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Aytemiz Danyer I, Diaz Vicuna E, Manfrè C, Contiero B, Forte C, Brscic M. State of the art of the cow-calf systems in beef and dairy cattle (Bos taurus) operations in EU, USA, and Brazil from 1998 to 2023. Res Vet Sci 2024; 179:105398. [PMID: 39216348 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2024.105398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 08/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Cow-calf systems represent a significant research area in animal husbandry, with differences depending on the final product (meat or milk). This study aimed to apply text mining and topic analysis on literature describing cow-calf systems in European, American, and Brazilian beef and dairy sectors between 1998 and 2023. Additionally, cow-calf contact (CCC) literature data was manually extracted. Our findings revealed the presence of 11 research areas among literature on cow-calf systems, with different priorities identified in the beef and dairy sectors. Beef industry mainly focused on animal proficiency and nutrition, while dairy on animal welfare and CCC, which showed a growing trend as emerging research topic, mostly in the EU. Current debates around calf welfare and EU's planned animal welfare legislation revision appeared to be driving the increasing interest in this topic. Studies in the beef sector were mainly localized in Brazil, showing that research in different contexts and species is important for CCC implementation. Manual data extraction showed considerable variation in the retained CCC documents regarding sample size, type of contact, methods and CCC duration. Learning about the varied CCC approaches used in beef and dairy farms in different locations, concentrating on their strengths and weaknesses, will help to develop novel solutions to global challenges. Adopting validated and robust indicators would help scientists and policymakers to monitor the system's quality. To improve CCC feasibility, match consumer demands, and move towards One Welfare and One Health, future research should focus on a variety of situations to overcome the current shortcomings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isil Aytemiz Danyer
- Department of Animal Medicine, Productions and Health, University of Padova, Legnaro, 35020 Padova, Italy
| | - Elena Diaz Vicuna
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, Grugliasco, 10095 Torino, Italy.
| | - Claudia Manfrè
- Department of Animal Medicine, Productions and Health, University of Padova, Legnaro, 35020 Padova, Italy
| | - Barbara Contiero
- Department of Animal Medicine, Productions and Health, University of Padova, Legnaro, 35020 Padova, Italy
| | - Claudio Forte
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, Grugliasco, 10095 Torino, Italy
| | - Marta Brscic
- Department of Animal Medicine, Productions and Health, University of Padova, Legnaro, 35020 Padova, Italy
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Sabia E, Zanon T, Braghieri A, Pacelli C, Angerer V, Gauly M. Effect of slaughter age on environmental efficiency on beef cattle in marginal area including soil carbon sequestration: A case of study in Italian Alpine area. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 918:170798. [PMID: 38336055 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
The production of beef carries significant environmental repercussions on a worldwide level. Considering that the production of beef in Alpine mountainous regions, such as South Tyrol (Italy), constitutes a modest yet progressively growing segment within the local agricultural sector focus must be put on minimizing the environmental impact of producing one kilogram of meat, while also accounting for the carbon sequestered by Alpine pastures in such marginal areas. To this end 20 beef farms distributed in the South Tyrolean region (Italy) were divided based on the age at slaughter of the beef cattle: 10 farms with a slaughter age of 12 months (SA12) and 10 farms with a slaughter age of 24 months (SA24). Live cycle assessment (LCA) approach was used, and the impact was estimated using two functional units (FU): 1 kg of live weight (LW) and 1 kg of carcass weight (CW). Global warming potential (GWP100, kg CO2-eq), acidification potential (AP, g SO2-eq), and eutrophication potential (EP, g PO4-eq) were investigated. Furthermore, within the account, the carbon sequestered by pastures and permanent grassland has been included for estimated the overall carbon footprint. In terms of GWP100, the SA12 system proved to be significantly lower for both two functional units under studies, with reductions of 8.5 % and 7.4 % in terms of LW and CW, respectively, compared to the SA24 system, specifically, the SA12 system showed an environmental impact in terms of GWP100 of 19.5 ± 1.1 kg CO2-eq/kg LW, which was significantly lower than the SA24 system that exhibited a value of 22.9 ± 1.1 kg CO2-eq/kg LW (P < 0.05). When accounting for the carbon sequestered within the system, the observed values in terms of GWP100 are significantly lower for SA12 compared to SA24, 17.6 ± 1.5 vs. 20.9 ± 1.5 kg CO2-eq/Kg LW (P < 0.05), and 29.2 ± 2.5 vs. 38.7 ± 2.5 kg CO2-eq/Kg CW (P < 0.01). These differences are due to less purchase of concentrated feed and greater use of natural resources such as pastures and permanent grasslands. The research indicated that the production of beef in the Alpine region of South Tyrol predominantly occurs within extensive parameters, leading to a satisfactory environmental profile, also including the C sequestration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilio Sabia
- School of Agricultural, Forest, Food, and Environmental Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Thomas Zanon
- Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Piazza Università 5, Bolzano 39100, Italy.
