Winged bean tubers ( Psophocarpus tetragonolobus ) contain 12–25% crude protein and 25–30% starch on a dry matter basis, supporting their potential as an alternative energy–protein source in tropical ruminant systems. Recent breeding programs have developed improved varieties, including W018 and W099, with tuber yields reaching 22.4 t/ha under favorable conditions. These advances address previous constraints related to low productivity and variable composition. Processing strategies have been evaluated to improve ruminal utilization. In vitro studies indicate that replacing cassava chips with 66–100% winged bean tuber did not adversely affect rumen fermentation when diets were properly balanced. Fermentation with Crabtree‐negative yeasts increased in vitro dry matter digestibility and enhanced volatile fatty acid production, particularly propionate concentration. Pelleting enabled up to 100% replacement of corn meal in concentrate diets without impairing rumen fermentation parameters in beef cattle. Steam modification reduced ruminal starch degradability and increased bypass starch availability. In vivo evidence shows that partial substitution of cassava chips with 10–20% steam‐modified tuber improved dry matter intake, nitrogen retention, and fiber digestibility. Current findings support the technical feasibility of winged bean tuber as a feed ingredient in tropical production systems. Nevertheless, seasonal yield variation and limited long‐term animal trials indicate the need for continued agronomic improvement and further in vivo validation.
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of sugarcane particle size (short and long) on nutrient intake, digestibility, ingestive behavior, growth performance, tissue composition of the leg, centesimal composition, and physicochemical parameters of the meat of feedlot lambs. We used 24 castrated male Santa Inês lambs aged at 6 months, with an initial average weight of 23.5 ± 2.3 kg. The animals were fed two diets: short‐particle sugarcane (SPS) and long‐particle sugarcane (LPS), offered in total mixed ration at a roughage:concentrate ratio of 40:60. Lambs fed LPS presented higher ( p < 0.05) dry matter (+6.3%) and organic matter (+6.9%) intake, higher ( p < 0.05) rumination time (+31.8%), and better ( p < 0.05) feed conversion (−15.6%). Despite the higher ( p < 0.05) nutrient digestibility observed for lambs receiving SPS, there was no effect ( p > 0.05) of the roughage particle size on the final body weight (33.4 kg) or average daily gain (0.18 kg/day). The sugarcane particle size did not influence ( p > 0.05) the weights of the muscles (1.54 kg), fat (0.31 kg), and bones (0.48 kg) of the leg of the lambs. No effect was observed ( p > 0.05) of the form of roughage processing on the parameters of color, tenderness, or ether extract of lamb meat. Therefore, it is recommended to offer LPS in a total mixed ration to feedlot lambs.
The study of farm animal behaviour often relies on labour‐intensive observations, which can be impractical in extensive systems. Advances in technology (e.g. accelerometers and global positioning satellite (GPS) devices) can be used to record behaviours frequently, long‐term and remotely. Monitoring behaviour of livestock, in combination with other key information, such as environmental factors (e.g. weather, spore counts), feed quality and quantity, and animal performance, can be used to gain a deeper understanding of animal health and welfare. Changes in behaviour may be used as early warning indicators for important welfare and productivity issues, such as facial eczema and gastrointestinal parasites. This article describes current research where accelerometer sensors have demonstrated high accuracies (>80%) in tracking behaviours like grazing, ruminating and lying, and have successfully identified behavioural changes associated with gastrointestinal parasites. Research currently being undertaken in New Zealand to evaluate the ability of accelerometers and other technologies, such as acoustic sensors and GPS, to record measures associated with facial eczema, heat stress (e.g. respiration rate) and maternal behaviour of sheep, will be discussed. In summary, technologies including the use of accelerometers have the potential to guide management decisions and ultimately improve animal health, welfare and production efficiency on‐farm.
