Search Results (53)

The review provides an overview of research concerning the assessment of cattle welfare in different housing systems. Hence, it restricts its scope to factors known to have a particular influence on the expression of their natural behaviours. It analyses the impact of housing systems on social and maternal bonds, as well as on the health and productivity of animals and on the feeding behaviour and physical activity of animals. It also pays attention to the occurrence of stereotypies, indicating the quality of the environment in which animals live, and attempts to determine the extent to which environmental enrichment improves welfare. It can be seen that welfare can vary significantly depending on the cattle rearing system. In intensive rearing environments, weaning calves and limited space often result in stress and behavioural disorders (e.g., cross-sucking). Extensive systems, offering access to pasture and longer cow–calf contact, usually provide higher levels of welfare. A freestall system allows greater freedom of movement and social contact but requires appropriate management to prevent aggression; in contrast, the tethering system limits movement, which increases the risk of stress and health problems. It has also been shown that enriching the living space of animals can significantly improve their welfare, regardless of the housing system. By balancing productivity with ensuring that the cattle are able to express their natural behaviours and maintain good health, it is possible to benefit both the animals and the agricultural sector as a whole, increasing its profitability and gaining consumer confidence. Full article

This study aimed to determine the thermoneutral zone (TNZ) in Sahiwal zebu calves under controlled environmental conditions. The experiment was conducted in the psychrometric chamber in two phases on six calves aged 8 to 11 months and weighing 120 to 150 Kg at the beginning of the experiment. In the first phase, to determine the upper critical temperature (UCT), calves were kept for six hours per day over 10 consecutive days at six different increasing temperature ranges from 24 to 39 °C with corresponding temperature humidity indexes (THIs) between 67 and 93. In the second phase, the same calves were exposed to decreasing temperatures (24 °C to 9 °C) to determine the lower critical temperature (LCT). On the 10th day of each temperature exposure, physiological parameters were recorded, and blood sampling was done. Using segmented regression analysis (SegReg standard version software), the breakpoints in linear regressions for different parameters with respect to exposure temperatures and THI in both phases were separately determined and considered to be the critical temperatures and threshold THIs, respectively. The LCT and UCT were arranged on a temperature scale. The temperature range between the highest LCT and the lowest UCT with respect to different studied parameters was considered as the thermoneutral zone (TNZ). The highest LCT was observed for granulocyte % at 18.15 °C, whereas the lowest UCT was observed at 30.10 °C (THI: 82.35). It was found that the LCT and UCT varied with respect to different physiological parameters. A subset of parameters displayed identifiable LCT and UCT values, while some did not exhibit clear breakpoints. The respiration rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT), total leukocyte count (TLC), granulocyte%, aspartate amino-transferase (AST), Alanine amino-transferase (ALT), cortisol, IL6, and HSP90 were the sensitive parameters for both cold stress and heat stress, whereas pulse rate (PR), triglyceride, and urea were only sensitive to cold stress, and erythrocytic parameters and lymphocyte % were sensitive only to heat stress. Based on heat stress responses, the UCT for zebu calves was identified at approximately 30.10 °C (THI: 82.35), whereas based on cold stress responses, the LCT for zebu calves was identified at approximately 18.15 °C. Thus, the TNZ for zebu calves can be proposed to be between 18.15 and 30.10 °C. These findings can inform climate-adaptive housing and management strategies for improving calf welfare and productivity in subtropical environments. Full article

