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Mushunje LH, Marandure T, Chikwanha OC, Bennett J, Hawkins HJ, Palmer AR, Wu L, M C M, Mapiye C. Supplementation of Acacia dealbata versus Acacia mearnsii leaf-meal has potential to maintain growth performance of lambs grazing low-quality communal rangelands in South Africa. Trop Anim Health Prod 2024; 56:152. [PMID: 38722369 PMCID: PMC11082017 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-024-04004-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Supplementing livestock grazing communal rangelands with leaf-meals from Acacia trees, which are currently considered as problematic invasive alien plants globally, may be a sustainable way of exploiting their desirable nutritional and anthelmintic properties. The current study evaluated worm burdens and growth performance of lambs grazing low-quality communal rangelands supplemented with leaf-meals prepared from the invasive alien plant species; Acacia mearnsii or A. dealbata. Forty, three-month-old ewe lambs weighing an average of 18.9 ± 0.60 kg were randomly allocated to four supplementary diets: (1) rangeland hay only (control), (2) commercial protein supplement plus rangeland hay, (3) A. mearnsii leaf-meal plus rangeland hay and (4) A. dealbata leaf-meal plus rangeland hay. All the supplementary diets were formulated to meet the lambs' minimum maintenance requirements for protein. All the lambs were grazed on communal rangelands daily from 0800 to 1400 after which they were penned to allow them access to their respective supplementary diets until 08:00 the following morning. The respective supplementary diets were offered at the rate of 400 g ewe- 1 day- 1 for 60 days. Lambs fed the commercial protein supplement had the highest dry matter intake followed by those fed the Acacia leaf-meals and the control diet, respectively (P ≤ 0.05). Relative to the other supplementary diets, lambs fed the commercial protein supplement and A. dealbata leaf-meal had higher (P ≤ 0.05) final body weight and average daily gains. Dietary supplementation did not affect lamb faecal worm egg counts over the study period (P > 0.05). There was no association between supplementary diets and lamb FAMACHA© scores (P > 0.05). It was concluded that supplementation of Acacia dealbata versus Acacia mearnsii has the potential to emulate commercial protein in maintaining growth performance of lambs grazing communal rangelands in the dry season.
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Affiliation(s)
- L H Mushunje
- Department of Animal Sciences, Stellenbosch University, P. Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa
| | - T Marandure
- Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience (CAWR), Coventry University, Wolston Lane, Ryton Gardens, Coventry, CV8 3LG, UK
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7032, Uppsala, SE-75007, Sweden
| | - O C Chikwanha
- Department of Animal Sciences, Stellenbosch University, P. Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa
| | - J Bennett
- Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience (CAWR), Coventry University, Wolston Lane, Ryton Gardens, Coventry, CV8 3LG, UK
| | - H J Hawkins
- Conservation South Africa, Forrest House, Belmont Park, Rondebosch, 7700, South Africa
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X1, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa
| | - A R Palmer
- Institute for Water Research, Rhodes University, PO Box 94, Makhanda, 6140, South Africa
| | - L Wu
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Marufu M C
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa
| | - C Mapiye
- Department of Animal Sciences, Stellenbosch University, P. Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa.
