Livestock Science最新文献

{"title":"Relationships between beef cow daily distance travelled, age, size, hide color, foraging optimization, and grazing distribution","authors":"Jacob D. Hennig , J.Derek Scasta , Jeffrey L. Beck , J.D. Hill , Barton Stam","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105764","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105764","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Movement and foraging behavior can influence animal productivity. Free-ranging cattle incur a high energetic cost from walking, but individuals that move more may do so to access greater forage quality leading to increased weight gains and weaning weights. Understanding how movement rates correlate with preferred demographic and phenotypic traits can inform breeding programs and management decisions. Beef cattle size has steadily increased in North America over the past 50 years due to selection for growth traits, and concomitantly the proportion of black-hided cattle has also increased. Consequently, understanding how cattle size and color influence movement rates, and how they vary with production stages, is critical for managers to make breeding selection, supplementation, and grazing rotation decisions. To better understand beef cattle movement in the context of industry trends and production stages, we deployed GPS collars on <em>Bos taurus</em> beef cows across a heterogeneous northern USA Great Plains rangeland to test 6 hypotheses related to individual movement variation: First, daily distance travelled varies with production stage due to different nutritional and physiological demands of each stage; second, older cattle are more experienced with their surroundings and move more per day to optimize resource acquisition; third, larger framed cattle have less capability to traverse rangelands and move less per day; fourth, red cattle receive less solar energy and move more during colder periods; fifth, individuals with greater movement distances use areas with greater forage quality; and sixth, individuals with greater daily movement distances are more optimally distributed across the range. Daily distance travelled varied by production stage with the shortest mean distance occurring during late-gestation (2730.97, 2671.54–2790.40) and longest mean distance during breeding (3089.85, 3017.71–3161.99). Mean daily distance travelled increased by 42.71 m (95 % CI = 0.17–85.24) per day for every additional year of cow age. At 0 degrees Celsius, red cattle moved an estimated 2758.93 m (95 % CI = 2670.32–2847.54) compared to an estimated 2584.90 m (2500.68–2669.13) for black cattle. Daily distance travelled did not vary with cow frame size. Mean daily distance travelled was positively related to both the maximum normalized difference vegetation index (β = 0.643, SE = 0.027, <em>P</em> = 0.016) and instantaneous rate of green-up (β = 0.075, SE = 0.020, <em>P</em> < 0.001) values of areas used daily. Additionally, daily distance travelled increased by 18.18 m (95 % CI = 12.78–23.58) for each additional degree of maximum slope use, and 484.89 m (451.12–517.66) for each additional 1000 m maximum distance from water. Our work documents that cattle movement rates vary with production stage and provides evidence that black-hided cattle may be better adapted to northern latitudes. Furthermore, we show that increased daily movement is indeed r","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"299 ","pages":"Article 105764"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144549160","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pasture management strategies to offer optimal sward structures for maximizing intake rate in continuous stocking","authors":"Lívia Chagas de Lima ,&nbsp;Thainá Silva de Freitas ,&nbsp;Arthur Pontes-Prates ,&nbsp;Alejandra Marín Gómez ,&nbsp;Jean Víctor Savian ,&nbsp;Paulo César de Faccio Carvalho","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105761","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105761","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Understanding herbivore interaction with forage resources is crucial for effective grazing management. This study investigates the impact of sward management strategies on the foraging behavior of sheep under continuous stocking. Italian ryegrass pastures were maintained at an average sward height of 15 cm, which has been reported to be optimal for animal performance. The objective was to assess whether sheep modify their grazing behavior in response to different interventions to maintain the target sward height. Three treatments were applied: 1) put-and-take with weekly stocking density adjustments (P&amp;T); 2) as P&amp;T, plus targeted grazing to areas that exceeded 18 cm, and deferment by fencing in areas where sward height was &lt;12 cm (T&amp;D); and 3) as P&amp;T, plus mowing to 15 cm areas where average height exceeded 18 cm and deferment in areas below 12 cm (M&amp;D). Sheep selectively grazed sward heights between 13–18 cm, which provided the highest intake per unit of grazing time. Regular adjustment of stocking density effectively maintained sward height within the optimal range for grazing. Overall, our results indicated no major changes in short-term behavior variables, daily activities time, grazing patterns, or the sward's height ranges the sheep selected. The results emphasize the importance of managing sward height to optimize animal intake and demonstrate that labor-intensive methods of pasture intervention, rather than simply manipulating animal density over time, do not significantly influence sheep intake or behavior when resources are abundant.