Gain Efficiency Research Articles

Stakeholders' perspectives on capturing societal cost savings from a quality improvement initiative: A qualitative study.

Besides improving the quality of care, quality improvement initiatives often also intend to produce cost savings. An example is prehabilitation, which can reduce complication rates and the length of stay in the hospital. However, the process from utilization reductions to actual societal cost savings remains uncertain in practice. Our aim was to identify barriers and facilitators throughout this process. We used the implementation of prehabilitation in a Dutch hospital as a test case. We held 20 semi-structured interviews between June and November 2023. Eighteen stakeholders were affiliated with the hospital and two with different health insurers. Nine interviews were held face-to-face and 11 via Microsoft Teams. The interviews were recorded and transcribed. The first transcripts were inductively coded by two authors, the subsequent transcripts by one and checked by another. Differences were resolved through discussion. We identified 20 barriers and 23 facilitators across four stages: reducing capacity, reducing departmental expenses, reducing hospital expenses and reducing insurer expenses. All participants expected that the excess capacity will be used for other priorities. This was perceived as highly valuable and as an efficiency gain. Other barriers to capture savings included the fear of losing resilience, flexibility, status and revenue. Misalignment between service contracts among hospitals and insurers can hinder the ability to financially incentivize cost reductions. Additionally, some contract types can hinder the transfer of hospital savings to insurers. Identified facilitators included shared savings agreements, an explicit strategy targeting all stages, and labor shortage, among others. This study systematically describes barriers and facilitators that prevent translating quality improvement initiatives into societal cost savings. Stakeholders expect that any saved capacity will be used for other priorities, including providing care due to the increasing demand. Capturing any cash savings does not occur automatically, emphasizing the need for a strategy targeting all stages.

Stomata Are Driving the Direction of CO2-Induced Water-Use Efficiency Gain in Selected Tropical Trees in Fiji.

Understanding plant physiological response to a rising atmospheric CO2 concentration (ca) is key in predicting Earth system plant-climate feedbacks; however, the effects of long-term rising ca on plant gas-exchange characteristics in the tropics are largely unknown. Studying this long-term trend using herbarium records is challenging due to specimen trait variation. We assessed the impact of a ca rise of ~95 ppm (1927-2015) on the intrinsic water-use efficiency (iWUE) and maximum stomatal conductance (gsmax) of five tropical tree species in Fiji using the isotopic composition and stomatal traits of herbarium leaves. Empirical results were compared with simulated values using models that uniquely incorporated the variation in the empirical gsmax responses and species-specific parameterisation. The magnitude of the empirical iWUE and gsmax response was species-specific, ranging from strong to negligible. Stomatal density was more influential than the pore size in determining the gsmax response to ca. While our simulation results indicated that photosynthesis is the main factor contributing to the iWUE gain, stomata were driving the iWUE trend across the tree species. Generally, a stronger increase in the iWUE was accompanied by a stronger decline in stomatal response. This study demonstrates that the incorporation of variation in the gsmax in simulations is necessary for assessing an individual species' iWUE response to changing ca.

A comprehensive study of recent studies on the efficiency of axial flow turbines with an investigation on blade profile modifications in stator and rotor assemblies

Axial flow turbines are crucial in energy production and propulsion across diverse applications. As global energy needs rise, optimizing turbine efficiency is paramount. This review delves into the aerodynamic design of turbine blades, specifically examining blade profile modifications in both stator and rotor assemblies of state-of-the-art models proposed in the studies from 2019 to 2024. The focus is on mitigating performance discrepancies between idealized simulations and real-world applications, which present significant challenges such as inconsistencies in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) predictions and manufacturing constraints. Key findings from this review highlight a potential efficiency gain of 1%–3% through optimal blade designs that reduce incidence losses, secondary flows, and tip vortex formation. Advanced modeling techniques, including high-fidelity, multi-objective optimization with machine learning, are evolving to better predict and enhance turbine performance. However, gaps remain in system-level integration and the limited experimental data restricts comprehensive validation of these new designs. The insights from this review will aid the research community by identifying critical areas for future investigation, such as integrating blade aerodynamics with heat transfer and structural mechanics. Further, it emphasizes the need for exploring combinations of passive and active flow control strategies to fully harness the benefits of blade profile enhancements. These efforts are crucial for achieving substantial improvements in turbine efficiency, which are essential for meeting the growing demands for sustainable and efficient energy production.

Of buds and bits: a meta-QTL study identifies stable QTL for berry quality and yield traits in cranberry mapping populations (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.).

For nearly two centuries, cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) breeders have improved fruit quality and yield by selecting traits on fruiting stems, termed "reproductive uprights." Crop improvement is accelerating rapidly in contemporary breeding programs due to modern genetic tools and high-throughput phenotyping methods, improving selection efficiency and accuracy. We conducted genotypic evaluation on 29 primary traits encompassing fruit quality, yield, and chemical composition in two full-sib cranberry breeding populations-CNJ02 (n = 168) and CNJ04 (n = 67)-over 3 years. Genetic characterization was further performed on 11 secondary traits derived from these primary traits. For CNJ02, 170 major quantitative trait loci (QTL; R 2 ≥ 0.10) were found with interval mapping, 150 major QTL were found with model mapping, and 9 QTL were found to be stable across multiple years. In CNJ04, 69 major QTL were found with interval mapping, 81 major QTL were found with model mapping, and 4 QTL were found to be stable across multiple years. Meta-QTL represent stable genomic regions consistent across multiple years, populations, studies, or traits. Seven multi-trait meta-QTL were found in CNJ02, one in CNJ04, and one in the combined analysis of both populations. A total of 22 meta-QTL were identified in cross-study, cross-population analysis using digital traits for berry shape and size (8 meta-QTL), digital images for berry color (2 meta-QTL), and three-study cross-analysis (12 meta-QTL). Together, these meta-QTL anchor high-throughput fruit quality phenotyping techniques to traditional phenotyping methods, validating state-of-the-art methods in cranberry phenotyping that will improve breeding accuracy, efficiency, and genetic gain in this globally significant fruit crop.

