angus cattle.

Estimated breeding values for average daily feed intake (AFI; kg/day), residual feed intake (RFI; kg/day) and average daily gain (ADG; kg/day) were generated using a mixed linear model incorporating genomic relationships for 698 Angus steers genotyped with the Illumina BovineSNP50 assay. Association analyses of estimated breeding values (EBVs) were performed for 41,028 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and permutation analysis was used to empirically establish the genome-wide significance threshold (P < 0.05) for each trait. SNPs significantly associated with each trait were used in a forward selection algorithm to identify genomic regions putatively harbouring genes with effects on each trait. A total of 53, 66 and 68 SNPs explained 54.12% (24.10%), 62.69% (29.85%) and 55.13% (26.54%) of the additive genetic variation (when accounting for the genomic relationships) in steer breeding values for AFI, RFI and ADG, respectively, within this population. Evaluation by pathway analysis revealed that many of these SNPs are in genomic regions that harbour genes with metabolic functions. The presence of genetic correlations between traits resulted in 13.2% of SNPs selected for AFI and 4.5% of SNPs selected for RFI also being selected for ADG in the analysis of breeding values. While our study identifies panels of SNPs significant for efficiency traits in our population, validation of all SNPs in independent populations will be necessary before commercialization.

Alkaline hydrogen peroxide treatment unlocks energy in agricultural by-products.

Lignocellulosic residues (wheat straw, corncobs, and cornstalks) were treated with a dilute alkaline solution of hydrogen peroxide and suspended in cattle rumen in situ to measure microbial degradation. The rate and extent of dry matter disappearance were markedly increased as a result of the treatment. Results in vivo indicate that this treatment increases the fermentability of wheat straw structural carbohydrates such that this agricultural by-product may be considered an acceptable energy source for the ruminant animal. Treatment of wheat straw allowed more complete bacterial colonization and more rapid degradation of the cell wall.

Effect of corn inclusion on soybean hull-based diet digestibility and growth performance in continuous culture fermenters and beef cattle.

Two experiments were conducted using soybean hull (SH) diets with increasing corn proportions to determine increasing corn inclusion effects on fermentation characteristics, diet digestibility, and feedlot performance. The hypothesis was that fiber digestibility would quadratically respond to starch proportion in the diet with a break point where starch inclusion improved fiber digestion and feedlot performance. Proportionately, the diets contained 100:0 (SH100), 90:10 (SH90), 80:20 (SH80), 60:40 (SH60), or 20:80 SH:corn (SH20). In Exp. 1, diets were randomly distributed over 24 continuous culture fermenters and fed for 7 d. In Exp. 2, forty steers (347 ± 29 kg BW) and 50 heifers (374 ± 24 kg BW) were blocked by gender, stratified by BW, and distributed across diets. Cattle were fed for 70 d with titanium dioxide included in the diet for the final 14 d and fecal samples collected to measure digestibility. Individual DMI was measured using GrowSafe Feed Intake system. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS with diet evaluated as the fixed effect. In Exp. 1, NDF digestibility (NDFd) linearly decreased ( = 0.04) and ADF digestibility (ADFd) tended to linearly decrease ( = 0.09) as corn increased. Dry matter digestibility (DMd) was cubic ( = 0.01) and OM digestibility (OMd) was quadratic ( = 0.03), and among the 4 SH-based diets, DMd and OMd were greatest for SH90. Acetate:propionate ratio and pH were quadratic ( < 0.01) and greatest for SH80. In Exp. 2, ADG and G:F linearly increased ( < 0.01) as corn inclusion increased. Among the 4 SH-based diets, ADG was numerically greatest for SH80. There was no DMI difference ( ≥ 0.4) due to diet. As corn inclusion increased, DMd tended to linearly increase (P = 0.06), as did OMd ( = 0.05). Both NDFd and ADFd were quadratic ( = 0.04) and greatest for SH80. Overall, feedlot performance increased and fiber digestibility decreased as corn inclusion increased. However, based on continuous culture digestibility and VFA values as well as feedlot digestibility and performance, optimal corn inclusion for growth and diet utilization in the 4 SH-based diets fell between SH80 and SH90, or 0.4 and 0.2% BW corn supplementation. In this study, providing 0.4% BW corn supplementation in fiber-based diets (SH80) provided greater improvement in performance compared with 0.2% BW corn supplementation (SH90).

Relationship between residual feed intake and lymphocyte mitochondrial complex protein concentration and ratio in crossbred steers.

