Context Animal welfare assessment on dairy farms increasingly combines resource-, management- and animal-based indicators to provide a comprehensive evaluation of farm conditions. However, information on the welfare performance of medium-sized dairy farms in Türkiye remains limited, particularly under regional production conditions. Aims This study aimed to assess the welfare performance of medium-sized dairy farms in Burdur Province, Türkiye, using management-, resource- and animal-based indicators; to identify the principal areas requiring improvement; and to explore associations among selected farm characteristics and welfare indicators. Methods This cross-sectional observational study included 91 voluntarily participating dairy farms with herd sizes ranging from 25 to 50 cattle in Burdur province, Türkiye. Data were collected during on-site farm visits using direct observations and structured questionnaires. Welfare assessment was evaluated using management-based indicators covering hygiene, health management, human factors and behavioural practices, together with animal-based indicators, including activity, cleanliness, faecal consistency and body condition score. A study-specific semi-quantitative management-based welfare score was calculated to summarise farm-level management performance. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and associations between selected variables were examined using Spearman’s rank correlation analysis. Key results The mean management-based welfare score indicated generally low welfare performance across the surveyed farms. In the lowest domain, scores were recorded for human factors, hygiene and health management. Staff welfare training, quarantine and isolation practices, routine hoof care, and behavioural monitoring were uncommon. Animal-based indicators varied among farms, particularly in cleanliness and activity scores, whereas body condition and faecal consistency scores were generally within acceptable ranges. Conclusion This cross-sectional assessment provides a regional description of welfare performance in medium-sized dairy farms in Burdur Province, Türkiye. The findings identify staff training, hygiene, biosecurity, preventive health management, routine hoof care and behavioural monitoring as priority areas for farm-level improvement. The combined use of management-, resource- and animal-based indicators may support a more comprehensive assessment of dairy cattle welfare under regional production conditions. Implications The findings identify staff training, hygiene, biosecurity, preventive health management, routine hoof care and behavioural monitoring as practical priorities for regional farm-level welfare programs. Combining management-, resource- and animal-based indicators may support more comprehensive on-farm welfare assessment.
Context Dehorning remains a common procedure across the northern Australian beef industry due to the widespread use of horned breeds and management constraints in extensive operations. Amputation dehorning has cattle welfare and production implications, including haemorrhage, infection, flystrike, weight loss and mortality. The use of and producer attitudes towards pain relief and wound treatments are not well documented. Aims This study aimed to document cattle dehorning practices in northern Australia and identify producer-defined priorities for effective wound management treatments in extensive beef systems. Methods An online survey targeting Australian beef cattle producers was conducted between February and August 2023. Four online focus groups involving producers and industry stakeholders from northern Australia were conducted to explore attitudes, practices, experiences, and priorities related to pain relief and wound management for dehorning of cattle. Quantitative data were analysed using Fisher’s exact test and qualitative data were analysed thematically. Key results Dehorning was performed by 92.5% of northern Australian survey respondents, most commonly using surgical methods. Pain relief was used by 75% of producers, most commonly Tri Solfen® (65%) and meloxicam (28%). Multimodal analgesia was used by only a minority (15%). Relief from pain (91%) and improved wound healing (74%) were the most common perceived benefits of pain relief, with efficacy (87%) and practicality (81%) of the product being the most important factors determining adoption. Focus group participants emphasised progress towards breeding a polled herd, while highlighting the importance of being proactive towards animal welfare by using pain relief. Haemorrhage and infection are major welfare and production concerns following dehorning, particularly in extensive systems with limited postoperative monitoring. An ideal wound treatment was described as one that is effective, simple to apply, affordable, robust under field conditions, and capable of reducing pain, bleeding and infection. Conclusions and implications Dehorning remains a prevalent procedure in northern Australian beef enterprises. Although uptake of pain relief is increasing, effective strategies for managing complications caused by amputation dehorning wounds are sought after. Producer-defined priorities provide a clear framework for refining dehorning protocols and developing novel wound treatments that align with the realities of extensive beef systems.
Context The growing demand for more tender and healthy meat requires more precise parameters. Therefore, defining the ideal slaughter weight for sheep is crucial to strike a balance between productive performance and meat quality. Aims In this context, we aimed to evaluate the effect of different slaughter weights of lamb on the physicochemical, sensory and fatty acid characteristics of the meat. Methods Twenty-four uncastrated Santa Inês male lambs, 80 days old and with an initial bodyweight of 16.52 ± 1.92 kg, were distributed into individual pens. A completely randomized experimental design was used, with four slaughter weights (26, 32, 38 and 44 kg) and six replicates per treatment. Results The ether extract content increased linearly with slaughter weight. A quadratic effect of slaughter weight was observed on water-holding capacity, with a maximum estimated at approximately 41.84% at 34.98 kg, and on cooking losses, with a minimum estimated at approximately 34.95% at 34.49 kg. Shear force and pH after storage increased linearly. Meat lightness (L*) and hue angle decreased linearly. Higher slaughter weights resulted in higher concentrations of stearic and oleic acid, and the n6:n3 ratio was highest at 38 kg. The thrombogenic index was lowest in lambs slaughtered at 38 kg, and the concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids and some individual fatty acids were also higher at this weight. Flavor, color, aroma and overall acceptance were not affected by slaughter weight. The meat from lambs slaughtered at 38 kg had lower hardness, whereas greater succulence was observed in those slaughtered at 32 kg, with no difference from lambs slaughtered at 38 and 44 kg. Conclusion Slaughter weight influences the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of Santa Inês lamb meat. Slaughter at 38–44 kg was associated with a more favorable fatty acid profile, whereas 34–35 kg appears to provide a better balance of physicochemical and sensory characteristics. Implication These findings may support slaughter-weight decisions according to the desired balance between meat quality characteristics and fatty acid profile.