Economic development through sustainable energy transition: the impact of machine learning-driven energy efficiency in industrial sectors

The transition to sustainable energy systems is a critical component in addressing global environmental challenges and fostering economic development. Industrial sectors, which are major consumers of energy and contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, play a pivotal role in this transition. Machine learning (ML) technologies have emerged as transformative tools for enhancing energy efficiency in these sectors, offering significant potential for economic and environmental benefits. This review explores the impact of ML-driven energy efficiency on economic development, focusing on its application within various industrial contexts. The integration of machine learning into energy management systems allows for advanced predictive analytics, real-time monitoring, and process optimization. ML algorithms can analyze large datasets to forecast energy demand, detect inefficiencies, and optimize operational processes, leading to substantial cost savings and energy reductions. For example, in manufacturing industries, ML-driven solutions have been employed to enhance predictive maintenance, optimize production processes, and reduce energy consumption, resulting in lower operational costs and increased productivity. Similarly, in industrial facilities such as chemical plants and data centers, ML has been used to streamline energy management and minimize waste, demonstrating its versatility and effectiveness across diverse industrial applications. The economic impacts of ML-driven energy efficiency are profound. By reducing energy costs and improving operational performance, industries can achieve significant financial savings, which in turn can be reinvested into further innovations and growth. Additionally, the adoption of ML technologies fosters job creation and skill development in the tech and energy sectors, contributing to broader economic growth. Industries that leverage ML for energy efficiency gain a competitive advantage, positioning themselves favorably in the market and tapping into new opportunities for innovation and expansion. However, the transition to ML-driven energy efficiency is not without challenges. Issues related to data availability and quality, high implementation costs, and industry-specific constraints must be addressed to fully realize the benefits. Policymakers play a crucial role in facilitating this transition by developing supportive policies and regulations that encourage the adoption of ML technologies in energy management. Machine learning offers a transformative approach to achieving energy efficiency in industrial sectors, with significant implications for economic development. By addressing the challenges and leveraging emerging opportunities, industries and policymakers can drive sustainable energy transitions that benefit both the environment and the economy. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of these impacts and offers strategic recommendations for advancing ML-driven energy efficiency in the industrial sector. Keywords: Economic Development, Sustainable Energy, Machine Learning, Industrial Sectors.

PSLBI-9 The growth performance and total tract starch digestibility of finishing Nelore bulls fed flint corn-based diets are improved by the corn processing method and urea source

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the flint corn processing method (CPM) and urea source for finishing Nellore bulls fed corn-based diets. In this study, 80 Nellore bulls [initial body weight (BW) = 388 ± 45.7 kg] were allocated into 28 pens (7 pens/treatment; 6 pens with 3 bulls + 1 pen with 2 bulls). A completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments was used to test two CPMs: dry ground corn (DGC) and reconstituted and ensiled corn (REC), and two US: feed-grade urea (FGU) and post-ruminal release urea (PRU). Dietary inclusion (% DM) of flint corn (vitreousness = 86.0%) was 61.3% (DGC or REC), and urea source addition was 0.5% as non-protein nitrogen (NPN; as FGU or PRU). The PRU source (Trouw Nutrition, Netherlands) contained 82% urea on a DM basis. In an in vitro assay, 27% of this urea was released into the rumen. Experimental period lasted 100 d (with 14 d of adaptation). Fecal samples from each bull were collected in two periods of three consecutive days (d 44 to 46 and 94 to 96) at different time (0600, 1200, and 1800 h). Samples were composited by pen and analyzed for fecal starch (FS) and indigestible NDF as markers for fecal excretion. At the end of the experiment, bulls were slaughtered and the jejunum and pancreas were sampled from one bull per pen. Interaction effects were not found (P ≥ 0.31) for any feedlot growth performance variables (Table 1). Final BW, average daily gain, and feed efficiency (gain to feed; G:F) were greater for bulls fed REC and PRU than for those fed DGC and FGU (P < 0.02), respectively. As a result, observed dietary net energy (NE) for maintenance and BW gain were about 7.0% and 9.0% greater for bulls fed REC diets, and 4.3% and 5.6% greater for bulls fed PRU diets, respectively. Bulls fed DGC had 2.2 times greater FS compared with bulls fed REC, resulting in lower fecal pH and total tract starch digestibility (TSD) for bulls fed DGC compared with those fed REC (P < 0.01). Interestingly, a similar trend was observed in bulls fed PRU compared with those fed diets with FGU (P < 0.06). Jejunal gene expression of SLC5A1 was not affected by treatments (P > 0.14). Nevertheless, bulls fed diets with PRU presented greater jejunal α-amylase activity (P = 0.02). Pancreatic α-amylase activity was less when bulls were fed DGC + PRU diet. In conclusion, REC markedly improved TSD and growth performance compared with DGC. Additionally, independent of CPM, PRU inclusion as NPN source increased G:F and dietary NE concentration due to the positive effects on jejunal amylase activity and TSD.

