Feeding Stations Research Articles

PSXII-24 Examining Relationships Between Residual Feed Intake Classification, Enteric Emissions, and Apparent Total Tract Digestibility in Late Gestation Beef Heifers

Abstract Improving feed efficiency on forage-based systems can be an important tool for beef producers to reduce their environmental footprint. The objective of this project is to assess the relationship between traditional residual feed intake (RFI) efficiency classification, enteric gas emissions, and apparent total tract nutrient digestibility in late gestation beef heifers. Pregnant Angus crossbred heifers in late gestation (n = 72, BW = 576 ± 45.8 kg) were blocked by expected calving date and randomly assigned to pen groups. Heifers had ad libitum access to a common haylage-based diet formulated to meet nutritional requirements for the last eight weeks of gestation. Individual feed intake and behavior data were recorded daily using Insentec feeding stations (Insentec B.V., Marknesse, The Netherlands). Groups of heifers were rotated through pens with access to GreenFeed trailers (C-Lock Inc., Rapid City, SD, USA) to measure enteric gas emissions of methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), and oxygen (O2). To determine individual apparent total tract digestibility, fecal samples were collected from each heifer every 9 h over three days, mixed, dried at 65 °C for 96 h, and analyzed for nutrient values (A&L Canada Laboratories, London, ON, Canada). Nutrient digestibility was determined for each heifer using acid-insoluble ash (AIA) and undigestible neutral detergent fiber (uNDF) as internal markers. Heifer RFI was determined using predicted DM intake as a regression of midpoint BW and ADG, and heifers were classified by RFI quartile group. Data were analyzed using PROC GLIMMIX in SAS, with efficiency quartile group as the fixed effect and pen as a random effect, comparisons between quartile groups were assessed with a Tukey test. Heifers classified as efficient (lowest RFI) had decreased DMI (8.2 vs 10.7 ± 0.21 kg/d, P < 0.01), less bunk visits (43 vs 64 ± 5 visits/day, P < 0.01) and greater time per visit (4.8 vs 3.0 ± 0.53 min/visit, P = 0.05). Efficient heifers also had reduced CH4 (219 vs 245 ± 6.2 g/d, P = 0.03) and CO2 (7,517 vs 8,074 ± 165.9 g/d, P = 0.01) emissions compared with inefficient (greatest RFI) heifers. However, apparent total tract digestibility of organic matter, crude protein, NDF, ADF, starch, and sugar using AIA (P > 0.08) or uNDF (P > 0.06) as internal markers were not correlated with heifer efficiency. These data indicate that more efficient heifers in late gestation consume less feed and have reduced enteric emissions, despite no differences in apparent total tract digestibility.

Genetic Assessment of Projected Residual Feed Consumption and Expression of Significant Candidate Genes in Duroc Pigs and Second-Generation Commercial Blends

Residual feed intake (RFI) is one of the basic and complex feed characteristics that is economically important for livestock production. However, the genetic and biological mechanisms governing this trait in pigs are largely unknown. Therefore, the study aimed to identify genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), candidate genes involved in RFI regulation, their biological pathways and clustering, using genome-wide association analysis (GWAS). The study was carried out on Duroc pigs (n = 783) and their commercial hybrids of the second generation (n = 250), undergoing test fattening at automatic feed stations for individual accounting. As a result, genes that are significant in terms of the orthology of biological functions and in terms of expression in tissues and organs and are associated with RFI were obtained. These candidate genes include: adhesion receptor G6 (ADGRG6), centromeric protein S (APITD1), carboxypeptidase E (CPE), transmembrane calcium-binding protein (SYTL2), cell adhesion molecule 1 (CADM1), Fli proto-oncogene-1, transcription factor ETS (FLI1), teneurin transmembrane protein 3 (TENM3), prostaglandin E4 (PTGER4), and Potassium voltage-gated channel D subfamily member 2 (KCND2). In addition, the analysis of the obtained data on clustering showed the division into biological, functional and molecular libraries and data published in PubMed. Combining the information obtained, it can be said that the genetic component of the predicted residual feed intake is important, as indicated in previous and current studies. In this connection, there is a need to create molecular diagnostics and develop calculations for genomic assessment, in conjunction with feed conversion, which will improve productivity in pig breeding herds and improve the quality of products.

