Ruminants

Research

14 pages, 2319 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Drinking Behaviour of Beef Cattle Subject to Water Medication in Various Environmental Conditions

by Eliéder Prates Romanzini, Vivienne McCollum, Sarah Mcilveen, Kawane Dias da Silva, William Luiz de Souza, Priscila Arrigucci Bernardes and Diogo Fleury Azevedo Costa

Ruminants 2024, 4(2), 213-226; https://doi.org/10.3390/ruminants4020015 - 17 Apr 2024

Viewed by 640

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to assess the effects of water medication technology on beef cattle behaviour and performance in tropical conditions. Experiment 1 involved 30 Droughtmaster yearling steers monitored over seven days in a controlled environment. Feed and water consumptions were monitored with [...] Read more.

Two experiments were conducted to assess the effects of water medication technology on beef cattle behaviour and performance in tropical conditions. Experiment 1 involved 30 Droughtmaster yearling steers monitored over seven days in a controlled environment. Feed and water consumptions were monitored with Smart Feed Pro^® systems, with three water treatments administered via uDOSE^® technology. The results indicated an average water intake of 13.6 L/head/d. Experiment 2 had 120 yearling steers from four genetic groups grazing on an extensive pasture system. Throughout four 24-day periods, forage availability and chemical composition were measured once monthly. Experiment 2 revealed a variation in water intake, ranging from 16.2 L/head/d down to 4.75 L/head/d. Notably, the lower intake coincided with a rainfall event documented during the fourth experimental period. Overall, results from both experiments indicated that water medication did not alter cattle water preference. There was no preference for treated water sources in Experiment 1, while differences in Experiment 2 appeared to be influenced by external factors like weather and prior habits. These experiments demonstrate the feasibility of water medication for beef cattle without disruption of their natural behaviour. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Beef Cattle Production and Management)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

9 pages, 773 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hot Iron Branding of Beef Cattle: Process Characterization, Implications for Animal Welfare, and Its Efficiency for Cattle Individual Identification

by Jaira de Oliveira, Joseph Kaled Grajales-Cedeño, Mariana Parra Cerezo, Tiago S. Valente and Mateus J. R. Paranhos da Costa

Ruminants 2024, 4(2), 192-200; https://doi.org/10.3390/ruminants4020013 - 09 Apr 2024

Viewed by 463

Abstract

This study aimed to characterize the hot iron branding (HIB) procedure by assessing its implications for animal welfare and its efficiency for cattle identification. The study was carried out in two stages: First, with 37 Nellore calves, by measuring the skin temperatures in [...] Read more.

This study aimed to characterize the hot iron branding (HIB) procedure by assessing its implications for animal welfare and its efficiency for cattle identification. The study was carried out in two stages: First, with 37 Nellore calves, by measuring the skin temperatures in the place of HIB application (ONB) and 10 cm above it (OFFB) immediately after its application and during four consecutive days, the time required for application of each HIB digit and the occurrences of rebranding; second, with two batches of cows (N = 97 and N = 94, respectively, by measuring the time spent to read cattle ID and comparing the efficiency of HIB vs. EET (electronic ear tag) and visual ear tags (VET) vs. EET. Skin temperature was significantly affected by the interaction between the place where the skin temperatures were taken (on and 10 cm above the HIB) and assessment day, with temperatures in ONB on days d0 and d2 being higher than in OFFB (p < 0.05), and 86% of the calves required at least one rebranding. EET reading was faster than HIB and VET (p < 0.001), and fewer errors were made when reading EET than HIB (1/97 vs. 17/97) and VET (2/94 vs. 12/94). We concluded that HIB potentially compromises cattle welfare and has a lower efficiency for cattle identification than EET and VET. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Beef Cattle Production and Management)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 8958 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Use of Interactive Visualizations for Tracking Haplotypic Inheritance in Livestock

by Alana Selli, Stephen P. Miller and Ricardo V. Ventura

Ruminants 2024, 4(1), 90-111; https://doi.org/10.3390/ruminants4010006 - 21 Feb 2024

Viewed by 544

Abstract

Our objective was to harness the power of interactive visualizations by utilizing open-source tools to develop an efficient strategy for visualizing Single Nucleotide Polymorphism data within a livestock population, focusing on tracking the transmission of haplotypes. To achieve this, we simulated a realistic [...] Read more.

