Source: IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY submitted to NRP
DOES SOCIAL BUFFERING ENHANCE ANIMAL WELFARE AND PERFORMANCE WHEN BEEF CALVES ARE COMINGLED IN FEEDLOT ENVIRONMENTS?
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
ACTIVE
Funding Source
AFRI COMPETITIVE GRANT
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1019068
Grant No.
2019-67015-29572
Cumulative Award Amt.
$490,000.00
Proposal No.
2018-07145
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Jun 1, 2019
Project End Date
May 31, 2025
Grant Year
2019
Program Code
[A1251]- Animal Health and Production and Animal Products: Animal Well-Being
Recipient Organization
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
S. AND 16TH ELWOOD
AMES,IA 50011
Performing Department
VDPAM
Non Technical Summary
This proposal was developed in collaboration with a commercial beef feedyard, with the goals of enhancing sustainability and minimizing ecological footprint in beef production. Commingling of calves from different sources presents biological and behavioral stressors, and is associated with increased risk for Bovine Respiratory Disease. Social buffering refers to the phenomenon of enhanced recovery from distress in the presence of a conspecific, with known neuroendocrine mechanism. In this proposal we explore whether preferential relationships among beef feeder cattle produces social buffering, with positive animal welfare, health and performance outcomes. In Objective 1, we will examine social dynamics of pasture-reared beef calves associated with weaning and changes in health status. Preferential relationships among calves will be identified using social network analysis. In Objective 2, detailed behavior and endocrine observations will be used to explore effects of familiarity on preferential relationships in small pens of commingled beef bulls. Calf responses to common stressors (commingling, routine processing and castration) will be compared to determine significance of social buffering on calf stress and pain responses. In Objective 3, impacts of social buffering on behavior, health and performance of comingled lightweight cattle on a commercial feedlot will be determined. Familiar calves, sourced as groups from the same farm, and Solitary calves sourced singly from farms, will be followed through the feeding period, and health, performance and behavior outcomes compared to evaluate effects of social buffering in commercial conditions. Results from this project will provide needed guidance on commingling practices in U.S. beef operations.
Animal Health Component
70%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
30%
Applied
70%
Developmental
0%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
31533101060100%
Knowledge Area
315 - Animal Welfare/Well-Being and Protection;

Subject Of Investigation
3310 - Beef cattle, live animal;

