Technological Tools and Artificial Intelligence in Estrus Detection of Sows-A Comprehensive Review.

In animal farming, timely estrus detection and prediction of the best moment for insemination is crucial. Traditional sow estrus detection depends on the expertise of a farm attendant which can be inconsistent, time-consuming, and labor-intensive. Attempts and trials in developing and implementing technological tools to detect estrus have been explored by researchers. The objective of this review is to assess the automatic methods of estrus recognition in operation for sows and point out their strong and weak points to assist in developing new and improved detection systems. Real-time methods using body and vulvar temperature, posture recognition, and activity measurements show higher precision. Incorporating artificial intelligence with multiple estrus-related parameters is expected to enhance accuracy. Further development of new systems relies mostly upon the improved algorithm and accurate data provided. Future systems should be designed to minimize the misclassification rate, so better detection is achieved.

Bump Feeding Improves Sow Reproductive Performance, Milk Yield, Piglet Birth Weight, and Farrowing Behavior.

The late gestation period is crucial for fetal growth and development, impacting swine enterprises' profitability. Various nutritional strategies have been explored to enhance reproductive performance in sows, but findings regarding birth weight and litter size have been inconsistent. This study investigated the effects of increased feeding allowance during the late gestation period on the reproductive performance and farrowing behavior of primiparous and multiparous sows. A total of 28 sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) were used in this experiment, and fed 2.50 kg/d or 3.50 kg/d from 84 days of gestation until farrowing. Farrowing behavior was monitored using a DeepEyesTM M3SEN camera. The data were analyzed using the 2 × 2 factorial within Statistical Analysis System (SAS, 2011, Version 9.3) software. The results indicated that regardless of the parity number, sows fed a high diet exhibited a numerical increase in the total number of born piglets and a significant increase in milk yield (p = 0.014) and piglet birthweight (p = 0.023). Backfat thickness loss was significantly higher in sows with a 2.50 kg feeding allowance (p = 0.022), and the total number of piglets born, live births, and litter size were numerically higher in sows fed 3.50 kg per day. Moreover, stillborn piglets, mortality rate, and re-estrus days were numerically lower in sows with a high feeding allowance. The diet and parity did not individually affect the average duration of farrowing and farrowing intervals. However, the duration of postural changes in sows after farrowing was significantly reduced (p = 0.012). The principal component analysis revealed 81.40% and 80.70% differences upon partial least-squares discriminant analysis. Therefore, increasing feeding allowance during the late gestation period, regardless of parity, could positively influence sows' reproductive performance and piglets' growth performance during the lactation phase.

Artificial Intelligence for Automatic Monitoring of Respiratory Health Conditions in Smart Swine Farming.

Porcine respiratory disease complex is an economically important disease in the swine industry. Early detection of the disease is crucial for immediate response to the disease at the farm level to prevent and minimize the potential damage that it may cause. In this paper, recent studies on the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in the early detection and monitoring of respiratory disease in swine have been reviewed. Most of the studies used coughing sounds as a feature of respiratory disease. The performance of different models and the methodologies used for cough recognition using AI were reviewed and compared. An AI technology available in the market was also reviewed. The device uses audio technology that can monitor and evaluate the herd's respiratory health status through cough-sound recognition and quantification. The device also has temperature and humidity sensors to monitor environmental conditions. It has an alarm system based on variations in coughing patterns and abrupt temperature changes. However, some limitations of the existing technology were identified. Substantial effort must be exerted to surmount the limitations to have a smarter AI technology for monitoring respiratory health status in swine.

Longissimus dorsi Muscle's Chemical Composition, Fatty Acid Pattern, and Oxidative Stability in Korean Hanwoo Finishing Cattle Following Slaughtering and Stunning with or without Brain Disruption and State of Consciousness.