| | - Ada Braghieri
- School of Agricultural, Forest, Food, and Environmental Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Corrado Pacelli
- School of Agricultural, Forest, Food, and Environmental Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Verena Angerer
- Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Piazza Università 5, Bolzano 39100, Italy
| | - Matthias Gauly
- Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Piazza Università 5, Bolzano 39100, Italy
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Lawrence P, McGee M, Earley B. Animal welfare index: an animal welfare evaluation of beef production farms in Ireland. JOURNAL OF APPLIED ANIMAL RESEARCH 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/09712119.2022.2126478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Lawrence
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Dunsany, Ireland
| | - Mark McGee
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Dunsany, Ireland
| | - Bernadette Earley
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Dunsany, Ireland
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McGettigan C, McGee M, O'Riordan E, Kelly A, Earley B. Effect of concrete slats versus rubber-covered slats on the performance, behaviour, hoof health, cleanliness of finishing beef steers and performance, cleanliness and hoof health of weanling cattle. Livest Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2022.105106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Effect of pre-grazing herbage mass on pasture production and performance of suckler-bred steers during the grazing season and subsequent indoor finishing period. Livest Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2021.104814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Doyle PR, McGee M, Moloney AP, Kelly AK, O’Riordan EG. Effect of Post-Grazing Sward Height, Sire Genotype and Indoor Finishing Diet on Steer Intake, Growth and Production in Grass-Based Suckler Weanling-to-Beef Systems. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11092623. [PMID: 34573588 PMCID: PMC8470167 DOI: 10.3390/ani11092623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Grass-fed beef is becoming popular; however, there is little research information on optimising beef cattle performance in such production systems. In grass-forage-only beef systems, the removal of dietary concentrates increases the difficulty in achieving target live-weight performance and carcass fatness. Post-grazing sward height can potentially influence animal live-weight gain at pasture, whilst sire breed maturity (genotype) can potentially influence carcass fatness and, therefore, the duration required to achieve a commercially acceptable carcass fat score. Therefore, contrasting post-grazing sward heights and beef steer genotypes were evaluated within a grass-forage-only and grass-forage + concentrate production system. The high post-grazing sward height (6 cm) increased intake and live-weight gain at pasture and resulted in a heavier carcass after an indoor finishing period compared to the low post-grazing sward height (4 cm). The early-maturing genotype had a greater intake, live-weight gain and carcass fatness, but similar carcass weight and lower conformation score compared to the late-maturing genotype. Although concentrate supplementation indoors increased carcass weight and fatness, grass-forage-only steers still achieved a commercially-acceptable fat score when slaughtered at 24 months of age. In conclusion, grazing higher sward residuals and utilising early-maturing animal genotypes can increase live-weight pasture gain and carcass fatness, respectively, in grass-forage beef production systems. Abstract This study evaluated the effects of post-grazing sward height (PGSH, 4 or 6 cm) on herbage production, its nutritive value, dry matter (DM) intake, grazing behaviour and growth of early- (EM) and late-maturing (LM) breed suckler steers (n = 72), and the subsequent effect of indoor finishing diet (grass silage + 3.8 kg concentrate DM/head daily (SC), or grass silage only (SO)) on performance and carcass traits. Animals rotationally grazed pasture for 196 days, followed by indoor finishing for 119 days. At pasture, daily live-weight gain (LWG) was 0.10 kg greater for PGSH-6 than PGSH-4, resulting in a tendency for carcass weight to be 11 kg heavier. Although EM had a 0.10 kg greater daily LWG at pasture than LM, carcass weight did not differ between the genotypes. There was a genotype × PGSH interaction for carcass fat score, whereby there was no difference between EM-4 (8.83, 15-point scale) and EM-6 (8.17), but LM-6 (7.28) was greater than LM-4 (6.33). Although concentrate supplementation during indoor finishing increased carcass weight (+37 kg) and fat score (1.75 units), the majority of steers (83% of EM and 78% of LM) achieved a commercially-acceptable carcass fat score (6.78) at slaughter in the grass-forage-only system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter R. Doyle
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, C15 PW93 Co. Meath, Ireland; (M.M.); (A.P.M.)
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland;
- Correspondence: (P.R.D.); (E.G.O.)
| | - Mark McGee
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, C15 PW93 Co. Meath, Ireland; (M.M.); (A.P.M.)
| | - Aidan P. Moloney
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, C15 PW93 Co. Meath, Ireland; (M.M.); (A.P.M.)
| | - Alan K. Kelly
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland;
| | - Edward G. O’Riordan
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, C15 PW93 Co. Meath, Ireland; (M.M.); (A.P.M.)
- Correspondence: (P.R.D.); (E.G.O.)
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Helden AJ. Core and occasional species: A new way forward. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:10547-10565. [PMID: 34367596 PMCID: PMC8328456 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Various methods have been used to divide communities into core species and occasional or satellite species. Some methods are somewhat arbitrary, and there is evidence that many communities are more multimodal than bimodal. They also tend to rely on having multiple years of data.A completely novel method is presented that not only has no requirement for long-term datasets but can divide communities into multiple groups. It is based on probability a species is present, calculated using Simpson's index and the sequential removal of species from the data.The sequential Simpson's index method was applied to species data from a grassland insect community. It was also applied to eleven other datasets that had been divided into core and occasional species in previously published studies.The new method was found not only to be consistent with previous core-occasional assessments but also able to identify multimodality in species abundance distributions.Although ideally used with a measure of persistence (frequency of occurrence) to rank species, community structure is consistently described even with only species abundance data.The method can be applied to short or long-term datasets and can help identify multimodality and provide valuable insight into how communities change in time or space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvin J. Helden
- Applied Ecology Research GroupSchool of Life Sciences, Anglia Ruskin UniversityCambridgeUK
- UCD School of Agriculture and Food ScienceUniversity College DublinDublin 4Ireland
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Herron J, Curran TP, Moloney AP, McGee M, O'Riordan EG, O'Brien D. Life cycle assessment of pasture-based suckler steer weanling-to-beef production systems: Effect of breed and slaughter age. Animal 2021; 15:100247. [PMID: 34102434 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2021.100247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Demand for beef produced from pasture-based diets is rising as it is perceived to be healthier, animal friendly and good for the environment. Animals reared on a solely grass forage diet, however, have a lower growth rate than cereal-fed animals and consequently are slaughtered at an older age. This study focused on the former by conducting life cycle assessments of beef production systems offering only fresh or conserved grass, and comparing them to a conventional pasture-based beef production system offering concentrate feeding during housing. The four suckler weanling-to-beef production systems simulated were: (i) Steers produced to slaughter entirely on a grass forage diet at 20 months (GO-20); (ii) Steers produced to slaughter entirely on a grass forage diet at 24 months (GO-24); (iii) Steers produced to slaughter on a grass forage diet with concentrate supplementation during housing (GC-24), and (iv) Steers produced to slaughter entirely on a grass forage diet at 28 months (GO-28). Two breed types were evaluated: early-maturing and late-maturing (LM). The environmental impacts assessed were global warming potential (GWP), non-renewable energy (NRE), acidification potential (AP), eutrophication potential (marine (MEP) and freshwater) were expressed per animal, per kg live weight gain (LWG), kg carcass weight gain, and kg meat weight gain (MWG). The GO-20 production system had the lowest environmental impact across all categories and functional units for both breeds. Extending age at slaughter increased environmental impact across all categories per animal. The LWG response of EM steers to concentrate feed supplementation in GC-24 was greater than the increase in total environmental impact resulting in GC-24 having a lower environmental impact across categories per kg product than GO-24. Concentrate feed supplementation had a similar effect on LM steers with the exception of NRE and AP. The increase in daily LWG in the third grazing season in comparison to the second grazing and housing resulted in GO-28 having lower GWP, NRE, AP, and MEP per kg product than GO-24. Early-maturing steers had lower environmental impact than LM when expressed per kg LWG. However the opposite occurred when impacts were expressed per kg MWG, despite LM steers producing the least LWG. The LM steers compensated for poor LWG performance by having superior carcass traits, which caused the breed to have the lowest environmental impact per kg MWG. The results reaffirms the importance of functional unit and suggests reducing the environmental impact of LWG does not always translate into improvements in the environmental performance of meat.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Herron