Background/Objectives: Possible sarcopenia and malnutrition are critical public health concerns among older adults, particularly in vulnerable populations such as those with a history of homelessness. However, limited evidence exists on the nutritional status and muscle health of this group in Thailand. Methods: This study aimed to assess the nutritional status of formerly homeless older adults residing in supportive housing in Thailand and examine its association with possible sarcopenia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 116 participants aged 50 years and older. Sociodemographic information was collected using a structured questionnaire. Nutritional status was then assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment short form (MNA-SF) and body mass index (BMI). Possible sarcopenia was determined based on the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019 criteria, including low calf circumference, reduced handgrip strength, and/or low gait speed. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Results: Of all participants, 66.4% were male, with a mean age of 59.14 years (SD = 7.791). A total of 78.4% were identified as having possible sarcopenia. Univariate analysis revealed significant associations between possible sarcopenia and malnutrition (OR = 6.111, 95% CI = 2.104–17.750), low BMI (OR = 16.784, 95% CI = 3.729–75.535), and waist circumference (OR = 0.129, 95% CI = 0.049–0.342). Multivariate logistic regression indicated that malnutrition (OR = 3.429, 95% CI = 1.093–10.763) and low BMI (OR = 11.732, 95% CI = 2.523–54.567) were significant predictors of possible sarcopenia, collectively explaining 33.8% of the variance. Conclusions: The findings underscore a high prevalence of possible sarcopenia among formerly homeless older adults in supportive housing in Thailand and highlight poor nutritional status, particularly low BMI and malnutrition, as a key contributing factor. These results emphasize the importance of early nutritional screening and interventions to prevent or delay sarcopenia in this vulnerable population. Full article

Fifty high-risk bull calves were used in a completely randomized design (ten calves/treatment) to evaluate the optimal period of calcium propionate (CaPr) supplementation following arrival into the feedlot. The variables evaluated were the growth performance, dietary energetics, body fat reserves, serum metabolites, and economic return at day 56 of arrival. Calves, which were weighed at the moment of reception (156.2 ± 1.57 kg off-truck body weight, BW), were received with a 50:50 forage-to-concentrate ratio diet and clean water. At 12 h from reception, they were housed in individual pens during a 56 d feeding period and assigned to treatments consisting of a daily supplementation of a commercial product (Propical^® Dresen Química, SAPI de CV., Mexico City, Mexico) that provided 19 g CaPr/calf for 0, 14, 28, 42, or 56 d following arrival into the feedlot. Compared with the other treatments, the calves receiving CaPr during the initial 42 d had a greater average daily weight gain (p ≤ 0.035) without affecting the dry matter intake (p ≥ 0.24). Thus, the gain efficiency (p ≤ 0.050) and dietary energy utilization were improved (p ≤ 0.046). Rib fat thickness (p ≥ 0.090) and Longissimus lumborum muscle area (p ≥ 0.112) were not affected by the CaPr supplementation, whereas calves showed the greatest values (p ≤ 0.038) to the rump back fat thickness at 42 and 56 days of CaPr supplementation. With the exception of the total albumin (being maximal at day 56 (p ≤ 0.024)) and total cholesterol (which, compared to the controls, was maximal at 28 and 42 d; p = 0.030), the serum metabolic profiles were not affected by the treatments. Using the profit estimated for the control group as a baseline, supplementing CaPr for 42 d yielded a greater net income (USD 34.84 more/calf). CaPr supplementation for more or less than 42 d showed a very similar profit (~USD 6.80/calf). Because the cost of gain was very similar for these treatments and the controls (USD 1.42 vs. 1.46/kg), the positive difference in profit was mediated mainly by an increase in income selling (+USD 13.02/calf) for the CaPr calves. Based on the performance, serum metabolites, and profit, it is concluded that the optimal duration of supplemental CaPr is 42 d. Offering 19 g CaPr during this period enhanced the growth performance, dietary energy, and economic returns. Full article

Use of pair housing for preweaning calves has shown positive benefits in terms of health and production, with it also being thought to offer social support in times of stress such as when calves are disbudded. Calf disbudding through thermal cautery is a common procedure, with recognized physiological and behavioral implications. This study’s objective was to utilize continuous monitoring accelerometers to compare the impact of disbudding on the behavior of pair and individually housed calves. Data from an all-year-round dairy herd in the southwest of England were collected via an accelerometer (ABS breeder tag, Genus, Cheshire, UK) fitted to a forelimb of a convenience subset of calves (n = 265) within two weeks of age. Data were collected between March and December 2020 and covered the period 7 days prior to disbudding until 30 days post disbudding. Calves underwent thermal cautery disbudding by farm staff using local anesthesia and a systemic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Data from 205 calves (125 pair-housed and 80 individually housed) were included in analysis through generalized estimating equations models. The calf activity (p = 0.98), number of lying bouts (p = 0.40), and lying time per day (p = 0.75) were not associated with the housing treatment of the calves. Calf activity was associated with the day compared to disbudding (p < 0.001), with both housing treatments having decreased activity in the days following disbudding, taking approximately 14 days to return to pretreatment levels. Full article

