Effects of fatty acid mixtures on proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in dairy cows.

This in vitro study was performed to assess the effects of three different mixtures of nonesterifed fatty acids (NEFA) on mitogen-driven proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in dairy cows. Substantially, the three mixtures differed for n-6 to n-3 fatty acids (FA) ratio and were intended to mimic plasma NEFA composition of cows given fat supplements with different n-6 to n-3 FA ratio. PBMC from six Holstein heifers were cultured in media containing three different mixtures of oleic, palmitic, stearic, linoleic, palmitoleic, or linolenic acid at concentrations mimicking different degree of lipomobilisation.

Carbon Footprint of Mediterranean Pasture-Based Native Beef: Effects of Agronomic Practices and Pasture Management under Different Climate Change Scenarios.

A better understanding of soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics is needed when assessing the carbon footprint (CFP) of livestock products and the effectiveness of possible agriculture mitigation strategies. This study aimed (i) to perform a cradle-to-gate CFP of pasture-based beef cattle in a Mediterranean agropastoral system (ii) and to assess the effects on the CFP of alternative tillage, fertilizing, and grazing practices under current (NCC) and future climate change (CC) scenarios. Minimum (Mt) and no-tillage (Nt) practices were compared to current tillage (Ct); a 50% increase (Hf) and decrease (Lf) in fertilization was evaluated against the current (Cf) rate; and rotational grazing (Rg) was evaluated versus the current continuous grazing (Cg) system.

Carbon footprint of organic beef meat from farm to fork: a case study of short supply chain.

Background: Sustainability of food systems is one of the big challenges facing humanity. Local food networks, especially those using organic methods, are proliferating worldwide, and little is known about their carbon footprints. This study aims to assess greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with a local organic beef supply chain using a cradle-to-grave approach.