This study aimed to estimate the fractionation of carbohydrates and crude protein (CP), and the ruminal degradation rates of dry matter (DM), CP, and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) in sorghum silages. Silages were prepared with or without the addition of 10% cottonseed cake (CSC, natural matter basis) and Weissella cibaria (W. cibaria). The study followed a completely randomized design with four treatments: sorghum silage (SS), sorghum + 10% CSC (SSCSC), sorghum + W. cibaria (SSWC), and sorghum + 10% CSC + W. cibaria (SSCSCWC). Data were analyzed using nonlinear regression and mean comparison tests. The nonlinear models adequately described the degradation rates, with coefficients of determination exceeding 88%. All silages showed increased potential degradability of DM, CP, and NDF with increasing incubation time, exceeding 65%, 60%, and 50%, respectively, at 120 h in all silages. And silages with CSC showed increased CP degradability, at approximately 77%. Sorghum silage with W. cibaria had higher fiber content and greater true protein availability. Adding cottonseed cake increased DM and CP available for fermentation, which may enhance nutrient digestion and absorption when combined with W. cibaria, with 26.3% and 10.8% increases, respectively, compared to sorghum silage alone. The treatments also showed synchrony in DM degradation over incubation time. Therefore, they are recommended for use in sorghum silages.
This study evaluated heat tolerance and biochemical and haematological responses of Holstein cows exposed to different environmental conditions (full sun or shade) and feeding regimens (with or without concentrate) in the semi-arid region of Brazil. Sixteen adult cows were distributed across four treatments. Rectal temperature increased in sun-exposed cows from an average of 38.0 degrees C (8:00 a.m.) to 38.6 degrees C in the afternoon, reaching a maximum of 40.0 degrees C in the sun + concentrate treatment. Respiratory frequency was highest in sun + concentrate conditions at 12:00 p.m. (average 70.0 bpm; maximum 100 bpm). Heat tolerance index was highest in sun + concentrate conditions (average 4.0-3.7; maximum 5.4). Average daily gain was positive only for shaded cows, reaching 0.60 kg/day (with concentrate) and -0.41 kg/day (without), while sun-exposed animals lost weight (-2.37 and -3.41 kg/day). Cholesterol was lowest in cows under the sun without concentrate (55.41 mg/dL). Shaded cows receiving concentrate had increased red blood cell counts (6.65 million/mm3), but lower hemoglobin (11.99 g/dL), hematocrit (36.0%), mean corpuscular volume (54.27 fL), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (18.08 pg). Overall, shade combined with concentrate resulted in better heat tolerance, improved weight gain, and more s metabolic and haematological profiles compared to full-sun exposure.
New Zealand grassland systems rely heavily on imported phosphorus (P), yet conventional water-soluble fertilizers such as single superphosphate are used inefficiently and contribute to legacy P accumulation and water quality risks. Recovered P from wastewater, such as sparingly soluble struvite (MgNH4PO4 & centerdot;6H2O), offers a potentially more sustainable alternative. This study evaluated the agronomic effectiveness of struvite compared with superphosphate in two acidic grassland soils with contrasting P retention capacities (12% and 96%). Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) was grown for 3 months under controlled conditions. Treatments included two P sources (struvite and superphosphate) applied at 0, 15, 30, and 60 mg P kg-1. Measurements included dry matter yield, plant P uptake, relative agronomic effectiveness, and residual soil Olsen-P. Fertilizer application significantly increased plant growth and P uptake. While dry matter yields were similar between fertilizers, struvite increased plant P uptake by 49% compared with superphosphate across soils and rates. Relative agronomic effectiveness of struvite was greater in the low P retention soil. Olsen-P concentrations were consistently higher under struvite in both soils. These results indicate that struvite is a viable alternative to superphosphate in acidic grassland soils, particularly in those where high P-retention limits P availability.