Handling during pre- and post-slaughter conditions can affect the quality and safety of meat. An experiment was conducted to compare slaughtering with or without a state of consciousness on Longissimus dorsi muscle's proximate composition, cholesterol content, fatty acid profile, and storage quality (pH, microbiology, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) value) in Korean Hanwoo finishing cattle (KHFC). Twenty-four KHFC (three replications of four animals per replicate) were slaughtered following two methods: (1) SSUC: slaughtering by applying captive bolt stunning, brain disruption, and neck cutting with the animal in an unconscious state; and (2) SSCS: slaughtering by applying captive bolt stunning, without brain disruption, and neck cutting with the animal in a conscious state. General carcass traits, proximate composition (exempting higher ash content), and cholesterol content of the Longissimus dorsi muscle did not differ between slaughter treatments (SSCS vs. SSUS) (p > 0.05). The total SFA, UFA, PUFA, and MUFA values did not change for those subjected to different slaughtering types; however, some particular SFA values, namely lauric, myristic, and myristoleic acid, were diminished for the SSCS method as compared with the SSUC method (p < 0.05). The Longissimus dorsi muscle's pH value was elevated (p < 0.05), the microbial population tended to be diminished (p < 0.10), and the TBARS value was suppressed for the SSCS method relative to that of the SSUC method during 2 weeks of storage (p < 0.05). Thus, compared with the SSUC method, the SSCS method ensured splendid storage quality with some positive influence on the proximate composition (total ash content) and fatty acid profile (some specific saturated fatty acids) of the Longissimus dorsi muscle of KHFC.

Effects of a Combined Geothermal and Solar Heating System as a Renewable Energy Source in a Pig House and Estimation of Energy Consumption Using Artificial Intelligence-Based Prediction Model.

This experiment evaluated the performance of a combined geothermal heat pump and solar system (GHPS). A GHPS heating system was installed at a pig house and a comparative study was carried out between the environmentally friendly renewable energy source (GHPS) and the traditional heating method using fossil fuels. The impact of both heating systems on production performance, housing environment, noxious gas emission, and energy efficiency were evaluated along with the GHPS system performance parameters such as the coefficient of performance (COP), inlet and outlet water temperature and efficiency of solar collector. The average temperature inside the pig house was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the GHPS heating system. Similarly, the outflow temperature was increased significantly (p < 0.05) than the inflow temperature. The results of COP and efficiency of the solar system also indicated that the GHPS is an efficient heating system. The electricity consumption and carbon dioxide gas concentration were also reduced (p < 0.05) in the GHPS system. This study also predicts electricity consumption using an artificial intelligence (AI)-based model. The results showed that the proposed model justifies all the acceptance criteria in terms of the correlation coefficient, root mean square value and mean absolute error. The results of our experiment show that the GHPS system can be installed at a pig house for sustainable swine production as a renewable energy source.

Potential Role of Protocatechuic Acid as Natural Feed Additives in Farm Animal Production.

Restriction on using antibiotics in animal feed that generates demand for antibiotics alternatives in animal breeding. Providing safe food to humans free from the residual effects of antibiotics is a great challenge to animal producers and food-producing industry owners. Medicinal plants and their extracts as feed supplements have been used to promote the growth and health of farm animals for centuries. Protocatechuic acid (PCA) is a phenolic compound that originated from natural plants. For years, the health-promoting role of PCA has been becoming an attraction of research in nutrition and pharmacy. Thus, it can be used as an active natural feed additive while synthetic antibiotics are illegal to use in animal breeding. However, the practical application of PCA in view of dosages in animal nutrition, together with its mode of action on animal health, is not well known. In this regard, this review study has explored the mode of action of PCA and the feasibility of using those compounds in animal nutrition. This review study concludes that phenolic-rich protocatechuic acid as a natural feed additive may be useful in enhancing antioxidant status, immune function, antimicrobial, intestinal health and growth performance of farm animals.

Carcass Characteristics, Proximate Composition, Fatty Acid Profile, and Oxidative Stability of Pectoralis major and Flexor cruris medialis Muscle of Broiler Chicken Subjected to with or without Level of Electrical Stunning, Slaughter, and Subsequent Bleeding.

With an emphasis on the global meat market and considering the ritual requirements and quality aspects, four types of slaughtering treatments were compared: (1) NSHS (without electrical stunning, halal neck cut, and subsequent bleeding for 180 s), (2) LSHS (electrically stunned at 250 mA for five seconds, halal neck cut, and subsequent bleeding for 180 s), (3) MSHS (electrically stunned at 500 mA for 10 s, halal neck cut, and subsequent bleeding for 180 s), and (4) HSHS (electrically stunned at 1000 mA for 20 s, halal neck cut, and subsequent bleeding for 180 s). Four hundred 36 day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens (body weights of 1.4 to 1.8 kg) were divided into four random groups of 100 birds each (ten replicated pens of ten birds). This study examined the livability, bleeding out, Pectoralis major and Flexor cruris medialis proximate composition, cholesterol content, fatty acid profile and post-mortem pH, microbial loads, and oxidative stability. The livability and bleeding out were higher in NSHS and LSHS than MSHS and HSHS (p < 0.05). The Pectoralis major and Flexor cruris medialis proximate composition, cholesterol content and fatty acid profile, post-mortem pH, and microbial loads were unaffected by the slaughter treatments (p > 0.05), but the oxidative stability of Pectoralis major differed during the eight-day post-mortem period (p < 0.05). The results suggest that for capturing the global meat market, the meat industry can consider NSHS and LSHS because the ritual requirements are fulfilled, and there is no negative impact on the nutritional aspects.

