Wound infection remains a major challenge in animal health and welfare, particularly in the farm environment, where skin injuries are prone to microbial contamination. However, reliance on antibiotics increases the risks of antimicrobial resistance and drug residues in animal products. Therefore, developing effective non-antibiotic-based approaches for wound decontamination is critically important and an emerging priority. In the current study, the antimicrobial efficacy of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) was assessed against Escherichia coli P4, Staphylococcus aureus M60, and Staphylococcus epidermidis NCTC 11047 inoculated onto a bovine collagen-elastin matrix that approximates dermal tissue. Bacterial survivors (log CFU/cm2) were quantified after CAP exposure of 30–180 s at 1–2 cm source distances, alongside mechanistic assessments (viability staining, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), extracellular lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), adenosine triphosphate (ATP) leakage, and lipid peroxidation). At 1 cm exposure distance, CAP reduced viable counts below detection limit after 120 s across all strains; at 2 cm, significant but distance-attenuated reductions were maintained. CAP exposure decreased viability in a treatment time-dependent manner, increased intracellular ROS, and compromised membrane integrity, consistent with envelope permeabilisation. A brief 30-s pre-exposure enhanced antibiotic susceptibility, approximately halving MICs and reducing MBCs by up to 75

Dairy cows have diurnal pattern of drinking behaviour. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the period of the day, calving period, and parity, and their interaction, on the drinking behaviour of dairy cows in the final hours prior to calving. A total of 35 Holstein-Friesian pregnant (17 primiparous and 18 multiparous) cows were continuously monitored under 24-hour video surveillance. The average frequency and duration of the drinking behaviour were 0.6 ± 1.6 bout/hour and 35.4 ± 11.0 s/bout, respectively. Drinking behaviour occurred more frequently (P<0.05) and for longer (P<0.01) during the day than at night. Cows that calved at night were found to drink more frequently (P<0.001) during the day than those calving at night (P<0.05). Primiparous cows were found to spend more time drinking compared to multiparous cows (P<0.05). Although drinking behaviour occurs at a very low frequency, it follows a diurnal pattern and is affected by calving time. Understanding drinking patterns can help ensure adequate water provision and access and inform environmental/management adjustments during late gestation to support welfare and performance.

Water availability is a growing concern for livestock farmers due to climate change, particularly in arid regions and increasingly in temperate regions. Water use efficiency may become an important trait to select for in temperate breeds, thus the objective here was to evaluate the water balance and body water dynamics of Lleyn ewes. Ewes (n = 15), assigned to one of three isotopically distinct drinking waters (DW) with delta H-2 values of -49 parts per thousand, + 241 parts per thousand and + 1143 parts per thousand, were housed individually and fed at maintenance for 82 days. Total water (TW) intake was recorded daily and water loss via urine and faeces was determined daily during four campaign weeks. The average TW intake was 2.7 +/- 0.63 kg d(-1) with DW contributing 86.3 +/- 1.98%. There was a strong correlation between DW intake and temperature-humidity index (r = 0.77; p < 0.01). The average measured water loss was 39.4% of TW intake, indicating a large unmeasured route of water loss, likely expiration. Time-series isotopic analysis of blood and urine waters revealed average half-lives of 13.2 +/- 4.09 d and 14.4 +/- 5.18 d, respectively, and they were not statistically different. There was a three-fold variation in half-lives among ewes, demonstrating that there is potential to increase the water use efficiency in temperate sheep breeds, aligned to future breeding goals to improve sustainability traits. An isotope mixing model was established to predict equilibrium body water delta H-2 values, but future work is required to refine the model to account for H-2 incorporation into body tissues.

This study aimed to explore the knowledge and attitudes of livestock farmers from the United Kingdom regarding agroforestry planning and management issues. The farmers (n = 48) answered an online survey with demographic, open, closed and Likert scale questions. Almost half of the participants said they need more information to successfully plan and manage an agroforestry system, and self-reported low knowledge on management practices related to trees. Participants stated they did not expect to receive technical support from governmental agencies to maintain the agroforestry area. However, they would like to improve their knowledge through field days, courses, and Internet sources. Benefits to the environment, animals and farm profitability were considered central to successful agroforestry systems. In conclusion, participants cannot successfully plan and manage agroforestry, but they are willing to improve their knowledge and skills.

