Pub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-11-22DOI: 10.15232/aas.2025-02736
C.L. Lockard , M.R. Beck , J.A. Proctor , Z. Kasuske , J.A. Koziel , B.R. Min , J.K. Smith , V.N. Gouvêa
{"title":"Effects of replacing steam-flaked corn with malted barley in feedlot rations on intake and in vivo and in vitro ruminal fermentation characteristics","authors":"C.L. Lockard , M.R. Beck , J.A. Proctor , Z. Kasuske , J.A. Koziel , B.R. Min , J.K. Smith , V.N. Gouvêa","doi":"10.15232/aas.2025-02736","DOIUrl":"10.15232/aas.2025-02736","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8519,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Science","volume":"41 6","pages":"Pages 641-648"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145578644","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The objectives of our study were to evaluate the abilities of probiotic bacterial culture supernatants to inhibit the liver abscess-causing pathogens Fusobacterium necrophorum, Trueperella pyogenes, and Salmonella enterica in pure cultures or in an in vitro rumen simulating batch culture of rumen microbial model.
Materials and Methods
Probiotic bacterial species were cultured, centrifuged, filter sterilized, and stored at −20°C. Liver abscess-causing pathogens were cultured in anaerobic brain-heart infusion broth (for Fusobacterium) and in Muller-Hinton broth (for S. enterica and T. pyogenes), each with and without probiotic culture supernatants. Bacterial growth was measured in a spectrophotometer or by spread-plating on blood agar, or both.
Results and Discussion
Only the supernatant of L. helveticus reduced the growth of both Fusobacterium subspecies, T. pyogenes, and S. enterica. Addition of L. helveticus supernatant to in vitro batch culture of rumen microbes containing ruminal fluid, buffer, and substrates (glucose, lactic acid, or ground cattle feed) exhibited reduction in the spiked culture of F. necrophorum.
Implications and Applications
Probiotic cultures, such as L. helveticus, may have potential for use as a feed supplement to control liver abscesses.
{"title":"Evaluation of antimicrobial activities of probiotic bacterial culture supernatants against liver abscess-causing bacterial pathogens","authors":"H.M. Salih , R.G. Amachawadi , Q. Kang , M.E. Theurer , A. Skidmore , P.R. Broadway , K.E. Hales , T.G. Nagaraja","doi":"10.15232/aas.2025-02683","DOIUrl":"10.15232/aas.2025-02683","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The objectives of our study were to evaluate the abilities of probiotic bacterial culture supernatants to inhibit the liver abscess-causing pathogens <em>Fusobacterium necrophorum</em>, <em>Trueperella pyogenes</em>, and <em>Salmonella enterica</em> in pure cultures or in an in vitro rumen simulating batch culture of rumen microbial model.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and Methods</h3><div>Probiotic bacterial species were cultured, centrifuged, filter sterilized, and stored at −20°C. Liver abscess-causing pathogens were cultured in anaerobic brain-heart infusion broth (for <em>Fusobacterium</em>) and in Muller-Hinton broth (for <em>S. enterica</em> and <em>T. pyogenes</em>), each with and without probiotic culture supernatants. Bacterial growth was measured in a spectrophotometer or by spread-plating on blood agar, or both.</div></div><div><h3>Results and Discussion</h3><div>Only the supernatant of <em>L. helveticus</em> reduced the growth of both <em>Fusobacterium</em> subspecies, <em>T. pyogenes</em>, and <em>S. enterica</em>. Addition of <em>L. helveticus</em> supernatant to in vitro batch culture of rumen microbes containing ruminal fluid, buffer, and substrates (glucose, lactic acid, or ground cattle feed) exhibited reduction in the spiked culture of <em>F. necrophorum</em>.</div></div><div><h3>Implications and Applications</h3><div>Probiotic cultures, such as <em>L. helveticus</em>, may have potential for use as a feed supplement to control liver abscesses.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8519,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Science","volume":"41 5","pages":"Pages 418-432"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145236295","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-01Epub Date: 2025-10-07DOI: 10.15232/aas.2025-02712
Ian J. Lean , Anabel A. Garcia , Helen M. Golder
Objective
Our objective was to use meta-analytical methods to evaluate the effectiveness of treating growing cattle with bovine appeasing substance (BAS) to improve production, health, and stress indicators.