Mycoplasma bovis is a globally significant pathogen of cattle associated with a wide range of clinical syndromes, including respiratory disease, mastitis, arthritis, otitis, and reproductive failure. Since its detection in Ireland in 1994, M. bovis has become a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality in Irish cattle. This study aimed to investigate herd-level risk factors associated with M. bovis seropositivity in replacement dairy heifers, using data from 105 Irish dairy herds. Ten heifers per herd were sampled on three occasions: spring 2018, spring 2019, and autumn 2019. Seropositivity was evaluated using two thresholds: ≥1 positive heifer (Model ≥ 1POS) and ≥3 positive heifers (Model ≥ 3POS). M. bovis seropositivity varied over time, with at least one positive heifer in 50.4% (95% confidence interval (CI): 40.5–60.3) of herds in spring 2018, 35.2% (95% CI: 26.2–45.1) in spring 2019, and 45.7% (95% CI: 36.0–55.7) in autumn 2019. Herds with three or more positive heifers increased from 31.4% (95%CI: 22.7–41.2) in spring 2018 to 42.9% (95% CI: 33.2–52.9) by autumn 2019. Risk factors for M. bovis seropositivity included the purchase of cattle, which significantly raised the odds of seropositivity across multiple visit periods (Model ≥ 1POS: Odds ratio (OR) 3.84, p = 0.02; Model ≥ 3POS: OR 3.69, p = 0.02). Managing more than three land parcels, housing heifer calves separately from bull calves, and sharing airspace between calves and older animals also increased seropositivity risks. Conversely, more colostrum feeds reduced the risk of seropositivity (Model ≥ 1POS: OR 0.81, p = 0.05), while colostrum quality assessment and feeding waste milk showed a trend toward increased risk. These findings suggest the importance of robust biosecurity measures, including limiting cattle purchases, improving calf management, and enhancing colostrum feeding practices, to control the spread of M. bovis. This study provides valuable insights into the epidemiology of M. bovis in Irish dairy herds, emphasising the need for targeted biosecurity and surveillance to safeguard herd productivity. Full article

Long-term exposure to a relatively high concentration of airborne bacteria emitted from intensive livestock houses could potentially threaten the health and welfare of animals and workers. There is a dual effect of air sterilization and promotion of vitamin D synthesis for the specific bands of ultraviolet light. This study investigated the potential use of A-band ultraviolet (UVA) tubes as a clean and safe way of reducing airborne bacteria and improving calf health. The composition and emission characteristics of airborne bacteria were investigated and used to determine the correct operating regime of UVA tubes in calf houses. Intermittent exceedances of indoor airborne bacteria were observed in closed calf houses. The measured emission intensity of airborne bacteria was 1.13 ± 0.09 × 10⁷ CFU h⁻¹ per calf. Proteobacteria were the dominant microbial species in the air inside and outside calf houses. After UVA radiation, the indoor culturable airborne bacteria decreased in all particle size ranges of the Anderson sampler, and it showed the highest reduction rate in the size range of 3.3–4.7 μm. The results of this study would enrich the knowledge of the source characteristics of the airborne bacteria in intensive livestock farming and contribute to the environmental control of cattle in intensive livestock production. Full article

In calf fattening, housing climate conditions are essential for optimal performance and welfare. Validated methods to measure the long-term housing climate are lacking. The present study investigated climate parameters for 14 weeks in Swiss calf fattening housing with two different ammonia (NH₃) sensors: six stationary sensors (Dräger Polytron 8100) were installed at animal level and four mobile sensors (Dräger x-AM 5100) were attached to the calves’ heads. Temperature, relative humidity, and carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations were recorded by two stationary data loggers (testo 160 IAQ). Data were analyzed descriptively, and 4 h mean values of maximum NH₃ concentrations of mobile and stationary sensors were compared using the Wilcoxon test for paired data. The 4 h mean values of temperature, relative humidity, and CO₂ concentrations and the 4 h mean values of maximum NH₃ concentrations of stationary and mobile sensors were analyzed by ANOVA in two linear models. The overall 4 h mean of maximum NH₃ concentrations ranged between 5.9–9.4 ppm for measurements of stationary sensors and between 11.3–14.7 ppm for measurements of mobile sensors. The NH₃ concentrations measured by mobile sensors showed significantly higher peak values and more fluctuations. Additionally, an interaction effect was observed between the NH₃ concentrations measured by either sensor and CO₂ concentrations (p < 0.01 (mobile sensors); p < 0.0001 (stationary sensors), temperature values (p < 0.0001 (both sensors)), and relative humidity (p < 0.0001 (both sensors)). The measurements of the implemented method showed that corresponding housing climate parameters fluctuated strongly, and NH₃ reached high peak values. Validated measurement methods might allow for a detailed assessment of the housing climate in practice, and for further research on suitable management methods for housing climate optimization in the future. Full article

