Browsing by Author "Edwards-Callaway, Lily, committee member"
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Item Open Access A rationally-rooted responsibility toward nonhuman animals(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2020) Webber, Matthew J., author; Rollin, Bernard, advisor; Gorin, Moti, committee member; Edwards-Callaway, Lily, committee memberHow should humans treat nonhuman animals? One answer to this question arises from the belief that humans are superior to nonhuman animals, thereby giving humans a right to treat nonhuman animals however humans desire. In this paper, I argue that, while perhaps not superior in all categories, humans can be understood as rationally superior to nonhuman animals. To do this, I rely on Immanuel Kant's definition of practical rationality as the ability for an individual to set for oneself one's own ends or telos. Granting this type of rational superiority to humans, I argue that being rationally superior does not entail that humans have a right to treat nonhuman animals however humans desire, but that humans are limited by certain natural teleological factors. These teleological factors may be general to all animal life—both human and nonhuman as characterized in the Kantian notion of tierheit—or specific to each species and embodied by individuals of a species. Nonhuman animals deserve to be treated accordingly, and treating a nonhuman animal in a manner contrary to the embodied telos not only violates their telos, but is itself unreasonable, irrational, and immoral. I conclude by demonstrating what responsible treatment of nonhuman animals would look like when rooted in human rationality, as well as the motivation behind such morally responsible actions.Item Open Access Dairy cow management and welfare: practices on dairy operations in the United States that may impact dairy cow welfare, lameness, and beef quality assurance(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2015) Adams, Ashley E., author; Román-Muñiz, Ivette N., advisor; Olea-Popelka, Francisco J., committee member; Lombard, Jaosn E., committee member; Ahola, Jason K., committee member; Edwards-Callaway, Lily, committee memberTo view the abstract, please see the full text of the document.Item Open Access Dairy heifer habituation to the milking routine: stress in the primiparous cow and its impacts on behavior and production(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2023) Kness, Danielle, author; Grandin, Temple, advisor; Pinedo, Pablo, committee member; Edwards-Callaway, Lily, committee member; Garry, Franklyn, committee memberThe transitional period surrounding parturition and onset of lactation is undoubtedly a stressful time in the life of a dairy cow. This is especially true for primiparous cows, who have no previous experience to the milking routine and must become accustomed to increased contact with human caretakers as well as the host of novel sights, sounds, smells and sensations in the milking parlor. Behaviors stemming from acute stress have the potential to increase risk of injury to parlor employees, who must be located close to the cows in order to perform their duties. Even so, the specific changes in cow behavior in the parlor over the course of the first lactation are not well documented, presenting a challenge to farm managers who wish to train employees in primiparous cow management. The main focus of this thesis is to present current research on this topic, as well as present new research regarding specific, daily changes in primiparous cow behavior during the first lactation. Chapter one is a review of the current literature regarding sources of stress in first-lactation heifers and their impacts on various aspects of cow behavior and production, as well as on worker safety and wellbeing. The roles of precision livestock farming technologies on modern dairy farms are also discussed in this chapter, as well as the potential of these technologies for dairy cow welfare management and research. The objective of chapter two is to describe the dynamics of milking unit kick-off in primiparous and multiparous cows during the first three months of lactation. Data were collected from 199 primiparous (PRI) and 670 multiparous (MUL) cows who calved between August and November of 2020. From 3 days in milk (DIM) until 90 DIM, data were downloaded daily for each cow from the farm's software program. The main variables of interest were parity category and milking machine kick-offs (KO), which were reported by the milking system when an abrupt interruption in the milk flow occurred. KO events were used in our analysis as a proxy for habituation to the milking routine, and were analyzed by DIM. We found that proportions of KO were greater in PRI than in MUL throughout the monitoring period, and that when analyzed by DIM, first-lactation cows showed a non-linear trend of kick-offs. This indicated that changes in behaviors displayed during the habituation