Belgian Blue Beef Research Articles

Sequenced-based GWAS for linear classification traits in Belgian Blue beef cattle reveals new coding variants in genes regulating body size in mammals.

Cohorts of individuals that have been genotyped and phenotyped for genomic selection programs offer the opportunity to better understand genetic variation associated with complex traits. Here, we performed an association study for traits related to body size and muscular development in intensively selected beef cattle. We leveraged multiple trait information to refine and interpret the significant associations. After a multiple-step genotype imputation to the sequence-level for 14,762 Belgian Blue beef (BBB) cows, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for 11 traits related to muscular development and body size. The 37 identified genome-wide significant quantitative trait loci (QTL) could be condensed in 11 unique QTL regions based on their position. Evidence for pleiotropic effects was found in most of these regions (e.g., correlated association signals, overlap between credible sets (CS) of candidate variants). Thus, we applied a multiple-trait approach to combine information from different traits to refine the CS. In several QTL regions, we identified strong candidate genes known to be related to growth and height in other species such as LCORL-NCAPG or CCND2. For some of these genes, relevant candidate variants were identified in the CS, including three new missense variants in EZH2, PAPPA2 and ADAM12, possibly two additional coding variants in LCORL, and candidate regulatory variants linked to CCND2 and ARMC12. Strikingly, four other QTL regions associated with dimension or muscular development traits were related to five (recessive) deleterious coding variants previously identified. Our study further supports that a set of common genes controls body size across mammalian species. In particular, we added new genes to the list of those associated with height in both humans and cattle. We also identified new strong candidate causal variants in some of these genes, strengthening the evidence of their causality. Several breed-specific recessive deleterious variants were identified in our QTL regions, probably as a result of the extreme selection for muscular development in BBB cattle.

Sepsis and survival in critically ill calves: Risk factors and antimicrobial use

Sepsis is a life-threatening disease for which critically important antimicrobials (CIA) frequently are used. Diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for sepsis and critically ill calves are largely lacking. Identify factors associated with mortality in critically ill calves and describe bacteria obtained from blood cultures of critically ill calves with sepsis and their antimicrobial resistance. Two-hundred thirty critically ill calves, mainly Belgian Blue beef cattle. Retrospective cohort study. Logistic regression, survival analysis, and decision tree analysis were used to determine factors associated with mortality. Of the critically ill calves, 34.3% had sepsis and 61.3% died. The final survival model indicated that calves with sepsis (hazard risk [HR]: 1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.0-2.5; P=.05), abnormal behavior (HR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.3-4.0; P=.005), and hypothermia (HR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.72-0.95; P=.01) had a significantly higher mortality risk. In a second survival model, hypothermia (HR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.78-0.96; P=.004) and hypoglycemia (HR: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.5-3.3; P < .001) were risk factors for mortality. Decision tree analysis emphasized the importance of behavior, hypochloremia, hypoglycemia, hyperkalemia, and lung ultrasonography for mortality risk. Escherichia coli (30.6%) was most frequently isolated from blood cultures, of which 90.9% were multidrug resistant. Inappropriate use of antimicrobials was frequent for penicillin, amoxicillin, and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, but less for CIA. Many critically ill calves have sepsis, which increases mortality risk. Bacteria involved are often resistant to first-intention antimicrobials but less resistant to CIA. The other identified risk factors for mortality can support therapeutic decision-making.

Bayesian latent class analysis of the characteristics of diagnostic tests to assess the passive immunity transfer status in neonatal Belgian Blue beef calves