Field Of Science
1060 - Biology (whole systems);
Goals / Objectives
Commingling is a term used to describe mixing calves from multiple sources. This practice is common and necessary because cattle buyers sourcing calves at auction markets need many animals to fill feedyard pens. Feeder calves that are considered high risk (light weight, auction market derived, commingled calves) are typically treated metaphylactically with antibiotics upon arrival at the feedyard to reduce the incidence of respiratory disease (Wilson et al., 2017). Although single source, ranch derived calves have a lower risk for bovine respiratory disease (BRD) (Ribble et al.,1998), the increased cost and lack of availability of preconditioned calves leads feeders to purchase higher risk calves. Commingling of calves from different sources primarily occurs at auction markets, as order buyers assemble groups of calves together that fit the specifications (weight, price, color, etc.) of the cattle feeders who hire them to purchase their calves. Feedyards may then commingle multiple groups over several days from other auction markets or sources until a pen is filled. Commingling calves presents biological and behavioral stressors. Commingling calves is associated with increased risk for BRD (Step et al., 2008), but the reason for the increase is not fully understood. Calves from multiple sources may expose pen mates to unfamiliar pathogens. Commingling young calves may also increase stress within the pen due to disruptions to the normal social behavior of cattle. Number of sources of comingled calves has been studied and comingling has been cited as a risk factor for BRD, but influences of social group dynamics on newly weaned calves are unknown. To our knowledge, social behavior of weaned beef calves in commercial U.S. farms and feedyards has not been studied. Agonistic behavior, affiliative behavior and formation of social bonds have the potential to exacerbate or mitigate stress, and are likely to impact feedyard morbidity and performance. Calves purchased together, in lots of familiar herd-mates, may form subpopulations following commingling and transition better to the feedyard environment than calves purchased singly or assembled from a large number of smaller groups. Grouping familiar calves may be an effective intervention if preferential relationships are retained, and if social buffering confers resilience against stressors associated with commingling and transition to the feedyard.Central Hypothesis: Preferential relationships among beef feeder cattle produces social buffering, with positive animal welfare, health and performance outcomes.Objective 1: Investigate effects of weaning on social behavior and affiliative bonds of pasture-reared beef calves.Hypotheses:Calves develop affiliative (social) bonds with individual calves during the suckling phase.Calves maintain affiliative bonds following weaning and commingling when housed in familiar environments.A subpopulation of calves fail to establish affiliative bonds with other calves during the suckling period, and are particularly impacted by weaning stress.Objective 2: Identify effects of social buffering on behavior and physiologic responses of weaned beef calves to common environmental stressors.Hypotheses:Calves housed with familiar individuals recover faster following transport to a novel feeding environment than calves housed with unfamiliar individuals.Calves housed with familiar individuals display lower stress responses to routine handling/processing events than calves housed with unfamiliar individuals.Calves housed with familiar individuals recover faster from castration surgery than calves housed with unfamiliar individuals.Objective 3: Evaluate impacts of social buffering on behavior, health and performance of comingled lightweight cattle on a commercial feedlot.Hypotheses:Calves commingled with familiar individuals in a commercial feedyard develop affiliative bonds faster than calves unfamiliar with pen-mates,Familiar calves recover faster following arrival at the feedyard than calves housed with unfamiliar individuals.Familiar calves display lower stress responses to routine handling/processing events than unfamiliar calves.Familiar calves display superior health and performance than unfamiliar calves.
Project Methods
Objective 1: Investigate effects of weaning on social behavior and affiliative bonds of pasture-reared beef calves. In Year 1, an observational study will be conducted at the ISU McNay Memorial Research and Demonstration Farm. The 480 acre farm includes 400-cow purebred Angus herd, grazing paddocks and a multiple-pen cattle-feeding unit, and hence provides excellent opportunity for exploring social behavior of cow-calf and post-weaning herds. Cows and their calves managed in 3 spring-calving groups on pasture, with calves weaned into a lot in late September and then commingled after a settling period. All calves have one visual ID tag and EID tag, which will allow for blinding of researchers, tracking performance and relatedness. To facilitate behavior observations, calves will be individually identified using hip tags, livestock chalk. Instantaneous scan sampling, combined with focal animal continuous sampling, will be performed by direct observation at bi-weekly timepoints during the suckling and post-weaning phases. An ethogram will be created for quantifying social proximity (e.g. nearest neighbor identity), affiliative behaviors (e.g. allogrooming) and agonistic behaviors (e.g. butting), and will be modified from similar studies involving cows (Sato et