The feed additive 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP; Bovaer®), approved in the EU for reducing enteric methane emissions in cattle, has shown side effects in terms of reduced feed intake, which raises animal welfare concerns. This study investigated behavioral effects of 3-NOP (60 mg/kg DM) in 46 healthy, loose-housed, primiparous Danish Holstein cows. As part of a larger experiment following a 3 × 3 Latin square design with 3 periods, each consisting of 14 days of adaptation and 7 days of sampling, cows received 3-NOP, nitrate (not analyzed herein), or control diets in partially mixed rations based on maize and grass clover silage. Cows were dynamically grouped into 2 sections dimensioned for housing 24 cows/section. Cow behavior was video-recorded and labeled using focal animal sampling and 1-min instantaneous recording on days 18 and 20 (daily periods: 10.00 h to 13.00 h, 20.00 h to 23.00 h) during each of the 2 periods of interest. The percentages of instantaneous recording (scans) of each behavior, as well as daily feed intake, were analyzed with LMM and GLMM in R. When supplemented with 3-NOP, cows spent less time in upright posture (standing still or in motion) (52.6 vs. 56.8
Studies on cow-calf contact (CCC) systems often report better weight gain and sometimes an improved health in calves. However, calves in CCC systems with unrestricted suckling opportunities are often compared to artificially reared calves who are fed a restricted amount of milk. Our study investigated the growth rate and the health status of 41 German Holstein calves during their first nine weeks of life. Calves had either whole-day contact to their dam in the dairy herd (Contact, n = 24) or were artificially reared by providing 16 L d− 1 whole milk (Control, n = 17). The provision of colostrum for all calves followed the same protocol. The Brix level of the colostrum and the transition milk collected during the three first milkings postpartum of all dams was recorded, as well as the Brix level in blood serum of all calves. The occurrence of diarrhea in calves was recorded daily, while health status and weight gain were assessed weekly. The transfer of passive immunity was successful in Control (LSM ± SE: 9.5 ± 0.4
Bovine ephemeral fever (BEF), or “three-day sickness,” is an arthropod-borne viral disease of cattle that causes substantial economic losses in dairy production, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. Khuzestan province in southwestern Iran is a high-risk area for BEF due to its hot climate, high humidity, and dense vector populations. Despite repeated outbreaks, there is limited field-level documentation describing practical, integrated outbreak management strategies. This case study reports the clinical, epidemiological, and management features of a BEF outbreak on a large commercial dairy farm in Khuzestan. In the summer of 2023, a bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) outbreak occurred in a commercial dairy herd comprising 2,100 Holstein-Friesian cows near Shushtar, Khuzestan Province, Iran. Affected animals exhibited an abrupt onset of high fever (40.5–41.5 °C), lameness, muscle rigidity, recumbency, and a marked decline in milk production. Prior to initiation of treatment, clinical deterioration progressed rapidly: by Day 3, 85 cows (4.0
The Murrah buffalo, a highly productive dairy breed, significantly contributes to India’s milk production. This study assesses the genetic gain and economic impact of transmission of superior genetics to daughters through selected sires in the Network Project on Buffalo Improvement (NPBI) that implements a progeny testing program for genetic improvement of milk yield in Murrah buffalo herds. Data from 4300 daughters of 214 sires recorded under the NPBI since its inception, collected from 1992 to 2018, were analysed for breeding value estimation and genetic trend assessment. The economic gain from the genetic gain in the herd was estimated by calculating cumulative gain through progenies over the years. The study finds an annual genetic gain of 1.29 kg/animal/year, resulting in a significant increase in milk production and economic benefits for smallholder farmers. The economic gain from the genetic improvement in the herd is estimated at 449.92 billion INR, demonstrating the program’s success in improving buffalo productivity and contributing to India’s agrarian economy. The present study highlights the success of national-level coordinated progeny testing program. The realized genetic gain is substantial and presents an opportunity for a wider expansion and implementation of similar programs for other livestock species as well.
