Meat Industry Research Articles

IMPLEMENTATION OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES FOR ELECTRONIC ORDERING IN MEAT INDUSTRY

With the rapid growth and development of information and communication technology on the one hand, and considering the meat industry on the other hand, there is an opportunity for greater implementation of ICT in the meat industry, that is, the introduction of innovation - the electronic ordering of meat and meat products. To meet the demand, timely availability, and ordering of meat in the domestic market especially for holidays, a pilot web application for electronic meat ordering with basic features has been developed. Java is the programming language used to develop the application, and the Enclips platform is used as the development environment. The order part needs to be recorded in a database. The SQL database will be used as the database in which the data will be recorded. The application is divided into two parts. The first part refers to the users where they will be able to make and confirm an order by filling in the mandatory fields of the application, while the second part refers to the part of generating orders where the suppliers from the meat industry will be able to process the order to contact the buyers and to make a proper delivery on the spot.

Hydrolysis probe assays for the detection of pathogenic Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli: Multi-Country validation study

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) strains are foodborne pathogens frequently associated with outbreaks linked to red meat, posing significant global food safety concerns. While several commercial assays exist for detecting EHEC strains belonging to serogroups O26, O103, O111, and O121, they often fail to distinguish pathogenic strains from non-pathogenic strains lacking virulence genes. These non-pathogenic E. coli interfere with the accuracy of existing assays, resulting in false-positives rates between 81 – 100 % for beef products. This study aimed to standardize and validate four hydrolysis probe assays for the specific detection of pathogenic strains of E. coli O26, O103, O111, and O121. Primers and probes were designed to target single nucleotide polymorphisms conserved among pathogenic strains of each target serogroup. The standardized assays were validated using a comprehensive collection of pure culture and DNA samples (n = 248) from Canada, France, Switzerland, and the United States; laboratory-inoculated beef and spinach (n = 132), fractionally inoculated ground beef (n = 390), and samples from the federal red meat surveillance program (n = 166). The results demonstrated an overall accuracy of 94.8 % in predicting the virulence profile of pure culture strains. These four assays are a single-step PCR screening tool that can determine the presence of virulent strains. These assays provide food testing laboratories worldwide with a set of reliable methods for identifying pathogenic O26, O103, O111, and O121 strains. Thus, this assay will help to reduce product waste and financial losses caused by misleading positive results caused by presence of non-pathogenic strains.

PSLBI-15 Effects of heat shock protein 70 on cell viability and protective capacity of serum against histone cytotoxicity

Abstract Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the most significant health problem associated with newly received cattle in the beef industry. Serum concentrations of extracellular histones increase in a variety of diseases and histones are known to be cytotoxic to mammalian cells. Work in our lab indicated that failure to protect against cytotoxic effects of extracellular histones may be a component of severe cases of respiratory disease in cattle. The mechanisms or proteins that neutralize cytotoxic effects of extracellular histones are not fully elucidated, but C-reactive protein and complement activity have been associated with a reduced cytotoxic effect of extracellular histones. Work in the literature suggests that heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) concentrations in the serum is increased in disease and may directly activate complement. Unpublished observations in our lab indicated that HSP70 potentially interacts with histones to exacerbate cytotoxicity leading to our hypothesis that increased concentrations of HSP70 will decrease the protective capacity against histone cytotoxicity. Therefore, the objectives of the current study were to evaluate serum concentrations of HSP70 in weaned bulls entering the feedlot and the effects of increasing HSP70 concentrations on histone cytotoxicity in vitro. Weaned seedstock bulls (n = 130) composed of various breeds were fed using the GrowSafe System at the Tucumcari Bull Test for 122 d. At receiving, blood samples were obtained via coccygeal venipuncture, centrifuged, and serum immediately frozen on dry ice. Serum was analyzed for complement activity (CH50 assay) and protective capacity against extracellular histones using our novel histone toxicity assay. The ratio value of histone toxicity to CH50 was used to separate a subset of bulls as protective (n = 10) and non-protective (n = 10). Concentrations of HSP70 were quantified utilizing a commercially available ELISA kit. Data were analyzed using the GLM procedure of SAS. Serum concentrations of HSP70 were similar (P > 0.10) for protective and non-protective bulls. To test the responses to increased concentrations of HSP70 to mimic disease, protective and non-protective serum was tested against histones alone and in combination with 0.5 or 40 ng/mL recombinant bovine HSP70. Complement activity from protective and non-protective bulls was not influenced (P > 0.10) in the presence and absence of recombinant bovine HSP70. Exogenous HSP70 at 0.5 or 40 ng/mL did not influence protective capacity in non-protective animals (P = 0.95). However, HSP70 at 0.5 ng/mL did not (P = 0.18) reduce protective capacity and reduced protective capacity (P < 0.01) at 40 ng/mL in serum from bulls that were assigned to the protective group. Results indicate that weaned bulls entering the feedlot display varied capacity to protect against histone toxicity and increased concentrations of HSP70 can reduce the protective capacity indicating that circulating HSP70 may play a role in bovine respiratory disease pathogenesis.

