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Jan
17
Steve and Patty Armbruster's Story
Having grown up on a wheat and beef cattle operation near Burlington, Oklahoma, animal agriculture has always held a special place in my heart. With a passion for making a positive impact on the world, for animals and humans, my career was shaped by diverse experiences. Throughout my career, I have experienced the inestimable benefits of ASAS membership, and I want to ensure that others have the same privileges and opportunities.
Supporting ASAS in perpetuity was a natural and important decision for Patty and me, as it has been an integral part of my life since graduate school. However, when I was asked to share the "story" of why we included ASAS in our estate plan, I found it difficult to express my thoughts meaningfully in writing. In my search for the right words, I returned to the ASAS website, where I had previously reflected on the evolution, mission, and vision of our organization. I was also able to read about the countless members whose lives have been transformed because of charitable contributions to the Foundation.
If you are seeking to articulate your passion for ASAS and leave a lasting impact, perhaps this exercise will help you as it did me. It is with great pride that we are ASAS Foundation 1908 Society members. Together, we can share the journey and shape the future.
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Jan
11
Interpretive Summary: Amino acid standardized ileal digestibility together with concentrations of digestible and metabolizable energy in Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast and soybean meal for gestating sows
Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast (SCY) is commonly used as an additive in feed (<1% of the formulation), but there is a limited amount of available information about its function as a promising source of proteins for pig diets, and especially, the nutritive value of yeast protein for gestating sows remains to be clarified.
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Jan
11
Interpretive Summary: Unveiling the influence of adaptation time on xylanase and arabinoxylan-oligosaccharide efficacy
This study investigated the effects of xylanase and arabinoxylan-oligosaccharide supplementation on viscosity, nutrient and energy digestibility in growing pigs fed a high-fiber diet mainly composed of corn over three time periods. Twenty pigs were surgically fitted with cannula in their jejunum and ileum for sample collection.
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Jan
11
Interpretive Summary: Minimum methionine requirement in adult cats as determined by indicator amino acid oxidation
The objective of this study was to determine the minimum Met requirement, when Cys was provided in excess, of adult cats using a highly sensitive and noninvasive technique, the indicator amino acid oxidation (IAAO). Six adult cats were fed experimental diets with varying levels of methionine for 2 d prior to each IAAO study day.
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Jan
11
Interpretive Summary: Effects of dietary supplementation of different levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid on reproductive performance, glucose intolerance, and placental development of gilts
Glucose homeostasis and placental development are two key factors influencing reproductive performance of sows. Some studies have reported that gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) can improve glucose intolerance and cerebral angiogenesis in mice.
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Jan
11
Interpretive Summary: Preweaning piglet survival on commercial farms
Sow prolificacy and preweaning piglet mortality have increased parallelly on commercial farms. This loss of piglets is a concern of efficiency and animal welfare, and it requires the improvement of piglet survival by reducing the number of stillborn piglets and piglet mortality during lactation, paying particular attention to hyperprolific sows (≥15 total piglets born per litter).
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Jan
11
Interpretive Summary: Ageratina adenophora damages the rumen epithelium via inducing the expression of inflammatory factors in goats
The article aims to investigate the toxic effects of Ageratina adenophora, an invasive plant on the integrity of the rumen epithelium by measuring the changes in the expression of inflammatory factors and tight junction proteins after the consumption of A. adenophora in goats.
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Jan
05
Deana Hancock's Animal Science "Family Tree" Story
ASAS has been a constant presence in my family's life, opening doors and providing opportunities for three generations. It all began with my father-in-law, Gerald Hancock, as an undergraduate student at MU, where he had the privilege of taking Dr. Preston's classes. Then, I pursued my Ph.D. at Texas Tech, also studying under Dr. Preston. And now, the legacy continues with my daughter, Sydney Schnur, who recently graduated with a degree in animal science from Purdue and completed her Ph.D. in Veterinary ImmunoPathobiology at Kansas State under the guidance of a former student of Dr. Preston, Dan Thomson, Ph.D./DVM.
ASAS has been more than just an organization to us. It has been a second family, a source of support, and a catalyst for our growth and success. I am grateful for the doors it has opened for my family and for the countless opportunities it continues to provide.
Deana Hancock, Ph.D. | Director, Global Applied Research and Technology | Novus International
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Jan
03
Interpretive Summary: Designing an early selection morphological traits index for reproductive efficiency in Pura Raza Española mares
Historically in livestock production, employing combinations of traits as selection criteria for indirect selection of related traits has been a challenging task, particularly when this implies selection for reproductive traits based on the animal morphology. However, if the decision about animal selection is based on morphological traits that are quick and easy to obtain, in addition to early reproductive traits, selection responses can be improved and made earlier.