This study evaluated the effects of including Tithonia diversifolia in the ensiling process of elephant grass cv. BRS Capia & ccedil;u, with and without wilting, on fermentation losses, microbiology, aerobic stability, and the chemical composition of the silages. A randomized complete block design was used, with six treatments and five replicates, totaling 30 experimental units. The treatments were: (i) fresh Capia & ccedil;u (FC); (ii) fresh Capia & ccedil;u + 10% T. diversifolia (FC + 10% TD); (iii) fresh Capia & ccedil;u + 20% T. diversifolia (FC + 20% TD); (iv) wilted Capia & ccedil;u (WC); (v) wilted Capia & ccedil;u + 10% T. diversifolia (WC + 10% TD); and (vi) wilted Capia & ccedil;u + 20% T. diversifolia (WC + 20% TD). The forages were chopped to a theoretical particle size of 10 mm, weighed individually, ensiled, and stored for 117 days at room temperature (+/- 24.5 degrees C). The inclusion of Tithonia diversifolia increased dry matter (up to 17.5%), crude protein (up to 8.4%), acetic acid content (up to 3.58%), and aerobic stability (average of 116 h). Silages containing 20% Tithonia stood out, as they remained stable for 240 h. However, treatments with Tithonia combined with wilted Capia & ccedil;u resulted in total dry matter losses of nearly 30%. The lactic acid bacteria population was higher in fresh silage containing 20% Tithonia, due to greater substrate availability. The inclusion of 20% Tithonia diversifolia in the ensiling process of wilted BRS Capia & ccedil;u grass is recommended to obtain a protein-rich and stable silage, despite the increase in fermentation losses.
Deer milk is a dairy product valued for its unique composition and market potential. Research into deer lactation dynamics remains limited. In this study, 4,386 test-day records from 170 red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) hinds in New Zealand were used to model the milk yield and composition curves using random regression models based on Legendre polynomials. Individual curves were modelled for milk, fat, protein and lactose yields and somatic cell score. Data collection began at the start of machine milking following the exclusive suckling period, so early-lactation peak yield and initial composition dynamics were not captured in these curves. Lactation persistency was defined as the ratio of the predicted accumulated milk yield in the second half of lactation to the predicted accumulated yield in the first half, expressed as a percentage. Milk yield averaged 68.5 kg per hind, lactose yield declined steeply, while fat yield and protein yields decreased gradually, resulting in greater milk solids as lactation advanced. Average persistency for milk yield ranged from 38.3 to 50.8% and was strongly correlated across traits. The effects of age group and birth herd were not significant. In contrast, deviation from the median fawning date was significant (p < 0.001), with later-fawning hinds showing lower yields and reduced persistency. These findings characterise milk yield and composition dynamics during the postweaning machine-milking period in a commercial New Zealand red deer herd during the 2024-2025 production season and provide a preliminary basis for future studies of management and breeding in deer milk production systems.
Context: Hedge lucerne is a legume adapted to tropical conditions, standing out for its resistance to drought, and high crude protein concentration.Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of planting density (10,000; 15,625 and 40,000 plants ha-1) and harvest frequencies (90 and 150 days) on morphological and production traits of hedge lucerne during different seasons of the year.Methods: The experiment was conducted using randomized block design in a split-plot arrangement with four repetitions. Planting densities were evaluated in the plots, while harvest frequencies were in the split plots. Harvests were performed in the dry and rainy seasons.Results: Planting densities did not affect morphological characteristics. At 150 days, during the rainy season, plants were taller (106 cm) and showed longer branches (54 cm), with higher number of leaves per branch, leaf length, width and area, besides higher number of leaflets, branch diameter, and survival. Higher dry matter yield per plant, branch yield, forage yield, and forage accumulation rate were also observed at the 150-day harvesting frequency. At 90 days, during the rainy season, a higher leaf/branch ratio and pod/leaf ratio were observed. The annual DM yield was not affected by the factors, and higher values were observed for 40,000 plants ha-1 and harvest frequency of 90 days.Conclusions: Planting densities did not affect the morphological and production characteristics, while the 150-day harvesting frequency favored higher hedge lucerne growth and productivity in the rainy season.
