1
|
Svensk M, Pittarello M, Mariotte P, Nota G, Schneider MK, Frund D, Dubois S, Allan E, Probo M. Nitrogen translocation by Highland cattle grazing in Alnus viridis-encroached pastures. NUTRIENT CYCLING IN AGROECOSYSTEMS 2023; 126:127-141. [PMID: 37124631 PMCID: PMC10129924 DOI: 10.1007/s10705-023-10282-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
During the last decades, Alnus viridis has expanded over former montane pastures and meadows, due to land use and abandonment. This nitrogen-fixing woody species has triggered negative agro-environmental impacts, such as nitrogen (N) leaching, soil acidification and a reduced biodiversity. The aim of this study was to estimate the N translocation from A. viridis-encroached areas to adjacent open pastures by Highland cattle. In 2019 and 2020, Highland cattle herds equipped with GPS collars were placed in four A. viridis-encroached paddocks across Italy and Switzerland. The N content was measured in A. viridis leaves, herbaceous vegetation, and cattle dung pats, which were collected throughout the grazing season. Using GPS locations and collar activity sensors, livestock activity phases were discriminated. The N ingested by cattle was estimated through the N content of herbaceous vegetation and A. viridis leaves of vegetation patches visited by cattle during 24 h before dung sampling (N24H). The N content of herbaceous vegetation significantly increased with increasing A. viridis cover. The average N content in dung pats (31.2 ± 3.4 g.kg-1 DM) was higher than average values from literature on grazing cattle. Moreover, it was positively related to the N24H. Most of this N (29.5 ± 10.3 kg ha-1 yr-1) was translocated towards resting areas, which generally occurred on flat open pastures. Our results highlight the potential of Highland cattle to effectively translocate part of the ingested N from A. viridis-encroached towards targeted open areas, thus bringing new perspective for forage yield and quality improvement in the long-term. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10705-023-10282-0.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mia Svensk
- Grazing Systems, Agroscope, Posieux, Switzerland
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marco Pittarello
- Department of Veterinary Sciences (DSV), University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Ginevra Nota
- Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences (DISAFA), University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | - David Frund
- Grazing Systems, Agroscope, Posieux, Switzerland
| | | | - Eric Allan
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yeakel JD, Kempes CP, Redner S. Dynamics of starvation and recovery predict extinction risk and both Damuth's law and Cope's rule. Nat Commun 2018; 9:657. [PMID: 29440734 PMCID: PMC5811595 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-02822-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The eco-evolutionary dynamics of species are fundamentally linked to the energetic constraints of their constituent individuals. Of particular importance is the interplay between reproduction and the dynamics of starvation and recovery. To elucidate this interplay, here we introduce a nutritional state-structured model that incorporates two classes of consumers: nutritionally replete, reproducing consumers, and undernourished, nonreproducing consumers. We obtain strong constraints on starvation and recovery rates by deriving allometric scaling relationships and find that population dynamics are typically driven to a steady state. Moreover, these rates fall within a "refuge" in parameter space, where the probability of population extinction is minimized. We also show that our model provides a natural framework to predict steady state population abundances known as Damuth's law, and maximum mammalian body size. By determining the relative stability of an otherwise homogeneous population to a competing population with altered percent body fat, this framework provides a principled mechanism for a selective driver of Cope's rule.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Justin D Yeakel
- School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, CA, 95340, USA. .,The Santa Fe Institute, 1399 Hyde Park Road, Santa Fe, NM, 87501, USA.
| | | | - Sidney Redner
- The Santa Fe Institute, 1399 Hyde Park Road, Santa Fe, NM, 87501, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Contribution of altitude and Alpine origin of forage to the influence of Alpine sojourn of cows on intake, nitrogen conversion, metabolic stress and milk synthesis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.1017/s1357729800058859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
AbstractA two-factorial experiment was conducted in order to quantify and distinguish the influences of altitude and forage origin on metabolism and milk synthesis of dairy cows kept at Alpine locations. Each of four experimental groups comprised six dairy cows in early to mid lactation which were kept tethered in barns at altitudes of either 2000 (Alpine) or 400 m above sea level (a.s.l.) (lowland). Two groups (Alpine and lowland) received hay ad libitum, a third group kept in the lowlands was pair-fed to the Alpine group and a control group was offered silages and concentrates according to milk yield. Two hay types, with origin either from 2000 or 400 m a.s.l., were offered to all hay-alone groups following a change-over design over three 21-day periods. Transferring cows to high altitude triggered a complex adaptation process, which resulted in depressions of food intake at the beginning of the experiment and changed plasma levels of metabolic traits indicating an energy deficit. On average over the entire experiment, high altitude sojourn elevated plasma β-hydroxybutyrate and decreased plasma glucose levels. Yields of milk and of main milk constituents were not significantly affected, but milk protein content was reduced in both the Alpine and in the pair-fed group. No generally elevated maintenance requirements as a consequence of hypoxia were found. Hay-alone feeding caused a co-limitation of net energy and absorbable protein in both hay types which was almost completely compensated by a reduction of milk yield. The hay of Alpine origin had a lower digestibility and crude protein content than the lowland hay which resulted in changes in blood plasma traits and a further suppression of milk yield and milk protein and lactose contents. Due to the low N content of the Alpine hay, N utilization for milk protein synthesis remained similar to that found with lowland hay, and manure N of these cows contained the lowest proportion of easily-volatile urine N. In conclusion, forage origin in conjunction with diet type seems to explain the major part of the adverse effects that the Alpine sojourn exerts on lactating dairy cows while the effects of hypoxia appear to be of lesser importance.
