Pub Date : 2025-11-26DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105856
Natasha Jørgensen, Long Chen, Vivi M. Thorup, Martin R. Weisbjerg, Søren Østergaard
Dietary fat supplementation is widely recognized as a mitigation strategy for enteric methane (CH4) emissions in dairy production, yet limited information exists on its impact at the herd level and its implications for farm profitability. Here, we used a herd simulation model to assess the impact of fat supplementation on herd-level CH4 intensity (g CH4/kg ECM) and gross margin. The simulation was conducted in digital twins of two real dairy herds - one organic and one conventional. For each herd, we simulated four scenarios combining two levels of supplemental fatty acids (FA), namely 10 (FA10) and 15 (FA15) g/kg DM, with two application periods: the full lactation period and from week 5 of lactation. The results showed that supplemented FA reduced herd-level enteric CH4 intensity by 3.8 to 7.2 %. This reduction was influenced by both the basal diet's FA content and the amount supplemented. The gross margin decreased across all scenarios in both herds, with a greater reduction observed in the conventional herd. Supplementing FA from week 5 of lactation had a minor effect on both herd CH4 intensity and gross margin compared to full lactation application. Sensitivity analysis indicated that the change in ECM as a result of fat supplementation influenced both herd CH4 intensity and gross margin, whereas the variation in milk price impacted gross margin, highlighting the need for cautious practice. Our findings emphasised the importance of analysing the cost-effectiveness of emission mitigation strategies to support informed farm decision-making.
{"title":"Effects of dietary fat supplementation on enteric methane mitigation and farm profitability: A case study of an organic and a conventional dairy herd","authors":"Natasha Jørgensen, Long Chen, Vivi M. Thorup, Martin R. Weisbjerg, Søren Østergaard","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105856","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105856","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Dietary fat supplementation is widely recognized as a mitigation strategy for enteric methane (CH<sub>4</sub>) emissions in dairy production, yet limited information exists on its impact at the herd level and its implications for farm profitability. Here, we used a herd simulation model to assess the impact of fat supplementation on herd-level CH<sub>4</sub> intensity (g CH<sub>4</sub>/kg ECM) and gross margin. The simulation was conducted in digital twins of two real dairy herds - one organic and one conventional. For each herd, we simulated four scenarios combining two levels of supplemental fatty acids (FA), namely 10 (FA10) and 15 (FA15) g/kg DM, with two application periods: the full lactation period and from week 5 of lactation. The results showed that supplemented FA reduced herd-level enteric CH<sub>4</sub> intensity by 3.8 to 7.2 %. This reduction was influenced by both the basal diet's FA content and the amount supplemented. The gross margin decreased across all scenarios in both herds, with a greater reduction observed in the conventional herd. Supplementing FA from week 5 of lactation had a minor effect on both herd CH<sub>4</sub> intensity and gross margin compared to full lactation application. Sensitivity analysis indicated that the change in ECM as a result of fat supplementation influenced both herd CH<sub>4</sub> intensity and gross margin, whereas the variation in milk price impacted gross margin, highlighting the need for cautious practice. Our findings emphasised the importance of analysing the cost-effectiveness of emission mitigation strategies to support informed farm decision-making.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"303 ","pages":"Article 105856"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145733585","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-26DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105859
Johanna M.C. Brans , Carol-Anne Duthie , Colin Mason , Jenna M. Bowen , Marie J. Haskell , Eamon Donnelly , Veena Adityan , Jose Chitty
In recent years, technology advancements and miniaturisation of sensors have made it possible to develop management systems mounted on ear-tags but the development of these systems has not focussed specifically on younger calves, and has rarely documented the impact of device shape, size, and material on calf ear injury and position. The current paper documents the steps taken to develop a “smart” ear-tag, reporting these impacts. To achieve this, a series of bench tests (phase 1), expert assessments and four animal experiments were conducted. Selected from phase 1, five shapes were tested in phase 2 on five calves, and suitability for the intended purpose assessed, alongside maximum tag weight (8 calves) and anatomical placement of the tag (6 calves). Finally, a longer-term assessment was conducted using the best prototype attached to 14 calves (phase 3). The optimum tag was a 20 g coin-cell shaped female receiver tag, made of polycarbonate-acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC-ABS) and thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) mixed material, placed in the inner third of the ear, between the two auricular ridges. This specific shape and weight presented minimal ear-droop and the highest retention rate.