PSI-14 Enteric Challenge Increases Amino Acids and Energetic Costs in Growing Pigs

Abstract Supplementing tryptophan (Trp), threonine (Thr), and methionine (Met) above the requirements might support immune system energetic and protein costs during a sanitary challenge. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between protein deposition (PD) and immune response in challenged pigs. Twenty gilts per treatment (25.4 kg, ± 3.7 of body weight [BW]) were group-housed for 28 d in a poor sanitary condition characterized by oral inoculation with 2×109 CFU of Salmonella typhimurium, fresh manure spreading from a commercial pig farm on the barn floor and no daily cleaning. Pigs were distributed in a complete randomized block design in two treatments: control (CN) or supplemented (AA+) diet with Trp, Thr, and Met:Lysine 20% above the requirements recommended by NRC (2012). Serum samples were collected at 7 days post-challenge (dpc) for immunoglobulins (IgG and IgA) quantification. Body composition was estimated by dual-energy X-ray densitometry at d -1 and 28 dpc to obtain protein (PM, % of BW) and lipid (LM, % of BW) masses. Pigs were individually fed through automatic feeding stations throughout the trial. The percentual feed intake (FI) decrease was calculated relative to individual FI of pigs before the challenge (d -4 dpc). Pearson correlations (Figure 1) were performed using the ggpubr package of R Software, and means were compared using a mixed model. Initial PM, LM, and treatment had no influence (P > 0.05) on the average FI reduction during 7 dpc, which was on average 20% less for both treatments (Table 1). However, PM was 8%, and PD was 15% greater (P < 0.05) AA+ than CN pigs, without changes in lipid deposition. Although the IgG and IgA serum concentrations were not influenced by the initial PM and LM (P > 0.05), pigs with increased IgG concentration at 7 dpc presented lower PD for both AA+ (r = -0.64; P < 0.01) and CN (r = -0.58; P < 0.01) treatments. The Pearson correlation indicates that less IgG was synthesized per unit of protein deposited in AA+ pigs, suggesting that AA+ diet might have impaired the systemic immune response and improved PD. The concentration of IgA in blood at 7 dpc had no correlation (r = -0.27; P > 0.05) with PD in CN fed pigs, whereas increased IgA at d 7 resulted in decreased PD at d 28 for AA+ pigs (r = -0.68; P < 0.01). Likely because IgA has a greater Thr content in its composition, the AA+ diet provided a better AA profile for its synthesis. Additionally, LD decreased proportionally to PD, suggesting increases in energetic costs not linked to FI, but rather to the immune system energetic expenses during the enteric challenge. Increasing Trp, Thr and Met ratio attenuates the inflammatory response and improves nutrient utilization and PD in challenged pigs.

243 The Effect of Totally or Partially Replacing Soybean Meal by Alternative Protein Sources on Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Growing Finishing Pigs

Abstract In many countries, soybean meal (SBM) is the premier protein source in pig diets because of the optimal amino acid (AA) content. However, due to developments in sustainability and local availability of SBM, it is of great interest for the feed industry to explore the effect on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of replacing SBM inclusion in pig diets by alternative protein sources. The objective of the current study was to explore the effect of partially and/or totally replacement of SBM in the starter, grower and finisher diets formulating based on the same NE, dig AA/NE, and similar AA profile on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of growing-finishing pigs (25 kg to slaughter at ±120 kg). In total, 120 boars and 120 gilts (Top Pi x T20) entered the experiment with an average body weight of 23.4 ± 1.87 kg and age of 61.4 ± 1.43 days. Pigs were blocked and randomly allocated to four dietary treatments depending on the inclusion level of SBM in the starter, grower and finisher phases. In treatment 1, the starter, grower and finisher feeds contained 16.0, 12.0 and 8.0% of SBM, respectively. In treatment 2, the starter, grower and finisher feeds contained 10.8, 8.1 and 0% of SBM, respectively. In treatment 3, the starter, grower and finisher feeds contained 5.3, 0 and 0% of SBM, respectively. In treatment 4, none of the feeds contained SBM. Pigs were housed in pens with 10 pigs per pen. The pens were equipped with individual feeding stations (IVO-G stations), which allowed for the measurement of individual feed intake. Pigs were individually weighed at the start of the experiment and at the diet changes at approximately 50 and 80 kg body weight and slaughter (±120 kg). During the grower phase, pigs fed according to treatment 1 showed reduced ADFI than the other treatment groups (1.91 vs. 2.0, 2.02 and 2.02 kg/d, P = 0.021) and subsequently decreased ADG (882 g/d vs. 927, 924 and 948 g/d, P = 0.005). Similar results were found during the starter + grower phases, where the pigs fed according to treatment 1 showed less ADFI than the other treatment groups pigs (1.63 vs. 1.71, 1.73 and 1.71 kg/d, P = 0.013) and subsequently less ADG (842 vs. 878, 878 and 874 g/d, P = 0.039). No major differences were found regarding the carcass characteristics. In conclusion, feed intake and growth performance were improved and carcass quality was not penalized by totally or partially replacing the SBM by other protein rich feedstuffs including rape seed meal (RSM), sunflower seed meal (SFM) and peas in diets for growing-fishing pigs.

