Effect of Rumensin on legume bloat in cattle

Rumensin with or without Bloatguard was fed to rumen-fistulated cattle grazing lush alfalfa pasture. Although Rumensin alone or in combination with low doses of Bloatguard reduced bloat, it was not completely effective. Hence, Bloatguard at the recommended dose is still necessary for full bloat control

Whole-genome sequencing reveals host factors underlying critical COVID-19

Critical COVID-19 is caused by immune-mediated inflammatory lung injury. Host genetic variation influences the development of illness requiring critical care1 or hospitalization2,3,4 after infection with SARS-CoV-2. The GenOMICC (Genetics of Mortality in Critical Care) study enables the comparison of genomes from individuals who are critically ill with those of population controls to find underlying disease mechanisms. Here we use whole-genome sequencing in 7,491 critically ill individuals compared with 48,400 controls to discover and replicate 23 independent variants that significantly predispose to critical COVID-19. We identify 16 new independent associations, including variants within genes that are involved in interferon signalling (IL10RB and PLSCR1), leucocyte differentiation (BCL11A) and blood-type antigen secretor status (FUT2). Using transcriptome-wide association and colocalization to infer the effect of gene expression on disease severity, we find evidence that implicates multiple genes—including reduced expression of a membrane flippase (ATP11A), and increased expression of a mucin (MUC1)—in critical disease. Mendelian randomization provides evidence in support of causal roles for myeloid cell adhesion molecules (SELE, ICAM5 and CD209) and the coagulation factor F8, all of which are potentially druggable targets. Our results are broadly consistent with a multi-component model of COVID-19 pathophysiology, in which at least two distinct mechanisms can predispose to life-threatening disease: failure to control viral replication; or an enhanced tendency towards pulmonary inflammation and intravascular coagulation. We show that comparison between cases of critical illness and population controls is highly efficient for the detection of therapeutically relevant mechanisms of disease

The toxicity of liquid supplements containing urea

Liquid supplement manufacturers must provide a product that is effectively utilized and is nontoxic. Toxicity can be reduced if the supplement's pH is below 3.8, but low pH alone does not improve nutritive value. A good fermentable source of carbohydrate, like molasses or cooked starch, should be provided in adequate amount. When water or lignin sulfonates are substituted for good carbohydrate, urea utilization is reduced and the risk of toxicity is increased. Cattle that are hungry or starved from blizzard conditions or feed restriction are much more susceptible to ammonia toxicity than cattle kept full, so limit the availability of liquid supplements to hungry cattle. Urea is safer if cattle are adapted to it. Always start cattle on urea-containing feeds slowly and keep them full of other feed

Effect of Lasalocid or Monensin on feedlot (grain) bloat in cattle

Lasalocid or monensin (600 mg per 1000 lb body weight daily) was tested on cattle bloating on high grain diets. Bloat was reduced 92% by Lasalocid and 64% by monensin. When fed throughout the finishing period, lasalocid at 300 mg per 1000 lb body weight effectively prevented bloat from developing. However, 600 mg was required to control bloat in cattle that were already bloating

Grazing cattle on alfalfa

Data collected from six producers grazing 4050 head of cattle on 850 acres of irrigated alfalfa showed that under optimum conditions, Kansas producers can expect: stocking rate, 5 to 6 head/acre; average daily gain, 2 lbs +; total pounds of beef/acre, 1300 to 1500 lbs; and death loss below 1%. Bloat Guard 2,3 performed the best when added to a grain supplement