{"title":"Implication of “smart” ear-tags material, shape, weight, and placement on calves’ ear injury and position","authors":"Johanna M.C. Brans , Carol-Anne Duthie , Colin Mason , Jenna M. Bowen , Marie J. Haskell , Eamon Donnelly , Veena Adityan , Jose Chitty","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105859","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105859","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In recent years, technology advancements and miniaturisation of sensors have made it possible to develop management systems mounted on ear-tags but the development of these systems has not focussed specifically on younger calves, and has rarely documented the impact of device shape, size, and material on calf ear injury and position. The current paper documents the steps taken to develop a “smart” ear-tag, reporting these impacts. To achieve this, a series of bench tests (phase 1), expert assessments and four animal experiments were conducted. Selected from phase 1, five shapes were tested in phase 2 on five calves, and suitability for the intended purpose assessed, alongside maximum tag weight (8 calves) and anatomical placement of the tag (6 calves). Finally, a longer-term assessment was conducted using the best prototype attached to 14 calves (phase 3). The optimum tag was a 20 g coin-cell shaped female receiver tag, made of polycarbonate-acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC-ABS) and thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) mixed material, placed in the inner third of the ear, between the two auricular ridges. This specific shape and weight presented minimal ear-droop and the highest retention rate.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"303 ","pages":"Article 105859"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145691408","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-25DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105858
Laya Kannan Silva Alves , Camila Raineri , Monique Danielle Pairis-Garcia , Cesar Augusto Pospissil Garbossa
The use of gestation crates in pig production has been increasingly questioned due to their restrictive nature and the growing demand for improved animal welfare. In response, various countries have implemented group housing and space allowance regulations, yet the economic impacts of transitioning to these systems remain underexplored, despite being crucial for producer adoption and long-term sustainability. The objective of this study was to evaluate the economic implications of transitioning to welfare-compliant housing systems for gestating sows, with particular attention to increased space allowance required in group housing. Specifically, we compared three housing systems: conventional stalls, group housing fully implemented after breeding (AB-GH), and group housing with limited stall use until pregnancy confirmation (PPC-GH), in terms of production costs and profitability. The study combined farm data, benchmark information, and expert opinions with a deterministic cost model to calculate key economic indicators and conduct sensitivity analyses in four stages: selection and characterization of farms using each housing system, collection of productive and economic data, application of a cost model to calculate key economic indicators, and a sensitivity analysis simulating incremental improvements in reproductive performance. Results showed that while the conventional stall system had the lowest production costs and highest economic profit under baseline conditions, both PPC-GH and AB-GH systems maintained profitability, with returns on investment exceeding 55 %. Cost increases in group housing systems were mainly attributed to infrastructure, maintenance, and opportunity costs related to expanded space allowance. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that modest improvements in reproductive efficiency—such as a 1 % increase in the number of weaned piglets per sow per year—significantly enhanced economic outcomes in both group housing systems, increasing economic profit by 1.64 % in the AB-GH system and 1.63 % in the PPC-GH system. In conclusion, the study confirms that compliance with animal welfare regulations through the adoption of group housing systems can be economically viable. When coupled with improvements in management and productivity, these systems offer a sustainable path for swine producers aligning with welfare standards and maintaining competitiveness in the global market.
{"title":"Economic perspective of expanded space allowance for group-housed gestating sows: Aligning profitability and welfare compliance","authors":"Laya Kannan Silva Alves , Camila Raineri , Monique Danielle Pairis-Garcia , Cesar Augusto Pospissil Garbossa","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105858","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105858","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The use of gestation crates in pig production has been increasingly questioned due to their restrictive nature and the growing demand for improved animal welfare. In response, various countries have implemented group housing and space allowance regulations, yet the economic impacts of transitioning to these systems remain underexplored, despite being crucial for producer adoption and long-term sustainability. The objective of this study was to evaluate the economic implications of transitioning to welfare-compliant housing systems for gestating sows, with particular attention to increased space allowance required in group housing. Specifically, we compared three housing systems: conventional stalls, group housing fully implemented after breeding (AB-GH), and group housing with limited stall use until pregnancy confirmation (PPC-GH), in terms of production costs and profitability. The study combined farm data, benchmark information, and expert opinions with a deterministic cost model to calculate key economic indicators and conduct sensitivity analyses in four stages: selection and characterization of farms using each housing system, collection of productive and economic data, application of a cost model to calculate key economic indicators, and a sensitivity analysis simulating incremental improvements in reproductive performance. Results showed that while the conventional stall system had the lowest production costs and highest economic profit under baseline conditions, both PPC-GH and AB-GH systems maintained profitability, with returns on investment exceeding 55 %. Cost increases in group housing systems were mainly attributed to infrastructure, maintenance, and opportunity costs related to expanded space allowance. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that modest improvements in reproductive efficiency—such as a 1 % increase in the number of weaned piglets per sow per year—significantly enhanced economic outcomes in both group housing systems, increasing economic profit by 1.64 % in the AB-GH system and 1.63 % in the PPC-GH system. In conclusion, the study confirms that compliance with animal welfare regulations through the adoption of group housing systems can be economically viable. When coupled with improvements in management and productivity, these systems offer a sustainable path for swine producers aligning with welfare standards and maintaining competitiveness in the global market.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"303 ","pages":"Article 105858"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145622416","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-25DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105857
Francisco J. Novais , Carolyn J. Fitzsimmons , Hailey Bolen , Le Luo Guan , Changxi Li , John A. Basarab , Amir Behrouzi , Cameron N. Carlyle , Sydney G. Lopes , Ankhtsetseg Battur , Sangweon Na , Temitope Oloyede , Graham Plastow , Valentine Udeh , Edward W. Bork
This study evaluated the effects of age, genomic retained heterozygosity (gRHET), and residual feed intake corrected for back-fat thickness (RFIfat) on weight gain in heifers, cows, and calves grazing native pasture over three years (2021–2023), during summer and fall in a northern temperate region. Three groups were studied: A) annual cohorts of 1-year-old heifers and 3-year-old Kinsella Composite (KC) crossbred cows (n= 182); B) a multi-aged purebred Angus cow herd (3–11 years; n= 133) monitored for one year; and C) a multi-aged KC crossbred cow herd (3–9 years; n= 132) tracked for one year. Average daily gain (ADG) was generally higher in summer than fall, except in 2023 within the multi-aged cattle when increased fall precipitation influenced ADG in crossbred cows. Pre-weaning calves gained more weight in summer (P < 0.001). Among crossbred cows, age and RFIfat were key predictors of ADG, with older cows (>9 years) consistently gaining less weight (3 yr old = 0.49 ± 0.073; 9 yr old = 0.22 ± 0.15; P < 0.05). RFIfat measured as heifers was negatively associated with their ADG (β = -0.0937; P= 0.02) in multi-aged cattle, particularly during fall, suggesting moderate life-stage consistency. In purebred Angus cows, fall ADG also declined with age, and cow and calf performance were linked: higher cow ADG often correlated with lower calf weaning weights, especially in older cows (>10-yr old), indicating a trade-off in energy allocation. Additionally, higher maternal gRHET in crossbreds was associated with increased calf ADG in fall (β = 0.63; P= 0.022), supporting the value of retained heterozygosity in grazing-based production systems. These results highlight the importance of intrinsic traits, age, genomic diversity, and early-life feed efficiency, in optimizing productivity in pasture-based beef systems.
{"title":"Influence of individual animal characteristics on beef cattle performance while grazing northern temperate rangeland","authors":"Francisco J. Novais , Carolyn J. Fitzsimmons , Hailey Bolen , Le Luo Guan , Changxi Li , John A. Basarab , Amir Behrouzi , Cameron N. Carlyle , Sydney G. Lopes , Ankhtsetseg Battur , Sangweon Na , Temitope Oloyede , Graham Plastow , Valentine Udeh , Edward W. Bork","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105857","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105857","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study evaluated the effects of age, genomic retained heterozygosity (gRHET), and residual feed intake corrected for back-fat thickness (RFI<sub>fat</sub>) on weight gain in heifers, cows, and calves grazing native pasture over three years (2021–2023), during summer and fall in a northern temperate region. Three groups were studied: A) annual cohorts of 1-year-old heifers and 3-year-old Kinsella Composite (KC) crossbred cows (<em>n</em>= 182); B) a multi-aged purebred Angus cow herd (3–11 years; <em>n</em>= 133) monitored for one year; and C) a multi-aged KC crossbred cow herd (3–9 years; <em>n</em>= 132) tracked for one year. Average daily gain (ADG) was generally higher in summer than fall, except in 2023 within the multi-aged cattle when increased fall precipitation influenced ADG in crossbred cows. Pre-weaning calves gained more weight in summer (<em>P</em> < 0.001). Among crossbred cows, age and RFI<sub>fat</sub> were key predictors of ADG, with older cows (>9 years) consistently gaining less weight (3 yr old = 0.49 ± 0.073; 9 yr old = 0.22 ± 0.15; <em>P</em> < 0.05). RFI<sub>fat</sub> measured as heifers was negatively associated with their ADG (β = -0.0937; <em>P</em>= 0.02) in multi-aged cattle, particularly during fall, suggesting moderate life-stage consistency. In purebred Angus cows, fall ADG also declined with age, and cow and calf performance were linked: higher cow ADG often correlated with lower calf weaning weights, especially in older cows (>10-yr old), indicating a trade-off in energy allocation. Additionally, higher maternal gRHET in crossbreds was associated with increased calf ADG in fall (β = 0.63; <em>P</em>= 0.022), supporting the value of retained heterozygosity in grazing-based production systems. These results highlight the importance of intrinsic traits, age, genomic diversity, and early-life feed efficiency, in optimizing productivity in pasture-based beef systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"303 ","pages":"Article 105857"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145622368","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-19DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105855
Sina Sakhaeifar, Sven König
