Livestock Science最新文献_第5页

Long-term social preferences in a group of sub-adult female pigs 一群亚成年母猪的长期社会偏好

IF 1.9 3区农林科学 Q2 AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE

Livestock Science

Pub Date : 2025-09-21 DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105826

Piero Seddaiu , Simon P. Turner , Irene Camerlink

Social relationships in farm animals, including pigs, have become a focus of research, yet long-term studies are scarce. Pigs, being highly social animals, offer an excellent model to explore social preferences over time. This study aimed to investigate social preferences in female pigs across life stages by observing a group of ten gilts over one year, with each season serving as an assessment point. Social interactions (allogrooming, snout-body, and snout-head contact) were recorded through live and video observations, totaling 396 h per animal. Social Network Analysis (SNA) assessed group cohesion using measures of density, reciprocity, and degree centralization. Monte Carlo simulations, half-weight association index (HWI) and the Quadratic Assignment Procedure (QAP) were used to evaluate social preferences and their recurrence across seasons. Results showed high density (0.95) and reciprocity, with weak centralization (in-degree 0.19, out-degree 0.27), indicating uniform distribution of social interactions. On average across the four seasons, 5.8 % of connections were strong, 35.7 % weak, and 58.5 % non-preferential. Social preferences correlated modestly between autumn and winter, but not with summer and spring. This study confirms previous findings that only a small proportion of pigs form non-random associations within a group. Social preferences lasted for a maximum of two seasons, likely influenced by pregnancy and transitions from gilt to adult sow, which resulted in temporary withdrawal from the group.

包括猪在内的农场动物的社会关系已成为研究的焦点，但长期研究很少。猪是高度社会化的动物，它提供了一个很好的模型来探索随着时间推移的社会偏好。本研究旨在通过对一组10只母猪进行为期一年的观察，以每个季节为评估点，调查母猪在整个生命阶段的社会偏好。通过现场和视频观察记录了每只动物的社会互动（异体梳理、鼻子-身体和鼻子-头部接触），总计396小时。社会网络分析（SNA）使用密度、互惠和集中化程度来评估群体凝聚力。采用蒙特卡罗模拟、半权重关联指数（HWI）和二次分配程序（QAP）来评估社会偏好及其在季节间的复发性。结果表明，社会互动具有较高的密度（0.95）和互惠性，集中程度较弱（入度0.19，出度0.27），表明社会互动分布均匀。在四个季节中，平均5.8%的连接是强连接，35.7%是弱连接，58.5%是非优惠连接。社会偏好在秋季和冬季之间适度相关，但与夏季和春季无关。这项研究证实了先前的发现，即只有一小部分猪在一个群体中形成非随机关联。社会偏好最多持续了两个季节，可能受到怀孕和从后备母猪到成年母猪的转变的影响，这导致暂时退出群体。

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引用次数: 0

Feed intake, ruminal parameters, milk production and economy in Holstein cows fed reduced forage or non-forage emergency diets 饲粮减量或非草料应急日粮对荷斯坦奶牛采食量、瘤胃参数、产奶量和经济性的影响

IF 1.9 3区农林科学 Q2 AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE

Livestock Science

Pub Date : 2025-09-18 DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105825

C.F. Børsting , D.W. Olijhoek , A.L. F. Hellwing , K.M. Moyes , S. Østergaard , M.R. Weisbjerg , P. Lund , B.M. Raun , B.A. Røjen , N.B. Kristensen

