Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting: The 2012 meeting was hosted by the University of Florida at Hilton Longboat Key in Sarasota, FL. John Arthington called the meeting to order on Saturday morning, August 25, 2012. A brief overview of the meeting agenda was provided. Administrative Advisor, Larry Curtis, was absent and no administration report was provided. Representation from NIFA was absent and no report was provided. Project presentations by each of the meeting participants followed. Business Meeting: The business meeting was opened by John Arthington, current Chair. A discussion was shared regarding the previous days visit and tour of the Ringling Elephant Center, which was coordinated by Ted Friend. The group recognized the lack of attendance due to, (1) pending hurricane, and 2) August meeting, which is difficult for members teaching classes. The group reiterated their gratitude to Dr. Colin Kaltenbach for his outstanding leadership to the group over three re-writes of the project. John Gaughan is the 2013 Project Chair. The group discussed the potential for meeting in Australia. It was agreed that we should seek to identify another scientific venue occurring in July/August that may further benefit the memberships investment in travel. If Australia is not a possibility, then California Davis was selected as an alternative venue. The date of the 2013 meeting is August 9 -11, 2013. Reinaldo Cooke (OR) was voted the incoming Chair (2014) and will serve as the recording secretary in 2013.

Accomplishments and Impacts: Note that the principal participants are indicated in relation to the state accomplishment and subsequent impact. However, in almost all cases these are multistate collaborative projects and involve one or more W-1622 participants. This is reflected in the List of Publications section that follows. Objective 1: Identify measures of animal stress and well-being and characterize factors affecting the biology of stress and immune responses Accomplishment: (MS, TX, TN, UVI) We have participated in cooperative studies in mammalian (bovine, equine, ovine) and avian species to ascertain the relevance of thermography in providing meaningful end-points of importance to production parameters and physiological indices. Studies ongoing this reporting investigated the use thermography in lameness detection in ungulates, energetics in birds, and included the completion of a long-term study on thermal signatures relative to genetics and hair coat in beef cattle. In addition, we have successfully initiated in vivo imaging in the dairy cow to assess the progression of experimentally induced mastitis in the mammary, in real-time. These are the first to take biophotonic imaging to the field in the dairy cow, and for the monitoring of bacterial pathogenesis as it occurs in vivo. We have also successfully achieved assessments of antibiotic efficacy, in real-time, in vivo in the dairy cow as it occurs. We have also extended our in vitro biophotonics work to the initiation of in vivo stage work for monitoring bacterial progression in the reproductive tract of the dairy cow using laparoscopic methodologies. Accomplishment: (NE) Compared Analytic and Bayesian Approaches for Characterizing Thermal Hysteresis in Cattle Using Algebraic and Geometric Distances. A high ambient temperature poses a serious threat to cattle. Above a certain threshold, an animals body temperature (Tb) appears to be driven by the hot cyclic air temperature (Ta) and hysteresis occurs. Elliptical hysteresis describes the output of a process in response to a simple harmonic input, and the trajectory forms a closed loop. The hysteresis loop shows a rotated elliptical pattern which depends on the lag between Tb and Ta. The objectives of this study are 1) to characterize hysteresis using bootstrapped ellipse specific nonlinear least squares 2) to reformulate models using the Bayesian method, and 3) to assess the contribution of the Bayesian approach by comparing the risks using two metrics: algebraic and geometric. Comparisons and illustrations are made using simulations over three levels of signal strength. For each method; bootstrap and Bayes, both algebraic and geometric distances are compared based on the root mean square distance (RMSE) from fitting the hysteresis loop. Data from a heat stressed steer in a field experiment was analyzed to illustrate and compare the results from each method. Accomplishment: (MN) To evaluate effects of social stress of sows during gestation on behavior and well-being of their offspring, social rank of 120 gestating sows was determined based on outcomes of aggressive interactions after mixing. Effects of social rank on sow stress and well-being was assessed by heart rate, cortisol concentration, injury scores, fear response, body condition, changes in weight and back fat, and reproductive performance. Mortality rate, fear response, and growth performance of piglets during lactation was monitored to evaluate effects of maternal stress on offspring. Preliminary results indicate that low ranking sows tended to have smaller litter size at birth than high ranking sows. Accomplishment: (MN) To evaluate effects of gestation housing systems on well-being and performance of sows, a study was conducted on a large scale commercial swine unit. Well-being of sows was assessed by cortisol concentration, culling rate, mortality rate, and changes in body condition and body weight during gestation. Preliminary results indicate that sows in group-housing systems had higher culling rate due to poor body condition and injuries resulted from aggression