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Simonsen PA, Husted NS, Clausen M, Spens AM, Dyrholm RM, Thaysen IF, Aaser MF, Staahltoft SK, Bruhn D, Alstrup AKO, Sonne C, Pertoldi C. Effects of Social Facilitation and Introduction Methods for Cattle on Virtual Fence Adaptation. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1456. [PMID: 38791673 PMCID: PMC11117360 DOI: 10.3390/ani14101456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Agricultural industries rely on physical fences to manage livestock. However, these present practical, financial, and ecological challenges, which may be solved using virtual fencing. This study aimed to identify how experienced cattle through social facilitation and the introduction method influence inexperienced cattle. Based on three stocks held in Fanø, Denmark, containing 12, 17 and 13 Angus (Bos taurus), we examined the virtual fence learning in three case studies using one gradual introduction with zero experienced cattle (A) and two different instant introductions with one (B) and ten (C) experienced cattle. Gradual introduction had the virtual fence moved 20 m every other day for eleven days, and in the two instant introductions, the physical fence was removed in one day. Warnings and impulses were recorded during an 11-day learning period and a 26-day post-learning period, using the impulses per warning to quantify if the cattle adapted. Case studies A and B showed a significant reduction in the warnings and impulses, but only A showed a significant reduction in the impulses per warning when comparing the learning period to the post-learning period. Due to the non-standardised experiments, it was not possible to conclude if the number of experienced cattle or the introduction method had an effect on the results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pernille Arent Simonsen
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, 9220 Aalborg Øst, Denmark; (N.S.H.); (M.C.); (A.-M.S.); (R.M.D.); (I.F.T.); (M.F.A.); (S.K.S.); (D.B.); (C.P.)
| | - Niels Søborg Husted
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, 9220 Aalborg Øst, Denmark; (N.S.H.); (M.C.); (A.-M.S.); (R.M.D.); (I.F.T.); (M.F.A.); (S.K.S.); (D.B.); (C.P.)
| | - Magnus Clausen
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, 9220 Aalborg Øst, Denmark; (N.S.H.); (M.C.); (A.-M.S.); (R.M.D.); (I.F.T.); (M.F.A.); (S.K.S.); (D.B.); (C.P.)
| | - Amalie-Maria Spens
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, 9220 Aalborg Øst, Denmark; (N.S.H.); (M.C.); (A.-M.S.); (R.M.D.); (I.F.T.); (M.F.A.); (S.K.S.); (D.B.); (C.P.)
| | - Rasmus Majland Dyrholm
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, 9220 Aalborg Øst, Denmark; (N.S.H.); (M.C.); (A.-M.S.); (R.M.D.); (I.F.T.); (M.F.A.); (S.K.S.); (D.B.); (C.P.)
| | - Ida Fabricius Thaysen
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, 9220 Aalborg Øst, Denmark; (N.S.H.); (M.C.); (A.-M.S.); (R.M.D.); (I.F.T.); (M.F.A.); (S.K.S.); (D.B.); (C.P.)
| | - Magnus Fjord Aaser
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, 9220 Aalborg Øst, Denmark; (N.S.H.); (M.C.); (A.-M.S.); (R.M.D.); (I.F.T.); (M.F.A.); (S.K.S.); (D.B.); (C.P.)
| | - Søren Krabbe Staahltoft
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, 9220 Aalborg Øst, Denmark; (N.S.H.); (M.C.); (A.-M.S.); (R.M.D.); (I.F.T.); (M.F.A.); (S.K.S.); (D.B.); (C.P.)
| | - Dan Bruhn
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, 9220 Aalborg Øst, Denmark; (N.S.H.); (M.C.); (A.-M.S.); (R.M.D.); (I.F.T.); (M.F.A.); (S.K.S.); (D.B.); (C.P.)