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Woodmartin S, Creighton P, Boland TM, Farrell L, Claffey N, McGovern F. The inclusion of companion forages in the diet alongside perennial ryegrass increased dry matter intake and organic matter digestibility in sheep. Animal 2024; 18:101150. [PMID: 38669749 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2024.101150] [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: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The inclusion of companion forages in the diet of ruminant animals is gaining popularity in temperate regions due to observed improvements in animal performance. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of diet type on DM intake (DMI) and organic matter digestibility (OMD) in sheep. Furthermore, the effect of sward type on diet nutritive quality was investigated. Five dietary treatments were investigated using a 5 × 5 Latin square design experiment: Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.; PRG) only or PRG plus white clover (Trifolium repens L.;PRG + WC), red clover (Trifolium pratense L.; PRG + RC), chicory (Chicorium intybus L.; PRG + Chic) or plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.; PRG + Plan) at a ratio of 75% PRG and 25% of the respective companion forage and 100% PRG for the grass only treatment on a DM basis. Twenty Belclare castrated male (wether) sheep were housed in metabolism crates across five feeding periods. Individual DMI and faecal output were recorded daily and digestibility parameters were subsequently calculated. Results show that the inclusion of any companion forage increased DMI (kg/day DM) which ranged from 1.55 ± 0.038 (PRG) to 1.76 ± 0.038 (PRG + Chic) (P < 0.001). The PRG + WC (825 ± 1.1), PRG + RC (823 ± 1.1) and PRG + Chic (826 ± 1.1) diets had a greater in vitro OMD (g/kg DM) when compared to PRG (819 ± 1.1) or PRG + Plan (816 ± 1.1) (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the PRG + Chic (830 ± 2.9) diet had a greater in vivo OMD (g/kg DM) (P < 0.01) when compared to the PRG, PRG + RC, and PRG + Plan diets. Regression analysis showed that in vitro estimates moderately reflected in vivo measurements (r2 = 0.61). The inclusion of any companion forage increased dietary CP content and reduced the proportion of NDF in the diet. Crude protein concentration increased by an average of 16.5 g/kg DM and NDF content was reduced by 25.3 g/kg DM, on average, with companion forage inclusion (P < 0.001). Results suggest that binary sward mixtures benefit pasture-based sheep production systems, boosting sward quality, aiding increased DM intakes of a more digestible diet in the summer period.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Woodmartin
- Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Mellows Campus, Athenry, Co. Galway, Ireland; School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - P Creighton
- Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Mellows Campus, Athenry, Co. Galway, Ireland
| | - T M Boland
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - L Farrell
- DairyNZ, Private Bag 3221, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
| | - N Claffey
- Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Mellows Campus, Athenry, Co. Galway, Ireland
| | - F McGovern
- Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Mellows Campus, Athenry, Co. Galway, Ireland.
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Omondi VO, Bosire GO, Onyari JM, Kibet C, Mwasya S, Onyonyi VN, Getahun MN. Multi-omics analyses reveal rumen microbes and secondary metabolites that are unique to livestock species. mSystems 2024; 9:e0122823. [PMID: 38294243 PMCID: PMC10878066 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.01228-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Ruminant livestock, including cattle, sheep, goats, and camels, possess a distinctive digestive system with complex microbiota communities critical for feed conversion and secondary metabolite production, including greenhouse gases. Yet, there is limited knowledge regarding the diversity of rumen microbes and metabolites benefiting livestock physiology, productivity, climate impact, and defense mechanisms across ruminant species. In this study, we utilized metataxonomics and metabolomics data from four evolutionarily distinct livestock species, which had fed on diverse plant materials like grass, shrubs, and acacia trees, to uncover the unique signature microbes and secondary metabolites. We established the presence of a distinctive anaerobic fungus called Oontomyces in camels, while cattle exhibited a higher prevalence of unique microbes like Psychrobacter, Anaeromyces, Cyllamyces, and Orpinomyces. Goats hosted Cleistothelebolus, and Liebetanzomyces was unique to sheep. Furthermore, we identified a set of conserved core microbes, including