Given the contribution from the livestock sector to greenhouse gas emissions (GHGe) and soil degradation via compaction and defecations it is imperative that best grazing management approaches are identified. Compacted soil from animal treading can lead to conditions that activate denitrifying bacteria and result in heightened nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. In addition, nitrogen input from cattle urination events amplify these emissions, however more data is required in this area. In this study we aimed to quantify soil N2O emissions in parallel with soil compaction following a simulated grazing event using three stocking densities (control, low (LSD) and high (HSD) with 0, 10 and 100 cows/ha/day respectively) on a temperate Southwest UK pasture. In addition, data was collected to assess how cattle urinations affect soil GHGe under the different stocking densities. Following the grazing event measurements were taken for 12 weeks, soil GHGe were sampled via the use of static chambers and compaction was assessed via penetration resistance. Immediately after the simulated grazing the penetration resistance was 1379 kPa (SD ±368) for the control, 1544 kPa (SD ±429) for the LSD, and 1767 kPa (SD ±490) for the HSD. Differences in penetration resistance were found between the HSD and LSD (p=0.03), and HSD and control (p=0.0001), with a tendency between the control and LSD (p=0.07). Cumulative N2O emissions were 493 g N2O - N/ha for the control +urine, 804 g N2O - N/ha for the LSD +urine and 1237 g N2O - N/ha for the HSD +urine, with differences found between the control +urine and HSD +urine (p=0.0342). The N2O emissions from the stocking densities without urine were however similar. This suggests that denitrification in soils is enhanced under high stocking densities from animal treading when there is a source of nitrogen present, such as cattle urine. The developing results are informative for improving pasture management under cattle grazing and provide data for models simulating soil mechanisms in these systems.

With a growing body of research associating livestock agriculture with faster global warming, higher health costs and greater land requirements, a drastic shift towards plant-based diets is often suggested as an effective all-round solution. Implicitly, this argument is predicated on the assumption that the reallocation of resources currently assigned to animal production systems will automatically result in the efficient cultivation of human-edible crops without negative environmental, health or socioeconomic consequences. In reality, however, the validity of this assumption warrants careful examination, as a farm’s capability to adopt a new agricultural system is multifaceted and context-specific. Through a transdisciplinary review of literature, here we discuss examples of unintended consequences that could arise from the conversion of grasslands into arable production, including potentially adverse impacts on yield stability, biodiversity, soil fertility and beyond. We contend that few of these issues are being methodically considered as part of the current food security debate and call for a closer examination of supply-side constraints.

There's been a change in citizens' attitudes towards beef consumption in high-income countries, resulting in a decline in its consumption. The COVID-19 pandemic may have impacted citizens' attitudes and behaviours towards beef consumption. This study aimed to investigate Chilean citizens' attitudes towards beef consumption during the initial 18 months of the pandemic. Socio-demographic characteristics and attitudes towards beef consumption were asked in two questionnaires done in 2020 (n = 1142) and 2021 (n = 1221). Citizens' attitudes to beef eating and production did not change between the start and more than a year after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants not related with animal production, female, young, and non-meat consumers demonstrated more negative attitudes towards beef consumption and production. Half of the participants agreed that beef is bad for the environment, but only 30% agreed that beef is bad for human health. Half of participants had reduced beef consumption and 48% expressed intentions to reduce beef consumption in the future, primarily motivated by concerns related to animal welfare, the environment, and human health. The majority of participants (80%) thought that their fellow citizens should reduce their beef consumption but only 50% had confidence that this will occur. We conclude that Chilean consumers' attitudes to beef eating did not change due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants expressed strong concern about beef consumption both individually and socially, due to environmental, animal and health concerns, and believed Chileans should reduce beef consumption in the future but had low confidence that this will happen.

