Animal - Open Space最新文献

{"title":"Data paper: Pig body composition during growth determined non-destructively or through dissection and intramuscular fat content in different anatomical locations","authors":"M. Font-i-Furnols,&nbsp;A. Brun","doi":"10.1016/j.anopes.2025.100100","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anopes.2025.100100","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Data from the body composition of 90 pigs from three crossbreeds (Duroc × (Landrace × Large White), Pietrain × (Landrace × Large White) and Landrace × Large White) obtained at four different moments during growth (30, 70, 100 and 120 kg BW) are presented. Moreover, a subsample of pigs at 30, 70 and 100 kg as well as all those of 120 kg were slaughtered. All left carcasses were cut following the EU reference cutting and some of them dissected, either through a simplified dissection (four main cuts) or a full dissection (all the cuts except head and front and hind feet). At each target BW, live pigs were scanned by computed tomography (<strong>CT</strong>), providing the volume associated with each Hounsfield value. In addition, several measures (area, thickness, etc.) were obtained from CT images at specific anatomical locations, in order to characterise the body composition. Carcass characteristics (fat and muscle thickness) were also obtained directly from the carcass after slaughter and the weight and intramuscular fat content of three ham muscles and three loin locations were determined. This information can be used to develop growth curves for different tissues and cuts and to understand tissue deposition at various growth stages, either globally across all animals or to compare genotypes. Also, it provides a valuable database for exploring the relationship between whole carcass composition and that of the individual cuts, since it provides both the weight of all the cuts and the different tissue weights from dissections. Moreover, differences between full and simplified dissection can be studied from the database. Intramuscular fat is an important quality trait that affects consumer acceptance of meat, both visually and in terms of eating quality. Usually, intramuscular fat is measured in one muscle, but the database provides information from six different muscle/locations in the pig carcass, allowing a deeper analysis of this attribute. All these data have been used in several publications, but it can be reused and reanalysed using alternative methodologies and for different purposes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100083,"journal":{"name":"Animal - Open Space","volume":"4 ","pages":"Article 100100"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144184595","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Erratum to “Processing weights of chickens determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry: 1. Weight changes due to fasting, bleeding, and chilling” [Animal Open Space 1 (2022) 100024]","authors":"D.A. Martinez,&nbsp;N. Suesuttajit,&nbsp;J.T. Weil,&nbsp;P. Maharjan ,&nbsp;A. Beitia ,&nbsp;K. Hilton ,&nbsp;C. Umberson,&nbsp;A. Scott,&nbsp;C.N. Coon","doi":"10.1016/j.anopes.2025.100103","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anopes.2025.100103","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":100083,"journal":{"name":"Animal - Open Space","volume":"4 ","pages":"Article 100103"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144168757","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Method: Using a commercial precision livestock farming activity collar to automatically record and classify dairy cow activity at pasture","authors":"M. Bouchon ,&nbsp;H. Chanel ,&nbsp;L. Rouchez ,&nbsp;B. Martin ,&nbsp;M. Coppa","doi":"10.1016/j.anopes.2025.100099","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anopes.2025.100099","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Precision livestock farming technologies are increasingly being implemented on farms to enhance the management of key processes such as reproduction and feeding. Accelerometer technologies are the most spread and are able to provide a large quantity of data on animal activity. However, these data need to be validated against gold standards before being used further in research. We aim at validating the output from Axel Medria® device, a three-axis accelerometer sensor that automatically processes the raw data and classifies the main activity by 5−min epoch, for which the manufacturer does not disclose the classification algorithm. Two groups of six cows were observed during 30 h each, grazing on pasture, during two trials. The objective was to compare the agreement between sensor data and visual observations at different time windows. We used a confusion matrix analysis to assess the correspondence between visual observation and the output of the Medria algorithm and linear regressions associated along with a Bland-Altman analysis to compare the time budgets retrieved from the two sources. We focused on three activities (grazing, ruminating and resting) and on the posture of the animal (standing/lying). Sensitivity was &gt;73.5% for all activities except for resting (48.8%). Specificity reached 87.6–91.9% for all activities but posture showed a poorer result (67.0%). Nevertheless, accuracy was above 80% for the three activities and the posture and precision were more variable, the best results being obtained for posture (88.3%) and for grazing (93.6%). Linear regressions showed slopes between 0.73 and 0.99 for all activities and of 0.81 for