Browsing by Author "Grandin, Temple, advisor"
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Item Open Access A pilot study of behavioral and physiological markers of stress in horses during equine-assisted learning for youth with social-emotional concerns(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2023) Singh, Ashley, author; Grandin, Temple, advisor; Peters, Caiti, advisor; Matlock, Sarah, committee member; Nett, Terry, committee memberEquine Assisted Learning (EAL) is an increasingly popular service in providing comfort and life skills for youth who have social-emotional concerns. There is mixed evidence in previous research that shows increased stress in horses in EASs who are interacting with the population of youth with social- emotional concerns. This pilot study aimed to look physiological and behavioral indicators of stress in horses involved in equine assisted learning for youth with social- emotional concerns. This within-subject design included 11 horses and 18 human participants. Indicators of equine stress included salivary cortisol, eye temperature, and equine behavior. On average, indicators of stress in horses were not significantly different while the horses interacted with youth with social- emotional concerns compared to a control condition. There was a significant condition x week interaction effect such that horses demonstrated higher levels of cortisol in week 3 while interacting with youth with social- emotional concerns compared to the control condition, but this difference did not exist by Weeks 5 and 7. These condition by week interaction effects did not exist in equine eye temperature or behavior. This study provides evidence that interacting with youth with social- emotional concerns was not more stressful for horses that interacting with another population that commonly participates in EAL.Item Open Access An evaluation of cattle handling categories in the beef quality assurance feedyard assessment, compliance of large feedyards with these guidelines, and influence of handling practices on behavior and performance of feedlot cattle(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2015) Woiwode, Ruth, author; Grandin, Temple, advisor; Archibeque, Shawn, committee member; Engle, Terry, committee member; Kirch, Brett, committee member; Paterson, John, committee member; Rollin, Bernard, committee memberAnimal husbandry and management practices were surveyed in commercial feedlots to document compliance of select feedlots with Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) guidelines for cattle handling under the premise that this data warrants inclusion in the National Beef Quality Audit (NBQA). The BQA Feedyard Assessment for cattle handling has not yet been fully validated, and this work partially substantiates the current assessment categories. The inclusion of this handling data is essential in order to continue the track record of identifying target areas where improvement is needed, and to document growth and positive performance. Collecting and reporting of survey data is part of the verification and ongoing monitoring process that characterizes an effective HACCP plan, which was the system for management that was adopted during formation of the BQA program. It has been said that producers manage what they measure, and systematic measurement of categories for cattle handling and husbandry practices in the BQA can yield valuable information to assist producers in making management decisions. The NBQA, which has been conducted in five year increments since 1991 has accomplished just that, through the identification of targets where improvement is needed, with corresponding recommendations for improvement. The growing repository of data, collected over the course of time, reflects adjustments the industry has made in an effort to continuously improve the quality and consistency of beef production, and thus increase consumer confidence. BQA is a voluntary program that allows the use of self-assessment or third party audits to ensure compliance with the guidelines of the program. The BQA Feedyard Assessment (FA) provides guidelines for cattle handling in commercial feedlots, and is a useful tool for measuring cattle handling practices. Using these guidelines, select feedlots in 3 states (Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska) were assessed for six current BQA categories (electric prod use, falls, stumbles, jump and run, and chute operation). These states rank 5th, 3rd, and 2nd, respectively, among all states for the number of cattle on feed each year. These three states were selected based on their ranking among the top five states for number of cattle on feed, and for the high density areas of large (1000+ head) feedyards in each state, accounting for approximately 50% of all US fed cattle each year. The feedyards included in this study were all large (1000+ head capacity) yards, with a mean capacity of 34,000 head. Across 28 sites surveyed, rate of electric prod use was 3.8% vs. the 10% current BQA critical limit (CL); only 2 sites surveyed exceeded the CL with 15% and 45% respective rates; and 12 did not use an electric prod. The rate of cattle