Ruminants

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

Twenty-four ewes (eight fistulated in the rumen) were assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial design. The treatments included the pasture grazed (natural mixed swards—NMS or cultivated monophytic (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu) swards—CMS) and the level of supplementation: without supplement or with a 1% supplement (dry matter (DM)/live weight). The supplement included one-third endosperm expeller (ENE) and two-thirds mesocarp expeller (ME) from Acrocomia aculeata (Jacq.) Lodd. ex Mart. In sacco rumen degradation of ENE, ME, NMS, and CMS was assessed in fistulated sheep, as were rumen fermentation variables. Average daily gain (ADG) was assessed in non-fistulated animals during a 7-week period. Potential degradability of the DM and crude protein of the expellers was not affected by the type of pasture grazed or the level of supplementation (p > 0.05), but the fractional rate of degradation (c) of DM was three times faster (p < 0.01) for ME than for ENE. The potential degradability of neutral detergent fiber was 34% higher (p < 0.0001) for ENE, with no differences in c (p > 0.1). Supplementation slowed down the c of the DM of the pastures, especially in animals grazing NMS (24% lower). Treatments affected rumen pH, concentration of volatile fatty acids, and proportion of valerate, in different ways. The use of the supplement increased ADG of sheep (six-fold in sheep grazing NMS and 40% in those grazing CMS). The use of a mixture of one-third ENE plus two-thirds ME as a protein supplement in sheep grazing either multi-species natural pastures or monophytic swards of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu slows down the fractional rate of degradation of the pastures, the effect of which is more intense in animals grazing natural swards. This supplementation also increases average daily gain, more substantially with multi-species natural pastures. Full article

This research evaluated the effects of energy supplementation on sheep’s feeding behavior, feed preference, and thermoregulatory responses using technical cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL) and different vegetable oils with different unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) compositions. The experiment was completely randomized with five treatments: a mixture of CNSL (0.5%) + vegetable oils [canola (high in monounsaturated fatty acids—MUFA), and corn, soybean, sunflower, or cottonseed oil (high in polyunsaturated fatty acids-PUFA) at 1.5%] based on total diet dry matter, with eight replications. Forty uncastrated male sheep, with an average initial BW of 24.44 ± 1.5 kg, were evaluated for 70 days. The CNSL + vegetable oil blend did not affect DM and neutral detergent fiber (aNDF) intake (p > 0.05). However, diets with canola oil resulted in higher SFA intake (p < 0.05) than other oils. The canola oil + CNSL blend led to a higher intake of UFA and MUFA and lower PUFA intake than other oil blends (p < 0.05). Sheep fed canola oil ruminated fewer boli per day than those fed soybean and sunflower oils. Using three sieves (pef_1.18) reflected in higher sheep aNDF intake. Respiratory frequency and surface temperature of sheep were lower before feeding than 3 h after, without effects of the type of oil. Higher serum creatinine and cholesterol levels were observed in sheep fed CNSL with corn and canola oils compared to other oils. Serum calcium was lower in sheep fed CNSL with soybean and canola compared to sunflower and corn. Including CNSL with vegetable oils with different FA compositions did not affect physiological and thermographic variables. However, sheep showed better diet selectivity and lower bolus rumination with higher MUFA (canola oil) content. Including CNSL with canola oil in sheep diets is recommended, as it increases dietary energy content, enhances diet selectivity, reduces PUFA intake, and does not impact animal health. Full article

