Progress 10/01/01 to 09/30/06
Outputs
The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of pre-weaning management on measures of inflammation in beef steers. Sixty-four crossbred steers (Brahman x British) were randomly allocated to one of four pre-weaning management strategies: 1) Control; weaned directly onto the truck, 2) Creep-fed; provided free-choice access to feed for 45 d prior to weaning, 3) Pre-weaned; weaned 45 d prior to shipping, and 4) Early-weaned; weaned at 80 d of age. On day 0, calves were weaned and loaded onto a commercial truck, hauled for 24 h, and delivered into the feedyard. Calves were penned within treatment (4 pens/treatment) and provided free-choice access to hay and commercial grain starter for 30 d. Concentrations of acid soluble glycoprotein (ASG), haptoglobin, and ceruloplasmin were measured in blood samples collected on d 0, 1, 4, 8, 15, 22, and 29. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Contrasts were made as follows: Control vs. Early-weaned,
Creep-fed vs. Pre-weaned, and Control vs. Creep-fed and Pre-weaned. Ceruloplasmin concentrations peaked on d 8 in Control calves and were greater (P < 0.12) than Early-weaned calves on day 8, 15, 22, and 29. Ceruloplasmin concentrations did not differ among Creep-fed, Pre-weaned, and Control calves; however, Pre-weaned calves had a lesser (P < 0.12) ceruloplasmin concentration on d 22 and 29, compared to Creep-fed calves. Haptoglobin concentrations peaked on d 1 in Control calves and were greater (P < 0.13) than Early-weaned calves on day 1, 8, and 22. Haptoglobin concentrations were similar among Creep-fed, Pre-weaned, and Control calves; however, Pre-weaned and Creep-fed calves had a lesser (P < 0.12) haptoglobin concentration on d 4, compared to Control calves. The greatest ASG concentration for Control calves was recorded on d 22 and was greater than Early-weaned calves (P = 0.02) and Creep-fed and Pre-weaned (P = 0.02) on this day. Control calves had a lesser (P < 0.03) ASG
concentration than Early-weaned calves on d 0 and 1. Early calf weaning may be an effective practice for managing stress resulting from transportation and weaning.
Impacts
In addition to the animal well-being, calf morbidity and mortality are important economic indicators of feedlot efficiency and profitability. These data provide additional evidence of the importance of pre-shipping calf management on subesequent measures of stress and productivity.
Publications
- Qiu, X., J.D. Arthington, D. Riley, C.C. Chase, Jr., W. Phillips, and S. Coleman. 2006. Effect of breed on acute phase protein response to weaning and transport in beef calves. J. Anim. Sci. 84(Suppl. 2):13-14.
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Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05
Outputs
Over three consecutive years, weaned calves and transported steers (n = 1,033 and 482, respectively) were studied for effects of breed on the acute phase protein response to weaning and transport. Calves and steers were sired by 12 Angus bulls, 11 Brahman bulls, and 15 Romosinuano bulls bred randomly to cows of all three breeds. Calves were weaned at approximately 7 mo of age (Sept) and provided a commercial preconditioning concentrate and free-choice grass hay. Approximately 28 d after weaning, steers were transported 2,200 km to central OK. As an estimate of inflammation, concentrations of ceruloplasmin (mg/dL), fibrinogen (mg/dL), and haptoglobin (spectrophotometry absorbance at 450nm, %) were measured in blood samples collected at weaning, 24 and 72 h post-weaning, and 24 hours before shipping, immediately before shipping, 24 and 72 h after arrival. Combinations of fixed effects were investigated in both data sets, including: breed, sampling time, sex, birth
location, and age of dam. Age and weight were analyzed as covariates. Random effects included sire, animal within sire, and year. Nonsignificant effects were excluded from final models, with the exception of breed and sampling time which was the effect of interest. Contrasts were constructed to estimate breed and genetic effects. Significant Angus and Brahman maternal effects on haptoglobin and fibrinogen concentrations were detected in weaned calves. Romosinuano and Angus direct effects were significant for fibrinogen concentrations in weaned calves. Heterosis was detected for fibrinogen concentrations in Angus x Romosinuano weaned calves and in transported steers. Significant direct breed effects for haptoglobin concentrations were detected in Angus and for ceruloplasmin concentrations in Romosinuano in transported steers. In conclusion, calves and steers produced by matings of Romosinuano, Angus, and Brahman may exhibit different acute phase protein responses to the stressors
associated with weaning and transportation.