Materials and Methods
A search of 3 search engines identified experiments that examined the effectiveness of treating growing cattle with BAS to improve production, health, and stress indicators. Results of experiments were evaluated to ensure that these were from peer-reviewed journals or theses published in English, were in vivo and evaluated use of BAS, were randomized, had appropriate analysis of data, and contained data to determine the effect size for outcomes. The standardized mean difference was estimated for continuous data and risk difference between groups for dichotomized disease data. Multilevel models were used when experiments were nested within studies. Publication bias was assessed through funnel plots. The potential influence of pseudo-replication and duration of experiment were assessed through meta-regression.
Results and Discussion
A total of 13 studies with up to 18 experiments were included. There was no significant difference in initial BW or evidence of publication bias for any outcome. For stress outcomes, only blood cortisol was reduced by treatment by 3.85 ng/mL (95% CI: −7.60 to−0.09), supporting the proposed mode of action of BAS, but did not result in overall production or health benefits, including hair cortisol. However, there were positive point directions and results in some individual experiments, particularly for final BW, mortality, and virus antibodies. The limited number of experiments and large variation in study design prevented extensive exploration of potential sources of heterogeneity.
Implications and Applications
The reduction in blood cortisol concentrations by BAS indicates its potential to mitigate the effects of routine animal husbandry stress on cattle. Positive, but nonsignificant, point directions for final BW, mortality, and virus antibodies suggest the need for more experiments to determine whether the intervention can be justified on a cost-efficacy or ethical basis.
{"title":"Bovine appeasing substance: A meta-analysis of the effects on production, health, and stress indicators in growing cattle","authors":"Ian J. Lean , Anabel A. Garcia , Helen M. Golder","doi":"10.15232/aas.2025-02712","DOIUrl":"10.15232/aas.2025-02712","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Our objective was to use meta-analytical methods to evaluate the effectiveness of treating growing cattle with bovine appeasing substance (BAS) to improve production, health, and stress indicators.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and Methods</h3><div>A search of 3 search engines identified experiments that examined the effectiveness of treating growing cattle with BAS to improve production, health, and stress indicators. Results of experiments were evaluated to ensure that these were from peer-reviewed journals or theses published in English, were in vivo and evaluated use of BAS, were randomized, had appropriate analysis of data, and contained data to determine the effect size for outcomes. The standardized mean difference was estimated for continuous data and risk difference between groups for dichotomized disease data. Multilevel models were used when experiments were nested within studies. Publication bias was assessed through funnel plots. The potential influence of pseudo-replication and duration of experiment were assessed through meta-regression.</div></div><div><h3>Results and Discussion</h3><div>A total of 13 studies with up to 18 experiments were included. There was no significant difference in initial BW or evidence of publication bias for any outcome. For stress outcomes, only blood cortisol was reduced by treatment by 3.85 ng/mL (95% CI: −7.60 to−0.09), supporting the proposed mode of action of BAS, but did not result in overall production or health benefits, including hair cortisol. However, there were positive point directions and results in some individual experiments, particularly for final BW, mortality, and virus antibodies. The limited number of experiments and large variation in study design prevented extensive exploration of potential sources of heterogeneity.</div></div><div><h3>Implications and Applications</h3><div>The reduction in blood cortisol concentrations by BAS indicates its potential to mitigate the effects of routine animal husbandry stress on cattle. Positive, but nonsignificant, point directions for final BW, mortality, and virus antibodies suggest the need for more experiments to determine whether the intervention can be justified on a cost-efficacy or ethical basis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8519,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Science","volume":"41 5","pages":"Pages 521-552"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145236441","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-01Epub Date: 2025-10-07DOI: 10.15232/aas.2024-02670
B.M. Bohrer , J.L. Landero , M. Young , B. Hansen , D.S. Pollmann , L. Van De Weyer , A. Aldaz
Objective
The effects of reducing dietary nutrient density after the second dose of gonadotropin-releasing- factor (GnRF) immunization on growth performance and carcass characteristics of intact male pigs and market gilts were investigated.
Materials and Methods
During this 102-d grow- finish study, one dietary program was formulated to meet the recommended ratio of standardized ileal digestible (SID) lysine to NE for nonimmunized physically castrated males and nonimmunized market gilts, and another dietary program was formulated with greater SID lysine for GnRF-immunized pigs than for physically castrated males (15.0% to 20.0% greater SID lysine). During the final 2 dietary phases (final 46 d), additional treatment diets were formulated for diets fed to GnRF-immunized pigs to evaluate nutrient dilution programs (consisting of diluted AA, vitamins, and trace minerals).