al., 1987; Veissier & Le Neindre, 1989; Sato et al., 1993; Haley et al., 2005; Raussi et al, 2010; Gutman et al., 2014).Objective 2: Identify effects of social buffering on behavior and physiologic responses of weaned beef calves to common environmental stressors.At the end of Year 1, cohorts of weaned bull calves from the McNay farm will be transported to the ISU Beef Nutrition Farm, which houses a modern, open-front, 60 pen feedyard and an electronic feed intake management system. Upon arrival, calves will be systematically assigned to pens to ensure that each pen is comprised of 4 calves from the same source herd (Familiar) and 4 calves sourced singly from 4 different herds (Unfamiliar). Hence, calves in each pen experience differing levels of commingling, with Familiar calves likely to form subgroups and Unfamiliar calves likely to be solitary. Enrollment of socially bonded calves identified in Objective 1 will be balanced between treatment groups.To examine effects of social buffering on stress responses, data will be collected during routine processing and in the home pens following arrival/commingling and following castration surgery.Experimental Design: This is a longitudinal study, and the primary outcome will be knowledge about how social dynamics influence how beef calves transition to a feeding environment. To control for extraneous variables, this experiment involves a correlated samples design, involving matched pairs (Familiar and Unfamiliar) randomly assigned to pens and observed in a longitudinal study with repeated measures over time. A power calculation was performed to estimate sample size. Plasma cortisol was identified as the primary outcome of interest, and cortisol data previously collected by our research group at the commercial feedyard associated with this proposal was used. A sample size of 99 replicates will provide alpha 0.05 and power of 80%. This will be associated with 99 calves per treatment groups (198 total calves), and 25 pens of 8 calves.Objective 3: Evaluate impacts of social buffering on behavior, health and performance of commingled lightweight cattle on a commercial feedyard. Our research group has worked with regional feedyards investigating the impact of acclimation on health and performance of feedyard calves. A typical pen of calves comprises 150 calves and was put together from 2 to 3 different auction markets. A representative truck load included 100 head of calves from 17 different sellers with lot sizes ranging from 1 to 17 head. The mean lot size was five head and the median number of calves per seller was two head (appendix 1). Observations made by researchers during our acclimation project identified potential differences in individual cattle regarding grouping within the herd and maintaining interactions.In this split-plot, repeated measures study, commingling level will be compared within pens of cattle on a commercial feeding operation. Calves will be categorized into two treatment groups: (1) Familiar cohorts originate from lots of 5 or more calves from the same source farm, and (2) Solitary cohorts originate from of lots of single calves from source farms. Upon arrival, calves will be systematically enrolled in small pens (n=50), such that each pen includes 5 cohorts of Familiar calves, 5 cohorts of Solitary calves and any remaining calves need to fill the pen size originating from other sources. Matched pairs of sentinel calves will be identified, with Familiar sentinel calves randomly selected from each cohort.Calves will be followed through the feeding period to obtain morbidity and mortality data, individual weights at beginning and end of feeding period. Sentinel animals will be individually identified using livestock chalk and ear tag IDs for physiologic determination of cortisol levels and behavior observations, with observers blind to treatment groups. Cortisol levels will be measured from blood and hair samples collected during routine processing, and behavior will be recorded using digital video cameras mounted above the pens.Cattle sourcing and study location: Cattle will be sourced through normal purchasing channels and according to the collaborating feedyard's standard operating procedures. Specifically, a professional cattle purchaser ("order buyer") will procure calves for the commercial feedyard that fit our enrollment criteria. The order buyer will purchase Bos taurus calves that are estimated 6-9 months of age. Genetic makeup will be typical of North American feedyards; cattle that demonstrate phenotypic characteristics of dairy breeds will not be purchased. At the auction market calves will be identified with the seller slip number by either a back or ear tag. A commercial livestock auction has agreed to collaborate on this project, and sources calves from small beef cow-calf producers, facilitating background information about calves enrolled in the study. Hence, lots of calves will be purchased from single herd farms, with known familiar with each other. Lightweight calves (commingled auction market) will be enrolled into the study. Source of calves (seller slip number) will be maintained from the auction market to the feedyard and recorded to the calf's individual identification number.The study will take place at a commercial 5,000 head feedyard in central Iowa. This feedyard has collaborated on previous research projects with Iowa State University and understands the requirements of conducting research projects in a field setting. Its standard operating procedures, overall design, and management are typical of North American feedyards.