than sows in individual stalls. Accomplishment: (FL, OR) Haptoglobin is a major acute phase protein in beef cattle. We collaborated to improve upon a widely utililized biochemical assay for the measurement of haptoglobin in bovine plasma. This improvement resulted in the development and validation of a quantitative mechanism for accurately measuring the mass of haptoglobin in bovine plasma. Accomplishment: (MO) Heat stress studies are often conducted using short-term, controlled laboratory exposures or long-term field exposures. Each approach has limitations, and provide only a partial understanding of complex interactions between simultaneous environmental stressors. We used numerous physiological measures of thermal status to compare responses of cattle to chamber stress tests and naturally occurring field conditions. Telemetric temperature transmitters in the rumen of each animal monitored core temperature. Some variables (e.g., feed intake, sweat rate) showed no change between tests, while others (e.g., rectal temperature) showed adaptation. Ultimately, a new thermal strain index for multiple stressors will be developed that identifies real world adaptation. Accomplishment: (TN, USDA-TX) We collaborated on research aimed at the isolation and purification of corticosteroid-binding globulin from bovine plasma (bCBG), and in the establishment of an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for the direct measure of bCBG. Accomplishment: (NY, HI, MS) We conducted a short intensive study comparing the wetting of udders of lactating cows vs conventional wetting on the backs. Control animals were not wetting. Wetting was following with fan or without fan. Physiological response parameters were respiration rates, rectal temperature by digital thermometer 10 min. following treatment, vaginal temperature by water-temp. probes, dorsal skin temperature by digital infra-red thermometer and infra-red thermography on dorsal skin and udder skin surfaces. The THI during the collection phase was >86.5. The data suggest that udder wetting is just as effective as wetting the backs of cows. For both wetting of body or udder, the respiration rate was significantly lower than control. The utilization of fans further enhanced the effectiveness of cooling following wetting the surfaces and decreased the core body temperatures for body wetting significantly. However, the presence of fan lowered the core body temperature of udder wetted cows but it was not statistically different from control. This may be due to numerous factors; two that comes to mind are: a) direct warm air on the udder which is highly vascular may had cause the core temperature increase and b) the high volume of air from the fan on a smaller surface area, the udder, may dry up the skin thus setting these animals similar state as control cows. Rate of temperature changes (decreasing core body temperatures) following treatment were observed for both treatments whil the core body temperature for control cows were increasing for the period when data were collected. There was a close correlation between virginal and rectal temperature (r2=0.93). Accomplishment: (TX) Fifteen specific immune and inflammatory related genes were identified by Texas A&M from 80 genes that significantly increased in expression after 3  4 days of handling and transportation. Another set of 5 genes significantly increased in expression after 1.5 hours of handling, but did not increase in expression in the calves that were subjected to the 3  4 days of transport and handling. This complements work with acute-phase proteins at other stations (Texas Tech, Oregon, etc.) collaborating with this project as we use the newest technologies to further identify measures of acute and chronic stress in animals. Accomplishment: (USDA-IN, HI) Pre-natal heat load affects bacterial levels and innate immunity in neonatal claves. The behavior analysis neonatal calves from of seasonal UV heat stressed dam compared to winter UV levels showed greater activity and less lying by calves born in winter during the first 2 weeks after birth (IN-HI). Earlier analysis of microbial populations showed greater bacterial counts on the side and udder of cows during the summer and more bacteria in nasal secretions in calves born in the summer. The work was presented at the National American Dairy Science Association and a paper submitted. Accomplishment: (USDA-IN, FL) Effects of rubber flooring during the first two lactations on production, locomotion, hoof health, immune functions, and stress. Heifers were assigned to rubber or concrete flooring for 2 lactations. Besides greater concentrations of white blood cells and lymphocytes and inflammatory cytokines for cows housed on concrete, fibrinogen peaked in early lactation for heifers housed on concrete, but ceruloplamin did not increase at the end of the first lactation as it did for heifers housed on rubber. The paper of rubber flooring for dairy cattle has been submitted. Objective 2: Identify and assess genetic components of animal stress and well-being Accomplishment: (UVI, HI, NY, AZ) Senepol cattle are well adapted to the tropical environment and there is interest in determining what physiological traits contribute to their adaptation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the body temperature and sweating rate of Senepol cows in the tropics. Primiparous (n = 3) and multiparous (n = 7) cows were evaluated in July (2.3 to 11.4 y of age). Three cows were pregnant (6 mo of gestation) at the time of data collection. Temperature data loggers, programmed to record vaginal temperature (VT) at 10-min intervals, were inserted into the vagina of each cow and removed after 72 hr. Rectal temperature measured using a digital veterinary thermometer (RT), eye temperature measured using infrared images of the left eye (IREYE), surface temperature over the rump measured using a hand-held infrared thermometer (IRR), respiration rate measured as breaths per minute (bpm) using visual observation (RR) and sweating rate (SWR) measured at a site on the rump of each cow using a hand-held closed-chamber VapoMeter were collected. Evaporative heat loss (EVHL) was calculated from measured air properties passing over a sample area of the cows body by a Bovine Evaporation Meter. Cows were evaluated over 3 d in the shade and in the sun after a 20 min acclimation to each condition on each day. Data were analyzed using GLM procedures of SAS with sun exposure and time of day as the main effects in the model. Serial VT measurements were analyzed using time and pregnancy status in the model. Mean temperature, relative humidity and THI during the data collection were 28.3 C, 83.7 % and 80.6, respectively. There was no difference (P > 0.10) in SWR or VT between the sun and shade (20.95 ± 2.6 vs. 22.98 ± 2.9 g/m2 and 38.86 ± 0.22 vs. 38.41 ± 0.23 °C, respectively). The IREYE, IRR, RT, RR and EVHL were higher (P < 0.02) in the sun than in the shade (38.87 ± 0.14 vs. 38.19 ± 0.19 °C, 40.16 ± 0.25 vs. 34.64 ± 0.27 °C, 39.15 ± 0.06 vs. 38.93 ± 0.06 °C, 72.4 ± 0.9 vs. 68.1 ± 1.0 bpm and 344.8 ± 13.7 vs. 179.5 ± 14.9 gÏm-2Ïh-1, respectively). Pregnant cows had lower (P < 0.01) RT than open cows (38.88 ± 0.07 vs. 39.12 ± 0.05 °C, respectively). Pregnant cows had higher (P < 0.001) VT than open cows at all times of the day except during the morning (0600 to 1200 h). This work was supported in part by USDA-NIFA #2008-38416-19574 and #2008-34135-19505. Accomplishment: (UVI, HI, NY, AZ) Heat stress is a common problem in livestock production throughout the tropics. Senepol cattle are well adapted to the tropical environment but other Bos taurus breeds are not as well suited for the climate. The objective of this study was to compare the body temperature and sweating rate of Senepol and Charolais x Angus x Senepol heifers. Senepol (SEN; n = 6) and Charolais x Angus x SEN (XBRED; n = 4) nulliparous heifers (1.3 y of age) were used. Temperature data loggers, programmed to record vaginal temperature (VT) at 10-min intervals, were inserted into the vagina of each heifer and removed after 72 hr. Rectal temperature measured using a digital veterinary thermometer (RT), eye temperature measured using infrared images of the left eye (IREYE), surface temperature over the rump measured using a hand-held infrared thermometer (IRR), respiration rate measured as breaths per minute (bpm) using visual observation (RR) and sweating rate (SWR) measured at a site on the rump of each heifer using a hand-held closed-chamber VapoMeter were collected between 1200 and 1430 h. Heifers were evaluated in the shade on d 1 and d 3 and in the sun on d 2 and d 4. Data were analyzed using GLM procedures of SAS with breed, sun exposure and the interaction in the model. Serial VT measurements were analyzed using time and breed in the model. Mean temperature, relative humidity and THI during the data collection were 28.3 C, 83.7 % and 80.6, respectively. There was no difference between SEN and XBRED heifers in IREYE or RR (P > 0.10). The SEN heifers had lower (P < 0.05) VT and RT than XBRED heifers (38.87 ± 0.11 vs. 39.22 ± 0.13 °C and 39.14 ± 0.07 vs. 39.36 ± 0.09 °C, respectively). There was no difference (P > 0.10) in RT or VT between heifers in the sun or shade for both breeds. The VT of SEN heifers in the shade was lower (P < 0.06) than VT of XBRED heifers in sun or shade (38.75 ± .015 vs. 39.22 ± 0.18 °C, respectively). The IRR of SEN heifers was lower (P < 0.008) than that of XBRED heifers (37.39 ± 0.21 vs. 38.38 ± 0.28 °C, respectively) and IRR was higher (P < 0.0001) in the sun than in the shade (40.60 ± 0.26 vs. 35.16 ± 0.24 °C, respectively). The SWR of SEN heifers was higher (P < 0.001) than that of XBRED heifers (23.96 ± 0.71 vs. 19.75 ± 0.93 g/m2, respectively). The SWR of SEN heifers in the sun was higher (P < 0.03)than SWR of SEN heifers in shade or XBRED heifers in sun or shade (27.37 ± 1.08 vs. 20.54 ± 0.93 vs. 20.48 ± 1.32 vs. 19.03 ± 1.32 g/m2, respectively). The higher SWR of SEN heifers may play a role in their lower RT and VT and their adaptation to the tropical climate. This work was supported in part by USDA-NIFA #2008-38416-19574. Accomplishment: (FL, MO, USDA-TX) The differential acute phase immune responses by Angus and Romosinuano steers was evaluated following an endotoxin challenge. In addition to traditional measures of heat stress, plasma concentrations of inflammatory cytokines and acute phase proteins were measured. Results show that there are regional differences in thermal response to LPS injection, with rectal temperature providing the greater separation across breed and environment. Accomplishment: (HI, UVI, NY, AZ) The study evaluate two different methods of measuring evaporative cooling (sweating by using the portable caloric meter (Gebremedhin et al 2008 vs Vapo Meter (Delfin Technology Ltd., Kuopio, Finland) in shade and no shade environment. In addition, we compared the pregnancy status: open vs pregnant for the Senepol cattle. In cows, greater sweating rates were observed under the sun vs in the shade (344.8g/m2/h vs 179.5g/m2/h; respectively) using the portable caloric meter. However measurements for sweating rates were lower using the Vapo Meter (<40g/m2/h) and