Prediction of animal performance from chemical analyses and in vitro digestibility data

Evaluation of forages is expensive and often time consuming. Since feed cost is one of the most expensive items in milk production, the use of a good forage in the dairy ration has long been recognized as valuable and economical; therefore, it is of interest to the dairyman that accurate, fast, and economical methods of forage evaluation be available. Well conducted feeding and digestion trials have been recognized as two of the best methods of forage evaluation; however, the time involved, facilities-required, and amount of feed needed to conduct feeding and digestion trials limit the number of forages that can be evaluated. The development-of new forages, the improvement-of the present ones, and the changes that occur with advancing maturity make it increasingly important that faster and more economical methods of forage- evaluation be developed. This-study was conducted to determine the value of several chemical analyses and in vitro techniques as predictors of dry matter digestibility and dry matter intake of forage

The Use of Varying Levels of Urea in Concentrates Fed to Dairy Cattle

Five experiments were conducted to investigate the use of concentrates that contained varying levels of urea for dairy cattle fed corn silage as the only forage. Three experiments were conducted using 84 Holstein cows. Twenty-seven cows were used in Experiment I to compare a concentrate supplemented with soybean meal with a concentrate in which 2 percent urea (by weight) replaced a portion of the soybean meal on an equal nitrogen basis. Effects of frequency of feeding of concentrates containing urea were also studied. Results indicated that ration intake, body weight changes, milk production, milk protein, and milk SNF were not significantly different (P\u3e0.05) for cows fed corn silage plus a concentrate containing either 0 or 2 percent urea. No significant differences were observed between treatments when a concentrate containing 2 percent urea was fed six times a day versus twice a day. Thirty cows were used in Experiment II to compare a concentrate that contained soybean meal with a concentrate that contained 3 percent urea. Effect of the addition of sodium sulfate to a concentrate that contained 3 percent urea was also studied. Results indicated that silage intake, total dry matter intake, milk production, milk protein, and milk SNF were not significantly different (P\u3e0.05) in cows fed corn silage plus a concentrate that contained either 0 or 3 percent urea. Milk fat percent was significantly higher (P\u3c0.05) in cows that were fed the concentrate that contained 3 percent urea. The data indicated that a ration of corn silage (0.17 percent sulfur on a dry matter basis) plus a concentrate that contained 3 percent urea (concentrate contained 0.15 percent sulfur on a dry matter basis) did not appear to be deficient in sulfur. Twenty-seven cows were used in experiment III to study the utilization of concentrates containing 3 percent urea with and without phosphate supplements. Results indicated that the addition of dicalcium phosphate and monosodium phosphate did not appear to improve the ration utilization of concentrates containing 3 percent urea. However, it should be pointed out that the phosphate source may be needed for purposes other than for the utilization of urea. Two experiments using 32 Holstein heifers were conducted to study the effects of concentrates containing urea on nitrogen balances and palatability. In Experiment IV, nitrogen balances were conducted on 16 heifers fed concentrates which contained no protein supplement, soybean meal, 1.3 percent urea plus monosodium phosphate, or 1.3 percent urea without the monosodium phosphate supplement. Results indicated that nitrogen retention was directly related to nitrogen intake and digestibility. The addition of the monosodium phosphate to the concentrate containing urea did not significantly affect nitrogen balances. In Experiment V, 16 heifers were used in a palatability study of concentrates containing urea with and without phosphate supplements. A palatability study was also conducted comparing concentrates which contained either 0 or 3 percent urea. Results indicated that animals adapted to a concentrate which contained no phosphate supplements preferred concentrates which contained no dicalcium phosphate over concentrates which contained dicalcium phosphate, or dicalcium phosphate plus monosodium phosphate. If the animals were adapted to a concentrate that contained urea plus dicalcium phosphate and monosodium phosphate, the animals preferred the concentrate that contained both phosphate supplements over concentrates that contained only one of the phosphate supplements. Results indicated that the animals preferred the concentrates that contained no urea as compared to concentrates that contained 3 percent urea. However, it should be noted that animals offered concentrates that contained 3 percent urea did consume these concentrates, but at a reduced rate