Progress 06/01/23 to 05/31/24

Outputs
Target Audience:This proposal was developed through consultation with commercial beef feedyard operators, with the goal of enhancing the sustainability and minimizing the ecological footprint associated with beef production. The results from this proposal have application to cow-calf, feedyard and livestock market agricultural businesses working within conventional and organic production systems. Specifically, we will create knowledge about the ontogeny of social behavior in beef calves, and how concepts of social networks and social buffering may be applied to enhance health, performance and animal welfare of feeder beef cattle. At the end of this project, our results will inform evidence-based guidance to mitigate stressors associated with commingling of beef feeder cattle. The objectives of this proposal correspond with the AFRI Animal Health and Production and Animal Products Program, specifically with respect to Priority Area Code A1251, Animal Well-Being. Within this Program Area, this proposal is consistent with "evaluation of current management practices" in relation to commingling of feeder calves. We will also explore "development of new management practices that reduce animal stress and optimize sustainable production efficiency" through principles of social buffering. Our approach utilizes a variety of traditional and novel laboratory techniques to objectively measure behavioral and physiological distress responses, including classic ethological field observation, video analysis of social, stress and pain-related behaviors, hair cortisol analysis as an indicator of chronic stress, mixed model statistical analysis and social network visual analysis. During Year 3, we continued to reach beef cattle caretakers and management personnel at a commercial feedyard, a commercial livestock market and the university research farms, as we continued our experimental work for Objectives 2 and 3. Changes/Problems: We applied for a second no-cost extension, to allow additional time for us to complete the project. Our productivity had been negatively impacted by covid-19 during earlier reporting periods for this award. We also experienced subsequent delays due to scheduling with the commercial farm following COVID, as well as personnel changes due to injury and clinical training of the PhD student. No further problems were experienced during 2023-2024, and we are pleased with our progress on all objectives for this project. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Caleb Brezina began participating in this project as a veterinary summer research student and transitioned into a concurrent DVM/PhDprogram in the Population Sciences in Animal Health with Dr. Millman as major professor. Following his DVM graduation in May 2023, Dr. Brezina transitioned into a full time doctoral student, taking ownership of the remaining behavior and cortisol aspects of Objective 2, as well as the study design and execution of Objective 3. He presented results at several conferences, and has created a work plan for completing his board exams for the American College of Animal Welfare. Rance Musco received his coursework MS in Preventive Veterinary Medicine in May 2024, and studied the chute behavior of calves in Objective 2 for his creative component. Caitlin Stover worked on Objective 2 during her MS studies in Biomedical Sciences, collecting behavior data for her Creative Component project Veterinary students Jordan Schroeder, Wan-Lin Chen, Phoebe Rosen and Olivia Saul provided technical assistance during summer 2023 and as part-time research assistants during the academic year 4 undergraduate students provided part-time technical assistance for Objective 2: Jacob Gustafson, Hannah Breyfogle, Maryam Krauss and Hsin Hsu. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Results from Objectives 1, 2 and 3 were disseminated through scientific conferences, including American Association of Bovine Practitioners, National Veterinary Summer Scholar Symposium and abstracts were submitted to the American Society for Animal Science 2024 Annual Meeting Results from Objectives 1, 2 and 3 were informally discussed with beef producers and bovine veterinarians during extension events, including Iowa Farm Animal Care advisory board meeting, Iowa Veterinary Medical Association annual meeting and college and department external review/advisory board meetings. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Objective 1: One manuscript is in preparation for a peer reviewed journal. Objective 2: We plan to complete the cortisol assays and analyse the behavior, performance and physiological data. We will present results at scientific and producer meetings, including American Society for Animal Science, Bovine Respiratory Disease Symposium and Academy of Veterinary Consultants. Three manuscripts are in preparation Objective 3: Complete data collection when the final cohort of cattle is slaughters. Complete behavior and cortisol data collection. Analyse performance, behavior, physiological data analysis and manuscript preparation. We will present preliminary results at scientific and producer meetings.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The following accomplishments were made during the2023-2024 period: Objective 1: Animal trials are complete and all data has been completed and analyzed, with a new analysis for postweaning data. Presentations of postweaning research findings were presented at the American Association of Bovine Practitioners conference in September 2023 in Milwaukee. Objective 2: Animal trials are complete Health and performance data has been analyzed and presented at conferences Pain and agonistic behavioral data has been collected from video recordings (April 2024), and is currently being analyzed. One conference abstract was submitted to ASAS for July 2024. Proximity data to analyze social bonds between cattle immediately following commingling events was collected (March 2024). Two MS coursework MS creative components were associated with this work, and presented their creative component seminars to the college during Spring 2023 and Fall 2024. Techniques to analysing hair cortisol were developed with a new collaborator, who has been using this approach with human patients. Modifications to the procedures were required to accommodate structural differences in cattle hair. PhD student Brezina provided initial drafts of one manuscript, reporting production and health outcome data for calves housed with familiar and unfamiliars penmates. The manuscript is under revision following comments and refinements by PI Millman. Two additional manuscripts associated with agonistic and pain behavior data are in preparation by PhD student Brezina. Objective 3: · The last cohort of calves was enrolled in September 2023. In total we enrolled 300 calves. · Performance, health and behavior data were collected for the post-arrival transition period. · Plasma and hair samples have been frozen for future cortisol analysis. · Final data collection will occur when the commercial feedlot manager ships the last cohort of cattle to slaughter around June/July 2024.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Millman* ST, 2024. Does social buffering enhance animal welfare and performance when beef calves are commingled in feedlot environments? USDA AFRI Welfare of Agricultural Animals Program  A1251, 2024 Annual Project Directors Meeting. Virtual Meeting, April 23-24, 2024.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Parsons* RL, Robbins JA, Dewell RD, Dewell GA, Johnson AK, Haley DB, Millman ST, 2023. Sociality in pre- and post-wean beef calves. 56th Annual Conference American Association of Bovine Practitioners, Milwaukee, WI, Sept. 21-23, 2023. Spoken Paper.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Roscio* C, Parsons RL, Dewell GA, Dewell RD, Johnson AK, Haley DB, Millman ST, 2023. Do beef calves prefer to be in proximity of familiar calves following arrival and mixing at a feedyard? 17th Symposium on Undergraduate Research & Creative Expression, Iowa State University. Oral Presentation, Abstract IV.A.3.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Schroeder* JS, Parsons RL Brezina CM, Dewell GA, Dewell RD, Johnson AK, Haley DB, Millman ST, 2023. The effect of castration on social behavior between familiar cohorts of weaned beef cattle after commingling. 2023 Research Day, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ames IA, 16 August 2023. Poster Presentation.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Schroeder* JS, Parsons RL Brezina CM, Dewell GA, Dewell RD, Johnson AK, Haley DB, Millman ST, 2023. The effect of castration on social behavior between familiar cohorts of weaned beef cattle after commingling. 2022 National Veterinary Summer Scholar Symposium, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Aug. 3-5, 2023. Poster Presentation.