- Skagen Bird Observatory, Fyrvej 36, 9990 Skagen, Denmark
| | - Aage Kristian Olsen Alstrup
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark;
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Christian Sonne
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark;
| | - Cino Pertoldi
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, 9220 Aalborg Øst, Denmark; (N.S.H.); (M.C.); (A.-M.S.); (R.M.D.); (I.F.T.); (M.F.A.); (S.K.S.); (D.B.); (C.P.)
- Aalborg Zoo, Mølleparkvej 63, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark
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Xie K, Liu F, Zhang C, Hou F. Nitrogen and energy utilization and methane emissions of sheep grazing on annual pasture vs. native pasture. J Anim Sci 2024; 102:skae032. [PMID: 38366060 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skae032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the differences in annual pasture and native pasture on dry matter (DM) intake, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen (N) and energy utilization, and methane (CH4) emission of grazing sheep, and to provide the basis for rational livestock grazing in salinized regions. The study used 10 male Hu sheep ♀ × thin-tailed Han sheep ♂ rams (20 ± 5 kg) aged 5 mo. Sheep grazing was conducted in annual pasture and native pasture using a 2 × 2 Latin square design. After a 15-d adaptation period for grazing, the digestion and metabolism experiment of sheep were conducted, while CH4 emissions were measured using sulfur hexafluoride tracer gas. DM intake did not differ between annual pasture and native pasture (P = 0.386). Meanwhile, the digestibility of DM (P < 0.001), neutral detergent fiber (P < 0.001), acid detergent fiber (P < 0.01), crude protein (P < 0.001), and ether extract (P < 0.001) of sheep grazing on native pasture was significantly higher than that of annual pasture. Sheep grazing on native pasture had increased N intake (P < 0.001) and N retained (P < 0.001) compared with those grazing on annual pasture. Digestion energy (P < 0.05) and metabolic energy (P < 0.01) of sheep grazing on annual pasture were significantly improved compared with those on native pasture, while fecal energy (P < 0.001), urine energy (P < 0.001) and CH4 energy (CH4-E) output (P < 0.001) and CH4 emission (P < 0.001) of sheep grazing on annual pasture were significantly decreased. The CH4-E/gross energy (GE) values of sheep grazing on annual pasture and native pasture were 0.09 and 0.10, respectively. In conclusion, grazing sheep have higher N utilization on native pasture, whereas grazing sheep have higher energy utilization and low CH4 emissions in annual pasture. In conclusion, annual pasture has a lower CH4-E/GE compared to native pasture, which helps in reducing environmental pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaili Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Technology Research Center for Ecological Restoration and Utilization of Degraded Grassland in Northwest China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Fuyao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Technology Research Center for Ecological Restoration and Utilization of Degraded Grassland in Northwest China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Technology Research Center for Ecological Restoration and Utilization of Degraded Grassland in Northwest China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Fujiang Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Technology Research Center for Ecological Restoration and Utilization of Degraded Grassland in Northwest China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
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Batista PHD, de Almeida GLP, Pandorfi H, de Medeiros VWC, Moraes AS, de Melo AAS, da Silva MV, Silva MA. Phenotypic plasticity and behavioral responses of dairy cattle on rotational grazing. Trop Anim Health Prod 2023; 55:158. [PMID: 37052750 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-023-03567-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Heat stress is one of the most important environmental challenges faced by dairy cattle, with a deleterious effect on animal production and welfare. This research was conducted to evaluate the effects of the thermal environment on the physiological and behavioral responses of dairy cattle in a rotational picket. The research was conducted on an experimental farm, located in the Agreste region of the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. The animals were managed in a rotational picket system of signal grass, with an occupation and a rest period of 7 and 28 days, respectively, for a stocking rate of 3.2 AU ha-1. The determination of the effect of stressors on the animals was performed by recording the dry bulb temperature (°C), and the relative humidity, which allowed the characterization of the thermal environment by the temperature and humidity index and by the specific enthalpy (kJ kg-1). The physiological variables monitored were respiratory rate (mov. min-1), rectal temperature (°C), and skin temperature (°C). The behavioral responses quantified were activities, walking, ruminating, idling and ingestive behaviors, eating, and drinking, with the percentage of time spent on each activity being recorded. According to the canonical multivariate analysis, the chi-square test, and the variation of physiological patterns, the animals, even in a situation of greater thermal challenge, presented physiological responses within conditions considered normal; however, they reduced grazing activity (eating) during the hottest hours and increased the activities of rumination and idling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Henrique Dias Batista
- Ceará State Technical Assistance and Rural Extension Company, José Vicente Avenue, 1017, Center, Itapipoca, Ceará, 62504-095, Brazil.