An inflammatory response of the udder tissue of the mammary gland caused by microbial infections or physical trauma is known as bovine mastitis. It is thought to be the most common disease that causes significant financial losses for the dairy industry due to low milk quality, decreased yield, and severe cases that can even be fatal. Numerous factors are responsible for the incidence of bovine mastitis including environmental, pathogen, and host factors. Bacterial pathogens represent the predominant and ubiquitous agents associated with mastitis. There are about 150 different types of bacteria recognized as mastitis pathogens. Treatment strategies for mastitis include antibiotic therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, vaccination, surgery, etc. Although the administration of antibiotics is the primary treatment given for this disease, the concerns about the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and Because of the overuse of antibiotics, the amount of antibiotic residues in milk is continuously increasing. In light of these challenges, there is a pressing need to develop alternative treatment approaches. The therapeutic potential of medicinal plants as sustainable substitutes for the treatment of mastitis is thoroughly examined in this paper. Many plant species show strong antibacterial action against mastitis-causing pathogens such Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Streptococcus agalactiae when they include bioactive phytochemicals like flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, terpenoids and essential oils. Through processes like bacterial adhesion inhibition, biofilm disruption, and virulence factor interference, these natural chemicals produce their effects. This review highlights the need for integrative, residue-free treatment techniques by pointing out the benefits of plant-based medicines and the negative effects of antibiotic misuse. To create safer and more environmentally friendly mastitis management procedures, future research should concentrate on standardizing dose and extraction techniques, confirming plant-derived formulations through in vivo studies, and investigating their potential synergy with traditional medications.
Milk produced in Uganda’s South-Western Cattle Corridor (SWCC) is often of low quality due to poor natural pastures. Feed supplementation is uncommon, limiting opportunities to improve milk quality and dairy productivity. This study evaluated the effect of supplementing natural pasture with a nutrient –balanced feed, on milk physicochemical properties of dairy cows in this region with an aim of improving milk physicochemical quality, which would lead to higher milk prices and subsequent improvement in livelihood of dairy farmers in the region. It also provides new regional data on milk physicochemical composition and responses to feed supplementation in smallholder systems with poor pasture quality, which have not been sufficiently documented before. Sixty dairy cows were randomly assigned to three groups (control, 2 kg LFDM, 4 kg LFDM) in a randomised complete block design. Cows were fed for 30 days, and milk samples were collected at baseline and endline. Baseline milk parameters were analysed to ensure homogeneity across groups. Baseline milk composition did not differ between groups (p > 0.05). After supplementation, significant increases in solids-not-fat (SNF) and protein content were observed in the LFDM groups. SNF increased by +1.37
Antimicrobials and anthelmintics are among the most used veterinary drugs for the treatment and prevention of animal diseases. However, information on antimicrobial usage in food animals remains limited in communities of southern Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the handling and management practices, sources, and usage of veterinary drugs among food animal producers and veterinary practitioners in the Wolaita Zone. A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey was conducted between May and August 2021. A pre-tested questionnaire, comprising three sections and a total of 50 questions, was used to collect data from purposively selected 101 veterinary professionals and 149 animal owners. This preliminary survey revealed that the distribution of antimicrobials and anthelmintic drugs is inadequate, with limited sources and a wide range of trade names, primarily imported from a few manufacturing countries. Among the veterinary drugs available in the district, those manufactured in and imported from China were the most widely distributed in veterinary drug stores. The study also identified inappropriate transportation and storage conditions. Furthermore, critical and unethical practices were observed, including the sale of drugs without a prescription, failure to advise animal owners on drug withdrawal periods, and the administration of veterinary drugs by non-professionals. Antimicrobials (60.86
