Ruminants

The behaviour of ewes within the vicinity of a natural stream and the impact on stream water quality in New Zealand hill country in summer has not been studied previously. Adult ewes (n = 40) were managed in a 1.7 ha paddock. Ewes were given access to a reticulated water trough for one week, then the trough was covered in the second week, resulting in the stream being the only source of free water available to the ewes. Ewe behaviour was monitored by video surveillance, GPS and Accelerometers. Ewes spent more time grazing and drinking within the stream zone (3 m buffer around the stream) during the restricted vs. unrestricted period (p < 0.05). Restricting water trough access had little impact on nutrient concentrations, except for ammonium-N, which increased (p < 0.05). Increased stream loads of E. coli, ammonium-N, and TP in the outflow from the paddock were evident. The spatial distribution of ewes was influenced by the slope and location of the trough and stream crossings. Ewes were least observed near the stream at night, with the highest activity in daylight. Ewes travelled greater distances as the slope increased, except at very steep slopes. While water trough access had no effect on the time ewes spent within the stream zone, there was a high density of ewe location fixes near the trough that was not seen when access was restricted. The water quality results suggest that the presence of sheep in the paddock had some impact on ammonium-N and E. coli.

Ruminants continue to play a pivotal role in sustainable food production by converting abundant resources, such as rangelands, pastures, crop residues, and agro-industrial byproducts, into human-edible products of high nutritional value (meat, milk, and other dairy products) [...]

This study aimed to evaluate recycled manure solids (RMSs) as an alternative to straw as dairy bedding under controlled in vitro conditions using two different conditioners. Pre-cut straw and RMSs were treated once with either 10 wt.% hydrated lime, 200 mL/m² of an acidic liquid conditioner or left untreated, and incubated for three days at room temperature. Daily, samples were inoculated with manure and Klebsiella (K.) pneumoniae. Outcomes were aesculin-positive Streptococcus spp. and coliform counts, pH, and dry matter (DM) content. Hydrated lime reduced all target bacteria by >99% in both materials. The acidic conditioner decreased K. pneumoniae and streptococcal counts by 98.62%/96.6% (straw) and 98.63%/99.58% (RMSs), respectively. It reduced Escherichia (E.) coli counts by ~67% in both materials without statistical significance (p = 0.064). RMSs showed higher bacterial loads and lower DM content than straw but could be substantially improved by lime treatment. As the conditioner were applied following different manufacturer-recommended dosing principles, these findings reflect effectiveness under practical use rather than intrinsic superiority of one conditioner. RMSs might represent an alternative bedding material when managed with appropriate hygienic measures, although straw showed more favorable microbiological and physicochemical aspects. Both materials contained substantial bacterial loads prior to treatment.