Duckweed has attracted increasing attention as a high-quality and sustainable novel plant-based protein source. However, little research has been conducted in dogs and cats. We evaluated the effects of inclusion of duckweed protein (Lemna; MCSelect; Parabel; Vero Beach, FL) primarily in replacement of pea protein in dog diets at 0%, 5%, and 10% and cat diets at %, 10%, and 15% on stool quality, nutrient

This study examined the action of a blend of botanicals (BOT) against LPS-induced inflammation on cultured hepatocytes and weaning piglets. In vitro studies examined HepG2 cells treated with BOT and challenged with E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 8 days. BOT treatment reduced IL-6 concentration in cell culture media across time (p < 0.05) and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine expression on day

Feral swine are a highly destructive invasive species around the globe. Wildlife managers commonly trap and euthanize feral swine with firearms to reduce their adverse impacts. The utility of euthanizing domestic swine with firearms has been considered when emergency situations arise such as in the event of a foreign animal disease outbreak in domestic swine. Similarly, the rapid depopulation of domestic

Zearalenone (ZEN), a mycotoxin from Fusarium fungi, impairs fertility and milk production in female animals, however, the mechanisms remain poorly understood. Using the bovine mammary epithelial cells (MAC-T) as the model, this study investigated the impacts of ZEN on programmed cell death (PCD) and milk fat synthesis, and explored the underlying mechanism. We found that 10 ng/mL prolactin (PRL) notably

Vasoconstriction of peripheral blood vessels is one of the hallmark symptoms of fescue toxicosis in cattle. Thus, it was hypothesized that exposure to ergot alkaloids would increase the pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP). The objectives of this study were to examine the relationship between PAP and different physiological parameters of cows grazing either endophyte-infected (EI) or novel-endophyte (EN)

Unexpectedly abundant remains of herbivorous therapsids in the Late Triassic strata of southern Poland have significantly supplemented knowledge of their evolution. The skeletal morphology of the Late Norian (or Rhaetian) dicynodont Lisowicia bojani supports its close relationship to the Carnian Woznikella, both known from the Polish part of the Germanic Basin. Three evolutionary lineages of dicyn

Given the increasing global demand for animal products, increasing lamb survival is a key breeding objective for sheep. However, high prolificacy can be associated with increases in fetal and lamb mortality. Therefore, the goal of this study was to estimate the variance components and genetic parameters for lamb survival (LS), using a: 1) single-trait model, where all ewes are analyzed together; and

Objectives were to determine the effects of reducing dietary nutrient density after the second dose of GnRF immunization (Improvest; Zoetis Inc.) on growth performance and carcass characteristics. Pigs (n = 1,008) were fed in five diet phases during the 102-d grow-finish period. Diets were formulated to meet 100% of recommended SID Lys to net energy established by PIC (2021) for physically castrated

Distinguishing pregnant from non-pregnant ewes in early pregnancy allows for more efficient flock management by producers. While early pregnancy detection techniques like ultrasonography and hormone quantification are well established, these techniques are often not adaptable to field conditions or require specialized equipment and training. The objective of this study was to evaluate a validated bovine

We investigated the effects of chromium propionate (CrP) supplementation on reproductive performance of beef cows during the pre-partum and breeding periods. Angus-based commercial suckled beef cows were stratified by predicted calving date, body weight (BW) and randomly assigned to one of two treatments: 1) Control, (n = 30) supplementation of a corn gluten, soy hull pellet feed (50:50) with a mineral

Weed encroachment might reduce stocking rate and overall animal performance in grazing systems. In addition, weeds can affect soil organic carbon because of changes in primary productivity and belowground biomass compared with well managed pastures. This study assessed different levels of spiny pigweed (Amaranthus spinosus L.) encroachment on bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] pastures. Spiny

The incidence of and acreage burned by wildfires are globally increasing, with predictions of more devastating fires in the future. The impacts of wildfire smoke exposure on have been of research interest over the years, although the scope of the literature is limited. Evaluating the effects of wildfire smoke exposure is challenging because of the unpredictability of fires, limiting the ability of

