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Cavallini D, Raspa F, Marliani G, Nannoni E, Martelli G, Sardi L, Valle E, Pollesel M, Tassinari M, Buonaiuto G. Growth Performance and Feed Intake Assessment of Italian Holstein Calves Fed a Hay-Based Total Mixed Ration: Preliminary Steps towards a Prediction Model. Vet Sci 2023; 10:554. [PMID: 37756076 PMCID: PMC10536390 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10090554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a complete hay-based total mixed ration (TMR) for calves, focusing on their feed intake, animal growth performance, and fecal output, and to develop a preliminary estimation equation for solid feed intake and body weight in Holstein heifer calves. Twenty female Italian Holstein calves (37.14 ± 2.72 kg) born between February and July were studied from the day of birth until 77 days of age. From the fourth day of life, they were fed 3 L/day of pasteurized milk twice daily and supplemented with the same hay-based TMR. The data on feed intake, fecal characteristics, and growth performances were collected and showed that these calves had adequate parameters. Moreover, the data collected was used to create equations to predict body weight and solid feed intake using a mixed model. The goodness of fit of the developed equations was evaluated by coefficients of determinations (R2). The equation obtained shows high R2 (0.98 for solid feed intake and 0.99 for calf weight), indicating the satisfactory precision and accuracy needed to predict female calves' body weight and solid feed intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damiano Cavallini
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell’Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy; (D.C.); (G.M.); (G.M.); (L.S.); (M.P.); (M.T.); (G.B.)
| | - Federica Raspa
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy; (F.R.); (E.V.)
| | - Giovanna Marliani
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell’Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy; (D.C.); (G.M.); (G.M.); (L.S.); (M.P.); (M.T.); (G.B.)
| | - Eleonora Nannoni
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell’Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy; (D.C.); (G.M.); (G.M.); (L.S.); (M.P.); (M.T.); (G.B.)
| | - Giovanna Martelli
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell’Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy; (D.C.); (G.M.); (G.M.); (L.S.); (M.P.); (M.T.); (G.B.)
| | - Luca Sardi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell’Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy; (D.C.); (G.M.); (G.M.); (L.S.); (M.P.); (M.T.); (G.B.)
| | - Emanuela Valle
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy; (F.R.); (E.V.)
| | - Marta Pollesel
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell’Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy; (D.C.); (G.M.); (G.M.); (L.S.); (M.P.); (M.T.); (G.B.)
| | - Marco Tassinari
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell’Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy; (D.C.); (G.M.); (G.M.); (L.S.); (M.P.); (M.T.); (G.B.)
| | - Giovanni Buonaiuto
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell’Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy; (D.C.); (G.M.); (G.M.); (L.S.); (M.P.); (M.T.); (G.B.)
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Downey BC, Tucker CB. Providing long hay in a novel pipe feeder or a bucket reduces abnormal oral behaviors in milk-fed dairy calves. J Dairy Sci 2023; 106:1968-1985. [PMID: 36653289 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-22413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Many milk-fed dairy calves are not provided forage. In these settings, calves often perform abnormal repetitive behaviors (ARBs), including tongue rolling and nonnutritive oral manipulation (NNOM), which, based on their form, seem similar to movements used when processing feed. Feeding hay, typically presented as a short chop (≤5 cm) in a bucket, reduces ARBs. Our objective was to evaluate whether altering the presentation method of long hay (∼19 cm), by providing it in a bucket or a novel polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe feeder, could reduce ARBs. Holstein heifer calves were housed individually on sand and fed ad libitum starter grain and limited milk replacer (5.7-8.4 L/d step-up) via a bottle (Control, n = 9) or given access to mountaingrass hay in a bucket (Bucket, n = 9) or in a PVC pipe feeder (Pipe, n = 9). The 56 × 10.2 cm (length × diameter) PVC pipe feeder had 4 openings that were 6.35 cm wide, which required the calf to insert her tongue into the pipe and curl her tongue to extract hay. Treatments were applied from birth through 50 d of age, when step-down weaning began and TMR was provided to all calves. Calves were fully weaned at d 60. At wk 4 and 6, oral behaviors (eating, ruminating, drinking water, sucking milk, self-grooming, NNOM, tongue rolling, tongue flicking, and panting) were recorded by direct observation for 24 h using 1-0 sampling during 5-s intervals. Feeding long hay, regardless of presentation method, increased overall DMI, grain intake, and ADG compared with Control calves. Hay provision also increased rumination (25 vs. 15% of 24-h observations in Control) and eating time (5.5 vs. 2% in Control). Abnormal behaviors were seen in all calves. Hay provision reduced some of these, including NNOM (5 vs. 9% in Control). There was no difference in NNOM between calves fed hay in a pipe or bucket, even though Bucket calves consumed more hay (178 vs. 129 g/d in wk 6) and