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"299 ","pages":"Article 105761"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144579262","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimizing lambing efficiency: Alternative management strategies for Assaf ewe flocks","authors":"Cristina Hidalgo-González ,&nbsp;M.Pilar Rodríguez-Fernández ,&nbsp;Jaime Nieto ,&nbsp;M.Elena Pérez-García ,&nbsp;Javier Plaza ,&nbsp;Carlos Palacios","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105763","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105763","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Spain is a leading sheep milk producer in the EU, characterized by a wide variety of production systems across different regions and breeds. Achieving productive efficiency is critical for ensuring the economic viability of sheep farms, particularly in less favored territories.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aims to evaluate management efficiency in sheep farming by using lambing and its influencing factors as the fundamental reference element (Decision-Making Unit: DMU).</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>The study employs the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method to assess the efficiency of various farming systems. We analyzed 2474 lambings of Assaf dairy ewes of different ages, collecting both productive and economic data from the study farm. The variables considered include the percentage of concentrated feed used during milking, lambing campaign, inter-lambing interval, rest days, age at lambing, number of lambings per ewe, genetic level, liveborn lambs, and milk production per lambing. The DEA method was utilized to calculate the technical efficiency of DMUs based on the best observed practices, each DMU was compared with others using six inputs and two outputs through MAXDEA software.</div></div><div><h3>Results and conclusions</h3><div>The results reveal that the third lambing is the most efficient, while the first lambing is the least. The model suggests a reduction in concentrate feed during lactation by 7 to 9.4 %. Optimal lambing should occur between February and April, with matings between September and November, thus avoiding the costs associated with estrus synchronization, though this may challenge continuous year-round milk production. The model also recommends reducing the inter-lambing interval to below 300 days and cutting resting days by 33.3 % to 58.5 %. The age at first lambing should be lowered to 15 months, with selection for rebreeding advised within the first three lambings. The highest number of lambs born is observed in the fourth lambing, averaging 2.4 offspring, while the most significant improvement in milk production is seen after the first lambing.</div><div>In conclusion, the DEA method optimizes the management of dairy sheep farms, leading to improved productive and economic outcomes. It suggests improving reproductive performance in order to reduce the number of days that animals remain unproductive. This involves reinforcing matings during the milking period, reducing the number of 'open' days, shortening the interval between lambings and removing unproductive animals from the flock. Contrary to traditional resource-intensive approaches, the model recommends reducing concentrate feed consumption during lactation.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>The significance of this study is twofold: First, it introduces a novel dimension to management efficiency analysis by using lambing as a decision variable, offering new avenues for studying productivity. Second,","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"299 ","pages":"Article 105763"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144549161","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The effect of supplementary feed on live weight and meat quality of grazing yaks on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau","authors":"Meisong Wang ,&nbsp;Yayu Huang ,&nbsp;Allan Degen ,&nbsp;Jean-François Hocquette ,&nbsp;Rongzhen Zhong ,&nbsp;Shujie Liu ,&nbsp;Zhongxin Yan ,&nbsp;Yang Xiang ,&nbsp;Lizhuang Hao","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105756","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105756","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study examined the effects of supplemental feeding on the weight and meat quality of grazing yaks on the Tibetan Plateau. Thirty male yaks (2.5–3 years old) with similar characteristics were randomly assigned to two groups: the traditional grazing group (G) and the supplemental feeding group (SF). The SF group received 1.5 kg of supplemental feed daily. After 120 days, slaughter performance and meat quality were compared. The results showed that the SF group had significantly higher live weight (137.2 kg vs 175.3 kg, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001) , carcass