Effects of including Sweet Bran or modified distillers grains in the diet of feedlot steers and sorting at terminal implant on growth performance, feeding behavior, and liver abscess occurrence.

The objectives were to assess the effects of dietary Sweet Bran (Cargill Corn Milling, Blair, NE) on performance and feeding behavior of feedlot steers and determine if terminal implant pen sorting affects performance, feeding behavior, and liver abscess (LA) rate. Two hundred sixteen Angus-cross steers (253 ± 18 kg) were stratified by body weight (BW) to 36 pens. From d 0 to 60, diets contained 40% Sweet Bran (SWBR) or 25% modified distiller's grains and 15% dry rolled corn (MOD; n = 18 pens/treatment). On d 60, steers began transition within treatments to finishing diets containing 25% Sweet Bran or 25% modified distiller's grains (MDGS). On d 111, half of the pens for each dietary treatment were re-stratified by BW to pens (SORT) while the other half were returned to original pens (NOSORT; n = 9 pens/treatment). Steer BW and pen dry matter intake (DMI) were recorded monthly. Rate of feed disappearance was determined on d 5/6, 53/54, 104/105, and 117/118. Pen was the experimental unit for all analyses. The model included the fixed effect of diet for all pre-sort analyses; post-sort analyses included the fixed effects of diet, sort, and the interaction and the random effects of pen and the interaction of diet and pen. On d 60, SWBR had greater BW than MOD (P = 0.05), and SWBR had a greater average daily gain (ADG) from d 0 to 60 (P = 0.05). Though there were no differences after d 28, SWBR had greater DMI d 0 to 28 (P = 0.05). From d 60 to 88, SWBR tended to have lesser ADG than MOD (P = 0.09). Post-sort (d 111 to 196), SWBR tended to have lesser ADG than MOD (P = 0.06), and SORT had a greater rate of feed disappearance than NOSORT (d 117/118; P = 0.01); there were no differences on other dates (Diet: P ≥ 0.38). For final BW, there was a tendency for MOD to be greater than SWBR, and SORT tended to be greater than NOSORT (Diet: P = 0.06; Sort: P = 0.10). Pre- and post-sort ruminal pH had no treatment by day differences (P ≥ 0.77). LA incidence averaged 25%, though rate was not affected by diet, sorting, or the interaction (P ≥ 0.16). Overall, there were no dietary differences in feed disappearance rates, though SORT steers had greater rate of feed disappearance than NOSORT steers on d 117/118. Nominal differences in feeding behavior were noted and including Sweet Bran in the diet was beneficial in the growing period as cattle adjusted to the feedlot.

Dietary zinc concentration and lipopolysaccharide injection affect circulating trace minerals, acute phase protein response, and behavior as evaluated by an ear-tag-based accelerometer in beef steers.

To assess plasma trace mineral (TM) concentrations, the acute phase protein response, and behavior in response to a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge, 96 Angus cross steers (average initial body weight [BW]: 285 ± 14.4 kg) were sorted into two groups by BW (heavy and light; n = 48/group), fitted with an ear-tag-based accelerometer (CowManager SensOor; Agis, Harmelen, Netherlands), and stagger started 14 d apart. Consecutive day BW was recorded to start the 24-d trial (days -1 and 0). Dietary treatments began on day 0: common diet with either 30 (Zn30) or 100 (Zn100) mg supplemental Zn/kg DM (ZnSO4). On day 17, steers received one of the following injection treatments intravenously to complete the 2 × 3 factorial: 1) SALINE (~2-3 mL of physiological saline), 2) LOWLPS: 0.25 µg LPS/kg BW, or 3) HIGHLPS: 0.375 µg LPS/kg BW. Blood, rectal temperature (RT), and BW were recorded on day 16 (-24 h relative to injection), and BW was used to assign injection treatment. Approximately 6, 24 (day 18), and 48 (day 19) h after treatment, BW, RT, and blood were collected, and final BW recorded on day 24. Data were analyzed in Proc Mixed of SAS with fixed effects of diet, injection, diet × injection; for BW, RT, dry matter intake (DMI), plasma TM, and haptoglobin-repeated measures analysis were used to evaluate effects over time. Area under the curve analysis determined by GraphPad Prism was used for analysis of accelerometer data. Body weight was unaffected by diet or injection (P ≥ 0.16), but there was an injection × time effect for DMI and RT (P < 0.05), where DMI decreased in both LPS treatments on day 16, but recovered by day 17, and RT was increased in LPS treatments 6 h post-injection. Steers receiving LPS spent less time highly active and eating than SALINE (P < 0.01). Steers in HIGHLPS spent lesser time ruminating, followed by LOWLPS and then SALINE (P < 0.001). An injection × time effect (P < 0.001) for plasma Zn showed decreased concentrations within 6 h of injection and remained decreased through 24 h before recovering by 48 h. A tendency for a diet × time effect (P = 0.06) on plasma Zn suggests plasma Zn repletion occurred at a greater rate in Zn100 compared to Zn30. These results suggest that increased supplemental Zn may alter the rate of recovery of Zn status from an acute inflammatory event. Additionally, ear-tag-based accelerometers used in this study were effective at detecting sickness behavior in feedlot steers, and rumination may be more sensitive than other variables.

