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Novel Techniques for Efficient and Sustainable Cattle Production: Precision Farming,...
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Novel Techniques for Efficient and Sustainable Cattle Production: Precision Farming, Feed Ingredients and Efficiency and Rumen Health

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Cattle".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 4192

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Gabriella Holló

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Kaposvár Campus, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Guba Sándor Str. 40, H-7400 Kaposvar, Hungary
Interests: beef quality; carcass value; feed intake; genome-wide association study; smart farming
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent decades, breeding goals have expanded to include other selection indices; in addition to maximising the production level, the improvement of productive life and some functional traits have also become extremely important in cattle breeding. The enhancement of cattle production efficiency is essential to improve the sustainability of cattle production. Increasing cattle productivity can only be achieved using high-producing, fertile animals that are healthy, have strong longevity, and use feed efficiently. The sustainable development, continuous innovation, and widespread use of modern information technologies is also important. The sustainability of cattle production is determined by three main pillars—environmental, animal welfare, and economic factors—which can be optimised in precision production systems and with appropriate herd management.

Moreover, increasing efficiency in the dairy and beef sector is also necessary to reduce the environmental footprint of cattle production. In terms of species, ruminant animals, including cattle, are significant due to their methane emissions; the methane emissions of dairy cattle are three times that of beef cattle. To improve productivity, any selection method that reduces mortality, achieves early sexual maturation, improves fertility, and ensures longevity is recommended, thus ensuring a unit of emission for reducing greenhouse gases. In the future selection of ruminants, the composition of rumen (microbiomes), feed utilisation, and disease resistance are important factors. Cattle growth and health depend on their symbiotic microbiome and its activity in the rumen and gut. Recent developments in precision techniques and omics (nutrigenomics) technology have made it possible to comprehensively analyse factors and their interactions to define their roles in cattle biology.

The aim of this Special Issue is to publish original research papers and reviews on the improvement of sustainability through genetic selection, conceptualising new phenotyping methods, initialising novel methods for feed intake measurements in commercial herds, analytic advancements in sensor technologies, identifying genetic markers associated with superior feed efficiency traits, and investigating implications for better cow–calf/beef/dairy production efficiency. Understanding the linkages between diet and the rumen microbiome is important for maintaining gastrointestinal well-being.

Areas of interest: sustainable beef/dairy production using precision techniques; sustainable breeding objectives; new strategies reduce environmental impacts of cattle production; advancements in genomic technologies for enhancement productivity and environmental sustainability; and rumen microbiome composition in relation to cattle production efficiency.

You are kindly invited to share your recent research results and literary syntheses through this Special Issue.

Dr. Gabriella Holló
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sustainable cattle production
  • precision cattle farming
  • feed efficiency
  • cattle genetics
  • methane emission intensity
  • rumen microbiome
  • metagenomic analysis
  • omics technologies