the highest readings were observed when data were collected in PM undershade. The Vapo Meter is a closed chamber system that does not allow for radiation exposure. Pregnant cows had higher vaginal temperature vs open cows. In the heifer study, Senepol heifers had higher sweating rates than Senepol-cross breds (~7.5g/m2 vs ~20.0g/m2). Senepol heifers also had lower vaginal temperature (~0.30C) compared to the cross-breds. Relationships of eye temperatures, rectal temperatures and vaginal temperatures were being analyzed. Objective 3: Development of management strategies and/or tools to enhance farm animal sustainability under conditions of climatic change or other stressful environments Accomplishment: (NE) Explored Statistical Considerations when using Hysteresis to Estimate Internal Heat Load in Dairy Cows. Water is often used to manage heat stress in dairy cattle. Sprinklers are often placed over the feed bunk or used while cattle are waiting to be milked, however in this experiment cattle were given control over water with a cow-activated shower. Previous studies have focused on how wetting can lower body temperature or reduce respiration rates. An alternative way to investigate this management practice is to examine internal heat loads. Internal heat load can be quantified by fitting a hysteresis loop to daily field data. The hysteresis loop is formed by a phase diagram of body temperature versus environmental input. Internal heat load is the area inside the loop. The area can be estimated using a number of environmental measures. In this paper three environmental measures are considered: ambient air temperature, the temperature-humidity index and the heat-load index. The two stage harmonic least squares method is used to estimate internal heat load. Then a Bayesian MCMC model is used to predict internal heat load using the environmental inputs and test the effectiveness of allowing shower access on internal heat load reduction. Voluntary use of a shower reduces internal heat load and the strength of this effect increases with the degree of the heat challenge. Accomplishment: (NE) Studied Effect of shade area on performance and welfare of short-fed feedlot cattle. One hundred twenty-six Black Angus yearling heifers were used in a 119-d study to assess the effect of shade allocation (0, 2.0, 3.3, or 4.7 m(2)/animal) on the performance and welfare of feedlot cattle. Shade treatments were replicated 4 times and the no-shade treatment was replicated twice. One hundred twenty-six Black Angus yearling heifers were used in a 119-d study to assess the effect of shade allocation (0, 2.0, 3.3, or 4.7 m(2)/animal) on the performance and welfare of feedlot cattle. Shade treatments were replicated 4 times and the no-shade treatment was replicated twice. Shade was provided by 70% solar block shade cloth, attached to a 4-m-high frame with a north-south orientation. Cattle were randomly allocated to a pen (9/pen; 19.2 m(2)/animal) within treatment. Performance was assessed using DMI, G:F, ADG, HCW, dressing percentage, and rump fat depth. Climatic data (ambient and black globe temperature, solar radiation, wind speed, relative humidity, and rainfall) were recorded. From these data, the heat load index (HLI) was calculated. When the daily maximum HLI (HLI(Max)) was <86, individual panting score (0 = no panting; 4 = open mouth, tongue extended), animal location (eating, drinking, under shade), and animal posture (standing or lying) were collected at 0600, 1200, and 1800 h. When HLI(Max) was e 86, these data were collected every 2 h between 0600 and 1800 h. Feed intake was recorded weekly and water intake was recorded daily on a pen basis. When HLI(Max) was e 86, mean panting score (MPS: mean of animals within treatment) was greatest (1.02; P < 0.001) for unshaded cattle compared with cattle in the shade treatments, which were similar (0.82; P = 0.81). During heat waves, the MPS of unshaded cattle was greater (2.66; P < 0.001) than that for shaded cattle. The MPS of cattle in the 2.0 m(2)/animal treatment (2.43 ± 0.13) was greater (P < 0.001) than that of cattle in the 3.3 (2.11 ± 0.13) and 4.7 m(2)/animal (2.03 ± 0.13) treatments. The MPS of cattle in the 3.3 and 4.7 m(2)/animal treatments were similar (P = 0.09). Number standing was similar (P = 0.98) between unshaded and shaded at 2.0 m(2)/animal treatments with 4.75 and 4.76 animals/pen, respectively. Fewer (P < 0.0001) were standing in the 3.3 (4.19 animals/pen) and 4.7 m(2)/animal (4.06 animals/pen) treatments. Fewer (P = 0.004) cattle were under the shade at 2.0 m(2)/animal (47.1%) compared with the number under the shade at 3.3 (53.7%) and 4.7 m(2)/animal (53.6%). Unshaded cattle had the smallest (0.085 ± 0.006) G:F ratio (P = 0.01), followed by cattle shaded at 4.7 m(2)/animal (0.104 ± 0.006; P d 0.001). There was no difference (P = 0.12) between the 2.0 and 3.3 m(2)/animal treatments. There were no differences (P > 0.10) for final BW, HCW, dressing percentage, and rump fat depth. : Cattle with access to shade had smaller panting scores, which suggests improved welfare, and had better feed efficiency. Accomplishment: (MN) Young sows usually suffer poor well-being in group-housing systems because they lose most fights and sustain more injuries than mature sows. We investigated whether sorting by parity can reduce aggression and associated stress, and thereby improve well-being and performance of young sows in a group housing system. Control pens consisted of multiparous and young sows; and treatment pens consisted of young sows only. Young sows in treatment pens had lower injury scores after mixing, gained