PSIV-25 Utilization of rumen protected lysine and methionine in beef feedlot diets: Impacts on steer performance

Abstract Our objective was to compare intake, gain, and feed efficiency of steers fed rumen protected lysine and/or methionine in 10% crude protein diet relative to performance of steers fed a diet with 13% crude protein without added amino acids. Beef steers [n = 161; body weight (BW) = 429.7 ± 44.5kg] were used in this experiment. Calves were randomly assigned to treatments consisting of 1) positive control diet (POS), formulated to contain 13.0 to 13.5% CP, 2) negative control (NEG) diet containing 10.2% CP, which also forms the basal diet for the remaining treatments, 3) rumen protected methionine (RPMet) 10.2% CP basal diet and 7.2 g/d supplemental methionine, 4) rumen protected lysine (RPLys) 10.2% CP basal diet and 18.5 g/d supplemental lysine, and 5) the combination of rumen protected lysine and methionine (RPMet+Lys) 10.2% basal diet with 7.2 and 18.5 g/d supplemental methionine and lysine, respectively. Initial and final BW were unaffected by treatment (P ≥ 0.24). Average daily gain for POS (1.93 kg/d P ≤ 0.02) was greater than those of NEG, RPLYS, and RPMET+LYS, but was similar to RPMET (1.86 kg/d; P = 0.17). Dry matter intake was greater in RPMET (12.1kg/d; P ≤ 0.10) compared with all other treatments. Gain-to-feed ratio was greatest in POS (0.170 kg gain:kg DMI; P ≤ 0.04). The impacts of rumen-protected amino acids on performance (intake, gain, and efficiency) of beef steers fed high-concentrate diets were inconsistent. Evaluating both lysine and methionine supplied independent of each other in various concentrations is critical before moving forward with recommendations for beef cattle. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

PSXI-19 Effects of different forage levels on performance and feeding behavior of feedlot cattle

Abstract Body weight (BW) gain is highly correlated with profitability and positively associated with feed efficiency and reduced environmental impact of beef production. Fiber stimulates rumination which is essential for digestion, nutrient absorption, and maintenance of animal health. The quantity and quality of fiber in the diet affect BW gain and feeding and rumination patterns. Forage neutral detergent fiber (fNDF) has a key role in regulating intake and health. This study tested two levels of forage inclusion NDF on performance and feeding behavior of Nellore bulls. Corn silage was the source of forage fiber, diets had 12% or 7% fNDF [23.3% or 13.6% in the total dry matter (DM). Diets had 64% and 73.5% ground corn, and 0.2 and 0.5% potassium chloride respectively for 12% and 7% fNDF. Both treatments included soybean meal (1.5%); cottonseed (7%), urea (1.2%), mineral mixture (2.7%) and monensin (25 ppm). Diets were formulated to meet protein and mineral requirements with RLM model (rlm.app.br). Nellore bulls (n = 40; BW = 460 ± 38 kg and an average age of 20 mo) were fed for 50 d after 21 d adaptation. Each animal was considered as experimental unit in a completely randomized design. On d 21 and 42 behavior was evaluated every 10 min for 24 h. Feed intake was measured using Growsafe feeders. Average daily gain (ADG) was estimated by linear regression based on BW (without fast) obtained in real time scales at the water trough. Data were evaluated by SAS PROC GLM. Daily gain (1.71 vs. 1.43 kg/d, P = 0.0002), DM intake (10.97 vs. 10.00 kg/d, P < 0.001) and feed efficiency (0.154 vs. 0.139, P = 0.04) were greater for the 12% fNDF treatment. Likewise, rumination time was greater for the 12% fNDF compared with the 7% fNDF treatment; 356 and 275 min/d respectively (P = 0.0005). Animals fed 12% fNDF had longer rumination times and improved performance compared with those fed 7%. There were no differences in the number of visits to the troughs or in total feeding time (P > 0.05), with mean visits of 15.17 and 15.43, and feeding times of 145.6 and 146.8 minutes for the 12% and 7% fNDF diets, respectively. Linear correlation between ADG and rumination time was positive r = 0.49 (P < 0.03) and r = 0.28 (P < 0.23), indicating that rumination is associated with an increase in ADG. Coefficient of variation for ADG was 13.4 and 27.2% for 12 and 7% fNDF diets, with greater variability for the low fiber diets. The results highlight the importance of providing adequate forage to feedlot cattle. Results are consistent with previous work from our group demonstrating that the maximum performance is achieved at around 11 to 13% fNDF. Bulls fed 12% fNDF diets had greater BW gain, higher rumination and reduced ADG variation compared with those fed 7% fNDF diets.