The aim of the current study was to assess the diagnostic characteristics of radial immunodiffusion (RID), capillary electrophoresis (CE) and digital brix refractometry (Bx) for the diagnosis of failure of passive transfer (FPT) of immunity in neonatal Belgian Blue beef calves in the absence of a gold standard using a Bayesian latent class model. Belgian blue beef calves (n = 202) from a large farm in the south of Belgium were blood-sampled at 48–72 h of age and tested for FPT. The true prevalence of FPT in this population of calves was 34.5 % (95 % BCI: 26.1–44.3) using a FPT cut-off point of 10 g IgG/L. This true prevalence increased to 66.3 (95 % BCI: 56.9–74.8) and 88.9 % (95 % BCI: 83.1–93.2) at FPT cut-off points of respectively 18 and 25 g IgG/L serum. The Bland-Altman plot comparing the RID and CE methods, revealed that the serum IgG concentrations obtained by RID were on average 2.25 (95 % CI 1.62–2.88) g/L higher than those measured by CE. Optimal cut-off values for CE, corresponding to the FPT values as measured by RID of 10, 18, and 25 g IgG/L serum, were respectively 10, 15, and 20 g IgG/L. The overall diagnostic accuracy of the three diagnostic tests was comparable at the FPT cut-off point of 10 g IgG/L serum (i.e. 85 %). At higher cut-off points for FPT, the RID and CE assays presumably performed better that the Bx method. In conclusion, we demonstrated that: (1) the CE method is a good alternative for the RID assay, the latter having important constraints when considering its practicality, and (2) the Bx method is a cheap and user-friendly indirect method to evaluate the FPT in new-born Belgian Blue beef calves.

Differences in the association of cough and other clinical signs with ultrasonographic lung consolidation in dairy, veal, and beef calves

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) continues to be a leading cause of economic loss, hampered animal welfare, and intensive antimicrobial use in cattle operations worldwide. Reduction of antimicrobial use is hindered because it is still unclear which clinical signs are best monitored to reliably detect pneumonia. Also, these clinical signs may vary according to age and between breeds. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to identify clinical signs associated with ultrasound-confirmed pneumonia (lung consolidation ≥1 cm depth) pre- and postweaning in different production types (dairy, beef, and veal) and breeds. A total of 956 calves (70% Holstein-Friesian dairy and 30% Belgian Blue beef) from 84 herds were clinically examined using 24 parameters, scored using the Wisconsin and California BRD clinical scoring systems and subjected to thoracic ultrasonography. Of the calves, 42.8% and 19.5% had a lung consolidation ≥1 cm and ≥3 cm, respectively. Cough, both spontaneous and induced, was the only and best-performing clinical sign statistically associated with lung consolidation in all production types. Fever (rectal temperature ≥39.4°C) was the second most promising factor, being significant in beef and veal calves but not in dairy calves. Postweaning, none of the clinical signs studied were statistically associated with pneumonia, with the exception of cough in dairy calves. Spontaneous or induced cough as a single clinical sign outperformed any combination of clinical signs, including the Wisconsin and California respiratory disease scoring systems, but sensitivity remained low. This information can be useful to select appropriate clinical signs for continuous monitoring in precision livestock applications, targeted to a given breed and age. As a cross-sectional measurement, diagnostic accuracy of spontaneous cough (accuracy = 65.1%, sensitivity = 37.4%, specificity = 85.7%) is too low to be used as a criterion to select animals with pneumonia for antimicrobial treatment. At the group level, cough monitoring holds potential as an early warning sign, after which lung ultrasonography should follow.

Randomized field trial comparing the efficacy of florfenicol and oxytetracycline in a natural outbreak of calf pneumonia using lung reaeration as a cure criterion.

