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1.
  • Ahlman, Therese, et al. (författare)
  • Differences in preferences for breeding traits between organic and conventional dairy producers in Sweden
  • 2014
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 162, s. 5-14
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Development of sustainable breeding goals for dairy production has to consider the producers' preferences which are likely to differ between production systems. The number of dairy producers with herds certified according to the standards of organic production has increased during the last decades. Traditionally, organic producers use animals selected in conventional production systems but the traits important in organic herds have been suggested to differ due to the different production conditions. The aim of this study was to assess what traits Swedish organic and conventional daily producers consider to be important for the cows in their herds, and the relative importance of traits in the two production systems.An advanced web questionnaire with an underlying selection index was developed. The selection index was not shown to the respondents but it enabled them to weight traits against each other based on the genetic progress obtained. The questionnaire also included questions about what traits the producers intuitively considered important for the cows in their herds and how they ranked 15 given production and functional traits. The questionnaire was answered by 468 Swedish dairy producers of which 122 had a certified organic herd and 346 had a conventional herd.The results of this study show that the trait longevity was ranked first by both organic and conventional Swedish dairy producers. However, the ranking differed to some extent between the production systems for other traits, e.g. mastitis resistance and milk production. Swedish producers with organic herds tended to desire a higher genetic gain in disease resistance, including mastitis and parasite resistance, compared with producers with conventional herds. The results also reflect a somewhat lower interest in milk production level among producers with organic production. However, as the traits most important for Swedish producers with organic herds are already considered in the current Nordic breeding goal they can continue the use of this animal material. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.
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2.
  • Ahlman, Therese, et al. (författare)
  • Fertility, somatic cell count and milk production in Swedish organic and conventional dairy herds
  • 2009
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 126, s. 176-182
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • The share of organic dairy production in EU is increasing and this study describes the herd structure and cow performance in organic and conventional dairy production systems in Sweden. The data included records from 2902718 lactations, collected in organic (n=471) and conventional (n = 13976) herds between 1998 and 2005. Compared with conventional herds, the organic herds were larger and increased more rapidly in size. The replacement rate was slightly lower in organic herds and fewer Swedish Holsteins were used. The statistical analysis of cow performance in the first three lactations showed lower milk, fat and protein production in organic herds, but the increase in production from first to second lactation was larger when expressed in kg milk. Fertility was better for organically managed cows compared to conventionally managed cows, but the somatic cell count (SCC) was higher. However. at a given production level the fertility was slightly worse in organic herds while there was no difference in SCC. No interactions of importance were found between production system and breed for any trait.The results showed that organic and conventional dairy production differed regarding herd structure and cow performance. However, the differences in fertility and SCC found were to a high extent explained by the lower milk yield in organic production and no breed was found to perform better in either system. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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3.
  • Ahmed, Haseeb, et al. (författare)
  • Assessing economic consequences of improved animal welfare in Swedish cattle fattening operations using a stochastic partial budgeting approach
  • 2020
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 232
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • There is an increased concern among many stakeholders in society that livestock production systems provide a low-quality life to the animals and therefore advocate improved farm animal welfare (FAW). On the other hand, producers are concerned that stricter welfare regulations would decrease their profits and hence their competitiveness. Given the relevance of the debate surrounding FAW especially in Sweden, and the lack of studies related to the beef sector, this study examined the impact of changes in FAW practices on economic performance of Swedish beef fattening operations. We modelled a herd of 50 cattle of either beef or dairy breed reared for meat production to examine the impact of increased space allowance, including a corresponding decrease in herd size, and increased forage-to-concentrate (FC) ratio. We found that a 1-m(2)/animal increase in space allowance was associated with a decrease of 18.9 and 10.8% in short-run, per animal profits in beef and dairy breeds, respectively. Sensitivity analysis suggested that an increase in weight gain and short-run loss in herd size due to increased space allowance were the most important factors. We estimated that an increase in the FC ratio from 40:60 to 65:35 was associated with a reduction in per animal profits of about 21 to 34% in beef breeds and 17 to 53% in dairy breeds, respectively. Sensitivity analysis indicated that reduced growth due to increased FC ratio was the most important factor. Our results suggest that an increase in space allowance or FC ratio in Swedish beef fattening operations may reduce farm profitability. They also imply that consequences of any policy instrument should be carefully examined to reach the goal of improved FAW along with improved profitability and sustainability for the farmer.
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4.
  • Arvidsson Segerkvist, Katarina, et al. (författare)
  • Automatic weighing as an animal health monitoring tool on pasture
  • 2020
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 240
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • This project aimed to evaluate a novel method for monitoring the health of grazing cattle. The method studied in this paper is based on an unmanned, automatic precision weighing system that can be used on pasture, and which will alarm farmers when animals show abnormal weight gain curves. The project focused primarily on the detection of pasture-borne nematode parasite infections, which clearly reduce the weight gain of calves, but the method could be further developed to include other diseases that impair animal performance. The early detection of nematode infections would both improve animal welfare and minimize the use of anthelmintics. This study included a total of 63 first season grazing steers born from dairy cows that were allocated to one of two permanent semi-natural pasture enclosures for 20 weeks. Both enclosures had two identical scales except that one scale was powered with line current and one scale was equipped with solar panels. The automatic weighing stations were situated in close proximity to a source of water, salt and minerals so that animals would voluntarily pass through them on a regular basis. LiveStock Planner (R) software was used to identify usable data. The number of usable recordings per animal throughout the grazing season varied from 547 to 2677 amongst the four weighing stations, with an average of five usable recordings per animal obtained each week. The herds were guided to the weighing area on a daily basis during the first eight weeks of the grazing period to ensure that the steers received enough water. After this period, manual observations were used to verify that all animals entered the watering area without problems. The findings showed that the weighing technique worked well; hence, the developed method demonstrates great potential as an automatic supervision tool for grazing cattle. However, even though the summer of 2016 was quite dry, there was still water available in ditches and puddles. Accordingly, water alone was not a strong enough motivation to get cattle to pass through the weighing station into the watering area. Hence, in grazing areas with natural water sources, a reward more attractive than the water, salt and minerals used in this study is needed to ensure frequent voluntary passage of cattle through the scales.
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5.
  • Bakeeva, Albina, et al. (författare)
  • Effect of solid-state fermentation with Arxula adeninivorans or Hypocrea jecorina (anamorph Trichoderma reesei) on hygienic quality and in-vitro digestibility of banana peels by mono-gastric animals
  • 2017
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 199, s. 14-21
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • This study evaluated the effectiveness of solid-state fermentation with Arxula adeninivorans or Hypocrea jecorina to improve hygienic quality and digestibility of banana peels by mono-gastric animals. Green peels of cooking bananas (Musa AAA-group) were solid-state fermented in ziploc plastic bags for 14 d either non inoculated or inoculated with A. adeninivorans or H. jecorina. Colonies of aerobic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, yeasts and moulds were enumerated. In-vitro digestibility (total tract and pre-caecal) of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) and crude protein (CP) was also determined. Solid-state fermentation significantly improved (P < 0.05) in-vitro total tract digestibility (9.9% for DM and 10.1% for OM), and in-vitro pre-caecal digestibility (25.0% for DM, 30.9% for OM and 74.5% for CP); however, no significant effect (P > 0.05) due to inoculation was observed. Conversely, inoculation (with A. adeninivorans or H. jecorina) significantly improved (P < 0.05) the hygienic quality; with lower (P < 0.05) aerobic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae and mould counts than the non-inoculated treatment. However, H. jecorina triggered a significantly superior (P < 0.05) improvement in both hygienic quality and in-vitro pre-caecal digestibility than A. adeninivorans.
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6.
  • Bergqvist, Ann-Sofi, et al. (författare)
  • Individual identification of pigs during rearing and at slaughter using microchips
  • 2015
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 180, s. 233-236
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Identification  of individual pigs is essential for management, traceability, breeding, trading and disease control in commercial pig production. Conventional identification methods used for pigs, such as ear tags and tattoos, are not sufficiently reliable due to losses and code erasing. This study investigated the retention rate, functionality and tissue damage of microchips compared with conventional electronic ear tags and assessed the effects of chip size and pig age at microchip injection. A larger proportion of small (95.2%) than large(82.5%) microchips were readable throughout the rearing period (p˂0.031). It was better to inject microchips when the piglets were 9-10 weeks old compared with 1-2 weeks (p=0.058). Ear tags caused significantly more tissue damage than microchips (p=0.001). However, although microchips met the requirements of an identification system for pigs that is unique, easy to read, does not produce apparent disturbance to the animals and causes minimal pathological changes, the proportion of lost microchips was unacceptably high. Further research on chip type, pig age at marking and marking site is needed to find suitable methods for identification of individual pigs.
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7.
  • Bergsten, Christer (författare)
  • Wider slot in pens with fully slatted rubber mat flooring for fattening bulls: Effects on animal hygiene, health and welfare
  • 2020
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 234
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • This study investigated health and welfare of 119 Swedish fattening bulls when allowing wider slots in fully slatted rubber mats pens. On arrival Light bulls (around 120 +/- 28 kg at 4.7 +/- 1.3 mo of age) were allotted to 6 pens with fully slatted rubber mats, of which 3 Control pens had 30 mm slot openings and 100 mm slat width and 3 Test pens had 35 mm slot openings and 90 mm slat width. Reaching >400 kg (Heavy bulls), Control bulls were moved to 3 larger pens having 35 mm slot openings and 100 mm slat width and Test bulls to 3 pens having 40 mm slot openings and 100 mm slat width. Pens hosted 5-7 bulls. Bulls stayed in the same group (Control/Test), and were observed until slaughter (around 600 kg for 20.5 +/- 2.1 mo). Total drainage area was 14% for Control and 18% for Test floors. Bull body condition, hygiene, locomotion and leg lesions were assessed on eight days during the 18 months study. At slaughter, hind feet were measured, trimmed, and evaluated for claw disorders. Two pens/floor were filmed during two 14-h sessions to monitor animal activities, social interactions, and lying postures. Wider slots did not affect body condition or hygiene on farm, although 3 Control and 1 Test bulls were penalised at slaughter for poor hygiene. Light bulls were dirtier than Heavy bulls, especially on thigh/flank areas. Bulls became dirtier in winter. Percentage of bulls showing locomotor problems was generally low and not affected by wider slots (1.09 vs. 0.91% for Control and Test bulls, respectively). Test bulls showed a slight tendency to develop more swelling on hock and carpus (0.55 vs. 3.18% for Control and Test bulls, respectively). Rubber mats did not cause toe overgrowth (mean dorsal wall of outer claw = 87.5 mm) and Test bulls showed lower prevalence of asymmetric claws (38.5 vs. 13.3% for Control and Test bulls, respectively). Interdigital hyperplasia and white line fissure were detected only in Control bulls. Outcomes of this study suggested that the 4%-unit increase in drainage area of fully slatted rubber mat floors did not impair bull behaviour, since few atypical transitions and lying sequences were recorded, or even improve flooring and animal hygiene. However, some limitations of the research require further investigations to provide evidence supporting the widening of slot openings in fully slatted rubber mat floors for fattening bulls' welfare purpose.
