Proportion Of Carcasses Research Articles

Developing an efficient protocol for monitoring eagle fatalities at wind energy facilities.

Researchers typically conduct fatality monitoring to determine a wind energy facility’s direct impacts on wildlife. In the United States, wind energy impacts on eagles have received increased attention in recent years because eagle incidental take permits became available. Permit holders are required to conduct fatality monitoring to evaluate compliance with permitted eagle take. Our objective was to develop an efficient eagle fatality monitoring protocol with a quantifiable detection probability based on a stationary scanning search method. We conducted scanning searches for eagle carcasses at four wind energy facilities. We estimated searcher efficiency of the scanning search method using feathered turkey decoys as eagle carcass surrogates, used publicly available data on large raptor carcass distances from turbines to evaluate the proportion of carcasses expected to occur in searched areas, and estimated carcass persistence rates for game birds and raptors. These three bias adjustments were combined to estimate the overall probability of detection for the scanning search method. We found generally high searcher efficiency for the scanning search method, with 76% of decoys detected; however, detection decreased with distance and difficulty of visibility class. Mean carcass persistence time varied between 28 and 76 days for raptors and between three and nine days for game birds, showing that game birds do not persist as long as raptors. We estimated that 95% of large avian carcasses fall within 100 m of turbine bases, and 99% fall within 150 m. Using these estimates and assuming a 30-day search interval for all facility turbines, we estimated that the probability of detecting a large raptor carcass using the scanning search method at a wind facility ranged from 0.50 to 0.69. Our research suggests a monitoring program that uses scanning searches can be a cost-effective approach for gathering data necessary to meet incidental eagle take permit requirements.

Roads do not increase carrion use by a vertebrate scavenging community

Wildlife-vehicle collisions introduce a considerable amount of carrion into the environment, but scavenger use of this resource has not been extensively investigated. Scavengers may use roads for reliable foraging opportunities, but might also use roads for other purposes and encounter carrion opportunistically. We examined scavenging of carrion along linear features by placing 52 rabbit carcasses in each of three treatments in forested habitat during winter (Dec 2016-Mar 2017) in South Carolina, USA: roads, power line clearings (linear feature with fewer carcasses than roads due to lack of road kill), and forest interior. We used motion-activated cameras to compare arrival times and presence of vertebrate scavengers among treatments. There was no difference in proportion of carcasses scavenged or scavenger arrival time across treatments. No species arrived at roads quicker than other treatments. Turkey vultures (Cathartes aura) and coyotes (Canis latrans) scavenged equally across treatments, whereas gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) scavenged along roads and power lines, but not in forests. We suggest that scavenger use of carrion near roads at this location during winter relates to factors other than carrion availability. Because some scavengers readily consumed carrion on roads, this resource has the potential to influence the ecology of these species.

Feeding high lupine based diets for broiler chickens: Effect of soybean meal substitution with yellow lupine meal at various time points of growth cycle

The present work examined the potential benefits and limitations of yellow lupine seeds meal (LM) as a substitute for soybean meal (SBM) in broiler diets. The experimental work was focused on evaluation of effects of dietary lupine introduced in the diet at various time points of the growth. The nutritional efficacy of LM for broiler chickens was evaluated using performance parameters including body mass gain, feed conversion ratio, and carcass analysis. Breast muscle was subjected to color and chemical analyzes. Patho-physiological variables monitored in response to LM included overt livability, morbidity, mortality, and morphometry of key organs involved in digestive processes.Complete replacement of SBM with LM in the broiler diet introduced at days 1, 8, and 15 resulted in significant decline of feed intake and growth rate (both P < 0.05). High level of LM in the diet for young chickens caused enlargement of the liver, pancreas, gizzard, and intestines (all P < 0.05). Chickens fed a LM based diet did not show gross changes in carcass quality or yield of main commercially important parts (breast muscle and leg quarters), but showed increased (P < 0.05) carcass proportion of giblets and fat pad. Also, LM slightly decreased breast muscle protein content and increased muscle fat content (P < 0.05), but it is noteworthy that fat from LM fed broilers had more desirable profile of fatty acids.Although nutritional characteristic of LM appeared to be comparable to SBM, its nutritional potential cannot be completely utilized by young chickens. Complete substitution of SBM with LM in diet for broilers during first stages of growth is not realistic, because of it would considerably lower the nutritional efficiency of the ration and would have detrimental effects on performance. In conclusion, from a practical stand point, LM based diet for broilers during the first 3 weeks of growth is not recommended, but the LM based diet during later stages of growth (4 weeks and onwards) can be used in the broiler ration without risks of compromising production parameters or health.