Impacts
Understanding the impacts of beef cattle genotype on stress responses to normal management procedures are an important consideration to production management. Ultimately, improved understanding of the stress-related consequences of breeding decisions can assist in improving overall and profitability of the beef production system.
Publications
- Qiu, X., R. Cooke, E. Pereira, G. Marquezini, J. Vendramini, C. Chase, S. Coleman, and J.D. Arthington. 2005. Effects of pre-weaning management on the acute phase protein response of transported beef steers during a 30-d feedlot receiving period. J. Anim. Sci. 83(Suppl. 1):172.
- R. Cooke, X. Qiu, E. Pereira, G. Marquezini, J. Vendramini, C. Chase, S. Coleman, and J.D. Arthington. 2005. Effects of pre-weaning management on performance of beef steers during a 30-d feedlot receiving period. J. Anim. Sci. 83(Suppl. 1):172.
- Callaway, T., J. Carroll, J.D. Arthington, R. Anderson, T. Edrington, K. Genovese, and D. Nisbet. 2005. Orange pulp reduces growth of E. Coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Typhimurium in pure culture and in vitro mixed ruminal microorganism fermentation. J. Anim. Sci. 83(Suppl. 1):236.
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Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
Objectives were to assess acute phase protein (APP) response in calves due to weaning and transport, and to evaluate breed influence on any detected response. Straightbred and crossbred calves (n = 297) were produced from all possible matings of Romosinuano (R; tropically adapted breed native to Colombia), Angus (A), and Brahman (B) in central Florida. Calves were weaned at approximately 7 mo of age (September, 2002) and provided a commercial preconditioning concentrate and free-choice grass hay. Approximately 28 d after weaning, steers (n = 143) were transported 2,200 km to central Oklahoma. As an estimate of inflammation, concentrations of ceruloplasmin, fibrinogen, and haptoglobin were measured in blood samples collected at weaning, 24 and 72 h post-weaning, and on the day of shipping, 24 and 72 h after arrival. Fixed effects were breed type (n = 9 levels: straightbreds [RR, AA, BB], and crossbreds [RA, AR, RB, BR, AB, BA] where letters indicate breed of calf sire
then dam, respectively), herd, sex (weaning only), and sampling time. Animal was a random effect. Following weaning, the concentration of each APP increased (P < 0.01; 15, 17, and 19% in the interval from weaning to 72 h for ceruloplasmin, fibrinogen, and haptoglobin, respectively). Irrespective of breed of sire, concentration of each APP was lesser (P < 0.01) in calves derived from B dams (average APP concentration = 21.7 and 23.2 mg/dL, 102 and 124 mg/dL, and 2.9 and 3.3 mg HbB for ceruloplasmin, fibrinogen, and haptoglobin, respectively). Following transportation, concentrations of ceruloplasmin and fibrinogen decreased (P < 0.05; 10 and 17% in the interval from pre-shipping to 72 h after arrival for ceruloplasmin and fibrinogen, respectively). In contrast, average haptoglobin concentration increased 78% for all calves by 24 h following arrival. Increased haptoglobin concentration was most evident as heterotic effects for AR; i.e., crossbred (AR and RA) concentration (2.71 mg HbB)
was greater (P < 0.01) than straightbred (AA and RR) concentration (1.41 mg HbB). These data suggest that certain breed effects impact the APP response to calf weaning and shipping.