We evaluated how to maintain dairy herds in a productive state after extreme drought episodes via substituting high quality forage (corn and grass-clover silages) with concentrate and straw. Ninety Holstein cows were allocated to a randomized trial for 11 weeks. The planned roughage-to-concentrate ratios (% of dietary DM) of the diets were: 51:49, 30:70, and 9:91. Two different concentrate palettes were used to substitute forage representing domestic (RGB) and globally (COS) available feedstuffs. The concentrate mixture RGB contained only feedstuffs that can be produced in the European Union. The RGB mixture contained starch from the feedstuffs ground barley and NaOH-treated whole wheat kernels, fibers from dried beet pulp and distiller’s dried grains (DDGS) and protein from rapeseed cake and DDGS. The concentrate mixture COS was based on globally available feedstuffs and contained starch from corn (ground kernels), fiber from soyhulls, and protein mainly from soybean meal. Treatments did not affect concentrate intake in milking robots, whereas intake of the partially mixed rations was 0.6 kg DM per day less with RGB when compared to COS. Milk fat concentrations were severely reduced with greater concentrate intake and reflected ruminal molar proportions of acetate to propionate. The study showed that it is possible to use concentrate-based emergency rations to keep dairy herds milking after severe drought episodes with a shortage of forage, however, the loss in milk fat yield implies that farmers should prioritize forage, even when prices are up to 2.5 to 3.3 times the standard production cost.

我们评估了如何通过用精料和秸秆替代优质饲料（玉米和草三叶草青贮）来维持极端干旱后奶牛群的生产状态。90头荷斯坦奶牛随机试验期11周。试验饲粮粗精料比（占饲粮DM的百分比）分别为：51:49、30:70和9:91。采用两种不同的精料调色板替代代表国内（RGB）和全球（COS）有效饲料的饲料。浓缩混合物RGB只含有可以在欧盟生产的饲料。RGB混合料中含有来自大麦粉和naoh处理过的全麦粒的淀粉、来自干甜菜浆和干酒糟（DDGS）的纤维以及来自油菜籽饼和DDGS的蛋白质。该浓缩混合物COS以全球可用的饲料为基础，含有玉米（磨碎的玉米粒）淀粉、豆皮纤维和主要来自豆粕的蛋白质。处理不影响挤奶机器人的精料摄入量，而与COS相比，RGB部分混合日粮的摄入量每天减少0.6 kg DM。随着精料摄入量的增加，乳脂浓度严重降低，反映了瘤胃乙酸与丙酸的摩尔比。研究表明，在饲料短缺的严重干旱时期，使用以浓缩饲料为基础的紧急口粮来保持奶牛群的挤奶是可能的，然而，乳脂产量的损失意味着农民应该优先考虑饲料，即使价格高达标准生产成本的2.5至3.3倍。

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引用次数: 0

Precision feeding in gestating sows: a retrospective analysis of lysine intake and pregnancy outcomes 妊娠母猪精确饲养：赖氨酸摄入量与妊娠结局的回顾性分析

IF 1.9 3区农林科学 Q2 AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE

Livestock Science

Pub Date : 2025-09-14 DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105824

P. Langendijk , A.K. Agyekum , F. Simard , M. Richer-Lanciault

From day 30 of gestation, 288 mixed parity sows were fed a diet varying in the inclusion of lysine and other amino acids, to meet changing requirements throughout gestation more closely (precision feeding). Lysine inclusion for precision fed sows was varied by parity group and was altered every few days by blending two diets differing in lysine at varying ratios. As a reference, 280 mixed parity sows were fed a single gestation diet consistent in lysine and well above requirements (NRC 2012). To investigate the role of lysine intake in prenatal development, standardised ileal digestible (SID) lysine requirements were estimated retrospectively based on realised maternal gain and litter weights at farrowing. SID Lysine excess was calculated over day 30 to 80 of gestation, the period of accelerated placenta growth, and defined as lysine intake minus requirements. SID Lysine excess was lower for precision fed sows, and sows with lowest lysine excess (1 g/d or less) had lower foetal survival (90.8 % vs 93 to 95 %), more mummies per litter (0.6 vs 0.2 to 0.3), and more litters with at least one mummy (38 % vs 12 to 21 %), compared to sows with SID lysine excess of 1 g/d and more. In conclusion, when feeding amino acids closer to requirements, in some sows this may result in feeding under requirements, potentially compromising foetal development. This study provides a previously undefined safety margin for SID lysine of 1.5 g/d, which can be used to formulate gestation diets and feeding strategies.

