I nvited P aper : Nutritional and management considerations for beef cattle experiencing stress-induced inflammation 1 1This article was based on a presentation at the ARPAS Symposium “Understanding Inflammation and Inflammatory Biomarkers to Improve Animal Performance” at the 2016 Joint Annual Meeting, July 19–23, 2016, Salt Lake City, Utah

Productive and physiological responses of lactating dairy cows supplemented with phytogenic feed ingredients

This experiment compared milk production, milk composition, and physiological responses in lactating dairy cows supplemented with or without a mixture of condensed tannins, encapsulated cinnamaldehyde, curcumin, capsaicin, and piperine. Thirty-six lactating, multiparous, pregnant ¾ Holstein × ¼ Gir cows were maintained in a single drylot pen with ad libitum access to water and a total-mixed ration and were milked twice daily (d -7 to 84). On d 0, cows were ranked by days in milk (86 ± 3 d), milk yield (27.8 ± 1.0 kg), body weight (BW; 584 ± 10 kg), and body condition score (BCS; 3.04 ± 0.06) and assigned to receive (SUPP; n = 18) or not (CON; n = 18) 30 g/cow daily (as-fed basis) of Actifor Pro (Delacon Biotechnik GmbH; Steyregg, Austria). From d 0 to 84, SUPP cows individually received (as-fed basis) 15 g of Actifor Pro mixed with 85 g of finely ground corn through self-locking headgates before each milking of the day. Each CON cow concurrently received 85 g (as-fed basis) of finely ground corn through self-locking headgates. Throughout the experimental period (d -7 to 84), cows from both treatments were administered 500 mg of sometribove zinc at 14-d intervals and were monitored daily for morbidity, including clinical mastitis. Individual milk production was recorded daily, whereas milk samples were collected weekly for analysis of milk composition. Cow BW, BCS, and blood samples were also collected weekly. Cows receiving SUPP gained more BCS (P = 0.05) and had greater (P = 0.04) milk yield during the experiment compared with CON cows (0.22 vs. 0.07 of BCS, SEM = 0.05; 29.5 vs. 27.9 kg/d, SEM = 0.5). Milk composition did not differ (P ≥ 0.15) between SUPP and CON cows; hence, SUPP cows also had greater (P ≤ 0.02) production of fat-corrected and energy-corrected milk. Incidence of clinical mastitis did not differ (P ≥ 0.49) between SUPP and CON cows. No treatment differences were also detected (P ≥ 0.21) for serum concentrations of glucose and serum urea N. Mean serum haptoglobin concentration during the experiment was greater (P = 0.05) in CON vs. SUPP cows. Cows receiving SUPP had less (P ≤ 0.04) serum cortisol concentrations on d 21 and 42, and greater (P ≤ 0.05) serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I on d 7, 35, and 63 compared with CON cows (treatment × day interactions; P ≤ 0.02). Collectively, supplementing phytogenic feed ingredients improved nutritional status and milk production of lactating ¾ Holstein × ¼ Gir cows.

Effects of vaccination timing against respiratory pathogens on performance, antibody response, and health in feedlot cattle