Rate of oxygen uptake by muscle mitochondria and respiratory chain protein concentrations differed between high- and low-residual feed intake (RFI) animals. The hypothesis of this research was that complex I (CI), II (CII), and III (CIII) mitochondria protein concentrations in lymphocyte (blood) mitochondria were related to the RFI phenotype of beef steers. Daily feed intake (ADFI) was individually recorded for 92 Hereford-crossbreed steers over 63 d using GrowSafe individual feed intake system. Predicted ADFI was calculated as the regression of ADFI on ADG and midtest BW. Difference between ADFI and predicted ADFI was RFI. Lymphocytes were isolated from low-RFI (-1.32 ± 0.11 kg/d; = 10) and high-RFI (1.34 ± 0.18 kg/d; = 8) steers. Immunocapture of CI, CII, and CIII proteins from the lymphocyte was done using MitoProfile CI, CII, and CIII immunocapture kits (MitoSciences Inc., Eugene, OR). Protein concentrations of CI, CII, and CIII and total protein were quantified using bicinchoninic acid colorimetric procedures. Low-RFI steers consumed 30% less ( = 0.0004) feed and had a 40% improvement ( < 0.0001) in feed efficiency compared with high-RFI steers with similar growth ( = 0.78) and weight measurements ( > 0.65). High- and low-RFI steers did not differ in CI ( = 0.22), CII ( = 0.69), and CIII ( = 0.59) protein concentrations. The protein concentration ratios for CI to CII ( = 0.03) were 20% higher and the ratios of CI to CIII ( = 0.01) were 30% higher, but the ratios of CII to CIII ( = 0.89) did not differ when comparing low-RFI steers with high-RFI steers. The similar magnitude difference in feed intake, feed efficiency measurements, and CI-to-CIII ratio between RFI phenotypes provides a plausible explanation for differences between the phenotypes. We also concluded that mitochondria isolated from lymphocytes could be used to study respiratory chain differences among differing RFI phenotypes. Further research is needed to determine if lymphocyte mitochondrial complex proteins can be used for identification of RFI phenotype.

Soybean hull and enzyme inclusion effects on diet digestibility and growth performance in beef steers consuming corn-based diets.

A beef feedlot study was conducted to determine the effects of increasing soybean hull (SH) inclusion and enzyme addition on diet digestibility and animal performance. The hypothesis was SH inclusion and enzyme addition would increase fiber digestibility with no negative effect on animal performance. Eight treatments (TRT) were arranged in a 4 × 2 factorial using four diets and two enzyme (ENZ) inclusion rates. The diets were composed primarily of whole shell corn (WSC) with 0%, 7%, 14%, or 28% SH replacing corn. The ENZ was a commercial proprietary mix of , and (Cattlemace, R&D Life Sciences, Menomonie, WI) included in the diets at 0% (S0, S7, S14, S28) or 0.045% DM basis (S0e, S7e, S14e, S28e). Eighty steers (287 ± 31 kg, SD) were stratified by weight and blocked into pens with 1 heavy and 1 light pen per TRT (2 pen/TRT, 5 steers/pen). Steers were fed for 70 d with titanium dioxide included in the diets for the final 15 d. Fecal samples were collected on d 70 to determine diet digestibility. Diets were balanced for AA and RDP requirement based on available ME. Individual DMI was measured using a GrowSafe system. Diet, ENZ, and diet × ENZ effects were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Initial BW was applied as a covariate for final BW (FBW), and DMI was included as a covariate for all digestibility measures. The diet × ENZ interaction had no effect on FBW, ADG, DMI, or any digestibility measure ( ≥ 0.11). Steers fed ENZ tended to have greater FBW ( = 0.09) and had numerically greater ADG than steers not fed ENZ. Diet influenced DMI ( < 0.01), as steers fed S7 diets had the greatest DMI ( ≤ 0.3), steers fed S0 diets had the least DMI ( ≤ 0.002), and DMI of steers fed S14 and S28 diets did not differ ( = 0.5). There was a diet × ENZ interaction for G:F ( = 0.02) in which S0, S0e, S14e, and S28e did not differ ( ≥ 0.3) and were greatest ( ≤ 0.05). There was no effect of diet or ENZ on DM, OM, or CP digestibility ( ≥ 0.2). Diet had an effect on NDF and ADF digestibility ( ≤ 0.04) which decreased as SH inclusion increased. The addition of ENZ tended to decrease NDF digestibility ( = 0.08) but had no effect on ADF digestibility ( = 0.8). Fiber digestibility in WSC diets did not improve with SH inclusion or ENZ addition but steers fed diets with 14% to 28% of WSC replaced by SH and the addition of 0.045% ENZ converted feed at the same rate as steers fed WSC diets with no SH.

Relationship between antioxidant capacity, oxidative stress, and feed efficiency in beef steers.

