1
|
Pontiggia A, Münger A, Eggerschwiler L, Holinger M, Stucki D, Ammer S, Bruckmaier RM, Dohme-Meier F, Keil NM. Behavioural responses related to increasing core body temperature of grazing dairy cows experiencing moderate heat stress. Animal 2024; 18:101097. [PMID: 38401327 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2024.101097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Exposure to direct solar radiation, high ambient temperature, lack of wind movement, coupled with own metabolic heat production, makes grazing dairy cows vulnerable to heat stress. In pastures, it would be beneficial to monitor heat stress by observable changes in behaviour. We hypothesised that grazing dairy cows exhibit behavioural changes due to increasing heat load in temperate climate. Over two consecutive summers, 38 full-time grazing Holstein dairy cows were investigated in 12 experimental periods of up to 3 consecutive days where the cows were repeatedly exposed to various levels of moderate heat load determined by the comprehensive climate index (CCI). The CCI defines the ambient climate conditions, combining air temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation and wind speed. Vaginal temperature (VT) was automatically measured as an indicator of heat stress. In addition, as a less invasive method, we investigated if reticular temperature (RET) can be indicative of heat stress on pastures. Walking activity, lying-, feeding, and ruminating durations were recorded continuously with sensors. Respiration rate (RR), proximity to and competition at the water trough, social licking, self-licking, inter-individual distance, and fly intensity were directly observed. Data were analysed in the morning (0900-1100 h) and during the hottest time of day when cows were on pasture (1230-1430 h). The VT and RET showed similar patterns in relation to the CCI, suggesting that RET can be suitable for continuous monitoring of heat stress on pastures. In the morning, the cow's VT and RET did not relevantly react to the CCI. During the period 1230-1430 h, the cow's mean VT (mean vaginal temperature (VTMEAN); range: 37.7-40.3 °C) and mean RET (mean reticular temperature; range: 37.0-41.1 °C) were positively related to the mean CCI (mean comprehensive climate index) in this period (mean ± SD: 25.9 ± 5.71 °C). For cows with greater VTMEAN, an increased mean RR and decreased durations of walking, lying, feeding, and ruminating were found. These cows were also more likely to be in proximity to the water trough and to have small inter-individual distances. Changes in these traits seem to reflect behavioural adaptations to heat stress in a temperate climate and could be used to detect the heat stress in individual dairy cows on pastures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Pontiggia
- Centre for Proper Housing of Ruminants and Pigs, Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office, Agroscope, Tänikon 1, 8356 Ettenhausen, Switzerland; Ruminant Nutrition and Emissions, Agroscope, Route de la Tioleyre 4, 1725 Posieux, Switzerland; Veterinary Physiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bremgartenstrasse 109a, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
| | - A Münger
- Ruminant Nutrition and Emissions, Agroscope, Route de la Tioleyre 4, 1725 Posieux, Switzerland
| | - L Eggerschwiler
- Ruminant Nutrition and Emissions, Agroscope, Route de la Tioleyre 4, 1725 Posieux, Switzerland
| | - M Holinger
- Livestock Sciences, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Ackerstrasse 113, 5070 Frick, Switzerland
| | - D Stucki
- Clinical Veterinary Science, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bremgartenstrasse 109a, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - S Ammer
- Livestock Sciences, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Ackerstrasse 113, 5070 Frick, Switzerland; Department of Animal Sciences, University of Göttingen, Albrecht-Thaer-Weg 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - R M Bruckmaier
- Veterinary Physiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bremgartenstrasse 109a, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - F Dohme-Meier
- Ruminant Nutrition and Emissions, Agroscope, Route de la Tioleyre 4, 1725 Posieux, Switzerland
| | - N M Keil
- Centre for Proper Housing of Ruminants and Pigs, Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office, Agroscope, Tänikon 1, 8356 Ettenhausen, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lange A, Wutke M, Ammer S, Appel AK, Henne H, Deermann A, Traulsen I. Old breeds, new solutions? Effects of two different traditional sire breeds on skin lesions, tail lesions, tail losses, performance and behaviour of rearing pigs. Animal 2023; 17:100721. [PMID: 36857817 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.100721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Some studies indicated a relationship between modern, fast-growing, lean-meat-producing hybrid pigs and the occurrence of tail-biting, one of the major issues of conventional pig husbandry. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of different local, traditional sire breeds on the behaviour and performance of rearing pigs. Between December 2019 and November 2020, a total of 1 561 piglets were weaned from hybrid sows (Bundes Hybrid Zucht Programm (BHZP) Landrace × BHZP Large White) that were paired with either Swabian-Hall (SH), Bentheim Black Pied (BB) or BHZP-Piétrain (Pi) boars. Tails of the piglets were left intact (43.5%) or docked (56.5%), and male piglets were castrated. Piglets were conventionally reared on fully slatted plastic flooring in mixed-sex groups. Starting one day after weaning, skin lesions were scored once per pig, and tail lesions and losses were scored weekly until the end of rearing. The average daily gain was documented for the suckling and rearing period. The activity behaviour of eight focal pens was analysed using video recordings. Differences between modern and traditional breeds were found in this study for so-called aggressive and non-aggressive biting pronounced by skin and tail lesions and tail losses. Significantly fewer BB pigs had severe skin lesions on the front body than SH or Pi pigs (P < 0.05). Additionally, piglets that were classified as light (<5.6 kg) at weaning showed skin lesion scores of 0 more often than piglets that were classified with a medium (≥5.6-≤8.3 kg) or heavy (>8.3 kg) weaning weight (P < 0.05). In the first half of the rearing period, significantly more BB pigs were assessed as having no tail lesions and tail losses than SH and Pi pigs (P < 0.01). However, these differences disappeared in the second half of rearing. Either docked or undocked Pi pigs had significantly higher average daily gains than SH and BB pigs (P < 0.05). The activity of the focal pens was not influenced by the sire breed or tail lesion class, which might be due to the limited sample size of eight pens. To conclude, the use of the traditional sire breed BB has the potential to reduce injurious behaviour in the offspring. However, adjustments to the housing and feeding should be taken to further reduce the incidence of tail lesions and losses and to enhance performance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Lange
- Department of Animal Sciences, Livestock Systems, Georg-August-University, Albrecht-Thaer-Weg 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany.
| | - M Wutke
- Department of Animal Sciences, Breeding Informatics Group, Georg-August-University, Margarethe von Wrangell-Weg 7, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - S Ammer
- Department of Animal Sciences, Livestock Systems, Georg-August-University, Albrecht-Thaer-Weg 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - A K Appel
- BHZP GmbH, An der Wassermühle 8, 21368 Dahlenburg-Ellringen, Germany
| | - H Henne
- BHZP GmbH, An der Wassermühle 8, 21368 Dahlenburg-Ellringen, Germany
| | - A Deermann
- ASB GmbH, Boschstraße 9, 49770 Herzlake, Germany
| | - I Traulsen
- Department of Animal Sciences, Livestock Systems, Georg-August-University, Albrecht-Thaer-Weg 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Hamidi D, Grinnell NA, Komainda M, Riesch F, Horn J, Ammer S, Traulsen I, Palme R, Hamidi M, Isselstein J. Heifers don't care: no evidence of negative impact on animal welfare of growing heifers when using virtual fences compared to physical fences for grazing. Animal 2022; 16:100614. [PMID: 35985122 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2022.100614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Virtual fencing (VF) represents a way to simplify traditional pasture management with its high labour and cost requirements for fencing and to make better use of the 'beneficial' agronomic and ecological effects of livestock grazing. In this study, the VF technology (® Nofence, AS, Batnfjordsøra Norway) was used with Fleckvieh heifers to investigate possible welfare impacts on the animals compared to conventionally fenced animals when they were trained to respond correctly to the system. The Nofence® collars (attached to the neck of the heifers) send acoustic signals as a warning when the animals approach the VF line, which was set up by GPS coordinates within the Nofence®-App, followed by an electric pulse when they do not stop or return. The heifers had no experience with VF prior to the study. Two treatments (VF versus physical fencing (PF)) were applied to six groups of four heifers each (three groups per treatment) over three 12-day time replicates. One VF line separated the pasture of the VF group into an accessible or non-accessible area. The control group had a PF line. Both groups were equipped with Nofence® collars (deactivated for the PF group). The trial took place on two adjacent paddocks of 1 000 m2 each following a 12-day schedule which was divided into three sections: visual support of the VF line by a physical barrier (first 2 days), only virtual border without visual support, moving the VF line (on day 8). Each time replicate followed the next successively on different paddocks with two new groups of heifers, which were grazed 5 h daily. During the whole experiment, the behaviour of each of the four animals per group was continuously observed; 2 h a.m., 2 h p.m. Exclusion by the VF line was effective in our trial. None of the heifers crossed the virtual boundary, i.e. the time spent in exclusion zone was zero. The heifers received 2.70 ± 2.63 acoustic signals and 0.30 ± 0.36 electric pulses (mean ± SD) per heifer and hour during all time replicates. Main cattle behaviour on pasture was not affected by the fencing system. Live weight gain, herbage consumption and faecal cortisol metabolites also revealed no significant differences. The duration until the heifers restarted grazing after an electric pulse from the Nofence® collar was significantly shorter than after an electric pulse from the physical fence. We can summarise that in our study, cattle well-being on pasture was not negatively affected by VF compared to PF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Hamidi
- University of Goettingen, Department of Crop Sciences, Grassland Science, Von-Siebold-Str. 8, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany.
