Master of Science / Department of Animal Sciences and Industry / J. Ernest Minton / Mitchell Ricketts / Cattle and other livestock have been identified as leading sources of injuries to workers in agriculture. Cattle handling injuries can be serious and often appear to be under-reported [superscript]3,[superscript]4. Many of these injuries involve predictable patterns of interactions among victims, animals, and fixed farmstead structures or gates. There has been some progress toward developing safer facility designs and work procedures, but continuing reports of injuries suggest further efforts are still needed. The present study focused on worker injuries that involved the interaction of three elements: (a) cattle, (b) cattle handlers, and (c) farm structures or equipment—including swinging gates and stationary barriers. The goal of the study was to identify opportunities for injury prevention. The source of injury cases was the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS)[superscript]29,[superscript]45. We believe this is the first report of cattle related injuries based on NEISS data. We selected the NEISS database for this investigation because it includes product codes for many farmstead barriers such as fences, walls, and doors. The database was also selected because it contains brief narratives that help to describe the circumstances of each incident. Predictable interactions between humans, animals, and farm structures led to many of the cattle handling injuries reported in the NEISS database. In almost 30% of cases, cattle pushed workers into structures such as fences, gates, posts, and walls. In another 16-19% of injuries, cattle struck gates and other objects, propelling them at the victims. These percentages are similar to findings reported in previous studies that drew on data from New York hospitals[superscript]10, news reports in the central United States[superscript]5, and workers compensation cases in Colorado[superscript]3,[superscript]4. In all, gates and other physical barriers contributed to about 45% of cattle handling injuries in the present study.

Master of Science / Department of Animal Sciences & Industry / Elizabeth A. Boyle / Quality attributes of vacuum packaged, skinless smoked sausage made with a combination of pork, turkey, and beef, cooked to 64, 68, or 72°C internal endpoint temperature following USDA FSIS Appendix A, and displayed at 4°C for up to 120 days under light emitting diode (LED) and fluorescent (FLS) lighting were evaluated. External color, pH, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), proximate analysis, reheat yield, and sensory attributes were measured on day 0, 90, and 120 of display. Purge amount and color were measured on day 10, 90, and 120. Product was displayed in LED or FLS retail display cases set to the same operational and temperature profiles. Lighting type had no effect (P>0.05) on any of the measured attributes. Instrumental external color was less (P<0.05) red by 0.63 units in product thermally processed to 64°C than product processed to 68°C. Product cooked to 72°C was less (P<0.05) yellow externally compared to those processed to 64 and 68°C. Purge color lightness increased (P<0.05) in product thermally processed to 72 compared to 64°C. Purge was more red by 0.36 units (P<0.05) on day 120 compared to day 10. Yellowness of purge color increased at 72°C compared to 64°C by 0.66 units. Purge was more yellow (P<0.05) on d 120 compared to d 10 and 90. TBARS values decreased (P<0.05) from 0.70 mg of malonaldehyde/100g on day 0 to 0.35 and 0.23 on d 90 and 120, respectively. Sensory panel scores showed that flavor intensity decreased (P<0.05) as day of storage increased, and saltiness decreased from d 0 to d 90. Purge content increased (P<0.05) from 1.45% to 1.90% in products cooked to 64 and 68°C, respectively. The amount of purge increased (P<0.05) from 1.58% to 1.92% on day 10 and 90, respectively. While there were slight changes found in quality characteristics of smoked sausages during storage, many of these were minimal. Processors could reduce their internal endpoint temperature following USDA FSIS Appendix A guidelines with minimal effect on product quality. Vacuum packaged pre-cooked smoked sausages could be displayed under LED or FLS lighting with no effect on product quality.

