Effect of forage types differing in undigested neutral detergent fiber concentration and forage inclusion rate on reticulo-ruminal motility and fermentation, total tract barrier function, and blood metabolites of finishing beef heifers.

This study evaluated the effects of forages (BarS vs. STR) that differ in the uNDF concentration and FI rate on ruminal fermentation, total tract barrier function, reticulo-ruminal motility, and blood metabolites of beef heifers. Six ruminally cannulated Hereford × Simmental heifers (699 ± 69.

Effect of physically effective neutral detergent fiber and undigested neutral detergent fiber on eating behavior, ruminal fermentation and motility, barrier function, blood metabolites, and total tract digestibility in finishing cattle.

This study evaluated the effects of physically effective neutral detergent fiber (peNDF) and undigested neutral detergent fiber (uNDF) on eating behavior, ruminal fermentation and motility, barrier function, blood metabolites, and total tract nutrient digestibility for finishing cattle. Six Simmental heifers (668 ± 28.4 kg BW) were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square (21 d periods) balanced for carry-over effects.

The effects of feeding benzoic acid and/or active dry yeast () on fatty acid composition, sensory attributes, and retail shelf-life of beef .

Fifty-nine Angus-cross steers (492 ± SD 36 kg) were arranged in a randomized complete block design and assigned to the following dietary treatments for the final 106 days of the finishing phase: no supplementation (), 0.5% benzoic acid (), 3 g/steer/d active dry (), or both [0.5% benzoic acid and 3 g/steer/d ()].

Oversupplying metabolizable protein during late gestation to beef cattle does not influence ante- or postpartum glucose-insulin kinetics but does affect prepartum insulin resistance indices and colostrum insulin content.

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether oversupplying metabolizable protein (MP) during late gestation influences glucose and insulin concentrations, and insulin resistance (IR) in late gestation and early lactation. Crossbred Hereford, first-lactation heifers were individually fed diets to supply 133% (HMP, n = 11) or 100% (CON, n = 10) of their predicted MP requirements for 55 ± 4 d (mean ± SD) prior to calving. All heifers received a common lactation ration formulated to meet postpartum requirements (103% MP and 126% ME).

Genome-wide association study for meat tenderness in beef cattle identifies patterns of the genetic contribution in different post-mortem stages.

The beef tenderization process during the post-mortem period is one of the most important sensorial attributes and it is well-established. The aim of this study was to identify the genetic contribution pattern to meat tenderness at 7-(LMD7), 14-(LMD14), and 21-(LMD21) days post-mortem. The heritabilities for LMD7 (0.

The effects of feeding benzoic acid and/or live active yeast () on beef cattle performance, feeding behavior, and carcass characteristics.

Fifty-nine Angus-cross finishing steers were used to evaluate benzoic acid, active dry yeast (), or a combination of benzoic acid and active dry yeast when supplemented in a high-grain finishing diet on live animal performance, feeding behavior, and carcass characteristics. Steers were fed a high-grain diet for the final 106 d of finishing. Treatments were as follows: no additional supplementation (CON), 0.

ASAS-NANP SYMPOSIUM: Applications of machine learning for livestock body weight prediction from digital images.

Monitoring, recording, and predicting livestock body weight (BW) allows for timely intervention in diets and health, greater efficiency in genetic selection, and identification of optimal times to market animals because animals that have already reached the point of slaughter represent a burden for the feedlot. There are currently two main approaches (direct and indirect) to measure the BW in livestock. Direct approaches include partial-weight or full-weight industrial scales placed in designated locations on large farms that measure passively or dynamically the weight of livestock.

Effect of silage source, physically effective neutral detergent fiber, and undigested neutral detergent fiber concentrations on performance and carcass characteristics of finishing steers.

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of silage source (barley vs. wheat silage) when harvested at two chop lengths (low vs. high physically effective neutral detergent fiber []) and when barley silage was partially replaced with straw to increase the undigested neutral detergent fiber () concentration on performance and carcass characteristics of finishing steers.

Lessons from animal nutritionists: dietary amino acid requirement studies and considerations for healthy aging studies.

Dietary restriction (DR) increases median life span and protects against age-related disease. Improved longevity can be achieved by restriction of dietary energy, protein, or amino acids (AAs), such as methionine (Met). Met requirements have been defined using methodologies that measure the dose response to Met when all other dietary variables are held constant and with outcomes focused on protein turnover.

'I woke up after I joined Stepping Stones': meanings of an HIV behavioural intervention in rural South African young people's lives.

Evaluation of the Stepping Stones human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention programme in South Africa showed sustained reduction in men and women's herpes simplex type 2 virus incidence and male violence, but no impact on HIV in women. Companion qualitative research was undertaken to explore how participants made meaning from the programme and how it influenced their lives. In-depth interviews were conducted with 10 men and 11 women before the intervention (one to three interviews per person).