Search Results (83)

Donkey milk is highly regarded for its nutritional, immunological and hypoallergenic properties. In this context, the global demand is increasing, and the challenges of low production and milk hygiene need to be addressed. This study evaluated the effects of dietary and phytogenic supplementation on milk yield, nutrient digestibility, and milk quality in lactating jennies (Equus asinus). All donkeys had unrestricted access to natural pasture during the study. In addition to grazing, animals were divided into three groups (n = 10 per group) that differed only in the type of supplemental feed. The control group (CG) received pasture grass with a corn-based supplement; Group 1 (G1) received the same basal feed enriched with sunflower meal and a phytogenic blend of medicinal plants; and Group 2 (G2) received the same compound feed as G1 but without the phytogenic additives. Over an eight-week period, milk production, apparent digestibility coefficients (dry matter, protein, fibre, and ether extract), and microbiological quality were assessed. G1 demonstrated the highest milk yield (p < 0.001), improved nutrient digestibility (e.g., crude protein digestibility: 57.89 ± 4.21%), and a significant reduction in total viable counts (TVC) from 2.848 ± 0.265 to 1.898 ± 0.404 log₁₀ CFU/mL (p < 0.001), compared to CG and G2. The latter maintained relatively stable TVC values (2.930 ± 0.260 → 2.838 ± 0.196; p = 0.356641), accompanied by reduced interindividual variability, whereas CG exhibited a slight increase (2.922 ± 0.253 → 2.949 ± 0.323; p = 0.792259) and greater variability, suggesting a negative trend. Crude protein digestibility was 55.86 ± 6.66% in G2 and 45.26 ± 9.85% in CG, further supporting the superior nutrient utilization efficiency observed in G1. The phytogenic supplement stabilized milk chemical composition, suggesting potential galactagogues, immunomodulatory, and antimicrobial effects. These findings support the use of functional feed additives as a promising strategy to enhance productive performance and milk hygiene in sustainable donkey farming systems. Full article

The number of donkeys in Europe has significantly declined in recent decades due to mechanization; however, recently, the demand for donkey milk and other purposes has led to a slight increase in their population. However, information on how they are kept and managed, and their welfare is limited. This review aimed to explore the husbandry, management, and welfare of donkeys (Equus asinus) across European Union member states, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) technique was used. The search was conducted using Scopus and Web of Science, identifying 797 records that were screened using titles, keywords, and abstracts, resulting in 78 retained records. An additional 19 records were identified using snowballing and experts’ suggestions, bringing the total to 97. Dairy donkeys have been studied mainly in Italy, and there they are usually managed under extensive to semi-intensive husbandry systems. Donkeys involved in human intervention therapies are generally managed semi-intensively. Based on the literature, most donkeys are provided with shelter and outdoor access, and this can be with or without pasture, except the free-range donkeys that graze year-round. Health and management-related issues (e.g., obesity, dental disorders, and hoof disorders) could be overlooked, potentially compromising their welfare. The feeding management of donkeys is generally traditional and poorly studied, relying mainly on forages supplemented with concentrates. Most donkeys suffer from overweight/obesity except for lactating donkeys, which are often underweight. This may indicate unbalanced feeding practices. Improved understanding of housing and feeding management is essential for establishing evidence-based welfare guidelines tailored to the donkeys’ species-specific needs. Full article

Microminerals such as cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iodine (I), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn) play key roles in cattle health. However, trace element imbalances are often underdiagnosed. This study retrospectively analyzed serum samples from 1273 cows across 117 herds in Spain, encompassing conventional dairy (n = 46), pasture-based dairy (n = 11), organic dairy (n = 25), and semi-extensive beef (n = 35) systems. Trace elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). All herds were investigated for clinical or productive issues where mineral deficiencies were suspected. Significant differences were found in serum trace mineral concentrations between production systems. Adequacy rates were highest in conventional dairy herds receiving routine mineral supplementation, while deficiencies in Se, I, and Cu were frequently detected in pasture-based, organic, and beef herds. Zinc deficiencies were rare and typically involved complex, combined deficiencies. At the farm level, multielement deficiencies (≥3 elements) were detected in 39–45% of organic, pasture-based, and beef herds, but in only 5% of conventional dairy herds (p < 0.001). Principal component and cluster analyses produced consistent groupings of minerals according to dietary supplementation and soil-driven exposure. These findings highlight the increased vulnerability of low-input systems to complex micromineral imbalances and underline the importance of system-adapted mineral-monitoring and supplementation strategies in herd health management. However, as the study is based on diagnostic submissions rather than a randomized herd survey, the findings should be interpreted with caution due to potential selection bias. Full article

