Gustavo Lascano

Associate Professor
Animal and Veterinary Sciences Department

Office: Poole 122
Phone: 864-656-1745

Email: glascan@clemson.edu
Personal Website: https://sites.google.com/view/rnrtatclemson/home

Educational Background

Ph.D. Ruminology
The Pennsylvania State University 2011

M.Sc. Animal Science
The Pennsylvania State University 2007

B.Sc. Animal Science
Zamorano University 2004

Courses Taught

AVS 3750 Applied Animal Nutrition
AVS 4910/4220 Ruminant Nutrition Research Team
AVS 4090/WFB 4630 Prairie Ecology
AVS 8050 Rumenology Journal Club
AVS 8090 Ruminology

Profile

Dr. Lascano was born in Ecuador and grew up in several places in Latin and North America. Dr. Lascano received his B.Sc. in Animal Science from Zamorano University in Honduras. He obtained his M.Sc. and Ph.D. at The Pennsylvania State University with specialization in Ruminology. After this, Dr. Lascano accepted a position as an Assistant Professor at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and was the leader in developing the Ruminology laboratory. He is currently an Associate Professor at Clemson University where he continues this work. Dr. Lascano has taught classes including Principles of Animal Nutrition, Advanced Ruminant Nutrition and Metabolism, Integrative Dairy Cattle Management, Prairie Ecology, and International Animal Production Management, among others.

His research has been presented in several international conferences and been published in several peer-reviewed journals including Journal of Dairy Science, Livestock Science and CABI journals. His research interests include increasing nutrient utilization and animal performance and their interaction with the environment, identification of enzymes and microbial modifiers to enhance dietary contributions in ruminants, and the use of livestock production to reduce poverty, environmental impact, and the implementation of efficient techniques to support milk production in a sustainable manner.

Research Interests

Nutrient utilization to improve efficiency, reduce metabolic costs of energy and protein, ruminants as key component of ecosystems, maximization of microbial protein synthesis and milk production represent the broad spectrum of my research program.

The following areas are being studied to accomplish this objective: Understanding the relationships between forage-to-concentrate ratios, dietary components and mammary gland development, dietary preference and function when nutrients are provided precisely to meet the requirements of ruminant animals. Enabling nutrient utilization in ruminants by developing technology to increase their potential use. The use of by-products, native ingredients and plants to replace conventional ingredients based on the production system and geographical location. Using in-vitro and in-vivo methods to identify fybrolytic enzymes, microbial modifiers, and optimal carrier methods that enhance nutritional contributions to the animal. Different chemical and molecular approaches for improving our basic knowledge of ruminant digestion are tools are currently being used to undertake this intriguing and exciting area of research.

The use of livestock production to regenerate ecosystems and reduce poverty and poverty-driven degradation, effects on climate change, and the implementation of efficient techniques to support thriving production systems that are ecologically sound using a global and holistic approach.

Publications

Hussein, S.M., M. J. Aguerre, T. C. Jenkins, W. Bridges, G.J. Lascano. 2024. Screening dietary fat sources and concentrations included to low and high forage diets using an in vitro gas production system. Fermentation. 10:506.

Toledo, M., Hussein, S.M., Manuel, M., Aguerre, M.J., Bridges, W.J., and G.J. Lascano. 2024. Effects of Caffeine Doses on Rumen Fermentation Profile and Nutrient Digestibility Using a Lactating Cow Diet under Continuous Cultures Conditions. Ruminants. 4: 406-417.

Peña, O.M., Murphy, K., Long, N., Lascano, G.J., Jenkins, T.C., Aguerre, M.J. 2023. Evaluating the rumen degradation of novel protected gelatin capsules containing fish oil fed to lactating dairy cows. Animals. 13:2555.

Compton, C., O. M. Peña, C. Hikita, T. Watanabe, T. C. Jenkins, G. J. Lascano, M. J. Aguerre. 2023. Effects of cashew nut shell extract on ruminal fermentation and nutrient digestibility under continuous culture conditions. Ruminants. 3:92-99

Keifer, T., T. Scott, M. J. Aguerre, G. J. Lascano, and D. Jachowski. 2022. Using multidisciplinary, conflict-based experiential learning to train students on how to address controversy at the public-private land interface: Teaching at the public-private land interface. NACTA Journal. 66: 37-46.

