Raising Sheep with the Lister Family

Raising Sheep with the Lister Family

Posted on by Thomas

Laura Lister grew up in Emery County, Utah, and had nothing to do with sheep until she met her husband in 2006. He grew up herding and shearing sheep with his family and Laura grew up with strictly horses. Laura chose to study animal science in college with an emphasis in equine science due to her background. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Southern Utah University.

When the Lister’s moved to Sanpete County Laura worked as a paraprofessional for a while until she started having children. When her boys were both old enough to be in school, she went back to work as a paraprofessional. Within a month she was offered a job as a 3rd Grade teacher. At the time there was a program called Alternate Pathways to Licensure available for teachers to become licensed if they had a bachelor’s degree in any subject. It was baptism by fire those first few years and she taught and took some classes herself to become a fully licensed teacher. She loves her job and is teaching 2nd grade this year.

Laura’s husband ran a 10-man shearing crew for quite a few years and in 2010 the Lister’s decided they wanted to start raising their own sheep. They started small with just 15 ewes, but it has boomed into their own little herd of 200 head now. They run mostly white-faced breeds, but also have some black-faced club lambs for their boys to show in 4-H.

Laura was kind enough to share some thoughts with us about what it entails raising sheep in the current marketplace.

 

Q: How has marketing your sheep changed over the past 5-10 years?

A: Most of our lambs are sold and shipped right off the ewe, but the last few years we have started finishing some out for our local farmer’s market meat shop.

 

Q: What factors influence the profitability of the lambs you sell?

A: We try to get the lambs that we sell to the farmer’s market heavier faster. Those lambs are going straight to the butcher whereas our fall weaned lambs we try for even weights so we are selling a consistent group.

 

Q: What are some obstacles that you see coming in the near future for sheep ranchers or for those that want to get into the sheep business?

A: One of the hardest is, don’t quit the first time you have a bad year. There will be times you will just want to walk away. It’s hard and costs fluctuate. One year you might sell your lambs for $2.00 per pound and the next year you might only get $1.75 per pound. The first couple of years getting into it will be hard. If you can financially make it work keep going. We need people in agriculture!

 

Q: Where do you run your sheep?

A: We run everything on private land. Just the fields around our place. We are lucky we have the pastures we do.

 

Q: How do you handle and feed your sheep around lambing?

A: We have creep feeders for the lambs, so the ewes don’t eat all their food. There is chopped hay in the creep feeder. Chopping the hay helps them eat all the hay and not just the leaves. We feed the ewes a little supplemental whole corn or flaked corn while they are nursing their lambs. Creep feeding the lambs helps them get to eating the corn faster. We also have salt licks, minerals, and lick tubs available for them.

 

Q: How do you involve your entire family?

A: Everything we do is just the 4 of us. Our two boys can lamb and do everything else that is involved in raising sheep. It has opened a lot of doors for them. hey know how to work hard, they raise their own 4-H lambs, and my oldest recently applied for a program through the Targhee Sheep Association to get 5 ewes to start his own flock with. If he is selected there are requirements he will have to fulfill and report back to them about how things are going after he gets started.

 

Thanks, Laura, for all the great thoughts about families involved in agriculture and raising sheep! We appreciate your time and wish the Lister family the best of luck in their family operation!

 

Written by: Mariah Gull, M.S.

Supplementation of Active Dry Yeast

Supplementation of Active Dry Yeast

Posted on by Thomas

Direct fed microbial (DFM) products are one possible avenue to improve animal health during the transition period. Active dry yeasts (ADY) are one subset of DFM. ADY have been found to act growth promoters and influence immune function in several species.

Mechanisms

The mode of action for ADY are wide and varied. ADY have been shown to impact lactate and lactic acid production, increase feed digestibility and efficiency, decrease oxygen and improve fermentation and feed breakdown in the rumen.

Benefits

The positive effects of feeding active dry yeast are dependent on diet, formulation, and concentration, and can vary from farm to farm. The documented benefits are listed below.

  • In beef steers, feeding ADY showed an improvement in immune response via an increase in TLR-4 expression.
  • In the lower gut ADY may inhibit pathogen growth, stimulate an immune response, and balance microbial growth.
  • S. cervesiae boulardii has been found to have protective effects on the small intestine in calves and reductions in pathogen load. Ultimately reducing inflammation.
  • Improved milk yield and decreased body losses in the first 7 weeks of lactation, without impacting dry matter intake (DMI).
  • Protection of the lower gastrointestinal tract.
  • Increased crypt depth and width in calves.
  • Improved tight junction structure and mucin production.
  • Improved innate immune response.
  • Improved nutrient digestibility

Phenotypes

Yeast phenotypes are diverse and encompassing. The S. cervesiae family alone includes at least 74 phenotypes grouped into 10 different categories. In ruminants, different strains of S. cerevisiae can change the rumen fermentation profile to a more acidotic and glucogenic state, and/or impact fiber digestion.