Death in southern Patagonian fjords: Copepod community structure and mortality in land- and marine-terminating glacier-fjord systems

Glacial retreat at high latitudes has increased significantly in recent decades associated with global warming. Along Chile's Patagonian fjords, this has promoted increases in freshwater discharge, vertical stratification, and the input of organic and inorganic particles to fjords. In addition, it has modified the water chemistry [i. e. nutrient stoichiometry] and its associated biota. This study evaluates the effect of deglaciation in high-latitude fjords (54°S) on copepod survival and how this might affect the export of particulate organic carbon to the benthos. We selected two contrasting fjord systems in terms of their geomorphology and the quality and quantity of freshwater contributions: (a) Pia Fjord, with marine-terminating glaciers, and (b) Yendegaia Fjord, with land-terminating-glaciers. Both are located along the Beagle Channel (54°S), southern Chilean Patagonia.These two fjords differed significantly in phytoplankton and copepod biomass. Whereas Pia Fjord showed high chlorophyll-a concentration (7 mg Chl-a m−3) and copepod abundance (970 ind. m−3), in Yendegaia Fjord, the biomass was very low for both autotrophs (<0.3 Chl-a m−3) and copepods (470 ind. m−3). Conversely, a greater proportion of copepod carcasses was recorded in Pia (22%) versus Yendegaia (18%), with small copepods (600–1000 µm prosome length) being less affected than large ones (>1000 µm). The presence of carcasses was better explained by the amount of suspended particulate inorganic matter in the water column than by salinity. The contribution of dead copepods to the vertical carbon flux was <3.5% of the total carbon exported down to 50 m depth, with contributions of 9.5 ± 9.9 mgC m−2 d−1 in Yendegaia and 10.8 ± 10.8 mgC m−2 d−1 in Pia. Our results suggest that heavy deglaciation processes in high-latitude fjords may reduce phytoplankton biomass, causing the copepod abundance to decrease and non-predatory mortality in filter-feeding copepods to decline.

Carcass age and searcher identity affect morphological assessment of sex of bats

ABSTRACTCarcasses provide an important resource for assessing the vulnerability of bat species and sexes to threats, but the reliability of sex data derived from the external morphology (sexmorph) of bat carcasses remains uncertain. We used genetic‐based assessment of sex (sexgen) to evaluate the effect of carcass age and searcher identity on sexmorph‐based assessments of eastern red (Lasiurus borealis) and hoary (Lasiurus cinereus) bat carcasses identified by 15 different searchers at a wind‐energy facility. The proportion of carcasses for which sexmorph was unknown increased from 0.11 for those recovered within a day of death, to 0.56 within 2–3 days of death, and to ≥0.82 at ≥4 days after death. The proportion of carcasses for which sexmorph was correct decreased from 0.9 for those recovered within a day of death, to 0.65 within 2–3 days of death, and to 0.25 at ≥4 days after death. The proportion of sexmorph misidentifications of the 108 fresh carcasses (collected within 24 hours of death) varied (0.0–0.43) among searchers. These results suggest that sexmorph‐based assessments should be limited to fresh carcasses. Furthermore, additional training of people who collect and identify bat carcasses from renewable‐energy facilities may improve the accuracy of sexmorph data obtained from carcasses. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.

