AnimalPub Date : 2025-09-04DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2025.101646
A.J.M Jansman , H. van Diepen , D. Siebert
{"title":"The optimal isoleucine to lysine ratio in diets for postweaning piglets","authors":"A.J.M Jansman , H. van Diepen , D. Siebert","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101646","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101646","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Use of low CP diets for pigs contributes to an increased sustainability and reduced environmental impact of pig production. To avoid over- or undersupply of protein and essential amino acids, it is important to have more precise information on the requirement for essential amino acids in pigs in different production phases. Isoleucine (<strong>Ile</strong>) can be regarded as a potential limiting amino acid in diets for weaned piglets of today’s genotype. Therefore, the present study investigated the optimal Ile to lysine (<strong>Lys</strong>) ratio in diets for postweaning piglets in a dose−response study with 384 postweaning piglets with six dietary treatments (T1-T6) with eight replicates (pens) per treatment. Treatments included provision of diets with incremental levels of standardised ileal digestible (<strong>SID</strong>) Ile by increasing the inclusion of free L-Ile to reach a ratio of SID Ile to Lys of 37, 41, 46, 50, 55 and 60% (range 4.40 to 7.15 g SID Ile per kg of diet). The basal diet mainly consisted of corn, wheat, barley, potato protein, haemoglobin powder and soybean meal (CP: 150 g/kg; Net energy: 10.46 MJ/kg; SID Lys: 12.0 g/kg) and was supposed to be deficient in Ile (4.40 g SID Ile/kg of the diet). Daily feed intake (<strong>dFI</strong>), body weight gain (<strong>BWG</strong>) and feed conversion ratio (<strong>FCR</strong>) were measured over a period of 4 weeks, starting 6 days postweaning. Regression analysis with a broken line model and a quadratic model was applied to derive the optimal ratio of SID Ile relative to SID Lys in low−protein diets for postweaning piglets. The piglets fed the basal diet had significantly lower BWG, dFI and higher FCR (<em>P</em> < 0.05) than animals fed with Ile−supplemented diets. Both dFI and BWG showed a dose−dependent response towards increasing the dietary level of Ile. The optimal ratio of SID Ile to Lys, based on regression analysis with the quadratic model, was estimated at 52.6 and 52.5% for dFI and BWG, respectively. It is concluded that the optimal ratio of SID Ile relative to Lys to optimise dFI and BWG in piglets fed a low protein diet in the postweaning period is 52%.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 10","pages":"Article 101646"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145158932","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AnimalPub Date : 2025-09-04DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2025.101648
R. Nogueira , J.O. Pinho , A.I. Plácido , A.C. Coelho , P.A. Oliveira , A. Figueiras , F. Roque , M.T. Herdeiro
{"title":"Exploring the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of livestock veterinarians on antibiotic prescription and use: insights from focus group discussions","authors":"R. Nogueira , J.O. Pinho , A.I. Plácido , A.C. Coelho , P.A. Oliveira , A. Figueiras , F. Roque , M.T. Herdeiro","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101648","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101648","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Antimicrobial resistance (<strong>AMR</strong>) is a global threat impacting humans, animals, and ecosystems. Effective antibiotic stewardship in livestock veterinary practices is essential to combat resistance development and dissemination. This study aimed to explore Portuguese veterinarians’ knowledge, perceptions, attitudes, and practices regarding antibiotic prescription and use in livestock, namely bovine, swine, equine, and small ruminants. A qualitative methodology, focus groups (<strong>FGs</strong>), was conducted by videoconference, between July and December 2024. The FG guide was based on a comprehensive review of relevant literature. Sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed using thematic analysis with webQDA software. Results: In total, 19 veterinarians participated in six FG. Three main themes were identified: (i) Antibiotic prescription, use, and management, (ii) Animal welfare management, and (iii) Fostering antibiotic stewardship. Veterinarians recognised the importance of prudent antibiotic use, but faced obstacles, such as farmer non-compliance, insufficient knowledge and/or economic constraints, and limited laboratory resources. National initiatives have increased awareness and surveillance efforts; however, implementation barriers remain, especially given regional farming differences. Findings suggest that addressing AMR requires medium- and long-term, tailored strategies involving policy reforms, enhanced veterinarian and farmer education, improved diagnostic capacity, and effective communication among stakeholders. Emphasising a One Health approach and considering regional contexts are vital to promoting responsible antibiotic use, advancing antibiotic stewardship, and reducing resistance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 10","pages":"Article 101648"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145158934","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AnimalPub Date : 2025-09-04DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2025.101647