The aim of the present study was to apply alternative modelling approaches for genetic evaluations of stillbirth (SB) and calving ease (CE) from the dam perspective, enabling consideration of a longitudinal data and genetic covariance structure across lactations. We considered a comprehensive dataset including 435,489 calf records for CE and 477,800 calf records for SB from the birth years 2001 to 2017, and genotype data including 41,304 SNPs from 24,133 animals. The calves with phenotypes were offspring from 184,012 Holstein Friesian (HF) cows for SB, and from 177,162 HF cows for CE. The calves and cows were kept in 45 large-scale German dairy contract herds. The applied three genetic-statistical models based on single-step methodology considering both pedigree and genomic relationship matrices. In the “classical” model 1, we allocated SB and CE observations to the calf by considering direct and maternal genetic effects with their respective covariances. Model 2 was a multiple-trait model (MTM) by allocating the observations to the dam and considering same traits in different parities as different traits. Accordingly, in the random regression model (RRM), SB and CE were defined as a trait of a dam and analyzed on a continuous parity scale by considering random regression coefficients for additive-genetic effects of intercept and slope. From both models MTM and RRM, we observed a gradual decrease of additive genetic variances and maternal heritabilities with increasing parity. Genetic correlations between same traits from different parities were larger than 0.80 for adjacent parities, but declined with increasing parity distance. Correlations between maternal genomic breeding values (GEBV) from the two different models MTM and RRM for the same trait and parity were throughout larger than 0.80, and in the range from 0.68 to 0.88 with the maternal GEBV from model 1. Genetic and breeding value correlations close to zero were found between the direct and maternal genetic effects. Correlations between maternal GEBV from the RRM and maternal GEBV from official genetic evaluations were throughout larger than 0.82, and the large rank correlations indicate only minor changes in top lists for sires.
{"title":"Modelling approaches for the estimation of genetic parameters for calving ease and stillbirth in German Holstein dairy cattle","authors":"Sina Sakhaeifar, Sven König","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105855","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105855","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The aim of the present study was to apply alternative modelling approaches for genetic evaluations of stillbirth (SB) and calving ease (CE) from the dam perspective, enabling consideration of a longitudinal data and genetic covariance structure across lactations. We considered a comprehensive dataset including 435,489 calf records for CE and 477,800 calf records for SB from the birth years 2001 to 2017, and genotype data including 41,304 SNPs from 24,133 animals. The calves with phenotypes were offspring from 184,012 Holstein Friesian (HF) cows for SB, and from 177,162 HF cows for CE. The calves and cows were kept in 45 large-scale German dairy contract herds. The applied three genetic-statistical models based on single-step methodology considering both pedigree and genomic relationship matrices. In the “classical” model 1, we allocated SB and CE observations to the calf by considering direct and maternal genetic effects with their respective covariances. Model 2 was a multiple-trait model (MTM) by allocating the observations to the dam and considering same traits in different parities as different traits. Accordingly, in the random regression model (RRM), SB and CE were defined as a trait of a dam and analyzed on a continuous parity scale by considering random regression coefficients for additive-genetic effects of intercept and slope. From both models MTM and RRM, we observed a gradual decrease of additive genetic variances and maternal heritabilities with increasing parity. Genetic correlations between same traits from different parities were larger than 0.80 for adjacent parities, but declined with increasing parity distance. Correlations between maternal genomic breeding values (GEBV) from the two different models MTM and RRM for the same trait and parity were throughout larger than 0.80, and in the range from 0.68 to 0.88 with the maternal GEBV from model 1. Genetic and breeding value correlations close to zero were found between the direct and maternal genetic effects. Correlations between maternal GEBV from the RRM and maternal GEBV from official genetic evaluations were throughout larger than 0.82, and the large rank correlations indicate only minor changes in top lists for sires.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"303 ","pages":"Article 105855"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145622417","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-17DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105854
Inonge Reimert , Tanja Peric , Matilde Giombolini , Ewa Sell-Kubiak , Mathilde Coutant , Paolo Ferrari , Anita Zaworska-Zakrzewska , Alberto Prandi , Bas Kemp
Understanding how husbandry practices affect chronic stress in growing-finishing pigs is essential to improve their welfare. The objective of this study was therefore to investigate the effect of two important practices, i.e., stocking density and enrichment, within different husbandry systems by studying concentrations of hair cortisol and hair dehydroepiandrosterone (sulphate) (DHEA(S)) and their ratio, as markers for chronic stress. Hereto, in six experiments, various organic and conventional systems were studied in which the stocking density and the level of enrichment varied. We found that a lower stocking density generally resulted in lower hair cortisol and DHEA(S) concentrations, but the effect of stocking density on the hair cortisol/DHEA(S) ratio was less clear. Access to enrichment only tended to result in higher DHEA(S) concentrations in one of the experiments. Furthermore, sex tended to affect or affected hair cortisol, DHEA(S) and/or the ratio only in some of the experiments. These results suggest that a lower stocking density is beneficial for growing-finishing pigs as they seemed to be less chronically stressed. That the enrichment items did not beneficially affect hair cortisol and DHEA(S) was likely due to the relatively small contrast between the control and enriched condition, as the pigs in the control condition already had access to straw. As not much studies have investigated hair DHEA(S) concentrations in pigs, more research is needed to get more insight of this hormone in relation to chronic stress and the effect of sex in pigs.
