Search Results (144)

On-farm emergency slaughter (OFES) is employed when cattle are unfit for transport but still suitable for human consumption, thereby ensuring animal welfare and reducing food waste. This study analysed OFES patterns in Northern Italy, where a large cattle population is housed but information on the practice is rarely analysed. A total of 12,052 OFES cases from 2021 to 2023 were analysed. Most involved female cattle (94%) from dairy farms (79%). Locomotor disorders were the leading reason (70%), particularly trauma and fractures, followed by recumbency (13%) and calving-related issues (10%). Post-mortem findings showed limbs and joints as the most frequent condemnation sites (36%), often linked to trauma. A significant reduction in OFES cases occurred over time, mainly due to fewer recumbency and calving issues, likely reflecting stricter eligibility criteria introduced in 2022. Weekly variations, with peaks on Mondays and lows on Saturdays, suggest that logistical constraints may sometimes influence OFES promptness. These findings suggest that on-farm management and animal handling could be improved further to reduce welfare risks and carcass waste. Due to the lack of standardised data collection and regulatory harmonisation, a multi-country investigation could improve our understanding of this topic and inform best practice. Full article

The bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) impacts the health and performance of bovine herds. In the present retrospective study, the impact of BVDV control on the production performance of suckler herds was tested by vaccinating all female cows of the herd on the same day (DV). The performance of cows in two commercial suckler herds was analysed during 12 months before DV (PREVAC, n = 497 cows) and 9 to 21 months after vaccination (POSTVAC, n = 531 cows). The proportion of calves born compared to the initial number of cows subjected to mating did not differ (PREVAC and POSTVAC, 87% and 84%, respectively). The proportion of calves weaned compared to the initial number of cows subjected to mating also did not differ between PREVAC (71%) and POSTVAC (74%). However, the proportion of calves weaned compared to the number of calves born was higher than POSTVAC (87%) when compared to PREVAC (81%). Thus, the data demonstrate that a BVDV control programme using vaccination in suckler herds can improve calf survival. Full article

This study investigates the effects of heat stress in a climate chamber from day 0 to 28 days of life on physiological responses, intake, nutrient digestibility, immunity, and performance in neonatal Holstein calves. Thirty-four calves (nineteen females, fifteen males) were randomly assigned to a control group (CON, temperature–humidity index [THI] 66, with 22 °C and 65% humidity for 24 h, n = 17) or a heat-stressed (HS) group, which was exposed to a THI of 82, 32 °C, and 65% humidity for 9 h, followed by a THI of 66, 22 °C, and 65% humidity for 15 h. The HS calves exhibited increased respiratory rates and rectal temperatures (p < 0.001), particularly during heat exposure periods, as well as a 59.5% increase in water intake compared to CON. While milk and solid feed intake, average daily gain, and feed efficiency were similar between groups, HS calves had reduced ether extract digestibility and altered ruminal fermentation, including lower acetate and lower propionate concentrations. The blood cytokine analysis showed elevated interleukin-4 and reduced interleukin-8 and IP-10 levels in heat-stressed calves, indicating a shift toward an anti-inflammatory immune profile. Despite no major performance impairments, heat stress has induced clear physiological, digestive, and immunological changes. These results underscore the importance of implementing thermal mitigation strategies during early life to safeguard calf health and development in increasingly warmer climates. Full article

This study investigated the meat quality, sensory properties and microbiology of Angus beef after a short dry or wet aging. For that, a total of 16 Biceps femoris muscles from female Aberdeen Angus x Charoles calves were used. Half of these underwent a technological aging process in the carcass (dry aging) for 7 days, whilst the remaining were filleted, vacuum-packed and stored at refrigerated conditions (wet aging) for 7 days at 4 ± 2 °C. The type of aging affected the ratio of the myoglobin forms but did not translate into differences in the instrumental colour measurements. Dry aging led to minor water release after the application of a force (17.58 dry-aged vs. 31.09 wet-aged) or after cooking and yielded higher hardness and lower shear force in the Warner–Braztler shear force test compared to wet aging. Nevertheless, these differences were not appreciated at the sensory level. Higher counts of mesophilic aerobic bacteria (11.66%) and enterobacteria (3.68%) were found in samples subjected to dry aging. Full article

