Modeling the profitability of investing in cooling systems in dairy farms under several intensities of heat stress in the Mediterranean.

Heat stress (HS) in dairy cows affects dry matter intake, milk yield, reproduction, and culling rate. Cooling systems (CS) may partially revert these effects, but their profitability depends on the price of milk and effectiveness and cost of the CS. Because these effects may interact over time, stochastic dynamic models are useful tools to evaluate the effects of HS and the profitability of CS.

A network meta-analysis on the efficacy of different mycotoxin binders to reduce aflatoxin M in milk after aflatoxin B challenge in dairy cows.

The objective of this network meta-analysis was to determine the efficacy of different mycotoxin binders (MTB) to reduce aflatoxin M (AFM) in milk. A literature search was conducted to identify in vivo research papers from different databases. Inclusion criteria were in vivo, dairy cows, description of the MTB used, doses of MTB, aflatoxin inclusion in the diet, and concentration of AFM in milk.

Transcriptome Profile in Dairy Cows Resistant or Sensitive to Milk Fat Depression.

Feeding linseed to dairy cows results in milk fat depression (MFD), but there is a wide range of sensitivity among cows. The objectives of this study were to identify target genes containing SNP that may play a key role in the regulation of milk fat synthesis in cows resistant or sensitive to MFD. Four cows were selected from a dairy farm after a switch from a control diet to a linseed-rich diet; two were resistant to MFD with a high milk fat content in the control (4.

A network meta-analysis of the impact of feed-grade and slow-release ureas on lactating dairy cattle.

A network meta-analysis was conducted to determine the effects of feeding feed-grade urea (FGU) or slow-release urea (SRU) as a replacement for true protein supplements (control; CTR) in high-producing dairy cattle diets. Research papers were selected (n = 44) from experiments published between 1971 and 2021 based on the following criteria: dairy breed, detailed description of the isonitrogenous diets fed, provision of FGU or SRU (or both), high-yielding cows (>25 kg/cow per day), and results that included at least milk yield and composition, but data on nutrient intake, digestibility, ruminal fermentation profile, and N utilization were also considered. Most studies compared only 2 treatments, and a network meta-analysis approach was adopted to compare the effects among CTR, FGU, and SRU.

The efficacy of mycotoxin binders to control mycotoxins in feeds and the potential risk of interactions with nutrient: a review.

Mycotoxicosis are a common problem in livestock, where a group of six major mycotoxins represents a high risk for animal health and production profits. Mycotoxin binders (MTB) can reduce the mycotoxin burden in the gastrointestinal tract of the animal. Mycotoxin binders are classified in inorganic, as clays and activated carbon (AC), and organic, as yeast cell wall (YCW) and micro-ionized fibers.

Ruminal Microbial Degradation of Individual Amino Acids from Heat-Treated Soyabean Meal and Corn Gluten Meal in Continuous Culture.

Eight dual-flow continuous culture fermenters were used in three periods to study the effects of diets containing heat-treated soyabean meal (HSBM) or corn gluten meal (CGM) on ruminal microbial fermentation and the degradation of individual amino acids (AA). Treatments were a mix of non-protein nitrogen (N; urea and tryptone) that were progressively substituted (0, 33, 67 and 100%) for HSBM or CGM. Ruminal escape of AA was calculated with the slope ratio technique.

Effect of Diet Supplementation with the Mycotoxin Binder Montmorillonite on the Bioavailability of Vitamins in Dairy Cows.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the mycotoxin binder montmorillonite (MMT) supplemented in the diet of dairy cows on the bioavailability of vitamins A, D, E, B1 and B6. Six multiparous Holstein-Friesian cows were used in a crossover design with two periods. Treatments were a control diet with or without MMT.

Short Communication: Quantification of the Effect of Mycotoxin Binders on the Bioavailability of Fat-Soluble Vitamins In Vitro.

The aim of this study was to determine the capacity of six mycotoxin binders (MTBs) to adsorb vitamins A, D and E in an in vitro system that simulates gastric and intestinal digestion. Experiment 1 evaluated the recovery rate of vitamins A, D and E in the incubation conditions. In Experiment 2, the main factors were the MTB (bentonite, clinoptilolite, sepiolite, montmorillonite, active carbon and yeast cell walls), vitamins (A, D and E) and incubation type (vitamins incubated separately or together).

Interactions among Natural Active Ingredients to Improve the Efficiency of Rumen Fermentation In Vitro.

