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Item Examining the Potential of the GALR2 Genotype as a Marker-Assisted Management Strategy to Improve Production Efficiencies and Carcass Characteristics in Crossbred Angus Finishing Steers(North Dakota State University, 2020) Hall, Jerica RenaThe objective was to determine how the interaction of implant strategies with the galanin receptor 2 genotype would influence feeding behavior, production efficiencies, carcass characteristics, and meat quality in finishing steers. Angus steers were selected based on GALR2-c.-199T>G genotype (n = 36 TT, 38 TG, and 19 GG). Calves were blocked by body weight and fed a standard feedlot ration, blood and BW were collected every 28 d. Steers were randomly assigned to an implant strategy of Revalor-S (1×) or Revalor-S (2×). Intake and feeding behavior data were individually recorded. There was an effect of genotype on DMI but not feed efficiency. Treatment interactions were observed for several meat quality attributes but not carcass characteristics. Altering implant strategy does not appear to interact with the GALR2-c.-199T>G genotype to alter production or carcass characteristics.Item Are Infrared Thermography, Automated Feeding Systems, And Heart Rate Variability Measures Capable of Characterizing Group-Housed Sow Social Hierarchies?(North Dakota State University, 2022) Sommer, DominiqueGroup gestation housing is becoming standard practice in commercial swine production. Although group housing promotes behavioral variability within the breeding herd, it can cause several management challenges for producers due to the establishment of the social hierarchy. Poor performance and welfare in group housed breeding stock can be attributed to the repercussions of aggression performed between dyads. The ability to quickly identify sows in the social hierarchy could be beneficial to producers for enforcing preventative actions. Precision livestock farming tools have proven to aid animal caretakers in monitoring animal health and welfare in livestock industries.The objective of this thesis was to investigate the use of infrared thermography, feeding activity obtained from an automated radiofrequency identification feeding system, and heat rate variability indices for detecting the social hierarchy within groups of gestating sows. Additionally, the relationship between observed social hierarchy, body condition scores, backfat, and reproductive performance was also explored.Item The Effects of Estrus on Dry Matter Intake and Feeding Behavior in Beef Heifers of Divergent Sizes(North Dakota State University, 2020) Underdahl, Sarah RoseThe biological process of estrus in cattle is known to initiate behavioral responses as a result of fluctuations in hormones, which may alter time budgeted for feeding. The current study aimed to quantify these variations that may exist in feed intake and behaviors in the days pre and post estrus. For this study, 517 estrous cycles in crossbred beef heifers of divergent sizes were used to analyze the impact of estrus behavior on feeding behavior with or without the presence of a bull. There were few differences in estrus behavior among heifers of divergent sizes, however the presence of a bull influenced all estrus activity parameters. Our findings indicate that feed intake and behaviors were sharply decreased on the day of estrus, but returned to baseline levels the following day. Thus, decreases in feed intake and behavior may serve as an additional tool indicating the onset of estrus.