Klopp, R.N., F.X. Suarez-Mena, T.S. Dennis, T.M. Hill, R.L. Schlotterbeck, and G.J. Lascano. 2020. Post-weaning response on growth and nutrient digestion to using different weaning strategies when feeding moderate and high amounts of milk replacer to Holstein calves. J. Dairy Sci. 103: 8143–8150.

Erickson, P.S., J.L.Anderson, K.L. Kalscheur, G.J. Lascano, M. Akins, and A.J. Heinrichs . 2020. Review: Strategies to improve efficiency and profitability of heifer raising. J. Dairy Sci. 103:5700–5708.

Alende, M., G.J. Lascano, T.C. Jenkins, and J.G. Andrae. 2019. Contrasting levels of fructose and urea added to an annual ryegrass based diet: effects on microbial protein synthesis, nutrient digestibility and fermentation parameters in continuous culture fermenters. Semiárida. 29:33-41.

Klopp, R.N., T. M. Hill, F.X. Suarez-Mena, R.L. Schlotterbeck, and G.J. Lascano. 2019. Effects of feeding different amounts of milk replacer on nutrient digestibility in Holstein calves to 2 months of age using different weaning transition strategies. J. Dairy Sci. 102:11040-11050.

Koch, L.E., T.C. Jenkins, W.J. Bridges, B. Koch, and G.J. Lascano. 2019. Changes in fermentation and animal performance during recovery from classical diet-induced milk fat depression utilizing corn with differing rates of starch degradability. J. Dairy Sci. 102: 5079-5093.

Lascano, G.J., R.N. Klopp, S.M. Hussein, and D. McCurdy. 2019. Invited Paper: Insights in nutrition programs for the developing ruminant. Arch. Latam. Prod. Anim. (ALPA). 26: 1-8.

Suarez-Mena, F.J., G.J. Lascano, S. Hussein, and A.J. Heinrichs. 2019. Effect of dry distillers grains with solubles and forage dietary concentration in precision-fed heifer diets: Mineral apparent absorption and retention. Appl. Anim. Sci. 35: 169-176

Abdulrahman A., Batistel F., Abdelmegeid, M., Lascano, G.J., Parys, C. , Helmbrecht, A., Trevisi, E., and J.J. Loor. 2018. Maternal supply of methionine during late-pregnancy enhances rate of Holstein calf development in utero and postnatal growth to a greater extent than colostrum source. J. Anim. Sci. Biotech. 9:83-95.

Dennis, T.S., F.X. Suarez-Mena, T.M. Hill, J.D. Quigley, R.L. Schlotterbeck, R..N Klopp, G.J. Lascano and L. Hulbert. 2018. Effects of gradual and later weaning ages when feeding high milk replacer rates on growth, textured starter digestibility, and behavior in Holstein calves from 0 to 4 months of age. J Dairy Sci. 101: 9863-9875.

Koch, L.E. and G.J. Lascano. 2018. Milk Fat Depression: Etiology, theories, and soluble carbohydrate interactions. J. Anim. Res. Nutr. 3: 2-2.

Klopp, R.N., M.J. Oconitrillo, A. Sackett, M. Hill, R. Schlotterbeck and G.J. Lascano. 2018. Technical Note: A Simple Rumen Collection Device for Calves: An Adaptation of a Manual Rumen Drenching System. J Dairy Sci. 101: 6555-6558.

Alende, M., G. J. Lascano, T.C. Jenkins, L. E. Koch, G. Volpi-Lagreca, and J.G. Andrae. 2018. Comparison of four methods for determining in-vitro ruminal digestibility of annual ryegrass. 2018. Appl. Anim. Sci. 34: 306-309.

Dennis, T.S., F.X. Suarez-Mena, T.M. Hill, J.D. Quigley, R.L. Schlotterbeck, and G.J. Lascano. 2018. Effect of replacing corn with beet pulp in a high concentrate diet fed to weaned Holstein calves on diet digestibility and growth. J Dairy Sci. 101:408-412.

Koch, L.E. N.A. Gomez, Bowyer, A., and G.J. Lascano, 2017. Precision-feeding dairy heifers a high rumen undegradable protein diet with different proportions of dietary fiber and forage to concentrate ratios. J Anim. Sci. 95:5617-5628.

Heinrichs, A.J., GF., Zanton., G.J. Lascano and C. Jones. 2017. Invited Review: 100 years of dairy heifer research. J Dairy Sci. 100:10173-10188.

