Search Results (120)

Sheep and goat milk authenticity is of great importance, especially for countries like Greece, where these products are connected to the country’s rural economy and cultural heritage. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of Fourier Transform Infrared Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy in combination with chemometric techniques for the classification of cow, sheep, and goat milk and consequently support fraud identification. A total of 178 cow, sheep and goat milk samples were collected from livestock farms in Thessaly, Greece. Sheep and goat milk samples were confirmed as authentic by applying a validated Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), while all samples were analyzed using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy in both raw and freeze-dried form. Freeze-dried samples exhibited clearer spectral characteristics, particularly enhancing the signals from triglycerides, proteins, and carbohydrates. Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) delivered robust discrimination. By using the spectral range between 600 and 1800 cm⁻¹, 100% correct classification of all milk types was achieved. These findings highlight the potential of FTIR spectroscopy as a fast, non-destructive, and cost-effective tool for milk identification and species differentiation. This method is particularly suitable for industrial and regulatory applications, offering high efficiency. Full article

Clinical mastitis in small ruminants is usually seen with an incidence of less than 5% and most cases, especially with hyperacute evolution, are not referred for hospital care. During the 5-year survey, 16 goats and 7 sheep, totaling 23 small ruminants, met the inclusion criteria with a definitive diagnosis of clinical mastitis. Clinical signs ranged greatly among cases, varying from septic state in hyperacute cases, and enlarged, pendulous udder associated with chronic pain and abnormal gait in chronic cases. Microbiological culture revealed a wide array of bacterial pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus spp., and Pasteurella spp. In vitro antimicrobial susceptibility profiles varied greatly among bacteria isolates, ranging from sensitive to all tested antimicrobials to a multi-resistant profile. Pathological features included hyperemia and dark red areas of necrosis in the skin, marked hyperemia of the affected gland at the cut surface, lactiferous ducts and gland cisterns filled by cloudy or suppurative fluid, abscesses, and hardness of the mammary gland parenchyma. This retrospective study highlights the multifactorial nature and clinical variability of mastitis in small ruminants, demonstrating its significant impact on animal health, welfare, and production. Full article

Hoof disorders in small ruminants pose significant challenges to animal welfare and farm productivity. This study presents the first attempt to determine the prevalence of lameness and hoof disorders and their associated risk factors in goat and sheep farms in Selangor, Malaysia. Locomotion scores were collected from 226 animals (126 sheep and 100 goats) across 10 farms. A hoof examination was conducted, and hoof lesions were identified through detailed photographic evaluation. On-farm assessments and interviews were conducted to gather information on management practices from the farms. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and logistic regression models. The prevalence of lameness was 42.8% (95% CI 34.2 to 51.9) in sheep and 23.0% (95% CI 16.3–38.4) in goats. Significant variation (p > 0.05) in lameness prevalence was observed across farms, ranging from 26.7% to 61.5% in sheep and 7.7% to 30.8% in goat farms. The majority of lameness and hoof lesions were observed in the hindlimbs of both species. The prevalence of hoof disorders was 91.3% (95% CI 84.6–95.4) in sheep and 43.0% in goats (95% CI 21.4–58.0). The predominant hoof disorders were overgrown wall horn, white line disease, sole bruise, and wall fissures. No hoof affections of infectious origin were observed in the sampled animals. Risk factors for lameness and hoof lesions in sheep included pregnancy, semi-intensive management, and breeds other than Damara. Higher odds of lameness were observed in exotic goat breeds and those with overgrown wall horns. In conclusion, this study revealed a high prevalence of lameness and hoof disorders in goat and sheep farms, highlighting the need to address these important welfare and economic issues. While the identified risk factors could be considered for the management of hoof disorders in small ruminant farms, a larger sample size that is representative of the sheep and goat population is recommended for more generalizable results. Full article

