Breeding ability unaffected by ergot

Mar 01, 2023

A recently published study shows bulls can eat feed contaminated with ergot alkaloids without affecting their breeding soundness.

Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan found minimal impact on breeding condition and dispelled questions about the impact of ergot alkaloids.

“Our research group has been hearing about concerns from producers that bulls exposed to ergot was potentially affecting cows getting pregnant. There are a lot of question marks about that desire from producers to know if there’ll be an effect on the bulls,” said Vanessa Cowan, who holds a PhD in toxicology from the U of S and is completing her final year of veterinary medicine at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon.

“It’s a gap in the scientific literature. Female reproduction is more well studied when it comes to exposure to ergot alkaloids, but there’s no consistently effected parameter in adult bulls. So, we’re really interested in trying to bridge the gap and hopefully provide some practical information to producers, veterinarians and regulators,” said Cowan.

Click here to see more...

Video: What Does 20 MILLION Hogs a Year Look Like?

?? The Multi-Plant System Processing 20 Million Hogs Annually in the Midwest JBS USA operates multiple large-scale pork processing facilities across the Midwest, including major plants in Iowa, Minnesota, and Indiana. Combined, these facilities have the capacity to process approximately 20 million hogs annually.

Each plant operates high-speed automated slaughter systems capable of processing up to 20,000 head per day, followed by fabrication lines that break carcasses into primals, sub-primals, and case-ready retail products.

Hog procurement is coordinated through electronic marketing platforms that connect regional contract finishing operations and independent producers to plant demand schedules. This digital procurement system allows for steady supply flow and scheduling efficiency across multiple facilities.

Processing plants incorporate comprehensive food safety systems, including pathogen intervention technologies, rapid chilling processes, and integrated cold-chain management. USDA inspection is embedded throughout the harvest and fabrication stages to ensure regulatory compliance and product integrity. Finished pork products — from bulk primals to retail-ready packaged cuts — are distributed through coordinated logistics networks serving domestic and export markets.