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Yu T, Yan R, Zhang C, Chen S, Zhang Z, Guo L, Hu T, Jiang C, Wang M, Bai K, Zhou W, Wu L. How does grazing pressure affect feed intake and behavior of livestock in a meadow steppe in northern China and their coupling relationship. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 908:168472. [PMID: 37951273 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168472] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/13/2023]
Abstract
Livestock feeding behavior and intake play a crucial role in influencing grassland health and productivity. A comprehensive investigation into livestock feeding behavior and intake can effectively elucidate the interactions and impacts of livestock and grasslands, providing scientific evidence and technical support for the formulation and implementation of sustainable grassland development strategies. Based on a long-term controlled grazing experiment platform conducted over 13 years, the feeding behavior and forage intake of cattle under different grazing intensities were observed and analyzed. Additionally, we used GPS sensors to study cattle grazing behavior trends. Using Mantel's test, we analyzed the relationship between cattle movement distance, forage intake, and environmental factors. The results demonstrated that cattle forage intake decreased with increasing grazing intensity. Forage intake peaked at the end of July and beginning of August, with the highest efficiency observed in August. Moreover, under light grazing intensity, cattle exhibited greater fluctuations in forage intake than those under moderate and heavy grazing intensity. Cattle movement levels increased with higher grazing intensity, and during the period of lush grass growth, cattle displayed significantly higher movement levels than during grass senescence. The accuracy of the behavior determination model based on cattle velocity ranged from 60 to 80 %. Using this model, we found that under heavy grazing conditions, cattle spent significantly more time roaming than under light and moderate grazing. Conversely, under light grazing conditions, cattle spent significantly more time feeding. A negative correlation was identified between cattle forage intake and movement distance. Cattle's forage intake was significantly positively correlated with grass height and grass biomass and significantly negatively correlated with stocking rate and movement distance. Thorough research on livestock feeding behavior and intake offers scientific evidence and technical support for formulating and implementing sustainable grassland development strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianqi Yu
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Arid and Semi-arid Arable Land in North China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Ruirui Yan
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Arid and Semi-arid Arable Land in North China, Beijing 100081, China.
| | - Chu Zhang
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Arid and Semi-arid Arable Land in North China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Sisi Chen
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Arid and Semi-arid Arable Land in North China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Zhitao Zhang
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Arid and Semi-arid Arable Land in North China, Beijing 100081, China; College of Grassland, Resources and Environment, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010011, China
| | - LeiFeng Guo
- Institute of Agricultural Information, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Tianci Hu
- Institute of Agricultural Information, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; College of Computer and Information Engineering, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830052, China
| | - Chengxiang Jiang
- Institute of Agricultural Information, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; College of Computer and Information Engineering, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830052, China
| | - Miao Wang
- Beijing Digital Agriculture Rural Promotion Center, Building 3, No. 7 Beisha Beach, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Keyu Bai
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Arid and Semi-arid Arable Land in North China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Wenneng Zhou
- College of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Lianhai Wu
- Net Zero and Resilient Farming, Rothamsted Research, North Wyke, Okehampton EX20 2SB, UK
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Effects of Lactobacillus fermented plant products on dairy cow health, production, and environmental impact. Anim Feed Sci Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2022.115514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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3
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Production and chemical composition of pasture forbs with high bioactive compounds in a low input production system in the Pacific Northwest. Anim Feed Sci Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2022.115324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Pedernera M, Vulliez A, Villalba JJ. The influence of prior experience on food preference by sheep exposed to unfamiliar feeds and flavors. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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5
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Dillon JA, Stackhouse-Lawson KR, Thoma GJ, Gunter SA, Rotz CA, Kebreab E, Riley DG, Tedeschi LO, Villalba J, Mitloehner F, Hristov AN, Archibeque SL, Ritten JP, Mueller ND. Current state of enteric methane and the carbon footprint of beef and dairy cattle in the United States. Anim Front 2021; 11:57-68. [PMID: 34513270 DOI: 10.1093/af/vfab043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine A Dillon
- Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | | | - Greg J Thoma
- Ralph E. Martin Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Stacey A Gunter