falling when exiting the squeeze chute was 0.6% vs. BQA CL 2%, and no site surveyed exceeded the CL. The rate of cattle stumbling when exiting the squeeze chute was 5.7% vs. BQA CL 10%, with 4 sites exceeding the CL and 4 sites that had no stumbles. The rate of cattle vocalizing was 1.4% vs. BQA CL 5%; for cattle that jumped or ran when exiting the squeeze chute, 52% vs. BQA CL 25%; and mean score for cattle that were improperly captured in the squeeze chute and not readjusted was 1.2%, vs. BQA CL 0%. A second study was conducted at a commercial feedlot in Kansas. The objective of this study was to investigate if a relationship exists between handling, and behavior and ADG of feedlot cattle. Upon arrival, Hereford steers (n = 496; initial BW = 304 ± 35.6 kg) of similar genetic background were sorted into four pens to determine the effects of handling on behavior and ADG. Two handling conditions prior to processing and two conditions of release from the squeeze chute were imposed. Prior to processing, handlers were required to quietly walk all steers from their home pen to the processing area (SLOW); or handlers were permitted to bring steers to the processing area in the normal fashion (FAST). Since this condition was applied to pens, pen was considered the experimental unit for the full model. Individual steers were randomly assigned to one of two conditions of release from the squeeze chute. The first was a delay no longer than 30 seconds following the completion of procedures to allow cattle to stop struggling (DELAY); the second was release immediately following the completion of procedures (NORM). Vocalization, chute temperament, exit speed and exit behavior scores were assigned to all steers during intake processing. Paired t-tests determined that cattle exiting the chute at a walk or trot vs a run tended (P=0.08) to have higher ADG. Cattle vocalizing during restraint had lower (P=0.04) ADG than those that did not vocalize. The FAST group showed a tendency to vocalize more frequently than the SLOW group. Pearson’s correlation analysis showed a significant, positive correlation between exit speed and vocalization (P= 0.0021, r= 0.14256), and a significant, negative correlation between exit speed and ADG (P= 0.0036, r= -0.13542). Using this approach, handling was correlated with behavior and ADG.Item Open Access Carcass bruising location and bruise trim loss in finished steers, cows, and bulls at five commercial slaughter facilities(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2018) Kline, Helen Carter, author; Grandin, Temple, advisor; Edwards-Callaway, Lily, advisor; Belk, Keith, committee member; Engle, Terry, committee member; Rollin, Bernard, committee memberDetermining the location of, and investigating possible causes of, bruising in beef carcasses is critical for addressing animal well-being concerns in the livestock industry—as well as understanding losses in value that are a consequence of carcass defects. This study was conducted in five commercial slaughter facilities, located in multiple regions of the U.S., that slaughter fed steers/heifers, cows and bulls. At each plant, animals from thirty trailers, at least one animal from each utilized compartment. In total, approximately 50 animals were marked each night, providing 150 marked animals over the three days of sampling at each facility. Individual carcasses were followed through the slaughtering process and were evaluated before carcass splitting for: presence/absence and location of bruising, and the weight of bruised meat that was removed from carcasses during trimming. This study found that 28.1% of carcasses observed were visibly bruised. Regions of the carcass that had the highest bruise incidence were the round, rib, and loin beef cuts, respectively. However, some carcasses had deep tissue bruises that were not visible on the surface of the carcass, but trim loss was collected once these bruises were exposed and averaged 1.0 kg per carcass. Cattle in the top deck compartment were less likely to be bruised when compared to cattle in the belly compartment (P = 0.03). Reduction of bruising enhances animal well-being and reduction in trim loss adds economic efficiency along the entire beef supply chain.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 Evaluating the effectiveness of varying doses of supplemental tryptophan as a calmative in horses(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2016) Davis, Brittany P., author; Grandin, Temple, advisor; Engle, Terry E., committee member; Ransom, Jason I., committee member; Rojas, Donald C., committee memberTryptophan (Trp), the amino acid precursor to serotonin, is a common ingredient in many commercial equine calming supplements. However, there is little scientific research to support the efficacy of tryptophan at modifying horse behavior. The objective of this study was to examine how various doses of tryptophan supplementation impacted reactive behavior and physiological stress measurements in the horse. Eleven horses (9 geldings, 2 mares) were given four treatments—0 mg Trp/kg bodyweight (CON), 20 mg Trp/kg bodyweight (LOW), 40 mg Trp/kg bodyweight (MED), and 60 mg Trp/kg