Translational Animal Science最新文献

{"title":"Growth performance, enteric methane emissions, and economic impact of alternative feeding strategies for Simmental fattening bulls.","authors":"Christian Koch, Manfred Schönleben, Jason J Hayer, Joachim Mentschel, Norbert Göres, Paolo Fissore, Katrin Gnjidic, Max Görtz, Hermann Bischoff, Josef Bauerdick, Helga Sauerwein, Morteza H Ghaffari","doi":"10.1093/tas/txaf043","DOIUrl":"10.1093/tas/txaf043","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study evaluated the effects of conventional silage-based (CONVL) and byproduct-based (ByProd) TMR, along with a tannin-seaweed supplement (ClimaSAN; a 50:50 proprietary blend of hydrolyzable tannins from chestnut (<i>Castanea sativa</i>) and brown seaweed (<i>Ascophyllum nodosum</i>), Sano GmbH, Loiching, Germany), on performance, enteric methane emissions, and economic outcomes. A 306-d trial was conducted with 32 Simmental bulls assigned to 2 treatments (<i>n = </i>16/group) formulated using the NASEM (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine). 2016. Nutrient requirements of beef cattle. 8th revised ed. The National Academies Press, Washington, DC, USA. https://doi.org/10.17226/19014) guidelines, in conjunction with the CNCPS (v6.5.5). The primary differences between ByProd and CONVL diets were neutral detergent fiber (aNDFom: 31.6% vs. 33.3% of dry matter [DM]), physically effective NDF (peNDF: 16.6% vs. 21.9% DM), acid detergent fiber (ADF: 16.5% vs. 19.1% DM), sugar content (8.24% vs. 4.26%), and ether extract (EE: 2.85 vs. 4.03% DM). From days 155 to 241, both groups were supplemented with ClimaSAN at 6 g/kg of TMR DM. Enteric methane emissions were measured using a portable laser methane detector (Mini-Green® Tokyo Gas Engineering Solutions, Ltd., Tokyo, Japan). Data were analyzed using a repeated-measures model in SAS 9.4, with treatment, time, and their interaction as fixed effects, and pen and animal as random effects. Bulls fed the ByProd TMR consumed less metabolizable energy, fibrous carbohydrates (including aNDFom, peNDF, and ADF) and ether extract (<i>P</i> < 0.05) but significantly more sugar and non-fiber carbohydrates (<i>P </i>< 0.01). However, the treatments did not significantly affect average daily gain (ADG), the ADG/metabolizable energy intake ratio and methane emissions. Methane data were categorized into three phases: pre-supplementation (Days 29 to 135), during ClimaSAN (Days 155 to 241), and post-supplementation (Days 263 to 306). ClimaSAN reduced methane by 9.82% in Period 2, and despite a 1.42% increase in Period 3, emissions remained below baseline. Carcass revenue (€4.61 vs. €4.60/kg, <i>P</i> = 0.80) and dressing percentage (57.0% vs. 56.8%, <i>P</i> = 0.71) were unaffected by dietary treatment. Economic performance was favorable for both diets, with the ByProd TMR group achieving a higher income over feed cost (€1,221 vs. €1,187/head, <i>P</i> = 0.11) and a higher profit margin (€371 vs. €337/head, <i>P</i> = 0.11). ClimaSAN-supplemented diets reduced methane by 9.82% with lasting post-supplementation effects. In summary, rations based on byproducts and co-products can reduce feed costs in cattle farming without affecting production efficiency.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"9 ","pages":"txaf043"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-04-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12161075/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144286583","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":"Relationship between phenotypic subcutaneous backfat thickness and spermiogram outcomes in young beef bulls.","authors":"Molly S Smith, Jorge Octavio Solano Aguilar, Grace Nyhuis, Francine Messias Ciriaco, Saulo M Zoca, Lew Strickland, R Lawton Stewart, Jason D Duggin, Pedro Levy Piza Fontes","doi":"10.1093/tas/txaf039","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txaf039","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigated the relationship between subcutaneous backfat thickness (SCBF) and semen quality in young beef bulls. We hypothesized that bulls with increased SCBF would have decreased semen quality compared with bulls of adequate SCBF, despite being fed the same diet. Data collected from yearling beef bulls (<i>n</i> = 710) enrolled in two bull development programs were utilized in an observational retrospective cohort study. Bulls were developed according to industry standard practices and growth performance was evaluated over 84 or 112 d following a 14- or 21-d adaptation period. At the end of the growth performance evaluation period, carcass ultrasonography was performed to evaluate ribeye area (REA), SCBF, and intramuscular fat. Furthermore, breeding soundness examinations (BSE) were