Genetic Variation in Nitrogen and Phosphorus Levels in Broiler Excreta: Opportunity for Improving both Birds and the Environment

The increase in poultry meat consumption has resulted in intensified poultry farming operations with consequent concentration of excreta in major production areas. The nutrient content in the soil surrounding the poultry farms has increased as a result of the high content of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in the poultry excreta. The current study aimed to propose a strategy to reduce the N and P content in excreta through genetic selection of broilers for efficient nutrient utilization. The traits measured (on a dry matter basis) were the percentage of N in the excreta (PNE) and the percentage of P in the excreta (PPE). Individual 24-hr excreta samples were collected from 6 wk old birds. Excreta samples were collected from a commercial breeding farm at two different time periods from line A and line B birds respectively, and analyzed for PNE and PPE. Analysis of excreta samples collected during the first period (197 bird samples belonging to 15 sire families) and second period (278 birds belonging to 25 sire families) suggested a heritability of 0.08, 0.16 for PNE and 0, 0.20 for PPE, respectively. Phenotypic and genetic correlations between the measured traits from the two lines were very low; however, phenotypic correlation analysis of PNE and PPE with other traits of commercial interest showed some favorable as well as neutral associations. Blood samples collected from the birds were used for an association study of the excreta traits with four candidate genes. The candidate genes were selected based on the results of previous research. Some of the SNPs from the candidate genes were found to have additive and dominance effect on the excreta and production traits and were usually favorably associated with mutations in higher frequency in the populations. The results suggest that genetic selection of birds for PNE and PPE could improve the environment and the market value of the birds

Location and Dynamics of the Immunodominant CD8 T Cell Response to SIVΔnef Immunization and SIVmac251 Vaginal Challenge

Live-attenuated SIV vaccines (LAVs) have been the most effective to date in preventing or partially controlling infection by wild-type SIV in non-human primate models of HIV-1 transmission to women acting by mechanisms of protection that are not well understood. To gain insights into mechanisms of protection by LAVs that could aid development of effective vaccines to prevent HIV-1 transmission to women, we used in situ tetramer staining to determine whether increased densities or changes in the local distribution of SIV-specific CD8 T cells correlated with the maturation of SIVΔnef vaccine-induced protection prior to and after intra-vaginal challenge with wild-type SIVmac251. We evaluated the immunodominant Mamu-A1*001:01/Gag (CM9) and Mamu-A1*001:01/Tat (SL8) epitope response in genital and lymphoid tissues, and found that tetramer+ cells were present at all time points examined. In the cervical vaginal tissues, most tetramer+ cells were distributed diffusely throughout the lamina propria or co-localized with other CD8 T cells within lymphoid aggregates. The distribution and densities of the tetramer+ cells at the portal of entry did not correlate with the maturation of protection or change after challenge. Given these findings, we discuss the possibility that changes in other aspects of the immune system, including the quality of the resident population of virus-specific effector CD8 T cells could contribute to maturation of protection, as well as the potential for vaccine strategies that further increase the size and quality of this effector population to prevent HIV-1 transmission

