Fattening Systems Research Articles

Determination of ent-kaurene in subcutaneous fat of Iberian pigs by gas chromatography multi-stage mass spectrometry with the aim to differentiate between intensive and extensive fattening systems

This work presents a gas chromatography multi-stage mass spectrometry (GC–MS 3) method for the determination of ent-kaurene in subcutaneous fat of Iberian pig, present in adipose tissue of animals due to pasture ingestion (extensive fattening system). The method comprises a saponification and a liquid–liquid extraction of the unsaponifiable fraction, followed by an isolation of the hydrocarbon fraction by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and analysis by GC–MS 3 (ion trap) with electronic ionization. The GC–MS 3 analysis allows the isolation and characterization of specific fragments from the original (MS 1) molecular structure, and particularly, those fragments originated from the precursor ion ( m/ z = 229) characteristic of ent-kaurene. The MS/MS product fragment m/ z = 213 is used as a further precursor fragment giving rise to a MS 3 spectrum specific for ent-kaurene. The limit of detection of the MS 3 technique is lower than 0.2 μg kg −1 and a linear regression has been found between 0.2 and 112 μg kg −1. This method is applicable for the determination of the fattening system of the Iberian pig.

Influence du type de complément énergétique (rebuts de dattes <em>vs</em> orge) sur les performances d’engraissement et caractéristiques des carcasses d’agneaux Berbères à l’engraissement

La valorisation des ressources locales dans les aliments d’animaux en croissance, lorsque celles-ci sont disponibles en quantités appréciables, peut être une opportunité pour réduire les coûts de production et sécuriser le système d’engraissement. Le maintien des performances zootechniques reste toutefois un préalable. Une expérience a porté sur quatre lots de dix agneaux recevant des rations isoprotéiques dans lesquelles des rebuts de dattes ont été incorporés en proportions variables en substitution à l’orge en grain, à raison de 0, 15, 30 et 45 p. 100 de la matière sèche de la ration. Les rations ont été distribuées ad libitum par ajustement des quantités offertes. Le régime a eu un effet significatif sur les performances pondérales (P < 0,01) et alimentaires (P < 0,001). Les gains quotidiens moyens ont augmenté et les indices de consommation ont diminué avec le taux d’incorporation des rebuts de dattes. L’effet du régime s’est aussi révélé significatif sur les rendements en carcasse, mais pas sur le gras de couverture (P > 0,05). Les rebuts de dattes peuvent substituer entièrement l’orge en grain dans les rations d’engraissement des ovins sans pour autant affecter leurs performances.

Emisión teórica de metano en tres sistemas de invernada para engorda de ganado en Argentina

H. von Bernard, V. Vilarino, and G. Pineiro. 2007. Theoretical emission of methane in three systems to fatten cattle in Argentina. Cien. Inv. Agr. 34(2):121-129. In this study, the total annual and theoretical emission of methane (CH4) was estimated for cattle subjected to three winter fattening systems used in Argentina. These were extensive, semi-intensive and intensive fattening systems. The estimated annual emission was expressed as animal, live weight, cattle area and surface area used. The crude energy (CE) consumption was estimated on the basis of the method proposed by the Intergovernmental Panel for the Climatic Change (IPCC), and also following the cow equivalent (cE) adapted to the Argentine conditions in this study. To calculate the cE, the annual consumption of concentrates and forage of all the animals present in the farm was considered. At the same time, the digestibility of the consumed foods and the conversion factor of crude energy to methane suggested by IPCC were used. To estimate CH4 emission from the CE consumptions, the conversion CE factor (Ym) suggested by the IPCC, and a second factor (proposed in this study) were used. Independently of the method used to estimate CH4 emission, the results obtained indicate that methane emission, expressed as animal and live weight produced, was higher in the extensive systems; however, the estimation of CH4 emission was greater in the intensive systems in terms of cattle area and used surface area. These results are important considering that eventually the emission of CH4 will be punished as a means to prevent the development of the greenhouse effect. Thus, it will be necessary to defi ne how to measure and express these results. Today, some people suggest the intensifi cation of animal production in order to reduce the emission of CH4 per animal without considering the emission per cattle area or utilized area and without considering the origin of the livestock feed.