bodyweight (HIGH)—in a randomized crossover design. Each treatment lasted three days. On Days 1 and 3 of each treatment, horses underwent a behavior test to measure startle response. Heart rate measurements and the speed at which the horses fled from startling stimuli were recorded. In addition, serum glucose, lactate, and cortisol levels were analyzed both immediately before the startle test and again 15 minutes after the test. Significant sedative effects were seen at LOW Day 1 on heart rate increase during the startle test (P = 0.05) and on change in serum lactate levels (P = 0.03). At MED Day 1, sedative effects were seen on change in serum cortisol levels (P = 0.01). Some excitatory effects were seen at MED Day 3 on the time for heart rate to return to baseline after the startle test (P = 0.03). No significant effects were seen at HIGH Day 1 or Day 3. A subset of blood samples was analyzed for serum free Trp and the ratio of Trp to other large neutral amino acids, which verified treatment effect.Item Open Access Evaluating the reaction to a familiar complex rotated object in domestic horses (Equus caballus)(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2021) Corgan, Megan, author; Grandin, Temple, advisor; Black, Jerry, committee member; Rollin, Bernard, committee memberIt is dangerous for both riders and horses when a horse suddenly startles. Sometimes horses do this in familiar environments with a possible cause being that familiar objects may look different when rotated. The purpose of this study was to determine whether horses that had been habituated to a complex object (children's plastic playset) would react to the object as novel when it was rotated 90 degrees. Twenty young horses were led past one side of the playset 15 times by a handler. Horses in the rotated group were led past the rotated playset 15 times, while the control group continued to be led past the playset in its original position. The behavioral signs observed and analyzed were ears focused on the object, nostril flares, neck raising, snort, avoid by stopping, avoid by moving feet sideways, and avoid by flight. The most common reactions observed were ears focused on the object, nostril flares and neck raising. Reactions were mild because the horses used were safe to lead and all procedures were done at a walk. When the playset was rotated, the behavioral signs observed were similar to behaviors exhibited during the first exposure to the playset. A two- sample t test was performed on the reactivity scores that compared the number of behavioral signs present on pass 1 compared to pass 16 by the rotated object. The horses in the rotated group reacted to the rotated orientation similarly to the first exposure (p = 0.0014, a < 0.05). Two-sample t-tests were conducted for corresponding passes 2-15 for the novel object to rotated object. There was little consistent association for the corresponding passes, showing the effect of the unpredictability of the horse. Awareness of potential reactions to changes in the orientation of previously familiar objects can help keep the handler safer. Horses' reaction to a rotated orientation of a familiar object and reduction in reaction over time will be similar to their original exposure.Item Open Access Evaluation of different hair characteristics and the impact of liver abscess presence on stress related physical and physiological parameters associated with well-being in beef feedlot steers(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2019) Baier, Faith Susan, author; Grandin, Temple, advisor; Edwards-Callaway, Lily, advisor; Engle, Terry, committee member; Rollin, Bernard, committee memberPhysiological and behavioral parameters are commonly used to assess cattle welfare. The overall objective of these studies was to understand the impact of animal-based characteristics and the presence of a metabolic disease on the overall well-being of beef feedlot steers through the measurement of physical and physiological parameters. The objective of Experiment 1 was to determine the impact of hair color and length, and animal age on hair cortisol concentration in beef feedlot steers. Nineteen beef crossbred steers were used for this study. Seven of the steers (1,043 ± 6.8 kg; approx. 9 years of age) were fitted with ruminal fistulas and duodenal cannulas and classified as old steers. The other twelve steers (680 ± 4.5 kg; approx. 2.5 years of age) were fitted with only ruminal fistulas and classified as young steers. One steer was euthanized due to health problems within the first week of the study. Steers were categorized into one of three groups: old with black hair (OB, n = 3); old with white hair (OW, n = 3); young with black hair (YB, n = 12). Hair samples from the right rump region of each steer were collected throughout a period of six weeks from six different areas. Only samples collected during Week 6 were used for analyses. Older steers exhibited greater hair cortisol concentrations than younger steers (P < 0.001). The white hair of the old steers yielded higher concentrations of hair cortisol as compared to black hair from young steers (OW = 10.89 ± 2.03 pg/mg and YB = 0.98 ± 0.11 pg/mg, respectively; P < 0.001). Hair cortisol concentration was not impacted by duration of growth (P = 0.33). However, cortisol concentrations exhibited a weak, positive correlation with hair length (r = 0.33, P = 0.01). Additionally, the average hair growth per week of beef steers in the winter months was calculated to be 0.90 mm. Further research should be performed to improve our understanding of the effect of hair characteristics on hair cortisol concentrations as related to the well-being of cattle. The objective of Experiment 2 was to evaluate the relationship between liver abscess presence and stress-related parameters in beef feedlot cattle, utilizing both physiological (hair and serum cortisol, ocular temperature) and behavioral measurements (mobility scoring). The ultimate goal of the study was to establish an initial understanding of the welfare state of cattle with liver abscesses so that management practices can be maintained or changed to allow for the production of cattle to be continually practiced in an efficient and sustainable manner. Three hundred and sixty-three beef breed, Bos taurus feedlot cattle were categorized by the liver abscess score assigned during the slaughter process. The liver abscess scoring groups were: no liver abscess presence (NLA; n = 316); mild liver abscess presence (MLA; n = 21) and severe liver abscess presence (SLA; n = 24). Two animals were unable to be assigned liver abscess scores. No relationships were identified between the presence of liver abscesses and the measured parameters – ocular infrared thermography (P = 0.55), hair cortisol (P = 0.96) and serum cortisol (P = 0.21). Furthermore, hair color was not statistically significant when compared across liver abscess scores (P = 0.70). All animals exhibited normal mobility with no visual signs of lameness. The data indicate that under the conditions of this experiment, where adhesions to the body wall were not tabulated, liver abscesses did not impact measured stress-related outcomes. Additional research is necessary to understand the impact of liver abscess presence on other stress-related parameters associated with well-being in cattle. Further research should be performed to increase our understanding of feedlot cattle welfare, in relation to all associated factors – health and disease, environment, and management-related. Both studies also concluded that future research should be focused on establishing benchmark values of hair cortisol concentration for other applications and validations such as hair sampling techniques, metabolite analysis methodology, and potential health indicators.Item Open Access Exploring animal welfare through an investigation of veterinary education and on-farm assessments of dairy calf welfare(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2016) Shivley, Chelsey B., author; Grandin, Temple, advisor; Garry, Franklyn B., committee member; Engle, Terry E., committee member; Rollin, Bernard E., committee member; Kesel, Martha L., committee memberTo view the abstract, please see the full text of the document.Item Open Access Investigating the impact of husbandry and management practices on the interaction of animal well-being and product quality in beef, swine, and dairy production systems(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2011) Vogel, Kurt D., author; Grandin, Temple, advisor; Belk, Keith E., committee member; Engle, Terry E., committee member; Rollin, Bernard E., committee memberThe impact of husbandry and management practices were investigated in a beef feedlot, a small slaughter facility, and a dairy. In the first experiment, the impact of â-adrenergic agonist supplementation and implant strategy on the physiological, metabolic, and behavioral responses of feedlot steers was evaluated. Due to the ineffectiveness of head-only electrical stunning of pigs in small slaughter establishments, a two-stage stunning method was proposed where head-only stunning for 3 s was immediately followed by application of the same stunning wand to the cardiac region of the animal for 3 s while lying in lateral recumbancy. A paired-comparison study was conducted on 89 pigs in a small slaughter facility to compare the head-only method applied for 6 s to the head/heart method. Head/heart stunning eliminated rhythmic breathing, natural blinking, eye tracking to moving objects, and righting reflex, which were all observed in head-only stunned pigs. Blood lactate was not different (P > 0.05) between stunning methods (head only: 8.8 ± .7 mmol/l, head/heart: 7.8 ± .7 mmol/l). Stun to bleed time did not differ (P > 0.05) (head only: 32 ± 1 s, head/heart: 33 ± 1 s). No heartbeat was observed with the head/heart method. Longissimus thoracis pH, color, and drip loss were not different (P > 0.05) between stunning methods. This study determined that the head/heart electrical stunning method reduced the incidence of signs of return to sensibility without significant effects on meat quality, plant operation speed, or blood lactate concentration. As concern toward the care afforded to animals on U.S. dairy farms increases, benchmark data and means of assessing the welfare status of the dairy industry are necessary