EFFECTS of GROWTH-PROMOTING TECHNOLOGIES on BEHAVIOR, MOBILITY, HEALTH PARAMETERS and HEAT STRESS of FINISHING STEERS by BRYAN C
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EFFECTS OF GROWTH-PROMOTING TECHNOLOGIES ON BEHAVIOR, MOBILITY, HEALTH PARAMETERS AND HEAT STRESS OF FINISHING STEERS By BRYAN CHRISTOPHER BERNHARD Bachelor of Science in Animal Science Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX 2009 Master of Science in Animal Science Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX 2011 Submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate College of the Oklahoma State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY JULY, 2014 EFFECTS OF GROWTH-PROMOTING TECHNOLOGIES ON BEHAVIOR, MOBILITY, HEALTH PARAMETERS AND HEAT STRESS OF FINISHING STEERS Dissertation Approved: Dr. Clinton R. Krehbiel Dissertation Adviser Dr. Gerald W. Horn Dr. D. L. Step Dr. Michelle S. Calvo-Lorenzo Dr. Carla L. Goad . ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS So many people have contributed to my success here at Oklahoma State University. First, I would like to thank God, because without him none of this is possible. He has blessed me with many opportunities and talents that have opened many doors for my life and given me the patience and grace so it is never a bad day. He has allowed me to meet and interact with an array of people the last three years that have helped shape my spiritual, professional and personal development. Next is definitely my wife. First because she is the one who has pushed me and held me accountable as we have grown our relationship with God and each other. She is my biggest fan, my number one supporter, and always pushes me to dream big. Thank you very much LJ! I owe my family a lot of thanks. All the love and encouragement from my parents, sisters, and brother-in-laws, Chris and Judy Bernhard, Tiffany and Michael Niles, and Nicole and Mike Purdum, have always pushed me to try harder and achieve new goals that I never thought were possible. I would like to thank all of the faculty, staff, and students at Oklahoma State University who made achieving this graduate degree possible. Thank you to my major professor Dr. Clint Krehbiel for your mentorship and for allowing me the opportunity to work with you the last three years. My other committee members, Dr. Gerald Horn, Dr. DL Step, Dr. Michelle Calvo-Lorenzo and Dr. Carla Goad have all had a huge impact on my life and I appreciate their willingness to provide advice and mentor me in any aspect of life. Their leadership, knowledge, and challenge to become the best person and best scientist possible has been greatly appreciated. A special thanks to Casey Maxwell for his huge hand in my research project and for the friendship we developed. Blake Wilson and the other graduate students and undergraduates deserve a big “thank you” for their daily efforts at Willard Sparks Beef Research Center. iii Acknowledgements reflect the views of the author and are not endorsed by committee members or Oklahoma State University. Name: Bryan Christopher Bernhard Date of Degree: JULY, 2014 Title of Study: EFFECTS OF GROWTH-PROMOTING TECHNOLOGIES ON BEHAVIOR, MOBILITY, HEALTH PARAMETERS AND HEAT STRESS OF FINISHING STEERS Major Field: ANIMAL SCIENCE Abstract: Crossbred steers (n=336; initial BW=379± 8kg) were used in a RCBD to determine the effects of growth-promoting technologies on steers’ behavior, mobility, health parameters and heat stress. Treatments consisted of an all-natural treatment (NAT), a conventional treatment (implanted with 40mg of estradiol and 200mg of trenbolone acetate (TBA), and fed 33 and 9mg/kg of monensin and tylosin daily, CONV) and a CONV treatment plus the addition of zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH; at 6.8g/ton [90% DM-basis] for the last 20 days on feed with a 3 to 4 d withdrawal; CONV-Z). Chute exit scores resulted in a treatment time interaction (P= 0.03), with NAT steers having a more aggressive exit score than CONV and CONV-Z steers at d 10Z and d 20Z. There were no effects of treatment on exit velocity, pen temperament, or overall temperament (P≥ 0.26). Standing time and lying bouts were not affected by treatment (P> 0.45), but CONV-Z steers took more steps/d (P= 0.04), resulting in a greater motion index (P= 0.05) than NAT steers. While moving to the working facilities, CONV-Z steers moved at the slowest velocity, CONV were intermediary, and NAT the fastest (P< 0.05). Step length and mobility scores were not affected by treatment (P≥ 0.14). White blood cell counts were greater for CONV and CONV-Z versus NAT steers from d 28 through d 20Z (P< 0.05). Liver abscesses, lung scores and heart and liver histological changes were not affected by treatment (P≥ 0.10). During summer heat stress, body temperature was not affected (P> 0.10), but respiration rate was greatest for CONV-Z steers, intermediate for NAT and lowest for CONV steers (P< 0.05). Hair covering scores was lower for CONV and CONV-Z versus NAT cattle from d 84 through d 20Z. The results of this experiment suggest that growth-promoting technologies have little to no overall effects on cattle behavior, mobility and health parameters. Treatment altered the mechanism by which steers exchange heat load to maintain thermo-homeostasis, but all steers experienced a similar magnitude of heat stress. Collectively, growth-promoting technologies did not have a negative effect on finishing steer well-being during this study. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter Page I. INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................1 Literature Cited ........................................................................................................2 II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE....................................................................................4 Technology Use in the Feedlot Industry ..................................................................4 History of Technologies .....................................................................................4 Current Utilization of Technologies ..................................................................5 Animal Welfare and Heat Stress ..............................................................................6 History of Animal Welfare ................................................................................6 Factors Affecting Heat Stress ............................................................................8 Environment .................................................................................................9 Breed Type and Hair Coat Characteristics ...................................................9 Diet and Feed Intake ..................................................................................10 Management ...............................................................................................11 Ionophores and Antibiotics ....................................................................................12 Mechanism of Action .......................................................................................12 Effects on Animal Health.................................................................................13 Growth-Promoting Implants ..................................................................................14 Mechanism of Action .......................................................................................14 Effects on Temperament, Behavior and Mobility............................................17 Temperament .............................................................................................17 Behavior .....................................................................................................18 Mobility......................................................................................................18 Effects on Heat Stress ......................................................................................18 Effects on Animal Health.................................................................................19 β-Adrenergic Agonist ............................................................................................21 Mechanism of Action .......................................................................................21 Effects on Temperament, Behavior and Mobility............................................22 Temperament .............................................................................................22 Behavior .....................................................................................................23 Mobility......................................................................................................24 Effects on Heat Stress ......................................................................................25 Effects on Animal Health.................................................................................26 Role of Technology in Sustainable Beef Production .............................................27 v Chapter Page Conclusions from Literature Review .....................................................................29 Literature Cited ......................................................................................................29 III. EFFECTS OF GROWTH-PROMOTING TECHNOLOGIES ON TEMPERAMENT, BEHAVIOR AND MOBILITY OF FINISHING STEERS ........................................44 Abstract ..................................................................................................................44 Introduction ............................................................................................................45 Materials and Methods ...........................................................................................46