Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Management Systems to Improve the Economic and Environmental Sustainability of Dairy Enterprises (NC-2042)

Main objective:  To evaluate and develop sustainable management systems for dairy herds that address critical quality and variance control factors with implications to economic efficiencies and environmental impacts.

• Optimize calf and heifer performance through increased understanding of feeding strategies, management systems, well-being, productivity and environmental impact for productivity and profitability.
• Improve dairy cow management decisions through nutrient utilization, well-being and profitability.
• Analyze whole farm system components and integrate information into decision-support tools to improve efficiency, enhance profitability, and environmental sustainability.

Clemson University (Lascano/Aguerre)

Project title:   Management Systems to Improve Economic and Environmental Sustainability of Dairy Enterprises

Cooperating Agency:   Clemson University Agricultural Experiment Station, Clemson, SC 29634

Gustavo Lascano

Project Methods:

Objective 1:

Work was completed looking at weaning strategies and milk replacer (MR) regime before and after weaning to improve the adaptation during this transition period. Three in-vitro projects looking at the effects of using high concentrations of fat in precision fed system for heifers were completed

Objective 2: 

Three projects were conducted under this objective to improve nutrient utilization efficiency and animal health. An in-vitro and in-vivo projects were undertaken continuing our work of evaluating rumen modifiers and ameliorating Milk Fat depression through dietary manipulations. Two in-vivo projects were conducted with the objective to determine if a treatment process applied to protein capsules containing fish oil slowed protein disintegration time in rumen buffer and prevented biohydrogenation of internal omega fatty acids in lactating dairy cows. A third project used continuous culture fermentation to determine the effects of caffeine on rumen fermentation, digestibility coefficients and microbial flow.

Project Outputs:

Objective 1:

The pre weaning and postweaning effects of different transition strategies have been published in JDS or submitted (Klopp et al. 2019a, Klopp et al., 2019b). Another manuscript, looking at the microbial profile changes during this transition period is being completed in collaboration with University of Maine. Three abstracts related to using high concentration of fat in precision feeding regimes were presented at ADSA and are currently in preparation for submission to peer-review journals. 

Objective 2:  

Previous work looking at the effects of manipulating starch degradability on milk fat depression was published in JDS. An abstract looking at the effects of caffeine on rumen fermentation and nutrient utilization was presented at ADSA conference in Cincinnati. The rumen protection technology developed in vitro is currently being tested in vivo.

Impacts: 

When feeding calves moderate amounts of MR, gradual weaning seems not to affect successful growth and development. However, when high amounts of MR are provided, it is necessary to wean them gradually to allow them to adapt to solid feed consumption prior to weaning, enhance rumen development, microbial establishment and increase feed efficiency.

Evaluating rumen protection technology is under way using in-vivo approaches.

Increasing levels of fat under precision feeding system showed a potential to reduce DMI yet maintain optimal rumen fermentation conditions and nutrient utilization.

Matias Aguerre

Effect of different cutting intervals on yield and forage quality of low lignin and conventional alfalfa under southeastern conditions.

The objective of the study is to evaluate the effect of harvest interval and variety on forage yield and quality. The study is been conducted as a RCBD with a split-plot arrangement of treatments. Main-plot factor is harvest interval (28, 35 and 42 d) and sub-plot factor is alfalfa cultivars (two conventional and one low lignin). Plots were established in late November of 2017, but no samples collected during establishment year. During 2019, forage yield plots samples were obtained after mechanical harvest. Samples will be analyzed for nutrient content and IVTDMD and IVNDFD.

Yield and nutritional composition of conventional and BMR pearl millet with different establishment dates or harvest at different maturity stages.

Trial 1: Two varieties of pearl millet (conventional and BMR) were planted at two different dates in 2018.  Plots were harvested 3 times at early heading stage between. Samples were analyses for nutrient content IVTDMD and IVNDFD.

Trial 2 (ongoing): Two varieties of pearl millet, (conventional and BMR), mixed or not mixed with cowpea (Iron and Clay) were planted in 2019. Pear millet were planted in monoculture (25 lbs./acre) or in mixtures with cowpea. Plots were harvested when pearl millet was at boot stage or at heading. Samples will be analyzed for nutrient content IVTDMD and IVNDFD.

Effect of growing crabgrass alone or in mixtures with summer annual legumes on yield, nutritional value, and in vitro digestibility of fresh and ensiled (baleage) summer annuals and the succeeding winter annual crop.

Our hypothesis is that mixing annual legumes with crabgrass will increase forage yield and fiber digestibility, reduce N utilization and improve forage yield of the following winter annual crop. This is an ongoing study. Crabgrass, crabgrass + N (57 kgs/ha after harvest), cowpea, and lablab was planted in monoculture or in mixtures (6.1 x 3.0-m plots) resulting in 7 treatments. After weighing harvested biomass, forages samples were store -20°C. At the lab, samples will be thawed and then chopped using a commercial lettuce cutter. One subsample will be used for nutrient analyses including in vitro IVTDMD and IVNDFD. To simulate the ensiling process, a second subsample will be wilted to 50% DM and placed into polyethylene embossed pouches and sealed anaerobically with vacuum sealer. After 60 d of fermentation, silos will be opened, and samples will be analyzed for nutrient content, pH and volatile fatty acids.

Impacts

At the conclusion of our projects, we expect the following impacts:

• We will have determined the impact of management practices (cutting schedule) on new low lignin alfalfa southeastern conditions.
• We will have determined optimal management strategies to improve yield and quality of conventional and BMR pearl millet.
• We will determine the impact of mixing crabgrass with annual legumes on fresh forage quality and the feasibility of storing the grass-legume mix as silage (baleage).
• We will have determined if management practices (i.e. N fertilization or crop species) should be modified (or not), when cropping crabgrass with annual summer legumes, to not affect crop yield or nutritional quality of the following crop

Cornell University (Overton)

Project Director        Dr. Thomas R. Overton

Non-Technical Summary:

Research conducted at Cornell as part of this project continues to refine our understanding of the nutritional physiology of the transition dairy cow as well as provide field-usable solutions to continue to improve transition cow health and performance.  Studies conducted or reported during the reporting period focused on dietary strategies to decrease postpartum hypocalcemia and improve the dietary adaptation to lactation, understanding the role of nutrients in immune cell signaling, and on the evaluation of new biomarkers as potential herd-level diagnostic tools for inflammation and metabolic health.  Results were presented at the 2019 ADSA Annual Meeting as well as various University and industry-organized conferences, extension programs, and technical seminars.

Keywords: Transition cow, health, diagnostics

Goals / Objectives

Objectives

1. Optimize calf and heifer growth and development by improving feeding strategies, management systems, well-being, new technologies, and environmental impacts for productivity and profitability.
2. Optimize dairy cow performance and well-being by improving nutrition, forage utilization, technology, and management.
3. Evaluate whole farm system components and integrate information and technology to improve efficiency, profitability, environmental sustainability and social responsibility.