Angus × Hereford calves (n = 159; 87 heifers and 72 steers) were ranked by sex, BW, and age, and assigned to one of three vaccination schemes against bovine respiratory disease (BRD): (i) vaccination at weaning (day 0) and revaccination at feedyard arrival (day 30; CON, n = 53), (ii) vaccination 15 d before weaning (day -15) and revaccination 15 d before feedyard arrival (day 15; EARLY, n = 53), and (iii) vaccination 15 d after weaning (day 15) and revaccination 15 d after feedyard arrival (day 45; DELAYED, n = 53). Calves were maintained on pasture from days -15 to 29, transported (day 30) for 480 km to a commercial growing feedyard, and moved (day 180) to an adjacent finishing yard where they remained until slaughter (day 306). Calf BW was recorded on two consecutive days (days -15, -14, 0, 1, 29, 30, 75, 76, 179, and 180), which were averaged for BW gain calculation. Calves were assessed for BRD signs daily from days 0 to 306. Blood samples were collected on days -15, 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, and 75. No treatment effects were detected (P ≥ 0.49) for BW responses and carcass characteristics (P ≥ 0.32). Serum titers against bovine viral diarrhea type 1 were greater (P ≤ 0.05) in EARLY vs. CON and DELAYED from days 15 to 45, and greater (P < 0.01) in CON vs. DELAYED on days 30 and 45. Serum titers against bovine herpesvirus-1 were greater (P < 0.01) in EARLY vs. CON and DELAYED on days 0 and 30, and greater (P < 0.01) in EARLY and CON vs. DELAYED on days 15 and 45. Serum titers against bovine respiratory syncytial virus were greater (P = 0.05) in EARLY vs. CON on day 0, greater (P = 0.04) in CON vs. DELAYED on day 15, and greater (P ≤ 0.03) in EARLY and CON vs. DELAYED from days 30 to 60. Serum titers against parainfluenza3 virus were greater (P ≤ 0.04) in EARLY vs. DELAYED on days 30 and 45, and greater (P < 0.01) in CON vs. DELAYED on day 30. Incidence of BRD was less (P = 0.04) in EARLY vs. CON and DELAYED, and similar (P = 0.99) between CON and DELAYED. Therefore, altering the time of vaccination and revaccination against BRD to provide both doses prior to feedlot entry altered serum antibody responses to BRD pathogens, and alleviated the incidence of this disease in feedlot cattle.

Productive and physiological responses of feeder cattle supplemented with Yucca schidigera extract during feedlot receiving

This experiment evaluated the effects of supplementing a saponin-containing feed ingredient, manufactured from purified extract of Yucca schidigera [Micro-Aid (MA); DPI Global; Porterville, CA], on performance, health, and physiological responses of receiving cattle. A total of 105 recently weaned Angus x Hereford calves (75 steers and 30 heifers), originating from eight cow-calf operations, were obtained from an auction facility on day -2 and road transported (800 km; 12 h) to the experimental facility. Immediately after arrival on day -1, shrunk BW was recorded and calves were grouped with free-choice access to grass hay, mineral supplement, and water. On day 0, calves were ranked by sex, source, and shrunk BW, and allocated to one of 21 pens (5 calves/pen; being one or two heifers within each pen). Pens were assigned to receive a total mixed ration (TMR) and one of three treatments (as-fed basis): (1) 1 g/calf daily of MA (M1; n = 7), (2) 2 g/calf daily of MA (M2; n = 7), or (3) no MA supplementation (CON; n = 7). Calves received the TMR to yield 15% (as-fed basis) orts, and treatments were top-dressed from days 0 to 59. Calves were assessed for bovine respiratory disease (BRD) signs and TMR intake was recorded for each pen daily. Calves were vaccinated against BRD pathogens on days 0 and 21. Final shrunk BW was recorded on day 60, and blood samples were collected on days 0, 2, 6, 10, 14, 21, 28, 34, 45, and 59. ADG was greater (P = 0.03) in M2 vs. M1 and CON (1.53, 1.42, and 1.42 kg/day, respectively), and similar (P = 0.95) between M1 and CON calves. No treatment effects were detected for TMR intake (P = 0.52), whereas feed efficiency was greater (P ≤ 0.05) in M2 vs. M1 and CON calves (213, 200, and 204 g/kg, respectively) and similar (P = 0.40) between M1 and CON calves. No treatment effects were detected (P = 0.39) for diagnosis of BRD signs. The number of antimicrobial treatments required upon BRD diagnosis was greater (P ≤ 0.01) in CON vs. M1 and M2 (1.40, 1.05, and 1.10 treatments, respectively), and similar (P = 0.60) between M1 and M2 calves. No other treatment effects were detected (P ≥ 0.23), including circulating concentrations of hormones and metabolites, serum antibody titers to BRD pathogens, and mRNA expression of innate immunity genes in whole blood. Collectively, results from this experiment suggest that MA supplementation at 2 g/animal daily enhances performance and response to BRD treatment in high-risk cattle during feedlot receiving.

