This thesis examines the characteristics of dusky dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) nursery groups and ontogeny of dusky dolphin calves. Data were collected via boat-based group focal follows of nurseries from October 2006-May 2007. A total of 87 nursery groups were encountered. Data were analyzed according to age category (infant or yearling) and season (early or late). Nursery group membership was lowest in the early season and when yearlings were present. The average number of yearlings in a nursery group was less than that of infants. The predominant activity of calves was rest. Early infants rested the most, while travel seemed most important for late infants, and early yearlings were most likely to forage. With the exception of early infants, all calves were more likely than adults to interact with boats. When taking month into account, yearlings were more social in general than infants. Infants showed a positive trend in sociality, while yearling sociality remained relatively stable. Nursery groups are markedly segregated by calf age, and 80% of nursery groups contained calves of only one age group. Dusky dolphin calves show a similar trend in preference for position in relation to the mother as that in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.), with echelon swim decreasing with age. However, all calves appear to prefer echelon swim when nursery groups are traveling. Calves were more likely to swim independently in the late part of the season and while foraging or socializing, and were more likely to be in close proximity to their mothers while resting or traveling. Calves learned noisy leaps, followed by clean, coordinated, and acrobatic leaps, in that order. There was no clear relationship between behavioral state and types of leaps performed by calves. Early infants leapt less often than older calves, but leap frequency did not differ among the older calves. The overall pattern in the ontogeny of dusky dolphin leaps indicates that the physical development of leaps is learned individually, while the context in which the leaps are performed is learned from conspecifics. These results indicate that nursery groups represent an important environment for healthy physical and social development of calves.

<p>(From abstract) </p> <p>In the first study, the urine collection method was effectively applied for evaluation of intestinal permeability using Cr-EDTA, an indigestible oral marker, demonstrating the applicability of the procedure in 1-week-old and 6-week-old neonatal heifer calves (n=15 calves). Calf health observations were recorded during the entire urinary catheterization process and collection period to evaluate any negative health reactions to the procedure, or localized reactions. Proportion of localized reactions were analyzed, and the proportions did not exceed 20% for the calves catheterized at either 1 week or 6 weeks of age. </p> <p>In the second study, the developed catheterization procedure and urine collection method was applied using Cr-EDTA as an oral marker to investigate if L-GLN supplementation would offer improvement to intestinal permeability. In this larger study, 30 Holstein heifer calves [1.5 ± 0.5 days old; 37.1 ± 0.86 kg body weight (<strong>BW</strong>)] were blocked by serum total protein, BW, and age, and randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: <strong>GLN</strong> [24% crude protein (<strong>CP</strong>)], 17% fat milk replacer (<strong>MR</strong>) +10 g L-GLN/kg MR powder) or <strong>NS</strong> (24% CP, 17% fat MR). MR was reconstituted to 12.5% solids with warm water and fed 3.8 L/calf/d until weaning. Calves were weaned at 56.4 ± 0.5 days of age, and had <em>ad libitum</em> grain (17% CP, 2% fat) and water access throughout the experimental period.</p> <p>During the preweaning period, calves were individually housed in hutches and health observations, which included respiratory and fecal scores, were assessed daily. Body weight was measured weekly, and grain and MR intake was assessed daily to calculate average daily gain (<strong>ADG</strong>), average daily feed intake [<strong>ADFI</strong>; grain intake (dry matter (<strong>DM)</strong> basis) + MR intake (DM basis)], and feed efficiency (<strong>G:F</strong>; ADG:ADFI). At weaning, calves were weighed, moved to pens (n = 3 pens/treatment, 4-5 calves/pen), provided free access to grain and grass hay, and then weighed 2 weeks post-weaning. Additionally, urinary catheters were placed at 1 and 6 weeks of age, and calves were orally dosed with 1 L Cr-EDTA in their MR. Urine samples were then collected over a 24-hr period for Cr output analysis as an <em>in vivo</em>biomarker of intestinal permeability. </p> <p>Blood was collected on study days 1, 2, 5, 7, 14, 21, 42, 56, and 70 to measure haptoglobin, serum amyloid A, leukocyte data, neutrophil: lymphocyte (<strong>N:L</strong>), glucose, non-esterified fatty acids, insulin, and cortisol. Two study periods were identified for data analysis representing greater (<strong>P1</strong>; weeks 1-3) and reduced (<strong>P2</strong>; weeks 4-8) enteric disease susceptibility. Data were analyzed using PROC GLIMMIX or PROC MIXED in SAS 9.4 with calf as the experimental unit. There was a decrease in total preweaning Cr output (<em>P</em> < 0.05) for GLN calves, and Cr output in 1 week old calves was decreased (<em>P</em> = 0.04) in GLN versus NS calves. The N:L was decreased overall (<em>P</em> = 0.03) and during P2 (<em>P</em> = 0.01) and P2 neutrophil count tended to be reduced (<em>P</em> = 0.07) in GLN versus NS calves. There were no MR treatment differences for ADFI, ADG, body measurements, post-absorptive metabolic biomarkers, disease scores, and therapeutic treatments (<em>P</em> > 0.10). In summary, L-GLN supplementation improved intestinal integrity and biomarkers of physiological stress in pre-weaned Holstein heifer calves managed under production-relevant conditions.  </p>

Das Ziel der Untersuchungen bestand darin, die Auswirkungen verschiedener Kälberaufzuchtverfahren, die sich hinsichtlich des Faktors 'Anwesenheit der Mutter' unterschieden, auf die Entwicklung des Sozialverhaltens in der Ontogenese zu bestimmen. Mit den Ergebnissen dieser Untersuchungen sollen die tierseitigen Anforderungen der Kälber an die Haltungssysteme in Hinblick auf die soziale Umwelt deutlicher formuliert werden. Von Mai 1994 bis zum Oktober 1996 wurden zwei Rindergruppen der Rassenkreuzung Schwarzbuntes Milchrind (SMR) x Salers von der Geburt an bis zur Phase der eigenen Reproduktion beobachtet. Gegenstand der Untersuchungen war die ethologische Analyse verschiedener Verhaltensweisen, vor allem des Sozialverhaltens. Die Saugkälber hatten in den ersten acht Lebensmonaten vorwiegend Sozialkontakte mit ihren Müttern, weniger mit den gleichaltrigen Gruppenmitgliedern. Spielerische Kontakte zwischen den Kälbern bezogen sich meist auf Bewegungsspiele und spielerisches Hornen. Rangauseinandersetzungen fanden erst nach dem Absetzen statt. Die Tränkkälber hatten insgesamt weniger Kontakte untereinander, beleckten sich allerdings häufiger. Rangauseinandersetzungen fanden bereits ab dem dritten Lebensmonat statt und führten zur Bildung einer vorläufigen Rangfolge, die von den ältesten und schwersten Tieren dominiert wurde. Gegenseitiges Besaugen wurde oft beobachtet. Es trat sehr häufig während der Haltung am Tränkautomaten auf und konnte bis zum 22. Lebensmonat beobachtet werden. Die Anzahl der Sozialkontakte zu gleichaltrigen Tieren war in der Jungrind- Phase in beiden Gruppen weitgehend gleich. In der Jungkuh- Phase hatten die Jungkühe (S) untereinander signifikant mehr soziale Kontakte, knüpften zu ihren Nachkommen mehr Kontakte und verbrachten auch signifikant mehr Zeit gemeinsam mit ihnen als die Jungkühe (T). Verhaltensrhythmisch traten über den Lichttag hinweg während des gesamten Untersuchungszeitraumes Unterschiede zwischen den Gruppen auf. Zwar glichen sich beide Gruppen in ihrem Tagesrhythmus mit zunehmendem Alter an, aber nicht vollständig. Unterschiede gab es auch bei den Tagessummen für das Fressen, Liegen und Stehen. Schlußfolgernd zeigt sich, daß eine Aufzucht in altersstrukturierten Gruppen wichtige kalb- und kuhseitige Sozialbedürfnisse erfüllt und die sozialen Potenzen adulter Gruppenmitglieder in die Aufzucht einbezieht. Den Jungtieren werden somit Lernprozesse ermöglicht, die von langfristiger Bedeutung sind und sich bei der Aufzucht ihrer eigenen Nachkommen positiv auswirken. Die Umsetzung dieses Grundprinzips im Zuge der Weiterentwicklung der Aufzuchtverfahren kann deren biologische Qualität deutlich verbessern und gestaltet die Erfüllung wesentlicher Anforderungen einer art- und altersgerechten Kälberhaltung. / The aim of the investigation was to determine effects of different calf-rearing conditions with regard to the factor of the presence of the dam on the development of the social behavior during the ontogeny. The results of these investigations should express the animal requirements of the calves to the different keeping systems in view of the social environment. The study was carried out in the time between April 1994 and October 1996, until the age of their own reproduction. Two groups of female calves , containing 11 animals (suckling calves) and 10 animals (watering calves) were observed. The first group was raised by dams (suckling calves). The second one was raised without any contacts to the dams (watering calves). Suckling calves exhibited social contacts preferably to their own mother rather than to the other calves of the group. In most cases the contacts between the calves consisted of play runnings and horning. These calves established the rank order after weaning, i. e. after the ninth month. In the time before weaning the social interactions of the suckling calves exceeded those of the watering calves. Mutual suckling behaviour took place only in the group of the watering calves. Social rank order disputes among calves of the automatically fed group already started in their fourth month. The establishment of ranks was principally determined by age and weight. Mutual suckling behaviour were often observed. It was very often during the time as they were fed by the automatic liquid feeder and it was observed till the 22nd month. The number of social contacts to peers of calves in the age between the 