Context Cows are often subjected to different environmental and handling conditions for research purposes, and it is important to understand potential behavioural changes, as they may influence research outcomes. Aim To investigate how a transfer from a group housing system to individual pens affected dairy cow behaviour. Methods Lactating dairy cows (n = 24), housed in an open-sided barn, were transferred to individual pens for 10 weeks. For another experiment’s purposes, cows were assigned to a control or an experimental diet. Measurements were taken before transfer (pre), after transfer to the individual pens (early), in the individual pens (late transfer) and on return to the barn (post transfer). Cows’ behaviour was assessed every 10 min for 8 h per day, and whether cows were eating, ruminating or idling was recorded. Occurrences of social interactions were recorded continuously during the last 60-s of every 10-min observation. Lying time was recorded using dataloggers. Locomotory ability assessment and daily milk yields were also recorded. Key results Ruminating and eating time was not affected by diet type, but decreased after transfer to the individual pens. Only eating time returned to pre transfer values at early transfer. Time that control cows spent idling increased in individual pens, whereas the experimental diet cows spent more time idling in the early transfer phase. Social interactions occurred more often during late and post transfer phases. Cow locomotory ability was not affected by the transfer or by type of diet, but total lying time increased from pre to post transfer, the number of lying bouts decreased from late to post transfer phases, and lying bout duration increased as the experimental period progressed. Milk yield gradually reduced over time, and it was affected by the type of diet. Conclusion Behavioural changes in dairy cows during transfer between housing systems featured adaptive characteristics and did not seem to be detrimental to the major research. Implications The transferring of cows from a group housing system to individual pens under the conditions used in this study did not jeopardise cow behaviour patterns to an extent that could affect other nutritional research outcomes.

The aim of this study was to gain insight into the perceptions of pig farm and abattoir workers as well as lay citizens regarding (1) sentience and (2) positive (intelligent and friendly) and negative (gluttonous, stubborn and dirty) attributes of pigs. We also aimed to investigate the (3) knowledge and perceptions of pig farm and abattoir workers on tail lesion, ear lesion and lameness in pigs and (4) the opinion of lay citizens regarding the likelihood of tail lesions, ear lesions, and lameness causing suffering in pigs and affecting meat quality. Chilean pig farm workers (n = 116), pig abattoir workers (n = 95), and lay citizens (n = 708) were invited on farm, at the abattoir and in public places, respectively, to participate in a survey. Answers were indicated using a 5-point Likert scale (0 = totally disagree; 4 = totally agree). Data were analysed using generalized linear models, including recruitment place and socio-demographic data as predictor variables. Female and lay citizens attributed pigs a higher capacity to experience feelings than male participants and pig farm and abattoir workers (p < 0.05). Lay citizens and workers recruited on farm described pigs as being more intelligent and friendly than those workers recruited at the abattoir (p < 0.001); recruitment place and sex were not associated with participants' perception regarding negative attributes of pigs (p > 0.05). Most lay citizens considered that tail lesions, ear lesions and lameness are likely to cause suffering in pigs and older participants had higher odds of agreeing that tail and ear lesions are likely to affect meat quality (p < 0.05). Finally, the risk factors for tail lesion, ear lesions and lameness pointed out by pig farm and abattoir workers is in line with what has been suggested by experts. Our findings contribute to understand the perception and values of all stakeholders regarding animal welfare, as it is crucial to improve the sustainability of animal production systems.

Much is discussed about the characteristics, efficiency, and externalities of indoor housing and pasture-based beef production systems, but little is known about how these features influence public attitudes towards beef production. This study aimed to explore Chilean citizens' attitudes towards beef production systems and their underlying reasons. Citizens (n = 1,084) were recruited to participate in a survey and given information about one beef production system: indoor housing, continuous grazing or regenerative grazing. Participants had more favourable attitudes (from 1 = most negative attitudes to 5 = most positive attitudes) towards pasture-based systems (regenerative grazing = 2.94; continuous grazing = 2.83) than towards indoor housing (1.94), mainly due to concerns with animal welfare and environmental impacts. Productivity was not as important as the other sustainability aspects for participants as they were not willing to do that trade-off. Support for beef production may benefit if production systems adopt characteristics that are perceived by the public as positive for the environment and animal welfare.