55 Establishing grain-based modified protocols for re-feeding malnourished horses

Abstract Increased feed costs, forage availability, and the increasing number of malnourished horses present major challenges to the equine industry. The goal of this project was to test an adapted refeeding protocol using Bermuda hay and two commercial grain products in severely malnourished horses. So, an 8-wk study from January to March 2023 was conducted to evaluate the effects of Total Equine in the refeeding of 10 emaciated horses. Horses were previously destined for slaughter and purchased from an auction with an average body condition score (BCS) of 2.01 (S.D. ± 0.69), then quarantined for 30 d before starting the study following recommended biosecurity protocols. During quarantine, horses were evaluated by a veterinarian and received treatment as needed, vaccinations, deworming, and mares were pregnancy checked. All horses were provided with ad libitum Bermuda hay and water. Upon completion of the quarantine period, horses were blocked into two groups based on age, BCS, pregnancy status, and gender and randomly assigned to a diet. The Control (Ctrl) diet consisted of a commercial grain diet recommended and used by five local West Texas horse rescue groups and the Treatment (Trt) diet consisted of Total Equine. Both diets included ad libitum access to water and Bermuda hay (TDN 56.5) offered twice daily in port-a-grazer tubs to control waste and the amount was adjusted daily to maintain a 3% refusal rate. Grain was offered at a rate of 0.005% BW + 227 kg per the manufacturer’s suggestion, divided into 2 equal feedings with amounts adjusted weekly. Individual horses were weighed weekly using an electronic scale and BCS was evaluated at wk 0, 4, and 8. All horses were allowed a 1-h turnout in a dry-pen per day for 6 d each week. Blood samples were collected at wk 0, 4, and 8 for analysis. Health parameters were measured weekly throughout the study. Samples (grain, hay, hay orts) were collected twice weekly for DM, NDF, ADF, EE, CP, and Ash analysis. Data was analyzed using Proc Mixed in SAS. Overall, there was no significant difference between DMI by diet (Ctrl 8.74 kg/d and Trt 9.44 kg/d). However, a tendency for increased ADG (P = 0.06) for the Trt diet (Ctrl 0.20 kg/d & Trt 1.34 kg/d) was noted. Efficiency calculated as (ADG/DMI) was significantly improved (P = 0.04) indicating an improvement in the efficiency of BW gain for the Trt diet compared with the Ctrl. Improved BW gain and efficiency of gain are of interest when rehabilitating malnourished horses. The establishment of accessible modified feeding protocols may improve efficiency and reduce the cost involved in the rehabilitation of malnourished horses and would be a step forward for the equine industry.

Hyper pooling private trips into high occupancy transit like attractive shared rides

The size of the solution space associated with the trip-matching problem has made the search for high-order ride-pooling prohibitive. We introduce hyper-pooled rides along with a method to identify them within urban demand patterns. Travellers of hyper-pooled rides walk to common pick-up points, travel with a shared vehicle along a sequence of stops and are dropped off at stops from which they walk to their destinations. While closely resembling classical mass transit, hyper-pooled rides are purely demand-driven, with itineraries (stop locations, sequences, timings) optimised for all co-travellers. For 2000 trips in Amsterdam the algorithm generated 40 hyper-pooled rides transporting 225 travellers. They would require 52.5 vehicle hours to travel solo, whereas in the hyper-pooled multi-stop rides, it is reduced sixfold to 9 vehicle hours only. This efficiency gain is made possible by achieving an average occupancy of 5.8 (and a maximum of 14) while remaining attractive for all co-travellers.

511 Assessing the carry-over effects of precision livestock technology on steer performance and carcass characteristics

Abstract Our objective was to evaluate how virtual fencing grazing management during the stocker phase influences steer growth performance, carcass traits, and enteric emissions during the finishing phase. Angus steers [n = 96; initial body weight (BW) = 375 ± 7.2 kg) grazed native rangeland from 07 June 2023 to 31 August 2023 in Cottonwood, SD at South Dakota State University’s Cottonwood Field Station. Following summer grazing, steers were transported to Brookings, SD and fed for 130-d at the South Dakota State University Cow-Calf Education and Research Facility. During the summer grazing season, steers were assigned to different stocking rates (Light, Moderate, and Heavy, at 0.32, 0.42, and 0.72 animal unit months, respectively), and grazing strategies [continuous (CG) or virtual fencing rotational (RG)] in a 2 × 3 factorial design. Steers were transitioned from a 30% roughage to a 10% roughage diet over 21-d. The finishing diet (13.7% CP, 17.2% NDF, 1.36 Mcal/kg NEg, and 30 g/907-kg monensin sodium) was manufactured twice daily and provided ad libitum. Feed consumption was tracked using precision monitoring equipment (Insentec, The Hague, Netherlands). Steers were individually weighed on d 1 (entry BW), 21, 63, 90, and 130 and administered a steroidal implant (200 mg trenbolone acetate and 20 mg estradiol; Revalor-200, Merck Animal Health, DeSoto, KS) on d 21. Enteric emissions, including methane and carbon dioxide, were monitored using the GreenFeed trailer system (C-Lock Inc., Rapid City, SD), growth performance, carcass traits, and categorical carcass traits were analyzed in a factorial design using a randomized complete block design with individual steer considered the experimental unit. Final BW was determined from hot carcass weight divided by 0.625. Steers from heavy-CG had greater feedlot entry BW (P ≤ 0.05) compared with all treatments except light-CG and light-RG. Light-CG and light-RG had greater entry BW compared with heavy-RG (P ≤ 0.05). Gain efficiency was greater for light-CG compared with light-RG, moderate-CG, and heavy-CG (P ≤ 0.05), while moderate-RG and heavy-RG were intermediate (P ≤ 0.05). Steers from moderate-RG had greater marbling scores compared with heavy-RG (P = 0.05), and all other treatments were intermediate. Neither stocking density (P ≥ 0.15) nor grazing management strategy (P ≥ 0.13) had any influence on other measures of growth performance, emissions (CH4 and CO2) production rate, or carcass traits. These findings suggest that stocking density and grazing-management strategy (CG vs. virtual fencing-RG) influence gains on pasture and alter feedlot entry BW, highlighting the need for further investigation into their implications for greenhouse gas emissions, as well as for determining optimal stocking densities and management strategies for ranchers

