This experiment compared performance and physiological responses of the offspring from cows supplemented with Ca salts of soybean oil (CSSO) or prilled saturated fat (CON) during late gestation. Non-lactating, pregnant Angus × Hereford cows (n = 104) that conceived during the same fixed-time artificial insemination protocol, using semen from 2 sires, were used in this experiment. Cows were ranked by pregnancy sire, body weight (BW), and body condition score (BCS). On d 180 of gestation (d -15), cows were randomly assigned to receive (dry matter basis) 415 g of soybean meal per cow daily in addition to 1) 195 g/cow daily of CSSO (n = 52) or 2) 170 g/cow daily of CON (n = 52). Cows were maintained in 2 pastures (26 cows/treatment per pasture), and received daily 12.7 kg/cow (dry matter basis) of grass-alfalfa hay. From d 0 until calving, cows were segregated into 1 of 24 feeding pens thrice weekly and received treatments individually. Cow BW and BCS were recorded, and blood samples were collected on d -15 of the experiment and within 12 h after calving. Calf BW was also recorded and blood sample collected within 12 h of calving. Calves were weaned on d 290 of the experiment, preconditioned for 35 d (d 291 to 325), and transferred to a feedyard where they remained until slaughter. Upon calving, CSSO cows and calves had greater (P < 0.01) plasma concentrations of linoleic acid and total ω - 6 FA compared with CON cohorts. No differences in calf birth BW, weaning BW, and final preconditioning BW were noted (P ≥ 0.36) between treatments. Average daily gain and final BW in the feedlot were greater (P ≤ 0.05) in steers from CSSO cows compared with CON. The incidence of calves diagnosed with BRD that required a second antimicrobial treatment was less (P = 0.03) in calves from CSSO cows, resulting in reduced (P = 0.05) need of treatments to regain health compared with CON (Table 5). Upon slaughter, longissimus muscle area was greater (P = 0.03) in calves from CSSO cows compared with CON. Collectively, these results suggest that supplementing CSSO to late-gestating beef cows stimulated programming effects on postnatal offspring growth and Page 2 of 15 For Peer Review health. Therefore, supplementing late-gestating beef cows with CSSO appears to optimize offspring welfare and productivity in beef production systems.

This experiment compared performance and physiological responses of the offspring from cows supplemented with Ca salts of soybean oil (CSSO) or prilled saturated fat (CON) during late-gestation. Non-lactating, pregnant, multiparous Angus × Hereford cows (n = 104) that conceived during the same fixed-time artificial insemination protocol were assigned to this experiment. Cows were ranked by pregnancy sire (1 of 2 sires), body weight (BW), and body condition score (BCS) on d -15 of the experiment (d 180 of gestation). Cows were then assigned to receive (dry matter basis) 415 g of soybean meal per cow daily in addition to: 1) 195 g/cow daily of CSSO (n = 52) or 2) 170 g/cow daily of CON (n = 52). Cows were maintained in 2 pastures (26 cows/treatment per pasture), and received daily 12.7 kg/cow (dry matter basis) of grass-alfalfa hay from d -15 to calving. Cows were segregated into 1 of 24 feeding pens three times weekly and received treatments individually from d 0 to calving. Calves were weaned on d 290 of the experiment, preconditioned for 35 d (d 291 to 325), and transferred to a feedyard where they remained until slaughter (d 514). Cows receiving CSSO and their calves had greater (P < 0.01) plasma concentrations of linoleic acid and total ω-6 PUFA compared with CON after calving. Colostrum IgG and calf plasma IgG concentrations 24 h after birth were greater (P ≤ 0.02) in CSSO vs. CON cattle. Calves from CSSO cows had greater (P ≤ 0.05) expression of adipogenic (adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein and stearoyl-CoA desaturase) and myogenic (myogenic differentiation 1 and myogenin) genes in the longissimus muscle (LM) compared with CON. No treatments differences in birth BW, weaning BW, and final preconditioning BW were noted (P ≥ 0.36). Average daily gain and final BW in the feedyard were greater (P ≤ 0.05) in steers from CSSO cows compared with CON. The incidence of calves diagnosed with BRD that required a second antimicrobial treatment was less (P = 0.03) in calves from CSSO cows, resulting in reduced (P = 0.05) need of treatments to regain health compared with CON. Upon slaughter, LM area was greater (P = 0.03) in calves from CSSO cows compared with CON. Collectively, these results are indicative of programming effects on postnatal offspring growth and health resultant from CSSO supplementation to late-gestating cows. Hence, supplementing CSSO to beef cows during pregnancy might be a feasible alternative to optimize offspring productivity and welfare.