Feed efficiency (FE) can vary between individuals but sources of variation are not well characterized. Oxidative stress is among the biological mechanisms believed to contribute to variation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between FE, antioxidant activity, and oxidative stress in feedlot steers representing phenotypic extremes for FE. Crossbred beef steers ( = 181) fed 70-d growing phase (GP) whole-shell corn-based (G-Corn) or rye baleage and soybean hull-based (G-Rough) diets in GrowSafe bunks at the University of Missouri were shipped to Iowa State University where the 12 most feed efficient (HFE) and 12 least feed efficient (LFE) steers from each diet (n = 48; 467 kg [SD 51]) were selected for evaluation. Steers received diets similar to GP diets, and 3 d after arrival, blood was sampled to evaluate antioxidant activity and oxidative stress markers for the GP following transit. Steers were transitioned to finishing phase (FP) cracked corn-based (F-Corn) or dried distillers' grains and soybean hull-based (F-Byp) diets, and on FP d 97, blood samples for the FP were collected. Data for the GP were analyzed as a 2 × 2 factorial, and data for the FP were analyzed as a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial using PROC MIXED of SAS. No GP diet × FP diet, FP diet × FE group, or 3-way interactions were noted ( ≥ 0.11) for FP measures. Steers fed the G-Rough diet had greater ( = 0.04) GP plasma protein carbonyl concentrations. During the GP, HFE steers had greater ( ≤ 0.04) protein carbonyl and ratio of oxidized:reduced blood lysate glutathione concentrations than LFE steers. There were GP diet × FE group interactions ( ≤ 0.03) during the GP and FP. During the GP, total blood lysate superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was greater ( ≤ 0.03) in G-Rough/LFE steers than in G-Rough/HFE and G-Corn/LFE steers; G-Corn/HFE steers were intermediate. The G-Rough/LFE steers had greater ( < 0.04) glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity than other groups and greater ( = 0.03) plasma malondialdehyde concentrations than G-Corn/LFE steers. During the FP, the G-Rough/LFE steers had greater ( ≤ 0.04) GPX activity than G-Rough/HFE and G-Corn/LFE steers; G-Corn/HFE steers were intermediate. The F-Byp diet had greater ( < 0.01) protein carbonyl than the F-Corn diet, and no other FP diet effects were noted ( ≥ 0.3) for any FP measures. The GP diet and FE groups had stronger relationships with antioxidant activity and oxidative stress markers measured for the GP than for the FP. Overall, antioxidant activity may play a role in FE as LFE steers, driven largely by G-Rough/LFE steers, had greater SOD activity and GPX activity than HFE steers, potentially using a greater proportion of energy otherwise available for tissue accretion.

Influence of feed efficiency classification on diet digestibility and growth performance of beef steers.

The diet digestibility and feed efficiency (FE) relationship is not well characterized in cattle. The study objective was to determine effects of growing phase FE and diet as well as finishing phase diet on diet digestibility and finishing phase FE. Two groups, totaling 373 crossbred steers, were fed for 70 d at the University of Missouri for the growing phase and then shipped to Iowa State University (ISU) for finishing. GrowSafe feed bunks were used during both the growing and the finishing phases. Steers were fed either growing phase whole shell corn (G-Corn) or growing phase roughage-based (G-Rough) diets. Within each group, the 12 greatest and 12 least feed efficient steers from each growing diet ( = 96 total; 48 steers/group; 488 ± 5 kg) were selected for further evaluation. At ISU, steers were fed an average of 10 g TiO/steer daily in receiving phase diets similar to growing diets for 15 d, with fecal grab samples collected on d 14 and 15 to determine diet DM digestibility during receiving (GDMdig). For finishing, steers were transitioned to byproduct-based diets (F-Byp) or corn-based diets (F-Corn) with 12 steers per growing-finishing diet combination per group. Optaflexx (200 mg/d) was fed for 28 d before harvest, and the TiO protocol was repeated immediately before introducing Optaflexx to determine diet DM digestibility during finishing (FDMdig). Data from the 2 groups (96 steers) were pooled, and steers were ranked by growing phase G:F and then classified as the 24 greatest feed efficient (HFE) or 24 least feed efficient (LFE) steers from each growing diet. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS with group applied as a fixed effect. There was a positive correlation between GDMdig and FDMdig for steers fed nutritionally similar diets during both feeding phases, G-Rough/F-Byp steers ( = 0.68, < 0.01) and G-Corn/F-Corn steers ( = 0.49, = 0.02), but a negative correlation for G:F between phases in G-Rough/F-Corn steers ( = -0.57, < 0.01). Finishing G:F was greater in HFE steers versus LFE steers ( = 0.04), but there was no difference ( ≥ 0.5) in GDMdig or FDMdig due to FE classification. There was a positive correlation for DM digestibility between feeding phases when steers were grown and finished on similar diets. Overall, FE was repeatable but was negatively correlated between phases when steers were roughage grown and corn finished, reinforcing the idea that cattle should be FE tested using diet types similar to the production environment of interest.