Estimating wind turbine fatalities using integrated detection trials

ABSTRACTFatality monitoring at wind projects requires carcass detection trials to adjust fatality estimates for the proportion of fatalities not found. However, detection trials vary greatly in metric, duration, carcass monitoring schedule, species, number placed, state of decomposition, whether placed within or outside search areas, and other factors. We introduce a new approach for estimating fatalities by quantifying overall detection rates rather than separate rates for searcher detection error and carcass persistence, and by leaving placed and found fatality carcasses undisturbed throughout monitoring. We placed 2 fresh‐frozen bird carcasses weekly at random sites within fatality search areas and on randomized days Monday–Friday at Sand Hill and Santa Clara wind projects, Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area, California, USA. To estimate detection rates, we used logit regression to fit detection outcomes on body mass, which served as an axis of similitude between placed trial carcasses and fatality finds. Adjusted carcass placement rates among species detected by searchers regressed on true placement rates with a slope of 1.0 so long as sufficient numbers of trial carcasses were placed, thus validating our approach as an unbiased estimator. Our approach generally estimated lower fatality rates than did conventional approaches, the latter of which demonstrated biases in searcher detection rates and carcass persistence rates whether based on proportion of carcasses remaining or mean days to removal. Our approach also revealed detection errors that highlight the difficulty of finding and identifying the remains of dead animals, and which warrant routine reporting. Despite averaging only a 5‐day search interval on intensively grazed annual grasslands where ground visibility was usually high, our experienced fatality monitors averaged 4.3 searches/first carcass detection, failed to detect 25% of 75 species represented by placed carcasses, and misidentified carcasses to species among 44% of species detected. Estimates of time since death also suffered bias and large error. Our approach more realistically simulates carcass detection probabilities associated with fatality monitoring, is less costly, facilitates hypothesis testing, eliminates multiple sources of error and bias suspected of conventional methods, and enables quantification of errors in estimated time since death, species identifications, and false negative findings. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.

Do extended transport times and rest periods impact on eating quality of beef carcasses?

The experiment tested the effect of four extended transport treatments on sensory and objective meat quality in beef. A total of 343 steers (88 steers from each of three properties and 79 from a fourth property) were allocated to four treatments including a 12 hour transport time (T12), 24 hour transport time (T24), 24 h as 12 hour transport time, a 12 hour rest, with a further 12 hour transport (T12 ~ T12), 36 hour transport treatment (T36). Within property departure times of treatments were staggered to arrive at the abattoir together. There were no significant transport effects (P > .05) on live animal, carcass traits, consumer sensory scores, and objective meat quality of the longissimus lumborum. There was large between property variation in the proportions of carcasses excluded from grading on the basis of low ribfat, high ultimate pH and dark meat color scores. Variation in these traits was not associated with transport treatments and was likely related to variation in on-farm factors.

Broiler chicken carcasses and their associated abattoirs as a source of enterotoxigenic &lt;em&gt;Clostridium perfringens&lt;/em&gt;: Prevalence and critical steps for contamination

Clostridium perfringens ranks among the three most frequent bacterial pathogens causing human foodborne diseases in Canada, and poultry meat products are identified as a source of infection for humans. The objective of the current study was to estimate the proportion of broiler chicken flocks, carcasses and various environmental samples from critical locations of the slaughter plant positive for the presence of C. perfringens enterotoxin encoding gene (cpe). From the 16 visits conducted, 25% of the 79 flocks sampled, 10% of the 379 carcasses sampled and 5% of the 217 environmental samples collected were found positive for cpe. The proportion of cpe-positive carcasses was statistically different between surveyed plants, with 17.0% for one abattoir and 2.2% for the other. For the most contaminated plant, cpe-positive carcasses were identified at each step of the processing line, with prevalence varying between 10.0% and 25.0%, whereas this prevalence varied between 0% and 25.0% for the environmental surfaces sampled. Based on the results obtained, enterotoxigenic C. perfringens strains could potentially represent a risk for the consumer.

Interaction between supplemental zinc oxide and zilpaterol hydrochloride on growth performance, carcass traits, and blood metabolites in feedlot steers.

Interactive effects of supplemental Zn and zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH) were evaluated in feedlot steers ( = 40; 652 kg ± 14 initial BW) to determine their impact on feedlot performance, blood constituents, and carcass traits. The study was conducted as a randomized complete block design with a 2 × 2 factorial treatment arrangement. Steers were blocked by BW and randomly assigned to treatments. Factors consisted of supplemental Zn (60 or 300 mg/kg diet DM) and ZH (0 or 8.33 mg/kg) in the diets. For diets supplemented with 300 mg Zn/kg DM, 60 mg Zn/kg was supplemented as zinc sulfate and 240 mg Zn/kg was supplemented as zinc oxide, and the diet was fed for 24 d. Zilpaterol hydrochloride was fed for 21 d followed by a 3-d withdrawal. Cattle were housed in partially covered individual feeding pens equipped with automatic waterers and fence-line feed bunks and were fed once daily for ad libitum intake. Plasma samples were collected on d 0 and 21 to assess changes in Zn, plasma urea nitrogen (PUN), glucose, and lactate concentrations, and serum samples were collected on d 21 to assess IGF-1 concentration. On d 25, cattle were weighed and transported 450 km to a commercial abattoir for harvest; HCW and incidence of liver abscesses were recorded. Carcass data were collected after 36 h of refrigeration. Data were analyzed as a mixed model with Zn, ZH, and Zn × ZH as fixed effects; block as a random effect; and steer as the experimental unit. No interaction or effects of Zn or ZH were observed for IGF-1 concentration, plasma glucose, or lactate concentrations ( ≥ 0.25). No interaction between Zn and ZH was observed for PUN concentration, but PUN decreased with ZH ( < 0.01). There were no effects of ZH or Zn on ADG, DMI, final BW, feed efficiency, HCW, back fat, KPH, quality grade, or incidence of liver abscesses ( > 0.05). Zinc supplementation tended ( = 0.08) to improve the proportion of carcasses grading USDA Choice. Feeding ZH decreased yield grade ( = 0.05) and tended to increase LM area ( = 0.07). In conclusion, increasing dietary concentrations of Zn does not impact response to ZH, but feeding ZH altered circulating concentrations of PUN.