250 Effects of corn processing on growth performance, starch digestibility, and blood metabolites in receiving beef steers

Abstract Corn is the most common grain ingredient fed to feedlot cattle in the U.S. and most corn goes through some processing to increase the energy availability. This study examined the effects of a novel corn processing method on the growth performance, starch digestibility, and blood metabolites of growing steers compared with traditional corn processing methods. Angus-cross steers [n = 218; body weight (BW) = 230 ± 18.5 kg] were sorted into pens of 6 or 7 steers upon arrival and fed a common receiving diet for 2 d prior to being weighed, processed, and starting dietary treatments (n = 12 pens/treatment) on d 0. Treatments included diets with dry rolled corn (ROLL), steam flaked corn (FLAKE), and high shear dry extruded corn (EXT; High-Gel Insta-Pro International, Grimes, IA). Corn was included at 30% DM of a corn silage and SweetBran-based diet. Due to illness concerns, diets were adjusted to reduce corn in the diet to 25% on d 5; in feed antibiotic was fed d 5 to 9, and all calves were weighed and administered Draxxin (1.1 mL/45.45 kg) on d 17. Final BW were collected on d 37 and 38 and serum (glucose, insulin) and fecal samples (total tract starch digestibility) were collected from one steer per pen. Data were analyzed using the Mixed procedure of SAS 9.4 (Cary, NC) with pen as the experimental unit. Treatment did not affect midpoint (d 17) BW or average daily gain (ADG) from d 0 to 17 (P ≥ 0.31). Final BW, ADG, and dry matter intake were not different between treatments (P ≥ 0.15). Feed efficiency (gain:feed) was greatest in EXT (0.261) compared with ROLL (0.232) with FLAKE (0.259) being intermediate and not different from other treatments (P = 0.007). Total tract starch digestibility was determined using the equations from Zinn et al. (2007) and was increased in EXT and FLAKE compared with ROLL (P = 0.0002). Serum glucose and insulin on d 36 were not affected by treatment (P ≥ 0.19). Overall, a growing diet of 25% high shear dry extruded corn increased feed efficiency and total tract starch digestibility over dry rolled corn and resulted in similar performance to steers fed steam flaked corn.

353 Zinc supplementation prior to transit and transit duration effects on feedlot performance and muscle fatigue of beef steers: Part I – Performance and Muscle Fatigue

Abstract This study investigated zinc (Zn) as a mitigation strategy for transit-induced muscle fatigue. Recently weaned Angus-cross steers (n = 80) were stratified by body weight (BW = 265 ± 18.0 kg) to a 2×2 factorial. Dietary (DIET) treatments of no supplemental Zn (Zn0) or 100 mg supplemental Zn/kg DM (Zn100; Zn as ZnSO4), were fed for 42 d before transit. Along with a transit duration (DUR) of 8 h (~707 km; 8H) or 18 h (~1,608 km; 18H) on d 0. Upon return, and for 56 d post-transit, all steers received Zn100. Individual feed disappearance was monitored using GrowSafe bunks (1 bunk/pen; 5 steers/pen). Body weights were collected on d -42, -41, -1, 0 (on truck), 1 (off truck), 2, 7, 28, 55, and 56. Blood samples for analysis of non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) and serum L-lactate were collected on d -1, 1, 2, and 7. Data were analyzed via ProcMixed of SAS (experimental unit = steer; 15 to 20/treatment) as a 2 × 2 factorial, with fixed effects of DIET, DUR, and the interaction. Individual initial (d -42) BW was used as a covariate in BW analysis. Average DMI of d -11 to d -2 (pre-trucking) was used as a covariate in post-transit DMI analysis. Blood parameters were log-transformed and analyzed as repeated measures with repeated effect of day. Pre-transit (d -1) concentrations were used as a covariate. Pre-transit average daily gain (ADG) and dry matter intake (DMI) were greater (P ≤ 0.02) and feed efficiency (gain to feed; G:F) tended to be greater (P = 0.10) in Zn100 vs. Zn0. BW on d -1 and 7 (P = 0.01) was greater for Zn100 than Zn0. There was a DIET effect and DUR tendency on post-transit G:F where Zn0 was greater than Zn100 (P ≤ 0.01) and 18H tended to be greater than 8H (P = 0.05). 56-d post-transit ADG was least for Zn100-8H (DIET×DUR, P = 0.02). Post-transit DMI was greatest for Zn0-8H with Zn100-8H being the lowest and other treatments being not different (DIET × DUR, P = 0.04). Diet did not affect L- lactate or NEFA concentrations (P > 0.13). NEFA was greater for 18H vs. 8H on d 1 and 2 but less on d 7 (DUR×DAY, P < 0.01). There was a DUR×DAY effect (P ≤ 0.01) for L-Lactate where 8H tended to be greater than 18H on d 1, but by d 2 8H was lesser than 18H, and on d 7 they were not different. In conclusion, longer transit duration increases some indicators of muscle fatigue and Zn supplementation improved pre-transit performance. Receiving Zn supplementation after trucking also improved the post-transit performance of those not previously supplemented with Zn.