P. Pasomboon , S. Kumkhong , S. Panserat , S. Boonanuntanasarn
{"title":"Linseed oil injection into the yolk reserve strongly modulates lipid gene expression and fatty acid composition in juvenile Nile tilapia","authors":"P. Pasomboon , S. Kumkhong , S. Panserat , S. Boonanuntanasarn","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101647","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101647","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nutritional programming (<strong>NP</strong>) is an efficient tool for altering metabolic responses to specific nutrients. We aimed to investigate the effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (<strong>PUFA</strong>)-based NP on lipid metabolic responses in Nile tilapia, an economically important freshwater fish species. To increase n-3 PUFA levels during early development, n-3 PUFA-based NP was conducted by injecting linseed oil into the yolk reserve, while the control group received a normal saline injection. Early injection of linseed oil altered the fatty acid profile of fish fry, suggesting the potential for n-3 PUFA stimulation in larvae. The long-term effects of the linseed oil injection were then assessed in juvenile fish. Early linseed oil injection improved feed efficiency throughout the juvenile stage (<em>P</em> < 0.05) and increased n-3 long chain-PUFA (LC-PUFA) levels in the liver and muscles (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Compared to fish injected with saline, those with a history of early linseed oil injection showed reduced hepatic fat content and an upregulation of the expression of several genes related to fatty acid oxidation in the liver (<em>cpt1cb, acox1, pparα,</em> and <em>acadl</em>) and muscles (<em>acox1</em> and <em>acadl</em>; <em>P</em> < 0.05). Early linseed oil injection also modulated the expression of genes related to lipogenesis, fatty acid desaturation and elongation, hepatic cholesterol synthesis, fatty acid transportation, as well as interactions between carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and eicosanoid synthesis. Moreover, the long-term impact of NP was determined when fish were challenged with a linseed oil-rich diet. In the context of the challenging diet, growth performance appeared to be similar between NaCl-injected and linseed oil-injected fish. The linseed injection history reduced the hepatic and muscular protein content, suggesting protein catabolism. With a linseed oil-rich diet challenge, linseed oil injection history led to an increase in n-3 LC-PUFA levels in the liver and muscle, as well as fatty acids and their related metabolism. Taken together, early nutritional stimuli were achieved by injecting linseed oil into the yolk reserve in Nile tilapia larvae, resulting in long-term effects on fatty acid composition, fatty acid oxidation, and LC-PUFA synthesis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 10","pages":"Article 101647"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145158935","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AnimalPub Date : 2025-09-03DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2025.101639
A. Guillenea , B.C.D. Cuyabano , P. Croiseau , M.S. Lund , E. Karaman
{"title":"QTL detection in multi-breed cattle populations including crossbred animals: a simulation study","authors":"A. Guillenea , B.C.D. Cuyabano , P. Croiseau , M.S. Lund , E. Karaman","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101639","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101639","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Many methods have been proposed to identify regions neighbouring causal variants, primarily targeting purebred populations, and modified to also handle multi-breed and crossbred populations. The power of such methods is affected by differences in linkage disequilibrium phase between markers and quantitative trait loci (<strong>QTL</strong>) across breeds. In this study, we aimed to provide a novel method based on the breed origin of alleles, referred to as breed origin of alleles (<strong>BOA</strong>), which allows QTL effects to be different but correlated across breeds and suitable for analysing purebred (<strong>PB</strong>) and crossbred (<strong>XB</strong>) animals’ data together (PB+XB<sub>BOA</sub>). Using simulations, we compared the results