Search Results (5,473)

Since 2020, recurrent mortalities have been reported in grow-out farms in the Ruvu River basin in Tanzania’s Pwani region. This study investigated bacterial pathogens associated with these outbreaks. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between March 2022 and November 2023 in four affected tilapia farms. A total of 60 moribund fish were sampled. Clinical examination revealed skin ulcers, hemorrhages, fin erosion, abdominal distension, and darkened skin. Postmortem changes showed pale livers, enlarged spleens, and swollen gallbladders. Bacteria from skin lesions, kidneys, liver, and intestines were identified using selective media, morphology on agar, biochemical tests, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, revealing six genera: Pseudomonas, Aeromonas, Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Enterobacter, and Micrococcus. Among these, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most frequently isolated from all farms and was strongly associated with the observed disease outbreaks. Phylogenetic analysis of P. aeruginosa further demonstrated close genetic relatedness among isolates obtained from different farms. The findings identify P. aeruginosa as the most frequently isolated bacterial pathogen associated with disease outbreaks in affected farmed tilapia within the Ruvu River basin and highlight the importance of improved biosecurity, stocking management, and aquatic animal health surveillance in Tanzania. Full article

Achieving energy sustainability is a major challenge across all sectors of an economy. In agri-food systems (AFSs), this challenge is twofold in the context of energy sustainability; one challenge is to reduce fossil fuel dependency, and another challenge is to provide safe and nutritious food for humans and animals. An appropriate aggregate indicator needs to be used for assessing the energy sustainability of AFSs. This study presents a systematic literature review aimed at developing a core indicators framework to support both research and policymaking. It also critically evaluates and updates existing indicators currently used to evaluate energy sustainability in AFSs, considering environmental, economic, social and technical dimensions. Environmental indicators, such as energy use efficiency, net energy balance, carbon footprint, exergy destruction and renewable energy share, measure the ecological impacts of agricultural practices. Economic indicators, including energy cost share, levelized cost of energy, energy return on investment, and productivity per unit of energy input, reflect how energy use influences farm competitiveness and resilience. Social indicators such as equitable access to energy, labor productivity gains, and system resilience to energy shocks highlight the broader human and societal aspects of energy sustainability. Technical indicators, including technology performance, maintenance intensity, technology lifespan, and resource circularity, emphasize the need to minimize resource depletion and environmental harm. Together, these sustainability indicators provide a strong framework for assessing trade-offs and guiding policy decisions that support the transition toward low-carbon, resilient, and resource-efficient AFSs. Their effective development and implementation require interdisciplinary knowledge integration and active engagement with relevant societal stakeholders in a transdisciplinary sustainability context. Full article

The continuous intensification of modern poultry farming has confronted the industry with a dual crisis involving animal health and food safety. Host defensins, a major class of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), exhibit broad-spectrum antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities, demonstrating potential in disease prevention and immune support. By enhancing host innate defense mechanisms, they may complement existing antimicrobial strategies and contribute to reducing antibiotic dependence. Although accumulating evidence highlights the capacity of microbial metabolites to modulate defensin expression, a comprehensive and integrated understanding of the cross-talk between these microbial metabolites and host defensins remains lacking. To bridge this gap, this review summarizes the classification and biological functions of poultry defensins, while synthesizing recent advances in how microbiota-derived metabolites—such as short-chain fatty acids, amino acid derivatives, and secondary bile acids—regulate their expression. By elucidating the underlying receptor-mediated signaling pathways and mechanisms, this review provides strategic insights into leveraging microbial metabolites to stimulate endogenous poultry defensins and offers a reference for the future optimization of immunomodulatory strategies and the improvement of poultry health management. Full article

Grape pomace (GP) is being explored as a sustainable feed ingredient for ruminants due to its fiber and polyphenol content; however, its systemic effects under farming conditions remain unclear. This study tested whether 5% dried grape pomace (GP5) modulates serum circulating miRNAs (cmiRNAs) in dairy sheep. Twelve Sarda ewes were enrolled in a 30-day trial and assigned to a control (CTRL) or GP5 diet. Small RNA sequencing was initially performed in GP5 animals (paired T30 vs. T0 comparison); after quality filtering, five paired animals were included in the sequencing analyses. The differentially expressed (DE) cmiRNAs were validated by RT-qPCR in GP5 and CTRL groups. RT-qPCR confirmed the NGS-derived miRNA signature, identifying miR-143, miR-382-5p, miR-409-3p, and miR-194 as significantly downregulated (p < 0.05) in GP5 animals. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) showed that DE miRNAs target shared hubs, with PPAR signaling among the most enriched pathways (BH-adjusted p = 1.35 × 10⁻⁹), predicted to be inhibited (Z = −2.646). Cholecystokinin/gastrin-mediated and S100 signaling were also enriched (BH-adjusted p = 7.08 × 10⁻¹¹ and 3.21 × 10⁻⁸) and predicted to be activated (Z = 2.828 and 3.162). Overall, GP5 supplementation was associated with a selective cmiRNA signature consistent with targeted post-transcriptional regulation. Full article

