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Stray dogs (n=359) and kennel dogs (n=149) from North Carolina were tested for evidence of antiBabesia antibodies. AntiBabesia antibodies were detected in 21/359 and 22/149 of the stray and kennel dogs, respectively. A total of 57 dogs from both groups were tested for babesiasis by light microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Babesia deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was detected in 3/28 of the stray dogs and 14/29 of the kennel dogs. When Babesia DNA was detected by PCR, the species-specific PCR results differed from the Babesia species antibody titer results in 6/17 of the PCR-positive dogs. There was no association between antiBabesia antibodies and the presence of ticks. There are currently Babesia gibsoni epizootics affecting American pit bull terrier kennels.

Several models and markers are available for digesta kinetic studies. In this study, kinetic estimates derived from chromium-mordanted hay or pellets were compared to estimates derived from rare earth markers (Yb, Dy, or Er) applied individually to samples. Twelve yearling rams (52 kg) were given ad libitum access to either hay or a commercial pelleted diet in a crossover experiment. Digesta kinetic estimates were obtained both by nonlinear analysis with two age-independent rates (G1G1) or with gamma time dependency in the fast compartment (G2G1 to G4G1) and by linear regression of natural log transformed fecal marker concentrations (LN method of estimate). Model did not influence total tract (P > .21) or ruminal mean retention times (P > .87). Partitioning of total retention time was similar (P > .21) for the LN, G3G1, and G4G1 models, but the G1G1 and G2G1 models did not adequately fit these data. Nonlinear models overestimated, and LN underestimated, fecal DM output by 9% (SEM = 4.7) for the hay diet. All the nonlinear models provided fecal DM output estimates that were within 5% of actual fecal DM output, but the LN model underestimated it by 18% (SEM = 3.3) for the pelleted diet. Ruminal outflow rate was slower (P < .01) and both ruminal and total mean retention time estimates were longer (P < .01) for Cr than for the rare earths. Despite the marker chosen, relative diet effects were similar. The three rare earth markers gave identical results for digesta kinetic estimates, indicating that they are useful for simultaneous study of more than one ingredient or particle, but direct comparison of rare earth and Cr-mordant passage rates is not advisable.

The effect of several flake densities (FD) of steam-processed sorghum grain on performance, and site and extent of nutrient digestibilities by steers fed growing and finishing diets was determined. The effectiveness of common laboratory methods of starch availability (enzymatic hydrolysis or gelatinization) to provide target specifications for quality control of steam-flaked grains was also measured. In vitro starch availability of the processed grains increased (P < .05) linearly in response to decreased FD. Flake density was more highly correlated with enzymatic measures than with percentage gelatinization (R2 = .87 to .93 vs .36). Using 140 crossbred beef steers (181 kg initial weight), feedlot performance was determined for 112 d with a growing diet (50% grain), followed by 119 d with a finishing diet (78% grain). Each FD treatment (412, 360, 309, and 257 g/L or 32, 28, 24, and 20 lb/bu) was randomly assigned to five pens of seven steers each. Intake of DM by steers decreased linearly (P < .05) as FD decreased (7 and 13%, respectively, for growing and finishing diets). Decreasing FD reduced linearly (P < .05) ADG in the finishing phase and for the entire 231-d trial. With the growing diet only, feed efficiency and estimated diet NEm and NEg responses to decreasing FD were curvilinear (P < .05), with the 360 g/L (28 lb/bu) flake being most efficient. Electrical energy requirements for processing increased linearly (P < .05) as FD decreased. Using four multi-cannulated crossbred steers (275 kg), starch digestibility increased linearly (P < .05) in the rumen (82 to 91%) and total tract (98.2 to 99.2%) as FD decreased. Digestibilities within the small (74%) and large intestines (62%) were not altered by FD. Decreasing FD increased (P < .05) total CP digestibility, but did not consistently alter fiber digestibility or DE content of the diets. In conclusion, enzymatic laboratory methods to evaluate starch availability in processed grains can be used satisfactorily to establish FD criteria for quality control of the steam-flaking process. The greatest improvements in efficiency, estimated diet NE, and starch and protein digestibilities usually occurred when FD was decreased from 412 to 360 g/L (32 to 28 lb/bu). Based on these measures and processing costs, the optimal FD was 360 g/L (28 lb/bu).

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