227 Varying the Acid Biding Capacity of High and ZnO-Free Diets Influences Weanling Pig Growth Performance

Abstract Altering the acid binding capacity to pH4 (ABC-4) of the weanling pig diet can influence stomach pH, thereby aiding in protein digestion and improving feed efficiency. Two studies examined the effect of ABC-4 level in diets of either high ZnO or without ZnO on the growth performance of nursery pigs. Both trials were randomized complete block designs, where body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain to feed (G:F) were measured. Data were analyzed using pen and pig as experimental units for the first and second study, respectively. In the first study, weanling pigs (n = 1,152) were allocated to 4 dietary treatments with 18 replicate pens per treatment. Treatments were applied in phase 1 (1-10 d) and 2 (11-21 d), and pigs received a common phase 3 (22-42 d) diet. All diets contained high ZnO (2,500ppm and 1,500ppm phase 1 and 2, respectively). The control diet (CON) had no acidifiers resulting in 400 mEq ABC-4/kg, and treatments ranged from 360 to 300 mEq/kg using Ca formate and formic acid alone or in combination. In the first week, G:F of pigs fed the test diets was greater than in the CON diet (+0.09-0.15 g/g, P < 0.05). In phase 2, pigs fed diets containing formic acid (300 mEq ABC-4/kg) had reduced ADFI (-15 g/d from CON, P < 0.05). Conversely, pigs fed Ca formate and formic acid (300 mEq ABC-4) had greater ADFI (+16 g/d, P < 0.05) and a tendency for greater G:F than CON (+0.02, P < 0.10). Pigs fed a diet containing Ca formate only (360 mEq ABC-4/kg) had a greater G:F (+0.03, P < 0.05) yet comparable feed intake to CON. In the second 42-day study, weanling pigs (n = 120) housed in pens with individual electronic feeding stations (10 pigs/pen), were randomized to 6 ZnO-free treatments, totaling 20 replicate pigs per treatment. The ABC-4 was linearly reduced from 450 to 200 mEq/kg using fumaric acid and shifting Ca sources from Ca carbonate to monocalcium phosphate and monodicalcium phosphate. In phase 1 (0-15d), pigs had greatest ADFI (P < 0.05) and G:F (P < 0.05) at 300 and 350 mEq ABC-4/kg, respectively, and east ADFI at 200 mEq ABC-4/kg (greatest fumaric acid inclusion) and 450 mEq ABC-4/kg (no acidifier). Overall, pigs fed the 300 mEq ABC-4/kg diet had the greatest (P < 0.05) BW, ADG, and ADFI while pigs fed the 350 mEq ABC-4/kg diet had the greatest G:F. Pigs fed the 450 mEq ABC-4/kg diet had the lowest BW, ADG, ADFI, and G:F. In conclusion, reducing the ABC-4 of ZnO and ZnO-free diets using a combination of acidifiers and/or calcium sources improved feed efficiency of weanling pigs. But a greater inclusion of acidifiers may reduce ADFI.