The study aimed to evaluate Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Tier 2 (2006 and 2019) to predict enteric CH4 emissions from lactating cows fed Mediterranean diets. The effects of the CH4 conversion factor (Ym; CH4 energy loss as a percentage of gross energy intake) and digestible energy (DE) of the diet were evaluated as model predictors. A data set was created using individual observations derived from 3 in vivo studies on lactating dairy cows housed in respiration chambers and fed diets typical of the Mediterranean region based on silages and hays. Five models using different Ym and DE were evaluated following a Tier 2 approach: (1) average values of Ym (6.5%) and DE (70%) from IPCC (2006); (2) average value of Ym (5.7%) and DE (70.0%) from IPCC (2019; 1YM); (3) Ym = 5.7% and DE measured in vivo (1YMIV); (4) Ym = 5.7 or 6.0%, depending on dietary NDF, and DE = 70% (2YM); and (5) Ym = 5.7 or 6.0%, depending on dietary NDF, and DE measured in vivo (2YMIV). Finally, a Tier 2 model for Mediterranean diets (MED) was derived from the Italian data set (Ym = 5.58%; DE = 69.9% for silage-based diets and 64.8% for hay-based diets) and validated on an independent data set of cows fed Mediterranean diets. The most accurate models tested were 2YMIV, 2YM, and 1YMIV with predictions of 384, 377, and 377 (g of CH4/d), respectively, versus the in vivo value of 381. The most precise model was 1YM (slope bias = 1.88%; r = 0.63). Overall, 1YM showed the highest concordance correlation coefficient value (0.579), followed by 1YMIV (0.569). Cross-validation on an independent data set of cows fed Mediterranean diets (corn silage and alfalfa hay) resulted in concordance correlation coefficient of 0.492 and 0.485 for 1YM and MED, respectively. The prediction of MED (397) was more accurate than 1YM (405) in comparison with the corresponding in vivo value of 396 g of CH4/d. The results of this study showed that the average values proposed by IPCC (2019) can adequately predict CH4 emissions from cows fed typical Mediterranean diets. However, the use of specific factors for the Mediterranean area, such as DE, improved the accuracy of the models.

The inclusion of fresh forages into dairy cows’ diets during the winter can represent economic and nutritional benefits but can affect cows’ metabolic function. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of using fresh berseem clover/oat (MIX), fresh lucerne (LEG) and hay/silage (CON) as forage basis for total mixed ration during the winter period on dairy cows’ rumen characteristics and N metabolism. Three non-lactating rumen-cannulated cows were allocated to each diet for a 14-day period in a 3 × 3 Latin Square design. Sample collection occurred on the last 3 days of each period. Rumen fluid samples were analysed for pH, volatile fatty acids and N-ammonium contents. In situ forage nutrients degradability were evaluated by ruminal incubation. Serum, urine and faecal samples were collected and analysed for N content. Cows had similar feed intakes. No major changes were observed in rumen characteristics, but LEG led to greater ruminal N-ammonium and ammonium ureic N contents. Fresh pasture diets reduced the daily urine ureic N. The fresh forages improved the ruminal kinetics of dry matter and crude protein. The forage nutrients’ effective degradability was greater for the fresh pasture diets than for CON. Overall, inclusion of fresh forages had minor effects on ruminal parameters, but the use of the MIX diet represents a suitable option in terms of N use efficiency.