Prevotella, Rickenellaceae, Cladosporium, and Pecoramyces, present in all the ruminants, irrespective of host genetics and dietary composition. This underscores their indispensable role in maintaining crucial physiological functions. Regarding secondary metabolites, camel's rumen is rich in organic acids, goat's rumen is rich in alcohols and hydrocarbons, sheep's rumen is rich in indoles, and cattle's rumen is rich in sesquiterpenes. Additionally, linalool propionate and terpinolene were uniquely found in sheep rumen, while valencene was exclusive to cattle. This may suggest the existence of species-specific microbes and metabolites that require host rumen-microbes' environment balance. These results have implications for manipulating the rumen environment to target specific microbes and secondary metabolite networks, thereby enhancing livestock productivity, resilience, reducing susceptibility to vectors, and environmentally preferred livestock husbandry.IMPORTANCERumen fermentation, which depends on feed components and rumen microbes, plays a crucial role in feed conversion and the production of various metabolites important for the physiological functions, health, and environmental smartness of ruminant livestock, in addition to providing food for humans. However, given the complexity and variation of the rumen ecosystem and feed of these various livestock species, combined with inter-individual differences between gut microbial communities, how they influence the rumen secondary metabolites remains elusive. Using metagenomics and metabolomics approaches, we show that each livestock species has a signature microbe(s) and secondary metabolites. These findings may contribute toward understanding the rumen ecosystem, microbiome and metabolite networks, which may provide a gateway to manipulating rumen ecosystem pathways toward making livestock production efficient, sustainable, and environmentally friendly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor O. Omondi
- Animal Health Theme and Behavioural and Chemical Ecology Unit, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nairobi (U.o.N), Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - John M. Onyari
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nairobi (U.o.N), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Caleb Kibet
- Animal Health Theme and Behavioural and Chemical Ecology Unit, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Samuel Mwasya
- Animal Health Theme and Behavioural and Chemical Ecology Unit, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Vanessa N. Onyonyi
- Animal Health Theme and Behavioural and Chemical Ecology Unit, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Merid N. Getahun
- Animal Health Theme and Behavioural and Chemical Ecology Unit, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
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Wade C, Trotter MG, Bailey DW. Small Ruminant Landscape Distribution: A Literature Review. Small Rumin Res 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2023.106966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
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Adugna W, Ayele S, Addis M. Different proportions of dried Vernonia amygdalina leaves and wheat bran mixture supplementation on feed intake, digestibility and body weight change of Arsi-Bale sheep fed with natural pasture hay as basal diet. Vet Med Sci 2023; 9:957-966. [PMID: 36680563 PMCID: PMC10029863 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Animal feed shortage in quality and quantity, and escalating costs of agro-industrial by-products to supplement crop residues and natural pasture hay urged to look for alternative feed supplements. Vernonia amygdalina leaf is one of the potential feed resources to supplement poor quality feeds in ruminant feeding. OBJECTIVES This experiment was designed to evaluate effects of supplementing dried V. amygdalina leaves (DVL) and wheat bran (WB) mixture on feed intake, digestibility, body weight change and economic feasibility of Arsi-Bale sheep fed with natural pasture hay as basal diet. METHODS Twenty intact yearling male sheep with an initial body weight (IBW) of 18.85 ± 0.95 kg (mean ± SD) were stratified into five blocks (four animals per block) based on their IBW and kept for 90 days of feeding and 10 days of digestibility trials. Four treatment diets comprised ad libitum hay (control, T1) and ad libitum hay plus daily supplementation of 300 g dry matter (DM) in a ratio of 2DVL:1WB (T2), 1DVL:1WB (T3) and 1DVL:2WB (T4), and the treatment feeds were randomly assigned to each animal within a block. Data were subjected to the analysis of variance using the GLM procedure of SAS (version 9.1). RESULTS The results showed that the crude protein contents of hay, DVL and WB were 9.4%, 21.5% and 15.5%, respectively. Supplementation improved (p < 0.0001) DM intake (DMI), apparent nutrient digestibility, average daily gain (ADG) and economic return. Sheep supplemented with two parts of DVL and one part of WB resulted significantly (p<0.0001) the highest DMI, DM and nutrient digestibility and a better feed conversion ratio. Consequently, they resulted highest ADG and net return. CONCLUSIONS Sheep fed with a basal diet of natural pasture hay supplemented with two parts of DVL and one part of WB is economical to improve body weight of Arsi-Bale sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wondimu Adugna