248 Impacts of sprouted barley on the performance and carcass traits in finishing Angus steers

Abstract The growing population, coupled with unpredictable weather patterns, demands that livestock producers think innovatively to improve sustainability. Producers are interested in innovative practices and technology, such as controlled environment farming to sprout cereal grains that can be fed to livestock. However, little research has determined the effects of giving these feeds to finishing beef steers. As such, Angus steers (n = 60) were stratified by body weight (BW; 385 kg ± 10.3) to receive two different diets (n = 30/diet). The control (CON) diet was a traditional finishing ration for the region, whereas the other included 20% (dry matter; DM) sprouted barley (SB) in place of corn silage. Animals were fed for 128 d in pens with Vytelle units to measure intake and feeding behavior. On d 0, 30, 60, 90, and 128 BW, ruminal fluid, and ultrasound measurements were taken. Liver score (LS) and typical carcass data were collected from a commercial harvest facility. Statistical analyses used the MIXED procedure of SAS to assess the main effect of diet for all measurements collected over time. Dry matter intake (DMI), feed efficiency (gain to feed; G:F), ruminal volatile fatty acid (VFA) composition, and feeding behavior were run as repeated measures. No differences (P = 0.37) in BW gain were found between steers receiving different diets, but steers receiving SB had decreased (P < 0.0001) DMI throughout the trial compared with CON. This decrease in DMI drove a diet × day effect (P = 0.004) for G:F such that SB had increased (P ≤ 0.04) G:F on d 0 and 60, but no effect (P ≥ 0.52) was observed at d 90 or 128. Steers receiving the CON diet spent more (P < 0.0001) time at the feed bunk than those receiving the SB diet, which supports the observation that steers receiving the CON had an increased DMI. Ruminal pH, total VFA concentration, acetate:propionate, percent propionate, and percent butyrate were each impacted by diet × day (P ≤ 0.007). The only carcass trait impacted by diet was yield grade (YG), where steers receiving the SB diet had an increased (P < 0.03) YG compared with CON. These results demonstrate that replacing corn silage with SB in the ration of finishing steers has some effect on ruminal VFA composition, DMI, G:F, and USDAYG. Due to decreased DMI, SB steers had increased feed efficiency which could potentially have a positive economic impact for producers. However, additional analysis is needed to further determine if these systems are economically viable in a production setting.

359 Optimization of calcium inclusion levels in diets fed to growing and finishing beef cattle

Abstract Calcium (Ca) is a mineral that has an essential role in many biochemical pathways and functions of beef cattle. Limestone is the primary supplemental source of Ca in diets fed to growing and finishing cattle in the United States. Preliminary data indicated that inclusion of dietary Ca above the NASEM (2016) requirements as well as mean and modal concentrations reported by the most recent survey of consulting nutritionists may improve average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency (gain to feed ration; G:F) of finishing beef cattle. Thus, the objective of this experiment was to determine the optimal concentration of Ca in growing and finishing diets when limestone was the supplemental source of added Ca. A database was constructed containing 89 treatment means from 23 experiments published from 1963 to 2024 where dietary Ca inclusion via limestone represented treatments. Search parameters to construct the database included a combination of Ca, limestone, performance, efficiency, ADG, G:F, feedlot cattle, finishing cattle, growing cattle, and backgrounding cattle. Data were analyzed in JMP Pro 17 using a mixed model to determine linear and quadratic relationships between dietary Ca and ADG, DMI, or G:F with citation as a random effect. An economic sensitivity analysis was conducted to determine variables most influential to the dietary Ca concentration projected to minimize cost of gain using the above models. Concentration of dietary calcium was selected as the explanatory variable for the models rather than limestone because a greater proportion of variation was accounted for in the response variables prior to the citation adjustment (Ca R2 0.05 to 0.25; limestone R2 0.06 to 0.21). Diet Ca concentration and DMI were unrelated (P ≥ 0.75), but diet Ca was related to both ADG (R2 = 0.84; RMSE = 0.36; P ≤ 0.03) and G:F (R2 = 0.74; RMSE = 0.01; P < 0.01) in a quadratic fashion. Maximum ADG occurred when Ca was included at 1.20% of diet DM; approximately 2.6-fold greater than Ca requirements estimated by NASEM (2016). Cost of gain was minimized when Ca was 1.35% of diet DM. Sensitivity analysis revealed Ca concentration to minimize cost of gain was sensitive to changes in DMI, ADG, days on feed, ration cost and cost of yardage. These results provide further evidence that it may be beneficial to feed a greater amount of Ca than currently recommended by the NASEM (2016) for growing and finishing cattle. Future pen-scale feeding trials are warranted to validate the results of this meta-analysis and to determine the dose response of cattle fed graded levels of Ca. Future research should also be conducted to determine the mechanism of action responsible for the observed improvements in animal performance and efficiency resulting from feeding an increased amount of dietary Ca.