Time for a Paradigm Shift in Animal Nutrition Metabolic Pathway: Dietary Inclusion of Organic Acids on the Production Parameters, Nutrient Digestibility, and Meat Quality Traits of Swine and Broilers.

Because the application of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) causes accelerated adverse effects on the animal diet, the scientific community has taken progressive steps to enhance sustainable animal productivity without using AGP in animal nutrition. Organic acids (OAs) are non-antibiotic feed additives and a promising feeding strategy in the swine and broiler industry. Mechanistically, OAs improve productivity through multiple and diverse pathways in: (a) reduction of pathogenic bacteria in the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) by reducing the gut pH; (b) boosting the digestibility of nutrients by facilitating digestive enzyme secretion and increasing feed retention time in the gut system; and (c) having a positive impact and preventing meat quality deterioration without leaving any chemical residues. Recent studies have reported the effectiveness of using encapsulated OAs and synergistic mechanisms of OAs combinations in swine and broiler productivity. On the other hand, the synergistic mechanisms of OAs and the optimal combination of OAs in the animal diet are not completely understood, and further intensive scientific explorations are needed. Moreover, the ultimate production parameters are not similar owing to the type of OAs, concentration level, growth phase, health status of animals, hygienic standards, and environmental factors. Thus, those factors need to be considered before implementing OAs in feeding practices. In conclusion, the current review evaluates the basics of OAs, mode of action, novel strategies to enhance utilization, influence on growth performances, nutrient digestibility, and meat quality traits of swine and broilers and their potential concerns regarding utilization.

Egg Quality Parameters, Production Performance and Immunity of Laying Hens Supplemented with Plant Extracts.

This study examined the effects of Mentha arvensis (MA) and Geranium thunbergii (GT) extracts in drinking water on the production performance, egg quality, cholesterol content of egg yolk, proximate composition, and sensory qualities of egg and immunity parameters in laying hens. Ninety-six 28-week-old Hy-Line Brown layers were randomly divided into four dietary treatments for 16 weeks. The dietary treatments were (1) control, (2) T1 (0.01% 1 MA:1 GT), (3) T2 (0.05% 1 MA:1 GT), and (4) T3 (0.1% 1 MA:1 GT). Egg production increased significantly with increasing levels of MA and GT. The egg weight was increased in T2, and the feed intake was highest in T2 and T3 (p < 0.05). The Haugh unit and egg shape index were significantly better in T3 and the control than with other treatments (p < 0.05). The content of yolk cholesterol was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in T2 and T3. On the other hand, there were no significant differences in the egg proximate composition. A significant increase in the serum interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNFα) and immunoglobulins (IgG and IgA) concentration was observed in the birds fed plant extracts when compared to the control. On average, T2 and T3 showed significantly lower (p < 0.05) concentrations of NH3 gas from the feces as compared to the control. This study suggests that MA and GT supplementation could improve the laying performance, egg quality, and immunity, and decrease the egg yolk cholesterol content in a dose-dependent manner.

Sensory Attributes, Microbial Activity, Fatty Acid Composition and Meat Quality Traits of Hanwoo Cattle Fed a Diet Supplemented with Stevioside and Organic Selenium.

This study examined the effects of stevioside (S) and organic selenium (O-Se) supplementation on the sensory attributes, microbial activity, fatty acid composition, and meat quality traits of Hanwoo cattle (Korean native cattle). Twenty-four Hanwoo cattle (663 ± 22 kg body weight) were assigned to two dietary treatments for 8 months: control diet and 1% stevioside with 0.08% organic selenium supplemented diet. S and O-Se inclusion in the diet enhanced the final body weight, weight gain, and carcass crude protein (p < 0.05). Moreover, supplementation with S and O-Se had a significant effect on lowering the drip loss and shear force and enhanced the a* (redness) of the longissimus dorsi muscle (p < 0.05). The inclusion of dietary S and O-Se improved the sum of the polyunsaturated fatty acid (ΣPUFAs) content of the meat, and the oxidative status (TBARS) values during second week of storage decreased by 42% (p < 0.05). On the other hand, the microbial count tended to decrease (7.62 vs. 7.41 log10 CFU), but it was not significant (p > 0.05), and all sensory attributes were enhanced in the S and O-Se supplemented diet. Overall, these results suggest that supplementation of the ruminant diet with stevioside and organic selenium improves the growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality with enriched PUFAs profile and retards the lipid oxidation during the storage period in beef.