Project Methods

Our work in this project was focused on Objective 2. Optimize dairy cow performance and well-being by improving nutrition, forage utilization, technology, and management.  We utilized a combination of controlled experiments conducted in vivo using dairy cattle at the Cornell University Dairy Research Center, ex vivo approaches to study immune cell function in blood collected from cows at Cornell, and commercial farm-based studies in which dairy cattle on private farms were sampled and cow- and herd-level outcomes evaluated.  Our primary controlled experiments focused on the use of a synthetic Zeolite A fed during the prepartum period on postpartum hypocalcemia and performance (Kerwin et al., 2019), the role of branched-chain amino acid supplementation on metabolism and performance of postpartum cows (Leal-Yepes et al., 2019), and the relationships of undigested NDF and physically effective NDF in the postpartum diet with hepatic metabolism and gene expression (LaCount et al., 2019).  Ex vivo approaches to study the rule of nutrients in signaling in immune cells were conducted by Mann et al. (2018) and Sipka et al. (2019).  We utilized blood samples and data from 72 commercial dairy farms in New York and Vermont to determine the relationships of circulating haptoglobin concentrations with postpartum health disorders and subsequently were able to develop critical thresholds for potential use in cow- and herd-level diagnostic strategies to evaluate inflammation and acute phase response in postpartum cows (Kerwin et al., 2019).  Finally, we used a case-control herd-level approach to evaluate the effects of feeding rumen-protected methionine during the postpartum period on performance, health, and metabolism of cows on commercial farms (Gallagher et al., 2019a; 2019b).  As part of this work, we also adapted a metabolic health index using circulating blood analytes and were able to establish relationships of this index with performance.

University of Idaho (Chahine)

Project Director
Mireille Chahine  

Non-Technical Summary:

Two projects conducted in 2018-2019 were the direct result of a collaboration between two NC2042 stations, Virginia Tech and the University of Idaho. Research examined the effect of irrigation on fiber concentration and digestibility of corn plant tissues. Another collaboration between these two entities resulted in developing a set of workshops addressing risk management education topics covering production risk, marketing risk, financial risk and human risk. These educational workshops included subject presentations, on-hands work with spreadsheets, delivery of fact-sheets, and discussions among peers and presenter(s). Multiple research projects were also conducted to examine the effect of feeding betaine on rumen fermentation and microbiome of dairy cows.

Keywords:

Corn silage, fiber digestibility, risk management, betaine

Goals / Objectives

Objectives

1. Optimize calf and heifer growth and development by improving feeding strategies, management systems, well-being, new technologies, and environmental impacts for productivity and profitability.
2. Optimize dairy cow performance and well-being by improving nutrition, forage utilization, technology, and management.
3. Evaluate whole farm system components and integrate information and technology to improve efficiency, profitability, environmental sustainability and social responsibility.

Activities

Effect of irrigation on fiber concentration and digestibility of corn plant tissues. Martin, L. G. Ferreira, C. L. Teets, S. Hines, G. Shewmaker, M. de Haro Marti, and M. Chahine.  The objective of this study was to determine the effect of irrigation on neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and lignin (LIG) concentrations and on in vitro apparent dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), and in vitro neutral detergent fiber digestibility (IVNDFD) of stems, leaf-sheaths, and leafblades of corn. Five commercial corn hybrids for silage (one of them showing the brown midrib phenotype) were planted in a split-plot setting within a randomized complete block design (4 replicates). Treatments consisted of a control treatment with furrow irrigation at planting and 3 more times during crop growth (WATERED) and a non-irrigated treatment with furrow irrigation only at planting (NON-WATERED). When the corn was between 1/4 and 3/4 milk-line stage of maturity, 5 plants from each plot were cut by hand, and stems, leaf-sheaths, and leaf-blades from the second phytomer below (LOWER) and the second phytomer above (UPPER) the ear insertion were dissected and frozen for analysis. Tissues were analyzed for NDF concentration, IVDMD, and IVNDFD. Data were analyzed using Proc Mixed of SAS, and the model included the effects of block (random, df = 3), treatment (fixed, df = 1), whole-plot error (random, df = 3), hybrid (fixed, df = 4), treatment by hybrid interaction (fixed, df = 4), and the residual or split-plot error (random, df = 25). WATERED contained lower NDF concentrations (64.6 vs. 67.6% NDF; P < 0.01) and greater IVDMD than NON-WATERED plots (56.7 vs. 54.8% IVDMD; P < 0.05). IVNDFD tended to be greater for WATERED than for the NON-WATERED plots (51.7 vs. 50.1% IVNDFD; P < 0.10). Irrigation did not affect LIG concentration in the cell wall (P < 0.11), which averaged 19.9%. UPPER phytomers had a lower NDF concentration (64.4 vs. 67.7%; P < 0.01) and a greater IVNDFD than LOWER phytomers (52.8 vs. 49.0%; P < 0.01). In conclusion, under the conditions of this study, limited water supply does not affect lignin concentration in the cell wall and does not increase the in vitro digestibility of fiber in corn for silage. The latter observation is contrary to the general industry belief that water-stress increases fiber digestibility in forages.

An observational study of cow contact resistance conditions on commercial dairy farms in Idaho. Norell, R., J. Wilson, M. de Haro Marti, M. Chahine, and A. Ahmadzadeh. The electrical resistance of dairy cows is decreased with wet haircoats, standing on wet flooring, and touching wet metal. We assessed electrical contact conditions on 27 commercial dairies by observing wetness of cow contact areas within cattle housing and the milking parlor plus measured resistance of water from water troughs. Cattle housing on survey farms was 100% open lot (n = 10), 100% freestall (n = 10), or both (n = 7). Herd size ranged from 300 to 4000 cows and parlors were parallel (n = 24) or herringbone (n = 5). Composite water samples were collected from 18 dairies. The electrical resistance of each water sample was measured by inserting a 10 × 10 cm aluminum probe at 2 angles on the water surface (45 and 90 degrees) and at 2 water depths (8.9 and 17.8 cm). Data were analyzed as a 2 × 2 factorial in SAS, blocking on dairy. During our freestall observations, all of the holding corrals, transfer lanes, cow alleyways and crossovers with waterers were wet from urine and feces. Open lots and feed lanes were wet from recent rain or melting snow. Median and range in percentage of wet parlor splash plates, cows touching the splash plate, and wet rear udders during milking were: 48%, 48 to 92%; 54%, 0 to 91%; and 44%, 17 to 93%, respectively. The median percentage of cows touching the splash plate was lower in herringbone (7%) versus parallel parlors (61%) and lower for first-lactation cows (15%) than mature cows (64%). Wet splash plates and udders were more common from cows housed in open lot pens (median = 72%) during wet conditions versus covered freestalls (median 25%). Measured resistance of water samples ranged from 33 to 110 ohms and were significantly lower (P < 0.001) at 45° versus 90° and significantly higher (P < 0.001) at a depth of 17.8 cm than at 8.9 cm. In conclusion, the electrical resistance of Idaho dairy cows is decreased during the winter months due to wet conditions. The potential for wet contact of the udder with parlor splash plate varies with cow size, parlor type, and environmental conditions. Water resistance varies widely between locations and should be considered during farm evaluations. per cow, respectively). Overall, our study demonstrated that betaine supplementation affected the total serum FA profile in mid-lactation dairy cows without affecting the milk FA profile. Key Words: lactating dairy cow, dietary betaine, serum fatty acid 