PSX-9 Comparison of single- and multiple-trait genomic predictions of cattle carcass quality traits in multibreed and purebred populations

Abstract Estimation of genetic parameters for carcass traits and their use in the evaluation of carcass quality is of considerable importance in the genetic improvement of beef cattle. The objective of this study was to compare the predictive ability of single- and multi-trait genomic prediction models for the following carcass quality traits: hot carcass weight (HCW); fat thickness (FAT); rib eye area (REA); marbling score (MARB); and peak force (PEAKF) from multibreed and purebred populations. The purebred population included 1,068 purebred Angus animals from Iowa State University whereas the multibreed population consisted of 887 animals sired by 1 of 8 purebreds (209 Angus-, 10 Brahman-, 182 Charolais-, 76 Hereford-, 44 Limousin-, 136 Maine-Anjou-, 96 Shorthorn-, and 134 South Devon- sired offspring) from the Carcass Merit Project funded by the US beef cattle industry to evaluate the genetic prediction of tenderness. After quality control of SNP markers generated with Illumina v1 50K BeadChips, 33,718 SNP markers from were used to obtain heritability and genetic correlation estimates between traits separately in either the multibreed or purebred populations. Genotyped individuals were randomly clustered into 10 groups for cross-fold validation to quantify the correlations between and predicted performance (without the individual’s data) and the realized phenotype of the individual from single- or multi-trait genomic prediction in the multibreed and purebred populations. Heritability estimates of traits from multi-trait analyses ranged from 0.42 to 0.61 in multibreed population and from 0.24 to 0.44 in the purebred population, whereas the single trait values were 0.30 to 0.53 in multibreed, and 0.23 to 0.42 in the purebred population. Estimates were greater in the multibreed population compared with the purebred population (Table 1). Compared with the single-trait analyses, multi-trait analyses resulted in higher heritability estimates for FAT, REA and PEAKF traits in the purebred population and for HCW, REA, MARB and PEAKF traits in multibreed population. Genetic correlations from multi-trait analyses indicated the genetic association between traits. In testing data sets, correlations between observed and predicted phenotypes from single-trait analyses were 4- to 7-fold greater in purebred than in the multibreed population (Table 2). These results may be due to the greater genomic relationship expected in purebred than in the multibreed population. However, the multi-trait analyses resulted in a considerable increase in correlations between observed and predicted values in multibreed population due to genetic correlations between traits.

PSVII-29 The Nebraska Beef Industry Scholars Program develops employability skills and improves career development

Abstract The Nebraska Beef Industry Scholars (NBIS) program is designed to bring elite undergraduate students together to learn more about issues that affect beef production, network with industry leaders, and develop leadership skills in the beef industry. Therefore, our objectives were to better understand how prepared the NBIS students are for a career related to beef cattle post-graduation by completing a survey. The procedures of the survey were reviewed and approved by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Institutional Review Board (IRB #19684). The assessment was provided to graduates of the program via an email list provided by the college. The survey was sent to 78 students who completed the NBIS program (certificate or minor) between 2010 and 2018 in the Animal Science Department at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Survey results were summarized and means and standard deviations were calculated for individual statements in the Likert scale format and were considered significant if the average was greater than 3. Fifty-one students responded to the survey, 51% of respondents were female, 72.5% majored in Animal Science with the remaining respondents majoring in Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication (21.6 and 5.9%, respectively). In terms of the NBIS program preparing students for a career, 22 respondents felt very satisfied with educational experiences through the NBIS program, whereas 14 respondents were extremely satisfied. Thirty-five respondents noted that they are currently working in the beef industry and 27 of them had found a job at graduation. Twenty-six students felt that the NBIS program provided a great deal of networking opportunities throughout their program which prepared them for their career. Overall, students who have completed the NBIS program value the experiences gained and felt prepared going into careers relative to the beef industry.