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Jan
03
Interpretive Summary: Long-stranded non-coding RNAs temporal-specific expression profiles reveal longissimus dorsi muscle development and intramuscular fat deposition in Tianzhu white yak
In-depth analysis of the molecular regulatory mechanisms involved in the development of yak skeletal muscle can aid in the identification of crucial functional genes that may enhance the quality of yak meat in the future. Our research is the first to investigate the expression of long-stranded non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) during muscle development and intramuscular fat deposition in Tianzhu white yaks at different ages (6, 30, and 54 mo).
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Jan
03
Interpretive Summary: Effects of the central melanocortin system on feed intake, metabolic hormones and insulin action in the sheep
Highly productive ruminants face short-term nutritional deficits during demanding phases of their life cycle. They remain productive and healthy during these periods through a series of metabolic adaptations. Current models in ruminant biology attribute the coordination of these adaptations to circulating hormones and bioactive metabolites but have not considered the possibility that the central nervous system (CNS) is also involved.
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Jan
03
Interpretive Summary: Effect of the supplementation with a combination of plant extracts on sow and piglet performance and physiology during lactation and around weaning
Weaning is a critical period for piglets. Some plant extracts, known to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, or antibacterial properties, may improve piglets’ robustness at weaning. This study investigated the effects of a maternal and/or a direct supplementation of piglets with a combination of plant extracts on sow and piglet metabolic, immune, inflammatory, and oxidative status during lactation and around weaning.
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Jan
03
Interpretive Summary: Variability of sialic acids in meat from alternative species to beef and pork
High consumption of red meat is associated with increased risk of human cardiovascular diseases and cancer. However, meat is also considered important for human diet by providing intake of essential compounds.
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Dec
28
Interpretive Summary: Evaluation of multienzyme supplementation and fiber levels on nutrient and energy digestibility of diets fed to gestating sows and growing pigs
Fiber-degrading enzymes have been extensively studied in growing pigs with minimal studies focusing on gestating sows; however, commercial gestating sow diets often contain more fiber than grower pig diets to stimulate the sensation of satiety without influencing weight gain. A challenge with dietary fiber is its hindrance on digestibility of nutrients.
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Dec
28
Interpretive Summary: Dietary glycine supplementation improves the growth performance of 110- to 240-g (phase II) hybrid striped bass (Morone saxatilis ♀× Morone chrysops ♂) fed soybean meal-based diets
Glycine is the simplest but the most abundant amino acid in the bodies of animals including fish and pigs. The content of glycine in plant-sourced feedstuffs (e.g., soybean meal) is generally low. Glycine can be synthesized de novo in all animals and, therefore, has traditionally been classified as a nutritionally nonessential amino acid for fish and mammals.
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Dec
28
Interpretive Summary: Influence of fiber type and carbohydrase supplementation on nutrient digestibility, energy and nitrogen balance, and physiology of sows at mid and late gestation
This study evaluated the effects and mechanisms of supplementing multicarbohydrases to gestating sow diets containing either corn-dried distiller grains or sugar beet pulp fibrous co-products. Findings revealed significant energy, dry matter, and fiber digestibility enhancements with carbohydrase supplementation, irrespective of adaptation time.
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Dec
28
Interpretive Summary: Associations of automated body condition scores at dry-off and through early lactation with milk yield of Holstein cows
The objective of this study was to analyze the associations of body condition score (BCS) and BCS change (∆BCS) during the dry period and the first 100 d of lactation with daily milk yield. The involvement of health status in these associations was also evaluated.
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Dec
28
Interpretive Summary: Accuracy of enteric methane emission models for cattle in sub-Saharan Africa: status quo and the way forward
Accurate estimates of enteric methane (CH4) emissions are needed to ascertain the efficacy of mitigation strategies proposed for cattle in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Models used for cattle in SSA were developed using data on metabolic processes measured from cattle in temperate regions which may lead to inaccurate enteric CH4 estimates.
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Dec
28
Interpretive Summary: Low birth weight and reduced postnatal nutrition lead to cardiac dysfunction in piglets
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in humans, and in addition to the known modifiable risk factors, evidence suggests early life undernutrition increases heart disease risk in adulthood. Specifically, low birth weight (LBW) has been linked to poor infant cardiac development which could be made worse by an inadequate postnatal diet.
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Dec
21
ASAS Statement on Taxation of Graduate Student Tuition Waivers
ASAS encourages its members to communicate with their Senators and Representatives to preserve the tax exemption for graduate student tuition waivers.
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