Impact of 24-h feed, water, or feed and water deprivation on feed intake, metabolic, and inflammatory responses in beef heifers

This experiment investigated the effects of 24-h feed or water deprivation on hay intake, metabolic, and inflammatory responses in growing beef heifers. Forty Angus × Hereford heifers were ranked by initial BW (275 ± 6 kg) and age (278 ± 6 d) and randomly allocated to 20 drylot pens (2 heifers/pen). Pens were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 squares (4 × 4; 4 pens/square; a total of 8 animals per square), that were run simultaneously with each containing 4 experimental periods of 17 d each (day -6 to 10). From day -5 to 0 of each period, pens were offered alfalfa-grass hay ad libitum + 454 g of dried distillers grains with solubles (as-fed basis) per heifer daily. On day 0 of each period, pens received 1 of 4 treatments: 1) feed and water deprivation for 24 h (FWD), 2) feed deprivation for 24 h, but regular access to water (FD), 3) water deprivation for 24 h, but regular access to feed (WD), or 4) regular access to feed and water (CON). Treatments were concurrently applied from day 0 to 1. Heifer full BW was collected on day -6 and -5, before (day 0) and after (day 1) treatment application, and on day 3, 6, 9, and 10 of each period. Hay DMI was recorded daily from day -5 to 10. Blood samples were collected on day -5, 0, 1, 3, 6, and 10 of each experimental period. Following treatment application on day 1, BW loss was greater, and BW was less (P < 0.01) in WD, FWD, and FD compared with CON heifers, and similar (P = 0.64) among FWD and FD heifers. No treatment effects were detected (P ≥ 0.21) for final BW and overall ADG. Plasma cortisol concentrations were greater (P < 0.01) in FD and FWD vs. WD and CON on day 1, whereas FD had greater (P < 0.01) plasma cortisol concentration vs. CON, WD, and FWD on day 6 and 10. Serum NEFA concentration was greater (P < 0.01) in FD and FWD vs. WD and CON on day 1, and greater (P < 0.01) in WD vs. CON heifers on day 1. No treatment effects were detected (P = 0.53) for plasma haptoglobin concentration. Plasma ceruloplasmin concentration was greater (P < 0.01) in FD and FWD vs. CON on day 1, and greater (P < 0.01) in FD vs. CON and WD on day 3 and 6. Collectively, feed or water deprivation for 24 h did not impact feed intake and BW gain, whereas metabolic results suggest that feed deprivation stimulates cortisol, NEFA, and ceruloplasmin responses in growing beef heifers.

Reducing prepartum urine pH by supplementing anionic feed ingredients: Effects on physiological and productive responses of Holstein × Gir cows