The production and reproduction of small ruminants, such as sheep and goats, living under extensive range-grazing conditions may be influenced by the availability of nutrients and the mineral content of forage. This study evaluated the biodistribution of calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), sodium (Na) and zinc (Zn) in whole blood, serum, blood clots, plasma, plasma sediments and hair in sheep and goats. Forty clinically healthy, nonpregnant female sheep and goats were enrolled in the study. Hair and blood samples were performed in duplicate to assess mineral concentration in biological substrates using a Thermo Scientific iCAP- Q ICP-MS spectrometer (Omaha, Ne, USA). Higher levels of Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, and Na were observed in blood and blood clots than in serum, plasma, plasma sediments and hair in sheep and goats. A significant effect of species was observed for all the bioactive element concentrations in the investigated substrates (p < 0.05). The results revealed positive correlations between serum and plasma for all investigated elements in sheep (p < 0.0001) and for Mn and Na in goats (p < 0.001), as well as between serum and blood for Ca, Fe, Mg and Mn in sheep (p < 0.0001) and for Ca and Mn in goats (p < 0.001). Plasma and blood showed a positive correlation for Ca, Fe, and Mn (p < 0.001) in sheep, and for Fe, Mn, Na, and Zn (p < 0.0001) in goats. These findings elucidate differences in biodistribution between sheep and goats, offering valuable insights for livestock production. Full article

Proteolytic enzymes, which play a crucial role in peptide bond cleavage, are widely applied in various industries. In this study, protease-producing bacteria were isolated and characterized from marine sediments collected from the Yellow Sea, China. Comprehensive screening and 16S rDNA sequencing identified a promising G4 strain as Bacillus atrophaeus. Following meticulous optimization of fermentation conditions and medium composition via response surface methodology, protease production using strain G4 was significantly enhanced by 64%, achieving a yield of 3258 U/mL. The G4 protease exhibited optimal activity at 50 °C and pH 7.5, demonstrating moderate thermal stability with 52% residual activity after 30-min incubation at 50 °C—characteristics typical of an alkaline protease. Notably, the enzyme retained over 79% activity across a broad pH range (6–11) and exhibited excellent salt tolerance, maintaining over 50% activity in a saturated NaCl solution. Inhibition by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, a serine protease inhibitor, confirmed its classification as a serine protease. The enzyme’s potential in generating bioactive peptides was further demonstrated through hydrolysis of sheep (Ovis aries) placenta, resulting in a hydrolysate with notable antioxidant properties. The hydrolysate exhibited a 64% superoxide anion scavenging activity, surpassing that of reduced glutathione. These findings expand the current understanding of Bacillus atrophaeus G4 proteases and provide a foundation for innovative sheep placenta utilization with potential industrial applications. Full article

Leptospirosis is one of the world’s major neglected tropical zoonotic diseases (NTZDs), implicated in animal health and welfare with economic consequences for livestock production. This study aims to estimate the seroprevalence of Leptospira spp. and identify potential risk factors in small ruminant herds. This epidemiological cross-sectional study was conducted in Nuevo León, a semi-arid region of Mexico. A total of 389 blood samples from goats and 385 from sheep older than eight months were randomly collected from 128 herds. Anti-Leptospira antibodies were detected using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine their association with leptospirosis infection. The overall prevalence was 13.5% (105/774), with 14.4% (56/389) in goats and 12.7% (49/385) in sheep. Sejroe was the most predominant serogroup. The main risk factors in sheep were contact with domestic cattle, ≥100 animals per herd, congenital abnormalities, contact with feral pigs, meat production system, absence of veterinary care, and abortions with odds ratios (OR) between 1.7 and 4.1. In goats, the main risk factors included lack of quarantine measures, contact with feral pigs, absence of veterinary care, and abortions where the OR ranged from 1.7 to 3.3. These findings indicate that Leptospira spp. is present in small ruminant herds. This is the first study aimed at understanding leptospirosis epidemiology in the northeastern region of Mexico, as goats and sheep may act as potential reservoirs. Continuous monitoring of Leptospira infections is imperative, as well as developing educational initiatives for farmers to implement biosecurity and prevention measures to prevent infections within herds and protect public health. Full article