It is still unsettled whether S. boulardii is a substrain of S. cerevisiae or a separate species all in itself.  Either way, S. cerevisiae boullardii (SCB) is known to impact intestinal mucosa, modulate immune response, gene expression, and protein synthesis.

An activated immune response increases energy demand up to 55%, the equivalent to 1 kg (2.2) lbs. of glucose in a 12 hour period of time. Alterations made by SCB to the immune response may result in energy savings that would leave more glucose available for growth and without increasing DMI. More research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms of metabolism while feeding SCB or other strains of ADY, but in the short term we are seeing benefits to animal health and production so supplementation may become a more popular avenue in improving animal health and maximizing production.  For more information on how we utilize ADY and SCB please email us at service@microbasics.com.

Written by: Mariah Gull, M.S.

Sources: Effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii (CNCM I-1079) on feed intake, blood parameters, and production during early lactation – PubMed

Understanding Peak Milk

Understanding Peak Milk

Posted on by Thomas

Peak milk is used to measure the success of the dry period and early lactation nutrition and management. When nutrient needs for both the fetus and the cow are met during the dry period the cow will have a better chance of handling the stress inflicted at calving, will be able to modulate inflammation better, and will be less likely to encounter any metabolic diseases during the fresh period.

What is peak milk?

Peak milk is the highest recorded test day milk production in a cow’s first 150 days in milk (DIM). Peak milk indicates how well the cow responds to feeding strategies during the dry period, close-up, and early lactation periods.

Most cows reach peak milk by 45 to 90 DIM (60-70 DIM ideally) and then slowly lose production over time. Many papers cite that each added pound of peak milk could lead to 200 to 250 pounds more milk over the entire lactation.

How to improve peak milk and lactation performance.

  1. Focus on the dry period: Nutrition and management of the dry period affect health and performance post calving.
    • Aim for at least 28-32 pounds of dry matter intake per day. Compare intakes in the close-pen to the far of dry pen. We don’t want intakes to drop a whole lot when we move from the far-off to the close-up pen.
    • Avoid overfeeding energy.
    • Optimize cow comfort.
    • Address hoof health.
    • Support a healthy microbiome.
    • Prime the immune system and modulate inflammation.
  2. Prevent Subclinical milk fever: blood calcium levels below 8.0 milligrams/deciliter.
    • Animals are more prone to ketosis.
    • High somatic cell count.
    • Delayed uterine involution.
    • Animals more likely to have metritis.
    • Depressed feed intake.
    • Reduced milk yield.
  3. Optimize feed intake immediately after calving.
    • Provide 10-15 gallons of water including a drinkable drench.
    • Allow full access to the fresh ration.
    • Provide ad lib alfalfa/grass hay.
    • Keep feed fresh and bunks clean.
  4. Maximize cow comfort.
    • Stock pens 80-85% of capacity.
    • Keep animals in a fresh group for 14-21 days.
    • Provide 30-36 inches of bunk space per cow.
    • Reduce social stress.
    • Group first lactation animals separately if possible.
    • Invest in wind breaks, shades, and cooling if necessary.
  5. Maintain rumen health and prevent acidosis.
    • Offering ad lib alfalfa/grass hay in the fresh pen allows cattle to consume plenty of good quality digestible fiber to help them as they adjust to their new feeding program. Aim for 31-35% neutral detergent fiber.
    • Maintain rumen fiber mat with consistent feed intake and avoid empty bunks.
    • Provide free choice buffer, monitor both feed and buffer intakes.
  6. Identify cows with a history of metabolic or health problems: cows with a history of milk fever, ketosis, or mastitis are more likely to encounter these problems again.
    • Individual monitoring of these cows to help them navigate transition is helpful in disease prevention.
  7. Evaluate body condition scoring (BCS): target BCS at calving is 3.0-3.25.
    • Overweight cows are at higher risk for ketosis and fatty liver.
    • Overweight cows are typically harder to breed back.
  8. Position feed additives: fresh cow groups are verily likely to offer return on investment for feed additives, but don’t forget to leverage the dry period too. Always feed dairy cattle with the next phase of lactation in mind.
    • Ionophores increase glucose availability.
    • Rumen-protected choline improves liver health and function.
    • Rumen-protected amino acids help to meet amino acid requirements without over feeding protein.
    • Supplement protected fat to increase energy intake.
    • Yeast culture stabilizes rumen fermentation.
    • Live yeast increases anaerobic fermentation and stimulates further fiber digestion which allows for more volatile fatty acids to be produced.
    • Bacillus probiotics produce large quantities of digestive enzymes as well as competitively excluding pathogenic bacteria from the intestinal wall.
    • Dietary nucleotides speed up intestinal recovery.
    • Yeast cell wall decreases intestinal pathogens.
    • Yucca schidigera modifies rumen fermentation, reduces methane emissions, and impacts nitrogen metabolism.
  9. Avoid anti-nutritional factors: mold, wild yeast, poorly fermented feeds.
    • Mold counts over 100,000 colonies per gram are likely to decrease feed intake and diet digestibility.
    • Include a mycotoxin binder whenever antinutritional factors are a question.
  10. Focus on antioxidants and adaptogens
    • Antioxidants that vitamin E and selenium help reduce oxidative stress, which will impact immune function.
    • Feeding adaptogens can help the animal adapt through stressful situations.