The early-stage feeding of calves significantly impacts their lifelong productive performance. During this period, the calves’ digestive tracts are in a dynamic state of development, making nutritional regulation a key factor in optimizing their growth potential. This research investigated the influence of mannan-rich fraction (MRF) supplementation on pre-weaning calves. Sixty healthy Holstein calves were randomly divided into a control group and three MRF-supplemented groups (seven males and eight females per group) with low (L-MRF, 2.5 g/calf per day), medium (M-MRF, 5 g/calf per day), and high (H-MRF, 10 g/calf per day) doses. Growth performance, serum biochemical indicators, organ indices, intestinal morphology, and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations were measured over a 42-day experiment. Compared with the control group, the M-MRF group had 4.9% higher overall body weight, body length, and starter intake, alongside a reduced diarrhea incidence by 4.6%. At day 14, MRF-supplemented groups exhibited significantly lower Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels, along with significantly higher Interleukin-12 (IL-12), growth hormone (GH), and Immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels. By day 42, IL-6 and Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) levels were also significantly decreased. Additionally, the lung and liver indices were higher and villus height was greater in both the jejunum and colon with MRF supplementation. In terms of SCFAs, the acetate level in the jejunum and the butyrate level in the colon were significantly higher in the MRF-supplemented calves. Both acetate in the jejunum and butyrate in the colon showed a significantly positive correlation with growth performance. Taken together, these findings suggest that MRF supplementation (particularly at 5 g/day) supports calf growth, gut health, and immunity, making it a promising nutritional strategy for pre-weaning calves. Full article

Photogrammetry captures and stitches multiple images together to generate a digital model of the human body, called an avatar, making it potentially useful in healthcare. Its validity for anthropometry remains to be established. We evaluated the reliability and agreement of measurements derived from a three-dimensional digital avatar generated by photogrammetry compared to manual collection. Fifty-three volunteers (34.02 ± 11.94 years of age, 64% female, 22.5 kg∙m⁻² body mass index) were recruited, and twenty-two body regions (neck, armpits, biceps, elbows, wrists, chest, breast, waist, belly, hip, thighs, knees, calves, ankles) were taken by an individual rater with a tape measure. Digital measurements were generated from photogrammetry. Participants’ intraclass correlation coefficients indicated strong consistency, with agreement of over 90% for limb regions such as biceps, elbows, wrists, thighs, knees, calves, and ankles, while chest and armpits showed lowest agreement (<60%). Random errors were low in limb regions, while trunk measurements showed highest errors (up to >1 cm) and variation. Bland–Altman analysis revealed wider limits of agreements and higher biases for chest (−2.44 cm), waist and belly (around −1.2 cm), and armpits (around −1.1 cm) compared to limbs. Our findings suggest that photogrammetry-based digital avatars can be a promising tool for anthropometric assessment, particularly for limbs, but may require refinement in trunk-related regions. Full article

We investigated the ontogenetic growth changes in total mercury (THg) concentrations, δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, and δ¹⁸O values, and body length (BL) of dalli-type Dall’s porpoises. THg concentrations in the liver of mature porpoises stranded in Hokkaido, Japan, were markedly higher than those in the muscle. The THg concentrations in the livers of males and females increased sharply when their BLs exceeded approximately 1.9 m and 1.8 m, respectively, the BLs at which they might attain maturity. The asymptotes of the THg increases were close to their maximum BLs of 2.2 m and 2.0 m for males and females, respectively. The δ¹⁵N levels in muscles were higher in the calves than in the weaned porpoises, probably due to the consumption of ¹⁵N-enriched milk, whereas the δ¹³C values in the calves were variable and similar to those in the weaned porpoises. The δ¹⁸O values of male and female muscles increased with increasing BL. Positive correlations were found between the THg concentrations and either the δ¹³C values or the δ¹⁸O values in the weaned animals, but not with the δ¹⁵N values. These results imply a feeding shift towards deeper pelagic areas with growth, as the δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O values and the THg concentrations tend to be higher in these areas. Full article