Bacteriological and Molecular Characterization of Salmonella Species Isolated from Humans and Chickens in Sharkia Governorate, Egypt

This study was carried out to investigate the occurrence of Salmonella species in 690 different samples collected from Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. The samples comprised of chicken meat, organs, eggs, cloacal swabs and wooden surface swabs from pluck shop outlets and hand swabs from workers. In addition, stool swabs from patients with gastroenteritis attending the Outpatient Clinics at Zagazig and Abo-Hammad cities. Salmonella spp. were detected in 5.9%, 2.6%, 4.2%, 10.4%, 10% and 10% of chicken meat, organs, egg shell, cloacal swabs, surface swabs and hand swabs, respectively. The isolation rate from stool swabs was 0.8%. Biochemical Identification revealed that Salmonella spp. were identified in 129 out of 690 examined samples (18.7%). Meanwhile, molecular identification using invA gene revealed that only 29 Salmonella isolates were detected (4.2%). S. Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis were identified from different samples with the percentages of 1.2 and 1.01, respectively. The other identified Salmonella serovars were S. Newport (0.9%), S. Kentucky (0.7%), and S. Infantis (0.4%). Virulence associated genes including avrA, hilA and pef were identified in 100, 91.3 and 10.3% of the examined isolates. In conclusion, a proportion of chicken carcasses and giblets sold in Sharkia Governorate, Egypt was contaminated with Salmonella spp. including potentially virulent S. Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis, posing risk for human consumers.

Prevalence and antibiogram of &lt;i&gt;Escherichia coli&lt;/i&gt; O157 isolated from bovine in Jimma, Ethiopia: abattoirbased survey

E. coli O157 is an important serotype that caused many food borne outbreaks worldwide in the past decades. This study was carried out to estimate the prevalence and determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of E. coli O157 isolated from bovine carcasses and cecal contents at one abattoir in Jimma. A total of 300 samples from bovine carcass swabs( n =150) and cecal contents( n =150) were examined to identify E. coli O157 by ISO 17604:2005 method and by using Dry spot E. coli O157 latex test kit. Susceptibility to panels of 9 antimicrobial agents for all 25 E. coli O157 isolates was examined The overall prevalence of E. coli O157 from bovine carcass swabs and cecal contents were 9.3% and 7.3%, respectively. All E. coli O157 isolates were susceptible to chloramphenicol, ceftriaxone, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, tetracycline and 96% of the isolates were susceptible to amoxacillin-clavulanic acid. Twenty-eight, 24% and 20% of the isolates were resistant to amikacin, streptomycin and cephalothin respectively. In conclusion, considerable proportions of bovine carcasses and cecal contents in the current study harbored drug resistant E. coli O157 and pose a significant public health risk. Attention must be given during post mortem examination and evisceration to avoid contamination of carcasses. Keywords: Abattoir; Antimicrobial susceptibility; Carcass; Cecal content; E. coli O157; Jimma; Prevalence

Ecological role of vertebrate scavengers in urban ecosystems in the UK.