more weight during gestation, and had higher farrowing rates compared with young sows in control pens. Accomplishment: (MN) Since nursery pigs are susceptible to cold stress, they are usually kept under thermoneutral conditions with minimal diurnal variations. Previous studies suggested that pigs prefer lower environmental temperatures during nighttime compared to daytime. So reducing nocturnal temperature in nursery barns may not jeopardize performance or well-being of pigs and can simultaneously conserve energy for heating the barn. We investigated growth performance and behavioral response of nursery pigs to reduced nocturnal temperature. Temperature in the control (CON) room was 30°C and decreased by 2°C per week. In the reduced nocturnal temperature (RNT) room, temperature was the same as in CON between 7:00 h and 19:00 h, and reduced by 8°C between 19:00 h and 7:00 h. Reduced nocturnal temperature did not affect growth performance, and time spent eating, standing, sitting, and lying. However, RNT increased time spent lying sternal and the number of pigs that were huddling, and decreased time spent lying laterally and belly-nosing during nighttime. Accomplishment: (MN) To reduce piglet mortality in alternative swine production, we investigated sow-related and piglet-related factors affecting pre-weaning mortality of piglets in a group-farrowing system. Results indicate that older sows had greater piglet morality and weaned smaller litters than younger sows. Piglets that died during lactation were 0.28 kg lighter in birth weight compared to piglets that survived to weaning. Neither behavior of sows at farrowing, piglet gender, nor cross-fostering affected piglet mortality. Accomplishment: (MN) The high fiber content of DDGS (distillers dried grain with solubles) may affect behaviors and well-being of limit-fed gestating sows both in stalls and group-housed systems. We investigated the effect of feeding diets containing DDGS (40% during gestation and 20% during lactation) on stereotypic behaviors of gestating sows housed in individual stalls and aggressive interactions at mixing among sows housed in pens. In gestation stalls, sows fed DDGS spent more time resting and less time performing stereotypic behaviors compared with CON sows. In the group-housed system, sows fed DDGS fought for longer periods and tended to fight more frequently compared with CON sows. Accomplishment: (TX) Texas A&M is continuing work using reflective insulation to improve the comfort of dairy calves in hutches. Reflective insulation shows promise in reducing the heat load on calves that are maintained in plastic hutches in full sun. Accomplishment: (CO) Rumen fluid from fistulated steers receiving a high roughage (ROU; 50% alfalfa hay, 50% corn silage) or a high concentrate-based diet (CON; 70% rolled corn, and 30% corn silage) diet (ROU) was utilized to examine in vitro hydrogen sulfide (H2S) production of common beef cattle feedstuffs. Rumen fluid was collected and combined in equal amounts from 2 rumen fistulated steers that had ad libitum access to ROU and mixed at a 3 to 1 ration of artificial saliva to rumen fluid. Fermentation substrates included: corn, alfalfa, consolidated corn distillers soluble (CCDS), dried distillers grains (DDG), and wet distillers grain (WDG). Individual substrates (700mg) were added to separate 125 mL glass serum bottles (in triplicate) along with 50 ml of rumen fluid- artificial saliva mixture. Fermentation bottles were then flushed with CO2, capped with an air tight rubber stopper, and incubated in a water bath for 24 h at 39° C. After 24 h of incubation, the total volume of gas produce was measured using an inverted 250 ml buret and a 5 ml gas sample was obtained. The gas sample was then bubbled through 5 mL of alkaline distilled water contained in 10 mL evacuated serum tube. Then 500 µl of a ferric chloride - N-N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine was added to each tube containing the gas sample in alkaline water and allowed to react for 30 min at 25°C. After gas sampling, the rubber stopper was removed from the serum bottle and pH determined. After pH measurements, fermentation was terminated and dry matter disappearance (DMD) was determined. This experiment was then repeated using rumen fluid from steers fed CON. However, a feedstuff by rumen fluid type (ROU vs. CON) interaction (P < 0.001) was detected for µmol of H2S produced per mg of DMD. The CCDS substrate produced less H2S per mg of DMD in CON when compared to ROU rumen fluid while corn, alfalfa, DDG and WDG produce greater µmol of H2S per DMD in CON when compared to ROU rumen fluid. A feedstuff by rumen fluid type interaction (P< 0.001) was also identified for pH. Across diets (ROU vs. CON) fermentation of corn produced the lowest pH and fermentation of alfalfa produced the highest pH and across feedstuffs ROU had a higher pH when compared to the CON rumen fluid. Accomplishment: (CO) One hundred and twenty four newly weaned Angus, Hereford, and Angus × Hereford bull and heifer calves (initial BW = 233 ± 14.9 kg) were utilized to evaluate two feedlot receiving management strategies on feedlot performance over the first 30 d upon arrival to the feedlot. Cattle were blocked by gender and stratified by weight, breed, and age, and assigned to one of 14 pens (8 - 10 head/pen). Pens were then assigned to one of two dietary treatments. Dietary treatments included: 1) a dried distillers grain-based total mixed ration (DDG) initiated upon arrival, or 2) long-stem grass hay followed by a total mixed ration containing no DDG (HAY). Calves receiving the HAY