There are few studies on how dairy × beef crossbred calves perform during the pre-weaning phase compared to dairy calves. This observational study evaluated birth weight, average daily gain (ADG), and disease occurrence in Angus × Holstein (Ang × Hol) crossbred and Holstein calves reared under the same conditions on a commercial dairy farm. Retrospective data from 379 calves (290 Holstein females; 89 Ang × Hol crossbreds: 46 males, 43 females) born between January 2022 and August 2023 were analyzed. Variables included dam parity, calving type, birth weight, colostrum Brix levels, serum total protein (STP), mortality, disease occurrence, ADG, and weaning weight. Statistical analysis used linear and logistic regression models. Ang × Hol male calves had higher odds of assisted calving. Male and female Ang × Hol calves had greater birth weights than Holstein calves, with males being the heaviest. No differences in STP were observed. Ang × Hol calves (both sexes) showed higher ADG than Holsteins but did not differ from each other. Holstein calves had higher odds of diarrhea (OR: 2.95, 95% CI: 1.63–5.35), while Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) incidence was similar across groups. Overall, Ang × Hol crossbred calves demonstrated superior growth and lower diarrhea risk under the same management conditions. Full article

Implementing genomic selection in smallholder dairy systems is challenging due to limited genetic connectedness and diverse management practices. This study aimed to optimize genomic evaluation models for crossbred cattle in South India. Data included 305-day first lactation milk yield (FLMY) records from 17,650 cows (1984–2021), with partial pedigree and genotypes for 1004 bulls and 1568 cows. Non-genetic factors such as geography, season and period of calving, and age at first calving were significant sources of variation. The average milk yield was 2875 ± 123.54 kg. Genetic evaluation models used a female-only reference. Heritability estimates using different approaches were 0.32 ± 0.03 (REML), 0.40 ± 0.03 (ssGREML), and 0.25 ± 0.08 (GREML). Bayesian estimates (Bayes A, B, C, Cπ, and ssBR) ranged from 0.20 ± 0.02 to 0.43 ± 0.04. Genomic-only models showed reduced variance due to the Bulmer effect, as genomic data belonged to recent generations. Breeding value prediction accuracies were 0.60 (PBLUP), 0.45 (GBLUP), and 0.65 (ssGBLUP). Using the LR method, the estimates of bias, dispersion, and ratio of accuracies for ssGBLUP were −39.83, 1.09, and 0.69; for ssBR, they were 71.83, 0.83, and 0.76. ssGBLUP resulted in more accurate and less biased GEBVs than ssBR. We recommend ssGBLUP for genomic evaluation of crossbred cattle for milk production under smallholder systems. Full article

Twinning in cattle is an increasingly common reproductive phenomenon that has significant implications for herd productivity and animal welfare. This retrospective study aimed to assess the occurrence rate of twinning (TW) in Italian Holstein multiparous cows and to identify the associated risk factors and consequences with respect to fertility, milk production, and cow survival. Data from 44,535 calvings across 61 Italian dairy farms from January 2019 to December 2020 were analyzed. The overall TW rate was found to be 3.79%, affected by factors such as parity (p < 0.0001), season of conception (p < 0.0001), previous lactation 305-day mature equivalent (p < 0.05), and prior days open (p < 0.0001). Cows experiencing TW had significantly shorter gestation lengths (p < 0.0001) compared to singletons and lower 305-day milk production estimates (11,094 kg for TW vs. 11,295 kg for singleton females and 11,318 kg for singleton males) (p < 0.0001). Moreover, TW was linked to a decreased pregnancy risk and an increased risk of culling (p < 0.0001) both in short- and long-term analysis. These findings underline the need for targeted management strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of twinning in dairy herds, especially where TW rates are notably high. Full article