PSV-28 Liver abscess microbiota of beef cattle administered in-feed tylosin differ according to abscess size and fraction

Abstract Liver abscesses (LA) pose a significant challenge to the Canadian beef industry as they are estimated to cost the industry ~ $61.2 million annually. This is likely an underestimate as it does not account for losses in animal productivity. Tylosin phosphate is widely used to reduce LA, but concerns over antimicrobial use selecting for antimicrobial resistance has created an urgency to explore alternative approaches. Understanding the impact of tylosin on the microbial ecology of LA is crucial to this. We hypothesized that altering the duration of in-feed administration of tylosin to feedlot cattle would alter the microbial community of LA. To investigate this, we collected abscessed livers from cattle fed a diet containing tylosin 1) throughout finishing, 2) during the first 78% of the feeding or 3) during the last 75% of the feeding period. We examined LA microbial ecology of purulent material, abscess capsule tissue, originating from abscesses of different sizes using a metataxonomic approach. Our findings revealed that shortening tylosin administration did not notably alter the alpha (P > 0.05) or beta-diversity (P > 0.05) of LA microbial communities. There was a significant difference in microbial richness associated with abscess capsule (P < 0.05) compared with bulk purulent material. Fusobacterium or Bacteroides ASVs dominated LA microbiomes, alongside probable opportunistic gut pathogens and other bacteria. Interestingly, classifying samples based on whether they originated from a liver with a single abscess, multiple abscesses or a very large abscess tended to differ in microbiome composition (P = 0.06). These insights contribute to our understanding of factors impacting liver abscess microbial ecology and will be valuable in identifying antibiotic alternatives. They underscore the importance of exploring varied approaches to address liver abscesses while reducing reliance on in-feed antibiotics.

77 Differences in carcass quality and meat quality between cattle of different breed types

Abstract Crossbreeding cattle in the beef industry is a common practice to improve production and increase profitability. Introducing Bos indicus (BI) genetics into cattle herds is one potential method to improve production, as they are able to withstand higher temperatures, are better adapted to nutritional stress, and consume less water than Bos taurus (BT) cattle. However, introduction of BI genetics is known to decrease both carcass and meat quality compared with those from BT cattle. As such, the objective of this study was to determine how crossbreeding commercial Angus cows with Santa Gertrudis bulls to incorporate BI genetics impacts carcass and meat quality of the resultant offspring. This study utilized 38 steers of two different breeds: Angus (AN; n = 29; 100% BT) or Santa Gertrudis influenced (SG; n = 9; 19% BI, 81% BT). All steers were fed the same typical ration and harvested at a commercial facility once industry average body weight and backfat standards were met. Hot carcass weight (HCW), ribeye area (REA), yield grade (YG), and marbling scores were collected at harvest. Individual loins were collected for meat quality analysis. Meat quality data were collected after 14 d of wet aging at 4˚C. Meat color data was collected on d 0, 3, and 7. Statistical analysis was done using the MIXED procedure of SAS to assess the main effect of breed. Color analysis was conducted with day as a repeated measure. Least squares means were separated using Tukey-Kramer adjustments. Angus cattle had an increased (P = 0.009) REA and tended to have a reduced (P = 0.06) YG than SG cattle. However, no differences (P ≥ 0.13) between breeds were observed in HCW or marbling score. Additionally, no differences (P ≥ 0.08) were observed in meat quality (pH, drip loss, cook loss, Warner-Bratzler Shear Force, or Texture Profile Analysis) between breeds. There was not a day x breed (P > 0.65) or breed (P ≥ 0.57) effect for L*, a*, or b* color values. Day affected (P = 0.008) L*, a*, and b*, such that a* and b* both increased on d 3, then decreased on d 7, while L* increased on d 3 and remained consistent until d 7. These results are promising as they indicate there may not be differences in carcass quality and meat quality when utilizing this method to introduce BI genetics into a traditional BT production system. As such, this could be a useful tool in managing production systems in our beef herds. However, future research with a larger sample size will be necessary to gain more conclusive results.

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.