posture, but differences between observers across the two trials have been observed for resting. <em>R</em>² were more variable, ranging from 0.30 (for resting in second year) to 0.84 for grazing. The Bland-Altman analysis showed good results despite significant bias for grazing, rumination and resting (only the first year). Due to the technology embedded in Axel Medria ® sensors, their performances were slightly lower than that of other devices which technologies are more precise for estimating specific behaviour (e.g. recording jaw movements is more precise to detect rumination). Nevertheless, Axel Medria ® sensors can provide indicators on different activities and over longer periods of time. The tested device, largely applied on commercial farms, showed good agreement with visual observation. Data can thus be used as a proxy to study dairy cow behaviour at pasture, on large cow groups over a long time, in experimental or commercial farms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100083,"journal":{"name":"Animal - Open Space","volume":"4 ","pages":"Article 100099"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144168758","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The effects of a product of the solid-state fermentation of Aspergillus niger on the in vitro rumen fermentation kinetics of rations fed to dairy cattle","authors":"S.E. Yerby ,&nbsp;J. Huntington ,&nbsp;H. Warren ,&nbsp;N.N. Jonsson","doi":"10.1016/j.anopes.2025.100098","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anopes.2025.100098","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The aim of this study was to determine the effects of incubating different doses of Synergen® (0, 0.5, 2, 5 mg/g substrate), a product of the solid-state fermentation of <em>Aspergillus niger</em> (<strong>ANP</strong>) containing residual enzyme activities, with two total mixed rations (<strong>TMR</strong>) formulated for dairy cattle, on the kinetics and end products of <em>in vitro</em> rumen fermentation. The inclusion of fungal fermentation products in cattle rations has improved digestibility measures and production performance and, may offer an avenue to improve the sustainability of ruminant production. In this study, a dose-responsive effect was observed for gas production from a high starch TMR over a 72-h incubation; doses of 2 and 5 mg ANP/g substrate significantly increased gas production by 33 ml (<em>P</em> = 0.024) and 32.9 ml (<em>P</em> = 0.025), respectively, compared to controls. However, no effect of treatment was observed on volatile fatty acid composition at the end of incubations. ANP treatment had no effect on the fermentation kinetics of a low starch TMR, suggesting that the dominant effect of treatment was amylolytic. Further research into the effects of ANP in cattle models is required to explore the utility of the product on farm.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100083,"journal":{"name":"Animal - Open Space","volume":"4 ","pages":"Article 100098"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144068112","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Energy, protein, dry matter, and water gap analysis in dairy cows kept under cut and carry fodder-based feeding systems","authors":"O. Umunezero ,&nbsp;C.K. Gachuiri ,&nbsp;M. Mutimura","doi":"10.1016/j.anopes.2025.100097","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anopes.2025.100097","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A study was conducted to determine the DM, water, protein, and energy intake of lactating dairy cows and compared with their requirements for potential milk production under a cut-and-carry fodder-based feeding system in Rwanda’s lowland and highland regions. Ninety-six dairy cows from 96 smallholder farms were purposively included in the data collection process. Data on feed characterisation were computed using the Farm DESIGN models while data on cows’ production requirements were calculated using LIGAPS dairy models. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and a GLM with univariate analysis in the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Results on feed characteristics showed that the mean nutritive value of the served fodder was 25% DM, 58.5% NDF, 9.8% CP, and 6 MJ of metabolisable energy (<strong>ME</strong>) per kg DM. Results showed the mean daily DM intake was 9 kg, daily water intake 35 L, 898 g of CP, and 55 MJ of ME, resulting in a mean daily milk production of 8.8L across both regions. However, the calculated average requirement for maintaining a dairy cow with a BW of 430 kg and potential milk production of 16.5 L/day was 15 kg of DM, 57 L of water, 1 907 g of CP, and 137 MJ of ME. This resulted in daily deficits of 6 kg DM, 21.6 L of water, 1 094 g of CP, and 83.7 MJ of ME. Available fodder was low in quantity and quality for the provision of nutrients for maintenance and production to express the genetic potential of lactating cows in smallholder farms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100083,"journal":{"name":"Animal - Open Space","volume":"4 ","pages":"Article 100097"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144068111","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Method: An alternative tool for heart rate data processing in grazing cattle","authors":"F. Marín ,&nbsp;M. Carriquiry ,&nbsp;H. Naya","doi":"10.1016/j.anopes.2025.100094","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anopes.2025.100094","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Heart rate (<strong>HR</strong>) has