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland; UCD School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, Agriculture & Food Science Centre, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - T P Curran
- UCD School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, Agriculture & Food Science Centre, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - A P Moloney
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - M McGee
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - E G O'Riordan
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - D O'Brien
- Teagasc, Crops, Environment and Land Use Research Centre, Johnstown Castle, Wexford, Ireland
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Sapkota D, Kelly A, Crosson P, White R, McGee M. Quantification of cow milk yield and pre-weaning calf growth response in temperate pasture-based beef suckler systems: A meta-analysis. Livest Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2020.104222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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10
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The repeatability of feed intake and feed efficiency in beef cattle offered high-concentrate, grass silage and pasture-based diets. Animal 2020; 14:2288-2297. [PMID: 32381153 DOI: 10.1017/s1751731120000853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Breeding values for feed intake and feed efficiency in beef cattle are generally derived indoors on high-concentrate (HC) diets. Within temperate regions of north-western Europe, however, the majority of a growing beef animal's lifetime dietary intake comes from grazed grass and grass silage. Using 97 growing beef cattle, the objective of the current study was to assess the repeatability of both feed intake and feed efficiency across 3 successive dietary test periods comprising grass silage plus concentrates (S+C), grazed grass (GRZ) and a HC diet. Individual DM intake (DMI), DMI/kg BW and feed efficiency-related parameters, residual feed intake (RFI) and gain to feed ratio (G : F) were assessed. There was a significant correlation for DMI between the S+C and GRZ periods (r = 0.32; P < 0.01) as well as between the S+C and HC periods (r = 0.41; P < 0.001), whereas there was no association for DMI between the GRZ and HC periods. There was a significant correlation for DMI/kg BW between the S+C and GRZ periods (r = 0.33; P < 0.01) and between the S+C and HC periods (r = 0.40; P < 0.001), but there was no association for the trait between the GRZ and HC periods. There was a significant correlation for RFI between the S+C and GRZ periods (r = 0.25; P < 0.05) as well as between S+C and HC periods (r = 0.25; P < 0.05), whereas there was no association for RFI between the GRZ and HC periods. Gain to feed ratio was not correlated between any of the test periods. A secondary aspect of the study demonstrated that traits recorded in the GRZ period relating to grazing bite rate, the number of daily grazing bouts and ruminating bouts were associated with DMI (r = 0.28 to 0.42; P < 0.05 - 0.001), DMI/kg BW (r = 0.36 to 0.45; P < 0.01 - 0.001) and RFI (r = 0.31 to 0.42; P < 0.05 - 0.001). Additionally, the number of ruminating boli produced per day and per ruminating bout were associated with G : F (r = 0.28 and 0.26, respectively; P < 0.05). Results from this study demonstrate that evaluating animals for both feed intake and feed efficiency indoors on HC diets may not reflect their phenotypic performance when consuming conserved forage-based diets indoors or when grazing pasture.
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Heslin J, Kenny DA, Kelly AK, McGee M. Age at puberty and pregnancy rate in beef heifer genotypes with contrasting nutritional intake from 8 to 13 months of age. Anim Reprod Sci 2019; 212:106221. [PMID: 31864491 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2019.106221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the effect of plane of nutrition between 8 and 13 months of age on reproductive performance of heifers of early (EM; n = 154) or late (LM; n = 155) maturing beef breeds and with dairy (dairy-bred, n = 154) or beef (beef-bred, n = 155) dams. Heifers were fed to have an average daily gain (ADG) of 0.50 kg (MOD) or >1.00 kg (HI) for a 141- and 150-day indoor winter period. Subsequently, heifers grazed pasture, and a 12 week breeding programme was implemented. Compared to heifers fed the MOD intake diet, heifers fed the HI intake diet were younger (P < 0.001) and had greater bodyweights (P < 0.001) at puberty but did not have a greater 6- (P = 0.41) or 12- (P = 0.32) week pregnancy rate. Dairy-bred heifers were of a similar age (P = 0.55) but had a lesser bodyweight (P < 0.001) at puberty and had a greater 6- (P < 0.05) and 12- (P < 0.01) week pregnancy rate compared to beef-bred heifers. Compared to LM heifers, EM heifers were younger (P < 0.001), had a lesser bodyweight (P < 0.01) at puberty and had a greater 6-week (P < 0.01) but not 12-week (P = 0.96) pregnancy rate. Enhanced nutrition resulted in a younger age at puberty but had no effect on 12-week pregnancy rate. Dam but not sire breed affected 12-week pregnancy rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Heslin
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland; School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - D A Kenny
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - A K Kelly
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - M McGee
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
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Earley B, Arguello A, O’Riordan E, Crosson P, Cappelleri A, McGee M. Antimicrobial drug usage from birth to 180 days of age in Irish dairy calves and in suckler beef calves. JOURNAL OF APPLIED ANIMAL RESEARCH 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/09712119.2019.1665525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- B. Earley
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Dunsany, Ireland
| | - A. Arguello
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Dunsany, Ireland
| | - E. O’Riordan
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Dunsany, Ireland
| | - P. Crosson
- Livestock Systems Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Dunsany, Ireland
| | - A. Cappelleri
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Dunsany, Ireland
| | - M. McGee
- Livestock Systems Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Dunsany, Ireland
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O’Connor A, Moloney A, O’Kiely P, Boland T, McGee M. Effects of fertiliser nitrogen rate to spring grass on apparent digestibility, nitrogen balance, ruminal fermentation and microbial nitrogen production in beef cattle and in vitro rumen fermentation and methane output. Anim Feed Sci Technol 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2019.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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14
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Keane MP, McGee M, O'Riordan EG, Kelly AK, Earley B. Effect of floor type on performance, lying time and dirt scores of finishing beef cattle: A meta-analysis. Livest Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2018.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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15
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Feed intake and urinary excretion of nitrogen and purine derivatives in pregnant suckler cows fed alternative roughage-based diets. Livest Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2017.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Twomey AJ, Sayers RG, Carroll RI, Byrne N, Brien EO, Doherty ML, McClure JC, Graham DA, Berry DP. Genetic parameters for both a liver damage phenotype caused by and antibody response to phenotype in dairy and beef cattle. J Anim Sci 2017; 94:4109-4119. [PMID: 27898879 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2016-0621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
is a helminth parasite of economic importance to the global cattle industry, with documented high international herd prevalence. The objective of the present study was to generate the first published genetic parameter estimates for liver damage caused by as well as antibody response to in cattle. Abattoir data on the presence of live , or -damaged livers, were available between the years 2012 and 2015, inclusive. A second data set was available on cows from 68 selected dairy herds with a blood ELISA test for antibody response to in autumn 2015. Animals were identified as exposed by using herd mate phenotype, and only exposed animals were retained for analysis. The abattoir data set consisted of 20,481 dairy cows and 75,041 young dairy and beef animals, whereas the study herd data set consisted of 6,912 dairy cows. (Co)variance components for phenotypes in both data sets were estimated using animal linear mixed models. Fixed effects included in the model for both data sets were contemporary group, heterosis coefficient, recombination loss coefficient, parity, age relative to parity/age group, and stage of lactation. An additional fixed effect of abattoir by date of slaughter was included in the model for the analysis of the abattoir data. Direct additive genetic effects and a residual effect were included as random effects for all analyses. After data edits, the prevalence of liver damage caused by in cows and young cattle was 47% and 20%, respectively. The prevalence of a positive antibody response to in cows from the study herd data was 36% after data edits. The heritability of as a binary trait for dairy cows in abattoir data and study herd data was 0.03 ± 0.01 and 0.09 ± 0.02, respectively; heritability in young cattle was 0.01 ± 0.005. The additive genetic SD of as a binary trait was 0.069 and 0.050 for cows and young cattle from the abattoir data, respectively, and 0.112 from the study herd cows. The genetic correlation between liver damage caused by in young cattle and cows from the abattoir data was 0.94 ± 0.312 and the genetic correlation between liver damage caused by in cows and positive antibody response to in cows in the study herd data was 0.37 ± 0.283.