performed within 40 d after carcass ultrasonography. Bulls that failed the BSE for reasons unrelated to semen quality were excluded from this study. To evaluate the relationship between SCBF and fertility variables, bulls were categorized into three cohorts based on SCBF estimates using two distinct thresholds. Within each location and year, bulls were retrospectively ranked according to their SCBF and classified into the top 10% (TOP10; n = 71), middle 80% (MID80; n = 569), and bottom 10% (BTM10; n = 70). To further investigate the relationship between SCBF and fertility, bulls were also categorized into the top 20% (TOP20; n = 153), middle 60% (MID60; n = 419), and bottom 20% (BTM20; n = 138) based on SCBF. TOP10 and TOP20 bulls had greater initial and final body weight, SCBF, REA, and IMF (<i>P</i> ≤ 0.01) compared with their respective cohorts. In contrast, SCBF classifications did not impact average daily gain, scrotal circumference, and sperm motility (<i>P</i> ≥ 0.29). The percentage of morphologically normal sperm was decreased in TOP10 and TOP20 bulls compared with their respective cohorts (<i>P </i>< 0.01), which are similar among them (<i>P </i>≥ 0.31). These differences resulted in a greater proportion of TOP10 (<i>P</i> < 0.01) and TOP20 (<i>P</i> < 0.01) bulls classified as deferred compared with their respective cohorts. In summary, elevated SCBF in bulls exposed to the same diet was associated with an increase in sperm morphological abnormalities and resulted in a larger proportion of bulls classified as deferred during their first BSE.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"9 ","pages":"txaf039"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-04-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12035814/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143983012","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":"Effects of including sprouted barley in the diets of Western white face feeder wether lambs.","authors":"Zachary Cal Crump, Anthony Fernando Alberto, Bailee Lynn Brown, Bryce Wayne Roholt, Lillian Lelehua Okamoto, Ryan Arthur Spurling, Fallon Lee Johnson, Ryan Feuz, Robert Lynn Harding, Sanjeewa Dilshan Ranathunga, Brady Morris Blackett, Jordan Ray Atkinson, Chad Mc Bride Page, Kara Jean Thornton","doi":"10.1093/tas/txaf040","DOIUrl":"10.1093/tas/txaf040","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The growing population is driving demand for animal protein which increases pressure on the agricultural industry. Vertical farming could potentially help by reducing land and water requirements while operating independently of weather. However, it is unknown how sprouted barley (SB), grown in a controlled environment system, impacts typical measures of production (body weight (BW) gain, dry matter intake (DMI), feed efficiency (G:F), feeding behavior, carcass traits, economics etc.), of western white face wether lambs. Wether lambs (N = 76) were stratified by initial BW (40.9 kg, ± 0.84) into one of four different dietary groups: a typical ration as the control (CON; n = 18) and diet groups with 10% (n = 20), 20% (n = 18), or 30% (n = 20) dry matter (DM) inclusion of SB, replacing some rolled barley, alfalfa, and soybean meal. On days 0, 30, and 58 BW and rumen pH were measured. Additionally, BW was also assessed on days 15 and 65. Feed intake and feeding behavior were quantified using Vytelle technology and averaged every 15 d at timepoints of days 15, 30, 45, and 69. All animals were harvested at a commercial lamb abattoir and carcasses were camera graded on day 69. The PROC MIXED procedure of SAS was used to analyze all data, with day as a repeated measure to assess effects of diet, day and the interaction. No diet × day <i>(P = 0.21)</i> for DMI was observed. However, diet <i>(P = 0.0006)</i> and day <i>(P = 0.004)</i> both impacted DMI, such that DMI increased <i>(P = 0.02)</i> over time and DMI of all SB diets was less <i>(P = 0.0001)</i> than CON. Lambs receiving CON had increased <i>(P ≤ 0.05)</i> nutrient intake of net energy maintenance, net energy gain, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent compared to SB. No differences <i>(P > 0.17)</i> were found in any carcass measurements. Net return (NR) for 30% SB was decreased <i>(P = 0.04)</i> relative to 10% SB, but was not different <i>(P > 0.10)</i> from the NR for 20% SB and CON. The CON diet had increased <i>(P < 0.01)</i> total feed costs (TFC) compared to 10% SB diets, but was not different <i>(P > 0.10)</i> from the TFC for 20% SB and 30% SB. The 10% SB diet had decreased <i>(P < 0.05)</i> cost of gain (COG) relative to 30% SB, but was not different <i>(P > 0.10)</i> from COG for CON and 20% SB. These results suggest incorporating SB into the diet of feeder wethers at levels of 10, 20, or 30% (DM) may enhance feed efficiency by lowering DMI, while maintaining production standards and improving COG.