- Southern Plains Range Research Station, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Woodward, OK, USA
| | - C Alan Rotz
- Pasture Systems and Watershed Management Research Unit, USDA Agricultural Research Service, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Ermias Kebreab
- Department of Animal Science, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - David G Riley
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Luis O Tedeschi
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Juan Villalba
- Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Frank Mitloehner
- Department of Animal Science, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Alexander N Hristov
- Department of Animal Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Shawn L Archibeque
- Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - John P Ritten
- Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | - Nathaniel D Mueller
- Department of Ecosystem Science & Sustainability, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.,Department of Crop & Soil Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
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Beck MR, Gregorini P. Animal Design Through Functional Dietary Diversity for Future Productive Landscapes. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2021.546581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Pastoral livestock production systems are facing considerable societal pressure to reduce environmental impact, enhance animal welfare, and promote product integrity, while maintaining or increasing system profitability. Design theory is the conscious tailoring of a system for a specific or set of purposes. Then, animals—as biological systems nested in grazing environments—can be designed in order to achieve multi-faceted goals. We argue that phytochemical rich diets through dietary taxonomical diversity can be used as a design tool for both current animal product integrity and to develop future multipurpose animals. Through conscious choice, animals offered a diverse array of plants tailor a diet, which better meets their individual requirements for nutrients, pharmaceuticals, and prophylactics. Phytochemical rich diets with diverse arrangements of plant secondary compounds also reduce environmental impacts of grazing animals by manipulating the use of C and N, thereby reducing methane production and excretion of N. Subsequently functional dietary diversity (FDD), as opposed to dietary monotony, offers better nourishment, health benefits and hedonic value (positive reward increasing “liking” of feed), as well as the opportunity for individualism; and thereby eudaimonic well-being. Moreover, phytochemical rich diets with diverse arrangements of plant secondary compounds may translate in animal products with similar richness, enhancing consumer human health and well-being. Functional dietary diversity also allows us to design future animals. Dietary exposure begins in utero, continues through mothers' milk, and carries on in early-life experiences, influencing dietary preferences later in life. More specifically, in utero exposure to specific flavors cause epigenetic changes that alter morphological and physiological mechanisms that influence future “wanting,” “liking” and learning of particular foods and foodscapes. In this context, we argue that in utero and early life exposure to designed flavors of future multifunctional foodscapes allow us to graze future ruminants with enhanced multiple ecosystem services. Collectively, the strategic use of FDD allows us to “create” animals and their products for immediate and future food, health, and wealth. Finally, implementing design theory provides a link between our thoughtscape (i.e., the use of FDD as design) to future landscapes, which provides a beneficial foodscape to the animals, an subsequently to us.
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Provenza FD, Anderson C, Gregorini P. We Are the Earth and the Earth Is Us: How Palates Link Foodscapes, Landscapes, Heartscapes, and Thoughtscapes. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2021.547822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans are participating in the sixth mass extinction, and for the first time in 200,000 years, our species may be on the brink of extinction. We are facing the greatest challenges we have ever encountered, namely how to nourish eight billion people in the face of changing climates ecologically, diminish disparity between the haves and the have-nots economically, and ease xenophobia, fear, and hatred socially? Historically, our tribal nature served us well, but the costs of tribalism are now far too great for one people inhabiting one tiny orb. If we hope to survive, we must mend the divides that isolate us from one another and the communities we inhabit. While not doing so could be our undoing, doing so could transform our collective consciousness into one that respects, nourishes, and embraces our interdependence with life on Earth. At a basic level, we can cultivate life by using nature as a model for how to produce and consume food; by decreasing our dependence on fossil fuels for energy to grow, process, and transport food; and by transcending persistent battles over one-size-fits-all plant- or animal-based diets. If we learn to do so in ways that nourish life, we may awaken individually and collectively to the wisdom of the Maori proverb Ko au te whenua. Ko te whenua Ko au: I am the land. The land is me. In this paper, we use “scapes” —foodscapes, landscapes, heartscapes, and thoughtscapes—as unifying themes to discuss our linkages with communities. We begin by considering how palates link animals with foodscapes. Next, we address how palates link foodscapes with landscapes. We then consider how, through our reverence for life, heartscapes link palates with foodscapes and landscapes. We conclude with transformations of thoughtscapes needed to appreciate life on Earth as a community to which we belong, rather than as a commodity that belongs to us.