This study evaluated the effects of graded nitrogen fertilization on the morpho-agronomic traits, nutritional composition, and silage fermentation of Cenchrus purpureus cv. BRS Capia & ccedil;u. Two experiments were conducted. In Experiment 1, a randomized complete block design with four nitrogen rates (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg N ha(-1)) was used to assess biomass yield, structural characteristics, regrowth, and nutritive value. In Experiment 2, silages produced from these treatments were evaluated for fermentation losses, dry matter recovery (DMR), aerobic stability, and nutritional quality. In Experiment 1, nitrogen fertilization promoted quadratic responses in fresh (p = 0.045) and dry matter yield (p = 0.039), with estimated maxima at 79.45 and 89.15 kg N ha(-1), respectively. Structural traits, including plant height (p = 0.041), stem diameter (p = 0.038), and tiller number (p < 0.0001), as well as in vitro digestibility (p = 0.004), also showed quadratic patterns, indicating optimized development at intermediate nitrogen levels. Crude protein increased linearly (p = 0.002), whereas fiber fractions and nonfiber carbohydrates exhibited nonlinear responses, suggesting shifts in carbon-nitrogen allocation. In Experiment 2, gas losses (p = 0.002) and silage pH (p < 0.0001) showed quadratic responses to nitrogen supply, while effluent losses decreased (p = 0.021) and DMR increased (p = 0.006) linearly. Fiber fractions declined (p < 0.0001), whereas total digestible nutrients, net energy for lactation, and in vitro digestibility increased with nitrogen fertilization (p < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis explained 80.2% of total variation and confirmed the association between plant structural traits at harvest and silage fermentation efficiency. Overall, nitrogen fertilization modulated plant growth, composition, and conservation dynamics, with predominantly quadratic responses indicating diminishing returns at higher rates. Nitrogen application between 80 and 100 kg N ha(-1) is recommended to optimize biomass production, nutritive value, and silage preservation.
This short communication outlines the imperative for advances in classical biological control, often based on molecular technologies, to accentuate the efficacy of impact while being cognisant of the need for biological control safety.
The aim of this study was to determine the influence of increasing doses of live yeast for grazing cattle on nutrient intake and total apparent digestibility, ruminal fermentation parameters, microbial protein synthesis, nitrogen utilization, urea and creatinine metabolism, and eating behavior. Five rumen-cannulated crossbred steers 16 mo and 350 live weights, were used in a 5 & times; 5 Latin square experiment design of 22-d periods, in which the last 8 days were used for data collection. Steers were randomly designated to one treatment sequence containing live yeast added at 0, 5, 10, 15, or 20 g/day. Animals were individually allocated in paddocks (0.3 ha) uniformly covered with Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu." A quadratic response was observed for supplement intake (16.5 g/day), organic matter intake (7.5 g/day), crude protein (CP) intake (12.34 g/day), and starch intake (11.11 g/day). The total apparent digestibility of dry matter, CP, neutral detergent fiber, and starch increased linearly with the addition of live yeast. A quadratic response was observed for propionate concentration (7.71 g/day), butyrate (6.5 g/day), and total fatty acids (5.94 g/day). A quadratic response was also observed for nitrogen intake (14.88 g/day) and fecal nitrogen excretion (8.65 g/day. Overall, live yeast supplementation enhanced ruminal fermentation and nutrient utilization in beef steers finished on intensive pasture systems, with an optimal inclusion level of approximately 10 g/day of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (2 & times; 1010 CFU/g).
The objective of this study was to evaluate morphogenesis in basal and aerial tillers of marandu grass (Urochloa brizantha Hochst. ex A. Rich. Stapf "Marandu") subjected to lowering strategies prior to pasture deferral. The pastures were maintained at 3 mean heights for 5 months (15, 25, and 35 cm), and thereafter those managed at 25 and 35 cm were lowered to 15 cm at the beginning of the deferral period (DP). Pastures maintained at 15 and 25 cm before deferral showed a greater number of basal tillers (1328 and 1281 tillers/m2, respectively), but a lower number of aerial tillers (145 and 246 tillers/m2, respectively), compared with the pasture managed at 35 cm (959 basal tillers/m2 and 367 aerial tillers/m2). The lowering strategy did not influence the morphogenesis of aerial tillers during the DP. Basal tillers exhibited a higher elongation rate (0.23 cm/day) and greater stem length (26.04 cm) in the pasture maintained at 15 cm for 5 months before the DP compared with the other treatments. Tiller population decreased from the beginning (1381 basal tillers/m2 and 477 aerial tillers/m2) to the end (989 basal tillers/m2 and 127 aerial tillers/m2) of the DP. Morphogenetic characteristics, except for leaf lifespan, were also lower at the end than at the beginning of the DP for both basal and aerial tillers. Stem and leaf lengths of basal and aerial tillers were greater at the end of the DP. Maintaining marandu grass pastures at 15 cm for 5 months before the DP results in a greater number of tillers with increased stem growth during the DP.