to dovetail with existing National Animal Health Monitoring System and National Cattlemens' Beef Association National Non-fed Beef Quality Audits. The 3rd study was developed to explore the framework of a potential study to dovetail with these two programs and identify variables of relevance to such an analysis. A single Northern Colorado Dairy Herd enrolled in the Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) Dairy Herd Retirement program was selected for this pilot study. Overall, data suggested that risk factors for herd health issues exist based on lactation number, days in milk, daily milk production, and previous lactation 305 d milk. Our analysis showed that muscling and finish scores are potentially valuable tools for assessing body condition score in cows post mortem. Body condition score was different between daily production levels (low: 3.08, medium: 2.70, high: 2.51) (P < 0.05). The mean percentage of broken tails in the herd was 44.1% and the occurrence of tail breaks increased as cows became more lame (P < 0.05) and as lactation number increased (P < 0.05). Overall, this study demonstrated the importance of including welfare-relevant variables in assessing on-farm animal welfare that are not strictly restricted to production. The results of these studies indicate the importance of management in maintaining acceptable animal welfare in livestock production and processing facilities.Item Open Access Maternal behavior before and after parturition of Red Angus beef cows and the investigation of wolf predation on livestock populations in the northern Rocky Mountains(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2013) Flörcke, Cornelia, author; Grandin, Temple, advisor; Engle, Terry E., committee member; Seger, Carol A., committee member; Rollin, Bernard E., committee memberTo view the abstract, please see the full text of the document.Item Open Access Survey of husbandry, management, housing, leg lesions, hygiene, production, economics, and cow behavior, on 113 commercial U.S. dairies(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2007) Fulwider, Wendy K., author; Grandin, Temple, advisorDairy cattle should be kept clean, dry and comfortable. There are economic and welfare advantages for providing housing for dairy cows during the winter months instead of leaving them outside in harsh climates. To improve overall health and well-being, cows should be moved from indoor stalls into the barnyard, where they can groom themselves and one another. Cows should be able to stretch, sun themselves, exhibit estrus behavior, and exercise. To decrease the incidence of leg problems, mastitis, bloat, and calving-related disorders cows should be allowed generous access to outdoor pastures or exercise yards. In the first essay, dairy cow behavior, needs, and preferences for housing and milking centers is discussed. Current recommendations for stall size and management practices are reviewed. The social needs of dairy cattle and the benefits of positive human-animal interactions were reported. Recommendations for transport were also included. In the second essay, dairy cow hygiene, leg lesion incidence and location for cows on 113 dairies were recorded and analyzed. Stall bed types reviewed included compost pack, rubber filled mattresses, sand, and waterbeds. Results indicated that stall bed type was a good predictor for leg lesion incidence and location of wound, as well as level of hygiene. The numbers of mature cows present on a dairy were also related to bed type, as well as bed length in sand stalls. Severe lesions were associated with higher somatic cell counts. There were correlations between high somatic cell counts and the percentage of cows reported lame by the producer and the neck rail height. High leg lesion rates were correlated with somatic cell count, death loss, and percentage of herd reported lame. The third essay evaluates diiferent stall bed types for culling rate, percentage of mature cows in herd, bedding cost and frequency. Producer satisfaction for cow comfort, manure management, and cow longevity, by base type were reported. This data indicated that waterbeds were a viable option for cows and producers when good quality sand is unavailable or handling sand-laden manure is not feasible.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 Temperament and maternal behavior of beef cattle(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2023) Rogers, Corley, author; Grandin, Temple, advisor; Engle, Terry, committee member; Archibeque, Shawn, committee member; Garry, Frank, committee memberThis thesis contains both a literature review and an observational study about temperament and maternal behavior of beef cattle. The literature review covers maternal behavior, maternal protectiveness, temperament, and stress in beef cows. The aim of the experiment was to compare the distance maternal protective behaviors were performed against measurements of temperament. The results of the study showed very little correlation between how the cow defends her calf and her behavior in the chute. The overall aim of this thesis was to was to address the paucity of data regarding how maternal