Influence of growing phase feed efficiency classification on finishing phase growth performance and carcass characteristics of beef steers fed different diet types.

A 5-yr study was conducted using 985 crossbred steers (464 kg [SD 32]) fed in 6 separate, replicated groups to determine the influence of growing phase (GP) feed efficiency (FE) classification and diet type on finishing phase (FP) FE of steers. During the GP at the University of Missouri, steers were fed either a whole shell corn-based diet (G-Corn; 528 steers) or a roughage-based diet (G-Rough; 457 steers) using GrowSafe feed bunks to measure DMI for 69 to 89 d. At the end of the GP, steers were ranked by residual feed intake (RFI) within diet, shipped to Iowa State University, and blocked into FP pens (5 to 6 steers/pen) by GP diet and RFI rank (upper, middle, or lower one-third). Steers were transitioned to either FP cracked corn- or byproduct-based diets and fed until 1.27 cm backfat was reached. After completion of the sixth group, average GP G:F within GP diet was calculated for each FP pen (168 total pens) using GP initial BW as a covariate (G-Corn: 0.207 [SD 0.038]; G-Rough: 0.185 [SD 0.036]). Pens were classified as highly feed efficient (HFE; >0.5 SD from the G:F mean; 58 pens), mid feed efficient (MFE; ±0.5 SD from the G:F mean; 60 pens), or lowly feed efficient (LFE; <0.5 SD from the G:F mean; 50 pens). Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS. Experimental unit was FP pen and the model included the fixed effects of GP diet, FE classification, FP diet, and the interactions. Group (1 to 6) was included as a fixed effect. There were no 3-way interactions ( ≥ 0.2) for any measured traits. Finishing phase G:F was not affected by any interactions ( ≥ 0.5) but was greater ( ≤ 0.03) for HFE versus MFE and LFE and greater ( = 0.02) for MFE versus LFE. Growing phase diet × FE classification effects were detected ( ≤ 0.01) for FP final BW (FBW), ADG, and DMI. Among G-Rough steers, HFE and MFE had greater ( ≤ 0.04) FBW and ADG than LFE, but among G-Corn steers, LFE had heavier ( = 0.03) FBW than HFE whereas ADG was unaffected ( ≥ 0.2) by FE classification. Dry matter intake was unaffected ( ≥ 0.3) by FE classification among G-Rough steers, but among G-Corn steers, LFE had greater ( ≤ 0.003) DMI than MFE and HFE. Overall, differences in FP G:F between FE classifications were driven by different factors depending on diet; ADG differed among roughage-grown steers and DMI differed among corn-grown steers. Ultimately, steers classified as HFE during the GP still had superior FE during the FP.

Effects of prepartum lipid supplementation on FSH superstimulation and transferable embryo recovery in multiparous beef cows.

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of prepartum lipid supplementation on the number and quality of embryos recovered following ovarian super-ovulation in postpartum suckled beef cows. Mature cows (n = 40) were assigned to one of two treatments (lipid versus. no lipid) and supplemented for approximately 40 days prior to calving. Supplements provided to cows were isocaloric and isonitrogenous. The treatment group was fed 1.6 kg hd(-1) per day of whole soybeans (WSB; 19.8% ether extract, and 41.8% crude protein) and the control group received a supplement consisting of 1.8 kg hd(-1) day of a soybean meal and soy-hull combination (SBS; 2.15% EE and 36.81% CP). Cows were synchronized using a GnRH [Cystorelin((R)) 100 microg im]-GnRH-PGF(2alpha) [Lutalyse 25 mg im] protocol. Cows were administered two injections of GnRH seven days apart and PG seven days after the second GnRH injection. Twenty-eight cows (WSB, n = 15; SBS, n = 13) responded to estrus synchronization and were superstimulated. Super-ovulation was initiated on day 8-10 of the synchronized cycle by twice-daily injections of pFSH (Pluset) over four days in decreasing doses using a total of 608.4 IU per cow. Prostaglandin F(2alpha) was administered 96 and 108 h after super-stimulation was initiated with FSH. Days postpartum (WSB = 59 days; SBS = 57 days) at initiation of FSH treatments were similar (P > 0.10) for both treatments. Cows were monitored for estrus activity by the HeatWatch Estrus Detection System. Twenty-seven cows (WSB, n = 15; SBS, n = 12) exhibited estrus after FSH and inseminated at 0, 12, and 24 h after the onset of estrus with 1, 2, and 1 units of semen, respectively. Embryos were recovered and evaluated 7-8 days later. Only cows that responded to FSH and that were inseminated were used for statistical analysis. Data were analyzed using the General Linear Models Procedure of SAS. Body condition scores did not differ (P > 0.10) between treatments when cows were evaluated at the initiation of the experiment, two weeks prior to calving, and at initiation of superovulation with FSH. Estrous cyclicity prior to the initiation of estrus synchronization did not differ (P > 0.10) between treatments. There was no difference (P > 0.10) between treatments in recovery of total embryos (WSB, 14.7 +/- 3.5; SBS, 17.5 +/- 3.0), transferable embryos (WSB, 10.3 +/- 2.5; SBS, 13.6 +/- 2.6), degenerate embryos (WSB, 3.3 +/- 1.1; SBS, 1.6 +/- 1.7) or unfertilized ova (WSB, 1.1 +/- 0.5; SBS, 2.3 +/- 1.2). Cows that were supplemented with whole soybeans prior to parturition failed to produce an increased total number of ova or transferable embryos following super-ovulation.

