The objective of this study was to estimate economic values (ev), genetic gains (gg), and economic contributions (ec) of age at first calving (AFC), calving interval (CI), longevity (LONG), weaning weight (WW), weight at 16 months (W16), and weight at 24 months (W24) within a selection index for the Romosinuano breed. Three production scenarios were evaluated according to the selling age of animals (8, 16, and 24 months). Productive and reproductive parameters were obtained from records provided by AGROSAVIA between 1976 and 2021, while economic information was collected using a structured format designed to characterize production systems. The ev were calculated as the partial derivative of profit per hectare, and ec were derived from gg and ev. Profit per hectare was 239.7, 198.41, and 294.95 USD in scenarios 1, 2, and 3, respectively. CI showed the most relevant ev in scenarios 1 (-0.794 USD) and 3 (-0.979 USD), whereas W16 had the greatest economic value in scenario 2 (1.05 USD). AFC showed negative values across the three scenarios, in contrast to LONG, which presented positive values and considerable ec (0.56, 0.34, and 0.77 USD). Furthermore, WW and AFC were important in scenario 1, while W16 and W24 were relevant in scenarios 2 and 3. In conclusion, CI was confirmed as the trait with the greatest economic impact, whereas W16 and AFC were identified as relevant traits to be included in balanced selection indices. Also, the contribution of LONG highlights the role of Romosinuano cattle in resilient and sustainable Colombian beef production systems.
Buffaloes do not exhibit overt estrus signs particularly during summer, leading to a significant economic loss to farmers. Previous studies have identified several candidate transcripts (HSP70, TIMP1, TLR4 and HSD17B1), abundant in buffalo saliva during estrus stage. However, there is no widely applicable technology for estrus detection targeting these transcripts. Therefore, the present study aimed to develop reverse transcription loop mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assays for these candidate transcripts using buffalo saliva. Saliva samples were collected from 10 cyclic buffaloes and RT-LAMP assays were optimized for salivary RNA as well as direct saliva. Among the four candidate transcripts, HSP70 showed a statistically significant colour change (p-value = 0.0191) at the estrus stage compared to the diestrus stage. This abundance of HSP70 was also supported in large simulated population datasets (10,000 animals) generated using R. Further, the RT-LAMP assays were tested using direct saliva without RNA isolation, and the colour change in the samples during estrus suggested the feasibility of estrus identification using direct saliva, overcoming the tedious step of RNA isolation. The detection of HSP70 using either direct saliva or salivary RNA indicated its potential as a marker for estrus identification. Similarly, TLR4 appeared to be another potential biomarker for RT-LAMP reaction using direct saliva, but it needs further validation in both RNA and direct saliva samples. Overall, the proof-of-concept on RT-LAMP assays optimized for salivary transcripts in the present study would be useful for estrus identification in tropical production systems following further validation on a larger sample size.