Collapse
|
4
|
Bezabih M, Pellikaan W, Tolera A, Khan N, Hendriks W. Nutritional status of cattle grazing natural pasture in the Mid Rift Valley grasslands of Ethiopia measured using plant cuticular hydrocarbons and their isotope enrichment. Livest Sci 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2013.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
5
|
Vigne M, Vayssières J, Lecomte P, Peyraud JL. Pluri-energy analysis of livestock systems--a comparison of dairy systems in different territories. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2013; 126:44-54. [PMID: 23666069 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2013.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2012] [Revised: 03/26/2013] [Accepted: 04/01/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
This paper introduces a generic assessment method called pluri-energy analysis. It aims to assess the types of energy used in agricultural systems and their conversion efficiencies. Four types of energy are considered: fossil energy, gross energy contained in the biomass, energy from human and animal labor and solar energy. The method was applied to compare smallholder low-input dairy-production systems, which are common in developing countries, to the high-input systems encountered in OECD countries. The pluri-energy method is useful for analyzing the functioning of agricultural systems by highlighting their modes of energy management. Since most dairy systems in South Mali (SM) are low-input systems, they are primarily based on solar and labor energy types and do not require substantial fossil-energy inputs to produce milk. Farms in Poitou-Charentes (PC) and Bretagne (BR) show intermediate values of fossil-energy use for milk production, similar to that found in the literature for typical European systems. However, fossil-energy use for milk production is higher on PC than BR farms because of a higher proportion of maize silage in the forage area; grazing pastures are more common on BR farms. Farms on Reunion Island (RI) require a relatively large amount of fossil energy to produce milk, mainly because the island context limits the amount of arable land. Consequently, milk production is based on large imports of concentrated feed with a high fossil-energy cost. The method also enables assessment of fossil-energy-use efficiency in order to increase the performance of biological processes in agricultural systems. Comparing the low-input systems represented by SM to the high-input systems represented by RI, PC and BR, an increase in solar-energy conversion, and thus land productivity, was observed due to intensification via increased fossil-energy use. Conversely, though fossil-energy use at the herd level increased milk productivity, its effect on gross-energy conversion by the herd was less evident. Partitioning the total on-farm gross energy produced among animal co-products (milk, meat and manure) highlights the major functions of SM herds, which are managed to produce organic crop fertilizers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Vigne
- INRA, UMR1348 Physiologie, Environnement et Génétique pour l'Animal et les Systèmes d'Élevage, 66095-100 St-Gilles, France.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Bezabih M, Pellikaan W, Tolera A, Hendriks W. Estimation of feed intake and digestibility in cattle consuming low-quality tropical roughage diets using molasses-based n-alkane boluses. Anim Feed Sci Technol 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2012.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
7
|
Jayanegara A, Marquardt S, Kreuzer M, Leiber F. Nutrient and energy content, in vitro ruminal fermentation characteristics and methanogenic potential of alpine forage plant species during early summer. JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 2011; 91:1863-1870. [PMID: 21480269 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.4398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2010] [Revised: 02/18/2011] [Accepted: 02/23/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plants growing on alpine meadows are reported to be rich in phenols. Such compounds may affect ruminal fermentation and reduce the plants' methanogenic potential, making alpine grazing advantageous in this respect. The objective of this study was to quantify nutrients and phenols in Alpine forage grasses, herbs and trees collected over 2 years and, in a 24 h in vitro incubation, their effects on ruminal fermentation parameters. RESULTS The highest in vitro gas production, resulting in metabolisable energy values around 10 MJ kg⁻¹, were found with Alchemilla xanthochlora and Crepis aurea (herbaceous species) and with Sambucus nigra leaves and flowers (tree species). Related to the amount of total gas production, methane formation was highest with Nardus stricta, and lowest with S. nigra and A. xanthochlora. In addition, Castanea sativa leaves led to an exceptional low methane production, but this was accompanied by severely impaired ruminal fermentation. When the data were analysed by principal component analysis, phenol concentrations were negatively related with methane proportion in total gas. CONCLUSION Variation in methane production potential across the investigated forages was small. The two goals of limited methane production potential and high nutritive value for ruminants were met best by A. xanthochlora and S. nigra.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anuraga Jayanegara