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"9 ","pages":"txaf040"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12070474/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144011342","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":"Digestible and metabolizable energy in soybean meal and soybean hulls when fed to growing pigs or sows.","authors":"Yeonwoo Kim, Su A Lee, Hans H Stein","doi":"10.1093/tas/txaf041","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txaf041","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that the apparent total tract digestibility (<b>ATTD</b>) of gross energy (<b>GE</b>) and concentrations of digestible energy (<b>DE</b>) in soybean meal (<b>SBM</b>) and soybean hulls are greater when fed to gestating sows or lactating sows than to growing pigs, and that there is no difference in ATTD of GE between gestating and lactating sows. Three experimental diets were prepared. The basal diet consisted of corn as the sole source of energy, and two additional diets contained corn and 30% SBM or corn and 20% soybean hulls. All diets were fed to growing pigs and gestating and lactating sows. Twenty-four growing pigs and twenty-four gestating sows were housed in metabolism crates, and fecal and urine samples were quantitatively collected. Twenty-four lactating sows were housed in farrowing crates and feces were grab-sampled. The ATTD of GE, DE, and metabolizable energy (<b>ME</b>) were calculated in diets fed to growing pigs and gestating sows, and DE and ME in SBM and soybean hulls were calculated as well. The ATTD of GE and DE were also determined in diets fed to lactating sows, and DE was determined for SBM and soybean hulls. Results from growing pigs indicated that DE and ME were greater (<i>P</i> < 0.05) in corn and SBM compared with soybean hulls. For gestating sows, DE in corn and SBM was also greater (<i>P</i> < 0.05) than in soybean hulls, and ME in corn was greater (<i>P</i> < 0.05) than in SBM, whereas soybean hulls had the least (<i>P</i> < 0.05) ME. Results for lactating sows indicated that DE in corn and SBM was greater (<i>P</i> < 0.05) than in soybean hulls, but lactating sows had greater (<i>P</i> < 0.05) DE for soybean hulls than gestating sows and growign pigs, whereas gestating sows had greater (<i>P</i> < 0.05) DE for corn than lactating sows. Gestating sows also had greater (<i>P</i> < 0.05) ME for corn than growing pigs whereas growing pigs had greater (<i>P</i> < 0.05) ME for SBM than gestating sows. In conclusion, soybean hulls contain less DE and ME than corn and SBM, but there are no consistent differences in DE and ME among growing pigs, gestating, and lactating sows.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"9 ","pages":"txaf041"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12057562/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144020197","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":"Building value for dairy farmers and advisors in the Farmers Assuring Responsible Management Environmental Stewardship Program.","authors":"MaryGrace Erickson, Maristela Rovai, Patricia Villamediana, Amy M Schmidt, Richard R Stowell, Erin L Cortus","doi":"10.1093/tas/txaf038","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txaf038","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Major industry-led efforts aim at reducing the cradle-to-farmgate environmental impacts of milk production (e.g., U.S. Dairy Net Zero Initiative). Our qualitative, exploratory work sought to characterize farmer and advisor perceptions of an environmental sustainability assessment program [FARM ES Version 2] in the Upper Midwest. We aimed to 1) explore the ways participants valued environmental stewardship (ES) assessments, 2) describe feasible on-farm improvement strategies identified regionally, and 3) characterize how participants assigned responsibility for enacting selected improvement strategies. In Fall 2023, we held a series of 2 to 3 focus groups for each of 5 regions (n = 14 meetings total) including farmers (n = 24), advisors (n = 20), and processor representatives (n = 1). Facilitators guided participants through semi-structured prompts to generate qualitative data including meeting transcriptions, consensus lists, and consensus diagrams. First, we used a deductive-inductive process to analyze meeting transcriptions and identify themes related to the value of environmental stewardship assessments. Results suggested that participants valued simplicity, ease of data entry, availability of regional comparisons, and the ability to enumerate a baseline for environmental