This study compared physiological and productive parameters in 3/4 Holstein × 1/4 Gir dairy cows receiving a prepartum concentrate containing ammonium chloride to reduce urine pH near 7.0 (CON; n = 17), or a commercial anionic supplement to reduce urine pH near 6.0 (SUPP; n = 17). Nonlactating, multiparous, pregnant cows were assigned to receive SUPP or CON beginning 21 d before expected date of calving. Cows were maintained in a single drylot pen with ad libitum access to corn silage, and individually received their prepartum concentrate once daily (0800 h) before calving. Cows from both treatments completely consumed their concentrate allocation within 30 min after feeding. Cow body weight and body condition score were recorded once weekly, urine pH measured every 3 d, and blood samples collected on d -21, -14, -9, -6, and -3 relative to expected calving date. After calving (d 0), cows were moved to an adjacent drylot pen with ad libitum access to water and a total mixed ration, and were milked twice daily (0600 and 1700 h). Cow body weight and body condition score were recorded once weekly and individual milk production was recorded daily until 30 d in milk (DIM). Blood samples were collected before each milking during the first 5 DIM, as well as at 6, 9, 16, 23, and 30 DIM before the morning milking. Based on actual calving dates, cows received SUPP or CON for (mean ± standard error) 19.2 ± 1.2 and 19.0 ± 0.9 d before calving, respectively. Urine pH was less in SUPP versus CON cows during the last 15 d of gestation (6.12 vs. 7.15, respectively). Milk yield during the first 5 DIM and throughout the experimental period was greater in SUPP versus CON cows (by 20 and 14%, respectively), whereas serum Ca concentrations did not differ between treatments during the first 5 DIM. Serum concentrations of fatty acids were greater in SUPP versus CON cows 3 d before and at calving (by 52 and 22%, respectively), whereas SUPP cows had lower serum glucose and cortisol concentration at calving (by 23 and 27%, respectively). Hence, the SUPP treatment decreased prepartum urine pH near 6.0 in Holstein × Gir dairy cows without depressing concentrate intake compared with CON, although total dry matter intake was not evaluated to fully investigate feed intake responses. Moreover, the SUPP treatment transiently affected serum glucose, fatty acids, and cortisol concentrations near the time of calving, and resulted in greater milk yield during the initial 30 DIM compared with CON.

Physiologic and innate immunity responses to bacterial lipopolysaccharide administration in beef heifers supplemented with OmniGen-AF

Nutritional alternatives to strengthen animal immunocompetence are critical for welfare and productivity in livestock systems, such as beef cattle operations. This experiment evaluated physiological and innate immunity effects of supplementing an immunomodulatory feed ingredient (Omnigen-AF; Phibro Animal Health, Teaneck, NJ, USA) to beef heifers administered bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In total, 8 non-pregnant, non-lactating nulliparous Angus×Hereford heifers (676±4 days of age) were ranked by BW (473±8 kg), and assigned to crossover design containing two periods of 34 days each. Heifers were housed in individual pens and had ad libitum access to meadow foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis L.) hay, water and a granulated commercial vitamin+mineral mix. Within each period, heifers received (as-fed basis) 227 g/day of dried distillers grains including (OMN) or not (CON) 56 g of Omnigen-AF for 34 days. On day 28 of each period (0800 h), heifers received an intravenous bolus dose (0.5 μg/kg of BW, diluted in 5 ml of 0.9% sterile saline) of bacterial LPS (Escherichia coli 0111:B4). Hay DM intake was recorded daily from day 0 to 34. Blood was collected at -1, 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120 and 144 h relative to LPS administration. Heifer intravaginal temperature was recorded every 10 min from -0.5 to 10 h relative to LPS administration. No treatment effect was detected (P=0.35) for hay DM intake during the experiment. No treatment effects were detected (P⩾0.64) for intravaginal temperature and plasma concentrations of tumor necrosis-α, cortisol and haptoglobin, which increased (time effect, P&lt;0.01) for OMN and CON heifers and peaked at 4.5, 2, 4 and 48 h, respectively, after LPS administration. No treatment effects were detected (P⩾0.35) for whole blood mRNA expression of chemokine ligand 5, tumor necrosis-α, cyclooxygenase 2 and interleukin 8, which also increased (time effect, P&lt;0.01) for OMN and CON heifers and peaked at 0.5, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 h, respectively, after LPS administration. Whole blood mRNA expression of interleukin 8 receptor and L-selectin were also similar (P⩾0.61) between OMN and CON heifers, and decreased (time effect, P&lt;0.01) for both treatments reaching nadir levels at 1 and 2.5 h, respectively, after LPS administration. Collectively, OMN supplementation did not modulate the physiological and innate immunity responses of beef heifers to bacterial LPS administration.