Recent research has demonstrated how scavenging, the act of consuming dead animals, plays a key role in ecosystem structure, functioning, and stability. A growing number of studies suggest that vertebrate scavengers also provide key ecosystem services, the benefits humans gain from the natural world, particularly in the removal of carcasses from the environment. An increasing proportion of the human population is now residing in cities and towns, many of which, despite being highly altered environments, contain significant wildlife populations, and so animal carcasses. Indeed, non‐predation fatalities may be higher within urban than natural environments. Despite this, the fate of carcasses in urban environments and the role vertebrate scavengers play in their removal have not been determined. In this study, we quantify the role of vertebrate scavengers in urban environments in three towns in the UK. Using experimentally deployed rat carcasses and rapid fire motion‐triggered cameras, we determined which species were scavenging and how removal of carcass biomass was partitioned between them. Of the 63 experimental carcasses deployed, vertebrate scavenger activity was detected at 67%. There was a significantly greater depletion in carcass biomass in the presence (mean loss of 194 g) than absence (mean loss of 14 g) of scavengers. Scavenger activity was restricted to three species, Carrion crows Corvus corone, Eurasian magpies Pica pica, and European red foxes Vulpes vulpes. From behavioral analysis, we estimated that a maximum of 73% of the carcass biomass was removed by vertebrate scavengers. Despite having low species richness, the urban scavenger community in our urban study system removed a similar proportion of carcasses to those reported in more pristine environments. Vertebrate scavengers are providing a key urban ecosystem service in terms of carcass removal. This service is, however, often overlooked, and the species that provide it are among some of the most disliked and persecuted.

The food safety value of de-boning finishing pig carcasses with lesions indicative of prior septicaemia

The primary purpose of meat inspection is to protect the public health by ensuring that no meat unfit for human consumption enters the market. EU Regulation 854/2004 specifies that lesions indicative of a generalised condition should result in the condemnation of the carcass. However, the correct procedure concerning carcasses with lesions indicative of a prior septicaemia is not specified. In Denmark, such carcasses are de-boned to avoid the presence of abscesses in the muscles. The aim of this study was to evaluate the food safety value of this specific use of de-boning. Retrospective data from 1 year, in the form of meat inspection lesion codes for all finishing pigs slaughtered, at the seven largest Danish abattoirs were obtained from the Danish Slaughterhouse Database. These data revealed some differences between abattoirs in the proportion of carcasses sent for de-boning (min: 0.14%; max: 0.29%; P < 0.001) and showed large differences in how often abscesses were found at de-boning (min 0.34%; max 24.14%; P < 0.001). Less than 1% of the carcasses were totally condemned after de-boning. Samples from 102 finishing pig carcasses sent for de-boning (due to lesions indicative of prior septicaemia) underwent bacteriological examination. Samples were taken from each carcass, including from abscesses and muscle. The presence of bacteria in the muscle samples was compared to that of similar samples collected from carcasses unconditionally approved in another study (N = 60). A total of 6% of the abscesses and 83% of the muscle samples from the carcasses sent for de-boning were sterile (or below detection level). The only potential foodborne pathogen identified was Staphylococcus aureus, which was found in 15 abscesses and one muscle sample from the 102 carcasses sent for de-boning and in one of the 60 control muscle samples (P = 0.86). Based on the bacteriological findings, the human health risk related to meat from de-boned carcasses and meat from unconditionally approved carcasses was assessed to be equally low. Therefore, de-boning was not considered to be a necessary part of the meat inspection procedure to ensure food safety. Instead, thorough inspection (requiring deep cuts into the predilection sites for the abscesses) in the rework area could replace de-boning. In addition, if overlooked in the rework area, such abscesses would probably be found during cutting, and dealt with at the abattoir. A strict and thorough handling of the carcasses in the rework area, along with extra focus during processing, should therefore be sufficient.

Disparities in Beef Tapeworm Identification Rates in the Abattoirs of Gauteng Province, South Africa: A Descriptive Epidemiologic Study.