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Moran L, O'Sullivan M, Kerry J, Picard B, McGee M, O'Riordan E, Moloney A. Effect of a grazing period prior to finishing on a high concentrate diet on meat quality from bulls and steers. Meat Sci 2017; 125:76-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2016.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Revised: 11/24/2016] [Accepted: 11/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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McDonnell RP, Hart KJ, Boland TM, Kelly AK, McGee M, Kenny DA. Effect of divergence in phenotypic residual feed intake on methane emissions, ruminal fermentation, and apparent whole-tract digestibility of beef heifers across three contrasting diets. J Anim Sci 2016; 94:1179-93. [PMID: 27065279 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2015-0080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to examine the effect of divergent phenotypic ranking for residual feed intake (RFI) on ruminal CH emissions, diet digestibility, and indices of ruminal fermentation in heifers across 3 commercially relevant diets. Twenty-eight Limousin × Friesian heifers were used and were ranked on the basis of phenotypic RFI: 14 low-RFI and 14 high-RFI animals. Ruminal CH emissions were estimated over 5 d using the SF tracer gas technique on 3 successive occasions: 1) at the end of a 6-wk period (Period 1) on grass silage (GS), 2) at the end of an 8-wk period (Period 2) at pasture, and 3) at the end of a 5-wk period (Period 3) on a 30:70 corn silage:concentrate total mixed ration (TMR). Animals were allowed ad libitum access to feed and water at all times. Individual DMI was estimated during CH measurement and rumen samples were taken at the end of each CH measurement period. Diet type affected all feed intake and CH traits measured ( < 0.01) but was unavoidably confounded with animal age/size and experimental period. Correlation coefficients between RFI and DMI were significant ( < 0.05) only when animals were fed the TMR. Daily CH correlated with DMI ( = 0.42, < 0.05) only when animals grazed pasture. Daily DMI was lower in low-RFI animals ( = 0.047) but only when expressed as grams per kilogram metabolic BW. Absolute CH emissions did not differ between RFI groups ( > 0.05), but CH yield was greatest in low-RFI heifers ( = 0.03) as a proportion of both DMI and GE intake. Interactions between the main effects were observed ( < 0.05) for CP digestibility (CPD), DM digestibility (DMD), ruminal propionate, and the acetate:propionate ratio. Low-RFI animals had greater ( < 0.05) CPD and DMD than their high-RFI contemporaries when offered GS but not the other 2 diets. Low-RFI heifers also had greater OM digestibility ( = 0.027). Additionally, low-RFI heifers had a lower concentration of propionate ( < 0.05) compared with high-RFI heifers when fed GS, resulting in a greater ( < 0.05) acetate:propionate ratio. However, these differences were not evident for the other 2 diets. Energetically efficient animals do not have a lower ruminal methanogenic potential compared with their more inefficient counterparts and, indeed, some evidence to the contrary was found, which may reflect the greater nutrient digestive potential observed in low-RFI cattle.
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Creighton P, Kennedy E, Hennessy D, O’Donovan M. Impacts of Sward Renewal Method with Perennial Ryegrass (<i>Lolium perenne</i>) on Dry Matter Yield, Tiller Density and Nitrate Leaching. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.4236/ajps.2016.74061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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O’Shaughnessy J, Earley B, Mee JF, Doherty ML, Crosson P, Barrett D, de Waal T. Nematode control in suckler beef cattle over their first two grazing seasons using a targeted selective treatment approach. Ir Vet J 2015; 68:13. [PMID: 26203352 PMCID: PMC4511250 DOI: 10.1186/s13620-015-0038-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2014] [Accepted: 05/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND With concerns over the development of anthelmintic resistance in cattle nematode populations, we must re-examine our approach to nematode control in cattle. Targeted selective treatments (TST), whereby individual animals are treated instead of entire groups, are being investigated as an alternative. The study objective was to determine if anthelmintic usage could be reduced using a TST-based approach to nematode control in spring-born suckler beef cattle over their first and second grazing seasons (SGS) without affecting performance. In the first grazing season (FGS), 99 calves with an initial mean (s.d.) calf age and live weight on day 0 (June 28(th) 2012) of 107 (23.1) days and 160 (32.5) kg, respectively, were used. The study commenced on day 0 when calves were randomised and allocated to one of two treatments; 1), standard treatment (control) and 2), TST. Control calves were treated subcutaneously with ivermectin on days 0, 41 and 82 in the FGS. All calves were treated with ivermectin on day 124 and housed on day 133. In the SGS, only heifer calves from the FGS were used and control heifers were treated with ivermectin on day 393. Animals were weighed, blood and faecal sampled every three weeks. The TST animals were treated with ivermectin if thresholds based on a combination of plasma pepsinogen concentrations, faecal egg count and/or the presence of Dictyocaulus viviparus larvae in faeces (FGS only) were reached. RESULTS No TST calves reached the treatment threshold criteria in the FGS. The FGS average daily live weight gain (ADG ± s.e.m.) for control and TST group calves was 0.89 ± 0.02 kg and 0.94 ± 0.02 kg day(-1), respectively (P = 0.17). In the SGS, all heifers were treated with ivermectin on day 431 due to clinical signs of respiratory disease. The ADG for control and TST heifers from turnout on day 321 to day 431 was 0.90 ± 0.04 and 0.80 ± 0.04 kg day(-1), respectively (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS Spring-born FGS suckler beef calves require minimal anthelmintic treatment to maintain performance. In contrast, clinical parasitic disease may develop in the SGS unless appropriate anthelmintic treatment is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- James O’Shaughnessy
- />Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
- />School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Bernadette Earley
- />Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - John F. Mee
- />Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - Michael L. Doherty
- />School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Paul Crosson
- />Livestock Systems Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - Damien Barrett
- />DAFM, Sligo Regional Veterinary Laboratory, Doonally, Co. Sligo, Ireland
| | - Theo de Waal
- />School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
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Nematode control in spring-born suckler beef calves using targeted selective anthelmintic treatments. Vet Parasitol 2014; 205:150-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2014] [Revised: 07/03/2014] [Accepted: 07/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Fitzsimons C, Kenny DA, Waters SM, Earley B, McGee M. Effects of phenotypic residual feed intake on response to a glucose tolerance test and gene expression in the insulin signaling pathway in longissimus dorsi in beef cattle. J Anim Sci 2014; 92:4616-31. [PMID: 25085393 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2014-7699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to determine the insulinogenic response to an intravenous glucose tolerance test (GTT) and examine gene expression profiles in the insulin signaling pathway (ISP) in beef animals of differing phenotypic residual feed intake (RFI). Two experiments were conducted. In Exp. 1, a total of 39 Simmental heifers, over 2 yr (yr 1, n = 22, and yr 2, n = 17; mean initial BW = 472 kg [SD = 52.4 kg]), were offered grass silage ad libitum for 104 d. Heifers were subjected to a GTT on d 8 and 65 of the RFI measurement period in yr 1 and 2, respectively. Concentrations of plasma glucose and insulin were measured at -45, -30, -15, 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 min relative to glucose infusion (0 min). In Exp. 2, a total of 67 Simmental bulls, over 3 yr (yr 1, n = 20; yr 2, n = 