Master of Science / Department of Animal Sciences and Industry / Robert Goodband / Five experiments were conducted to determine the effects of sorghum dried distiller’s grains with solubles (DDGS) on nursery pig performance, finishing pig performance and meat quality, and lactating sow and litter performance. Experiment 1 established a nutrient database and evaluated the quality and consistency of five ethanol plants in the Western Plains region. Each sample was analyzed for AA, DM, CP, crude fiber, crude fat, ash, NDF, ADF, Ca, P, trace minerals, GE, and starch. In addition, DE, ME, and NE were calculated. Experiments 2 and 3 evaluated the effects of sorghum DDGS on nursery pig performance. In Exp. 2, pigs fed sorghum- or corn-based diets performed similarly; however, as sorghum DDGS increased ADG decreased (linear, P < 0.01). A DDGS×grain source interaction (quadratic, P = 0.03) was observed for G:F. In corn-based diets, G:F was identical for pigs fed 0 to 30% DDGS, but worsened in pigs fed 45% DDGS. In sorghum-based diets, G:F was best for those fed 0% DDGS, but worsened at higher levels. In Exp. 3, pigs fed corn- or sorghum-based diets performed similarly; however, pigs fed DDGS gained less (P < 0.03) than those fed basal diets. Experiment 4 evaluated the effects of sorghum DDGS in sorghum- or corn-based diets on finishing pig growth performance, carcass characteristics, and fat quality. Increasing sorghum DDGS reduced (linear; P < 0.01) ADG and increased (linear; P < 0.01) backfat IV. Pigs fed the sorghum-based diet with 30% sorghum DDGS had decreased backfat IV (P < 0.01) than those fed the sorghum-based diet with corn DDGS. Experiment 5 evaluated the effects of sorghum DDGS on lactating sow and litter performance. Overall, ADFI increased in corn-based diets when DDGS were added, but decreased in sorghum-based diets resulting in a tendency (P < 0.08) for a DDGS × grain source interaction. Pig weaning weights were lower (P < 0.06) for sows fed diets containing DDGS compared with those fed the basal diets. Adding sorghum DDGS reduced pig performance, and sow lactation performance; therefore, its inclusion in swine diets needs to be evaluated on an income over feed cost basis.

Master of Science / Department of Animal Sciences and Industry / John Jaeger / Cattle grazing dormant native range (< 7% crude protein; CP) require supplementation of additional protein to sustain body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS). Daily delivery of these supplements is an economic burden to cattle producers faced with challenging economic circumstances. Supplementing cows infrequently (as little as once/week) has produced equivalent BW and BCS changes compared to daily delivery. Dried distiller’s grains with solubles (DDGS) provides more ruminally-undegradable protein (RUP; 50-60%) compared to traditional oilseed-meal supplements (i.e. soybean meal) that are >50% ruminally-degradable protein (RDP). Therefore, our objective was to evaluate the effects of supplementation frequency on performance, reproductive success, eating behavior, and subsequent calf performance of spring-calving cows supplemented with DDGS. No differences in ending BW (P = 0.69) and BCS (P = 0.49), or changes in BW and BCS over the supplementation period (P = 0.82 and 0.70, respectively) were observed among cows supplemented every d, every 3 d, or every 6 d. Calf BW at birth, weaning weight (WW), and average daily gain (ADG) were similar among treatments (P = 0.19, 0.12, and 0.10, respectively). First-service conception rate (FSCR) and final pregnancy rate (PR) were also not affected by supplementation frequency (P = 0.62 and 0.76, respectively). The development of replacement heifers is a large expense for cow-calf producers. Improved breeding and heifer development strategies aimed at ensuring the success of replacement females have been developed but reproductive failure still remains a problem. The stress associated with breeding and handling procedures may decrease reproductive success. Therefore, the objective was to determine if intramuscular administration of flunixin meglumine (1.1 mg/kg BW) 14 days post-breeding would improve FSCR and PR in non-transported replacement heifers. Under the conditions of our study, flunixin meglumine did not improve (P = 0.87) first service conception rate above that of control heifers (41.2% and 42.3%, respectively). Final pregnancy rate also was not different between treatments and averaged 81.8% (P = 0.40).

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of nutrient density and housing on E. coli populations in beef and dairy production systems. In the first trial, sixty second trimester beef cows were housed in two different overwintering environments and provided dry hay which was either bale grazed or placed in a feed bunk. Selected pens had supplemented with dried distiller’s grain with soluble (DDGS; 2.5 kg/cow/every third day) or rolled barley (1 kg/cow/day). In the second trial, six rumen and caecal-cannulated, non-lactating, multiparous Holstein cows received one of the following diets: i) 70% forage ii) grain pellet or iii) alfalfa pellet. The latter two diets were formulated to induce subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA). All animals were randomly sorted to pens and treatments. Fecal samples were collected and cultured on selective media. E. coli were enumerated and three isolates were chosen for PCR to detect the presence of 18 selected genes encoding a range of virulence factors. These same isolates were tested for their ability to invade the human adenocarcinoma epithelial cell line HT-29. Diet did not significantly affect E. coli abundance but did influence the prevalence of virulence genes involved in adhesion of bacteria to epithelial surfaces. When the diet contained grain, cows shed isolates which were more invasive than those from cows in the other treatments. The data suggest that diet may affect the abundance of E. coli shed in the feces and increase the presence of E. coli harbouring particular virulence genes that mediate adhesion and invasion of epithelial surfaces.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of nutrient density and housing on E. coli populations in beef and dairy production systems. In the first trial, sixty second trimester beef cows were housed in two different overwintering environments and provided dry hay which was either bale grazed or placed in a feed bunk. Selected pens had supplemented with dried distiller’s grain with soluble (DDGS; 2.5 kg/cow/every third day) or rolled barley (1 kg/cow/day). In the second trial, six rumen and caecal-cannulated, non-lactating, multiparous Holstein cows received one of the following diets: i) 70% forage ii) grain pellet or iii) alfalfa pellet. The latter two diets were formulated to induce subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA). All animals were randomly sorted to pens and treatments. Fecal samples were collected and cultured on selective media. E. coli were enumerated and three isolates were chosen for PCR to detect the presence of 18 selected genes encoding a range of virulence factors. These same isolates were tested for their ability to invade the human adenocarcinoma epithelial cell line HT-29. Diet did not significantly affect E. coli abundance but did influence the prevalence of virulence genes involved in adhesion of bacteria to epithelial surfaces. When the diet contained grain, cows shed isolates which were more invasive than those from cows in the other treatments. The data suggest that diet may affect the abundance of E. coli shed in the feces and increase the presence of E. coli harbouring particular virulence genes that mediate adhesion and invasion of epithelial surfaces.