BackgroundBovine Taenia saginata cysticercus infections (also called bovine cysticercosis or beef measles) is usually diagnosed in cattle only during post-mortem meat inspection. The aim of this study was to investigate the identification rates of these infections in and to identify predictors/determinants of variations in the identification rates in abattoirs in Gauteng province, South Africa.MethodsRetrospective data for over 1.4 million cattle carcasses inspected in 26 abattoirs between January 2010 and December 2013 were used for the study. The identification rates (proportion of bovine Taenia saginata cysticercus positive carcasses) were computed and generalized estimating equations used to identify predictors/determinants of identification rates.ResultsThe overall identification rate was 0.70% (95% CI: 0.45, 0.95). Significantly (p< 0.05) lower rates were reported during summer (0.55%) than other seasons. Some geographic areas reported significantly (p<0.05) higher rates than others. The identification rates in high throughput abattoirs was significantly (p<0.05) higher (RR: 9.4; 95% CI: 4.7–19.1) than in low throughput abattoirs. Similarly, the identification rates among animals from feedlots were significantly (p<0.05) higher (RR: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.7–3.5) than those from non-feedlot sources. No significant (p>0.05) association was identified between identification rates and either the number of meat inspectors per abattoir or the provider of inspection services.ConclusionAlthough no significant association was found between identification rates and provider of inspection services, follow-up studies will need to be done to specifically investigate the potential conflict of interest arising from the fact that abattoir owners hire meat inspection services directly. Capture of abattoir surveillance data needs to include farm address and for each case to be reported separately. Finally, information on the type of identified cysts (alive or calcified) need to be collected to help better estimate risk to consumers. This study provides useful baseline data to guide future studies, surveillance and control efforts.

Influence of grand-mother diet on offspring performances through the male line in Muscovy duck.

BackgroundIn mammals, multigenerational environmental effects have been documented by either epidemiological studies in human or animal experiments in rodents. Whether such phenomena also occur in birds for more than one generation is still an open question. The objective of this study was to investigate if a methionine deficiency experienced by a mother (G0) could affect her grand-offspring phenotypes (G2 hybrid mule ducks and G2 purebred Muscovy ducks), through their Muscovy sons (G1). Muscovy drakes are used for the production of mule ducks, which are sterile offspring of female common duck (Anas platyrhynchos) and Muscovy drakes (Cairina moschata). In France, mule ducks are bred mainly for the production of “foie gras”, which stems from hepatic steatosis under two weeks of force-feeding (FF). Two groups of female Muscovy ducks received either a methionine deficient diet or a control diet. Their sons were mated to Muscovy or to common duck females to produce Muscovy or Mule ducks, respectively. Several traits were measured in the G2 progenies, concerning growth, feed efficiency during FF, body composition after FF, and quality of foie gras and magret.ResultsIn the G2 mule duck progeny, grand-maternal methionine deficiency (GMMD) decreased 4, 8, and 12 week body weights but increased weight gain and feed efficiency during FF, and abdominal fat weight. The plasmatic glucose and triglyceride contents at the end of FF were higher in the methionine deficient group. In the G2 purebred Muscovy progeny, GMMD tended to decrease 4 week body weight in both sexes, and decreased weight gain between the ages of 4 and 12 weeks, 12 week body weight, and body weight at the end of FF in male offspring only. GMMD tended to increase liver weight and increased the carcass proportion of liver in both sexes.ConclusionAltogether, these results show that the mother’s diet is able to affect traits linked to growth and to lipid metabolism in the offspring of her sons, in Muscovy ducks. Whether this transmission through the father of information induced in the grand-mother by the environment is epigenetic remains to be demonstrated.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12863-015-0303-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Beef cow prepartum supplement level and age at weaning: II. Effects of developmental programming on performance and carcass composition of steer progeny.

Objectives were to determine the interaction of prepartum dam supplement level and age at weaning on growth performance, glucose and insulin concentrations, and carcass characteristics of steers (134 steers in yr 1; 147 steers in yr 2). Mature, multiparous Angus × Simmental cows were used in a split-plot design that included 3 supplement levels (no supplement [NS], 2.16 kg·cow·d [LS], and 8.61 kg·cow·d [HS]) and 2 ages at weaning (78 ± 11 d of age [early weaned; EW] or 186 ± 11 d of age [normal weaned; NW]). Cows grazed endophyte-infected tall fescue/red clover pastures and were bunk fed supplement (70% dried distiller's grains plus solubles and 30% soybean hulls) 103 ± 11 d prepartum to 2 ± 11 d postpartum. Dam prepartum supplement level did not affect ( ≥ 0.29) finishing phase growth performance or morbidity. The percentage of steers grading Average Choice or greater was increased ( = 0.04) for steers from cows fed HS compared to the percentage of steers from cows fed NS. Early weaning increased ( < 0.01) finishing phase initial BW and final BW and reduced ( < 0.01) G:F compared to normal weaning. A year × wean interaction ( = 0.04) occurred for ADG; EW resulted in reduced ( < 0.01) ADG compared to NW in yr 2. At slaughter, EW steers had greater ( < 0.01) HCW, yield grade, and back fat than NW steers. A year × wean interaction ( ≤ 0.05) occurred for quality grade distribution; in yr 2, EW steers had a greater ( < 0.01) proportion of carcasses that graded Low Choice or greater and Average Choice or greater than carcasses from NW steers. The EW steers had greater ( ≤ 0.05) occurrence of single antibiotic treatments in yr 2 and mortality due to respiratory disease than NW steers. A trend for a year × wean interaction ( ≤ 0.07) occurred for plasma insulin concentration and insulin:glucose; EW steers had numerically greater plasma insulin concentrations and insulin:glucose than NW steers in yr 1. In conclusion, these data suggest that there is no interaction between maternal level of supplement during late gestation and age at weaning on steer finishing phase performance, glucose and insulin concentrations, and carcass yield and quality characteristics. Overfeeding supplement to the dam did not affect finishing phase growth performance but did improve quality grades of steers. Early weaning increased HCW and improved carcass quality. Both dam supplement level and age at weaning are effective strategies in increasing beef quality and are independent of each other.