Social conflict over rangeland-use priorities, especially near protected areas, has long pitted environmental and biodiversity conservation interests against livestock livelihoods. Social–ecological conflict limits management adaptation and creativity while reinforcing social and disciplinary divisions. It can also reduce rancher access to land and negatively affect wildlife conservation. Communities increasingly expect research organizations to address complex social dynamics to improve opportunities for multiple ecosystem service delivery on rangelands. In the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), an area of the western US, long-standing disagreements among actors who argue for the use of the land for livestock and those who prioritize wildlife are limiting conservation and ranching livelihoods. Researchers at the USDA-ARS US Sheep Experiment Station (USSES) along with University and societal partners are responding to these challenges using a collaborative adaptive management (CAM) methodology. The USSES Rangeland Collaboratory is a living laboratory project leveraging the resources of a federal range sheep research ranch operating across sagebrush steppe ecosystems in Clark County, Idaho, and montane/subalpine landscapes in Beaverhead County, Montana. The project places stakeholders, including ranchers, conservation groups, and government land managers, in the decision-making seat for a participatory case study. This involves adaptive management planning related to grazing and livestock–wildlife management decisions for two ranch-scale rangeland management scenarios, one modeled after a traditional range sheep operation and the second, a more intensified operation with no use of summer ranges. We discuss the extent to which the CAM approach creates opportunities for multi-directional learning among participants and evaluate trade-offs among preferred management systems through participatory ranch-scale grazing research. In a complex system where the needs and goals of various actors are misaligned across spatiotemporal, disciplinary, and social–ecological scales, CAM creates a structure and methods to focus on social learning and land management knowledge creation. Full article

This study examined the grazing pressure and interactions between four species of wild kangaroos (Red Kangaroo Osphranter rufus, Common Wallaroo O. robustus, Eastern Grey Kangaroo Macropus giganteus, Western Grey Kangaroo M. fuliginosus), free-ranging feral goats (Capra hircus) and European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), and stocked Merino sheep (Ovis aries). The study site comprised two contiguous pairs of stocked and unstocked paddocks, one a sloping run-off zone, the other a flat run-on zone, covering a total area of 2158 ha. These paddocks on Fowlers Gap Station in far north-western New South Wales, Australia, are representative of the arid chenopod (Family: Chenopodiaceae) shrublands stocked with sheep. Sheep and red kangaroos dominate the mammalian herbivores by biomass. The study examined the relative grazing pressure exerted by the seven species of mammalian herbivores in stocked and unstocked conditions, where only sheep were confined, across a three-year period that included rain-deficient (drought) months. The effects of climate (especially rainfall and temperature) and herbivore density on the standing biomass of pasture were teased out at a macro-scale. Herbivory at a micro-scale was examined using open and exclosed plots with detection of herbivore species by fecal deposition and time-lapse videography. Sheep exerted the highest grazing pressure and there was no compensatory increase in grazing pressure by other herbivores in unstocked paddocks. Rainfall was a key driver of pasture biomass and condition and loss by senescence typically outweighed grazing pressure. Grazing effects at a micro-scale were plot-specific and complex. The results are discussed in relation to the sustainable management of rangelands for production and wildlife. Full article

Milk yield and its composition show individual variation due to the effects of the environment. Previous studies suggest that meteorological variables exert negative effects on milk yield and composition, especially during summer. This study aimed to examine the effects of meteorological variables on bulk milk composition in the Sardinian sheep production system. In this work, a total of 218,170 records belonging to 4562 dairy sheep farms were merged with the meteorological data provided by 60 meteorological stations located on Sardinia Island (Italy). Milk composition in the late spring and summer recorded during a 5-year period was used to evaluate the impact of climate exposure on bulk milk traits. The milk quality was analyzed using a linear mixed model that included the fixed effects of the year of sampling, the flock size, the temperature humidity index (THI) and the random effect of the flock. The variability of milk composition explained by flock and management ranged from 30 to 64%. The flock size exerted a significant effect on milk composition: large flocks characterized by advanced management and feeding techniques resulted in higher milk quality (e.g., higher protein and fat, lower lactose) compared to traditionally managed small flocks. The impact of THI on milk composition was statistically significant across different milk quality traits (p < 0.001); the effect of thermal stress varied according to the month of lactation. For instance, milk fat content in May increased by +0.4% for THI > 76. In June, no relevant differences were observed, whereas a decrease in fat percentage was observed in July as THI values increased (up to −0.5% for THI > 76). While somatic cell counts remained relatively stable across different conditions, total bacterial count showed greater seasonal variability, peaking during warmer periods. In addition, using factor analysis, we developed a multivariate meteorological index (MMI), which explained 51% of the variance of the original meteorological data. MMI was highly correlated with THI (r = 0.75). The same linear mixed model applied for modeling THI was used to assess the effect of MMI on milk traits. Fat, protein fractions and lactose showed significant variation across MMI classes (p-value < 0.001) in the same direction as those based on THI. Overall, our findings underscore the impact of both flock size and environmental conditions on milk quality, with heat stress and traditional versus modern management practices leading to measurable differences in milk traits. Full article