从妊娠第30天开始，288头混合胎母猪饲喂不同赖氨酸和其他氨基酸添加量的饲粮，以更密切地满足妊娠期间不断变化的需求（精确饲养）。精密饲养母猪的赖氨酸含量随胎次组的不同而不同，每隔几天通过混合两种赖氨酸含量不同的饲粮进行改变。作为参考，280头混合胎母猪饲喂赖氨酸含量一致且远高于要求的单一妊娠日粮（NRC 2012）。为了研究赖氨酸摄入量在产前发育中的作用，根据分娩时实现的母体增重和窝重回顾性估计了标准化回肠可消化赖氨酸需要量。在妊娠第30 ~ 80天（胎盘加速生长的时期）计算SID赖氨酸过量，定义为赖氨酸摄入量减去需水量。精密饲养母猪的SID赖氨酸过量较低，与SID赖氨酸过量1 g/d及以上的母猪相比，最低赖氨酸过量（1 g/d或更少）的母猪的胎儿存活率较低（90.8% vs 93 ~ 95%），每窝妈咪较多（0.6 vs 0.2 ~ 0.3），至少有一个妈咪的窝仔较多（38% vs 12 ~ 21%）。综上所述，在某些母猪中，当饲喂氨基酸接近所需水平时，可能会导致饲料低于所需水平，从而潜在地影响胎儿发育。本研究提供了先前未定义的1.5 g/d的SID赖氨酸安全边际，可用于制定妊娠日粮和喂养策略。

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引用次数: 0

Genetic correlations between carcass traits measured by ultrasonography and semen quality traits in Nellore cattle incorporating genomic information 结合基因组信息的内洛牛胴体超声测量性状与精液质量性状的遗传相关性

IF 1.9 3区农林科学 Q2 AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE

Livestock Science

Pub Date : 2025-09-13 DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105820

Camila S. Mussi , Gabriel C. Medeiros , Rafael Espigolan , Fernando Baldi , Marcio R. Silva , José D. Guimarães , Elisangela C. Matos , Joanir P. Eler , Tamires Miranda Neto , José Bento S. Ferraz , Luiz F. Brito

Nellore cattle (Bos taurus indicus), the predominant beef cattle breed raised in Brazil, has substantial economic importance in the global beef market. Ultrasonography is commonly used to measure carcass traits, which facilitate the genetic evaluation of live animals and provides indicators of meat quality. Male reproductive efficiency assessed by semen quality and scrotal circumference traits directly influences farm profitability. This study estimated variance components and genetic correlations between ultrasound-based carcass and semen quality and scrotal circumference traits in Nellore cattle. We used a dataset of 116,011 animals with phenotypic records, 13,632 genotyped animals, and a pedigree with 635,175 animals. Heritability estimates for scrotal circumference at 18 and 24 months were moderate (0.39 ± 0.008 and 0.38 ± 0.02, respectively). Semen quality traits, including motility, vigor, and mass activity were found to be lowly heritable with estimates ranging from 0.03 ± 0.01 to 0.05 ± 0.01. The heritability estimates for sperm defects were also low and ranged from 0.01 ± 0.007 to 0.12 ± 0.02. Carcass traits, including ribeye area and rump fat thickness, were moderately heritable (0.34 ± 0.05 and 0.39 ± 0.06), while subcutaneous fat thickness had a heritability of 0.18 ± 0.04. Genetic correlations between carcass with semen quality and scrotal circumference traits were of low to moderate magnitude and unfavorable. These findings indicate that carcass traits can be improved through genetic selection and the generally low genetic correlations with sperm quality traits and scrotal circumference traits suggest that selection for improved carcass traits, measured using ultrasonography technology, is expected to have minimal impact on semen quality. Therefore, simultaneous selection for both trait groups is recommended to ensure optimal long-term genetic improvement in Nellore cattle breeding programs.