Trypanosomosis (Surra), caused by the hemoflagellate protozoan Trypanosoma evansi, has a negative impact on animal health and the livestock economy in many countries, including Thailand. Molecular epidemiological data and integrative control approaches for small-scale farms remain limited. This study determined the prevalence of Trypanozoon infection and its associated risk factors in Thai livestock under an integrative control approach. Molecular tools were used to characterize T. evansi typing. A total of 947 blood samples were collected from cattle and buffalo across 123 small-scale farms in 16 provinces covering four regions of Thailand, with diagnostic results and control recommendations communicated to farmers within 14 days. The ITS2-positive samples were then subjected to further molecular characterization, together with two dogs, seven horses, and an in vitro T. evansi isolate, comprising 40 Trypanozoon-positive samples. These were characterized using PCR targeting the TBR primer, maxicircle NADH5, VSG RoTat 1.2, and minicircle B, followed by ITS2-based phylogenetic analysis. Risk factors were assessed using Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests, logistic regression, a generalized linear mixed model, and Firth’s penalized logistic regression. The overall prevalence of Trypanozoon infection was 3.17% (30/947), detected exclusively in beef cattle in the Northern region (15.30%; 30/196), specifically in Lampang (46.15%, 12/26), Tak (23.08%, 3/13), and Phrae (17.24%, 15/87) Provinces. No infections were reported in the Northeastern, Central, or Southern regions. Male sex, age under one year, and residence in the Northern region were significant individual-level risk factors, while farm-level lacrimation and the presence of Stomoxys were significantly associated with infection. Molecular characterization identified T. evansi type A and type non-A/B, with no type B or maxicircle-positive samples detected. Phylogenetic analysis grouped the Thai isolates with previously reported isolates from Thai deer and cattle, Iranian camels, and Colombian dogs. On follow-up, no Trypanozoon infection was detected in revisited farms. These findings confirmed that T. evansi, comprising types A and non-A/B, continues to circulate in Thai livestock, particularly in beef cattle in Northern Thailand. Data from this study can be used for surveillance and future development of more effective diagnostic systems. Full article

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is the world’s second-most cultivated vegetable. Production reached 192 million tonnes in 2023; approximately 23% is industrially processed, leaving 4.3 to 10.2 million tonnes of pomace each year. Despite its high content of lycopene, tocopherols, polyphenols, dietary fibre, and seed oil, most of this residue is composted, landfilled, or fed without prior processing. This narrative review examines how the chemistry of tomato by-products maps onto their effects in farm animals, and how green-extraction biorefinery fits within the European Green Deal. Reported pomace lycopene runs from 36.7 to 50.2 mg/100 g DM, with phenolics near 161.8 mg GAE/g. Lycopene is an efficient singlet-oxygen quencher; it activates Keap1–Nrf2–ARE signaling while dampening NF-κB. Supercritical CO₂, ultrasound, microwave, pressurized-liquid, and NADES extractions can now recover up to 91% of peel lycopene using green, food-grade solvents. In broilers, 5 to 10% pomace or 30 to 400 mg/kg purified lycopene improves antioxidant status and lessens heat stress; in dairy ruminants, ensiled pomace at 10 to 40% maintains milk yield while improving milk PUFA. In finishing pigs and rabbits, dietary pomace or lycopene improves tissue oxidative stability, with growth benefits reported in heat-stressed rabbits. Standardized bioactive reporting and clearer inclusion limits remain the main research priorities. Full article