Monitor peak milk on your farm to establish a baseline for your performance. Anytime you make feeding changes evaluate the success of those changes from both peak milk and health events.

Consult with your nutritionist to provide the best nutrition possible throughout the transition period and to best leverage feed additives. Always remember to be feeding your animals with the next phase of lactation in mind!

At MicroBasics we leverage a blend off digestive enzymes, probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, and adaptogens (Achieve) to facilitate a smooth transition and send cows on their way to maximize peak milk production.  For more information on Achieve and how it can help you strategize your transition cow nutrition, please email service@microbasics.com.

Written by: Mariah Gull, M.S.

Gut-Organ Axes: The Gut-Lung Connection

Gut-Organ Axes: The Gut-Lung Connection

Posted on by Thomas

One of the more recently discovered gut-organ connections is the gut-lung axis. Originally lungs were thought to be sterile unless an infection was present. This was due mostly to the fact that researchers were not able to culture microbes from the lungs of healthy animals. Utilization of new technologies in 16s rRNA gene sequencing have allowed researchers to discover that the lungs of healthy individuals are inhabited by a community of commensal microbes which play a role in protecting the respiratory tract from disease causing pathogens and activation of both innate and adaptive immune responses.

Respiratory Tract Development

The respiratory tract is divided into 2 parts: the upper respiratory tract (URT) and the lower respiratory tract (LRT). The nasal cavities, paranasal sinuses, nasal passages, nasopharynx, oropharynx, tonsils, and upper portion of the larynx make up the URT. The LRT contains the lower portion of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli.

The URT and LRT are colonized by different microbes shortly after birth. The microbial population of the LRT are mostly Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, which is most like the oral cavity which suggests that the oral cavity microbiota may play a role in the establishment of the lung microbiota.

The microbiota of the nasal cavity (a portion of the URT) consists mostly of the phyla Firmicutes and Actinobacteria, like the microbial population of the skin.  Researchers are still learning but have discovered that the microbial communities of the URT and LRT are known to influence each other. Many factors play into the development of commensal microbial communities including diet, genetics, age, vaccination, management, and environment.

Lung Defense

The first line of immune defense within the respiratory tract is the nasopharyngeal mucosal layer which captures inhaled particles and prevents them from moving back up into the nasal and oral cavities. The mucus layer contains immune cells including antimicrobial peptides, glycoproteins, and IgA which help maintain homeostasis of the respiratory microbiota.

The second line of defense is the mucosal epithelium which produces molecules that trigger innate and adaptive immune responses to improve barrier function. The commensal microbes of the respiratory tract, mucosal epithelium, and the immune system communicate to promote respiratory health, reduce inflammation, and maintain functioning microbiota populations.

Gut-Lung Communication

Signaling that travels the gut-lung axis is bi-directional, however, most of the communication between the microbial populations of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and the respiratory tract travels from the gut to the lungs. The specific mechanisms involved are still unknown. Furthermore, the lymphatic system and the bloodstream also play important roles in this communication by carrying bacteria and bacterial metabolites from the GIT to the lungs.

Short chain fatty acids (SCFA) are one of the main ways that GIT microbiota influence the immune system, and thus the respiratory tract. SCFA are important for maintaining intestinal integrity and preventing inflammation in both the gut and the respiratory tract. SCFA also increases IgA production by enhancing plasma B cell metabolism ensuring that the intestines are protected from inflammation. Supplementation of prebiotics to increase SCFA production may prove helpful in improving epithelial integrity as well as improve the animal’s immune defense mechanisms.

On Farm Application

Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) is one of the most significant health concerns for weaned calves and feedlot cattle. Even with years and years of research in management and vaccines, BRD still remains one of the leading causes of morbidity, mortality, welfare concern, and economic losses within beef production.