Previous research has indicated that preweaned dairy calves reared in pairs compared with individually have improved performance and indicators of animal welfare. One hundred and thirty Holstein female calves completed the trial, with eighty-five being allocated to paired housing and forty-five calves being allocated to individual housing. Daily live weight gain (DLWG), treatments and mortality were recorded throughout the preweaning period. Salivary cortisol, latency to feed and latency to approach a novel object were assessed at batching. There were no significant differences in DLWG, mortality and disease treatments between the average of the pair and the individually housed calves, although the pair-reared calves were quicker to approach the milk feed after batching and interacted more quickly with a novel object. The heaviest born calves within the pair had the highest DLWG from birth to weaning, with a higher percentage of calves approaching the novel object, compared with the lightest born calf within the pair. This study shows that calves within a pair may have significantly different performance and welfare during the preweaning period, with the heavier calf outperforming and displaying less fear and more exploratory behaviour than the lighter calf within a pair. Full article

This study investigated the presence, distribution, and antimicrobial resistance profiles of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli in a dairy herd located in Northern Italy. The feces of clinically healthy calves, their mothers, and the cows treated for mastitis, as well as water, environmental samples, and waste milk were collected and subjected to bacteriological culture on CHROMagar^TM ESBL plates. A questionnaire was administered to identify risk factors. The isolates were identified as E. coli by MALDI-TOF MS and subjected to the double-disk synergy test (DDST) and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay. As a result, ESBL E. coli was isolated from the feces of 28 of 37 (75.67%) calves, the feces of 2 of 3 (66.67%) treated cows, 8 of 14 (57.15%) environmental samples, and waste milk. All ESBL isolates showed multiple resistances and were categorized as multidrug-resistant (MDR). Several risk factors for ESBL E. coli selection and diffusion were identified, including lack of routine cleaning of calf feeding and housing equipment, administration of waste milk to male calves, and blanket dry cow therapy. In conclusion, this study highlighted the presence of MDR, ESBL E. coli in the feces of most dairy calves, and their association with different sample sources. Accordingly, adding to the prudent use of antibiotics, the adoption of adequate farm hygiene and biosecurity measures might also help prevent the spread and transmission of ESBL E. coli within the herd. Full article

Our objective in this exploratory study was to evaluate the long-term impacts of pre-weaning social isolation vs. contact on subsequent growth and feed efficiency of Holstein heifers. As pre-weaned calves, 41 heifers were housed individually (n = 15 heifers) or in pairs (n = 13 pairs; 26 heifers). At 18 months of age, heifers were blocked by body weight and randomly assigned to one of three pens within a block (six to eight heifers per pen; six pens total), with original pairs maintained. Body weight (BW), hip height and width, and chest girth were measured at the start and end of the study. Each pen was given 3 days of access to a GreenFeed greenhouse gas emissions monitor to assess potential physiological differences between treatments in enteric methane emissions or behavioral differences in propensity to approach a novel object. During the 9-week study, heifers were fed a common diet containing 62.3% male-sterile corn silage, 36.0% haylage, 0.7% urea, and 1.0% mineral (DM basis). To calculate daily feed intake, as-fed weights and refusals were recorded for individual heifers using Calan gates. Feed samples were collected daily, composited by week, and dried to calculate dry matter intake (DMI). Feed refusal and fecal samples were collected on 3 consecutive days at 3 timepoints, composited by heifer, dried, and analyzed to calculate neutral detergent fiber (NDF), organic matter (OM), and DM digestibility. Feed efficiency was calculated as feed conversion efficiency (FCE; DMI/average daily gain [ADG]) and residual feed intake (RFI; observed DMI-predicted DMI). Paired and individually housed heifers did not differ in DMI, ADG, FCE, or RFI. Although no differences were found in initial or final hip height, hip width, or chest girth, heifers which had been pair-housed maintained a greater BW than individually housed heifers during the trial. Methane production, intensity, and yield were similar between treatments. Pre-weaning paired or individual housing did not impact the number of visits or latency to approach the GreenFeed; approximately 50% of heifers in each treatment visited the GreenFeed within 8 h of exposure. Digestibility of OM, DM, and NDF were also similar between housing treatments. In conclusion, pre-weaning pair housing had no adverse effects on growth, feed efficiency, or methane emissions at 18 to 20 months of age. Full article

