-
Aug
22
Interpretive Summary: Integrating computer vision algorithms and RFID system for identification and tracking of group-housed animals: an example with pigs
In precision livestock farming, monitoring animal activity is crucial to ensure their health, well-being, and productivity. While digital cameras and computer vision algorithms offer a promising solution for this task, tracking individual animals of similar appearance when housed in groups can be challenging. Close interaction among animals can lead to a loss of individual identity, which affects tracking accuracy.
Read more
-
Aug
22
Interpretive Summary: Effect of feeding calf starter with calcium salts of medium-chain fatty acids on the growth and metabolic hormones in calves
Calves are prone to growth retardation because of insufficient energy intake during the weaning transition period. Starch is the main energy source used in the formulation of calf starters. However, there is a concern that preweaned calves do not have sufficient functional rumen and small intestine to digest large amounts of starch, causing diarrhea, and decreased feed intake.
Read more
-
Aug
22
Interpretive Summary: Phenotypic relationships between meat quality parameters and residual feed intake in Japanese black Wagyu cattle
The Japanese black cattle, or Wagyu, are known because of its exceptional meat quality and its high degree of marbling. However, to achieve this condition, animals are fed with high amount of concentrate and over long periods of time. In order to decrease both environmental impact and economic profitability of Wagyu producers, feed efficiency may be improved.
Read more
-
Aug
22
Interpretive Summary: Effects of rate of body weight gain during the first trimester of gestation on beef heifer and offspring performance, concentrations of hormones and metabolites, and response to vaccination
Generally, beef heifers are managed on grazing pastures during early gestation, which are subject to fluctuations in forage quantity and quality. Variations in the nutrients available to the dam can impact the developing offspring during early gestation. Providing energy/protein supplements to grazing cattle is a method to ensure nutrient requirements are being met and to enhance the rate of gain.
Read more
-
Aug
15
Interpretive Summary: Negative dietary cation and anion difference supplementation of twin-bearing Merino ewes grazing pasture in late gestation did not affect lamb growth or survival
In Australia, 53% of lamb deaths annually are caused by birthing difficulties, otherwise known as dystocia. Calcium and magnesium deficiencies in ewes during late gestation are suspected to be causing cases of dystocia. We evaluated a supplement that provided a negative dietary cation and anion difference which can influence calcium metabolism, and in turn, may reduce lamb death rates.
Read more
-
Aug
15
Interpretive Summary: Improving broiler health through cecal microbiota transplantation: a comprehensive study on growth, immunity, and microbial diversity
The cecal microbiota refers to a diverse community of microorganisms that play a crucial role in digestion, nutrient absorption, and overall gut health, influencing the well-being and performance of the host bird. In this study, we aimed to improve the health and growth of broiler chickens by exploring a unique approach called cecal microbiota transplantation.
Read more
-
Aug
15
Interpretive Summary: Effect of repeated HPA axis stimulation on hair cortisol concentration, growth, and behavior in preweaned dairy cattle
Measures to quantify long-term or chronic stress in livestock are limited. The amount of cortisol (a stress hormone) deposited in the hair has been used as a noninvasive measure of long-term stress in some livestock species; however, few studies have investigated its use in young dairy calves. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of hair cortisol as a less invasive measure of stress in calves.
Read more
-
Aug
15
Interpretive Summary: Recommendations on visit duration and sample number requirements for an automated head chamber system
GreenFeed systems (C-Lock Inc., Rapid City, SD) are being increasingly used for measuring carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) emissions and oxygen consumption (O2) of free-roaming cattle. These systems utilize averages of multiple visits to provide estimates of daily gas flux.
Read more
-
Aug
15
Interpretive Summary: Testing and characterization of herding dogs’ behaviors
Herding dogs are extremely useful in handling all types of livestock. They are selectively bred for success in herding dog competitions, but the abilities which that to success in these are not always the same as those needed on a farm. To produce efficient herding dogs, other abilities therefore needed to be tested, via new trials.
Read more
-
Aug
15
Interpretive Summary: Mulberry leaves supplementation alters lipid metabolism and promotes fatty acid β oxidation in growing mutton sheep
Mulberry leaves (MLs) are rich in a wide variety of active ingredients and are also a kind of traditional Chinese medicine with the same origin as medicine and food. Previous studies have found that MLs may regulate lipid metabolism. But the exact mechanism remains unclear.