| | - Gledson Luiz Pontes de Almeida
- Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Dom Manoel de Medeiros avenue, SN, Dois Irmãos, Recife, Pernambuco, 52171-900, Brazil
| | - Héliton Pandorfi
- Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Dom Manoel de Medeiros avenue, SN, Dois Irmãos, Recife, Pernambuco, 52171-900, Brazil
| | | | - Alex Souza Moraes
- Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Dom Manoel de Medeiros avenue, SN, Dois Irmãos, Recife, Pernambuco, 52171-900, Brazil
| | - Airon Aparecido Silva de Melo
- Federal University of the Agreste of Pernambuco, Bom Pastor avenue, S/N, Boa Vista, Garanhuns, Pernambuco, 55292-270, Brazil
| | - Marcos Vinícius da Silva
- Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Dom Manoel de Medeiros avenue, SN, Dois Irmãos, Recife, Pernambuco, 52171-900, Brazil
| | - Marco Antonio Silva
- Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Dom Manoel de Medeiros avenue, SN, Dois Irmãos, Recife, Pernambuco, 52171-900, Brazil
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de Souza EJO, Queiroz LMD, Lima EIMD, Costa GRDR, Torres TR, Bezerra AC, Martins dos Santos W, da Silva CS. Can GPS monitoring help farmers select the best nutritional management strategy for finishing sheep on pasture? Livest Sci 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2023.105229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
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Sharifian A, Gantuya B, Wario HT, Kotowski MA, Barani H, Manzano P, Krätli S, Babai D, Biró M, Sáfián L, Erdenetsogt J, Qabel QM, Molnár Z. Global principles in local traditional knowledge: A review of forage plant-livestock-herder interactions. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 328:116966. [PMID: 36521222 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
An understanding of traditional ecological knowledge systems is increasingly acknowledged as a means of helping to develop global, regional and national, but locally relevant policies. Pastoralists often use lands that are unsuitable for crops due to biophysical and climatic extremities and variabilities. Forage plants of pastures are utilized by herding communities by applying locally relevant multigenerational knowledge. We analyzed the forage-related knowledge of pastoralists and herders by reviewing scientific papers and video documentaries on forage plants and indicators, their use in land management, and plant-livestock interactions. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with key knowledge holders in Iran, Mongolia, Kenya, Poland and Hungary. We found 35 indicators used by herders to describe forage species. The indicators described botanical features, livestock behavior during grazing, and the impact of plants on livestock condition and health. The indicators were used in context-specific management decisions, with a variety of objectives to optimize grazing. We identified ten global principles, including, among others, a livestock-centered perspective, close monitoring and targeted pasturing of various (preferred or avoided) forages, and the use of different livestock types and well-planned spatial movements at multiple scales to optimize the utilization of available plant resources. Although pastoralists vary greatly across the globe, the character and use of their traditional forage-related knowledge do seem to follow strikingly similar principles. Understanding these may help the local-to-global-level understanding of these locally specific systems, support bottom-up pastoral initiatives and discussions on sustainable land management, and help to develop locally relevant global and national policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abolfazl Sharifian
- Department of Rangeland and Watershed Management, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, 49138-15749, Gorgan, Iran; Centre for Ecological Research, Institute of Ecology and Botany, Vácrátót, Hungary; Global Change and Conservation Lab, Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Program, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, PL 65, FI-00014, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Batdelger Gantuya
