The typical Western dietary pattern is characterized by the consumption of energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods and has been linked to increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). Our research group previously developed the total Western diet (TWD) that emulates typical human dietary intakes of macro- (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) on an energy density basis for rodents. In the present study, we sought to determine the impact of TWD on biomarkers of metabolic syndrome and obesity in comparison to a commercial 45% fat diet used for models of diet-induced obesity (DIO diet) and the standard basal AIN93G diet, which is optimized for rodent health. Also, we included 2 additional test diets to evaluate the contribution of the micronutrient (vitamin- and mineral-modified diet, [VMM]) or macronutrient (macro-modified diet [MM]) contents of the TWD in development of cancer, obesity, and glucose intolerance. A chemical carcinogenesis model of inflammation-associated colon cancer was employed to evaluate impact of diets on colon cancer in mice. As expected, mice consuming the DIO diet acquired an obesity/metabolic syndrome phenotype typified by increased food energy intake, greater rate of body weight gain, increased proportion of body composition as fat mass, higher fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, and higher circulating levels of leptin. However, consumption of TWD did not alter any of these classic biomarkers of metabolic health, as these mice adjusted food intake so that energy consumption was similar to that for mice fed AIN93G. A different pattern was observed for colon carcinogenesis. Consumption of the TWD or VMM diet markedly increased colon tumor multiplicity and size compared to the AIN93G control, whereas consumption of the DIO or MM diets did not enhance colon tumorigenesis. Collectively, these observations point to a critical role of dietary micronutrients in colon carcinogenesis, and that this promoting effect is likely unrelated to the metabolic syndrome phenotype induced by a high fat diet. Moreover, our observations emphasize the need to take into account the micronutrient content of rodent basal diets when modeling typical U.S. nutrition in pre-clinical animal experiments in order to improve the translation of these studies to human nutrition and dietary intervention programs.

Whole milk acidified to pH 5.3 with hydrochloric acid was used for the manufacture of Monterey cheese. The milk was inoculated with one and one-half percent lactic starter and set with 12.5 ml rennet per 1000 pounds of milk. Normal washing treatments resulted in cheese with moisture in excess of 44 percent. Moisture content was brought below 44 percent by using wash water at a temperature such that the water-curd whey mixture was 35 C. The pH of cheese made by preacidification was all between 5.21 and 5.09. No acid defects were encountered. Preacidification eliminated chance of spoilage or losses caused by starter failure and abnormally sweet cheese. The lactose content of Monterey cheese made by preacidification was higher (2.9 percent) than that made by the conventional process (1.1 percent), while flavor and body and texture scores were comparable.

Plant parasitic nematodes have long been known to cause extensive crop losses through reduced yields, shortened productive life, or lowered value of produce. The rood knot nematode, Heterodera marioni, is cosmopolitan. It destroys crops and causes economic losses equal to those of any other plant parasitic speies. in 1948 this nematode caused an estimated loss to the carrot raising industry in Iron County, Utah of approximately $15,000. No estimates for the years prior to 1948 are available; however, reports of the county agent (14) for Iron County show that carrot production in the Cedar Valley is decreasing, and is possibly due to this nematode. The importance of the root knot nematode to the carrot industry in the Cedar Valley was Recognized by farmers at harvest time in 1948. Experimental applications of soil fumigants were tried on many farms with varying success in the spring of 1949. (See figure 1 page 2). One of these experimental plots showed spectacular results. When carrots were harvested in the fall those grown in fumigated soil were found to be of the highest quality and were growing in excellent stands; wheras, the carrots grown in unfumigated soil produced poorer stands of poor quality carrots. Before any conclusions as to the practical value of soil fumigants in carrot raising can be reached, additional tests must be conducted in the area. The fact remains that the root knot nematode is present in the area and causes damage to carrots. If carrots, or any other susceptible crops, are to be grown on economical method of controlling this nematode must be found.

