Precision dairy monitoring is used to supplement or replace human observation of dairy cattle. This study examined the value dairy producers placed on disease alerts generated from a precision dairy monitoring technology. A secondary objective was calculating the accuracy of technology-generated disease alerts compared against observed disease events. A final objective was determining the economic viability of investing in a precision dairy monitoring technology for detecting estrus and diseases. A year-long observational study was conducted on four Kentucky dairy farms. All lactating dairy cows were equipped with a neck and leg tri-axial accelerometer. Technologies measured eating time, lying time, standing time, walking time, and activity (steps) in 15-min sections throughout the day. A decrease of ≥ 30% or more from a cow’s 10-d moving behavioral mean created an alert. Alerts were assessed by dairy producers for usefulness and by the author for accuracy. Finally, raw information was analyzed with three machine-learning techniques: random forest, least discriminate analyses, and principal component neural networks. Through generalized linear mixed modeling analyses, dairy producers were found to utilize the alert list when ≤ 20 alerts occurred, when alerts occurred in cows’ ≤ 60 d in lactation, and when alerts occurred during the week. The longer the system was in place, the less likely producers were to utilize alerts. This is likely because the alerts were not for a specific disease, but rather informed the dairy producer an issue might have occurred. The longer dairy producers were exposed to a technology, producers more easily decided which alerts were worth their attention. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and balanced accuracy were calculated for disease alerts that occurred and disease events that were reported. Sensitivity ranged from 12 to 48%, specificity from 91 to 96%, accuracy from 90 to 96%, and balanced accuracy from 50 to 59%. The high number of false positives correspond with the lack of usefulness producers reported. Machine learning techniques improved sensitivity (66 to 86%) and balanced accuracy (48 to 85%). Specificity (24 to 89%) and accuracy (70 to 86%) decreased with the machine learning techniques, but overall detection performance was improved. Precision dairy monitoring technologies have potential to detect behavior changes linked to disease events. A partial budget was created based on the reproduction, production, and early lactation removal rate of an average cow in a herd. The cow results were expanded to a 1,000 cow herd for sensitivity analyses. Four analyses were run including increased milk production from early disease detection, increased estrus detection rate, decreased early lactation removal from early disease detection, and all changes in combination. Economic profitability was determined through net present value with a value ≥ $0 indicating a profitable investment. Each sensitivity analysis was conducted 10,000, with different numbers for key inputs randomly selected from a previously defined distribution. If either milk production or estrus detection were improved, net present value was ≥ 0 in 76 and 85% of the iterations. However, reduced early lactation removal never resulted in a value ≥ 0. Investing in precision dairy technology resulting in improved estrus detection rate and early disease detection was a positive economic decision in most iterations.

Body condition scoring is a technique used to noninvasively assess fat reserves. It provides an objective estimate to describe the current and past nutritional status of the dairy cow and has been associated with increased disease risk and breeding success. Traditionally body condition scores are taken manually by visual appraisal on a 1 to 5 scale, in one-quarter increments. However, recent studies have shown the potential of automating the body condition scoring of cows using images. The first objective was to estimate the likelihood of disease development and breeding success, using odds ratios, associated with body condition score scored automatically at various points in lactation. The second objective of our research was to use a commercially available automated body condition scoring camera system to monitor body condition across the lactation period to evaluate differences between stratified parameters and to develop an equation to predict the dynamics of the body condition score. We found that poor body condition score at different times during the transition period are associated with increased disease occurrence and lower reproductive success. Automated body condition scoring (ABCS) curve during lactation was influenced by many factors, such as parity, ABCS at time of calving, disease occurrence, and milk production.

For a number of years wildlife workers have realized the importance of the past histories of introduced species. Emphasis in recent years has been directed toward introductions because of the tremendous hunting and fishing pressures. Yearly increases in numbers of hunters and fishermen have been noted in Utah for the past forty years. It is hoped that this compilationo f the histories of the introduced game and fish species of Utah will be of value to sportsmen and wildlife managers alike in planning future introductions. The material included in this paper was obtained from United States Government reports, Utah Territorial reports, Utah State reports, newspapers and periodicals, personal interviews, and wardens' questionaires

Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) have now been extensively used to promote reproductive efficiency as a fertility treatment not only in human medicine but also animal reproduction. ARTs serve as an important tool to advance the fundamental knowledge of reproductive processes. The quality of female’s eggs defines its ability to undergo maturation, fertilization, and development. This quality is determined by various factors and is crucial for the success of ARTs. Any alternations happening during the egg growth and maturation process can result in the decreased quality, which could have long-lasting effects on development. Improving the developmental efficiency of the egg is quite challenging due to the limited knowledge on the underlying mechanism of how the egg regulates biological processes during the growth and maturation phase. We compared good-quality and poor-quality eggs to detect the key players in determining the egg quality at the molecular level. Our finding also provides information that benefits the understanding of how the nutrients in culture medium facilitate oocyte maturation, which will eventually help optimize the condition for oocyte culture. Based on the results from these comparative studies, we proposed a potential strategy for improving egg quality. The knowledge obtained from our research offers promise for many applications in the treatment of infertility and improvement of ART efficiency.

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.