Effects of endophyte-infected tall fescue, environmental temperature and prazosin injection on the rat.

Effects of an alpha 1 antagonist, prazosin, injection on the rat (Rattus rattus) exposed to warm vs normal environments and fed endophyte-infected (E+) or -free (E-) tall fescue seed were studied. Rats were injected IP daily with placebo or prazosin (1 mg/kg BW). Daily skin and rectal temperatures and food intake measurements were recorded. Selected brain tissues were dissected to determine treatment effects on monoamine receptor density. Rats fed E+ and injected with placebo had reduced (P < 0.01) food intake compared with all other treatments. By day 5 of injection, an endophyte x temperature interaction for increased (P < 0.03) skin and rectal temperatures was measured when rats were fed E+ and housed at 32 degrees C. Also by day 5, injection of rats consuming E+ with prazosin reduced (P < 0.01) skin and rectal temperatures 0.4 degree C compared with those consuming E+ and injected with placebo. Monoamine receptor (alpha 1, alpha 2, and D2) densities were similar (P > 0.10) among treatments. Prazosin injection reduced E+ induced body temperature increases chronically and increased food intake acutely to E- levels. Monoamine receptor densities were unchanged; therefore, E+ effects via monoamine receptors may be due to acute modulation of receptor-associated activity.

Amino acid and energy interrelationships in growing beef steers: I. The effect of level of feed intake on ruminal characteristics and intestinal amino acid flows.

Five cannulated Holstein steers (538 +/- 35 kg) were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square design experiment with extra observations to examine the influence of level of feed intake on postruminal flow and intestinal disappearance of N and amino acids (AA). Treatments consisted of a single diet fed at four levels of energy intake (1.5, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 times NEm requirement). The diet was formulated on a DM basis to contain 13.25% CP using cracked corn (56.1%), soybean hulls (18%), cottonseed hulls (15%), soybean oil (4.25%), and corn gluten meal (5.6%). Increasing feed intake linearly increased (P < .0001) the quantity of OM truly digested in the stomach but tended to decrease (P = .11) OM digestion as a percentage of intake. Level of feed intake had no effect (P > .10) on ruminal pH, NH3 N, or peptide concentration or on particulate and fluid passage rates. However, total VFA concentration increased linearly (P < .0001) and the acetate: propionate ratio decreased linearly (P < .0001) as feed intake increased. Flows of microbial and nonmicrobial N at the duodenum linearly increased (P < .002) with increasing intake but did not differ (P > .10) as a percentage of intake. Level of feed intake did not affect (P > .10) microbial efficiency, N disappearance from the small intestine, or total tract N digestibility. With the exception of tryptophan, flows of all individual AA increased linearly (P < .01) with increasing intake. As a percentage of duodenal flow, AA digestion in the small intestine did not differ (P > .10), leading to a linear increase (P < .10) in the net quantity of individual (with the exception of tryptophan) and total AA disappearing from the small intestine as feed intake increased. Likewise, the profile of AA (except tryptophan) disappearing from the small intestine was unaffected (P > .10) by level of feed intake. When compared with predicted requirements for a 227-kg growing beef steer, Arg, Met, His, and Lys were suggested to be the most limiting AA for growth when this diet is fed. We conclude that altering energy intake by restricting intake of a single diet has only minor effects on the profile of digestible AA or other nutrients presented to the animal.

Amino acid and energy interrelationships in growing beef steers: II. Effects of energy intake and metabolizable lysine supply on growth.