Nutrition, healthcare and management of the rearing environment all interact and have an impact on the performance and feed efficiency of pre-weaned dairy calves. In a survey of 54 dairy farms in Northern Ireland, average daily gain (ADG) of 369 pre-weaned calves was assessed. Dietary and nutritional information detailing intake of milk or calf milk replacer (CMR) and the composition of milk/CMR and solid feed diets was collected. Environmental and hygiene-related parameters within calf rearing facilities were recorded. It was hypothesised that suboptimal environmental management conditions would negatively affect calf performance and cause the observed average daily gain and retained energy to fall below values predicted from nutritional intake alone. Factors that tended to be negatively associated with the observed calf ADG were increased time (>50%) below lower critical temperature (LCT), increased time (>10%) above 0.4 m/s airspeed and reduced straw dry matter (<70%). Potential calf ADG was predicted using the young calf model from the Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle (8th Edition). The predicted and observed calf ADG and retained energy (RE) were compared to assess whether the individual observed calf ADG was greater, equal to or less than that predicted by the model. Environmental factors associated with calf ADG or RE being less than the model prediction included: greater than 30 animals housed in the calf house, increased time (>10%) above 0.4 m/s airspeed and where coliforms were detected in ≤50% of milk samples on that farm. These results demonstrate the relevance of management of the rearing environment in optimising pre-weaned calf performance and feed efficiency. Full article

Background: Cryptosporidium spp. are zoonotic pathogens that threaten animal husbandry and public health. Systematic data on the seasonal distribution of Cryptosporidium in dairy cattle of Inner Mongolia, China, are lacking. This study investigated the effects of seasonal variation on the prevalence and genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium in dairy cattle. During the four seasons of 2024, 505 fecal samples were collected from an intensive dairy farm in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia. Cryptosporidium species were identified using nested PCR targeting the SSU rRNA gene, and C. parvum subtypes were determined by gp60 sequencing. Results: The overall prevalence was 39.21% (198/505), with significant seasonal variation (spring 36.57%, summer 16.22%, autumn 45.38%, winter 55.38%; χ² = 41.37, p < 0.001). No significant differences were observed among age groups or between diarrheic (40.48%) and nondiarrheic (38.58%) cattle. Five species were identified: C. andersoni (46.46%), C. bovis (23.74%), C. ryanae (16.16%), C. parvum (12.12%), and C. suis (1.52%). Two C. parvum subtypes were detected: IIdA20G1 (79.17%) and IIdA19G1 (20.83%). Conclusions: This is the first systematic investigation of the seasonal distribution of Cryptosporidium in cattle in Inner Mongolia and the first detection of C. suis in Chinese cattle. Both C. parvum subtypes detected are zoonotic, highlighting the need for public health surveillance. Full article

The search for sustainable and ethical alternatives to conventional protein production has become increasingly important due to climate change, population growth, and the need to reduce the environmental impact of food systems. This work explores the development of animal-free proteins produced in laboratory settings using innovative technologies such as precision fermentation, submerged fermentation, plant cell culture, and molecular engineering. These methods enable the production of high-quality proteins without relying on animal farming or large-scale traditional agriculture. In addition to reviewing traditional plant-based protein sources and their nutritional limitations, the study highlights novel protein sources derived from fungi, algae, and bacteria, focusing on their nutritional profiles, production methods, and challenges related to digestibility, safety, and consumer perception. Special attention is given to downstream processing techniques that preserve protein functionality and enhance key food attributes such as texture, flavor, and stability. The use of agro-industrial residues is also discussed as a strategy to improve sustainability and economic viability. Key barriers to large-scale implementation, including production costs, regulatory approval, and consumer acceptance, are addressed, alongside emerging applications beyond food, such as cosmetics, animal nutrition, and biodegradable materials. Overall, animal-free proteins represent a promising path toward a more sustainable, resilient, and ethical global food system. Full article