The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of anthelmintic treatment and supplementation of post-weaning Nellore calves. The parasitism degree, hematological changes and animal performance were analyzed, as well as the financial viability. One hundred contemporary Nellore calves were used. Animals were divided into four groups: CS+AT: supplementation with concentrate and anthelmintic treatment; CS: supplementation with concentrate; PS+AT: protein mineral supplementation and anthelmintic treatment; PS: protein mineral supplementation. Coproparasitological, hematological, and cost examinations were performed, and productive performance was also evaluated. A completely randomized design was used. Animals that received CS+AT showed greater weight gain. In females, there was significant difference in egg counts per gram of feces only between the CS and PS+AT. In males, animals receiving CS+AT, CS, and PS+AT differ from those receiving PS. No significant effects were observed for total plasma protein, packed cell volume, and eosinophils count. Females which received PS+AT and males who received CS+AT showed higher profitability. This study concludes that effective anthelmintic use is still viable, with higher profitability associated with concentrated supplementation in males, and mineral protein supplementation in females. Male calves show better return over investment when compared to females, due to the higher market value and higher potential performance.

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This study evaluated productive and physiological responses in feedlot cattle receiving a finishing diet that included Ca salts of palm oil (CSPALM), or a blend of Ca salts of palm, cottonseed, and soybean oils (CSMIX). Ninety yearling steers were housed in 15 pens equipped with Calan-gate feeders (6 steers/pen). Steers within each pen were stratified by shrunk body weight (BW; 410 ± 3.3 kg across pens) on d 0 and assigned to receive a total-mixed ration (TMR) containing (dry matter basis) 2.2% of CSPALM (n = 30), 2.2% of CSMIX (n = 30), or no supplemental fat (CON; n = 30). Individual TMR intake was evaluated weekly. Blood samples were collected on d 0, 28, 56, 91, 119, and 147. Samples of the Longissimus muscle (LM) were collected on d 84 via biopsy. Upon slaughter on d 148, hot carcass weight (HCW) was recorded to estimate final BW (63% dressing), and one LM steak sample (2.54 cm thickness) was removed from the right side of each carcass. Steer ADG was greater (P = 0.02) for CSMIX compared with CSPALM and tended to be greater (P = 0.09) for CSMIX compared with CON. The gain:feed ratio was greater (P ≤ 0.05) for CSMIX compared with CSPALM and CON, and carcass LM area was less (P = 0.01) for CSPALM compared with CSMIX and CON. No treatment effects were detected (P ≥ 0.21) for TMR intake, final BW, and other carcass merit traits including marbling. Mean plasma cholesterol concentrations were greater (P < 0.01) in CSMIX and CSPALM compared with CON, and mRNA expression of adipocyte fatty acid binding protein in the LM on d 84 was greater (P ≤ 0.04) in CSPALM compared with CSMIX and CON. No treatment effects were detected (P ≥ 0.15) for plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, insulin-like growth factor I, and leptin, nor for other LM genes associated with marbling and muscle growth. Concentrations of total fatty acids (FA) in plasma and LM steak samples were greater (P < 0.01) in CSMIX compared with CSPALM and CON, and greater (P < 0.01) in the LM samples of CSPALM compared with CON. Steers receiving CSMIX had greater (P < 0.01) concentrations of polyunsaturated and ω-6 FA in plasma and LM steak samples compared with CSPALM and CON. Supplementing CSMIX improved gain efficiency and FA profile in the LM of feedlot steers compared with the CON diet, but the same responses were not observed when CSPALM was offered. Perhaps the advantages from CSMIX supplementation resulted from increasing the supply of polyunsaturated and ω-6 FA to the finishing diet.