263 Public perspectives of calf handling: A survey of Canadians

Abstract In North American beef production handling and restraint of young calves is integral to animal welfare and management practices. This study used a mixed method approach to gather public perceptions of three handling and restraint methods common on beef operations in western Canada (RW - Roping and Wrestling, NF – roping and NordForks, and TT – Tilt Table). Canadian participants (n = 551) recruited by CloudResearch to represent the national demographics participated in an online survey that included videos of each handling method to ascertain preferences and acceptability. Prior to watching the videos, participants were given industry information about handling and restraint or generic information regarding hay as a control information statement within the topic of agriculture. The survey also collected information about knowledge of the beef industry, animal welfare, and empathy toward animals. The reasons for preferences were described as presence of a perceived positive attribute and absence of a perceived negative for most preferred methods, and inversely when explaining least preferred method. The findings focused on calf’s experience, perception of handler actions, and pragmatic balancing of handler needs and a good life for the calf. Methods were rated as more acceptable for participants that ate meat consistently, knew more about the beef industry, and, to a lesser extent, if the individual had a lower animal empathy score (Table 1). Acceptability was not affected by providing information about the practices; however, information about handling and restraint did elicit more pragmatic reasoning. Most participants preferred TT over NF and RW (P < 0.001) and found TT more acceptable as well (P < 0.001). The TT was the most preferred method due to calf experience and human handling, notably the absence of dragging a calf, which was predominant in why participants selected NF or RW as their least preferred method. Consistency of themes highlights that the Canadian public has a fundamental expectation of value for the quality of life of the calf, humane handling, and pragmatism which aligns with beef sustainability initiatives and represent points of connection for building trust between industry and the public.

51 Lean meat yield of Angus, Brahman and Charolais grain fed steers

Abstract Lean meat yield (LMY) is a key driver of profitability in the beef industry, and it is associated with muscling and feed efficiency (Pethick et al., 2021). No research has studied differences in LMY between British, Continental, and Tropical beef breeds fed for increasing days on feed. The objective of the present study was to compare LMY of Angus, Brahman and Charolais steers with increasing days on feed (DOF). The hypothesis was that Charolais have the greatest LMY throughout the feeding period due to being a later maturing, high muscling breed compared with Angus and Brahman. Angus (n = 30), Brahman (n = 30), and Charolais (n = 29) 12-18 mo-old steers were inducted with a body weight (BW) of 361 ± 5.3 kg, 355 ± 5.3 kg and 317 ± 5.3 kg, respectively. Six animals of each breed were randomly selected for slaughter at 50-d intervals until 200 DOF. Steers were allowed ad libitum access to water and feed (78% rolled barley, 13.76% CP, 12.15 ME MJ/kg DM). Body weight, hot carcass weight (HCW), and LMY were measured at slaughter. All components of the animal were collected, and carcass muscle, fat and bones physically dissected with knives and weighed separately. The LMY as % empty BW (EBW) was calculated as the weight of lean meat separated from the carcass divided by EBW. The LMY as % of HCW was calculated as the weight of lean meat separated from the carcass divided by HCW. Data was analyzed with a model containing the fixed effect of breed, DOF at slaughter, and their interaction. Breed, DOF and their interaction affected LMY expressed as both ratio to EBW and HCW (P < 0.05). Charolais steers had the greatest LMY (% HCW) at 50, 100, and 150 DOF, but similar to Brahman at 0 and 200 DOF (P < 0.05; Figure 1a). Angus steers showed the lowest LMY (% HCW) throughout all DOF (P < 0.05) except at 50 DOF being similar to Brahman (P > 0.05). Furthermore, Charolais had the greatest LMY (% EBW) from 50 to 200 DOF (P < 0.05) but it was similar to Brahman at 0 DOF (Figure 1b; P > 0.05). Angus had the least LMY (% EBW) throughout (P < 0.05) but was not different to Brahman at 50 DOF. Brahman had intermediate LMY (% EBW and % HCW) between Charolais and Angus. Differences between beef breeds suggest that LMY should be considered as another factor to establish an accurate carcass value.