Methods for assessing dairy cattle welfare, such as the gold standard Qualitative Behaviour Assessment (QBA), require training and are time consuming in a sector facing labour constraints and staffing shortages. This research explores whether automated measurements from existing animal-mounted sensors can be used as a basis for objective welfare assessment in dairy cattle, supporting consumer, processor and farmer needs by demonstrating positive welfare on farm. Data (mean standing and lying duration, mean standing and lying bout frequency, mean standing and lying bout duration, mean maximum standing and lying bout duration, mean lying and standing bout frequency, mean step count) were acquired from commercially available ankle-mounted accelerometers intended for oestrus detection and compared to 20 QBA metrics from 107 animals at pasture and during housing on four dairy farms. Our analysis showed that sensor data was significantly correlated with QBA data, suggesting that sensor data can be used to accurately characterise animal behaviour. Although sensor data was influenced by location (housed and pasture), data obtained from ankle-mounted pedometers showed high accuracy (61
The majority of dairy farms in mountainous European regions rely heavily on concentrates to supplement herbage-based diets for high-yielding cows. This puts their economic sustainability at risk. We need to design management systems that enable milk production from herbage with few inputs. To examine whether low input systems could be technically efficient with high-yielding breeds, we tested two experimental farming systems —a Very-Low-Input system (VLI) and a Low-Input System (LI)— with Holstein and Montbéliarde cows for five years (24 cows/system.year), with a short mating season in spring to align the milk and the grass production curves. The VLI system used almost no concentrates and no mineral fertilisers. The LI system used fewer concentrates and mineral fertiliser than conventional systems, while safeguarding milk production and the nitrogen balance of the land. During the first year, only 44
Reducing nitrogen excretion in dairy cattle is crucial for improving the environmental sustainability of livestock production. Milk urea nitrogen (MUN), an established biomarker of nitrogen use efficiency, offers a practical basis for genetic selection. To our knowledge, this is the first study in Iranian Holstein cattle that applies a single-step genome-wide association study (ssGWAS) combined with random regression models to identify genomic regions and candidate genes associated with MUN levels across lactation. The dataset included 347,639 test-day records from 52,219 first-parity cows. After quality control, 41,102 SNPs from 2,187 genotyped bulls were retained for the ssGWAS. Random regression models were used to estimate daily SNP effects, and the top 50 SNPs were categorized into early, mid, and late lactation stages. Functional annotation identified seventeen significant candidate genes, such as PGLYRP3, S100A9, ABCB11, and CYP1A1, which may be involved in nitrogen metabolism, immune regulation, and transmembrane nutrient transport. These findings elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying MUN variation and highlight candidate genes for genomic selection to improve nitrogen use efficiency in dairy cattle, potentially reducing environmental nitrogen emissions in commercial herds.
Neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in young calves, resulting in significant economic losses in the cattle industry worldwide. The current experiment aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of twenty-two calves-origin lactic acid bacterial (LAB) probiotic strains comprising various species (Ligilactobacillus salivarius, Limosilactobacillus reuteri, and Enterococcus faecalis) against five enteric pathogens: Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Salmonella typhi ATCC 14028, Salmonella arizonae ATCC 13314, and Bacillus cereus ATCC 14569. Antimicrobial efficacy was assessed using the agar spot and well diffusion methods. Subsequently, clustering analysis was employed to group strains based on their inhibitory profiles, with the aim of identifying synergistic combinations for the development of a multi-strain probiotic adjunct. The results indicated that different probiotic strains varied in their potential to inhibit the growth of enteric pathogens. Among the 22 strains tested, Ligilactobacillus salivarius RBL68, L. salivarius RBL62, L. salivarius RBL12, and L. salivarius RBL68 displayed the strongest antimicrobial activity against the selected pathogens. Using Euclidean distance and average linkage clustering, four distinct groups were identified. Group D, comprising 14 LAB strains, exhibited the most potent antimicrobial activity against all tested pathogens. Group C strains also showed significant inhibitory effects against all pathogens, although to a lesser extent than those in Group D. Group B strains displayed selective antimicrobial activity, mainly targeting S. typhi and E. coli, while the single strain in Group A (L. reuteri E7) was effective only against E. coli. In nutshells, these calves-derived bacterial strains may be used for development of multi-strain probiotic adjunct aimed at preventing NCD. However, further in vivo research is needed to assess their efficacy and potential as supportive treatments for gastrointestinal disorders in young dairy calves