Bovine appeasing substance (BAS) is expected to have calming effect in cattle experiencing stressful situations, including weaning and feedlot arrival. In Exp. 1, 186 Bos indicus-influenced calves (73 heifers, 133 bulls) were weaned at 211 ± 1 d of age (d 0). Upon weaning, calves were ranked by sex and body weight (BW), and assigned to receive BAS (Nutricorp, Araras, SP, Brazil; n = 94) or water (CON; n = 92). Treatments (5-mL) were topically applied to the forehead of each animal. Calf BW was recorded and samples of blood and tail-switch hair collected on d 0, 15, and 45. Calves that received BAS had greater (P < 0.01) average daily again (ADG) from d 0 to 15, and BW on d 15 compared with CON. Overall ADG and BW on d 45 were also greater (P < 0.05) in BAS vs. CON. Plasma concentrations of haptoglobin were less (P < 0.01) in BAS vs. CON cattle on d 15, whereas cortisol concentrations in plasma and tail-switch hair did not differ between treatments (P > 0.16). In Exp. 2, 140 B. indicus-influenced bulls (~27 mo of age) were transported from a cow-calf ranch to a commercial feedlot (d -1), and maintained on a single pasture for 24 h. On d 0, bulls were ranked by BW and assigned to receive BAS (n = 70) or CON (n = 70) as in Exp. 1. Bulls receiving BAS had greater (P = 0.04) ADG from d 0 to 15, but less (P < 0.01) ADG from d 15 to 45 compared to CON. No other treatment effects were detected (P > 0.18). Therefore, BAS administration to beef cattle at weaning or feedlot entry had immediate benefits to ADG, which were sustained for 45 d in weaned calves but not in feedlot cattle.

Synthetic appeasing pheromone (SAP) is expected to have a calming effect in cattle experiencing stressful situations, including weaning and feedlot arrival. In Exp. 1, 186 Bos indicus-influenced calves (73 heifers, 133 bulls) were weaned at 211 ± 1 d of age (d 0). Upon weaning, calves were ranked by sex and body weight (BW), and assigned to receive SAP (Nutricorp, Araras, SP, Brazil; n = 94) or water (CON; n = 92). Treatments (5 mL) were topically applied to the forehead of each animal. Calf BW was recorded on d 15 and 45. Calves that received SAP had greater (P < 0.01) average daily again (ADG) from d 0 to 15, and BW on d 15 compared with CON (0.94 vs. 0.73 kg/d and 249 vs. 246 kg; respectively). Calf ADG from d 15 to 45 was similar (P = 0.97) between treatments. Overall ADG and BW on d 45 were also greater in SAP vs. CON (0.36 vs. 0.29 kg/d and 251 vs. 248 kg; respectively). In Exp. 2, 140 Bos indicus-influenced bulls (~27 mo of age) were transported from a cow-calf ranch to a commercial feedlot (d -1), and maintained on a single pasture for 24 h. On d 0, bulls were ranked by BW and assigned to receive SAP (n = 70) or CON (n = 70) as in Exp. 1. Bulls receiving SAP had greater (P = 0.04) ADG from d 0 to 15, but less (P <0.01) ADG from d 15 to 45 compared to CON (1.65 vs. 1.45 kg/d and 1.42 vs. 1.65 kg/d; respectively). No other treatment effects were detected (P ≥ 0.18). Therefore, SAP administration to beef cattle at weaning or feedlot entry had immediate benefits to ADG, which were sustained for 45 d in weaned calves but not in feedlot cattle

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