Evaluating environmental impacts of the Japanese beef cow–calf system by the life cycle assessment method

ABSTRACTThe objectives of this study were to evaluate the environmental impacts of a beef cow–calf system using a life cycle assessment (LCA) method and to investigate the effects of scenarios to reduce environmental impacts on the LCA results. The functional unit was defined as one marketed beef calf, and the processes associated with the cow–calf life cycle, such as feed production, feed transport, animal management, the biological activity of the animal and the treatment of cattle waste were included in the system boundary. The present results showed that the total contributions of one beef calf throughout its life cycle to global warming, acidification, eutrophication and energy consumption were 4550 kg of CO2 equivalents, 40.1 kg of SO2 equivalents, 7.0 kg of phosphate (PO4) equivalents and 16.1 GJ, respectively. The contribution of each process to the total environmental impact in each environmental impact category showed a similar tendency to the contribution of each process in each environmental category reported in the case of the beef fattening system as a whole. The results from this analysis showed that shortening calving intervals by 1 month reduced environmental impacts by 5.7–5.8% in all the environmental impact categories examined in the current study, and increasing the number of calves per cow also reduced environmental impacts in all the categories, although the effects were smaller.

Un Modelo de Simulación de Sistemas de Engorda de Bovinos a Pastoreo

A B S T R A C T A simulation model of beef cattle fattening systems based on grazing pastures was developed. The objective was to evaluate different pasture options under different management strategies, types of beef cattle, stocking densities, supplementation strategies and input prices. This model was structured based on a program, whose main module drives management input and generates result files. The dynamic section uses biological subroutines to solve equations simulating biological processes, the most important being the metabolizable energy intake and liveweight change. Pasture growth and nutritive value were simulated empirically from the interpolation of monthly data of pasture growth and digestibility of different pasture types. The model also calculates processes related to pasture management, forage conservation and bioeconomic aspects. The physical grazing experiment, carried out during the 1979-1980 seasons was utilized to validate the animal subsystem, A coefficient of determination higher than 95% was obtained when simulated and real values measured in the respective experiments were correlated by regression analysis, verifying the non existence of bias in the estimations. The root mean square error (RMSE) was smaller than 6%, suggesting that this model is realistic and has a high degree of precision.

Analysis of temperament development during the fattening period in the semi-feral bovine calves of theAlberesMassif

The aim of this study was to evaluate the progression of temperament in Alberes male calves during the fattening period. The Alberes breed is a semi-feral beef cattle breed of Catalonia (Spain) that lives endemically in the eastern extreme of the Pyrenees, a mountainous area. These animals were adapted to extensive management systems and their contact with humans was minimal until weaning. After weaning, eighty-four entire males from two consecutive years were reared in feedlot pens during the fattening period, weighed and graded for a temperament score once monthly. Behavioral records were analyzed under a repeated measures model, testing the influence of several systematic sources of variation. Three systematic effects reached statistical significance (P < 0.05): weight of the calf at the beginning of the fattening period, initial temperament score, and restraint session within the initial temperament score. Calves with moderate and high temperament scores at the beginning of the fattening period tended to moderate their temperament (P < 0.05), whereas calm calves did not show a significant trend. Our results suggest that behavioral agitation is decreasing over time in excitable calves, obtaining an acceptable level of tameness for these animals. The effect of the initial weight could be related with calf age, suggesting that older calves were less adaptable to intensive fattening systems. beef cattle / calf behavior / cattle handling / human-animal relation / calf welfare

Bewertung innovativer Schweinemastverfahren im Rahmen einer Feldstudie - Statistische Auswertung von Verhaltensbeobachtungen und Integumentbonituren

In a field study on four innovative pig fattening systems, each was tested on ethological and process-engineering aspects in five stables per system. In this paper, the statistical test planning for behaviour observation, realisation and analysis, using a mixed effects model, will be presented. The effect of the husbandry system was significant for nearly all of the observed parameters.

