@article{freeman_poore_pickworth_alley_2021, title={Influence of weaning strategy on behavior, humoral indicators of stress, growth, and carcass characteristics}, volume={5}, ISSN={["2573-2102"]}, DOI={10.1093/tas/txaa231}, abstractNote={Abstract
               Weaning is one of the most stressful events a calf experiences in our current beef production system. Its effects may include reduced feed intake, increased activity, slower growth, and increased susceptibility to disease. This study was designed to evaluate weaning after a 7-d placement of nose flaps at 7 mo (N, n = 40) and delaying weaning by 49 d relative to 7-mo weaning (D, n = 39) as alternatives to the industry standard; abrupt weaning at 7 mo of age (A, n = 39). The 4-yr trial utilized Angus and Angus X Senepol steer calves. Calves were randomly assigned to weaning strategy after being stratified by dam parity (heifer/cow), hair coat phenotype (normal/slick), and body weight. Behavioral observations were made on five steers per strategy group per year over the weeks surrounding weaning. Activity levels were determined by accelerometers worn on neck collars. Blood samples were obtained from the observed cattle during the last 2 yr to determine haptoglobin and cortisol concentration. Once weaned, the steers were followed through finishing and carcass characteristics obtained at harvest. Twelve of 38 steers in the N group had sores in their nostrils from the nose flaps when the flaps were removed at weaning of A/N (237 ± 3 d of age). The A and D calves were more active than N calves in the first 2 to 3 d after weaning but settled down to similar activity levels to N by the day 4. The A and D groups were more vocal than N during the same time frame. Cortisol and haptoglobin remained within normal reference ranges. Average daily body weight gain (ADG) was greater for D than A, who in turn had greater ADG than N during the first 42 d after A and N calves were weaned (0.69, 0.54, and 0.37 kg/d for D, A, and N, respectively; P < 0.01). All treatment groups graded Low Choice at harvest and exhibited similar efficiency of gain during growth and finishing (P > 0.2). Based on ADG during the 42 d after weaning, we recommend delaying weaning when available pasture and cow body condition support this strategy. When conditions do not permit delayed weaning, abrupt weaning may be the next viable option based on animal welfare concerns and increased handling to place and remove the flaps. Nose flaps reduced vocalization at weaning but resulted in less postweaning ADG. Based on our data, we suggest that abrupt weaning under the conditions of this study, is less stressful than we perceive it to be, based on calf behavior.}, number={1}, journal={Translational Animal Science}, author={Freeman, S. and Poore, M. and Pickworth, C. and Alley, M.}, year={2021}, month={Jan}, pages={txaa231} }
 @article{monn_poole_mackey_mayberry_dudley_alley_poole_2019, title={A two-injection prostaglandin F-2 alpha presynchronization treatment decreases pregnancy rates of cycling replacement beef heifers}, volume={3}, ISSN={["2573-2102"]}, DOI={10.1093/tas/txy136}, abstractNote={Abstract
               Improving artificial insemination (AI) pregnancy rates in replacement heifers improves the genetic advancement within a herd. Heifers that have completed at least three estrous cycles prior to breeding have greater pregnancy rates compared to acyclic females. Therefore, it was hypothesized that a presynchronization treatment program consisting of two injections of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) prior to the start of the CO-Synch + 5 d CIDR protocol would initiate earlier attainment of puberty and more estrous cycles prior to AI, thus increasing AI pregnancy rates. All heifers were managed the same at two locations over the course of 2 yr. Heifers were randomly assigned to receive either the two-injection PGF2α presynchronization treatment (PreSynch; n = 105) or no presynchronization (Control; n = 106) prior to the start of estrous synchronization. On the first day of the trial, reproductive tract scores (RTSs), pelvic areas, body condition scores, and weights were collected on all heifers. All heifers were synchronized with the CO-Synch + 5 d CIDR protocol and fixed-time artificially inseminated with semen from a bull of known fertility. Blood samples were collected three consecutive times at 7 d intervals starting 45 d prior to estrous synchronization to determine the onset of puberty via analyzing progesterone concentrations. Pregnancy status to AI was assessed using ultrasonography diagnosis at approximately 30 and 60 d post insemination. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS and reported as least square mean. The PreSynch treatment decreased AI pregnancy rates (52.2% vs. 38.1 ± 6.3% for Control vs. PreSynch, respectively; P = 0.06) and did not result in earlier attainment of puberty in beef heifers (P > 0.05). The PreSynch treatment did not impact pregnancy rates in heifers with an RTS of 3 or 4 (P > 0.05). However, PreSynch heifers with an RTS of 5 had decreased pregnancy rates (68.3% vs. 46.9 ± 10.1% for Control vs. PreSynch, respectively; P < 0.05). Finally, PreSynch heifers with increased body condition of 6 had decreased pregnancy rates when compared to Control heifers (37.5% vs. 62.5 ± 11.6%, respectively; P < 0.05). On the basis of these data, implementation of heifer breeding soundness examination at least 3 wk prior to the start of the breeding season may be beneficial for selecting replacement females; however, presynchronization with prostaglandins immediately prior to estrous synchronization will negatively affect AI pregnancy rates in cycling pubertal heifers.}, number={1}, journal={TRANSLATIONAL ANIMAL SCIENCE}, author={Monn, Ruby E. and Poole, Rebecca K. and Mackey, J. Christopher and Mayberry, Kyle J. and Dudley, Harrison B. and Alley, Mark and Poole, Daniel H.}, year={2019}, month={Jan}, pages={456–463} }
 @article{smith_alley_foster_smith_wileman_2014, title={Passive Immunity Stimulated by Vaccination of Dry Cows with a Salmonella Bacterial Extract}, volume={28}, ISSN={0891-6640}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jvim.12396}, DOI={10.1111/jvim.12396}, abstractNote={BackgroundDiarrhea because of Salmonella infection is a cause of neonatal calf diarrhea. The stimulation of passive immunity in the calf by vaccinating the dam for Salmonella has shown some success in previous studies; however, there are no data on the use of currently licensed vaccines in the United States.ObjectiveTo determine whether vaccinating cows at dry‐off with a commercially available Salmonella bacterial extract would stimulate Salmonella‐specific antibodies in the colostrum of cows at calving and whether these antibodies would be transferred to the calf.AnimalsSixty Holstein cattle and 59 calves from a herd presumed to be naïve to Salmonella.MethodsProspective clinical trial. Thirty cows were vaccinated at dry‐off with a Salmonella enterica serovar Newport bacterial extract and again 4 weeks later. An additional 30 cows received only saline. Calves fed fresh colostrum from their dam within 4 hours of birth had blood collected 24 hours later.ResultsVaccinated cattle had increased Salmonella Newport antibody titers at calving in blood (P = .01) and colostrum (P = .011). Calves that received colostrum from vaccinated cattle also had significant increase in Salmonella antibodies (1.04 ± 0.03) as compared to calves born to unvaccinated cows (0.30 ± 0.02).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThe results indicate that the use of a commercially available Salmonella vaccine can stimulate antibodies that are passed on to the calf via colostral transfer. Further studies need to be done to determine whether these antibodies will offer protection against Salmonella challenge.}, number={5}, journal={Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Smith, G.W. and Alley, M.L. and Foster, D.M. and Smith, F. and Wileman, B.W.}, year={2014}, month={Jul}, pages={1602–1605} }
 @article{alley_haines_smith_2012, title={Short communication: Evaluation of serum immunoglobulin G concentrations using an automated turbidimetric immunoassay in dairy calves}, volume={95}, ISSN={["0022-0302"]}, DOI={10.3168/jds.2012-5420}, abstractNote={The absorption of maternal antibodies associated with colostrum feeding is critical to the health of calves. Multiple assays have been described to assess serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations in calves. However, none are ideal for routine use on farms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of a new commercially available immunoassay and portable analyzer for measuring serum IgG concentrations in dairy calves. Serum from 100 Holstein calves that had received colostrum was collected for this study. Immunoglobulin G concentrations were run on each calf using both the rapid immunoassay method and radial immunodiffusion assay. Serum IgG concentrations in calves from this study ranged from 460 to 3,640 mg/dL (mean ± SD: 1,515 ± 71) as measured by radial immunodiffusion and 402 to 3,586 mg/dL (mean 1,473 ± 70) as measured by the immunoassay. Based on regression analysis, the automated results closely paralleled those obtained by radial immunodiffusion with a coefficient of determination value of 0.98. Based on the results of this study, the immunoassay technique using the portable analyzer represents a reliable method that can be run within 15 min and provide an accurate serum IgG level. Although the cost is not insignificant, this assay could be easily implemented on a dairy farm to help monitor transfer of passive immunity.}, number={8}, journal={JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE}, author={Alley, M. L. and Haines, D. M. and Smith, G. W.}, year={2012}, month={Aug}, pages={4596–4599} }