| | - N A Grinnell
- University of Goettingen, Department of Crop Sciences, Grassland Science, Von-Siebold-Str. 8, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - M Komainda
- University of Goettingen, Department of Crop Sciences, Grassland Science, Von-Siebold-Str. 8, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - F Riesch
- University of Goettingen, Department of Crop Sciences, Grassland Science, Von-Siebold-Str. 8, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany; Centre for Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use, Büsgenweg 1, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - J Horn
- University of Goettingen, Department of Crop Sciences, Grassland Science, Von-Siebold-Str. 8, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - S Ammer
- University of Goettingen, Department of Animal Sciences, Livestock Systems, Albrecht-Thaer-Weg 3, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - I Traulsen
- University of Goettingen, Department of Animal Sciences, Livestock Systems, Albrecht-Thaer-Weg 3, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - R Palme
- University of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Experimental Endocrinology, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - M Hamidi
- Heisterholz-Mühle 1, D-30916 Isernhagen, Germany
| | - J Isselstein
- University of Goettingen, Department of Crop Sciences, Grassland Science, Von-Siebold-Str. 8, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany; Centre for Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use, Büsgenweg 1, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lambertz C, Leopold J, Ammer S, Leiber F, Thesing B, Wild C, Damme K. Demand-oriented riboflavin supply of organic broiler using a feed material from fermentation of Ashbya gossypii. Animal 2020; 15:100003. [PMID: 33516011 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2020.100003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternatives to riboflavin (vitamin B2) production by recombinant microorganisms are needed in organic poultry production, but are cost-intensive, so that a demand-oriented riboflavin supply is necessary. Details on the riboflavin requirements of organic poultry are not available. A feed material with high native riboflavin content from fermentation of the filamentous fungus Ashbya gossypii was studied. Two runs with 800 Ranger Gold™ broilers each (40 pens with 20 animals) were conducted. The fattening period was divided into starter (S), grower (G) and finisher (F) stage. In the first run, a basal diet without riboflavin supplementation (NATIVE; 3.27, 3.50 and 3.16 mg riboflavin/kg DM in S, G and F) was compared to diets with supplementation at low (LOW; 5.30, 4.85 and 5.19 mg/kg in S, G and F), medium (MEDIUM; 7.56, 6.88 and 7.56 mg/kg in S, G and F) and high (HIGH; 10.38, 9.14 and 9.93 mg/kg in S, G and F) dosage. In the second run, different combinations of low and medium riboflavin supplementation were used in S, G and F diets: S-LOW (4.50 mg riboflavin/kg DM), G-MEDIUM (6.66 mg/kg), F-MEDIUM (5.71 mg/kg) (Treatment A), S-LOW (4.50 mg riboflavin/kg DM); G-LOW (4.92 mg/kg), F-LOW (4.01 mg/kg) (Treatment B); S-MEDIUM (6.37 mg/kg), G-MEDIUM (7.37 mg/kg), F-MEDIUM (5.07 mg/kg) (Treatment C); S-MEDIUM (6.37 mg/kg), G-LOW (5.28 mg/kg), F-LOW (4.22 mg/kg) (Treatment D). Body weight, feed and water consumption were recorded weekly, health and welfare indicators were scored bi-weekly. Slaughter traits were assessed for five males and females per pen. In the first run, NATIVE animals showed symptoms of riboflavin deficiency and lower live weights in the second week of age. Riboflavin contents of this group were increased to avoid further deficiency and recovery was observed. Feed conversion was better in HIGH (2.07) compared with NATIVE and LOW (2.11). At slaughter, treatments differed neither for foot pad dermatitis nor plumage cleanliness. In the second run, daily weight gains did not differ between treatments in any of the weeks. Feed conversion ranged between 1.99 and 2.04. Riboflavin deficiency was not observed in the second run, while treatment D showed superior economic efficiency. In conclusion, native contents of feed components (3.27 mg/kg DM) were not sufficient to meet the riboflavin demand and a total content of 4.50 mg/kg DM was identified as safe lower threshold. The levels rather according to commercial recommendations were not additionally beneficial to performance and health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Lambertz
- Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Kasseler Strasse 1a, 60486 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - J Leopold
- Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Kasseler Strasse 1a, 60486 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - S Ammer
- Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Ackerstrasse 113, 5070 Frick, Switzerland; Department of Animal Sciences, Georg-August-University, Albrecht-Thaer-Weg 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - F Leiber
- Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Ackerstrasse 113, 5070 Frick, Switzerland
| | - B Thesing
- Department of Animal Sciences, Georg-August-University, Albrecht-Thaer-Weg 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - C Wild