399 Effect of feeding palm oil products on finishing cattle performance, carcass characteristics, and methane production

Abstract The objectives of this experiment were to evaluate feeding palm oil products on feedlot cattle performance and methane production. Steers (n = 320; 380 ± 14.5 kg) were allocated to 40 pens in a randomized block design and assigned to 1 of 5 treatments consisting of different sources of supplemental fat: 1) No Oil; negative control containing 0.0% supplemental fat, 2) Corn Oil; positive control containing 4.0% supplemental corn oil, 3) Whole Palm; 4.0% supplemental whole palm oil, 4) Olein; 4.0% supplemental palm olein oil, or 5) Stearin; 4.0% supplemental palm stearin oil. Cattle consuming Corn Oil, Olein and Stearin all had greater (P = 0.04) final body weight (BW) and hot carcass weight (HCW) than cattle consuming no oil but were not different (P > 0.11) from each other or from Whole Palm, which was intermediate. Dry matter intake (DMI) of cattle consuming No Oil, Whole Palm and Stearin oil was not different from each other; however, cattle fed Corn Oil had greater intake than Whole Palm (P = 0.03). Corn Oil, Olein, and Stearin all had greater average daily gain (ADG) than cattle consuming No Oil (P = 0.04) but were not different (P > 0.12) from Whole Palm. Adding fat improved feed efficiency (gain to feed; G:F) as all diets including added fat had greater (P < 0.01) G:F than No Oil. Marbling scores were greater (P = 0.01) for Olein and Stearin than Corn and Whole Palm. There were no differences in backfat, ribeye area or liver abscess rate among any treatments (P > 0.74). Gas emissions were evaluated for only the No Oil and Whole Palm treatments. Total methane and methane produced per pound of dry matter intake was less for cattle consuming Whole Palm than No Oil by 14.8% (P < 0.04) while cattle were in the methane chamber. Methane produced per kilogram of ADG for Whole Palm was also reduced (P < 0.01) by 21.4% compared with No Oil. The results of this study indicate feeding palm oil products as a source of supplemental fat in finishing diets increases final BW, ADG, and HCW compared with feeding no supplemental fat, but had minimal impact on DMI resulting in an improvement in G:F. Adding supplemental fat reduced methane emissions in cattle when feeding Whole Palm compared with No Oil. The value of palm oil products in feedlot finishing diets is comparable with feeding corn oil.

330 Growth performance, incidence of scours, and plasma metabolites in beef × dairy crossbred calves transported at 2, 4, 8 and 14 d of age

Abstract Transportation can compromise health and production performance in young calves. Although widely accepted that the younger calves are, the greater the probability of negative outcomes, there still is a lack of evidence-based recommendations on the minimum age at transportation. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of transport age on growth performance, incidence of scours, and plasma metabolites over the first 28 d post-transport in Charolais × Holstein crossbred calves. Calves (n = 36) ages 2, 4, 8 and 14-d old were transported in summer from a commercial farm to an on-campus calf rearing facility (410 miles). Calf body weight (BW) was recorded before departure, on arrival and d 28 post-transport. Dry matter intake (DMI) and fecal scores were recorded daily. Blood samples collected prior to transportation, on arrival, and d 7 and 28 post-transport were used for targeted metabolomics analysis (Biocrates MxP Quant 500 kit). Growth performance and fecal score data were analyzed using PROC MIXED (SAS) whereas R was used for predictive modeling of metabolomics data. Over the 28-d period post-transport, DMI was greater (P < 0.01) for 14 d than 2 and 4 d old calves; however, it did not differ between 2, 4, and 8 d old calves. Average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency (FE) were also greater (P < 0.01) for 14 d than 2, 4, and 8 d old calves. During wk 1 post-transport, the total number of days calves had scours was least (P < 0.01) for 2 and 14 d, intermediate for 4 d, and greatest for 8 d old calves. During wk 2, the total number of days with scours was less (P < 0.01) for 8 and 14 d (average of 2 d) compared with 2 and 4 d old calves (5 d). Additionally, the total number of days calves had scours during the first 2 wk post-transport tended (P = 0.08) to be greater for 2, 4, and 8 d than 14 d old calves. However, during wk 3 and 4 post-transport, there were no differences (P ≥ 0.58) in the total number of days with scours across transport age. Arginine methylation, d 7 of measurements, carnitine uptake defect, phosphatidic acid 16:0:18:2, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, sodium, triglyceride 18:2:34:4, threonine, α-aminobutyric acid, and glycolithocholic acid 3-sulfate were the most important features in terms of predicting the occurrence of scours. Overall, DMI, ADG and FE were less for calves transported at 2, 4, and 8 d than at 14 d of age, which could partially be attributed to differences in the incidence rate of scours. In addition, several plasma metabolites could be good predictors of scours in transported calves.

367 Changing the conversation: Evaluating feedyard closeouts and the beef system on a carcass basis

Abstract Beef cattle genetics, management, technologies and nutritional strategies are ever evolving, and current US trends favor feeding cattle to heavier carcass endpoints and optimizing quality grade. The average number of days on feed (DOF) in the US has increased year after year, averaging 195 and 183 DOF for steers and heifers, respectively, as reported by Elanco Benchmark data in 2021. As DOF increase, cattle live performance, including average daily gain and feed efficiency decline; however, hot carcass weight (HCW) becomes significantly heavier. Although a reduction in live feed conversion occurs as cattle are fed for extended DOF, the kilograms of additional live gain that result as kilograms of gain on the carcass, termed carcass transfer, increase linearly. As DOF are extended, carcass transfer has been reported to increase up to 88 %. As a result of genetic advancements, technologies, and feeding longer, HCW has trended heavier over the last 60 yr, with 2024 USDA HCW reported for April as 11.3 and 9.5 kg heavier for steers and heifers, respectively, year after year. According to mandatory price reporting data, approximately 74 % of fat cattle marketed in the US are sold as dressed beef. As we continue to feed to heavier endpoints and longer DOF, the profitability of selling on a carcass-basis increases. With the increase in carcass transfer as DOF extend, this presentation will attempt to address that cattle live performance should be adjusted to a carcass-basis for feedyards to appropriately capture the inflection point at which cost of additional gain equals the price received for the additional gain.