Rotaviruses (RVs) are important pathogens which induce gastroenteritis in different kinds of animals, including mammals and birds. Rotaviruses are divided into nine species (RVA-RVD and RVF-RVJ), and RVA-RVC and RVH can infect both humans and pigs. It is vital to understand the genetic diversity and evolution of porcine rotavirus (PoRV) for effective prevention and control of this disease. In this study, 5320 intestinal tissue samples and fecal swabs were collected from different pig farms in Guangxi Province, southern China, from 2022 to 2025. These samples were tested for PoRV species A (PoRVA), PoRVB, PoRVC, and PoRVH using the multiplex RT-qPCR. The positive samples of PoRVA were further selected to amplify and analyze the VP4, VP6, and VP7 gene sequences. The phylogenetic trees were constructed based on the PoRVA VP4, VP6, and VP7 gene sequences. Bayesian time-dynamic analysis and recombination analysis were performed for the PoRVA VP4 gene. The results indicated that the PoRVA, PoRVB, PoRVC, and PoRVH positivity rates were 16.92% (900/5320), 0.51% (27/5320), 12.71% (676/5320), and 6.22% (331/5320), respectively. Fifty-two VP4, VP6, and VP7 gene sequences were obtained from the 52 selected PoRVA-positive clinical samples. The nucleotide and amino acid identity analysis of the obtained PoRVA VP4, VP6, and VP7 genes indicated that the genetic diversity of the VP4 gene was higher than that of the VP6 and VP7 genes. The phylogenetic trees based on the VP4, VP6, and VP7 genes revealed that the predominant strains of PoRVA in Guangxi Province were the G9P[13]I5 genotype. Bayesian analysis indicated that the population size of PoRVA kept steady with no significant expansion from its discovery in the 1970s to approximately 2016, then exhibited gradual growth. Sequence analysis of the PoRVA VP4 gene revealed substitutions and recombination in the PoRVA strains, and one strain was derived from recombination of a porcine-originating strain and a human-originating strain. This study provided useful information on the molecular characteristics and genetic diversity of PoRVA and supplied important clues for in-depth research on the cross-species transmission of PoRVA. Full article

Heat stress negatively affects bovine fertility and embryonic development, while cryopreservation imposes additional cellular stress that may impair embryo survival. The present study investigated whether controlled heat treatment applied during the early morula stage could influence subsequent blastocyst development, molecular stress responses, and post-thaw survival of bovine embryos. In vitro-produced bovine embryos were exposed to controlled thermal treatment involving gradual elevation in temperature from 38.8 °C to 40.0 °C followed by subsequent cooling. Blastocyst formation, post-thaw survival after slow freezing, and the expression of stress-associated genes and microRNAs were evaluated. Heat treatment did not significantly affect blastocyst formation rates or post-thaw embryo survival compared to the control groups. However, significant alterations in the expression of stress-associated markers were observed. The expression of HSP90AA1 and HSPB11 was significantly reduced following heat treatment, while cryopreservation induced increased expression of these markers compared to embryos exposed only to heat treatment. Significant alterations were also detected in the expression of several stress-associated microRNAs. These findings suggest that controlled heat exposure during the morula stage may induce molecular changes associated with the embryonic response to heat stress without compromising developmental competence or cryosurvival. The results contribute to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying embryonic responses to thermal and cryogenic stress and may support future optimization of embryo production and cryopreservation strategies. Full article

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is a major cause of economic losses in the global cattle industry. This study investigated the clinical involvement and genetic diversity of BVDV in clinically affected cattle from the Thrace region in Türkiye, a critical border area with the European Union. A total of 533 nasal and rectal swabs were collected from 26 farms exhibiting clinical respiratory disease or diarrhea and analyzed using real-time RT-PCR. Positive samples were further characterized by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis to determine viral genotypes and subgenotypes. BVDV RNA was detected in 9 out of 26 farms (34.6%), with an overall positivity rate of 17.8% (95/533). Statistical analysis revealed significant associations between PCR positivity and both sampling year (p < 0.05) and animal age (p < 0.05). Genetic analysis of partial 5′-UTR sequences identified nine Pestivirus bovis subgenotype 1a strains, one Pestivirus bovis subgenotype 1f, and one Pestivirus brazilense. The Pestivirus bovis 1a strains clustered distinctly from previously reported Turkish BVDV-1 isolates, showing 97.32–99.11% nucleotide similarity with strains from Türkiye, Germany, China, Japan, the USA, Iran, and Argentina. Among the 533 samples tested, one Pestivirus brazilense isolate was identified, indicating its rare occurrence in the studied population despite targeted screening. This study represents the first report of Pestivirus brazilense in the Thrace region of Türkiye, expanding its known geographic range. The epidemiological data and genetic diversity analysis of BVDV strains characterized in this study offer critical insights for refining BVDV control programs, informing regional risk assessment, and supporting vaccine development. Full article