The natural behavior of animals can be disrupted by the techniques and materials of research methodologies. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the equipment used in the SF 6 tracer technique to estimate enteric methane emissions on the behavior of lactating dairy cows. The cows ( n = 24) were allocated to one of two diets: CONTROL and experimental diet (MIX). Behavior was assessed through video recordings between milking times during four phases: 3 days before fitting the cows with the SF 6 equipment (PRE), first 2 days after the cows were fitted with the SF 6 equipment (ADAP), 3 days during methane emission measurements (MEAS), and 2 days after the SF 6 equipment removal (POST). The behaviors recorded included eating, ruminating or idling, resting, and others. Affiliative or agonistic and discomfort behaviors (scratching or pushing the equipment) were also recorded. Lying time was recorded over 14 days using dataloggers fitted to the cows' leg. Milk production and feed intake were recorded daily. MIX cows ruminated more than CONTROL cows ( P = 0.05). The cows ruminated more at MEAS than in any other phase ( P < 0.01). Time spent idling gradually decreased from PRE to MEAS for MIX cows ( P < 0.01). The cows were lying down longer in MEAS than in ADAP and POST ( P < 0.01). The time spent lying with the head down was shorter during PRE and ADAP than during POST ( P < 0.05). No difference was observed in the occurrence of discomfort or agonistic behaviors ( P > 0.05). Affiliative behaviors occurred more often in ADAP than in MEAS ( P < 0.05). There was no difference between phases in daily lying time, number of lying bouts per day, or mean bout duration ( P > 0.05). Milk production was not influenced by the SF 6 equipment ( P > 0.05). Dry matter intake was higher for CONTROL cows ( P < 0.01), and it decreased from PRE to MEAS ( P < 0.01). However, milk yield did not differ between cows wearing the SF 6 equipment and those without it ( P > 0.05). We conclude that the SF 6 equipment had a minimal effect on dairy cow behavior.

Implications • The Global Farm Platform was conceived and established to explore multidisciplinary strategies for optimising the sustainability of ruminant systems around the world. • International sustainability issues are common, but the solutions are often region-specific; therefore, our farms, situated across all major agroclimatic zones, are a unique resource worldwide. • Each farm is following steps to sustainable livestock to improve their production system(s), thereby developing robust metrics to progress economic, environmental and social viability. • The consortium works collaboratively to improve the sustainability of ruminants, which we argue are a vital component of global food systems, delivering both human and planetary health.

The aim of this study was to investigate the opinions of meat consumers (n = 1780) on on-farm management of unhealthy pigs, whether support for treatment with antibiotics varies according with chance of recovery, and the effect of knowledge on the use of antibiotics on these opinions. Most participants believed that the use of antibiotics was the best solution for unhealthy pigs, and this was associated with a low level of knowledge about antibiotics. Increasing the probability of recovery after treatment increased support for treating pigs with antibiotics. However, the majority of participants rejected the consumption of meat from animals housed in “hospital pens”. After price, concern with food safety was the second main factor that influenced participants’ choice when buying meat. Support for the use of antibiotics to deal with unhealthy pigs in “hospital pens”, as well as for consumption of the meat from these animals, was higher among participants involved in agriculture. This shows that consumers are unaware of the potential negative repercussions for animal welfare associated with banning or reducing the use of antibiotics in livestock production, which is an important concern for the industry.

Current livestock practices do not meet current real-world social and environmental requirements, pushing farmers away from rural areas and only sustaining high productivity through the overuse of fossil fuels, causing numerous environmental side effects. In this narrative review, we explore how the Voisin Rational Grazing (VRG) system responds to this problem. VRG is an agroecological system based on four principles that maximise pasture growth and ruminant intake, while, at the same time, maintaining system sustainability. It applies a wide range of regenerative agricultural practices, such as the use of multispecies swards combined with agroforestry. Planning allows grazing to take place when pastures reach their optimal resting period, thus promoting vigorous pasture regrowth. Moreover, paddocks are designed in a way that allow animals to have free access to water and shade, improving overall animal welfare. In combination, these practices result in increased soil C uptake and soil health, boost water retention, and protect water quality. VRG may be used to provide ecosystem services that mitigate some of the current global challenges and create opportunities for farmers to apply greener practices and become more resilient. It can be said that VRG practitioners are part of the initiatives that are rethinking modern livestock agriculture. Its main challenges, however, arise from social constraints. More specifically, local incentives and initiatives that encourage farmers to take an interest in the ecological processes involved in livestock farming are still lacking. Little research has been conducted to validate the empirical evidence of VRG benefits on animal performance or to overcome VRG limitations.