Estimating wind-turbine-caused bird and bat fatality when zero carcasses are observed.

Many wind-power facilities in the United States have established effective monitoring programs to determine turbine-caused fatality rates of birds and bats, but estimating the number of fatalities of rare species poses special difficulties. The loss of even small numbers of individuals may adversely affect fragile populations, but typically, few (if any) carcasses are observed during monitoring. If monitoring design results in only a small proportion of carcasses detected, then finding zero carcasses may give little assurance that the number of actual fatalities is small. Fatality monitoring at wind-power facilities commonly involves conducting experiments to estimate the probability (g) an individual will be observed, accounting for the possibilities that it falls in an unsearched area, is scavenged prior to detection, or remains undetected even when present. When g < 1, the total carcass count (X) underestimates the total number of fatalities (M). Total counts can be 0 when M is small or when M is large and g << 1. Distinguishing these two cases is critical when estimating fatality of a rare species. Observing no individuals during searches may erroneously be interpreted as evidence of absence. We present an approach that uses Bayes' theorem to construct a posterior distribution for M, i.e., P(M \ X, ĝ), reflecting the observed carcass count and previously estimated g. From this distribution, we calculate two values important to conservation: the probability that M is below a predetermined limit and the upper bound (M*) of the 100(1 - α)% credible interval for M. We investigate the dependence of M* on α, g, and the prior distribution of M, asking what value of g is required to attain a desired M for a given α. We found that when g < -0.15, M* was clearly influenced by the mean and variance of ĝ and the choice of prior distribution for M, but the influence of these factors is minimal when g > -0.45. Further, we develop extensions for temporal replication that can inform prior distributions of M and methods for combining information across several areas or time periods. We apply the method to data collected at a wind-power facility where scheduled searches yielded X = 0 raptor carcasses.

Growth performance, and carcass and meat quality traits in progeny of Poll Nellore, Angus and Brahman sires under tropical conditions