- Centre for Ecological Research, Institute of Ecology and Botany, Vácrátót, Hungary; Botanic Garden and Research Institute, Mongolian Academy of Science, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Hussein T Wario
- Center for Research and Development in Drylands, Marsabit, Kenya
| | - Marcin Andrzej Kotowski
- Botanical Garden Center for Biological Diversity Conservation in Powsin, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Hossein Barani
- Department of Rangeland and Watershed Management, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, 49138-15749, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Pablo Manzano
- Global Change and Conservation Lab, Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Program, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, PL 65, FI-00014, Helsinki, Finland; Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS), Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3), 48940, Leioa, Spain; Ikerbasque - Basque Foundation of Science, Euskadi Plaza, 5, E-48009, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Saverio Krätli
- German Institute for Tropical and Subtropical Agriculture, Transdisciplinary and Social-Ecological Landuse Research (DITSL), Witzenhausen, Germany
| | - Dániel Babai
- Institute of Ethnology, Research Centre for the Humanities, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Marianna Biró
- Centre for Ecological Research, Institute of Ecology and Botany, Vácrátót, Hungary
| | - László Sáfián
- Traditional Hungarian Shepherd, Hajdúsámson, Hungary
| | | | | | - Zsolt Molnár
- Centre for Ecological Research, Institute of Ecology and Botany, Vácrátót, Hungary
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Xie K, Liu F, Zhang C, Hou F. Nitrogen utilisation, energy utilisation and methane emissions of sheep grazing in two types of pasture. Animal 2023; 17:100705. [PMID: 36724585 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.100705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Livestock grazing plays a significant role in maintaining grasslands and promoting animal production globally. To understand the livestock performance in sown pasture (SP) vs native pasture (NP) is important to ensure more effective grassland-livestock interactions with minimal environmental impact. A 2 (treatment) * 2 (period) Latin Square design experiment was conducted with 10 growing Hu sheep ♂ × thin-tailed Han sheep ♀ rams grazed perennially SP vs NP in an inland arid region of China. The objectives were to evaluate the effects of grazing management on nutrient digestibility, nitrogen (N) and energy utilisation and methane (CH4) emission. The N intake, N retained and energy intake (gross energy (GE), and digestible and metabolisable energy) of sheep grazing in SP were significantly increased compared with those grazing in NP. There were significant linear relationships between DM intake (DMI) (g/kg BW or g/kg BW0.75) or CH4 (g/kg BW or g/kg BW0.75) emissions and forage nutrient and GE concentrations within each grassland type. The linear regression analysis indicated that forage CP or ether extract concentration was a good predictor for DMI (g/kg BW or g/kg BW0.75) (R2 = 0.756 or 0.752), and CH4 emission could be predicted using forage nutrient and GE concentrations (R2 = 0.381-0.503). These results suggest that DMI and CH4 emissions per unit metabolic BW were accurately predicted by multiple-factor combinations of forage nutrients, including ether extract and CP paired with GE. The present output could provide useful information for the development of sustainable sheep grazing systems in the inland arid regions of the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaili Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
| | - Fuyao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
| | - Fujiang Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China.