Dietary fiber may functionally modulate the intestinal health of pigs depending on the content of dietary fiber fraction (DFF). The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of DFF based on soluble dietary fiber (SDF) and insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) ratio on growth performance, blood parameters, hindgut ammonia-nitrogen concentrations, and diarrhea severity (fecal consistency score,

Energy intake and metabolism have a key role in the control of dry matter intake (DMI), fermentation processes, and grazing behavior of beef cattle, and is likely affected by intertwined relationships between forage availability and stage of maturity, offering of energy supplements and climate- and animal-related factors. Ruminally cannulated mixed-breed nonlactating cows [n = 9; initial body weight

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of four levels of a commercial product based on quebracho that contains tannins (Table 1) on three types of diets: Feedlot, Dairy Cattle, and Grazing, using the in vitro gas production technique on ruminal fermentation, dry matter digestibility and methane (CH4) production to determine its potential use as a greenhouse gas mitigation strategy in

Fetal infection of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) before d 125 to 150 of gestation results in the birth of immunotolerant, persistently infected (PI) calves. Infection of BVDV during late gestation results in transient fetal infections (TI). Unvaccinated, yearling Hereford heifers (n = 25), seronegative for antibodies to BVDV1 and BVDV2, were bred by artificial insemination with X chromosome-bearing

The use of insects, such as black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal (BSFLM), as an alternative protein source for animal feed, including pet food, has gained attention due to their high nutritional value and sustainability attributes. The aims of the study were to determine the chemical composition and amino acid digestibility of canine diets using BSFL to partially or completely replace

The ban of antibiotic growth promoters in many countries has increased the use of plant bioactives as alternatives to antibiotics; however, there is little information on the impact of sunflower extract on animal performance. Therefore, this study focused on the use of sunflower extract on growth performance and serum antioxidant enzymes of broiler chickens. Unsexed broiler chicks (n = 128; 1 d of

Administration of a pre-weaning growth promoting implant in beef heifers in Southwestern rangelands can improve growth; however, the effect of administering a second growth promoting implant after weaning on growth and ovarian parameters is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of supplement level when heifers were administered a second Synovex-C implant at weaning on growth

The current objective is to discuss if and where machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) fit in the genetic prediction toolbox. Critical to the discussion is recognizing that, by definition, models currently employed for routine genetic prediction are part of the ML family, albeit linear as opposed to deep, and that ML fits under the more general umbrella of AI. Henderson’s Mixed Model

In subtropical and tropical environments, beef cattle production faces significant challenges due to heat stress, affecting animal welfare and productivity. To mitigate these effects, producers have turned to crossbreeding and the development of composite breeds like Brangus, which combine the desirable carcass and meat quality traits of European taurine cattle with the thermotolerance of Indicine

Antibiotics are commonly given to horses to treat known bacterial infections or as prophylaxis against the development of infection. Diarrhea is a recognized adverse effect of antimicrobial administration in horses (antimicrobial associated diarrhea, AAD). In veterinary referral centers, AAD has a reported incidence of 22 to 94% (McGorum, 2010), while horses with AAD are 4.5 times more likely to die

Corn is the most common grain ingredient fed to feedlot cattle in the U.S. and most corn goes through some processing to increase the energy availability. This study examined the effects of a novel corn processing method on the growth performance, starch digestibility, and blood metabolites of growing steers compared with traditional corn processing methods. Angus-cross steers [n = 218; body weight

Fetal development is controlled by a complex cascade of highly regulated and coordinated gene expression patterns. Epigenetic mechanisms have important roles in regulating development and differentiation. Among such mechanisms, DNA methylation exhibits context-specific associations with gene expression and has been shown to be highly dynamic during developmental processes. We performed whole-genome

Rabbits are one of the most popular livestock breeds raised for their meat, fur, and companionship. Rabbit meat is fast gaining prominence as a healthier meat compared with beef, mutton, pork and chevon, which are mostly consumed in Nigeria. This study investigated breed differences in mortality, survival rates and post-weaning growth rate of rabbits reared under inimical environmental conditions.