Our objective was to harness the power of interactive visualizations by utilizing open-source tools to develop an efficient strategy for visualizing Single Nucleotide Polymorphism data within a livestock population, focusing on tracking the transmission of haplotypes. To achieve this, we simulated a realistic beef cattle population in order to obtain phased haplotypes and generate the necessary inputs for creating our visualizations. The visualization tool was built using Python and the Plotly library, which enables interactivity. We set out to explore three scenarios: trio comparison, visualization of grandparents, and half-sibling evaluation. These scenarios enabled us to trace the inheritance of genetic segments, identify crossover events, and uncover common regions within related and unrelated animals. The potential applications of this approach are significant, particularly for improving genomic selection in smaller breeding programs and farms, and it provides valuable insights for guiding more in-depth genomic region analysis. Beyond its practical applications, we believe this strategy can be a valuable educational tool, helping educators clarify complex concepts like Mendelian sampling and haplotypic diversity. Furthermore, we hope it will encourage livestock producers to adopt advanced technologies like genotyping and genomic selection, thereby contributing to the advancement of livestock genetics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Beef Cattle Production and Management)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

32 pages, 2781 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation and Development of a Nutrition Model to Predict Intake and Growth of Suckling Calves

by Geovana Camila Baldin, Caleb Hildebrand, Robert L. Larson and Phillip A. Lancaster

Ruminants 2024, 4(1), 47-78; https://doi.org/10.3390/ruminants4010004 - 28 Jan 2024

Viewed by 511

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate and develop equations to predict forage intake and growth of calves throughout the suckling period of beef calves grazing on forage or dairy calves fed harvested forage. Milk and forage intake and body weight data [...] Read more.

The objective of this study was to evaluate and develop equations to predict forage intake and growth of calves throughout the suckling period of beef calves grazing on forage or dairy calves fed harvested forage. Milk and forage intake and body weight data for individual animals were collected from published theses (one using bottle-fed dairy calves and one using suckling beef calves). A nutrition model was constructed using milk and forage intake equations and growth equations. Additional datasets were compiled from the literature to develop equations to adjust the original nutrition model for forage digestibility, milk composition, and growth. In general, the original nutrition model predicted the forage intake and body weight of dairy calves with moderate-to-high precision (CCC = 0.234 to 0.929) and poor accuracy (MB = −341.16 to −1.58%). Additionally, the original nutrition model predicted forage intake and body weight in beef calves with poor-to-moderate precision (CCC = 0.348 to 0.766) and accuracy (MB = 6.39 to 57.67%). Adjusted nutrition models performed better with the best model precisely (CCC = 0.914) predicting forage intake and precisely (CCC = 0.978) and accurately (MB = 2.83%) predicting body weight in dairy calves. The best adjusted nutrition model predicted forage intake and body weight with high precision (CCC = 0.882 and 0.935) and moderate accuracy (MB = −7.01 and −7.34) in beef calves. Nutrition models were able to adequately predict the forage intake and growth of calves with adjustments made to standard milk energy concentrations and growth equations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Beef Cattle Production and Management)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 562 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Farm-Scale Effectiveness of Feed Additives Supplied through a Mineral Mix for Beef Cattle Grazing Tropical Pastures

by Ricardo Cazerta Duarte Goulart, Diogo Fleury Azevedo Costa, Tiago Alves Corrêa Carvalho da Silva, Guilhermo Francklin de Souza Congio, Rodrigo da Silva Marques and Moacyr Corsi

Ruminants 2023, 3(4), 483-494; https://doi.org/10.3390/ruminants3040039 - 13 Dec 2023

Viewed by 863

Abstract

The effectiveness of feed additives delivered through free-choice mineral mixtures (MMs) to grazing cattle remains unclear. Two farm-scale and one in vitro experiment (Exp.) were conducted to investigate the effects of salinomycin and virginiamycin, delivered through an MM, on growing bulls grazing tropical [...] Read more.