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Taste agents as modulators of the feeding behaviour of grazing yaks in alpine meadows. Animal 2023; 17:100703. [PMID: 36621111 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2022.100703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Feeding behaviour plays a significant role in promoting good animal health and welfare. It is also reflective of the quality and quantity of available feed. In fact, grazing livestock do not select their feed randomly, rather their behaviour is influenced by the texture, taste, and smell of each pasture species. Although taste agents are often used to modify feed intake for captive livestock, the effect on the feeding behaviour of grazing livestock has not yet been extensively evaluated in native grasslands. To address this gap in knowledge, herein, we sprayed three types of taste agents-salty (SA), sweet (SW), and bitter (BT)-on alpine meadows to investigate their effect on the grazing behaviour of yaks (Bos Grunniens) on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP). Behavioural observations showed that grazing was concentrated primarily in the morning and afternoon, while ruminating/resting peaked at noon; however, the diurnal behavioural patterns of grazing yaks were not affected by the taste agents. Application of the SA agent significantly increased the yaks' grazing time, bites per minute, bites per step, time per feeding station, and steps per feeding station, while significantly reducing walking time, steps per minute, and number of feeding stations per minute. Meanwhile, application of the SW agent significantly increased the yaks' time per feeding station, however, significantly reduced the steps per minute and number of feeding stations per minute. In contrast, the BT agent significantly increased the yaks' walking time, steps per minute, and number of feeding stations per minute, while significantly reducing grazing time, bites per minute, bites per step, and time per feeding station. Application of the SA agent also significantly increased the intake of favoured, edible, and inedible forage, while the SW agent improved inedible forage intake, however, had a more subtle effect on favoured and edible forage intake. Meanwhile, the BT agent had an inhibitory effect on grazing intake. Hence, the structural equation model suggested that taste agents may directly or indirectly influence grazing behaviour by regulating feeding behaviour. Our findings provide a theoretical basis for using taste agents in grasslands to control the grazing behaviour of livestock and provide a method to promote the stability of grassland communities, while mitigating the degradation of grasslands in the QTP.
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Farias GD, Bremm C, Savian JV, de Souza Filho W, de Lima LC, de Albuquerque Nunes PA, Alves LA, Sacido M, Montossi F, Tiecher T, de Faccio Carvalho PC. Opportunities and challenges for the integration of sheep and crops in the Rio de la Plata region of South America. Small Rumin Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2022.106776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Schanz L, Hintze S, Hübner S, Barth K, Winckler C. Single- and multi-species groups: A descriptive study of cattle and broiler behaviour on pasture. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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10
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Lancaster A, Corti P, Fernández T, Moraga CA, Radic‐Schilling S, Hardenberg A. Changes in foraging behaviour suggest competition between wild and domestic ungulates: Guanaco and domestic sheep in southern Patagonia. J Zool (1987) 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. Lancaster
- Conservation Biology Research Group Department of Biological Sciences University of Chester Chester UK
| | - P. Corti
- Laboratorio de Manejo y Conservación de Vida Silvestre Instituto de Ciencia Animal y Programa de Investigación Aplicada en Fauna Silvestre Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias Universidad Austral de Chile Valdivia Chile
| | - T. Fernández
- Laboratorio de Manejo y Conservación de Vida Silvestre Instituto de Ciencia Animal y Programa de Investigación Aplicada en Fauna Silvestre Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias Universidad Austral de Chile Valdivia Chile
- Programa de Magister en Ecología Aplicada Instituto de Ciencias Ambientales y Evolutivas Facultad de Ciencias Universidad Austral de Chile Valdivia Chile
| | - C. A. Moraga
- Centro de Estudios del Cuaternario de Fuego‐Patagonia y Antártica (Fundación CEQUA) Punta Arenas Chile
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation School of Natural Resources and the Environment University of Florida Gainesville FL USA
| | - S. Radic‐Schilling
- Departamento de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Acuícolas Facultad de Ciencias Universidad de Magallanes Punta Arenas Chile
| | - A. Hardenberg
- Conservation Biology Research Group Department of Biological Sciences University of Chester Chester UK
