Male Beef Research Articles

PSIV-4 Effectiveness of maternal bovine appeasing substance on growth, physiological, and behavioral responses of high-risk stocker cattle

Abstract Stocker cattle purchased at auction can be susceptible to disease due to the stressors associated with the auction process. These cattle are labeled “high-risk” due to their decreased immune system during transportation, handling, and vaccination processes. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of a maternal bovine appeasing substance, FerAppease, on growth performance and fearfulness of stocker cattle. Male beef calves (n = 80) were purchased at auction and transported to the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Savoy Research Complex Beef Stocker Unit. Steers and bulls were of varying age, breed, and temperament. Upon arrival to the facility (d 0), bulls (n = 48) were castrated by banding and cattle were assigned to 8 pens (n = 10 calves/pen; 4 bulls and 6 steers/pen). On d 0, cattle in 4 pens were treated with FerAppease (FA) on the nuchal skin (n = 40) and cattle in the other 4 pens were not treated and served as controls (CON, n = 40). All cattle received commercial clostridial and respiratory vaccines and were treated with an anthelmintic. Cattle were offered bermudagrass hay for ad libitum intake and were fed a grain supplement (1.8 kg/d) to meet or exceed nutrient requirements. To measure growth performance, body weight (BW) was recorded on d 0, 3, 14, 28, 41, 42 of the study and used to calculate average daily gain (ADG). Body weights on d 41 and 42 were averaged to calculate final BW. To measure fearfulness, exit chute velocity (ECV) was measured with a rodeo timer and recorded on d 3, 14, 28, 41, and 42. To measure inflammation, blood was collected from 5 calves/pen (n = 3 bulls and 2 steers/pen) on d 0, 3, 28 and 42 and haptoglobin (Hp) was measured in blood serum. A two-way ANOVA with the fixed effects of sex (arrived as steer or bull) and treatment (FA, CON) and random effect of pen was used for analysis. Serum Hp was log transformed to improve normality. There was not a treatment effect on any of the measures collected. Steers had a greater BW throughout the study (P ≤ 0.05), weighing more than bulls at the end of the study (261 kg vs 241 kg, respectively). Steers also had a greater (P < 0.0001) ADG than bulls (1.14 vs. 0.84 kg/d, respectively). On d 3 and 14, steers exited the chute more rapidly (P < 0.05) than bulls. There was an interactive effect on serum d 28 Hp concentrations (P = 0.04), where CON bulls had greater Hp concentrations (111,261 ng/mL) than CON steers (13,055 ng/mL), with FA steers and bulls intermediate. The results from this study indicate that there was no consistent effect of the treatment on the measures collected.

Consumer willingness to pay (WTP) for beef based on color and price discounts

Discoloration of beef products leads retailers to offer discounts or discard beef products, as consumers tend to reject a brownish beef color. This practice contributes to retail food waste and inefficient resource allocation linked to beef production. The objective of this study was to investigate U.S. consumer preferences for beef color and price discounts. After an initial test for screen acuity regarding color perception using a condensed form the ishihara test, data on meat purchasing behavior as well as demographic information was collected for all participants. An additional part of the study undertook a hypothetical discrete choice experiment using digital photos of beef steaks with different meat color, price, and discount labels in retail packaging to examine consumer preferences, willingness to pay, and the effects of discount pricing. Results of a Mixed Logit Model based on choice data show that beef shoppers perceive, see, and prefer color nearly linearly across days of retail display. Consumers' willingness to pay was negative for 4, 7 and 9 days of retail display relative to day zero and decreased with an increase in discoloration. Results indicate that beef shoppers would have to be financially compensated for choosing a steak that was discolored after 9 days of retail display. However, male beef buyers exhibit weaker preferences for color and could be a target segment for promoting discolored beef products to reduce meat waste.

Prevalence of Antibiotic-Resistant Escherichia coli Isolated from Beef Cattle and Dairy Cows in a Livestock Farm in Yamagata, Japan.

