Ruminants, Volume 4, Issue 4 (December 2024) – 10 articles

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) encompasses a wide range of natural herbs and plants that are used to treat or prevent diseases or promote health. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of feeding a TCM formula extract on nitrogen (N) balance, microbial nitrogen supply (MNS), and plasma leucine kinetics in sheep. Six sheep were fed with mixed hay (Hay-diet) only or supplemented with 2% TCM (mixture of Astragalus root, Angelica root, and Atractylodes rhizome; TCM-diet) in a crossover design over two 21-day periods. An isotope dilution of [1-¹³C]leucine was used to measure the rate of plasma leucine turnover. Purine derivative (PD) excretion in urine was determined to estimate the MNS. The TCM-diet significantly increased N intake (p < 0.01) and N digestibility (p = 0.02) compared to the Hay-diet, with less N excretion (p = 0.02) in feces, while no significant difference was observed between diets in terms of N excretion in urine and N retention. Total PD excretion and MNS were higher (p < 0.01), as well as the turnover rate of plasma leucine tended to be higher (p = 0.06) with the supplementation of TCM. The present results suggested that the TCM formula could be considered as a potential feed additive for ruminant production. Full article

Combining soybeans with grass or biomass maize in silage holds promise in addressing the nutritional limitations of individual crops, providing a roughage with a good energy–protein balance. This study evaluated the effects of replacing urea-treated rice straw (UTRS) with silages made from intercropped maize–soybean and Guinea grass (GG) in calf diets on feed intake and growth performance. Sixteen native Yellow calves (130.7 ± 16.1 kg live weight and 12.8 ± 2.6 months old) were used; the experiment had a randomised complete block design with four dietary treatments: Treatment 1 (70% UTRS + 30% GG); Treatment 2 (40% UTRS + 30% GG + 30% Guinea grass silage); Treatment 3 (40% UTRS + 30% GG + 30% Guinea grass–soybean silage); and Treatment 4 (40% UTRS + 30% GG + 30% maize–soybean silage). The animals were fed 0.5 kg concentrate per 100 kg live weight daily, with unlimited access to forage and clean water, for 12 weeks after a two-week adaptation. The results indicate that silages containing soybean increased total weight gain and average daily gain (ADG) and decreased feed conversion ratio (FCR); however, silage replacements had no impact on dry matter intake and body conformation, suggesting that Guinea grass–soybean or maize–soybean silage can effectively enhance the ADG and decrease the FCR of growing calves fed UTRS-based diets. Full article

As the human population continues to rise, so does the consumption of animal proteins and products. To meet this demand, animal agriculture has intensified. Simultaneously, there are increased public concerns related to improving calf and cattle welfare to ensure ethical and sustainable livestock production. To meet these expectations, it is essential to maintain high standards of cattle (Bos taurus and Bos indicus) welfare. The use of animal-based welfare indicators is critical when assessing and developing assessments for animal welfare. A review of calf and cattle animal-based individual and herd health indicators in the scientific and grey literature was conducted. Indicators were initially grouped into the categories of behavioral, physiological, or physical indicators and further analyzed to determine potential affective states, ease of training, cost, special equipment, time, and current use as herd health indicators. The indicators identified in this review have the potential to inform future research priorities, improve animal welfare assessment, and support uplift in animal welfare in cattle production and research to better meet societal expectations of animal care and use. Full article

Understanding the state of the swamp buffalo population in Calayan Island is important to strengthen the conservation and management program in the country. This study aimed to provide insights into the morphology, population structure, and health profile of the swamp buffaloes on the island. In total, 35 fresh blood samples were analyzed using 27 polymorphic microsatellite markers to determine the population structure analysis. Data were gathered for the morphological features of Calayan swamp buffaloes and served as the baseline information for the descriptive traits. Furthermore, samples were tested for surra and brucellosis using PCR and serological tests, respectively. The results showed that Calayan swamp buffaloes were morphologically bigger, except for body length, compared with other populations. A genotype analysis using microsatellite markers showed remarkable discriminatory power to distinguish distinct populations within the tested population, and could discriminate subspecies of swamp and river types plus crossbreds. The study also reports the first incidence of surra and brucellosis on the island. Overall, the new insights provided on the newly detected Philippine carabao lineage in Calayan Island would be highly recommended for the ex situ conservation and animal health control strategy. The conservation strategy would encompass collecting, cryopreserving, and storing viable germplasms from local swamp buffalo on Calayan Island. Full article