In order to investigate the CpHV-2 infection in goat and determine the age at which virus shedding occurs, 195 female goats from four suburbs of Ahvaz were studied. The studied goats were divided into six age groups; 3-<6, 6-<12 months to 1, 2, 3, and ≥ 4 years. Blood and nasal swab samples were taken from each animal, and DNA extraction were performed from buffy coats and swab sample. Semi-nested PCR was used to detect CpHV-2 DNA. The results showed that 63.6
Ixodid ticks infesting camels act as vectors of tick-borne diseases, which pose significant public health challenges and cause considerable socio-economic losses to the livestock industry in tropical and subtropical regions. This study aimed to identify the predominant ixodid tick species infesting dromedary camels and to evaluate their diversity in the arid and semi-arid climates of southern Algeria from 2016 to 2025. Sampling was carried out across major camel-rearing regions at various sites, including farms, slaughterhouses, and livestock markets. A total of 539 adult ixodid ticks were collected from 102 infested camels, of which 60 engorged females were identified as Hyalomma. spp. The remaining 479 ticks consisted of 300 males (62.6
This study evaluated the effects of strain and sex on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of slow-growing broilers reared in a semi-intensive free-range system at different slaughter ages. A total of 864 one-day-old chicks from four commercial slow-growing strains (Pescoço Pelado Hubbard, Pescoço Pelado Sasso, Pesadão Hubbard, and Pesadão Sasso) were assigned to a completely randomized 4 × 2 factorial design (strain × sex). Growth performance was evaluated at 70, 77, and 84 d of age, and carcass traits and meat quality parameters were assessed at each slaughter age. Male birds showed greater body weight, higher feed intake, and better feed conversion ratio than females at all evaluated ages (P < 0.05). Pescoço Pelado Hubbard and Pesadão Hubbard strains exhibited superior growth performance compared with the Sasso strains (P < 0.05). Females showed greater breast yield, whereas males had higher thigh–drumstick yield (P < 0.05). A significant strain × sex interaction was observed for carcass yield at 77 d (P < 0.05), with Pescoço Pelado Hubbard males showing greater carcass yield than females of the same strain, whereas no sex differences were observed within the other strains. Meat quality traits differed according to strain and sex at specific slaughter ages, particularly in colour parameters, pH, cooking loss, and shear force (P < 0.05). A significant strain × sex interaction was observed for cooking loss at 84 d (P < 0.05), with Pesadão Sasso females showing greater cooking loss than males of the same strain, whereas no sex differences occurred within the other strains. These interactions demonstrate that the effect of sex on specific carcass and meat quality traits can vary among genotypes at particular slaughter ages. Overall, Hubbard strains demonstrated superior productive performance under semi-intensive free-range conditions, while the genotype-specific sex responses observed for carcass yield and cooking loss highlight the importance of considering both factors when defining slaughter strategies.
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different probiotic administration methods on productive performance, intestinal health, and visceral organ development in broiler chickens. The study used 400 one-day-old unsexed Lohmann broiler chicks reared for 35 days and randomly allocated into 4 treatments and 5 replicates (20 birds per replicate) using a completely randomized design. The probiotics contained Lactobacillus sp. (2 × 107 CFU/mL), Bacillus sp. (1.6 × 107 CFU/mL), and Streptomyces sp. (7.4 × 109 CFU/mL). The probiotic administration methods included: untreated (control, T1), administered in drinking water (T2), sprayed onto the litter (T3), and administered through drinking water and sprayed onto the litter (T4). Probiotics were supplied at 2 mL/L of drinking water and 80 mL per pen (2 m × 1 m) for the spraying treatment. The results showed that compared to the control, probiotic administration (T2 and T4) improved (p < 0.05) body weight gain, feed intake, and decreased feed conversion ratio (FCR), water intake, mortality, and spleen weight. Intestinal health status improved (p < 0.05), as indicated by increased lactic acid bacteria populations and enhanced villus length, surface area, and crypt depth. Ileum weight (
This retrospective, observational study examined the associations of female category, body condition score (BCS), timing of progesterone device removal, and repeated device use with pregnancy per fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) in Nelore females managed under field conditions. Records from 109 farms in Minas Gerais, Brazil, comprising 31,358 cyclic females (10,079 heifers and 21,279 multiparous cows) at their first FTAI of the breeding season, were analysed. Associations were estimated using multivariable logistic regression, which modeled all factors jointly and included farm as a random effect to account for clustering of females within farms; pairwise contrasts were adjusted for multiple comparisons, and exact p-values are reported. The overall pregnancy rate was 51.5
In grazing dairy systems, seasonal changes in climate and forage conditions may influence feed intake, mineral supply, and energy balance during the transition period. Thus, to evaluate the association between calving season and the odds of hypomagnesemia, hypophosphatemia, elevated non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), and low body condition score (BCS) in Holstein dairy cows, a cross-sectional study was conducted on 865 cows from 122 commercial dairy farms in Uruguay. Blood samples were collected once from each cow between 1 and 3 days postpartum, and multivariable logistic regression was used to assess associations between calving season and metabolic outcomes, accounting for parity and its interaction with season. Compared with summer-calving cows, autumn- and winter-calving cows had higher odds of hypomagnesemia, and winter-calving cows also had increased odds of hypophosphatemia and elevated NEFA concentrations. A significant interaction between parity and season was observed for low BCS, with the greatest odds in autumn- and winter-calving multiparous cows and in winter-calving primiparous cows. In conclusion, calving season, particularly winter, was associated with greater mineral and metabolic imbalances and inadequate BCS in grazing dairy cows in Uruguay.