The present study investigated the impact of dietary protease supplementation on the growth performance and intestinal function of weaned piglets when fed a diet comprising high levels of low digestible protein sources, in comparison with a standard commercially representative piglet diet. A total of 180 weaned piglets, 21 d old, of Duroc × Large White × Landrace crossbreeds, with an initial body weight

Poor mental health is a rising problem in undergraduate students, with anxiety and depression leading mental health issues. Insufficient or low physical activity, social isolation, and loneliness are among risk factors that predict mental health issues. Increased demand for already limited mental health resources such as counseling, combined with the stigma surrounding mental health has led to many

Feed efficiency is an important economic trait in beef cattle production, and improving feed efficiency can reduce production costs and environmental impact. Residual feed intake (RFI) is a useful measure of individual feed efficiency, representing the difference between the actual feed intake of an animal and its predicted feed intake based on its body weight (BW) and growth. This study aimed to investigate

In vitro embryo production (IVEP) is an important advanced reproductive technology and has great potential in enhancing livestock production. However, in vitro culture (IVC) of embryos exposes them to stress resulting in compromising quality and efficiency of embryo production. Melatonin has been reported in several studies to reduce oxidative stress and improve the efficiency of IVEP. Our objective

Age-appropriate diets that meet the unique nutritional needs of aging are in greater demand as senior dogs represent an increasing percentage of the pet population. Studies targeting the specific amino acid requirements of the aging canine are important because they may inform dietary formulations for this specific life stage. In this study, the indicator amino acid oxidation (IAAO) technique was used

Beef heifer fertility issues contribute to a major economic loss in the cow-calf production industry. Therefore, identifying beef heifers with superior genetic potential for improved fertility would increase profitability. This study aimed to identify differences in the transcriptome profiles from granulosa and peripheral white blood cells (pWBCs) of beef heifers with varying reproductive potential

Developing food products for pet cats and dogs is an important and challenging area of the food industry. The diet offered must be both balanced and palatable to ensure the amount of food eaten meets their nutritional requirements. The taste perception of pets is different from humans in many cases (Li et al., 2005) and therefore species-specific research is necessary. Hence, understanding the flavor

Calcium (Ca) is a mineral that has an essential role in many biochemical pathways and functions of beef cattle. Limestone is the primary supplemental source of Ca in diets fed to growing and finishing cattle in the United States. Preliminary data indicated that inclusion of dietary Ca above the NASEM (2016) requirements as well as mean and modal concentrations reported by the most recent survey of

To determine factors affecting colostrum yield and quality, data from 148 cow-calf pairs over 6 experiments were combined. In each experiment, single rear quarter colostrum yield was obtained post-calving but pre-suckling. Colostrum IgG was determined by ELISA, and colostrum lactose, triglycerides (as a measure of total fat), and protein were determined by colorimetric analyses. Total IgG and nutrients

The Nebraska Beef Industry Scholars (NBIS) program is designed to bring elite undergraduate students together to learn more about issues that affect beef production, network with industry leaders, and develop leadership skills in the beef industry. Therefore, our objectives were to better understand how prepared the NBIS students are for a career related to beef cattle post-graduation by completing

Capripoxvirus is a genus of DNA viruses that includes sheep pox virus, goat pox virus and lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV). These viruses are considered high consequence viruses due to the severe clinical disease leading to economic losses to production and impact on trade. The recent spread of LSDV in Europe and Asia has demonstrated the transboundary nature of LSDV. The vaccines used to control Capripoxvirus

Methionine and cysteine are the principal sulfur-containing amino acids that are incorporated into proteins, although homocysteine and taurine also have important physiological roles in canines. As limited studies have been conducted for total sulfur-containing amino acids (TSAA) requirements across the canine life cycle, our objective was to determine the minimum requirements (MR) for TSAA at 4 life