Two experiments were conducted to determine which part of the empty body of Boer × Saanen intact male kids can be used to predict the chemical composition of the whole body. In the first experiment, kids were fed ad libitum and slaughtered at 5, 10, and 15 kg body weight (BW). Eighteen animals were group-fed at three intake levels (ad libitum or restricted to 30% and 60% of the ad libitum level). When the ad libitum animal in the group reached 15 kg BW, all animals in the group were slaughtered. In the second experiment, kids were fed ad libitum and slaughtered at 15, 20, and 25 kg BW. Twenty-one animals were group-fed at three intake levels and slaughtered when the ad libitum animal within the group reached 25 kg BW. Analyzed body parts included head + feet, hide, organs, neck, shoulder, ribs, loin, leg, 9–11th ribs, and half carcass. Principal component and cluster analyses showed that the neck, 9–11th ribs, and loin had the highest frequency of grouping with the empty body. These body parts were used to develop prediction models for estimating body composition. The neck, loin, and 9–11th ribs accurately and precisely predicted the dry matter, ash, fat, protein, and energy body composition of goats, with most models also incorporating BW as a predictor variable. The equations showed root mean squared error (RMSE) lower than 13.5% and a concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) greater than 0.84. Fat and protein concentrations in the loin and neck were also reliable predictors of empty body energy composition (RMSE = 2.9% of mean and concordance correlation coefficient = 0.93). Removing the loin and 9–11th ribs could reduce the carcass retail price. Using the neck to estimate body composition in growing Boer × Saanen goats provides a valuable alternative for nutrition studies, given its low commercial value. Full article

Johne’s disease (JD) significantly reduces the welfare of cattle worldwide. As changes in lying and feeding behaviours are considered important tools for assessing health and early detection of diseases, the aim of this study was to compare lying and feeding behaviours of JD-positive (JD5) and JD-negative (JD0) cows around peak lactation. The cows were fitted with an accelerometer-based sensor to record step counts and lying behaviour. They were also fitted with a pressure-based halter from approximately 56 d post-partum to collect feeding and rumination data. Every 3 months, the cows were milk sampled to test for naturally occurring JD using an ELISA. JD5 cows [n = 14 (two positive results in any four consecutive ELISAs)] were matched to JD0 cows [n = 14 (consecutive negative ELISAs)] based on lactation stage, parity, age, and milk yield. Of the 28 cows, 9 JD5 and 9 JD0 cows provided sensor data for analysis. JD5 cows spent 1.7 h/d less lying compared to JD0 cows. No differences in time spent eating were found; however, JD5 cows spent 1.1 h/d longer ruminating and produced 80 more feed boluses/d than JD0 cows around week 8 of lactation. The reason JD5 and JD0 cows behave differently around peak lactation is unclear and therefore warrants further investigation focusing on behaviour, milk yield, and feed intake among cows with JD. Full article

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of maternal experience on behavior, progesterone and estradiol concentrations, weight and body condition in goats in the peripartum period, as well as the behavior and weight of the kids in the first hours after birth. Twenty multiparous and 10 primiparous dairy goats were enrolled. Behaviors such as walking, isolation, aggression, eating, inactivity and rumination were recorded in females during the last three days prior to the day of delivery, as well as the behaviors of the dam and her progeny in the first 2 h postpartum and the ability of the mother to discriminate between own kid and the alien one (selectivity test) at 2 h postpartum. Gestational and postpartum plasma progesterone and estradiol concentrations were determined. In the prepartum period there was a higher percentage of primiparous goats that were eating and remained less inactive compared to multiparous goats (p < 0.05). During the postpartum period, the lick latency to the kid was shorter in multiparous than in primiparous goats (p = 0.015). There was a greater proportion of kids born from multiparous (67%) than from primiparous (27%) that stood up in the first 30 min postpartum (p < 0.0001). Therefore, the proportion of multiparous kids (33%) than primiparous kids (9%) that were nursed within the first hour after birth was also higher (p < 0.0001). Progesterone and estradiol concentrations were not affected by maternal experience, neither in the prepartum nor the postpartum. In conclusion, maternal experience affected some behaviors at peripartum of the dam and vitality in the kid; however, the differences in behavior were not accompanied by differences in the variations in circulating estradiol and progesterone levels in the dam. Full article

Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) is an economically important pathogen of cattle and contributes to the bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC). Despite individual studies investigating BRSV prevalence, risk factors, and detection methodologies, a systematic review and meta-analysis have been lacking. The aim of the current study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the prevalence and detection rate of BRSV and identify associated risk factors. Additionally, the study aimed to explore the variability in BRSV prevalence based on different detection methods and associated risk factors. Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, data from three databases—Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus—were systematically retrieved, screened and extracted. Out of 2790 initial studies, 110 met the inclusion criteria. The study found that prevalence and detection rates varied based on the detection methods used (antibody, antigen, and nucleic acid), study populations, production systems, and geographic locations. Findings were reported as a pooled proportion. The pooled proportion, hereafter referred to as prevalence or detection rate, was determined by calculating the ratio of cattle that tested positive for BRSV to the total number of cattle tested. Key findings include a pooled prevalence of 0.62 for antibody-based methods, 0.05 for antigen-based methods, and 0.09 (adjusted to 0.03) for nucleic acid-based methods. Detection rates in BRDC cases also varied, with antibody methods showing a rate of 0.34, antigen methods 0.16, and nucleic acid methods 0.13. The certainty of evidence of the meta-analysis results, assessed using GRADE, was moderate for antibody detection methods and low for antigen and nucleic acid methods. The study identified significant risk factors and trends affecting BRSV prevalence, such as geographical location, herd size, age, and co-infections. The results of the current study showed the complexity of understanding BRSV prevalence in different settings. The variability in BRSV prevalence based on detection methods and associated risk factors, such as geographic location and herd size, highlights the need for tailored approaches to detect and manage BRSV accurately. Full article

The objective of this study was to evaluate the health, growth performance, and antibody titers of previously vaccinated newly weaned calves administered a respiratory and clostridial vaccine compared to no vaccination upon arrival. Single-sourced, newly weaned beef steers [n = 70; initial body weight (BW) = 254 ± 5.9 kg] were allotted to 10 pens (n = 5 pens/treatment; 7 steers/pen). Steers were blocked by BW in a randomized complete block design and assigned to one of two treatments: VAC (vaccinated for respiratory and clostridial species upon arrival) or NOVAC (not vaccinated upon arrival). Steers were individually weighed on d 0 (arrival), 1, 21, and 42 for growth performance measures. Whole blood samples were collected (n = 3 steers/pen) on d 1, 21, and 42 via jugular venipuncture for antibody titer responses. Depression scores (DS) of 0 (normal) to 4 (moribund) were recorded daily for each individual steer for 21 d. Dry matter intake as a percentage of BW tended (p = 0.07) to increase for the NOVAC group compared to the VAC group. No treatment × day interactions (p ≥ 0.50) were observed for DS or antibody titers. Growth performance was unaffected by vaccination but vaccinated calves had greater antibody titer responses throughout the 42 d study. Full article

Background: Lameness in cattle negatively affects welfare and productivity. Early identification of lameness allows for prompt treatment, and mobility scoring allows for herd-level prevalence data to be monitored. The reliability of a four-point mobility scoring system was investigated when used by beef farmers and veterinary surgeons. Methods: An online questionnaire that contained forty video clips of beef cattle was created for mobility scoring performed by farmers and vets. Results: The Fleiss kappa coefficient for inter-observer agreement across all 81 respondents and all videos was 0.34, which showed fair agreement. Beef farmers generally had lower agreement than vets (0.29 vs. 0.38). Vets had significantly higher inter-observer reliability compared to beef farmers (p = 0.035). Overall, Cohen’s kappa coefficient for intra-observer agreement across all respondents varied from 0.085 (slight agreement) to 0.871 (almost perfect agreement). Limitations: The survey was only available online, which may have limited distribution and engagement. The recruitment of participants was not specific to differing levels of previous experience in mobility scoring. The mobility scoring was not performed in person, which could be more reflective of clinical application. Conclusions: The application of a four-point mobility scoring system for beef cattle had fair inter-observer reliability and a wide range of intra-observer reliability, but this is poorer than previously reported. This presents a challenge for the identification of lame beef cattle at both the individual and herd levels. Full article