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Reviewing the Benefits of Grazing/Browsing Semiarid Rangeland Feed Resources and the Transference of Bioactivity and Pro-Healthy Properties to Goat Milk and Cheese: Obesity, Insulin Resistance, Inflammation and Hepatic Steatosis Prevention. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11102942. [PMID: 34679963 PMCID: PMC8532773 DOI: 10.3390/ani11102942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The rangeland is an ecological resource that provides multiple benefits for environment and agriculture. Grazing/browsing on rangelands is a useful and inexpensive means to produce food derived from animal products. The aim of this study was to review the benefits of producing milk and cheese under this system in terms of bioactivity and the health benefits of their consumption in model animals. To conduct this review, we particularly considered the experiments that our research group carried out along the last fifteen years at the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán in Mexico. Firstly, we examined the forages consumed by goats on the rangelands in terms of plant bioactive compound occurrence and their concentration. Further, goat milk and cheese coming from (1) grazing animals, (2) animals managed indoors, and from (3) animals managed indoor supplemented with rich plant bioactive compounds, were analyzed. Milk was discussed to modulate the negative effects of high-fat diets in mice. Forages consumed by goats on the rangelands showed a close correlation between antioxidant activity assessed by the DPPH+ radical with total flavonoid and total polyphenol contents (TPC). Milk concentration of PUFA, MUFA, and n-3 fatty acids from grazing goats (4.7%, 25.2%, and 0.94% of FAME) was higher than milk from goats fed indoor diets (ID). Similar results were shown in cheese. TPC was higher in cheese manufactured with milk from grazing goats (300 mg of GAE/kg of cheese) when compared to cheese from milk goats fed ID (60 mg of GAE/of cheese). Acacia pods are a semiarid rangeland feed resource that transfers pro-healthy activity, inhibited in vitro lipid peroxidation (inhibition of TBARS formation) and diminished the damage induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Additionally, in vivo assessment revealed that Acacia species increased free radical scavenging (DPPH), oxygen radical absorbance capacity, and anti-inflammatory activity. The results highlight that grazing/browsing practices are superior to indoor feeding in order to promote the transference of bioactive compounds from vegetation to animal tissue, and finally to animal products. Grazing management represents a better option than indoor feeding to enhance bioactivity of milk and cheese. Supplementation with rich-bioactive compound forages increased total polyphenol, hydroxycinnamic acids, and flavonoid concentrations in milk and cheese. The consumption of goat milk prevents obesity, insulin resistance, inflammation, and hepatic steatosis while on a high-fat diet induced obesity in mice.
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Hamidi D, Komainda M, Tonn B, Harbers J, Grinnell NA, Isselstein J. The Effect of Grazing Intensity and Sward Heterogeneity on the Movement Behavior of Suckler Cows on Semi-natural Grassland. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:639096. [PMID: 33842577 PMCID: PMC8032882 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.639096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Extensively grazed semi-natural grasslands contribute to a wide range of ecosystem services, including the preservation of biodiversity and provision of livestock feed. Depending on the grazing intensity, cattle are set in motion to fulfill their nutritional needs. In this way, they influence the vegetation composition, while at the same time the foraging behavior is affected by the vegetation. A better understanding of the relationship between grazing intensity and animal behavior is an essential component for strategies to improve the value of semi-natural grasslands and for gaining insights for the development of smart farming technologies. The long-term cattle grazing experiment "FORBIOBEN" with its replicated three paddock-scale (1 ha) grazing intensities [moderate (M), lenient (L), very lenient (VL)] was used to investigate the movement behavior of suckler cows during four grazing periods between 2017 and 2020. For this, pregnant suckler cows (Fleckvieh) were equipped with Vectronics GPS Plus (VECTRONIC Aerospace GmbH, Berlin) collars, which recorded the position of the animals at defined time intervals. The main outcomes were that with an increase in the grazing intensity, the herbage on offer declined and, consequently the herbage allowance. However, the spatial heterogeneity of the herbage on offer decreased with increasing grazing intensity (M < VL) which means that the amount of available herbage was lower but more evenly distributed under moderate grazing. Further, there was a tendency that the moderate grazing intensity was associated with the highest effort of walking compared to lenient and very lenient grazing in three out of four grazing periods. We found a strong (p < 0.001) negative correlation among walking distance vs. herbage variability across all treatments × periods. Consequently, the grazing intensity itself was not a good predictor of walking distances which were mainly a result of the available herbage, its distribution or heterogeneity. Future smart farming livestock management systems will, therefore, likely require interfaces with the grassland growth rates and heterogeneity benchmarks if decisions based on livestock movement should be reliable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina Hamidi