Antimicrobials are used on livestock farms to treat and prevent infectious animal diseases and to promote the growth of livestock. We monitored the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli (AR-EC) isolates from beef cattle (BC) and dairy cows (DCs) on a livestock farm in Yamagata, Japan. Fecal samples from 5 male BC and 10 male DCs were collected monthly from October 2022 to November 2023. In total, 152 and 884 E. coli isolates were obtained from the BC and DC fecal samples, respectively. Notably, 26 (17.1%) and 29 (3.3%) E. coli isolates in the BC and DC groups, respectively, were resistant to at least one antibiotic. The resistance rates to tetracycline, ampicillin, gentamicin, and chloramphenicol of the isolates were significantly higher than those to the other antimicrobials. The tetracycline resistance genes tetA (70.6%) in DCs and tetB (28%) in BC were identified, along with the blaTEM gene in ampicillin-resistant isolates (BC: 84.2%, DCs: 42.8%). Despite significant variations in the monthly detection rates of AR-EC isolated from BC and DCs throughout the sampling period, the judicious use of antimicrobials reduced the occurrence of AR-EC in both BC and DCs, thereby minimizing their release into the environment.

Supplementation of Sakura Block Plus in Beef Cattle Fed with Palm Fronds and Its Effect on Nutrient Digestibility

Sakura Block Plus is a modification of Sakura Block, incorporating 6% earthworms and palm kernel cake as substitutes for corn. The objective of this study was to evaluate the supplementation of Sakura Block Plus in palm frond feed on the nutrient digestibility of beef cattle. The research design employed a Latin Square Design (LSD) with treatments P0 (10% Sakura Block Plus), P1 (8% Sakura Block Plus), P2 (10% Sakura Block Plus), and P3 (12% Sakura Block Plus). Four male beef cattle, 18 months old, weighing approximately ± 110 kg, were utilized throughout four treatment periods, each lasting 15 days. The results of the study indicated a significant improvement in the 12% Sakura Block Plus treatment concerning the digestibility of Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), and hemicellulose. In conclusion, the supplementation of Sakura Block Plus at the 12% level in palm frond feed resulted in the most optimal nutrient digestibility.

Types of Tropical Legume Leaf Meal in Dietary Concentrate Increased the Production of Forage-finished Beef Bali Cattle

The objective of this experiment was to assess the production responses of forage-finished beef Bali cattle fed concentrated feed containing different types of leaf meal tropical legumes. Sixteen forage-finished male beef Bali cattle (Bos javanicus) with an average body weight of 175.20±27.85 kg and aged 1.5-2.5 years were raised for 54 days for data collection. A randomized completely block design was used, which consisted of four dietary treatments and four replicates. The dietary treatments, which were formulated to be isonitrogenous to provide 120 g/kg dry matter (DM) crude protein, included Cipelang grass (Pennisetum purpureum cv. Taiwan) as a basal diet (Con) or a control supplemented with a dietary concentrate containing either leaf meal of Gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium) 54.57% (Gliri), Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) 55.59% (Leu) or Moringa (Moringa oleifera) 40.85% (Mor). The feed intake, average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), digestibility and blood parameters were measured. The results showed that legume leaf meal supplementation significantly increased (P<0.05) feed intake, ADG, digestibility, haemoglobin and total leucocytes, while FCR was not affected (P>0.05). The highest ADG was recorded for Leu and Mor cattle, which was in line with the highest feed intake. In conclusion, forage-finished beef Bali cattle fed Cipelang grass as a basal diet grew faster when supplemented with dietary concentrate containing Moringa or Leucaena leaf meal.

