Animal Science Exam 1

Domestication

process of adapting animals/plants for human use

animal science

science and management of domestic livestock

of all calories consumed, how much comes from plants

80-85%

of all calories consumed, how much comes from animals

15-20%

of the percentage of calories consumed from animals, how much is protein

40%

biosecurity

management practices to prevent intro or spread of disease

why is biosecurity important

reduce risk of disease spread:

• during movement of personnel, equipment, and materials

• routine animal care

• animal emergency response activities

• protect responders’ health is agent is zoonotic

Levels of application

• farm level

• regional/national level

• global level

Areas of Biosecurity: Conceptual

planning and location

Areas of biosecurity: structural

layout, design, and facilities

• fences, controlled entry, shower-in/shower-out

Areas of biosecurity: operational

standard operating procedures (SOPs)

• daily routines, PPE use, visitor protocols

Why Econ matters in biosecurity

• disease outbreak = major economic losses

• costs come from:

  • animal deaths/loss of productivity

  • culling and disposal

  • trade bans and market shocks

  • biosecurity/response efforts

  • consumer trust

main disease transmission of concern

zoonotic

zoonotic

disease transmissible between animals and humans

examples of zoonotic diseases

salmonella, rabies, toxoplasmosis, HPAI, brucellosis

types of disease transmission: Epidemic

sudden widespread outbreak in a population

• Swine Flu 2009

types of disease transmission: Pandemic

global spread across countries/continents

• foot-and-mouth

types of disease transmission: endemic

disease regularly found in a population/area

• Johne’s in cattle

disease transmission pathways: direct contact

animal-to-animal spread (nose-to-nose, bodily fluids)

disease transmission pathways: fomite exposure

animal-to-object spread

disease transmission pathways: aerosol

airborne droplets (PRRS, influenza)

disease transmission pathways: vector exposure

insects, rodents, wildlife

disease transmission pathways: reproductive

parent to offspring (thru placenta or eggs)

disease transmission carriers: vectors

living organism that carries and transmits an infectious agent

• wildlife

  • waterfowl = HPAI carriers

• insects

  • mosquitoes= West Nile

  • flies= screwworm

  • ticks= tularemia

disease transmission carriers: fomites

inanimate object contaminated with pathogens that spread to a susceptible host through touch

• equipment/tools (syringes, shovels)

• vehicles/trailers

• clothing, boots, gloves

• feed, water, bedding

Common transmission by poultry

wild birds, shared tools, human traffic

Common transmission by swine

pig movement, feed delivery, shared staff

Common transmission by beef and small ruminants

wildlife (deer), communal pastures

Common transmission by dairy

equipment, vehicles, shared housing

PPE (personal protective equipment)

equipment used to prevent or minimize exposure to hazards

• boots, gloves, coveralls

PPE purpose

protect humans and animals from cross-contamination

“barrier protection” reduces fomite and vector transmission

PPE in poultry/swine barns

boot covers and handwashing stations

PPE in cattle processing plants

cut-resistant gloves, face protection

Behavioral and Organizational Factors

human behavior matters

• workers follow or bypass protocols based on cues and culture

• studies show that observing others following biosecurity rules increase compliance

Core on-farm biosecurity practices

• limit visitors

• require long-in/log-out

• quarantine new arrivals (30 days)

• dedicated boots/clothes for barn/pasture

• vehicle disinfection stations

• proper carcass disposal

• record-keeping and traceability: use of national systems

Technology and Biosecurity: Electronic tags

record keeping and health

Technology and Biosecurity: RABapp (Rapid Access Biosecurity app)

mobile/online tool used in 31 states, covering ~47% of US commercial swine operations

• Secure Pork Supply (SPS) Plan: framework to maintain business operation during outbreak

Technology and Biosecurity: virtual fencing

location control

USDA-APHIS

US Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

WOAH

World Organization for Animal Health

Federal Programs and Industry Organizations: NPIP

National Poultry Improvement Plan and USDA’s Defend the Flock Initiative

Federal Programs and Industry Organizations: PQA Plus

Pork Quality Assurance

Federal Programs and Industry Organizations: BQA

Beef Quality Assurance and USDA SPS Plan: Secure Beef Supply

animal rights

belief animals should live free from human use

animal welfare

ensure a good quality of life and humane death

5 Domains

D1: Nutrition

D2: Environment

D3: Health

D4: Behavioral Interactions

D5: Mental State/Experiences (all lead to D5)