Results and Discussion
There were no significant linear effects of diet dilution for G:F or hot carcass weight (HCW) for either male or female GnRF-immunized pigs. For the overall period, G:F was improved and HCW was greater for male GnRF-immunized pigs when compared with nonimmunized pigs. Additionally, G:F tended to be improved, whereas HCW was not different, for female Gn- RF-immunized pigs when compared with nonimmunized pigs.
Implications and Applications
Diluting nutrient density during the post-second-dose period of GnRF im- munization did not affect growth or carcass attributes, and both male and female GnRF-immunized pigs grew faster and were more feed efficient compared with nonim- munized pigs.
{"title":"Effects of reducing dietary nutrient density after the second dose of a gonadotropin-releasing-factor immunization on growth performance and carcass characteristics of intact male pigs and market gilts","authors":"B.M. Bohrer , J.L. Landero , M. Young , B. Hansen , D.S. Pollmann , L. Van De Weyer , A. Aldaz","doi":"10.15232/aas.2024-02670","DOIUrl":"10.15232/aas.2024-02670","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The effects of reducing dietary nutrient density after the second dose of gonadotropin-releasing- factor (GnRF) immunization on growth performance and carcass characteristics of intact male pigs and market gilts were investigated.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and Methods</h3><div>During this 102-d grow- finish study, one dietary program was formulated to meet the recommended ratio of standardized ileal digestible (SID) lysine to NE for nonimmunized physically castrated males and nonimmunized market gilts, and another dietary program was formulated with greater SID lysine for GnRF-immunized pigs than for physically castrated males (15.0% to 20.0% greater SID lysine). During the final 2 dietary phases (final 46 d), additional treatment diets were formulated for diets fed to GnRF-immunized pigs to evaluate nutrient dilution programs (consisting of diluted AA, vitamins, and trace minerals).</div></div><div><h3>Results and Discussion</h3><div>There were no significant linear effects of diet dilution for G:F or hot carcass weight (HCW) for either male or female GnRF-immunized pigs. For the overall period, G:F was improved and HCW was greater for male GnRF-immunized pigs when compared with nonimmunized pigs. Additionally, G:F tended to be improved, whereas HCW was not different, for female Gn- RF-immunized pigs when compared with nonimmunized pigs.</div></div><div><h3>Implications and Applications</h3><div>Diluting nutrient density during the post-second-dose period of GnRF im- munization did not affect growth or carcass attributes, and both male and female GnRF-immunized pigs grew faster and were more feed efficient compared with nonim- munized pigs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8519,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Science","volume":"41 5","pages":"Pages 482-501"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145236385","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-01Epub Date: 2025-10-07DOI: 10.15232/aas.2025-02698
Gabriella F. Johnson , David S. Martin , Jason T. Sawyer , Donald R. Mulvaney
Objective
With sustainability in the agriculture industry becoming a greater focus, it is important to understand how beef producers view sustainability and sustainable initiatives. The objective of this research study was to assess Alabama beef producers’ opinions of sustainability, sustainable practices within the industry, and their implementation rate of those practices.
Materials and Methods
An online survey with 36 questions was developed and distributed to Alabama beef producers from July to November 2024. Questions asked producers their opinions on the importance of resources and stakeholders when it comes to environmental impact and sustainability, their knowledge of Climate-Smart Commodities programs, their implementation of certain sustainable practices, and what tools or resources are necessary for their operation to adopt or further improve sustainability practices.
Results and Discussion
Results show that 105 primarily cow-calf producers from 42 of the 67 counties in Alabama have varying implementation rates (~9%–90%) of practices that can improve sustainability and resource management, specifically utilizing grazing management plans, growth-promoting technologies, and animal handling and welfare training. There appears to be a stated interest in learning more about sustainable practices, but further research and financial information are important for continuing interest in sustainability and implementation.
Implications and Applications
Providing producers with information or counseling about the financial implications of sustainability practices and carbon programs could increase interest or implementation on their operations. Extension professionals can use the results from this survey to inform financial programming development and sustainability resources to provide information to producers in the region.