The effectiveness of feed additives delivered through free-choice mineral mixtures (MMs) to grazing cattle remains unclear. Two farm-scale and one in vitro experiment (Exp.) were conducted to investigate the effects of salinomycin and virginiamycin, delivered through an MM, on growing bulls grazing tropical pastures. In Exp. 1, 316 zebu (Bos indicus) Nellore bulls (225 ± 26.7 kg liveweight (LW)) were randomly allocated to four treatments: (1) MM no additives (CON), (2) MM with salinomycin at 1950 mg/kg (SLI), (3) MM with salinomycin at 780 mg/kg (SHI), and (4) MM with virginiamycin at 1950 mg/kg (VGN). Over 123 days, these bulls grazed tropical grasses on pastures of guinea grass, palisade grass, or Bermuda grass. No significant treatment effects were observed for oocyst eggs or ruminal parameters. Bulls fed VGN had higher average daily gain (ADG) compared to CON (p = 0.02) and SLI (p = 0.03) but similar compared to SHI (p = 0.07). In Exp. 2, 308 zebu cross bulls (237 ± 23.0 kg LW) grazed Bermuda grass paddocks and were allocated into two treatments: (1) MM with no additives (CON) and (2) MM containing virginiamycin at 2522 mg/kg (VGN). Cattle fed VGN had a significantly higher ADG (p = 0.007). Exp. 3 tested salinomycin’s effectiveness in vitro at different exposure times to MM, revealing no impact of exposure time on short-chain fatty acid production. In conclusion, virginiamycin delivered through free-choice MM can increase grazing beef bulls’ ADG by 12% compared with CON, with no clear link to rumen fermentation or coccidiostat effects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Beef Cattle Production and Management)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 1720 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Creep Feeding Supplementation on Growth Performance and Metabolic Characteristics of Nellore Heifers

by Robert T. da Paixão, Edenio Detmann, Marcos I. Marcondes, Jarbas M. da Silva Júnior and Claudia B. Sampaio

Ruminants 2023, 3(4), 457-467; https://doi.org/10.3390/ruminants3040037 - 04 Dec 2023

Viewed by 755

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the effects of creep feeding supplementation during the preweaning phase on the growth performance and metabolic characteristics of Nellore heifers. Forty-two female Nellore calves (age = 100 ± 25 d; initial body weight (BW) = [...] Read more.

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the effects of creep feeding supplementation during the preweaning phase on the growth performance and metabolic characteristics of Nellore heifers. Forty-two female Nellore calves (age = 100 ± 25 d; initial body weight (BW) = 113.4 ± 16.6 kg) were randomly assigned to the following treatments: control, where calves received mineral mix supplementation (n = 21); supplemented in creep feeding, where calves received 6 g/kg BW of a concentrate supplement (n = 21) during a period of 140 d. In the postweaning phase, all heifers received 6 g/kg BW of a concentrate supplement during a period of 210 d. Supplemented heifers had a greater average daily gain (ADG) than control heifers during the preweaning phase and, consequently, were heavier at weaning and at the end of the growing phase (p < 0.05). However, preweaning supplementation did not influence (p > 0.05) the body measurements or BW at the end of the growing period. Greater (p < 0.05) rib fat was observed in supplemented heifers. Concentrations of metabolites were not affected by preweaning supplementation (p > 0.05). Thus, supplementing heifers in the preweaning phase improved growth performance of weaning and body adiposity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Beef Cattle Production and Management)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 1228 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Feeding 60% Dried Corn Distillers’ Grains or the Equivalent Sulfur as CaSO₄ on DNA Integrity and Gene Expression in Yearling Angus Bull Sperm

by Cierrah J. Kassetas, Tom W. Geary, Abby L. Zezeski, Joel S. Caton, James D. Kirsch, Sheri T. Dorsam, Wellison J. S. Diniz, Kacie L. McCarthy, Matthew S. Crouse, Kevin K. Sedivec, Bryan W. Neville and Carl R. Dahlen

Ruminants 2023, 3(4), 286-298; https://doi.org/10.3390/ruminants3040026 - 01 Oct 2023

Viewed by 985

Abstract

We evaluated the effects of feeding 60% dried corn distillers’ grains plus solubles (DDGS) or the equivalent sulfur as CaSO₄ on sperm characteristics and transcript abundance. Thirty-six half-sibling Angus bulls (256 ± 8.5 d; initial BW = 320 ± 2.7 kg) were [...] Read more.