Progress 06/01/22 to 05/31/23

Outputs
Target Audience: Beef producers: During the 2022 - 2023 reporting period, we continued to reach beef cattle caretakers and management personnel at a commercial feedyard and a commercial livestock market as we enrolled cattle for Objective 3. Academics: During the 2022 - 2023 reporting period, we presented our research findings in presentations at Iowa State University student and reseaech symposia (2), national (1) and international (3) professional meetings (see Products) Changes/Problems:A no-cost extension was requested to accommodate changes in personnel and delays due to COVID-19. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Caleb Brezina began participating in this project as a veterinary summer research student and transitioned into a concurrent DVM/PhDprogram in the Population Sciences in Animal Health with Dr. Millman as major professor. His primary focus was Objective 2 during this period, and his involvement was limited due to his senior clinical year in the veterinary curriculum. He presented results at several conferences, and a contract was created for him to transition to a graduate research assistantships in Summer 2023. 2 additional veterinary students [Wan-Lin Chen, Phoebe Rosen] provided technical assistance during summer 2022 and as part-time research assistants during the academic year Three coursework Masters students in Biomedical Sciences participated in the study, collecting behavior data for their Creative Component project: Gabrielle Burke, Carter Nachreiner, Caitlin Stover 4 undergraduate students provided part-time technical assistance for Objective 2: Clarisse Roscio, Jacob Gustafson, David Prochaska, Olivia Saul How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Results from Objectives 1 and 2 were informally discussed with beef producers and bovine veterinarians during extension events, including Iowa Farm Animal Care advisory board meeting, Iowa Veterinary Medical Association annual meeting and college and department external review/advisory board meetings. Several presentations were made at scientific conferences by the research team, including graduate, undergraduate and veterinary students as described in the Products section What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Submit manuscriptfor Objective 1. Complete data collection for Objective 2, and draft manuscript. Complete animal trials and data collection for Objective 3.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The following accomplishments were made during the 2022-2023 period: Objective 1 is complete, and the manuscript is in preparation Objective 2: Animal trials are complete and data for the health and performance outcomes were presented at scientific conferences. Ethograms were created and student researchers trained for behavior data collection from the videorecordings collected of the home pen and processing chute. Specifically, data collection has begun for (1) continuous sampling of calf behavior prior to and following castration surgery to determine effects of social bonds on pain and recovery, (2) continuous sampling of agonistic behavior between calves following the commingling event, (3) instantaneous scan sampling for calfproximity as a measure of social bonds. Objective 3: Enrollmentbegan on the commercial farm with cooperations of the livestock market. Two cohorts of calves were enrolled, and trail cams installed for collection of proximity data.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Chen* WL, Brezina CM, Parsons RL, Dewell GA, Dewell RD, Johnson AK, Haley DB, Millman ST, 2022. Does the presence of familiar calves affect pain response associated with castration in the feedlot? 2022 Research Day, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, Aug. 16, 2022. Poster.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Chen* WL, Brezina CM, Parsons RL, Dewell GA, Dewell RD, Johnson AK, Haley DB, Millman ST, 2022. Does the presence of familiar calves affect pain response associated with castration in the feedlot? 2022 National Veterinary Summer Scholar Symposium, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis MN, Aug. 3-6, 2022. Poster.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Brezina* CM, Dewell GA, Dewell RD, Parsons RL, Johnson AK, Haley DB, Millman ST, 2022. Evidence of social buffering benefits to castration stress in beef calves housed with familiar pen-mates. 55th International Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology, Ohrid, North Macedonia, Sept. 4-9, 2022. Oral presentation
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Brezina* CM, Dewell GA, Dewell RD, Parsons RL, Johnson AK, Haley DB, Millman ST, 2022. Evidence of social buffering benefits to castration stress in beef calves housed with familiar pen-mates. International Beef Cattle Welfare Symposium, Michigan State University (Virtual), April 27, 2022. Spoken presentation.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Brezina CM, Dewell GA, Dewell RD, Parsons RL, Johnson AK, Haley DB, Millman* ST, 2022. Commingling beef calves Is there an impact from familiarity with penmates on performance and activity in beef calves transitioning to a feedyard system? 14th North American Regional Meeting of the International Society for Applied Ethology, University of California, Davis CA, April 29-30, 2022. Poster presentation.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Roscio* C, Parsons RL, Dewell GA, Dewell RD, Johnson AK, Haley DB, Millman ST, 2023. Do beef calves prefer to be in proximity of familiar calves following arrival and mixing at a feedyard? 17th Symposium on Undergraduate Research & Creative Expression, Iowa State University, April 20, 2023. Oral Presentation, Abstract IV.A.3.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Submitted Year Published: 2023 Citation: Parsons* RL, Robbins JA, Dewell RD, Dewell GA, Johnson AK, Haley DB, Millman ST, submitted. Sociality in pre- and post-wean beef calves. 56th Annual Conference American Association of Bovine Practitioners, Milwaukee, WI, Sept. 21-23, 2023. Spoken Paper.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Millman* ST, 2023. USDA AFRI Welfare of Agricultural Animals Program  A1251, 2023 Annual Project Directors Meeting. Virtual Meeting, May 23-24, 2023.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Schroeder* JS, Parsons RL Brezina CM, Dewell GA, Dewell RD, Johnson AK, Haley DB, Millman ST, 2023. The effect of castration on social behavior between familiar cohorts of weaned beef cattle after commingling. 2023 Research Day, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ames IA, 16 August 2023. Poster Presentation.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Parsons* RL, Robbins JA, Dewell RD, Dewell GA, Johnson AK, Haley DB, Millman ST, 2023. Sociality in pre- and post-wean beef calves. 56th Annual Conference American Association of Bovine Practitioners, Milwaukee, WI, Sept. 21-23, 2023. Spoken Paper.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Schroeder* JS, Parsons RL Brezina CM, Dewell GA, Dewell RD, Johnson AK, Haley DB, Millman ST, 2023. The effect of castration on social behavior between familiar cohorts of weaned beef cattle after commingling. 2022 National Veterinary Summer Scholar Symposium, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Aug. 3-5, 2023. Poster Presentation.