{"title":"The effect of stocking density and enrichment on hair cortisol, hair dehydroepiandrosterone (sulphate) and their ratio in growing-finishing pigs","authors":"Inonge Reimert , Tanja Peric , Matilde Giombolini , Ewa Sell-Kubiak , Mathilde Coutant , Paolo Ferrari , Anita Zaworska-Zakrzewska , Alberto Prandi , Bas Kemp","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105854","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105854","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Understanding how husbandry practices affect chronic stress in growing-finishing pigs is essential to improve their welfare. The objective of this study was therefore to investigate the effect of two important practices, i.e., stocking density and enrichment, within different husbandry systems by studying concentrations of hair cortisol and hair dehydroepiandrosterone (sulphate) (DHEA(S)) and their ratio, as markers for chronic stress. Hereto, in six experiments, various organic and conventional systems were studied in which the stocking density and the level of enrichment varied. We found that a lower stocking density generally resulted in lower hair cortisol and DHEA(S) concentrations, but the effect of stocking density on the hair cortisol/DHEA(S) ratio was less clear. Access to enrichment only tended to result in higher DHEA(S) concentrations in one of the experiments. Furthermore, sex tended to affect or affected hair cortisol, DHEA(S) and/or the ratio only in some of the experiments. These results suggest that a lower stocking density is beneficial for growing-finishing pigs as they seemed to be less chronically stressed. That the enrichment items did not beneficially affect hair cortisol and DHEA(S) was likely due to the relatively small contrast between the control and enriched condition, as the pigs in the control condition already had access to straw. As not much studies have investigated hair DHEA(S) concentrations in pigs, more research is needed to get more insight of this hormone in relation to chronic stress and the effect of sex in pigs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"303 ","pages":"Article 105854"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145578469","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-05DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105853
Daniela Costa Cotrim Campos , Adriane Lermen Zart , Cláudio Vaz Di Mambro Ribeiro
Pre-slaughter handling is a critical factor affecting animal welfare, carcass quality, and economic performance in beef production systems. This study evaluated the impact of a novel low-stress protocol, Hands-Free Handling (HFH), compared to Conventional Handling (CON), on operational efficiency, carcass bruising, and financial losses in feedlot cattle. A total of 715 Nellore steers were randomly allocated to the two handling treatments. Loading time, incidence and anatomical location of carcass injuries, amount of meat discarded due to bruises and meat pH were evaluated. Data were analyzed using generalized linear models. HFH significantly reduced loading time by 43 %, the incidence of bruising by 7.6 %, and meat discard by 61.7 % (P < 0.05), without affecting carcass yield or meat pH. Despite improvements, injuries remained a major source of financial loss. Economic modeling based on bruise discard data demonstrated that financial losses per carcass ranged from R$ 2.40 to R$ 2.83 for CON, and from R$ 1.48 to R$ 1.75 for HFH. Extrapolating to a slaughterhouse processing 1200 head per day, the estimated annual loss was R$ 978,781.05 for CON and R$ 604,116.36 for HFH, indicating a potential 38 % reduction in economic losses when adopting rational handling practices. In conclusion, the results highlight the relevance of rational handling strategies to improve animal welfare, reduce economic losses, and meet societal and market expectations for humane livestock practices.