Attitudes and practices toward feral cats of male and female dog or cat owners and non-owners in Seoul, South Korea

The number of pet cats in South Korea has sharply increased since 2010. Problems have arisen with feral or stray cats, creating conflict among residents, to such an extent that the government provides some sites for people to offer feeding stations for the stray cats. This study investigated hypotheses on people’s attitudes toward feral cats in Seoul, South Korea: (i) dog and cat owners would show more positive attitudes than non-owners toward feral cats; (ii) females would have more positive attitudes toward feral cats than males; (iii) the number of Seoul-provided feeding stations by district would be correlated with people’s positive attitudes toward feral cats. Responses from 7,394 participants were used for the final analyses with 3,179 males, 3,607 females, and 599 others (includes “decline to state”). Cat owners reported more extremely positive attitudes toward feral cats than people who had no cats. Females more often had cats than males, and they were more extremely positive toward pet and feral cats than males, and strongly opposed to culling as a management strategy. The attitudes toward feral cats of people with only dogs were intermediate between people with cats and people without pets, more resembling those of people without pets. There was a correlation between the number of city-provided feeding stations and people’s attitudes toward feral cats, but only in the areas with at least 40 feeder stations; having many city-provided feeding stations was associated with very negative attitudes to feral cats. Whether the very large number of feeding stations were provided in the two neighborhoods due to a previously excessive number of feral cats in those neighborhoods, vs. those feeding stations attracting or provisioning an ever-growing number of feral cats, is unknown. These results show sharp differences in attitudes between cat owners and non-owners, and between males and females. Results resemble findings in other studies, perhaps with more extreme differences between sub-groups. The study revealed that attitudes toward pet and feral cats in Seoul were complex and varied with pet ownership, with sex, and with neighborhood context.

A Review and Comparison of Transformer and Static Frequency Converter Traction Supply Architectures for AC Electrified Railways

Electrification of the U.K. railway network will play a critical role in achieving targets of net-zero CO2 emissions while providing major benefits to train operators, passengers, and industry. In the drive to make electrification a more cost-effective prospect, this paper intends to complete a comparison of the common feeding arrangements and the novel Static Frequency Converter for use in AC electrification using PSCAD EMTDC simulations. The findings illustrate the performance of two classic architectures and autotransformer feeding compared to a proposed classic SFC arrangement and provide recommendations for SFC implementation with separations between feeder stations of up to 60 kilometres using a parallel feeding arrangement, along with demonstrating SFCs exhibiting more robust performance in the event of faults.

Comparison of selected parameters of automated milking in dairy cattle barns equipped with a concentrate feeding system

Automatic milking systems (AMSs) give cows relative freedom to choose the time and frequency of milking throughout the day. Feeding stations also may improve the management of farms. Combining milking robots and feeding stations (FS) may improve milking efficiency and milk yield. Therefore, combining AMS and FS may be beneficial for farmers. The objective of the research was to compare selected automatic milking parameters (daily indices per cow) registered by an AMS in relation to selected features including the presence of concentrate feeding stations. We analysed 931 cows born in 2013–14, in lactations 1–8. In total, we collected data from 357 318 milking days. The following parameters were examined: milking frequency (n/24 h), number of rejected milking (n/24 h), the average number of nipple attempts (n/milking), milking speed (kg/min), time spent in the milking box (s/24 h), milk yield (kg/24 h), milking efficiency (kg/min), rumination time (min/24 h), and concentrate intake (kg) per 100 kg of milk produced. The statistical analysis was conducted using a multi-factor analysis of variance. The analysis confirmed a statistical effect of the concentrate feeding system on most of the investigated traits, except for nipple attempts, box time and rumination time. In cows in barns with an FS, the following parameters were statistically higher compared to cows in non-FS barns: milking frequency (3.04 vs 2.73n/24 h), number of rejected milking (2.24 vs 1.51n/24 h), milking speed (2.98 vs 2.64 kg/min), milk yield (33.48 vs 30.14 kg/24 h), milking efficiency (1.80 vs 1.67 kg/min), and concentrate intake per 100 kg of milk produced (14.67 vs 12.67 kg). The study results indicate that using feeding stations in combination with an AMS can increase milking efficiency, hence the milk output from a milking robot.

A thalamo-parietal cortex circuit is critical for place-action coordination.