10 Awardee Talk: Pregnancy losses in Bos indicus-influenced cowherds

Abstract Pregnancy loss is recognized as a major reproductive challenge in beef cattle operations. Most pregnancy losses are associated with early embryonic mortality, but limited research evaluated pregnancy losses throughout the gestation period. Research is warranted to address this gap in knowledge, particularly fetal losses in Bos indicus-influenced females. This subspecies predominates in tropical regions of the planet, which contain more than 80% of the world’s cattle population and supply a major portion of the global demand for beef products. Our group recently evaluated pregnancy losses from d 30 of gestation to calving in 4,926 Nelore females assigned to an ovulation synchronization + fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) protocol. Pregnancy loss was greater (P < 0.01) from d 60 to 150 of gestation (10.2%) compared with d 30 to 60 of gestation (6.0%) and with d 150 of gestation to calving (7.4%) and differed (P = 0.04) between these latter two periods. Pregnancy loss from d 30 to 60 of gestation did not differ (P = 0.26) among cow parities (nulliparous, primiparous, and multiparous), whereas total pregnancy losses (d 30 to calving) were greater (P < 0.01) in precocious (28.4%) and conventional (27.1%) heifers compared with primiparous (16.4%) and multiparous (13.0%) cows. In a second experiment, pregnancy losses from fixed-time embryo transfer (FTET) to calving were evaluated in 4,366 FTET events using Nelore × Angus recipient heifers. Pregnancy losses were greater (P < 0.01) from FTET to d 32 of gestation compared with d 32 to 100 and with d 100 to calving (58.7, 39.5, and 36.7%, respectively), and did not differ (P = 0.56) between these latter periods. Recipients that lost the pregnancy from FTET to d 32 gained less (P < 0.01) body condition score after FTET compared with recipients that maintained the pregnancy. Pregnancy losses from d 32 to calving were greater (P < 0.01) in recipients reared in drylots and moved to pastures on d 32 compared with recipients reared on pasture. Collectively, these results provide novel information about pregnancy losses in Bos indicus females, with a substantial proportion of losses occurring as fetal mortality.

205 An autosomal recessive mutation in PYGM causes myophosphorylase deficiency in composite cattle

Abstract Between 2020 and 2022, eight calves (6 heifers, 2 bulls) in a Nebraska herd (composite Simmental, Red Angus, Gelbvieh) experienced exercise intolerance during extended physical activity. These calves exhibited an inability to keep pace with the rest of the herd, with some eventually succumbing to physical collapse from which they did not recover. Increased creatine kinase, an indication of muscle degeneration, was confirmed in biopsy and necropsy samples. Available sire pedigrees revealed a common paternal ancestor within 2 to 4 generations in all the affected calves. Dam pedigrees were unavailable; however, the herd retained replacement females that occasionally shared common ancestors with breeding bulls. Thus, a de novo autosomal recessive mutation was hypothesized as the cause of exercise intolerance in these calves. Genomic data (100K SNP) from 6 affected calves and 715 herd mates were initially used for a whole genome-wide association study, pinpointing a significant region on chromosome 29. Whole-genome sequencing of 2 affected calves combined with 145 other sequenced cattle led to the identification of a nonsense mutation in the PYGM gene, also located on chromosome 29. The mutation, confirmed to be present in the skeletal muscle transcriptome, was predicted to produce a premature stop codon. The protein product of PYGM, myophosphorylase, has a crucial role in metabolizing glycogen stored within skeletal muscle to generate energy for muscle cells. As a result, the recessive genotype led to greater (P < 0.05) glycogen concentrations in affected calves (n = 2) compared with heterozygous animals (n = 3) and wild-type controls (n = 2). Immunohistochemistry and label-free quantitative proteomics analysis confirmed the absence of the PYGM protein product in skeletal muscle. Myophosphorylase is needed for efficient glycogen utilization, which is crucial for producing high-quality beef. In the 2 affected calves harvested, increased skeletal muscle glycogen persisted postmortem, resulting in increased pH and dark-cutting beef, which is associated with a negative consumer perception and economic losses to the industry. In addition to identifying the cause of exercise intolerance and welfare concerns in these cattle, this study is among the first to identify a specific genetic mutation associated with dark-cutting beef. Carriers of the mutation did not display any discernible differences in meat quality or measures of animal well-being. While cattle heterozygous for the mutation may not immediately impact the beef industry, identifying carriers is paramount for implementing proactive selection and breeding strategies to prevent the production of affected calves.

72 Environmental impacts associated with the removal of productivity enhancing technologies from three different post-weaning feed management strategies in Saskatchewan: A case study