{"title":"Impact of 'hands-free' rational handling on operational performance and economic losses in beef cattle","authors":"Daniela Costa Cotrim Campos , Adriane Lermen Zart , Cláudio Vaz Di Mambro Ribeiro","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105853","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105853","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pre-slaughter handling is a critical factor affecting animal welfare, carcass quality, and economic performance in beef production systems. This study evaluated the impact of a novel low-stress protocol, Hands-Free Handling (HFH), compared to Conventional Handling (CON), on operational efficiency, carcass bruising, and financial losses in feedlot cattle. A total of 715 Nellore steers were randomly allocated to the two handling treatments. Loading time, incidence and anatomical location of carcass injuries, amount of meat discarded due to bruises and meat pH were evaluated. Data were analyzed using generalized linear models. HFH significantly reduced loading time by 43 %, the incidence of bruising by 7.6 %, and meat discard by 61.7 % (<em>P</em> < 0.05), without affecting carcass yield or meat pH. Despite improvements, injuries remained a major source of financial loss. Economic modeling based on bruise discard data demonstrated that financial losses per carcass ranged from R$ 2.40 to R$ 2.83 for CON, and from R$ 1.48 to R$ 1.75 for HFH. Extrapolating to a slaughterhouse processing 1200 head per day, the estimated annual loss was R$ 978,781.05 for CON and R$ 604,116.36 for HFH, indicating a potential 38 % reduction in economic losses when adopting rational handling practices. In conclusion, the results highlight the relevance of rational handling strategies to improve animal welfare, reduce economic losses, and meet societal and market expectations for humane livestock practices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"302 ","pages":"Article 105853"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145517004","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Improving ewe reproductive success and lamb survivability is essential for enhancing flock productivity, farm profitability, and the self-sufficiency of sheep meat and milk production. This study aimed to identify the perceived challenges to improving ewe productivity, through efficient reproduction, gestation, and reducing lamb mortality and determine if these challenges differ between countries. A 22-question survey (14 closed, 8 open-ended) was conducted in 2017 across seven countries participating in the SheepNet project (France, Ireland, Italy, Romania, Spain, UK, and Turkey). A number of press releases were circulated in each of the seven SheepNet countries making stakeholders aware of the survey and asking them to identify their challenges to improving ewe productivity through efficient reproduction, gestation and reduced lamb mortality. The surveys were completed by stakeholders either on the website, by e-mail or written mail or during sheep stakeholder events. Key challenges to improving ewe fertility included ewe body condition, nutrition and grassland management, flock health, and ewe lamb management. Reducing lamb mortality was primarily hindered by challenges related to lambing preparation, shed management, nutrition, labour, and hygiene. The findings suggest that despite diverse production systems, common challenges exist across Europe and Turkey. Addressing these challenges through the dissemination of best management practices can significantly enhance flock productivity. This study provides valuable insights into shared farmer experiences and underscores the importance of knowledge exchange across regions.
{"title":"Increasing ewe productivity - challenges of sheep stakeholders across Europe and Turkey","authors":"Bríd McClearn , Jean-Marc Gautier , Claire Morgan-Davies , Ignacia Beltrán de Heredia , Roberto Ruiz , Antonello Carta , Sezen Ocak Yetişgin , Dinu Gavojdian , Cathy M. Dwyer , Timothy W.J. Keady","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105852","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105852","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Improving ewe reproductive success and lamb survivability is essential for enhancing flock productivity, farm profitability, and the self-sufficiency of sheep meat and milk production. This study aimed to identify the perceived challenges to improving ewe productivity, through efficient reproduction, gestation, and reducing lamb mortality and determine if these challenges differ between countries. A 22-question survey (14 closed, 8 open-ended) was conducted in 2017 across seven countries participating in the SheepNet project (France, Ireland, Italy, Romania, Spain, UK, and Turkey). A number of press releases were circulated in each of the seven SheepNet countries making stakeholders aware of the survey and asking them to identify their challenges to improving ewe productivity through efficient reproduction, gestation and reduced lamb mortality. The surveys were completed by stakeholders either on the website, by e-mail or written mail or during sheep stakeholder events. Key challenges to improving ewe fertility included ewe body condition, nutrition and grassland management, flock health, and ewe lamb management. Reducing lamb mortality was primarily hindered by challenges related to lambing preparation, shed management, nutrition, labour, and hygiene. The findings suggest that despite diverse production systems, common challenges exist across Europe and Turkey. Addressing these challenges through the dissemination of best management practices can significantly enhance flock productivity. This study provides valuable insights into shared farmer experiences and underscores the importance of knowledge exchange across regions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"302 ","pages":"Article 105852"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145517002","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-30DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105844