Less intensified grazing management with growing fattening bulls

Animal performance, composition and quality of meat from Belgian Blue bulls either fattened indoors (FI) or finished indoors after a previous grazing period were studied during six years. During the grazing period, three intensification managements were tested on a permanent pasture conducted as set stocking. The intensification levels were either high (HN: 140 kg N·ha −1 with 6 bulls·ha −1 ) or moderate with a 33% reduction of nitrogen fertilisation but with the same stocking rate (MN: 93 kg N·ha −1 , 6 bulls·ha −1 ) or low with no nitrogen fertiliser but with a reduced stocking rate (ON, 4 bulls·ha −1 ). The levels of intensification did not affect sward characteristics and chemical composition of the grass. The apparent nitrogen efficiency per ha was larger in the ON plot than in the HN and MN plots (26 vs. 14%). The average daily gain of bulls during the grazing season was similar in the three groups at 1.0 kg·d −1 . The bulls from the FI group were characterised by average daily gains significantly higher than the bulls which were previously grazed and then finished indoors (1.5 vs. 1.2 kg·d −1 ; P < 0.01). The slaughter weight, the carcass composition, the dressing percentage and most of the meat quality parameters were similar between the treatment groups. The inclusion of a grazing period in the fattening system produced a meat which was darker (lower L*, P < 0.01), more red (higher a*, P < 0.05) and had a higher content of linolenic acid (C18:3 n-3) than that of the animals fattened indoors.

Sheep production in Spanish dry mountain areas: 3. The effect of fattening system on carcass traits, fat and muscle colour and meat texture in light lambs of Churra Tensina breed

The lambs production system in the South-European countries is characterised by producing light carcasses (&lt; 13 kg) of young animals, less than 90 days old, and fed with the ewe milk and supplemented with concentrates. However, there is an increasing concern on the study of forage production system in growing lambs as a consequence of the interest in diversifying products and producing healthy and safe meat. When forage is included in the fattening diet a reduction of average daily gain is observed and carcasses have a lower degree of fatness, in comparison to the drylot system. The modification in the traditional type of carcass must be evaluated in order to assure that the final product meets the consumer demands. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of the lambs fattening system on the carcass characteristics and meat quality especially on the instrumental analysis traits as colour and texture.

The effect of animal types on a simple control method used in the calibration procedure for assessing lean content in pig carcasses

A study was undertaken to assess the effect of different animal types (pigs representing different cross-breeds and/or different fattening systems) on a control method, also called referee method, partial dissection method or substitute reference method, being a tool in the calibration procedure for pig carcass classification. The calibration procedure serves here for finding an accurate prediction equation between the reference method and the rapid, on-line instrumental method for assessing the lean content of pig carcasses. Such, rather simple control methods have to show a close relationship with the time- and labour consuming reference method, the latter serving for direct determination of true lean content. Its application makes a partial substitution of the reference method possible, considerably reducing experimental labour, time and cost of calibration. In these experiments, contrary to expectation, a marked animal type bias could be observed with the applied control method (using the weight of the four main joints of the carcasses without hide and sub-cutaneous fat), however, the differences in the estimated lean contents were not excessive and it appears that the practical application is not hindered. As shown in this paper, the systematic differences are due to the animal type specificity of the relationship between the lean-meat and intermuscular fat content of the joints. The bone content of the joints does not seem to have any influence in this respect.

Gesamtheitliche Bewertung innovativer Schweinemastverfahren in einer Feldstudie - Versuchsplan und ethologisches Bewertungskonzept

A one year field study in four innovative pig fattening systems, each in five stables, is being carried out. The goal was a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis, focused on ethological issues. In the following, direct animal observation with the scan-sampling method and video support, as well as the integument assessment is introduced. Based on preliminary results, the ethological assessment concept allows for a differentiation of the individual systems.