In vitro rumen fermentation characteristics of highgrade crystalline versus low-grade liquid betaine products. Kelley, T., G. Chibisa, P. Rezamand, and M. Chahine, 1University of Idaho, Twin Falls, ID, 2University of Idaho, Moscow, ID. Betaine, a co-product of sugar-beet processing, can be used to feed cattle. Because high-grade betaine (>90% pure; DM basis) is expensive, feed-grade products with lower betaine concentration are typically used in cattle rations. However, there is limited information on the impact of feeding the feed-grade betaine products on rumen fermentation characteristics. Therefore, our objective was to compare in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics of a high-grade betaine (97% purity) to a feed-grade betaine product (32% purity). The Ankom gas production system was used (Ankom Technologies, Macedon, NY) to determine the in vitro fermentation characteristics of both products at the same inclusion level. Three dietary treatments were used: control (CON) with no betaine added, high-grade crystalline betaine (CRYS), and feed-grade liquid betaine (LB50) at 0.50% of diet DM. The study was a completely randomized design and each treatment was added to 2 Ankom modules, which contained 1.5 g of TMR, 15 mL rumen fluid, and 45 mL McDougall’s buffer. Two Ankom modules were also used as blank/run. A total of 3 runs were conducted. Data were analyzed using the mixed procedure of SAS. Crystalline betaine had a greater CP content compared with the liquid betaine (72.8 vs 56.7% DM). Total volatile fatty acid production tended to be greater in LB50 vs CRYS (140.23 vs. 109.14 mM respectively, P = 0.09) while no differences (P > 0.1) were detected in the molar proportions of acetate, propionate, butyrate, isobutyrate, valerate, isovalerate, and caproate, which averaged 49.15 ± 0.81, 29.67 ± 0.69, 13.78 ± 0.51, 1.27 ± 0.04, 3.50 ± 0.12, 2.06 ± 0.09, and 0.58 ± 0.07% respectively. Final pH did not differ (P = 0.27) among treatments and averaged 6.20 ± 0.02. Similarly, in vitro true DM digestibility and methane production did not differ (P ≥ 0.15) among treatments. In summary, the lack of differences in in vitro fermentation characteristics between an expensive high-grade and a lower-grade betaine product suggests a similar feeding value when fed at the same dietary inclusion rate. Key Words: in vitro fermentation, VFA, betaine.

Effect of betaine supplementation on total serum fatty acids profile in mid-lactating Holstein dairy cows. Hung, H. C., C. Y. Tsai, M. Chahine, and P. Rezamand. Betaine is a product of choline oxidation in the body and an ingredient of wheat and sugar beets. Betaine can donate one methyl group to transfer homocysteine into methionine, which is involved in the phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT) pathway. We hypothesized that betaine supplementation affects the serum fatty acids (FA) profile in mid-lactation dairy cows. There were 21 mid-lactation dairy cows assigned to a 3 × 3 Latin square design with 3 periods of 28 d each and 3 treatments of betaine (0, 100, and 200 g/d). Milk samples collected on d 21 and d 28 and blood samples obtained on d 26 to 28 of each period were used for FA analysis via gas chromatography with flame ionization detector and an Agilent HP-88 column (100 m × 0.25 mm with 0.2-μm film thickness, Agilent Technologies). Individual FA was identified by comparison to the standard mixture Supelco 37 FAME (Supelco, Bellefonte, PA). Data were analyzed using the Proc Mixed of SAS with significance declared at P ≤ 0.05 and trends at P ≤ 0.1. Results showed that no change was observed in the content of total serum saturated FA (40.5, 40.4, and 40.3 ± 0.6% for 0, 100, and 200 g betaine, respectively; P = 0.96). The total serum monounsaturated FA decreased with betaine supplementation (16.2, 15.2, and 14.9 ± 0.32%, for 0, 100, and 200 g betaine, respectively; P = 0.01). Serum FA profile showed a decline in the n-6 to n-3 ratio (6.80, 7.07, and 6.50 ± 0.16%, for 0, 100, and 200 g betaine, respectively; P = 0.04). Results showed however, that milk FA profile did not differ among treatments (0, 100, and 200g betaine/d per cow, respectively). Overall, our study demonstrated that betaine supplementation affected the total serum FA profile in mid-lactation dairy cows without affecting the milk FA profile. Key Words: lactating dairy cow, dietary betaine, serum fatty acid

Impacts

We demonstrated that limited water supply does not affect lignin concentration in the cell wall and does not increase the in vitro digestibility of fiber in corn for silage. The latter observation is contrary to the general industry belief that water-stress increases fiber digestibility in forages. Our research also demonstrated lack of differences in in vitro fermentation characteristics between an expensive high-grade and a lower-grade betaine product suggests a similar feeding value when fed at the same dietary inclusion rate.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Cardoso)

Personnel: Felipe (Phil) Cardoso (Project Leader),

Main objective: To evaluate and develop sustainable management systems for dairy herds that address critical quality and variance control factors with implications to economic efficiencies and environmental impacts.

Specific objectives:

• Optimize calf and heifer performance through increased understanding of feeding strategies, management systems, well-being, productivity and environmental impact for productivity and profitability.
• Improve dairy cow management decisions through nutrient utilization, well-being and profitability.
• Analyze whole farm system components and integrate information into decision-support tools to improve efficiency, enhance profitability, and environmental sustainability.

Accomplishments:

Outputs: Under objective 2.

Effects of rumen-protected methionine fed during a heat stress challenge on physiological and production parameters of lactating Holstein cows. Abstract at ADSA 2019; Cincinnati, OH.

1. T. Pate,* D. Luchini,† and F. C. Cardoso*

*Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801

†Adisseo, Alpharetta, GA 30022

Milk yield, content and composition are altered by heat stress (HS), however, rumen-protected methionine feeding may ameliorate the effects of HS. Thirty-two multiparous, lactating Holstein cows [DIM (184±59); body surface area (5.84±0.34m2)] were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 environmental treatment groups, and 1 of 2 dietary treatments [TMR with rumen-protected methionine (RPM; Smartamine M; Adisseo Inc., Antony, France; 0.105% DM of TMR as top dress) or TMR without RPM (CON)] in a crossover design. The study was divided into 2 periods with 2 phases per period. In phase 1 (9d), all cows were in thermoneutral conditions (TN; THI=60±3) and fed ad libitum. In phase 2 (9d), group 1 (n=16) was exposed to HS using electric heat blankets (THI=89±3). Group 2 (n=16) remained in TN (THI=61±4) but was pair-fed (PFTN) to HS counterparts. After a 21d washout period, the study was repeated (period 2). Environmental treatments were inverted relative phase 2 in period 1, while the dietary treatments remained the same. Cows were milked 3× per d and samples were taken on d 1, 5, and 9 of each phase. Vaginal temperature was measured every 10 min, and respiration rate recorded once daily. Paired difference values were calculated for each cow for each period based on the difference between phase 1 baseline values and phase 2 values for each variable. Statistical analysis was performed on paired difference values using MIXED procedure of SAS. Cows in HS had greater (P

Evaluation of supplemental autolyzed yeast on production parameters of Holstein cows fed a high starch diet. ADSA 2019; Cincinnati, OH.

