Adding value to cull cow beef

End of project reportThis project addressed the prospects of increasing the value of cull cow beef and examined the potential of a number of different management and dietary strategies. In Ireland, the national cow herd contributes 350,000 animals to total beef production annually, which represents 22% of all cattle slaughtered (DAF, 2007). A dominant feature of beef production in Ireland is the disposal of cows from the dairy and beef industries, the time of year at which culling occurs influences the number of cows available for slaughter. Suitability of a cow for slaughter is generally not a consideration for dairy or beef farmers

Prediction of cull cow carcass characteristics from live weight and body condition score measured pre slaughter

peer-reviewedA study was conducted to provide information on the degree of carcass finish of Irish cull cows and to investigate the usefulness of live animal measurements for the prediction beef breeds (albeit with a moderate R2 value compared to the carcass weight prediction) using objective, non-intrusive and easily measured live animal measurements, should be of benefit to farmers finishing cull cows in Ireland. of cull cow carcass characteristics. Live weight (LW) and body condition score (BCS) were recorded on cows entering an Irish commercial slaughter facility between September and November, 2005. Data pertaining to sire breed, age and carcass characteristics were collected and subsequently collated for each cow. For analysis, cows (n = 2163) were subdivided into three breed categories: dairy breed sired by Holstein/ Friesian (FR), sired by early-maturing beef breeds (EM) and sired by late-maturing beef breeds (LM). The proportion of cows slaughtered at the desired (TARGET) carcass standard (cold carcass weight ≥ 272 kg, carcass conformation class ≥ P+ and carcass fat class ≥ 3) was low (on average 0.30), but did differ (P < 0.001) between the dairy and beef breed categories (0.22, 0.47 and 0.53 for FR, EM and LM categories, respectively). Regression procedures were used to develop equations to predict cold carcass weight, carcass conformation score, carcass fat score and proportion in the TARGET category from LW and BCS. Equations predicting cold carcass weight had high R2 values for all breed categories (0.81, 0.85 and 0.79 for the FR, EM and LM, respectively). Equations predicting carcass fatness had moderate R2 values for the beef breed categories (0.65 and 0.59 for the EM and LM, respectively). Equations predicting carcass conformation and the TARGET category yielded lower R2 values. The successful prediction of carcass weight for all breed categories and of carcass fatness for th

Mid-infrared imaging of the massive young star AFGL 2591: Probing the circumstellar environment of an outflow source

Most, if not all, stars are now believed to produce energetic outflows during their formation. Yet, almost 20 years after the discovery of bipolar outflows from young stars, the origins of this violent phenomenon are not well understood. One of the difficulties of probing the outflow process, particularly in the case of massive embedded stars, is a deficit of high spatial resolution observations. Here, we present sub-arcsecond-resolution mid-infrared images of one massive young stellar object, AFGL 2591, and its immediate surroundings. Our images, at 11.7, 12.5 and 18.0 microns, reveal a knot of emission ~6'' SW of the star, which may be evidence for a recent ejection event or an embedded companion star. This knot is roughly coincident with a previously seen near-infrared reflection nebula and a radio source, and lies within the known large-scale CO outflow. We also find a new faint NW source which may be another embedded lower-luminosity star. The IRAS mid-infrared spectrum of AFGL 2591 shows a large silicate absorption feature at 10 microns, implying that the primary source is surrounded by an optically thick dusty envelope. We discuss the interrelationship of these phenomena and suggest that mid-infrared imaging and spectroscopy provide powerful tools for probing massive star birth.Comment: 14 pages, 3 PostScript figures, accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal Letter

Toward Understanding Phage:Host Interactions in the Rumen; Complete Genome Sequences of Lytic Phages Infecting Rumen Bacteria

The rumen is known to harbour dense populations of bacteriophages (phages) predicted to be capable of infecting a diverse range of rumen bacteria. While bacterial genome sequencing projects are revealing the presence of phages which can integrate their DNA into the genome of their host to form stable, lysogenic associations, little is known of the genetics of phages which utilise lytic replication. These phages infect and replicate within the host, culminating in host lysis and the release of progeny phage particles. While lytic phages for rumen bacteria have been previously isolated, their genomes have remained largely uncharacterised. Here we report the first complete genome sequences of lytic phage isolates specifically infecting three genera of rumen bacteria: Bacteroides, Ruminococcus and Streptococcus. All phages were classified within the viral order Caudovirales and include two phage morphotypes, representative of the Siphoviridae and Podoviridae families. The phage genomes displayed modular organisation and conserved viral genes were identified which enabled further classification and determination of closest phage relatives. Co-examination of bacterial host genomes led to the identification of several genes responsible for modulating phage:host interactions, including CRISPR/Cas elements and restriction-modification phage defence systems. These findings provide new genetic information and insights into how lytic phages may interact with bacteria of the rumen microbiome