Abstract The purpose of this research was to examine the use of productivity enhancing technologies (PETs) and post-weaning management on the environmental impacts of beef steers in western Canada. The PETs considered in the current study included ionophores (i.e., monensin, 33 ppm) and hormone implants (i.e., Ralgro, 36 mg zeranol). The production management systems considered were direct finishing (Heavy), confined backgrounding prior to finishing (Medium), and confined and pasture-based backgrounding prior to finishing (Light). The objectives were to model and compare environmental outcomes [greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), ammonia (NH3) emissions, land requirements and water use] using a whole-farm perspective and better understand the environmental footprint of the Canadian beef industry. Compared with natural steers, PETs led to a 10 to 13% reduction in GHG emissions (CO2e kgּ boneless beef-1), a 10 to 32% decrease in NH3 emissions (kg NH3ּּ kg boneless beef-1), a 9 to 22% reduction in land use (haּ kg boneless beef-1) and 12 to 25% decrease in water (m3ּ kg boneless beef-1) use. Direct finishing compared with backgrounded, and 2-stage backgrounded steers reduced GHG by 32% and 39% kg CO2eּ kg boneless beef-1, NH3 emissions by 36% and 52% kg NH3ּ kg boneless beef-1, land requirements by 25% and 73% haּ kg boneless beef-1 and water use by 18% and 51% m3ּ kg boneless beef-1, respectively. Varying post-weaning strategies allows producers to value-add (additional weight through backgrounding) and maximize the use of available feed (grazing). The full environmental impacts of removal of PETs from Canadian beef production must consider a whole-systems approach including economic viability, ecosystem services, as well as consumer demand and social acceptance.

198 Discovery of key functional SNP markers associated with feed efficiency in beef cattle

Abstract Beef production contributes to approximately 2.4% of the total Greenhouse Gas emissions in Canada. Improving beef cattle feed efficiency (FE) may lead to improved energy partitioning and resource use, thereby improving the sustainability of the beef industry. Our objective was to identify differentially expressed key regulatory genes and associated novel functional SNP markers linked to FE in Canadian beef cattle using RNA-Sequencing (RNA-Seq) of rumen tissue collected from 48 beef cattle [n = 16 Angus, n = 16 Charolais, n = 16 Kinsella (Composite Hybrid including Angus, Charolais, Galloway, Hereford, Holstein, Brown Swiss, and Simmental)] selected for extreme FE phenotypes. In total, 11 key regulatory genes (MYH1, MYL2, MYLPF, TNNC2, EIF4B, RHOD, TCEANC, CKM, ENSBTAG00000040518, SERPINB2, and USP43) were significantly differentially expressed (DE) between extreme Residual Feed Intake (RFI) groups (low-RFI n = 8, high-RFI n = 8 per breed) using CLC Genomics Workbench (FDR < 0.05; |FC| >2). Using an optimized RNA-Seq variant calling pipeline using STAR and BCFtools, a total of [total (unique to low-RFI, unique to high-RFI)] 75 (36, 39), 78 (42, 36), and 53 (35, 18) uniquely fixed functional SNPs were located within coding regions of these 11 functional candidate genes, in low- and high-RFI animals in the Angus, Charolais, and Kinsella breeds, respectively. Considering all functional SNPs uniquely identified in low- or high-RFI groups for all breed comparisons, the majority of SNPs were identified in MYH1, EIF4B, and SERPINB2 genes, which function together in metabolically demanding biological processes (P < 0.05) related to muscle contraction, muscle system, and muscle filament function processes. Additionally, EIF4B and SERPINB2 genes were found to have a role in signaling pathways that coordinate cell growth and immune function, respectively. Using RNA-Seq to identify key regulatory genes and associated functional SNPs linked to FE may uncover important genetic markers that influence the regulation of FE in beef cattle.