We conducted three experiments to determine the optimal metabolizable Lys:net energy ratio for growth of beef calves. The single basal diet fed contained corn (56.1%), soybean hulls (18%), cottonseed hulls (15%), animal fat (4.25%), and corn gluten meal (5.6%). In Exp. 1, 54 steers were individually fed the basal diet at 1.5, 2.25, and 3.0 times NEm requirement; rations were top-dressed with 3.4 g of rumen-stable (RS) Met and either 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, or 12 g of RS-Lys daily. An additional 18 steers were fed the same three levels of energy and supplemented with 125 g of blood meal per steer. In Exp. 2, 68 crossbred steers were subjected to the same experimental protocol, with the exception that only the two highest levels of energy were used. Of these steers, 48 were fed individually and received the RS-Lys treatments; the remaining 20 steers received 125 g of blood meal per steer. No interaction (P > .10) was detected between level of supplemental Lys and energy intake in Exp. 1 or 2. Supplementation with RS-Lys improved (P < .01) ADG in Exp. 1, but it had no effect (P > .10) on growth in Exp. 2. The Lys requirement estimates were 44.3 and 51.3 g/d, corresponding to maximal growth rates of 1.21 and 1.64 kg/d for the 2.25 and 3.0 times maintenance treatments, respectively. Comparing the growth rates of steers fed supplemental Lys with those of steers fed blood meal in Exp. 1 and 2 revealed an ADG advantage (P < .03) with blood meal supplementation. To confirm the blood meal response, Exp. 3 used 75 crossbred steers fed the basal diet at 3.0 times NEm requirement plus either 3.4 g RS-Met, 3.4 g RS-Met and 12 g RS-Lys, or 125 g of blood meal per steer. Blood meal supplementation improved (P < .01) growth of steers over those fed supplemental Met or Met plus Lys. Although a distinct relationship between amino acid requirements and energy supply may exist, Lys and Met were not first-limiting in these experiments, or selective supplementation with undegradable protein may have provided some factor that enhanced performance beyond that detected with Lys and Met alone.

Effect of increasing the dietary level of rapeseed meal on intake by growing beef steers.

Three experiments were conducted to determine the effects of rapeseed meal on intake by cattle. In the first experiment, the effect of increasing rapeseed meal level on intake, growth, and performance of growing beef steers was evaluated. In the second experiment, the effect of extrusion (glucosinolate reduction) on supplement intake by steers was evaluated. In the third experiment, the effect of increasing dietary rapeseed meal level on supplement intake was evaluated. In the first experiment, rapeseed meal replaced soybean meal at 0, 33, 67, or 100% of the supplemental protein. Dry matter intake, crude protein intake, and serum thyroxine levels were decreased linearly (P < .01) with increasing level of rapeseed meal in the supplement. Protein sources used in Exp. 2 were soybean meal, rapeseed meal, extruded rapeseed meal, and soybean meal containing rapeseed oil at the same level as the rapeseed meal. In Exp. 3, the protein sources were composed of different combinations of rapeseed meal and soybean meal (100% rapeseed meal; 67% rapeseed meal and 33% soybean meal; 33% rapeseed meal and 67% soybean meal; and 100% soybean meal). Supplement intake was measured at .5, 4, and 24 h after feeding in both experiments. Extrusion treatment, which reduced glucosinolate content in rapeseed meal 75%, did not improve (P > .10) supplement intake. Rapeseed meal resulted in lower supplement intakes at .5 and 4 h than the soybean meal and soybean meal+rapeseed oil supplements (P = .003).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Performance and carcass quality of steers fed whole raw soybeans at increasing inclusion levels.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the efficacy of whole raw soybeans as a partial or whole replacement for soybean meal in a corn/soybean meal-based feedlot diet. In Exp. 1, 80 crossbred steers (average BW = 441.3 kg) and, in Exp. 2, 96 Angus-sired steers (average BW = 413.7 kg) were blocked by weight and assigned randomly to one of four dietary treatments. Treatments were 0, 8, 16, and 24% dietary inclusions of whole raw soybeans. Diets within experiments were isonitrogenous. Across experiments, diets were similar, differing only in amount of corn silage (8 vs. 15% DM) at the expense of whole, shelled corn for Exp. 1 and Exp. 2, respectively. No treatment differences were observed for ADG or final BW. Dry matter intake from d 0 to d 58 decreased linearly (P < 0.05) with increased inclusion of whole raw soybeans in Exp. 1, with no effect on feed efficiency. In Exp.2 from d 0 to 72, whole raw soybean inclusion had no effect on DMI or feed efficiency. There tended (P < 0.10) to be a linear reduction in hot carcass weight when whole raw soybeans were included in Exp. 1. Unexpectedly, longissimus muscle area tended (P < 0.10) to respond quadratically (P < 0.10) to the increased inclusion of whole raw soybeans in Exp.1. No differences were detected in marbling score, 10th-rib backfat, or yield grade for Exp. 1 and 2 steers. In Exp. 2, inclusion of whole raw soybeans had no effect on hot carcass weight or longissimus muscle area. Incrementally increasing the inclusion of whole raw soybeans in the diet of feedlot steers had little overall effect on weight gain, feed efficiency, or carcass quality in Exp. 1 and 2. There were subtle differences in the treatment responses observed for hot carcass weight and longissimus muscle area between Exp. 1 and Exp. 2 for the 24% inclusion level. These noted differences may indicate that inclusion levels above 24% might not be beneficial.