Master of Science / Department of Animal Science and Industry / Barry Bradford / During the past decades, the dairy industry has been challenged to find alternative approaches in order to feed cows without affecting their performance or increasing production costs. To accomplish these objectives, some options that have been implemented are the inclusion of short chain carbohydrates to replace starch and the addition of synthetic supplements to increase feed efficiency. In order to assess the impact of these strategies, an experiment was conducted to evaluate productive responses of lactating dairy cattle when they received sucrose and/or exogenous amylase in low starch diets. The results indicated that milk production, milk component profile, and feed efficiency were not significantly altered by the use of the enzyme, sucrose inclusion, or the combination of both. Comparing these results with the literature revealed apparent inconsistencies in responses to the inclusion of sugar in dairy rations. For that reason, a meta-analysis was performed to determine the impact of different sugar sources on milk production, and also to evaluate the impact of other dietary factors on response to dietary sugar. The results indicated that dry matter intake responses were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by an interaction between added sugar and dietary forage neutral detergent fiber content, but overall, dry matter intake tended to increase when sugar replaced corn grain in diets. Energy corrected milk was not affected by dietary sugar, but milk production showed a tendency to respond to treatment, dependent on an interaction between added sugar and rumen undegradable protein. In summary, sugar inclusion may promote small increases in dry matter intake, but the impact on milk production is inconsistent; both factors may be influenced by the diet to which sugar is added.

Master of Science / Department of Animal Sciences and Industry / KC Olson / Our objective was to determine the effects of supplemental corn steep liquor (CSL) on voluntary selection of sericea lespedeza (SL) by beef cows grazing native tallgrass range. Dietary botanical composition of cows (n = 145; initial BW = 579 ± 91 kg) was evaluated during a 150-d grazing period (5/1 to 10/1). Native pastures (n = 9; 50 ± 17 ha) infested by SL (average SL biomass = 37% of total forage biomass) were assigned randomly to 1 of 2 treatments: grazing by unsupplemented cows or grazing by cows supplemented with CSL (1.79 kg DM • cow-1 • d-1; 45% DM, 34% CP). Cows were assigned randomly to treatment and pasture (stocking rate = 0.5 ha/AUM). Concentration and protein-binding capacity of condensed tannins (CT) in SL were measured monthly. Fecal samples were collected from each cow on 6/1, 7/1, 8/1, 9/1, and 10/1. Herbivory of SL was estimated along line transects in October. Plant fragments in fecal samples were quantified via a microhistological technique; fragment prevalence in fecal material was assumed to equal botanical composition of the diet. Concentration and protein-binding capacity of CT in SL were greatest (P < 0.01) on 8/1 and 9/1, respectively. The proportion of individual SL plants showing evidence of herbivory tended to be greater (P = 0.09) on pastures grazed by supplemented cows compared to pastures grazed by unsupplemented cows (94 vs. 80% of SL stems, respectively). Prevalence of SL in beef cow diets was influenced (P < 0.01) by CSL supplementation and by month. Prevalence of SL in beef cow diets was not different (P ≥ 0.35) between treatments when concentration and protein-binding capacity of CT were relatively low (6/1, 7/1, and 10/1). In contrast, supplemented cows selected more (P < 0.01) SL than unsupplemented cows when concentration and protein-binding capacity of CT were greatest (8/1 and 9/1). We interpreted these data to suggest that voluntary selection of SL by beef cows was inversely related to concentration of CT; moreover, supplemental CSL stimulated voluntary selection of SL during periods of high CT concentration. Supplemental CSL did not influence selection of other plant species that were monitored.