from our method with those obtained with a conventional BayesBπ when the pure breeds were analysed individually (PB<sub>SINGLE</sub>) and when all the pure breeds and crossbred animals’ data were simply combined without accounting for BOA (PB+XB<sub>JOINT</sub>). The simulated data comprised a multi-breed population of which 65% were purebreds, and 35% were crossbreds, with a varied contribution of the three pure breeds. True positives, power of detection, false positive rate, positive predictive value and score of each model were used for comparison. The analysis on PB<sub>SINGLE</sub> presented the lowest ability to detect QTL, especially in the smallest breed. When analysing the animals jointly, more QTL were identified in all breeds, but even more were detected when accounting for BOA, which in addition, led to a higher power of detection and positive predictive value while keeping narrower peaks than ignoring it. We concluded that the methodology proposed outperformed the other two approaches in identifying genomic regions of interest, one analysing purebred data separately and the other combining purebred and crossbred data in a single analysis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 10","pages":"Article 101639"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145158937","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Telling tails: a closer look into the hanging tail posture of pigs in relation to their emotional state expressed during a novelty test in isolation","authors":"I. Reimert , E.A.M. Graat , W.W. Ursinus , J.E. Bolhuis","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101609","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101609","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The tail of a pig can be positioned in various postures such as curled, straight out, hanging down or tucked against the body. The tail hanging down is suggested to be indicative of a negative emotional state in several situations. The objective of this study was to explore whether the hanging posture could also be used as an indicator of a negative emotional state in a novel situation. Hereto, the tail posture of 476 pigs was studied and related to the behaviour of the pigs at the start of a 10-min combined novel environment and novel object test, and the latency to get back from a hanging tail, if present, into a curly tail was studied during the novel environment and novel object phase of the test, respectively. In addition, the effect of housing, indirect genetic effects (<strong>IGE</strong>) for growth, victim of tail biting, coping style and sex on (the change in) tail posture was studied. About 30% of the pigs had their tail hanging at the start of the novel environment phase. This hanging tail posture was more likely to be present in pigs with a relatively negative IGE for growth, in barren housed pigs, and in victims of tail biting. Moreover, it took barren housed pigs longer to have their tail (curled) up during the novel environment phase. Coping style and sex did not affect (the duration of) the hanging tail posture. Besides, pigs that had their tail in a hanging posture at the start of the novel environment phase produced more vocalisations and spent more time at the entrance of the novel environment in the first 10 s of the test. To conclude, these results suggest that the hanging tail posture may be indicative of a negative emotional state in novel situations. However, caution and more research are warranted as not all pigs displayed a hanging tail, and furthermore, tail posture might be influenced by other factors than emotional state.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 9","pages":"Article 101609"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144932451","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AnimalPub Date : 2025-09-01Epub Date: 2025-07-09DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2025.101596
E Mancin, C Sartori, E Rulli, A Oian, G Gomez Proto, F Tiezzi, R Mantovani
{"title":"Indicators of resilience in cattle based on test-day milk yield: comparison of within- and between-lactation and their relationship with milk production.","authors":"E Mancin, C Sartori, E Rulli, A Oian, G Gomez Proto, F Tiezzi, R Mantovani","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101596","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101596","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Measuring variability in target phenotypes is a recognised strategy for assessing resilience, particularly in dairy cattle, where fluctuations in daily milk yield can be monitored using automated milking systems. However, these data are not available for all animals or populations, limiting the integration of current resilience indicators into routine selection indices. This underscores the need for alternative approaches based on more widely accessible data sources. The present study aimed