performance. Conversely, participants reported skepticism about accuracy and fairness and the usefulness of assessments as decision-support tools. Second, we examined consensus documents to generate a list of feasible strategies for on-farm improvement. Participants identified immediately feasible management strategies including cover cropping, genetic improvement, no-/minimum-tillage, precision nutrient management, herd/facility management technologies, monensin supplementation, and the conversion of fossil fuel to electric motors. Finally, we inspected collaborative actor-network diagrams generated with participants, which illustrated that participants envisioned implementation as complex and (in some instances) contingent on cooperation across supply chains and allied industries. Overall, our findings suggested that dairy farms need both accessible entry points into ES management and advanced technical and social support for implementing changes.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"9 ","pages":"txaf038"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12035815/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144039947","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":"Influence of vegetative diversity during the stocker phase on carcass characteristics and economic returns of beef steers.","authors":"Sydni E Borders, Logan R Vandermark, Jameson R Brennan, Christina E Bakker, Keith R Underwood, Judson K Grubbs, John R Jaeger, Kenneth C Olson, Amanda D Blair","doi":"10.1093/tas/txaf037","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txaf037","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Stocker cattle can be managed in many grazing environments (variable range health, forage quality and quantity), which could impact subsequent performance and carcass attributes. The objective of this research was to determine the influence of vegetative composition and diversity driven by grazing history during the stocker phase on carcass traits and economic returns of beef steers. Yearling steers (n = 134, 116, 131, in 2020, 2021, 2022, respectively) were assigned randomly to grazing pastures that had been managed at three levels of stocking rate (low, moderate, and high) since 1942, creating three distinct plant communities (high, moderate, and low diversity) that represent the treatments in this study. At the completion of the stocker phase, steers were maintained in their pasture groups for finishing and within year were harvested at a common compositional endpoint. Finishing phase performance and carcass data were collected. Production (kg/ha) and economic return per carcass and per ha were calculated. Vegetative diversity as a result of stocking rate treatment did not influence (<i>P</i> > 0.05) weight gain in the stocker phase, feedlot performance, carcass traits or carcass value. However, pastures with lower vegetative diversity as a result of high stocking rate returned greater overall beef production and economic value per ha due to the increase in animals produced per unit of land, thus demonstrating that stocking rate can influence the profitability of an operation without negatively impacting carcass traits.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"9 ","pages":"txaf037"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12019960/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143987956","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":"Modelling growth in lowland sheep using nonlinear functions.","authors":"Numan Sharif, Fiona M McGovern, Noirin McHugh, Thierry Pabiou, Donagh P Berry","doi":"10.1093/tas/txaf036","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txaf036","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Modelling the growth profiles of sheep not only provides information about how body weight changes with age but also distills these serial measures into biologically important parameters which can be used in genetic evaluation programs. The objective of the present study was to evaluate a series of different functions applied to serial body weight measures of lowland sheep and, in doing so, also explore the relationship between the parameters within and across functions. The evaluated functions were Brody, Gompertz, Logistic, negative exponential, Richards and von Bertalanffy. The data set used consisted of 158,463 body weight records (range of 6 to 38 records per animal) from 13,090 female sheep. The functions were fitted to each animal separately. The coefficient of determination (R²) and root mean square error (RMSE) per animal, along with the ease of model convergence, were used to evaluate model fit. The percentage of animals that achieved convergence per function ranged from 82.39% (Richards) to 100.00% (negative