135 Effects of intratesticular injectable zinc as an alternative castration method compared to banding one week post weaning in beef bulls: effects on health, inflammation, behavior, and growth during the backgrounding period

Abstract Castration is a widely practiced management strategy that results in temporary pain with adverse effects on growth performance. Therefore, humane alternatives must be investigated. Male beef calves (n = 81) were stratified by weaning weight and allocated to 1 of 8 pens. Pens were assigned randomly to treatment: 1) banded (B; n = 42) or 2) a 1 mL intratesticular Zn (100 mg Zn) injection (Z; n = 39). Two pens from each treatment were selected for blood collection (B, n = 22; Z, n = 19); the alternative pens were assigned to behavior measurements (5 calves/pen; B, n = 10; Z, n = 10). Behavior data were collected for 1 wk post-castration using accelerometers (HOBOware Lite software). Blood was collected daily on d 0 through d 7 post-castration, and every 28 d for the remainder of the backgrounding phase for complete blood cell counts, serum haptoglobin (Hp), and serum testosterone. Testicular width and BW were also measured. All blood and growth parameters were analyzed using the MIXED procedures of SAS while GLIMMIX was used for behavioral analysis. Body weights did not differ due to treatment throughout the 140-d backgrounding phase (P ≥ 0.39). Overall ADG was greater for Z calves compared with B calves (P = 0.05). Serum testosterone concentrations were greater in Z calves compared with B calves throughout the 140-d trial (P ≤ 0.02). Testicular width in Z calves peaked numerically on d 3 and declined to baseline measurements by d 113 (P = 0.67). Intratesticular Zn castrated calves spent more time lying flat on their side compared with B calves 1 d post-castration (P = 0.03) until d 3 and 4 where B calves spent more time lying on their side compared with Z calves (P ≤ 0.02). Banded calves spent more time standing the first 2 d post-castration compared with Z calves (P ≤ 0.01). On d 3, 4, 5, and 6, Z calves spent more time standing (P ≤ 0.01) while B calves spent more time laying on their sternum (P ≤ 0.03). Banded calves had decreased Hp concentrations on d 1, 2, 3, 7, and 28 compared with Z calves (P ≤ 0.01). Total white blood cell concentrations, both proportion and concentration of neutrophils, and proportion of lymphocytes were greater in Z calves compared with B calves on d 1, 2, and 3 (P ≤ 0.01). Although growth performance was not hindered by the Zn intratesticular injection castration method, it did cause behaviors indicative of pain and resulted in an acute inflammatory and immune response compared with banded calves. Therefore, castrating with an intratesticular injection of Zn may not be a sufficient alternative to conventional methods.

An Evaluation of the Field Efficacy of Tildipirosin for Control of Bovine Respiratory Disease in Feedlot Calves in Bulgaria

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is one of the most common and economically important disease affecting feedlot industry throughout the world. The economic significance of this condition are high morbidity and mortality, decreased weight gains, reduced food utilization, low meet quality and additional therapeutic and prophylactic measures. The hypothesis of this study was that the use of metaphylactic protocol based on the risk to develop BRD would reduce morbidity and mortality. For this purpose, the aims of this study were to evaluate the effect of tildipirosin on the incidence of BRD in feedlot cattle. A total of 106 male beef calves were enrolled in the study. Calves were allocated randomly in control group (54 animals) and treatment (52 animals) group. The first group received subcutaneous injection of placebo while the second was treated with SC injection of tildipirosin. The observed BRD incidence was 35.2, and 9.6% for the calves in the control and treatment group, respectively (P = 0.012). These results suggest that the tildipirosin metaphylaxis tend to decrease the incidence of BRD in the first four weeks of the fattening period in beef cattle. In conclusion, metaphylactic protocols, based on the administration of tildipirosin in the high risk period can be used for management of BRD.

Yüksek Düzeyde Konsantre Yem ve Kuru Kaba Yem İçeren Besi Sığırı Rasyonlarında DL-Malik Asitin Besi Performansı ve Rumen Parametreleri Üzerine Etkinliği

