Rumen fermentation parameters and papillae development in Simmental growing bulls with divergent residual feed intake.

Residual feed intake (RFI), a widespread index used to measure animal feed efficiency, is influenced by various individual biological factors related to inter-animal variation that need to be assessed. Herein, 30 Simmental bulls, raised under the same farm conditions, were divided on the basis of RFI values into a high efficient group (HE, RFI =  - 1.18 ± 0.

A new equipment for continuous measurement of methane production in a batch in vitro rumen system.

A new rumen batch fermentation system that allows continuous measures of total gas (GP) and methane production (MP) was tested. The fermentation system is composed of glass bottles connected to gas counters (Ritter Apparatebau GmbH & Co. KG) and an infrared gas analyser that measures the methane concentration.

Alkaloid profiling of Italian alpine herbs using high resolution mass spectrometry (Orbitrap-MS).

Alpine pastures have not yet been extensively studied with regard to the presence of alkaloids in herbaceous plants. In this work the alkaloid profiles were characterised from a selection of 62 herbs collected from alpine pastures in north-eastern Italy. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a hybrid quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometer was used to evaluate the presence of 41 different alkaloids and quantify them using a targeted approach.

Effect of Heat Stress on Dairy Cow Performance and on Expression of Protein Metabolism Genes in Mammary Cells.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of heat stress on dairy cow performance and on the expression of selected genes involved in milk protein metabolism. Eight Italian Holstein Friesian cows were kept under thermoneutral conditions (temperature-humidity index (THI) < 72, CON) for 8 days and under mild heat stress conditions (72 < THI < 78, HS) for an additional 8 days. The rectal temperature, feed intake, and milk yield were recorded during the last 3 days of the CON and HS periods.

Fatty Acid Profiles of Cow's Milk and Cheese as Affected by Mountain Pasture Type and Concentrate Supplementation.

The aim of this trial was to assess the effect of pasture type and concentrate supplementation on the fatty acids (FA) composition of milk and cheese obtained during summer grazing on mountain pasture. Seventy-two Italian Simmental dairy cows were assigned to two groups that differed by the amount of concentrate supplementation: 3.0 kg/head/d (HIGH) vs.

Concentrate Supplement Modifies the Feeding Behavior of Simmental Cows Grazing in Two High Mountain Pastures.

During grazing on Alpine pastures, the use of concentrates in dairy cows' diet leads to a reduction of the environmental sustainability of farms, and influences the selective pressure on some plant species. In order to minimize the use of concentrates, it is imperative to obtain data on the grazing behavior of cows. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of concentrate levels on the behavior of dairy cows during grazing.

Greenhouse gas balance of mountain dairy farms as affected by grassland carbon sequestration.

Recent studies on milk production have often focused on environmental impacts analysed using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach. In grassland-based livestock systems, soil carbon sequestration might be a potential sink to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) balance. Nevertheless, there is no commonly shared methodology.

Effects of grazing cow diet on volatile compounds as well as physicochemical and sensory characteristics of 12-month-ripened Montasio cheese.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of pasture type and cow feeding supplementation level on a 12-mo-ripened Montasio protected designation of origin (PDO) cheese, which is one of the most important PDO cheeses produced in northeast Italy. Cheeses were characterized for volatile compounds, color, mechanical variables, and sensory descriptors. Pasture type significantly affected most of the instrumental variables considered and, as a consequence, sensory properties were affected as well.

Montasio cheese liking as affected by information about cows breed and rearing system.

Unlabelled: European consumers are more and more aware of the credence attributes of foods, particularly of those of animal origin. The aim of the paper was to assess whether the information about production system may modify the consumer liking of cheese. Montasio PDO cheese (MC), usually made by milk from indoor reared cows of different breeds, was processed from pure milk of Italian Simmental (IS) cows (ISMC) or of IS cows grazing on mountain pasture (ALP-ISMC).

Volatile compounds and sensory properties of Montasio cheese made from the milk of Simmental cows grazing on alpine pastures.

The aim of this study was to analyze the volatile compounds, physicochemical characteristics, and sensory properties of Montasio, a semicooked pressed cheese, produced from the milk of the dual-purpose Italian Simmental cows grazing on alpine pastures. A total of 72 cows grazing on 2 pastures, which differed in botanical composition (nutrient-rich pasture vs. nutrient-poor pasture), received 2 different levels of supplementation (3.

Effect of rearing system (mountain pasture vs. indoor) of Simmental cows on milk composition and Montasio cheese characteristics.

Dairy cattle in the Alps are traditionally maintained on high altitude pastures during summer. In recent decades, however, many farmers prefer to maintain the cows always indoor with a hay-based diet. Many authors have shown that the forage type is able to modify the characteristics of milk and cheese.