Journal of Animal Science

Halloway, J., W.;Baker, J., F.;Chamrad, A., D.;Reardon, P., O.;Varner, L., W.

doi: 10.2527/jas1988.664835xpmid: N/A

Abstract Data were collected on 1,852 calves weaned over a 7-yr period for Brahman × Angus F1, Brahman × Hereford F1 and Santa Gertrudis crossbred females allotted to three range management treatments. These treatments included: 1) high-intensity management involving a six-pasture, one-herd short-duration grazing system with about 20% of range seeded to Buffelgrass, 2) medium-intensity management involving a four-pasture, three-herd deferred rotation with about 10% of range consisting of Buffelgrass and 3) low-intensity management involving continuous grazing of native range. The three treatments resulted in similar (P > .10) weaning weights, although the medium-intensity calves tended to be heavier. Low-intensity management resulted in smaller (P < .05) average cow weights. Under medium-intensity management, cows tended to wean fewer calves over the 7 yr. Santa Gertrudis crossbreds maintained heavier (P < .01) cow weights and tended to be taller than other breeds, although this effect was greatest for medium-intensity management. Santa Gertrudis cows weaned lighter (P < .05) calves in the low-intensity treatment, whereas under medium-intensity management, weaning weights were similar (P > .05). With high-intensity management Brahman-Angus cows weaned heavier (P < .05) calves. The lower the weaning weight, the greater the weaning weight difference between breed types. The F1 breed types apparently were more adapted to nutritional stress than were Santa Gertrudis crossbreds. This content is only available as a PDF. Author notes 1 Texas A&M Res. and Ext. Center, 1619 Garner Field Road, Uvalde. 2 Dept. of Anim. Sci. 3 Present address: Soil Conservation Service, Bismarck, ND 58502. 4 Present address: Chaparrosa Ranches, P.O. Box 489, La Pryor, TX 78872. Copyright 1988 by American Society of Animal Science

Burfening, P., J.

doi: 10.2527/jas1988.664841xpmid: 3378944

Abstract Records from 123,656 Simmental calves (75% and 88% Simmental) were used to study the effect of age of dam on calving ease and birth weight. Calving ease was scored from 1 to 4 (1 = unassisted, 2 to 4 = various levels of assistance). Scores were recorded so that the percentage of assisted births could be calculated. Mean percentage of assisted births and birth weights for each age of dam in months, sex and Simmental percentage subclass were subjected to statistical analysis. Although sex and Simmental percentage occasionally interacted with age of dam for percentage of assisted births, in general, as age of dam increased the percentage of assisted births decreased in dams normally classified as 2-yr-olds (21 mo to 33 mo of age), whereas birth weight remained fairly constant. These results suggest that including age of dam in months in the mixed-model equations for sire evaluation for calving ease could improve the accuracy of these procedures. This content is only available as a PDF. Author notes 2 The author acknowledges the American Simmental Association for providing the data used in this study. Copyright 1988 by American Society of Animal Science

Lary, R., Y.;Byers, F., M.;Cross, H., R.;Schelling, G., T.;Petersen, H., D.

doi: 10.2527/jas1988.664845xpmid: 2837446

Abstract A two-component, nontoxic, quantifiable animal/carcass tracing system was developed using riboflavin as an on-premises, initial carcass identifier visible under longwave ultraviolet (UV) light and deuterium oxide (D2 O) as a tracer analytically quantified via fixed wavelength infrared spectrophotometry. Twenty-four cull cows and heifers were allocated into eight antemortem treatment groups (1, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144 h) for evaluation of the efficacy of riboflavin and D2 O as tissue tracers in postmortem meat tissues. All cattle were slaughtered using conventional procedures and inspection. To study postmortem riboflavin marker changes due to constant light exposure over time, fluorescence and emission intensity scores were obtained by a trained panel 24, 48, and 168 h postslaughter. The riboflavin marker intensity rating means for UV fluorescence were classified as identifiable on all carcasses when evaluated under UV light, but were classified as not identifiable when evaluated under ambient light. Deuterium oxide levels in all tissue water samples, regardless of antemortem infusion group, contained D2 O concentrations at least 2.5 times greater than those found in background water. Deuterium oxide was shown to disperse rapidly throughout living tissues. Correlations within animals for D2 O levels from blood and muscle were all highly significant (r = .99). This content is only available as a PDF. Author notes 2 Meats and Muscle Biol. Section, Dept. of Anim. Sci. 3 Beef Cattle Nutrition and Growth Section, Dept. of Anim. Sci. 4 USDA, ARS, Texas A&M. Copyright 1988 by American Society of Animal Science