Performance and carcass quality of steers fed different sources of dietary fat.

The hypothesis of this experiment was that increasing dietary fat through the use of whole oilseeds and altering the dietary ratio of PUFA:saturated fatty acids would alter carcass composition of finishing steers. Seventy-two steers (443.6 +/- 1.0 kg) were fed for 76 d one of four dietary treatments: a corn/ soybean meal-based diet (NOFAT); two diets containing 16% (DM basis) whole raw soybeans; and a corn/soybean meal-based diet containing choice white grease (CWG) equal to the fat addition supplied by the soybeans. Soybeans used in the diets were either a standard variety (NORM-SB) or a variety high in oleic acid content (HO-SB). The fatty acid profile of diets differed (P < 0.05) in the degree of saturation and content of palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids. There were no differences in ADG (1.73 kg/d), hot carcass weight (347 kg), longissimus muscle area (79.4 cm2), yield grade (3.31), or percentage of boneless retail cuts (48.8%). Contrasts revealed differences (P < 0.05) in G:F and marbling score with the addition of fat (0.126 vs. 0.137 and 4.66 vs. 4.91, respectively, for NOFAT vs. fat). The addition of fat tended (P < 0.10) to increase backfat, and feeding NORM-SB increased (P < 0.01) dressing percent compared with the HO-SB treatment. Loin samples taken from steers fed NOFAT, NORM-SB, and HO-SB did not differ in alpha-tocopherol content. Loins from the CWG treatment tended (P < 0.10) to have lower alpha-tocopherol content than did the soybean treatments (0.79 vs. 0.99 ppm, respectively). From main-effects analysis, HO-SB loin samples had the highest (F3,8 = 32.91; P < 0.01) concentration of gamma-tocopherol (0.33 ppm); this resulted in differences (P < 0.05) in gamma-tocopherol when comparing all contrasts. When comparing loin samples from NORM-SB-fed steers with those from HO-SB-fed steers, NORM-SB samples had a greater (P < 0.05) percentage oflinoleic acid and PUFA and a lower (P < 0.05) percentage of oleic acid and monounsaturated fatty acids. Furthermore, loin samples from soybean-fed steers tended (P < 0.10) to have a greater concentration of conjugated linoleic acid than samples from CWG-fed steers. These data suggest that the source of added dietary fat may affect overall carcass composition. Furthermore, dietary addition of soybeans or CWG can improve feed efficiency and marbling, whereas the addition of whole raw soybeans compared with CWG may increase unsaturation and total vitamin E content of beef.

Lectin-like activity of Escherichia coli K88, Salmonella choleraesuis, and Bifidobacteria pseudolongum of porcine gastrointestinal origin.

The lectin-like activity of Escherichia coli K88, Salmonella choleraesuis, and Bifidobacteria pseudolongum of porcine gastrointestinal origin was studied by hemagglutination (HA) and HA inhibition assays. Although all the bacterial strains were able to agglutinate Porcine and Lagomorpna erythrocytes, much higher HA titers were consistently observed for B. pseudolongum than for E. coli K88 or S. choleraesuis. Proteinaceous components and glycoproteins were responsible for the HA of E. coli K88 and B. pseudolongum, respectively, because a remarkable reduction of HA titers occurred due to treatment of E. coli K88 with protease or trypsin and of B. pseudolongum with protease and periodate. Hemagglutination of E. coli K88, S. choleraesuis, and B. pseudolongum was strongly inhibited by galactosyl residue-containing glycoproteins, including porcine and bovine mucin, thyroglobulin, and fetuin. Some sugars, including lactose, galactose, xylose, and xylooligosaccharide (XOS), at a relatively high concentration (47 to 92 mg/mL) also exhibited an inhibitory activity for the HA of B. pseudolongum. This result, combined with the enhanced HA activity of the three bacterial strains by modification of Lagomorpna erythrocytes with neuraminidase, indicated that galactosyl residue-containing glycoproteins mediated the HA of E. coli K88, S. choleraesuis, and B. pseudolongum. Our study demonstrated that proteinaceous or glycoproteinaceous lectin-like substances that recognize galactosyl residue-containing molecules, especially intestinal mucin, exist on the surface of E. coli K88, S. choleraesuis, and B. pseudolongum.