Background: This study aimed to explore the relationship between acetabular dysplasia (AD), a known risk factor for pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD), and its effects on sexual function and psychological well-being in women. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 125 female patients experiencing genitopelvic pain and penetrative disorders. Participants were categorized into AD-positive and AD-negative groups based on anteroposterior pelvic radiographs. Sexual function was evaluated using the Golombok–Rust Sexual Satisfaction Inventory (GRISS), while pain and psychological well-being were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), respectively. Results: Results showed that AD-positive patients had significantly higher pain (VAS: 8.15 ± 1.1, p < 0.001) and anxiety scores (BDI: 12.3 ± 11.0, p < 0.02). Sexual function was notably impaired in the AD-positive group, with lower sexual satisfaction and a higher prevalence of anorgasmia (p = 0.01). The AD-negative group demonstrated better scores in frequency and satisfaction with touch (p = 0.04, p = 0.03). Additionally, AD-positive patients exhibited limited hip rotation and a higher incidence of osteoarthritis and Legg–Calvé–Perthes disease. Conclusions: This study highlights the broader impact of AD on women’s quality of life, emphasizing the need for targeted therapeutic interventions to address sexual dysfunction and psychological distress in affected patients. Full article

The cost-effective rearing of heifers depends on the provision of adequate nutrients at an appropriate age to meet nutrient requirements for growth and production. The objective of the present study was to investigate how the time of switching to a rumen-undegradable protein (RUP) source affects the ruminal fermentation and growth performance of Holstein dairy calves. A total of 36 Holstein female calves were randomly allocated to one of three dietary treatments on day 28 or 42 of life. In the first 28 days of life, they were on the same soybean meal (SBM)-based starter diet containing 22.2% crude protein with 37% RUP. The RUP content of the experimental diet was increased to 48% by a total replacement of the original SBM with xylose-treated soybean meal (XSBM). The following treatments were used: (1) starter diet containing SBM from d 28 (SBM28); (2) starter diet containing XSBM from d 28 (XSBM28); and (3) starter diet containing XSBM from d 42 (XSBM42). All the calves were fed a constant amount of milk (4 L/d), weaned on day 60, and then remained in the experiment until day 70 of life. The results showed that neither feed intake nor BW were influenced by the treatments in the pre-weaning period (days 28 to 60). The calves fed the XSBM28 and XSBM42 diets had greater daily gain and gain-to-feed ratio compared to those on the SBM28 diet post-weaning from day 61 to 70 (p < 0.05). The inclusion of XSBM in the starter diets from days 28 and 42 increased the calves’ height pre- and post-weaning (p < 0.05). The ruminal pH and concentrations of butyrate and iso-butyrate were higher at weaning when the calves were fed the XSBM diets. The calves fed the XSBM diets had less ammonia-N and total short-chain fatty acids at day 70 of life (p < 0.05) and a lower neutral detergent fiber digestibility in the post-weaning period (p < 0.05). The fecal scores and blood metabolites were not different among the treatments. The results showed that increasing the RUP content from 37% to 48% in the starter diets by a total replacement of SBM with XSBM during the pre-weaning period may improve the growth performance around weaning. A later replacement at 42 days of life appears equally effective compared to a replacement at 28 days of life. Full article