The anterior and lateral thalamus (ALT) contains head direction cells that signal the directional orientation of an individual within the environment. ALT has direct and indirect connections with the parietal cortex (PC), an area hypothesized to play a role in coordinating viewer-dependent and viewer-independent spatial reference frames. This coordination between reference frames would allow an individual to translate movements toward a desired location from memory. Thus, ALT-PC functional connectivity would be critical for moving toward remembered allocentric locations. This hypothesis was tested in rats with a place-action task that requires associating an appropriate action (left or right turn) with a spatial location. There are four arms, each offset by 90°, positioned around a central starting point. A trial begins in the central starting point. After exiting a pseudorandomly selected arm, the rat had to displace the correct object covering one of two (left versus right) feeding stations to receive a reward. For a pair of arms facing opposite directions, the reward was located on the left, and for the other pair, the reward was located on the right. Thus, each reward location had a different combination of allocentric location and egocentric action. Removal of an object was scored as correct or incorrect. Trials in which the rat did not displace any objects were scored as "no selection" trials. After an object was removed, the rat returned to the center starting position and the maze was reset for the next trial. To investigate the role of the ALT-PC network, muscimol inactivation infusions targeted bilateral PC, bilateral ALT, or the ALT-PC network. Muscimol sessions were counterbalanced and compared to saline sessions within the same animal. All inactivations resulted in decreased accuracy, but only bilateral PC inactivations resulted in increased non selecting, increased errors, and longer latency responses on the remaining trials. Thus, the ALT-PC circuit is critical for linking an action with a spatial location for successful navigation.

Circadian rhythms and diurnal patterns in the feed intake behaviour of growing-finishing pigs

The feeding behaviour of growing-finishing pigs is an important indicator of performance, health and welfare, but this use is limited by its large, poorly-understood variation. We explored the variation in basal feed intake of individual pigs by detecting circadian rhythms, extracting features of diurnal patterns and assessing consistency over time, from day-to-day and across age. Hourly feed intake data of individual pigs (n = 110) was obtained during one growing-finishing phase, using electronic feeding stations. We applied wavelet analysis to assess rhythms and a hurdle generalised additive model to extract features of diurnal patterns. We found that circadian rhythms could be detected during 58 ± 3% (mean ± standard error) of days in the growing-finishing phase (range 0–100%), predominantly at older ages. Although the group diurnal intake pattern was alternans (small morning peak, larger afternoon peak), individual pigs showed a range of diurnal patterns that changed with age, differing mostly in the extent of night fasting and day-to-day consistency. Our results suggest that the type, day-to-day consistency and age development of diurnal patterns in feed intake show general group patterns but also differ between pigs. Using this knowledge, promising features may be selected to compare against production, health and welfare parameters.

Monitoring the dynamics of consumption of ungulate game by-products in vulture feeding stations in Iberian Mediterranean ecosystems

Vulture feeding stations (VFS) are strategic sites for the management of ungulate game by-products, with major implications for the conservation of obligate avian scavengers. These feeding points are designed to prevent access by facultative mammalian scavengers and to reduce the risk of trophically transmitted pathogen infection through scavenging behaviour. The aim of this study, using camera trap video recordings, was to evaluate the feeding dynamics around 32 lots of ungulate game by-products deposited in VFS in southern Spain. During the study period (2017–2022), 11 different avian and mammal scavenger species was detected. Also, many feeding events involving all scavenger species (51.1%; 362/709) and mammal scavenger species (23.4%; 166/709) was recorded. A significantly earlier presence of major obligate scavengers (Gyps fulvus and Aegypius monachus) (P = 0.023) and a lower persistence of by-products deposited (P < 0.001) were detected during October–December compared to January–March. Our results confirm that VFS play an important role in vulture conservation in Iberian Mediterranean ecosystems. However, we also point out the potential risk of VFS as hotspots of foodborne pathogens for mammal scavengers, particularly when the hunting offal persists longer. Consequently, we urge the competent authorities to update the regulations affecting VFS management, and hunting estate managers to make every effort to correctly apply those preventing scavenging mammals from gaining access to VFS. Further studies tackling access of non-target species to VFS are also warranted to properly assess the sanitary implications and geographical extent of these problems for mammal species inhabiting areas where VFS are installed.