to develop and evaluate novel resilience indicators derived from routinely collected test-day milk yield records in the Rendena breed, a local cattle population. Ten resilience indicators were proposed, categorised into two groups: WITHIN indicators, assessing milk yield variability within single and combined lactations (1 to 3), and BTW indicators, measuring fluctuations between lactations (1 to 2; 1 to 3; 1 to 4) based on standardised 305-day yields (BTWtot) and peak daily yields (BTWmax). The indicators were evaluated for heritability, genetic correlations, and associations with production, fitness, and milk composition traits. Structural equation models were also used to account for the confounding effects of milk production. All indicators showed heritable variation, with estimates ranging from 0.095 to 0.324. Strong genetic correlations (0.62-0.99) were observed among indicators, especially within the WITHIN group. Most indicators were positively correlated with milk production and negatively with fitness traits, including fertility and longevity. Milk solids showed weak or no associations, except for protein percentage, which was positively correlated with several indicators, particularly WITHIN types. Among all, vardmy2 (milk yield variance within the second lactation) stood out due to its moderate heritability (0.228), early availability, and strong negative genetic correlations with fitness traits. Structural equation model analyses confirmed these associations were not confounded by milk yield, supporting the biological relevance of milk variability as a resilience indicator. Specifically, cows with higher yield variability were genetically less fit, showing poorer fertility, reduced longevity, and higher somatic cell scores. In conclusion, resilience indicators based on test-day milk data, particularly those assessing within-lactation variability, are heritable and biologically meaningful. They can be integrated into breeding programmes to support the selection of more resilient and healthier cows, even in the absence of automated milking system data.</p>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 9","pages":"101596"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144812670","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AnimalPub Date : 2025-09-01Epub Date: 2025-07-21DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2025.101602
E Sell-Kubiak, N Pycińska, A Ludwiczak, K Szulc
{"title":"Genetic parameters for the mean and phenotypic variability of litter size traits in native pig breeds: Złotnicka White and Złotnicka Spotted.","authors":"E Sell-Kubiak, N Pycińska, A Ludwiczak, K Szulc","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101602","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101602","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Breeding native pig breeds holds surging international interest due to their role in biodiversity conservation. Regardless of the breed, the success of pig breeding is related to litter size. This trait is not only economically important but also essential for preserving the genetic resources of native breeds. Three Polish native pig breeds are maintained by genetic resource conservation programmes in Poland, with Złotnicka White and Złotnicka Spotted being the subjects of our study. Only one study has been conducted on the genetic parameters and heritability of litter size in these breeds. Moreover, the genetic parameters associated with the phenotypic variability of litter size traits have never been studied in these native pig breeds. Thus, this study aimed to estimate the genetic variance components and genetic correlations for the number of piglets born alive (NBA) and the number of piglets living at 21 days, as well as the phenotypic variability of these traits in populations of Polish Złotnicka White and Złotnicka Spotted native pig breeds. Phenotypic data revealed that despite the growing population of Złotnicka breeds, the litter size decreased, whereas the trait variation remained at the same level. The heritability of litter size traits in the Polish Złotnicka pigs reported in this study was lower than in other European native breeds and varied from 0.10 to 0.13. The heritability of variability for the studied traits was within the expected range (0.007-0.014). The low or moderate correlations between the mean NBA and its phenotypic variability (0.23 and 0.50) indicate that selection in the desired direction for the two traits would be possible. This was also confirmed in the simulation analysis. Złotnicka breeds have greater heritability of phenotypic variability than commercial breeds. The moderate correlations between the mean and variability of the litter size traits indicate that it would be possible to reduce variability without losses at the litter size level if an appropriate breeding programme were applied. This is not an easy task since genetic resource conservation programmes focus on preserving the population's genetic variation rather than enhancing it. Thus, as the Złotnicka breeds are under conservation programmes, such selection might never be implemented. We also indicated that the variability of litter traits in native breeds resembles that reported in commercial pigs, even though it is lower. This can benefit breeding programmes of other native European pig breeds to help maintain the optimum litter size.