内洛牛（巴西牛）是巴西饲养的主要肉牛品种，在全球牛肉市场上具有重要的经济意义。超声技术常用来测量胴体性状，为活体动物的遗传评价和肉质指标提供了方便。精液质量和阴囊周长性状评价的雄性生殖效率直接影响农场的盈利能力。本研究估计了内洛牛超声胴体、精液质量和阴囊周长性状的变异成分和遗传相关性。我们使用了116,011只动物的数据集，其中有表型记录，13,632只基因分型动物，以及635,175只动物的谱系。18个月和24个月阴囊周长的遗传率估计为中等（分别为0.39±0.008和0.38±0.02）。精液质量性状（活力、活力和质量活性）的遗传系数在0.03±0.01 ~ 0.05±0.01之间，遗传系数较低。精子缺陷的遗传力估计也很低，范围在0.01±0.007到0.12±0.02之间。胴体性状（肋眼面积和臀部脂肪厚度）的遗传力为中等（0.34±0.05和0.39±0.06），皮下脂肪厚度的遗传力为0.18±0.04。胴体与精液质量和阴囊周长性状的遗传相关性为低至中等，且不显著。这些发现表明，胴体性状可以通过遗传选择得到改善，而与精子质量性状和阴囊周长性状的遗传相关性普遍较低，这表明超声技术测量的胴体性状的选择对精液质量的影响微乎其微。因此，建议同时选择这两个性状组，以确保内洛牛育种计划中最佳的长期遗传改良。

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引用次数: 0

Effects of phytase supplementation on broiler chickens fed nutrient-deficient diets 饲粮中添加植酸酶对营养缺乏肉鸡的影响

IF 1.9 3区农林科学 Q2 AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE

Livestock Science

Pub Date : 2025-09-13 DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105823

Samuel Oliveira Borges , Tiago Goulart Petrolli , Melissa Izabel Hannas , Romário Duarte Bernardes , Carlos Henrique de Oliveira , Kelly Morais Maia Dias , Bruno Figueiredo de Almeida , Lucimauro da Fonseca , Alex Filipe Ramos de Sousa , Arele Arlindo Calderano

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different inclusion levels of phytase on the performance, body composition, blood parameters, and bone characteristics of broilers fed reduced-nutrient diets. The experiment was conducted using 1400 male broilers, allocated to seven treatments with ten replicates and twenty birds per experimental unit, in a completely randomized design. The experimental treatments were: positive control, formulated to fully meet the birds’ nutritional requirements; negative control 1 (NC1), negative control 2 (NC2) and negative control 3 (NC3), formulated with nutrient reductions according to the phytase nutrient release matrix but without enzyme supplementation; and NC1, NC2 and NC3 supplemented with 500, 750 and 1000 FTU of phytase. Phytase supplementation improved (P < 0.05) body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and final body weight compared to the negative controls, restoring these parameters to levels comparable with the positive control, even in diets simultaneously reduced in available phosphorus (P), total calcium (Ca), total sodium, metabolizable energy, crude protein, and digestible amino acids. Improvements were also observed in serum Ca and P levels, as well as in bone indicators, including the Seedor index, bone breaking strength, and ash and magnesium concentrations, matching those of the positive control (P < 0.05). Phytase supplementation further enhanced body composition, with greater deposition of lean tissue, protein, and bone in supplemented birds (P < 0.05). The main contribution of this study is the confirmation of phytase’s effectiveness as a nutritional tool in challenging diets, demonstrating its capacity to recover performance and bone quality, with benefits that extend beyond phosphorus utilization.

本试验旨在评价不同植酸酶添加水平对饲粮低营养水平肉鸡生产性能、体成分、血液指标和骨骼特征的影响。试验选用1400只雄性肉鸡，采用完全随机设计，分为7个处理，每处理10个重复，每个试验单元20只鸡。试验处理为：阳性对照，配制充分满足禽类营养需求；阴性对照1 （NC1）、阴性对照2 （NC2）和阴性对照3 (NC3)，根据植酸酶养分释放基质进行养分还原配制，但不添加酶；NC1、NC2和NC3分别添加500、750和1000 FTU植酸酶。与阴性对照组相比，添加植酸酶可提高（P < 0.05）体增重、饲料系数和最终体重，即使在有效磷(P)、总钙（Ca）、总钠、代谢能、粗蛋白质和可消化氨基酸同时降低的饲粮中，这些参数也恢复到与阳性对照组相当的水平。血清钙、磷水平、骨指标（包括Seedor指数、断骨强度、灰分和镁浓度）均与阳性对照组相当（P < 0.05）。植酸酶的补充进一步提高了体成分，添加植酸酶的禽类瘦组织、蛋白质和骨骼的沉积量增加（P < 0.05）。本研究的主要贡献是确认了植酸酶作为具有挑战性的饮食中的营养工具的有效性，证明了其恢复性能和骨质量的能力，其益处超出了磷的利用。