Iodoform has been shown to be an enteric methane-reducing agent. This study aimed to investigate if iodoform differentially affected maize (MS) and clover grass silage (GS). These substrates were used in four 22 h in vitro gas production fermentations with and without 0.032 mg/g of dry matter substrate of 0.064% iodoform in zeolite (IZ). The results of organic matter degradation (dOM, g/g), volatile fatty acids (VFAs, mMol/L), partitioning factor (PF, mg/mL), total gas production (TGP, mL/g OM), and periodic hydrogen and methane yield (mL/g OM) were evaluated. The interaction between substrate and IZ for dOM was significant with significantly less in GS. The interaction between substrate and additive was continuously significant for TGP. The additive in GS numerically decreased the TGP, but significantly increased TGP in MS. The interaction between substrate and additive was sporadically significant with methane, increasing the yield when IZ was added to MS, but a consistent, non-significant, decrease in yield was found when IZ was added to GS. Total VFA production and propionate content increased in both substrates with the addition of IZ, but only significantly in GS. Iodoform significantly decreased the efficiency of microbial conversion (PF) in both substates. Differential effects of iodoform on GS and MS were evident. More research is needed to determine the modes of action of iodoform. Full article

Caffeine is a plant secondary metabolite, commonly known for its bioactivity properties. This molecule increases microbial activity during anaerobic digestion. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of caffeine doses on the rumen fermentation profile and nutrient digestibility when continuous culture fermenters were fed a lactating cow’s diet. We hypothesize that adding caffeine doses into continuous culture fermenters with a rumen fluid inoculum will not affect anaerobic fermentation or nutrient utilization. Fermenters were fed twice a day (at 0800 and 2000 h) with an experimental diet of high-producing dairy cows (53.55 g/DM day; Forage:Concentrate ratio, F:C of 40:60). Four levels of caffeine (0 ppm, 50 ppm, 100 ppm, and 150 ppm) were added to the diets as a treatment. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design. Two blocks of four fermenters were run in two replicated periods of ten days. Statistical analyses were conducted in SAS version 9.4 for Windows (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA) using the GLIMMIX procedure. The addition of caffeine at a 50 ppm dose on continuous culture fermentation decreased the protozoal counts (Diplodinium spp.) (p = 0.03) and ammonia concentrations (p < 0.05). A treatment of 50 ppm of caffeine increased the DM, OM, and starch digestibility (p < 0.05). When caffeine doses increased further than 50 ppm, the OM, DM, and starch digestibility decreased linearly (p = 0.01). The total volatile fatty acids and fatty acid proportions were unaffected. However, the acetate-to-propionate ratio (A:P) tended to decrease linearly among treatments (p = 0.07). The means of pH measurements and maximum pH had a significantly linear decrease effect (p < 0.01). Caffeine may represent a potential rumen fermentation modifier for use in lactating cow diets. Full article

We identified alterations in the ruminal microbiome, metabolome, and epithelial inflammatory response due to moderate feed restriction (FR). Ruminal digesta and epithelial biopsies from seven ruminally cannulated Angus steers were initially collected during ad libitum access to feed (PRE). After a 10 day recovery, steers underwent a 3-day FR period (FRP) at 25% intake of PRE followed by a 15 day recovery (POST) phase with ad libitum access to feed. At the end of FRP and POST, ruminal digesta and epithelial biopsies were collected again for microbial DNA and tissue RNA extraction. RT-qPCR was applied for relative microbial abundance and RNA extraction. Metabolite profiling of digesta was performed via GC-MS. The abundance of Succinivibrio dextrinosolvens, Streptococcus bovis, and Bifidobacteria spp. (N124) was higher (p < 0.05) during FRP than PRE and POST, while Lactobacillus spp. (C25), Escherichia coli (EC42405), Fibrobacter succinogenes, and Megaspheara elsdenii abundances were lower in FRP than PRE (p < 0.05). The TNF and TLR2 mRNA abundance was greater in FRP than PRE (p < 0.05). Among 15 detected amino acids, glutamine, isoleucine, lysine, phenylalanine, threonine, and valine were lower (p < 0.05) in FRP than PRE. Metabolite pathway analysis revealed alterations in amino acid, fatty acid, vitamin, and energy metabolism during FRP (p < 0.05). The mRNA of the proinflammatory genes TNF and TLR2 in the epithelium peaked (p < 0.05) at FRP and remained higher at POST. Results indicated that a short FR influenced ruminal bacteria, reduced concentrations of most metabolites, and triggered an inflammatory response. Full article