exponential and Logistic). The mean R² value for the Logistic function was the lowest (0.94), while that for the Richards function was the highest (0.98). A weak negative correlation (r = -0.23 to -0.13) was estimated between the A (asymptotic weight) and B (integrated constant related to initial weight) parameters for all the functions except for Richards. The A and K (maturity rate) parameters of all the functions were negatively correlated and ranged from -0.55 (Brody) to -0.41 (Logistic). The values of the A parameter across all the functions were strongly positively correlated. The estimates for the B parameter of Logistic and Richards functions exhibited a very weak correlation (r = -0.04). A weak to strong correlation between the K parameter values across all functions was observed. Results suggested that all the evaluated functions, except the Richards function, can be applied to model the growth of lowland sheep. The Gompertz and von Bertalanffy functions were considered as the best fitting functions to describe the body weight profiles of Irish female lowland sheep based on their fit to the data, the ease of convergence, and the biological sensibility of the estimated function parameters.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"9 ","pages":"txaf036"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12057560/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143996705","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":"Influence of finishing systems on sensory characteristics and the mechanisms regulating tenderness formation in the <i>longissimus lumborum</i> of bison bulls.","authors":"Lydia M O'Sullivan, Clay J Newton, Keith R Underwood, Judson K Grubbs, Christina E Bakker, Thu Dinh, Carter Kruse, Amanda D Blair","doi":"10.1093/tas/txaf032","DOIUrl":"10.1093/tas/txaf032","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The objective of this study was to characterize the influence of finishing system on the sensory characteristics and mechanisms of tenderness formation in the <i>longissimus lumborum</i> (striploin) of bison bulls. Bison bulls (n = 196) were randomly assigned to one of two finishing treatments at approximately 25 mo of age: 1) Grain-finished (n = 98; placed in an open lot with ad libitum access to prairie hay, alfalfa hay, and whole shell corn prior to slaughter) or 2) Grass-finished (n = 98; bulls allowed to graze native pasture until slaughter). Bulls were harvested at approximately 30 mo of age and striploins were collected. Ultimate pH was recorded, and striploins were fabricated into steaks for assessment of sensory characteristics by consumer and trained sensory panels (steaks aged 14 d), and analysis of Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF; steaks aged 4, 7, 14 or 21 d). Additional steaks were aged for 14 d for determination of collagen content and sarcomere length. Proteolysis of desmin and troponin-T was evaluated on samples aged for 4, 7, 14, or 21 d. Consumer panel results indicate that grain-finished steaks had higher ratings for overall liking (<i>P</i> = 0.04) and flavor liking (<i>P</i> < 0.01) whereas off-flavor intensity was increased (<i>P </i>< 0.01) for grass-finished steaks compared to grain-finished steaks. Trained panelists indicated that grass-finished bison steaks had increased (<i>P </i>< 0.01) aroma and flavor intensities compared to grain-finished bison steaks and \"ammonia, metallic, and gamey flavors\" were associated with the grass-finished treatment. Warner-Bratzler shear force was affected by the interaction of finishing treatment with aging period (<i>P </i>< 0.01). Steaks from the grain-finished bulls became more tender (<i>P ≤ </i>0.02) as aging time increased from 4 d to 14 d, whereas WBSF of steaks from grass-finished bulls did not differ (<i>P </i>≥ 0.10) during this period. Steaks from grass-finished bulls were more tender (<i>P ≤ </i>0.01) than steaks from grain-finished bulls at 4 d and 7 d but treatments were similar (<i>P </i>≥ 0.61) at 14 and 21 d. Samples from grass-finished bulls had less (<i>P </i>< 0.01) intact desmin compared to grain-finished bulls. This study demonstrates that finishing system influences sensory attributes of steaks from bison bulls and highlights the role of proteolysis as the primary mechanism regulating tenderization of bison.