Based on the historical background of the changes made to the grassland property rights system, the first part of this study restores the changes in property rights systems in six major autonomous counties of grassland animal husbandry production in Qinghai region, while the second part qualitatively analyzes the changes in grassland animal husbandry operations and herdsmen’s life under the changes in property rights. The results show that, with the reform of the property rights system, the range of livestock grazing has changed from large-scale nomadic grazing to regional rotational grazing. The herds are mainly yaks and Tibetan sheep, accounting for more than 90%, with the proportion of Tibetan sheep being higher than that of yaks. The numbers of total livestock and those on the market first rose and then declined, showing a dynamic balance in recent 10 years, while the number of breeding female animals has increased year by year. Artificial grass planting has gradually become popularized in pastoral areas. The time span of livestock supplementary feeding has increased and is more scientific, and the output value of animal husbandry has increased year by year, showing a strong peak associated with intensification. The proportion of the population engaged in animal husbandry has decreased gradually with increasing population in the region. The income sources of herdsmen have become more and more diversified and are increasing year by year, and the Engel coefficient presents a downward trend. The human environment in pastoral areas has improved. Based on the above analysis, suggestions for the sustainable and high-quality production of animal husbandry under the current grassland property rights system are put forward, as well as for the construction of green organic agricultural and livestock product export land in Qinghai Province. Full article

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) encompasses a wide range of natural herbs and plants that are used to treat or prevent diseases or promote health. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of feeding a TCM formula extract on nitrogen (N) balance, microbial nitrogen supply (MNS), and plasma leucine kinetics in sheep. Six sheep were fed with mixed hay (Hay-diet) only or supplemented with 2% TCM (mixture of Astragalus root, Angelica root, and Atractylodes rhizome; TCM-diet) in a crossover design over two 21-day periods. An isotope dilution of [1-¹³C]leucine was used to measure the rate of plasma leucine turnover. Purine derivative (PD) excretion in urine was determined to estimate the MNS. The TCM-diet significantly increased N intake (p < 0.01) and N digestibility (p = 0.02) compared to the Hay-diet, with less N excretion (p = 0.02) in feces, while no significant difference was observed between diets in terms of N excretion in urine and N retention. Total PD excretion and MNS were higher (p < 0.01), as well as the turnover rate of plasma leucine tended to be higher (p = 0.06) with the supplementation of TCM. The present results suggested that the TCM formula could be considered as a potential feed additive for ruminant production. Full article

This study evaluates two expedient electronic sensors, a rising plate meter (RPM) and a “Grassmaster II” capacitance probe (GMII), to estimate pasture dry matter (DM, in kg ha⁻¹). The sampling process consisted of sensor measurements, followed by pasture collection and a laboratory reference analysis. In this comparative study, carried out throughout the 2023/2024 pasture growing season, a total of 288 pasture samples were collected in two phases (calibration and validation). The calibration phase (n = 144) consisted of measurements on three dates (6 December 2023, 29 February and 10 May 2024) in 48 georeferenced sampling areas of the experimental field “Eco-SPAA” (“M_G” field), located at Mitra farm (Évora, Portugal). This pasture is a permanent mixture of various botanical species (grasses, legumes, and others) grazed by sheep, and is representative of biodiverse dryland pastures. The validation phase (n = 144) was carried out between December 2023 and April 2024 in 18 field tests (each with eight pasture samples), in three types of representative pastures: the same mixture for grazing (“M_G” field), a commercial and annual mixture for cutting (mowing) and conservation (“M_M” field), and legumes for grazing (“L_G” field). The best estimation model for DM was obtained based on measurements carried out in February in the case of the GMII probe (R² = 0.61) and December 2023 and February 2024 in the case of RPM (R² = 0.76). The estimation decreased very significantly for both sensors based on measurements carried out in May (spring). The validation phase showed greater accuracy (less RMSE) in “M_G” field tests (RMSE of 735.4 kg ha⁻¹ with GMII and 512.3 kg ha⁻¹ with the RPM). The results open perspectives for other works that would allow the testing, calibration, and validation of these electronic sensors in a wider range of pasture production conditions, in order to improve their accuracy as decision-making support tools in pasture management. Full article