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引用次数: 0

Managing without pharmaceutical zinc in Danish pig production – insights from farmers and veterinarians 丹麦生猪生产中无锌药品管理——来自农民和兽医的见解

IF 1.9 3区农林科学 Q2 AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE

Livestock Science

Pub Date : 2025-09-11 DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105822

Hanne Kongsted, Eimear Theresa Mc Loughlin

In June 2022, Danish authorities implemented the EU ban on ‘pharmaceutical levels of zinc oxide’ (pZnO) in pig herds to protect the environment from pollution from heavy metals. Following the ban, an increased use of antibiotics was seen, especially for treating post-weaning diarrhoea.

The study used joint semi-structured interviews with farmers (n = 10) and vets (n = 8) to explore the challenges encountered in Danish pig herds and the background for the increased use of antibiotics following the ban. Interviews were carried out between January and April 2024.

Interviewees explained how diarrhoea, general unthriftiness, increased use of antibiotics and problems with antibiotic resistance were often the consequences of not providing pZnO. The most common measures to protect pigs from postweaning diarrhoea were changes in feeding management to ensure a steady feed intake and to avoid high levels of protein. However, in many cases such changes did not offset the negative effects, and some herds continuously struggled with unthrifty pigs. Surprisingly, most vets could not explain the possible reason that some herds were relatively unaffected whilst others experienced severe problems.

The study sheds light on the restrictive systemic conditions in modern Danish pig farming and how they affect the possibilities for adapting to societal demands. Many agreed that extensive management measures like lowered stocking density and increased weaning age might enable weaning without pharmaceuticals, but these measures were generally considered too expensive. In addition to increased disease occurrence, the increased use of antibiotics was explained by regulatory frameworks and intentions to support a ‘smoothly running production’.

2022年6月，丹麦当局实施了欧盟对猪群中“药用水平氧化锌”（pZnO）的禁令，以保护环境免受重金属污染。禁令实施后，抗生素的使用有所增加，尤其是用于治疗断奶后腹泻。该研究通过对农民（n = 10）和兽医（n = 8）的联合半结构化访谈来探讨丹麦猪群面临的挑战以及禁令后抗生素使用增加的背景。采访在2024年1月至4月期间进行。受访者解释说，不提供氧化锌往往会导致腹泻、普遍不节俭、抗生素使用增加和抗生素耐药性问题。保护猪免受断奶后腹泻的最常见措施是改变饲养管理，以确保稳定的采食量并避免高水平的蛋白质。然而，在许多情况下，这些变化并没有抵消负面影响，一些猪群继续与不节俭的猪作斗争。令人惊讶的是，大多数兽医都无法解释为什么有些畜群相对没有受到影响，而另一些则经历了严重的问题。该研究揭示了现代丹麦养猪业的限制性系统条件，以及它们如何影响适应社会需求的可能性。许多人同意，降低牲畜密度和增加断奶年龄等广泛的管理措施可能使断奶不需要药物，但这些措施通常被认为过于昂贵。除了疾病发生率增加之外，监管框架和支持“顺利生产”的意图也解释了抗生素使用增加的原因。

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引用次数: 0

Effects of timing and duration of stepwise vitamin–mineral premix withdrawal on welfare indicators and trace mineral excretion in broilers 逐步停用维生素矿物质预混料的时间和持续时间对肉鸡福利指标和微量矿物质排泄的影响

IF 1.9 3区农林科学 Q2 AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE

Livestock Science

Pub Date : 2025-09-08 DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105821