tended to spend more observations eating hay than Pipe calves (4.5 vs. 3%). Hay provision did not affect other behaviors: drinking water (0.5%), grooming (3%), or tongue flicking (3%). We also found evidence of other abnormal oral behaviors that have received less attention. Calves showed signs of polydipsia, and displayed excessive grooming, the latter indicated by overall duration, number of bouts per day, and duration of individual bouts (up to 25 min). Tongue rolling was expressed at low levels (up to 0.4% of intervals) but by 85% of calves. Feeding hay, both in a bucket and using novel methods, was not enough to counteract the welfare challenges associated with individual housing and limited ability to suck milk (<1% of time). Provision of long hay, regardless of presentation method, promotes rumination, improves performance (higher grain intake and ADG) and reduces at least some, but not all, of the considerable abnormal oral behaviors these calves performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blair C Downey
- Center for Animal Welfare, Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis 95616; Animal Behavior Graduate Group, University of California, Davis 95616
| | - Cassandra B Tucker
- Center for Animal Welfare, Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis 95616.
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Hartinger T, Kröger I, Neubauer V, Faas J, Doupovec B, Schatzmayr D, Zebeli Q. Zearalenone and Its Emerging Metabolites Promptly Affect the Rumen Microbiota in Holstein Cows Fed a Forage-Rich Diet. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:185. [PMID: 36977076 PMCID: PMC10053043 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15030185] [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: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The study investigated the short-term effects of a single oral bolus of zearalenone (ZEN) on the rumen microbiota and fermentation patterns in four rumen-cannulated Holstein cows fed a forage diet with daily 2 kg/cow concentrate. During the baseline day, cows received uncontaminated concentrate, followed by ZEN-contaminated concentrate on the second day, and again the uncontaminated concentrate on day three. Free rumen liquid (FRL) and particle-associated rumen liquid (PARL) were collected at different hours post-feeding on all days to analyze the prokaryotic community composition, absolute abundances of bacteria, archaea, protozoa, and anaerobic fungi, as well as short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) profiles. The ZEN reduced the microbial diversity in FRL but not in the PARL fraction. The abundance of protozoa was higher after ZEN exposure in PARL, which may be related to their strong biodegradation capacity that, therefore, promoted protozoal growth. In contrast, α-zearalenol might compromise anaerobic fungi as indicated by reduced abundances in FRL and fairly negative correlations in both fractions. Total SCFA significantly increased in both fractions after ZEN exposure, while the SCFA profile only changed marginally. Concluding, a single ZEN challenge caused changes in the rumen ecosystem soon after intake, including ruminal eukaryotes, that should be the subject of future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Hartinger
- Institute of Animal Nutrition and Functional Plant Compounds, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Iris Kröger
- Institute of Animal Nutrition and Functional Plant Compounds, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Viktoria Neubauer
- Institute of Animal Nutrition and Functional Plant Compounds, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Johannes Faas
- Biomin Research Center, Biomin Holding GmbH, 3430 Tulln, Austria
| | - Barbara Doupovec
- Biomin Research Center, Biomin Holding GmbH, 3430 Tulln, Austria
| | - Dian Schatzmayr
- Biomin Research Center, Biomin Holding GmbH, 3430 Tulln, Austria
| | - Qendrim Zebeli
- Institute of Animal Nutrition and Functional Plant Compounds, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria
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Felix TL, Emenheiser JC, Govoni KE, Zinn SA, Reed SA. Survey of the use of beef semen in dairy herds in Pennsylvania and nearby states. Transl Anim Sci 2023; 7:txad038. [PMID: 37128553 PMCID: PMC10148458 DOI: 10.1093/tas/txad038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Because dairies across the United States have rapidly adopted breeding to beef breed sires, the use of beef semen has increased dramatically in recent years. The objective of this survey was to gather information about the use of beef semen by dairy producers in the Northeast United States to generate beef × dairy cattle for beef markets. The survey was conducted using the services of the Center for Survey Research at the Pennsylvania State University-Harrisburg campus. Respondents had two options for returning their responses: 1) mail the paper survey to CSR in the postage-paid business-reply envelope included in the mailing, or 2) complete the survey online via an open-access web survey link. A total of 669 surveys were received and a final number of 617 surveys were included in the responses based on completeness and validity of the responses. Because of the broad electronic distribution, a true response rate cannot be calculated. Of these, 463 (75.0%) were completed via returned paper survey, and 154 (25.0%) were completed via web, between November 9, 2021 and February 16, 2022. Of the 617 respondents, 539 were from Pennsylvania. Due to the large variations in returned survey