The first aim of this study was to calculate the prevalence of painful lesions of the digits (“alarm” lesions; ALs) in Swiss dairy herds and cow–calf operations over a three-year study period. The following ALs were included in the calculation: the M2 stage of digital dermatitis (DD M2), ulcers (U), white line fissures (WLF) of moderate and high severity, white line abscesses (WLA), interdigital phlegmon (IP) and swelling of the coronet and/or bulb (SW). Between February 2020 and February 2023, digit disorders were electronically recorded during routine trimmings by 40 specially trained hoof trimmers on Swiss cattle farms participating in the national claw health programme. The data set used consisted of over 35,000 observations from almost 25,000 cows from 702 herds. While at the herd-level, the predominant AL documented in 2022 was U with 50.3% followed by WLF with 38.1%, at the cow-level, in 2022, it was DD M2 with 5.4% followed by U with 3.7%. During the study period, within-herd prevalences of ALs ranged from 0.0% to a maximum of 66.1% in 2020. The second aim of this study was to determine herd- and cow-level risk factors associated with digital dermatitis (DD), U and white line disease (WL) in dairy cows using data from 2022. While for DD, analysed herd-level factors appeared to have a greater effect on the probability of its occurrence, the presence of U and WL was mainly associated with the analysed cow-level factors. The risk for DD increased with a higher herd trimming frequency. Herds kept in tie stalls had a lower risk for DD and WL and a higher risk for U compared to herds kept in loose housing systems. Herds with predominantly Holstein Friesian cows as well as Holstein Friesian cows had a higher risk for the occurrence of DD compared to herds and cows of other breeds. With increasing parity, cows had a higher risk of developing U and WL, whereas for DD, parity was negatively associated with prevalence. Cows trimmed during the grazing period had a higher risk of U and WL than cows trimmed during the housing period. These findings may contribute to improve management measures affecting the health of the digits in farms with structures similar to those evaluated in the current study, such as small herds with frequent access to pasture. Further research is warranted to demonstrate how measures addressing the current results combined with those of individual herd risk assessments might contribute to an improvement in the health of the digits in the respective dairy herds. Full article

Pair housing of pre-weaning dairy calves has previously demonstrated positive impacts on their growth, health and behaviour, but longer-term effects on production are still relatively unknown. This study followed a cohort of 431 Holstein heifers, recruited from a single UK commercial dairy farm, from weaning until either culling or the end of their first lactation. All animals were allocated to either individual or pair housing as a pre-weaning calf. Following weaning, all heifers were similarly managed through group housing, feeding with total mixed rations, the use of automatic heat detection for artificial insemination and weighing every two months until conception. Farm staff identified disease occurrences, which were treated following standard operating procedures. First-lactation monthly milk recording was used to measure milk yields and somatic cell counts. Overall mortality (voluntary and involuntary) was 26.6%, with a decreased hazard of exiting the herd if the heifer was pair housed as a calf (HR 0.70; p = 0.067). The voluntary cull rate was highest in the post-insemination period (13.0%) due to poor fertility. Heifers that were pair housed as calves had significantly increased odds of developing udder health issues as a primiparous cow (OR = 1.93, p = 0.022). Despite this, the 305-day milk yields were not associated with the housing group. However, the total milk produced per calf recruited into the original study was greater for pair-housed compared with individually housed calves (8088 kg vs. 7115 kg; p = 0.071), which is likely due to the significantly higher hazard of individually housed calves exiting the herd prematurely. Full article