Impacts
These results will allow cattle producers to better optimize calf handling and management during periods of increased production stress. The efforts will likely improve animal health and wellfare.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 10/01/02 to 10/01/03
Outputs
The effect of early calf weaning on the productivity of beef calves was investigated. Forty crossbred steers (Brahman x English) were weaned at two ages, 1) early weaned (EW; n = 20), and 2) normal weaned (NW; n = 20). Calves were 89 and 300 d of age at the time of EW and NW, respectively. Early weaned calves were kept on-site (University of Florida, Ona), provided supplement (1% BW), and grazed on annual and perennial pastures until NW. Upon NW, all calves were loaded onto a commercial livestock trailer and transported to the North Carolina State University Research Feedlot, Butner (approx. 1200 km). Upon arrival, calves were stratified by BW and randomly allotted to 4 pens per weaning age treatment, such that each weaning treatment had two pens of light and two pens of heavy calves. Individual calf BW and blood samples were collected at weaning, upon arrival to feedlot (d 1; 24-h following weaning), and d 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 of the receiving period. Individual BW
was collected at the start and end of the growing and feedlot periods. Feed intake by pen was measured daily. As an estimate of stress during the receiving period, plasma was harvested from blood samples and analyzed for the acute phase proteins, haptoglobin and ceruloplasmin. Early weaned calves were lighter (P = 0.03) at normal weaning than NW calves (221 vs 269 kg; SEM = 10.6). By d 28, BW was similar (242 vs 282 kg for EW and NW calves, respectively; P = 0.12; SEM = 14.1). Feed efficiency was greater for EW than NW calves during both the receiving and growing period (F:G = 0.16 vs. 0.08, and 0.16 vs. 0.14 for EW and NW calves during receiving and growing periods, respectively; SEM = ) There tended to be significant (P < 0.10) weaning age x day interactions for each of the APP. Ceruloplasmin concentrations increased in NW, but not EW calves, and peaked on d 7 (27.6 and 34.2 mg/100 mL for EW and NW calves, respectively; P < 0.05). Haptoglobin concentrations increased in both groups
and were highest (P < 0.05) in NW calves on d 3 (7.63 vs 14.86 HgHpB/100 mL). No differences in ADG or feed efficiency were detected during the finishing phase; however, overall calf efficiency was greater (P = 0.03) for EW vs. NW calves (0.15 and 0.14, respectively; SEM = ). Measures of carcass quality did not differ between treatments. These data suggest that EW calves, which are maintained on-site prior to shipping, are more tolerant to the stressors associated with transportation. This improved tolerance results in improved feed efficiency in the feedlot.
Impacts
These results will allow cattle producers to better optimize calf handling and management during periods of increased production stress. The efforts will likely improve animal health and wellfare.
Publications
- Arthington, J.D., F. Blecha, and F.G. Martin. 2003. Effect of molybdenum and sulfur feeding on the acute phase protein response to inflammatory challenge in beef heifers. Prof. Anim. Sci. 19:221-226.
- Arthington, J.D., F.M. Pate, and J.W. Spears. 2003. Effect of copper source and level on performance and copper status of cattle consuming molasses supplements. J. Anim. Sci. 81:1357-1362.
- Arthington, J.D., S.D. Eicher, W.E. Kunkle, and F.G. Martin. 2003. Effect of transportation and commingling on the acute phase protein response, growth and feed intake of newly weaned beef calves. J. Anim. Sci. 81:1136-1141.
- Arthington, J.D., and J.W. Spears. 2003. The effect of early calf weaning on performance and measures of stress during the feedlot receiving period. J. Anim. Sci. 81(Suppl. 1):169.
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Progress 10/01/01 to 10/01/02
Outputs
The objective of this study was to characterize the effect of Mo and S feeding, followed by Cu supplementation, on the acute phase protein response following inflammatory challenge in beef heifers. Twelve Braford heifers were allocated randomly to one of two pre-study dietary treatments (depletion phase; 90 d). Treatments consisted of a daily ration of 454 g of ground corn fortified with 0.7 g of sodium molybdate and 18.5 g of S (Low-Cu; n=6) or 454 g of ground corn alone (Control; n=6). All heifers received 57 g/d of a complete salt-based mineral devoid of supplement Cu. Following depletion, Low-Cu heifers had lower liver Cu concentrations compared to Control (62 vs. 344 ppm DM; SEM = 12.2 ppm). Following Cu depletion, heifers were moved into individual pens (114 m2) and offered access to free-choice, long stem limpograss hay. All heifers received a single subcutaneous injection (3 mL) of Freunds complete adjuvant (d 0). Blood samples were collected by jugular
venapuncture on 0, 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, and 21 d later. Plasma was harvested from blood at each collection and analyzed for concentrations of ceruloplasmin, fibrinogen, alpha-acid glycoprotein, and haptoglobin. Blood concentration of each acute phase protein increased following adjuvant challenge. Plasma ceruloplasmin concentrations were lower and fibrinogen concentrations higher in Low-Cu than Control heifers following challenge. Alpha-acid glycoprotein concentrations were lower in Low-Cu than Control heifers. Haptoglobin concentrations were not affected by Cu status. These results indicate that the Cu status of beef heifers is directly linked to their acute phase protein response to inflammatory challenge.
Impacts
These results will allow cattle producers to better optimize mineral nutrition during periods of increased production stress. These efforts will ultimately improve animal health and welfare.
Publications
- Arthington, J.D., F. Blecha, and C.K. Swensen. 2002. Effect of copper deficiency on the acute phase protein response to inflammatory challenge in beef heifers. J. Anim. Sci. 80(Suppl. 1):109.
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