{"title":"Exploring Alabama beef producers’ perceptions and implementation of sustainable practices within the beef industry","authors":"Gabriella F. Johnson , David S. Martin , Jason T. Sawyer , Donald R. Mulvaney","doi":"10.15232/aas.2025-02698","DOIUrl":"10.15232/aas.2025-02698","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>With sustainability in the agriculture industry becoming a greater focus, it is important to understand how beef producers view sustainability and sustainable initiatives. The objective of this research study was to assess Alabama beef producers’ opinions of sustainability, sustainable practices within the industry, and their implementation rate of those practices.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and Methods</h3><div>An online survey with 36 questions was developed and distributed to Alabama beef producers from July to November 2024. Questions asked producers their opinions on the importance of resources and stakeholders when it comes to environmental impact and sustainability, their knowledge of Climate-Smart Commodities programs, their implementation of certain sustainable practices, and what tools or resources are necessary for their operation to adopt or further improve sustainability practices.</div></div><div><h3>Results and Discussion</h3><div>Results show that 105 primarily cow-calf producers from 42 of the 67 counties in Alabama have varying implementation rates (~9%–90%) of practices that can improve sustainability and resource management, specifically utilizing grazing management plans, growth-promoting technologies, and animal handling and welfare training. There appears to be a stated interest in learning more about sustainable practices, but further research and financial information are important for continuing interest in sustainability and implementation.</div></div><div><h3>Implications and Applications</h3><div>Providing producers with information or counseling about the financial implications of sustainability practices and carbon programs could increase interest or implementation on their operations. Extension professionals can use the results from this survey to inform financial programming development and sustainability resources to provide information to producers in the region.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8519,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Science","volume":"41 5","pages":"Pages 563-572"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145236443","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-01Epub Date: 2025-10-07DOI: 10.15232/aas.2024-02571
Nauara Moura Lage Filho , Lázaro José da Silva , Cristian Faturi , Edwana Mara Moreira Monteiro , Felipe Nogueira Domingues , Thiago Carvalho da Silva , Bianca Rafaela Costa e Silva , Alessandra de Souza Mourão , Davide Rondina , Aníbal Coutinho do Rêgo
Objective
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different dietary lipid sources on feed performance in feedlot lambs.
Materials and Methods
A total of 30 noncastrated male lambs, Santa Inês (initial average weight of 29 ± 2 kg), were distributed in a randomized block design into 3 treatment groups (10 lambs per group): a diet with soybean oil, residual frying oil, or palm oil. The 3 experimental diets included lipids at 60 g∙kg−1 of DM. The formulated diets, at a roughage-to-concentrate ratio of 40:60, consisted of elephant grass silage, milled corn, soybean bran, wheat bran, oil (soybean, residual frying oil, or palm), calcitic limestone, and urea. Fatty acid composition was determined. Sheep intake, digestibility, and performance were analyzed.
Results and Discussion
Dry matter and nutrient intakes, as well as average daily weight gain and G:F, were similar among the treatment groups. The difference was in the coefficient of digestibility of ether extract; in that regard, palm oil (852.2 g∙kg−1) was superior to soybean oil and residual frying oil (77.96 and 81.40 g∙kg−1, respectively). Among the oil tested, soybean oil had the highest levels of unsaturation (824.2 g∙kg−1), followed by residual frying oil (779.6 g∙kg−1), and palm oil (576.5 g∙kg−1), which indicated that unsaturation levels do not alter nutrient intake when sheep diets contain adequate amounts of ether extract.
Implications and Applications
We conclude that lipid sources that differ in levels of unsaturation may be used without restriction in diets that contain normal amounts of ether extract (approximately 60 g∙kg−1). Moreover, residual frying oil is an alternative lipid source that may be used in the diets of feedlot lambs.