Rawlings, N., C.;Howell, W., E.

doi: 10.2527/jas1988.664851xpmid: 3378945

Abstract The induction and management of lambing was studied in a commercial flock of ewes. These ewes were bred at synchronized estrus and managed to lamb three times in 2 yr, with lambings occurring in the sequence of February, September and June. Ewes treated with 2 mg of estradiol benzoate in oil (i.m.) at approximately 17 d prior to term did not lamb in response to treatment. When 2 mg estradiol benzoate was given at 0800 on d 142 of gestation, lambing occurred an average of 37 ± 5 h later in ewes treated in June or September and at 70 ± 10 h later in ewes treated in February. The comparable figures for oil-treated ewes (control) were 70 ± 5 h and 116 ± 9 h, respectively. Altering the time of day of injection or using two injections 24 h apart did not alter the time for injection to lambing. Increasing the dose of estradiol benzoate to 15 mg decreased the time from injection to lambing (43 ± 7 h, ewes treated in February) but also increased the incidence of dystocia (50% incidence). The incidence of dystocia averaged 8% for all other treatments and controls. Death loss of lambs to 1 wk of age was 12% and was not affected by treatment. The length of the lambing period was reduced from 9.0 ± 3.3 d in control ewes to 3.6 ± 1.1 d in induced ewes. A single injection of 2 mg estradiol benzoate given at 0800 on d 142 of gestation or a double treatment, with injections at 2000 on d 142 and 143, resulted in 53% of ewes lambing between 0800 and 1600 on each day of the lambing period, compared with 33% in control ewes. This content is only available as a PDF. Author notes 3 Dept. of Vet. Physiol. Sci. 5 Dept. of Anim. and Poultry Sci. Copyright 1988 by American Society of Animal Science

Gilbert, R., P.;Gaskins, C., T.;Hillers, J., K.;Parker, C., F.;McGuire, T., C.

doi: 10.2527/jas1988.664855xpmid: 3132438

Abstract Presuckle colostral samples and lamb serum samples taken 36 h postpartum were assayed for immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) concentration (mg/ml) using single radial immunodiffusion. Breeds sampled included Polypay (P), Rambouillet (R), Targhee (T), Columbia (C), Finnish Landrace (F) and Finn crosses (Fx). Sources of variation examined in IgG1 concentration in colostrum (dam trait) included dam's sire breed, dam's sire, age of ewe and number of lambs born. All sources of variation were statistically significant. Least-squares means of IgG1 levels for sire breed were 80, 64, 67, 64, 72 and 69 mg/ml for P, R, T, C, F and Fx breed groups, respectively. A fetal stimulus may exist to increase the mass of IgG1 in colostrum available for multiple births (61, 69 and 77 mg/ml for single, twin and triplet, respectively). Ewe age was a significant source of variation because of a high mean concentration of IgG1 in the yearling's colostrum (100 mg/ml), whereas only slight differences occurred between the other age groups (65 to 67 mg/ml), except for the 7-yr older group (53 mg/ml). Sources of variation examined in IgG1 concentration of lamb serum at 36 h postpartum (lamb trait) included lamb's sire breed, lamb's sire, age of dam, birth type and sex, with dam's colostral IgG1 concentration and day born as covariates. Sire within breed, birth type and the two covariates were significant. Least squares means for sire breed were 36, 32, 33, 32, 31 and 32 mg/ml of serum for P, R, T, C, F and Fx groups, respectively. Lamb serum IgG1 decreased as birth type increased. The heritability of IgG1, estimated by paternal half-sib analyses, was .19 ± .12 for colostrum and .18 ± .06 for lamb serum. This content is only available as a PDF. Author notes 2 The authors express their appreciation to J. Cronrath, R. Westly and D. Peterson for their assistance in sample collection and to L. Mirosh for his assistance in the laboratory. 3 Dept. of Anim. Sci. 4 U.S. Sheep Exp. Sta. Current Address: Anim. Sci. Dept., The Ohio State Univ., Columbus, OH 43210. 5 Dept. of Vet. Microbiol. and Pathol. Copyright 1988 by American Society of Animal Science

Hanford, K., J.;Burfening, P., J.;Kress, D., D.;Kachman, S., D.