9th and 23rd month was nearly the same. Those mothers that had been raised as suckling calves had more interactions with their own offspring and spent more time with them in comparison to the automatically fed group. The rhythm of behavior of the observation (lightly) day was different between the groups over the full observation period. At the end of the observations in October 1996 the rhythm of behaviour was nearly the same, but not for all specifics. Also, there were differences in the daily sums of feeding, laying and standing. The rearing of calves in groups with their dams fulfills the special social needs of cows and calves. The social potencies of adults improve the rearing of the calves. The young's get the possibility to learn from the adults. This possibility is very important and has a positive influence for rearing of their own offspring. This basic principal is important for the development of rearing methods, for a better biological quality and fulfills the specific requirements of calf-rearing.

Master of Science / Department of Agricultural Economics / Ted C. Schroeder / Considerable risk is present in today’s ranching world; especially price and production risk. A producer who can tolerate more risk, and is knowledgeable about how to effectively manage price and production risk, may have opportunity to increase profitability relative to a highly risk averse producer. The purpose of this study is to investigate perceptions and sources of risk, identify how risk management is conducted, assess price and production risks, and view differences between producers’ perceptions versus their attitudes towards risk and factors that affect risk. In order to investigate cow-calf producers’ perceptions of risk, an instrument was created to survey beef cow-calf producers in the Kansas Farm Management Association (KFMA). Respondents provided information on their production practices, marketing methods, operating decisions and risk related to their cow-calf operations. A risk preference score for individual producers was developed from specific survey questions to determine three objectives: to classify producers’ risk preferences related to their operating decisions; determine operating decisions that affect risk preferences; and identify what production and marketing practices in which producers were willing to risk for a chance to increase the net returns to their operations. A bi-directional causality between risk aversion and operation characteristics was illustrated between how operating decisions are related to risk aversion, and risk aversion is related to operating decisions. Factors that were found to influence risk aversion were socioeconomic factors such as age, off-farm income, debt-to-asset ratio, farm size, and number of cows owned, as well as comparative advantages of producer’s: use and analysis of new technology, business planning skills and marketing skills. Models showing how risk aversion was related to production management focused on producer’s financial soundness, production practices and marketing methods, specific to retained ownership. Producers who would participate in value-added programs to increase returns to their operation have a comparative advantage in marketing skills, own more cattle, and are less diversified in terms of their farm enterprise incomes.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Animal Sciences and Industry / Barry Bradford / High levels of milk production has been and will continue to be a priority for the global dairy industry. Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs administered to dairy cattle following calving can be an effective way of programming higher milk production for the entirety of lactation. When dairy cattle on a commercial dairy received either sodium salicylate or meloxicam following calving, they responded with increased whole-lactation milk production, which was driven by higher daily milk yields following the seventh week of lactation. When dairy cattle at a research dairy received sodium salicylate following calving, they did not show the same increase in milk production but feed intake, feeding behavior, and blood parameters were altered for an extended period of time. The response to treatment was largely dependent on the parity of the animal. In an effort to determine whether re-programming of the rumen environment could explain these findings, sodium salicylate was administered to batch cultures of rumen fluid, and as a result, fermentation was inhibited. When substrate was fermented in rumen fluid from heifers who had been dosed with sodium salicylate, fermentation was inhibited for an extended period of time following sodium salicylate administration. Beyond the use of compounds such as these, other factors can program lactation for higher milk production, including the gender of the calf. Analysis of lactation records from the US has indicated that cows produce more milk following the birth of a heifer calf compared to a bull. With further research, findings such as these can provide farmers with more tools for improving productivity and lead to the sustainability of the dairy industry as a whole.