This study aimed to evaluate the impact of microclimatic modifications on the behavior of Murrah buffaloes under summer conditions in order to mitigate these effects. The research was carried out at the buffalo farm of the Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary Sciences, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, India, between August and October 2024. Eighteen lactating Murrah buffaloes were allocated into three treatment groups, each consisting of six animals, within a loose housing system: (T1) Concrete flooring with corrugated asbestos roofing (control); (T2) Concrete flooring with 50 mm thick glass wool on the false ceiling and white paint on the upper side of the roof; (T3) Concrete flooring with 70 mm thick expanded polyethylene sheet on the ceiling and white paint on the upper side of the roof. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of microclimatic changes on the Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) and behavioral responses of Murrah buffaloes. THI levels were significantly reduced in both T2 and T3 treatment groups. Behavioral observations indicated an increase in lying time, sitting time, and time spent in covered areas during T2, whereas standing time, time in open areas, and aggressive behaviors were diminished in treatments with microclimatic modifications. The Buffalo Comfort Index (BCI) was highest in the T2 group, followed by the T3 group. THI exhibited a strong positive correlation with time spent in open areas, while showing a negative correlation with time spent in covered areas and the buffalo comfort index (BCI). In summary, the implementation of microclimatic modifications, specifically the use of glass wool and expanded polyethylene sheets, in conjunction with white paint on the roof, effectively mitigated heat stress, enhanced thermal comfort, and improved the overall behavioral response of lactating Murrah buffaloes. Based on these findings, we recommend the adoption of glass wool insulation (50 mm thickness) combined with white-painted roofing as an effective heat stress mitigation strategy for dairy buffaloes in tropical loose housing systems, particularly during summer months.
Increasing restrictions on antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) have intensified demand for safe and effective dietary alternatives in poultry production. This study evaluated the effects of graded dietary inclusion of Stabilized Products of Sorghum Enriched with Lactobacilli (SPSL) on growth performance, organ morphometry, intestinal morphometry, hematological parameters, and serum oxidative stress markers in indigenous guinea keets (Numida meleagris). A total of 600 one-day-old guinea keets were allocated to a completely randomized design with six treatments and four replicates of 25 birds each: a negative control (T−, basal diet), an antibiotic-positive control (T+, TetracolivitND at 1 g/L in drinking water for five consecutive days per month), and four graded SPSL inclusion levels (0.50
In this study, the effects of diets prepared using groundnut cake (GNC) instead of fish meal on growth performance, fillet composition, amino acid profile, fatty acids, digestive enzymes and histological parameters in juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were investigated. In the experiment, which lasted 80 days and in which the average water temperature was 27 ± 1 °C, 30 tilapia with an average weight of 9.85 g were stocked in each 450-L tank. Experimental groups were planned as follows: control (0
The adoption of appropriate and reliable water reuse strategies can contribute to the sustainability of intensive dairy farming in water-stressed regions like India. The suitability of Treated Effluent Water (TEW), obtained through a low-cost, farm-scale treatment process, was assessed for use as a drinking source by dairy bovines. The effluent was subjected to a multistage treatment process comprising coagulation, filtration, and chlorination before its utilisation. A total of 144 animals—Murrah buffalo, Karan Fries cattle, and Tharparkar cattle—across various age and sex groups were included in a 3-month trial. Water quality analysis showed that the treated water was clear, odourless, and free of detectable coliforms and enteric pathogens, with total dissolved solids (TDS) of 556 mg/L, conductivity of 603 µS/cm, and salinity of 381 ppm, all within the permissible limits. No significant differences were observed between the control and TEW-fed groups in dry matter intake, total water intake, or growth performance, indicating normal feed utilisation and palatability. Physiological parameters, i.e., rectal temperature, respiration rate, and pulse rate and haematological indices (Hb, PCV, TEC, TLC, DLC) remained within normal ranges, with no evidence of osmotic or metabolic stress over the trial period. Furthermore, the low and stable gastrointestinal parasite load in both groups gave no indication of waterborne parasite transmission. Under the conditions tested, correctly treated dairy effluent water was not associated with detectable adverse effects on short-term intake, growth, or physiological status. These findings describe the absence of short-term adverse effects and should not be read as evidence of safety, which cannot be established from a 12-week trial in the absence of toxicological testing and residue analysis of animal products. Long-term, adequately powered studies incorporating residue and toxicological assessment are required before any conclusion regarding safety can be drawn.