Griffon Vulture movements are concentrated around roost and supplementary feeding stations: implications for wind energy development on Mediterranean islands

Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) populations occur on Mediterranean islands, where wind energy is developing fast. As griffons are subjected to collisions with wind turbines while foraging, it is necessary to understand which factors affect their movements to minimize the potential impact of wind farms. We assessed habitat use of 37 griffons (n. GPS locations = 130,218) and their overlap with wind farms in Sardinia (Italy), an island where both Griffon Vulture population and wind energy are significantly expanding. Griffons in Sardinia cover smaller areas (95% isopleth = 956.3 ± 677.7 km2, 50% isopleth = 73.8 ± 48.2 km2) than in mainland Europe, restricting most of their movements within 5–10 km from colonies and roosts. Supplementary feeding stations throughout these areas (n = 37) provide approximately 20 tons of carrion each year, suggesting that griffon movements are strongly determined by food availability. Overall, 6 wind farms (101 turbines) out of the 29 present in Sardinia were built in areas used by foraging griffons. Two of them were positioned near roosts and supplementary feeding stations. As griffon movements concentrate around nesting/roosting sites and feeding stations, wind farms should be excluded around these highly utilized areas, and mitigation measures, including the removal of livestock carrion, should be adopted for those that are built at greater distances. There is also an urgent need for updated data about wind energy location. The creation of supplementary feeding stations could be used to shape the enlargement of the foraging grounds of an increasing Griffon Vulture population on Mediterranean islands and to exclude wind farm areas to mitigate their impacts.

Within-herd transmission of Mycoplasma bovis infections after initial detection in dairy cows

Mycoplasma bovis outbreaks in cattle, including pathogen spread between age groups, are not well understood. Our objective was to estimate within-herd transmission across adult dairy cows, youngstock and calves. Results from 3 tests (PCR, ELISA, and culture) per cow and 2 tests (PCR and ELISA) per youngstock and calf were utilized in an age-stratified Susceptible-Infected-Removed/Recovered (SIR) model to estimate within-herd transmission parameters, pathways, and potential effects of farm management practices. A cohort of adult cows, youngstock and calves on 20 Dutch dairy farms with a clinical outbreak of M. bovis in adult cows were sampled, with collection of blood, conjunctival fluid and milk from cows, and blood and conjunctival fluid from calves and youngstock, 5 times over a timespan of 12 wk. Any individual with at least 1 positive laboratory test was considered M. bovis-positive. Transmission dynamics were modeled using an age-stratified SIR model featuring 3 age strata. Associations with farm management practices were explored using Fisher's Exact tests and Poisson regression. Estimated transmission parameters were highly variable among herds and cattle-age groups. Notably, transmission from cows to cows, youngstock, or to calves was associated with R-values ranging from 1.0 to 80 secondarily infected cows per herd, 1.2 to 38 secondarily infected youngstock per herd, and 0.1 to 91 secondarily infected calves per herd, respectively. In case of transmission from youngstock to youngstock, calves or to cows, R-values were 0.7 to 96 secondarily infected youngstock per herd, 1.1 to 76 secondarily infected calves per herd, and 0.1 to 107 secondarily infected cows per herd. For transmission from calves to calves, youngstock or to cows, R-values were 0.5 to 60 secondarily infected calves per herd, 1.1 to 41 secondarily infected youngstock per herd, and 0.1 to 47 secondarily infected cows per herd. Among on-farm transmission pathways, cow-to-youngstock, cow-to-calf and cow-to-cow were identified as most significant contributors, with calf-to-calf and calf-to-youngstock also having noteworthy roles. Youngstock-to-youngstock was also implicated, albeit to a lesser extent. Whereas the primary focus was a clinical outbreak of M. bovis among adult dairy cows, it was evident that transmission extended to calves and youngstock, contributing to overall spread. Factors influencing transmission and specific transmission pathways were associated with internal biosecurity (separate caretakers for various age groups, number of people involved), external biosecurity (contractors, external employees), as well as indirect transmission routes (number of feed and water stations).

Observation of the elusive bone-skipper fly Centrophlebomyia furcata (Fabricius, 1794) at least 128 years after its last record in France, and additional data on Thyreophora cynophila (Panzer, 1794) in France (Diptera: Piophilidae)

Summary Once thought to be extinct species, the necrophagous flies Centrophlebomyia furcata and Thyreophora cynophila are iconic representatives of the western Europe dipterofauna. They are extraordinary insects active during the winter season and associated with the carcasses of large mammals. After the discovery of T. cynophila in Ariège in 2020 and the confirmation of its extended presence in the Pyrenees Mountain range, a search for C. furcata was initiated. During a visit to nine vulture feeding stations in the Pyrenees and Corbières mountain ranges, adults of C. furcata were collected in two of them, in the northern Basque country (Pyrénées-Atlantiques department, France). This is the first precisely documented observation of C. furcata in France. The rediscovery of C. furcata and T. cynophila in the Pyrenees Mountain range raises the question of their presence elsewhere in France and Europe, notably in other mountain ranges. An updated map of the distribution area of both species is provided. We also raise concerns about the maintenance of vulture feeding stations to avoid detrimental impacts on those rare necrophagous insects and consider forensic issues.