Alice Markey , Anaïs Rodrigues , Pierre-Hugues Stefanuto , Jean-François Focant , Anne-Catherine Huet , José Wavreille , Katrien Wijnrocx , Nicolas Gengler
Meat quality traits are economically important in pig production. Breeding strategies can help prevent meat defects such as boar taint, usually characterized by quantified indole, skatole and androstenone (ISA) in back fat. This exploratory study investigated the genetic potential of a novel boar taint phenotype, pooling volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which were recently identified as phenotypically discriminant. Fat samples were collected from 1272 Pietrain × Landrace crossbred boars. Phenotypes for boar taint on these samples were: lab sensory score (LSS; n = 1269), ISA quantification (n = 308), and VOC profiles (n = 127). Given the limited amount of data, a selection index-based approach was used to pool traits in trait groups, ISA and VOC, considering LSS as reference trait. (Co)variance components were estimated with a full multi-trait model, and index equations were adjusted to account for uncertainty in estimated parameters. Index coefficients were then applied to ISA and VOC phenotypes to generate two pooled phenotypes, ISA and VOC indices. Estimates from the 3-trait model (LSS, ISA index and VOC index) confirmed high expected correlations with LSS. Genetic parameter estimates showed higher significance demonstrating the interest of pooling multiple partially informative traits together. Moreover, using the VOC index would generate a higher expected correlated genetic response in LSS (192 %) than the ISA index (160 %) compared to the direct response when using only LSS. Despite limited data, this exploratory study showed the potential of this novel broad phenotype based on pooled VOCs to improve genetic selection for reduced boar taint risk, although further validation in larger populations is required.
肉质性状在生猪生产中具有重要的经济意义。育种策略可以帮助预防猪肉缺陷，如公猪膻味，通常以背部脂肪中定量的吲哚、臭鼬素和雄烯酮（ISA）为特征。这项探索性研究调查了一种新型公猪污染表型的遗传潜力，汇集了最近被确定为表型区别的挥发性有机化合物（VOCs）。收集了1272头彼得兰×长白杂交公猪的脂肪样本。这些样品上公猪粪便的表型为：实验室感官评分（LSS, n = 1269）、ISA定量（n = 308）和VOC谱（n = 127）。由于数据量有限，本研究以LSS为参考性状，采用基于选择索引的方法，在性状组、ISA和VOC中进行性状汇总。采用全多性状模型估计Co方差分量，并对指标方程进行调整，以考虑估计参数的不确定性。然后将指数系数应用于ISA和VOC表型，得到ISA和VOC指数两个混合表型。从3性状模型（LSS、ISA指数和VOC指数）估计，与LSS有很高的预期相关性。遗传参数估计具有较高的显著性，这表明将多个部分信息性状集中在一起是有意义的。此外，与仅使用LSS时的直接响应相比，使用VOC指数在LSS中产生的预期相关遗传响应（192%）比ISA指数（160%）更高。尽管数据有限，但这项探索性研究表明，这种基于混合挥发性有机化合物的新型广泛表型具有改善遗传选择以降低公猪污染风险的潜力，尽管需要在更大的人群中进一步验证。
{"title":"Exploratory study of the potential use of a novel pooled phenotype to select against boar taint","authors":"Alice Markey , Anaïs Rodrigues , Pierre-Hugues Stefanuto , Jean-François Focant , Anne-Catherine Huet , José Wavreille , Katrien Wijnrocx , Nicolas Gengler","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105844","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105844","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Meat quality traits are economically important in pig production. Breeding strategies can help prevent meat defects such as boar taint, usually characterized by quantified indole, skatole and androstenone (ISA) in back fat. This exploratory study investigated the genetic potential of a novel boar taint phenotype, pooling volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which were recently identified as phenotypically discriminant. Fat samples were collected from 1272 Pietrain × Landrace crossbred boars. Phenotypes for boar taint on these samples were: lab sensory score (LSS; <em>n</em> = 1269), ISA quantification (<em>n</em> = 308), and VOC profiles (<em>n</em> = 127). Given the limited amount of data, a selection index-based approach was used to pool traits in trait groups, ISA and VOC, considering LSS as reference trait. (Co)variance components were estimated with a full multi-trait model, and index equations were adjusted to account for uncertainty in estimated parameters. Index coefficients were then applied to ISA and VOC phenotypes to generate two pooled phenotypes, ISA and VOC indices. Estimates from the 3-trait model (LSS, ISA index and VOC index) confirmed high expected correlations with LSS. Genetic parameter estimates showed higher significance demonstrating the interest of pooling multiple partially informative traits together. Moreover, using the VOC index would generate a higher expected correlated genetic response in LSS (192 %) than the ISA index (160 %) compared to the direct response when using only LSS. Despite limited data, this exploratory study showed the potential of this novel broad phenotype based on pooled VOCs to improve genetic selection for reduced boar taint risk, although further validation in larger populations is required.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"302 ","pages":"Article 105844"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145517003","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-23DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105843