Fatty acids and phytoestrogens have been linked to short- and long-term alterations of reproductive performance in sheep. Red clover (RC) contains phytoestrogens, which have been linked to reduced reproductive performance in sheep. However, rams fed RC have increased omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). These beneficial fatty acids may improve reproductive

For decades, two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures have been used as the gold standard in vitro models for basic research, drug discovery and preclinical screening applications. However, since 2009, the field has quickly shifted towards the use of three-dimensional (3D) stem cell-derived organoids. Organoids offer a variety of advantages compared with conventional 2D models, including being self-organized

Feedlot growth performance and carcass traits often differ between Holstein and dairy-beef crossbred calves. However, little is known about their performance and health during the growing phase when reared under similar conditions. This study aimed to compare purebred Holstein (n = 20) and Holstein x Angus crossbred (n = 20) steers from birth until the end of the grower phase. Male calves sourced from

Accurate pig body weight (BW) measurement is essential for producers as it is related to pig growth, health, and marketing, yet conventional manual weighing methods are time-consuming and may cause potential stress to the animals. Although there is a growing trend towards the adoption of three-dimensional cameras coupled with computer vision techniques for pig BW estimation, their validation using

Herein, we investigate the effects of a long-term release trenbolone acetate and estradiol implant (200 mg and 40 mg respectively, Revalor-XS; Merck Animal Health; Summit, NJ) on implanted [IMP; n = 9, body weight (BW) = 473.13 kg ± 25.22] and non-implanted (NIMP; n = 9, BW = 481.13 kg ± 21.78) finished Angus Hereford steers fed a single diet three times daily (0600, 1100, 1600 h). The objectives were

The Mountain Pleasure Horse (MPH) is the oldest gaited horse breed in North America with genetic testing finding the breed is ancestral to all other American gaited horse breeds according to the MPH Association (MPHA). Further, the breed is classified as “threatened” according to the Livestock Conservancy with only 2,670 purebred MPHs living today. To expand numbers, the registration books for the

Insects like the black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens; BSFL) have been proposed as protein-rich feed ingredients to support the growing demand for meat. The BSFL hold also promise for use as a protein source in pet foods and, as such, it has been studied for palatability, nutritional quality and health effects in dogs and cats. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of including BSFL meal

During the past few decades, antibiotics have been widely used at subtherapeutic doses to improve growth rates and performance in the poultry industry. However, antibiotics can result in side effects including bacterial resistance; these side effects often have detrimental consequences for human health. Thus, the poultry sector was urged to seek alternative strategies to promote animal performance

Developing replacement heifers is one of the most expensive and complex management decisions for a cow-calf producer, which also has long-term implications for profitability. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of converting spring-born heifers into a summer-calving herd on growth, reproductive performance, longevity, and productivity compared with early or late-born May heifers

The aim of this study was to evaluate the rumen in vitro methane (CH4) production of concentrates feed with a different protein source (PS) replacing partially palm oil by different seeds (SE) rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Concentrate PS were: T1 = 8% soybean meal; and T2 = 15% dried distillers grain. Palm oil (CTR; 4% and 3.5% for T1 and T2, respectively) was partially substituted (1%)

From April to June 2023, we conducted a study to evaluate the effects of Total Equine containing Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed and chelated minerals on the continued recovery and reconditioning of 10 horses. Horses were used on a preceding 8-wk study and given a 21-d, 24-h turnout, with ad libitum access to Bermuda hay washout period between trials. Once the washout was complete horses were randomly

Western rangelands represent approximately 58% of the total arable land in the U.S. and are used primarily for cow-calf production, which has the largest greenhouse gas (GHG) emission footprint of all beef production phases. Further, beef production sustainability concerns involve climate mitigation (reducing GHG output) and adaptation (climate-resilient soil-plant-animals). Precision livestock farming