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Lagrange S, Beauchemin KA, MacAdam J, Villalba JJ. Grazing diverse combinations of tanniferous and non-tanniferous legumes: Implications for beef cattle performance and environmental impact. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 746:140788. [PMID: 32758982 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
We tested the effect of increasingly diverse combinations of tanniferous legumes (birdsfoot trefoil-BFT, sainfoin-SF) and alfalfa (ALF) on cattle performance, methane (CH4) emissions and nitrogen (N) balance. Pairs of heifers (401 ± 49.6 kg) grazed three spatial replications of 7 treatments (n = 3/treatment): monocultures (BFT, SF, ALF) and all possible 2- and 3-way choices among strips of these legumes in a completely randomized block design of two 15-d periods during 2 consecutive years. Average daily gains (ADG) of heifers grazing the tanniferous legumes (1.05 kg/d) were 40% greater (p < 0.10) than of heifers grazing ALF (0.74 kg/d) during the first year. Heifers grazing the 3-way choice had greater intakes (10.4 vs 7.8 kg/d; p = 0.064) and ADG (1.21 vs. 0.95 kg/d, p = 0.054) than those grazing monocultures, suggesting a nutritional synergism among legumes. The average CH4 emissions for legume monocultures vs. 2- and 3- way choices was 222 vs. 202 and 162 g/kg BW gain (p > 0.10), respectively. For heifers grazing SF and BFT compared with ALF, blood urea N was less (14.3 and 16.8 vs 20.8 mg/dL; p < 0.05) as were urinary N concentrations (3.7 and 3.5 vs 6.0 g/L; p < 0.05), but fecal N concentrations were greater (34.5 and 35.5 vs 30.5 g/kg, respectively; p < 0.05). Combining both tanniferous legumes (SF-BFT) led to the greatest declines in urinary N (2.24 g/L) and urea-N (1.71 g/L) concentration, suggesting that different types of tannins in different legumes result in associative effects that enhance N economy. In addition, heifers grazing 3-way choices partitioned less N into urine (40.7 vs 50.6%; p = 0.037) and retained more N (36.1 vs 25.2%, p = 0.046) than heifers grazing monocultures. In summary, combinations of tanniferous legumes with alfalfa improved animal performance and reduced environmental impacts relative to monocultures, resulting in a more sustainable approach to beef production in pasture-based finishing systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Lagrange
- Department of Wildland Resources, Quinney College of Natural Resources, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA; Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bordenave, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Bordenave, Buenos Aires 8187, Argentina.