Fermentation substrate and dilution rate interact to affect microbial growth and efficiency.

The effect of dilution rate (D) on carbohydrate, fibrous and nonfibrous, and protein fermentation by ruminal microorganisms was studied using a single-effluent continuous-culture system. The diets of fibrous carbohydrate, nonfibrous carbohydrate, or protein were formulated with soybean hulls (FC), ground corn (NFC), or isolated soy protein (PR) as the primary ingredient, respectively. Six dilution rates (.025, .050, .075, .10, .15, and .20/h of fermenter volume) were used. Digestibilities of DM, OM, and CP for the three diets and of NDF and ADF for the FC diet decreased (P<.001) as D increased, although the response of the digestibility to D varied with diet. Increasing D resulted in an increase in pH (P<.001) and a decrease (P<.001) in ammonia concentration. Daily volatile fatty acid production increased (quadratic; P<.01) for the FC and NFC diets, but decreased (quadratic; P<.001) for the PR diet. Increasing D quadratically increased (P<.001) the molar percentage of acetate and propionate, but quadratically decreased (P<.001) butyrate and valerate for the FC and NFC diets. For the PR diet, the molar percentage of propionate and valerate increased (quadratic; P<.01), whereas acetate and butyrate decreased (linear; P<.001) in response to increasing D. Molar percentage of isobutyrate and isovalerate decreased (P<.01) with increasing D for all three diets. As D increased, daily microbial N production showed quadratic responses with maximum values achieved at .126, .143, and .187/h D for the FC, NFC, and PR diet, respectively. There was a positive correlation between microbial growth efficiency (MOEFF) and D. A quadratic model fit the data of MOEFF as affected by D, and maximum MOEFF of 37.3, 59.6, and 71.4 g of bacterial N/kg OM truly fermented were calculated to be achieved at .177, .314, and .207/h D for the FC, NFC, and PR diet, respectively. Dilution rate significantly influenced the ruminal microbial fermentation of fibrous and nonfibrous carbohydrates and proteins, and was positively related to microbial yield and growth efficiency. In addition, microbial nitrogen composition, and therefore efficiency, was affected by substrate fermented.

Mefluidide treatment of tall fescue pastures: intake and animal performance.

Twelve Hereford heifers were used in a grazing experiment to determine intake and digestibility of tall fescue forage treated with the plant growth regulator mefluidide. Additionally, steer and heifer performance were evaluated after grazing tall fescue pastures or consuming hay harvested from pastures treated with mefluidide. Average forage OM intake by heifers was 47% greater (P less than .05) during July and 50% greater (P less than .05) during August for mefluidide-treated pastures than for untreated pastures. In vitro OM digestibility and indigestible ADF were compared for their ability to predict forage intake. The in vitro digestibility method produced more realistic intake data than the indigestible ADF method; however, trends in estimated forage intake were similar for both methods. Total tract particulate matter passage rates were similar (P greater than .10; 4.5 vs 4.1%/h), but mean retention times were shorter (P less than .05; 37.0 vs 46.9 h) when heifers grazed mefluidide-treated tall fescue. Steers grazing mefluidide-treated forage had greater (P less than .05) total weight gains than did steers grazing untreated tall fescue during a 168-d study (86 vs 69 kg). Heifers fed hay harvested from mefluidide-treated pastures also exhibited similar improvements in gain (49 vs 38 kg) because of increased (P less than .05) forage consumption (8.3 vs 7.3 kg/d) and greater (P less than .05) forage OM digestibility (65 vs 61%). Mefluidide treatment of tall fescue in early spring prolonged higher-quality herbage into midsummer and resulted in greater forage intake and animal performance.

Mefluidide treatment of tall fescue pastures: forage quality.

Spring application of a plant growth regulator, mefluidide, to tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) pastures grazed from May to September reduced (P less than .05) available DM and digestible OM per hectare by 51 and 41%, respectively, compared to untreated pastures. However, seasonal averages for N, Ca and P content and in vitro OM disappearance (OMD) were greater (P less than .05) and NDF was lower (P less than .05) in tall fescue from mefluidide-treated pastures than in untreated pastures. Compared to hand-clipped samples, esophageal extrusa of tall fescue was 63% higher (P less than .05) in N (2.7 vs 1.7%) and 26% lower (P less than .05) in NDF (52.6 vs 69.9%) than hand-clipped tall fescue samples, regardless of treatment. Extrusa and hand-clipped herbage samples were similar (P greater than .10) in OMD during May and September, but OMD of extrusa was greater (P less than .05) during June, July and August compared to clipped samples. As a consequence of preventing stem elongation and seedhead formation earlier in the growing season, mefluidide treatment of tall fescue maintained forage quality at a higher level during midsummer.