The effect of different animal types on the prediction (calibration) equations used for pig carcass classification

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of animal types on the prediction (calibration) equations used in pig carcass classification. Paired comparison of these equations obtained from various animal types has been carried out by the authors for estimating the lean-meat percentage in pig carcasses ( Y ). The usual predictors have been used: carcass weight, two fat depth ( F 1 and F 2 ) and one muscle depth ( M ) measurements on each carcass with the Danish Fat-O-Meater. In addition, the interaction term F 1 × F 2 was also included in the calibration equations. As might be expected, significant and often considerable differences were found between prediction (calibration) equations for separate sub-groups of pigs representing different crossbreeds and/or different fattening systems. Also, significant differences were obtained between three separate prediction equations and the joint, overall equation. However, in this case, the overall equation seems to give a still tolerable bias in comparing with the separate sub-group equations. Prediction equations, set up separately for castrates and females, were not significantly different within animal types. Several factors, inducing the instability of these prediction equations are also discussed in this paper.

Erhebungen zum Hämpigmentgehalt, zu Reflexionswerten sowie zum Fettsäurenmuster des intramuskulären Fettes vom &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Musculus longissimus dorsi&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; (M.l.d.) Thüringer Rinder in Abhängigkeit von Mastform und Rassetyp

Abstract. Title of the paper: Investigations into the haem pigment content, reflection results as well as into the fatty acid pattern of the intramuscular fat of the Musculus longissimus dorsi (M.l.d.) Thuringian cattle, dependent on fattening system and genotype Haem pigment content, the reflection in visible range and the fatty acid pattern of intramuscular fat (imf) from minced musculus longissimus dorsi (m.l.d.) at the 8th / 9th dorsal vertebra of the right half of the carcass were determined in 35 cattle groups with bulls, steers and heifers, representing 19 different genotypes. The cattle were fattened indoors and/or outdoors at eight farms in Thuringia. The mean values of the haem pigment content varied between the animal groups from 6.3 to 13.1 mg/g fresh meat. A clearly lower variation was found in the maxima of reflectance at 415, 545 and 580 nm. The fatty acid composition of the imf was determined mainly by the fattening system. Fattening on pasture favoured high proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids as well as a ratio of n6- to n3-fatty acids of &lt; 10. The imf-content was positive correlated to the proportion of C18:1 and monounsaturated fatty acids (R = 0.4** / 0.5**) as well as negative to the proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (R = −0.7**).

Comparison of a grazing- with an indoor-system of lamb fattening in Greece

The objective of this work was to compare two different lamb fattening systems. Twenty weaned male crossbred (Karagouniko×Boutsiko) lambs were divided into two equal groups (29 kg average body weight). Lambs of group A were kept exclusively on pasture for fattening, while lambs of group B were kept indoors in individual pens and fed 200 g of hay/lamb/day and concentrates ad libitum. Food intake and growth rate were recorded regularly and food conversion ratio was determined in both groups. Herbage growth (by HFRO sward stick), herbage yield (by cages) and herbage intake (by n-alkanes) were also determined. All lambs were slaughtered after 60 days and carcass characteristics were determined. The average DMI was 2.15 and 1.60 kg/lamb/day, and the average BW gain 200 and 246 g/day for groups A and B, respectively. Food conversion ratio was in favor of lambs of group B (10.75 vs. 6.52 kg DM/kg BW gain and 1.80 vs. 1.09 kg of dietary CP/kg BW gain), but feeding costs (2.2 vs. 3.35 USD/kg carcass) and labor costs were in favor of lambs of group A. The carcass weight of lambs kept on pasture was lower (P<0.05) by 2.2 kg, but omental (P<0.05) and perinephric (P<0.001) fat were significantly heavier in animals of group B. It was concluded that the system of fattening lambs on pasture can allow for a higher margin to the farmer because of the lower inputs and the products of higher value, compared to the indoors fattening system. Moreover, this grazing system, operating under conditions of pronounced traditional character, can be physically, biologically and economically sustainable.

