COVID-19 effects on horses in-transition: A survey analysis of United States equine industry perspectives

The welfare of unwanted horses presents a significant concern for the equine industry. However, there is a lack of research on how unwanted horses are affected by major crises. The drastic changes that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic presented ample opportunity to investigate how unwanted horses are impacted by challenging circumstances. Study objectives were to evaluate the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the unwanted horse population and determine the current perceptions of horses in-transition. A 23-question online survey designed using QualtricsTM was administered electronically to adults living in the United States. Questions pertained to effects on equine ownership, equine management, event participation, and perceptions of unwanted horses. Frequency analysis combined with Chi-squared analyses and analyses of variance identified the impacts of COVID-19 on horse owners, non-horse owners, and equine professionals. From survey results, equine ownership, management practices, and time spent with horses proved to be unaffected (P < 0.001) by the coronavirus pandemic. A decreased ability to participate in equine events was evident across all groups (P ≤ 0.03). Financial hardship, unmanageable behavior, and injury were cited as leading causes for horses becoming "in-transition." Euthanasia was the transitioning method perceived as most accessible, while donation to an equine program was least accessible. Based on results, the COVID-19 pandemic had negligible impact on the number of unwanted horses in the United States. Long-term effects of COVID-19 on equine ownership and management decisions should be considered to provide a deeper base of knowledge for how major crises affect the horse in-transition population.

Evaluation of citrus fiber as a natural alternative to sodium tripolyphosphate in marinated boneless broiler chicken breast and inside beef skirt (transversus abdominis)

OBJECTIVE

This research was conducted to evaluate the effects of citrus fiber (CF) as a natural alternative to sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) in marinated broiler boneless chicken breast and inside beef skirt on overall retention rate, shear force, and consumer sensory attributes.

METHODS

Five different marinade formulations were targeted to include 0.9% salt, either 0.25% or 0.50% STPP or CF and water on a finished product basis. Water and salt only were considered the negative control (CON). Chicken breasts (n = 14) and inside beef skirt (n = 14) were randomly assigned to a treatment, raw weights recorded and then placed in a vacuum tumbler. Marinated weights were recorded, individually packed, and randomly assigned to either retail display for 10-day retention rate, shear force analysis, cook loss, or consumer sensory panel.

RESULTS

Pickup percentage, and overall retention was similar among treatments for chicken breast and inside beef skirt. Citrus fiber treatments resulted in higher cooking loss compared to the CON in chicken breast; though, CF050 resulted in similar cooking loss compared to STPP025 in inside beef skirt. No differences were found in sensory attributes for chicken breast, however, WBSF data showed CF025 was tougher than CF050, STPP050, and CON. Inside beef skirt with CF050 were least liked overall by the consumer panel.

CONCLUSION

Citrus fiber included in marinades at a lower percentage rate can produce similar texture characteristics, and sensory properties compared with those marinated with STPP.

PSXIV-12 Sources of variation in the nutritive value of hemp seed meal

The 2018 Farm Bill, with its groundbreaking hemp legislation, offered an alternative protein source to livestock producers. Hemp is the agricultural product of Cannabis sativa L. which must contain less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive component common to marijuana. Hemp oil, cold-pressed from C. sativa seed, has been gaining popularity over recent years for its use in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and human food products. Like most oilseeds, this leaves an oilseed meal with a potential for inclusion in livestock feeds. Thus, our objective was to quantify the sources of variation in the nutritive value of hempseed meal. Hempseed meal samples were obtained from commercial oil processing facilities (n = 4). Across these facilities, samples represented 15 independent hempseed meal batches. Our experimental design was a completely randomized design including the random effects of source, batch within source, and replicate within batch by source (laboratory replication). Samples were assayed for NDF, ADF, ADL, CP, and IVTD. Source had no contribution to variance for NDF, ADF, ADL, or CP (P ≥ 0.20). However, batch within source had a significant contribution to variation for NDF (μ = 50.1%; P = 0.01), ADF (μ = 36.8%; P = 0.01), ADL (μ = 12.9%; P &lt; 0.01), and CP (μ = 30.9%; P &lt; 0.01). Irrespective of the differences in nutritive value, there was no contribution to variation (P ≥ 0.23) of any measured effect on IVTD (μ = 53.0%). Results are interpreted to mean that, while variation exists among hempseed meal samples with respect to nutritive value, the viability of hempseed meal as a livestock feed source is strong.