- ETH Zurich, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Universitaetstrasse 2, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Bovolenta S, Corazzin M, Saccà E, Gasperi F, Biasioli F, Ventura W. Performance and cheese quality of Brown cows grazing on mountain pasture fed two different levels of supplementation. Livest Sci 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2008.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
9
|
Effects of stocking density and supplement level on milk production and cheese characteristics in Brown cows grazing on mountain pasture. J DAIRY RES 2008; 75:357-64. [PMID: 18680621 DOI: 10.1017/s0022029908003531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Twenty-eight Brown cows were maintained on a mountain pasture for a period of 40 days and assigned to 4 groups following a factorial design 2 stocking density (0.7 and 1.4 cows/ha)x2 supplement levels (2.4 and 4.8 kg organic matter (OM)/d). Herbage intake, animal body condition score (BCS), milk yield, milk chemical and coagulation properties, cheese composition, rheology and sensory characteristics were measured. The average herbage intake was 12.2 kg OM/d, with a significant effect related to stocking density (low, 13.1 v. high, 11.4 kg OM/d). BCS variation was always negative and changed with supplement level, although with no statistical significance (-0.43 points on average). Milk yield was lower for the group with lower availability of herbage (low supplement and high stocking density: 15.9 kg/d), whereas it was comparable among others groups (16.9 kg/d on average). The group with high supplement and low stocking density produced milk with worse cheese making properties. Cheese composition analyses showed an effect of supplement level on calcium content, and on parameters for degree of ripening, such as nitrogen fractions and lipolysis index. As for the textural parameters, hardness and gumminess were found to be higher with the low level of supplement. The different level of supplementation could differentiate the groups on the basis of the sensory perception of cheese.
Collapse
|
10
|
Steinshamn H, Höglind M, Garmo TH, Thuen E, Brenøe UT. Feed nitrogen conversion in lactating dairy cows on pasture as affected by concentrate supplementation. Anim Feed Sci Technol 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2006.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
|
11
|
Leiber F, Kreuzer M, Leuenberger H, Wettstein HR. Contribution of diet type and pasture conditions to the influence of high altitude grazing on intake, performance and composition and renneting properties of the milk of cows. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006. [DOI: 10.1051/animres:2005041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
|
12
|
Graf CM, Kreuzer M, Dohme F. Effects of Supplemental Hay and Corn Silage Versus Full-Time Grazing on Ruminal pH and Chewing Activity of Dairy Cows. J Dairy Sci 2005; 88:711-25. [PMID: 15653538 DOI: 10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(05)72735-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Grazing young, highly digestible swards with and without supplemental hay or corn silage (5.5 kg of DM/d) offered overnight was tested for its effects on ruminal pH and chewing activity. A double 3 x 3 Latin square arrangement with 6 rumen-cannulated Brown Swiss cows (29 kg/d of milk) was applied. Herbage intake was quantified by controlled-release alkane capsules. Chewing activity was determined using an automatic microcomputer-based system for digital recording of the jaw movements. Except during milking, ruminal pH was measured continuously over 7 d by applying a device consisting of an indwelling pH electrode and a data-recording unit integrated in the cannula's cover. The grazing system had no significant effect on body weight, milk yield or composition (except milk urea), or total DM intake (13.5, 13.8, and 15.7 kg/d with full-time grazing, hay, and corn silage supplementation). No differences occurred for ruminating time per day and time per kilogram of DM intake. Full-time grazing cows spent more time eating per day (+26%) and time per kilogram of DM intake (+31%) than the other cows. Ruminal pH and time with pH <5.8 at night did not differ. Throughout the day, hay-supplemented cows had a significantly lower pH (-0.23) than full-time grazing cows, and the period of pH <5.8 was longer compared with corn-silage fed cows (77 vs. 11 min). Nocturnal supplement feeding gave no advantage over full-time grazing, and supplemental hay led to lower daytime pH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C M Graf
- Agroscope Liebefeld-Posieux, Swiss Federal Research Station for Animal Production and Dairy Products (ALP), CH-1725 Posieux, Switzerland
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Phoenix GK, Leake JR, Read DJ, Grime JP, Lee JA. Accumulation of Pollutant Nitrogen in Calcareous and Acidic Grasslands: Evidence from N Flux and 15N Tracer Studies. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004. [DOI: 10.1007/s11267-004-3026-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
|
14
|
Evaluation of the dry matter intake predictions of the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System with Holstein and dual-purpose lactating cattle in the tropics. Anim Feed Sci Technol 2004. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2003.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
|
15
|
Molina D, Matamoros I, Pell A. Accuracy of estimates of herbage intake of lactating cows using alkanes: comparison of two types of capsules. Anim Feed Sci Technol 2004. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2003.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|