Despite the impact of mastitis on sheep production worldwide, the pathogenesis and host response to bacterial infection of the ovine mammary gland are poorly characterized. Studies in cattle highlight the significance of the mammary epithelium in pathogen recognition and the subsequent host response. The objective of this study was to assess bacterial adherence, invasion, and Toll like receptor (TLR) gene expression in primary sheep mammary epithelial cells (pMEC) following co-culture with the three principal mastitis pathogens of sheep, Mannheimia haemolytica, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus uberis. S. aureus was 140-fold more adherent than S. uberis and 850-fold more adherent than M. haemolytica. However, only S. aureus was internalized after 3 h of co-culture. TLR1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 9 were shown to be constitutively transcribed by pMEC. M. haemolytica induced upregulation of transcription of TLR1, 2, 3, and 4. By contrast, S. uberis and S. aureus induced concentration-dependent transcription of TLR2 and TLR4 with a higher level of transcription in cells stimulated with the bacteria at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 200 compared to cells stimulated with a MOI of 20. These experiments define the range of TLR genes constitutively transcribed in sheep pMEC and show that bacterial infection has the capacity to regulate transcription in a species-specific and concentration-dependent manner. Full article

The lessons learned from reviewing national risk assessments to modernise the Australian Standard for the post-mortem inspection and disposition judgement of beef, sheep, goat, and pig carcases are discussed. The initial risk profiles identified priorities for quantitative assessments. Broadly, the main difficulty encountered was the paucity of quantified performance for the current inspection. Resolving this involved acquiring gross abnormality data representing regional production/proportional abattoir volumes, the range of gross abnormalities appearing nationally, proportional occurrence at carcase sites, and seasonality to enable the comparison of procedures. The methodologies followed the Codex Alimentarius Commission’s risk assessment guidelines and are fully documented in the associated publications. The evidence and discussion are provided for the associated challenges experienced, including preventing contamination, the use of food chain information to support amendment, inspection as a part of industry Quality Assurance programmes, and opportunities to improve inspector training. The criteria considered by the Competent Authority for the determination of the equivalence of alternative post-mortem inspection techniques included comparisons of public health risk, non-detection rates for gross abnormalities, and microbial contamination resulting from inspection activities, as appropriate. Most of the gross abnormalities detected arose from animal health and welfare conditions affecting wholesomeness and did not present as food safety hazards. The non-detection rates between the current and alternative inspection (observation) were negligible. A quantitative risk assessment for Cysticercus bovis was conducted. Carcases with multiple gross abnormalities predominantly reflected historic infections (prior septicaemia), where trimming achieved wholesomeness unless they were cachexic. Full article

Using animal manure in organic systems can improve the quality of agricultural products, especially medicinal plants. In this study, the impact of different types and levels of animal manures on hyssop plant biomass and essential oil yield and profile was assessed. Three supply levels (Low, Medium, and High) were tested for poultry (Np), sheep (Ns), and cattle (Nc) manures. Through GC-MS and GC-FID analysis, 24 chemical constituents were identified in the hyssop essential oil, accounting for 93.7–97.8% of the total composition. The Medium-Nc and High-Np treatments had essential oil content ranging from 0.98% to 1.45%, significantly different from the control treatment at 1.17%. Essential oil yield in Low-Np, Medium-Np, and High-Np was 47.5, 53.8, and 49.2 kg ha⁻¹, respectively, showing increases of 42.5%, 61.6%, and 47.7% compared to the control. Medium-Nc and High-Nc treatments had the most potent antioxidant properties compared to the control. Different amounts of poultry, sheep, and cattle manures led to distinct differences in essential oil compounds, categorizing the manure treatments into three groups. Medium-Np had 44% more air-dried biomass than the control, while no significant difference was found in air-dried herbal product levels among sheep and cattle manures. Taken together, farmers focusing on biomass and essential oil should opt for Medium poultry manure. The pharmaceutical industry should explore other fertilizer options based on secondary metabolite needs. Full article