80 Effectiveness of naturally sourced mixed tocopherols as an antioxidant when compared to Bha and Bht in fresh pork sausage

Fresh ground pork products are highly susceptible to deteriorative oxidation due to high fat content and increased surface area exposure of proteins. Recent trends and health concerns among consumers have sparked interest in finding alternatives for synthetic ingredients used for preservation of commercially manufactured processed meats. The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of naturally sourced mixed tocopherols to a mixture of butylated hydroxylanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) on prevention of lipid oxidation and color stability in fresh pork sausage patties. Duplicate batches of pork Boston butt trim and pork back fat were mixed 5:1, respectively, coarse ground, and combined with pork sausage seasoning. Pork mixture was then fine ground and 3175.5 g portions were assigned to one of three treatments: no antioxidants (CON), 0.01% of BHA and 0.01% BHT mixture (SYN), or 0.03% Decanox MTS30P (MTS). Patties (56.7 g) were hand pressed, placed on Styrofoam trays (S4), polyvinyl chloride film overwrapped and positioned in a retail display case. Patties (n = 45) were evaluated for instrumental color (L*, a*, and b*) and display discoloration (1 = very bright, to 8 = tan to brown) in 12-hr intervals for 252 hr. Fifteen patties from each treatment were collected for thiobarbituric acid reactive substance analysis. No differences between treatments (P > 0.05) were found for display discoloration or instrumental color. SYN patties had significantly lower malondialdehyde values (P = 0.047) than both CON and MTS patties at 252 hr. In conclusion, mixed tocopherols were not as effective as synthetic antioxidants in slowing lipid oxidation. However, it can be noted that mixed tocopherols can replace synthetic antioxidants in ground pork sausage and have the same effect on color stability.

113 Influence of cattle stress response to restraint method on artificial insemination pregnancy rates

Activation of physiological stress responses have been associated with decreased pregnancy rates in beef cattle. Therefore, alternative cattle restraint methods have been developed to reduce this negative impact. However, little evidence exists comparing pregnancy outcomes of differing methods. Thus our objective was to determine if a difference was present in pregnancy rate to fixed-time artificial insemination in Bos taurus beef females when using a breeding box (b) versus a squeeze chute (c). Cows and heifers from two separate locations (Virginia Tech University, VT; and R.A. Brown Ranch, RAB) were exposed to FTAI protocols at location of origin while restrained in a squeeze chute (n = 169) or a breeding box (n = 162). Females were exposed to the 7 day Co-Sync + CIDR protocol pre-breeding. At day of breeding, females were randomly assigned to treatment. Immediately following breeding, blood was collected via coccygeal venipuncture for assessment of plasma cortisol concentration using an automated ELISA assay (Immulite 2000 XPi, Siemens). Chute and Exit Score (1–5) were assessed at the time of breeding by a trained technician at each location. Pregnancy was verified thirty days post-breeding via rectal ultrasonography. Pregnancy rate (PROC FREQ) and cortisol (PROC GLIMMIX) were analyzed using SAS version 9.4. Also, a Linear Regression Model (SAS version 9.4) was used to determine relationships between chute score, exit score, and cortisol. It was found that there was no difference in pregnancy rate between the breeding box and the squeeze chute (61.73% vs 64.71%, P = 0.31, respectively). Cortisol showed no difference between b and c (59.44±10.17 vs 58.61±10.16, P = 0.68, respectively). There was no linear relationship between cortisol, exit score, and chute score (P = 0.14). It can be concluded that stress responses are similar between the breeding box and squeeze chute. Therefore females will have similar pregnancy rates when exposed to FTAI in either restraint mechanism.

Comparison of the Biobullet versus traditional pharmaceutical injection techniques on injection-site tissue damage and tenderness in beef subprimals

The incidence and severity of injection-site lesions has decreased since the development of the Beef Quality Assurance program. The objective was to evaluate the route of administration and the pharmaceutical product on the impact on tenderness, collagen concentration, and lesion occurrence in muscles of chucks and rounds. A total of 144 yearling steers (initial BW = 383 +/- 29.4 kg) were selected and transported to Oklahoma State University. Steers were blocked into 2 groups of 72 based on initial BW and were randomly allocated, within block, into pens of 6 head per pen (12 pens per block). Each pen was randomly assigned an injection protocol. On May 19, 2006 (d 0), steers were administered one of the following treatment injections: a standard Biobullet containing 100 mg of ceftiofur sodium (Naxel, Pfizer Inc., New York, NY); a traditional needle and syringe dose of ceftiofur sodium; a standard Biobullet containing BallistiVac infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR; Titanium 5, SolidTech Animal Health, Newcastle, OK); a traditional needle and syringe dose of IBR; a traditional needle and syringe dose of Vira Shield 5 (Grand Laboratories Inc., Freeman, SD); a standard placebo Biobullet; or a traditional needle and syringe dose of sterile water. Percentage of samples with an identifiable lesion did not differ by drug administered or injection method. Warner-Bratzler shear force values of lesion center cores in chucks tended to be different (P = 0.07) from cores from the control steaks and at 2.54 and 5.08 cm away from the lesion center. Lesion centers from the Biobullet-BallistiVac IBR had a Warner-Bratzler shear force value of 7.01 kg, which was greater (P < 0.05) than values for lesion centers from chucks injected with a Biobullet-placebo (6.27 kg) or needle-ceftiofur sodium (5.08 kg). No significant differences (P > 0.10) were observed in the total collagenous connective tissue in samples extracted from the chuck or round. The comparison of lesion site and control (nonlesion site) samples for lipid concentration showed no significant difference (P > 0.10) among treatments in the round. It was concluded the Biobullet did not create a greater occurrence of lesions in the muscles of the chuck and round. The Biobullet is not an appropriate injection method for the round of beef cattle because it caused tissue damage similar to a needle injection. However, the Biobullet can be used effectively in neck (chuck) applications without additional negative effects on tenderness.