Twelve essential oils (EO): Anise star, cassia, geraniol, lemongrass (LEM), limonene, thyme, tea tree, coriander (COR), capsicum, black pepper, turmeric and ginger (GIN), in Experiment 1 at three doses; and different combinations of LEM, COR and GIN oils in Experiment 2, were evaluated in in vitro batch microbial fermentation using ruminal fluid from four dairy cows fed a 50:50 forage: concentrate diet. In experiment 1, LEM tended to increase the propionate proportion and tended to decrease the acetate to propionate ratio. Anise star, COR, and thyme tended to increase butyrate proportion.

Relative bioavailability of 3 rumen-undegradable methionine sources in dairy cows using the area under the curve technique.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relative bioavailability of two 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butanoic isopropyl esters (HMBi) obtained through different production processes and an encapsulated rumen-protected Met using the area under the curve (AUC) method. The new HMBi product (Kessent MF Liquid, Kemin Animal Nutrition and Health) was compared with an existing HMBi product (Metasmart, Adisseo SAS) and a pH-sensitive coated Met (Smartamine, Adisseo SAS). Nine multiparous lactating cows (30 kg of milk/d and 227 d in milk) fed a 45:55 forage:concentrate diet were randomly assigned within square to a triplicate 3 × 3 Latin square design.

Prepartum behavior changes in dry Holstein cows at risk of postpartum diseases.

The objective of this study was to identify changes in prepartum behavior associated with the incidence of postpartum diseases in dairy cows. Multiparous Holstein cows (n = 489) were monitored with accelerometers for 3 wk prepartum. Accelerometers measured steps, time at the feed bunk, frequency of meals, lying bouts, and lying time.

Carbon Footprint Assessment of Spanish Dairy Cattle Farms: Effectiveness of Dietary and Farm Management Practices as a Mitigation Strategy.

Greenhouse gas emissions and the carbon footprint (CF) were estimated in twelve Spanish dairy farms selected from three regions (Mediterranean, MED; Cantabric, CAN; and Central, CEN) using a partial life cycle assessment through the Integrated Farm System Model (IFSM). The functional unit was 1 kg of energy corrected milk (ECM). Methane emissions accounted for the largest contribution to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Effects of Capsicum and Propyl-Propane Thiosulfonate on Rumen Fermentation, Digestion, and Milk Production and Composition in Dairy Cows.

Essential oils may affect rumen fermentation, nutrient digestion, and milk production and composition. The objective of this study was to test the effects of capsicum oleoresin (CAP) and propyl-propane thiosulfonate (PTSO) on rumen fermentation, total tract digestibility, and milk yield and composition in lactating dairy cattle. Six lactating Holstein cows (averaging (mean ± SD) 130 ± 40 days in milk and 723 ± 55 kg of body weight) fitted with rumen cannulae were used in a duplicated 3 × 3 Latin square design.

Estimating degradation of individual essential amino acids in fish meal and blood meal by rumen microbes in a dual-flow continuous-culture system.

Current feeding systems are based on the assumption that the AA profile of rumen undegraded protein is similar to that of the original feed. The objective of this experiment was to determine rumen bacterial degradation of individual essential AA in fish meal (FM) and blood meal (BM). Eight dual-flow continuous-culture fermentors were used in a completely randomized block design with a factorial arrangement of treatments and 3 replicated periods.

In vitro assessment of the capacity of certain mycotoxin binders to adsorb some amino acids and water-soluble vitamins.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the capacity of 6 mycotoxin binders (MTB) to adsorb 3 AA and 4 water-soluble vitamins (WSV). Two experiments were conducted in in vitro conditions to simulate postruminal digestion with pepsin, malic acid, citric acid, acetic acid, and lactic acid at pH 3.0 and intestinal digestion with bile salts and pancreatin extract at pH 6.

Exploring Additive, Synergistic or Antagonistic Effects of Natural Plant Extracts on In Vitro Beef Feedlot-Type Rumen Microbial Fermentation Conditions.

Six Essential oils (EO) (tea tree oil-TeTr, oregano oil-Ore, clove bud oil-Clo, thyme oil-Thy, rosemary oil-Ros, and sage oil-Sag) in Experiment 1; and different combinations of selected oils in Experiment 2, were evaluate at four doses in an in vitro microbial fermentation system using ruminal fluid from beef cattle fed a 10:90 straw: Concentrate diet. In Experiment 1, TeTr, Ore, Clo and Thy improved rumen fermentation profile in a direction consistent with better feed utilization. In Experiment 2, TeTr mixed with Thy, Ore, Thy + Ore or Clo at 200 and 400 mg/L increased the molar proportion of propionate and decreased that of acetate, and the acetate to propionate ratio.