protectiveness and temperament are related and if there is an inadvertent increase in the potential for predation if breeding for a docile temperament.Item Open Access The association of lunar phases with pregnancy at first artificial insemination of dairy cows(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2024) Schatte, Margaret, author; Grandin, Temple, advisor; Pinedo, Pablo, advisor; Keller, Kayleigh, committee memberMyths and old farming legends have circulated the belief that the full moon affects livestock behavior and reproduction. To assess this association in dairy cattle, 13,558 records from 2019 to 2021 at an organic dairy farm in Colorado were analyzed. These records included lactation number, artificial insemination date (AI date), and pregnancy result. AI date was categorized into season and lunar phases. Lunar phases were separated into four equal categorizations: new moon, first quarter, full moon, and third quarter. The primary objective of this study was to identify any associations between the lunar phases and PAI1 (pregnancy rate at first AI). The secondary objective of this study was to use logistic regression to specify which phases had the lowest and greatest PAI1 while accounting for other effects on fertility. Logistic regression was used to complete this by comparing the pregnancy result of lunar phases while accounting for lactation number and season, which are known to affect pregnancy rate. The 4 lunar phase categorizations did have an association on PAI1 (p<0.05). The new moon phase resulted in the lowest PAI1 at 35.3% while the third quarter was the highest at 38.3%. Estimated marginal means were explored to identify the seasonal effect on pregnancy and found that winter had the highest probability of pregnancy and summer had the lowest. This analysis of 3 years of records provides evidence that the week of the new moon is the least probable week out of the month for pregnancy after first AI to occur, while the week before and week of the full moon are the most probable days for pregnancy after first AI to occur within the lunar cycle.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.Item Open Access Understanding the relationships between swine behavior, physiology and management to improve animal welfare, reduce in-transit losses and improve meat quality in swine(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2009) Edwards, Lily Nowell, author; Grandin, Temple, advisor; Engle, Terry E., advisor; Rollin, Bernard E., committee member; Anderson, David B., committee memberThe objective of these studies was to determine the relationship between pre-slaughter management, physiological measures, and meat quality using commercial swine marketing practices. Experiments 1 & 2 were conducted to determine the effects of distance moved at the farm, time of lairage in holding pens prior to slaughter and distance moved from lairage pens to the stunning area on blood lactate concentration ([LAC]), rectal temperature and meat quality. Both [LAC] and temperature changed during the marketing process (P< 0.0001). The highest [LAC]s were observed at loading and exsanguination. Longer distance resulted in higher [LAC] during loading (Exp. 2). Unexpectedly, longer rest resulted in higher [LAC]s at exsanguination (Exp 1 & 2) and at the end of lairage (Exp. 2). An increase in [LAC] during loading reduced glycolytic potential (Exp. 2) and had a positive impact on meat quality measures, i.e. decreased drip loss, increased 24 hr pH and trends for lower L* and higher visual muscle color score (Exp 1 &2). Specific measurements of pre-stun handling, jamming, rearing, vocalization, electric prod use, backing up, were found to be correlated with exsanguination [LAC] (P<0.05). Experiment 3 evaluated the persistence of blood changes in swine during the marketing process following alteration of dietary electrolyte balance (dEB). Experimental pigs were assigned to a Low (121 meq/kg) or High (375 meq/kg) dEB diet ad libitum for 3 days prior to slaughter. Prior to transport, animals were fasted in the barn for 10 h, then shipped to the plant, rested for 8 h and slaughtered. Blood was sampled four times, initial and final weights were obtained and meat quality parameters were measured. Increasing dEB had no adverse effects on growth performance, meat quality, carcass yield or incidence of pars esophageal ulcer scores. Exsanguination [LAC] was negatively correlated to 60 min pH (r = -0.32, P = 0.0004) and positively correlated (r = 0.21, P = 0.02) to drip loss. These results suggest that exsanguination [LAC] is predictive of the rate of early post-mortem metabolism. This study demonstrated that the effect of dEB on blood parameters was not maintained following a 10 h feed withdrawal (P > 0.22). Therefore, it is likely that the animal‟s ability to withstand any increased metabolic acid load associated with the stress of transport was lost following feed withdrawal. This research supports the use of LAC as a sensitive tool to determine changes in handling and management. These studies emphasized the impact that pre-slaughter management has on physiological parameters of swine throughout the entire marketing process.