• all lead to overall welfare

• US (2022, ASPCA) = 79% public concerned about industrial animal welfare

• US (Consumer Tracker) - only 27% were familiar with everyday cattle practices, but 70% consider raising conditions when buying

Animal Welfare Science

measuring the Animal’s experience

physiology

what animals feel

• stress hormones

• heart rate

• respiration

behavior

what animals show us

• avoidance

• play

• vocalization

Stress Response Basics: Acute stress

short-term, survival

Stress Response Basics: chronic stress

long-term, reduced immunity, fertility, and growth

Stress Response Basics: Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)

fight or flight

Stress Response Basics: Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis

cortisol release

acute stress indicators

elevated heart rate, rapid breathing, dilated pupils, sweating and trembling (species dependent), escape attempts or freezing behavior

flight zone

animal’s personal space

• step in, it moves away

point of balance

usually at the shoulder

• step behind, it moves forward

• step in front, it moves back

key to low-stress handling

Temple Grandin’s Systems

good design= reduced stress

• curved chutes

• solid sides

• reduced noise and distraction

what is the single most costly part of animal production

nutrition; 50-70%

foundation of efficient production

nutrition; impacts profitability, health, and sustainability

nutrition

intake of food for growth and maintenance

feed

ingredient fed to animals

diet

mixture of feeds and supplements an animal consumes

ration

specific amount of diet provided to an animal in 24 hour period

what is the main difference between a diet and ration

24 hour period

nutrient

substances that are required for life

why are animals fed? maintenance

fed enough o maintain biochem processes in order to sustain life

• ~2% of body weight

why are animals fed? production

fed enough to sustain life as well as five off some sort of product due to surplus feed

• 3% < of body weight

examples of production outputs

eggs, milk, meat, offspring, fiber, labor

six basic nutrients

water, carbohydrates, lipids (fats), proteins, vitamins, minerals

what is the most essential nutritient

water; when lacking, causes death the fastest

key functions of water

• temperature regulation

• lubrication

• solvent and transport medium

• chemical reactions

How many gallons/day does beef cattle drink

7-30

How many gallons/day does sheep/goats drink

1-4

How many gallons/day does pigs drink

2-8

How many gallons/day does poultry drink

0.05-0.25

Water quality: taste and smell

influences whether animals want to drink

Water quality: contaminants

invisible dangers that affect health and performance

Water quality: testing and monitoring

how to know water is safe

Water quality testing: TDS (Total Dissolved Solids)

affects taste and palability

• increase in TDS = salty or bitter water

  • threshold = > 3000 ppm

Water quality testing: nitrates

often come from fertilizer runoff or decaying plants

• increased levels can cause toxicity

Water quality testing: sulfates

natural in some well water sources

• increased level can lead to diarrhea, dehydration, poor feed efficiency

carbohydrates

organic compound of C,H,O

carbs major function

to supply energy

• 75-80% of total ration

monosaccharides (carb)

one sugar

• ex: glucose, fructose

disaccharides (carb)

two monosaccharides

• ex: sucrose, lactose

polysaccharides (carb)

many monosaccharides

• ex: cellulose, glycogen

Carbs in forages

• cheap

• high in cellulose (sugar) + lignin (fats) (structural cards)

• slower, harder to digest → lower energy/pount

• essential for rumen health

carbs in concentrates

• expensive

• increase in starch (sugar) (non-structural cards)

• quick, easy to digest → increase energy

• risk of digestive upsets if fed too quickly or in excess

Fiber Fractions (Modern Forage Testing)

NDF, ADF, NSC

• used for ration balancing, predicting intake, and energy

NDF (Neutral Detergent Fiber)

total cell wall content

• increase NDF = more bulk = limits intake

ADF (Acid Detergent Fiber)

indigestible fibers like lignin and cellulose

• increase ADF = decrease digestibility

NSC (Non-structural cards)

sugars and starches = quick energy

Protein

made of C, H, O, N

Protein functions

• tissue growth and repair

• enzymes and hormones

• immune molecules (antibodies)

• can be used for energy if in excess

Protein Testing

• protein measured by crude

• measure crude protein by Nitrogen

Amino Acids

building blocks of proteins

Essential amino acids

must by supplied in diet

Non-essential amino acid

can by synthesized by animal

Fats overview

• triglyceride = glycerol + 3 fatty acids

• provides 2.25x more energy than cards

Fats functions

• energy storage (long-term energy storage)

• cell membrane structure

• hormone synthesis (to create)