{"title":"Different sources of lipids for finishing feedlot lambs","authors":"Nauara Moura Lage Filho , Lázaro José da Silva , Cristian Faturi , Edwana Mara Moreira Monteiro , Felipe Nogueira Domingues , Thiago Carvalho da Silva , Bianca Rafaela Costa e Silva , Alessandra de Souza Mourão , Davide Rondina , Aníbal Coutinho do Rêgo","doi":"10.15232/aas.2024-02571","DOIUrl":"10.15232/aas.2024-02571","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different dietary lipid sources on feed performance in feedlot lambs.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and Methods</h3><div>A total of 30 noncastrated male lambs, Santa Inês (initial average weight of 29 ± 2 kg), were distributed in a randomized block design into 3 treatment groups (10 lambs per group): a diet with soybean oil, residual frying oil, or palm oil. The 3 experimental diets included lipids at 60 g∙kg<sup>−1</sup> of DM. The formulated diets, at a roughage-to-concentrate ratio of 40:60, consisted of elephant grass silage, milled corn, soybean bran, wheat bran, oil (soybean, residual frying oil, or palm), calcitic limestone, and urea. Fatty acid composition was determined. Sheep intake, digestibility, and performance were analyzed.</div></div><div><h3>Results and Discussion</h3><div>Dry matter and nutrient intakes, as well as average daily weight gain and G:F, were similar among the treatment groups. The difference was in the coefficient of digestibility of ether extract; in that regard, palm oil (852.2 g∙kg<sup>−1</sup>) was superior to soybean oil and residual frying oil (77.96 and 81.40 g∙kg<sup>−1</sup>, respectively). Among the oil tested, soybean oil had the highest levels of unsaturation (824.2 g∙kg<sup>−1</sup>), followed by residual frying oil (779.6 g∙kg<sup>−1</sup>), and palm oil (576.5 g∙kg<sup>−1</sup>), which indicated that unsaturation levels do not alter nutrient intake when sheep diets contain adequate amounts of ether extract.</div></div><div><h3>Implications and Applications</h3><div>We conclude that lipid sources that differ in levels of unsaturation may be used without restriction in diets that contain normal amounts of ether extract (approximately 60 g∙kg<sup>−1</sup>). Moreover, residual frying oil is an alternative lipid source that may be used in the diets of feedlot lambs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8519,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Science","volume":"41 5","pages":"Pages 458-464"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145236382","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-01Epub Date: 2025-10-07DOI: 10.15232/aas.2025-02707
Colten W. Dornbach , Mina Abbasi , Paul R. Broadway , James E. Wells , Kallie D. Childress , Aubrey C. Thompson-Smith , Landon G. Canterbury , Nicole C. Burdick Sanchez , Xiaorong Shi , Leigh A. George , Raghavendra G. Amachawadi , T.G. Nagaraja , Michael L. Galyean , Kristin E. Hales
Objective
We longitudinally assessed the prevalence of Fusobacterium necrophorum ssp. necrophorum, Fusobacterium necrophorum ssp. funduliforme, and Fusobacterium varium in the nasal cavity of finishing beef steers with and without liver abscesses (LA).
Materials and Methods
Crossbred beef steers (n = 225; arrival BW = 353 ± 39.6 kg) were transported to a feedlot and used in a case-control study. From d 0 to harvest, steers were fed a feedlot diet representative of the High Plains region (NEg = 1.50 Mcal/kg). Nasal swabs were aseptically collected after feedlot arrival (d 5), after adaptation to the finishing diet (d 35), and the day before harvest (harvest). Livers were collected at harvest and examined for LA, and cattle were subsequently assigned into either case (LA present) or control (LA not present) groups. Nasal swabs from cattle with LA (n = 42) and without LA (n = 42) were analyzed for Fusobacterium. Individual animal was the experimental unit, with fixed effects of abscess, sampling time, and abscess × sampling time interaction.
Results and Discussion
Overall LA prevalence was 18.7%. Nasal prevalence of F. necrophorum ssp. necrophorum and F. varium did not differ by LA status or sampling period. Conversely, an abscess × sampling interaction occurred, where steers with LA had lesser F. necrophorum ssp. funduliforme prevalence on d 35 than those without a LA. Nevertheless, the number of enumerable F. necrophorum ssp. funduliforme samples did not differ between steers with or without LA or across sampling time.
Implications and Applications
This is the first report of Fusobacterium detection and enumeration from the nasal cavity of feedlot beef steers. Although these data suggest that Fusobacterium species are present in the nasal cavity of finishing beef steers throughout the feedlot period, a direct link between nasal Fusobacterium populations and LA development was not detected. High variability and small sample sizes limited our ability to detect subtle associations. Future research is needed to evaluate relationships between Fusobacterium populations in the respiratory tract, respiratory disease prevalence, and LA formation.