weight (63.6 kg vs 89.5 kg, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001) , and net meat yield (34.0 % vs 40.2 %, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001) compared to the G group. Moreover, the SF group exhibited lower cooking loss, drip loss, and shear force, indicating improved meat quality (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) . Amino acid analysis revealed that the SF group had higher total amino acids (TAA, 13.25 g/100 g vs 14.14 g/100 g, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001) and essential amino acids (EAA, 5.19 g/100 g vs 6.03 g/100 g, <em>P</em> &gt; 0.05) content, the ratios of EAA/TAA and EAA/NEAA increased by 4 % and 10 %, respectively. Additionally, compared to the G group, the SF group had lower saturated fatty acids (SFA, 43.25 vs 39.22, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001) and higher polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA 11.49 % vs 13.74 %, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001), particularly ω-3 fatty acids (2.81 % vs 5.31 %, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001), with a lower n-6/n-3 (2.88 % vs 1.44, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001) ratio. Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) confirmed the effects of supplementation on amino acids and fatty acids. In conclusion, supplemental feeding significantly improved yak growth and meat quality, particularly in amino acid and fatty acid composition, providing valuable insights for grazing management on the Tibetan Plateau.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"299 ","pages":"Article 105756"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144597348","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Growth rate and carcass characteristics of Scottish Blackface and Texel x Scottish Blackface lambs offered forage brassica, perennial ryegrass or cereal based concentrate diets","authors":"M.A. Dolan ,&nbsp;T.M. Boland ,&nbsp;N.A. Claffey ,&nbsp;F.P. Campion","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105765","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105765","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study examined the performance of lambs offered one of six diet types; <em>ad-libitum</em> concentrates (ALC), forage rape (<em>Brassica napus</em> L. <em>FR</em>), hybrid brassica (<em>Brassica napus</em> L. <em>HB</em>), kale (<em>Brassica oleracea</em> L. <em>K)</em>, permanent pasture (predominantly <em>Lolium perenne.</em> PP) or reseeded perennial ryegrass (<em>Lolium perenne.</em> RS). Lamb grazing days (LGD) were higher for FR, HB and K compared to PP and RS (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). Lambs offered ALC had higher average daily gain (ADG) compared to lambs offered FR, HB and K (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001). Lambs offered PP and RS had the lowest ADG (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). Texel x Scottish Blackface (TXSB) lambs achieved a higher ADG compared to Scottish Blackface (SBF) entire males or SBF castrate males offered ALC, FR, HB, K and RS (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.01). SBF entire males achieved a higher ADG compared to SBF castrate males offered ALC, FR and PP (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.01). Lambs, slaughtered at ≥40 kg live weight, offered ALC had higher slaughter and carcass weights compared to lambs offered FR, HB and K (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.0001). TXSB lambs had lower carcass fat and superior carcass conformation than SBF entire males and SBF castrate males (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001). The results indicate that ALC diet maximises ADG, but lambs offered FR, HB and K outperform those offered PP and RS during autumn/winter grazing. PP and RS swards were inadequate for finishing lambs in the autumn/winter period due to the decline in nutritive quality and lower LGD compared to FR, HB and K.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"299 ","pages":"Article 105765"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144597349","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Rabbit gains: Does a free-range rearing build better muscle in rabbits?","authors":"Joanna Składanowska-Baryza ,&nbsp;Joanna Żochowska-Kujawska ,&nbsp;Małgorzata Sobczak ,&nbsp;Agnieszka Ludwiczak ,&nbsp;Marek Stanisz","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105776","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105776","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study evaluated the effects of two rabbit housing systems—conventional cages and park platforms—on slaughter traits, meat quality, and muscle fiber characteristics in broiler rabbits (PS19 × PS59). Rabbits reared in the park system exhibited significantly higher slaughter weights and lower fat deposition compared to those raised in cages. While hot and chilled carcass weights showed a tendency to increase in park-reared rabbits, dressing percentages remained unaffected. Organ weights such as liver and skin were significantly higher in the platform group, suggesting increased metabolic activity and physiological adaptation to enhanced mobility.