Alterations in the Colonic Microbiota of Pigs Associated with Feeding Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles

In an effort to reduce feed costs, many pork producers have increased their use of coproducts of biofuel production in commercial pig diets, including increased feeding of distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS). The inclusion of DDGS increases the insoluble fiber content in the ration, which has the potential to impact the colonic microbiota considerably as the large intestine contains a dynamic microenvironment with tremendous interplay between microorganisms. Any alteration to the physical or chemical properties of the colonic contents has the potential to impact the resident bacterial population and potentially favor or inhibit the establishment of pathogenic species. In the present study, colonic contents collected at necropsy from pigs fed either 30% or no DDGS were analyzed to examine the relative abundance of bacterial taxa associated with feeding this ingredient. No difference in alpha diversity (richness) was detected between diet groups. However, the beta diversity was significantly different between groups with feeding of DDGS being associated with a decreased Firmicutes:Bacteriodetes ratio (P = .004) and a significantly lower abundance of Lactobacillus spp. (P = .016). Predictive functional profiling of the microbiota revealed more predicted genes associated with carbohydrate metabolism, protein digestion, and degradation of glycans in the microbiota of pigs fed DDGS. Taken together, these findings confirm that alterations in dietary insoluble fiber significantly alter the colonic microbial profile of pigs and suggest the resultant microbiome may predispose to the development of colitis

Plummer, John

Co. B. 317th Medical Battalionhttps://dh.howard.edu/prom_members/1063/thumbnail.jp

Camel Digital Necropsy Guide

Jaundice / Icterus Jaundice / icterus is yellowing of tissue due to elevated bilirubin levels. The tissue under the skin and on the surfaces of the stomachs and intestines is normally white to cream colored. If it is yellow, the animal is jaundiced/icteric. Three processes can lead to jaundice: 1. Over-production of bilirubin due to increased red blood cell destruction, 2. Liver disease, and 3. Bile duct obstruction. In a jaundiced animal, carefully assess the liver. If the liver appears normal, the jaundice may be due to increased red blood cell (erythrocyte) destruction, which can occur with certain blood parasites, such as anaplasmosis. Note that the dromedaries do not have a gall bladder

The Microbiological Context of HIV Resistance: Vaginal Microbiota and Mucosal Inflammation at the Viral Point of Entry

Immune activation is increasingly recognized as a critical element of HIV infection and pathogenesis, causing expansion of virus founder populations at the mucosal port of entry and eventual exhaustion of cellular immune effectors. HIV susceptibility is well known to be influenced by concurrent sexually transmitted infections; however, the role of commensal vaginal microbiota is poorly characterized. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a risk factor for HIV acquisition in studies worldwide; however, the etiology of BV remains enigmatic, and the mechanisms by which BV increases HIV susceptibility are not fully defined. A model of how vaginal microbiota influences HIV transmission is considered in the context of a well-established cohort of HIV-exposed seronegative (HESN) commercial sex workers (CSW) in Nairobi, Kenya, many of whom have increased levels of anti-inflammatory factors in vaginal secretions and reduced peripheral immune activation (immune quiescence). Elucidation of the relationship between complex microbial communities and inflammatory mucosal responses underlying HIV infection should be a priority for future prevention-focussed research

Status, Technology, and Rural Tradition in Western Pennsylvania: Excavations at the Shaeffer Farm Site

Archaeological excavations have been performed at the Shaeffer Farm site (36AR410), a rural residence in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. Documentary research and archaeological investigations indicate that the site was mainly occupied in the 19th century, probably by the Shaeffer family during its earliest occupation phase, and later by tenants. The site consisted of a dry-laid stone foundation and artifacts dating from approximately 1830 until shortly after 1900. The artifacts included architectural, domestic, faunal, and personal items. The study provided information about the lives of rural middle- and lower-class residents in western Pennsylvania, focusing on the housing, diet, recreation, and social aspirations of the residents. Information was obtained about the nature of small farming communities in American backcountry areas and the attitude of farmers toward an increasingly capitalist marketplace