This study evaluated the effects of partially replacing sugarcane silage with Moringa oleifera silage on carcass traits and meat quality of lambs. Sixteen male Santa Inês × Dorper lambs (23.0 ± 2.00 kg; 6 months old) were assigned to either sugarcane silage (C) or a mixed silage containing sugarcane and M. oleifera (C + M; 50:50 on a dry matter basis) over a 75-day experimental period, including 15 days of adaptation and 60 days of evaluation. Carcasses were evaluated for fasting weight, hot and cold carcass weights, carcass yields, non-carcass components, fat cover, ribeye area, and commercial cut yields. Meat quality was assessed in the Longissimus lumborum muscle for pH, lightness (L*), redness (a*), yellowness (b*), chroma (C*), hue angle (h°), cooking loss, shear force, proximate composition, and oxidative stability based on thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Lambs fed the C + M diet had lower fasting and hot carcass weights than those fed the control diet (p < 0.01), whereas fat cover and ribeye area were not significantly affected. Meat dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, and ash contents did not differ between treatments (p > 0.05). Color parameters, oxidative stability, and shear force were also unaffected by dietary treatment. Cooking loss was higher in the C + M group (p < 0.05), indicating lower water-holding capacity under the evaluated conditions. Overall, replacing 50
Heat stress in tropical and subtropical dairy systems invariably affects fertility because it reduces the rate of conception and increases the calving period. Although traditional visual techniques of reproductive event detection are insensitive and subject to errors, precision livestock farming (PLF) technologies such as accelerometers, rumination sensors, infrared thermography, and in-line progesterone assays can provide automated, continuous reproductive event detection. However, heat stress suppresses key behavioral signs such as activity, reducing the sensitivity of many automated systems and introducing heat-dependent misclassification. A critical gap remains in systematically linking sensor performance across temperature-humidity index (THI) strata to the design of genetic selection programs for heat resilience. This review, therefore, (1) evaluates validation evidence for sensor-based phenotyping of estrus, pregnancy, and calving; (2) assesses how rising THI degrades diagnostic accuracy through signal suppression; and (3) proposes a framework for standardizing sensor-derived phenotypes into genetically robust fertility and resilience traits. We emphasize that without explicit modeling of heat exposure and repeated phenotyping, environmental variance increases, heritability declines, and the reliability of estimated breeding values is consequently undermined. The integration of multi-sensor data with THI-indexed phenotypes enables more stable genetic selection for improved fertility in heat-stressed dairy herds.