BRD is a result of a combination of factors including environment, stress, management, and nutrition. The pathogens causing BRD are common commensals of the URT(e.g., Mycoplasma, Mannheimia, Histophilus, and Pasteurella). Microbiota of both healthy and sick animals can translocate from the URT to the LRT through inhalation after the host undergoes a stressful event.  The result is the development of pneumonia. Since stressful events contribute to the development of respiratory disease, composition of GIT microbiota may prove helpful in decreasing the incidence of BRD.

Research has shown that dietary supplementation can influence GIT microbiota, which also impacts the respiratory microbiota. The inclusion of minerals essential to the immune system are helpful as well as probiotics, prebiotics, and post biotics that bolster the microbial population, support intestinal epithelial integrity, and enhance immune function.

A trial including 1,374 calves showed a 15.4% reduction in BRD Treatment for those calves receiving TomaHawk iL Zn (a natural supplement that modulates inflammation, influences the GIT microbiota population, and includes other functional minerals and components that influence immune function).  he reduction in BRD treatments, as well as decreases in GIT disease and mortality equated an economic advantage of $5.34/animal.

How will knowledge of the gut-lung connection change the livestock industry?  Well, hopefully we can approach respiratory disease more proactively than reactively. In the trial mentioned above, TomaHawk iL Zn was successful in decreasing respiratory disease, antibiotic use, and death loss. The result, healthier more profitable animals. Time will tell, but I hope to see GIT management become a tool on more and more farms each year.  As the trend continues maybe we will finally make some headway against BRD.

Written by: Mariah Gull, M.S.

Source: Welch CB, Ryman VE, Pringle TD, Lourenco JM. Utilizing the Gastrointestinal Microbiota to Modulate Cattle Health through the Microbiome-Gut-Organ Axes. Microorganisms. 2022 Jul 10;10(7):1391. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms10071391. PMID: 35889109; PMCID: PMC9324549.

Importance of a VCPR

Importance of a VCPR

Posted on by Thomas

A Veterinarian-Client-Patient-Relationship (VCPR) is an agreement between a Veterinarian of Record (VOR) and a livestock producer which allows the producer access to expertise in animal health and prescription medications when deemed necessary by the VOR.

VOR

All livestock producers should have a valid VCPR. The VOR has the responsibility for providing oversight of treatment protocols, drug inventories, drug usage, prescription medications, and employee training.

  • The VOR listed on the agreement must consent to the role.
  • Be familiar with the facility.
  • Have been on site in the past 12 months.

Expectations

Expectations for a VCPR include:

  • Written agreement with the veterinarian which identifies the farm veterinarian accountable for drug use and treatment administration.
  • The VOR is responsible for overseeing drug use. Including tasks such as establishing treatment protocols, employee training, record analysis, and monitoring drug inventories.
  • Regular farm visits are critical to a VCPR. Time between visits should be decided by the VOR and be based on the size of the operation.
  • Other veterinarians that provide professional services must contact and inform the VOR of their findings and recommendations.
  • Written or electronic treatment records of all animals treated are pertinent in maintaining the VCPR. Said records should include the date, animal ID, drug(s) used, frequency, duration, dose, method of administration, applicable meat or milk withdrawal intervals, and the person giving the treatment.
  • The sale of drugs is not a valid ethical reason for having a VCPR.

Benefits

Your veterinarian can be a beneficial resource in establishing, reviewing, and improving protocols. They can help you identify management gaps and protocol drift with the goal of improving animal health and productivity.

  • Use your veterinarian as a resource for training employees.
    • Potentially painful procedures.
    • Disease identification.
    • Medication and treatment protocols to maximize recovery success.
    • Antibiotic stewardship.

Having a licensed veterinarian on your management team can bring a lot of resources to the table for your livestock production system. If you haven’t already established a VCPR talk to your veterinarian about doing so and use the program to help encourage record review and protocol improvement.

Written by: Mariah Gull, M.S.

The 5 Phases of Lactation

The 5 Phases of Lactation

Posted on by Thomas

Nutrient requirements change as the cow enters different stages of lactation.  Health and well-being of the animal depends on meeting those needs and preparing her to transition into the next phase.

Let’s go over each phase and important management and nutrient needs that should be met.

Phase 1: Dry Period (Dry off up to 21 days before calving)

  • This is a time of rest and repair for both the mammary gland and the gut.
  • A balanced dry cow feeding program can increase milk production by 500-1500 lbs. (227-682 kg.) in the next lactation.
  • Milk synthesis ceases.
  • Calf is increasing in size and development.
  • Body weight gain can occur. Limit weight gain to 1 lb.(.45 kg.) per day or half of a body condition score during the entire phase.
  • Dry matter intake will vary from 1.8-2.5% of body weight.
  • Do not depend on free choice consumption of vitamins and minerals. Include them in a formulated grain supplement package.
  • Diet includes:
    • 12-13% protein
    • 60-80 grams of calcium (Jersey’s 15% lower)
    • 30-40 grams of phosphorous (Jersey’s 15% lower)
    • Limit salt to 1 oz. (28 g.)
    • High quality forage including hay and corn silage.
    • Support gut repair by feeding digestive enzymes, probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics.

