The effects of pasture quality and the amount and nutrient composition of a concentrate supplement on performance of lactating cows were investigated under a controlled rotational grazing system. Pasture samples were collected for two consecutive summers, and the relationship was positive between wet chemistry and near infrared reflectance spectroscopy for CP, ADF, and NDF. During yr 2, 54 Holstein cows averaging 82 d postpartum were used in a randomized block design to evaluate three methods of supplementing grain for a 24-wk trial. A 16.2-ha area of primarily orchardgrass pasture was divided into paddocks of approximately .40 ha each. The three supplemental grain rations were: 1) 1 kg of grain/3 kg of milk; 2) 1 kg of grain/4 to 5 kg of milk adjusted weekly, depending upon the quantity of pasture available; and 3) 1 kg of grain/4 to 5 kg of milk. The amount fed in ration 3 was adjusted weekly, depending upon the quantity of pasture available, and reformulated biweekly based on analysis of pasture. No differences existed among treatments for milk production (24.7, 23.2, and 24.1 kg/d) or 3.5% FCM (25.3, 24.8, and 24.9 kg/d) over the 24-wk trial. Cows fed more grain (ration 1) gained more BW. Adjusting nutrient density of the grain to changes in pasture quality resulted in similar milk production and a lower ration cost.

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Although molasses is being used by dairy farmers, particularly certified organic dairies, as a lower cost energy alternative to corn, little research currently exists evaluating the effects of molasses as the sole supplement on the ruminal fermentation of grazing dairy cows. This study evaluated the effects of pasture supplementation with molasses, corn meal, or a combination of molasses and corn meal, on ruminal nutrient digestibility and bacterial N synthesis in continuous culture fermenters. Experimental treatments were 1) orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) pasture only (control; 70 g DM/d); 2) molasses plus orchardgrass pasture (MOL; 3.5 g DM/d of molasses plus 66.5 g DM/d of pasture); 3) corn meal plus orchardgrass pasture

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Background: Progressive weakness can affect bulbar muscles in individuals with moderate to severe forms of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The paucity of standardized, valid bulbar assessments capturing clinically significant deficits in SMA impedes the ability to monitor function, facilitate intervention, or detect treatment response. Objective: To fill this void, an international multidisciplinary team gathered to develop an agreed upon consensus-derived assessment of bulbar function in SMA for inter-professional administration to enhance our ability to monitor disease progression, support clinical management, and evaluate treatment effects. Methods: Fifty-six international clinicians experienced in SMA were invited and engaged using the Delphi method over multiple rounds of web-based surveys to establish consensus. Results: Serial virtual meetings occurred with 42 clinicians (21 speech and language therapists, 11 physical therapists, 5 neurologists, 4 occupational therapists, and 1 dentist). Seventy-two validated assessments of bulbar function were identified for potential relevance to individuals with SMA (32 accessible objective, 11 inaccessible objective, 29 patient-reported outcomes). Delphi survey rounds (n = 11, 15, 15) achieved consensus on individual items with relevance and wording discussed. Key aspects of bulbar function identified included: oral intake status, oral facial structure and motor strength, swallowing physiology, voice & speech, and fatigability. Conclusions: Multidisciplinary clinicians with expertise in bulbar function and SMA used Delphi methodology to reach consensus on assessments/items considered relevant for SMA across all age groups. Future steps include piloting the new scale moving towards validation/reliability. This work supports the advancement of assessing bulbar function in children and adults with SMA by a variety of professionals.