Master of Science / Department of Clinical Sciences / Luciana Bergamasco / As public concern for food animal welfare increases, the need for objective pain assessment and methods to alleviate pain associated with production practices such as castration gains attention. The aims of this study were (i) to evaluate the physiological response to pain induced by castration in calves and (ii) to elucidate age-related differences in pain response of calves subjected to different castration methods. Seventy six Holstein bull calves were blocked by age (≤ 6 weeks and ≥ 6 months) and randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups: control (n = 20), castration by banding (n = 18), cut and clamp surgical castration (n = 20), and cut and pull surgical castration (n = 18). Measurements included electroencephalogram, heart rate variability, infrared thermography, electrodermal activity, and concentrations of serum cortisol, and plasma substance P prior to, during, and following castration. Electroencephalogram recordings showed desynchronization for all treatments, consistent with increased arousal; yet the magnitude of desynchronization was greatest for 6-month-old calves castrated by cut and clamp. Additionally, older calves in the cut and pull group showed greater desynchronization than younger calves in the same group. Based on the heart rate variability analysis, 6-month-old calves in the control or cut and pull castration groups showed greater sympathetic tone than younger calves in the same treatment groups. Overall, younger calves showed lower electrodermal activity than older calves. Regardless of treatment, concentrations of cortisol and plasma substance P were greater in 6-month-old calves relative to their younger counterparts. In summary, neurohormonal and electroencephalographic stress responses of calves to castration were age-specific. Castration by cut and clamp showed the most pronounced stress response in 6-month-old calves.

Master of Science / Department of Clinical Sciences / Daniel U. Thomson / Bovine respiratory disease (BRDC) is a multifaceted disease that causes considerable economic loss in both the beef and dairy industry. However, because there may be lingering effects of BRDC in the dairy industry, the full economic costs of the disease may not be realized. These lingering effects may include an increased departure from the herd, decreased milk production, and decreased reproductive performance. All of these outcomes are affected by multiple variables, but proper statistical modeling can control for many of the different influences. Few studies have attempted to look at the long term effects of calfhood BRDC but consistent associations have not been identified. The objective of this observational, retrospective study was to determine the association between calfhood BRDC prior to 120 d of age and departure from the herd, milk production, and reproductive performance. The association between the occurrence of BRDC with departure from the herd prior to first calving depended on the birth year, but for 5 of the 6 years, animals that contracted BRDC were 1.62 to 4.98 times more likely to leave the herd than animals that did not contract BRDC. In addition, animals that contracted BRDC were also 1.28 times more likely to leave the herd between first and second calving than animals that did not contract BRDC. Furthermore, the age at BRDC occurrence was associated with departure from the herd. Animals that contracted BRDC pre-weaning were 2.62 times more likely to leave the herd prior to first calving than animals that contracted BRDC post-weaning. However, age of BRDC occurrence was not significantly associated with departure from the herd between first and second calving. The occurrence of BRDC during the first 120 d of life was associated with a 233 kg decrease in lactation-one production, but was not significantly associated with production in subsequent lactations. Finally, calfhood BRDC was not significantly associated with a decreased reproductive performance measured by calving interval. In conclusion, calfhood BRDC negatively impacts productivity both prior to and after first calving.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology / Robert L. Larson / Bradley J. White / Applying systems methods to cattle production requires investigators to think about whole systems when addressing study objectives. The research conducted for this dissertation emphasized studying whole systems using different methods. We studied cattle production systems through mathematical simulation and new indirect monitoring technologies. While the methods used for the research in this dissertation may be very different, all utilized systems methods to address the study objectives. Firstly, we applied systems thinking methods and developed a dynamic, deterministic systems simulation of cow-calf production over a 10-year horizon. This model was used to investigate the