189 Association of the liver phosphoproteome with divergent dry matter intake in finishing beef steers

Abstract As the need for improving the sustainability of the beef industry increases, optimizing feed efficiency is of the utmost importance. The liver has a central role in nutrient metabolism, and for ruminants particularly, it is essential for providing glucose through gluconeogenesis via substrates such as propionate, lactate, and glycerol. Further, through cell signaling and vagal afferent signals, the liver acts to stimulate and inhibit dry matter intake (DMI). Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate alterations in the phosphoproteome of finishing beef steers in relation to divergent DMI to identify changes in the abundance of signaling proteins. Angus steers [n = 57; initial body weight (BW) = 518 ± 27 kg] underwent a 63-d intake trial utilizing an Insentec Roughage Intake Control System (Hokofarm Group, Emmeloord, The Netherlands). Prior to beginning the trial, liver biopsy samples were collected from all steers. Samples from steers with the greatest and least DMI (n = 8 each) were utilized for phosphoproteomic analysis. Liver protein was isolated and labeled with isobaric tandem mass tagging reagents. Samples were enriched for phosphopeptides using immobilized metal affinity chromatography and subsequently analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Spectral data were searched in the National Center for Biotechnology Information Bos taurus protein database using MaxQuant (version 2.2.0.0; Max Planck Inst., Munich, Germany), and the data were analyzed using Perseus (version 2.0.10.0; Max Planck Inst.). Two sample t-tests were conducted to determine the difference in phosphopeptide abundance between steers with high and low DMI. A total of 16,365 phosphopeptides were identified, and 287 were differentially expressed (False Discovery Rate < 0.05). In addition, 2,777 phosphopeptides were differentially expressed based on an unadjusted P < 0.05 which were used for enrichment analysis of Gene Ontology processes and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways using the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery. The background for this analysis was all identified phosphopeptides. Gene ontology terms enriched included processes related to phosphorylation activity, intracellular signal transduction, response to insulin, kinase activity, and signaling protein binding. Enriched KEGG pathways included pathways related to insulin signaling, such as AMPK signaling, mTOR signaling, and MAPK signaling. Further, pathways related to glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, glucagon signaling, insulin resistance, carbon metabolism, and various other signaling pathways were also enriched. These results suggest a link between the liver phosphoproteome and DMI, indicating that divergent DMI is associated with alterations in signaling pathways related to nutrient uptake and metabolic processes.

350 Awardee Talk: Beef cattle mineral nutrition: What do we know and where do we go from here

Abstract Trace minerals are pivotal in enhancing cattle growth and ensuring profitability in beef production. Historically, supplementation strategies have aimed at preventing deficiencies, significantly improving growth and reproductive performance. However, as cattle breeding has evolved to achieve remarkable growth rates, the challenges related to health and stress during the feeding period have intensified. This presentation explores refined trace mineral recommendations, focusing on zinc’s “stress requirement” for cattle undergoing transit and health challenges, and its impact on performance. The segmented nature of the beef industry, necessitating multiple transports, induces physiological stress and oxidative stress, highlighting the need for tailored mineral supplementation. Further, when recognizing feedlot cattle as the high-performing athletes they are, the potential benefits of adjusted trace mineral concentrations become apparent. Preliminary findings suggest that optimal zinc concentrations may exceed current National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) 2016 recommendations, whereas for other minerals like copper and manganese, the existing guidelines remain appropriate. This presentation will explore the differential effects of increasing dietary zinc and copper in conjunction with various growth-promoting technologies. Preliminary data indicates that increasing zinc concentrations can linearly enhance average daily gain (ADG) and hot carcass weight (HCW), especially when using potent anabolic implants, while the response to increased copper concentrations exhibits a more quadratic relationship with performance. Building upon the foundational work of pioneering researchers in the field of mineral nutrition, this presentation advocates for the continuous refinement and optimization of trace mineral supplementation strategies. By integrating cutting-edge technologies and fostering collaborative research efforts, we aim to further enhance the sustainability of the beef industry. A deeper understanding of trace mineral requirements in the face of modern production challenges will pave the way for more precise and effective nutritional strategies.

Monocular Visual Pig Weight Estimation Method Based on the EfficientVit-C Model

The meat industry is closely related to people’s daily lives and health, and with the growing global population and increasing demand for meat, the development of efficient pig farming technology is particularly important. However, China’s pig industry still faces multiple challenges, such as high labor costs, high biosecurity risks, and low production efficiency. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a fast, accurate, and non-invasive method to estimate pig body data to increase production efficiency, enhance biosecurity measures, and improve pig health. This study proposes EfficientVit-C model for image segmentation and cascade several models to estimate the weight of pigs. The EfficientVit-C network uses a cascading group attention module and improves computational efficiency through parameter redistribution and structured pruning. This method uses only one camera for weight estimation, reducing equipment costs and maintenance expenses. The results show that the improved EfficientVit-C model can segment pigs accurately and efficiently the mAP50 curve convergence is 98.2%, the recall is 92.6%, and the precision is 96.5%. The accuracy of pig weight estimation is 100 kg +/− 3.11 kg. On the Jetson Orin NX platform, the average time to complete image segmentation for each 640*480 resolution image was 4.1 ms, and the average time required to complete pig weight estimation was 31 ms. The results show that this method can quickly and accurately estimate the weight of pigs and provide guidance for the subsequent weight evaluation procedures of pigs.

A Novel Method for the Enhancement of Sunflower Growth from Animal Bones and Chicken Feathers.