BackgroundRespiratory infections are the main indication for antimicrobial use in calves. Optimal treatment duration currently is unknown, but shorter duration would likely decrease selection for antimicrobial resistance.Hypothesis/ObjectivesDetermine differences in cure rate and healing time between animals treated with florfenicol and oxytetracycline in a natural outbreak of respiratory disease using reaeration observed on thoracic ultrasound examination as healing criterion.AnimalsCommercial farm housing 130, 3 to 9 month old Belgian blue beef calves.MethodsRandomized clinical trial during an outbreak of respiratory disease. Metaphylactic treatment was initiated, randomly treating animals with either florfenicol or oxytetracycline. Ultrasonographic follow‐up was done the first day and every other day for a 14‐day period. At the individual animal level, treatment was discontinued when reaeration of the lungs occurred. Differences in cure rate and healing time were determined.ResultsOf the 130 animals studied, 67.7% developed a lung consolidation ≥0.5 cm. The mean ultrasonographic healing time was 2.5 days in the florfenicol group compared to 3.1 days in the oxytetracycline group (P = .04). After single treatment, 80.6% and 60.3% had no consolidations in the florfenicol and oxytetracycline groups, respectively (P = .01). A Mycoplasma bovis strain was genetically and phenotypically determined to be susceptible to both antimicrobials.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceUltrasonographic lung reaeration shows potential as a cure criterion to rationalize antimicrobial use for outbreaks of pneumonia. In our study, florfenicol resulted in a faster cure and higher reduction in antimicrobial usage than did oxytetracycline.

Bayesian Latent Class Analysis of the Characteristics of Diagnostic Tests to Assess the Passive Immunity Transfer Status in Neonatal Belgian Blue Beef Calves

Bayesian Latent Class Analysis of the Characteristics of Diagnostic Tests to Assess the Passive Immunity Transfer Status in Neonatal Belgian Blue Beef Calves

Influence of aging time, temperature and relative humidity on the sensory quality of dry-aged Belgian Blue beef

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of aging period (0, 3, 6 or 9 weeks), aging temperature (2 versus 6 °C at 75% relative humidity, experiment 1) and relative humidity (70 versus 90% at 2 °C, experiment 2) on the sensory traits, oxidative stability and proteolysis of Belgian Blue beef. For each experiment, eight loins (M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum) from four animals (left and right side) were assigned to one of the two treatments (n = 4). Results showed no further tenderization after three weeks of aging, whereas metmyoglobin formation and lipid oxidation increased until nine weeks of aging (P < 0.05). During the nine weeks of aging, atypical flavor, odor and flavor intensity was affected (P < 0.05). This was accompanied by an increase of small peptides and other nitrogenous compounds. Aging temperature and relative humidity had only a very limited effect on the quality traits.

Performances of Adaptive MultiBLUP, Bayesian regressions, and weighted-GBLUP approaches for genomic predictions in Belgian Blue beef cattle

BackgroundGenomic selection has been successfully implemented in many livestock and crop species. The genomic best linear unbiased predictor (GBLUP) approach, assigning equal variance to all SNP effects, is one of the reference methods. When large-effect variants contribute to complex traits, it has been shown that genomic prediction methods that assign a higher variance to subsets of SNP effects can achieve higher prediction accuracy. We herein compared the efficiency of several such approaches, including the Adaptive MultiBLUP (AM-BLUP) that uses local genomic relationship matrices (GRM) to automatically identify and weight genomic regions with large effects, to predict genetic merit in Belgian Blue beef cattle.ResultsWe used a population of approximately 10,000 genotyped cows and their phenotypes for 14 traits, mostly related to muscular development and body dimensions. According to the trait, we found that 4 to 25% of the genetic variance could be associated with 2 to 12 genomic regions harbouring large-effect variants. Noteworthy, three previously identified recessive deleterious variants presented heterozygote advantage and were among the most significant SNPs for several traits. The AM-BLUP resulted in increased reliability of genomic predictions compared to GBLUP (+ 2%), but Bayesian methods proved more efficient (+ 3%). Overall, the reliability gains remained thus limited although higher gains were observed for skin thickness, a trait affected by two genomic regions having particularly large effects. Higher accuracies than those from the original AM-BLUP were achieved when applying the Bayesian Sparse Linear Mixed Model to pre-select groups of SNPs with large effects and subsequently use their estimated variance to build a weighted GRM. Finally, the single-step GBLUP performed best and could be further improved (+ 3% prediction accuracy) by using these weighted GRM.ConclusionsThe AM-BLUP is an attractive method to automatically identify and weight genomic regions with large effects on complex traits. However, the method was less accurate than Bayesian methods. Overall, weighted methods achieved modest accuracy gains compared to GBLUP. Nevertheless, the computational efficiency of the AM-BLUP might be valuable at higher marker density, including with whole-genome sequencing data. Furthermore, weighted GRM are particularly useful to account for large variance loci in the single-step GBLUP.