This review examines the health benefits, market potential, and sustainability of A2 milk products derived from cattle with the A2A2 β-casein genotype, highlighting their role as a tool in rural transformation, particularly in the Global South, where integrated perspectives on nutritional innovation and socioeconomic development remain underexplored. By addressing this knowledge gap, this synthesis combines current scientific evidence, market data, and policy discussions to examine the biochemical basis of A2 milk, its health benefits, and the socioeconomic opportunities associated with promoting its production through sustainable, rural-based livestock systems. The global A2 milk market, valued at USD 4.0 billion in 2024, is projected to grow at an annual rate of 18.5
Goat milk is a nutrient-rich food and due to its higher commercial value, it is not uncommon for it to be adulterated by the addition of water and cow milk. In this work, ternary mixtures of goat milk, cow milk and water were analyzed by FT-NIR(S), PLS and Logistic Regression. Exploratory investigation showed three ranges of spectral values most strongly associated with separation between the mixtures analyzed, 10800 to 9800, 8800 to 7200 and 6400 to 5600 cm−1. The PLS models showed good predictive capacity to quantify the percentages of water, goat milk and cow milk in the ternary mixtures over a wide range of values. Logistical Regression was also good at classifying samples into two adulteration groups. FT-NIR spectroscopy, together with multivariate techniques, proved to be very promising as an analytical methodology for the rapid identification of adulteration and economic fraud in goat milk.
This research addresses the hypotheses that replacing concentrate with hydroponic oats will increase milk yield, quality, and economic feasibility in crossbred cows. Nine lactating cows were grouped in a 3 × 3 changeover design with three periods, each consisting of 30 days in 3 treatments: T1 (0
Milk production is a multifactorial trait influenced by species, breed, udder morphology, parity, lactation stage, and the secretory characteristics of mammary epithelial and somatic cells. Molecular approaches, such as mRNA expression profiling, offer valuable insights into the genetic regulation of lactation. Milk somatic cells, abundant in high-yielding crossbred cows like Karan Fries, provide a non-invasive and reliable source for such analyses. In this study, gene expression was assessed in milk somatic cells from six high- and six low-producing Karan Fries cows during peak lactation using quantitative PCR targeting ANXA1, Moesin, S100A8, PDIA3, MFGE8, and RAGE, with GAPDH as the reference gene. Significant differences in gene expression were observed between the two groups. High-producing cows showed marked upregulation of MFGE8 and PDIA3, suggesting their potential roles in enhancing milk synthesis and lipid metabolism. In contrast, low-producing cows exhibited elevated expression of S100A8, which may modulate intracellular calcium dynamics and influence milk secretion. Furthermore, increased expression of RAGE in low yielders indicates a possible inhibitory effect on milk production, potentially associated with inflammatory or cellular stress responses. MFGE8 and PDIA3 emerged as key candidate genes for improving milk yield in Karan Fries cattle, underscoring the role of differential gene expression analysis in advancing precision breeding for enhanced lactation performance in dairy cattle.
Milk and dairy products have been consumed for thousands of years and their impact against chronic diseases has been extensively studied. However, there is no clear understanding yet of the link of dairy lipids (e.g. triglycerides, polyunsaturated fatty acids and phospholipids) with inflammation and how the food matrix impacts this link. Fermented dairy products (e.g. yoghurt, kefir, cheese) have strong anti-inflammatory activities and these activities are discussed here in relation to the structures of their lipids and the food matrix. Dairy lipids are particularly effective against a number of diseases that develop over a number of years and coined as chronic diseases (i.e. cardiovascular diseases, cancer, stroke, high blood pressure, obesity, metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus type 2). Today there is some understanding as to the underlying mechanisms of how dairy lipids inhibit chronic diseases, the biochemical pathways that are involved in the development of chronic diseases and also on how to control them and ultimately inhibit them. The role of dairy lipids against the onset and development of these diseases is vital and it is discussed here. This article addresses the lack of a clear link between dairy lipids, food matrix and chronic diseases and suggests ways of future research.