Progress 06/01/21 to 05/31/22

Outputs
Target Audience:This proposal was developed through consultation with commercial beef feedyard operators, with the goal of enhancing the sustainability and minimizing the ecological footprint associated with beef production. The results from this proposal have application to cow-calf, feedyard and livestock market agricultural businesses working within conventional and organic production systems. Specifically, we will create knowledge about the ontogeny of social behavior in beef calves, and how concepts of social networks and social buffering may be applied to enhance health, performance and animal welfare of feeder beef cattle. At the end of this project, our results will inform evidence-based guidance to mitigate stressors associated with commingling of beef feeder cattle. The objectives of this proposal correspond with the AFRI Animal Health and Production and Animal Products Program, specifically with respect to Priority Area Code A1251, Animal Well-Being. Within this Program Area, this proposal is consistent with "evaluation of current management practices" in relation to commingling of feeder calves. We will also explore "development of new management practices that reduce animal stress and optimize sustainable production efficiency" through principles of social buffering. Our approach utilizes a variety of traditional and novel laboratory techniques to objectively measure behavioral and physiological distress responses, including classic ethological field observation, video analysis of social, stress and pain-related behaviors, hair cortisol analysis as an indicator of chronic stress, mixed model statistical analysis and social network visual analysis. During Year 3, we continued to reach beef cattle caretakers and management personnel at a commercial feedyard, a commercial livestock market and the university research farms, as we initiated our experimental work for Objectives 2 and refined approach for Objective 3. However, our efforts to connect with our target audience continued to be significantly impaired by covid-19. Changes/Problems:Our productivity continued to be negatively impacted by covid-19 during this period We are requesting a No Cost Extension to accommodate the delays in Objectives 2 and 3. Scheduling Objective 2 research at the ISU Beef Nutrition Farm was challenged by many delayed projects from 2020-2021, and competition for the space available. However, we were able to initiate Objective 2 and enroll 102 calves, and anticipate enrolling the remaining cohorts in 2023. In June 2021, one co-PD was seriously injured during a cattle handling accident, and has been on medical leave. The loss of this investigator significantly impacted our team in terms of expertise and contributions to all aspects of Objectives 2 and 3. Staffing responsibilities were adjusted for Objective 2, and we were able to continue animal trials in this reporting period. Initiation of Objective 3 was delayed, with animal enrollment beginning in June 2022. The commercial feedyard collaborating with our team for Objective 3 modified their business plan to focus only on heifers, and male calves are no longer purchased. We view this as a blessing in disguise, since an identified limitation of proposal was lack of scrutiny commingling effects on heifers. Castration was not a component of Objective 3, and so we believe this change does not significantly impact the hypotheses, approach or impact of this aspect of the study. The social relationships between calves in the Objective 1 cow-calf study included both heifers and bulls, providing nice flow of ideas through the intensive study of weaned bull calves in Objective 2 (pre- and post-castration) and the field study of weaned calves (now all heifers) in a commercial feedyard. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Dr. Jesse Robbins finished his contract with ISU in June 30, 2021. He is now working as a private consultant in Central Iowa. Caleb Brezina began this reporting period as a veterinary summer research student and transitioned into a concurrent DVM/graduate program in the Population Sciences in Animal Health with Dr. Millman as major professor. His primary focus was Objective 2 during this period, working full time during summer 2021 and part-time in the remainder of this period. We provided research experience to 7 undergraduate/veterinary students as part-time research assistants, during which they developed a variety of technical skills associated with field research, data acquisition,cattle handling and processing, They developed knowledge about experimental design, behavior and veterinary research, and beef cattle production. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Preliminary results from Objective 2 were reported in scientific conferences during this period, including an oral presentation at the International Beef Cattle Welfare Symposium (virtual event), North American Regional Meeting of the International Society for Applied Ethology (Davis, CA) and ISU College of Veterinary Medicine Research Day (Ames, IA). An abstract was accepted for the International Congress of the ISAE for Fall 2022. Results from Objectives 1 and 2 were informally discussed with beef producers and bovine veterinarians during extension events, including Iowa Farm Animal Care advisory board meeting, Iowa Veterinary Medical Association annual meeting and college and department external review/advisory board meetings. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Objective 1: We plan to submit a manuscript to a peer reviewed journal. Objective 2: We plan to complete the behavior observations from videorecordings of the cohorts enrolled thus far, and present results at scientific and producer meetings. Objective 3: We will enroll cohorts and begin data collection. We will present preliminary results at scientific and producer meetings.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1: A manuscript is in preparation Objective 2: During this period, we enrolled 102 bull calves from 23 source farms. Animals were housed at the ISU Beef Nutrition Farm, with each pen (n=17) consisted of 3 familiar (F) calves from the same source farm and 3 unfamiliar (U) calves from different source farms. Feed intake was collected using the GroSafe system. Calves were processed weekly, during which plasma cortisol samples were collected and behavior in the handling chute was videorecorded. Outcomes included chute calf order into the handling chute, calf vocalizations in the chute, exit speed, and ADG. Calves were surgically castrated on day 14, and castration wound healing was scored by direct observation on days 21 and 28. Home pen behavior was video-recorded, and behavior data is being collected using Noldus The Observer XT software. Based on our preliminary data, we found no evidence F calves stayed in closer proximity to one another than U during handling events (p≥0.11). However, F calves vocalizations less (p=0.01) and exited faster (p≤0.02) than U calves on Day 21 when castration effects were greatest; other handling days did not differ. Additionally, F calves showed a higher post-castration ADG than U calves at D21 (p≤0.02). Based on our preliminary results, we found some evidence suggestive of social buffering benefits for F calves in response to castration stress. Objective 3: During this period, we updated and refined our experimental design and protocols based on the current practices of our commercial feedyard partner and the participating livestock markets management. Enrollment of the first cohort is expected June 2022.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Submitted Year Published: 2022 Citation: Brezina* CM, Dewell GA, Dewell RD, Parsons RL, Johnson AK, Haley DB, Millman ST, submitted. Evidence of social buffering benefits to castration stress in beef calves housed with familiar pen-mates. 55th International Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology, Ohrid, North Macedonia, Sept. 4-9, 2022.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Brezina CM, Dewell GA, Dewell RD, Parsons RL, Johnson AK, Haley DB, Millman ST, 2022. Commingling beef calves Is there an impact from familiarity with penmates on performance and activity in beef calves transitioning to a feedyard system? 14th North American Regional Meeting of the International Society for Applied Ethology, University of California, Davis CA, April 29-30, 2022. Poster presentation.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: o Brezina* CM, Dewell GA, Dewell RD, Parsons RL, Johnson AK, Haley DB, Millman ST, 2022. Evidence of social buffering benefits to castration stress in beef calves housed with familiar pen-mates. International Beef Cattle Welfare Symposium, Michigan State University (Virtual), April 27, 2022. *Spoken presentation.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Brezina, C. M., Dewell, G. A., Dewell, R. D., Parsons, R. L., Johnson, A. K., Haley, D. B., & Millman, S. T., 2021. Are beef calves placed in a herd with familiar cohorts more resilient to stress than unfamiliar calves? National Veterinary Scholars Virtual Symposium. Ames, IA, Aug. 4-6, 2021.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Brezina, C. M., Dewell, G. A., Dewell, R. D., Parsons, R. L., Johnson, A. K., Haley, D. B., & Millman, S. T., 2021. Are beef calves placed in a herd with familiar cohorts more resilient to stress than unfamiliar calves? Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine Veterinary Summer Scholar Research Day, Ames, IA, Aug. 16, 2021.