</div><div>Meat from platform-reared rabbits demonstrated significantly lower pH and increased redness and yellowness indices, indicating improved color intensity. Texture analysis revealed higher plasticity in these rabbits, especially in the hindquarters, reflecting softer meat without altering shear force or nutritional composition. Although the proportions of muscle fiber types (I, IIA, IIB) were consistent across housing systems, rabbits from the park system showed significantly larger cross-sectional area, perimeter, and diameters of type IIA and IIB fibers, suggesting muscle fiber hypertrophy due to increased physical activity.</div><div>These findings suggest that enriched environments, such as park systems, not only improve animal welfare but also enhance meat quality attributes desirable to consumers—such as color and texture—without compromising nutritional value or production efficiency. The study supports the adoption of alternative housing systems in commercial rabbit farming as a viable strategy for promoting leaner, high-quality meat and improved muscle development, in line with consumer expectations for ethical and sustainable animal production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"299 ","pages":"Article 105776"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144549159","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The effect of rearing strategy on the dry matter intake of pasture-based dairy heifers","authors":"H. Costigan ,&nbsp;L. Delaby ,&nbsp;S. Walsh ,&nbsp;R. Fitzgerald ,&nbsp;M. Liddane ,&nbsp;N. Galvin ,&nbsp;E. Kennedy","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105760","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105760","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Although dry matter intake (DMI) is important in terms of achieving heifer weight-for-age targets and the utilization of pasture, the DMI of pasture-based heifers has not been widely researched. In order to quantify pasture-based heifer DMI and to determine the effect of different rearing strategies on DMI, data were collected from Holstein-Friesian (HF; <em>n</em> = 124), and Jersey (JE; <em>n</em> = 56) heifers weaned at either eight or 12 weeks and subsequently offered either a low or high post-weaning feeding regime. The n-alkane technique was used to measure the DMI of the heifers on nine occasions throughout the rearing period. Nutrition and management in the post-weaning period had a greater effect on DMI than that of weaning age. Although HF heifers had a higher total DMI than JE, JE heifers had a higher DMI when expressed as a percentage of BW. The results from this study indicate that rearing strategy may be used to manipulate DMI, and thus optimize the attainment of weight-for-age targets in pasture-based heifers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"300 ","pages":"Article 105760"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144604710","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A comparison of three nutritional models for estimating total metabolisable energy requirements for a ewe, beef breeding cow, lamb, and a calf/yearling in New Zealand’s pasture-only system","authors":"Joseph A. Adjabui,&nbsp;Patrick H.C. Morel,&nbsp;Stephen T. Morris,&nbsp;Paul R. Kenyon,&nbsp;Peter R. Tozer","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105766","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105766","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In New Zealand (NZ), the metabolisable energy requirements (MER) of ruminants can be estimated using nutritional models from Nicol and Brookes (2017), CSIRO (2007), and NZ’s Agricultural Inventory Model (AIM) of the Ministry for Primary Industries [MPI] (2022). The aim in this study was to calculate the total MER of a ewe, beef breeding cow, lamb, and a calf/yearling in a pasture-only system in NZ under the same assumptions to assess the extent and reasons for variations among the three commonly used nutritional models, and the implications for a given farm/s. The study utilised MER models from the three sources above using a factorial method. This method determines the MER for each physiological phase of an animal, to estimate total MER for each animal. The AIM (MPI 2022) model relative to Nicol and Brookes (2017), and CSIRO (2007) models respectively, estimated 13.4 % and 8.0 % higher MER for a ewe, 16.3 % and 16.6 % for a cow, 1.1 % and 2.0 % lower for a lamb, and 9.2 % and 9.2 % higher for a calf/yearling mainly due to a higher maintenance MER compared to the other models. This has implications for feed budgeting and stocking rates (SR) for a given farm, as the AIM (MPI 2022) model leads to a lower SR than the other two models for a given level of feed available. Energy balances and productivity could be negatively impacted if a model underestimates MER. This also yields different greenhouse gas (GHG) profiles, especially enteric methane, for a given farm and could potentially have financial consequences for farmers if an Emissions Trading Scheme was introduced. For consistency in ME estimates and GHG reporting, further research (feeding trials) is required to compare these model estimates to actual requirements of ruminants under NZ conditions. This could help identify the model that most accurately reflects MER for ruminants in the country.