 @article{foster_chinnadurai_nutt_pandiri_linder_alley_smith_2011, title={Congenital peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia in an alpaca}, volume={89}, ISSN={0005-0423}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.2010.00661.x}, DOI={10.1111/j.1751-0813.2010.00661.x}, abstractNote={An adult alpaca was presented because of abdominal pain and was diagnosed with an intestinal obstruction. The putative diagnosis at surgery was an intestinal obstruction caused by peritonitis and intra‐abdominal adhesions. The cause of the inflammation was not determined at that time. The alpaca died soon after surgery from post‐surgical complications and a peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia that was not diagnosed until necropsy.}, number={1-2}, journal={Australian Veterinary Journal}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Foster, DM and Chinnadurai, SK and Nutt, JN and Pandiri, A and Linder, KE and Alley, ML and Smith, GW}, year={2011}, month={Jan}, pages={51–54} }
 @article{young_alley_foster_smith_2011, title={Efficacy of amprolium for the treatment of pathogenic Eimeria species in Boer goat kids}, volume={178}, ISSN={["0304-4017"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.01.028}, abstractNote={This study evaluated the efficacy of two different doses of amprolium in goats heavily infected with pathogenic Eimeria species. Forty Boer goat kids ranging from 3 to 5 months of age with naturally occurring coccidiosis were randomly divided into 2 groups and treated orally with amprolium at doses of 10 mg/kg daily for 5 days (n = 20) or 50 mg/kg daily for 5 days (n = 20). The Eimeria oocyst per gram concentrations were significantly reduced on day 7 in the kids that received amprolium at 50 mg/kg, however oocyst concentrations were not significantly reduced in goats that received the 10 mg/kg dose. Out of 100 Eimeria oocysts identified from a pooled fecal sample, E. christenseni was the most frequently identified (52%) coccidial species present. The results of this trial indicate that amprolium can be an effective treatment for pathogenic Eimeria species in goat kids, however higher and extralabel doses (50 mg/kg) should be used.}, number={3-4}, journal={VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY}, author={Young, Gabrielle and Alley, Mark L. and Foster, Derek M. and Smith, Geof W.}, year={2011}, month={Jun}, pages={346–349} }
 @article{fidler_alley_smith_2011, title={Short communication: Serum immunoglobulin G and total protein concentrations in dairy calves fed a colostrum-replacement product}, volume={94}, ISSN={["0022-0302"]}, DOI={10.3168/jds.2011-4358}, abstractNote={Neonatal calf health is largely dependent on the ingestion and absorption of maternally derived antibodies via colostrum administration. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a commercially available plasma-derived colostrum-replacement (CR) product as compared with bovine colostrum. Holstein calves were removed from the dam immediately after birth and randomly allocated to 1 of 3 groups. Group 1 calves (n=22) were fed 1 package of the CR product; group 2 calves (n=22) were fed 2 packages of the CR product; and group 3 calves (n=22) were fed 3 L of bovine colostrum. Blood samples were collected from all calves 24h after colostrum or CR feeding and analyzed for serum IgG and total protein concentrations. Calves fed bovine colostrum had significantly higher serum IgG and total protein concentration than calves in either group fed the CR product. Group 1 calves (1 package of CR product) had a significantly higher incidence of failure of transfer of passive immunity than calves in groups 2 or 3. The results of this study indicated that 2 packages of this CR product achieved adequate IgG concentrations in calves. However, calves fed 1 package of this CR product consistently had failure of transfer of passive immunity.}, number={7}, journal={JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE}, author={Fidler, A. P. and Alley, M. L. and Smith, G. W.}, year={2011}, month={Jul}, pages={3609–3612} }