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 1252 KiB  
Article
Precision Feeding of Feedlot Calves Based on Phenotypic Production Profiles I. The Effect on Economic Important Production Parameters
by Andreas H. R. Hentzen and Dietmar E. Holm
Animals 2025, 15(10), 1361; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15101361 - 8 May 2025
Viewed by 199
Abstract
Precision feeding feeder calves according to their production potential could improve economically important production traits. We report two experiments, in two separate locations where feeder calves were categorized into previously established production profiles (PP 1, PP 2, and PP 3). These production-profiled calves [...] Read more.
Precision feeding feeder calves according to their production potential could improve economically important production traits. We report two experiments, in two separate locations where feeder calves were categorized into previously established production profiles (PP 1, PP 2, and PP 3). These production-profiled calves were then randomly allocated to a high-producing diet (HPD), medium-producing diet (MPD), or a low-producing diet (LPD). The findings of experiment 1 (n = 430) were used to adjust the formulation of the diets in experiment 2 (n = 104). The mixed modelling of economically important feedlot carcass growth traits was performed in order to evaluate the interactions between PP classification and diet. PP 3 was repeatedly outperformed in all production parameters (p < 0.01) by PP 1 and PP 2, irrespective of the diet. In experiment 1, PP 1 calves outperformed PP 2 and PP 3 calves; however, the HPD was insufficiently matched to their growth potential. In experiment 2 where the metabolizable energy was increased, PP 1 calves gained 23.0 kg more carcass (p = 0.05), at an improved carcass feed conversion of 0.91 kg/kg (p = 0.06), when compared to PP 2 calves on MPD. This is the first report demonstrating the feasibility of precision livestock feeding based on the predicted growth needs of incoming feeder calves as determined by production profiling. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Techniques for Efficient and Sustainable Cattle Production: Precision Farming, Feed Ingredients and Efficiency and Rumen Health)
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17 pages, 3010 KiB  
Article
How Do We Recognize the Effects of Dairy Cattle Activity in the Lying Area? A Case Study in Free-Stall Barns
by Marek Gaworski
Animals 2025, 15(6), 880; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15060880 - 19 Mar 2025
Viewed by 211
Abstract
Dairy cattle kept in barns with a free-stall system have contact with the structural elements of the stalls in the lying area. As a result of the cattle entering the lying stall, lying down, and standing up, shiny surfaces appear on the neck [...] Read more.
Dairy cattle kept in barns with a free-stall system have contact with the structural elements of the stalls in the lying area. As a result of the cattle entering the lying stall, lying down, and standing up, shiny surfaces appear on the neck rails and partitions. These shiny surfaces can be a source of information about the activity of the animals in the lying stalls over a long period of time. This case study aimed to assess the diversity of shiny spots on the neck rails and partitions in the lying area of barns with a free-stall system. The length of the shiny surfaces and their locations on the neck rails and partitions were measured in three barns (on one dairy farm) containing a total of 512 lying stalls. The differences in the lengths of the shiny surfaces on the left and right partitions were assessed, and their locations on the partitions and neck rail were compared. Identifying the interactions between animals and metal elements of the lying stalls could contribute to improving the welfare of dairy cattle. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Techniques for Efficient and Sustainable Cattle Production: Precision Farming, Feed Ingredients and Efficiency and Rumen Health)
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15 pages, 473 KiB  
Article
Unmixed Diet Versus Total Mixed Ration in Beef Cattle Fed High-Concentrate Diets: Effects on Methane Emissions, Animal Performance, and Rumen Fermentation
by Amira Arbaoui, Gonzalo Gonzalo, Alejandro Belanche and Antonio de Vega
Animals 2025, 15(5), 723; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15050723 - 3 Mar 2025
Viewed by 672
Abstract
This study assessed the effects of using a total mixed ration (TMR), compared to distributing the concentrate and the forage separately, on the productive performance of beef cattle fed high-concentrate diets and on rumen fermentation characteristics, including methane production. Eighteen rumen-fistulated beef calves [...] Read more.
This study assessed the effects of using a total mixed ration (TMR), compared to distributing the concentrate and the forage separately, on the productive performance of beef cattle fed high-concentrate diets and on rumen fermentation characteristics, including methane production. Eighteen rumen-fistulated beef calves were fed a concentrate plus pelleted barley straw separately (CS; n = 9) or as TMR (n = 9). Average daily gain and intake of TMR and of straw and concentrate with the CS treatment were recorded. Digestibility was estimated using ashes insoluble in hydrochloric acid as a marker. Rumen liquid and gas samples were obtained, and the abundance of total bacteria, methanogens, protozoa, and anaerobic fungi was analysed. Animals were slaughtered at 500 kg live weight (LW), and dressing percentage and carcass classification were obtained. Another 49 animals for each treatment were used on a commercial farm to exclusively assess animal performance. The treatment (CS or TMR) did not significantly affect (p > 0.05) final LW, average daily gain, carcass dressing percentage, dry matter or digestible organic matter intake, digestibility values, production of methane and carbon dioxide, and abundance of microorganisms in the rumen. However, animals fed TMR had lower rumen pH (5.87 vs. 5.58, p = 0.041 for CS and TMR), suggesting a higher risk of experiencing rumen acidosis than those fed straw and concentrate separately. In conclusion, using a total mixed ration does not seem a suitable strategy to reduce methane production or prevent rumen acidosis in feedlot cattle. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Techniques for Efficient and Sustainable Cattle Production: Precision Farming, Feed Ingredients and Efficiency and Rumen Health)
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16 pages, 1119 KiB  
Article
Development of Machine Learning Models for Estimating Metabolizable Protein Supply from Feed in Lactating Dairy Cows
by Mingyung Lee, Dong Hyeon Kim, Seongwon Seo and Luis O. Tedeschi
Animals 2025, 15(5), 687; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15050687 - 26 Feb 2025
Viewed by 616
Abstract
