Effect of grape pomace supplementation in mid-lactation dairy ewes on production and quality of milk and methane emissions.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of including grape pomace (GP) in the diets of ewes during mid-lactation on milk composition, milk coagulation properties (MCP), and methane emissions, using a Laser Methane Detector (LMD). Twenty-four Sarda dairy sheep, homogeneous in body weight (BW; 59.1 ± 0.

Methane Emission of Italian Mediterranean Buffaloes Measured Using a Laser Detector During a Lactation Cycle.

In Italy, the number of farmed dairy buffaloes rose up to approximately 436,000 heads in 2023 (+22% in the last 15 years), a fourfold increase compared to the 1980s, due to the growing market interest in mozzarella cheese. The increased demand for mozzarella cheese, in turn, requires higher production, which can result in increased methane emission from the sector. Therefore, it is necessary to establish mitigation and selection schemes for low-emission strategies.

Feed additives for methane mitigation: Recommendations for testing enteric methane-mitigating feed additives in ruminant studies.

There is a need for rigorous and scientifically-based testing standards for existing and new enteric methane mitigation technologies, including antimethanogenic feed additives (AMFA). The current review provides guidelines for conducting and analyzing data from experiments with ruminants intended to test the antimethanogenic and production effects of feed additives. Recommendations include study design and statistical analysis of the data, dietary effects, associative effect of AMFA with other mitigation strategies, appropriate methods for measuring methane emissions, production and physiological responses to AMFA, and their effects on animal health and product quality.

Effect of the Season on Blood Changes of Oxidative Stress Index in the Italian Mediterranean Buffalo ().

Studies in cattle have shown that high temperatures increase the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) causing an imbalance between ROS and the ability of antioxidant systems to detoxify and remove the reactive intermediates. As such studies remain limited in buffalo, the effect of temperature on oxidative stress was investigated through the oxidative stress index (OSi). Blood samples were collected from 40 buffaloes over 12 time points distributed over two years (2021, 2022).

Comparison of metabolic, oxidative and inflammatory status of Simmental × Holstein crossbred with parental breeds during the peripartal and early lactation periods.

The aim of the research reported in this paper was to evaluate plasma concentrations of energy, oxidative and inflammatory biomarkers of Simmental (sire) × Holstein (dam) crossbred cows, in comparison with the two parental breeds during the peripartal and early lactation periods and to estimate the effects of heterosis for these traits. Thirty-three animals, managed under the same conditions, 8 Simmental (SI), 9 Holstein (HO) and 16 crossbred (CR) cows were enrolled in this study. Glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatine kinase (CK), total protein, albumin, creatinine and urea were determined in blood sampled at six different time points (30 ± 3 and 15 ± 3 d before the expected calving date, at calving and 15, 30 and 60 d after calving).

An index to measure the activity attitude of broilers in extensive system.

In organic poultry production it is important to rear animals with a dynamic attitude to take advantage of outdoor areas. Farmers are reluctant to use such strains due to their lower productivity and older slaughtering age. However, fast growing lines grown in organic system often suffer poor health and welfare conditions.

Differences in Shape in Organically Reared Chicken Lines Measured by Means of Geometric Morphometrics.

In the present study, the conformation of the of seven genetic lines of broilers was analyzed by Geometric Morphometrics and correlated to carcass weight and walking ability. The used chicken genetic lines were classified as fast, medium, or slow growing and ranked for their walking ability. Six chicken types were reared in an organic farm and slaughtered at 81 days of age while one slow-growing and highly walking line (Naked Neck) was reared in a commercial farm and used as external reference for moving activity and growth speed.

Increasing the Sustainability of Maize Grain Production by Using Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Does Not Affect the Rumen of Dairy Cattle () and Buffalo ().

New approaches are needed to improve the sustainability of feed production and utilization by ruminants. Promising approaches include increased use of buffaloes for more sustainable milk production, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to reduce crop production input needs. However, studies assessing the effect of crops grown in the presence of AMF on rumen microbial utilization are limited.