The Feeding Value of Corn Distillers Solubles for Lactating Dairy Cows

Fifteen Holstein cows (10 multiparous and 5 primiparous) in early to midlactation (79.3 ± 9.2, DIM) were used in a replicated 5 x 5 Latin square design with 4-wk periods to evaluate and compare the use of condensed corn distillers solubles (CCDS) and dried distillers grains with solubles (DOGS) in the total mixed ration. The forage portion of the diets was kept constant at 27 .5% corn silage and 27.5% alfalfa hay (DM basis). Diets were: 1) 0% distillers grains products (control), 2) 18.5% DOGS, 3) 10% CCDS, and 4) 20% CCDS, and 5) a combination diet of 18.5% DOGS with 10% CCDS. Diets 2 and 3 contained 2% added fat from DOGS or CCDS while diet 4 contained 4% added fat from CCDS and diet 5 contained 4% added fat from the blend of DOGS and CCDS. The diets were balanced to provide 17% CP with variation in ADF, NDF, and fat concentration. Dry matter intake (21.4, 22.0, 20.9, 21.3, and 21.9 kg/d for diets 1 to 5, respectively) was similar (P \u3e 0.10) for all diets. Milk yield (33.8, 36.2, 35.5, 36.0, and 36.0 kg/d) tended (P \u3c 0.10) to be higher for diets 2 to 5 than for diet 1 while yields of fat (1.03, 1.02, 1.04, 1.06, and 1.04 kg/d) and protein (0.99, 1.03, 1.01, 1.03, and 1.04 kg/d), fat percentage (3.04, 2.87, 2.96, 2.96, and 2.88) and protein percentage (2.92, 2.88, 2.87, 2.88, and 2.90) were similar (P \u3e 0.10) for all diets. Energy-corrected milk (32.2 kg/d) and feed efficiency (1.58 kg ECM/kg DMI) were similar (P \u3e 0.10) for all diets. Milk urea nitrogen (15.0, 10.9, 11.1, 11.0, and 11.4 mg/dl) as well as blood urea nitrogen (15.6, 12.5, 14.6, 13.8, and 14.2 mg/dl) were decreased (P \u3c 0.01; P = 0.05) in diets 2 to 5 compared with diet 1. Milk fatty acid composition showed that the concentrations of long-chain fatty acid concentrations as well as PUFA were higher (P \u3c 0.01) and mediumchain fatty acid concentrations were lower (P \u3c 0.01) for diets 2 to 5 compared with diet 1. The concentrations of cis-9, trans-11 CLA (0.33, 0.68, 0.51, 0.85, and 1.07 g/100 g fatty acids) as well as trans-10, cis-12 CLA

The feeding value of corn distillers solubles for lactating dairy cows.

Fifteen Holstein cows (10 multiparous and 5 primiparous) in early to mid lactation (79.3 +/- 9.2 d in milk) were used in a multiple 5 x 5 Latin square design with 4-wk periods to evaluate and compare the use of condensed corn distillers solubles (CCDS) and dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) in the total mixed ration. The forage portion of the diets was kept constant at 27.5% corn silage and 27.5% alfalfa hay (dry matter basis). Diets were 1) 0% distillers grains products (control); 2) 18.5% DDGS; 3) 10% CCDS; 4) 20% CCDS; and 5) a combination diet of 18.5% DDGS with 10% CCDS. Diets 2 and 3 contained 2% fat from DDGS or CCDS, whereas diet 4 contained 4% fat from CCDS and diet 5 contained 4% fat from the blend of DDGS and CCDS. The diets were balanced to provide 17% crude protein with variation in acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and fat concentration. Dry matter intake (21.5 kg/d) was similar for all diets. Milk yield (33.8, 36.2, 35.5, 36.0, and 36.0 kg/d) tended to be greater for diets 2 to 5 than for diet 1, whereas yields of fat (1.04 kg/d), protein (1.02 kg/d), fat percentage (2.94), and protein percentage (2.98) were similar for all diets. Energy-corrected milk (32.2 kg/d) and feed efficiency (1.58 kg of energy-corrected milk/kg of dry matter intake) were similar for all diets. Milk urea nitrogen (15.0, 10.9, 11.1, 11.0, and 11.4 mg/dL) as well as blood urea nitrogen (15.6, 12.5, 14.6, 13.8, and 14.2 mg/dL) were decreased in diets 2 to 5 compared with diet 1. Milk concentrations of long-chain fatty acids as well as polyunsaturated fatty acids were greater and medium-chain fatty acid concentrations were lower for diets 2 to 5 compared with diet 1. Concentrations of cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA; 0.33, 0.68, 0.51, 0.85, and 1.07 g/100 g of fatty acids) as well as trans-10, cis-12 CLA (\u3c0.01, 0.01, \u3c0.01, 0.02, and 0.02 g/100 g of fatty acids) were greater for diets 2 to 5 compared with diet 1. Molar proportions of ruminal acetate decreased and propionate increased for diets 2 to 5 compared with diet 1. The results showed that CCDS is as effective as DDGS in replacing soybean meal and corn grain in the total mixed ration

The feeding value of corn distillers solubles for lactating dairy cows.