We outline the diversity of pests, weeds and plant pathogens absent from New Zealand that threaten forage production, examine their potential import pathways, and outline the challenges of managing them should they arrive. The number and diversity of threats and pathways indicates ongoing incursions are inevitable. Thus, we also review measures in place for detecting and responding to forage biosecurity threats when they arrive and find almost none, which contrasts with measures in place for protecting other crops. Alarmingly, therefore, New Zealand's least protected plants include ryegrass and white clover which are vastly more valuable than any of its other better protected crops. We contend that forage productivity and farm profitability are suffering death by a thousand cuts as each new incursion adds to forage plants’ pest burdens. There are clear opportunities to reduce rates of establishment of new pests, weeds and pathogens, and limit the damages they will cause post‐establishment. Critical needs include comprehensive pest risk analyses to inform risk mitigation, and surveillance targeting the most important threats. Forage‐based industries must recognize the biosecurity risks they face, collectively summon the will to act, and capitalize on opportunities for collaboration to minimize further erosion of forage productivity.
The suboptimal accuracy of current diagnostic tests necessitates alternative testing strategies to improve the detection of Johne's disease. We studied parallel and serial testing strategies to quantify the association between milk production and Johne's disease status. For this, two commercial Johne's disease Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, ELISAs, (Kit A and Kit B) were used with milk and serum samples. A linear mixed model that included 2388 lactational records from 878 cows across three milk production seasons (2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24) was considered as a model. There was an interaction between production season and ELISA status in animals across seasons. When serial testing approach of ELISA assay (Kit B) was used with milk and serum samples, ELISA-positive cows had 13.65 (95% CI: -4.69 to -22.62) fewer days in milk, produced 277.35 (95% CI: -37.98 to -516.73) kg lower milk yield and 36.35 (95% CI: -14.53 to -58.18) kg lower milk solids and had 366.09 (95% CI: -147.86 to -584.32) NZD lower milk income than negative cows during the 2023/24 production season. In contrast, when serial testing approach of ELISA assay (Kit A) was used with milk and serum samples, ELISA-positive cows produced 355.61 (95% CI: 129.84-581.38) kg more milk yield and 24.58 (95% CI: 4.11-45.06) kg more milk solids and had 243.40 (95% CI: 38.73-448.06) NZD more milk income than negative cows during the 2021/22 production season. Despite the point estimate differences, the results of this study could not demonstrate the usefulness of different combinational testing strategies with confidence.
The expansion of the New Zealand dairy industry has increased the number of lower-value surplus calves. A value-add mitigation strategy is integrating them into the beef market. This study investigated the genetic association between growth traits recorded in the Beef + Lamb New Zealand's Dairy-Beef and the Beef Progeny Test to estimate the genetic correlation between dairy weaning, 200-, 400-, and 600-day weights in beef-on-dairy and beef cattle. Single-trait and bivariate animal models were used to estimate (co)variance components for heritabilities, genetic and phenotypic correlations between traits within the beef-on-dairy and beef progeny tests. Estimated heritabilities for beef-on-dairy cattle were similar to those for beef cattle. Genetic correlations for growth traits within and across tests were moderate to strong (between 0.46 and 0.99). Phenotypic correlations between traits tended to be lower than the genetic correlations within-test (0.36 to 0.82). The results indicate that data collected in beef system can usefully inform predictions of growth performance in beef-on-dairy systems but that it may not always be appropriate to treat similar measures as the same trait in a genetic model. However, the opportunity exists to combine beef and beef-on-dairy data to, simplify breeding, reduce costs and improve genetic merit of beef-on-dairy calves.