{"title":"Longitudinal assessment of Fusobacterium necrophorum and Fusobacterium varium in the nasal cavity of finishing beef steers with and without liver abscesses","authors":"Colten W. Dornbach , Mina Abbasi , Paul R. Broadway , James E. Wells , Kallie D. Childress , Aubrey C. Thompson-Smith , Landon G. Canterbury , Nicole C. Burdick Sanchez , Xiaorong Shi , Leigh A. George , Raghavendra G. Amachawadi , T.G. Nagaraja , Michael L. Galyean , Kristin E. Hales","doi":"10.15232/aas.2025-02707","DOIUrl":"10.15232/aas.2025-02707","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>We longitudinally assessed the prevalence of <em>Fusobacterium necrophorum</em> ssp. <em>necrophorum</em>, <em>Fusobacterium necrophorum</em> ssp. <em>funduliforme</em>, and <em>Fusobacterium varium</em> in the nasal cavity of finishing beef steers with and without liver abscesses (LA).</div></div><div><h3>Materials and Methods</h3><div>Crossbred beef steers (n = 225; arrival BW = 353 ± 39.6 kg) were transported to a feedlot and used in a case-control study. From d 0 to harvest, steers were fed a feedlot diet representative of the High Plains region (NE<sub>g</sub> = 1.50 Mcal/kg). Nasal swabs were aseptically collected after feedlot arrival (d 5), after adaptation to the finishing diet (d 35), and the day before harvest (harvest). Livers were collected at harvest and examined for LA, and cattle were subsequently assigned into either case (LA present) or control (LA not present) groups. Nasal swabs from cattle with LA (n = 42) and without LA (n = 42) were analyzed for <em>Fusobacterium</em>. Individual animal was the experimental unit, with fixed effects of abscess, sampling time, and abscess × sampling time interaction.</div></div><div><h3>Results and Discussion</h3><div>Overall LA prevalence was 18.7%. Nasal prevalence of <em>F. necrophorum</em> ssp. <em>necrophorum</em> and <em>F. varium</em> did not differ by LA status or sampling period. Conversely, an abscess × sampling interaction occurred, where steers with LA had lesser <em>F. necrophorum</em> ssp. <em>funduliforme</em> prevalence on d 35 than those without a LA. Nevertheless, the number of enumerable <em>F. necrophorum</em> ssp. <em>funduliforme</em> samples did not differ between steers with or without LA or across sampling time.</div></div><div><h3>Implications and Applications</h3><div>This is the first report of <em>Fusobacterium</em> detection and enumeration from the nasal cavity of feedlot beef steers. Although these data suggest that <em>Fusobacterium</em> species are present in the nasal cavity of finishing beef steers throughout the feedlot period, a direct link between nasal <em>Fusobacterium</em> populations and LA development was not detected. High variability and small sample sizes limited our ability to detect subtle associations. Future research is needed to evaluate relationships between <em>Fusobacterium</em> populations in the respiratory tract, respiratory disease prevalence, and LA formation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8519,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Science","volume":"41 5","pages":"Pages 441-447"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145236380","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-01Epub Date: 2025-10-07DOI: 10.15232/aas.2025-02676
M.S. Grant , K.E. Hales , M.A. Ballou , M.L. Galyean
Purpose
We reviewed the current understanding of methane production, prediction, and mitigation strategies in dairy cattle located in the Texas Panhandle and surrounding High Plains region.
Sources
Peer-reviewed literature was the primary source of information.
Synthesis
The dairy industry in the Texas Panhandle and surrounding High Plains region has expanded greatly in recent decades, reflecting a geographic shift from historically significant dairy production areas in Central and Northeast Texas and states in the Western United States. Along with this geographic shift, the US dairy cattle population has decreased 4.5% since 1990. Nonetheless, enteric CH4 emissions increased 13% from 1990 to 2022. Enteric CH4 emissions can be affected by numerous diet- related factors including feed intake, diet composition, and feed additives (hydrogen sinks and direct inhibitors) that alter CH4 production in the gastrointestinal tract. Accurate, direct estimates of enteric CH4 emissions are challenging and costly to measure from individual animals, which has resulted in the use of mathematical models as a means to predict CH4 emissions in dairy cattle. We evaluated commonly used equations to predict CH4 emissions in lactating cows, nonlactating cows, and growing heifers when applied to diets and performance typical of dairies in the Texas Panhandle. The CH4 emissions (g/d) among the 3 equations used with 3 lactating cow diets ranged from 431 to 507 g/d. Additionally, the CH4 emissions among the 2 equations used with 3 dry cow diets ranged from 251 to 278 g/d. For dairy heifers, CH4 emissions among the 2 equations used with 3 growing heifer diets ranged from 157 to 175 g/d. Predicted CH4 yield for equations and diets used ranged from 17.8 to 20.9 g/kg of DMI for lactating cows, 17.9 to 19.8 g/kg of DMI for dry cows, and 14.6 to 20.2 g/kg of DMI for growing heifers.