S. Siahpour , M.A.Karimi Torshizi , O. Jangjou , H. Saleh

Trace mineral supplementation via vitamin–mineral premixes (VMP) is essential for broiler health and productivity but may contribute to environmental pollution through excessive mineral excretion. This study investigated the effects of time-based VMP withdrawal at different production stages on growth performance, bone mineralization, immune function, antioxidant capacity, welfare indicators, and zinc and copper excretion in broilers. A total of 500 one-day-old male Ross 308 chicks were allocated to five dietary treatments (five replicates per treatment; 20 birds/replicate) in a completely randomized design over 42days. Treatments consisted of a control group (VMP fed for 42 days) and four time-dependent withdrawal groups, where VMP was removed for the final 7, 14, 21, and 28 days of the trial. Growth performance, tibia characteristics, leg condition, serum immunoglobulins (IgM, IgG, IgA), cytokines (IL-10, IL-6, IL-1β), antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD, GPx), total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde (MDA), and fecal mineral excretion were measured. Data were analyzed using a general linear model with Tukey’s test (P < 0.05) Results showed that earlier VMP withdrawal impaired growth, bone integrity, immunity, and antioxidant status while increasing feed conversion ratio, pro-inflammatory cytokines, MDA levels, and gait abnormalities. However, zinc and copper excretion decreased progressively as withdrawal occurred earlier. These findings suggest that strategically timed VMP withdrawal during the final production phase may reduce environmental impact without compromising broiler health, offering a practical and sustainable mineral management strategy.

通过维生素矿物质预混料（VMP）补充微量矿物质对肉鸡的健康和生产至关重要，但过量的矿物质排泄可能导致环境污染。本试验旨在研究不同生产阶段VMP停饲对肉仔鸡生长性能、骨矿化、免疫功能、抗氧化能力、福利指标及锌铜排泄的影响。试验采用完全随机设计，将500只1日龄雄性罗斯308雏鸡分为5个饲粮处理（每个处理5个重复，每个重复20只鸡），试验期42d。治疗包括一个对照组（VMP喂养42天）和四个时间依赖性戒断组，其中VMP在试验的最后7,14,21和28天被移除。测定生长性能、胫骨特征、腿部状况、血清免疫球蛋白（IgM、IgG、IgA）、细胞因子（IL-10、IL-6、IL-1β）、抗氧化酶（CAT、SOD、GPx）、总抗氧化能力、丙二醛（MDA）和粪便矿物质排泄量。数据采用Tukey检验的一般线性模型进行分析（P < 0.05）。结果显示，早期停用VMP会损害生长、骨完整性、免疫力和抗氧化能力，同时增加饲料转化率、促炎细胞因子、MDA水平和步态异常。然而，随着停药时间的提前，锌和铜的排泄量逐渐减少。这些发现表明，在最终生产阶段有策略地定时退出VMP可能会减少对环境的影响，而不会损害肉鸡的健康，提供了一种实用和可持续的矿物管理策略。

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引用次数: 0

Effect of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae oil feed inclusion on growth performance and fecal microbiome development in post-weaning pigs 黑虻幼虫油饲料包埋对断奶后仔猪生长性能和粪便微生物群发育的影响

IF 1.9 3区农林科学 Q2 AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE

Livestock Science

Pub Date : 2025-09-05 DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105819

Matteo Buffoni , Marco Viveen , J Arjan GM De Visser , Lapo Mughini-Gras , Rob JL Willems , Anita C Schürch , Jannigje G Kers

Post-weaning (PW) is a stressful period in the early life of growing pigs. Changes in diet may cause a shift in microbiome composition of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), with potential effects on piglet health. Here, we evaluate the effect of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) oil, as a sustainable nutrient source, on growth performance and fecal microbiome composition in PW pigs. Two trials were conducted, with Trial 1 including 60 piglets, of which 40 were sampled for microbiome analysis, and Trial 2 involving 160 piglets, of which 122 were sampled. All piglets were approximately 21 days old, Topigs/Pietrain crossbreed, weighed over 5 kg, and both trials lasted 39 days post-weaning. To assess the impact of BSFL oil blend on microbiome composition, 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was performed on fecal samples collected on day 11 and 26 in Trial 1, and day 11 and 42 in Trial 2. No direct effects of BSFL oil blend implementation were observed on pig general performance in terms of body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG) and gain-to-feed ratio (G). Moreover, no difference in microbiome development was observed with BSFL oil blend relative to soy and palm kernel oil. These results indicate that BSFL oil is a valid alternative nutrient source for weaned pigs, as both performance and microbiome are unaffected.