S.E. Knollinger*, Bryan Miller†, Isabel Mueller†, and F.C. Cardoso*1

* Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA 61801

† BIOMIN America Inc, Kansas  66210, USA

+ BIOMIN Holding GmbH, 3131 Getzersdorf, Austria

The addition of autolyzed yeast (AY) has proven to have beneficial effects on high starch diets resulting to positive implications on production parameters. This study postulated that the addition of AY (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) supplementation in a high starch lactation diet would improve milk production. Fifteen rumen-cannulated Holstein cows were assigned to 1 of 5 treatments in a replicated 5 × 5 Latin square design balanced to measure carryover effects. Treatments were: low starch diet without AY (LS0; control), high starch diet without AY (HS0), high starch diet with either 15 g (HS15), 30 g (HS30), or 45 g (HS45) of AY supplementation. The period of 21 days was divided into the adaptation phase (d 1 to 14) and a measurement phase (d 15 to 21). Cows were milked 3 times daily at 0400, 1200, and 1930 h. Milk weights were recorded at every milking during the measurement phase and milk samples were obtained at each milking on d 15 and 20 of each period. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Cows in HS0 had increased DMI (24.91 vs. 19.93 kg/d; P < 0.0001), BW (689 vs. 665 kg; P = 0.003), milk yield (34.51 vs. 30.50 kg/d; P = 0.0006), and ECM (34.39 vs. 31.27 kg/d; P = 0.03) compared to cows in LS0. Cows in HS0 had greater true protein (1.10 vs. 0.94 kg/d; P = 0.0008), casein (0.43 vs. 0.32 kg/d; P = 0.002), and lactose (1.63 vs. 1.41 kg/d; P = 0.004) yields compared to cows in LS0. In relation to the HS0 treatment, cows in LS0 had greater fat concentration (3.89 vs. 3.56 %; P = 0.007), and MUN (14.37 vs. 13.56 mg/dL; P = 0.09). The LS0 treatment had greater FCM/DMI (1.62 vs. 1.32; P = 0.0003), ECM/DMI (1.64 vs. 1.32; P <0.0001), and milk/DMI (1.56 vs. 1.38; P = 0.008) efficiencies when compared to cows in HS0.  Cows in HS45 had increased DMI (24.91 vs. 25.59 kg/d; P = 0.02) than cows in HS0.  Cows in HS15 tended to improve 3.5% FCM/DMI (1.42 vs. 1.32; P = 0.09), and ECM/DMI (1.41 vs. 1.32; P = 0.07) efficiencies when compared to cows in HS0. As expected, cows receiving a high starch diet had increased DMI, ECM, and milk yield than cows in the low starch diet. In conclusion, adding AY improved DMI and production efficiencies.

Evaluation of supplemental autolyzed yeast on ruminal pH, fecal pH, and VFA response from Holstein cows fed a high starch diet. ADSA 2019; Cincinnati, OH.

S.E. Knollinger*, Bryan Miller†, Isabel Mueller†, and F.C. Cardoso*1

* Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA 61801

† BIOMIN America Inc, Kansas  66210, USA

+ BIOMIN Holding GmbH, 3131 Getzersdorf, Austria

High starch diets fed an extended period of time are known to reduce rumen pH, and cause shifts in the VFA profile, resulting in potential health problems. The aim of this study was to investigate if the addition of autolyzed yeast (AY; Saccharomyces cerevisiae) supplementation in a high starch lactation diet would improve rumen pH, fecal pH, and shifts in VFA response. Fifteen rumen-cannulated Holstein cows were assigned to 1 of 5 treatments in a replicated 5 × 5 Latin square design balanced to measure carryover effects. Treatments were: low starch diet without AY (LS0; control), high starch diet without AY (HS0), high starch diet with either 15 g (HS15), 30 g (HS30), or 45 g (HS45) of AY supplementation. The period of 21 days was divided into the adaptation phase (d 1 to 14) and a measurement phase (d 15 to 21). Rumen fluid was collected via rumen cannula on d 15 and 16 in relation to feeding at 1400 h (time point 0). Rumen samples were extracted at 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 h relative to feeding. Cows in HS0 experienced lower ruminal pH (6.10 vs. 6.38; P < 0.0001), nadir pH (5.53 vs. 5.74; P < 0.0001), and fecal pH (6.71 vs. 6.95; P = 0.042) compared to LS0. The addition of AY increased rumen pH (P = 0.04), and nadir pH (P = 0.009), compared to HS0 with no effect on fecal pH. Supplementing AY reduced individual VFA proportions of acetate, isobutyrate, and isovalerate (P = 0.02; P = 0.0004 and P = 0.002, respectively) when compared to cows in HS0. Total VFA proportion was greatest (136.71 mmol/L; P = 0.0005) in cows fed HS0 compared to LS0. Total VFA proportions were greater for propionate (23.87 vs. 20.75 %; P < 0.0001) and valerate (1.50 vs. 1.35 %; P = 0.0001) for cows in HS0 than LS0. Supplementing AY positively increased total propionate proportion (P = 0.002) and negatively decreased total acetate (P < 0.0001), isobutyrate, (P = 0.0003), and isovalerate (P = 0.01) when compared to HS0. Total VFA acetate (65.51 vs. 62.41 %; P < 0.0001), isobutyrate (0.85 vs. 0.78 %; P = 0.0001), and isovalerate (0.63 vs. 0.60 %; P = 0.02) were greater in LS0 treatment compared to HS0. In conclusion, these results confirm the addition of AY aids in increased rumen pH values and shifts in VFA response.

The effect of casein genetic variants and diet composition on Holstein milk proteome. ADSA 2019; Cincinnati, OH.

M.I. Rivelli1, J.E. Wessels, A. L. Roca, and F.C. Cardoso1.

1University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois.

Bovine milk casein (CN) account for about 80% of the total proteins in milk. Genes encoding bovine CN are in chromosome 6. The most common alleles in dairy cattle are A1 and A2, being the former one a genetic variation of A2 that happened thousands of years ago and affected European cattle origins. Variants A1 and A2 apparently occurs at the same allele frequencies in Holstein cows. Dairy milk protein profile can be influenced by many factors as breed, lactation stage, mastitis, and diet composition. The way these variants affect milk protein composition is off special interest due to their impact on dairy products processability and functionality, and their impact on human health. A database from 13 experiments completed at the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) from 2016 to 2018 was developed. A total of 142 cows (117 multiparous and 25 primiparous) was included in the analyses. Cows β-CN genetic evaluation (i.e.; A1_A1, A1_A2; and A2_A2) for 128 cows was performed (Clarifide. Zoetis, Kalamazoo, MI). Treatments were as follow: cows A1_A1, cows A2_A2, and cows A1_A2. Parity was dichotomized as cows starting first lactation in one group (LAG1), cows starting second or third lactation in a second group (LAG2), and cows in the fourth-or-greater lactation in a fourth group (LAG3). Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS, using two orthogonal contrasts. Contrast 1 (CONT1): A1_A1 compared with A2_A2 and contrast 2 (CONT2): A1_A1 compared to the average of A2_A2 and A1_A2. Milk yield was greater for cows A1_A1 than cows A2_A2 and A1_A2 (35.63 vs 34.24 ± 0.63 kg/d; P = 0.03, CONT2). There were no milk protein yield differences among treatments (P > 0.1, CONT1 and CONT2). There were no milk casein as a percentage of protein differences among treatments (P > 0.1, CONT1 and CONT2). Milk lactose yield was greater for cows A1_A1 than cows A2_A2 and A1_A2 (1.69 vs 1.61± 0.04 kg/d; P = 0.02, CONT2). Cows A1_A1 tended to have greater milk lactose yield than cows A2_A2 (1.69 vs 1.62± 0.04 kg/d; P = 0.06, CONT1). In conclusion, cows homozygotes A1_A1 had similar milk protein yield and milk casein yield than homozygotes A2_A2 and heterozygotes A1_A2. Cow homozygotes A1_A1 had the greatest milk yield and lactose yield.  

University of Kentucky (Costa)

 The long-term goal of this research program is to create new management strategies based on the use of precision dairy technologies, especially related to the early detection of diseases, the use of multi-teared algorithms, and the development, application and validation of new technologies. Also, a secondary objective for the period is the investigation of early sign of disease in calves and investigation of the effects of feed additive in calf fed high allowance of milk.