For cattle raised on tropical grass pastures, it is essential to explore strategies that circumvent climatic seasonality that affect forage availability and quality. We hypothesize that the intensification of grazing systems, with rotational and deferred methods, combined with ammonium nitrate or urea supplementation, are excellent strategies to increase ruminal efficiency and animal productivity. For this purpose, 8 cattle with cannulas were distributed in rotational and deferred grazing systems, supplemented with urea or ammonium nitrate, and evaluated throughout the four seasons of the year over a period of two years. Dry matter intake and digestibility were measured using indigestible neutral detergent fiber, titanium dioxide and chromium oxide markers. Ruminal kinetics and degradability of DM and nutrients were measured using the nylon bag technique. Urine parameters were used to estimate microbial nitrogen compounds synthesis and efficiency of microbial protein synthesis. The rotational grazing improves NPN intake, NDF and ADF digestibility, and gross energy. Ammonium nitrate supplementation showed improved efficiency in microbial protein synthesis without negatively affecting feed intake, positioning it as a valuable nitrogen source for grazing cattle. Full article

Summer turnips (Brassica rapa L.) have become one of the main supplementary crops in ruminant livestock systems in southern Chile because of accelerated forage growth as well as greater forage yield and nutritive value in the dry season. This study investigated the effects of forage turnip supplementation on the physicochemical and sensory quality of beef from steers. Twenty-seven Holstein–Friesian steers were allocated to one of three dietary treatments: pasture plus concentrate (Control), 50% turnip with a basal diet of pasture hay and rolled corn (T50), and 70% turnip with the same basal diet (T70). Carcass yields and physicochemical and sensory beef attributes, including fatty acid composition of intramuscular fat (IMF) in lean tissue, were measured. Compared to the Control diet, finishing steers on 50% or 70% turnips increased meat redness (a* > 25.9 vs. 22.9 in Control), IMF (1.79% in T50 vs. 1.12% in Control), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) (especially n-3), cholesterol, and specific minerals (sodium, manganese and iron); this resulted in a reduction in the subcutaneous fat thickness (0.29 cm in T50, 0.25 cm in T70 vs. 0.51 cm in Control) and shear force of cooked meat (p < 0.05). However, no differences were found between diets in beef juiciness, flavor, and tenderness assessed by trained panelists (p > 0.05). Increasing forage turnip inclusion to 70% resulted in similar beef quality to the 50% inclusion level. Foraged turnips present a promising strategy for producing high-quality beef during periods of limited pasture growth. Full article

Ghrelin (GhRL) is an orexigenic hormone influenced by nutritional state. It plays a role in skin repair and diseases, though little information exists regarding its function in this organ. GhRL and its receptor were investigated in the skin of sheep under different feeding conditions to explore GhRL system presence and possible modifications due to diet. Three-year-old female sheep were free to graze from June to the pasture maximum flowering (MxF group) and from this period to maximum dryness addicted (Exp group) or not (MxD group) with 600 gr/die/head of barley and corn. Skin samples were processed for immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR. The immunostaining showed the presence of the GhRL system in skin appendages. Indeed, the ligand was localized in the hair follicles whereas the receptor was also observed in sweat glands and smooth muscle cells. The expression of both genes was significantly higher in the Exp group (3.6 and 2.9 folds respectively, p < 0.05) compared with the MxF group. These results suggest that the GhRL system is involved in the regulation of hair follicles and sweat glands. In addition, diet supplementation may positively modulate the expression of GhRL and its receptor in the skin. Full article