Three non-lactating Holstein cows fitted with rumen cannula were used to determine crude protein and dry matter rate of disappearance of two protein supplements: 1) soybean meal and 2) bypass protein blend by using the in situ bag technique. Rate disappearance (%/hr) was higher for soybean meal. Two collection periods were completed using 6 cows with a minimum of 21 d adaptation to the treatment top dressed on to the total mixed ration. Ruminal concentration of ammonia N, blood ammonia, and urea did not differ between treatments. Total concentration of volatile fatty acids was higher for bypass protein blend-fed cattle as well as percent molar concentration of propionate, butyrate, and valerate, while pH was lower. Total protozoa, and total and cellulolytic viable bacteria populations did not differ. Four of the cows received a dose of 5 ml of Prostaglandin F,a. Blood and cervical muc us samples obtained showed no difference in blood ammonia and urea concentration . Forty-six Holstein cows were assigned to one of the two treatments (top dressed on the t otal mixed ration), according to parity during the following 125 d postpartum. Daily dry matter intake and milk production were recorded. Feed, orts, and feces were sampled. Milk samples were collected weekly and analyzed for components. Percent lactose and solid non-fat showed higher for cattle fed the bypass prorein blend. Starting on day 10 postpartum, cows were observed for signs of estrus and bred at first estrus observed after 45 d postpartum. Cervical mucus and blood collected at first standing estrus, and first, seco nd, and third service, did not show a significant difference in urea concentration between rations. Twice-weekly collected blood samples showed similar monthly mean concentration of ammonia, urea, and progesterone profile for both treatment groups. Percent pregnancy, services per pregnancy, first service pregnancy and embryo mortality showed no significant difference. Motility and survivability of bull sperm were evaluated by incubating thawed semen in different levels of previously observed and/or ammonia. physiological There were no concentrations of urea significant treatment differences observed. Detrimental effects of treatment on sperm were not detected.

Mastitis, or mammary gland inflammation, causes the greatest loss in profit for dairy producers. Mastitis susceptibility differs among cows due to environmental, physiological, and genetic factors. Prior research identified a genetic marker in a chemokine receptor, CXCR1, associated with mastitis susceptibility and decreased neutrophil migration. Current research seeks to identify reasons behind mastitis susceptibility by validating this model through in vivo challenge with Streptococcus uberis and studying specific mechanisms causing impaired neutrophil migration. Holstein cows with GG (n=19), GC (n=28), and CC (n=20) genotypes at CXCR1+777 were challenged intramammarily with S. uberis strain UT888. After challenge 68% of quarters from GG genotype, 74% from CC genotype and only 47% from GC genotype cows had ≥10 colony forming units/ml S. uberis for at least two sampling time points (P<0.05). However, among infected cows, number of S. uberis, somatic cell count, rectal temperature, milk scores and mammary scores were comparable among genotypes throughout infection. These findings suggest that cows with GC genotypes may be more resistant to S. uberis mastitis, but have similar responses if infected. To better understand the mechanisms associated with disease resistance, migration patterns in neutrophils from cows with different CXCR1+777 genotypes were evaluated. Neutrophils from cows with GG (n=11) and CC (n=11) genotypes were isolated and stimulated with zymosan activated sera (ZAS). Cells were fixed and stained for F-actin and evaluated for F-actin content, distribution, and cell morphology. Neutrophils from CC cows had significantly lower average F-actin polymerization than GG cows v (P=0.05). Directed migration of neutrophils from GG (n=10) and CC (n=10) genotypes was imaged and tracking data was analyzed for individual cells. Cells from GG genotype traveled further on an X axis and had higher X/Y movement towards IL8 compared to CC genotype, meaning they moved more directly towards IL8. Our findings suggest lower F-actin polymerization in combination with lower ability to directly move towards IL8 could impair neutrophil response to infection in cows with a CC genotype and may contribute to increased mastitis susceptibility. Finding what makes certain cows more susceptible to mastitis could lead to strategies aimed at improved prevention and treatment of mastitis.

This thesis improved a farm-level stochastic model with Monte Carlo simulation to estimate the impact of health performance and market conditions on dairy farm economics. The main objective of this model was to estimate the costs of seven common clinical dairy diseases (mastitis, lameness, metritis, retained placenta, left displaced abomasum, ketosis, and milk fever) in the U.S. An online survey was conducted to estimate veterinary fees, treatment costs, and producer labor data. The total disease costs were higher in multiparous cows than in primiparous cows. Left displaced abomasum had the greatest costs in all parities ($404.74 in primiparous cows and $555.79 in multiparous cows). Milk loss, treatment costs, and culling costs were the largest three cost categories for all diseases. A secondary objective of this model was to evaluate the dairy cow’s value, the optimal culling decision, and the cost of days open with flexible model inputs. Dairy cow value under 2013 market conditions was lower than previous studies due to the high slaughter and feed price and low replacement price. The first optimal replacement moment appeared in the middle of the first parity. Furthermore, the cost of days open was considerably influenced by the market conditions.

