Evaluation of Dietary Roughage Inclusion in a Single or Two-Diet System for Backgrounding and Finishing

Study Description: Pre-conditioned crossbred beef steers (n = 46; initial shrunk [4%] BW = 621 ± 89.1 lbs) were used in a 210-d grow-finish experiment at the Ruminant Nutrition Center (RNC) in Brookings, SD. Steers were fed once daily, and bunks were managed according to a slick bunk management system. Cattle were fed in 25 × 25 ft concrete surface pens (n = 10 pens; 5 pens/treatment) with 25 linear ft of bunk space and heated, concrete, continuous flow waterers. Treatments included: 1) A single-diet program (targeted a 59 Mcal/cwt NEg diet fed for 210-d; 1D) or 2) two-diet program (targeted a 55 Mcal/cwt NEg diet fed for 98-d, a 59 Mcal/cwt NEg diet fed for 14-d, and a 63 Mcal/cwt NEg diet fed for 98-d; 2D). All steers were implanted initially (d 1) with a 100 mg trenbolone acetate (TBA) and 14 mg estradiol benzoate (EB) implant (Synovex Choice) and re-implanted with a 200 mg TBA and 28 mg EB implant on d 112

Impact of Corn Silage Moisture and/or Kernel Processing at Harvest on Finishing Steer Growth Performance, Efficiency of Dietary Net Energy Utilization and Carcass Traits

Study Description: Red Angus steers (n = 192; initial shrunk BW = 983 ± 62.3 lbs) were used in the 112 d finishing experiment at the Southeast Research Farm (SERF) of the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station in Beresford. Steers were from a single source and obtained from a local SD auction facility. Steers were received 2 weeks prior to trial initiation. Steers were offered a common diet containing 60% concentrate upon arrival. Steers were transitioned to a 90% concentrate diet over the course of 14 d. Steers were consuming the finishing diet (Table 1) at the initiation of the experiment. Fresh feed was manufactured once daily for each treatment in a single batch using a stationary mixer and bunks were managed for ad libitum access to feed. Actual diet formulation and composition is based upon weekly DM analyses, tabular nutrient values, and corresponding feed batching records. Diets presented in Table 1 are actual DM diet composition, tabular nutrient concentrations, and tabular energy values (Preston, 2016)

Disciplinary Segregation’s Effects on Inmate Behavior: Institutional and Community Outcomes

Disciplinary segregation (DS) is practiced in a variety of correctional settings and a growing body of research explores its subsequent effects among offenders. The present study contributes to this literature by analyzing the impact of short-term DS on violent infractions and community recidivism among a sample of inmates in Washington State. We assessed the impact of DS on these outcomes from deterrence and stain theory perspectives while controlling for social support variables such as visitations and correctional programming. Mentally ill offenders were excluded, as their abilities to make rational choices may be inconsistent with deterrence theory. Results show DS does not significantly affect post-DS infractions. Social supports significantly reduced inmates’ odds of violent infractions while incarcerated. Community models indicate no substantive differences between the DS and non-DS groups on post-prison convictions 3 years after release. Overall, DS exhibited limited effects on offenders’ institutional or community outcomes

Evaluation of a Direct Fed Microbial an an Enzymatically Hydrolyzed Yeast Product Fed Alone or in Combination to Beef Steers Administered Ractopamine Hydrochloride 28 Days Prior to Harvest During Summer Months in the Northern Plains

Study Description: Single-sourced, newly weaned steers (n=256; initial BW=542 ± 3.7lb; n=64 steers/treatment; 8 steers/pen) were blocked by location in a 2×2 factorial arrangement of DFM (Certillus CP B1801 Dry; Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus plantarum; 28 g/steer·d-1) and YCW (Celmanax; 18 g/steer·d-1). Temperature-humidity index (THI) was calculated as: THI=0.81×ambient temperature+[relative humidity×(ambient temperature-14.40)]+46.40. On d-1 and 2 and d-21 and 22 on RH, respiration rate (RR) and panting scores (PS) were determined before and after AM and PM feedings (0700h, 1100h, 1400h, 1700h). RR (n=3 steers/pen) was calculated from: 600/seconds required for 10 flank movements. PS utilized this scoring system: 0 (not distressed) to 4.5 (severely distressed)

Evaluation of a Direct Fed Microbial and/or an Enzymatically Hydrolyzed Yeast Product in Diets Containing Monensin Sodium on Feedlot Phase Growth Performance, Efficiency of Dietary Net Energy Utilization, and Carcass Characteristics in Newly Weaned Beef Steers Fed in Confinement for 258 Days