- Poultry Competence Centre of the Bavarian Institute for Agriculture, Mainbernheimer Strasse 101, 97318 Kitzingen, Germany
| | - K Damme
- Poultry Competence Centre of the Bavarian Institute for Agriculture, Mainbernheimer Strasse 101, 97318 Kitzingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ryhner T, Graf-Schiller S, Mayer P, Ammer S, Walkenhorst M. A phytogenic uterus instillation shows a high potential to replace routine antibiotic uterus flush after artificial insemination in horses. Am J Transl Res 2017. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1608300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- T Ryhner
- Nationales Pferdezentrum, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - P Mayer
- SaluVet GmbH, Bad Waldsee, Germany
| | - S Ammer
- Forschungsinstitut für biologischen Landbau (FiBL), Frick, Switzerland
| | - M Walkenhorst
- Forschungsinstitut für biologischen Landbau (FiBL), Frick, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ammer S, Lambertz C, von Soosten D, Zimmer K, Meyer U, Dänicke S, Gauly M. Impact of diet composition and temperature-humidity index on water and dry matter intake of high-yielding dairy cows. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2017; 102:103-113. [PMID: 28295666 DOI: 10.1111/jpn.12664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The temperature-humidity index (THI) is widely used to characterize heat stress in dairy cattle. Diet composition is known to induce variation in metabolic-associated heat production. However, the relationships between THI and diet are poorly characterized with regard to performance and intake behaviour. Therefore, the objectives were to evaluate the impact of THI on water intake (WI), dry matter intake (DMI) and the frequency of drinking and feeding bouts in lactating dairy cows offered four dietary treatments: each contained 20% grass silage and additionally (i) 20% maize silage, 60% concentrate (M-HC); (ii) 60% maize silage, 20% concentrate (M-LC); (iii) 20% pressed beet pulp silage, 60% concentrate (BPS-HC); or (iv) 60% pressed beet pulp silage, 20% concentrate (BPS-LC) (DM basis). Individual WI and DMI were recorded from April to July 2013. Furthermore, dietary effects on milk production and reticular pH were estimated. Milk yield was lowest for M-LC, while energy-corrected milk was similar for all diets. Milk fat percentage was higher and milk protein amount lower for cows offered both LC diets. Reticular pH below 6.3, 6.0 and 5.8 lasted longest for BPS-LC. WI was higher for HC diets. However, the frequency of drinking bouts was not influenced by the ration. Lower DMI occurred for BPS-LC compared to M-LC. Frequency of feeding bouts was significantly higher for LC diets. THI was significantly related to WI, DMI as well as drinking and feeding bouts. Per increasing THI, WI increased slightly more for LC diets and DMI decreased more for HC diets. Frequency of drinking bouts increased slightly higher for BPS rations per rising THI, while the decrease in feeding bouts was highest for M-HC. In conclusion, TMR composition and moderate heat stress impacted WI and DMI of dairy cows, while both dietary energy density and ruminal filling might intensify the THI impact.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Ammer
- Department of Animal Sciences, Georg-August-University, Goettingen, Germany
| | - C Lambertz
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy
| | - D von Soosten
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - K Zimmer
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - U Meyer
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - S Dänicke
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - M Gauly
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ammer S, Lambertz C, Gauly M. Is reticular temperature a useful indicator of heat stress in dairy cattle? J Dairy Sci 2016; 99:10067-10076. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2016-11282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2016] [Accepted: 08/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
|
8
|
Marino W, Ammer S, Shapiro L. Conditional surface structure mutants of Caulobacter crescentus temperature-sensitive flagella formation due to an altered flagellin monomer. J Mol Biol 1976; 107:115-30. [PMID: 1003462 DOI: 10.1016/s0022-2836(76)80021-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
|
9
|
Kurn N, Ammer S, Shapiro L. A pleiotropic mutation affecting expression of polar development events in Caulobacter crescentus. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1974; 71:3157-61. [PMID: 4212892 PMCID: PMC388641 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.71.8.3157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
A developmental mutant of C. crescentus with altered polar surface structures has been isolated. The mutant lacks a flagellum and pili, and may have an abnormal DNA phage receptor site. A revertant regains the normal structures simultaneously. This point mutation allows normal flagellin synthesis, stalk formation, equatorial cell division, and rate of growth. The mutant phenotype indicates that the assembly of the polar surface structures is coordinately regulated and independent of mechanisms regulating cell polarity and division.
Collapse
|