Conclusions and Applications
Dietary factors affecting enteric CH4 production are generally well defined. Moreover, potential mitigation strategies exist to decrease CH4 emissions, but our ability to accurately and precisely predict feed intake and digestibility, which are major factors affecting CH4 production, needs improvement. Future research measuring enteric CH4 emissions from cows fed diets typical of those used in the Texas Panhandle and High Plains region across a range of DMI would be useful to validate and potentially improve existing prediction equations for their utility in these regions. Improvement in predicting enteric CH4 emissions will allow dairies to address potential regulatory challenges and understand practical effects of mitigation approaches.
{"title":"Review: Production and prediction of enteric methane in dairies in the Texas Panhandle and surrounding areas","authors":"M.S. Grant , K.E. Hales , M.A. Ballou , M.L. Galyean","doi":"10.15232/aas.2025-02676","DOIUrl":"10.15232/aas.2025-02676","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>We reviewed the current understanding of methane production, prediction, and mitigation strategies in dairy cattle located in the Texas Panhandle and surrounding High Plains region.</div></div><div><h3>Sources</h3><div>Peer-reviewed literature was the primary source of information.</div></div><div><h3>Synthesis</h3><div>The dairy industry in the Texas Panhandle and surrounding High Plains region has expanded greatly in recent decades, reflecting a geographic shift from historically significant dairy production areas in Central and Northeast Texas and states in the Western United States. Along with this geographic shift, the US dairy cattle population has decreased 4.5% since 1990. Nonetheless, enteric CH<sub>4</sub> emissions increased 13% from 1990 to 2022. Enteric CH<sub>4</sub> emissions can be affected by numerous diet- related factors including feed intake, diet composition, and feed additives (hydrogen sinks and direct inhibitors) that alter CH<sub>4</sub> production in the gastrointestinal tract. Accurate, direct estimates of enteric CH<sub>4</sub> emissions are challenging and costly to measure from individual animals, which has resulted in the use of mathematical models as a means to predict CH<sub>4</sub> emissions in dairy cattle. We evaluated commonly used equations to predict CH<sub>4</sub> emissions in lactating cows, nonlactating cows, and growing heifers when applied to diets and performance typical of dairies in the Texas Panhandle. The CH<sub>4</sub> emissions (g/d) among the 3 equations used with 3 lactating cow diets ranged from 431 to 507 g/d. Additionally, the CH<sub>4</sub> emissions among the 2 equations used with 3 dry cow diets ranged from 251 to 278 g/d. For dairy heifers, CH<sub>4</sub> emissions among the 2 equations used with 3 growing heifer diets ranged from 157 to 175 g/d. Predicted CH<sub>4</sub> yield for equations and diets used ranged from 17.8 to 20.9 g/kg of DMI for lactating cows, 17.9 to 19.8 g/kg of DMI for dry cows, and 14.6 to 20.2 g/kg of DMI for growing heifers.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions and Applications</h3><div>Dietary factors affecting enteric CH<sub>4</sub> production are generally well defined. Moreover, potential mitigation strategies exist to decrease CH<sub>4</sub> emissions, but our ability to accurately and precisely predict feed intake and digestibility, which are major factors affecting CH<sub>4</sub> production, needs improvement. Future research measuring enteric CH<sub>4</sub> emissions from cows fed diets typical of those used in the Texas Panhandle and High Plains region across a range of DMI would be useful to validate and potentially improve existing prediction equations for their utility in these regions. Improvement in predicting enteric CH<sub>4</sub> emissions will allow dairies to address potential regulatory challenges and understand practical effects of mitigation approaches.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8519,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Science","volume":"41 5","pages":"Pages 553-562"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145236444","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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