treatment received only grass hay for the first d after arrival, long stem grass hay and total mixed ration combination the following 2 d, followed by a grain based total mixed ration on d 4. Beginning on d 4, calves across all treatments had access to iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous diets. Calves were weighed on d 0 and 30, and DMI was determined daily. Initial BW was similar (P = 0.99) across treatments; however, d 30 BW was greater (P < 0.001) for DDG vs. HAY calves. As a result, ADG was greater (P < 0.001) for DDG vs. HAY calves (0.59 vs. 0.41 ± 0.04 kg/d, respectively). Gain-to-feed ratio was greater (P < 0.05) for DDG vs. HAY calves (0.22 vs. 0.17± 0.013, respectively), and feed-to-gain ratio tended (P = 0.05) to be greater in HAY vs. DDG calves. Daily DMI tended (P = 0.06) to be greater in DDG vs. HAY calves (5.94 kg"hd-1"d-1 vs. 5.17 kg"hd-1"d-1 ± 0.256, respectively). Accomplishment: (CA, New Zealand) We have examined how both flow rate and droplet size influence cooling effectiveness for dairy cattle. To date, spraying cattle with more water reduces respiration rat and skin and body temperature more than lower flow rates, regardless of droplet size. While the physiological benefits of cooling with more water seem clear, the behavioral responses to overhead water are mixed, with cattle readily choosing it in some studies, but avoiding it in others. We are currently testing preferences of dairy cattle for large and small flow rates and analysis is underway. Additionally, we have investigated how the amount of shade in a pasture-based dairy system influences the behavior and physiology of dairy cattle. The experiment was carried out on commercial dairy farms in New Zealand that had a range of natural shade available. Although animals can use shade simultaneously when it exceeds 2 m2/animal, this amount is not sufficient for efficient cooling. More animals can use the shade at the same time when the shade amount exceeds 5 m2/animal and this amount seems to provide more effective cooling. Accomplishment: (MO, NE)Construction of a smartphone application allows for the improvement of current indexes of heat stress and the development of an extension and educational resource center for the United States to inform users of current approaches to reduce heat stress. Ultimately, the goal of this project is not only to develop a smartphone application for extension, but to create a research platform allowing the exchange of data between producers and researchers and the testing of new procedures for heat stress management.

Publications Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Callaway, T.R., J.A. Carroll, J.D. Arthington, T.S. Edrington, M.L. Rossman, M.A. Carr, N.A. Krueger, S.C. Ricke, P. Crandall, and D.J. Nisbet. 2011. Escherichia coli O157:H7 populations in ruminants can be reduced by orange peel product feeding. J. Food Prot. 74:1917-1921. Callaway, T.R., J.A. Carroll, J.D. Arthington, T.S. Edrington, R.C. Anderson, M. L. Rossman, M. A. Carr, K.J. Genovese, S.C. Ricke, P. Crandall, and D.J. Nisbet. 2011. Orange peel products can reduce Salmonella poplulations in ruminants. Foodborne Pathog. Dis. 8:1071-1075. Carroll, J.A., N.C. Burdick, R.R. Reuter, C.C. Chase, Jr., D.E. Spiers, J.D. Arthington and S.W. Coleman. 2011. Differential acute phase immune responses by Angus and Romosinuano steers following an endotoxin challenge. Domestic Animal Endocrinology 41(4):163-73. Carter, B. H., T. H. Friend, J. A. Sawyer, S. M. Garey, M. B. Alexander, M. J. Carter, and M. A. Tomaszewski. 2011. Effect of feed-bunk sprinklers on attendance at unshaded feed bunks in drylot dairies. Prof. Anim. Sci. 27:127-132. Chung, K. M., M. O. Smith, and H. G. Kattesh. 2012. The influence of double interspiking on production and behavior in broiler breeder flocks in elevated temperature conditions. J. Appl. Poult. Res. 21:63-9. Cooke, R.F., and J.D. Arthington. 2012. Concentrations of haptoglobin in bovine plasma determined by ELISA or a colorimetric method based on peroxidase activity. J. Anim. Physiol. Anim. Nutr. Doi: 10.0000/j.1439-0396.2012.01298.x Dixon, C. L., D. R. Woerner, R. J. Tokach, P. L. Chapman, and T. E. Engle. 2011. Quantifying the aging response and nutrient composition for muscles of the beef round. Anim. Sci. jas.2011-4415. Duoss, H. A., J. R. Donaldson, J. M. Martin, P. R. Broadway, S. M. Falkenberg, P. Ryan, S. Willard, T. R. Callaway, J. A. Carroll, M. A. Ballou, and T. B. Schmidt. 2011. Growth of biophotonic Escherichia coli O157:H7 (ATCC #43888) within rumen fluid media. J. Meat Sci. 89:360 Edrington, T. S., B. H. Carter, R. L Farrow, A. Islas, G. R. Hagevoort, T. H. Friend, T. R. Callaway, R. C. Anderson and D. J. Nisbet. 2011. Influence of weaning on fecal shedding of pathogenic bacteria in dairy calves. Foodborn Pathogens and Disease 8:395-401. Doi: 10.1089/fpd.2010.0686. Edwards, L. N., T. E. Engle, T. Grandin, M. J. Ritter, A. A. Sosnnicki, B. A. Carlson, and D. B. Anderson. 2011. The effects of distance traveled during loading, lariage time prior to slaughter, and distance traveled to the stunning area on blood lactate concentrations of pigs in a commercial packing plant. Prof. Anim. Sci. 27:485-491. Farrow, R.L., T. S. Edrington, B. Carter, T. H. Friend, T. R. Callaway, R. C. Anderson and D. J. Nisbet. 2012. Influence of winter and summer hutch coverings on fecal shedding of pathogenic bacteria in dairy calves. Agr. Food and Analytical Bacteriology. 1:98-104. Galles, K., J. Ham, E. Westover, J. Stratton, J Wagner, T. Engle, and T. Bryant. 2011. Influence of reduced nitrogen diets on ammonia emissions from cattle feedlot pens. Atmosphere. 