Accurate prediction of protein utilization in dairy cows is essential for optimizing nutrition and milk yield to achieve sustainable cattle production. This study aimed to develop novel machine learning models to predict rumen-undegradable protein (RUP) and duodenal microbial nitrogen (MicN) based on dietary [...] Read more.
Accurate prediction of protein utilization in dairy cows is essential for optimizing nutrition and milk yield to achieve sustainable cattle production. This study aimed to develop novel machine learning models to predict rumen-undegradable protein (RUP) and duodenal microbial nitrogen (MicN) based on dietary protein intake. A dataset comprising 1779 observations from 436 scientific publications was used to train support vector regression (SVR) and random forest regression (RFR) models. Different predictor sets were identified for each model, including factors such as days in milk (DIM), dry matter intake (DMI), dietary fiber content, and crude protein fractions. Model performance was evaluated using statistical metrics, including the coefficient of determination (R2), root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP), and concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), with results compared to existing NASEM (2021) models. The RFR model provided the most precise and unbiased predictions for RUP (R2 = 0.60, RMSEP = 0.326 kg/d, CCC = 0.71), while the SVR model was most effective for MicN (R2 = 0.76, RMSEP = 42.4 g/d, CCC = 0.86). Both models outperformed traditional methods, demonstrating the potential of machine learning in improving protein utilization predictions. Future studies could explore hybrid approaches integrating conventional and AI-based models to enhance predictive accuracy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Techniques for Efficient and Sustainable Cattle Production: Precision Farming, Feed Ingredients and Efficiency and Rumen Health)
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25 pages, 5923 KiB  
Article
Lameness Recognition of Dairy Cows Based on Compensation Behaviour Analysis by Swing and Posture Features from Top View Depth Image
by Ruihong Zhang, Kaixuan Zhao, Jiangtao Ji and Jinjin Wang
Animals 2025, 15(1), 30; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15010030 - 26 Dec 2024
Viewed by 837
Abstract
Top-view systems for lameness detection have advantages such as easy installation and minimal impact on farm work. However, the unclear lameness motion characteristics of the back result in lower recognition accuracy for these systems. Therefore, we analysed the compensatory behaviour of cows based [...] Read more.
Top-view systems for lameness detection have advantages such as easy installation and minimal impact on farm work. However, the unclear lameness motion characteristics of the back result in lower recognition accuracy for these systems. Therefore, we analysed the compensatory behaviour of cows based on top-view walking videos, extracted compensatory motion features (CMFs), and constructed a model for recognising lameness in cows. By locating the hook, pin, sacrum, and spine positions, the motion trajectories of key points on the back were plotted. Based on motion trajectory analysis of 655 samples (258 sound, 267 mild lameness, and 130 severe lameness), the stability mechanisms of back movement posture were investigated, compensatory behaviours in lame cows were revealed, and methods for extracting CMFs were established, including swing and posture features. The feature correlation among differently scoring samples indicated that early-stage lame cows primarily exhibited compensatory swing, while those with severe lameness showed both compensatory swing and posture. Lameness classification models were constructed using machine learning and threshold discrimination methods, achieving classification accuracies of 81.6% and 83.05%, respectively. The threshold method reached a recall rate of 93.02% for sound cows. The proposed CMFs from back depth images are highly correlated with early lameness, improving the accuracy of top-view lameness detection systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Techniques for Efficient and Sustainable Cattle Production: Precision Farming, Feed Ingredients and Efficiency and Rumen Health)
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20 pages, 2581 KiB  
Article
The Effects of a Blend of Essential Oils in the Milk of Suckling Calves on Performance, Immune and Antioxidant Systems, and Intestinal Microbiota
by Luisa Nora, Charles Marcon, Guilherme Luiz Deolindo, Mateus Henrique Signor, Ana Luiza Muniz, Miklos Maximiliano Bajay, Priscila Marquezan Copetti, Bianca Fagan Bissacotti, Vera M. Morsch and Aleksandro Schafer da Silva
Animals 2024, 14(24), 3555; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14243555 - 10 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1001
Abstract
The objective of the present study was to determine whether the addition of a blend based on the essential oils of cinnamon, oregano, and eucalyptus to the liquid diets of calves would stimulate the immune system combined with anti-inflammatory action, minimize oxidative responses, [...] Read more.
The objective of the present study was to determine whether the addition of a blend based on the essential oils of cinnamon, oregano, and eucalyptus to the liquid diets of calves would stimulate the immune system combined with anti-inflammatory action, minimize oxidative responses, and alter the intestinal microbiota, consequently enhancing animal growth. Twenty-four male Holstein calves (approximately five days old) were suckled for 60 days, underwent a weaning process, and were followed up until day 75 of the experiment. The calves were divided into control (n = 12) and phytobiotic (n = 12) groups, receiving commercial milk replacer and pelleted concentrate ad libitum. For the phytobiotic group, we added the blend to the liquid diet twice daily at 5 mL/feeding in the first 15 days and 10 mL/feeding until day 60. We detected no differences in weight gain, but animals in the phytobiotic group tended to consume less feed. Calves treated with phytobiotics showed better conversion and feed efficiency than the animals in the control group. Lower leukocyte and lymphocyte counts were observed, as was a higher cholesterol concentration. Immunoglobulin A, ceruloplasmin, and transferrin also differed between groups, with higher IgA and lower levels of acute-phase proteins (ceruloplasmin and transferrin) in calves that consumed the phytobiotic. Higher glutathione S-transferase activity was found in the serum of calves in the treatment group. The intestinal microbiota did not differ between the groups; however, the genera Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, and Psychrobacter were the most abundant regardless of treatment. We concluded that the blend of oils based on cinnamon, oregano, and eucalyptus improved the calves’ immune and antioxidant systems, improving feed efficiency without affecting the intestinal microbiota. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Techniques for Efficient and Sustainable Cattle Production: Precision Farming, Feed Ingredients and Efficiency and Rumen Health)
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