This study utilized fifty bull calves of the Continental × British crossbreed, with an average body weight of 147.0 ± 1.67 kg (BW), in a completely randomized design. The objective was to examine the impact of varying levels and duration of calcium propionate (CaPr) supplementation on the growth performance, body fat reserves, serum metabolites, and hemogram of high-risk newly received stocker calves. These calves were individually housed and fed a received diet for 56 d. The calves received the following treatments: (1) no CaPr (CTL), (2) 20 g CaPr/calf/d, (3) 40 g CaPr/calf/d, (4) 60 g CaPr/calf/d, and (5) 80 g CaPr/calf/d at 14, 28, 42, and 56 d after their arrival. Supplementing with 20 g CaPr from 28 to 56 d after arrival increased average daily gain (ADG) and BW (p < 0.05), and DMI was not affected (p > 0.05). This was reflected at 28 d with increases (p < 0.05) in the ADG/DMI ratio and longissimus muscle area (LMA), and at 56 d in back fat thickness (BFT) and fat thickness at the rump (FTR). Also, with 20 g, blood urea nitrogen decreased (p < 0.05), and increases were observed in the activity of gamma glutamyltransferase, monocytes (quadratic trend, p < 0.07), and granulocytes % (quadratic effect, p < 0.03). However, as the level of CaPr increased during the first 14 d after arrival, daily water intake, creatinine, total cholesterol, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (linear effect, p < 0.05), globulin, calcium, and mean corpuscular volume (linear trend, p = 0.08) increased, while alkaline phosphatase (linear trend, p = 0.07) and lymphocytes (linear effect, p = 0.05) decreased. Finally, the different levels of CaPr supplementation did not produce any significant effects or differences (p > 0.05) in the remaining serum metabolites and hemogram (p > 0.05). Ultimately, the inclusion of 20 g CaPr/calf/d in the diet for 28 d in newly received stocker calves increased ADG, ADG/DMI ratio, and LMA. If extended to 42 or 56 d, the increases in ADG persisted, but there was also a rise in body fat reserves (BFT and FTR) at the expense of a reduction in the ADG/DMI ratio. Furthermore, the different supplementation levels did not impact the reference range for most serum metabolites or the health of stocker calves. Full article

Nutrition and health during pre-weaning affect the calves’ future fertility, calving age, production, and carrier length. Calves are highly susceptible to neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD), which can be fatal. NCD is due to hypovolemia and acidosis, which may involve anorexia and ataxia. The One Health principle calls for a drastic reduction in antimicrobial use. One approach is to improve animal health and reduce the use of antibiotics and functional ingredients that have beneficial effects due to bioactive compounds. Several functional ingredients and additives can be considered, and, in particular for this study, Ascophyllum nodosum was considered. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of A. nodosum as a functional ingredient implemented into the milk replacer in neonatal calves. Twelve pre-weaned Holstein Frisian calves, housed in twelve individual pens in the same environmental conditions, were divided into two groups of six animals: a control group (CTRL, n = 6) fed with a milk replacer, and a treatment group receiving milk enriched with 10 g of A. nodosum in their diet (TRT, n = 6) for 42 days. The fecal score was evaluated daily (3–0 scale) to monitor the incidence of diarrhea in the two groups. The body weight was evaluated weekly, and every two weeks feces were collected for microbiological evaluation using a selective medium for plate counting of total, lactic acid, and coliform bacteria. To verify the presence of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Escherichia coli, real-time qPCR was used. At the beginning and at the end of the trial, blood samples were obtained for serum metabolite analysis. The growth performance did not differ in either of the two groups, but significant differences were observed in the incidence of moderate diarrhea (p-value < 0.0113), where the TRT group showed a lower incidence of cases during the 42-day period. Serum analysis highlighted higher contents of albumin, calcium, phosphorus, and total cholesterol in the TRT group compared to CTRL (p-value < 0.05). In conclusion, implementation of A. nodosum in the diet of calves can lead to better animal welfare and may reduce the use of antibiotics. Full article