This study aimed to characterise progeny of sires representing major families in the Poll Nellore breed. Fourteen Poll Nellore sires, two Angus sires and one Brahman sire were mated by AI to ~400 multiparous Poll Nellore dams. Calves were raised and stocked on pasture in central Brazil until reaching ~18 months of age, then fed a sugarcane bagasse-based diet on an ad libitum basis until reaching market weight and finish (average 23 months). There were 236 Poll Nellore (N), 38 Angus × Poll Nellore (AN) and 31 Brahman × Poll Nellore (BN) calves born in total. The weaning and 423-day weight weights, and growth rates and pre- and post-weaning were greater (P &lt; 0.05) in males than in female calves, and were influenced by breed and by sire within the N animals. The weaning weights were higher (P &lt; 0.05) in AN and BN than in N calves. The 423-day weight weights were greater (P &lt; 0.05) in AN calves, followed by BN, with straightbred N being lightest. Feedlot average daily gain was unaffected (P &gt; 0.05) by sex or by sire within N, but was lowest (P &lt; 0.05) in N cattle, and highest in AN and BN animals, which did not differ (P &gt; 0.05). Heifers reached the end of the study with lower bodyweight (BW) and dressing percentage than steers, resulting in lower carcass weights, smaller longissimus muscle areas (LMA), but greater 12th to 13th rib backfat (BF) and similar marbling score and mean shear force. However, the proportion of carcasses grading Choice or Prime was numerically greater in heifers than in steers (23.6% vs 9.8%). AN cattle reached greater harvest weights than BN, and those were heavier than N cattle (P &lt; 0.001). However, dressing percentages were lowest in AN animals, so that there was no significant difference in carcass weight between AN and BN cattle. AN carcasses also had greater LMA, BF and marbling scores than the N carcasses. The proportion of carcasses grading Choice or Prime was numerically greater in AN cattle than in the BN and N groups (25.9%, 11.8% and 15.9%, respectively). Steaks from AN calves were more tender than N steaks, with the BN steaks being intermediate. There was significant variation among N sires for final BW, dressing percentage, carcass weight, LMA and marbling score, but not for BF or mean shear force. The percentages of carcasses of N cattle grading Choice or Prime ranged from 0% to 61.5%. Three N sires produced progeny with greater than 40% of carcasses grading Choice or above (Berílio OB, Furador OB, and Litoral OB). Likewise, three N sires (Blitz OB, Furador OB and Sossego OB) had progeny with 67%, 62% and 75%, respectively, of steaks classified as tender. This study confirmed that Zebu cattle have inferior carcass and meat quality relative to AN crossbreds under tropical conditions, however there is substantial variation within the N breed for these traits, and several sires have a proportion of their progeny comparable in terms of meat tenderness to those of Angus sires.

Daidzein enhances intramuscular fat deposition and improves meat quality in finishing steers.

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of soy isoflavone daidzein on carcass characteristics, fat deposition, meat quality, and blood metabolites in finishing steers. Fourteen crossbred steers were used in a 120-d finishing study. These steers were stratified by weight into groups and randomly allotted by group to one of two dietary treatments: (1) control and (2) daidzein (500 mg/kg concentrate). The steers were fed a 90% concentrate diet. Supplemental daidzein did not affect slaughter weight, hot carcass weight, and dressing percentage, but tended to reduce fat proportion (not including intramuscular fat) in carcass and backfat thickness of steers. The carcass bone proportion was greater in steers fed daidzein diets than those fed control diets. Daidzein supplementation reduced pH at 24 h after slaughtered and moisture content and increased isocitrate dehydrogenase activity, fat content (16.28% and 7.94%), marbling score (5.29 and 3.36), redness (a*), and chroma (C*) values in longissimus muscle relative to control treatment. The concentrations of blood metabolites including glucose, blood urea nitrogen, triglyceride, total cholesterol, non-esterified fatty acid, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were all lower in steers fed daidzein diets than those fed control diets. Current results suggest that supplemental daidzein can affect lipid metabolism, increase intramuscular fat content and marbling score, and improve meat quality in finishing steers. Daidzein should be a promising feed additive for production of high-quality beef meat.

Ethiopian beef carcass characteristics

This study was conducted to evaluate beef carcass characteristics of cattle slaughtered at local abattoirs in Ethiopia. About 10% of carcasses (3080) were collected from Adama, Hawassa, Mekelle and Kombolcha abattoirs between August 2013 and January 2014. The results of the study showed that 98.56% of cattle slaughtered were indigenous cattle while 1.44% was Holstein Frisian. The average carcass weight of indigenous cattle was 135.90 + 0.69 kg. Carcass weight was significantly (p<0.001) different between abattoirs, season, conformation grades, fat grades and categories of cattle. Conformation grade 1, 2 and 3 accounted for 30, 34.29 and 35.71% of carcasses evaluated, respectively. Fat grade1, 2 and 3 accounted for 67.5, 23.57 and 8.93% of carcasses evaluated, respectively. Intact bulls, castrated bulls, growing bulls and cows accounted for 26.07, 64.64, 3.95 and 5.36% cattle slaughtered, respectively. Higher carcass weight, higher proportion of superior conformation and fat grade were observed in the wet season compared to the dry season. Inferior conformation and fat grades were relatively higher for cows (80 and 84.42%) and castrated bulls (37.57 and 67.96%) compared to other categories of cattle. From the study it was concluded that the use of dairy beef was very low in Ethiopia. The proportion of carcass with little /no fat cover (fat grade 1) was very high. The relatively better carcasses weight, conformation and fat grades in the wet season compared to the dry season indicates the opportunities to improve carcass weight and quality through better feeding management.