Importance of calcium and phosphorus in the diet of double-muscled Belgian blue beef cattle

Double-muscled cattle differ in body composition in comparison with non-double-muscled cattle, which may result in a different mineral content. Therefore, the concentrations of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) in the empty body weight (EBW) of double-muscled Belgian Blue (DMBB) cattle, and the consequence for their requirements were investigated. Forty-nine animals were sacrificed: 8 neonatal calves, 17 growing-finishing bulls with diverging EBW and 24 cows with diverging EBW and body condition. Mean EBW±SE averaged 47±2 kg, 472±32 kg and 625±25 kg, respectively. Concentrations of ash, Ca and P per kg EBW averaged 48, 11 and 7 g, 37, 11 and 7 g, 40, 11 and 7 g/kg for calves, bulls and cows, respectively. Finishing cows (n = 5 out of 24) showed a tendency for lower concentrations of ash and Ca per kg EBW than finishing bulls (n = 5). Concentrations of P per kg EBW were lower in finishing cows than in breeding cows (n = 7), due to a dilution effect as a consequence of a higher fat content in the EBW. Calcium and P contents in the EBW of bulls were very accurately predicted by a linear function (all P 〈 0.001; all R2 〉 0.9) based on BW, but estimates were less accurate in cows, even when BCS and age were used as independent variables. The dietary requirements were calculated using regression equations based on the compositional data and recent information on metabolic losses and absorption coefficients from the literature. From a BW of about 400 kg onwards the accretion of P in growing DMBB bulls is higher than generally assumed. Furthermore, due to a lower feed intake capacity of DMBB cattle compared with non-double-muscled cattle, dietary P concentrations need to be higher than for other breeds. Daily Ca and P requirements for foetal growth are similar to those of non-double-muscled cows.

Resistance against macrocyclic lactones in Psoroptes ovis in cattle

BackgroundPsoroptic mange is an important disease in Belgian Blue cattle. Treatment failure of macrocyclic lactones against Psoroptes ovis has been reported, but clear evidence of in vivo resistance is lacking. This study assessed the efficacy of macrocyclic lactone products on 16 beef farms in Belgium and the Netherlands in vivo and in vitro.MethodsOn each farm a group of animals (n = 7–14) with psoroptic mange was treated with two subcutaneous injections of a macrocyclic lactone product with 7–10 days interval (15 farms) or a single injection with a long-acting macrocyclic lactone (1 farm). In vivo efficacy was assessed by the reduction in mite counts, clinical index (proportion of the body surface affected by lesions), the proportion of the animals with negative mite counts after the first treatment round and the number of treatment rounds needed to obtain zero mites counts in all animals. A mite population was categorized as sensitive when the mite count reduction after the first treatment round > 95% and the lower limit of the uncertainty interval > 90%. Resistance was detected when both parameters were below their threshold and suspected when one parameter was too low. In vitro knockdown and mortality were evaluated in a contact test.ResultsThe proportion of the animals with negative mite counts after the first treatment round varied from 0 to 80%. All farms needed two or more treatments rounds to obtain zero mite counts on all animals. Clinical index only started to reduce after the second treatment round. Mite populations from three farms were categorized as sensitive, one as suspected resistant and 12 as resistant. No correlation was found between in vitro lethal dose 50 and knockdown dose 50 values and in vivo efficacy parameters.ConclusionsUnambiguous treatment failure was detected on 12 out of 16 farms, confirming the presence of macrocyclic lactone resistance on Belgian Blue beef farms. In vitro parameters could not discriminate the farms based on their in vivo sensitivity. The mean reduction in mite counts and the lower limit of the confidence interval are proposed as parameters to identify acaricide resistance.