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8.
  • Bertilsson, Jan (författare)
  • A meta-analysis of milk production responses to increased net energy intake in Scandinavian dairy cows
  • 2015
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 175, s. 59-69
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • The objectives of this analysis were to develop empirical prediction models for milk yield based on cow characteristics and dry matter intake (DMI) or net energy intake (NEL) and to evaluate the effect of breed, parity, stage of lactation and the additional prediction value of using NEL estimates versus DMI estimates for incorporation in future economical optimization models of the energy level in dairy cow rations. Previous Danish response models are outdated due to higher yield capacity of cows and the use of the new Nordic feed evaluation system NorFor since 2011. A data set with 195 treatment mean observations was compiled from original data of 13 trials from Denmark, Norway and Sweden representing the breeds Danish Holstein, Danish Red, Danish Jersey, Norwegian Red and Swedish Red. Total data were grouped into 4 sub datasets according to parity; either primiparous or multiparous and according to stage of lactation; either DIM 1 to 100 (Early) or DIM 101 to 200 (Mid). All analyzed ration characteristics were calculated from NorFor principles or estimated from NorFor feed table values. Data were analyzed using linear mixed effects model with trials as random effect Residuals were weighted by number of cows in each treatment mean. Best fit model was by use of linear and natural log transformation of NEL intake rather than DMI in the regression, especially when also including the ration concentration of the individual nutrients (g/MJ NEL), neutral detergent fibre, amino acids absorbed in the small intestine and crude fat, in the model. Breed specific responses were parallel and only differed by their intercept In early lactation for multiparous cows with a mean NEL intake (136 MJ) the model predicted an ECM response of 35.4 kg and for primiparous cows with mean NEL intake (115 MJ) the model predicted an ECM response of 27.8 kg. Marginal milk response (kg ECM/MJ NEL) decreased more for multiparous cows (from 0.34 to 0.08) than for primiparous cows (from 020 to 0.15) within the observation ranges of NEL intake. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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9.
  • Bertilsson, Jan (författare)
  • Responses in live weight change to net energy intake in dairy cows
  • 2015
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 181, s. 163-170
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • The objective of this analysis was to estimate the effect of increased energy intake on daily live weight changes during the first 100 days of lactation of primiparous and multiparous cows. A data set with 78 observations (treatment means) was compiled from 6 production trials from Denmark, Norway and Sweden representing the breeds Danish Holstein, Norwegian Red and Swedish Red. We had access to individual data for feed intake and live weight changes (every second week) during the first 100 days after calving. The data was grouped into sub datasets according to parity; either primiparous or multiparous. Feed ration energy values were recalculated by use of NorFor to obtain consistent energy expression in all trials as opposed to the varying feed evaluation systems used in original analysis of trials. Regression analysis with linear and quadratic effects were performed on live weight registrations for individual cows to stage of lactation, and daily live weight change was estimated from the slope at day 30, 60 and 90 after parturition. Data used for analyzes were treatment means given as the mean for a group of cows at a given treatment in a trial. Response models for daily live weight change were made by linear mixed effects model with trial as random factor. For both primiparous and multiparous cows there was an increasing curvilinear response at a decreasing rate to increased net energy intake and the daily live weight change at day 30 was negative and at day 90 it was positive for all energy intake levels. There were no effects of diet composition on the responses. At low energy intake levels primiparous cows had lower live weight losses than the multiparous cows. At mean net energy intake level for primiparous cows (116 MJ) the daily live weight change at day 30, 60 and 90 were -0.37, 0.06 and 0.48 kg/d, respectively and for multiparous cows at mean net energy intake (138 MJ) the daily live weight change day 30, 60 and 90 were -0.38, 0.03 and 0.44 kg/d, respectively. Following the response functions the marginal responses to increased energy intake decreased. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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10.
  • Blanco Penedo, Isabel, et al. (författare)
  • Effects of turning to 100% organic feed on metabolic status of Swedish organic dairy cows
  • 2012
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 143, s. 242-248
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Since January 2008 the ration for organic herds has been required to be 100% organic (Regulation No. 889/2008). However, this may not satisfy the high energy demands of early lactation cows. We thus investigated the possible effects of 100% organic feed on the energy balance in Swedish organic dairy herds as indicated by the following blood parameters (n = 739 observations): Beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) and insulin, and the occurrence of clinical ketosis (n = 8769 observations). Thirteen organic and 13 conventional herds were visited and blood samples from 81 cows around parturition ( >= 3 cows per herd) were used. The metabolic status of the same herds under the previous rules was available for comparison. The BHBA, NEFA and insulin levels were different before and after the change of legislation, but the effects were similar in organic and conventional cows. The incidence of clinical ketosis was not associated with herd type or the change of legislation. Thus the change in legislation did not appear to have had any detrimental effects on the metabolic profiles of organic cows in early lactation and there was no evidence that organic cows were metabolically more challenged or had a severe negative energy balance. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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11.
  • Blanco Penedo, Isabel, et al. (författare)
  • The status of essential elements and associations with milk yield and the occurrence of mastitis in organic and conventional dairy herds
  • 2014
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 168, s. 120-127
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • There is a lack of detailed information on the impact of organic feeding regulation on the health and well-being of cows. This has become especially important since January 2008 when the EU required 100% organic ration for organic dairy herds. The aim of this investigation was to determine and compare the levels of essential elements in organic and conventional dairy herds, and to associate them with milk yield and the occurrence of mastitis. The field study was carried out in 10 organic and 10 conventional herds from 2005 to 2010. This period included the point in time when the ration became 100% organic in organic dairy herds. Essential element concentrations (Cu, Co, Se, Zn, Mn, Mo, I and Fe) were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry in 158 serum samples. Associations between concentrations of elements and milk yield and mastitis were determined with mixed linear and logistic regression models, respectively. No significant differences in metal levels between organic and conventional herds were found. No severely deficient concentrations of essential elements were observed in organic herds, either before or after the change in regulation. Cows with low serum concentrations of Se had lower somatic cell counts. Daily milk yield was significantly influenced by deficient concentrations of Cu. For the evaluation of clinical mastitis occurrence, herds were classified for each element, based on the individual values of the sampled cows. Low levels of some elements (Se, I) were associated with a reduced risk of mastitis occurrence. However, other elements indicated a protective effect against mastitis. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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12.
  • Bonestroo, John, et al. (författare)
  • Diagnostic properties of milk diversion and farmer-reported mastitis to indicate clinical mastitis status in dairy cows using Bayesian latent class analysis
  • 2021
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 253
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • The development of digital farming gives bovine mastitis research and management tools access to large datasets. However, the quality of registered data on clinical mastitis cases or treatments may be inadequate (e.g. due to missing records). In automatic milking systems, the decision to divert milk from the bulk milk tank during milking is registered (i.e. milk diversion indicator) for every milking and could potentially indicate a clinical mastitis case. This study accordingly estimated the diagnostic performance of a milk diversion indicator in relation to farmer-recorded clinical mastitis cases in the absence of a "gold standard". Data on milk diversion and farmer-reported clinical mastitis from 3,443 lactations in 13 herds were analyzed. Each cow lactation was split into 30-DIM periods in which it was registered whether milk was diverted and whether clinical mastitis was reported. One 30-DIM period was randomly sampled for each lactation and this was the unit of analysis, this procedure was repeated 300 times, resulting in 300 datasets to create autocorrelation-robust results during analysis. We used Bayesian latent class analysis to assess the diagnostic properties of milk diversion and farmerreported clinical status. We analyzed different episode lengths of milk diversion of 1 or more milk diversion days until 10 or more milk diversion days for two scenarios: farmers with poor-quality (51% sensitivity, 99% specificity) and high-quality (90% sensitivity, 99% specificity) mastitis registrations. The analysis was done for all 300 datasets. The results showed that for the scenario where the quality of clinical mastitis reporting was high, the sensitivity was similar for milk-diversion threshold durations of 1-4 days (0.843 to 0.793 versus 0.893). Specificity increased when the number of days of milk diversion increased and was >= 98% at a milk-diversion threshold durations of 8 or more consecutive milk diversion days. In the scenario where the quality of clinical mastitis reporting was low, the sensitivity of milk diversion and reported clinical mastitis cases was similar at milk-diversion threshold durations of 1-7 days (0.687 to 0.448 versus 0.503 to 0.504) while specificity exceeded the 98% at milk-diversion threshold durations of 7 or more consecutive milk diversion days. In both scenarios, a milk diversion threshold duration of 4-7 days achieved the most desirable combined sensitivity and specificity. This study concluded that milk diversion can be a valid alternative to farmer-reported clinical mastitis as it performs similarly in indicating actual clinical mastitis.
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13.
  • Bosona, Techane, et al. (författare)
  • Modeling the dynamic response of camels' heart rate to physical activities
  • 2011
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 142, s. 138-146
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • This paper presents the result of the study made on the dynamic response of camels' heart rate (HR) under working conditions. The main objective was to develop a simulation model that can describe the dynamic nature of the camels' heart rate response to physical activity i.e. pulling a loaded cart and sledge. The dynamic simulation model was developed using Powersim simulation software.The model verification and validation processes indicated that the model could describe the basic pattern of camels' dynamic heart rate response to physical activity. The coefficient of determination. R(2), was more than or equal to 0.74 for seven of the eight data sets used for model development. This basic profile of the dynamic response of camels heart rate had four parts: resting condition (before activity); transient; steady state; and recovery conditions. The heart rate rose rapidly, maintained steady state and then decreased gradually after the release of load. The statistical test indicated that the difference in animals (p<0.0001), loads (p<0.0001), and loading types (p<0.0006) had significant effect on the HR response of experimental camels. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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14.
  • Braam, Åsa, et al. (författare)
  • Genetic variation in durability of Swedish Warmblood horses using competition results
  • 2011
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 142, s. 181-187
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • The aim of the study was to investigate the possibilities of using number of years in competition as a measure of durability in the genetic evaluation of Swedish Warmblood horses. Competition results recorded between 1971 and 2008 in the disciplines dressage, show jumping and eventing were used to estimate genetic parameters for number of years in competition. Only male horses not used in breeding born between 1967 and 1991 were included in the study (17,962 horses). The study showed that horses with placings in more than one discipline at an early age had the longest competition career. This result suggests that these horses are talented for sports and possibly also that there is a positive effect of all-round training of young horses on their durability. For estimation of genetic parameters for number of years in competition different linear mixed animal models were compared. Depending on the model and transformation the heritability for total number of years in competition varied between 0.07 and 0.17. The lower values were obtained when adjustments in the model were made for age at first placing in competition. Higher heritabilities were obtained for competition years in show jumping and lower for eventing. Performance traits scored at young horse tests and as points in competition (lifetime and for young horses) showed positive genetic correlations with total number of years in competition. These results indicate that years in competition represent both the durability of the horses and their talents for performance. It is suggested that number of years in competition may be used for genetic evaluation of durability.
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15.
  • Buijs, Stephanie (författare)
  • Societal concern related to stocking density, pen size and group size in farm animal production
  • 2009
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 123, s. 16-22
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Farm animal welfare has become increasingly important and relevant from the societal point of view throughout the livestock production chain, with space allowance for farm animals being one of its most topical and vividly debated sub-matters. Anticipating on the increasing power of the citizens' voice in Western society, this study focuses on societal concerns related to space allowance in Flemish animal production. This paper reports a quantitative analysis of crosssectional surveys conducted among citizens of Flanders during 2000–2002 (n = 521) and during 2006 (n = 459). Compared with other animal welfare aspects, the survey participants perceived stocking densities and pen sizes as very essential for attaining an acceptable level of farm animal welfare. In addition, they evaluated stocking densities and pen sizes in current Flemish animal production as inadequate. Combined these results indicate that societal concern, defined as the difference between perceived importance and evaluative belief, is very high for stocking density and pen size, though less for group size. Societal concern about stocking density was found to be higher among younger people and households without children, while societal concernwas not significantly associated with living environment (rural versus urban). Gender (higher concern among women in dataset 2006) and educational (higher concern among higher educated people in dataset 2000–2002) differences were not consistently significant in all datasets. The findings from this study suggest that larger gains in terms of animal welfare image among the public can be realised from providing farm animals with more space relative to reducing animal group size
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16.
  • Chalkias, Helena, et al. (författare)
  • Genetic analysis of functional and non-functional teats in a population of Yorkshire pigs
  • 2013
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 152, s. 127-134
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Litter size is included in the goal of most pig breeding programmes. With an increased litter size, the number of functional teats, which are needed to achieve piglet weight gain and uniform litters,becomes increasingly important. The non-functional (e.g. inverted, blind,or small) teats might have a lower value for the nursing of the piglets. In Sweden, within the pig breeding company Nordic Genetics, the total number of teats, as well as the numbers of functional and non-functional teats, are recorded for purebred Yorkshire pigs both at 3 weeks of age (identity marking) and at about 5 months of age (performance testing). In 2010, 13% of the Swedish purebred Yorkshire pigs had at least one non-functional teat at performance testing (100 kg live weight). The aim of this study was to analyse both genetic and phenotypic variation among the teat traits and to analyse the associations among the teat traits,age and side fat thickness at 100 kg live weight. In the phenotypic analyses there were significant differences between males and females for all analysed teat traits. Males showed a higher number of functional teats and females three times more non-functional teats at 100kg live weight. In the genetic analyses there cords for males and females were treated as representing different traits. The estimated heritability of total number of teats and the number of functional teats, both at 3 weeks of age and at 100 kg live weight, was in the range 0.36-0.42. The heritability of the number of non-functional teats at 3 weeks of age was low, 0.02, for both males and females. Surprisingly, at 100 kg live weight, the heritability of non-functional teats was moderate,0.29, for females, but still low, 0.03, formales. Further studies are required to investigate whether there is a biological explanation for this finding, or  if there is a difference between  the genders in the recording procedure of this trait.The only  significant genetic correlation found between the teat traits and performance traits was for  male pigs; the genetic correlation for the relationship between the number of non- functional teats at 3 weeks of age and the age at 100 kg was 0.2. Thus, slowly growing pigs have a lower number of non-functional teats. Our results show that the teat number efficiently  can be improved by selection. However non-functional teats is a complex trait and  further studies need to be performed to investigate the possibilities to improve selection against the non-functional teats.
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17.
  • Clasen, Julie (författare)
  • Combining extended lactation with sexed semen in a dairy cattle herd: Effect on genetic and total economic return
  • 2019
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 223, s. 176-183
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Extended lactation has shown economic benefits in dairy herds, but this strategy may affect the genetic lag between the production cows at herd level and the semen bulls unfavorably. We hypothesize, that a breeding strategy using sexed semen (SS) will reduce this effect and that SS and extended lactation has synergetic effects on the total economic return. A base scenario reflected an average Danish Holstein herd with 13 months calving interval (CInt) (BASE). Additionally, six scenarios with extended lactations: two with only first parity cows managed for a CInt of 15 (FIRST15) and 17 months (FIRST17), two with only cows in second parity or higher managed for a CInt of 15 (OLDER15) and 17 months (OLDER17), and two with all cows managed for a CInt of 15 (ALL15) and 17 months (ALL17). These were combined with four breeding schemes illustrating different uses of SS within each of the scenarios: SS in 50% genetically best heifers (SS50), 75% genetically best heifers (SS75), all heifers (SS100) and 70% genetically best heifers and 30% first parity cows (SS7030). Beef semen was used when necessary to equalize the number of replacement heifers within extended lactation scenarios. The scenarios were simulated using two stochastic simulation models for estimation of operational returns (SimHerd) and for genetic returns (ADAM). The genetic returns support that extended lactation has an unfavorable effect on genetic lag in SSO, because the generation interval among breeding females increases when extended lactation is introduced. Compared to BASE/SSO most combinations of SS and extended lactation, with the exception of ALL17 combinations increased genetic returns as a result of decreased generation interval. Across extended lactation scenarios, reductions in genetic return relative to BASE was between (sic)1 (FIRST15) and (sic)12 (ALL17) per cow year within each scenario of SS. With increased use of SS, the genetic returns increased from (sic)4 (SS50) to (sic)12 (SS7030) per cow year, compared to SSO within each scenario of extended lactation. In total economic return, the use of SS had effects between + (sic)5 and + (sic)29 per cow year due to increased use of beef semen, thus more sales of slaughter calves. Except for OLDER15 and OLDER17, the extended lactation scenarios within each scenario of SS increased total economic returns as well. In conclusion, the genetic lag caused by extended lactation can be reduced using SS, although there was no synergetic effect between SS and extended lactation on the total economic return.
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18.
  • Deori, Sourabh, et al. (författare)
  • Comparison of single layer centrifugation and magnetic activated cell sorting for selecting viable boar spermatozoa after thawing
  • 2022
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 257
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Sperm selection techniques, such as magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) and colloid centrifugation, are reported to select good quality spermatozoa from semen samples of various species. Although the sperm quality of fresh boar semen is usually good, cryopreservation has a negative effect on parameters such as plasma membrane integrity and mitochondrial activity. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to determine whether MACS or centrifugation through a single layer of colloid (Single Layer Centrifugation, SLC) would be beneficial in enriching thawed boar sperm samples for viable spermatozoa with active mitochondria and good chromatin integrity. Frozen samples from three boars, three ejaculates per boar, were thawed and split. One part was selected by MACS, one was prepared by SLC, and the remainder served as the control. Controls and the selected sperm samples were evaluated for sperm quality (plasma membrane integrity, chromatin integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential and production of reactive oxygen species). Although several aspects of sperm quality were improved in the SLC-selected sperm samples compared to control, the flow-through MACS samples were only improved in having a lower proportion of spermatozoa with immature chromatin (Hi green fluorescence) compared to the labeled control. Sperm quality in the SLC samples was better than in the flow-through samples from MACS. Therefore, despite promising reports of the use of MACS for selecting good quality spermatozoa from semen in other species, the method was not useful for improving sperm quality in the thawed boar sperm samples in this experiment.
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19.
  • Deori, Sourabh, et al. (författare)
  • Fast protein liquid chromatography profiles of seminal plasma proteins in young bulls: A biomarker of sperm maturity?
  • 2021
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 250
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Breeding companies want to use semen from bulls as soon as possible to take advantage of their desirable genetics. It takes several weeks for the sperm quality of young bulls to stabilize and for post-thaw sperm quality to become acceptable for artificial insemination. Seminal plasma proteins protect spermatozoa during cryopreservation; it may take some time for the seminal plasma protein profile to stabilize. The purpose of this study was to determine if the seminal plasma protein profile can be used as a marker of likely seminal maturity in young bulls. A comparison was made of the seminal plasma protein profile in the ejaculates of 10 bulls of 9-10 months old (Sample I), with the profiles from ejaculates taken from the same bulls at 13-16 months old (Sample II) using fast protein liquid chromatography. This is a method for separating classes of proteins according to their binding ability. The peak area and peak height of different classes of proteins did not differ significantly between the two samples for each bull, except for peak 5 (heparin-binding proteins) and total peak area (p<0.05). The heparinbinding protein peak height and area were significantly higher (p<0.05) in Sample II than in Sample I. In conclusion, levels of fertility associated heparin-binding proteins increase with age in young bulls and might serve as a biomarker of sperm maturity. .
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20.
  • Emanuelson, Ulf, et al. (författare)
  • Feasibility of EVolutionary OPeration (EVOP) as a concept for herd-specific management in commercial dairy herds
  • 2020
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 235
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Dairy farming is a complex production system involving biological, technological and human inputs. Therefore, `general knowledge of cause and effect' often seems inadequate to identify and implement optimal management procedures. To solve herd-specific problems, this paper explores the potential of planned experiments for internal use at the farm level to take advantage of local causal relationships. The shift towards larger dairy herds with access to automatic data recordings of a large number of relevant inputs and performance indicators supports the development of management tools that are able to estimate the effect of changes made in daily management on individual farms. The concept of EVolutionary OPeration (EVOP) implies making small systematic changes in production factors or procedures while running the production and continuously evaluating the results. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the feasibility of implementing EVOP in commercial dairy herds as an integral part of herd management. The concept of EVOP-Dairy is based on five principles: (1) farmer-driven identification of areas for improvement; (2) herd-specific goals for the interventions to be evaluated in EVOP trials; (3) a short EVOP trial period; (4) simple, but statistically sound, EVOP designs including data access and (5) regular estimation of intervention effects and frequent reporting to the farmer. The project involved three activities: first, visiting a number of dairy farms with the aim of identifying areas for management improvements and to define potential EVOP interventions and relevant designs of EVOP trials; second, conducting a series of EVOP trials to develop data registration, statistical models, analysis and reporting; third, interviewing the farmers to obtain their opinion of the conceptual idea and the process. These activities were documented for the twelve project farms, and five different EVOP trials are described in detail to illustrate the concept. In conclusion, the farmers found the concept a useful management improvement tool, although the EVOP trials created additional work. The EVOP-Dairy statistical models need to include dynamic multilevel data and control for confounding factors when estimating intervention effects, as design with randomization was not feasible in the majority of the identified EVOP trials. Therefore, future development for the EVOP-Dairy should focus on (i) easy to implement and execute interventions, (ii) guidelines to interpret intervention effect when practical conditions hinder fully randomized and well replicated interventions, and (iii) automation of the data analysis and reporting part of the concept.
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21.
  • Emanuelson, Ulf, et al. (författare)
  • Reasons and risk factors for on-farm mortality in Estonian dairy herds
  • 2017
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 198, s. 1-9
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Mortality of dairy cattle causes financial loss for the farmer and reflects animal welfare status. The aim of this study was to determine the on-farm mortality (unassisted death and euthanasia), reasons, as well as risk factors for on-farm mortality in Estonian dairy cattle. Data of years 2013 and 2014 about all cattle from dairy herds in Estonia was collected from the Estonian Agricultural Registers and Information Board. The dataset included records of 363,380 animals from 2616 herds. Multivariable Weibull proportional hazard models with herd as random effect were composed for detecting significant associations between potential risk factors and on-farm mortality (composed outcome including unassisted death and euthanasia). Data from Estonian Livestock Performance Recording Ltd was used to determine the reasons for on-farm mortality.The overall mortality rate (MR) including unassisted death and euthanasia was 6.95 per 100 animal-years. Mortality was highest in male (MR=55.96 per 100 animal-years, 95% CI 54.53; 57.42) and female (MR=27.70 per 100 animal-years, 95% CI 26.99; 28.43) calves up to three months old and lowest in female cattle aged 1218 months (MR=0.99 per 100 animal-years, 95% CI 0.89; 1.10). The main farmers' stated reasons for dairy cow mortality were 'Metabolic and digestive disorders' and 'Feet/claw disorders'. The main reasons for on-farm mortality among youngstock were 'Metabolic and digestive disorders', 'Respiratory and infectious diseases' and 'Other reasons'. The risk factor analysis was carried out in three age categories: < 3 months, 3-23 months and >= 24 months. Estonian Holstein breed was associated with significantly higher risk of mortality compared to Estonian Red breed cattle in every age group. The hazard of on-farm mortality was significantly higher for herds with over 400 animal-years compared to smaller herds in all age groups. Regional differences in mortality hazard were present in the model of youngstock over 3 months and adult cattle. Seasonal differences in mortality rate were present and differed by age groups.This is the first study revealing the on-farm mortality and related risk factors in Estonian dairy cattle population.
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22.
  • Eriksson, Susanne, et al. (författare)
  • Different beef breed sires used for crossbreeding with Swedish dairy cows - effects on calving performance and carcass traits
  • 2020
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 232
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Improved potential for weight gain and carcass classification traits in calves aimed at slaughter from dairy herds would increase the calves' economic value, and enable an increased beef production. At present, relatively low economic weights are placed on beef traits in the comprehensive Nordic dairy cattle breeding goal. An effective way to improve beef production from dairy herds is therefore to inseminate a larger proportion of dairy heifers and cows with beef bull semen. In the choice of beef bull breed, both effects on calving traits, carcass weight gain and carcass traits need to be considered. The aim of this study was therefore to compare different beef x dairy crosses regarding calving performance and carcass traits. Field data comprising in total close to 1.6 million calving records from Swedish herds, and more than 1.1 million carcass records from commercial slaughter houses, were analyzed using linear models. Differences in least-square means between different breed combinations were estimated for percentage of calving difficulty, stillbirth, daily carcass gain, carcass weight, EUROP conformation and fat classification. The dams were purebred Swedish Red (SR) or Swedish Holstein (SH), and the sires were either of purebred dairy (SR or SH) or of the beef breeds Angus, Hereford, Limousin, Simmental or Charolais. The results showed that crossbreeding dairy cows with beef bulls, especially of late maturing breeds, has potential to considerably improve beef production from dairy herds. Improvement of carcass characteristics and carcass gain were most noticeable in young crossbred bulls, where the highest increase for single breed combinations was 67% for conformation and 17% for carcass gain. Offspring of different beef x dairy combinations displayed varying average carcass gain and characteristics in terms of fatness and conformation in heifers, steers and young bulls, and would fit different types of production systems. Whereas crossbreeding had small or favorable effects on stillbirth, the use of late maturing beef breed sires negatively influenced the calving performance, especially in primiparous dairy cows. By choosing individual beef bulls with high estimated breeding values for calving ease, the percentage of calving difficulty could be reduced, even when using late maturing beef breed sires for crossbreeding.
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23.
  • Eriksson, Susanne, et al. (författare)
  • Genetic Parameters and Genetic Trends of Female Fertility in Icelandic Dairy Cattle
  • 2021
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 251
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Fertility, represented by calving interval, has been included in the genetic evaluation of Icelandic cattle since 1993. In spite of this an unfavourable genetic trend is seen and, recent implementation of test-day models for the genetic evaluation of milk production has changed the premise of using calving interval to represent fertility. The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters and genetic trends of different female fertility traits in Icelandic dairy cattle and suggest new traits for the genetic evaluation. Insemination records for the first three lactations and the heifer period of 52,951 Icelandic cows were used to analyse the traits: conception rate at first insemination (CR), number of inseminations per service period (AIS), interval first to last insemination (IFL), interval calving to first insemination (ICF), interval calving to last insemination (ICL) and calving interval (CI). Correlations between fertility and production traits were also estimated. Five different linear animal models were used to estimate (co)variance components. Breeding values were compared, and genetic trends of fertility traits were investigated. Estimated heritabilities for the fertility traits were low, ranging from 0.01 (IFL) to 0.08 (ICF). Genetic correlations between heifer and cow performances within traits ranged from 0.23 to 0.81. Between lactations within traits, the genetic correlations ranged from 0.36 to 1.00. Genetic correlations between different heifer traits were strong, and between different cow fertility traits they ranged from weak (-0.17) to very strong (0.97). Genetic correlations between the fertility and production traits were generally unfavourable, but more pronouncedly so for AIS, IFL, ICL and CI than for ICF and CR. Estimated genetic trends seemed unfavourable for the traits AIS, IFL and CI and favourable for ICF and ICL. In a revised genetic evaluation for fertility in Icelandic cattle, the traits ICF and IFL should be included to represent cow fertility, and CR to represent heifer fertility.
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24.
  • Eriksson, Susanne, et al. (författare)
  • Prevalence and genetic parameters for cryptorchidism in Swedish-born Icelandic horses
  • 2015
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 180, s. 1-5
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Cryptorchidism is a defect in males where one or both testes fail to descend normally into the scrotum. If both testes are retained, the stallion will be infertile. There are few studies of the prevalence of the condition in horses based on field data, and heritability estimates for equine cryptorchidism are lacking. The objective of this study was to provide data on prevalence and heritability of cryptorchidism in Icelandic horses born in Sweden. A questionnaire was sent to breeders, asking whether or not stallions born at the farm had both testes present in the scrotum at the age of 1,6 and 12 months. Fixed effects were analysed using logistic regression and genetic parameters were estimated using linear animal models. Information about 595 yearling stallions born 1997-2011 was used in the analyses. Close to 9% of the yearlings did not have both testes in the scrotum. Probability of cryptorchidism in yearlings was significantly influenced by farm and time period of birth. Heritability estimates for cryptorchidism ranged from 0.12 to 0.32 (SE 0.08-0.12) on the observable scale, and from 0.35 to 0.96 (SE 0.24-0.40) when transformed to the underlying continuous scale. The results support that equine cryptorchidism is heritable. Further studies with more individuals included would be needed to confirm this. (C) 2015 Published by Elsevier B.V.
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25.
  • Eriksson, Torsten (författare)
  • Nitrogen metabolism in dairy cows fed restricted amounts of grass-clover silage supplemented with seeds from narrow-leafed lupin or pea
  • 2010
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 131, s. 39-44
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Twelve dairy cows in mid to late lactation were fed iso-nitrogenous diets (161 g CP/kg DM, forage concentrate ratio 65 35) where rolled barley and coarsely ground seeds from either narrow-leafed lupin or field pea supplemented grass-clover silage Feed allowance was individually restricted and fixed (18.8 +/- 0 6 kg dry matter/day) throughout the experiment to avoid refusals The experiment was of 2 x 2 change-over design and utilized a previous change-over experiment with 3 periods as covariate. Nitrogen balance was assessed by quantitative urine sampling and fecal spot sampling in eight cows whereas rumen metabolism was studied in four cannulated cows. Production of energy corrected milk was 243 kg/day with the lupin diet and 23.2 kg/day with the pea diet (P<0.05). Daily milk fat yield was also higher (P<0.05) with the lupin diet. Proportion of feed N excreted in milk did not differ between diets. Milk urea concentration, as well as the amounts of total urinary N and urinary urea were higher (P<0.05) for the lupin diet, while urinary N proportion of feed N only tended (P = 008) to be higher with the lupin diet. N balance was lower with the lupin diet. Digestibilities of organic matter, neutral detergent fiber and crude protein did not differ between diets and neither did ruminal pools of these constituents. In addition, there were no differences between the diets with respect to the ruminal concentrations of NH(3)-N and total volatile fatty acids, and only minor differences in ruminal pH and ruminal concentrations of iso-acids and alpha-amino-N It is concluded that the higher fat content in lupins compared to peas is an advantage in typical Scandinavian home-grown rations and probably explains the higher milk yield in this experiment. Differences in protein utilization between lupins and peas are of small magnitude when fed ground without thermal processing. In practical feeding, ad libitum forage allowance may create response differences between lupin seeds and peas not observed in this experiment. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved
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26.
  • Eriksson, Torsten (författare)
  • Proportions of potatoes and fodder beets selected by dairy cows and the effects of feed choice on nitrogen metabolism
  • 2009
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 126, s. 168-175
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Twenty-three lactating dairy cows were switched from a standard diet to a ration of alfalfa/grass silage and 1 kg rapeseed cake supplemented with raw potatoes and fodder beets allowed on a semi-restricted basis. The effects of feed choice on urinary markers for nitrogen metabolism were evaluated by the Stepwise regression technique. Each kilogram dry matter of potatoes and fodder beets lowered milk urea concentration and also the urinary ratio urea/creatinine to a similar extent, but allantoin and fecal results suggested larger hindgut fermentation and hence lower ruminal microbial protein production with potatoes than with fodder beets. The variation for concentration of urinary constituents associated with animal, sampling day and sampling time suggests multiple sampling within a day as preferable for spot sampling. It is concluded that the reluctance to potatoes by some cows may cause initial difficulties when fed to high yielding cows naive to the feed. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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27.
  • Ferguson, Richard, et al. (författare)
  • Expand or exit? Strategic decisions in milk production
  • 2013
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 155, s. 415-423
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Results show that farmers hold separate identity, business, and farm-living values. The identity value construct is strongly correlated with the other two, suggesting that for some farmers, identity is more coupled with business management, whereas for others identity is more tied to farm-living. At the same time, it is the business value construct that is most significant in explaining changes in production, exerting a positive influence on both planned exit and expansion, whereas the identity and farm-living value constructs show a more mixed influence on farmers' strategic planning. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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28.
  • Forabosco, Flavio (författare)
  • Cluster analysis on across country genetic correlations for overall traits and body condition score in Holstein bulls
  • 2013
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 151, s. 108-114
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • The aim of the study is to examine the progress in trait harmonization among member countries participating in the International Bull Evaluation Service Organization (Interbull) for overall conformation score (OCS), overall udder score (OUS), overall feet and legs (OFL), and body condition score (BCS) of Holstein bulls. Input values for the cluster analysis were across-country genetic correlations estimated among 8 countries from 2001 to 2011 for overall type traits and among 12 countries from 2009 to 2011 for BCS. Changes in evaluation procedure and trait definition affected the clustering of countries. For OCS, the evolution was clear, particularly for Australia; the genetic correlations between this country and the majority of other members decreased during the years. Other changes in clustering were due to modifications in trait definitions introduced by France (2004), Germany (2007) and United Kingdom-Ireland (2005, 2008 and 2011). The genetic correlations for OUS were generally higher than those for OCS, and changes in clustering were less pronounced: the structure of clusters remained unchanged from 2004 to 2007. For OFL, Australia was even more distant than for the other two composite traits, probably due to the use of "side view foot diagonal" as best predictor of OFL. The changes in trait definition introduced by France Black and White Holstein (2001) and Italy (2003 and 2007) entailed modifications in the structure of dendrograms. The cluster analysis well depicts the difference among countries that sent information on BCS to Interbull and countries that sent angularity as predictor of BCS, as they were grouped in two distinct clusters and the correlations between them were negative. Major effort is needed to harmonize the traits among countries.
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29.
  • Forabosco, Flavio, et al. (författare)
  • Genetically modified farm animals and fish in agriculture : A review
  • 2013
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 153:1-3, s. 1-9
  • Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Developments in biotechnology over the past 25 years have allowed scientists to engineer genetically modified (GM) animals for use in various areas of agriculture and medicine. The great majority of GM animals and fish are currently only at the research stage. However, some animals with an anticipated use in food production are close to reaching the grocery shelf at least, they will be soon available for marketing. GM livestock include many different kinds of animals and species modified with the intention of improving economically important traits such as growth-rate, quality of meat, milk composition, disease resistance and survival. Pigs have been engineered to grow faster and to produce more meat with less feed; the composition of pork has also been improved for healthier human consumption. Scientists have paid particular attention to pig health, raising piglet survival rates, reducing the risks of infectious disease, and fortifying the porcine immune system. Sheep have been modified to improve wool production and immunity, and to reduce the risk of mortality following infections by bacteria and lethal viruses. Growth-rate in chickens has been increased with only limited success, because conventional selection has already improved this trait close to its biological limit. However, disease resistance (e.g. to H5N1) and the survival of newly hatched chicks have been improved. Udder health and survival are the most important traits improved by transgenic technology in cattle. GM cows with resistance to BSE have been bred. Similar traits are targeted in fish, dominated by salmon, carp and tilapia species, where the focus is on meat production, meat quality, and disease resistance. The number of GM farm animals and fish developed in laboratories is increasing, but for the present the number of species close to entering the market remains small.
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30.
  • Garcia, Emanuel, et al. (författare)
  • Oestrous intensity is positively associated with reproductive outcome in high-producing dairy cows
  • 2011
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier Science B.V. Amsterdam. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 139:3, s. 191-195
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • his study tested whether strong oestrus symptoms are linked to low lameness score, acceptable pregnancy and calving rates in heifers and first parity dairy cows with a high genetic potential for milk production. In a single Swedish nucleus herd for genetic selection and testing, oestrous intensity was determined by detailed observations of 67 females, balanced in terms of age and breed (37 heifers and 30 first-parity cows; 32 Swedish Red cows and 35 Swedish Holsteins). Animals were inseminated with semen of proven quality on the day of detected oestrus. Pregnancy was diagnosed on day 50 by trans-rectal palpation. More heifers than cows exhibited a strong standing oestrus (46 vs. 10%, Pandlt;0.05). The pregnancy rate at day 50 was higher among heifers than cows (72 vs. 37%. Pandlt;0.01), as well as the calving rate (64 vs. 33%, Pandlt;0.05). Standing oestrus was associated with 4.6 to 4.8-fold higher odds of pregnancy and calving, compared to weaker or solely secondary oestrous signs. Lameness decreased the odds of pregnancy 5.1 times and of calving 3.5 times, but no significant association between lameness and oestrus intensity was found. In conclusion, intensive oestrus signalling and non-lameness relate to high reproductive performance in high-producing dairy cattle.
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31.
  • Gidlund, Helena, et al. (författare)
  • Milk production and methane emissions from dairy cows fed a low or high proportion of red clover silage and an incremental level of rapeseed expeller
  • 2017
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 197, s. 73-81
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • This study evaluated the effects of including increasing levels of rapeseed expeller in dairy cow diets with a low or high proportion of red clover silage on milk production and methane emissions. A total of 32 lactating Swedish Red dairy cows were used in a cyclic change-over design with three periods of 21 days, in a 2x4 factorial arrangement of treatments. The total mixed ration consisted of 600 g/kg dry matter (DM) of forage and 400 g/kg DM of concentrate on a DM basis. The forage treatments consisted of a 30:70 or 70:30 ratio of grass to red clover silage (RC30 and RC70). A basal supplement consisted of crimped barley and premix, formulated to contain 130 g CP/kg DM. For the three additional concentrate supplements, crimped barley was gradually replaced with incremental levels of rapeseed expeller to reach 170, 210 or 250 g CP/kg DM. No differences in feed intake were found between RC30 and RC70, but a positive response was found to increased dietary CP concentration from rapeseed expeller. Increasing proportion of red clover silage did not have any effect on production, while increasing dietary CP concentration increased yield of milk, energy corrected milk (ECM) and milk protein. Nitrogen efficiency was higher with diet RC30 than with RC70 and decreased with increasing dietary CP concentration, while milk urea nitrogen increased. Methane (CH4) emissions per unit feed intake decreased with dietary CP concentration and tended to increase with increasing proportion of red clover silage in the diet. Increased CP intake from red clover silage in the diet of dairy cows had no positive effect on CH4 emissions.
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32.
  • Gonda, Horacio (författare)
  • Effect of sward height on short-term intake by steers grazing winter oat pastures
  • 2019
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 225, s. 8-14
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Sward structure and animal grazing behaviour are key variables in determining herbage intake. The present study was carried out with the objective of evaluating the effect of different sward heights (SH) on the short-term ingestive behaviour variables, in steers grazing winter oats (Avena sativa cv. Calen). Six Holstein-Friesian steers (196 +/- 4 kg LW), grouped into three pairs, grazed on swards with different surface heights (SH): 40 cm (SH40), 50 cm (SH50), and 60 cm (SH60). Short-term intake rates (IR) were estimated during grazing sessions of 1 h by the double-weighing technique with correction for insensible weight losses. The number of grazing jaw movements (GJM) and bite jaw movements were measured using the acoustic recorder technique. Measurements were conducted along three consecutive days. On each day, the pairs of steers grazed on one of the SH (1 pair per SH per d). Sound files were analysed visually and aurally. Number of GJM and BJM were determined during three 5-min periods, from minute 5 to 10, from minute 27 to 32 and from minute 50 to 55 of the 1 h grazing session. Bite mass (BM) was calculated as the quotient between IR and the number of bites. Variables of grazing behaviour were analysed by ANOVA according to a 3 x 3 Latin Square design. Classes included in the model were treatment, pair of animals, day, observation time window, and the interaction between treatment and observation time window. Unexpectedly, BM was not affected by the SH (P = 0.97; 0.59, 0.61 and 0.60 g DM bite(-1), for SH40, SH50 and SH60, respectively). Similar BM were the result of a numerical, non-significant, decrease in IR (P = 0.65; 30.2, 29.6 and 26.3 g DM min(-1), for SH40, SH50 and SH60, respectively), together with a decrease in bite rate (BR; P< 0.001; 51.8, 49.1 and 44.3 bite min(-1), for SH40, SH50 and SH60, respectively) with increasing SH. The rate of GJM was similar among treatments (P = 0.50; 88.4, 90.4 and 89.7 GJM min(-1), for SH40, SH50 and SH60, respectively). Similar rates of GJM and different BR resulted in increasing numbers of GJM per bite as SH increased (P< 0.001; 1.73, 1.88 and 2.05 GJM per bite, for SH40, SH50 and SH60, respectively) showing than more manipulative grazing jaw movements were needed to form a bite when the steers grazed on the taller swards.
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33.
  • Gonda, Horacio (författare)
  • Purified and enriched lignin as a marker to estimate faecal output of sheep fed temperate and tropical grasses
  • 2022
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 263
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • A series of trials were conducted in different experimental and feeding conditions to evaluate a purified and enriched lignin extracted from Eucalyptus grandis (LIPE (R)) as a marker to estimate faecal output in sheep fed temperate and tropical grasses. Two indoor trials were conducted in metabolism cages: the first one (Trial I) was conducted with sheep fed Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiorum Lam.) pastures, which was evaluated in two different periods [Period I (n = 14), and Period II (n = 15)], and the second one (Trial II) was performed with sheep fed pearl millet [Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke] pastures (n = 16). Grazing trials were performed with sheep grazing Italian ryegrass [Trial III (n = 62)] and pearl millet [Trial IV (n = 34)]. According to the manufacturer's statements, sheep were dosed once a day with capsules containing 250 mg of LIPE (R) for a period of seven days, beginning two days before total faecal collections started and finishing on the last faecal collection day. To measure the observed daily faecal output, sheep were harnessed with faecal bags that were emptied once a day at 0800 h for five days. Faecal subsamples from indoor and grazing trials were taken to determine the LIPE (R) content by infrared spectroscopy. Regression analyses performed between estimated and observed faecal output (g DM/kg LW/day) by sheep were not significant (p > 0.05) in three of the four evaluated trials. Faecal LIPE (R) recovery from the total data of the four trials showed a statistical difference when compared to the reference value (100%). In conclusion, our results show that the LIPE (R) marker presents low accuracy to estimate the daily faecal output of sheep fed temperate (Italian ryegrass) and tropical (pearl millet) grasses.
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34.
  • Graunke, Katharina, et al. (författare)
  • Influence of weather on the behaviour of outdoor-wintered beef cattle in Scandinavia
  • 2011
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 136, s. 247-255
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • The aim of the present investigation was to study the effect of weather and available protection on the behaviour of outdoor-wintered beef cattle (Bos taurus). A herd of 78-85 cattle head was studied during four winter months in the Southwest of Sweden. Protection was offered by coniferous forest situated on and around the 12 ha pasture, which we divided into protection categories. During 240 h we observed 10 cows and 10 heifers as focal animals (each 3 h/month) during day time and adjusted observation times to the altitude of the sun. Close to the animals and at an unprotected spot of the pasture we measured temperature, wind speed and solar radiation and combined these variables to a single measure called Wind Chill Temperature (WCT). During observations the animals were in the forest in 12.4%, near protection in 10.4% and without protection in 77.2% of the recordings. During precipitation, i.e. rain, snow and hail, the animals frequented the forest 2.71 times more often than during dry weather; however, only in 17.0% of the hours with precipitation the focal animals were in the forest. In 75.0% of the observation hours the WCT in the animals' surrounding was at least 2 degrees C higher than at the most exposed spot of the pasture. Without precipitation the animals were lying less, feeding more and ruminating less at low WCT. During precipitation they were lying more, feeding less and ruminating more at low WCT. The lower the WCT and the higher the wind speed the more subjects there were within a 5 m-radius around the focal animal. The results indicate that the cattle adjusted their behaviour to both WCT and precipitation, that they were able to find warmer microclimates even without always having to frequent protecting objects, and that conspecifics were used as protection. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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35.
  • Guinguina, Abdulai, et al. (författare)
  • Postpartum responses of dairy cows supplemented with cereal grain or fibrous by-product concentrate
  • 2021
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 28
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • The present study examined the effect of replacing cereal grain with a fibrous by-product concentrate on nutrient intake, milk production traits and fatty acid composition, diet digestibility, feed conversion efficiency (FCE), CH4 and CO2 emissions, and plasma blood parameters of dairy cows in early lactation. Twenty-two Nordic Red cows were randomly assigned to one of two dietary treatments immediately after calving until 18 weeks in lactation. The cereal grain treatment contained 593 g/kg of grass silage, 317 g/kg of cereal grain mixture (barley, oat, and wheat), 79 g/kg of heat-treated rapeseed meal, and 11 g/kg of a mineral mix on a DM basis. A mixture of unmolassed beet pulp, wheat middlings, barley fibre, and wheat bran replaced cereal grains in the by-product treatment. The diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous and were fed ad libitum as total mixed rations. The by-product diet had a higher fibre content, while starch content was reduced compared with the cereal grain diet. Despite the 12 %-unit difference in dietary starch content, no differences in DMI were observed. Similarly, no differences in body weight and body condition score (BCS) were observed between treatments. Cows fed the fibrous by-product diet had lower apparent total-tract digestibility of DM (683 g/kg), organic matter (700 g/kg), and crude protein (665 g/kg) compared to those fed cereal grain diet (735, 749, and 699 g/kg, respectively), but milk yield and composition, as well as FCE were not affected by treatment. The edible feed conversion ratio in the by-product group was on average 3.7- folds higher than the cereal grain group. Total CH4 emission (g/d) and CH4 yield (g/kg DMI) reduced by 10.3% on average when by-product replaced cereal grains, but CH4 intensity (g CH4/kg ECM) was not significantly influenced by diet. Although the feeding of by-product had no effect on milk fat content, it changed its fatty acid profile by increasing the proportion of some unsaturated fatty acids (ƩC18:1 trans, C18:3 cis-9 cis-12 cis-15, omega-3) in milk fat. Replacing cereal grain with fibrous by-product in the diets of early lactation dairy cows had no effect on their risk of developing metabolic disorders. These findings suggest that cows fed grass silage-based diets can be supplemented with fibrous by-product concentrates without affecting feed efficiency or energy balance status, thereby supporting sustainable food production. However, future works should evaluate the economic aspects of feeding by-product concentrates to determine their practical application for feed manufacturers and farmers.
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36.
  • Gustavsson, Anne-Maj (författare)
  • Fatty acid composition, fat-soluble vitamin concentrations and oxidative stability in bovine milk produced on two pastures with different botanical composition
  • 2013
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 154, s. 93-102
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Previous research has shown that grazing pastures compared to feeding preserved forages has large impact on milk fatty acid (FA) composition, but differences between grazing red clover (Trifolium pratense L) or white clover (Trifolium repens L) are small, whereas the herbage proportions of dicotyledon botanical families is positively correlated with the milk-fat proportions of total polyunsaturated FA when grazing pastures in the Alps. The objective of the present study was to investigate the influence of botanically different pastures on bovine milk composition and milk susceptibility to oxidation. Two groups of 8 multiparous Norwegian Red dairy cows [mean (standard deviation); 599 (45.1) kg body weight, 73 (15.0) d in milk, 29.9 (2.90) kg milk/d at experiment start] grazed either a short-term pasture (SP) or a long-term pasture (LP). Both pastures were organically managed, meaning that no artificial fertilizers or herbicides were applied. The SP was representative for pastures, which are frequently, i.e. at least every third year, renewed by soil tillage and seeding, whereas LP was representative for pastures, which are less frequently renewed. The SP contained mainly meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds.), timothy (Phleum pratense L.) and red clover and LP contained smooth meadow grass (Poa pratensis L), white clover and a variety of unsown species. Sixteen cows were blocked according to milk yield, days in milk and sire, and randomly within block allocated to the 2 dietary treatments with a daily pasture allowance of 15-20 kg dry matter per cow, supplemented with 3.0 kg barley (Hordeum vulgare L) concentrate. Milk was sampled during the last week of 3 experimental periods and analysed for FA composition by gas chromatography, concentrations of fat-soluble vitamins by high performance liquid chromatography, and oxidative stability in a light-exposure experiment by measuring the formation of hydroperoxides and by front-face fluorescence spectroscopy. Pasture type had no effect on milk yield, milk gross composition, and only minor effects on milk FA composition. Milk from SP had higher concentration of a-tocopherol than LP. The formation of hydroperoxides in milk was lower for SP than LP after 24 h light
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37.
  • Gustavsson, Anne-Maj (författare)
  • Phyto-oestrogens and their metabolites in milk produced on two pastures with different botanical compositions
  • 2014
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 163, s. 62-68
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Phyto-oestrogens are a group of secondary plant metabolites that may bind to oestrogen receptors and exert oestrogenic or anti-oestrogenic effects in humans and can protect against cancer diseases. When ingested by dairy cows, phyto-oestrogens can be metabolised and transferred to the milk. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of grazing a recently established pasture containing red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and an older pasture containing a variety of sown and unsown plant species on milk concentrations of phyto-oestrogens. Sixteen Norwegian Red dairy cows [mean (standard deviation); body weight 599 (45.1) kg, stage of lactation 73 (15.0) d in milk, milk yield 29.9 (2.90) kg/d at the start of the experiment] were divided into two groups and grazed either a short-term pasture (SP) or a long-term pasture (LP). The SP was representative of organically managed leys in Norway, which are frequently, approximately every third year, renewed by soil tillage and seeding, whereas LP was representative of organically managed grasslands that are less frequently renewed. The SP contained meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds.) (mean 34%), timothy (Phleum pratense L) (mean 19%), red clover (mean 28%), shepherd's-purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris (L) Medik.) (mean 6%), pineappleweed (Matricaria matricarioides Porter ex Britton) (mean 5%) and scentless mayweed (Tripleurospermum perforatum (Merat) Lainz) (mean 4%), and LP contained mainly white clover (Trifolium repens L) (mean 21%), smooth meadowgrass (Poa pratensis L.) (mean 19%), timothy (mean 17%), meadow fescue (mean 15%), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L) (mean 6%), tufted hairgrass (Deschampsia cespitosa (L) P. Beauv.) (mean 5%), northern dock (Rumex longifolius DC.) (mean 4%), common couch (Elytrigia repens (L) Desv. Ex Nevski) (mean 4%), red clover (mean 3%) and dandelion (Taraxacum spp.) (mean 3%). In addition to a daily pasture allowance of 20 kg dry matter per cow, supplements of 3.0 kg barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) concentrate were fed. Herbage, concentrates and milk was sampled during the last week of three experimental periods and analysed for phytooestrogens using LC-MS/MS technology. Herbage from SP had 19 times higher concentration of isoflavones than herbage from LP, whereas only small differences were found for lignans. Milk produced on SP had 14 times higher concentrations of the mammalian isoflavonoid equol, and the concentrations of equol were higher than found in most other studies. This study confirms that grazing pastures containing red clover increases concentrations of isoflavones and especially equol in bovine milk compared to grazing pastures with other botanical composition. The higher milk concentrations of the lignan metabolite enterodiol in milk from SP compared to LP could not be related to differences in intake of the analysed lignans and may therefore be related to unidentified lignans. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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38.
  • Hansson, Helena, et al. (författare)
  • Factors influencing the strategic decision to further develop dairy production - A study of farmers in central Sweden
  • 2011
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 135, s. 110-123
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • This article presents results from a study of the factors underlying the strategic decision of 313 dairy farmers in central Sweden to further develop their milk production. Using a structural equation modelling methodology, four categories of factors - the decision structure, the farm's business structure, the cognitive structure of the farmer, and the farm's network structure - have been individually analyzed, and are each found to explain the plan to further develop the farm's milk production, as opposed to continuing without further development or exiting production. These results are an important step toward developing an integrated model of strategic decision-making, where the resources and capabilities of the farm business lead the firm to its development plans. (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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39.
  • Hansson, Helena, et al. (författare)
  • Modelling animal health as a production factor in dairy production- a case of low somatic cell counts in Swedish dairy agriculture
  • 2019
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 230
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Disease in livestock is an undesirable factor in the production process. It lowers the profit margins of the producers and causes unnecessary suffering to the animals. For dairy production, mastitis is the most common disease, which negatively affects animal welfare, increases production costs, and reduces milk yield. The purpose of this study was to estimate the impact of animal health on dairy production and to introduce a model that can be generally used to assess the effect of animal health on production. Empirical data were obtained from farm-level accounting data of a sample of 99 Swedish dairy producers combined with biological information of the dairy herds. A multiple regression analysis, applying both a Cobb-Douglas and a Translog functional form, was used to investigate how animal health affects production. Animal health was proxied by the inverse of the bulk tank somatic cell count, which is taken to reflect higher levels of animal health. The results suggest that animal health plays a significant role in the production process of dairy farming. The study illustrates how the production output may change when animal health is improved, through its impact on production function. The model developed in this study can be a useful tool for evidence-based counselling in order to help dairy farms become more efficient in their mastitis management process. The model and the approach taken here can also be useful for other livestock production systems to investigate how animal health affects production.
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40.
  • Helander, Carl, et al. (författare)
  • Effects of chopping grass silage and mixing silage with concentrate on feed intake, dietary selection, chewing activity and faecal particle size of ewes in late pregnancy and early lactation
  • 2014
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 163, s. 69-79
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • The effects of chopping grass silage and of mixing grass silage and concentrate on feed intake, dietary selection, chewing behaviour and faecal particle size in pregnant and lactating ewes were studied. The three experimental diets used in both experiments were: 1. un-chopped grass silage and 0.8 kg concentrate, fed separately (US); 2. chopped grass silage and 0.8 kg concentrate, fed separately (CS); and 3. chopped grass silage mixed with concentrate to the same forage:concentrate ratio as in the CS treatment (CM). Twin bearing/suckling ewes (n=7 per treatment) were penned and fed individually during the experiments. The silages used in Experiments 1 and 2 contained 10.9 and 11.4 MJ ME/Kg dry matter (DM), 139 and 193 g CP/kg DM, and 580 and 483 g NDF/kg DM, respectively. All measurements and recordings were carried out during two four-day periods in each experiment, one in late pregnancy and one in early lactation. Daily DM intake increased from late pregnancy to early lactation by 0.7 and 1.7 kg in Exp. 1 and Exp. 2, respectively, averaged over treatments (P < 0.0001). Chopping silage decreased dietary selection of feed particles with low NDF content in both periods and in both experiments (P < 0.0001). Pregnant and lactating ewes fed chopped silage, separately or mixed with concentrate, spent less time eating daily compared with ewes fed un-chopped silage. Ewes also increased their daily eating time from pregnancy to lactation in Exp. 1 and, averaged over periods, increased rumination time per day and per kg DM intake in Exp. 1 and 2, compared with the ewes fed un-chopped silage. In conclusion, chopping silage decreased dietary selection, eating time and eating:rumination ratio and increased rumination time in pregnant and lactating ewes with large body size and high milk production. Mixing highly digestible grass silage with concentrates increased proportion of large particles in faeces. In early lactation, feed intake and proportion of large particles in faeces were higher, whereas eating, rumination and total chewing time per kg DMI were lower than in late pregnancy, suggesting more efficient fibre degradation in pregnancy than in lactation. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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41.
  • Helander, Carl, et al. (författare)
  • Effects of maize crop maturity at harvest and dietary inclusion rate of maize silage on feed intake and performance in Lambs fed high-concentrate diets
  • 2015
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 178, s. 52-60
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • This study investigated the effects of maize maturity at harvest and dietary inclusion rate of maize silage on feed intake, average daily gain (ADG) and carcass traits of growing ram lambs fed high-concentrate diets. Precision-chopped maize was harvested at two stages of maturity (Early: dough stage and Late: dent stage) and ensiled as round bales. Early or late cut maize silage was fed as the sole forage or together with grass silage, to 40 ram lambs in each of two consecutive years. The four treatments in each year were: (1) early cut maize silage as 50% of the forage dry matter (DM) proportion (E50), (2) early cut maize silage as 100% of the forage DM proportion (E100), (3) late cut maize silage as 50% of the forage DM proportion (L50) and (4) late cut maize silage as 100% of the forage DM proportion (L100). The proportion of forage in each of the diets was on average 42% on a dry matter (DM) basis and the concentrate consisted of dried distillers' grains plus solubles, rolled barley and cold-pressed rapeseed cake in year 1 (Y1) or heat-treated rapeseed expeller in year 2 (Y2). Daily DM intake (DMI) was 1.24 and 1.40kg, averaged over treatments, in Y1 and Y2, respectively. Increasing the dietary inclusion rate of maize silage from 50 to 100% of the forage DM proportion resulted in increased DMI in Y1 (P<0.05) and increased carcass fatness in Y2 (P<0.01), whereas increased maturity stage at harvest tended to result in increased DMI in Y2 (P<0.10). Feed conversion ratio (FCR; kg DMI per kg ADG), was lower for the treatments E100 and L50 than for E50 and L100, respectively (P<0.01) in Y2. The body weight of the lambs increased linearly over time, in both years. In conclusion, maize silage can replace grass silage in the diets of high-producing lambs. Increased metabolizable protein (MP) to metabolizable energy (ME) ratio of the diet increased ADG of the lambs. Also, increased ADG decreased mega joule ME intake per kg ADG, in finishing lambs.
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42.
  • Henriksson, Maria, et al. (författare)
  • Greenhouse gas emissions from beef production systems in Denmark and Sweden
  • 2015
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 174, s. 126-143
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • The purpose of the study was to define and describe typical beef production systems in Denmark and Sweden and estimate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions including contribution from soil carbon changes and land use change (LUC) in a life cycle perspective (LCA). Five typical Danish (DK) and four typical Swedish (SE) systems were identified; hereof three systems with beef from beef breed cattle and six systems with beef from bull calves derived from dairy production system (including steers). The beef breed systems include an extensive system (DK) and two intensive systems (SE, DK). In the systems with beef from dairy bull calves, the bull calves were slaughtered at different ages; 9.0 months (SE), 9.4 months (DK), 11.5 months (DK), 19.0 months (SE) and at 25.0 months in the two systems with steers (DK, SE). Feed use and carbon footprint (CF) per kg meat were positively correlated. Beef from dairy bull calves slaughtered between 9.0 and 19.0 months had the lowest CF (8.9–11.5kg CO2/kg carcass) and feed use (7.3–11.1kg DM/kg carcass). The steer systems had a CF of 16.6–17.0kg CO2/kg carcass and feed use of 13.2–15.5kg DM/kg carcass. The highest CF and feed use were seen for beef breed systems at 23.1–29.7kg CO2/kg carcass and 20.9–29.8kg DM/kg carcass, respectively. The GHG contribution from LUC was positively correlated to the use of arable land. Beef from dairy bull calves had the lowest LUC contribution (1.3–1.6kg CO2/kg carcass) from a land use of 9.4–11.5m2/kg carcass. The highest LUC contribution (2.5–3.5kg CO2/kg carcass) and land use of 17.3–24.7m2/kg carcass was seen for beef from beef breed systems, the Swedish dairy bull calf slaughtered at 19 month, and the Danish steer. Besides arable land, the beef breed systems also used permanent pastures that were assumed not to contribute to LUC. Carbon (C) sequestration from crop residues and use of manure had a mitigating effect on GHG emission in all beef systems. The lowest C sequestration was seen for systems with beef from dairy bull calves slaughtered between 9 and 19 months, making up 0.2–0.9kg CO2/kg carcass, and the highest C sequestration was for the steer production and the beef breed systems, contributing between 2.3 and 4.8kg CO2/kg carcass. The present study supports the hypothesis that feed use per kg carcass weight is a main driver for variation in greenhouse gas emission, land use change and soil carbon changes for beef meat sourced from different beef production systems. For the carbon footprint per kg carcass there was a positive correlation with feed use and therefore also the lowest carbon footprint per kg carcass in systems with the lowest feed intake, such as bull calves from dairy production.
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43.
  • Hessle, Anna (författare)
  • Weight gain of free-ranging beef cattle grazing in the boreal forest of south-eastern Norway
  • 2020
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 233
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Young forest stands and clearcuts in the boreal forest created by modern forestry practices along with meadows of abandoned summer farms may contribute as feeding areas for beef cattle. The patchy distribution and varying quality and diversity of forage on such unimproved lands may affect cattle productivity. Weight gain of 336 beef cows and 270 calves free-ranging during three summer grazing seasons was monitored in boreal forests of south-eastern Norway, stocked at either high (0.16 cows ha(-1)) and low (0.04 cows ha(-1)) stocking densities. We used linear mixed effect models for assessing intrinsic correlates of weight gain in cows and calves in the two areas. Habitat use and home range size of a subsample of 53 cows were monitored by using GPS collars programmed to log locations at 5 min. intervals during the grazing season. Additional extrinsic correlates of weight gain for the subsampled cows using a linear mixed model were also tested.Average weight gain of beef cows grazing at the low stocking density was positive among cows of early maturing breeds (represented by Hereford) gaining 24 +/- 2.8 kg (+/- SE), while cows of late maturing breeds (mainly represented by Charolais) had an average weight loss of 9 +/- 8.4 kg. The average weight gain was negative for beef cows of both early (Herefords) and late maturing breeds (mainly represented by Charolais but also Limousin and Simmental) at the high stocking density. Within both breed groups, there was a negative relationship between breed-specific average weight of cows at turnout and weight gain during the grazing period, while a prolonged grazing period was slightly positively related to weight gain. There was no relationship between weight gain and home range size and proportion of grazing habitat for the 53 cows fitted with GPS collars.Higher weight gains in calves of the low compared to the high stocking density area was found. However, there was no breed effect of weight gain in calves. Across study areas, spring-born suckler calves gained more weight than autumn-born calves (92 +/- 1.7 kg vs. 65 +/- 4.4 kg). Also, there were higher weight gains for spring-born bull-calves than spring-born heifers (100 +/- 2.4 kg vs. 94 +/- 2.2 kg).Overall, the results indicate that it is possible to achieve acceptable weight gains for cattle grazing coniferous forest by finding breeds suitable for these extensive areas and stocking at moderate densities.
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44.
  • Hetta, Mårten, et al. (författare)
  • Effects of NaOH-treated wheat and a mixture of barley and oats on the voluntary feed intake and milk production in dairy cows
  • 2013
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 154, s. 103-111
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • An experiment was conducted to examine how including NaOH-treated wheat in the diet of dairy cows affects dry matter intake (DMI) and milk production, using diets based on rolled wheat and an oat/barley mixture for comparative purposes. The study was based on 24 Swedish Red dairy cows that were 147 +/- 51 d in milk (DIM), with an average milk yield of 31 +/- 5.6 kg/d and a live weight of 611 +/- 66 kg. The cows were blocked according to DIM and randomly assigned to six replicated 4 x 4 balanced Latin squares with 21-d experimental periods. The diets were fed as total mixed rations consisting of grass silage supplemented with concentrates in a ratio of 52:48. Four diets were examined: an oat/barley mixture (0BM), 100% rolled wheat (RW) of which 50 (SHW/RW) or 100% was replaced with NaOH treated wheat (SHW). Total tract digestibility was determined using acid-insoluble ash as an internal marker. Ruminal degradation parameters for the cereal feeds were estimated using an in vitro gas production technique and modelling approach. Increased inclusion of Na0H-treated wheat did not affect DMI or milk production. NaOHtreatment reduced (P<0.01) milk protein concentrations and milk N efficiency (P< 0.05),and tended (P=0.10) to decrease milk protein yield. There were no differences between the OBM and RW diets in terms of DMI, milk production, or milk composition. Increased levels of NaOH-treated wheat in the diet caused linear increases (P< 0.05) in faecal N output and estimated urinary volumes and decreasing milk urea concentrations. This indicates that NaOH-treatment increased the mineral load of the diet and shifted starch digestion from the rumen to the small and large intestines. These results were consistent with the lower observed in vitro ruminal digestion rates of NaOH-treated wheat. It is concluded that the oat/barley mixture and the rolled wheat had comparable feeding values despite the higher tabulated metabolisable energy and protein concentrations of the latter. It is concluded that NaOH-treatment of wheat has no beneficial effects that justify its use. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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45.
  • Hidalgo, André (författare)
  • Canonical-correlation analysis applied to selection-index methodology in quails
  • 2014
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 169, s. 35-41
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Genetic evaluations in dual-purpose quails (Coturnix coturnix) have demonstrated that overall genetic gains in a breeding program are achieved not only based on a specific trait, but on several. The most common technique to use all this information is the selection index. Another alternative may be the canonical-correlation analysis applied to selection index. There is, however, a lack of studies using canonical correlation in quails. Hence, the objectives of this study were to apply canonical-correlation analysis to estimate the relationship of nine traits and to compare genetic gains obtained by this methodology to desired-gain selection index in three lines of quails. Data for three lines of layer quails consisted of body weight at 28 days (W28), egg weight (EW), age at first egg (APE) and egg production at 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 days after onset of lay. Two sets of traits were established: the first one contained predictor variables (W28, EW and APE) and the second one contained variables related to egg production. A selection index was constructed using the standardized coefficients of canonical covariates as weighting factors when a given canonical correlation was significant. We constructed two desired-gain selection indices: DG-SI1 and DG-S12. The difference between them is that DG-S12 had a desired gain for body weight set to 0. The estimated canonical correlations were as follows: 0.811, 0.058 and 0.003 for the yellow, 0.821, 0.181 and 0.076 for the red, and 0.825, 0.117 and 0.038 for the blue line. Only the first pair of canonical variates was significant (P < 0.05). AFE and early stages of egg production were very influent and showed great importance in defining the canonical variates and, consequently, the estimated canonical correlations. All lines had, in general, similar results for the canonical analysis indicating that traits that drive management decisions in these lines would be the same. The indices under study showed differences in response to selection; however, they generally resulted in consistent favorable genetic gains. For all lines, the canonical selection index resulted in the lowest AFE and highest egg production at 30 days. The DG-SI1 showed the highest genetic gains for W28 in all lines. There was a general lower genetic gain of other traits for DG-SI1 at the expense of the desired genetic gain for W28. Selection for AFE, according to the canonical-correlation analysis, would have a great impact on the number of eggs produced. Canonical selection index is a good alternative for a desired-gain selection index. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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46.
  • Hong, Thu Le, et al. (författare)
  • Genetic association between leg conformation in young pigs and sow reproduction
  • 2015
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 178, s. 9-17
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Lameness is an issue of concern in pig production due both to animal welfare and to economical aspects. Lame sows are believed to suffer from pain and stress which is re ported to have a negative influence on reproduction. Leg conformation and locomotion traits in young animals are associated with the risk of lameness at higher age. The purpose of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters of leg conformation traits recorded at performance testing (around 5 months of age) and their genetic correlations with reproduction traits. Information on leg conformation traits from 123,307pigs scored and on reproduction traits from 22,204 litters in the first and second parity from Swedish Yorkshire nucleus herds were available for genetic analysis. Eight conformation and locomotion traits, coming from the old or the new scoring system in Sweden, included old movement, old overall leg score, new movement, new toes quality, new front leg quality, new rear leg quality, standing-under-position syndrome and new overall score. Four reproduction traits were analyzed by parity: the number of total born piglets, the number of liveborn piglets, the number of stillborn piglets and weaning to service interval. Estimates of heritabilities and genetic correlations between traits were obtained using a multi-trait linear animal mixed model. The heritability estimates were low to moderate, ranging from 0.02 to 0.20 for conformation traits and from 0.06 to 0.10 for reproduction traits.Significant genetic correlations were found between new toes quality and new overall score and the number of liveborn piglets in the 1st parity (-0.35 and -0.31, respectively), indicating that sows with even toes and better overall leg score tend to have higher number of liveborn piglets. Old movement score showed significant correlations with number of total born and number of liveborn piglets in both parities (0.20 to 0.36) and with weaning to service interval in the 2nd parity (-0.357±0.11). Similarly, standing-under-position syndrome was highly associated with number of total born and number of  liveborn piglets in both parities (-0.54 to -0.35), indicating that sows with better movement and not suffering from standing-under-position syndrome are likely to have larger litter size and shorter interval to return heat after weaning. Heritabilities and significantly favorable genetic correlation estimates suggest the possibility of simultaneous improvement of both leg quality and reproduction performance  by selecting on sound leg conformation and locomotion of young pigs.
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47.
  • Huhtanen, Pekka (författare)
  • An evaluation of the performance and efficiency of nitrogen utilization in cattle fed tropical grass pastures with supplementation
  • 2014
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 162, s. 141-153
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of nitrogen utilisation (ENU) and animal performance in cattle fed tropical grass pastures and receiving nitrogen supplementation, using a meta-analytical approach. The dataset used to evaluate the ENU was compiled from 10 experiments carried out in Brazil, which were published between 2009 and 2012, totalling 47 treatment means. To compose the dataset for animal performance evaluation, mean treatment values were collected from 44 experiments involving grazing beef cattle, which were published in Brazil from 2001 to 2012, totalling 182 treatment means. The relationships between variables were evaluated using linear or non-linear mixed models, taking into account the random variations among experiments. There was no association between ENU and the balance of nitrogen in the rumen and the efficiency of microbial synthesis in the rumen (P > 0.05). The ENU was linearly associated with the dietary content of digestible organic matter in the diet (DOM) and relative production of microbial nitrogen in the rumen (NMICR), which was positive with DOM (P < 0.04) and negative with NMICR (P < 0.03). The relationships between ENU and dietary crude protein (CP) and the concentration of rumen ammonia nitrogen (RAN) were described using hyperbolic models (P < 0.05). The estimated values that correspond to the apparent equilibrium point (i.e., ENU=0) were 108 g CP/kg of dry matter and 6.30 mg RAN/dL of rumen fluid. There was a positive response on weight gain as the amount of supplement increased (P < 0.01). However, this relationship was interactively affected by CP content in the supplement (P < 0.02) and in the forage (P < 0.01). Through this way, the response of weight gain to supplement is improved by increasing the CP content of the supplement, but decreased as the CP in the forage increases. From this it can be conclude that there is a positive response to nitrogen supplementation with regards to ENU and animal performance. The main benefit of supplementation is the improvement of the nitrogen status in the animal's metabolism. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
  •  
48.
  • Huhtanen, Pekka, et al. (författare)
  • Comparison feed intake and milk production responses in continuous and change-over design dairy cow experiments
  • 2012
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 143, s. 184-194
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • The objective of this study was to compare feed intake and milk production responses in continuous and change-over design dairy cow experiments with a meta-analysis. The dataset included 988 treatment means (354 in continuous and 632 in change-over trials) from 204 studies. Sub-datasets from studies investigating the effects of the amount (n=217) and crude protein (CP) concentration of concentrate (n=336 diets) were analyzed separately. Mixed model regression analysis with a random study effect was used evaluate the effects of experimental design on feed intake and milk production responses. Concentrate dry matter (DM) intake, dietary CP or metabolizable protein, total DM intake index and metabolizable energy intake were used as independent variables in univariate models. In addition, multiple regression models were developed from the continuous and change-over trial data and cross-validated using the other data. Generally the intake and milk production responses did not depend on experimental design, and the P-values for the interactions between the experimental design and independent variables were high. When the data from studies displaying large variation in the intake potential were analyzed separately, change-over designs tended to underestimate milk production responses. However, up to the range of 5kg/day in DM intake potential within a study the feed intake and milk production responses to the changes in nutrient supply were similar irrespective experimental designs. The analysis of five cyclic-change-over studies including 60 diets indicated that there was no relationship between the direct and carry-over effects of dietary treatments. The mean squares of carry-over effects were on average similar to the error mean squares. The probability of the significance of carry-over effects was not different from the random effects. It is concluded that the change-over designs are as accurate as continuous designs in estimating feed intake and milk production responses, excluding studies with extreme treatments resulting in extensive mobilization of body fat and protein.
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49.
  • Huhtanen, Pekka (författare)
  • Comparison of concentrate feeding strategies for growing dairy bulls
  • 2013
  • Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 152, s. 21-30
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • The results of this study confirm that increasing concentrate allowance is a possible method to increase growth rate and shorten the growing period of dairy bulls, but it also increases carcass fatness. The responses to concentrate allocation regime demonstrate the great ability of growing bulls to adapt to different kinds of feeding regimes without decreasing the production and may also reduce carcass fatness. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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50.
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