This study aimed to determine the effects of DL-malic acid supplementation in beef cattle rations containing high concentrated feed and dry forage (alfalfa hay and wheat straw) on fattening performance, carcass traits and ru- men parameters. In present study, 47 male beef cattle (19 Simmental, 28 Limousine) at the age of 14-16 months were used. Cattle breeds were divided into two groups (0 and 30 g/day of DL-malic acid). In the present study, the differ- ences in live weights, daily live weight gains and carcass weights of the control and DL-malic acid groups were found to be significant in Simmental breed (P<0.05), but insignificant in Limousine breed. The beef cattle body measurements (withers height, chest girth, rump height, body length) did not change with malic acid supplementation (P>0.05).The malic acid addition increased the molarities of acetic, butyric, propionic and total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) and acetic acid/ propionic acid ratio in the rumen fluid (P<0.05).The addition of malic acid had no significant effect on the number of ciliated protozoa (Entodinium, Diplodinium, Isotricha and Dasytricha) and total bacteria count in the rumen fluid (P>0.05). As a result, DL-malic acid supplementation to beef cattle ration varied with cattle breeds in terms of fattening performance, while such supplementations had positive effect on fattening in Simmental breed. Besides, the increase in TVFA and acetic, propionic and butyric acids, which are indicators of fiber and carbohydrate fermentation efficiency in the rumen, shows that malic acid has a positive effect on feed digestion in the rumen.

SEROPOSITIVE BRUCELLOSIS IN BEEF CATTLE IN THE FIRST SEMESTER AT PANTOLOAN ANIMAL INSTALLATION

Brucellosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella and classified as a zoonotic disease. Brucellosis is usually asymptomatic in infected female animals, but it can cause placentitis, which leads to abortion in the fifth to ninth months of pregnancy in pregnant animals. Brucella infection is lifelong in animals, and Brucella bacteria can be found in the blood, urine, milk, and sperm. To prevent the spread of brucellosis in beef cattle that will be trafficked through the Pantoloan animal quarantine installation. From January to June, blood serum of male beef cattle was collected at the Pantoloan Animal Quarantine Installation, Palu Agricultural Quarantine. The Rose Bengal Test method was used on up to 7.046 serum samples. In the first semester of 2018, the positive incidence of blood serum testing for beef cattle using the Rose Bengal Test (RBT) method at ten beef cattle traffic frequencies revealed seropositive brucellosis in 38 out of 7,046 samples tested. Beef cattle were sourced from the Central Sulawesi, Gorontalo, and South Sulawesi provinces. Blood serum samples from Central Sulawesi showed the highest positive incidence. Based on the prevalence of seropositive brucellosis based on RBT in beef cattle transported through the Pantoloan animal quarantine installation, several cattle breeding areas should be monitored during subsequent traffic, and public awareness should be raised to prevent the spread of brucellosis.

Evaluation of Maternal Nutrition Effects in the Lifelong Performance of Male Beef Cattle Offspring.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different prenatal nutrition treatments on pregnant cows and their progeny. One hundred and twenty-six pregnant Nellore cows (455.3 ± 8.1 kg) were allocated in three different nutritional treatments during pregnancy: NP-control, PP-protein-energy supplementation in the last 3 months of pregnancy, and FP-the same supplementation throughout pregnancy. After parturition, all cows and calves received the same environmental and nutrition condition. The body condition score (BCS), body weight (BW), ribeye area (REA), backfat thickness (BFT), and rumpfat thickness (RFT) were collected on four occasions during pregnancy in the cows and from birth to finishing in calves. All data (cows and calves) were submitted to an analysis of variance (p < 0.05) using a linear model (MIXED procedure; SAS software). The BW, RFT, and BCS from the cows showed significant differences in the middle third of pregnancy and pre-delivery and RFT postpartum (p < 0.05). For the offspring, the weaning weight showed a tendency (NP lighter than others). In terms of gain, the PP group tended to be higher in RFT at calving (p = 0.06), in REA at finishing (p = 0.09), and in ADG in the same period (p = 0.09). The prenatal nutrition strategies had little or no effect on the beef cattle postnatal performance.

Cricket (Gryllus bimaculatus) meal pellets as a protein supplement to improve feed efficiency, ruminal fermentation and microbial protein synthesis in Thai native beef cattle.