Pasture-based beef cattle production systems aim to maximize the interaction between forage and supplements to increase activity. In addition, supplementation and the use of food additives help optimize production efficiency and improve the use of additional nutrients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the use of additives in protein–energy supplements (PESs) on the intake, digestibility, and ruminal parameters of beef cattle raised on pasture in the rearing phase. Five male cattle were allocated to a 5 × 5 Latin square design, with five experimental periods and five treatments. The animals were kept under continuous grazing in individual paddocks of marandu palisadegrass (Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu). The treatments consisted of a mineral mixture (MM) (0.080 kg/animal/day), PES (4.0 kg/animal/day), PES with monensin sodium (120 mg/animal/day), PES with functional oil (2500 mg/animal/day) and PES with active yeast (4000 mg/animal/day). PESs increased the total dry matter intake (DMI) (kg/day) and the DMI in terms of % body weight (%BW) and increased the intake of crude protein (CP) and the dry matter intake of digestible organic matter (DOM). The use of additives did not affect nutrient intake or digestibility. Compared with MM, the PES increased the concentrations of ruminal ammonia nitrogen and serum urea nitrogen. In addition, there was an increase in fecal nitrogen, retained nitrogen, microbial nitrogen synthesis and microbial efficiency. The use of monensin sodium, functional oil and active yeast in protein–energy supplements for beef cattle in pastures did not affect the nutritional parameters under the conditions observed in this study. Full article

Tropical pastures intercropped with legumes have been gaining prominence for increasing the efficiency of livestock production systems when compared to pasture monocultures. Here, our objective was to understand the fermentation processes that tropical grass and legumes underwent when included in ruminant diets, which have previously been found to optimize animal performance while reducing the intensity of enteric CH₄ emissions. For this purpose, three areas containing pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) and Urochloa spp. were sampled. Samples were dried, grounded, chemically analyzed, and included in five proportions (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) of pigeon pea in the diet. The diets were then analyzed using an in vitro fermentation technique. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS statistical software, considering bottles as replicates, and our results suggest that a 25% inclusion of pigeon pea is optimal for balancing CH₄ mitigation and fermentation efficiency, highlighting the importance of more studies with this legume due to its benefits, especially as a supplement during drought periods that impact the production and quality of tropical pastures. It is important to consider that pigeon pea’s secondary compounds may have positively modulated the fermentation process and reduced CH₄ emissions. However, excessive legume inclusion can negatively affect digestibility and animal health, impairing animal performance and the sustainability of pasture-based production systems. Full article

Legumes enhance pasture health and soil productivity by fixing atmospheric nitrogen and boosting soil microbiota. We investigated the effects of tropical pasture legumes, including butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea), seca stylo (Stylosanthes scabra), desmanthus (Desmanthus virgatus), lablab (Lablab purpureus), and Wynn cassia (Chamaecrista rotundifolia), on the soil microbial community and buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) gene expression. Additionally, we explored the impact of a phytogenic bioactive product (PHY) in the coculture system. A pot trial using soil enriched with cow paunch compost included four treatments: monoculture of buffel grass and five legume species with and without PHY supplementation and coculture of buffel grass with each legume species with and without PHY supplementation. Actinobacteriota and Firmicutes were the dominant bacterial phyla. Regardless of PHY application, the coculture of buffel grass with legumes positively influenced microbial composition and diversity. Transcriptomic analysis revealed significant gene expression changes in buffel grass shoots and roots, with each legume uniquely affecting nitrogen metabolism. Lablab and Wynn cassia exhibited similarities in modulating metabolic processes, butterfly pea contributed to mycotoxin detoxification, and desmanthus balanced cell death and growth. Seca stylo enhanced root cell growth and regeneration. These findings offer insights for optimizing legume–grass coculture systems, enhancing soil activity and promoting sustainable agriculture. Full article

Meat quality is important in the meat-production chain. Conflicting reports of the effects of feeding systems on sheep growth performance and meat quality exist. By way of meta-analysis, we reviewed the literature on the growth and slaughter performance, and meat quality of lambs that grazed solely on pasture, those that grazed on pasture but received a dietary supplement, and those were exclusively fed indoors. The relevant literature comprised 28 papers, from which response variables of interest were obtained. Compared with stall-fed sheep, pasture-grazing led to significantly (p < 0.05) lower average daily gain, slaughter live weight, hot carcass weight, cold carcass weight, and similar dressing percentage, but pasture-grazed sheep fed a supplement had similar (p > 0.05) values for each of these attributes to stall-fed sheep. The quality of the longissimus muscle from lambs that grazed either exclusively on pasture or pasture with a supplement had significantly (p < 0.05) lower lightness and intramuscular fat content, and significantly (p < 0.05) higher yellowness, Warner–Bratzler shear force, and protein content than meat from stall-fed sheep. We conclude that sheep that have fed exclusively on pasture have lower carcass yield and meat edibility, but improved meat quality, and that pasture-fed sheep that received a supplement had comparable carcass attributes, but greater meat color and health quality than stall-fed sheep. Full article

