Skin carotenoid levels in lactating dairy cows as measured using multiple spatially resolved reflection spectroscopy.

This research communication describes a pilot study measuring skin carotenoid levels of lactating dairy cows. Carotenoids are natural antioxidants, involved in cell communication and immune function, protecting against oxidative stress. They are precursors of vitamin A, important for reproduction efficiency, growth and male fertility. Therefore, easy-to-use, inexpensive methods to measure carotenoids in cattle would provide interesting data for farmers to monitor the health and nutritional status of their herds. In this study, we used a commercially available sensor based on multiple spatially resolved reflection spectroscopy (MSRRS), intended for human use, to measure the carotenoid content in bovine skin in three research herds in France, Ireland and Scotland. Carotenoid levels were measured by applying the sensor to the teat barrel, avoiding pigmented areas of skin. Mean sensor values differed significantly between herds and between diets, with pasture-based animals showing significantly higher carotenoid levels. Our results suggest that MSRRS can be used to accurately to measure skin carotenoids in cows. However, further calibration in bovines is needed to improve of the accuracy of the MSRRS sensor in cattle.

Identification of the Rumination in Cattle Using Support Vector Machines with Motion-Sensitive Bolus Sensors.

The reticuloruminal function is central to the digestive efficiency in ruminants. For cattle, collar- and ear tag-based accelerometer monitors have been developed to assess the time spent ruminating on an individual animal. Cattle that are ill feed less and so ruminate less, thus, the estimation of the time spent ruminating provides insights into the health of individual animals. pH boluses directly provide information on the reticuloruminal function within the rumen and extended (three hours or more) periods during which the ruminal pH value remains below 5.6 is an indicator that dysfunction and poor welfare are likely. Accelerometers, incorporated into the pH boluses, have been used to indicate changes in behaviour patterns (high/low activity), utilised to detect the onset of oestrus. The paper demonstrates for the first time that by processing the reticuloruminal motion, it is possible to recover rumination periods. Reticuloruminal motion energy and the time between reticuloruminal contractions are used as inputs to a Support Vector Machine (SVM) to identify rumination periods with an overall accuracy of 86.1%, corroborated by neck mounted rumination collars.

Survey of Pest Management Practices on Washington Dairy Farms.

Washington state dairy producers were surveyed to determine pest and parasite prevalence and range of current pest management strategies. Nearly all respondents reported treating their cattle or premises for flies, while 62% reported treating their animals for external parasites. Use of pyrethroid and pyrethrins insecticides was common throughout the state. Results indicated that use of non-chemical options to control flies are commonly used by Washington dairy producers and may have become more widespread since the late 1990s. Extension professionals could improve outreach education to dairies by partnering with farm supply stores, veterinarians, and feed distributors.

Use of a highly sensitive immunomarking system to characterize face fly (Diptera: Muscidae) dispersal from cow pats.

We tested an immunomarking system that used egg white as marker and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay as a detection assay to characterize face fly (Musca autumnalis DeGeer) dispersal from cow pats in a pastured beef cattle operation. In microcage assays, adult flies acquired marker after contact with cow pats that were treated with marker and field aged up to 11 d. In arena assays on sprayed full-size cow pats, 77% of eclosed face flies acquired the marker. In a field-marking study, four applications of egg white marker were applied on freshly deposited cow pats over a summer at two peripheral paddocks to a main grazing pasture of ≍50 head of beef cattle. Of the 663 face flies captured, 108 were positive for the egg white marker (16.3%). Of the marked flies, ≍ twofold more male than female flies were captured. Sex-specific dispersal distances were roughly equal up to 450 m, with 11% of female flies dispersing >450 m. Dispersal capability of face flies is discussed in relation to efficacy of rotational grazing and other IPM strategies.

Evaluation of sunlight-exposed pyrethroid-treated netting for the control of face fly and housefly (Diptera: Muscidae).

BACKGROUND: Face flies, Musca autumnalis De Geer (Diptera: Muscidae), and houseflies, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae), have a significant impact on livestock and dairy production throughout North America. Pyrethroid insecticide efficacy can be affected by exposure to direct sunlight, and the rate of photodegradation is substrate and formulation dependent. Insecticide-treated netting (ITN) is finding new applications in crop and livestock production systems. A baseline study using long-duration no-choice assays has been carried out to gauge the effectiveness of ITN treated with ß-cyfluthrin, λ-cyhalothrin and bifenthrin on face flies and houseflies. RESULTS: After 12 weeks in direct sunlight, ITN treated with ß-cyfluthrin was still highly insecticidal to face flies and houseflies, producing 100% mortality in petri dish assays. However, sunlight reduced the insecticidal activity of λ-cyhalothrin, with 3% of face flies and 50% of houseflies surviving after exposure to ITN that had been deployed for 10 weeks. Insecticidal activity was greatly reduced on bifenthrin-treated netting, with 20% of face flies and 50% of houseflies surviving in assays with netting deployed for only 3 weeks. CONCLUSION: With careful choice of the pyrethroid applied, treated netting could be an important component of livestock integrated pest management programs focused on sustainable practices.

Genetic transformation of the codling moth, Cydia pomonella L., with piggyBac EGFP.

Genetic transformation of the codling moth, Cydia pomonella, was accomplished through embryo microinjection with a plasmid-based piggyBac vector containing the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene. Sequencing of the flanking regions around the inserted construct resulted in identification of insect genomic sequences, not plasmid sequences, thus providing evidence that the piggyBac EGFP cassette had integrated into the codling moth genome. EGFP-positive moths were confirmed in the 28th and earlier generations post injection through PCR and Southern blot analyses, indicating heritability of the transgene.