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Sitz T, DelCurto-Wyffels H, Van Emon M, Wyffels S, Retallick K, Tarpoff E, Kangas K, DelCurto T. Importance of Foot and Leg Structure for Beef Cattle in Forage-Based Production Systems. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13030495. [PMID: 36766384 PMCID: PMC9913362 DOI: 10.3390/ani13030495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the relationship of foot angle and claw set to beef cattle structural soundness will be critical to the selection of animals that fit forage-based production systems. In an effort to address concerns about foot and leg structure, the American Angus Association's foot angle and foot claw set expected progeny differences (EPD) were developed in 2019. As a result, these relatively new EPD and associated guidelines have limited phenotypic data submitted thus far. While ample research has evaluated lameness and foot issues in the dairy breeds, less is known about the factors that affect foot structure in beef cattle. This review focuses on beef cattle foot and leg structure, selection factors that may have led to increased problems with feet and legs, and the importance of foot and leg structure in forage-based grazing production systems. Specifically, the importance of locomotion and freedom of movement in extensive rangeland environments is discussed relative to the current literature. In addition, environmental factors that may influence foot and leg structure are addressed as well as heritability of various aspects of foot and leg traits. Where possible, information gaps and research needs are identified to enhance further investigation and the improvement of foot and leg selection tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylre Sitz
- Department of Animal Science, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | | | - Megan Van Emon
- Department of Animal Science, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Sam Wyffels
- Department of Animal Science, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | | | | | - Kurt Kangas
- American Angus Association, Saint Joseph, MO 64506, USA
| | - Tim DelCurto
- Department of Animal Science, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
- Correspondence:
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Chemical Composition and In Situ Degradability of Desmanthus spp. Forage Harvested at Different Maturity Stages. FERMENTATION-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/fermentation8080377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This study evaluated the change in nutritive value and in situ degradability of Desmanthus spp. (desmanthus) cultivars JCU2; D. virgatus, JCU4; D. bicornutus and JCU7; D. leptophyllus harvested at varying maturity stages to test the hypothesis that the nutritive value and in situ degradability of desmanthus differ between cultivars and with maturity stage at harvest. In Experiment 1, desmanthus was harvested at 11, 38, 72 and 103 days of regrowth (maturity), separated into the leaf and stem portion, dried and analysed for dry matter (DM) and chemical composition. In Experiment 2, desmanthus was harvested 78, 122 and 168 days after planting (maturity). Samples were dried, and DM, crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) degradation were determined using the in situ technique with three fistulated Droughtmaster steers. The results showed an interaction between cultivar and maturity on the leaf to stem mass ratio, leaf CP, stem NDF and the leaf ADF (p ≤ 0.04). The leaf-to-stem mass ratio declined more steeply with maturity in JCU7 compared to JCU2 and JCU4 (p = 0.04), while there was a higher decline in leaf CP of JCU4 than JCU2 and JCU7 (p < 0.01). The total potentially degradable fraction of DM and CP did not differ between cultivars (p ≥ 0.30) but declined with maturity (p ≤ 0.04). However, the effective DM degradability at a high particle outflow rate was higher in JCU4 than in JCU7. Taken together, these results indicate that differences exist between cultivars, and higher livestock production may be achieved by utilising the different cultivars in a blend and at earlier maturity stages. Therefore, the hypothesis that nutritive value and in situ degradability of desmanthus differ between cultivars and with maturity stage at harvest was accepted.