Phase 2: Close-up Dry Cow Period (21-0 days before calving)

  • Critical phase to prepare the cow for lactation.
  • Increasing the level of grain in the diet provides more energy, changes rumen microbe proportions, and stimulates rumen papillae to elongate and increase in surface area.
  • Dry matter intake (DMI) begins to drop. At calving DMI may be 15-30% less than intakes during Phase 1.
  • Neonatal calf is growing quickly and requires more nutrients.
  • Body weight loss may be starting. The risk of ketosis increases as fat is mobilized.
  • Fatty liver development and higher levels of blood NEFA can begin.
  • Diet adjustments include:
    • Increase grain.
    • Increase protein to 15-16%.
    • Remove supplemental salt and buffers.
    • Add inonic salts and niacin (6 grams per day).
    • Continue to support and maintain the gut epithelial barrier by providing digestive enzymes, probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics.
    • Consider rumen protected choline (15 grams).

Phase 3: Fresh Cow Period (Calving to 21 days post calving)

  • Monitor and observe fresh cows daily on an individual basis to make sure they are healthy when moved to the high cow group.
    • Monitor feed intake.
    • Take daily body temperatures.
    • Listen for rumen movements.
    • Observe uterine discharge.
    • Conduct ketone tests.
  • The Fresh Cow ration should be an intermediate between the close-up ration and the high cow ration.
    • In addition to a total-mixed ration (TMR), offer free choice long hay to help maintain rumen fill and function.
    • Increase ration energy to allow for lower feed intakes.
    • Limit added fat.
    • Supplement yeast culture to stimulate fiber-digesting bacteria.
    • Provide bacillus probiotics for pathogen control and production of digestive enzymes.
    • Provide pre and post biotics to support healthy immune function and modulation of inflammation.
    • Use a buffer to stabilize rumen pH.
    • Drench propylene glycol (1/2 lb. [227 g.]) or feed calcium pro-pionate (1/3 lb. [151 g.]) to raise blood glucose.
    • Supplement 6-12 grams of niacin to minimize ketosis.

Phase 4: Early Lactation (14-70 days post calving)

  • Cows are approaching peak milk.
  • Weight loss is occurring, and dry matter intake is lagging.
  • Diet includes:
    • High quality forages.
    • Limited fat.
    • Sources of rumen undegradable protein (RUP) and balanced levels of lysine and methionine.
    • Increase grain energy gradually.
    • Allow for adequate feed bunk space.

Phase 5: Mid-Late Lactation (70 days post calving to dry off)

  • Peak milk and peak DMI have occurred. It is very important to optimize DMI.
  • Mature cows should be gaining and replacing lost body weight. (1-1.5 lbs. [.45-.68 kg.] per day).
  • Young cows should be growing.
  • Increase forages.
  • Target body condition score (BCS) is 3.25-3.75 at dry-off.
  • Continue to support gut and immune health as the cow will experience stress and susceptibility to inflammation at dry off.

Management and adequate nutrition of the cow through all 5 phases of lactation is critical for optimal health and performance of the animal!  At MicroBasics we know that all the little things add up to create big results. Support of the gut and immune system is necessary to maximize nutrient absorption and utilization. Utilize our flagship products Achieve and Surveillance iL to take feed efficiency and pathogen control to the next level on your farm!

Written by: Mariah Gull, M.S.

Sources: Feeding Guide by Mike Hutjens

Managing Biotoxins – Forever Chemicals

Managing Biotoxins – Forever Chemicals

Posted on by Thomas

Imagine you are a livestock producer and every single one of your animals is contaminated with a hazardous substance and must be destroyed. Back in 1973 that’s what happened to many farmers when a fire retardant called polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) was accidentally mixed into livestock feed. As a result over 500 contaminated Michigan farms were quarantined, and many animals had to be destroyed. Losses included approximately:

  • 30,000 cattle
  • 4,500 pigs
  • 1,500 sheep
  • 5 million chickens
  • 800 tons of animal feed
  • 18,000 pounds of cheese
  • 2,500 pounds of butter
  • 5 million eggs
  • 34,000 pounds of dried milk products.

Between the time of distribution of feed and the destruction of contaminated animals, dairy, egg, and meat products, many people had been exposed to PBB from eating contaminated products. The Michigan Department of Public Health responded by embarking upon a long-term study to evaluate the health of those exposed to PBB. Negative effects from the exposure included:

  • Abnormalities of the liver, kidney, skin, brain, eye, and adrenal glands.
  • Thyroid problems.
  • Lower Apgar scores.
  • Earlier menstruation.
  • Increased risk of miscarriage.
  • Breast cancer.
  • Urinary and genital problems.