copies by state, results are reported without state separation. Across all respondents, 69.7% reported milking 100 or fewer cows and over 90% of collected responses reported Holsteins as the predominant dairy breed in the Northeast. Only 18.8% of the respondents did not currently, nor plan to, breed with beef semen. Deciding which beef bulls to use on Northeast dairy farms was primarily based on the recommendation of the semen sales representative (54.5%) and the price of the semen purchased (42.3%). In addition, 89.7% of respondents cited using Angus genetics in their beef bull selections. However, there was no difference in reported profitability of crossbreeding between respondents who indicated using other beef breeds vs. those who indicated just using Angus (P ≥ 0.19). In conclusion, using beef sires on dairy females, regardless of the breed of beef sire, adds value to the resulting progeny from dairy farms in the Northeast.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - J C Emenheiser
- Department of Animal Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06268, USA
- Department of Extension, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06268, USA
| | - K E Govoni
- Department of Animal Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06268, USA
| | - S A Zinn
- Department of Animal Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06268, USA
| | - S A Reed
- Department of Animal Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06268, USA
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Shift of dietary carbohydrate source from milk to various solid feeds reshapes the rumen and fecal microbiome in calves. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12383. [PMID: 35858964 PMCID: PMC9300698 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16052-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The transition from milk to solid diets drastically impacts the gut microbiome of calves. We explored the microbial communities of ruminal fluid and feces of Holstein calves when fed milk on d 7 of life, and when fed solid feeds based on either medium- or high-quality hay with or without concentrate inclusion (70% in fresh matter) on d 91. Ruminal fluid and feces had distinct microbial compositions already on d 7, showing that niche specialization in early-life gut is rather diet-independent. Changes between d 7 and d 91 were accompanied by a general increase in microbial diversity. Solid diets differed largely in their carbohydrate composition, being reflected in major changes on d 91, whereby concentrate inclusion was the main driver for differences among groups and strongly decreased microbial diversity in both matrices. Fecal enterotyping revealed two clusters: concentrate-supplemented animals had an enterotype prevalent in Prevotella, Succinivibrio and Anaerovibrio, whereas the enterotype of animals without concentrate was dominated by fibrolytic Ruminococcaceae. Hay quality also affected microbial composition and, compared to medium-quality, high-quality hay reduced alpha-diversity metrics. Concluding, our study revealed that concentrate inclusion, more than hay quality, dictates the establishment of niche-specific, microbial communities in the rumen and feces of calves.
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Ma Y, Khan MZ, Xiao J, Alugongo GM, Chen X, Li S, Wang Y, Cao Z. An Overview of Waste Milk Feeding Effect on Growth Performance, Metabolism, Antioxidant Status and Immunity of Dairy Calves. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:898295. [PMID: 35656173 PMCID: PMC9152456 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.898295] [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: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Waste milk (WM) is a part of the milk produced on dairy farms, which is usually unsuitable for human consumption. The WM contains transition milk, mastitis milk, colostrum, milk with somatic cells, blood (Hemolactia), harmful pathogens, pathogenic and antibiotic residues. Due to the high cost of milk replacer (MR), dairy farmers prefer raw WM to feed their calves. It has been well established that WM has a greater nutritive value than MR. Hence WM can contribute to improved growth, rumen development, and immune-associated parameters when fed to dairy calves. However, feeding raw WM before weaning has continuously raised some critical concerns. The pathogenic load and antibiotic residues in raw WM may increase the risk of diseases and antibacterial resistance in calves. Thus, pasteurization has been recommended as an effective method to decrease the risk of diseases in calves by killing/inhibiting the pathogenic microorganisms in the raw WM. Altogether, the current review provides a brief overview of the interplay between the positive role of raw WM in the overall performance of dairy calves, limitations of raw WM as a feed source and how to overcome these issues arising from feeding raw WM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulin Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Muhammad Zahoor Khan
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- University of Agriculture, Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Jianxin Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Gibson Maswayi Alugongo
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Shengli Li
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yajing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhijun Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Zhijun Cao
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