A virtual dairy herd as a tool to teach dairy production and management.

The objective of this project was to develop and test a web-based virtual dairy herd to help students understand the structure and functioning of a dairy herd, and to promote active learning. At the beginning of the course, the instructor defines the profiles of herds to be assigned to students (e.g.

The Use of an Activity Monitoring System for the Early Detection of Health Disorders in Young Bulls.

Bulls (n = 770, average age = 127 days, SD = 53 days of age) were fitted with an activity monitoring device for three months to study if behavior could be used for early detection of diseases. The device measured the number of steps, lying time, lying bouts, and frequency and time of attendance at the feed bunk. All healthy bulls (n = 699) throughout the trial were used to describe the normal behavior.

Using behavior as an early predictor of sickness in veal calves.

The objective of this study was to analyze whether changes in behavior can be a good early predictor of sickness in calves. Friesian males calves (n = 325; 30 ± 9 d of age; 65 ± 15 kg) were monitored with an activity-monitoring device from 30 to 90 d of life in 4 periods corresponding to 4 seasons. The activity-monitoring device measured number of steps, number of lying bouts, lying time, and frequency and time of visits to the feed bunk.

Effects of live yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and type of cereal on rumen microbial fermentation in a dual flow continuous culture fermentation system.

Live yeast additives may help optimize ruminal fermentation of high-grain diets, especially when the starch of the ration is highly fermentable. Eight dual flow continuous culture fermenters were used in a 2 × 2 factorial design in two replicated periods of 9 days (six for adaptation and three for sampling) to determine the effect of live yeast and type of cereal on rumen microbial fermentation and nutrient digestibility. Main factors were the addition of live yeast: no yeast (NY) vs.

Phytochemicals as antibiotic alternatives to promote growth and enhance host health.

There are heightened concerns globally on emerging drug-resistant superbugs and the lack of new antibiotics for treating human and animal diseases. For the agricultural industry, there is an urgent need to develop strategies to replace antibiotics for food-producing animals, especially poultry and livestock. The 2 International Symposium on Alternatives to Antibiotics was held at the World Organization for Animal Health in Paris, France, December 12-15, 2016 to discuss recent scientific developments on strategic antibiotic-free management plans, to evaluate regional differences in policies regarding the reduction of antibiotics in animal agriculture and to develop antibiotic alternatives to combat the global increase in antibiotic resistance.

A stochastic dynamic model of a dairy farm to evaluate the technical and economic performance under different scenarios.

Dairy farms need to improve their competitiveness through decisions that are often difficult to evaluate because they are highly dependent on many economic and technical factors. The objective of this project was to develop a stochastic and dynamic mathematical model to simulate the functioning of a dairy farm to evaluate the effect of changes in technical or economic factors on performance and profitability. Submodels were developed for reproduction, feeding, diseases, heifers, environmental factors, facilities, management, and economics.

The effects of a garlic oil chemical compound, propyl-propane thiosulfonate, on ruminal fermentation and fatty acid outflow in a dual-flow continuous culture system.

The ban on the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in animal feeds in the European Union has stimulated research on potential alternatives. Recently, propyl-propane thiosulfonate (PTSO), a stable organosulfurate compound of garlic, was purified. The objectives of the current study were to investigate the potential effects of PTSO on rumen microbial fermentation and to define effective doses.

Prediction of rumen degradability parameters of a wide range of forages and non-forages by NIRS.

Kinetics of nutrient degradation in the rumen is an important component of feed evaluation systems for ruminants. The in situ technique is commonly used to obtain such dynamic parameters, but it requires cannulated animals and incubations last several days limiting its application in practice. On the other hand, feed industry relies strongly on NIRS to predict chemical composition of feeds and it has been used to predict nutrient degradability parameters.

Sweet taste receptor expression in ruminant intestine and its activation by artificial sweeteners to regulate glucose absorption.

Absorption of glucose from the lumen of the intestine into enterocytes is accomplished by sodium-glucose co-transporter 1 (SGLT1). In the majority of mammalian species, expression (this includes activity) of SGLT1 is upregulated in response to increased dietary monosaccharides. This regulatory pathway is initiated by sensing of luminal sugar by the gut-expressed sweet taste receptor.