proven to be a non-invasive method to assess animal welfare and stress as well as a valuable tool to evaluate several animal traits related to metabolism. Remote sensors have provided the opportunity to monitor this trait individually; nevertheless, this continuous monitoring is prone to measurement errors and thus must be subjected to corrections. Nonetheless, it has proven difficult to establish a general correction method that does not involve a visual examination or does not depend on commercial software related to the measuring sensor. In this sense, this study aimed to develop a simple protocol using R software scripting that could objectively remove erroneous registers from individual 4-day grazing Hereford cattle recordings based on Polar sensors’ data. Using this method, we successfully decreased spurious variation of HR individual records and used this method on other cattle breeds. Nonetheless, calibration could be necessary if the conditions (i.e., other breeds, different physiological states) vary from the ones described in this study.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100083,"journal":{"name":"Animal - Open Space","volume":"4 ","pages":"Article 100094"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143548381","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Apparent zinc absorption in Ayrshire and Holstein lactating cows","authors":"M. Duplessis ,&nbsp;F. Hassanat ,&nbsp;C. Côrtes ,&nbsp;C. Benchaar","doi":"10.1016/j.anopes.2025.100096","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anopes.2025.100096","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>There is a lack of data about potential differences in trace mineral absorption within dairy cow breeds. The objective of this study was to evaluate if apparent zinc absorption between Ayrshire and Holstein lactating cows differs. A total of 12 multiparous cows (six Ayrshire and six Holstein) were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with periods of 35-day duration (26 days of diet adaptation followed by data collection). Daily intake and total fecal collection were performed on 7 consecutive days. Daily samples of total mixed ration, refusals, and feces were composited by week and analysed for zinc concentration by atomic absorption spectrometry. Apparent absorption was calculated as daily dietary intake minus excretion in feces over dietary intake. The percentage of inclusion of the mineral and vitamin supplement was 1.56 and 1.47% for Ayrshire and Holstein cows, respectively, accounting for different milk production, BW, and DM intake between the two breeds. Dry matter intake of Ayrshire cows averaged 20.5 (standard error (<strong>SE</strong>): 0.8) kg/day and 25.8 (SE: 0.8) kg/day for Holstein cows resulting in a tendency for Holstein cows to ingest greater quantity of zinc. Zinc excretion was significantly greater for Holstein compared to Ayrshire cows but this was not translated into different apparent absorption. Averaged apparent zinc absorption did not differ between breeds and was 21 and 16% for Ayrshire and Holstein, respectively, with a range from −15–31%, regardless of the breed. In summary, averaged apparent zinc absorption was similar between breeds and was in line with the values reported in the literature. However, under the current experimental conditions, the technique using dietary intake minus fecal output to measure apparent zinc absorption led to an important variation between animals.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100083,"journal":{"name":"Animal - Open Space","volume":"4 ","pages":"Article 100096"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143527435","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The effect of benchmarking on management practices and equid welfare on Prince Edward Island, Canada","authors":"M. Mills ,&nbsp;K. Proudfoot ,&nbsp;I. Elsohaby ,&nbsp;J. Burns ,&nbsp;M. Ross ,&nbsp;S. McKenna ,&nbsp;C. Ritter ,&nbsp;K. MacMillan","doi":"10.1016/j.anopes.2025.100093","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anopes.2025.100093","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>There are challenges with assessing the welfare of equines due to their diverse uses and management practices. The objectives of this study were to (1) describe the prevalence of animal-based welfare outcomes and compliance with Canada’s National Farm Animal Care Council Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Equines on equine farms in Prince Edward Island, Canada, and (2) determine the effect of benchmarking on compliance and awareness of the Code of Practice, as well as any changes in practices and animal-based welfare outcomes on these farms. Sixty farms were enrolled and were visited for an initial equine welfare assessment; all farms were then provided a benchmarking report that compared data collected from their equids to the other farms and the Code of Practice. Of these, 50 farms were re-visited the following year for a second assessment. The prevalence of animal-based outcomes in both years is presented descriptively, and differences between years were analyzed using paired t-tests and Chi-squared tests. On the second visit, 54% (n = 27) of farms showed more awareness of the Code of Practice and 48% (n = 24) of farms showed an improvement in at least one category of Code of Practice requirements. Of the animal-based measures, there was a significant reduction in the prevalence of unhealthy body condition score (−17.72, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001), integument lesions (−6.22, <em>P</em> = 0.020), and hoof abnormalities (−4.541, <em>P</em> = 0.026) from the first to the second visit. Although it is not clear if these changes occurred solely due to the benchmarking report, the results suggest that horse and donkey owners may be motivated to improve equid care and management using this approach. This study adds to the existing knowledge of equid welfare by providing a practical framework for the development of animal welfare assessments and the potential role of benchmarking in improving the welfare of horses and donkeys on Prince Edward Island and abroad.