Temporary Stabilization Specification Improvements

Seed variety performance data for establishing temporary vegetative cover was collected at four Illinois locations at four planting seasons. Current Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) standard specifications call for a mixture of perennial rye and spring oats for temporary vegetative cover, with no variation for time of year or site conditions. That mixture has demonstrated some success; however, for every location and time of year, this study identified at least one seed variety that demonstrated performance superior to the specified mix. Temporary seeding specifications currently employed by nearby states were reviewed and compared with Illinois’ specifications. In addition to seed variety, the effectiveness of seed bed preparation using a power rake and the effectiveness of straw-mat and loose wheat-straw mulching methods were investigated. Based on the observed results, the research team has proposed modifying temporary seeding recommendations to reflect seeding date and site location. Adoption of these research-based temporary seeding specifications will likely result in improved temporary vegetative cover establishment, reduced erosion, and improved water quality.Illinois Department of Transportation, R27-126Ope

A pilot study on the prevalence of lice in Irish beef cattle and the first Irish report of deltamethrin tolerance in Bovicola bovis

peer-reviewedBackground Pediculosis in cattle causes significant itching, irritation and stress to the animal, often resulting in skin damage and poor coat condition. The control of bovine pediculosis in Ireland is based predominantly on commercial insecticides belonging to one of two chemical classes, the synthetic pyrethroids and the macrocyclic lactones. In recent years, pyrethroid tolerance has been reported in a number of species of livestock lice in the United Kingdom and Australia. Results In this pilot survey, lice were detected in 16 (94%) out of 17 herds visited. Two species of lice, Bovicola bovis and Linognathus vituli were identified. In vitro contact bioassays showed evidence of deltamethrin tolerance in Bovicola bovis collected from 4 farms. This was confirmed by repeatedly assessing louse infestations on treated animals on one farm. Conclusions To our knowledge this is the first record of insecticide tolerant populations of lice in Irish cattle. The results also provide new data on the species of lice infesting beef cattle in Ireland and the prevalence and control of louse infestations in Irish beef cattle herds

Pulse‐labeling studies of carbon cycling in arctic tundra ecosystems: Contribution of photosynthates to soil organic matter

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/95486/1/gbc827.pd

The National Early Warning Score and its subcomponents recorded within ±24 hours of emergency medical admission are poor predictors of hospital-acquired acute kidney injury

YesBackground: Hospital-acquired Acute Kidney Injury (H-AKI) is a common cause of avoidable morbidity and mortality. Aim: To determine if the patients’ vital signs data as defined by a National Early Warning Score (NEWS), can predict H-AKI following emergency admission to hospital. Methods: Analyses of emergency admissions to York hospital over 24-months with NEWS data. We report the area under the curve (AUC) for logistic regression models that used the index NEWS (model A0), plus age and sex (A1), plus subcomponents of NEWS (A2) and two-way interactions (A3). Likewise for maximum NEWS (models B0,B1,B2,B3). Results: 4.05% (1361/33608) of emergency admissions had H-AKI. Models using the index NEWS had the lower AUCs (0.59 to 0.68) than models using the maximum NEWS AUCs (0.75 to 0.77). The maximum NEWS model (B3) was more sensitivity than the index NEWS model (A0) (67.60% vs 19.84%) but identified twice as many cases as being at risk of H-AKI (9581 vs 4099) at a NEWS of 5. Conclusions: The index NEWS is a poor predictor of H-AKI. The maximum NEWS is a better predictor but seems unfeasible because it is only knowable in retrospect and is associated with a substantial increase in workload albeit with improved sensitivity.The Health Foundatio

Early detection of Psa infection in kiwifruit by means of infrared thermography at leaf and orchard scale

Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa), the causal agent of bacterial canker of kiwifruit, has become a worldwide threat for the kiwifruit industry. In this work, the potential of infrared thermography for early detection of physiological symptoms related to Psa-infection at leaf and at orchard block scale was assessed. At the leaf level, thermal cold spots appeared shortly after Psa-infection, well before any visual symptoms. A few weeks after infection, thermal hot spots were observed, associated with, but not limited to, spots of visible leaf necrosis. At orchard block level, Psa-infected canes were significantly warmer in both blocks and on all measurement days. A novel wet reference surface, existing of a cluster of cotton imitation leaves with similar dimensions and orientation as real leaves and remaining wet through sucking up water from a small container, was used to estimate the crop water stress index (CWSI). CWSI showed stable values of infected and uninfected areas during the day and between following days. Crop temperature and CWSI were closely correlated with leaf stomatal conductance, which was lower in infected canes. A Psa-infection map based on canopy temperature revealed that Psa infects the outer canes rather than the central part of the canopy

Adding value to cull cow beef

End of project reportThis project addressed the prospects of increasing the value of cull cow beef and examined the potential of a number of different management and dietary strategies. In Ireland, the national cow herd contributes 350,000 animals to total beef production annually, which represents 22% of all cattle slaughtered (DAF, 2007). A dominant feature of beef production in Ireland is the disposal of cows from the dairy and beef industries, the time of year at which culling occurs influences the number of cows available for slaughter. Suitability of a cow for slaughter is generally not a consideration for dairy or beef farmers