Lactating ewes exhibit markedly increased nutritional requirements, and inadequate nutrient supply may impair lactogenesis, leading to reduced milk yield, restricted lamb growth, and substantial losses in productive efficiency. We aimed to evaluate the effects of ewe supplementation at 0.5 and 1.0
Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) are large ruminants with a superior ability to digest and utilize low-quality forages, producing milk and meat of higher quality compared to cattle. Despite their importance in animal production, buffaloes remain the focus of relatively few studies aimed at defining their nutritional requirements, which often results in inadequate diet formulation and management. There, this study aimed to conduct a systematic review of the literature on buffalo nutritional requirements, considering only open-access papers published in English and in indexed journals. A total of 58 studies met the inclusion criteria. Most of them focused on dairy buffaloes, particularly on the evaluation of crude protein, energy levels, and fiber content in the diet. Mineral nutrition was addressed in eight studies; however, in general the evaluated levels showed no significant effects. In contrast, very few or no studies were found concerning beef buffaloes, growing animals, reproduction, or other production stages. These findings highlight a critical gap in the literature and reinforce the urgent need to direct more research efforts and resources toward establishing species-specific nutritional requirements, particularly for beef buffaloes.
The status of anthelmintic resistance against benzimidazole (BZ), levamisole (LV) and ivermectin (IVM) was assessed in Haemonchus contortus at ten sheep flocks in Gangetic plains of India by using larval development assay (LDA) and PCR based molecular assays like allele specific PCR (AS-PCR) targeting SNP at F200Y of β- tubulin isotype-1 gene of H. contortus (BZ resistance) and PCR targeting insertion or deletion of 63 bp in acr-8b gene of H. contortus (LV resistance). Resistance to benzimidazole was detected in 10/10 flocks, levamisole resistance in 3/10 flocks, and ivermectin resistance in 2/10 flocks. Multiple resistance to albendazole, levamisole and ivermectin was observed in both Ayodhya flocks, whereas resistance to albendazole and levamisole was observed in one Etah flock. The findings highlight the emergence of multiple anthelmintic resistance in H. contortus in Uttar Pradesh, India. Proper monitoring of anthelmintic resistance and sound managemental practices are urgently required to mitigate further spread of anthelmintic resistance across India.
Hemotropic pathogens such as Anaplasma, Babesia, Mycoplasma, and Trypanosoma are endemic to cattle and can cause coinfections, complicating disease dynamics and control. However, the host-related factors influencing these infections under tropical conditions remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of hemotropic monoinfections and coinfections in ruminants tested for hemotropic pathogens and to identify host-related factors associated with coinfection in cattle under field conditions in Colombia. A total of 104 animals were included: 91 cattle, 10 buffaloes, and 3 goats. Among the cattle, 34 (37.4
This study aimed to estimate genetic parameters for body weight in 1,949 Murrah buffalo females raised under tropical conditions. Random regression models with Legendre polynomials were used to analyze growth data. Heritability estimates increased with age, ranging from 0.058 (at 28 days of age) to 0.244 (at 693 days of age). Genetic correlations decreased as the interval between weighing ages increased, reaching 0.1916 between 30 and 720 days of age. The findings suggest that selection for growth is more effective at older ages and that random regression models provide accurate genetic evaluations for female buffaloes in tropical environments.
In Argentina, diseases that cause abortion pose a considerable threat to beef herds due to their economic implications. Previous research has shown variable results regarding their impact, primarily due to the different time points at which they were evaluated, leading to outdated findings, and due to a not accurate methodology. This study aims to quantify the economic losses due to abortions caused by brucellosis and neosporosis in Argentine beef herds. To calculate these losses, the cost per abortion was multiplied by the total number of abortions. The cost per abortion was determined using the Price Differential Method, comparing average prices of pregnant and non-pregnant cows during the months when abortions occur. To account for temporal fluctuations, the calculation spanned a 13-year period. The number of abortions was estimated considering the susceptible population, reproductive parameters, and the percentage attributable to each disease. The results indicated that the average cost per abortion was US266.23 for brucellosis (range: 167.11 to 448.70) and US245.71 for neosporosis (range: 159.63 to 413.07). At the national level, the average economic loss was US1.46 million for brucellosis (range: 0.92 to 2.46 million) and US1.62 million for neosporosis (range: 1.06 to 2.73 million). These costs were lower than those in other studies due to differences in methodologies and assumptions. This study enhances the estimation of the economic impact of abortions by recognizing that the value of these losses depends on changing market conditions over time and provides essential information to develop more effective strategies for their control.