In beef heifers, body weight (BW) gain and physiological stress are important considerations for reproductive outcomes and whole herd production efficiencies. The objective of this study was to determine if dietary one-carbon metabolite (OCM) supplementation in moderate BW loss pregnant heifers alters circulating total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase activity

The meat production chain, while seeking to reduce production costs, has been demanding in terms of quality, with growing consumer concern regarding the benefits and harms that meat can bring to health. In this sense, the composition of ruminant fat has been a concern for the community in general, due to it being mostly composed of saturated fatty acids (SFA), Supplementary sources of polyunsaturated

There is increasing interest in using locally sourced soybeans and soybean meal. Ileal amino acid digestibility (IAAD) of soybean meal from Kentucky-grown soybeans was evaluated in 25- and 50-kg cannulated pigs. The experiment used sixteen pigs in a randomized complete block design consisting of four treatments with 4 pigs per treatment. This was repeated in time resulting in eight replicates per treatment

A majority of bovine pregnancy loss occurs in the first 7 d of gestation. The oocyte is a key driver of embryo viability during this time, and its competence for embryo development and pregnancy establishment is greatly influenced by the surrounding microenvironment during oocyte maturation. Assisted reproductive technologies allow for more efficient propagation of superior genetics and improved reproductive

Between 2020 and 2022, eight calves (6 heifers, 2 bulls) in a Nebraska herd (composite Simmental, Red Angus, Gelbvieh) experienced exercise intolerance during extended physical activity. These calves exhibited an inability to keep pace with the rest of the herd, with some eventually succumbing to physical collapse from which they did not recover. Increased creatine kinase, an indication of muscle degeneration

The experiment was conducted to determine the long-term effects of dietary canola meal (CM) inclusion as the main protein source in gestation and lactation diets on sow and litter performance. Sows (n = 68) from two baches were randomly allotted 1 of 2 diets on d 80 of pregnancy. The two diets were a corn-barley and soybean meal control diet (CTRL) and a corn-barley and CM treatment diet (CCM). All

Our objective is to evaluate and optimize Bovi-MV formulation through its effect on serum mineral/vitamin (M/V) concentrations in cattle and develop a systems approach to oral M/V supplementation through the lifecycle of beef cattle to determine the best management strategy to help reduce M/V deficiencies in young and mature animals. Cow/calf pairs (n = 300 over 2 yr) and follow the calves to harvest

Red Angus heifers [n = 19; body weight (BW) = 370 ± 8.1 kg) and their paired offspring (BW = 283 ± 4.2 kg; 18 heifers, 1 steer) were used to compare the respiration gas parameters between dams and their progeny over 2 calving cycles (8 pairs in the 1st cycle, 11 in the 2nd). The methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and oxygen (O2) consumption of the dams were measured at 14 mo of age over

The objective of this study was to determine if a phenotypic relationship between pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) and oxygen consumption exists in beef cattle. Pulmonary arterial pressure is used as an indicator of pulmonary hypertension in cattle which is indicative of the susceptibility to both high-altitude disease and feedlot heart failure of an individual. Cattle with greater PAP are typically

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementation of vitamin B complex on post-weaning performance of beef calves. The study was conducted during fall of 2023 at Eastern Oregon Agriculture Research Center (EOARC; Burns, OR). At weaning (d 0), 63 calves [Angus × Hereford; body weight (BW) = 252 ± 3.6 kg] were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: 1) Control, 2) VitB1, or 3)

The objective of this study was to investigate the difference between lean and obese dogs in terms of their satiety hormones, serum metabolome, and fecal microbiome. Mixed-breed lean (n = 30; 17 male and 13 female; 4.0 ± 2.5 yr of age; 24.6 ± 6.3% body fat) and obese (n = 30; 19 male and 11 female; 7.3 ± 2.1 yr of age; 46.9 ± 3.9% body fat) adult dogs were used in this study. Blood samples were collected