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100083,"journal":{"name":"Animal - Open Space","volume":"4 ","pages":"Article 100093"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143518857","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Data paper: A goat behaviour dataset combining labelled behaviours and accelerometer data for training Machine Learning detection models","authors":"S. Mauny ,&nbsp;J. Kwon ,&nbsp;N.C. Friggens ,&nbsp;C. Duvaux-Ponter ,&nbsp;M. Taghipoor","doi":"10.1016/j.anopes.2025.100095","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anopes.2025.100095","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper presents a dataset of accelerometer data and corresponding video-annotated behaviours from eight indoor dairy Alpine goats. Animals were equipped with 3D-accelerometers attached to their ears for 24 consecutive hours and recorded at a frequency of 5 Hz. Video recordings for this period were also obtained. Activities associated with positional, feeding and social behaviours were annotated over two daylight periods, for a total of 11 hours per goat, by a trained observer assuring high precision and consistency. This dataset can be used independently or complement an existing dataset for training supervised Machine Learning models for the detection of goat behaviour. It contributes to improving the robustness of such models by incorporating behavioural signals specific to indoor-housed goats.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100083,"journal":{"name":"Animal - Open Space","volume":"4 ","pages":"Article 100095"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143518858","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Contrasting feeding management in the first 21 days postpartum in Holstein dairy cows: direct and residual milk responses","authors":"C. Rivoir ,&nbsp;G.R. Mendina ,&nbsp;M.L. Adrien ,&nbsp;A. Meikle ,&nbsp;P. Chilibroste","doi":"10.1016/j.anopes.2025.100092","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anopes.2025.100092","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The transition period and its management affect how dairy cows face physiological challenges. Total mixed rations (<strong>TMR</strong>) have been shown as a strategy to address pasture-based system limitations and improve milk production, without consistent information about their use in short periods and residual responses. The study aimed to evaluate contrasting feeding management in the first 21 days <em>postpartum</em> on direct and residual milk production responses until 60 days in milk (<strong>DIM</strong>). Sixty-seven mixed parity Holstein dairy cows were used in a completely randomised block design in two treatments across two trials: MD-MD, cows fed a mixed diet (<strong>MD</strong>) with grazing and supplementation with mixed ration, from calving until 60 DIM, TMR-MD: confined cows with TMR provided <em>ad libitum</em> during the first 21 DIM in a compost-bedded pack barn and changed to MD at 22 until 60 DIM. During the first 21 DIM (direct response), cows fed TMR produced 11.7% more milk than those on MD-MD. Multiparous (<strong>M</strong>) TMR-MD obtained 18.6% higher milk yield than M MD-MD cows, but no significant differences were detected between primiparous (<strong>P</strong>) cows. After the switch at 22 DIM (residual response), no significant differences were detected between treatments in milk yield. However, the interaction between treatment and parity indicates that M TMR-MD cows exhibited 3.6% more milk than those in MD-MD, as a carryover effect. In contrast, P cows did not differ between treatments. In the first 21 DIM, TMR-MD cows achieved a higher fat concentration and protein yield than MD-MD. Fat yield tended to increase in TMR-MD compared to MD-MD, without treatment effect for lactose yield. In the residual period, TMR-MD cows had higher protein concentrations and tended towards higher fat concentrations than MD-MD cows. The interaction between treatments and parity showed that P TMR-MD cows had higher protein and exhibited a trend towards higher fat concentration than P MD-MD cows. The differential feeding management during the first 21 DIM did not generate differences in body condition score (<strong>BCS</strong>), between treatments or parities. In the residual period, TMR-MD cows achieved a higher BCS than MD-MD cows without differences between parities. No differences were found between treatments in grazing and ruminating time, reflecting a successful adaptation of TMR-MD cows. In conclusion, feeding TMR during the first 21 DIM is an effective strategy for increasing milk yield and achieving short-term carryover effects in M, but not in P cows.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100083,"journal":{"name":"Animal - Open Space","volume":"4 ","pages":"Article 100092"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143511059","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}