Progress 06/01/20 to 05/31/21

Outputs
Target Audience: This proposal was developed through consultation with commercial beef feedyard operators, with the goal of enhancing the sustainability and minimizing the ecological footprint associated with beef production. The results from this proposal have application to cow-calf, feedyard and livestock market agricultural businesses working within conventional and organic production systems. Specifically, we will create knowledge about the ontogeny of social behavior in beef calves, and how concepts of social networks and social buffering may be applied to enhance health, performance and animal welfare of feeder beef cattle. At the end of this project, our results will inform evidence-based guidance to mitigate stressors associated with commingling of beef feeder cattle. The objectives of this proposal correspond with the AFRI Animal Health and Production and Animal Products Program, specifically with respect to Priority Area Code A1251, Animal Well-Being. Within this Program Area, this proposal is consistent with "evaluation of current management practices" in relation to commingling of feeder calves. We will also explore "development of new management practices that reduce animal stress and optimize sustainable production efficiency" through principles of social buffering. Our approach utilizes a variety of traditional and novel laboratory techniques to objectively measure behavioral and physiological distress responses, including classic ethological field observation, video analysis of social, stress and pain-related behaviors, hair cortisol analysis as an indicator of chronic stress, mixed model statistical analysis and social network visual analysis. During Year 2, we continued to reach beef cattle caretakers and management personnel at a commercial feedyard, a commercial livestock market and the university research farms, as we planned our experimental work for Objectives 2 and 3. However, our efforts to connect with our target audience were significantly impaired by covid-19. Changes/Problems:Activities during this period were significantly impacted by covid-19, which prevented initiation of animal trials associated with Objectives 1 & 2. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Postdoc Dr. Jesse Robbins continued to work on this project until June 30, 2021. He is now working as a private consultant in Central Iowa. 3 veterinary summer students provided part-time technical assistance to the project in May 2021. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Activities during this period were significantly impacted by covid-19, which prevented initiation of animal trials associated with Objectives 1 & 2. We look forward to progressing on all goals in the coming year.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1 - analysis of the post-weaning behavior data was performed from the summer 2019 cow-calf trial. An abstract was prepared, but was not submitted since all scientific conferences were cancelled during this period due to covid-19. Objective 2 - Animal trials were delayed during the majority of this reporting period due to covid-19. We were able to initiate the trial in May 2021 with our first cohort of 39 bull calves arriving at the ISU Beef Nutrition Farm. Objective 3 - Animal trials were delayed during this reporting period due to covid-19.