Environmental and genetic influences on growth performance of lambs in different fattening systems

Purebred Flemish Milksheep (M) and Suffolk (S) breed were double-reciprocally crossed to develop a highly fertile ewe genotype (SM ♂ X MS ♀ or F2, called Lovenaar), which was finally crossed with Texel sires to improve carcass and slaughter characteristics of the final slaughter lamb genotype: F3 or T ♂ X F2♀. Growth of Texel ♂ X (Milksheep ♂ X Suffolk ♀(T(MS))-lambs were studied for efficiency of second reciprocal crossing, while postnatal growth performances during early postnatal life of Texel ♂ X (F2 ♂ X F2 ♀) (T(F2fix)) lambs were tested for preservation of the superior characteristics of crossbreds when fixating the Lovenaar crossing scheme. Influence of birth weight (BW) on growth remained significant after weaning during intensive stable fattening. While lambs of yearling ewes grew slower during the suckle period, during fattening these lambs had a higher growth rate. Differences between lambs born single or as twins, triplets or quadruplets were not significant during fattening. The decrease of superiority of single-suckling lambs during fattening occurred only in non-extra-fed lambs on pasture, not in extra-fed lambs. In all three fattening schemes ram lambs realized a better growth than ewe lambs. Choice of fattening system had an important influence on growth rate. In early-weaned, intensively fattened lambs a post-weaning depression appeared at 18 kg BW. This could not be observed in lambs on pasture, but they showed a reduction in growth from BW of 32 kg onwards. This decrease was observed earlier and more pronounced in non-extra-fed lambs on pasture (28 kg). T(MS)-lambs seemed to be better suited for fattening at pasture, while F3-lambs realized best growth during stable fattening, but with a higher intake of commercial pellet feed. Extra-fed F3- and T(F2fix)-lambs on pasture realized comparable growth to purebred Texel lambs. There were no differences in growth rate between F2- and F2fix-lambs, nor between F3- and T(F2fix)-lambs during fattening on pasture. According to the selected Texel sire, growth performance of F3-lambs was significantly different. F3-lambs born in spring, had a higher growth rate during fattening in comparison to lambs born in autumn. After correction for significant environmental influences, lambs of different genotypes had different genetic growth potentials under different fattening conditions.

Quality of beef from commercial fattening systems in Northern Germany

The objectives of this study were to gather information on the quality of beef carcasses representative of commercial fattening systems and a new fattening regime for intensively fattened heifers. Data on the classification of the carcasses into the EC beef categories were analysed. In all 48 carcasses from the following categories were analysed: 10 intensively fattened heifers, eight young bulls, eight steers, eight heifers, eight dairy cows, and six once-bred heifers. Various approaches of univariate and multivariate analysis were conducted to analyse beef quality of M. longissimus dorsi and M. semitendinosus. The analysis reveals that variation of beef quality assessments is great within and between categories. A significant interaction between category and cooking condition was recorded for M. longissimus dorsi tenderness. As opposed to beef of intensively fattened heifers the sample of dairy cows is darkest with the lowest soluble collagen and the highest shear values. Assessments of the remaining categories are between these categories. The difference between intensively fattened heifers and dairy cows of shear work done was 0·218 J, of lightness ( L) was 8·6 and of solubility of collagen was 11·8%. Meat prepared at low temperature is much more tender (shear work done was 11% lower) and had just 30% cooking loss compared to beef of samples prepared at internal temperatures above 70°C. Clustering-based segmentation provides a lower variation of beef quality within clusters than the variation of beef quality within EC categories.

Prevalence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in pigs in Austria--an evaluation of data from 1982 and 1992.

To obtain information on the prevalence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in pigs in Austria, 4697 blood samples from pigs were collected in the years 1982 and 1992 and tested by an indirect fluorescence antibody test. The results of the studies show that due to modern fattening systems the prevalence of infections with T. gondii in slaughtered pigs has obviously decreased in Austria during the last 10 years. The investigations indicate a significant difference in the rate of infection of pigs between 1982 (13.7%) and 1992 (0.9%). Additionally, the prevalence of T. gondii antibodies in breeding sows (1982, 43.4%; 1992, 4.3%) was higher than that in fattening pigs (1982, 12.2%; 1992, 0.8%).

