Two studies evaluated the mineral status of supplemented beef cattle over two different methods of supplementation. The objective of study 1 was to evaluate the mineral status at weaning and subsequent post-weaning performance of calves supplemented prior to weaning, with limited-fed supplements fortified with trace minerals (Cu, Se, and Zn)...
The advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has led to transformative developments across multiple sectors, fostering innovation and redefining our interactions with technology. As AI matures and becomes integrated into society, it offers numerous opportunities to address global challenges and revolutionize a wide array of human endeavors. These advances are driven...
Oxidative dysfunction can affect dairy animals during periods of heightened stress, particularly during the transition from pregnancy to lactation and during diseases, such as intramammary infection (IMI), and can contribute to increased inflammation, immune dysfunction, and cell death. As such, methods for ameliorating oxidative stress and restoring redox regulation may...
This dissertation investigates the microbial diversity and factors influencing the assembly of microbial communities in kombucha production, using a combination of 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, 16S and ITS rRNA metabarcoding, and traditional culture-based microbiological methods. It also explores the diversity of kombucha starter cultures through shotgun sequencing and metabarcoding...
Agrivoltaic systems promote dual use of land by combining solar energy and agricultural production. Grazing sheep in these systems is popular but research on intentionally designed pastures to increase production is lacking. This study seeks to compare the herbage growth and lamb production in simple, diverse, and legume pasture mixes...
Transformation is a major bottleneck for genetic engineering and gene editing in forest tree species. This includes most genotypes of Populus and Eucalyptus, which are some of the world’s most widely-cultivated genera of plantation forest trees. To provide new tools for transformation, I tested the transcription factor-protein chimera consisting of...
Magmatic-hydrothermal ore deposits are giant geochemical anomalies in the earth’s crust most often generated by normal magmatic terrestrial processes. They are often associated with oxidized and hydrous intermediate to highly evolved magmas that have concentrated metals and have the necessary components to efficiently extract and transport them as ascending magmatic-hydrothermal...
Nutrigenomics is a branch of nutrition that seeks to elucidate the relationship between dietary components and expression of genes. Certain bioactive compounds present in the diet have the potential to modulate transcription of genes through their interactions with ligand-dependent nuclear receptors, a series of transcriptional regulators capable of sensing intracellular...
Recently, an interest in supplementation of vitamin D to improve aspects of health, especially in human fertility, has emerged. However, supplementation of Vitamin D above the minimum required levels to prevent deficiency has yet to be explored in cattle despite evidence for vitamin D receptors in reproductive tissues. The objective...
Immunosuppression during the periparturient period leads to increased susceptibility to infectious diseases in beef cows. Newborn calves rely on passive transfer of antibodies from their mothers at birth for protection against diseases in the first two months of age. It is unknown if supranutritional Se supplementation of cows during pregnancy...