- Department of Animal Science, Arsi University, College of Agriculture and Environmental Science, Asella, Ethiopia
- Department of Animal Science, Bahir Dar University, College of Agriculture and Environmental Science, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Shashie Ayele
- Department of Animal Science, Bahir Dar University, College of Agriculture and Environmental Science, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Mesganaw Addis
- Department of Animal Science, Bahir Dar University, College of Agriculture and Environmental Science, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
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Celi K, Guzmán L, Rey-Valeirón C. Apicomplexans in Goat: Prevalence of Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii, Cryptosporidium spp., Eimeria spp. and Risk Factors in Farms from Ecuador. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12172224. [PMID: 36077944 PMCID: PMC9454992 DOI: 10.3390/ani12172224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii, Cryptosporidium and Eimeria species are parasites of phylum Apicomplexa, which includes several protozoa affecting animals and humans. In Ecuador, the maintenance of goat health is a matter of utmost importance because it affects the economic welfare of the breeders. N. caninum and T. gondii cause reproductive problems in goats, leading to abortions or weak offspring. Severe diarrhea in kids and delays in growth are due to the Cryptosporidium and Eimeria species. Moreover, T. gondii and Cryptosporidium are zoonotic parasites with serious consequences for human health. The aim of this work was to determine, by serological and parasitological tests, the prevalence of these parasites and the risk factors for goat populations in Southern Ecuador. On some farms, the prevalence of N. caninum and T. gondii reached more than 50%; up to 17% of the kids were positive for Cryptosporidium and 90% of the goats were positive for the Eimeria species. The analysis of risk factors revealed differences according to the parasite species. Considering the zoonotic significance of these results, control and prevention measures are essential and constitute a warning to veterinarians and governmental institutions. Abstract Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii, Cryptosporidium and Eimeria cause severe impacts on the productivity of goat herds. The objectives of the present study were to establish the prevalence of these apicomplexans in goat farms from Ecuador; to evaluate a rapid test for Cryptosporidium diagnosis and to identify the risk factors associated with the infections. A questionnaire was designed to obtain information from 24 goat farms from Zapotillo, Garza Real, Cazaderos, Limones and Paletillas parishes in Ecuador. Blood (n = 388) and feces (n = 391) samples were collected. Indirect ELISA and standard parasitological assays were carried out to evaluate the seroprevalence of N. caninum and T. gondii and to detect oocysts of Cryptosporidium and Eimeria. The overall prevalence values of N. caninum and T. gondii were 12.11% and 18.20%, Cryptosporidium spp. and Eimeria spp. oocysts were detected in 10.49% and 89.51% of the total samples. A low correlation value was found between the results obtained by Ziehl-Nielsen and the rapid test. The multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed that vitamin supplementation, age of diarrhea, frequency of deworming, pasture area, presence of artiodactyls, domestic fowl, administration of sulfas, age group, body condition, abortions, type of pastures and the presence of cattle were risk factors according to the parasite species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Celi
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Maestría en Biotecnología Agropecuaria, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto s/n, Loja 1101608, Ecuador
| | - Lucía Guzmán
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto s/n, Loja 1101608, Ecuador
- Correspondence: (L.G.); (C.R.-V.)
| | - Catalina Rey-Valeirón
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Parasitología Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional Experimental Francisco de Miranda, Coro 4101, Venezuela
- Correspondence: (L.G.); (C.R.-V.)