The present study aimed at converting meat industry waste, particularly waste bones and chicken feathers, into biochar to recycle valuable nutrients present in it, which ultimately become part of the municipal waste. The bone biochar (BB) and feathers biochar (FB) were prepared at 550 °C, and their potential was evaluated as an organic amendment for the growth of sunflower. The ash content (AC) and fixed carbon (FC) improved significantly in prepared biochars as compared to raw feedstock. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analyses signaled the occurrence of various functional groups viz. amide group and hydroxyapatite, porosity, and multiple nutrients. Application of BB and FB in potted soil alone as well as in composites (1:1, 1:2, 2:1) at 1%, 3%, and 5% (w/w) and synthetic fertilizer significantly increased soil pH, electrical conductivity (ECe), organic matter (OM) and water holding capacity (WHC), while reducing the bulk density (BD). The growth of plants grown in soil treated with a 2:1 composite of feathers and bone biochar at 5% application rate showed significantly greater differences in plant height, total chlorophyll content, and plant dry weight than the control but was comparable to growth with chemical fertilizer, rendering it a potential alternative to chemical-based synthetic fertilizer.

Valorization of Pig Brains for Prime Quality Oil: A Comparative Evaluation of Organic-Solvent-Based and Solvent-Free Extractions.

Pig processing industries have produced large quantities of by-products, which have either been discarded or used to make low-value products. This study aimed to provide recommendations for manufacturing edible oil from pig brains, thereby increasing the value of pork by-products. The experiment compared non-solvent extraction methods, specifically wet rendering and aqueous saline, to a standard solvent extraction method, the Bligh and Dyer method, for extracting oil from pig brains. The yield, color, fatty acid profile, a number of lipid classes, and lipid stability against lipolysis and oxidation of the pig brain oil were comprehensively compared, and the results revealed that these parameters varied depending on the extraction method. The wet rendering process provided the highest extracted oil yield (~13%), followed by the Bligh and Dyer method (~7%) and the aqueous saline method (~2.5%). The Bligh and Dyer method and wet rendering techniques produced a translucent yellow oil; however, an opaque light-brown-red oil was found in the aqueous saline method. The Bligh and Dyer method yielded the oil with the highest phospholipid, cholesterol, carotenoid, tocopherol, and free fatty acid contents (p < 0.05). Although the Bligh and Dyer method recovered the most unsaturated fatty acids, it also recovered more trans-fatty acids. Aqueous saline and wet rendering procedures yielded oil with low FFA levels (<1 g/100 g). The PV of the oil extracted using all methods was <1 meq/kg; however, the Bligh and Dyer method had a significant TBARS content (7.85 mg MDA equivalent/kg) compared to aqueous saline (1.75 mg MDA equivalent/kg) and wet rendering (1.14 mg MDA equivalent/kg) (p < 0.05). FTIR spectra of the pig brain oil revealed the presence of multiple components in varying quantities, as determined by chemical analysis experiments. Given the higher yield and lipid stability and the lower cholesterol and trans-fatty acid content, wet rendering can be regarded as a simple and environmentally friendly method for safely extracting quality edible oil from pig brains, which may play an important role in obtaining financial benefits, nutrition, the zero-waste approach, and increasing the utilization of by-products in the meat industry.

Genomic Profiling of Antimicrobial Resistance Genes in Clinical Salmonella Isolates from Cattle in the Texas Panhandle, USA.

Rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Salmonella serotypes host-adapted to cattle is of increasing concern to the beef and dairy industry. The bulk of the existing literature focuses on AMR post-slaughter. In comparison, the understanding of AMR in Salmonella among pre-harvest cattle is still limited, particularly in Texas, which ranks top five in beef and dairy exports in the United States; inherently, the health of Texas cattle has nationwide implications for the health of the United States beef and dairy industry. In this study, long-read whole genome sequencing and bioinformatic methods were utilized to analyze antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in 98 isolates from beef and dairy cattle in the Texas Panhandle. Fisher exact tests and elastic net models accounting for population structure were used to infer associations between genomic ARG profiles and antimicrobial phenotypic profiles and metadata. Gene mapping was also performed to assess the role of mobile genetic elements in harboring ARGs. Antimicrobial resistance genes were found to be statistically different between the type of cattle operation and Salmonella serotypes. Beef operations were statistically significantly associated with more ARGs compared to dairy operations. Salmonella Heidelberg, followed by Salmonella Dublin isolates, were associated with the most ARGs. Additionally, specific classes of ARGs were only present within mobile genetic elements.