doi: 10.2527/jas1988.664864xpmid: N/A

Abstract Field records supplied by the American Simmental Association from 2-yr-old dams were used to study maternal grandsire × region of the U.S. and maternal grandsire × herd within region (herd/region) interactions. Regions were 1) Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota, 2) Kansas and Nebraska, 3) Texas and Oklahoma and 4) Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi. Analyses were conducted pair wise with respect to region with the following number of animals in each comparison: 1 (3,964) vs 2 (2,239), 1 (3,996) vs 3 (1,660), 1 (3,418) vs 4 (474), 2 (2,033) vs 3 (1,709), 2 (1,666) vs 4 (443) and 3 (1,372) vs 4 (430). Independent variables were the fixed effects of region, sex of calf, Simmental percentage of the calf (75 to 88%) and the random effects of herd/region, maternal grandsire, maternal grandsire × region and maternal grandsire × herd/region. Records were adjusted to account for the direct effect of maternal grandsire in the maternal grandsire component. Dependent variables were calving ease score, birth weight and 205-d weight. Region was significant in all analyses except for 1 vs 2, 1 vs 3 and 2 vs 3 for calving ease score and 2 vs 3 for birth weight and 205-d weight. Herd/region was significant in all analyses. Maternal grandsire was significant in all analyses for calving ease score and birth weight and for 1 vs 2 for 205-d weight. Maternal grandsire × region was not significant in any analysis. Maternal grandsire × herd/region was significant in four of six analyses for birth weight and 205-d weight, but was not significant in any analysis for calving ease score. Maternal grandsire, maternal grandsire × region interaction and maternal grandsire × herd/region interaction accounted for an average of 4, 0 and 1%; 3, 0 and 5%; and 0, 0 and 3% of the total variation for calving ease, birth weight and 205-d weight, respectively. Genetic correlations of maternal grandsires' progeny performance in different herds ranged from .20 to .74 for birth weight and from .05 to .34 for 205-d weight, indicating significant changes in rank from herd to herd. This content is only available as a PDF. Author notes 2 The authors wish to thank the American Simmental Association for supplying the records used in this study. Copyright 1988 by American Society of Animal Science

Basiouni, G., F.;Gonyou, H., W.

doi: 10.2527/jas1988.664872xpmid: 3378946

Abstract Jackets soaked in birth fluids (BF) and cervical stimulation (CS) were used in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments to determine their usefulness in fostering lambs. Subjects were 39, 3-d-old to 14-d-old lambs to be adopted by 39, 2-d to 7-d postpartum ewes rearing their own single lambs. Birth fluids were collected by drying newborn lambs with cloth jackets. Jackets were frozen for storage and were later thawed and placed on experimental alien lambs. Cervical stimulation was applied by attempting to insert a hand into the cervix of the ewe for 5 min immediately before presentation of an alien lamb. Maternal behavior tests, in both the absence and presence of the ewe's own lamb, were conducted twice daily in a small pen for 2.5 d. On d 3 and 4, lambs were tested in a large pen with three to four other ewes and their lambs. Aggression toward the alien lamb was greater during the first exposure in all treatments. Avoidance and nosing behaviors toward aliens were significantly less, and alien lambs were able to suckle more, when the ewe's own lamb was also present. Lambs receiving BF suckled more and were accepted more often. Cervical stimulation, in the absence of BF, improved acceptance compared with controls. The proportion of ewes accepting alien lambs were 100, 80, 60 and 10% for BF, BF-CS, CS and control treatments, respectively. Alien lambs that were accepted had similar growth rates to weaning as the ewe's own lamb. We conclude that fostering is facilitated by use of jackets soaked in BF and by CS. This content is only available as a PDF. Author notes 1 The authors express their appreciation to A R. Cobb for assistance in managing the experimental animals, R. L. Fernando for statistical advice and D. L. Thomas for comments on the manuscript. 2 Supported by a scholarship from King Faisal Univ., Saudi Arabia. Copyright 1988 by American Society of Animal Science

McGlone, John, J.;Morrow, Julie, L.

doi: 10.2527/jas1988.664880xpmid: 3378947

Abstract One hundred twenty-four prepuberal crossbred pigs were used in a series of behavioral bioassays to determine the minimum dose of androstenone (5α-androst-16-en-3-one) that would reduce the level of agonistic behavior among dyads of newly regrouped pigs. Randomly selected females and castrated males were used in 21-h videotaped observation periods. In Exp. 1, isopropyl alcohol was tested against no aerosol to determine if the vehicle (isopropyl alcohol) influenced agonistic behavior. Level of submissive and aggressive behaviors were similar (P > .10) between treatments. In Exp. 2, vehicle or androstenone in vehicle was sprayed on the snout and head of both pigs at the start of the encounter. Four bioassays were performed with four levels (.05, .5, 5 and 50 µg/pig) of androstenone dissolved in isopropyl alcohol. Sprayed isopropyl alcohol served as a control. At concentrations of .5 and 5 µg/pig, androstenone reduced aggressive behavior (P < .05). Androstenone had no consistent effect on submissive behavior. In Exp. 3, androstenone was sprayed on pigs at the start of the encounter and again at 30, 60 and 90 min after pairs of pigs were mixed. Repeated application of this androgen resulted in levels of agonistic behavior similar to those recorded when nothing was applied (P > .10). A single application of as little as .5 µg androstenone per pig reduced aggressive behavior among prepuberal pigs and, therefore, may be a way of reducing fighting among newly regrouped prepuberal pigs. This content is only available as a PDF. Author notes 1 The authors wish to thank Stanley Harris and his crew for care of the animals and John Drezek and Suzanne McMinn for typing the manuscript. College of Agric. Sci. paper no. T-5-232. 3 Dept. of Anim. Sci. Copyright 1988 by American Society of Animal Science