effects the duration of postpartum anestrus (dPPA) has on reproductive performance. A large range of dPPA have been reported, so various primiparous cow and multiparous cow dPPA were simulated. We found that increasing the dPPA for primiparous and multiparous cows had a negative impact on herd performance and that the dPPA is an important factor in determining cow-calf performance success. We then used the cow-calf simulation to explore the effects of breeding nulliparous cows prior to the rest of the herd, known as providing Heifer Lead Time (tHL). We found that increasing tHL improved herd performance, especially with longer dPPA for primiparous cows. Secondly, real-time location systems (RTLS) were used to indirectly monitor cattle behavior. These systems have been used to determine the amount of time cattle spend at eating and drinking locations. We modeled the probability of cattle participating in eating and drinking behavior when determined to be at these locations by RTLS and found that significant differences exist between individual calves and period of the day. Finally, we explored associations between bovine respiratory disease (BRD) and animal-to-animal contacts as determined by RTLS in beef cattle. We found that the probability of BRD diagnosis was associated with the amount of time 4 days’ ago that a calf was in calf-contact with calves assumed to be shedding BRD pathogens.

Master of Science / Department of Clinical Sciences / Daniel Ulan Thomson / Consulting veterinarians (CV; n=23) representing 11,295,000 head of cattle on feed in the United States and Canada participated in a beef cattle health and well-being recommendation survey. Veterinarians were directed to an online survey to answer feeder cattle husbandry, health and preventative medicine recommendation questions. The CV visited their feedyards 1.7 times per month. All CV train employees on cattle handling and pen riding while only 13% of CV speak Spanish. All CV recommend IBR and BVD vaccination for high-risk (HR) calves at processing. Other vaccines were not recommended as frequently by CV. Autogenous bacterins were recommended by 39.1% CV for HR cattle. Metaphylaxis and feed-grade antibiotics were recommended by 95% and 52% of CV, respectively, for HR calves. Banding was more frequently recommended than surgical castration as calf body weight increased. The CV recommended starting HR calves in smaller pens (103 hd/pen) and allowing 13 inches/hd of bunk space. The CV indicated feedlots need to employ one feedlot doctor per 7,083 hd of HR calves and one pen rider per 2,739 hd of HR calves. Ancillary therapy for treating respiratory disease was recommended by 47.8% of CV. Vitamin C was recommended (30.4%) twice as often as any other ancillary therapy. Cattle health risk on arrival, weather patterns and labor availability were most important factors in predicting feedlot morbidity while metaphylactic antibiotic, therapy antibiotic and brand of vaccine were least important. This survey has provided valuable insight into feeder cattle health recommendations by CV and points to needed research areas.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Animal Sciences and Industry / Barry Bradford / High levels of milk production has been and will continue to be a priority for the global dairy industry. Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs administered to dairy cattle following calving can be an effective way of programming higher milk production for the entirety of lactation. When dairy cattle on a commercial dairy received either sodium salicylate or meloxicam following calving, they responded with increased whole-lactation milk production, which was driven by higher daily milk yields following the seventh week of lactation. When dairy cattle at a research dairy received sodium salicylate following calving, they did not show the same increase in milk production but feed intake, feeding behavior, and blood parameters were altered for an extended period of time. The response to treatment was largely dependent on the parity of the animal. In an effort to determine whether re-programming of the rumen environment could explain these findings, sodium salicylate was administered to batch cultures of rumen fluid, and as a result, fermentation was inhibited. When substrate was fermented in rumen fluid from heifers who had been dosed with sodium salicylate, fermentation was inhibited for an extended period of time following sodium salicylate administration. Beyond the use of compounds such as these, other factors can program lactation for higher milk production, including the gender of the calf. Analysis of lactation records from the US has indicated that cows produce more milk following the birth of a heifer calf compared to a bull. With further research, findings such as these can provide farmers with more tools for improving productivity and lead to the sustainability of the dairy industry as a whole.