Replacing soybean meal (SBM) with cricket (Gryllus bimaculatus) meal pellets (CMP) in concentrate diets was investigated for feed efficiency, ruminal fermentation and microbial protein synthesis in Thai native beef cattle. Four male beef cattle were randomly assigned to treatments using a 4×4 Latin square design with four levels of SBM replaced by CMP at 0%, 33%, 67%, and 100% in concentrate diets. Results revealed that replacement of SBM with CMP did not affect dry matter (DM) consumption, while digestibilities of crude protein, acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber were significantly enhanced (p<0.05) but did not alter digestibility of DM and organic matter. Increasing levels of CMP up to 100% in concentrate diets increased ruminal ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N) concentrations, blood urea nitrogen, total volatile fatty acids and propionate concentration (p<0.05), whereas production of methane and protozoal populations decreased (p<0.05). Efficiency of microbial nitrogen protein synthesis increased when SBM was replaced with CMP. Substitution of SBM with CMP in the feed concentrate mixture at up to 100% resulted in enhanced nutrient digestibility and rumen fermentation efficiency, with increased volatile fatty acids production, especially propionate and microbial protein synthesis, while decreasing protozoal populations and mitigating rumen methane production in Thai native beef cattle fed a rice straw-based diet.

Evaluation of Microbiological Quality of Halal Beef Intended for Export from Khartoum State, Sudan

Aims: To evaluate halal criteria of beef microbiological quality intended for export in two slaughterhouses.&#x0D; Study Design: A cross-sectional study.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Khartoum State, Sudan between August and November 2022.&#x0D; Methodology: Samples were collected by using the non-destructive dry swab method for microbiological quality sampling of beef and a standardized checklist to evaluate good manufacturing practices (GMPs) and good hygienic practices (GHPs). Restraining methods were categorized as “modern method” where the full inversion rotary casting box was used which resembled slaughterhouse “A” or “conventional method” where a large-sized hammer for blowing the skull was used and this resembled slaughterhouse “B”. A total of 80 male beef cattle were investigated after arrival in the lairages of the designated slaughterhouses. Forty carcasses from each slaughtering method were randomly chosen and swabbed.&#x0D; Results: The results revealed that halal criteria for the slaughtering methods in slaughterhouse (A) was 100%, while slaughterhouse (B) was 83.2%. Also, this study revealed poor personal hygiene as slaughterhouse A scored 53.2%, while slaughterhouse B scored 33.2% for personal hygiene evaluation. The mean total bacterial count (TBC) was found to be 4.556 x 10⁵ cfu/ml and 5.53275 X 10⁵ cfu/ml in slaughterhouses A and B, respectively with highly significant differences compared to the standard permissible limits (1x 10⁵cfu/ml) with p ≤0.05, while there were no statistically significant differences (0.847) within slaughterhouses with p ≤0.05. Furthermore, the mean total coliform count (TCC) was found to be 16.4795 X10²cfu/ml and 47.8670 X 10²cfu/ml in slaughterhouses A and B, respectively with a highly significant difference compared to the standard permissible limits (1x10²cfu/ml) with p ≤0.05 and also with highly significant differences (0.000) between slaughterhouses themselves with p ≤0.05.&#x0D; Conclusion: The study concluded that both slaughterhouses failed to meet the requirements of the various beef halal criteria.

Untargeted metabolomics confirms the association between plasma branched chain amino acids and residual feed intake in beef heifers.