‘Scharrel’ (free range) pigs: Carcass composition, meat quality and taste-panel studies

Carcass conformation, meat quality, fatty acid patterns of backfat and sensory quality characteristics (tenderness, juiciness, smell and taste) of scharrel (free range) pigs and animals from intensive fattening systems were compared. Both groups of pigs consisted of 80 animals, which were slaughtered in batches of 20 pigs per group. The measurements included hot carcass weight, HGP, pH and FOP measurements and a score for intrathoracal fat deposition, all performed early post mortem, and marbling, colour, drip and cooking loss and Warner-Bratzler shear force measurements in loin chops after 1 and 3 days of storage at 4°C. Furthermore, 25% of the carcasses were used in taste-panel analyses. The feed rations used for these 25% of the pigs and their backfat samples were analysed for fatty acid patterns. The overall meat quality of scharrel pigs was not significantly different from that of pigs from intensive fattening systems. W-B shear force values of scharrel pigs were slightly higher. However, this did not coincide with differences in panel tenderness scores. The analytical panel assessed minor differences in taste and smell. The inconsistency of the descriptions concerning these differences did not allow any conclusions. An increase in the amount of linolenic acid was observed in the scharrel pigs' backfat.

Productive and stable pasture systems for cattle fattening in the humid tropics. 2. Field testing on a naturally infertile site

Selected pasture/cattle fattening systems were studied on a site representative of ‘forest grassland country’, a land class once considered to be too infertile for improved pasture development. All Grass/Legume systems were compared with Integrated systems which integrated a grass/nitrogen pasture with grass/legume pastures. Various supplementary feeding systems were also evaluated. The objective was to mimic commercial cattle fattening enterprises, on a small scale, to determine safe carrying capacities and predictable beef production levels for the different systems. All Grass/Legume and Integrated pasture systems were able to be stocked at an average of 2·5 and 3·6 steers ha − and gave average liveweight increases of 512 and 578 kg ha −1 yr −1, respectively. These were similar to levels of production attained with equivalent systems on a naturally fertile site. There was no evidence to suggest that the pastures were any less stable on the less favoured site. Thus, productivity and stability were a function of grazing management and fertilizer, regardless of initial soil fertility status.

Productive and stable pasture systems for cattle fattening in the humid tropics. 1. Field testing on a naturally fertile site

New technology was assembled into five pasture/cattle fattening systems which were studied over eleven years on a naturally fertile site in the humid tropics of Queensland. Two were All Grass/Legume systems (AGL). The other three were Integrated systems (INT) which combined the characteristics of grass/legume and nitrogen-fertilized pure grass pastures (grass/N). The two AGL mixtures were sown to either old or new cultivars of Panicum maximum and Centrosema pubescens (Common guinea and Common centro (GC), and Makueni guinea and Belalto centro (MB), respectively. The same combinations were used in the grass/legume components of two of the INT systems, with the third containing Common guinea and Belalto centro (GB). The pure grass component of the INT systems was Brachiaria decumbens (signal grass). Sustainable carrying capacities (steers ha −1) and expected liveweight gains (kg ha −1 yr −1) for each system were: AGL:GC, 2·7 and 490; AGL:MB, 3·0 and 550. INT:GC, 3·3 and 600; INT:MB, 3·5 and 650; INT:GB, 3·4 and 630. Deliberate application of stocking rates some 40% higher than the above, resulted in weed invasion and a decline in animal production. All systems were then rehabilitated by destocking for three months and then gradually increasing to about the above-quoted safe carrying capacities. Stable productivity at such levels is contrary to most experience with pastures in the humid tropics. This was considered to be due to a good understanding of the mineral nutritional requirements of the legumes.