Study Description: Single-sourced, newly weaned steers (n = 256; initial body weight (BW) = 542 ± 3.7 lb) were allotted to 32 pens (n = 8 pens/treatment with 8 steers/pen). Steers were blocked by location in a 2x2 factorial treatment arrangement of DFM (Certillus CP B1801 Dry; Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus plantarum; 28 g/steer·d-1) and YCW (Celmanax; 18 g/steer·d-1). Steers were vaccinated and poured at processing and individually weighed on d 1, 14, 42 (end of receiving phase; implanted), 77, 105 (end of growing phase), 133, 161 (implanted), 182, 230 (start ractopamine HCl) and 258. Growth performance and carcass measurements were recorded

Understanding Offender Needs Over Forms of Isolation Using a Repeated Measures Design

A number of studies find that solitary confinement is associated with mental impairment. Yet, confinement dosage and which individual and exogenous variables lead to mental impairment have received less attention. This study of 2 years of data on disciplinary segregation male inmates employs a repeated measures design to examine how isolation affects mental health and psychological needs. The findings indicate that the duration of disciplinary segregation and incarceration, incidence of homelessness, and other individual-level factors had deleterious effects on mental health and psychological needs. Vocational programming and a high school education were found to be protective factors for psychological needs

Dose Effects of Encapsulated Butyric Acid and Zinc on Beef Feedlot Steer Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Dietary Net Energy Utilization

Study Description: Steers (n = 272; shrunk BW = 794 ± 163 pounds) were assigned to one of four dietary treatments in a 143.5 d feedlot finishing trial: 0 g BPZ/ kg diet dry matter (DM) (CON), 1 g BPZ/ kg diet DM (1BPZ), 2 g BPZ/ kg diet DM (2BPZ), or 3 g BPZ/ kg diet DM (3BPZ). Carcass data and liver health outcomes were collected, and feedlot growth performance data and efficiency of dietary net energy utilization were calculated on a carcass-adjusted basis

Effects of On-Arrival Application of a Modified-Live Respiratory and Clostridia Vaccination on Health, Growth Performance, and Antibody Titers of Newly-Weaned Calves

Study Description: Single-sourced, newly weaned steers (n=70; initial body weight (BW)=560±12.9lb) were allotted to 10 pens (n=5 pens/treatment with 7 steers/pen). Steers were blocked by BW in a randomized complete block design of VAC [vaccinated for IBR, BVD 1 and 2, PI3, and BRSV (Bovi-Shield Gold 5, Zoetis, Parsippany, NJ) and clostridial (Ultrabec 7/Somubac, Zoetis) upon arrival] or NOVAC (not vaccinated for IBR, BVD 1 and 2, PI3, and BRSV or clostridial species upon arrival). Steers were individually weighed on d 0 (arrival), 1, 21, and 42 for growth performance measures. Whole blood samples (10 mL) were collected (n=3 steers/pen closest to the pen mean BW) on d 1, 21, and 42 via jugular venipuncture for metabolite and antibody titer responses

Impact of Corn Silage Inclusion on Finishing Cattle Performance

Cattle fed high grain diets with little to no roughage are typically at greater risk for acidosis and reduced dry matter intake and average daily gain. An individual feeding study was conducted to compare different inclusions of corn silage used as a roughage source on finishing performance and liver abscess rate. Treatments consisted of 3 inclusions of corn silage at 0, 7.5 and 15% of the diet DM and a control treatment with 7.5% alfalfa. There were no differences for live animal performance or carcass characteristics. There were also no differences in liver abscess incidence. Feeding corn silage at 15% gave similar performance responses compared to 7.5% alfalfa. These data suggest that roughage is not required in a finishing diet when feeding individual animals

New transitions and levels for Tb 163 obtained from β -decay studies

Transitions in Tb163 following β decay of Gd163 were obtained as part of investigations of γ rays emitted following Eu163β decay to Gd163. Detailed analysis of the low-energy structure of Tb163 has been carried out with these data to expand previous β-decay studies and reactions studies of levels in Tb163. Data were collected at the LeRIBSS station of the Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility at Oak Ridge National Laboratory with an array of four Clover HPGe detectors for γ rays and two plastic scintillators for β detection. The γ rays were identified as belonging to Gd163 and Tb163 via mass selection and γ-γ-β, γ-γ, or γ-x-ray coincidence. In total, 38 new γ-ray transitions were observed in Tb163 from 15 newly identified levels and 12 previously identified levels. Potential energy surface calculations were performed which support a rigid prolate deformation. Previously identified unplaced transitions in Tb163 have been placed within the level scheme of Tb163 and additional states and transitions have been identified