2: 655-670. Gebremedhin, K.G., C.N. Lee, P.E. Hillman and T.M. Brown-Brandl. 2011. Body temperature and behavioral activity of four breeds of feedlot heifers in shade or full sun. Applied Engineering in Agriculture, 27(6): 999-1006. Gruber, S. L., J. D. Tatum, T. E. Engle, P. L. Chapman, R. M. Enns, K. E. Belk, and G. C. Smith. 2011. Effects of genetic markers and implant strategy on longissimus and gluteus muscle tenderness of calf-fed steers and heifers. J. Anim. Sci. 89:1401-1411. Hess, T. M., J. K. Rexford, D. K. Hansen, M. Harris, N, Schauermann, T. Ross, T. E. Engle, K. G. Allen, and C. M. Mulligan. 2012. Effects of two different sources of long chain omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids on incorporation into plasma, red blood cell, and skeletal muscle in horses. J. Anim. Sci. 10.2527/jas.2012-4412. Johnson, J.S., B. Scharf, R.L. Weaber, P.A. Eichen, and D.E. Spiers. 2012. Patterns of heat response and adaptation on summer pasture: A comparison of heat-sensitive (Angus) and tolerant (Romosinuano) cattle. J. Therm. Biol. 37: 344-350. Kishore, D., P.A. Eichen, and D.E. Spiers. 2012. Adaptive responses to fescue toxicosis under thermoneutral and heat stress conditions. J. Therm. Biol. 37: 323-329. Legrand, A., Schütz, K.E., Tucker, C.B. 2011. Using water to cool cattle: behavioural and physiological changes associated with voluntary use of cow showers. J. Dairy Sci. 94:33763386. Li, Y. Z., J. E. Anderson, and L. J. Johnston. 2012. Animal-related factors associated with piglet mortality in a bedded, group-farrowing system. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 92:11-20. Li, Y. Z., L. H. Wang, and L. J. Johnston. 2012. Effects of farrowing system on behavior and growth performance of growing-finishing pigs. J. Anim. Sci. 90:1008-1014. Neuhold, K. L., J. J. Wagner, S. L. Archibeque, T. E. Engle, and K. K. Kreikemeier. 2012. An evaluation of 10-G brand direct-fed microbial for yearling steers fed finishing diets containing wet distillers grains. Prof. Anim.Sci.28:319-324. Parola, F., E. Hillman, K. E. Schütz, and C. B. Tucker. 2012. Preferences for overhead sprinklers by naïve beef steers: test of two nozzle types. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 137:13-22. Phillips, C. E., Y. Z. Li, L. J. Johnston, A. E. Goplen, and G. C. Shurson. 2012. Technical note: A technique for ear vein catheterization in group-housed sows. J. Anim. Sci. 90:501-504. Pompeu, L.B., J.E. Williams, D.E. Spiers, R.L. Weaber, M.R. Ellersieck, K.M. Sargent, N.P. Feyerabend, H.L. Vellios, and F. Evans. 2011. Impact of Tasco on alleviation of heat stress in dairy cows. Prof. Anim. Sci. 27: 181-189. Riley, D.G., J.D. Arthington, C.C. Chase, Jr., S.W. Coleman, J.L. Griffin, D.O. Rae, T.L. Mader, and T.A. Olson. 2011. Evaluation of two sources of Angus cattle under south Florida subtropical conditions. J. Anim. Sci. 89:2265-2272. Rogers, W.M., C.A. Roberts, J.G. Andrae, D.K. Davis, G.E. Rottinghaus, N.S. Hill, R.L. Kallenbach, and D.E. Spiers. 2011. Seasonal fluctuation of ergovaline and total ergot alkaloid concentrations in tall fescue regrowth. Crop Sci. 51: 1291-1296. Scharf, B., M.J. Leonard, R.L. Weaber, T.L. Mader, G.L. Hahn and D.E. Spiers. 2011. Determinants of bovine thermal response to heat and solar radiation exposures in a field environment. International Journal of Biometeorology 55(4):469-80. Scharf, B., J.S. Johnson, R.L. Weaber, and D.E. Spiers. 2012. Utilizing laboratory and field studies to determine physiological responses of cattle to multiple environmental stressors. J. Thermal Biol. 37: 330-338. Schutz, J. S., J. A. Carroll, L. C. Gasbarre, T. A. Shelton, S. T. Nordstrom, J. P. Hutcheson, H. Van Campen, and T. E. Engle.2012. Effects of gastrointestinal parasites on parasite burden, rectal temperature, and antibody titer responses to vaccination and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus challenge. J. Anim. Sci. 90: 1948-1954. Schutz, J. S., J. J. Wagner, K. L. Neuhold, S. L. Archibeque, and T. E. Engle. 2011. Effect of feed bunk management on feedlot steer intake. Prof. Anim. Sci. 27:395-401. Schütz, K. E., A. R. Rogers, N. R. Cox, J. R. Webster, and C. B. Tucker. 2011. Dairy cattle prefer shade over sprinklers: Effects on behavior and physiology. J. Dairy Sci. 94:273-283. Sexson, J. L. J. J. Wagner, T. E. Engle, and J. Eickhoff. 2011. Predicting water intake by yearling feedlot steers. J. Anim. Sci. jas.2011-4307. Wang, L. H., Y. Z. Li, and L. J. Johnston. 2012. Effects of reduced nocturnal temperature on performance and behavior of nursery pigs. J. Integ. Ag. 11:101-108. White, N. R., P. D. Burns, R. D. Cheatham, R. M. Romero, J. P. Nozykowski, J. E. Bruemmer, and T. E. Engle. 2011. Fish meal supplementation increases bovine plasma and luteal tissue omega-3 fatty acid composition. J. Anim. Sci.jas.2011-4208. Books and Book Chapters Spiers, D.E. 2012. Physiology of temperature regulation in domestic animals. In: Environmental Physiology of Livestock. Eds. R.J. Collier and J. Collier (Eds.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell. Spiers, D.E., P.A. Eichen, L. Wax, B. Scharf, R. Settivari, H. Vellios, J. Johnson, J. Bryant, and D. Kishore. 2012. Fescue toxicosis and heat stress: Recent advances. Fescue Toxicosis Session. Int. Symp. Fungal Endophytes of Grasses, June 27  July 1. Lexington, Kentucky. Ardmore, OK: The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation. Abstracts Bryant, J., J. Johnson, B. Scharf, D. Kishore, E. Coate, P.A. Eichen, K. Wells, J. Green, and D.E. Spiers. 