Effect of bis-glycinate bound zinc or zinc sulfate on zinc metabolism in growing lambs.

To assess the efficacy of bis-glycinate bound Zn, 36 crossbred wethers (34 ± 2 kg) were sorted by body weight into three groups and stagger started on a Zn-deficient diet (18 mg Zn/kg dry matter [DM]; 22.5% neutral detergent fiber [NDF]) for 45 d prior to a 15-d metabolism period (10 d adaptation and 5 d collection). On day 46, lambs were randomly assigned to dietary treatments (four lambs treatment-1group-1): no supplemental Zn (CON) or 15 mg supplemental Zn/kg DM (ZINC) as Zn sulfate (ZS) or bis-glycinate (GLY; Plexomin Zn, Phytobiotics). Blood was collected from all lambs on days 1, 44, 56, and 61. Liver, jejunum, and longissimus dorsi samples were collected after euthanasia on day 61. Gene expression was determined via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Data were analyzed using ProcMixed of SAS (experimental unit = lamb; fixed effects = treatment, group, and breed) and contrast statements assessed the effects of supplemental Zn concentration (ZINC vs. CON) and source (GLY vs. ZS). After 15 d of Zn supplementation, plasma Zn concentrations were greater for ZINC vs. CON and GLY vs. ZS (P ≤ 0.01); tissue Zn concentrations were unaffected (P ≥ 0.27). Liver Cu concentrations were lesser for ZINC vs. CON (P = 0.03). Longissimus dorsi Mn concentrations were greater for ZINC vs. CON (P = 0.05) and tended to be lesser for GLY vs. ZS (P = 0.09). Digestibility of DM, organic matter (OM), and NDF was lesser for ZINC vs. CON (P ≤ 0.05); acid detergent fiber digestibility tended to be greater for GLY vs. ZS (P = 0.06). Nitrogen retention (g/d) tended to be greater for GLY vs. ZS (P = 0.10), and N apparent absorption was lesser for ZINC vs. CON (P = 0.02). Zinc intake, fecal output, retention, and apparent absorption were greater for ZINC vs. CON (P ≤ 0.01). Apparent absorption of Zn was -5.1%, 12.8%, and 15.0% for CON, ZS, and GLY, respectively. Nitrogen and Zn retention and apparent absorption were not correlated for CON (P ≥ 0.14) but were positively correlated for ZINC (retention: P = 0.02, r = 0.52; apparent absorption: P < 0.01, r = 0.73). Intestinal expression of Zn transporter ZIP4 was lesser for ZINC vs. CON (P = 0.02). Liver expression of metallothionein-1 (MT1) tended to be greater for GLY vs. ZS (P = 0.07). Although Zn apparent absorption did not differ between sources (P = 0.71), differences in post-absorptive metabolism may be responsible for greater plasma Zn concentrations and liver MT1 expression for GLY-supplemented lambs, suggesting improved bioavailability of GLY relative to ZS.

Postpartum meloxicam administration alters plasma haptoglobin, polyunsaturated fatty acid, and oxylipid concentrations in postpartum ewes.