Використання м΄ясної бельгійської блакитної породи худоби у промисловому схрещуванні в східному регіоні України

The beef production has recently decreased till critical level in Ukraine. Its main part is produced from dairy cattle, whose quantity has tendency to decrease annually. The amount of beef cattle has reduced in 4,6 times for last 5 years and contains 28 thousand of heads. As a result – almost total beef self-production deficiency in structure of meat products consumption by Ukrainian citizens. Since 2017, due to purchasing price has been increasing for cattle, beef production from unprofitable has become profitable (3,4%). Husbandries, that are responsible for dairy cattle have been paying more attention to young cattle fattening to get meat. For increasing meat productivity of dairy cattle, industrial crossing with beef bulls has been obtained (Hereford, Aberdeen Angus, Charollais, Limousine, etc). Animal breeders pay more attention to prospective Belgian blue beef cattle because of excellent meat qualities. In conditions of Ukraine, in industrial crossing, this breed started to be used last time. Experimental husbandry “Gontarovka”, Volchansky district, Kharkov region is a stud farm of Ukrainian black-and-white dairy breeding. Approximately 20-30% of cows in milking herd are culled annually for different reasons. For investigation, cows that were clinically healthy were fertilized by bulls of Belgian blue beef cattle and, in February 2019 crossbred progeny has been obtained. The aim of our investigation is to estimate vital meat productivity of bulls and heifers at given stage of development of Ukrainian black-and-white dairy breed and crossbreeds, obtained from industrial crossing at raising by technology of dairy cattle breeding, i.e without suckling. The conditions of feeding and maintenance of young experimental group cattle were similar. It has been established, that cow parturitions of Ukrainian black-and-white dairy breed were without complications. Most live weight of stud bulls of Belgian blue cattle no way influenced on increasing breed. In husbandry, live weight of 12 months mongrel heifer is 370 kg, higher than weight of purebred herd mates in 7,4 kg (2%). One-year crossbred bull-calves had live weight 398,8kg, that more than analogues in 22,6 kg (6%). Daily-average gains had fluctuations in different periods of growth and development. Mongrel bull-calves had high indices of offspring during the period from 4 till 5 months (1000g), 6-7 months (1013,8g), 10-11 months(1546,7g), 11-12 months (1600g), but heifers, 5-6 months (1346,7g). Complete gain for 12 months purebred heifers composed 330,2 kg, but in crossbreeds – 336,4 kg, higher in 6,2 kg (1,8%) in comparison with previous. Crossbred bull-calves also had advantage in comparison with purebred for that period in 22,2 kg (6,5%) and complete gain amounts 365 kg. It means, that not only feeding influences on meat productivity of young cattle formation, but origin of animal. According to point and body composition, crossbreeds had indices more characterized for beef cattle – deep and wide chest, well-developed muscles, supple skin, strong limbs. They were compacted and massive.

Effect of sex and sub-zero storage temperature on the microbial and oxidative stability of beef packed in a high-oxygen atmosphere after different vacuum ageing times

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of sex and sub-zero storage temperature on the microbial and oxidative stability of Belgian Blue beef packed in a high-oxygen atmosphere after different ageing times. Longissimus thoracis et lumborum from Belgian Blue young bulls and cull cows were aged at −1 or 4 °C for 80 days in vacuum. Every 20 days, samples were repackaged in a high-oxygen atmosphere (70/30% O2/CO2) and stored for 7 days (2 days at 4 °C + 5 days at 8 °C). Ageing at −1 °C had a protective effect against the growth of lactic acid bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae and myoglobin oxidation. Brochothrix thermosphacta was the limiting parameter for ageing longer than 20 days at −1 °C, permitting a subsequent 7-day shelf-life in a high-oxygen atmosphere. Meat from young bulls was more sensitive to oxidation than meat from cull cows. Extending Belgian Blue meat ageing for >20 days had a negative impact on retail shelf-life.