process are not linear, but instead are more complex. Chapter 3 is an analysis of additional data that were collected during the study presented in chapter 2. Study participants were the same, but our goal in this chapter was to investigate any possible relationships between rates of machine kick off, daily changes in milk yield, and occurrence of mastitis during early lactation. Cows with varying frequencies of machine kick-offs were categorized into quartiles. Quartiles were then analyzed for potential interactions with milk yield and mastitis occurrence. Overall, we found no differences in milk yield between KO quartiles, but both primiparous and multiparous cows in the quartile with the highest KO rates had higher rates of mastitis.Item Open Access Exploring heterogeneous motives behind animal welfare management: a focus on fed cattle(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2024) Ayoub, Samantha Elizabeth, author; Mooney, Daniel, advisor; Koontz, Stephen, committee member; Ritten, John, committee member; Edwards-Callaway, Lily, committee memberThis thesis evaluates animal welfare management for fed cattle in two parts. The final marketing stage of the cattle supply chain, which includes transportation from the feedlot, unloading, lairage, and stunning, can subject cattle to significant stress. Yet, previous research has primarily concentrated on animal welfare in upstream segments of the supply chain, such as at ranches and in feedlots. As consumer awareness increases and demand for improved animal welfare rises, it is crucial to evaluate the impacts of animal welfare outcomes on fed cattle production across the supply chain. First, a lot-level empirical analysis evaluates how animal welfare outcomes in the final marketing stage affect the final grid value of fed cattle carcasses. We hypothesize that poor animal welfare outcomes will be negatively correlated with processed carcass value due to reduced mobility, higher bruising trim, and meat quality defects (e.g., dark cutting). We use data collected from five federally inspected processing plants during 2021-2022 that include lot characteristics, animal welfare outcomes, and exogenous factors. Historical monthly price spreads from the Economic Research Service (ERS) and national weekly slaughter cattle premiums and discounts from the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) are used for market and pricing information. We construct grid carcass values for over 600 lots of fed cattle, representing over 87,000 fed cattle. Regression is used to analyze whether and how much mobility, bruising, and quality defects affect grid values conditional on lot characteristics and other exogenous factors. We find that the value after processing varies by the study factors, including animal welfare outcomes, although some negative welfare outcomes are relatively rare in the data. Assuming processors behave as profit maximizers, decreased returns due to poor animal welfare outcomes could incentivize improved animal welfare management in fed cattle production systems. Second, animal welfare management has broader implications for changing regulatory, market, and private industry requirements for producing animal products. Therefore, the second essay of this thesis broadens into a discussion of the heterogeneous motives behind animal welfare management at the pre-slaughter marketing stage. Animal welfare improvements are a conscious management decision impacting the various strategic goals of business. Beyond profit motives, we explore societal and consumer expectations, corporate responsibility, and market access options that are highlighted by increased investment in animal welfare management. We combine previous literature on these aspects into an over-arching discussion of the opportunities and challenges that producers may face when deciding how to manage animal welfare outcomes. To organize the discussion, we adopt a conceptual framework that incorporates dynamic firm behavior, such as access to differentiated markets and corporate social responsibility, in addition to simple profit maximization. The two essays combine to explore the trade-off of animal welfare management costs and benefits for producers in the final marketing stage of fed cattle and have the potential to generate future discussion on the feasibility and progress of ever-growing animal welfare requirements for farm animal production.Item Open Access Influence of BOVAMINE DEFEND® Plus on growth performance, carcass characteristics, estimated dry matter digestibility, rumen fermentation characteristics, and immune function in finishing beef steers(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2024) Miller, Alexandra C., author; Engle, Terry E., advisor; Edwards-Callaway, Lily, committee member; Holt, Timothy, committee memberOne hundred and eighty crossbred beef steers (406.0 ± 2.2 kg) were used to determine the impact of a novel direct-fed microbial (DFM) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, rumen fermentation characteristics, and immune response in finishing beef cattle. Steers were blocked by body weight and randomly assigned, within block, to 1 of 2 treatments (3 replicates/treatment: 30 steers/replicate). Treatments included: 1) no DFM (control) and 2) DFM supplementation at 50 mg∙animal-1∙d-1 (BOVAMINE DEFEND® Plus). All steers were fed a high-concentrate finishing diet and individual feed intake was recorded daily via the GrowSafe® system. Body weights were collected every 28 d. On d 55, 10 steers per pen were injected with ovalbumin (OVA). Jugular blood samples were collected from each steer on d 0, 7, 14, and 21 post-injection. On d 112, the same steers were injected again with OVA and intramuscularly with a pig red blood cell solution. Jugular blood samples were collected from each steer on d 0, 7, 14, and 21 post-injection. On d 124 rumen fluid was collected from 3 steers per treatment and used to estimate in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics. Equal numbers of steers per treatment were transported to a commercial abattoir on d 145, 167, and 185 of the experiment, harvested, and carcass data collected. Initial body weight (BW) was similar across treatments. On d 28 and 55, steers receiving DFM had heavier BW (P < 0.01) compared to controls. Average daily gain was greater in DFM-supplemented steers from d 0 to 28 (P < 0.01) and d 0 to 55 (P < 0.01) of the experiment compared to controls. Overall dry matter intake was greater (P < 0.04) and overall feed efficiency was similar in DFM-supplemented steers compared to controls. Dressing percentage (P < 0.02) was greater in steers receiving DFM compared to controls. Antibody titers to injected antigens were similar across treatments. However, red blood cell superoxide dismutase activity was greater (P < 0.05) in DFM-supplemented steers compared to controls. In vitro molar proportions of isobutyric and butyric acid were greater (P < 0.01) and dry matter (DM) digestibility tended (P < 0.07) to be greater in rumen fluid obtained from steers supplemented with DFM. These data suggest that BOVAMINE DEFEND® Plus supplementation improves growth performance during the initial period of the finishing phase, increases overall dry matter intake and dressing percentage, and may impact antioxidant status in beef cattle.Item Open Access Oral meloxicam as an ancillary therapy for respiratory disease in dairy calves and using case-based teaching methods in an animal science course(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2022) Ferree, Logan, author; Cramer, Catie, advisor; Roman-Muniz, Noa, committee member; Edwards-Callaway, Lily, committee member; Applegate, Tanya, committee memberTo view the abstract, please see the full text of the document.Item Open Access Survey of the prevalence of conformational defects in feedlot receiving cattle in the United States(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2016) Vollmar, Kaycee, author; Grandin, Temple, advisor; Edwards-Callaway, Lily, committee member; Engle, Terry, committee member; Ogden, Brenda, committee member; Woerner, Dale, committee memberA survey was conducted on large beef cattle feedlots in Colorado and Texas between March and July 2015, to assess the current status of conformational defects in U.S. fed steers and heifers. The objectives were to: 1) determine the prevalence of conformational defects in feedlot receiving cattle in a population across multiple regions within the United States; and 2) increase industry awareness of the structural problems found in the current cattle population to help ultimately improve a practical selection focus. Conformational traits of front and rear claw, front and rear feet angles, rear leg side view, and rear leg hind view were evaluated on a scale of 1-9 with scores 4-6 serving as the most desirable. Overall soundness was evaluated from 0-100 with 66-100 serving as optimal soundness. A new scoring tool was developed and added to assess conformational problems in cattle shoulder and hip structure. Data from 2,886 head of feedlot cattle was used to evaluate the frequency of these conformational defects. Phenotypic evaluation revealed the highest prevalence of conformational issues in the shoulder, hip, and rear leg covering multiple relationships with demographic characteristics. Of the entire sample, 49.97% had a less than ideal shoulder structure, 53.33% had a less than ideal hip structure, and 29.97% displayed a less than ideal hock structure when viewed from the side. Heavier weight cattle showed a significantly higher (P<0.0001) prevalence of front claw scissor type abnormalities (7-9) and an increase (P<0.0001) in impaired mobility scores (group 2). Northern cattle exhibited a significant (P<0.0001) increase in front claw defects of scissor claw type abnormalities (7-9). Lastly, Bos Indicus cattle displayed a higher prevalence (P<0.0001) of round hip structures (7-9) and