Polygain™ (PG), a polyphenolic extract from sugarcane, has recently been identified as a potential additive to reduce methane (CH₄) emissions in livestock. This experiment examined the effects of PG on the enteric CH₄ emission from Holstein Friesian weaned calves. Calves were allocated to annual pasture grazing and received supplementary pellets (200 g/calf/day; Barastoc calf-rearer cubes—Ridley Corporation). The experimental design followed was a completely randomized design (CRD), comprising 24 female calves (4–5 months old) allocated to two equal groups; control (standard pellets) vs. treatment (pellets formulated by adding PG to control pellets to deliver 10 g PG/calf/day). Experimental diets were fed for three months between August and November 2023, including a two-week adaptation period. Calves were weighed at the start and at the end of the study. A GreenFeed (C-Lock Pvt Ltd.) emission monitoring unit (GEM) was used to measure GHG emissions from the experimental calves in their groups in a 2-day rotational cycle. During a visit to the GEM, the calves were encouraged to enter an enclosed area or individual feeding stall where enteric CH₄, CO₂, O₂, H₂, and H₂S measurements were taken. The results indicated a significant effect of PG supplementation on enteric methane emission in calves, with a lower production of CH₄ in calves supplemented with PG (26.66 ± 2.06 g/day) as compared to the control group (35.28 ± 1.39 g/day, p < 0.001). The CO₂/O₂ ratio in the treatment (235 ± 14) and control groups (183 ± 9.6) differed significantly (p < 0.001). Overall, PG supplementation (10 g/calf/day) reduced their average methane emission per day and did not adversely affect the growth and development of experimental calves, confirming its useful anti-methanogenic potential. Full article

(1) While photo-identification has been used to study sperm whales worldwide, no long-term photo-id studies are available from the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea for the Mediterranean endangered population. (2) Here, sperm whale occurrence, group size, and the type of encounters were investigated around the Aeolian archipelago (Southern Italy) by photo-ID data collected between 2013 and 2024. Data were obtained through dedicated boat surveys and recreational sailors’ reports. (3) During 58 sighting events, 125 sperm whales were encountered, 60 of whom were photo-identified and cataloged. Of these, two sperm whales were found entangled. Only five individuals were re-sighted in later years or seasons. Encounters were more frequent in autumn, consisting mainly of solitary individuals (53.4%, n = 31) and aggregations of clustered, often not sexed, animals (23.5%, n = 8). Social units of females and calves were also encountered (8.6%, n = 5). (4) The low site fidelity and the group types encountered suggest that dispersed young males and social groups could use the area simultaneously. (4) Future matching of these data with databases from other surveyed areas, acoustic surveys, and enhanced analysis of age classes are crucial to better define the ecological role of the study area for the Mediterranean sperm whale population. Full article

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with increasing levels of a polyherbal phytogenic additive (PPA) on growth performance, health parameters, and blood metabolites of dairy calves. Forty female Holstein calves (43.35 ± 2.41 kg body weight and 25.1 ± 2.2 d of age) were housed in individual pens and randomly assigned to four treatments (n = 10) with increasing levels of PPA: 0 (CON), 2 (PPA2), 3 (PPA3), and 4 (PPA4) g PPA/d for 67 d. Compared to the CON treatment, supplementation with the PPA2 treatment increased (quadratic effect p = 0.02) the average daily gain and final body weight of the dairy calves. Also, a higher starter intake (SI), and intake of milk + milk replacer was observed (linear and quadratic effect p = 0.0001) in response to supplementation with the PPA2, PPA3, and PPA4 treatments. The evaluated treatments did not affect (p > 0.05) the feed conversion ratio, or the number of cases of diarrhea, pneumonia, and otitis. The evaluated treatments did not affect (p > 0.05) most of the hematological and biochemical blood parameters. However, compared to the CON treatment, supplementation with the PPA2 treatment increased (quadratic effect p < 0.05) the blood concentration of the segmented neutrophils and plasma protein. Likewise, the serum glucose concentration decreased (linear effect p < 0.05) with supplementation of the PPA2, PPA3, and PPA4 treatments. Compared with the CON treatment, the PPA4 supplementation decreased the serum urea concentration (linear effect p = 0.04). In conclusion, supplementation with 2 g/d of PPA can be used as a natural alternative to improve the growth rate and stimulate starter and milk + milk replacer intake in dairy calves without adverse effects on health parameters or blood metabolites. Full article