144 Assessing economic implications of thermal stress of Bos indicus and Bos taurus species during finishing in northern Colorado

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the economic implications of thermal stress on climate adaptive capacity, resiliency, and impact of Bos indicus and Bos taurus finishing steers using common finishing systems. The experimental design was a completely randomized design, with a 2 by 2 factorial arrangement of finishing system (‘natural’ or ‘conventional’) and species of cattle (Bos indicus or Bos taurus). Steers [n = 200; body weight (BW) ~450 kg] were housed in 20 feedlot pens (10 steers/pen) for the first 84 d, where cattle were blocked by initial BW. For the remainder of the 180 d (96 d) finishing period, cattle were moved to four Climate Smart Research Pens (50 steers/pen, 1 pen/ treatment, and species combination). Within each Climate Smart Research Pen, five SmartFeed systems were used to evaluate individual animal feed intake, one GreenFeed emission measurement system was used to evaluate individual animal gas emissions flux of enteric CH4, O2, H2, and CO2, and were equipped for nutrient mass balance of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Animal BW were collected every 28 d for analysis of average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency. Thermal stress behaviors were evaluated by one trained personnel on a subset of 7 steers/treatment via the measurement of respiration rate, open mouth breathing, rumen temperature, number of daily water intake events, lying and standing behavior, and pen surface temperature for the last 96 d of the finishing period. At harvest, carcass characteristics, liver scores, and heart scores were collected. Economic analyses were conducted post-hoc to determine the profitability of each species based on economic implications, tradeoffs, carcass quality and quantity, and time to finish. Selection of cattle for climate adaptive features may involve production tradeoffs (e.g., depressed rate of gain, greater yield risk, lower technical efficiency) and adjustment costs (e.g., re-optimizing feed for a new breed), which affect the adoption of less common breeds into the US cattle supply chain. Adding to the complexity of this evaluation, consumers preferences may not adapt quickly, affecting the prospect of Bos indicus cuts of meat in the market. We also, therefore, explore the supply- and demand-side effects of climate change adaptation through breed selection in the beef industry.

361 Evaluating the effect of liver copper concentration on lubabegron fumarate-induced performance and carcass characteristics of finishing steers

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of copper (Cu) status on response to lubabegron fumarate (Experior, Elanco, Greenfield, IN). Angus crossbred steers [n = 48; body weight (BW) = 469 ± 31 kg] were enrolled in a 77-d finishing study, housed in pens of 6, with a GrowSafe bunk (GrowSafe Systems, Ltd, Airdire, AB, Canada) in each pen and implanted (Revalor-200, Merck Animal Health, Madison, NJ; 200 mg TBA + 20 mg E2) on d 0. A 2 × 2 factorial arrangement was applied to Cu status (deficient, DEF, no supplemental Cu; or adequate, ADE, 10 mg supplemental Cu/kg DM as CuSO4) and Experior (36 mg·steer⁻¹·d⁻¹, EXP; or no Experior, NOEXP). A prior trial resulted in steers with distinct liver Cu (DEF and ADE were 42 ± 21 and 193 ± 31 mg Cu/kg DM, respectively). Experior was fed from d 37 to d 73, and cattle harvested on d 78. Body weights were collected on d -1, 0, 37, 55 (mid-Experior), 76 and 77. Blood was collected on d 0, 37, 55, and 76 for serum urea nitrogen (SUN), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), glucose, and insulin. Data were analyzed in Proc Mixed of SAS as a factorial design, with steer as the experimental unit (n = 12 per treatment). From d 0-37, DEF daily gain and feed efficiency (G:F) were greater than ADE (P < 0.01), while dry matter intake (DMI) did not differ (P = 0.36). Overall DMI was greater in ADE than DEF (P = 0.04) and not affected by Experior (P = 0.13). Carcass-adjusted average daily gain was not affected by Cu or Experior (P ≥ 0.21). Deficient steers had greater carcass-adjusted G:F than ADE (P = 0.02). Hot carcass weight was greater in EXP (P = 0.04), but post-hoc analysis of the Cu x Experior effect (P = 0.2) reveals this was driven by DEF-EXP (15 kg over DEF-NOEXP) rather than ADE-EXP (4 kg over ADE-NOEXP). Marbling tended to be greater in ADE (P = 0.06) and was unaffected by Experior (P = 0.14). The revised quantitative insulin sensitivity check index displayed an EXP x Day effect (P < 0.01) where NOEXP was consistent across days and EXP had greater insulin sensitivity during the Experior period. Serum urea nitrogen was affected by Cu × Experior × Day (P = 0.01), where DEF-NOEXP had lesser d 0 SUN than all others, and EXP decreased on d 55 while NOEXP increased steadily during the finishing phase; by d 76 DEF-EXP remain lesser than NOEXP treatments with ADE-EXP being similar to all others. These data suggest Cu concentration influences steer response to lubabegron fumarate, and more research is needed to determine the cause of this.