Key Factors behind the Dynamic Stability of Pairs of Egyptian Vultures in Continental Spain.

Conservation science aims to identify the factors influencing the distribution of threatened species, thereby permitting the implementation of effective management strategies. This is key for long-lived species that require long-term monitoring such as the worldwide endangered Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus). We studied temporal and spatial variations in the distribution of breeding pairs and examined the intrinsic and anthropic factors that may be influencing the abundance of breeding territories in continental Spain. Based on the census data of breeding pairs from 2000, 2008, and 2018, we used Rank Occupancy-Abundance Profiles to assess the temporal stability of the population and identified the spatial heterogeneity through a Local Index of Spatial Autocorrelation analysis. The GLMs showed that the abundance distribution was mainly influenced by the abundance of griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) and cattle at a regional scale. Nonparametric comparisons showed that the presence of wind farms had a significant negative effect on local breeding pairs abundance, but that supplementary feeding stations and food resource-related variables had a positive impact. In light of these findings, we recommend a hierarchical approach in future conservation programs involving actions promoting regional-scale food resource availability and highlight the need to address the negative impact of wind farms at local levels.

A promising resilience parameter for breeding: the use of weight and feed trajectories in growing pigs

BackgroundIncreasing resilience is a priority in modern pig breeding. Recent research shows that general resilience can be quantified via variability in longitudinal data. The collection of such longitudinal data on weight, feed intake and feeding behaviour in pigs has been facilitated by the development of technologies such as automated feeding stations.The goal of this study was to investigate resilience traits, which were estimated as deviations from longitudinal weight, feed intake and feeding behaviour data during the finishing phase. A dataset with 324,207 records between the age of 95 and 155 days on 5,939 Piétrain pigs with known pedigree and genomic information was used. We provided guidelines for a rigid quality control of longitudinal body weight data, as we found that outliers can significantly affect results. Gompertz growth curve analysis, linear modelling and trajectory analyses were used for quantifying resilience traits.ResultsTo our knowledge, this is the first study comparing resilience traits from longitudinal body weight, feed intake and feeding behaviour data in pigs. We demonstrated that the resilience traits are lowly to moderately heritable for deviations in body weight (h2 = 2.9%–20.2%), in feed intake (9.4%–23.3%) and in feeding behaviour (16.2%–28.3%). Additionally, these traits have good predictive abilities in cross-validation analyses. Deviations in individual body weight and feed intake trajectories are highly correlated (rg = 0.78) with low to moderate favourable genetic correlations with feed conversion ratio (rg = 0.39–0.49). Lastly, we showed that some resilience traits, such as the natural logarithm of variances of observed versus predicted body weights (lnvarweight), are more robust to lower observation frequencies and are repeatable over three different time periods of the finishing phase.ConclusionsOur results will help future studies investigating resilience traits and resilience-related traits. Moreover, our study provides first results on standardization of quality control and efficient data sampling from automated feeding station data. Our findings will be valuable for breeding organizations as they offer evidence that pigs’ general resilience can be selected on with good accuracy. Moreover, this methodology might be extended to other species to quantify resilience based on longitudinal data.

Urinating in transponder-controlled feeding stations – Analysis of an undesirable behaviour in horses