Fifteen Holstein cows (10 multiparous and 5 primiparous) in early to mid lactation (79.3 ± 9.2 d in milk) were used in a multiple 5 × 5 Latin square design with 4-wk periods to evaluate and compare the use of condensed corn distillers solubles (CCDS) and dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) in the total mixed ration. The forage portion of the diets was kept constant at 27.5% corn silage and 27.5% alfalfa hay (dry matter basis). Diets were 1) 0% distillers grains products (control); 2) 18.5% DDGS; 3) 10% CCDS; 4) 20% CCDS; and 5) a combination diet of 18.5% DDGS with 10% CCDS. Diets 2 and 3 contained 2% fat from DDGS or CCDS, whereas diet 4 contained 4% fat from CCDS and diet 5 contained 4% fat from the blend of DDGS and CCDS. The diets were balanced to provide 17% crude protein with variation in acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and fat concentration. Dry matter intake (21.5 kg/d) was similar for all diets. Milk yield (33.8, 36.2, 35.5, 36.0, and 36.0 kg/d) tended to be greater for diets 2 to 5 than for diet 1, whereas yields of fat (1.04 kg/d), protein (1.02 kg/d), fat percentage (2.94), and protein percentage (2.98) were similar for all diets. Energy-corrected milk (32.2 kg/d) and feed efficiency (1.58 kg of energy-corrected milk/kg of dry matter intake) were similar for all diets. Milk urea nitrogen (15.0, 10.9, 11.1, 11.0, and 11.4 mg/dL) as well as blood urea nitrogen (15.6, 12.5, 14.6, 13.8, and 14.2 mg/dL) were decreased in diets 2 to 5 compared with diet 1. Milk concentrations of long-chain fatty acids as well as polyunsaturated fatty acids were greater and medium-chain fatty acid concentrations were lower for diets 2 to 5 compared with diet 1. Concentrations of cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA; 0.33, 0.68, 0.51, 0.85, and 1.07 g/100 g of fatty acids) as well as trans-10, cis-12 CLA (\u3c0.01, 0.01, \u3c0.01, 0.02, and 0.02 g/100 g of fatty acids) were greater for diets 2 to 5 compared with diet 1. Molar proportions of ruminal acetate decreased and propionate increased for diets 2 to 5 compared with diet 1. The results showed that CCDS is as effective as DDGS in replacing soybean meal and corn grain in the total mixed ration

Utilization of dry distillers grains and charcoal as nitrogen fertilizer in corn

Citation: Shroyer, K. J., S. A. Staggenborg, and J. L. Propheter. “Utilization of Dry Distillers Grains and Charcoal as Nitrogen Fertilizer in Corn.” Agronomy Journal 103, no. 5 (2011): 1321–28. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2010.0447.Increasing bio-energy production will result in increased by-products which will need proper disposal methods to prevent economic and/or ecological problems. Land application has potential for disposal and/or nutrient cycling if these by-products have crop nutritive value. Our objective was to compare the fertilizer effects of two by-products of bio-energy production, dry distillers grains with solubles (DDGs) and charcoal with urea in corn (Zea mays L.) and evaluate nutrient uptake. Treatments were DDGs under no-till and tilled at four location-years and charcoal under no-till and tilled at three location-years. No-till urea was used as a baseline at all location-years. Nitrogen rates ranged from 0 to 180 kg N ha[superscript]−1. All materials were spring applied before tillage and planting. Corn yields for DDGs and urea were similar across tillage treatments and locations. Corn yields over all charcoal rates and tillage treatments were the same as 0 kg N ha[superscript]−1. The charcoal, because of immobilization or lack of decomposition, did not contribute to the corn N nutrition. Neither material showed any negative effects on the corn yields. Stalk N, P, K, and grain N followed expected trends and had few effects compared with those from urea. Land application of DDGs and charcoal has merit for disposal/N cycling with DDGs being preferred for its N contribution