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"299 ","pages":"Article 105766"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144534545","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nutritional protocols that alter ruminal fermentation and nutrient disappearance to increase marbling precursors in Nellore cattle","authors":"Mariana M. Squizatti ,&nbsp;Antonio M. Silvestre ,&nbsp;Luana D. Felizari ,&nbsp;Breno L. Demartini ,&nbsp;Leandro A.F. Silva ,&nbsp;Daniel M. Casali ,&nbsp;Lidiane S. Miranda ,&nbsp;Katia L.R. Souza ,&nbsp;Vanessa G. Gasparini ,&nbsp;Werner F. Schleifer ,&nbsp;Thaiano I.S. Silva ,&nbsp;Johnny M. Souza ,&nbsp;Garret Suen ,&nbsp;Danilo D. Millen","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105758","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105758","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The aim of this was to investigate the effects of various nutritional protocols on the marbling precursors of Nellore cattle, including high-moisture corn (HMC), calcium salts of fatty acids (CSFA) and organic zinc and chromium (ZnCr) in the finishing diet. Five Nellore steers fitted with ruminal cannulas were utilized in a 5 × 5 Latin square design, with each period lasting 28 days and a 7-day washout between periods. Animals were randomly allocated to one of five treatments in each period: T1) Finely-ground corn (FGC); T2) HMC; T3) FGC + CSFA T4) HMC + CSFA, and T5) HMC + CSFA + ZnCr. Sodium monensin was added to all treatments at a dosage of 25 ppm. The replacement of FGC with HMC reduced dry matter intake by 5.9 % (<em>P</em> = 0.02) and increased blood glucose concentrations by 24.6 % (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.01) without significantly altering (<em>P</em> &gt; 0.05) ruminal short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and pH. The addition of CSFA decreased (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) the ruminal degradability of nutrients such as dry matter, crude protein, and neutral and acid detergent fiber, without impacting propionate and SCFA concentrations in the rumen, as well as blood glucose and insulin levels (<em>P</em> &gt; 0.05). An increase (<em>P</em> = 0.02) in protozoa populations from the genera <em>Entodinium</em> and <em>Diplodinium</em> was observed when CSFA were added to the diet. The addition of ZnCr increased the molar proportion of propionate (<em>P</em> = 0.01) from 29.29 to 38.08 mol/100 mol, resulting in a greater concentration of SCFA 12 h after feeding (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). Moreover, adding ZnCr to the diet elevated insulin levels by 53.5 % and decreased blood glucose by 34.2 %. The addition of CSFA did not affect marbling precursors in Nellore cattle, and HMC only increased blood glucose concentrations. However, incorporating organic Zn and Cr into diets may enhance the positive effects of HMC and CSFA on marbling precursors.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"299 ","pages":"Article 105758"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144523323","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of a simulated udder on survival and weight gain of neonatal piglets in a practical farm setting","authors":"C. Jensen ,&nbsp;E. Rønving ,&nbsp;V.A. Moustsen ,&nbsp;M. Hinge ,&nbsp;F. Hakansson ,&nbsp;I. Czycholl","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105757","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105757","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hyperprolificacy in sows presents challenges for piglet nutrition and survival in modern pig production. This study investigated the potential to ensure the survival of one additional piglet by using a specifically designed simulated udder (test group, T-group) compared to the control group (C-group). The hypothesis further holds that there is no negative effect on piglet weight gain. The experiment involved 53 litters from 26 control-sows (C-group) and 27 test-sows (T-group), conducted over seven weeks on a Danish pig farm. In the T-group, litters were divided into sets of six based on birth order, rotation between nursing by the sow and the simulated udder, while the C-group piglets were nursed continuously by the sow. Numerically, in the T-group, 0.6 more piglets survived; however, this effect was not statistically significant. (<em>P</em> = 0.7). 69.8 % of the sows successfully nursed 17 piglets, with 74.1 % of these sows belonging to the T-group. 96.5 % of the piglets maintained or exceeded their birth weight, and 86.8 % experienced a weight gain of at least 10 % within 76 h <em>postpartum</em>. The weight gain in the T-group was 5.8 ± 1.3 kg and 4.9 ± 1.6 kg in the C-group. The utilization of a simulated udder did not result in significant changes in piglet survival, though it did have an impact on weight gain compared to sow nursing. However, the sample size in this study was too low to detect smaller effects. Importantly, no negative consequences were observed from the use of simulated udders.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"299 ","pages":"Article 105757"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144523324","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}