This study explored plasma biomarkers and metabolic pathways underlying feed efficiency measured as residual feed intake (RFI) in Charolais heifers. A total of 48 RFI extreme individuals (High-RFI, n = 24; Low-RFI, n = 24) were selected from a population of 142 heifers for classical plasma metabolite and hormone quantification and plasma metabolomic profiling through untargeted LC-MS. Most efficient heifers (Low-RFI) had greater (P = 0.03) plasma concentrations of IGF-1 and tended to have (P = 0.06) a lower back fat depth compared to least efficient heifers. However, no changes were noted (P ≥ 0.10) for plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, non-esterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate and urea. The plasma metabolomic dataset comprised 3,457 ions with none significantly differing between RFI classes after false discovery rate correction (FDR > 0.10). Among the 101 ions having a raw P < 0.05 for the RFI effect, 13 were putatively annotated by using internal databases and 6 compounds were further confirmed with standards. Metabolic pathway analysis from these 6 confirmed compounds revealed that the branched chain amino acid metabolism was significantly (FDR < 0.05) impacted by the RFI classes. Our results confirmed for the first time in beef heifers previous findings obtained in male beef cattle and pointing to changes in branched-chain amino acids metabolism along with that of body composition as biological mechanisms related to RFI. Further studies are warranted to ascertain whether there is a cause-and-effect relationship between these mechanisms and RFI.

Molecular Detection and Genotyping of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Beef Cattle in Shanxi Province, North China.

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is an intracellular pathogen that can parasitize humans and a variety of animals. The infection of E. bieneusi in most hosts is asymptomatic, but in immunocompromised individuals, it can lead to serious complications such as acute diarrhea, dehydration, and even death. However, no data on the prevalence and genotyping of E. bieneusi in beef cattle in Shanxi province are currently available. In this study, a total of 401 fecal samples were collected from beef cattle in farms from two representative counties-Qi county and Jishan county-in Shanxi province, north China. Nested PCR was applied to determine the prevalence and genotypes of E. bieneusi by amplifying and sequencing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of the rRNA gene. A total of 90 out of 401 samples were detected as E. bieneusi-positive, with 22.44% overall prevalence of E. bieneusi in beef cattle in Shanxi province. The highest prevalence of E. bieneusi was detected in calves (28.67%, 41/143) and male beef cattle (28.13%, 54/192). Statistical analysis revealed that the prevalence of E. bieneusi was significantly associated with gender and age factors (p &lt; 0.05), but without any statistical difference among regions. Moreover, six known E. bieneusi genotypes (BEB4, BEB6, BEB8, J, I, and PigSpEb2) and two novel genotypes (designated CSC1 and CSC2) were identified by analysis of ITS sequences, and genotype I was the predominant genotype in these two counties. Phylogenetic analysis showed that five known genotypes and two novel genotypes were clustered into Group 2, but PigSpEb2 belonged to Group 1. To our knowledge, the present study demonstrated the presence and identified genotypes of E. bieneusi in beef cattle in Shanxi province for the first time, extending the data on prevalence and genotypes of E. bieneusi in beef cattle and providing baseline data for executing intervention measures to control it in the study regions.

What's my hamburger meat made of?

Outreach activities give high school students an opportunity to better understand the techniques and strategies used by researchers. Here is an experience with high school students designed to familiarize them with genetic methodologies. Students have been challenged to discover whether restaurant beef burgers are made with female or male beef. This represents a didactic way to introduce students to genetic traceability methodologies and also to demonstrate the usefulness of these methodologies in relation to food safety and, more importantly, in sustaining consumer confidence. The exercise is planned to be conducted in a one-day laboratory session.

The enriched Y-bearing sperm combined with delayed fixed-time artificial insemination for obtaining male Simmental crossbred offspring.