- Department of Crop Sciences, Grassland Science, University of Goettingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Martin Komainda
- Department of Crop Sciences, Grassland Science, University of Goettingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Bettina Tonn
- Department of Crop Sciences, Grassland Science, University of Goettingen, Göttingen, Germany.,Center of Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use, University of Goettingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jens Harbers
- Department of Crop Sciences, Grassland Science, University of Goettingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - Johannes Isselstein
- Department of Crop Sciences, Grassland Science, University of Goettingen, Göttingen, Germany
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Yang C, Tsedan G, Fan Q, Wang S, Wang Z, Chang S, Hou F. Behavioral patterns of yaks (Bos grunniens) grazing on alpine shrub meadows of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2020.105182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Oñatibia GR, Golluscio RA, Texeira M, Paruelo JM. Controls of forage selective defoliation by sheep in arid rangelands. Ecosphere 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Gastón R. Oñatibia
- CONICET‐Universidad de Buenos Aires Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura (IFEVA) Av. San Martín 4453 (C1417DSE) Buenos Aires1417Argentina
- Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambiente Facultad de Agronomía Universidad de Buenos Aires Buenos Aires1417Argentina
| | - Rodolfo A. Golluscio
- CONICET‐Universidad de Buenos Aires Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura (IFEVA) Av. San Martín 4453 (C1417DSE) Buenos Aires1417Argentina
- Departamento de Producción Animal Facultad de Agronomía Universidad de Buenos Aires Buenos Aires1416Argentina
| | - Marcos Texeira
- CONICET‐Universidad de Buenos Aires Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura (IFEVA) Av. San Martín 4453 (C1417DSE) Buenos Aires1417Argentina
- Departamento de Métodos Cuantitativos y Sistemas de Información Facultad de Agronomía Universidad de Buenos Aires Buenos Aires1417Argentina
| | - José M. Paruelo
- CONICET‐Universidad de Buenos Aires Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura (IFEVA) Av. San Martín 4453 (C1417DSE) Buenos Aires1417Argentina
- Departamento de Métodos Cuantitativos y Sistemas de Información Facultad de Agronomía Universidad de Buenos Aires Buenos Aires1417Argentina
- INIA La Estanzuela Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria Ruta 50 km 11 Colonia Uruguay
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Kleppel GS. Do Differences in Livestock Management Practices Influence Environmental Impacts? FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2020.00141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Pereira FC, Machado Filho LCP, Kazama DCDS, Guimarães Júnior R. Black oat grown with common vetch improves the chemical composition and degradability rate of forage. ACTA SCIENTIARUM: ANIMAL SCIENCES 2020. [DOI: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v42i1.49951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of cultivating a combination of common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) with black oats (Avena strigosa Schreb.) on the chemical composition of forage and the grazing behavior of heifers. To accomplish this, two paddocks 2500m2 each from a Voisin Rational Grazing management system were divided into three blocks each and then into thirds (278m²) characterizing a randomized block design. Three different forage compositions were distributed into these thirds: oats grown alone, vetch grown alone, and oats grown with vetch. Forage samples were collected after 65 days through the square method. Right after collection, three groups of four heifers each grazed the plots for two hours in a 3x3 double Latin Square design for behavioral observation, grazing simulation through the hand-plucking method, and biting rate determination. Forage samples collected either by hand-plucking or the square method, were analyzed for chemical composition and “in vitro” degradability. Statistical analyses were performed using the R package lme4. Data were evaluated with linear mixed-effects models. The inclusion of common vetch significantly increased forage production and oat protein content, but decreased the fiber content, which promoted better “in vitro” degradability. Grazing frequency was higher in pasture where oats were grown with vetch, but the biting rate was similar in all the three forage compositions evaluated. Forage collected by the square method did not differ from forage consumed by the heifers, probably meaning low herbage selectivity by heifers. Furthermore, no interaction of investigated variables occurred between forage compositions and the method of collection. The inclusion of common vetch with black oats increased forage chemical composition, “in vitro” degradability, and forage production, thus having positive effects on the time cows spent grazing.