33; and yr 3, n = 14; mean initial BW = 431 kg [SD = 63.7 kg]), were offered concentrates ad libitum for 105 d. Biopsies of LM were harvested during the RFI measurement period (yr 1, d 49 and 91; yr 2, d 52 and 92; and yr 3, d 50 and 92). The residuals of the regression of DMI on ADG, midtest metabolic BW (BW(0.75)), and the fixed effect of year, using all animals, were used to compute individual RFI coefficients. Animals were ranked on RFI and assigned to high (inefficient), medium, or low groupings by dividing them into terciles, resulting in 13 heifers and 22, 23, and 22 bulls in their respective RFI groups. In Exp. 1, data from 13 heifers from each of the high- and low-RFI groups, and in Exp. 2, data from the 15 highest and 15 lowest ranking bulls on RFI are reported. In Exp. 1, glucose and insulin response and area under the response curve for glucose and insulin were similar (P > 0.05) between high- and low-RFI heifers. In Exp. 2, no differences (P > 0.05) were found for mRNA expression of 22 genes of the ISP in muscle tissue; however, expression of the transcription factor SREBP1c tended to be positively correlated (r = 0.25, P = 0.07) with RFI. Expression of GLUT4, INPPL1, and SHC increased (P < 0.05) over time, while there was no effect of sample time for any other genes measured. Collectively, these results suggest that insulin response, sensitivity, and associated expression of genes in the ISP within muscle tissue are not contributory factors to variation in RFI. However, further examination of target genes of SREBP1c, which is involved in lipogenesis, may explain some of the biochemical processes underlying variation in phenotypic RFI.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Fitzsimons
- Livestock Systems Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - D A Kenny
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department; and Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - S M Waters
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department; and Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - B Earley
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department; and Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - M McGee
- Livestock Systems Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
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O'Shaughnessy J, Earley B, Mee JF, Doherty ML, Crosson P, Barrett D, Prendiville R, Macrelli M, de Waal T. Detection of anthelmintic resistance on two Irish beef research farms. Vet Rec 2014; 175:120. [PMID: 24902778 DOI: 10.1136/vr.102556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J O'Shaughnessy
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - B Earley
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - J F Mee
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - M L Doherty
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - P Crosson
- Livestock Systems Department, Animal Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - D Barrett
- DAFM, Sligo Regional Veterinary Laboratory, Doonally, Co. Sligo, Ireland
| | - R Prendiville
- Livestock Systems Department, Animal Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - M Macrelli
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Via Celoria 10, Milano 20133, Italy
| | - T de Waal
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
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Fitzsimons C, Kenny DA, Fahey AG, McGee M. Feeding behavior, ruminal fermentation, and performance of pregnant beef cows differing in phenotypic residual feed intake offered grass silage. J Anim Sci 2014; 92:2170-81. [PMID: 24663212 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2013-7438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study examined the relationship of residual feed intake (RFI) and performance with feeding behavior and ruminal fermentation variables in pregnant beef cows offered a grass silage diet. Individual grass silage DMI (dry matter digestibility = 666 g/kg) was recorded on 47 gestating (mean gestation d 166, SD = 26 d) Simmental and Simmental × Holstein-Friesian beef cows for a period of 80 d. Cow BW, BCS, skeletal measurements, ultrasonically scanned muscle and fat depth, visual muscular score, ruminal fermentation, blood metabolites, and feeding behavior were measured. Phenotypic RFI was calculated as actual DMI minus expected DMI. Expected DMI was computed for each animal by regressing DMI on conceptus-adjusted mean BW(0.75) and ADG over an 80-d period. Within breed, cows were ranked by RFI into low (efficient), medium, or high groups. Overall mean (SD) values for DMI (kg/d), RFI, initial conceptus-adjusted BW, and conceptus-adjusted ADG were 8.41 (1.09) kg/d, 0.01 (0.13) kg/d, 646 (70) kg, and -0.07 (0.32) kg, respectively. High-RFI cows ate 25% and 8% more than low- and medium-RFI cows, respectively. Live weight and ADG were not correlated (P > 0.05), and DMI was positively correlated (r = 0.80; P < 0.001) with RFI. The low- and high-RFI groups had similar (P > 0.05) BW, ADG, BCS, visual muscular scores, skeletal measurements, blood metabolites, calf birth weight, and calving difficulty scores. All ultrasonic fat and muscle depth measurements were similar (P > 0.05) for low- and high-RFI cows except for back fat thickness change, where low-RFI cows gained less fat (P < 0.05) than high-RFI cows. Low-RFI cows had greater pH and lower ammonia concentrations in ruminal fluid compared to their high-RFI contemporaries. Low-RFI cows had fewer (P < 0.001) daily feeding events, but these were of longer (P < 0.001) duration (min·feed event(-1)·d(-1)). Despite this, total daily duration of feeding was shorter (P < 0.001; min/d) for low- compared to high-RFI cows. High-RFI cows had more and a longer total duration of nonfeeding events (P < 0.001) than low-RFI cows. This study showed that compared to cows with high RFI, those with low RFI consumed less feed for similar levels of productivity, spent less time engaged in feeding-behavior-related activities, and differed in ruminal fermentation parameters. Feeding events are a significant (17%) contributory factor to variation in RFI in pregnant beef cows offered grass silage.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Fitzsimons
- Livestock Systems Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
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Fitzsimons C, Kenny DA, Deighton MH, Fahey AG, McGee M. Methane emissions, body composition, and rumen fermentation traits of beef heifers differing in residual feed intake. J Anim Sci 2013; 91:5789-800. [PMID: 24146149 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2013-6956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study examined the relationship of residual feed intake (RFI) and performance with methane emissions, rumen fermentation, and digestion in beef heifers. Individual DMI and growth performance were measured for 22 Simmental heifers (mean initial BW 449 kg, SD = 46.2 kg) offered grass silage ad libitum for 120 d. Ultrasonically scanned muscle and fat depth, BCS, muscularity score, skeletal measurements, blood variables, rumen fermentation (via stomach tube), and total tract digestibility (indigestible marker) were measured. Methane production was estimated using the sulfur hexafluoride tracer gas technique over two 5-d periods beginning on d 20 and 75 of the RFI measurement period. Phenotypic RFI was calculated as actual DMI minus expected DMI. The residuals of the regression of DMI on ADG and midtest metabolic body weight, using all heifers, were used to compute individual RFI coefficients. Heifers were ranked by RFI and assigned to low (efficient), medium, or high (inefficient) groupings. Overall ADG and DMI were 0.58 kg (SD = 0.18) and 7.40 kg (SD = 0.72), respectively. High-RFI heifers consumed 9 and 15% more (P < 0.05) than medium- and low-RFI groups, respectively. Body weight, growth, skeletal, and composition traits did not differ (P > 0.05) between low- and high-RFI groups. High-RFI heifers had higher concentrations of plasma glucose (6%) and urea (13%) and lower concentrations of plasma creatinine (9%) than low-RFI heifers (P < 0.05). Rumen pH and apparent in vivo digestibility did not differ (P > 0.05) between RFI groups, although acetate:propionate ratio was lowest (P = 0.07) for low-RFI (3.5) and highest for high-RFI (4.6) heifers. Methane production expressed as grams per day or grams per kilogram metabolic body weight was greater (P < 0.05) for high (297 g/d and 2.9 g/kg BW0.75) compared with low (260 g/d and 2.5 g/kg BW0.75) RFI heifers, with medium (275 g/d and 2.7 g/kg BW0.75) RFI heifers being intermediate. Regression analysis indicated that a 1 kg DM/d increase in RFI was associated with a 23 g/d increase (P = 0.09) in methane emissions. Results suggest that improved RFI will reduce methane emissions without affecting productivity of growing beef cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Fitzsimons