Publications


    Progress 06/01/19 to 05/31/20

    Outputs
    Target Audience:This proposal was developed through consultation with commercial beef feedyard operators, with the goal of enhancing thesustainability and minimizing the ecological footprint associated with beef production. The results from this proposal haveapplication to cow-calf, feedyard and livestock market agricultural businesses working within conventional and organicproduction systems. Specifically, we will create knowledge about the ontogeny of social behavior in beef calves, and howconcepts of social networks and social buffering may be applied to enhance health, performance and animal welfare of feederbeef cattle. At the end of this project, our results will inform evidence-based guidance to mitigate stressors associated withcommingling of beef feeder cattle.The objectives of this proposal correspond with the AFRI Animal Health and Production and Animal Products Program,specifically with respect to Priority Area Code A1251, Animal Well-Being. Within this Program Area, this proposal is consistentwith "evaluation of current management practices" in relation to commingling of feeder calves. We will also explore"development of new management practices that reduce animal stress and optimize sustainable production efficiency" throughprinciples of social buffering. Our approach utilizes a variety of traditional and novel laboratory techniques to objectivelymeasure behavioral and physiological distress responses, including classic ethological field observation, video analysis ofsocial, stress and pain-related behaviors, hair cortisol analysis as an indicator of chronic stress, mixed model statistical analysisand social network visual analysis. During Year 1, we reached beef cattle caretakers and management personnel at a commercial feedyard, a commercial livestock market and the university research farms, as we planned our experimental work and carried out Objective 1. In addition, a conference abstract and poster associated with Objective 1 were presented to scientific researchers, students and industry/exhibitors at the Midwest ASAS/ADSA meeting in Omaha, NE. A second abstract was submitted to the International Beef Cattle Welfare Symposium, but the meeting was cancelled due to COVID-19. Changes/Problems:Animal trials were cancelled in summer 2020, and delayed for the remainder of Year 2 as a result of the changing COVID-19 outbreak. We have received institutional permission to initiate animal trials associated with Objective 3, and the commercial feedyard collaborating on this project is keen for us to begin installing the videosystem for this aspect of the study. Since this feedyard changed the livestock market from which they source calves, we are initiating discussions with the new supplier in regard to logistics of the experimental work, and expect to begin enrolling calves in Fall 2020. Beef cattle trials for most ISU researchers were delayed due to COVID-19, and we are in negotiations with the ISU research farm managers to determine when facilities and animals will be available for Objective 2 of our study. We anticipate enrolling calves in spring 2021. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project included training and professional development for one postdoctoral scientist. Dr. Robbins served as lead researcher for Objective 1, performing the field-based ethological study, and presenting the research at a scientific conference. This project also involved training for two part-time/summer student research assistants in Year 1. In addition, this project is providing opportunity for new research direction and statistical approaches to investigation of social behavior for the faculty and professional scientists on the team. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?One poster was presented at a scientific conference in March 2020. Additional conference abstracts and presentations were planned for 2020, including animal science, applied ethology, International Beef Welfare Symposium and American Association of Bovine Practitioners, but are on hold due to COVID-19 travel restrictions and conference cancellations. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Planning is underway for initiation of Objectives 2 and 3, in which we will begin enroling calves in Spring 2021 and Fall 2020, respectively. Manuscript preparation is underway for the research associated with Objective 1. We anticipate presenting our results at scientific, extension and producer meetings in Year 2, as well as the USDA Principal Investigators meeting for the Animal Well-being section.

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1 - Planning is underway for initiation of Objectives 2 and 3, in which we will begin enroling calves in Spring 2021 and Fall 2020, respectively.

    Publications

    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2020 Citation: " Robbins JR, Parsons RL, Dewell GA, Haley DB, Johnson AK, Dewell RD, Millman ST, 2020. An exploration of sociality among pre-weaned beef calves. American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) Midwest Annual Meeting, Omaha, NE, Mar. 2-4, 2020. [Poster]