Master of Science / Department of Animal Science and Industry / R. L. Weaber / This thesis includes two studies that assessed the relationships between docility and reproduction in Angus heifers, both from a phenotypic and genetic standpoint. The objective of the first study was to elucidate the phenotypic relationships between docility and first service AI conception rate in heifers. Data (n = 337) included exit velocity (EV), chute score (CS), fecal cortisol (FC), and blood serum cortisol (BC). Statistical analysis was done using logistic regression with 30 day pregnancy rate as the dependent variable. The model included the fixed effect of contemporary group, and the covariates FC, BC, EV, CS, weight, and age. Correlation coefficients were also calculated between all continuous traits. The power of our test could not detect any significant predictors of 30 d pregnancy for the combined data from all ranches. The objective of the second study was to determine the genetic control of docility and reproduction in heifers as measured by pregnancy rate. A subjective chute scoring system was used as the basis of their genetic evaluation for docility. Pedigree information was obtained on approximately 508,015 animals over 30 generations. Data included approximately 26,878 records on heifer pregnancy and 113,412 records on docility, with 7,849 animals having both docility and heifer pregnancy records. Contemporary groups were formed by the concatenation of weaning contemporary group, yearling contemporary group, and breeding contemporary group. Heritabilities were calculated from estimates of genetic and residual variance components computed using ASReml 3.0 (VSN International; Hemel Hempstead, UK). Heifer pregnancy variance components were estimated from a univariate, threshold model, with pregnancy outcome as the dependent variable. Animal and contemporary group were fit as a random effects, while age at first breeding was fit as a covariate. The heritability of heifer pregnancy was estimated to be 0.16 ± 0.02. Docility was fit as a univariate, linear animal model with docility score as the dependent variable. Animal and contemporary group were both modeled as random effects. The heritability for docility score was estimated to be 0.22 ± 0.03. Fertility is a complex trait that is dependent on many factors; our data suggest that docility is one factor that warrants further investigation.

Master of Science / Department of Animal Sciences and Industry / Barry Bradford / During the transition period, 3 wk before to 3 wk after calving, dairy cows experience a variety of sudden hormonal and metabolic shifts that could result in metabolic disorders or diseases, which can be detrimental to the productive life and longevity of the cow. Cows undergo a negative energy balance, where they cannot consume enough feed to meet their energy requirements. To make up this deficit, cows mobilize adipose tissue in the form of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) which are transported to the liver and are either used for fuel or stored as triglycerides. High levels of circulating NEFA can lead to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, which is linked to inflammation. This low-grade inflammation can compromise cell function. To mitigate this inflammation, sodium salicylate, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), was given to mature (3+ parity) cows for 7 d after parturition via their drinking water. Blood was collected daily and a glucose turnover assay was performed. Liver, muscle, and adipose tissue was collected on d 7. Overall, it appeared that SS increased insulin sensitivity and depressed gluconeogenesis post-transcriptionally. Multiple in vitro studies were performed on immortalized bovine mammary epithelium (MAC-T) cells to determine the action of SS when ER stress was induced with palmitate (PALM). Treatment with SS did not mitigate, and in some cases exacerbated, the ER stress response. The addition of bovine serum albumin (BSA), a common component of cell culture media, may alter reactive oxygen species (ROS) measurements due to its antioxidant property. Overall, SS seems to alter metabolic processes and the cellular response to stress.

Master of Science / Department of Animal Sciences and Industry / Joel M. DeRouchey / Five experiments used 3,004 pigs to determine influences of wheat middlings (Midds), dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS), and choice white grease (CWG) on growth, carcass traits, and carcass fat quality of finishing pigs and the optimal SID Trp:Lys in growing and finishing pigs fed 30% DDGS. In Exp. 1, pigs fed increasing dietary Midds had decreased (linear; P≤0.02) ADG and G:F. Feeding 30% DDGS did not influence growth performance. For carcass traits, increasing Midds decreased (linear; P<0.01) carcass yield, HCW, and backfat depth (quadratic; P<0.02) but increased (quadratic; P<0.01) FFLI. Feeding 30% DDGS decreased (P<0.03) carcass yield and backfat depth (P<0.01), but increased FFLI (P<0.02) and jowl fat IV (P<0.001). In Exp. 2, feeding 20% dietary Midds decreased (P<0.01) ADG and G:F. Pigs fed diets with increasing CWG had improved ADG (quadratic, P<0.03) and G:F (linear, P<0.01). Dietary Midds or CWG did not affect ADFI. For carcass traits, feeding 20% Midds decreased carcass yield (P<0.05), HCW, backfat depth, and loin depth, while increasing jowl fat IV (P<0.001). Pigs fed CWG also had decreased (linear, P<0.05) FFLI and increased (linear, P<0.01) jowl fat iodine value. In conclusion, feeding Midds reduced pig growth performance, carcass yield, and increased jowl fat IV. In Exp. 3, xylanase supplementation did not improve growth performance or carcass traits of pigs fed different dietary energy and fiber levels. Increasing dietary energy increased (linear; P<0.001) ADG and G:F with no affect on ADFI. Increasing dietary energy increased (linear; P<0.01) yield, HCW, backfat depth, and reduced FFLI (linear; P<0.001) and jowl fat iodine value (linear; P<0.001). Apparent total tract digestibility of ADF improved (P<0.002) with the addition of dietary xylanase; however, there were no differences in any other nutrient digestibility criteria. As dietary energy increased, there was an increase (linear; P<0.02) in apparent digestibility of DM, N, fat, GE, ADF, and NDF. In Exp. 4 and 5, results indicated the optimal SID Trp:Lys was 16.5% from 36.3 to 72.6 kg, but at least 19.5% from 72.6 to 120.2 kg in corn-soybean meal diets containing 30% DDGS.