Read more
-
Aug
08
ASAS Public Policy Committee Symposium: Government Science and Research Strategy as Applied to Animal Agriculture
The American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) Public Policy Committee (PPC) is dedicated to influencing public policy and opinion on issues affecting farm and companion animals. Meeting monthly, the PPC sets goals and creates conduits to make federal agencies aware of the rich scientific expertise and resources within the ASAS membership. This expertise can be leveraged to develop science-based federal policies impacting poultry and livestock production.
Read more
-
Aug
08
Interpretive Summary: Current Overview of Bison Ranching in the US
Bison ranching in the United States includes a diverse portfolio of operation sizes and goals. Some ranches are as small as a few head operating as small-scale hobby farms and others are as large as several thousand head roaming on ranches extending beyond 1000 km2.
Read more
-
Aug
08
Interpretive Summary: Impacts of Feral Swine on Rangeland Livestock Grazing Operations
Swine were introduced into the United States by early explores and settlers for food and it was not long after that feral populations became established from free-ranging animals and escapes from confinement. Then in the early 1900’s the Eurasian wild boar was introduced for sport hunting. Consequently, feral swine today are a mix of domestic pigs, Eurasian boars and hybrids of the two.
Read more
-
Aug
08
Interpretive Summary: 2026: The International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists
The road towards the declaration of an International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP2026) by the United Nations (UN) was a long one. The idea was first discussed at the International Rangeland and Grassland Congress held in Hohhot, China in 2008. Facilitated by the Rangelands Partnership and the Society for Range Management, the creation of an International Support Group in 2015 helped provide a stronger global focus as well as the integration of social and cultural dimensions.
Read more
-
Aug
08
Interpretive Summary: Wildfire Recovery for Rangeland Grazing Operations
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a wildfire is “an unplanned, unwanted fire burning in a natural area, such as a forest, grassland, or prairie. Wildfires can start from natural causes, such as lightning, but most are caused by humans, either accidentally or intentionally. Wildfires can damage natural resources, destroy homes, and threaten human lives and safety”.
Read more
-
Jul
18
Interpretive Summary: Effects of feeding different dietary rates of mixed fodder beet tops-wheat straw silage on the performance of Holstein lactating cows
The effects of dietary replacing corn silage (CS) with a mixed fodder beet tops-wheat straw silage (BS) on feed consumption and milk production efficiency, milk chemistry, estimated microbial-N synthesis, blood chemistry, and the blood and milk antioxidant status of lactating Holstein cows were assessed.
Read more
-
Jul
18
Interpretive Summary: Dietary supplementation with dihydroartemisinin improves intestinal barrier function in weaned piglets with intrauterine growth retardation by modulating the gut microbiota
Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) is defined as the restricted development of the mammalian fetus or its organs during pregnancy, which has high morbidity and mortality during the perinatal period and improves the risk of metabolic diseases in the long term. Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) is a derivative of artemisinin that possesses anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory effects.
Read more
-
Jul
18
Interpretive Summary: Protein quality of a small mammal prey and its body organs for felids
As obligate carnivores, free-ranging felids consume prey and rely on nutrients from animal organs. Studies in adult carnivores such as domestic cats have demonstrated the importance of the dietary amino acid profile. Therefore, this research used rats as a small prey model to analyze the amino acid composition and digestibility of whole prey and its body organs through in vitro digestion methods.
Read more
-
Jul
18
Interpretive Summary: Pregnancy risk in beef and dairy cows after supplementing semen with transforming growth factor beta-1 at the time of artificial insemination
Seminal plasma is the fluid portion of the ejaculate that is routinely removed or significantly diluted when preparing semen for artificial insemination. Seminal plasma has been shown to elicit changes to the tissues of the uterus at the time of insemination that improves pregnancy outcomes in rodents and swine.
Read more
-
Jul
18
Interpretive Summary: Milk microbiome in the first month of lactation and at weaning from ewes supplemented with zinc pre- and postpartum
Mastitis is an important disease with economic and welfare implications in both clinical and subclinical states. This research described the microbial diversity and taxonomy of milk collected from clinically healthy Rambouillet (WF; n = 9) and Hampshire (BF; n = 5) primiparous ewes in a longitudinal study involving differing dietary zinc concentrations
Read more