McGlone, John, J.;Stansbury, W., F.;Tribble, L., F.

doi: 10.2527/jas1988.664885xpmid: 3378948

Abstract Two experiments using 120 sows were conducted to determine the effects during heat stress of two floor types, snout coolers or a water drip system, and a high energy-density diet. During both studies, air temperature was maintained at or above 29° C. Floor types included partially slotted concrete and plastic-coated, expanded metal. In Exp. 1, in addition to floor-type treatments, snout coolers were on or off and the water drip was on for 3 min each 10 min or off. Snout coolers increased (P < .05) sow feed intake and decreased (P < .05) sow lactation weight loss. Water drip increased (P < .002) sow feed intake and reduced lactation weight loss. The drip × floor-type interaction was significant for most measures of piglet performance. Drip was beneficial for piglet weights when piglets were on plastic, whereas drip was detrimental to piglet performance while they were housed on concrete. In Exp. 2, two floor types, drip or no-drip and a high energy-density diet or control diet were examined during heat stress. The high energy-density diet reduced (P < .01) sow feed intake but provided no measurable increase in piglet performance during heat stress. We conclude that water drip is an effective cooling technique for heat-stressed sows, especially when floors are plastic. Snout coolers, partial concrete slots and high energy-density diets provided only minor benefits to heat-stressed sows and were not of benefit to piglets nursing heat-stressed sows. This content is only available as a PDF. Author notes 1 The authors wish to thank Stanley Harris and Benny Carrillo for technical help. College of Agric. Sci. paper number T-5-234. This research supported by state of Texas line item for efficient production of pork. 2 Dept. of Anim. Sci., Behav. Physiol. Lab. Copyright 1988 by American Society of Animal Science

Berry, B., W.;Leddy, K., F.;Bond,, J.;Rumsey, T., S.;Hammond, A., C.

doi: 10.2527/jas1988.664892xpmid: N/A

Abstract Palatability, shear force, cooking and pH properties of beef were evaluated in two trials that compared the effects of feeding either corn concentrate, corn silage, alfalfa silage or orchardgrass silage diets for 112 d before slaughter. Each trial used 48 Angus steers with 12 steers assigned to each diet. The left sides of carcasses in Trial 2 received electrical stimulation. Steaks derived from steers fed the corn concentrate diet were rated highest in tenderness and beef flavor intensity, whereas steaks from steers fed the orchardgrass silage diet had the lowest tenderness and beef flavor intensity and highest shear force values. Differences in sensory properties were minimal between beef from steers fed corn concentrate and those fed corn silage. Electrical stimulation produced tenderness values in silage-fed steers equivalent to those found for steers fed corn concentrate that received no stimulation. Muscle pH decline was more rapid for electrically stimulated sides vs unstimulated sides. Muscle from steers fed orchardgrass silage had the slowest rate of pH decline during chilling. Increased fat gain and decreased protein gain during the feeding period were associated with improved tenderness; however, this relationship was eliminated when the effects of diet were removed. Steaks from silage-fed steers required longer cooking times per 100 g than steaks from steers fed corn concentrate. Feeding an orchardgrass silage diet to slaughter steers likely will produce unacceptable palatability. However, electrical stimulation of carcasses from silage-fed steers appears capable of producing similar tenderness to that obtained without electrical stimulation in steers fed corn concentrate. This content is only available as a PDF. Author notes 1 Meat Sci. Res. Lab., Anim. Sci. Inst. ARS. 2 Present address: Labeling Policy Approval Branch, Standards Labeling Div., FSIS, USDA, Washington, DC 20250. 3 Ruminant Nutr. Lab., Anim. Sci. Inst. 4 Present address: USDA ARS, Subtropical Agric. Res. Sta., Brookfield, FL 34298. 5 This project was a contributing project to Southern Regional Res. Proj. S-123. 6 Mention of trade names does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Copyright 1988 by American Society of Animal Science