Editor’s Choice Articles

With the growing use of crossbred cattle in Brazilian feedlots and increasing pressure to reduce antibiotic use as growth promoters, this study examines the impact of three feed additives—monensin (MON), monensin with Lithothamnium calcareum (LCM), and a blend of essential oils (BEO)—on the performance of Nellore (NEL) and crossbred (CROSS) cattle. A total of 90 Nellore and 90 crossbred bulls were assigned to a completely randomized block design with a 2 × 3 factorial design for 112 days, and all received the same diet with varying additives. Their methane (CH₄) emissions were estimated. All data were analyzed using the emmeans package of R software (version 4.4.1). Crossbred cattle outperformed Nellore in average daily gain (ADG), hot carcass weight (HCW), and dry matter intake (DMI), though feed efficiency remained unaffected. Across additives, no significant differences were observed in ADG, HCW, or dressing percentage. However, LCM had a lower DMI than the BEO, while MON showed better feed efficiency than the BEO. A breed-by-additive interaction trend was noted for DMI as a percentage of body weight (DMI%BW), with Nellore bulls on LCM diets showing the lowest DMI%BW. Crossbreeds had greater net energy (NE) requirements for maintenance (NEm) and gain (NEg), and MON-fed animals had greater NEm and NEg than the BEO. Crossbred bulls had greater daily methane (CH₄) emissions than Nellore bulls. Animals on the BEO had greater daily CH₄ emissions and greater g CH₄/kg metabolic BW than LCM bulls. In conclusion, the addition of Lithothamnium calcareum to monensin did not enhance performance compared to monensin alone. Monensin outperformed the BEO in feed efficiency and nutrient utilization. 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

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

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

As the beef industry moves towards efficient animal production to improve sustainability in agriculture, new production and management approaches are emerging. Among the many facets of the beef industry, cow–calf operations have the most opportunity for efficiency improvement, including improvements in fertility. This project accounts for measures and methods of (1) twinning reproductive technologies and (2) twin calf perinatal care and pre-weaning rearing. The overall objective was to produce twin calves using two reproductive technologies—embryo transfer and artificial insemination. The subobjectives were to determine accuracy of twin pregnancies embryo/fetal losses using ultrasonography, evaluate parturition and dystocia, and determine the effects of different twin-raising methods on neonatal behavior and growth. A fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) protocol was applied to 77 multiparous Angus-cross cows from a commercial beef herd in northcentral South Dakota during the summer of 2019. Cows were assigned to two different treatments groups: only artificially inseminated (AI) or received an embryo transfer following artificial insemination (ET + AI). They were estrous-synchronized, artificially inseminated (AI) with black Angus semen at day 0, and received and embryo transfer (ET) at day 7. Ultrasound examination detected 56% pregnancy risk for both groups, with sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 75%, 100%, and 90.5%, respectively, for bilateral twin detection. Calves were born during spring 2020. Twin calves (n = 34) and singleton calves (n = 11) were assigned to one of three raising methods: (1) twin born and twin raised (TT; n = 16), (2) twin born and single raised (TS; n = 18), and (3) single born and single raised (S; n = 11). Neonatal nursing behavior and birth weights were recorded, and adjusted day 200 and day 280 were calculated measures of vitality and growth. Blood samples were collected at age 24 h for colostrum intake measures (total serum protein, IgG1, and IgM). Twin calves were born 20% (p < 0.05) lighter in body weight than singletons; however, weights did not differ at day 280 between TT and S calves. TS calves had the shortest average latency to stand, but immunoglobulin concentrations did not differ among treatments. At weaning, cows that had birthed and raised twins produced more kilograms of live weight per pregnancy than cows birthing and raising singletons. Using ET + AI proved to increase twinning rate, and growth was maintained when raising both twins with their dam. Full article

Smart livestock farming utilizes technology to enhance production and meet food demand sustainably. This study employs surveys and case studies to gather data and information, subsequently analyzing it to identify opportunities and challenges. The proposed solutions encompass remote sensing, technology integration, farmer education, and stakeholder engagement. The research delves into smart technologies in animal production, addressing opportunities, challenges, and potential solutions. Smart agriculture employs modern technology to improve efficiency, sustainability, and animal welfare in livestock farming. This includes remote monitoring, GPS-based animal care, robotic milking, smart health collars, predictive disease control, and other innovations. Despite the great promise of smart animal production, there are existing challenges such as cost, data management, and connectivity. To overcome these challenges, potential solutions involve remote sensing, technology integration, and farmer education. Smart agriculture provides opportunities for increased efficiency, improved animal welfare, and enhanced environmental conservation. A well-planned approach is crucial to maximize the benefits of smart livestock production while ensuring its long-term sustainability. This study confirms the growing adoption of smart agriculture in livestock production, with the potential to support the sustainable development goals and deliver benefits such as increased productivity and resource efficiency. To fully realize these benefits and ensure the sustainability of livestock farming, addressing cost and education challenges is essential. Therefore, this study recommends promoting a positive outlook among livestock stakeholders and embracing smart agriculture to enhance farm performance. Full article