It is now estimated that 8 million people carry the toxic chemical PBB in their bodies.

A Matter of When Not If

More recently another family farm faced the reality that their 3,665 cow herd would have to be euthanized due to contamination of another sort of fire retardant, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

July 2017 an inspection by Air Force scientists found water contamination of PFAS near Schaap Dairy which neighbored Cannon Airforce Base in Clovis, New Mexico. However, results were not communicated to nearby residents, and it was August 2018 before water at  the dairy was finally tested. One of Schaap’s wells tested at 12,000 parts per trillion which is 171 times the EPA health advisory level of 70ppt. The groundwater had potentially been contaminated the entire time that Schaap owned the ground. Schaap’s entire herd drank this contaminated water. He was forced to dump around 15,000 gallons of milk per day. It took four years for a resolution, but ultimately, he was forced to euthanize his entire herd.

Forever Chemicals

PFAS, PBB, and other forever chemicals don’t break down easily and are stored in adipose tissue, which means they get passed along in meat and milk.  Here are a few things you should know about forever chemicals.

  • Almost half of all tap water in the United States contains forever chemicals.
  • PFAS are found in non-stick cookware, microwave popcorn bags, water-repellent clothing, stain-resistant carpets, fire retardants, cosmetics, shampoos, toys, and even dental floss.
  • Today there are nearly 15,000 PFAS substances.
  • PFAS have a special bond of carbon and fluorine atoms that makes them incredibly strong and resistant to heat, water, oil, and dirt.
  • PFAS do not fully degrade, leading to them accumulating in the environment and in the body.
  • Exposure to PFAS can cause damage to the liver and immune system, has been linked to low birth weight, birth defects, developmental delays, and increased risk of prostate, kidney, and testicular cancers.
  • Recent research found a link between PFAS exposure and delay in the onset of puberty, higher incidence of breast cancer, renal disease, and thyroid disease. A decrease in bone density in teenagers, and an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes in women.

It is not easy to get rid of forever chemicals.  Reverse-osmosis water filtration helps but does not remove all PFAS. The E.P.A. has set a new standard for PFAS levels, but how will we handle the situation in our livestock production systems?

Binding Forever Chemicals

Ultimately forever chemicals are everywhere and can cause may animal and human health problems. Solutions to reduce forever chemical exposure should include water testing and filtration, binding of the chemicals, support of the liver and kidneys, and modulation of immune function.

Intercept FEND binds forever chemicals, removes them from the animal’s body, and keeps them bound when they are excreted.

  • I.P.S. (Immune Positioning System) a blend of biological polysaccharides and polypeptides.
  • Adsorbents (Yeast Cell Wall, and Montmorillonite Clay).
  • Yucca schidigera modifies rumen fermentation.
  • Dietary nucleotides increase the maturity and growth of normal enterocytes.
  • Live Yeast
  • Yeast Culture
  • Prebiotics
  • Probiotics
  • Postbiotics

For more information on managing forever chemical challenges on your farm, please reach out to us at service@microbasics.com

Written by: Mariah Gull, M.S.

Sources:

Michigan’s PBB contamination: 50 years later | News | University of Michigan School of Public Health | Environmental Health | Food System | Environmental Health Effects | Michigan PBB Contamination | History | (umich.edu)

The PBB Disaster at 50 Digital Archive (arcgis.com)

The History of PBBs in Michigan

Art Schaap’s Dairy Dilemma – New Mexico In Focus (newmexicopbs.org)

Air Force Pollution Forces New Mexico Dairy to Euthanize 3,665 Cows | Dairy Herd

Six Things to Know About ‘Forever Chemicals’ – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

 

Managing Biotoxins – Endotoxins

Managing Biotoxins – Endotoxins

Posted on by Thomas

The worldwide economic damage caused by endotoxin contamination is overwhelming. Effecting all livestock sectors including dairy, beef, poultry, swine, sheep, goats, egg production, and aquaculture. Economic losses are influenced by production losses, higher mortality rates, increased treatment costs, and increased management costs.

There are many different causes behind high endotoxin loads. Factors such as high-energy diets, high temperatures, birth, rehousing or pen movements, and antibiotic treatments.

Identification

Endotoxins are the main component of the outer cell wall membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. Their main function is structural and protective. Frequently the word endotoxin may be used interchangeably with lipopolysaccharide (LPS).  Endotoxins are released when the bacteria cell dies, is mechanically damaged, or during cell lysis during bacterial growth and division.