- Livestock Systems Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
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Characteristics of fat and muscle from beef heifers offered a grass silage or concentrate-based finishing ration. Livest Sci 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2012.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Intake of conserved and grazed grass and performance traits in beef suckler cows differing in phenotypic residual feed intake. Livest Sci 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2012.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Grazed grass herbage intake and performance of beef heifers with predetermined phenotypic residual feed intake classification. Animal 2013; 6:1648-61. [PMID: 23031564 DOI: 10.1017/s1751731112000559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Data were collected on 85 Simmental and Simmental × Holstein-Friesian heifers. During the indoor winter period, they were offered grass silage ad libitum and 2 kg of concentrate daily, and individual dry matter intake (DMI) and growth was recorded over 84 days. Individual grass herbage DMI was determined at pasture over a 6-day period, using the n-alkane technique. Body condition score, skeletal measurements, ultrasonic fat and muscle depth, visual muscularity score, total tract digestibility, blood hormones, metabolites and haematology variables and activity behaviour were measured for all heifers. Phenotypic residual feed intake (RFI) was calculated for each animal as the difference between actual DMI and expected DMI during the indoor winter period. Expected DMI was calculated for each animal by regressing average daily DMI on mid-test live weight (LW)(0.75) and average daily gain (ADG) over an 84-day period. Standard deviations above and below the mean were used to group animals into high (>0.5 s.d.), medium (±0.5 s.d.) and low (<0.5 s.d.) RFI. Overall mean (s.d.) values for DMI (kg/day), ADG (kg), feed conversion ratio (FCR) kg DMI/kg ADG and RFI (kg dry matter/day) were 5.82 (0.73), 0.53 (0.18), 12.24 (4.60), 0.00 (0.43), respectively, during the RFI measurement period. Mean DMI (kg/day) and ADG (kg) during the grazing season was 9.77 (1.77) and 0.77 (0.14), respectively. The RFI groups did not differ (P > 0.05) in LW, ADG or FCR at any stage of measurement. RFI was positively correlated (r = 0.59; P < 0.001) with DMI during the RFI measurement period but not with grazed grass herbage DMI (r = 0.06; P = 0.57). Low RFI heifers had 0.07 greater (P < 0.05) concentration of plasma creatinine than high RFI heifers and, during the grazed herbage intake period, spent less time standing and more time lying (P < 0.05) than high RFI heifers. However, low and high RFI groups did not differ (P > 0.05) in ultrasonic backfat thickness or muscle depth, visual muscle scores, skeletal size, total tract digestibility or blood hormone and haematology variables at any stage of the experiment. Despite a sizeable difference in intake of grass silage between low and high RFI heifers during the indoor winter period, there were no detectable differences between RFI groupings for any economically important performance traits measured when animals were offered ensiled or grazed grass herbage.
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Lynch EM, McGee M, Doyle S, Earley B. Effect of pre-weaning concentrate supplementation on peripheral distribution of leukocytes, functional activity of neutrophils, acute phase protein and behavioural responses of abruptly weaned and housed beef calves. BMC Vet Res 2012; 8:1. [PMID: 22217360 PMCID: PMC3286413 DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-8-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2011] [Accepted: 01/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The effect of pre-weaning concentrate supplementation on peripheral distribution of leukocytes, functional activity of neutrophils, acute phase protein response, metabolic and behavioural response, and performance of abruptly weaned and housed beef calves was investigated. Calves were grazed with their dams until the end of the grazing season when they were weaned and housed (day (d) 0) in a concrete slatted floor shed, and offered grass silage ad libitum plus supplementary concentrates. Twenty-six days prior to weaning and housing, 20 singled suckled, pure-bred Simmental male (non-castrated), (n = 10, m) and female (n = 10, f) calves were assigned to one of two treatments (i) concentrate supplement (CS: n = 10 (5 m and 5 f), mean age (s.d.) 201 (12.8) d, mean weight (s.d.) 258 (20.2) kg) or (ii) no concentrate supplement (controls) (NCS: n = 10, (5 m and 5 f), mean age (s.d.) 201 (13.4) d, mean weight (s.d.) 257 (19.6) kg) pre-weaning. RESULTS There was a treatment × sampling time interaction (P < 0.05) for percentage CD4+ and WC1+ (γδ T cells) lymphocytes and concentration of plasma globulin. On d 2, percentage CD4+ lymphocytes decreased (P < 0.001) in both treatments. Subsequently on d 7, percentage of CD4+ lymphocytes increased (P < 0.01) in CS compared with d 0, whereas percentage of CD4+ lymphocytes in NCS did not differ (P > 0.05) from d 0. On d 2, WC1+ lymphocytes decreased (P < 0.05) in both treatments but the decrease was greater (P <0.05) in NCS than CS. Subsequently, percentages did not differ (P > 0.05) from pre-weaning baseline. On d 2, the increase in concentration of globulin was greater (P < 0.05) in CS compared with NCS, and subsequently there was no difference between treatments. Pre-weaning ADG was 1.07 (s.e.m.) (0.26) kg and 0.99 (s.e.m.) (0.26) kg for CS and NCS, respectively. Post-weaning, CS calves spent more time lying compared with NCS calves. CONCLUSIONS Calves supplemented with concentrate prior to weaning had a lesser reduction in WC1+ lymphocytes, increased percentage CD4+ lymphocytes and concentration of total protein, and spent more time lying post-weaning, compared with non-supplemented calves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eilish M Lynch
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
- Department of Biology and National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, National University of Ireland Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Mark McGee
- Livestock Systems Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - Sean Doyle
- Department of Biology and National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, National University of Ireland Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Bernadette Earley
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
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Dunne P, Monahan F, Moloney A. Current perspectives on the darker beef often reported from extensively-managed cattle: Does physical activity play a significant role? Livest Sci 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2011.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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32
