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Morales AG, Cockrum RR, Teixeira IAMA, Ferreira G, Hanigan MD. Graduate Student Literature Review: System, plant, and animal factors controlling dietary pasture inclusion and their impact on ration formulation for dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 2024; 107:870-882. [PMID: 37769943 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-23810] [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: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Diet formulation in a pasture-based dairy system is a challenge as the quality and quantity of available pasture, which generally constitutes the base diet, is constantly changing. The objective of this paper is to cover a more in-depth review of the nutritional characteristics of pasture-based diets, identifying potential system, plant, and animal factors that condition pasture dietary inclusion in dairy cows. In practice, there is a wide diversity of pasture-based systems with predominant to minimal use of pasture requiring a more specific classification that potentially considers the amount and time of access to pasture, access to housing, length of grazing season, seasonality of calving, and level and method of supplementation. There are important differences in the nutritional quality between pasture species and even cultivars. However, under management practices that promote maintenance of pasture in a vegetative state as well as controlling the availability of pasture, it is possible to achieve high dry matter intakes (∼2.9%-3.4% of live weight) of pasture with moderate to high diet energy density, protein supply, and digestibility. The amount of pasture to include in the diet will depend on several factors, such as the type of production system, the cost of supplementary feeds, and the farmer's objectives, but inclusions of ∼40% to 50% of the diet seem to potentially reduce costs while apparently not limiting voluntary feed intake. Considering that there seems to be a continuum of intermediate management systems, a better understanding of the factors inherent to the feed ingredients used, as well as the use of nutrients by cows, and potential interactions between animal × system should be addressed in greater depth. This requires a meta-analysis approach, but given the diversity of the pasture-based system in practice, the existing information is highly fragmented. A clear definition of "subsystems" is necessary to direct the future research and development of mechanistic models.
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Affiliation(s)
- A G Morales
- Department of Dairy Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061; Instituto de Ciencia Animal, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5110566, Chile.
| | - R R Cockrum
- Department of Dairy Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061
| | - I A M A Teixeira
- Department of Animal, Veterinary, and Food Sciences, University of Idaho, Twin Falls, ID 83301
| | - G Ferreira
- Department of Dairy Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061
| | - M D Hanigan
- Department of Dairy Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061
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Sasu P, Attoh-Kotoku V, Anim-Jnr AS, Osman A, Adjei O, Adjei-Mensah B, Edinam Aku Akoli D, Adjima Tankouano R, Kwaku M, Obloni Kweitsu D. Comparative nutritional evaluation of the leaves of selected plants from the Poaceae family (bamboos and grasses) for sustainable livestock production in Ghana. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2023.1087197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundSustainable animal feeding is essential for reducing poverty among Ghanaian smallholder livestock farmers. However, seasonality has a severe impact on the availability and quality of conventional animal feedstuffs, necessitating alternate feed sources.ObjectiveThis study evaluated and compared the nutritional characteristics of the leaves of three bamboo species namely; Bambusa balcooa (Beema), Oxytenanthera abyssinica (A. Rich.) Munro and Bambusa vulgaris; and three conventional types of grass, namely; Cenchrus purpureus, Megathyrsus maximus, and Brachiaria decumbens.Materials and methodsThe plant biomasses were subjected to the standard analytical procedures of proximate and detergent fiber systems to highlight their dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), ether extract (EE), ash, nitrogen-free extract (NFE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL). Other nutritional characteristics were estimated using the chemical compositions.Statistical analysisData was analyzed using Generalized Linear Model procedures in Minitab Statistical Software at a 5% significant level.ResultsResults showed a significantly (P < 0.05) higher DM (~918 g/kgDM), CP (~153 g/kgDM), and EE (~153 g/kgDM) in B. vulgaris leaves. O. abyssinica leaves had the maximum ash (~139 g/kgDM) while those of M. maximus had the highest carbohydrate (~709 g/kgDM) and CF (~492 g/kgDM). Compared to the grasses, the bamboo had a higher pool of DM (~910 vs. 836 g/kgDM), CP (~133 vs. 75 g/kgDM), EE (~137 vs. 82 g/kgDM), ash (~134 vs. 89 g/kgDM), hemicellulose (~79 vs. 28 g/kgDM), dry matter intake (~25 vs. 24%), digestible dry matter (~58 vs. 53%), and relative feed value (~111 vs. 105). In contrast, the grasses had higher mean ADF (~461 vs. 402 g/kgDM), cellulose (~417 vs. 397 g/kgDM), and ADL (~5 vs. 0.4 g/kgDM).ConclusionThe study suggests that bamboo leaves could have high nutritional characteristics to supplement or even replace conventional grasses and other crop residues in the diets of ruminants, especially during the dry season.