WORK PROGRESS AND PRINCIPAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

This research done in the last period provides new insight into the use of precision dairy technologies, the examination of feeding behavior and activity development of calves, and the potential for compost bedded pack barns. 

Our research station research in the last year provided new insight into the utility of precision technology utilized on dairy farm, investigated the economics of dairy calf raising and benchmarking tools at the farm level.  Decision support tools will help dairy farmers understand decision economics and make more informed decisions toward improved profitability. Also, a major objective of our research is the development of new housing systems and nutritional management to dairy calves.

Louisiana State University 

Personnel: Cathleen C. Williams (Project Leader).

Accomplishments:

Outputs:

Under objective 1.

The objective of this experiment is to assess the use of glucose responses to insulin injections as a means to develop a method of measuring insulin sensitivity in neonatal dairy calves.

Six male Holstein calves obtained from the LSU AgCenter Southeast Station will be maintained at the LSU Central Stations Research Farm. Calves will be housed in individual calf hutches and fed milk replacer (Land O’Lakes, 22% CP, 15% fat) according to manufacturer recommendations (1.5 pounds milk powder plus 4 quarts water, divided into 2 feedings daily). Milk replacer will be reduced to one feeding per day (0.75 pounds milk powder and 2 quarts water) on day 42, with weaning on day 49. Calf starter (Purina Amplicalf) and water will be offered free choice.  At 3, 6 and 9 weeks of age, insulin tolerance tests will be conducted at 0700 hour. Calves will be fasted overnight and for the duration of the test. Insulin solutions (15 mU/kg BW, 30 mU/kg BW or 60 mU/kg BW) will be infused through a jugular catheter at time 0. Blood will be collected at -10 and 0 minutes pre-insulin infusion and 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 90, and 120 minutes post- insulin infusion. Blood will immediately be tested in duplicate for glucose concentrations using the Abbot Precision Xtra ™ meter. Previous research indicates that glucometers are precise for use in monitoring changes in blood glucose in dairy cattle (Williams et al., 2004).  The percentage decline in glucose concentrations will be calculated for all injections and plotted against the natural log (ln) of the insulin dose for each calf. Linear regression analysis will be used to calculate the regression equation for each calf, and the ln of the dose of insulin resulting in a 50% decline in glucose concentration [ln(ED50)] will be estimated from that equation. ED50 will be calculated by taking the antilog of ln(ED50) as previously described by Caltabilota et al. (2010), and these values will be used to determine which insulin dose can be used to best predict insulin sensitivity in young calves.

Key Words: calves, insulin, glucose

University of Minnesota (Heins)

 Accomplishments

Short-term Outcomes: Use of automated technologies to milk, feed, or monitor cattle behavior are becoming more common in the USA. University of Minnesota research has helped improve the use of precision technologies in grazing dairy cattle, leading to improved cattle productivity and wellbeing. Other projects investigating feeding, resting and social behavior of cows and dairy calves showed that monitoring of these behaviors can help improve postpartum cow health.

Outputs University of Minnesota research results were presented at ADSA meetings in Cincinnati, Precisions Dairy Conferences in Rochester, MN and Cork, Ireland, and various conferences in the US.

Milestones: Farmers have started to adopt precision technologies for grazing dairy cattle and in calf raising and for fertility and health monitoring of calves and cows. This has resulted in improved labor efficiency on farm, as well as improved fertility for dairy cows.

We have conducted many outreach events at the University of Minnesota that have provided dairy producers, consultants, and dairy industry representatives with valuable information that will be able to enhance the profitability of the organic and grazing dairy industry in the United States.

Impacts: The use of commercial dairy calves for nutritional and management studies up to 6 months of age and the ability to follow these calves back to their respective dairy herds for first lactation performance provides a critical base towards attaining objective 1 of the NC-2042 project. In terms of application of the results to the field, benchmarks have been developed for calf performance parameters that have been used for on-farm comparisons. Goals for calf performance in the nursery have been attained by both conventional, moderate intensive or intensive programs. Optimum calf starter intake compliments changes in liquid feeding programs to ensure calves meet their goals. Good quality calves and health management have been important keys to success. The cooperating dairy producers who have supported this effort have helped to improve the programs for their heifer calves from 2 to 5 days up to 6 months of age which is a critical phase for growing dairy heifers.

University of Missouri (Skevas)

Project Director: Theodoros Skevas 

Non-Technical Summary : 

This project examines the role of peer influence in the analysis of farm performance as measured by dynamic productivity growth and its components (namely dynamic technical inefficiency change, dynamic technical change, and dynamic scale inefficiency change). The empirical application focuses on panel data of Wisconsin dairy farms observed over the  2009 -2017 period. Results show that peer effects play an important role in explaining farm performance. The fact that interdependence between neighboring farms affects their performance, implies that policies aiming at improving farm performance should not assume independent farmer behavior but account for spatial interactions among neighboring farms. For instance, extension programs aiming at promoting productivity enhancing management practices and technologies may target neighborhood networks (rather than individuals) and take advantage of existing interactions between neighbors to more efficiently reach their goals.

Keywords: Productivity growth, peer effects, spatial spillovers, dairy farms

Goals / Objectives 

Examine whether neighboring farmers’ characteristics influence a farmer’s dynamic productivity growth and its components.

Project Methods 

The methodology consists of two steps. First, data envelopment analysis was used to measure farm dynamic productivity growth and its components. The dynamics accounted for by this analysis are related to the gradual adjustment of quasi-fixed production factors (e.g. farm machinery and equipment) in the presence of adjustment costs. Second, spatial bootstrap panel data analysis was used to measure the effect of own and neighboring farmers’ characteristics on farm productivity growth and its decomposition

Outputs 

We found that neighboring farmers’ financial and production decisions and characteristics influence farm dynamic productivity growth and its components. Higher liquidity and subsidies for neighbors decrease a farm’s dynamic productivity growth and its components, while higher debt and savings have the opposite effect. Regarding farmers’ production characteristics, farmers with neighbors that own more of the land they farm, have cows with elevated somatic cell count (SCC), and use pasture land for cattle grazing experience declines in dynamic productivity growth and its components. One channel through which neighboring farmers’ characteristics may affect farm performance is through information sharing and influence between neighboring farmers. For instance, if farms with high SCC lack the knowledge to control mastitis and give wrong information about mastitis prevention and control to their neighbors, then the neighborhood-level productivity may decrease.

Impacts 

Policy makers can take advantage of peer influence among neighboring farmers to propagate more efficiently productivity-enhancing technologies and management practices.

University of New Hampshire (Erickson)

Project Director: Peter Erickson

Experiment 1 involved the supplementation of newborn calves with lacteal based colostrum replacer (CR) providing 180g IgG with or without the addition of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (meloxicam; MEL) at 1 mg/kg BW. The treatments were control meloxicam, meloxicam added to colostrum replacer or meloxicam dosed before colostrum replacer. Calves were then fed an all milk milk-replacer (4L), free choice calf starter and water for 6 weeks. Results indicated that apparent efficiency of absorption at 12h of age was less for MEL calves and that starter intake was tended to be greater for MEL treated calves. No other characteristics measured were different. 