Background and Aim:The production of male calf beef cattle is an agricultural innovation needed to increase the farm’s productivity as a provider of meat sources. This study aimed to determine the sex ratio of the offspring of cows inseminated with Y-bearing sperm enriched by Percoll density gradient centrifugation and swim-up, combined with delayed fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI).Materials and Methods:Ejaculates of Simmental bulls were divided into four equal portions and grouped as T0 (control, non-sexed semen), T1 and T2 were sexed semen using Percoll density gradient centrifugation three and five levels, respectively, and T3 was sexed semen using swim-up. After the sex was sorted, the semen was diluted in a tris-egg yolk extender, packaged in French mini-straws containing 50 million live sperm cells, and frozen. Pre-sexed, post-sexed, and post-thawed spermatozoa were evaluated based on progressive motility, viability, intact plasma membrane, and abnormality. The post-thawed semen of T0 was artificially inseminated to recipient cows at 12 h after onset of estrus (not delayed FTAI). Meanwhile, the delayed FTAI was conducted 18-20 h after onset of estrus using the T0, the best of T1 and T2, and the T3 post-thawed semen.Results:The Percoll density gradient centrifugation reduced motility, viability, and intact plasma membrane but increased sperm abnormalities. Meanwhile, the swim-up process increased motility, viability, and intact plasma membrane of sperm cells but decreased sperm abnormalities. Post-thawed semen decreased motility, viability, and intact plasma membrane of sperm cells but increased sperm abnormalities. The sex ratio of the Simmental crossbred offspring was 96.08% and 100% in T1 and T3, respectively, compared to 48.25% and 67.39% in T0 not delayed and delayed FTAI, respectively.Conclusion:The Percoll density gradient centrifugation and swim-up methods are prospective for obtaining male offspring.

Religious slaughtering: Implications on pH and temperature of bovine carcasses

The main objective of this study was to investigate the influence of different types of slaughtering on the variations of pH and temperature. Ninety entire male beef cattle, belonging to the Charolais breed, were distributed in three groups based on method of slaughtering. A total of 30 subjects (group K) were slaughtered without stunning, according to the Koscher rite; thirty bovines (group T) were stunned with a captive bolt gun, following the common slaughtering reported by Council Regulation (EC) 1099/2009; other thirty animals (group H) were slaughtered without stunning, based on Halal procedures. The temperature and pH values of carcasses were determined at 3, 6 and 24 h post-mortem, respectively. At 24 h post-mortem of the 30 carcasses evaluated for each group, muscle temperature decreased in all three types of slaughtering. In particular, the average temperature was 4.0, 4.9 and 3.0 °C for traditional, Halal and Koscher slaughtering, respectively. Moreover, at the same time step (24 h post-mortem), muscle pH decreased showing values equal to 5.72, 5.83, 5.81 for traditional, Halal and Koscher slaughtering, respectively. The findings of the present study may be useful to highlight the influence of slaughtering method on pH and, more generally, on meat quality. Additionally, our results show that, in slaughtering carried out without prior stunning, the carcass could be more susceptible to alterations because of the high pH values.

Taxonomy and Functional Diversity in the Fecal Microbiome of Beef Cattle Reared in Brazilian Traditional and Semi-Intensive Production Systems.

The importance of beef production for economy of Brazil and the growing demand for animal protein across the globe warrant an improvement in the beef production system. Although most attention has been on modulation of the rumen microbiome to improve ruminant production, the role of the lower gut microbiome in host health and nutrition remains relatively unexplored. This work aimed to investigate the taxonomy and functional variations in the fecal microbiome of Brazilian beef cattle reared in two different production systems using a metagenomic approach. Sixty male beef cattle from six farms representing semi-intensive (I, n = 2) and traditional (T, n = 4) Brazilian beef production systems were enrolled in the study. Shotgun sequencing was used to characterize taxonomic and functional composition and diversity of the microbiome in fecal samples collected from each animal. Fecal samples were analyzed for copper (Cu), lead (Pb), nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn) and stable isotopes of carbon (13C) and nitrogen (15N). The fecal microbiome was influenced by the beef production systems with greater functional and lower taxonomic diversity in beef cattle feces from I systems compared with that from T systems. The concentration of N, P, and Zn was higher in beef cattle feces from I systems compared with that from T systems and was associated with taxonomic and functional profile of fecal microbiome in I system, suggesting the role of fecal nutrients in shaping system-specific microbiome. Semi-intensive management practices led to a more complex but less connected fecal microbiome in beef cattle. The microbial community in beef cattle feces from I systems was characterized by greater abundance of beneficial bacteria (phylum Firmicutes and butyrate-producing bacteria family Lachnospiraceae and genera Anaerostipes, Blautia, Butyrivibrio, Eubacterium, Roseburia, and Ruminococcus). In addition, the fecal abundance of microbial genes related to immune system, nutrient metabolism, and energy production was greater in beef cattle raised under I systems compared with that under T systems. Findings of the current study suggest that semi-intensive management practices could facilitate the development of a healthier and more efficient fecal microbiome in beef cattle by driving an increase in the abundance of beneficial bacteria and functional genes.