Precision livestock farming (PLF) is hindered by high costs, infrastructure demands, and complex deployment. To address these barriers, we developed CABRA, an open-hardware wearable system for real-time behaviour monitoring in pasture-based livestock. The collar-mounted device integrates a 6-axis IMU, a GPS, and a low-power ESP32 microcontroller within a modular architecture, using the routerless ESP-NOW protocol to transmit data directly to a base station—eliminating reliance on network infrastructure or cloud connectivity. The system supports both synchronised data logging for video annotation and real-time embedded behaviour classification via an optimized decision-tree pipeline deployed directly on the microcontroller. Field trials with dairy goats confirmed robust hardware performance, minimal animal disturbance, and reliable communication over 100 m. A two-stage evaluation revealed that while the extracted IMU features are highly discriminative (achieving F1 > 0.99 under window-level validation), cross-animal generalization remains challenging (macro F1 = 0.31 under rigorous animal-level partitioning), primarily due to the “sensor placement effect” and domain shift between individuals. These results honestly quantify the current limitations of uncalibrated wearable livestock sensing while validating the functional feasibility of edge-based inference. All design assets—CAD files, schematics, firmware, and data pipelines—are openly released to ensure full reproducibility and community-driven adaptation for diverse PLF applications. Full article

Animal transport connects farms with slaughterhouses, breeding units and production sites, but remains one of the most debated animal welfare issues of recent decades. These debates also touch on the EU–Mercosur agreement in the areas of agribusiness and animal farming. The aim of this article is to examine the legislation of Brazil and Germany and the European Union (EU) regarding animal transport, using specific examples to identify differences and similarities that may form the basis for joint discussions on this area of animal welfare. The EU Transport Regulation for the Protection of Farm Animals applies in all EU member states (Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005). In Germany, the Animal Welfare Transport Ordinance transposes EU law into national law. The transport times depend on vehicle type and equipment and vary according to the animal species to be transported. The basic maximum travel time is 8 h for commercial transport and distances longer than 65 km. In Brazil, there exists a wide range of laws, regulations, decrees and guidelines governing the protection of animals during transport in the different Brazilian states, mostly coordinated by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA). Allowed transport times in Brazil vary largely from 4 to 12 h between single state regulations and are less regulated in detail. Maximum Transport durations can be repeated several times after appropriate stops for animal feeding and watering. Similarly to Germany/EU, only animals “fit for travel” are allowed to be transported and the responsibility for the transported animals ends once the last animal has been unloaded at its place of destination. Temperatures in Germany/EU are generally moderate, whereas Brazil and South America have tropical and subtropical climates. Furthermore, the distances between farms and abattoirs in Brazil are generally greater, and transport vehicles often have to travel on unpaved (gravel) roads, e.g., to reach the farms. The key to animal-friendly transport lies in loading healthy, “transport-fit” animals on suitable vehicles with sufficient space and necessary equipment, and licensed and committed drivers. This has to be supported by appropriate legal provisions. Animal welfare laws in both Brazil and Germany/EU aim to ensure the best possible welfare of animals during transit under the given circumstances of transport, in order to prevent pain, suffering and injury. This shared commitment to animal welfare provides a substantiated basis for mutual understanding and cooperation in livestock farming, which may prove helpful in the discussions on the agricultural chapter of the EU–Mercosur Agreement. Full article

In large-scale cattle farming, accurate behavior recognition is central to achieving intensive health monitoring and animal welfare assessment. To address challenges such as background interference from fences, feed troughs, and stains in real-world barns, and overlapping of cattle coupled with the inability of single-RGB modalities to capture physical spatial structure, which leads to issues like blurred detection boundaries and significant noise interference—we propose a cattle behavior detection method based on RGB-Depth dual-modal information fusion. This approach jointly models the texture information from RGB images and the spatial structural information from depth images. Within this framework, this paper constructs three collaborative optimization modules: first, the CDSAM module is developed, which evaluates neuron importance through a parameter-free attention mechanism and combines dynamic convolutions to adapt to the cattle’s variable postures, effectively suppressing complex background noise. Second, we propose the C2BRA module based on a two-layer routed attention mechanism. By adopting a two-stage modeling approach of “region-level routing—intra-region fine-grained attention,” it adapts to changes in target scale and enhances the model’s ability to represent spatial context for multi-scale semantic information. Finally, in the prediction stage, a lightweight shared convolutional detection head (LSCD) is introduced. By sharing convolutional parameters across scales and decoupling the classification and regression architectures, it reduces computational overhead while maintaining accuracy. Experimental results show that the improved model achieves a mAP@0.5 of 90.3% on our self-built cattle behavior dataset, representing a 4.3 percentage point increase compared to the baseline model, while reducing GFLOPs from 11.0 G to 9.6 G, a decrease of 12.7%; Visualization results indicate that the improved model can focus more accurately on cattle body contours and key behavioral regions, thereby reducing false negatives and enhancing detection accuracy. Concurrently, the model achieves an optimal balance between detection performance and computational complexity, providing robust technical support for automated cattle behavior monitoring on smart farms. Full article