Experiment 2, post-weaned heifers were fed a totally mixed ration for 12 weeks and fed either control, 0.75 g/kg sodium butyrate (B), 1 mg/kg monensin (M), or the combination of B and M (BM). Weekly skeletal measures, BW, coccidial counts, blood ketones, and glucose were determined. Daily feed intake was used to determine feed efficiency. During week 3 and week 9, heifers were evaluated for nutrient digestibilities using acid-insoluble ash. Heifers fed B, M or BM consumed more dry matter than control calves. While heifers fed B tended to consume more DM than heifers fed M. There was no effect of treatment on average daily gain. However, the heifers fed M were more efficient in converting feed to gain than calves fed B or BM. Overall, there was no difference in feed efficiency among treatments.  Final body weight tended to greater for calves fed B, M or BM compared to control. Overall BW gain was similar among treatments, while heifers fed an additive tended to have greater final body weight.  Heart girth tended to be greater in heifers fed BM than either B or M fed separately. Blood ketones were greater for heifers fed any B treatment than control. Blood glucose for heifers fed either B or M tended to be greater than heifers fed BM.  NDF digestibility tended during week 9 and less for heifers fed B, M or BM compared to control. Coccidia counts were less for B, M or BM compared to control heifers.

Experiment 3, heifers were in a limit-fed trial to evaluate wet brewer’s grains (WBG). WBG replaced corn and soybean meal either completely (20% DM) or 10% (DM). Results indicated that WBG can replace corn and soybean meal. Total tract nutrient digestibility was improved with 0% or 20% WBG compared to 10% WBG.

Keywords: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, Sodium butyrate, Monensin, Wet brewer’s grains

Goals / Objectives (limit to 500 characters with spaces)
The goals of these experiments were to improve calf health (exp.1), evaluate a new feed additive (exp.2) and determine if wet brewer’s grains can replace corn meal and soybean meal in yearling heifers.

Project Methods (limit to 2500 characters with spaces)
Growth experiments that included a digestibility component (Experiments 2 and 3) or evaluation of immune status (exp.1) were conducted. Cattle were weighed weekly (exp. 1 and 2) or bi-weekly experiment 3. Blood parameters were measured in experiment 1 and 2 as indicators of gut development to determine if treatments had any impact on these characteristics. Coccidia oocysts were counted weekly in experiment 2.

All studies utilized randomized complete block designs with initial measurements serving as covariates. Orthogonal comparisons were conducted for all experiments. Experiment 1 evaluated control versus meloxicam or the method of providing the drug. Experiment 2 evaluated the effect of feeding an additive versus control, one additive versus the other or the individual additives versus the combination. Experiment 3 evaluated the linear and quadratic effects of adding wet brewer's grains.

Impacts

Experiment 1- Meloxicam was of no benefit to newborn calves or on growth rate preweaning.

Experiment 2- Any additive improved performance and sodium butyrate was as effective as monensin in

 almost all parameters measured except feed efficiency including a reduction in coccidian counts.

Sodium butyrate is an alternative to monensin in heifer diets.

Experiment 3- Wet brewer’s grains can replace corn and soybean meal in yearling heifer diets, thereby

reducing costs for producers.

Penn State University (Heinrichs)

Newly weaned calves offer a much-needed area of research.  Often calves are well grown at weaning and recent research has demonstrated various systems to accomplish well-grown calves at 6 to 8 weeks of age.  However, after this period, many farms struggle with maintaining optimum growth rates of calves during the transition from monogastric calves to ruminant heifers.  Little research is in the literature related to calves of this age group.  Therefore there is great need for this type of research to be done to provide nutrient recommendations as well as feeding system that generally allow these young calves to continue their track to growing enabling them to reach 55%of mature body weight by 11 to 12 months of age. 

Use of the IFSM allowed for evaluating double cropping systems over a wide variety of weather conditions.  Scenarios with higher feed prices resulted in more positive economic benefits from  double cropping.  Loss of N and P in dairy farm systems using double cropping decreased, but the impact of fertilization and less exporting of nutrients from crop sales negated this environmental benefit.  Therefore, there is a need to evaluate the winter annuals that are double cropped both in terms of crop cost and in terms of nutrient balance to the whole farm system.

IMPACT STATEMENT    

Dairy calves can be fed whey-based colostrum substitutes and supplements and effectively gain high levels of IgG protection. 

Dairy heifers can be fed in a manner that is more environmentally and cost efficient with no adverse effects. They can be fed total mixed rations of higher forage amounts than has been often done in the past.

Use of the IFSM model allowed for long term evaluation of double cropped winter annuals with corn under a variety of practical farm scenarios.  Double cropping provided the most economic benefit during years of high feed prices.  The cycling of N and P with double crop systems was greatly impacted in the model by fertilization rates and removal of crops off the farm through sale of excess feed.  Farms using double cropping have the potential to realize both economic and environmental benefit under a variety of conditions.

Purdue University (Boerman)

Under objective 1:

• The raising of calves and heifers represents a large cost for dairy producers. A considerable amount of data is currently collected from dairy farms on calves and heifers. Combining both phenotypic and genotypic information about early life of calves may allow for better decision making on farms related to how to allocate resources on farms. We are looking at relationships between early life data (i.e. milk consumption, health events, genetic information, and body weight) and future growth or milk production to determine if we can rank calves based on their likelihood of being profitable.
• As an approach to reduce antibiotic use, we are investigating the efficacy of direct fed microbials fed to calves to improve growth and health outcomes.

Under objective 2:

• During the transition from late gestation to early lactation, cows undergo considerable metabolic adaptation to support lactation. Both adipose and adipose tissue are mobilized in order to meet the increasing energy and amino acid requirements not met through intake. We are conducting research trials to understand the timing and extent of tissue mobilization. Understanding how much and when tissue is mobilized will allow for more accurate estimates of energy and protein requirements throughout the transition period.

Under objective 3:

• Lameness is an animal welfare concern as well as an economic opportunity on most dairy farms. One issue with reducing lameness is accurate and early detection of lame cows. We are developing a video based system that will identify a cow and several anatomical points on that cow. An assessment of lameness will be made based on the movement of those anatomical points relative to one another. We will use video analytics to develop an algorithm to assign a lameness score to each cow in order to constantly monitor lameness on dairy farms. This will remove subjectivity and increase the number of times a cow is observed for lameness, with the ultimate goal of reducing lameness on dairy farms.

Keywords: tissue mobilization, calf growth, video analytics, calf healthUniversity of Wisconsin (Akins)

University of Wisconsin (Akins) 

Research completed in the past year evaluated the growth of dairy heifers grazing different grass species and the use of an egg antibody supplement to control an intestinal parasite in heifers. 

Heifers grazing either orchardgrass or meadow fescue had similar weight gains when using a rotational grazing system.  However, meadow fescue had improved forage production and quality over the 3-year study compared to orchardgrass which may allow for greater persistence over time and animal production per acre.  Maintaining the forage in a vegetative state by use of clipping of reproductive plants was very important to maintain productive forages, but difficult when weather conditions did not allow for clipping.

            A study with feeding an egg-based antibody to interleukin-10 to recently transported dairy heifers will be completed in November 2019.  The antibody is thought to help the animal’s immune system respond to an intestinal protozoa (Eimeria species or coccidia) and improve weight gain and feed efficiency compared to animals not treated for the disease.  Previous work did not find a difference in growth or health of these heifers, but the timing of feeding did not match with the occurrence of the infection.  The current study changed the supplementation timing to match with the infection and improve response to the antibody.  Results will be presented in the next year’s report.

Keywords: dairy heifer, forage, health

Goals / Objectives:
Optimize calf and heifer performance through increased understanding of feeding strategies, management systems, well-being, productivity and environmental impact for productivity and profitability.