2011. Effect of fescue toxicosis on the expression of selected hepatic genes in Angus cattle. Joint Annual Meeting of Am. Dairy Science Assoc. and Am. Animal Science Assoc., New Orleans, LA. Chaffin, R., B.A. Scharf, J.S. Johnson, J. Bryant, D. Kishore, P.A. Eichen, and D.E. Spiers. 2012. Use of selected blood parameters to identify markers of heat-sensitivity in Angus and Romosinuano heifers. Joint Annual Meeting of Am. Dairy Science Assoc. and Am. Animal Science Assoc., July 15-19, Phoenix, AZ. Chaffin, R.E., B. Scharf, J.S. Johnson, J.K. Bryant, D.K. Kishore, P.A. Eichen, J.A. Carroll, C.C. Chase, S.W. Coleman, N.C. Burdick, R.L. Weaber, and D.E. Spiers. 2011. A comparison of lipopolysaccharide-induced febrile responses across heat-tolerant and sensitive Bos taurus cattle in different thermal environments. Joint Annual Meeting of Am. Dairy Science Assoc. and Am. Animal Science Assoc., New Orleans, LA. Chaffin, R.E., K.J. Hoernig, J.S. Johnson, J.K. Bryant, B. Scharf, D.K. Kishore, P.A. Eichen, E.S. Dierenfeld, and D.E. Spiers. 2011. Use of infrared thermography to identify thermoregulatory differences between heat-sensitive and heat-tolerant breeds of Bos taurus cattle. Joint Annual Meeting of Am. Dairy Science Assoc. and Am. Animal Science Assoc., New Orleans, LA. Eichen, P.A., D.K. Kishore, M.R. Waldron, T.J. Evans, K.L. Fritsche,and D.E. Spiers. 2011. Effect of different short- and long-term heat stress exposure period and fescue toxicosis on the immune system. Joint Annual Meeting of Am. Dairy Science Assoc. and Am. Animal Science Assoc., New Orleans, LA. Gebremedhin, K.G., C.N. Lee, J.E. Larson and J. Davis. 2012. Cooling cows: the udder way. ASABE Annual Mtg. July. Dallas, TX. Godfrey, R.W., A. J. Weis, P. E. Hillman, K. G. Gebremedhin, C. N. Lee, and R. J. Collier. 2012. Evaluation of body temperature and sweating rate of Senepol and crossbred heifers in the tropics. J. Anim. Sci. Vol. 90(Suppl. 3):240. Godfrey, R.W., A. J. Weis, P. E. Hillman, K. G. Gebremedhin, C. N. Lee, and R. J. Collier. 2012. Evaluation of body temperature and sweating rate of Senepol cows in the tropics. J. Anim. Sci. Vol. 90(Suppl. 3):241. Godfrey, R.W., A.J. Weis, P.E. Hillman, K.G. Gebremedhin, C.N. Lee and R.J. Collier. 2012. Evaluation of body temperature and sweating rate of Senepol cows in the tropics.Joint meeting of ASAS/ADSA, AZ. Johnson, J.S., J.K. Bryant, B.A. Scharf, D.K. Kishore, E.A. Coate, P.A. Eichen, and D.E. Spiers. 2011. Differences in adaptive responses to heat stress comparing heat-tolerant and heat-sensitive cattle over 24-hour periods. Experimental Biology 2011 Annual Meeting, Washington,DC. Li, Y. Z., L. H. Wang, L. J. Johnston, A. M. Hilbrands, and X. L. Xie. 2012. Sorting by parity improves welfare and performance of young sows in a group-housing gestation system. Abstracts of Midwest ADSA/ASAS Meeting 2012, p. 19 (Abstr 48). Available at: http://adsa.asas.org/midwest/2012/MW2012Abstracts.pdf Li, Y. Z., L. H. Wang, L. J. Johnston, A. M. Hilbrands, and X. L. Xie. 2012. Behavioral response of nursery pigs to reduced nocturnal temperature. Abstracts of Midwest ADSA/ASAS Meeting 2012, p. 20. (Abstr 52). Available at: http://adsa.asas.org/midwest/2012/MW2012Abstracts.pdf Li, Y. Z., L. J. Johnston, S. K. Baidoo, C. E. Phillips, L. H. Wang, X. L. Xie, and G. C. Shurson. 2012. Effect of feeding DDGS diets on behaviors of gestating sows in different housing systems. Abstracts of ADSA/ASAS Joint Meeting 2012. p. 507 (Abstr W16) Available at: http://www.jtmtg.org/2012/abstracts/502.pdf Martin, W.R., T.J. Safranski, D.E. Spiers, and M.C. Lucy. 2011. Effect of parity on thermal response and energy balance (EB) of sows housed at 24-27°C during lactation. Joint Annual Meeting of Am. Dairy Science Assoc. and Am. Animal Science Assoc., New Orleans, LA. Scharf, B.A., J.S. Johnson, H.L. Vellios, R.L. Weaber, and D.E. Spiers. 2011. Utilizing laboratory and field studies to determine physiologically adaptive responses of cattle to multiple environmental stressors. Experimental Biology 2011 Annual Meeting, Washington, DC. Spiers, D.E., B. Scharf, and P.A. Eichen. 2012. Development of a smart phone app for heat stress detection and mitigation in livestock. Int. Conf. Ag. Engr. July 8  12, Valencia, Spain. Spiers, D.E., H.L. Vellios, P.A. Eichen, B. Scharf, J.S. Johnson, D.K. Kishore, and R.L. Weaber. 2011. Predictors of body thermal status in heat-tolerant and sensitive Bos taurus cattle exposed to different thermal loads under controlled conditions. Joint Annual Meeting of Am. Dairy Science Assoc. and Am. Animal Science Assoc., New Orleans, LA. Yang, F.; A.M. Parkhurst, S. Zhang, K.G. Gebremedhin, P.E. Hillman and C.N. Lee. 2012. A comparison of analytic and bayesian approaches for characterization of thermal hysteresis in cattle using algebraic and geometric distances. Agr. Statistics Conf. Kansas. Godfrey, R.W., A.J. Weis, P.E. Hillman, K.G. Gebremedhin, C.N. Lee and R.J. Collier. 2012. Evaluation of body temperature and sweating rate of Senepol and crossbred heifers in the tropics. Joint meeting of ASAS/ADSA, AZ. Meeting Proceedings Crenshaw, S. T. Willard, and P. L. Ryan. 2012. Application of quantum dot technology for photonic imaging in animal reproduction. 9th International Symposium on Recent Advances for Environmental Health Research; Sept 16-18, 2012, Jackson, MS. Feugang, J.M., J.M. Greene, S.D. Bowers, S.T. Willard, and P.L. Ryan. 2011. Mammalian gamete plasma membranes: re-assessments and reproductive implications. Conference Proceedings: XV Congresso da Brasileiro de Veterinários Especialistas em Suínos (ABRAVES), Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil, October 4-7, 2011, pp 176-191.