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Lawrence P, Kenny DA, Earley B, Crews DH, McGee M. Grass silage intake, rumen and blood variables, ultrasonic and body measurements, feeding behavior, and activity in pregnant beef heifers differing in phenotypic residual feed intake. J Anim Sci 2011; 89:3248-61. [PMID: 21622881 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2010-3774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to quantify the phenotypic variation in residual feed intake (RFI) in pregnant beef heifers offered a grass silage diet and to characterize their productivity. Seventy-three pregnant (mean gestation d 198, SD = 27 d) Simmental and Simmental × Holstein-Friesian heifers (mean initial BW 548, SD = 47.5 kg) were offered grass silage ad libitum. Heifer DMI, BW, BCS, skeletal measurements, ultrasonic fat and muscle depth, visual muscularity score, rumen fermentation, total tract digestibility, blood metabolite and hematology variables, feeding, and activity behavior were measured during an 84-d feed intake study. After parturition calf birth weight, calving difficulty, cow serum IgG, hematology variables, and calf humoral immune status were measured. In a subset of cows (n = 28), DMI, milk yield and various body composition variables were also measured approximately 3 wk postpartum. Phenotypic RFI was calculated for each animal as the difference between actual DMI and expected DMI. Expected DMI was computed for each animal by regressing average daily DMI on conceptus-adjusted mean BW(0.75) and conceptus-adjusted ADG over an 84-d period. Within breed, heifers were ranked by RFI into low (efficient), medium, and high (inefficient) groups by dividing them into thirds. Heifers with high RFI had 8.8 and 17.1% greater (P < 0.001) DMI than medium and low RFI groups, respectively. The RFI groups did not differ in ADG or BW (P > 0.05). Residual feed intake was positively correlated with DMI (r = 0.85) but not with feed conversion ratio, ADG, or BW. The RFI groups did not differ (P > 0.05) in skeletal size, BCS, ultrasonic fat depth, total tract digestibility, calf birth weight, calving difficulty, serum IgG concentrations, or milk yield. Visual muscularity scores, initial test and postpartum ultrasonic muscle depth were negatively correlated with RFI (P < 0.05). Including mean ultrasonic muscle depth into the base RFI regression model increased its R(2) (0.29 to 0.38). Pearson rank correlation between RFI and muscle-adjusted RFI was 0.93. The results show that efficient RFI heifers consumed less feed without any compromise in growth, body composition, or maternal traits measured.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Lawrence
- Livestock Systems Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
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McEvoy M, O’Donovan M, Shalloo L. Development and application of an economic ranking index for perennial ryegrass cultivars. J Dairy Sci 2011; 94:1627-39. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2010-3322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2010] [Accepted: 11/18/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Mazurek M, Prendiville DJ, Crowe MA, Veissier I, Earley B. An on-farm investigation of beef suckler herds using an animal welfare index (AWI). BMC Vet Res 2010; 6:55. [PMID: 21144023 PMCID: PMC3022571 DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-6-55] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2010] [Accepted: 12/13/2010] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Beef suckler farms (194 farms throughout 13 counties) were assessed once with housed cattle and once with cattle at grass using an animal welfare index (AWI). Twenty-three of the 194 farms were revisited a year later and re-evaluated using the AWI and the Tier-Gerechtheits-Index 35L/2000 (TGI35L/2000). Thirty-three indicators were collected in five categories: locomotion (5 indicators); social interactions (between animals) (7), flooring (5), environment (7) and Stockpersonship (9). Three indicators relating to the size of the farm were also collected.Improving animal welfare is an increasingly important aspect of livestock production systems predominantly due to increased consumer concern about the source of animal products. The objectives were (i) to evaluate animal welfare of Irish beef suckler herds using an animal welfare index (AWI), (ii) to examine correlations between parameters, how they influence the AWI and investigate the applicability of the parameters used, (iii) to investigate the impact of the activity of the farmer (full-time or part-time), the interest of the farmer and the number of animals on the AWI. RESULTS The mean AWI was 65% and ranged from 54% to 83%. The grazing period represented 16.5% of the total points of the AWI. Seventy percent of the farms were rated as "Very Good" or "Excellent". There was no difference (P > 0.05) in AWI between full-time and part-time farmers. Part-time farmers had greater (P = 0.01) "social interactions": calving (P = 0.03) and weaning (P < 0.001) scores. Full-time farmers had cleaner animals (P = 0.03) and their animals had less lameness (P = 0.01). The number of animals on-farm and the interest of the Stockperson were negatively and positively correlated (P = 0.001), respectively, with the AWI. A hierarchical classification was performed to examine how the indicators influenced the AWI. CONCLUSION The AWI was easily applicable for an on-farm evaluation of welfare. The Stockpersonship was an important factor in determining the AWI (11% of the total variation) more specifically, the interest of the farmer. Part and full-time farming did not differ (P > 0.05) in AWI scores. This method could, with further development, be used in countries with both intensive and/or extensive production systems and would require substantially less resources than animal-based methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mickael Mazurek
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
- School of Agriculture, Food Science & Veterinary Medicine and the Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Daniel J Prendiville
- Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - Mark A Crowe
- School of Agriculture, Food Science & Veterinary Medicine and the Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Isabelle Veissier
- URH-ACS, I.N.R.A., site de Theix, F-63122, St. Genès Champanelle, France
| | - Bernadette Earley
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
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Lynch EM, Earley B, McGee M, Doyle S. Effect of abrupt weaning at housing on leukocyte distribution, functional activity of neutrophils, and acute phase protein response of beef calves. BMC Vet Res 2010; 6:39. [PMID: 20649947 PMCID: PMC2917424 DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-6-39] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2010] [Accepted: 07/22/2010] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sixteen, spring-born, single suckled, castrated male calves of Limousin x Holstein-Friesian and Simmental x Holstein-Friesian dams respectively, were used to investigate the effect of weaning on total leukocyte and differential counts, neutrophil functional activity, lymphocyte immunophenotypes, and acute phase protein response. Calves grazed with their dams until the end of the grazing season when they were housed in a slatted floor shed. On the day of housing, calves were assigned to a treatment, (i) abruptly weaned (W: n = 8) or (ii) non-weaned (controls) (C: n = 8). Weaned calves were housed in pens without their dams, whereas non-weaned (control) calves were housed with their dams. Blood was collected on day -7, 0 (housing), 2, 7, and 14 to determine total leukocyte and differential counts and concentration of fibrinogen and haptoglobin. Lymphocyte immunophenotypes were characterised using selected surface antigens (CD4+, CD8+, WC1+ (gammadelta T cells), MHC Class II+ lymphocytes), and the functional activities of neutrophils (surface expression of L-selectin (CD62L), phagocytic and oxidative burst activity) were investigated using flow cytometry. RESULTS Treatment x sampling time interactions (P < 0.05) were detected for total leukocyte and neutrophil counts, all lymphocyte subsets, mean fluorescence intensity of CD62L+ neutrophils, and percentage neutrophils performing phagocytosis. On d 2, total leukocyte and neutrophil count increased (P < 0.001), and percentage CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes, percentage phagocytic neutrophils, mean fluorescence intensity of CD62L+ neutrophils decreased (P < 0.05) in W compared with baseline (d 0), whereas they were unchanged (P > 0.05) in C. On d 2, percentage WC1+ lymphocytes decreased (P < 0.05), whereas percentage MHC class II+ lymphocytes increased (P < 0.05) in W and C, however the magnitude of change was greater in W than C. There were no treatment x sampling time interactions (P > 0.05) for monocyte, eosinophil, and basophil counts, percentage G1+ neutrophils, or percentage oxidative burst positive neutrophils. CONCLUSIONS Abrupt weaning resulted in increased neutrophil counts and impaired trafficking and phagocytic function. Together with the changes in lymphocyte subsets, the results suggest that there was a greater transitory reduction in immune function at housing in abruptly weaned than non-weaned beef calves.