Improving growth rates in preweaning calves on dairy farms: A randomized controlled trial

Previous research has identified key factors associated with improved average daily gain (ADG) in preweaning dairy calves and these factors have been combined to create a web app-based calf health plan (www.nottingham.ac.uk/herdhealthtoolkit). A randomized controlled trial was conducted to determine the effect of implementing this evidence-based calf health plan on both productivity and health outcomes for calves reared on British dairy farms. Sixty dairy farms were randomized by location (North, South, and Midlands) to either receive the plan at the beginning (INT) or after the end of the trial (CON) and recorded birth and weaning weights by weigh tape, and cases of morbidity and mortality. Calf records were returned for 3,593 calves from 45 farms (21 CON, 24 INT), with 1,760 calves from 43 farms having 2 weights recorded >40 d apart for ADG calculations, with 1,871 calves from 43 farms born >90 d before the end of the trial for morbidity and mortality calculations. Associations between both intervention group and the number of interventions in place with ADG were analyzed using linear regression models. Morbidity and mortality rates were analyzed using beta regression models. Mean ADG was 0.78 kg/d, ranging from 0.33 to 1.13 kg/d, with mean rates of 20.12% (0-96.55%), 16.40% (0-95.24%), and 4.28% (0-18.75%) for diarrhea, pneumonia, and mortality. The INT farms were undertaking a greater number of interventions (9.9) by the end of the trial than CON farms (7.6). Mean farm ADG was higher for calves on INT farms than CON farms for both male beef (MB, +0.22 kg/d) and dairy heifer (DH, +0.03 kg/d) calves. The MB calves on INT farms had significantly increased mean ADG (0.12 kg/d, 95% confidence interval: 0.02-0.22) compared with CON farms. No significant differences were observed between intervention groups for morbidity or mortality. Implementing one additional intervention from the plan, regardless of intervention group, was associated with improvements in mean ADG for DH calves of 0.01 kg/d (0.01, 0-0.03) and MB calves of 0.02 kg/d (0.00-0.04). Model predictions suggest that a farm with the highest number of interventions in place (15) compared with farms with the lowest number of interventions in place (4) would expect an improvement in growth rates from 0.65 to 0.81 kg/d for MB, from 0.73 to 0.88 kg/d for DH, a decrease in mortality rates from 10.9% to 2.8% in MB, and a decrease in diarrhea rates from 42.1% to 15.1% in DH. The calf health plan tested in this study represents a useful tool to aid veterinarians and farmers in the implementation of effective management interventions likely to improve the growth rates, health, and welfare of preweaning calves on dairy farms.

Long-term effects of early maternal undernutrition on the growth, physiological profiles, carcass and meat quality of male beef offspring

The effects of maternal undernutrition in early gestation on growth, metabolic and endocrine profiles, carcass and meat quality of male offspring in cattle were assessed. Twenty-one Parda de Montaña and 14 Pirenaica cows received a CONTROL (100% nutrition requirements) or a SUBNUT (65%) diet from day 0 to 82 of gestation and thereafter were fed to requirements until calf weaning at 4 months of age. The performance and physiological profiles of male offspring during an 8-month fattening period were analyzed. Bulls were slaughtered at 12 months of age, and their carcasses and meat color, tenderness and intramuscular fatty acid profile were evaluated. Maternal undernutrition increased plasma NEFAs and impaired the growth of Pirenaica bulls, resulting in lower weights at slaughter and fatter carcasses with impaired meat tenderness. Irrespective of the breed, maternal undernutrition affected meat color and increased the meat content of some healthy fatty acids. In summary, early maternal undernutrition affected the fetal programming of beef male offspring with persistent consequences at slaughter.