Lactation persistency, or the ability of a cow to maintain high milk yield throughout lactation, is important for extended lactation (EL: beyond 305 days in milk). Persistency is a characteristic that could support the identification of cows suitable for EL. This study evaluated the factors that affect lactation persistency during EL in grazing, spring calving dairy cows. A total of 4599 EL (460-to-820-day calving intervals) and their associated herd tests were modelled using random regression with a fifth-order Legendre polynomial. Persistency was calculated as the total yield of the last third of the lactation divided by the total yield of the first third of lactation, expressed as a percentage. Mean (standard deviation) persistency of milk and milksolids (fat + protein) yields for a 550-day lactation were 61% (15.3) and 73% (17.4), respectively. Parity had a significant effect on both milk and milksolids persistency, decreasing from parity one to parity four or greater, while breed had no effect. Variability of persistency, irrespective of cow factors, supports it as a promising selection characteristic, alongside milk production, for cows suitable for an EL system under grazing conditions. Both high production and lactation persistency are likely important determinants of a successful and profitable system.
This study aimed to evaluate a tri-axial accelerometer attached to a collar to determine the ability to accurately predict rumination, lying, grazing, and head shaking behaviour of ewes on pasture. Collars with accelerometers recording at 1 Hz were attached to 30 Romney type ewes managed in groups of 5. The behaviour of each group was observed for 1 day between 0830 and 1630 h using 30-s instantaneous scan observations. Head shaking behaviour was stimulated in the yards using a toy water pistol and analysed as present or not present. Grazing activity was well classified by a Random Forest algorithm using the out-of-bag error estimation with an accuracy of 83.4% (95% CI: 82.9-83.9%). The accuracy for ruminating activity was 82.6% (95% CI: 82.1-83.0%), and for lying activity 85.5% (95% CI: 85.2-86.0%). Grazing, ruminating, and lying activities were predicted with sensitivity values of 80.0%, 68.0%, and 79.4%, respectively. The specificity values for grazing, ruminating and lying were 86.6%, 87.6%, and 89.3%, respectively. The precision values for grazing, ruminating, and lying were 85.0%, 65.1%, and 81.7%, respectively. However, the accuracy to classify head shaking behaviour was only 52.2% with poor performance metrics potentially due to the low sampling frequency of the accelerometers in combination with a behaviour of short duration. The results show that accelerometers can monitor the behaviour of ewes on pasture; however, the sampling frequency likely needs to be higher to detect behaviours of short durations.
Dietary approaches that decrease ruminal pH may be combined with anti-methanogenic feed additives that prevent methane formation and consequently increase the dissolved hydrogen concentration. To evaluate the effect of pH and the effect of dissolved hydrogen concentration, two forages (forage rape and ryegrass) were incubated in vitro at two forage levels (FL 1% and 2% w/v) with or without bromoform (3 & micro;M). The combination of bromoform and FL 2% did not affect gas production or fermented hexose equivalents compared to both factors tested separately. The ratio of acetate-to-reduced products decreased greatly by combining FL 2% and bromoform (0.59 mmol.g-1/mmol.g-1) compared to FL 1% and bromoform (0.79 mmol.g-1/mmol.g-1). The production of reduced products increased by a similar proportion to the decrease in acetate. Ryegrass fermentation decreased by 8% with bromoform addition, while the forage rape fermentation was not impaired, even though the hydrogen released from forage rape (43.5 ml/g) was twice that released from ryegrass (21.5 ml/g). Results suggest that the combination of low pH and high hydrogen (achieved by 2% FL and bromoform addition) did not cause detrimental effects on feed fermentation in vitro, but ryegrass fermentation may be impacted by high dissolved hydrogen.
