PSII-8 Different nutritional management strategies post-weaning in growth and reproductive performance of Nellore heifers

The objective of this study was to evaluate different nutritional management strategies (drylot vs. supplementation on pasture) to optimize growth and reproductive performance of Nellore heifers submitted to the fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) at 14–15 mo. On d0, 126 weaned Nellore heifers (152±22 kg of BW; 240±28 days of age) were stratified by BW and age, and randomly assigned to receive: (1) high-concentrate-based diet (62.2% TDN, 12.0% CP of DM of diet) ad libitum in feedlot from d 0 to 246 (FDL; 6 pens and 7 heifers/pen); (2) fixed supplementation at 1% of BW on Brachiaria pastures from d0 to 246 (PAS10; 6 pastures; 7 heifers/pastures and 4 ha/pasture); and (3) increasing supplementation on Brachiaria pastures at 0.8% of BW from d 0 to 80 and 1.2% of BW from d 81 to 246 (PAS812; 6 pastures; 7 heifers/pastures and 4 ha/pasture). Supplement offered to heifers on pasture consisted of corn, soybean meal, urea, and minerals (78% TDN, 22% CP of DM at dry season and 79% TDN, 20% CP of DM at rainy season). Final pregnancy rate was determined on d238. Heifer BW on d160 was greater (P < 0.01) for FDL vs. PAS10 and PAS812 (264 vs. 251 and 253±10.1 kg, respectively). Overall ADG from d0 to the start of breeding season (d160) and BW on d246 were greater (P < 0.01) for FDL vs. PAS10 and PAS812 (0.72 vs. 0.62 and 0.64±0.02 kg/d, and 325 vs. 310 and 316 ±10.3 kg, respectively). Heifer BW on d160 and 246 and ADG from d0 to 160 did not differ between PAS10 and PAS812 (P ≥ 0.33). Final pregnancy rates did not differ (P = 0.75) among treatments. Therefore, growth performance, but not pregnancy rates following FTAI, was enhanced for Nellore heifers developed in drylot vs. pasture systems and submitted to FTAI at 14–15 mo.

Exercise and Functioning Level of Individuals with Severe Mental Illness: A Comparison of Two Groups

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if differences exist in the functioning level between adults with severe mental illness who participated in exercise activities and those who did not. The researchers assessed participants' levels of hygiene, nutrition, ability to hold a job, social situations, and pursuit of appropriate independence in a state hospital. The Current Evaluation of Risk and Functioning-Revised (CERF-R) assessed data. Participants engaging in exercise scored significantly (p > .01) better than non-exercise participants did on variables of hygiene (d = .81) and pursuit of appropriate independence (d = .71). The implications of the study are discussed for mental health counseling.

Atrazine Movement in Soil Columns as Influenced by Starch-Encapsulation and Acrylic Polymer Additives

Alternative herbicide formulations may have the potential to reduce atrazine leaching. This study was conducted to determine if starch-encapsulation produced using an extrusion process or several acrylic polymer additives reduced atrazine leaching in soil columns packed with Plainfield sand (98% sand and 0.7% organic matter). Three watering regimes were evaluated to determine the effects of water volume and rate of application on atrazine movement When 7.6 cm of water (0.44-pore volumes) was applied over 2 h, polymer treatments reduced atrazine movement from the soil surface by 9 to 21% compared to atrazine without the additives. With increased water volume and time, the effectiveness of several polymer treatments diminished. Acrysol ASE-108 and G110 polymers (mixed with atrazine at a 1:1 ratio) most effectively reduced atrazine leaching over all watering regimes. Starch encapsulation was more effective than any polymer additive in retarding atrazine movement Increasing the water volume from 7.6 to 15.2 cm (0.88-pore volumes) did not increase leaching of starch-encapsulated atrazine. Ninety-nine percent of the starch-encapsulated atrazine was retained in the top 5 cm of the column compared to only 18 and 13% of the dry flowable formulation (DF) when 0.44- and 0.88-pore volumes of water were applied over 2 and 4 h, respectively. When 0.88-pore volumes of water were applied over 12 d, 81% of the starch-encapsulated atrazine was retained in the upper 5 cm of the column compared to only 5% of the DF formulation of atrazine. This study indicates that starch encapsulation reduces atrazine movement to a greater extent than polymer additives and suggests that starch encapsulation may be an effective method of reducing atrazine leaching.