Impacts:

Costs to raise dairy heifers is significant at $1800-2200 from birth to calving based on Wisconsin survey data.  Use of grazing can substantially reduce rearing costs due to reduced labor, machinery and facility use, fuel, and use of harvested forages or purchased feeds while allowing for heifer growth at industry standards as demonstrated in this project and in several other studies. In addition, grazing allows for establishment of more area in perennial forage systems that can reduce environmental impact compared to annual cropping systems. 

University of Wisconsin (Cabrera)

Victor E. Cabrera

IMPACT STATEMENT 

Dairy farming is a decision-intensive enterprise where profitable decisions cannot be made without the use of decision aids. The dynamics of dairy farm systems warrants the utilization of sophisticated techniques to assess the impacts of management strategies to farm economics, which at the same time need to be user-friendly and ready to be applied at the farm level. Simulation techniques help to overcome these shortcomings assessing cost-efficiency, profitability, and environmental performance even under highly uncertain scenarios. Wisconsin’s applied research and extension programs are committed to provide relevant, up-to-date, research based, and field-tested decision aids to farmers, extension agents

Aguerre, M. J., B. Duval, J. M. Powell, P. A. Vadas, and M. A. Wattiaux. 2019. Effects of feeding a quebracho-chestnut tannin extract on lactating cow performance and nitrogen utilization efficiency. J. Dairy Sci. In press.

Sun, F., M. J. Aguerre, and M. A. Wattiaux. 2019. Starch and dextrose at 2 levels of rumen degradable protein in iso-nitrogenous diets: Effects on lactation performance, ruminal parameters, methane emission, digestibility, and N balance of dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science. 102:1281-1293.

Klopp, R.N., T. M. Hill, F.X. Suarez-Mena, R.L. Schlotterbeck, and G.J. Lascano.2019. Effects of feeding different amounts of milk replacer on nutrient digestibility in Holstein calves to 2 months of age using different weaning transition strategies. J. Dairy Sci. J. Dairy Sci. 102:11040-11050.

Koch, L.E., T.C. Jenkins, W.J. Bridges, B. Koch, and G.J. Lascano. 2019. Changes in fermentation and animal performance during recovery from classical diet-induced milk fat depression utilizing corn with differing rates of starch degradability. J. Dairy Sci. 102:5079-5093.

Suarez-Mena, F.J., G.J. Lascano, S. Hussein, and A.J. Heinrichs. 2019. Effect of dry distillers grains with solubles and forage dietary concentration in precision-fed heifer diets: Mineral apparent absorption and retention. Appl. Anim. Sci. 35:169-176.

Abdulrahman A., Batistel F., Abdelmegeid, M., Lascano, G.J., Parys, C. , Helmbrecht,

A.,Trevisi, E., and J.J. Loor. 2018. Maternal supply of methionine during late-pregnancy enhances rate of Holstein calf development in utero and postnatal growth to a greater extent than colostrum source. J. Anim. Sci. Biotech. 9:83-95.

Kerwin, A. L., C. M. Ryan, B. M. Leno, M. Jakobsen, P. Theilgaard, D. M. Barbano, and T. R. Overton. 2019. Effects of feeding synthetic zeolite A during the prepartum period on serum mineral concentration, oxidant status, and performance of multiparous Holstein cows. J. Dairy Sci. 102:5191-5207.

Leal-Yepes, F. A., S. Mann, T. R. Overton, C. M. Ryan, L. S. Bristol, G. E. Granados, D. V. Nydam, and J. J. Wakshlag. 2019. Effect of rumen-protected branched-chain amino acid supplementation on production and energy-related metabolites during the first 35 days in milk in Holstein dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 102:5657-5672.

Silviera, P.A.S., W. R. Butler, S. E. LaCount, T. R. Overton, C. C. Barros, and A. Schneider. 2019. Polymorphisms in the anti-oxidant paraoxonase-1 (PON1) gene associated with fertility of postpartum dairy cows. Theriogenology. 125:302-309.

Yasui, T., R. M. Ehrhardt, G. R. Bowman, M. Vazquez-Anon, J. D. Richards, C. A. Atwell, and T. R. Overton. 2019. Effects of trace mineral amount and source on aspects of oxidative metabolism and responses to intramammary lipopolysaccharide challenge in midlactation dairy cows. ANIMAL. 13:1000-1008. doi: 10.1017/S1751731118002525

Mann, S., A. Sipka, F. A. Leal-Yepes, D. V. Nydam, T. R. Overton, and J. J. Wakshlag. 2018. Nutrient-sensing kinase signaling in bovine immune cells is altered during the postpartum nutrient deficit: A possible role in transition cow inflammatory response. J. Dairy Sci. 101:9360-9370.

Chahine, M., de Haro-Marti, M., Matuk, C, Aris, A., Campbell, J. and A. Bach. 2019. Effects of spray-dried plasma protein in diets of early lactation dairy cows on health, milking and reproductive performance. Animal Feed Science and Technology, Vol. 257. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2019.114266

Bouajila, A., Ammar, H., Chahine, M., Khouja. M., Hamdi, Z., Khechini, J., Zeidan, A., Salem, M., Ghorbel, A., and Lopez, S. 2019. Changes in phytase activity, phosphorus and phytate contents during grain germination of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars. Agroforest Syst, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-019-00443-y

Dalton, J. C., D. A. Moore, and M. Chahine. 2019. Genómica en humanos y animales: Un vasto panorama. Washington State University Veterinary Medicine Extension. Available at: https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/2147/2019/02/The-Big-Picture-Genomics-Humans-and-Animals-Final-Spanish.pdf

Dalton, J. C., D. A. Moore, and M. Chahine. 2019. La selección genómica ha cambiado la manera de seleccionar los toros en la ganadería lechera. Washington State University Veterinary Medicine Extension. Available at: https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/2147/2019/02/Genomic-Selection-Has-Changed-Dairy-Sire-Selection-Final-Spanish.pdf

Pate, R.T., D.M. Paulus Compart, and F.C. Cardoso. (2018). Aluminosilicate clay improves production responses and reduces inflammation during an aflatoxin challenge in lactating Holstein cows. Journal of Dairy Science. 101:11421-11434.

Dhoblea, A.S., K.T. Ryan, P. Lahiria, M. Chenc, X. Panga, F. C. Cardoso, and K. D. Bhalerao (2019). Cytometric fingerprinting and machine learning (CFML): A novel label-free, objective method for routine mastitis screening. Comp. and Elect. In Agric. 162:505-513

Hollis, M.E., R.T. Pate, S. Mideros, G.M. Fellows, M. Akins, M.R. Murphy, and F.C. Cardoso. (2019). Foliar fungicide application effects on whole plant BMR and floury corn varieties, and whole plant corn silage composition. Animal Feed Science Technology.  In-Print

Costa, J.H.C.,† , Cantor, M.C.‡, and H.W. Neave. In press. Invited Review: Key animal welfare issues in commercially-raised dairy calves: social environment, nutrition, and painful procedures. J. Anim. Sci.

Quinn, J. ‡, D.T. Nolan, P.D. Krawczel, C.S. Petersson-Wolfe, G.M. Pighetti, A.E. Stone, S.H. Ward, J.M. Bewley, and Costa, J. H. C†. In press. Comparing dairy farm milk production, milk quality, and reproductive performance among United States regions using summer to winter ratios. Dairy Sci.

Hawkins, A. ‡, Burdine, K., D. Amaral-Phillips, and J. H. C. Costa†. 2019. An Economic Analysis of the Costs Associated with Pre-Weaning Management Strategies for Dairy Heifers. Animals 9 (7), 471.