Age-based partitioning of individual genomic inbreeding levels in Belgian Blue cattle

BackgroundInbreeding coefficients can be estimated either from pedigree data or from genomic data, and with genomic data, they are either global or local (when the linkage map is used). Recently, we developed a new hidden Markov model (HMM) that estimates probabilities of homozygosity-by-descent (HBD) at each marker position and automatically partitions autozygosity in multiple age-related classes (based on the length of HBD segments). Our objectives were to: (1) characterize inbreeding with our model in an intensively selected population such as the Belgian Blue Beef (BBB) cattle breed; (2) compare the properties of the model at different marker densities; and (3) compare our model with other methods.ResultsWhen using 600 K single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), the inbreeding coefficient (probability of sampling an HBD locus in an individual) was on average 0.303 (ranging from 0.258 to 0.375). HBD-classes associated to historical ancestors (with small segments ≤ 200 kb) accounted for 21.6% of the genome length (71.4% of the total length of the genome in HBD segments), whereas classes associated to more recent ancestors accounted for only 22.6% of the total length of the genome in HBD segments. However, these recent classes presented more individual variation than more ancient classes. Although inbreeding coefficients obtained with low SNP densities (7 and 32 K) were much lower (0.060 and 0.093), they were highly correlated with those obtained at higher density (r = 0.934 and 0.975, respectively), indicating that they captured most of the individual variation. At higher SNP density, smaller HBD segments are identified and, thus, more past generations can be explored. We observed very high correlations between our estimates and those based on homozygosity (r = 0.95) or on runs-of-homozygosity (r = 0.95). As expected, pedigree-based estimates were mainly correlated with recent HBD-classes (r = 0.56).ConclusionsAlthough we observed high levels of autozygosity associated with small HBD segments in BBB cattle, recent inbreeding accounted for most of the individual variation. Recent autozygosity can be captured efficiently with low-density SNP arrays and relatively simple models (e.g., two HBD classes). The HMM framework provides local HBD probabilities that are still useful at lower SNP densities.

Impact of breed on the rumen microbial community composition and methane emission of Holstein Friesian and Belgian Blue heifers

Abstract Intensive dairy and beef cattle farming contribute significantly to the emissions of greenhouse gases from Belgian agriculture. Two main breeds dominate the Belgian cattle livestock; Holstein-Friesian (HF) dairy cattle and double-muscled Belgian Blue (DMBB) beef cattle. The aim of our study was to quantify and compare methane emissions of both breeds under conditions of equal diet composition, environment and physiological stage (using heifers of the same age). The methanogen and bacterial communities were thoroughly investigated using metabarcoding to correlate taxonomic compositions with breed and methane emission levels. HF heifers had significantly higher absolute enteric methane emissions as compared to DMBB heifers. Methane production was positively correlated to the dry matter intake (DMI). Due to the significantly higher DMI and energy intake of HF heifers, methane yield per DMI was not significantly different between breeds. Furthermore, no significant differences were observed between the gross feed efficiency (GFE) of both breeds, but the DMBB heifers demonstrated significantly lower CH4:CO2 ratios (mole-to-mole ratio), suggesting a more efficient fermentation by the rumen microbial ecosystem. Although both breeds accommodated a common core of taxonomic groups, the bacterial communities also showed a breed specific composition due to differential abundance of specific species belonging to the main taxonomic groups and the presence of a few species of minor taxonomic groups that were significantly associated with one of both breeds. In contrast to the bacterial communities, the methanogen community was consistent and stable between breeds and at different sampling times. Our results suggest that breed related factors influence the bacterial community composition, while the variation in methane emission levels can be attributed mainly to the feed intake of the animals.