Twin lamb mortality is a significant economic problem impacting the Australian sheep industry. Maternal betaine supplementation improved lamb vigour and early post-natal survival when ewes and lambs were housed indoors, suggesting that betaine may be beneficial to feed under extensive pasture systems. This study investigated whether maternal betaine supplementation during late gestation would improve Merino twin lamb live weight, thermoregulation, vigour and survival to weaning under field conditions. Ewes received dietary betaine at either 0 g/day (CTL; n = 115) or 4 g/day from day 110 of gestation (dG 110) until ~49 days post-partum (pp) (BET; n = 115). Measures indicative of lamb viability and survival were collected within 4–24 h of birth and at ~49 days pp and ~93 days pp. BET ewes had higher creatine and creatinine concentrations at dG 130 than CTL ewes (p < 0.05). BET lambs had a higher rectal temperature within 4–24 h following birth than CTL lambs (p < 0.05). CTL lambs were heavier at ~49 days pp and grew faster from birth to ~49 days pp than BET lambs (both p < 0.05). The time taken after release from the researcher to first suckling was quicker in the CTL lambs than BET lambs (p < 0.05). This study demonstrated that supplementing betaine increased creatine concentration in twin-bearing ewes and thermoregulatory capacity in neonatal lambs under extensive grazing systems. Full article

The study aimed to evaluate the effects of three supplementation strategies on intake, apparent digestibility, feeding behavior, performance, carcass traits, proximate composition, and the fatty acid profile of meat from steers on tropical pasture during the post-weaning and finishing stages. The experiment involved 33 1/2 Holstein × 1/2 castrated Zebu steers weighing 335 ± 42.90 kg, aged 22 ± 2 m. The animals were managed on Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu using an intermittent grazing system with continuous stocking and variable stocking rates for 310 days. The supplementation strategies were as follows: MS/US (mineral salt/urea supplementation): mineral salt in the rainy season and mineral salt with urea in the dry season; US/PS1 (urea supplementation/protein supplementation): mineral salt with urea in the rainy season and protein supplement at 1 g/kg body weight (BW) in the dry season; and PS1/PS2 (protein supplementation 1/protein supplementation 2): protein supplement at 1 g/kg BW in the rainy season and 2 g/kg BW in the dry season. The dry matter intake did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) between strategies. However, the post-weaning PS1/PS2 strategy resulted in higher (p < 0.05) crude protein intake. The final body weight did not differ (p > 0.05) between the strategies, but the average daily gain in post-weaning and finishing was higher (p < 0.05) for MS/US (restricted) animals. Carcass weight, subcutaneous fat thickness, and lipid content in meat were significantly higher (p < 0.05) for steers in the PS1/PS2 group. Steers finished on MS/US produced meat with a higher content of polyunsaturated fatty acids and ω-3 fatty acids (p < 0.05). Concentrate supplementation at 1 g/kg BW during the rainy season and 2 g/kg BW during the dry season is recommended for post-weaning and finishing steers on tropical pasture. Full article

The global demand for sustainable lamb production is increasing due to the need for high-quality meat with minimal environmental impact, making the choice of feeding systems crucial. This study investigates the effects of supplemented pasture feeding during the last 60 days of rearing on the meat fatty acid profile, pH value, colour characteristics, and mineral composition of lambs, highlighting the benefits of such feeding systems. Ninety lambs (MIS sheep breed) were divided into three distinct feeding regimes: Group I (alfalfa and concentrate feeding), Group II (white clover [Trifolium repens] pasture with concentrate supplementation), and Group III (birds’ foot trefoil [Lotus corniculatus] pasture with concentrate supplementation). The results have shown that supplemented pasture feeding improves the fatty acid profile by increasing n-3 content and desirable fatty acids, while reducing the n-6/n-3 ratio and atherogenic index (p < 0.05), particularly in lambs finished on an L. corniculatus diet. However, forage-supplemented feeding also reduces meat colour lightness and redness (p < 0.05). On the other hand, it enhances the meat’s mineral profile, with higher calcium, selenium, and iron levels, especially in lambs fed L. corniculatus. These findings underscore the benefits of moderate grazing with supplemental concentrates in optimising lamb meat quality. Importantly, they also highlight the potential of forage legumes like T. repens and L. corniculatus to significantly enhance the nutritional profile of lamb meat, offering a promising outlook for the future of sustainable lamb production. Additionally, this research provides valuable insights that could guide the development of future agricultural practices, dietary guidelines, and environmental policies to advance sustainable and nutritious food systems. Full article