Aflatoxin’s contamination in animal feeds is a global feed and food safety issue because it not only reduces the quality of the animal feeds and animal sourced foods but has detrimental health consequences on animals and humans. This is due to the fact that aflatoxin from animal feeds can be metabolized to animal milk. Beyond of being an important problem, the terrible effects of aflatoxins contamination in animal feeds are nevertheless not well addressed mainly amongst smallholders. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the smallholder dairy farmer’s knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) regarding aflatoxins contamination in feeds in Siltie zone of Southern Ethiopia. To achieve this, a total of 150 smallholder dairy farmers were surveyed using a structured questionnaire, while a three-stage sampling technique ensured representation across diverse agro-ecological zones. Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, and logistic regression, were conducted to evaluate the prevalence of aflatoxins and the KAP among the farmers. The findings revealed alarming gaps in knowledge and awareness regarding aflatoxins, with overall means scores indicating inadequate knowledge (2.54), unfavorable attitudes (2.58), and low practices (2.55) towards contamination. Notably, 90
Moringa oleifera L. and Salvia hispanica L. are plants known to possess nutritional and medicinal properties, especially in bioactive compounds (antioxidants), which could be used to generate functional foods. The present study investigated the effect of M. oleifera leaves and S. hispanica seeds on yogurt’s antioxidant activity and microbial viability during 21 days of storage at 4 °C. Peptide content, pH changes, lactic acid content, and the microbial viability of lactic acid bacteria were analyzed on days 0, 7, 14, and 21. Antioxidant activity was determined by the 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) methods. Total phenolic compounds were determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu technique. During storage, treatments showed post-acidification, with lactic acid accumulation (1.30 to 1.80 lactic acid percentages) and pH values close 4.0. Compared to the other treatments, the mix treatment showed significantly (p < 0.05) elevated antioxidant activity, with 97.03 ± 1.2
Feed sorting and chewing behavior of multiparous Holsteins were tested in response to diets containing different alfalfa hay (AH) to corn silage (CS) ratios and fat supplements. Experimental diets consisted of two AH:CS ratios (70:30 and 30:70), supplemented with either 3.5
Management of non-point-source emissions from pastured livestock is complicated by spatial and temporal distribution of emissions and how they interplay with equally complex landscape typological distributions. Wearable sensing of CO2 concentrations near the tailhead may enable real-time, spatially-explicit monitoring of manure emissions, if concentrations correlate with defecation and urination events. The objective of this research was to explore the association between measured CO2 concentrations from wearable sensors placed on the tailhead of horses and the occurrence of defecation and urination events. CO2 sensors consisted of a TTGO-T-Beam microprocessor equipped with GPS and LoRa radio, soldered to a CJMCU-8128 environmental sensing board capable of measuring temperature, pressure, relative humidity, CO2 and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC). Tail wraps were placed on 4 stalled horses for a total of 9 days. Surveillance videos were collected over the same time frame and viewed to determine the time of defecation and urination occurrence. Data were analyzed visually for coherence, and quantitatively using analysis of variance, random forest regression, support vector machines, and extreme gradient boosting. Because defecation and urination events were in much lower quantity than non-events, random oversampling and undersampling were attempted on the classification approaches to improve accuracy and precision of signaling algorithms. Visual inspection revealed that although defecation and urination events corresponded to CO2 peaks, there was considerable noise in CO2 data suggesting that peaks in CO2 also frequently occur in the absence of defecation and urination events. All classification algorithms showed poor accuracies (0.50 to 0.51), which were only marginally improved by over- (< 0.51) and undersampling (< 0.69). This preliminary assessment revealed considerable noise in sensing CO2 emissions in production settings, which may preclude usefulness in manure sensing.