Iasmin Marques Rocha , Giovanna Maria dos Santos Câmara , Maria Victória Henrique Genuíno , Ayrton Fernandes de Oliveira Bessa , Roney Teixeira , Luis Artur Loyola Chardulo , Rogério Abdallah Curi , Welder Angelo Baldassini , Guilherme Luis Pereira , Daniela do Amaral Grossi , Marcos Eli Buzanskas
Swine production has focused on improving litter size and carcass traits to enhance productivity. Genetic progress in traits such as the number of piglets born alive (NBA), birth weight (BW), number of piglets weaned (NPW), total teat number (TN), number of days to reach 100 kg (AGE100), backfat thickness (BF), and loin depth (LD) is of great importance for breeding efficiency. The present study aimed to estimate genetic parameters, including heritability and genetic correlations, for the mentioned traits in Landrace and Yorkshire pigs. Genetic parameters were estimated using the restricted maximum likelihood method, considering an animal model. Heritability estimates ranged from 0.06 (NPW) to 0.41 (BW) in Landrace and 0.04 (NPW) to 0.40 (BW) in Yorkshire. Maternal heritability and permanent environmental effects were low, with values between 0.02 and 0.05. The maternal permanent environmental variance ranged between 0.03 and 0.09. Repeatability estimates for all traits ranged from 0.10 (NPW) to 0.49 (BW). All the traits studied showed sufficient additive genetic variability, enabling effective selection in Landrace and Yorkshire pigs. Greater relative responses are expected for BF, BW, NBA, LD, and TN. Selection for BW may yield favorable correlated responses with NPW, TN, and AGE100, while direct selection for TN may enhance sow reproductive performance. Genetic correlations between BF and LD indicated that both traits can be improved simultaneously without unfavorable effects. Although the correlation between NBA and BW was not high, caution is warranted regarding the increase in litter size due to potential negative consequences, such as reduced birth weight and higher piglet mortality. Despite previous investigations on these traits, this study provides updated and robust estimates from a large, consistent, and environmentally controlled population, representing a valuable case study for commercial swine breeding programs.
{"title":"Genetic parameters for litter and carcass traits in Landrace and Yorkshire pigs","authors":"Iasmin Marques Rocha , Giovanna Maria dos Santos Câmara , Maria Victória Henrique Genuíno , Ayrton Fernandes de Oliveira Bessa , Roney Teixeira , Luis Artur Loyola Chardulo , Rogério Abdallah Curi , Welder Angelo Baldassini , Guilherme Luis Pereira , Daniela do Amaral Grossi , Marcos Eli Buzanskas","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105843","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105843","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Swine production has focused on improving litter size and carcass traits to enhance productivity. Genetic progress in traits such as the number of piglets born alive (NBA), birth weight (BW), number of piglets weaned (NPW), total teat number (TN), number of days to reach 100 kg (AGE100), backfat thickness (BF), and loin depth (LD) is of great importance for breeding efficiency. The present study aimed to estimate genetic parameters, including heritability and genetic correlations, for the mentioned traits in Landrace and Yorkshire pigs. Genetic parameters were estimated using the restricted maximum likelihood method, considering an animal model. Heritability estimates ranged from 0.06 (NPW) to 0.41 (BW) in Landrace and 0.04 (NPW) to 0.40 (BW) in Yorkshire. Maternal heritability and permanent environmental effects were low, with values between 0.02 and 0.05. The maternal permanent environmental variance ranged between 0.03 and 0.09. Repeatability estimates for all traits ranged from 0.10 (NPW) to 0.49 (BW). All the traits studied showed sufficient additive genetic variability, enabling effective selection in Landrace and Yorkshire pigs. Greater relative responses are expected for BF, BW, NBA, LD, and TN. Selection for BW may yield favorable correlated responses with NPW, TN, and AGE100, while direct selection for TN may enhance sow reproductive performance. Genetic correlations between BF and LD indicated that both traits can be improved simultaneously without unfavorable effects. Although the correlation between NBA and BW was not high, caution is warranted regarding the increase in litter size due to potential negative consequences, such as reduced birth weight and higher piglet mortality. Despite previous investigations on these traits, this study provides updated and robust estimates from a large, consistent, and environmentally controlled population, representing a valuable case study for commercial swine breeding programs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"302 ","pages":"Article 105843"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145418112","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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