A new predilection site of Mycoplasma bovis: Postsurgical seromas in beef cattle

Mycoplasma bovis is a highly contagious bacterium, which predominantly causes chronic pneumonia, otitis and arthritis in calves and mastitis in adult cattle. In humans, Mycoplasma species have been associated with post-surgical infections. The present study aimed to identify the bacteria associated with three outbreaks of infected seromas after caesarian section in Belgian Blue beef cattle. A total of 10 cases occurred in three herds which were in close proximity of each other and shared the same veterinary practice. M. bovis could be cultured from seroma fluid in five of the six referred animals, mostly in pure culture and was isolated from multiple chronic sites of infection (arthritis and mastitis) as well. DNA fingerprinting of the isolates targeting two insertion sequence elements suggested spread of M. bovis from chronic sites of infection (udder and joints) to the postsurgical seromas. Identical genetic profiles were demonstrated in two animals from two separate farms, suggesting spread between farms. Mortality rate in the referred animals positive for M. bovis in a seroma was 80% (4/5), despite intensive treatment. A massive increase in antimicrobial use was observed in every affected farm. These observations demonstrate involvement of mycoplasmas in outbreaks of postsurgical seromas in cattle.

Evaluatie van twee intensieve behandelingsschema’s tegen Psoroptes ovis-schurft bij Belgisch witblauwe runderen op negen Vlaamse rundveebedrijven

Schurft veroorzaakt door Psoroptes ovis komt voor op de meeste Vlaamse bedrijven met Belgisch witblauw vleesvee. In deze studie werden twee intensieve behandelingsschema’s geëvalueerd op negen Vlaamse vleesveebedrijven met een persisterend schurftprobleem. Op bedrijf 1 tot en met 7 werden alle dieren tweemaal behandeld (met een interval van zeven à tien dagen) met een injecteerbaar macrocyclisch lacton (ML). Op de twee laatste bedrijven werd een eenmalige injectie gegeven met de ‘long acting’-formulatie (LA) van moxidectine (10%). Na behandeling werden huidafkrabsels genomen en bij de aanwezigheid van levende mijten bij ten minste één dier werden alle dieren (bedrijven 1 tot en met 7) of enkel de positieve dieren (bedrijf 8 en 9) verder behandeld met een injecteerbaar ML. Op alle bedrijven waren de dieren klinisch genezen en schijnbaar vrij van mijten na twee tot negen behandelingsrondes (twee injecties met zeven à tien dagen interval of één LA-injectie). Hoewel er op de eerste zeven bedrijven na het daaropvolgende weideseizoen opnieuw tekenen van schurft te zien waren, was dit in mindere mate en de schurft was gemakkelijker onder controle te houden.

Cervical oesophageal perforation by a colostrum tube with metal end-piece in neonatal calves

In a three-month period, a Belgian Blue beef herd was confronted with three unexplained mortalities in neonatal calves, characterised by the development of a marked cervical swelling. A fourth case...

Maintenance Energy Requirements of Double-Muscled Belgian Blue Beef Cows.

Simple SummaryDouble-muscled Belgian Blue animals are extremely lean, characterized by a deviant muscle fiber type with more fast-glycolytic fibers, compared to non-double-muscled animals. This fiber type may result in lower maintenance energy requirements. On the other hand, lean meat animals mostly have a higher rate of protein turnover, which requires more energy for maintenance. Therefore, maintenance requirements of Belgian Blue cows were investigated based on a zero body weight gain. This technique showed that maintenance energy requirements of double-muscled Belgian Blue beef cows were close to the mean requirements of cows of other beef genotypes.Sixty non-pregnant, non-lactating double-muscled Belgian Blue (DMBB) cows were used to estimate the energy required to maintain body weight (BW). They were fed one of three energy levels for 112 or 140 days, corresponding to approximately 100%, 80% or 70% of their total energy requirements. The relationship between daily energy intake and BW and daily BW change was developed using regression analysis. Maintenance energy requirements were estimated from the regression equation by setting BW gain to zero. Metabolizable and net energy for maintenance amounted to 0.569 ± 0.001 and 0.332 ± 0.001 MJ per kg BW0.75/d, respectively. Maintenance energy requirements were not dependent on energy level (p > 0.10). Parity affected maintenance energy requirements (p < 0.001), although the small numerical differences between parities may hardly be nutritionally relevant. Maintenance energy requirements of DMBB beef cows were close to the mean energy requirements of other beef genotypes reported in the literature.