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"9 ","pages":"txaf032"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11971716/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143796404","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":"Technical note: Construction of a CO _<b>2</b> supply system for depopulation of pigs in a container.","authors":"Marianne Kaiser, Jens Kristian Kristensen, Peter T Thomsen","doi":"10.1093/tas/txaf034","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txaf034","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Situations may arise where authorities need to depopulate large quantities of pigs in a short time. This must be done in an animal welfare-responsible manner. This paper describes in detail a technical mobile container system for CO₂ depopulation of pigs. The system consists of simple and easily accessible materials and can be replicated and scaled for multiple container systems for CO₂ depopulation. The container system was tested at 4 depopulation events where the pigs' behavior was filmed (1 event) and the duration of the various procedures was recorded. The results showed that the system's capacity met AVMA's recommendations for a CO₂ supply rate of 10% to 30% of the chamber volume per min. On average, the containers were supplied with CO₂ for 7 min, and it was possible to maintain a CO₂ concentration of 80% for at least 10 min after stopping the CO₂ admission. By maintaining the tarpaulin on the container during transport, this \"extending effect period\" can be utilized for additional CO₂ exposure and acts as an extra safeguard for successful depopulation. Target CO₂ concentration of 80% occurred after a mean of 7 min. Pig escape attempts were first observed 2 min:26 s after the start of CO₂ exposure. Presumably due to the stocking density (a mean of 0.52 m² per pig), no loss of posture (indicating loss of consciousness) could be observed. On the other hand, the last escape attempts were observed after 3 min:04 s, and the last atactic movements after 3 min:13 s. It is therefore reasonable to assume that all pigs have lost consciousness around that time. No pigs survived the procedure, and the described CO₂ depopulation system therefore lived up to expectations. We recommend that users are given the opportunity to practice thoroughly before an authentic emergency.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"9 ","pages":"txaf034"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12012665/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144033652","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":"Enhancing equine welfare: a qualitative study on the impact of RAiSE (Recognizing Affective States in Equine) as an educational tool.","authors":"Amber Wells, Kristina M Hiney, Colleen M Brady, Kathy P Anderson","doi":"10.1093/tas/txaf033","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txaf033","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The horse industry's growing focus on improving horse welfare stems from stakeholders' desires, increasing public scrutiny, and potential threats to its Social License to Operate. Correctly assessing equine affective states is crucial for enhancing horse welfare. However, horse owners often struggle with this assessment, especially those with limited consistent access to horses. To address this gap, RAiSE (Recognizing Affective State in Equine) was developed as an educational tool aimed at improving horse industry participants' ability to recognize these states. After development of the educational tool, its effectiveness was assessed using an inductive qualitative approach to define themes and patterns. Interview responses were collected through open-ended questions and interviews, with thematic analysis revealing key improvements and challenges of online learning. Participants discussed feeling as if they had achieved improvements in their ability to assess affective states and expressed intent to alter their behavior. Important themes that emerged through the inductive analysis of open-ended questions included: a<i>wareness of</i> h<i>orse's</i> e<i>motional</i> s<i>tate,</i> c<i>omprehensive</i> o<i>bservation of</i> h<i>orses'</i> b<i>ody</i> l<i>anguage,</i> i<i>nterpreting</i> e<i>quine</i> s<i>enses,</i> r<i>ecognizing</i> p<i>ain and</i> i<i>ts</i> i<i>mpact on</i> e<i>quine</i> b<i>ehavior and</i> w<i>ell-</i>b<i>eing, and</i> h<i>uman</i> i<i>nfluence on</i> b<i>ehavior and</i> w<i>elfare.</i> Interviews of ten users highlighted key themes regarding improvements needed with RAiSE, as well as the shared positive experiences throughout taking the online course. This study emphasizes the critical role of educational tools like RAiSE and the importance of their evaluation in advancing horse welfare by improving owners' awareness and understanding of equine emotions, thus enabling owners to make better decisions and management practices.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"9 ","pages":"txaf033"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12000717/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144015989","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}