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Affiliation(s)
- EM Lynch
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co Meath, Ireland
- Department of Biology and National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, National University of Ireland Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - B Earley
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co Meath, Ireland
| | - M McGee
- Livestock Systems Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co Meath, Ireland
| | - S Doyle
- Department of Biology and National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, National University of Ireland Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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Lynch EM, Earley B, McGee M, Doyle S. Characterisation of physiological and immunological responses in beef cows to abrupt weaning and subsequent housing. BMC Vet Res 2010; 6:37. [PMID: 20646268 PMCID: PMC2917423 DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-6-37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2009] [Accepted: 07/20/2010] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Weaning involves the permanent separation of the calf from the dam and has been shown to be stressful for both. The objectives of this study were to characterise the effect of i) abrupt weaning and ii) subsequent housing on the extended physiological and immunological responses of beef cows. At weaning (day (d) 0, mean age of calf (s.d.) 212 (24.5) d), cows were abruptly separated from their calves and returned to the grazing area. After 35 d at pasture, cows were housed in a slatted floor shed and offered grass silage ad libitum plus a mineral-vitamin supplement daily. Rectal body temperature was recorded and blood samples were obtained on i) d 0 (weaning), 2, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and subsequently on ii) d 0 (housing), 2, 7, 14 and 21 for physiological, haematological and immunological measurements. RESULTS Post-weaning, concentration of cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone were unchanged (P > 0.05). Rectal body temperature, neutrophil number and neutrophil: lymphocyte ratio increased (P < 0.01) on d 2 compared with pre-weaning baseline. Lymphocyte and neutrophil number decreased (P < 0.05) on d 2 to 7 and d 7 to 21, respectively, compared with pre-weaning baseline. Interferon-gamma production decreased (P < 0.05) on d 2 compared with pre-weaning baseline. An increase (P < 0.05) in acute phase proteins, fibrinogen and haptoglobin was evident on d 2 to 35 compared with pre-weaning baseline. Concentration of glucose increased on d 2 to 28, whereas non-esterified fatty acid decreased on d 2 to 35 compared with pre-weaning baseline. Post-housing, concentrations of cortisol, rectal body temperature, total leukocyte number, and glucose were unchanged (P > 0.05). On d 2 post-housing, neutrophil number and neutrophil: lymphocyte ratio increased (P < 0.05), whereas lymphocyte number and concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone, fibrinogen and non-esterified fatty acid decreased (P < 0.05) compared with pre-housing baseline. Concentration of haptoglobin increased (P < 0.05) on d 14 to 21 post-housing. CONCLUSIONS A transitory increase in neutrophil number and decrease in lymphocyte number, increased neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio coupled with decreased interferon-gamma production, and increased concentration of acute phase proteins indicate a stress response in cows post-weaning, whereas post-housing, changes were less marked.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eilish M Lynch
- Animal and Bioscience Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
- Department of Biology and National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, National University of Ireland Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Bernadette Earley
- Animal and Bioscience Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - Mark McGee
- Livestock Systems Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - Sean Doyle
- Department of Biology and National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, National University of Ireland Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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Performance of spring-calving beef suckler cows and their progeny to slaughter on intensive and extensive grassland management systems. Livest Sci 2008; 120:1-12. [PMID: 32288868 PMCID: PMC7102801 DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2008.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2008] [Revised: 04/10/2008] [Accepted: 04/16/2008] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The performance of rotationally grazed beef suckler cows and their progeny to slaughter on two lowland grassland management systems differing in stocking rate (SR) and fertiliser nitrogen (N) level was compared over eight years. The two Systems were 1) Intensive (INT): SR of 0.56 (bull production) or 0.71 (steer production) ha cow− 1 unit, 211 kg fertiliser N ha− 1, two silage harvests, and 2) Extensive (EXT): SR of 0.69 (bull production) or 0.88 (steer production) ha cow− 1 unit, 97 kg fertiliser N ha− 1 and one staggered silage harvest. A cow unit was defined as a cow plus progeny to slaughter. On the silage harvesting area, the mean application rate for fertiliser N was 110 and 80 kg ha− 1 for first and second harvests, respectively. Herbage dry matter digestibility both pre- and post-grazing was similar (P > 0.05) for the two systems, whereas herbage crude protein concentrations were generally significantly lower for the EXT than the INT system. There was no difference (P > 0.05) between the Systems in cow live weight, body condition score or their changes or in calf live weight gain from birth to weaning. Post-weaning, live weight gain, slaughter weight, carcass weight, kill-out proportion, estimated carcass gain, carcass conformation score or carcass fat score did not differ (P > 0.05) between the systems for heifer, steer or bull progeny. It can be concluded that similar animal performance levels can be expected in an extensive grassland-based suckler calf-to-beef system compatible with the EU, Rural Environmental Protection Scheme as that attained in a more intensive System comprising of both a moderately high SR (~ 1.25 higher) and fertiliser N application (~ 2.1 higher).
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