Mullins, I. L. ‡, C. M. Truman‡, J. M. Bewley, and J. H. C. Costa†. 2019. Validation of an automated body condition scoring camera system for dairy cattle. 9 (6), 287.

Cantor, M. C. ‡, A. L. Stanton, D. K. Combs, and J. H. C. Costa. 2019. Impacts of using a milk feeding strategy and feeding a lactic acid based probiotic on growth, behavior, and rumen development in dairy calves fed using an automated feeding system. Anim. Sci. 97 (3), 1052-1065.

Cantor, M.C.‡, H.W. Neave, and J.H.C. Costa†. 2019. Invited Review: Current perspectives on the short- and long-term effects of conventional dairy calf raising systems: a comparison with the natural environment. AS. 3 (1), 549-563.

Grinter, L.N.‡, M. R. Campler, and J.H.C. Costa†. 2019. TECHNICAL NOTE: Validation of a behavior-monitoring collar’s precision and accuracy to measure rumination, feeding, and resting time of lactating dairy cattle. Dairy Sci. 102 (4), 3487-3494.

Bran, J. A., J. H. C. Costa, M. A. G. von Keyserlingk, and M. J. Hötzel. In Review. Factors associated with lameness prevalence in lactating cows housed in freestall and compost-bedded pack dairy farms in southern Brazil. Vet. Med.

Cantor, M. C. ‡, J. H. C. Costa, and J. M. Bewley. 2018. Impact of observed and controlled water intake on reticulorumen temperature in lactating dairy cattle. 8(11): 19

Dolecheck, K. A., Overton, M. W., Mark, T. B., & Bewley, J. M. (2019). Use of a stochastic simulation model to estimate the cost per case of digital dermatitis, sole ulcer, and white line disease by parity group and incidence timing. Journal of dairy science, 102(1), 715-730.

Cousillas-Boam, G., W. Weber, A. Benjamin, S. Kahl, B. Heins, T. Elsasser, D. Kerr, and B. Crooker. 2020. Effect of Holstein genotype on innate immune and metabolic responses of heifers to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration. Domestic animal endocrinology 70:106374. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.domaniend.2019.07.002

Heins, B.J., L. Sjostrom, M.I. Endres, M.R. Carillo, R. King, R. Moon, and U.S. Sorge. 2019. Effects of winter housing systems on production, economics, body weight, body condition score, and bedding cultures for organic dairy cows. Journal of dairy science 102:706–714. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2018-14582

Minegishi, K., B. Heins, and G. Pereira. 2019. Peri-estrus activity and rumination time and its application to estrus prediction: Evidence from dairy herds under organic grazing and low-input conventional production. Livestock Science 221:144–154.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2019.02.003

Pereira, G.M., and B.J. Heins. 2019. Activity and rumination of Holstein and crossbred cows in an organic grazing and low-input conventional dairy herd. Translational Animal Science 3:txz106. https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txz106

Phillips, H.N., B.J. Heins, K. Delate, and R. Turnbull. 2019. Yield, nutritional quality, and fatty acid content of organic winter rye (Secale cereale) and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) forages under cattle (Bos taurus) grazing conditions. BioRxiv 688952. https://doi.org/10.1101/688952

Rauba, J., B. Heins, H. Chester-Jones, H. Diaz, D. Ziegler, J. Linn, and N. Broadwater. 2019. Relationships between protein and energy consumed from milk replacer and starter and calf growth and first-lactation production of Holstein dairy cows. Journal of dairy science 102:301–310. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2018-15074.

Shonka-Martin, B., A. Hazel, B. Heins, and L.B. Hansen. 2019a. Three-breed rotational crossbreds of Montbéliarde, Viking Red, and Holstein compared with Holstein cows for dry matter intake, body traits, and production. Journal of dairy science 102:871–882. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2018-15318

Shonka-Martin, B., B.J. Heins, and L.B. Hansen. 2019b. Three-breed rotational crossbreds of Montbéliarde, Viking Red, and Holstein compared with Holstein cows for feed efficiency, income over feed cost, and residual feed intake. Journal of dairy science 102:3661–3673. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2018-15682

Sjostrom, L., B. Heins, M. Endres, R. Moon, and U. Sorge. 2019. Effects of winter housing system on hygiene, udder health, frostbite, and rumination of dairy cows. Journal of dairy science. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2018-15759.

Cavallini, L.M.E. Mammi, M. Fustini, A. Palmonari, A.J. Heinrichs, A. Formigoni. Effects of ad libitum or restricted access to total mixed ration with supplemental long hay on production, intake, and rumination. Journal of Dairy Science, Vol. 101, Issue 12, p10922–10928.

Kljak, B.S. Heinrichs, A.J. Heinrichs. 2019. Fecal particle dry matter and fiber distribution of heifers fed ad libitum and restricted with low and high forage quality. Journal of Dairy Science, Vol. 102, Issue 5, p4694–4703. 

E.J. Ranck, L. A. Holden, and K.J. Soder.  2019. Short Communication:  Evaluating feed cost, income over feed cost, and the cost of production for milk and crops on 4 case study farms that double cropped winter annual silage and corn silage for 2 years in northern and western Pennsylvania. Applied Animal Science, Vol. 35, Iss. 1. p 74-83.

D.J. Saldana, S.L. Gelsinger, C.M. Jones, A.J. Heinrichs.  2019.Effect of different heating times of high-, medium-, and low-quality colostrum on immunoglobulin G absorption in dairy calves.  Journal of Dairy Science, Vol. 102, Issue 3, p2068–2074.

D.J. Saldana, C.M. Jones, A.M. Gehman, A.J. Heinrichs. 2019. Effects of once- versus twice-a-day feeding of pasteurized milk supplemented with yeast-derived feed additives on growth and health in female dairy calves.  Journal of Dairy Science, Vol. 102, Issue 4, p3654–3660.

Li, L., N. M. Esser, R. K. Ogden, W. K. Coblentz, and M. S. Akins. Accepted 2019. Effects of feeding two different types of sorghum-sudangrass silage based diets on nutrient intake and digestibility and growth of Holstein dairy heifers. J. Dairy Sci

Williams, K. T., K. A Weigel, W. K. Coblentz, N. M. Esser, H. Schlesser, P. C. Hoffman, M. S. Akins. 2019. Effect of diet energy density and genomic residual feed intake on pre-bred dairy heifer feed efficiency, growth, and manure excretion. J. Dairy Sci.  102:4041-4050.

Ouellet, V., V. E. Cabrera, L. Fadul-Pacheco, and É. Charbonneau. The relationship between the number of consecutive days with heat stress and production performance of Holstein dairy cows raised in a continental climate. Journal of Dairy Science 102:8537-8545.

Kebreab, E., K. F. Reed, V. E. Cabrera, P. E. Vadas, G. Thoma, and J. M. Tricarico. A new modeling environment for integrated dairy system management. Animal Frontiers 9:25-32.

Wu, Y., D. Liang, R. D. Shaver, and V. E. Cabrera. 2019. An income over feed cost nutritional grouping strategy. Journal of Dairy Science 102:4682-4693.

Bellingeri, A., V. E. Cabrera, A. Gallo, D. Liang, and F. Masoero. 2019. A survey of dairy cattle management, crop planning, and forages cost of production in Northern Italy. Italian Journal of Animal Science 18-786-798.

Krpálková, L., V. E. Cabrera, L. Zavaldilová, and M. Štípková. 2019. Importance of hoof health in dairy production. Effect of claw disorders on milk production, fertility, and longevity, and their economic impact in Holstein cows. Czech Journal of Animal Science 64:107-117.