断奶后（PW）是生长猪生命早期的一个紧张时期。日粮的改变可能导致胃肠道微生物组组成的改变，对仔猪健康有潜在影响。本试验旨在研究黑虻幼虫油作为一种可持续营养源对PW猪生长性能和粪便微生物组成的影响。试验1为60头仔猪，其中40头进行微生物组分析；试验2为160头仔猪，其中122头进行微生物组分析。所有仔猪均约21日龄，为托猪/皮特雷恩杂交，体重均超过5公斤，断奶后均持续39天。为了评估BSFL油混合物对微生物组组成的影响，在试验1的第11天和第26天以及试验2的第11天和第42天收集的粪便样本进行16S rRNA基因扩增子测序。饲粮中添加BSFL油对猪的一般生产性能（体重、平均日增重和料重比）无直接影响。此外，与大豆油和棕榈仁油相比，BSFL混合油在微生物组发育方面没有差异。这些结果表明，BSFL油是一种有效的替代营养来源，因为它对断奶仔猪的生产性能和微生物群都没有影响。

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引用次数: 0

Carbon and nitrogen footprints of Northern Chinese sheep and goat in the context of “Carbon Neutrality” “碳中和”背景下中国北方绵羊和山羊的碳氮足迹

IF 1.9 3区农林科学 Q2 AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE

Livestock Science

Pub Date : 2025-09-03 DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105818

Fan Jiao , Zhenyu Liu , Hua Li

The goals of carbon neutrality and environmental sustainability are driving the global transition to a low-carbon and low-nitrogen economy. As a key component of agriculture, livestock and poultry farming is a significant source of carbon and nitrogen emissions. Specifically, among meats products, ruminant-derived meats have the highest carbon and nitrogen footprints. However, a systematic study on the carbon and nitrogen footprints of sheep remains underexplored. This study aims to address this gap by conducting a detailed assessment of the carbon and nitrogen footprints of goats and sheep across different farming modes in North China, employing a full life cycle assessment (LCA) approach. The LCA includes emissions from feed production, enteric fermentation, manure management, and energy consumption. The results show that the average carbon footprint of sheep is 19.10 kg CO₂-eq/kg carcass weight (CW), slightly higher than the 18.9 kg CO₂-eq/kg CW for goats. In contrast, sheep have an average nitrogen footprint of 127 g N-eq/kg CW, lower than the 191 g N-eq/kg CW for goats. Emissions decrease as production scales increase, with sheep generally showing a lower overall environmental impact. This reduction stems from three key factors: higher feed conversion efficiency in mixed systems; improved manure management lowering methane from anaerobic decomposition compared to unmanaged grazing manure; and reduced emissions from feed cultivation, as optimized feed composition and lower overall consumption in mixed systems decrease fertilizer and energy use during crop growing. These findings not only provide valuable insights into the environmental sustainability of sheep farming but also offer practical emission reduction strategies. By linking these findings to global carbon neutrality goals, this study contributes to the advancement of sustainable livestock farming and environmental stewardship in the long term.