Master of Science / Department of Animal Sciences and Industry / Janice C. Swanson / Canine thunderstorm phobia is a common, frustrating, and complex problem that, due to the often severe nature of the clinical signs, can lead to canine relinquishment to shelters. Although a potentially treatable disorder, existing treatment options have several limitations and variable success rates. Three survey-based studies were conducted to increase the knowledge base for canine thunderstorm phobia. The first study distributed 1445 surveys through 16 Kansas veterinary clinics to determine the prevalence and characteristics of thunderstorm phobic dogs and assess differences between affected and non-affected dogs. Of 463 dogs surveyed, 240 were thunderstorm phobic as assessed by their owners. Severe weather warning systems may play a role in thunderstorm phobia. Thunderstorm phobic dogs were more fearful when exposed to tornado sirens, both during actual storms and siren testing, indicating a possible effect of classical conditioning. No differences were noted regarding sex, breed, pedigree, or neuter status. Most affected dogs preferred to be indoors remaining near their owners. The second study distributed 1600 surveys through eight Kansas animal shelters to determine the prevalence of relinquished dogs with thunderstorm phobia. Other reasons for relinquishment were also assessed. A fear of thunder was among the least common behavioral problems leading to relinquishment in dogs. Only a quarter of owners had visited a veterinarian for assistance with behavioral problems. The third study involved the administration of dog appeasing pheromone (DAP) in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial to assess its efficacy as a sole treatment for thunderstorm phobia. Data was collected from 60 dog owners using behavioral assessment questionnaires. In dogs given the placebo, six behaviors significantly improved, with another eleven showing a numerical trend toward improvement. However, in dogs given DAP, significant improvement was seen in three of these same behaviors. Consequently, these results do not indicate the potential use of DAP for reducing fearful behaviors associated with thunderstorm phobia when compared to negative controls. Information gained from these studies allows veterinarians and behavioral researchers to better understand the extent of this behavioral disorder and hopefully stimulates future research to find new and more effective ways to treat it.