</p>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 9","pages":"101602"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144812669","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AnimalPub Date : 2025-09-01Epub Date: 2025-07-16DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2025.101601
G A Fernandes Júnior, R Costilla, R Carvalheiro, B Hayes, E M Ross, H N Oliveira, L G Albuquerque
{"title":"Improving imputation accuracy across tropically adapted beef cattle: an application for Brahman and Nellore using whole-genome sequencing data.","authors":"G A Fernandes Júnior, R Costilla, R Carvalheiro, B Hayes, E M Ross, H N Oliveira, L G Albuquerque","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101601","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101601","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Combining information of different breeds is a cost-effective strategy to increase the size and genetic diversity of reference populations, which would improve imputation and/or genomic prediction accuracies in comparison with single-breed evaluations. Here, we have evaluated the impact of combining sequence information from two of the most relevant tropically adapted beef cattle breeds (Brahman and Nellore) on imputation accuracies to the sequence level. Whole-genome sequencing data of 279 (128 Brahman and 151 Nellore) animals were used in this study. Animals were chosen based on their contribution to the respective breed, attempting to reach high imputation accuracies by maximizing the genetic variability captured in the sequencing. Ten well-designed imputation scenarios from high-density single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) panel (∼777 K) to whole-genome sequence, implemented using the software FImpute3, were used to study different strategies to combine Brahman and Nellore sequencing data for imputation purposes. Animal and SNP imputation accuracies were assessed by the squared correlation between observed and imputed genotypes. The analysis of the genetic structure of the sequenced animals showed that Nellore and Brahman are genetically distinct cattle breeds with similar patterns of linkage disequilibrium. Compared to single-breed evaluations, the average imputation accuracy per animal improved from 0.89 to 0.91 in Brahman and from 0.94 to 0.96 in Nellore by utilizing a multibreed model. The overall average SNP-wise imputation accuracies were also improved (from 0.78 to 0.82 in Brahman and from 0.86 to 0.92 in Nellore) by combining sequence data from Nellore and Brahman, including a considerably better imputation for the known hard-to-impute genomic regions on chromosomes 5, 10, 12, 15, and 23. This study showed that higher accuracy of imputation to whole-genome sequencing can be achieved for both Brahman and Nellore using multibreed models in comparison to the standard single-breed evaluations, especially when restricting the analysis to a reference panel that is segregating in both breeds.</p>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 9","pages":"101601"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144800871","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AnimalPub Date : 2025-08-28DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2025.101635
M. Fajardo , S.A. Morgan , P. Chilibroste , M.R.F. Lee , M.J. Rivero
{"title":"Animal and pasture responses in contrasting temperate pasture-based cattle management systems: set-stocking versus cell grazing","authors":"M. Fajardo , S.A. Morgan , P. Chilibroste , M.R.F. Lee , M.J. Rivero","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101635","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101635","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Grasslands cover a significant portion of the Earth’s land and offer many benefits. In the UK, they constitute the largest agricultural area and support livestock production. Traditional set-stocking (<strong>SS</strong>) and continuous grazing methods allow animals to selectively graze more palatable and nutritious plant parts and species, boosting individual animal productivity in the short term but can be detrimental to long-term pasture productivity. Cell grazing (<strong>CG</strong>), an intensive rotational system, is proposed as an alternative that can enhance system productivity and profitability through increased pasture production, utilisation, and stocking rates; with potential to optimise natural resource use (e.g., land) and