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Balivo A, Sacchi R, Genovese A. The Noble Method in the dairy sector as a sustainable production system to improve the nutritional composition of dairy products: A review. INT J DAIRY TECHNOL 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/1471-0307.12941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Balivo
- Department of Agricultural Sciences University of Naples Federico II 80055 Portici (NA) Italy
| | - Raffaele Sacchi
- Department of Agricultural Sciences University of Naples Federico II 80055 Portici (NA) Italy
| | - Alessandro Genovese
- Department of Agricultural Sciences University of Naples Federico II 80055 Portici (NA) Italy
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Hermans SM, Lear G, Case BS, Buckley HL. The soil microbiome: An essential, but neglected, component of regenerative agroecosystems. iScience 2023; 26:106028. [PMID: 36844455 PMCID: PMC9947323 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Regenerative agriculture (RA) is gaining traction globally as an approach for meeting growing food demands while avoiding, or even remediating, the detrimental environmental consequences associated with conventional farming. Momentum is building for science to provide evidence for, or against, the putative ecosystem benefits of RA practices relative to conventional farming. In this perspective article, we advance the argument that consideration of the soil microbiome in RA research is crucial for disentangling the varied and complex relationships RA practices have with the biotic and abiotic environment, outline the expected changes in soil microbiomes under RA, and make recommendations for designing research that will answer the outstanding questions on the soil microbiome under RA. Ultimately, deeper insights into the role of microbial communities in RA soils will allow the development of biologically relevant monitoring tools which will support land managers in addressing the key environmental issues associated with agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syrie M. Hermans
- School of Science, Auckland University of Technology, 34 St Paul Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Gavin Lear
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, 3A Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Bradley S. Case
- School of Science, Auckland University of Technology, 34 St Paul Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Hannah L. Buckley
- School of Science, Auckland University of Technology, 34 St Paul Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
- Corresponding author
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Creating a Design Framework to Diagnose and Enhance Grassland Health under Pastoral Livestock Production Systems. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12233306. [PMID: 36496827 PMCID: PMC9738856 DOI: 10.3390/ani12233306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Grasslands and ecosystem services are under threat due to common practices adopted by modern livestock farming systems. Design theory has been an alternative to promote changes and develop more sustainable strategies that allow pastoral livestock production systems to evolve continually within grasslands by enhancing their health and enabling the continuous delivery of multiple ecosystem services. To create a design framework to design alternative and more sustainable pastoral livestock production systems, a better comprehension of grassland complexity and dynamism for a diagnostic assessment of its health is needed, from which the systems thinking theory could be an important approach. By using systems thinking theory, the key components of grasslands-soil, plant, ruminant-can be reviewed and better understood from a holistic perspective. The description of soil, plant and ruminant individually is already complex itself, so understanding these components, their interactions, their response to grazing management and herbivory and how they contribute to grassland health under different climatic and topographic conditions is paramount to designing more sustainable pastoral livestock production systems. Therefore, by taking a systems thinking approach, we aim to review the literature to better understand the role of soil, plant, and ruminant on grassland health to build a design framework to diagnose and enhance grassland health under pastoral livestock production systems.
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Farias GD, Bremm C, Savian JV, de Souza Filho W, de Lima LC, de Albuquerque Nunes PA, Alves LA, Sacido M, Montossi F, Tiecher T, de Faccio Carvalho PC. Opportunities and challenges for the integration of sheep and crops in the Rio de la Plata region of South America. Small Rumin Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2022.106776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Orwin KH, Mason NWH, Berthet ET, Grelet G, Mudge P, Lavorel S. Integrating design and ecological theory to achieve adaptive diverse pastures. Trends Ecol Evol 2022; 37:861-871. [PMID: 35842324 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2022.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Increasing plant diversity is often suggested as a way of overcoming some of the challenges faced by managers of intensive pasture systems, but it is unclear how to design the most suitable plant mixtures. Using innovative design theory, we identify two conceptual shifts that foster potentially beneficial design approaches. Firstly, reframing the goal of mixture design to supporting ecological integrity, rather than delivering lists of desired outcomes, leads to flexible design approaches that support context-specific solutions that should operate within identifiable ecological limits. Secondly, embracing, rather than minimising uncertainty in performance leads to adaptive approaches that could enhance current and future benefits of diversifying pasture. These two fundamental shifts could therefore accelerate the successful redesign of intensive pastures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate H Orwin
- Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research, Lincoln 7640, New Zealand.