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Alstedt U, Voigt K, Jäger MC, Knubben-Schweizer G, Zablotski Y, Strube C, Wenzel C. Rumen and Liver Fluke Infections in Sheep and Goats in Northern and Southern Germany. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12070876. [PMID: 35405863 PMCID: PMC8997043 DOI: 10.3390/ani12070876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Little is known about the distribution of rumen and liver flukes in sheep and goats in Germany or about the occurring rumen fluke species. These fluke infections can be detected by the parasite’s eggs in the host animal’s feces. Therefore, fecal samples from 223 sheep farms and 143 goat farms from northern and southern Germany were examined. The eggs of rumen flukes were detected on 2.2% of the samples, the eggs of common liver flukes on 2.7%, and the eggs of small liver flukes on 21.1% of the examined sheep farms. The rumen flukes were identified as the emerging species Calicophoron daubneyi. No rumen fluke eggs were detected on any of the goat farm samples, but common and small liver fluke eggs were detected in 5.6% and 7.0% of the goat herds, respectively. Differences in the geographical distribution of rumen and liver flukes between and within the two regions were identified. Rumen flukes were more frequently found in the north, while the two liver fluke species were more frequently found in the south of Germany. Sheep sharing the pasture with other ruminants were more likely to be infected with rumen flukes. Abstract Paramphistomidosis has recently been identified as an emerging parasitosis in Europe. This study estimated the prevalence of rumen flukes, Fasciola hepatica and Dicrocoelium dendriticum, in small ruminants in Germany and identified occurring rumen fluke species and potential predictors for fluke infections. Pooled fecal samples from 223 sheep farms and 143 goat farms in northern and southern Germany were examined by the sedimentation technique, and molecular species identification was performed on rumen-fluke-positive samples. In sheep, a flock prevalence of 2.2% was detected for rumen flukes. Calicophoron daubneyi was identified on four of five positive farms, while species identification failed in one flock. No rumen fluke eggs were detected in the examined goat herds. F. hepatica eggs were detected in 2.7% of the sheep flocks, while the herd prevalence was 5.6% in goats. Higher prevalence values of 21.1% (sheep) and 7.0% (goats) were observed for D. dendriticum. Mixed grazing with other ruminants and previously identified infections with rumen flukes and/or F. hepatica were identified as predictors for paramphistomidosis. The distribution of the three trematode species followed a geographical pattern associated with conditions favoring the relevant intermediate hosts. C. daubneyi is an established parasite in German sheep at a currently low prevalence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uta Alstedt
- Clinic for Ruminants with Ambulatory and Herd Health Services, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 85764 Oberschleissheim, Germany; (U.A.); (K.V.); (G.K.-S.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Katja Voigt
- Clinic for Ruminants with Ambulatory and Herd Health Services, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 85764 Oberschleissheim, Germany; (U.A.); (K.V.); (G.K.-S.); (Y.Z.)
| | | | - Gabriela Knubben-Schweizer
- Clinic for Ruminants with Ambulatory and Herd Health Services, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 85764 Oberschleissheim, Germany; (U.A.); (K.V.); (G.K.-S.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Yury Zablotski
- Clinic for Ruminants with Ambulatory and Herd Health Services, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 85764 Oberschleissheim, Germany; (U.A.); (K.V.); (G.K.-S.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany;
| | - Christoph Wenzel
- Clinic for Ruminants with Ambulatory and Herd Health Services, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 85764 Oberschleissheim, Germany; (U.A.); (K.V.); (G.K.-S.); (Y.Z.)
- Correspondence:
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Ikurior SJ, Marquetoux N, Leu ST, Corner-Thomas RA, Scott I, Pomroy WE. What Are Sheep Doing? Tri-Axial Accelerometer Sensor Data Identify the Diel Activity Pattern of Ewe Lambs on Pasture. SENSORS 2021; 21:s21206816. [PMID: 34696028 PMCID: PMC8540528 DOI: 10.3390/s21206816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Monitoring activity patterns of animals offers the opportunity to assess individual health and welfare in support of precision livestock farming. The purpose of this study was to use a triaxial accelerometer sensor to determine the diel activity of sheep on pasture. Six Perendale ewe lambs, each fitted with a neck collar mounting a triaxial accelerometer, were filmed during targeted periods of sheep activities: grazing, lying, walking, and standing. The corresponding acceleration data were fitted using a Random Forest algorithm to classify activity (=classifier). This classifier was then applied to accelerometer data from an additional 10 ewe lambs to determine their activity budgets. Each of these was fitted with a neck collar mounting an accelerometer as well as two additional accelerometers placed on a head halter and a body harness over the shoulders of the animal. These were monitored continuously for three days. A classification accuracy of 89.6% was achieved for the grazing, walking and resting activities (i.e., a new class combining lying and standing activity). Triaxial accelerometer data showed that sheep spent 64% (95% CI 55% to 74%) of daylight time grazing, with grazing at night reduced to 14% (95% CI 8% to 20%). Similar activity budgets were achieved from the halter mounted sensors, but not those on a body harness. These results are consistent with previous studies directly observing daily activity of pasture-based sheep and can be applied in a variety of contexts to investigate animal health and welfare metrics e.g., to better understand the impact that young sheep can suffer when carrying even modest burdens of parasitic nematodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seer J. Ikurior
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand; (R.A.C.-T.); (I.S.); (W.E.P.)