mitigate environmental impacts (e.g., soil carbon sequestration). A 4-year study at Rothamsted Research’s North Wyke site in southwest England compared animal and pasture responses under SS and CG stocking methods using a split-block design with three replicates (enclosures) per treatment. The SS enclosures (1.5–1.75 ha) were continuously grazed with fixed stocking rates, and CG enclosures (1.0 ha) were rotationally grazed with flexible daily grazing area allocations and stocking rates. Grazing occurred from spring to autumn, using two cohorts of autumn-born dairy × beef steers, each grazed for 2 years before slaughter. Measurements included standing herbage mass (weekly), herbage chemical composition (fortnightly), steer liveweight (monthly), and botanical composition (spring 2018 and 2022). DM intake was estimated based on animal energy requirements. Significant interaction effects (<em>P</em> < 0.05) were found for most variables, apart from metabolisable energy, ADF and NDF which were affected by treatment (<em>P</em> < 0.05) and year (<em>P</em> < 0.001), and DM content which was affected by year only (<em>P</em> < 0.001). Average daily gain was higher in SS (0.77 kg/d) than CG (0.60 kg/d), linked to higher estimated DM intake (7.2 vs 6.2 kg DM). However, annual liveweight (<strong>LW</strong>) production per hectare was greater in CG (687 vs 476 kg LW/ha, respectively), due to higher total pasture production (6 053 vs 3 667 kg DM/ha, respectively) and stocking rate (2 362 vs 1 290 kg LW/ha, respectively). Herbage nutritional quality varied, with CG having higher metabolisable energy and water-soluble carbohydrates, and lower fibre (ADF and NDF) concentrations. Changes in botanical composition also varied between treatments. The proportion of perennial ryegrass increased under CG (42–69%, <em>P</em> < 0.001) but declined under SS (36–16%, <em>P</em> < 0.01). These results highlight that while SS can enhance individual animal gains, CG improves total system productivity and pasture composition. Long-term, replicated experiments like this are crucial for evaluating the long-term viability and sustainability of differing stocking methods and grazing management strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 10","pages":"Article 101635"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145088059","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AnimalPub Date : 2025-08-28DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2025.101637
L. Schneider , B. Kisinga , N. Stöhr , T. Stiem , S. Cord-Landwehr , E. Schulte-Geldermann , B.M. Moerschbacher , R. Jha , K. Eder , C. Lambertz , G. Dusel
{"title":"Performance and nutrient composition of black soldier fly larvae fed diets with various protein concentrations throughout the life cycle","authors":"L. Schneider , B. Kisinga , N. Stöhr , T. Stiem , S. Cord-Landwehr , E. Schulte-Geldermann , B.M. Moerschbacher , R. Jha , K. Eder , C. Lambertz , G. Dusel","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101637","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101637","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Standardised rearing of black soldier fly (<strong>BS</strong>F, Hermetia illucens) larvae to utilise low-value organic substrates is gaining increasing interest in the context of sustainable animal production. The present study hypothesised that varying dietary protein concentrations would affect the growth performance and nutrient composition of BSF larvae across different life stages. To test this hypothesis, the effects of low (<strong>CPlow</strong>, 10% protein), medium (<strong>CPmed</strong>, 15% protein), and high (<strong>CPhigh</strong>, 20% protein) protein concentrations in isoenergetic diets were investigated on BSF growth from the juvenile to the adult stage, with six replicates per treatment. From day 10 (<strong>DOL</strong>, days-old larvae) onwards, larvae fed the CPlow diet had significantly lower live mass than those on CPmed and CPhigh diets, with reductions of 24 and 29% at 14 and 16 DOL, respectively, compared to CPmed-fed larvae (<em>P</em> < 0.05). This effect persisted through the prepupal and adult stages. Developmental time from egg to prepupa was shorter in the CPmed and CPhigh groups, resulting in larger prepupal and adult body sizes. Nutrient analysis revealed that larvae fed the CPmed diet had higher dry mass, protein, and amino acid mass at the prepupal stage compared to those on the CPlow diet, whereas fat deposition was increased in CPlow-fed larvae at certain developmental stages. This study demonstrates that both the nutrition of Hermetia illucens larvae and their life stage at separation are crucial for optimising their value as a feed source.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 10","pages":"Article 101637"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145151846","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}