Effect of summer conditions and shade on behavioural indicators of thermal discomfort in Holstein dairy and Belgian Blue beef cattle on pasture

Using behavioural indicators of thermal discomfort, that is, shade seeking, panting scores (PS) and respiration rate (RR), we evaluated the effect of hot summer conditions and shade, for a herd of adult Holstein dairy cows and a herd of Belgian Blue beef cows kept on pasture in a temperate area (Belgium). During the summer of 2012, both herds were kept on pasture without access to shade (NS). During the summers of 2011 and 2013 each herd was divided into one group with (S) and one without (NS) access to shade. Shade was provided by young trees with shade cloth (80% reduction in solar radiation) hung between them. For S cows, we investigated how shade use was related to hot conditions as quantified by six climatic indices. The heat load index (HLI), which incorporates air temperature and humidity, solar radiation and wind speed, was the best predictor of the six indices tested. In 2011, there was a relatively high threshold for use of shade. When HLI=90, shade use probability reached 17% for dairy cows and 27% for beef cows. In 2013, however, at HLI=90, shade use probability reached 48% for dairy cows and 41% for beef cows. For animals from the NS treatment we determined the effect of hot summer conditions on RR and PS (with 0=no panting and 4.5=extreme panting). In both types of cattle, an increase in black globe temperature was the best predictor for increasing RR and PS. Furthermore, we determined how the effect of hot summer conditions on RR and PS was affected by the use of shade. Under hot conditions (black globe temperature ⩾30°C), >50% of the animals under shade retained normal PS and RR (PS<1 and RR<90 breaths per minute), whereas normal RR and PS were significantly less prevalent for animals outside shade. Our findings suggest that, even in temperate summers, heat can induce thermal discomfort in cattle, as evidenced by increases in shade use, RR and PS, and that shade increases thermal comfort.

Importance of dam BW change and calf birth weight in double-muscled Belgian Blue cattle and its relationship with parity and calving interval

Factors affecting calving interval (CI) in double-muscled Belgian Blue (DMBB) beef cows were investigated with regard to the BW yield (BWY) of the cow–calf pair, using 834 CI records from 386 females with parities 1 to 6. The effect of parity and CI on BWY was also studied. Cow–calf pair BWY was defined as calf birth weight plus dam BWY per CI. CI (mean±s.e.: 404±1.9 days) was affected by parity, calving season, suckling and calf birth weight/dam weight. Primiparous cows had a shorter CI than cows with three or more calvings (P<0.05), with an intermediate CI for second-calf cows. Spring calvings resulted in a shorter CI than summer and autumn calvings, with intermediate values for winter calvings. Suckling dams had longer CIs than non-suckling dams. There were interactions (P<0.05) between calving season and suckling, and between calving season and mating system. Shortest CIs were observed for spring calvings in case of non-suckling and for summer calvings in case of suckling. Longest CIs were observed for autumn calvings in case of natural service (NS) and for winter calvings in case of artificial insemination (AI). Calf birth weight/dam weight of 6% to 10% resulted in shorter CI than a ratio of <6% (P<0.05). Body condition and mating system (NS v. AI) did not affect CI. Daily cow–calf pair BWY was affected by parity (P<0.001) and CI (P=0.013), with a tendency for an interaction (P=0.094). Daily cow–calf pair BWY did not differ for CIs of <12 to 16 months in primiparous cows and was lowest for a CI of 13 to 15 months in second-calf cows, whereas the effect of CI was more variable in older cows. Dam contribution to cow–calf pair BWY was larger than calf birth weight in first- and second-calf cows, and increased with increasing CI. Dam contribution to cow–calf pair BWY was smaller than calf birth weight in older cows, varying from 0.2 to 1.0 depending on CI. A short CI is advised for DMBB cows because of a larger BWY and more efficient nutrient utilisation.