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture, Makurdi 970231, Nigeria
- Correspondence:
| | - Nelly Marquetoux
- EpiCentre, School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand;
| | - Stephan T. Leu
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy 5371, Australia;
| | - Rene A. Corner-Thomas
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand; (R.A.C.-T.); (I.S.); (W.E.P.)
- School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand
| | - Ian Scott
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand; (R.A.C.-T.); (I.S.); (W.E.P.)
| | - William E. Pomroy
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand; (R.A.C.-T.); (I.S.); (W.E.P.)
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de Assis DYC, de Oliveira FA, Santos EM, de Gouvêa AAL, de Carvalho BMA, Nascimento CDO, Cirne LGA, Pina DDS, Pires AJV, Alba HDR, de Carvalho GGP. Carcass and meat traits of goats fed diets containing cottonseed cake. Arch Anim Breed 2021; 64:395-403. [PMID: 34584941 PMCID: PMC8461555 DOI: 10.5194/aab-64-395-2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The cottonseed cake has the necessary nutritional characteristics
to be able to substitute the traditional ingredients (such as soybean meal)
and reduce the costs of the diet. However, it is necessary to determine the
best level of inclusion of cottonseed cake in the diets of fattening goats
to improve meat production and quality. The objective of this study was to
evaluate carcass and meat traits of feedlot goats fed diets containing
cottonseed cake replacing soybean meal (33 %, 66 % and 100 %). Thirty-two
uncastrated Boer crossbred goats (4 months old, 16 ± 2 kg initial body
weight) were used in a completely randomized experimental design. Replacing
soybean meal with cottonseed did not compromise (P>0.05)
slaughter weight, carcass traits (dressing percentage, loin-eye area and
back-fat thickness), primal cuts or carcass morphometric measurements;
moisture, protein, or total lipid contents of meat; or the physicochemical
traits of color (L*, a* and b* coordinates), pH, shear force, and cooking
loss. However, there was a reduction (P=0.001) in the mineral matter
content (from 1.08 % to 0.97 %) and an increase (P=0.006) in the
cholesterol content (from 50.85 to 70.55 mg/100 g of meat) of the meat as
the dietary levels of cottonseed cake were increased. Based on the results
of production and meat quality, we recommend using cottonseed cake as an
alternative protein source to replace up to 100 % of soybean meal in
feedlot goat diets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Edson Mauro Santos
- Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Areia, Paraíba, Code 58397-000, Brazil
| | - Ana Alice Lima de Gouvêa
- Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Code 40170-110, Brazil
| | | | | | - Luís Gabriel Alves Cirne
- Institute of Biodiversity and Forestry, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Santarém, Pará, Code 68035-110, Brazil
| | - Douglas Dos Santos Pina
- Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Code 40170-110, Brazil
| | - Aureliano José Vieira Pires
- Department of Animal Science, Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia, Itapetinga, Bahia, Code 45700-000, Brazil
| | - Henry Daniel Ruiz Alba
- Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Code 40170-110, Brazil
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