| | | | - Elsa T Berthet
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR SADAPT, 75231 Paris, France; USC 1339, Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, INRAE, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Gwen Grelet
- Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research, Lincoln 7640, New Zealand
| | - Paul Mudge
- Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
| | - Sandra Lavorel
- Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research, Lincoln 7640, New Zealand; Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Université Savoie Mont-Blanc, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Ecologie Alpine, 38000 Grenoble, France
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Sales-Baptista E, Ferraz-de-Oliveira MI, Terra-Braga M, de Castro JAL, Serrano J, d’Abreu MC. Characterization of grazing behaviour microstructure using point-of-view cameras. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0265037. [PMID: 35302988 PMCID: PMC8932577 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Grazing patterns, intake structure, and diet selection are dynamic responses to animals' feeding environment. This study uses video sequences from animal-borne cameras to capture time- and scale-dependent grazing behaviour variables related to sward explanatory conditions. We observed grazing 'through' the sheep's eyes using point-of-view (POV) cameras coupled with event logging software. Time-specific sward features were measured by sampling 'really' grazed patches identified by applying a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) precision-grazing approach. Sward variables on a Mediterranean native sward were measured for two years during the active spring plant-growth cycle. Overall, the results demonstrate that POV cameras were able to capture grazing behaviour fine-tuning to changes in sward characteristics. Sheep compensate for the decrease in sward quantity and nutritive value by increasing the size and duration at each behavioural scale (i.e., meal, bout, and station) while increasing the bout rate and decreasing the station rate. Diet composition also changed as sward matured. The proportion of forbs in the diet remained high in early and late spring, and forbs and legumes were preferred to grasses in early spring. Grazing selectivity was more pronounced in late spring, with sheep favouring the middle stratum of the sward's vertical structure, preferring green vegetative material, while enlarging the feeding niches' span and spending more time at each niche, consequently reducing the station rate. Although data collected by individual animal-borne POV cameras were representative of the flock behaviour, they may underestimate the total grazing time outside major meals. The results indicate that the use of animal-borne video cameras is suitable for assessing variations in sheep grazing behaviour patterns in complex swards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvira Sales-Baptista
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development (MED), Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
| | - Maria Isabel Ferraz-de-Oliveira
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development (MED), Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
| | - Marina Terra-Braga
- Master 1 Biologie-Agronomie-Santé, Parcours Comportement Animal et Humain Université de Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - José António Lopes de Castro
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development (MED), Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
| | - João Serrano
- Departamento de Engenharia, Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development (MED), Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
| | - Manuel Cancela d’Abreu
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development (MED), Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
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Thanh LP, Kha PTT, Hang TTT. Jackfruit leaves can totally replace traditional grass in the diet of lactating dairy goats. JOURNAL OF APPLIED ANIMAL RESEARCH 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/09712119.2022.2035734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lam Phuoc Thanh
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture, Can Tho University, Can Tho, Viet Nam
| | - Pham Truong Thoai Kha
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture, Can Tho University, Can Tho, Viet Nam
| | - Tran Thi Thuy Hang
- Department of Agricultural Technology, College of Rural Development, Can Tho University, Hau Giang, Viet Nam
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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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Ford HR, Busato S, Trevisi E, Muchiri RN, van Breemen RB, Bionaz M, Ates S. Effects of Pasture Type on Metabolism, Liver and Kidney Function, Antioxidant Status, and Plant Secondary Compounds in Plasma of Grazing, Jersey Dairy Cattle During Mid-lactation. FRONTIERS IN ANIMAL SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2021.729423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Some pasture species are rich in phytochemicals, able to improve milk yield and quality and to reduce the environmental impacts of livestock farming. The phytochemicals interact with the different gene networks within the animal, such as nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), but their overall impact on animal health remains to be fully understood. The objective of this study was to identify the effects of pasture Legumes and non-leguminous Forbs containing high bioactive compounds on metabolism and activity of the liver, antioxidant response, kidney function, and inflammation of dairy cows using a large array of blood parameters associated with metabolism and the innate immune system. For this purpose, 26 parameters and the concentration of certain bioactive compounds were assessed in blood plasma, collected from the Jersey cows grazing either Grass, Legume, or Forb-based pastures. In addition, serum collected from all the cows was utilized to detect the changes in NRF2 activation in bovine mammary alveolar cells (MACT) and hepatocytes. Compared with Grass, the cows that grazed both Forb and Legume pastures had lower β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHB) and creatinine and larger vitamin E and the ferric reducing ability of the plasma, supporting an improved antioxidative status for these animals. Compared with both Grass and Legume, the cows that graze Forb pasture had lower urea and urea to creatinine ratio, and lower creatinine, indicating a better kidney function. The cows grazing Legume pasture had greater hematocrit, bilirubin, cholesterol, albumin, β-carotene, retinol, and thiol groups but lower ceruloplasmin, paraoxonase, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) than those grazed Grass and Forb pastures, indicating a positive effect of Legume pasture on the liver, oxidative stress, and red blood cells. The plasma of cows in the various pastures was enriched with various isoflavonoids, especially the cows grazed on Forb and Legume pastures, which likely contributed to improving the antioxidative status of those cows. However, this effect was likely not due to the higher activation of NRF2. Overall, these results indicate that Forb and Legume pastures rich in secondary metabolites do not strongly affect the metabolism but can improve the status of the liver and the kidney and improve the efficiency of N utilization and antioxidant response, compared with the Grass pasture.
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