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Mahieu M, Arquet R, Fleury J, Bonneau M, Mandonnet N. Mixed grazing of adult goats and cattle: Lessons from long-term monitoring. Vet Parasitol 2020; 280:109087. [PMID: 32220696 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2020.109087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Mixed grazing of breeding goats and cattle (goats to cattle ratio: about 50 %, based on metabolic weight) was monitored for 2 years on a rotational pasture with the two species grazing together, then for 5 years with cattle grazing immediately after goats. For both modalities, the level of goat parasite infection was not significantly different from that of the control groups. Nevertheless, the association allowed a slight improvement in kid growth and goat productivity, probably in relation to a better food quality. The response of adult goats to mixed grazing is therefore very different from that previously obtained with kids post-weaning. The question of the relationship between heterogeneity of pastures, knowledge of their environment, grazing behaviour of adult goats and risk of infection with gastrointestinal nematodes requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurice Mahieu
- URZ Recherches Zootechniques, INRAE, 97170, Petit-Bourg, Guadeloupe, France.
| | - Rémy Arquet
- UEPTEA Plateforme Tropicale d'Expérimentation sur l'Animal, INRAE, 97170, Petit-Bourg, Guadeloupe, France
| | - Jérôme Fleury
- UEPTEA Plateforme Tropicale d'Expérimentation sur l'Animal, INRAE, 97170, Petit-Bourg, Guadeloupe, France
| | - Mathieu Bonneau
- URZ Recherches Zootechniques, INRAE, 97170, Petit-Bourg, Guadeloupe, France
| | - Nathalie Mandonnet
- URZ Recherches Zootechniques, INRAE, 97170, Petit-Bourg, Guadeloupe, France
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Grazing Seasons and Stocking Rates Affects the Relationship between Herbage Traits of Alpine Meadow and Grazing Behaviors of Tibetan Sheep in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10030488. [PMID: 32183452 PMCID: PMC7143134 DOI: 10.3390/ani10030488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The relationship between vegetation and grazing behavior of Tibetan sheep on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau (QTP) remains a major concern for pursuing the sustainable grazing management of grassland. Grazing behavior is the daily activity of grazing livestock, which can reflect the growth status of the pasture and the level of grassland health in the local pasture, as well as the nutritional needs of Tibetan sheep. We studied the relationship between the grazing behaviors of Tibetan sheep and the quantity and quality of forage in different seasons and different stocking rates. Our results showed that the grazing behavior of Tibetan sheep was greatly affected by the quantity and nutritional quality of the forage. These results may be helpful for local herders to evaluate the nutritional status of forage and condition of grassland degradation, so that appropriate measures can be taken to protect local pastures in advance. Abstract Under the combined effect of stocking rate and grazing season, it is very significant to ascertain whether there is a quantitative relationship between plant community characteristics, chemical composition of forage, and grazing behaviors of Tibetan sheep to better utilize native pasture in the northeast region of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau (QTP). The two consecutive year observation experiments on Tibetan sheep’s grazing behavior were conducted to evaluate the above-stated relationships between stocking rates of 8 sheep/ha and 16 sheep/ha stocking rates in the both the warm and cold seasons. The results demonstrated that at 8 sheep/ha or in the warm season, due to better forage quality, Tibetan sheep had higher herbage mass, forage crude protein (CP) concentration, CP intake, dry matter intake (DMI), and interval between feed boluses and total number of steps, as well as lower fiber concentration than that at 16 sheep/ha or in the cold season. Diurnal intake rate and walking velocity while intaking increased as both average daylight ambient temperature and relative humidity rose. Using the CP concentration, acid detergent fiber (ADF) concentration, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) concentration, and forage metabolic energy (ME) to predict grazing behavior yielded the best fit equation for Tibetan sheep. For local herdsmen to sustainably use the alpine meadow, 8 sheep/ha in the warm season should be considered as the better grazing condition for preventing grassland degradation.
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