BACKGROUND: Postpartum inflammation is a natural and necessary response; however, a dysfunctional inflammatory response can be detrimental to animal productivity. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (meloxicam) on ewe postpartum inflammatory response, ewe plasma polyunsaturated fatty acid and oxylipid concentrations, and lamb growth. RESULTS: After lambing, 36 Hampshire and Hampshire × Suffolk ewes were sequentially assigned within type of birth to control (n = 17) or meloxicam orally administered on d 1 and 4 of lactation (MEL; 90 mg, n = 19). Milk and blood samples were collected on d 1 (prior to treatment) and d 4. Milk glucose-6-phosphate was not affected by MEL. Plasma haptoglobin (Hp) concentrations were less for MEL ewes; control ewes with greater d 1 Hp concentrations had elevated Hp on d 4, but this was not the case for MEL-treated ewes. Treatment with MEL increased plasma arachidonic acid concentration by more than 4-fold in ewes rearing singles but decreased concentrations of 9,10-dihydroxyoctadecenoic acid, prostaglandin F2α, 8-iso-prostaglandin E2, and 8,9-dihydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid. Nine oxylipids in plasma had interactions of treatment with d 1 Hp concentration, all of which revealed positive associations between d 1 Hp and d 4 oxylipid concentrations for CON, but neutral or negative relationships for MEL. MEL decreased 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid:13-oxooctadecadienoic acid ratio and tended to increase 9-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid:9-oxooctadecadienoic acid ratio (both dependent on d 1 values), indicating progressive metabolism of linoleic acid-derived oxylipids occurred by enzymatic oxidation after MEL treatment. Meloxicam reduced oxylipids generated across oxygenation pathways, potentially due to an improved redox state. CONCLUSIONS: Postpartum MEL treatment of ewes decreased plasma concentrations of Hp and several oxylipids, with the greatest impact in ewes with biomarkers reflecting a greater inflammatory state before treatment. Anti-inflammatory strategies may help resolve excessive postpartum inflammation in some dams.

The influence of supplemental zinc and dietary fiber concentration on mineral retention of beef steers.

The objective was to determine if zinc (Zn) retention improved with supplemental Zn above recommended concentrations with increasing dietary fiber concentration. Angus steers (n = 32; 309 ± 4.2 kg body weight [BW]) with GeneMax gain scores of 3, 4, or 5 were utilized in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (8 steers per treatment). Steers were stagger started (four blocks of eight steers) and stratified by BW within growing diets to one of two Zn strategies (ZNTRT), no supplemental Zn (analyzed 36 mg Zn/kg dry matter [DM]; CON) or supranutritional Zn (CON + 60 mg Zn/kg DM as ZnSO4 + 60 mg Zn/kg DM as Zn-amino acid complex; SUPZN). Dietary fiber strategies (FIBER) were formulated to target two fiber supplementation rates representing high fiber (HF; ~35% neutral detergent fiber [NDF]) or low fiber (LF; ~25% NDF). Within block, steers received HF for 60 d; then pens were randomly assigned to LF or HF for finishing. Steers fed LF were transitioned for 15 d; on day 75, steers were moved to metabolism crates and adapted for 10 d, followed by 5 d of total fecal and urine collection. Retention of Zn, Mn, Fe, Cu, and N were calculated. The model for analysis of metabolism data included the fixed effects of ZNTRT, FIBER, block, and the interaction of ZNTRT × FIBER, with the three-way interaction of ZNTRT × FIBER × block as random. Steer was the experimental unit (n = 8 per treatment combination). Zinc did not affect initial 60-d performance (P ≥ 0.62). DM and organic matter digestibility were lesser (P = 0.02) and N digestibility tended to be lesser (P = 0.07) in CON vs. SUPZN. Intake and digestibility of NDF and acid detergent fiber were greater (P ≤ 0.01) in HF vs. LF. Digestibility and retention of N as a percentage of intake were greater (P ≤ 0.04) whereas N retention as grams per day tended to be greater in HF vs. LF (P = 0.06). Apparent absorption of Zn tended to be greater (P = 0.06) in CON vs. SUPZN. A ZNTRT × FIBER effect was identified for Zn retention (milligrams per day; P = 0.01) where within SUPZN Zn retention was greater in HF vs. LF (P < 0.01). Apparent absorption and retention of Zn were greater (% of intake; P ≤ 0.02) in HF vs. LF. Apparent absorption of Cu, Fe, and Mn was unaffected by ZNTRT or FIBER (P ≥ 0.24). Increasing dietary Zn increased Zn retained regardless of changes in coefficient of absorption. In addition, dietary fiber content may impact trace mineral and N metabolism by steers, potentially due to increased release of these nutrients from feed as fiber digestibility increases. It appears dietary Zn concentrations and diet composition influence trace mineral absorption in beef steers.