Urination in transponder-controlled roughage feeding stations is a widespread undesirable behaviour of group-housed horses. Urination on hard surfaces, such as the floor of the stations, is contrary to the natural elimination behaviour of horses because they prefer to urinate on soft, absorbent surfaces, and it increases ammonia emissions around the stations. The following aspects were analysed: a) urination as potential displacement activity during feed anticipation, b) absence of appropriate elimination areas in the stable and c) ammonia odour as a trigger stimulus. We observed a group of 33 horses in three different situations: 1) baseline situation, 2) provision of elimination areas containing an absorbent substrate in front of the feeding stations and 3) neutralisation of ammonia odour in the feeding stations. In the baseline situation all horses were observed, regardless whether they urinated in the feeding station or not. In the other two situations, only the urinating-horses were observed. We analysed 5 h of video per day, recorded on 4 days from seven feeding stations in each situation. We used an information theory approach, calculating three different (generalized) linear mixed effects models and all according sub-models. In the baseline situation, the horses showed that the horses urinated often after ‘ground exploration’, and there was more ground exploration in the urinating-horses than in the non-urinating-horses. In addition, a higher percentage of the mares than of the geldings urinated during at least one station visit, and mares urinated more often per visit than geldings. Before urination, the horses in most cases lowered the head toward the hay container to trigger the sensor and cause the station to open the partition and make the hay accessible. The time span between lowering the head and access to feed could be perceived as too long by the horses (maximum duration: 30 s) and lead to urination as a displacement activity. In addition, urination never occurred when the hay was accessible, only when the hay was inaccessible, closed, opening or closing. This leads us to conclude that urination is related to feed anticipation. The frequency of urination bouts was not reduced by installing additional elimination areas or neutralising the urine odour, so additional elimination areas and urine odour do not seem to have a role in the undesirable behaviour. Further research is needed to investigate a displacement activity or a classical conditioning in more detail to prevent urination by horses in automated feeding stations.

Occurrence of ESBL- and AmpC-Producing E. coli in French Griffon Vultures Feeding on Extensive Livestock Carcasses.

Despite the fact that the selective pressure of antibiotics on wild birds is supposed to be very weak, they are considered potential vectors of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Obligate scavengers such as vultures can present high proportions of resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins (ESC) and multi-drug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, partially due to feeding stations that are provisioned with livestock carcasses from intensive farming. Here we investigated whether griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) from two populations located in the French Alps, which feed on livestock carcasses from extensive farms, may carry such resistant bacteria. Phenotypic and genotypic characterization showed an 11.8% proportion of ESC-resistant bacteria, including five extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing and one AmpC-producing E. coli. The five ESBL-positive E. coli were clonal and all came from the same vulture population, proving their spread between animals. The ESBL phenotype was due to a blaCTX-M-15 gene located on the chromosome. Both ESBL- and AmpC-positive E. coli belonged to minor STs (ST212 and ST3274, respectively); interestingly, ST212 has already been identified in wild birds around the world, including vultures. These results suggest that actions are needed to mitigate the spread of MDR bacteria through wild birds, particularly in commensal species.

P77 Defoliation intensity impacts on feeding station exploration by dairy cows

P77 Defoliation intensity impacts on feeding station exploration by dairy cows

Unlocking environmental contamination of animal tuberculosis hotspots with viable mycobacteria at the intersection of flow cytometry, PCR, and ecological modelling

Mycobacterium bovis, a member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC), circulates in multi-host mammal communities. While interactions between different host species are mainly indirect, current knowledge postulates interspecific transmission is favored by animal contact with natural substrates contaminated with droplets and fluids from infected animals. However, methodological constraints have severely hampered monitoring of MTBC outside its hosts and the subsequent validation of this hypothesis.In this work, we aimed to evaluate the extent to which environmental contamination with M. bovis occurs in an endemic animal TB setting, taking advantage of a new real-time monitoring tool we recently developed to quantify the proportion of viable and dormant MTBC cell fractions in environmental matrices. Sixty-five natural substrates were collected nearby the International Tagus Natural Park region, in the epidemiological TB risk area in Portugal. These included sediments, sludge, water, and food deployed at unfenced feeding stations. The tripartite workflow included detection, quantification, and sorting of different M. bovis cell populations: total, viable, and dormant. Real-time PCR targeting IS6110 to detect MTBC DNA was performed in parallel. The majority of samples (54 %) contained metabolically active or dormant MTBC cells. Sludge samples had a higher burden of total MTBC cells and a high concentration of viable cells (2.3 × 104 cells/g). Ecological modelling informed by climate, land use, livestock and human disturbance data suggested eucalyptus forest and pasture cover as potential major factors affecting the occurrence of viable MTBC cells in natural matrices.Our study demonstrates, for the first time, the widespread environmental contamination of animal TB hotspots with viable MTBC bacteria and with dormant MTBC cells that are able to recover metabolic activity. Further, we show that viable MTBC cell load in natural substrates is superior to the estimated minimum infective dose, providing real-time insights into the potential magnitude of environmental contamination for indirect TB transmission.