Compost bedded pack (CBP) barn design and pack maintenance procedures vary considerably, making advising and problem-solving challenging. One objective of this research was to characterize herd performance and management practices employed by Kentucky CBP managers (42 farms and 47 CBP facilities). Producer satisfaction, changes in historical bulk-tank somatic cell count, and improvement in herd performance parameters after transitioning to a CBP barn support reported CBP barn system benefits. Daily milk production increased from before moving into the CBP barn to the second year after (29.3 ± 0.3 vs. 30.7 ± 0.3 kg, respectively; P < 0.05) for farms using the CBP barn as the primary housing facility (n = 8). Increasing stirring frequency, stirring depth, and ambient temperatures increased pack temperature. Increased drying rate decreased CBP moisture. Increased 20.3 cm depth CBP temperature and ambient temperatures improved cow hygiene. Mastitis-causing bacteria thrive in conditions similar to optimal composting bacteria conditions, making reduction of these bacteria difficult in an active composting environment. Producers must pay attention to other management areas where preventive measures can be employed. The New Dairy Housing Investment Analysis Dashboard provides users an interactive and flexible decision tool to make more informed facility investment decisions.

The objectives of this research were to compare lying time, milk yield, rumination time, hock score, stall cleanliness, and stall temperature for 97 cows (Holsteins (n = 71), Jerseys (n = 10), and crossbreds (n = 16)) housed on Dual Chamber Cow Waterbeds™ (DCCW, Advanced Comfort Technology, Reedsburg, WI) or conventional rubber mattresses (MAT). This study was conducted at the University of Kentucky Coldstream Research Dairy Farm from January 18, 2012 to May 3, 2013. Lying times were longer (P < 0.01) for cows housed on the DCCW (10:32 ± 0:13) compared to cows housed on the MAT (9:47 ± 0:15). Milk yield was not different (P ≥ 0.05) between cows housed on the DCCW or MAT. Rumination times were greater (P = 0.03) for cows housed on MAT (6:44 ± 0:08) compared to cows housed on DCCW (6:29 ± 0:08). Hock scores were lesser (P = 0.02) for cows housed on DCCW (1.86 ± 0.03) compared to cows housed on MAT (1.97 ± 0.04). Stall cleanliness was not different (P ≥ 0.05) between the DCCW and the MAT. The DCCW stall temperature was warmer (P < 0.01) (13.29 ± 0.21 ⁰C) than the MAT (10.52 ± 0.21 ⁰C).

Lameness and mastitis are the two most costly diseases in the dairy industry. Reduction of these diseases through housing and management is beneficial. Compost bedded pack (CBP) and sand freestall barns were compared in a long-term, on-farm study to assess the effect of housing on each disease. Another research objective was to evaluate the effects of ambient weather conditions on moisture and 20 cm internal temperature of CBP. Compost bedded pack moisture, C:N ratio, and internal temperature effects on cleanliness, mastitis, and bedding bacterial counts were also considered. The last research objective was to evaluate the economics of bedding material decisions in CBP and provide a user-friendly decision support tool to predict bedding costs and usefulness.

The objective of the first study was to quantify the effects of feeding Schizochytrium sp. microalgae (SP-1, Alltech, Inc., Nicholasville, KY) on milk fat and DHA content. Eight cows were fed: 0, 100, 300, or 600 g of algae per day. Fat percentage was greater (P < 0.05) for cows on treatments 0 g and 100 g than for cows on treatments 300 g and 600 g (P < 0.05). Docosahexaenoic acid in milk was greater for cows on treatment 300 and 600 than for cows on treatment 0 and 100 (P < 0.05). The objective of the second study was to assess yeast supplementation effects on high and low forage dairy cow diets. Four cows were assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: 1) low forage (LF), 2) low forage with 10 g/d yeast (Yea-Sacc®; Alltech Inc., Nicholasville, KY; LFY), 3) high forage (HF), or 4) high forage with 10 g/d yeast (HFY). Only rumination time and DMI were influenced by treatment (P < 0.01). Dry matter intake was 17.05, 13.41, 19.44, and 20.29 ± 1.40 kg/d and rumination time was 442.88, 323.09, 433.34, and 475.50 ± 21.93 min/d for cows on the LF, LFY, HF, and HFY treatments, respectively.