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Parsons CT, Dafoe JM, Wyffels SA, DelCurto T, Boss DL. Influence of Residual Feed Intake and Cow Age on Dry Matter Intake Post-Weaning and Peak Lactation of Black Angus Cows. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:1822. [PMID: 34207267 PMCID: PMC8234949 DOI: 10.3390/ani11061822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We evaluated heifer post-weaning residual feed intake (RFI) classification and cow age on dry matter intake (DMI) at two stages of production. Fifty-nine non-lactating, pregnant, (Study 1) and fifty-four lactating, non-pregnant (Study 2) commercial black Angus beef cows were grouped by age and RFI. Free-choice, hay pellets were fed in a GrowSafe feeding system. In Study 1, cow DMI (kg/d) and intake rate (g/min) displayed a cow age effect (p < 0.01) with an increase in DMI and intake rate with increasing cow age. In Study 2, cow DMI (kg/d) and intake rate (g/min) displayed a cow age effect (p < 0.02) with an increase in DMI and intake rate with increasing cow age. Milk production displayed a cow age × RFI interaction (p < 0.01) where both 5-6-year-old and 8-9-year-old low RFI cows produced more milk than high RFI cows. For both studies, intake and intake behavior were not influenced by RFI (p ≥ 0.16) or cow age × RFI interaction (p ≥ 0.21). In summary, heifer's post-weaning RFI had minimal effects on beef cattle DMI or intake behavior, however, some differences were observed in milk production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cory T Parsons
- Northern Agricultural Research Center, Montana State University, Havre, MT 59501, USA
| | - Julia M Dafoe
- Northern Agricultural Research Center, Montana State University, Havre, MT 59501, USA
| | - Samuel A Wyffels
- Northern Agricultural Research Center, Montana State University, Havre, MT 59501, USA
| | - Timothy DelCurto
- Department of Animal and Range Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Darrin L Boss
- Northern Agricultural Research Center, Montana State University, Havre, MT 59501, USA
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Parsons CT, Dafoe JM, Wyffels SA, DelCurto T, Boss DL. The Influence of Residual Feed Intake and Cow Age on Beef Cattle Performance, Supplement Intake, Resource Use, and Grazing Behavior on Winter Mixed-Grass Rangelands. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:1518. [PMID: 34071121 PMCID: PMC8224646 DOI: 10.3390/ani11061518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to evaluate the influence of RFI and cow age on the supplement intake and grazing behavior of beef cattle. Average daily supplement intake (kg/cow/d) displayed an RFI × cow age interaction (p < 0.01), with a linear increase in average daily supplement intake with increasing RFI of 3-year-old cows (p < 0.01). Average daily supplement intake (g ∙ kg BW-1 ∙ d-1) displayed an RFI × cow age interaction (p < 0.01), with a quadratic effect on supplement intake of 3-year-old cows (p = 0.01). Cow age displayed a quadratic effect on variation of supplement intake (p < 0.01), where 1-year-old cows had a greater CV of supplement intake than all other cow ages (p < 0.01). Distance traveled displayed a cow age × RFI interaction (p = 0.02), where high-RFI 5-year-old cows traveled further per day than low 5-year-old RFI cows. The probability of grazing site selection was influenced by cow age (p ≤ 0.03). In summary, heifer post-weaning RFI had minimal effects on beef cattle performance, grazing behavior, or resource utilization; however, cow age impacted both grazing behavior and resource use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cory T Parsons
- Northern Agricultural Research Center, Montana State University, Havre, MT 59501, USA
| | - Julia M Dafoe
- Northern Agricultural Research Center, Montana State University, Havre, MT 59501, USA
| | - Samuel A Wyffels
- Northern Agricultural Research Center, Montana State University, Havre, MT 59501, USA
| | - Timothy DelCurto
- Department of Animal and Range Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Darrin L Boss
- Northern Agricultural Research Center, Montana State University, Havre, MT 59501, USA
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Factors Affecting Site Use Preference of Grazing Cattle Studied from 2000 to 2020 through GPS Tracking: A Review. SENSORS 2021; 21:s21082696. [PMID: 33920437 PMCID: PMC8069350 DOI: 10.3390/s21082696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the behaviour of grazing animals at pasture is crucial in order to develop management strategies that will increase the potential productivity of grazing systems and simultaneously decrease the negative impact on the environment. The objective of this review was to summarize and analyse the scientific literature that has addressed the site use preference of grazing cattle using global positioning systems (GPS) collars in the past 21 years (2000–2020) to aid the development of more sustainable grazing livestock systems. The 84 studies identified were undertaken in several regions of the world, in diverse production systems, under different climate conditions and with varied methodologies and animal types. This work presents the information in categories according to the main findings reviewed, covering management, external and animal factors driving animal movement patterns. The results showed that some variables, such as stocking rate, water and shade location, weather conditions and pasture (terrain and vegetation) characteristics, have a significant impact on the behaviour of grazing cattle. Other types of bio-loggers can be deployed in grazing ruminants to gain insights into their metabolism and its relationship with the landscape they utilise. Changing management practices based on these findings could improve the use of grasslands towards more sustainable and productive livestock systems.
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