an increase (P<0.0001) of impaired mobility scores (group 2). The remaining traits had significantly higher proportions in the desirable (normal) group, and thus, the industry has shown positive developments in rear claw set and front and rear feet angles. Additionally, 85.85% of our total sample demonstrated overall comprehensive soundness scores for sound and flexible mobility (group 3). These findings will be useful to the beef industry in creating a benchmark for the conformational status of the current cattle herd to ultimately improve skeletal structure for improved welfare and performance in feedlot cattle.Item Open Access The perspectives of animal caretakers on udder edema in dairy cattle and the effects of udder edema on parlor behavior in first and second lactation dairy cattle(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2022) Okkema, Cora Annette, author; Grandin, Temple, advisor; Edwards-Callaway, Lily, committee member; Román-Muñiz, Noa, committee member; Eilertson, Kirsten, committee memberUdder edema is a metabolic disorder in dairy cattle that results in lymphatic fluid being trapped in mammary tissues. Severe cases of udder edema can present in the brisket, navel, upper rear legs, and vulva. Known factors associated with udder edema include genetics, nutrition, oxidative stress, and high body condition score. Furthermore, as heifers are developing the mammary system during late-gestation, changes to their physiology are also occurring that influence the presentation of udder edema. Udder edema has been shown to negatively affect milk production, damage support structures of the mammary gland, and increase the risk of secondary diseases, such as mastitis and udder cleft dermatitis. With the concentration of udder edema, two studies were conducted examining dairy caretaker perspectives on udder edema and the effect udder edema has on behavior during the milk procedure. The objectives of the dairy caretaker survey were to 1) capture and evaluate current perspectives on udder edema from dairy caretakers, 2) assess caretakers' knowledge about factors that influence the development of udder edema, and 3) understand what the current monitoring practices of udder edema are on farms. The survey was distributed through an industry magazine and in a dairy exposition's electronic newsletter. A total of thirty caretakers completed the survey. The majority of dairy animal caretakers within the study agreed with the following statements: udder edema is a part of udder health, udder edema is more commonly seen in heifers (93.3%), an industry-standard rating scale would be useful to monitor udder edema (70%), it is important to be trained to identify udder edema (93.3%) , udder edema increases the risk for mastitis (73.3%), udder edema can be managed through nutrition (73.3%), udder edema negatively affects milk production (80%), high genetic milk production potential increases the risk of udder edema (70%), udder edema affects the attachment of the milking unit (90%), udder edema is painful (90%), and that udder edema is an animal welfare issue (86.7%). Currently, there is no validated scoring tool for udder edema. Based on these findings it can be concluded that the caretakers in the study feel that udder edema has a negative impact on the overall wellbeing and productive ability of their cattle. A second study was conducted to investigate the hypothesis that udder edema causes discomfort to dairy cattle during the milking session. Increased sensitivity of the teats due to udder edema may cause cows to show discomfort-related behaviors, such as stepping and kicking. First and second lactation cows (n=376) on two large Colorado farms (>500 head) were observed in the milking parlor during the udder preparation and active milking phase. All cows were visually examined and scored for udder edema at the end of the milking session. The stepping and kicking behaviors were counted to possibly identify if, at any time during the udder preparation or milking phase, cows with edematous udders showed heightened levels of rear leg behavior. First lactation dairy cattle showed an increase in stepping behavior during the udder preparation phase as compared to first lactation cows without udder edema when the milker is physically manipulating the udder (p = 0.0168). Second lactation cows with udder edema had greater step rate than first lactation cows without udder edema during udder prep when the milker was in contact with the udder (p = 0.0215). First lactation cows with udder edema have greater frequency of kick behavior compared to second lactation cows with udder edema during the milking session (p=0.0092). First lactation cows with udder edema kicked off the milking unit more often compared to first lactation cows without udder edema (p=0.0500) and second lactation cows with udder edema (p=0.0017). It was concluded that udder edema can influence a change in step and kick behavior in the milking parlor.