This study focused on a group of 49 high-yielding dairy cows (primarily Holstein Friesians) and how their interactions with wall-mounted automated brushes correlated to their mobility (also described as lameness) score (AHDB 0–3 system. Of the 49 animals in the study, 48 were mobility scored with a sample lameness prevalence of 14.6% (n = 22 score 0, n = 19 score 1, n = 6 score 2 and n = 1 score 3 (score 2 and 3 combined due to low numbers identified)). There was no statistical difference in the number of visits between the lame (score 2 and 3) and sound cows (score 0 and 1); however, there was a statistically relevant decrease in the duration that the lame cows spent brushing per visit (sound 91.7 ± 6.06 s compared to lame 63.0 ± 9.22 s, p = 0.0097). No significant difference was identified in how the lame cows interacted with the brushes (i.e., which body part) when compared to the group. The group, in general, showed a significant preference towards interacting with the brush with their head area (63.95% of interactions observed over the 72 h involved the head). In conclusion, monitoring brush use (duration of use per visit) could aid with the identification of clinically lame animals. Full article

Yearling rough-stock bulls (n = 38) were utilized in a randomized complete block design to evaluate dietary hempseed meal (HSM) inclusion on growth (ADG), intake (DMI), and efficiency (F:G). Bulls were blocked by body weight (BW), grouped into 10 pens (n = 3–4 bulls/pen), and randomly assigned to an HSM or control supplement treatment (CON; 72.5% cottonseed meal, 14.5% soy hulls, 13% fat). Treatments were offered at 10%, while 90% was fed as a mixed ration [50% Bermuda grass hay, 40% textured commercial feed (10% CP)]. Diet samples were dried and DMI was calculated. F:G was evaluated using DMI and ADG. Blood for plasma analysis and BW were obtained on sample days, prior to feed delivery. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure in SAS version 9.4. The results were considered significant when p ≤ 0.050. There was no treatment × time interaction, or treatment effect for interim BW, ADG, or F:G (p ≥ 0.100). A treatment × time interaction occurred for DMI (p < 0.01), and BW (p = 0.01) increased in all bulls over time, while ADG decreased (p = 0.005), suggesting that interim live performance was not affected by HSM. Plasma urea nitrogen increased over time (p < 0.001) in all bulls, with greater concentrations observed in HSM bulls (p = 0.043). Full article

Live yeast cultures have been a popular additive in ruminant feeds to improve fermentation efficiency, rumen, and intestinal health. However, very little is known about inactive yeast culture and hydrolysable yeast cells on nutrient digestibility in ruminants. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the effects of a combined yeast culture and enzymatically hydrolysed yeast (YC+EHY) on in vitro dry matter and nutrient digestibility. Seven chemically contrasting substrates, including the leaves and petiole of forage plants (Trichanthera gigantea, Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala, and Brachiaria arrecta), agriculture by-products (soybean meal and rice hulls), and a commercial concentrate feed, were incubated in vitro with and without YC+EHY to determine dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), and acid detergent fibre (ADF) digestibility after 24 and 48 h of incubation. A second experiment evaluated in vitro CP degradability by incubating substrates for 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, and 48 h with and without YC+EHY. Incubation with YC+EHY reduced 24 h DM and CP digestibility in soybean meal and G. sepium by 16.2% and 38.5%, respectively. Conversely, the ADF digestibility of B. arrecta incubated with YC+EHY increased by 32%. In vitro ruminal DM and nutrient digestibility were unaffected by YC+EHY after 48 h of incubation. The rate of CP degradability in the commercial concentrate and rice hull inoculated with YC+EHY increased sharply between 16 and 24 h post-incubation and generally plateaued afterwards. Similarly, YC+EHY significantly increased CP degradability in L. leucocephala after 8 and 16 h of incubation. The 16 h CP degradation in T. gigantea without YC+EHY was significantly higher. It was therefore concluded that YC+EHY has potential to improve ruminal ADF digestibility and modify ruminal CP degradation dependent on the type of substrate. Full article