We evaluated the effects of feeding 60% dried corn distillers’ grains plus solubles (DDGS) or the equivalent sulfur as CaSO₄ on sperm characteristics and transcript abundance. Thirty-six half-sibling Angus bulls (256 ± 8.5 d; initial BW = 320 ± 2.7 kg) were assigned to one of three treatments: (1) 60% concentrate as corn (CON); (2) 60% DDGS as corn replacement (60DDGS); and (3) CON diet + equivalent sulfur of 60DDGS added as CaSO₄ (SULF). The acrosome/cell membrane integrity, mitochondrial energy potential, oxidation status, DNA integrity, and zinc signatures were analyzed via flow cytometry. Sperm-specific gene expression was assessed via RNA sequencing. The flow cytometry data were analyzed using PROC MIXED in SAS to determine the effects of treatment. Pairwise comparisons based on edgeR were used to identify differentially expressed genes. The percentage of polarized mitochondria tended to be greater (p = 0.08) for SULF compared with CON and 60DDGS. Protamine 1 was upregulated (p < 0.01; FDR = 0.10) in 60DDGS compared to CON. Zinc signature 1 in 60DDGS and SULF was reduced (p = 0.03) compared to CON. This study suggests that feeding bulls diets containing 60% DDGS had little effect on DNA integrity and gene expression. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Beef Cattle Production and Management)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 1577 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Novel Direct-Fed Microbial for Beef Cattle Has a Supportive Effect against Clostridium perfringens In Vitro and In Vivo

by Octavio Guimaraes, Bruno I. Cappellozza, Lena C. Capern, Jennifer S. Schutz, Charley A. Cull, Oscar Queiroz and Giuseppe Copani

Ruminants 2023, 3(3), 189-201; https://doi.org/10.3390/ruminants3030018 - 15 Aug 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1018

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo effects of a novel direct-fed microbial (DFM) containing Lactobacillus animalis LA-51, Propionibacterium freudenreichii PF-24, Bacillus licheniformis CH-200, and Bacillus subtilis King (BOVAMINE DEFEND^® Plus) against Clostridium perfringens pathogenic strains. In [...] Read more.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo effects of a novel direct-fed microbial (DFM) containing Lactobacillus animalis LA-51, Propionibacterium freudenreichii PF-24, Bacillus licheniformis CH-200, and Bacillus subtilis King (BOVAMINE DEFEND^® Plus) against Clostridium perfringens pathogenic strains. In Experiment 1 (in vitro), an agar diffusion assay was performed to qualitatively evaluate the in vitro inhibitory effects of the DFM against C. perfringens types A and C. Including the DFM in the tested yielded inhibition zones with greater than three ring diameters in a 96-well plate. In Experiment 2 (in vivo), twenty 1-day-old beef calves were allocated to control (n = 10) or DFM (n = 10) for 21 days. All calves were orally challenged with 1.0 × 10⁸ colony forming units of C. perfringens type A strain S-107 per head. The procedures such as general health scores, body weight, and fecal sample collections were performed following the C. perfringens challenge. Daily feeding of DFM significantly reduced the incidence of diarrhea while improving general impression and appearance scores of calves. Overall, these results highlight the ability of the DFM containing L. animalis LA-51, P. freudenreichii PF-24, B. licheniformis CH-200, and B. subtilis (BOVAMINE DEFEND^® Plus) to inhibit C. perfringens types A and C under different experimental settings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Beef Cattle Production and Management)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Beef Cattle Production and Management

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Published Papers (8 papers)

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI