| 1. |
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Eriksson, Susanne, et al.
(författare)
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Different beef breed sires used for crossbreeding with Swedish dairy cows - effects on calving performance and carcass traits
- 2020
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Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 232
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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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| 4. |
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| 5. |
- Ahlgren, Serina, et al.
(författare)
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Miljöpåverkan av svensk nöt- och lammköttsproduktion
- 2022
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Syftet med denna studie har varit att beräkna miljöpåverkan från olika svenska uppfödningsmodeller för nöt- och lammkött i produktionsområdena Götalands norra slättbygder, Götalands skogsbygder, Nedre Norrland samt del av Götalands mellanbygd (Gotland). Inom nötköttsproduktion har mjölkrastjur, mjölkrasstut, köttrastjur, köttrasstut och köttraskviga studerats. För lammkött har vårlamm, höstlamm och vinterlamm undersökts. Miljöpåverkanskategorier som ingått i studien är klimatpåverkan, markanvändning, kväveutsläpp samt påverkan på biologisk mångfald.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Andersson, Annica, et al.
(författare)
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Paths to a sustainable food sector guided by LCA – exemplified by pork production
- 2014
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- To describe a more sustainable food sector, a supply chain approach is needed. Changing supply chains inevitably means that a range of attributes of the product and its system will change. This project will take on this challenge and deliver detailed descriptions of supply chains of six commodities from a Swedish region in 2012; Milk, cheese, beef, pork, chicken and bread. The set-up of the project was that experts on production along the supply chain design environmentally improved systems. The next step was to challenge the improvements considering their possible consequences on products and systems from different perspectives: food safety, sensory qualities, animal welfare, and consumer appreciation and (only for primary production) costs. The final supply chains were quantified by life cycle assessment (LCA), and they were again assessed from the perspectives mentioned above. Results will be generated during August 2014 and comprise both single-product LCA and region-wide impacts of the future scenarios.
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| 9. |
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| 10. |
- Andersson, Gunvor, et al.
(författare)
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Haverier i social barnavård? Fem fallstudier
- 2001
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Bok (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- HAVERIER i social barnavård är lyckligtvis mycket ovanliga. I detta arbete analyseras fem fall som alla vid någon tidpunkt har utvecklats på ett olyckligt sätt. De olika fallen ger tillsammans en bred belysning av dilemmor och möjligheter i socialt och psykiatriskt arbete med utsatta barn. Genom att analysera olika vändpunkter i fallen diskuteras både haverier och god praktik. Läsaren kan själv ta ställning: Vad är ett haveri? Hur kan haverier undvikas? Det finns också rikligt med stoff för debatt kring barnets bästa, barns rättigheter, och mediernas och allmänhetens ansvar. Boken har alla förutsättningar att engagera både den intresserade allmänheten och journalister, liksom personer under utbildning eller fortbildning vid socialhögskolor, psykiatriutbildningar och jurist- eller polishögskolor. FALLSTUDIEN som metod har varit av avgörande betydelse inom hjärnforskningen och annan medicinsk forskning. Inom samhällsvetenskaperna har den däremot varit försummad. I denna bok illustreras olika angreppssätt genom fem olika typer av fall. Dessutom presenteras teori kring fallstudier och berättande, liksom metodiska synpunkter på fallstudien som forsknings- och utredningsmetod.
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| 11. |
- Arvidsson Segerkvist, Katarina, et al.
(författare)
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Automatic weighing as an animal health monitoring tool on pasture
- 2020
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Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 240
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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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| 12. |
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| 13. |
- Barkman, Cecilia, 1962, et al.
(författare)
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Soluble bacterial constituents down-regulate secretion of IL-12 in response to intact Gram-positive bacteria.
- 2008
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Ingår i: Microbes and infection / Institut Pasteur. - : Elsevier BV. - 1286-4579. ; 10:14-15, s. 1484-93
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Intact Gram-positive bacteria induce production of large amounts of IL-12 from freshly isolated human monocytes. Here the bacterial structures and signalling pathways involved were studied and compared with those leading to IL-6 production, and to IL-12 production in response to LPS after IFN-gamma pre-treatment. Intact bifidobacteria induced massive production of IL-12 (1ng/ml) and IL-6 (>30ng/ml) from human PBMC, whereas fragmented bifidobacteria induced IL-6, but no IL-12. IL-12 production induced by intact bifidobacteria was inhibited by pre-treatment with bifidobacterial sonicate, peptidoglycan, muramyl dipeptide, lipoteichoic acid, the soluble TLR2 agonist Pam(3)Cys-SK(4), or anti-TLR2 antibodies. Blocking of phagocytosis by cytochalasin, inhibition of the JNK or NF-kappaB pathways or treatment with Wortmannin also reduced the IL-12 response to intact Gram-positive bacteria. LPS induced moderate levels of IL-12 (0.31ng/ml), but only from IFN-gamma pre-treated PBMC. This IL-12 production was enhanced by Wortmannin and unaffected by blocking the JNK pathway. Thus, intact Gram-positive bacteria trigger monocyte production of large amounts of IL-12 via a distinct pathway that is turned off by fragmented Gram-positive bacteria. This may be a physiological feedback, since such fragments may signal that further activation of the phagocyte via the IL-12/IFN-gamma loop is unnecessary.
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| 14. |
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| 15. |
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| 16. |
- Dahlström, Frida, et al.
(författare)
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Bete i skog som en foderresurs
- 2020
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Ingår i: Report from the Department of Crop Production Ecology (VPE). - 1653-5375. ; , s. 160-162
-
Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)
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| 17. |
- Graunke, Katharina, et al.
(författare)
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Does rubber flooring improve welfare and production in growing bulls in fully slatted floor pens?
- 2011
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Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 20, s. 173-183
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study compared the effects of concrete slats (CS), synthetic rubber slats on aluminium profiles (RS) and slotted rubber mats on concrete slats (RM) in fully slatted floor pens on behaviour, claw and leg disorders, claw horn growth, cleanliness and production parameters of growing dairy bulls from 225 to 650 kg average liveweight Each pen housed five bulls up to 400 kg average liveweight and four bulls thereafter. On CS, lying bouts were less frequent and longer than on RM and RS at 250 kg. Lying down phase I was longest on CS and shortest on RM. Interrupted attempts at lying down occurred twice as often on CS as on the rubber floors. Severity scores for white line haemorrhage and sole haemorrhage were higher in bulls on CS than on RM. Swelling on legs had highest scores on CS, whereas the severity score for heel horn erosion was lowest on CS. Floor type had no effect on dermatitis, leg hairlessness and skin damage. Both claw horn growth and wear were greater on CS than on RS and RM. Bulls on RS and CS were cleanest Slaughter age tended to be higher and carcase conformation score tended to be lower on CS than on rubber, whereas feed intake, feed efficiency and other carcase traits were unaffected. The results indicate that rubber flooring improves animal welfare compared with concrete.
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| 18. |
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| 19. |
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| 20. |
- Guzhva, Oleksiy, et al.
(författare)
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Hide ‘n seek: individual behavioural responses of cattle excreting different amounts of nematode eggs—potential threshold for pasture contamination assessment
- 2024
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Ingår i: Frontiers in animal science. - 2673-6225. ; 5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this study was to investigate how the activity of cattle under natural grazing conditions is related to their individual parasite contribution (IPC). Potentially, the individuals contributing the most to the contamination of the pasture with gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) could then be identified and selectively treated based on sensor data thresholds. A total of 58 steers of the dairy breeds Swedish Red (SR, n = 19) and Swedish Holstein (SH, n = 39) were used for sensor-based data collection that lasted for a total of 10 weeks from 4 May to 13 July 2022. All steers were inoculated with a priming dose of nematode larvae and weighed in conjunction with the pasture release. The animals were then divided into four experimental groups and treated with ivermectin (IVM PO, Boehringer Ingelheim, 0.5 mg/kg BW) at different intervals to obtain an exposure contrast (Group A was left untreated, Group B/IVM PO-4w was treated after 4 weeks, Group C/IVM PO-8w was treated after 8 weeks, and Group D/IVM PO-4&8w was treated after 4 weeks and then after 8 weeks). The steers were weighed on four further occasions, during which faecal samples were also taken for parasite testing. Activity data were collected using leg-mounted IceQube sensors and body weight data and faecal samples were collected bi-weekly. The new threshold metric (IPC) was proposed for individuals with different faecal egg count (FEC) levels [NO (no contribution) <20 EPG, LO (low contribution) = 20–150 EPG, ME (medium contribution) = 150–250 EPG, and HI (high contribution) ≥250 EPG] The effects of IPC on activity patterns were analysed stepwise using a Generalised Estimating Equations model implemented in Python programming language. Results showed significant effects of different IPC values on motion index and number of steps taken (adjusted p-value of 0.008, 0.018, 0.041, and 0.001 for individuals with NO, LO, ME, and HI IPC values, respectively). There were some breed effects on the average number of steps and minutes spent lying. The results also provide alternative threshold methods aimed at finding more sustainable ways of using anthelmintics and integrating individual data into future parasite control strategies.
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| 21. |
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| 22. |
- Hagberg, Cecilia, et al.
(författare)
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Lättviktsgrindar av höghållfast stål för säkrare djurhantering och arbetsmiljö
- 2021
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Lightweight gates of high-strength steel for improved worker safety and cattle handling This report presents the work with developing a lightweight gate of high-strength steel for the handling of cattle. The project was conducted as a European Innovation Partnership (EIP) project. The project group consisted of co-workers from the unit of Agriculture and Horticulture and the unit of Process and Environmental Engineering at Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE Jordbruk och trädgård och RISE Kretsloppsteknik), Parsteel AB (former Nilssons Plåtindustri AB), SSAB EMEA AB, Sophie Atkinson at Smart Animal Handling, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) in Skara and the cattle farmer Lars Olsson. The main objectives of the project were to develop a lightweight gate weighing at least 50% less and being three times as strong as a traditional gate for cattle handling. The main motive was to improve the ergonomic conditions and working environment for the animal handlers. Additionally, for the safety of both animals and handlers, the gate must withstand the loads from cattle. Other objectives were to design and construct a gate that does not exceed the price of a high-quality gate and not contribute to increased negative environmental impact. A lightweight gate can be made of various materials such as plastic, fiberglass or steel. Regarding the project group's participants and their competencies, in addition to the numerous requirements placed on a lightweight gate, the choice fell on high-strength steel. High-strength steel is characterized by having high yield strengths, up to 1300 MPa, in comparison with traditional construction steel with yield strength of 355 MPa. For the specific lightweight gate, steel pipes with a yield strength of approximately 750 MPa were chosen. These pipes are mainly used in the automotive and engine industry, where high demands are placed on strength while at the same time a light construction is desired. The gate itself was designed during the project and several details were examined and developed in regard to functionality and safety for both cattle and handlers. The work environment legislation states that gates must be dimensioned and anchored so that the animals cannot break out (AFS 2008:17). The gates must also not pose a risk of injury to the cattle. In order to work safely with cattle, knowledge of cattle behavior is essential and consequently the report contains a chapter describing cattle senses and behavior. Both the lightweight gates and the handling system, built up by the gates, must be adapted to the cattle. In the project, the bud box handling system was tested. The handling system was originally developed to make use of the behavioral characteristics of cattle to encourage forward movement in the desired direction. In the project the handling system's functionality and safety, by using lightweight gates and additional equipment and components, were further designed. The handling system was tested in two groups of heifers at the SLU Götala Beef and Lamb Research Centre. The lightweight gates were also tested in a dairy herd and a beef herd, while hoof trimming, and at a small-scale abattoir. Generally, the light weight of the gates was considered an advantage as the handling of the gates is simplified also resulting in more frequent use of the gates, increasing safety for both animals and humans. During the project, several strength tests were performed by building unique test rigs. In one test rig, the weld of the pipes of the lightweight gate was tested. In another test rig, the strength of lightweight gates, compared with traditional gates on the market, were tested. The outcome of the tests confirmed the original aim of the project, a lightweight gate made of high-strength steel, about 50% lighter and at least three times as strong as traditional gates, had been developed and designed during the project period.
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| 23. |
- Henriksson, Maria, et al.
(författare)
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Greenhouse gas emissions from beef production systems in Denmark and Sweden
- 2015
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Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 174, s. 126-143
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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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| 24. |
- Hessle, Anna
(författare)
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Activity and weight gain of free-ranging beef cattle in south-boreal forests of Norway.
- 2017
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Ingår i: Grassland Science in Europe. ; 22, s. 239 - 241
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Norwegian beef cattle population has grown steadily over the last ten years, resulting in an increased interest in using coniferous forests as summer grazing areas. We attached collars, programmed to take GPS positions and two-dimensional activity measures every 5 min, to free-ranging beef cows grazing in an area of high and low stocking rate in one and two summers, respectively. The cattle were weighed before and after the grazing period. Data from the collars were calibrated with direct observations and classified into the three main activities: grazing, walking and resting. Lactating cows spent more time grazing (on average 38 vs 32%) and less time resting (58 vs 63%) than dry cows. In the area of high stocking rate, the weight gain of calves was only 67% of that of calves in the area with low stocking densities. The weight gain of the cows was positive in the low stocking area in 2015, close to 0 in the same area in 2016, and negative in the high stocking area in 2016. We conclude that production of beef cattle in boreal forests needs careful planning in relation to stocking rates and suitable groups of cattle for grazing in a forested habitat.
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| 25. |
- Hessle, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Alternative production systems for male Charolais cross-bred cattle using semi-natural grasslands
- 2011
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Ingår i: Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section A - Animal Science. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0906-4702 .- 1651-1972. ; 61, s. 21-33
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim was to compare animal performance and carcass characteristics in Charolais cross-breds raised as bulls finished indoors to steers grazing semi-natural grasslands during summers combined with high, medium or low feed intensity during indoor periods. Bulls (n = 15) and high steers (n = 13) were fed grass-clover silage: barley (450:550 g kg(-1) dry matter), medium steers (n = 13) silage ad libitum and low steers (n = 12) silage at a restricted intake. High and medium steers grazed semi-natural grasslands one summer, whereas low steers grazed two summers. From weaning to slaughter, liveweight gains were 1.72, 0.93, 0.72 and 0.60 kg day(-1) for bulls, high steers, medium steers and low steers, respectively (P < 0.05). Bull carcasses had higher dressings, conformation scores and proportions of high-valued retail cuts than steers (P < 0.001). High and medium steers had highest fatness scores (P < 0.02) and most trim fat (P < 0.03), whereas medium and low steers had more marbling in musculus longissimus dorsi than bulls (P < 0.03).
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| 26. |
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| 27. |
- Hessle, Anna
(författare)
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Automated activity monitoring and visual observation of estrus in a herd of loose housed Hereford cattle: Diagnostic accuracy and time to ovulation
- 2017
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Ingår i: Theriogenology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0093-691X .- 1879-3231. ; 87, s. 205-211
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A prospective cohort study was performed in the purebred Hereford herd at Gotala Beef and Lamb Research Centre, Sweden. The study's first objective was to assess the ability of an automatic activity monitoring system (AAMS) to detect estrus in beef suckler cows, and its second objective was to estimate the time from estrus to ovulation. The study sample (n = 38) consisted of 14 Hereford heifers and 24 Hereford cows. Standardized visual observation of estrus was performed for 20 minutes thrice daily, and animal activity was recorded with an AAMS system, Heatime (SCR Engineers Ltd., Israel). Cows in estrus underwent transrectal ultrasonography every 8 hours, to estimate the time of ovulation. Blood samples for progesterone analysis were collected thrice weekly throughout the study period. A cutoff value of 1-ng progesterone/mL of serum was used to define luteal activity. The AAMS had a 90% (95% confidence interval [CI] 77%-97%) sensitivity and 100% specificity (95% CI 94%-100%), and visual detection of estrus had a 77% sensitivity (95% CI 62%-88%) and a 89% specificity (95% CI 79%-95%) for identifying estrus when compared to the gold standard defined by temporal pattern of serum progesterone concentration. When both methods were used in parallel, the sensitivity increased to 96% (95% CI 86%-99%), and the specificity increased to 90% (95% CI 80%-96%). The time of ovulation after estrus was determined on 50 occasions. The median estrus (AAMS detected) to ovulation interval was 25 hours for heifers and 23 hours for cows (interquartile range 11-29 hours and 19-25 hours, respectively). The median estrus (visually detected) to ovulation interval was 28 hours for heifers and 21 hours for cows (interquartile range 13-29 hours for both categories). In conclusion, the AAMS had both a higher sensitivity and specificity for estrus detection than thrice-daily visual observation. The time from detection of estrus to ovulation observed in this study indicates that reproductive performance might be improved if Hereford cattle are inseminated sooner after detection of estrus than is currently recommended. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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| 28. |
- Hessle, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Beef Production Systems with Steers of Dairy and Dairy x Beef Breeds Based on Forage and Semi-Natural Pastures
- 2019
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Ingår i: Animals. - : MDPI AG. - 2076-2615. ; 9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Simple Summary Two-thirds of Swedish beef originates from dairy cows and their offspring, and the vast majority of the calves are of pure dairy breeds. At the same time, European Union, EU, and national agri-environmental payments for grazing biodiverse semi-natural pastures are an important source of income for Swedish beef producers. This study investigated whether beef production from dairy cow offspring based on semi-natural pastures could be improved using beef breed bulls as sires, instead of dairy bulls. Dairy x beef breed steers were compared with pure-bred dairy steers in two different production systems, both based on forage and semi-natural pastures, but varying the birth season, indoor feed intensity, number of grazing periods, and slaughter age. There were no differences between the breeds in feed efficiency or liveweight gain during rearing, but there were differences in carcass weight and composition. Based on these results, we concluded that higher-quality carcasses could be obtained if beef breed sires were used in production systems with semi-natural pastures.Abstract This study compared animal performance and carcass characteristics in steers born to a dairy breed dam and a dairy or beef breed sire allocated to one out of two production systems, both including grazing semi-natural pastures during summer. Spring-born groups comprising 16 purebred dairy (D) steers and 16 dairy x Charolais crossbreeds (C) were allocated to moderately high indoor feed intensity with slaughter at 21 months of age (H), while two corresponding autumn-born groups of 16 D and 16 C animals were allocated to low indoor feed intensity with slaughter at 28 months of age (L). The animals were mainly fed grass-clover silage while housed. The H steers grazed semi-natural pastures for one summer, whereas the L steers grazed semi-natural pastures for two summers. From weaning to slaughter, liveweight gain was 0.94 and 0.77 kg day(-1) for H and L steers, respectively (p < 0.0001), with no breed effect on weight gain. However, C carcasses had a higher weight, conformation score, and proportion of high-valued retail cuts than D carcasses (p <= 0.004). Moreover, conformation differed more between LC and LD than between HC and HD. From this study on forage and pasture-based beef production, we concluded that breed had no effect on the performance of living animals, but that dairy x beef crossbred steers produced heavier and higher-quality carcasses than pure-bred dairy steers.
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| 29. |
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| 30. |
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| 31. |
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| 32. |
- Hessle, Anna
(författare)
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Classification of behaviors of free-ranging cattle using accelerometry signatures collected by virtual fence collars
- 2023
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Animal Science. - 2673-6225. ; 4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Precision farming technology, including GPS collars with biologging, has revolutionized remote livestock monitoring in extensive grazing systems. High resolution accelerometry can be used to infer the behavior of an animal. Previous behavioral classification studies using accelerometer data have focused on a few key behaviors and were mostly conducted in controlled situations. Here, we conducted behavioral observations of 38 beef cows (Hereford, Limousine, Charolais, Simmental/NRF/Hereford mix) free-ranging in rugged, forested areas, and fitted with a commercially available virtual fence collar (Nofence) containing a 10Hz tri-axial accelerometer. We used random forest models to calibrate data from the accelerometers on both commonly documented (e.g., feeding, resting, walking) and rarer (e.g., scratching, head butting, self-grooming) behaviors. Our goal was to assess pre-processing decisions including different running mean intervals (smoothing window of 1, 5, or 20 seconds), collar orientation and feature selection (orientation-dependent versus orientation-independent features). We identified the 10 most common behaviors exhibited by the cows. Models based only on orientation-independent features did not perform better than models based on orientation-dependent features, despite variation in how collars were attached (direction and tightness). Using a 20 seconds running mean and orientation-dependent features resulted in the highest model performance (model accuracy: 0.998, precision: 0.991, and recall: 0.989). We also used this model to add 11 rarer behaviors (each< 0.1% of the data; e.g. head butting, throwing head, self-grooming). These rarer behaviors were predicted with less accuracy because they were not observed at all for some individuals, but overall model performance remained high (accuracy, precision, recall >98%). Our study suggests that the accelerometers in the Nofence collars are suitable to identify the most common behaviors of free-ranging cattle. The results of this study could be used in future research for understanding cattle habitat selection in rugged forest ranges, herd dynamics, or responses to stressors such as carnivores, as well as to improve cattle management and welfare.
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| 33. |
- Hessle, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Combining environmentally and economically sustainable dairy and beef production in Sweden
- 2017
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Ingår i: Agricultural Systems. - : Elsevier Ltd. - 0308-521X .- 1873-2267. ; 156, s. 105-114
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- To achieve a more sustainable food sector, a supply chain approach is needed. In this study, experts in different areas along supply chains co-operated in an interactive process to define future environmentally sustainable supply chains of milk and beef. The basis was to use existing techniques, to have production performance corresponding to the best quartile of today and to consider other sustainability aspects, such as economics. The work resulted in concrete descriptions of alternative product chains for delivered milk and beef. To also permit concrete descriptions of the latter part of the product chains, two consumer-packed end products were selected for monitoring, namely fresh milk and sirloin steak. The production systems investigated comprised cropping, livestock production, industrial processing and production, logistics, packaging and wastage and distribution, but not retailers or consumers. The study area was a Swedish county and the reference level was its production of milk and beef in 2012. The future product chains were assumed to deliver the same amounts of commodities as in 2012, but with reduced environmental impact. Primary production was required to be at least as profitable as today. Beside description of the current situation, three alternative scenarios were created, focusing on delivery of ecosystem services, plant nutrient circulation and minimising climate impact, respectively. Life cycle assessments were performed for these four scenarios (reference plus three alternative scenarios) for single-product chains and county-wide. Furthermore, production costs in primary production were calculated for the four scenarios. The results revealed great potential to reduce the negative environmental impact of Swedish dairy and beef production at current volumes, irrespective of whether ecosystem services, plant nutrient circulation or climate impact is in focus. The single most important factor for decreased environmental impact for livestock production was increased production efficiency. Measures in agriculture, especially concerning feeds, were critical, but actions in processing and distribution also contributed. All alternative scenarios resulted in lower production costs than at present. It was obvious that as dairy and beef systems are connected, the potential for their environmental improvement must be analysed together. In conclusion, increased efficiency can decrease the negative environmental impact of Swedish cattle production and also reduce costs to the farmer.
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| 34. |
- Hessle, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of breed on foraging sites and diet in dairy cows on mountain pasture
- 2012
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Biodiverse semi-natural pastures are threatened because of sub-optimal grazing. The influence of breed on choice of foraging vegetation type, diet and hence pasture management was investigated in dairy cows kept on mountain pastures. Five dairy cows each of the traditional Swedish Mountain cattle breed and the commercial Holstein breed were equipped with GPS receivers measuring animal position for 6 h daily grazing time during 6 days. Plant groups in the ingested herbage were recorded visually for 30 min per cow and day. The grazing area, mapped using infra-red aerial photography combined with field work, consisted of ten vegetation types dominated by bilberry forest (33%), mixed forest (28%) and grass and sedge fen (12%). Although grass-dominated pasture comprised only 0.3% of the area, the cows spent on average 27% of their time there. Swedish Mountain cows spent less time in grass-dominated pasture than Holsteins (24% vs. 31%) but more time in bilberry forest (21 vs. 13%). Swedish Mountain cattle also travelled longer distances during grazing (6.3 vs. 5.0 km). This limited study revealed a general selection of grass-dominated pasture, but indicated that using traditional breeds can result in better management of other vegetation types.
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| 35. |
- Hessle, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of breed on foraging sites and diets in dairy cows on mountain pasture
- 2014
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Ingår i: International Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Services and Management. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2151-3732 .- 2151-3740. ; 10, s. 334-342
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Biodiverse semi-natural pastures are threatened because of sub-optimal grazing. Breed effects on choice of foraging vegetation type, diet and hence pasture management was investigated in dairy cows kept on mountain pastures. Five dairy cows each from the traditional Swedish Mountain breed and the commercial Holstein breed were equipped with GPS receivers measuring animal position for 6h daily grazing time during 6days. Plant groups in ingested vegetation were recorded visually for 30min per cow and day. The grazing area, mapped using infra-red aerial photography combined with field work, consisted of ten vegetation types dominated by bilberry forest (33%), mixed forest (28%) and grass and sedge fen (12%). Although grass-dominated pasture comprised only 0.3% of the area, the cows spent, on average, 27% of their time there. Swedish Mountain cows spent less time in grass-dominated pasture than Holsteins (24% vs. 31%, p=0.035). Swedish Mountains also travelled longer distances (6.3 vs. 5.0km, p=0.016) and were scattered over longer distances from other cows (419 vs. 259m, p=0.011). This limited study revealed a general selection of grass-dominated pasture, but indicated that using traditional breeds can result in better management of other vegetation types.
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| 36. |
- Hessle, Anna
(författare)
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Effects of social learning on foraging behaviour and live weight gain in first-season grazing calves
- 2009
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Ingår i: Applied Animal Behaviour Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 0168-1591 .- 1872-9045. ; 116, s. 150-155
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- When livestock are turned out to semi-natural grasslands, an effective onset of grazing is important both for animal productivity and for defoliation of the sward, which preserve the biodiversity of the vegetation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether foraging behaviour of naive calves turned out to pasture was more intense, with a resulting diminished live weight loss, when experienced cattle accompanied them acting as social models. Twenty-six first-season grazing (FSG) dairy calves, allocated to groups with or without company of older, grazing-experienced steers, were turned out to semi-natural grasslands. Cattle behaviour was automatically recorded for 24 h during the first day on pasture and during 24 h after I month. Furthermore, the average live weight changes for the first day and for the first month on pasture were calculated. Calves turned out to pasture accompanied by grazing-experienced steers had similar grazing times (on average 42.7% of the day) to calves turned out to pasture in groups without older steers, but they had higher grazing activity during the first day on pasture (score 124 vs. 99, P = 0.005). Live weight changes were similar in calves kept with as in calves kept without company of grazing-experienced steers (-4.60 kg for the first day and -0.30 kg day(-1) for the first month on pasture). In conclusion, the company of grazing-experienced conspecifics resulted in higher grazing activity in naive calves, but their time spent grazing and live weight gains were unmodified. Hence, in this limited study we found no major positive effects on production of using grazing-experienced cattle as company to FSG calves on semi-natural grasslands. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 37. |
- Hessle, Anna
(författare)
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EGF i Polen
- 2012
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Ingår i: Svenska vallbrev. - 1653-8064. ; , s. 3-3
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Tidskriftsartikel (populärvet., debatt m.m.)
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| 38. |
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| 39. |
- Hessle, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Gummibeklädd betongspalt för ökad välfärd hos växande ungnöt i helspaltboxar
- 2012
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Ingår i: Djurhälsonytt. - 1654-7926. ; No vol., s. 22-23
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Tidskriftsartikel (populärvet., debatt m.m.)abstract
- När de svenska djurskyddsföreskrifterna ändrades år 2007 förbjöds nybyggnation av helspaltboxar med betongspalt till ungdjur såvida inte spalten kläs med gummi eller annat mjukt material. Kalvar under fyra månader får från augusti 2012 överhuvudtaget inte hållas på helspalt av betong om inte denna kläs med mjukt material. Med den här beskrivna studien ville vi se hur olika typer spaltgolv påverkade djurens beteende, renhet, klövhälsa, benhälsa och produktionsnivå hos mjölkrastjurar i helspaltboxar. Resultaten visade att gummibeläggning på helspalt var positivt eftersom djurens naturliga beteende förbättrades och de fick färre bensvullnader och blödningar i klövsulan jämfört med på betongspalt. Dessutom förkortades uppfödningstiden med gummibeläggning. När man väljer gummibeläggning måste man dock vara noga med att få en tillräckligt bra golvfunktion så att djuren hålls rena och inte halkar.
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| 40. |
- Hessle, Anna
(författare)
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Hinder och möjligheter för ökad naturbetesdrift ur ett lantbrukarperspektiv : en kunskapsöversikt
- 2021
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Denna kunskapsöversikt är genomförd som ett uppdrag från myndighetssamarbetet CAP & hållbarhet i syfte att ur ett lantbrukarperspektiv belysa hinder och möjligheter för ökad djurhållning med nötkreatur, får och häst på svenska naturbetesmarker. Begreppet naturbetesmark avser alla typer av naturliga och tidigare kultiverade fodermarker, inklusive utmarks- och skogsbete, som kan betas. Rön från vetenskaplig och populärvetenskaplig litteratur har sammanställts, uppgifter från ett antal intressenter inhämtats och egen kompetens och erfarenhet använts.Naturbetesdrift är en verksamhet som påverkas av många faktorer på flera plan och komplexa samband – vissa nära den faktiska betesmarken såsom stängsling, möjligheter till vatten och daglig tillsyn eller närvaro av rovdjur. Andra faktorer påverkar betesdriften mer indirekt, såsom tillgång till vinterhållning, lantbrukarens totalekonomi, hur samhället i övrigt ser ut kring lantbrukaren, myndigheters regelverk med mera.Sett ur det betesmarksnära perspektivet gäller det att genom goda betesrutiner upprätthålla djurproduktion och djurvälfärd i kombination med en effektiv drift avseende stängsel, vatten och tillsyn. Skapande av stora sammanhängande betesfållor, eventuellt i kombination med kollektiv vinterhållning och användning av befintlig och kommande teknik är några av de möjligheter som kan rationalisera driften och göra den ekonomiskt hållbar. Det finns möjlighet att få stöd till restaurering av betesmarker med potentiella särskilda värden. Ett godkännande av virtuella stängsel skulle göra det möjligt att beta naturbetesmarker som idag bedöms vara alltför dyra att stängsla in. Annan teknik för övervakning av stängsel och djur är under utveckling. Naturbetesmarker är fodermässigt lämpligt för många hästar, men avståndet till betesmarkerna kan ibland vara ett hinder. Lösspringande hundar, rovdjursangrepp och skördeskador från klövvilt utgör betydande hinder för betesdrift i vissa trakter.För ett hållbart företagande krävs långsiktig lönsamhet. I naturbetesbaserad nöt- och lammköttsproduktion utgörs intäkterna av cirka 10 % miljöersättningar för betesmarker, 30–45 % av andra stöd och 45–60 % av försäljning av kött och skinn. Kostnaderna fördelar sig på 50–60 % vinterhållning (investeringsstöd borträknade), 15–30 % betesdrift och 15–30 % gemensamma kostnader. En välmående animaliesektor är en förutsättning för en hållbar naturbetesdrift, eftersom naturbetesdjuren inte är isolerade från övrig djurproduktion utan existerar i ett flöde mellan olika typer av djurhållande lantbrukare. Mängden potentiella betesdjur är inte heller konstant, utan en effekt av hur goda förutsättningarna för djurhållning är. En systemsyn behövs, inte bara för djuren utan även för betesmarkerna. En enskild värdefull naturbetesmark kan således inte betraktas isolerat, utan i ett företagssammanhang, där t. ex. stora rationella betesmarker med lägre biologiska värden och vallåterväxt på gårdens övriga arealer kan möjliggöra djurhållning och därmed bete även av sådana mindre värdekärnor. Det är också av största vikt att de stöd som betalas ut för hävd av värdefulla betesmarker kommer den betesbaserade djurägaren till godo och inte låses in i högre markpriser och arrenden.Störst förbättring i den kortsiktiga kalkylen erhålls om befintliga byggnader utan lönsam alternativ användning kan utnyttjas för djurhållningen, men på sikt behöver produktionen kunna bära kostnaderna för en nybyggnation för att vara hållbar. Ofta finns ett motsatsförhållande mellan en billig byggnad och låg arbetsåtgång. Vinterfoderkostnaden beror mycket på arronderingen som orsakar dyrare foder i skogsbygd. Med många djur i företaget uppnås skalfördelar med en lägre kostnad per uppfött djur. Intäkterna kan ökas ytterligare genom effektivisering av produktionen och att produkterna laddas med realiserbara mervärden kopplade till naturbetesmarker. Rekryteringsdjur i mjölkbesättningar betar redan idag många naturbetesmarker. Med större andel kontrakterad kviguppfödning samt betessläppning vid en lägre ålder skulle större areal naturbetesmark kunna hävdas av mjölkraskvigor.En annan förutsättning för naturbetesdrift är att marken ligger i en livskraftig bygd med möjligheter att bo och verka i och där omgivningen har förståelse för djurproduktion och det finns en positiv attityd till lantbruket. I trakter med en livskraftig lantbrukssektor finns goda möjligheter till samverkan, kompetensförsörjning, service samt inköp och försäljning av varor och tjänster. Hinder kan vara både den urbana befolkningens och lantbrukarnas egen attityd till lantbruk och landsbygd, som t. ex. bidrar till att landsbygdens ungdomar flyttar till tätorter. Detta försvårar kompetensförsörjning samt generations- och ägarskiften. Attityden inom det egna skrået till naturvård som en etablerad produktionsgren bland de traditionella varierar också.Produktion av kollektiva nyttigheter, såsom hävd av naturbetesmarker, kräver att kunden, det vill säga samhället, är beredd att betala för tjänsten. Trots det stora samhälleliga intresset för bevarande av naturbetesmarker kommer, i naturbetesbaserad nöt- och lammköttsproduktion, som ovan anförts idag endast cirka 10 % av intäkterna från miljöersättningar för betesmarker. Därmed är naturbetesdriften även beroende av svenska konsumenters betalningsvilja för inhemskt kött. Även hästägare behöver ekonomiska incitament för att hävda naturbetesmarker.Osäkerheten och bristen på långsiktighet i stödsystemet avskräcker många från investeringar och nystart av djurhållning, då till synes små förändringar kan slå hårt på enskild företagsnivå. Förändringar i stödsystemets struktur och regelverk bör därför minimeras medan en ökning av stödbeloppen inom nuvarande regelsystem skulle inverka positivt. Omfattande och svåröverskådligt regelverk och oproportionerliga sanktioner för djurhållande lantbrukare leder till avveckling. En önskvärd förändring är att utforma stöden så att de blir mer flexibla och att kontrollsystemen tillåts ta hänsyn till biologiska förhållanden som t. ex. årsmånsvariation till följd av väderleken.Kunskap om lantbruk och djurhållning hos personal som utför kontrollerna efterfrågas. Attityden hos en del myndighetspersoner och djurrättsaktivisters agerande sänker lantbrukarnas motivation för att hålla djur. Större förståelse för naturbetesmarker och markägande hos myndigheter som hanterar jordoch skogsbruksfastigheter, t. ex. vid fastighetsbildningar, skulle gagna naturbetesdriften.Vår slutsats är att ökad naturbetesdrift är beroende av att det är möjligt att verka som lantbrukare med betesdjur. Livet på gården måste fungera i stort med allt vad det innebär, men det största hindret för naturbeteshävd är en bristande lönsamhet. Lönsamheten kan förbättras, genom ökade intäkter i form av adekvata priser på animalieprodukter och en höjning av relevanta stöd, men också genom att byggnads-, vinterfoder- och arbetskostnader kopplade till betesdjuren minskas. Samtliga dessa faktorer behöver förbättras parallellt för att på ett märkbart sätt öka intresset för hävden av naturbetesmarkerna.
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| 41. |
- Hessle, Anna
(författare)
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Hinder och möjligheter för ökad naturbeteshävd ur ett lantbrukarperspektiv
- 2023
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Ingår i: Report from the Department of Crop Production Ecology (VPE). - 1653-5375. ; , s. 43-45
-
Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- För att uppnå ökad hävd av svenska naturbetesmarker krävs att många faktorer samverkar i positiv riktning. Lantbrukaren måste se en långsiktig lönsamhet på gården som helhet och också känna att livet fungerar på landsbygden för hela familjen. Ny teknik såsom virtuella stängsel och digital övervakning av djur kommer att kunna underlätta det dagliga arbetet och därmed skapa förutsättningar för nyrekrytering av unga lantbrukare. Vinterhållning av betesdjuren har den enskilt största påverkan på kalkylen och att hitta kollektiva modeller för vinterhållning skulle kunna öppna upp för fler betesdjur. Mjölkföretagen betar stora arealer naturbetesmark och för att behålla eller öka den arealen skulle en större andel kontrakterad kviguppfödning med betessläpp vid lägre ålder vara positivt. Hästar mår bra på naturbetesmarker där betets näringsinnehåll och den kuperade marken passar dem men hästägarna kan av olika skäl vara tveksamma till sådant bete. Naturbetesdjuren är en integrerad del i hela animaliesektorn varför tillgången på betesdjur påverkas av det allmänna läget i hela branschen. Tillgång till slakterier, veterinärer och andra till lantbruket knutna serviceyrken är också viktiga faktorer. Det största hindret för hävd av naturbetesmarker är bristande lönsamhet. Lönsamheten kan förbättras genom ökade intäkter i form av adekvata priser på animalieprodukter och en ökning av relevanta stöd, men också genom att byggnads-, vinterfoder- och arbetskostnader kopplade till betesdjuren minskas.
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| 42. |
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| 48. |
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| 49. |
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| 50. |
- Hessle, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Nötkött
- 2010
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Bok (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)
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