Essential oils are natural feed additives that improve animal health and enhance their performance. This study investigated the effects of the rumen infusion of five essential oil blends (EOBs) on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, rumen fermentation parameters, and rumen metabolome and metabolic pathways in Black Angus cows. Using a 6 × 6 Latin Square experimental design, a 90-day study was conducted with six cattle. A daily dosage of 4 mL of EOBs was administered during each infusion. Volcano plot analyses between the control (CON) and each of the EOBs (EOB1, EOB2, EOB3, EOB4, and EOB5) revealed several differentially abundant (p ≤ 0.05; absolute fold change ≥1.5) metabolites. The EOB5 treatment exhibited the most significant impact, with 26 differentially abundant metabolites, including elevated valine and reduced gallic acid. Volatile fatty acids (VFAs), including valerate, isobutyrate, and isovalerate, were significantly increased (p < 0.05). GHG emissions were not significantly affected, but a numerical decrease was observed in the animals infused with the EOB5 treatment. Ammonia nitrogen concentrations remained within the suitable range for rumen microbes’ growth, indicating a normal internal environment for microbial crude protein synthesis. In conclusion, the study has demonstrated that the direct infusion of EOBs significantly improved the generation of VFAs and impacted the energy production, protein synthesis, and microbial activity of the animals. Full article

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of breed, lactation number, and lameness on lying time, milk yield, milk urea nitrogen concentration (MUN), progesterone concentration (P₄), and the calving-to-conception interval (CCI) of lactating dairy cows in Central Texas. A total of 84 lactating dairy cows (Holsteins, Jerseys, and crossbreeds) from a commercial dairy farm in Central Texas were randomly selected and enrolled in this study from October 2023 to February 2024. Cows (60 ± 7 DIM) were enrolled in cohorts weekly for five weeks and were randomly fitted with an IceQube pedometer (IceRobotics, Edinburgh, UK) to track lying time. Lameness and body condition scores (BCS) were recorded, and blood samples were collected once a week. Parameters of reproductive performance included insemination rate, conception rate, pregnancy rate, and the CCI. Monthly dairy herd improvement association (DHIA) testing included milk yield and MUN concentrations. Breed and lactation number had a significant effect on milk yield, MUN concentration, lying time, BCS, and lameness (p < 0.001). Lactation number had a significant effect on P₄ concentrations (p < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between lameness and milk yield (p = 0.014) and a negative correlation between lameness and MUN concentrations (p = 0.038). Full article

(1) Background: Multiple point-of-care (POC) glucometers are in use in veterinary medicine, but few are compared to each other. This leaves the potential for clinicians to be unaware of the effect of bias when comparing results from different POC glucometers. (2) Methods: Samples from healthy calves and ewes were simultaneously compared with two POC veterinary glucometers, the Precision Xtra and the AlphaTrak2, under both the “canine” and “feline” settings. The results of each sample were statistically analyzed with linear regression and Bland–Altman analysis. (3) Results: 170 samples from healthy calves and 108 samples from healthy ewes were available for comparison. Calves: The AT2 consistently overestimated blood glucose concentrations when compared to the PX device with the calves. Correlationt with the PX was r = 0.8496 (canine setting) and r = 0.8861 (feline setting). Both the canine and feline settings demonstrated a consistent bias (41.11 and 33.64 mg/dL, respectively). Ewes: The AT2 consistently overestimated blood glucose concentrations when compared to the PX device with the ewes. Correlation with the PX was R = 0.4710 (canine setting) and R = 0.7269 (feline setting). Both the canine and feline settings demonstrated a consistent bias (21.23 and 14.54 mg/dL, respectively). (4) Clinicians should be aware of the potential for consistent bias when evaluating calf and sheep blood glucose concentrations as the AT2 device, at both settings, overestimated blood glucose compared to the previously validated PX. This reliability appears to change when the values are farther from the normal ranges, which should be considered when making clinical decisions based on data from these devices. Full article