For both humans and animals, endotoxins induce different biological reactions when present in even small amounts. Endotoxins can be found in the water, air, and environment. They are heat-stable and can exist even after sterilization.

Detection of endotoxin contamination in animals is challenging for livestock producers. Unlike mycotoxins, endotoxin levels are difficult to measure on the farm. Harmful effects of endotoxins may show up as increased infections, diarrhea, circulatory disorders, necrosis, pain, poor growth, or even reduced product quality. Most of the time the cause goes unrecognized, which leads to ineffective treatments.

Toxicity

When endotoxins are exposed on the surface of the bacteria, the innate immune system recognizes them as a threat and reacts accordingly. When Gram-negative bacteria are killed by the immune system, fragments of their membrane containing endotoxins are released into the blood stream and may cause fever and/or diarrhea.

Presence of endotoxins in the blood (endotoxemia) may lead to hypotension, respiratory failure, reduced oxygen delivery, sepsis, and even death.

Sources of Endotoxin

Gastrointestinal Tract: changes in the microbial community when cattle shift from a high-forage diet on a high-grain diet depresses rumen pH and increases LPS concentrations. LPS can cross the intestinal epithelium and disrupt intestinal barrier integrity.

Mammary Gland: bacterial infections of the mammary gland can end up with LPS translocation into systemic circulation.

Uterus: Bacterial contamination of the uterus occurs in most cows after parturition. Yet another potential source of endotoxin contamination. Cows with more severe uterine infections will be more at risk for endotoxin toxicity.

Higher levels of Endotoxin in circulation place an increased load on the liver and kidneys as the animal works to expel them from their system.

Systemic Endotoxemia

Systemic endotoxemia may play a role in increased susceptibility to other diseases.

Mastitis: most of the economic loss associated with mastitis is due to a reduction in milk production mainly caused by irreversible damage to mammary tissue. Mastitis is among the most common diseases in dairy cattle. Higher loads of LPS may inhibit the migration of neutrophils and cause animals to be more at risk for mastitis infection.

Retained Placenta: The failure to expel placental membranes within 24 hours of calving is largely associated to immune dysfunction. Research suggests that cows exposed to high doses of LPS around parturition are at higher risk of RP.

Metritis, Endometritis, and Infertility: Uterine disease is a key concern for dairy producers and is the most common cause of infertility. Postpartum uterine contamination and immune suppression around parturition are major factors influencing bacterial infection and uterine disease. Exposure to endotoxins during a uterine infection result in long-term consequences to the follicular reserve and may lead to infertility even after resolution of infection.

Fatty Liver: the potential role that endotoxins have on the formation of fatty liver is strongly suggested by multiple studies. Research suggests that high endotoxin loads may result in storage of free fatty acids in the liver.

Displaced Abomasum (DA): Affecting 5-7% of dairy cattle, DA is a multifactorial disease characterized by varying degrees of displacement and distension of the abomasum. The top 3 risk factors for a DA are decreased rumen fill, high-concentrate diets, and increased incidence of other disease such as fatty liver, RP, metritis, and mastitis. Multiple factors point to endotoxins as a contributing factor in the development of a DA. The first being reduced feed intake because of an endotoxin challenge. Endotoxins reduce the motility of the abomasum, making them likely one of the key factors that contributes to this disease.

Milk Fever: an average of 5-10% of all cattle are affected by milk fever (hypocalcemia) postpartum. Approximately 15% of those cattle are unresponsive to treatment resulting in downer cow syndrome. High loads of endotoxin reduce serum Ca and which may make an animal more prone to milk fever and downer cow syndrome. Milk fever remains an issue in the dairy industry despite management of dietary DCAD and magnesium levels. New evidence suggests that immune function is involved in the development of milk fever. More research is needed to clarify the pathway.

Laminitis: inflammation of the dermal layers inside the foot is defined as laminitis.  Laminitis is one of the top 3 diseases causing increased culling of cattle. It is well known that the changes in rumen microbiota caused by acidosis contribute to laminitis, however new research suggests that other factors including hormone changes, endotoxins, and environmental aspects also play a role in the development of laminitis.

Ultimately endotoxins are hard to detect and can cause may health problems.  Solutions to reduce endotoxin load should include management, nutrition, binding of the toxins, support of the liver and kidneys, and modulation of immune function.

Intercept and Intercept FEND support animal health during endotoxin challenges.

  • I.P.S. (Immune Positioning System) a blend of biological polysaccharides and polypeptides.
  • Adsorbents (Yeast Cell Wall, and Montmorillonite Clay).
  • Yucca schidigera modifies rumen fermentation.
  • Dietary nucleotides increase the maturity and growth of normal enterocytes.
  • Live Yeast
  • Yeast Culture
  • Prebiotics
  • Probiotics
  • Postbiotics

For more information on managing toxin challenges on your farm, please reach out to us at service@microbasics.com

 Written by: Mariah Gull, M.S.