| | - Karen A Beauchemin
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Lethbridge, AB T1K 4H3, Canada
| | - Jennifer MacAdam
- Department of Plant, Soil & Climate, College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA
| | - Juan J Villalba
- Department of Wildland Resources, Quinney College of Natural Resources, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA
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Landau S, Provenza F. Of browse, goats, and men: Contribution to the debate on animal traditions and cultures. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2020.105127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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10
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van Vliet S, Kronberg SL, Provenza FD. Plant-Based Meats, Human Health, and Climate Change. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2020.00128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
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Milk Production, N Partitioning, and Methane Emissions in Dairy Cows Grazing Mixed or Spatially Separated Simple and Diverse Pastures. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10081301. [PMID: 32751428 PMCID: PMC7460050 DOI: 10.3390/ani10081301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing pasture diversity and spatially separated sowing arrangements can potentially increase the dry matter intake of high-quality forages leading to improved animal production. This study investigated the effects of simple (two-species) and diverse (six-species) pastures planted either in mixed or spatially separated adjacent pasture strips on performance, N partitioning, and methane emission of dairy cows. Thirty-six mid-lactation Jersey cows grazed either (1) simple mixed, (2) simple spatially separated, (3) diverse mixed, or (4) diverse spatially separated pastures planted in a complete randomized block design with three replicates. Compared to simple pasture, diverse pasture had lower CP content but higher condensed tannins and total phenolic compounds with an overall positive effect on yield of milk solids, nitrogen utilization, including a reduction of N output from urine, and methane yields per dry matter eaten. The spatial separation increased legume and CP content in simple pasture but decreased NDF in both diverse and simple pastures. In conclusion, increasing diversity using pasture species with higher nutritive value and secondary compounds can help improving the production while decreasing the environmental effect of dairy farming, while spatial separation had a minor effect on feed intake and yield, possibly due to overall high-quality pastures in early spring.
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Wilson RL, Bionaz M, MacAdam JW, Beauchemin KA, Naumann HD, Ates S. Milk production, nitrogen utilization, and methane emissions of dairy cows grazing grass, forb, and legume-based pastures. J Anim Sci 2020; 98:skaa220. [PMID: 32674157 PMCID: PMC7455276 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skaa220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Achieving high animal productivity without degrading the environment is the primary target in pasture-based dairy farming. This study investigated the effects of changing the forage base in spring from grass-clover pastures to forb or legume-based pastures on milk yield, N utilization, and methane emissions of Jersey cows in Western Oregon. Twenty-seven mid-lactation dairy cows were randomly assigned to one of three pasture treatments: grass-clover-based pasture composed of festulolium, tall fescue, orchardgrass, and white clover (Grass); forb-based pasture composed of chicory, plantain, and white clover (Forb); and legume-based pasture composed of red clover, bird's-foot trefoil, berseem clover, and balansa clover (Legume). Pastures were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replicates (i.e., blocks) with each replicate grazed by a group of three cows. Production and nutritive quality of the forages, animal performance, milk components, nitrogen partitioning, and methane emissions were measured. Feed quality and dry matter intake (DMI) of cows were greater (P ≤ 0.05) for Legume and Forb vs. Grass, with consequent greater milk and milk solids yields (P < 0.01). Cows grazing Forb also had more (P < 0.01) lactose and linoleic acid in milk compared with cows grazing the other pastures, and less (P = 0.04) somatic cell counts compared with Grass. Cows grazing Forb had substantially less (P < 0.01) N in urine, milk, and blood compared with cows grazing the other pastures, with not only a greater (P < 0.01) efficiency of N utilization for milk synthesis calculated using milk urea nitrogen but also a larger (P < 0.01) fecal N content, indicating a shift of N from urine to feces. Both Forb and Legume had a diuretic effect on cows, as indicated by the lower (P < 0.01) creatinine concentration in urine compared with Grass. Methane emissions tended to be less (P = 0.07) in cows grazed on Forb vs. the other pastures. The results indicate that Forb pasture can support animal performance, milk quality, and health comparable to Legume pasture; however, Forb pasture provides the additional benefit of reduced environmental impact of pasture-based dairy production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randi L Wilson
- Department of Animal and Rangeland Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
| | - Massimo Bionaz
- Department of Animal and Rangeland Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
| | - Jennifer W MacAdam
- Department of Plants, Soils, and Climate, Utah State University, Logan, UT
| | - Karen A Beauchemin
- Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Harley D Naumann
- Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
| | - Serkan Ates
- Department of Animal and Rangeland Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
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