碳中和和环境可持续性的目标正在推动全球向低碳低氮经济转型。作为农业的重要组成部分，牲畜和家禽养殖是碳和氮排放的重要来源。具体来说，在肉类产品中，反刍动物衍生的肉类具有最高的碳和氮足迹。然而，对羊的碳和氮足迹的系统研究仍未得到充分的探索。本研究旨在通过采用全生命周期评估（LCA）方法，对华北地区不同养殖模式下山羊和绵羊的碳和氮足迹进行详细评估，以解决这一差距。LCA包括饲料生产、肠道发酵、粪便管理和能源消耗的排放。结果表明：绵羊的平均碳足迹为19.10 kg co2当量/kg胴体重，略高于山羊的18.9 kg co2当量/kg胴体重。相比之下，绵羊的平均氮足迹为127 g n当量/kg连续水，低于山羊的191 g n当量/kg连续水。随着生产规模的增加，排放量会减少，绵羊对环境的总体影响一般较低。这种减少源于三个关键因素：混合系统中饲料转换效率更高；与未管理的放牧粪肥相比，改进的粪肥管理降低了厌氧分解产生的甲烷；通过优化饲料成分和降低混合系统的总体消耗，减少了作物生长过程中肥料和能源的使用，从而减少了饲料种植的排放。这些发现不仅为畜牧业的环境可持续性提供了有价值的见解，而且还提供了切实可行的减排策略。通过将这些发现与全球碳中和目标联系起来，本研究有助于长期推进可持续畜牧业和环境管理。

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引用次数: 0

The effect of weaning age on physiological, behavioral, and performance indicators of welfare in weaned piglets 断奶日龄对断奶仔猪生理、行为和生产性能指标的影响

IF 1.9 3区农林科学 Q2 AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE

Livestock Science

Pub Date : 2025-09-02 DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105816

Bianca F. Metallo, Lucas C. Spetic Da Selva, Arieli D. Da Fonseca, Richard T. Niblett, Edgar O. Aviles-Rosa

For the past 25 years, the United States and European Union swine industries have differed in their welfare standards related to weaning age. Thus, the optimal weaning age for piglets continues to be a subject of debate. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of weaning piglets at 3 and 4 weeks of age on a set of physiological, behavioral, and performance indicators of welfare. Sixteen litters (N = 160 piglets) were assigned to be weaned at approximately 3 (n = 80) or 4 (n = 80) weeks of age based on the sow’s farrowing date and balancing for sow parity. At weaning, piglets were blocked by weight and randomly housed in pens of 5 piglets. Blood samples were collected prior to weaning and at 24 hours and 7 days post-weaning. A subset of pens was video recorded for the first 48 hours post-weaning, and weight gain and feed intake were monitored for 28 days post-weaning. Piglets weaned at 3 weeks showed a higher neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (P < 0.001) at 24 hours post-weaning, and displayed less feeding behavior (P < 0.05) during the first 24 hours post-weaning, compared to piglets weaned at 4 weeks. Overall, piglets weaned at 3 weeks had lower average daily feed intake (P < 0.001) and lower average daily gain (P < 0.001) during the 28-day nursery phase. Our results indicate that weaning piglets at 4 weeks of age, as opposed to 3 weeks, has a positive impact not only on their performance, but also on behavioral and physiological indicators of welfare.

在过去的25年里，美国和欧盟的养猪业在与断奶年龄相关的福利标准上存在差异。因此，仔猪的最佳断奶年龄仍然是一个有争议的话题。本研究的目的是评估3和4周龄断奶仔猪对一系列生理、行为和性能指标的影响。根据母猪的分娩期和胎次平衡，16窝（N = 160头仔猪）分别在约3 （N = 80）或4 （N = 80）周龄断奶。断奶时，按体重分组，随机安置在5头仔猪的圈内。分别于断奶前、断奶后24小时和7天采集血样。在断奶后的48小时内，对一组猪栏进行录像，并在断奶后的28天内监测其增重和采食量。与4周断奶仔猪相比，3周断奶仔猪在断奶后24小时中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞比值较高（P < 0.001），断奶前24小时的摄食行为较低（P < 0.05）。总体而言，3周断奶仔猪在28天的保育期平均日采食量较低（P < 0.001），平均日增重较低（P < 0.001）。我们的研究结果表明，与3周龄相比，4周龄断奶仔猪不仅对其生产性能有积极影响，而且对行为和生理指标的福利也有积极影响。

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引用次数: 0