Managing Biotoxins – Mycotoxins

Managing Biotoxins – Mycotoxins

Posted on by Thomas

The U. N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FA) estimates that annually 25% of the world food crops are contaminated with mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by mold and are harmful to living organisms. Exposure is usually by consumption, contact, or inhalation of contaminated feeds. Negative biological effects because of mycotoxin exposure include liver and kidney toxicity, central nervous system effects, and estrogenic effects.

Mold in feedstuffs

Mold is a fuzzy looking fungus that occurs in feedstuffs. Molds can cause a disease called mycosis that typically occurs when the immune system is suppressed during stressful times. Mycosis can occur in many different locations including the lungs, mammary gland, uterus, or intestine. Intestinal infection may result in hemorrhagic bowel.

Molds also produce poisons called mycotoxins that affect animals when they eat contaminated feeds, resulting in mycotoxicosis.

Mycotoxins in Cattle

Because of degradation in the rumen, cattle are more resistant to mycotoxins than monogastric animals are. Due to greater feed consumption and production stresses, dairy cattle may be more susceptible to mycotoxins than beef cattle.

There are hundreds of mycotoxins known, only a few have been extensively researched.  Mycotoxins of greatest concern most often include ergots produced in small grains, fescue, and grasses. Aflatoxin which is usually produced by Aspergillus mold; deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, T-2 toxin, and fumonisin. Contaminated feeds often contain multiple mycotoxins which alters the expected symptoms of the animal.

Management

Mold spores are in the soil and in plant debris and can grow on crops in the field, during harvest, or during storage, processing or feeding. Management of crop production can reduce the prevalence and concentrations of mycotoxins.

Management of crops can help to reduce the amount of mold and mycotoxin contamination delivered to the animal. Hybrid selection, reduced field and harvest stress, rapid filling of silo bunk or bag, applying a silage inoculant, tight packing, covering, rapid feed-out, and discarding spoiled feed all help to reduce exposure.

Illness

A single dose of mycotoxin can cause an acute toxicity in cattle, but it is more likely that low-level consumption over time will result in more chronic symptoms. Mycotoxins affect cattle by reducing feed consumption, reducing nutrient utilization, altering rumen fermentation, suppressing immunity, altering reproduction, irritating tissues, and causing cellular death. Diagnosis is difficult because mycotoxin residues are not easily detected in the animal and symptoms are nonspecific and may result in a series of events of opportunistic diseases.

Detection

Feed analysis to detect mycotoxins is difficult as it is hard to gather representative feed samples. Not all mycotoxins can be detected by commercial laboratories. Managing the quantity of contaminated feed in a ration can help to reduce the impact of mycotoxins on the animal. See chart below for Mycotoxin Guidelines and Dietary Limits.

POTENTIALLY HARMFUL TOXIN LOADS FOR TOTAL DIET DRY MATTER

 

Dairy

Feedlot

Swine

Poultry

Equine

Toxin Type

All underlined values are in PPM, all others are in PPB

Aflatoxin

20

20

29

20

20

Deoxynivalenol

(DON or Vomitoxin) *

0.5-1.0

10

1

2

500

Fumonisin

2

7

10

20

500

T-2 Toxin

100

500

100

100

50

Zearalenone

400

5

300

10

50

Ochratoxin

5

5

50

100

35

Ergot Toxins (combined)

500

500

500

750

300

*Deoxynivalenol may be used as a marker for other forms of mycotoxin contamination. 90-100% of the time DON is detected with other mycotoxins present.

Measured toxin levels are likely not the only type of toxins present in a sample. Multiple toxins may interact to affect animal health and performance.

Source: Dr. John Goeser, PAS & Dipl. ACAN, Rock River Laboratories

Animal Health and Performance

When we fully understand the problem of mycotoxin contamination, we need to understand that the harmful effects impact overall animal health, performance, and the quality of consumable end products. Solutions to mycotoxin problems must include management, toxin binding, and address immune function.

Intercept and Intercept FEND support animal health during toxin challenges.

  • I.P.S. (Immune Positioning System) a blend of biological polysaccharides and polypeptides.
  • Adsorbents (Yeast Cell Wall, and Montmorillonite Clay).
  • Yucca schidigera modifies rumen fermentation.
  • Dietary nucleotides increase the maturity and growth of normal enterocytes.
  • Live Yeast
  • Yeast Culture
  • Prebiotics
  • Probiotics
  • Postbiotics

 

For more information on managing toxin challenges on your farm, please reach out to us at service@microbasics.com

Written by: Mariah Gull, M.S.