Context Bromoform (CHBr3)-based feed additives are effective at mitigating enteric methane (CH4) emissions from ruminants but may induce a reduction in dry-matter intake (DMI), especially when introduced rapidly at high inclusion levels. Co-supplementation of CHBr3 with rumen modifiers such as Ascophyllum nodosum (ASCO), grape marc (GM), or biochar may mitigate this adverse effect, although evidence under high-forage diets remains limited. Aims This study investigated whether a long transition strategy could improve animal responses to CHBr3 supplementation and whether co-supplementation with rumen modifiers affects intake and rumen fermentation in ewes maintained on a high-forage diet. Methods Twenty-eight Merino ewes were assigned to six treatments: control (T1), CHBr3 only (T2), CHBr3 + ASCO (T3), CHBr3 + GM (T4), CHBr3 + biochar (T5), or CHBr3 + ASCO + GM + biochar (T6). Animals were gradually transitioned to CHBr3 over 31 days at low inclusion rates (8.3–16.6 mg/head.day), followed by a 16-day period at higher inclusion rates (24.9–33.12 mg/head.day). Measurements included DMI, liveweight, average daily weight gain (ADWG), gain-to-feed ratio (G:F), rumen pH, and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations. Results At the higher CHBr3 inclusion levels, DMI decreased relative to the control (T1) by 5% in T2 and T5, 9% in T4, 16% in T3, and 14% in T6. Despite these reductions in intake, animals in T2 and T5 gained weight across periods. The ADWG and G:F remained similar among treatments. Supplementation with CHBr3 alone increased total VFA concentrations by 112% and shifted rumen fermentation towards higher proportions of propionate and butyrate and lower acetate. However, co-supplemented treatments showed lower total VFA concentrations and variable shifts in individual VFA profiles, suggesting that each rumen modifier interacted differently with CHBr3. Conclusions A 31-day transition strategy effectively reduced the typical DMI suppression associated with high CHBr3 inclusion, particularly when CHBr3 was fed alone. In addition, CHBr3-only supplementation produced the most favourable rumen fermentation profile. Implications A long transition strategy could enhance the practical application of CHBr3-based CH4 mitigation technologies in high-forage production systems by stabilising intake while promoting beneficial rumen fermentation.
Context In tropical regions where cassava (Manihot esculenta) is widely cultivated, its byproducts (tops and pulp) represent underutilized feed resources despite their nutritional potential. Aim The study evaluated the effects of replacing concentrate with dried cassava tops fermented cassava pulp (CtFCp) on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, and rumen fermentation in growing 75% Thai native × 25% Lowline Angus crossbred cattle. Methods Twelve heifers (initial bodyweight (BW) 97 ± 18.10 kg) were assigned to three dietary treatments in a completely randomized design: 100% concentrate (CON), 67% concentrate + 33% CtFCp (CtFCp-33), and 33% concentrate + 67% CtFCp (CtFCp-67), on a dry-matter (DM) basis. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, with treatment means compared by Duncan’s multiple-range test. Key results Total feed and organic-matter (OM) intakes were not affected by dietary treatment. However, crude protein (CP), DM, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and total digestible nutrients (TDN) were significantly affected. The CON treatment showed greater digestibility and TDN than did CtFCp-67, whereas CtFCp-33 exhibited intermediate values and did not differ significantly from either treatment. These results indicate that a higher CtFCp inclusion level reduces nutrient utilization. Rumen fermentation parameters showed increased total volatile fatty acids (VFA) and butyrate, but decreased acetate and propionate 4 h post-feeding in CtFCp-67. At 0 h post-feeding, treatments CtFCp-33 and CtFCp-67 produced more methane (CH4) than did CON. However, at 4 h post-feeding, CtFCp-33 produced significantly more CH4 than did both CON and CtFCp-67. Conclusion The current study found that replacing 67% of the concentrate with CtFCp enhanced the digestibility of NDF and TDN. Furthermore, incorporating CtFCp into cow feed can reduce feed costs while utilizing agricultural by-products. Moreover, further research is warranted to assess long-term growth performance and economic viability. Implications Replacing 67% of concentrate with CtFCp may enhance nutrient digestibility, reduce feed costs, and support sustainable cattle production.