Master of Science / Department of Animal Sciences and Industry / Robert D. Goodband / A total of 5,480 pigs involving 10 experiments were conducted. Experiment 1 evaluated 3 feeder gap settings: 1.27, 1.91, or 2.54 cm, while Exp. 2 evaluated the effects of feeder trough space (4.45 vs. 8.9 cm/pig) and minimum feeder gap opening of 1.27 vs. 2.54 cm. In Exp. 1, pigs fed with increasing feeder gap had decreased (linear; P < 0.03) G:F due to increased (linear; P <0.02) ADFI. In Exp. 2, there was a tendency (P = 0.08) for increased ADG as feeder trough space increased from 4.45 to 8.9 cm/pig. Pigs fed with the wide feeder gap setting had increased (P < 0.01) ADFI and decreased (P < 0.01) G:F compared to pigs with the narrow feeder gap setting. Experiments 3 and 4 were conducted to determine the effects of diet form (meal vs. pellet) and feeder design (conventional dry vs. wet-dry) on finisher pig performance. In Exp. 3, pigs fed pelleted diets or via a wet-dry feeder had greater (P < 0.07 and 0.01, respectively) ADG then those fed meal diets or with a dry feeder. Diet × feeder interactions (P < 0.02) were observed for G:F. When pelleted diets were presented in dry feeders, G:F decreased, while no difference in G:F was observed between meal and pelleted diets presented in wet-dry feeders. In Exp. 4, pigs fed with wet-dry feeders had increased (P < 0.02) ADG and ADFI compared to those with dry feeders, while pigs presented pelleted diets had improved (P = 0.05) G:F compared to those presented meal diets. Experiments 5 to 9 were conducted to determine the effects of porcine intestinal mucosa products, PEP2+, Peptone 50, and PEP-NS, on the growth performance of nursery pigs. In Exp. 5, pigs fed increasing PEP2 had increased (quadratic; P < 0.02) overall ADG, ADFI, and G:F with the greatest response observed at 4% PEP2. In Exp. 6, pigs fed PEP2 had improved (P < 0.03) G:F compared to pigs fed select menhaden fish meal (SMFM) and increasing PEP2 improved (quadratic; P < 0.04) G:F with the greatest improvement seen when diets contained 4% PEP2. In Exp. 7 pigs fed PEP2+, Peptone 50 and PEP-NS had increased (P < 0.05) ADG and ADFI compared to pigs fed a negative control diet. In Exp. 8, pigs fed diets containing 6% SMFM, PEP2+, or PEP-NS had improved (P < 0.05) ADG and ADFI compared to pigs fed the negative control or 6% Peptone 50. In Exp. 9, pigs fed increasing PEP-NS had improved (quadratic; P < 0.01) ADG and G:F, with the greatest improvement observed in pigs fed 6% PEP-NS. Experiment 10 evaluated the effects of Liquitein and PCV2/M. hyo vaccine regimen on the growth performance of weanling pigs. Overall, there were no effects of Liquitein on growth performance and vaccinated pigs had decreased (P < 0.01) ADG and ADFI compared to non-vaccinated pigs.

Master of Science / Department of Animal Sciences and Industry / R. Scott Beyer / Over the decades much has been discovered about the appropriate lighting management strategies for raising commercial meat-type poultry. Our knowledge of light preference, wavelength, intensity, intermittent lighting, and avian spectral sensitivity continues to improve our management strategies. In this work, a total of 5 experiments were conducted. The first 2 experiments investigated the effects of Light emitting diodes (LED) lights on growth performance of broiler chicks. Broiler chicks were raised under LED lights at different intensities: 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 lux. A significant linear relationship (P < 0.05) was found in experiment 1 between body weight gain and light intensity. In experiment 2, a linear trend was noticed between body weight gain and light intensity. As the light intensity increased, chick weight increased. Feed: gain ratios were not affected by light intensity. The third experiment also examined growth performance using LED lighting as well as the effects of feed form and different lighting intensities upon behavior. The broilers fed a pelleted diet had significantly better performance than those fed crumbles. Under more intense light it was discovered that broilers spend significantly more time (P< .05) consuming feed compared to dim light. The fourth experiment focused on broiler preference for light color, and feed form during feeding. The broilers were offered either pelleted or crumbled feed and served under 4 different light colors: red, white, blue, and green. It was found that broilers statistically preferred pelleted feed, and white lighting, with red being the 2nd color choice of preference while green and blue were statistically not chosen. The fifth experiment focused on chick preference for feed color, when under different light color. One day old chicks were offered dyed feed: red, yellow, blue, green or light brown iv (control) under 5 different colors of light: red, yellow, blue, green, and white. It was found that chicks significantly preferred red dyed feed, especially under blue light. In conclusion, it was found that LED lights can have positive effects on broiler performance. Broilers show a preference for white lighting and pelleted feed. Young chicks show a preference for red dyed feed.