Lascano, G.J. Koch L.E., and A.J. Heinrichs. 2016. Precision-feeding dairy heifers different levels of dietary fiber and high rumen degradable protein diet and differing levels of dietary fiber: Effects on nutrient utilization and N efficiency. J Dairy Sci.99: 7175–7190.

Lascano, G.J., Alende, M., Koch, L.E., and T.C. Jenkins. 2016. Changes in fermentation and biohydrogenation intermediates in continuous cultures fed corn grains differing in rates of starch degradability. J Dairy Sci. 99: 6334-6341.

Suarez-Mena, F.X., Lascano, G. J., Rico D.E., and A. J. Heinrichs. 2015. Effect of forage level and replacing canola meal with dry distillers grains with solubles in precision-fed heifer diets: Digestibility and rumen fermentation. J. Dairy Sci. 98:1928-1937.

Lascano, G.J, Heinrichs, A.J., Gary R.R., Topper P.A., Brandt R.C., Adviento-Borbe A., and E.E. Fabian. 2015. Effects of forage-to-concentrate ratio and dietary fiber manipulation on gas emissions and olfactometry from manure of Holstein heifers. J. Dairy Sci. 98: 1928-1937.

Ding. L.M., Lascano G.J., and A. J. Heinrichs. 2015. Effect of precision feeding high and low quality forage with different rumen-degradable protein levels on nutrient utilization by dairy heifers. J. Anim. Sci. 93: 3066-3075.

Lascano, G.J, Tricarico, J.M., and A.J. Heinrichs. 2015. Saccharomyces cerevisiae live culture affects rapidly fermentable carbohydrates fermentation profile in precision-fed dairy heifers. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 95: 3298-309.

Suarez-Mena, F.X., Lascano, G. J., and A. J. Heinrichs. 2013. Behavior of precision-fed dairy heifers on a low or high forage ration at four levels of dry distillers grains. J. Dairy Sci. 96:5184-5193.

Lascano, G.J, Tricarico, J.M., and A.J. Heinrichs. 2012. The effect of dietary starch level and dose response of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in nutrient utilization for control-fed dairy heifers. J. Dairy Sci. 95:3298-3309.

Lascano, G.J., Velez, M., Tricarico, J.M., and A.J. Heinrichs. 2012. Nutrient utilization of fresh sugarcane-based diets with slow-release non protein nitrogen addition for control-fed dairy heifers in the tropics. J. Dairy Sci. 95:370-376

Lascano, G.J, and A.J. Heinrichs. 2011. Effects of feeding different levels of dietary fiber through the addition of corn stover on nutrient utilization of dairy heifers precision-fed high and low concentrate diets. J. Dairy Sci. 94:3025-3036.

Lascano G.J., Zanton, G.I., Heinrichs, A J., Weiss, W.P., 2010. Technical Note: A noninvasive urine collection device for female cattle: Modification of the urine cup collection method. J. Dairy Sci. 93, 2691–2694.

Lascano, G. J., G.I. Zanton, and A. J. Heinrichs. 2009. Concentrate levels and Saccharomyces cerevisiae affect rumen fluid-associated bacteria numbers in dairy heifers. Livest. Sci. 126:189-194.

Lascano, G. J., G.I. Zanton, F.X. Suarez-Mena, and A. J. Heinrichs. 2009. Effect of limit feeding high and low concentrate diets with Saccharomyces cerevisiae on digestibility and on dairy heifer growth and first-lactation performance. J Dairy Sci. 92:5100-5110.

Lascano, G. J., and A. J. Heinrichs. 2009. Rumen fermentation pattern of dairy heifers fed restricted amounts of low, medium, and high concentrate diets without and with yeast culture. Livest. Sci. 124: 48-57.

Lascano, G.J., Zanton, G.I., Moody, M.L., Topper, P.A, Wheeler, E.F. and A.J. Heinrichs. 2008. Short Communication:Effect of changing the ratio of forage to concentrate on ammonia emissions by dairy heifers. J. Dairy Sci. 91: 4301-4306.

Lascano, G.J, and A.J. Heinrichs. 2008. Yeast culture (Saccharomyces cereviasiae) supplementation in growing animals in the dairy industry. CAB Reviews: Perspectives in Agriculture, Veterinary Science, Nutrition and Natural Resources.2: 049.

Links