The Pantanal has been facing consecutive years of extreme drought, with an impact on the quantity and quality of available pasture. However, little is known about how locally adapted breeds respond to the distribution of forage resources in this extreme drought scenario. This study aimed to evaluate the movement of free-grazing Pantaneiro sheep using a low-cost GPS to assess the main grazing sites, measure the daily distance traveled, and determine the energy requirements for walking with body weight monitoring. In a herd of 100 animals, 31 were selected for weighing, and six ewes were outfitted with GPS collars. GPS data collected on these animals every 10 m from August 2020 to May 2021 was analyzed using the Python programming language. The traveled distance and activity energy requirements (ACT) for horizontal walking (Mcal/d of NE_m) were determined. The 31 ewes were weighed at the beginning and end of each season. The available dry matter (DM) and floristic composition of the grazing sites were estimated at the peak of the drought. DM was predicted using power regression with NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index) (R² = 0.94). DM estimates averaged 450 kg/ha, ranging from traces to 3830 kg/ha, indicating overall very low values. Individual variation in the frequency of use of grazing sites was observed (p < 0.05), reflecting the distances traveled and the energetic cost of the activity. The range of distances traveled by the animals varied from 3.3 to 17.7 km/d, with an average of 5.9 km/d, indicating low energy for walking. However, the traveled distance and ACT remained consistent over time; there were no significant differences observed between seasons (p > 0.05). On average, the ewes’ initial weight did not differ from the weight at the drought peak (p > 0.05), indicating that they maintained their initial weight, which is important for locally adapted breeds as it confers robustness and resilience. This study also highlighted the importance of the breed’s biodiverse diet during extreme drought, which enabled the selection of forage for energy and nutrient supplementation. The results demonstrated that precision tools such as GPS and satellite imagery enabled the study of animals in extensive systems, thereby contributing to decision-making within the production system. Full article

Although both L-glutamate (Glu) and L-glutamine (Gln) have long been considered nutritionally nonessential in ruminants, these two amino acids have enormous nutritional and physiological importance. Results of recent studies revealed that extracellular Gln is extensively degraded by ruminal microbes, but extracellular Glu undergoes little catabolism by these cells due to the near absence of its uptake. Ruminal bacteria hydrolyze Gln to Glu plus ammonia and, intracellularly, use both amino acids for protein synthesis. Microbial proteins and dietary Glu enter the small intestine in ruminants. Both Glu and Gln are the major metabolic fuels and building blocks of proteins, as well as substrates for the syntheses of glutathione and amino acids (alanine, ornithine, citrulline, arginine, proline, and aspartate) in the intestinal mucosa. In addition, Gln and aspartate are essential for purine and pyrimidine syntheses, whereas arginine and proline are necessary for the production of nitric oxide (a major vasodilator) and collagen (the most abundant protein in the body), respectively. Under normal feeding conditions, all diet- and rumen-derived Glu and Gln are extensively utilized by the small intestine and do not enter the portal circulation. Thus, de novo synthesis (e.g., from branched-chain amino acids and α-ketoglutarate) plays a crucial role in the homeostasis of Glu and Gln in the whole body but may be insufficient for maximal growth performance, production (e.g., lactation and pregnancy), and optimal health (particularly intestinal health) in ruminants. This applies to all types of feeding systems used around the world (e.g., rearing on a milk replacer before weaning, pasture-based production, and total mixed rations). Dietary supplementation with the appropriate doses of Glu or Gln [e.g., 0.5 or 1 g/kg body weight (BW)/day, respectively] can safely improve the digestive, endocrine, and reproduction functions of ruminants to enhance their productivity. Both Glu and Gln are truly functional amino acids in the nutrition of ruminants and hold great promise for improving their health and productivity. Full article