Effect of a Heating System Using a Ground Source Geothermal Heat Pump on Production Performance, Energy-Saving and Housing Environment of Pigs.

This study examined the effects of a heating system using a ground source geothermal heat pump (GHP). A GHP was installed in a pig house, and a comparative analysis was performed between the GHP and the control (conventional heating system) in terms of the production performance, housing environment, noxious gas emissions, electricity consumption, and economics. The geothermal system performance index, such as the coefficient of performance (COP), inlet, and outlet temperature, were also evaluated. The outflow temperature during each period (weaning, growing, and finishing) was significantly higher than the inflow temperature in all three components of the GHP system. Similarly, the average internal temperature of the GHP-connected pig house was increased (p < 0.05) during each period. The carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration, electricity usage, and cost of electricity during the 16-week experimental period were reduced significantly in the GHP system relative to the control. The concentrations of ammonia (NH3) during the growing and finishing period and the concentrations of formaldehyde during the weaning phase were also lower in the GHP-installed pig house (p < 0.05). These results indicate that the GHP system can be used as an environmentally friendly renewable energy source in pig houses for sustainable pig production without harming the growth performance.

Physico-chemical attributes, sensory evaluation and oxidative stability of leg meat from broilers supplemented with plant extracts.

This feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of Mentha arvensis (MA) and Geranium thunbergii (GT) in drinking water on physicochemical attributes, sensory qualities, proximate analysis and oxidative stability of broiler leg meat. One hundred and twenty broiler chicks were assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments for 5 weeks. The dietary treatments were 1) control, 2) T1 (0.1% 1 MA:1 GT), 3) T2 (0.1% 1 MA:4 GT), 4) T3 (0.1% 4 MA: 1 GT). The water holding capacity and cooking loss were improved (p < 0.05) in T2 and T3. The flavor, texture and acceptability of leg meat by consumers were significantly increased in T2 relative to the control (p < 0.05). The crude protein content was increased in T3 while the crude fat decreased in T2 (p < 0.05). Moreover, broilers supplemented with plant extracts had the lowest leg meat TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) values after 2 weeks of storage as compared with the control. Total phenolic contents and 1-1-diphenyl 2 picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) activity were also better in the T2 group (p < 0.05) compared with the control, whereas 2,2-Azinobis-3 ethytlbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS+) remained unaffected. Overall, these results demonstrate that broiler drinking water with the inclusion of plant extract combination can be used to enhance the oxidative stability, shelf life and quality characteristics of broiler leg meat without compromising the growth performance.

Meat Composition, Fatty Acid Profile and Sensory Attributes of Meat from Goats Fed Diet Supplemented with Fermented Saccharina japonica and Dendropanax morbifera.

A 90-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of diets supplemented with three concentrations (control or 0%, 0.5% and 1.0%) of fermented Saccharina japonica and Dendropanax morbifera (FSJ-DM) on the meat composition, growth performance, oxidative stability and fatty acid profile of Korean native black goat (KNBG) meat. The feed conversion ratio and body weight gain (1st to 2nd month) were improved significantly (p < 0.05) in response to feed supplemented with 1.0% FSJ-DM. Moisture content was increased, whereas ether extract and cholesterol contents were decreased in meat obtained from goats supplemented with 1.0% FSJ-DM dietary feeds (p < 0.05). In the same diet group, the total saturated fatty acids (ΣSFA) were lower, whereas the sum of polyunsaturated fatty acids (ΣPUFA) was higher, along with higher PUFA/SFA ratio and lower n-6/n-3 ratio (p < 0.05). On an average, the dietary supplementation of 1.0% FSJ-DM reduced the thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and pH values of goat meat. Overall, the results of this study suggest that diet supplemented with 1.0% FSJ-DM improves the meat composition, growth performance and fatty acid profile and reduces lipid oxidation of goat meat.

Loin eye muscle physico-chemical attributes, sensory evaluation and proximate composition in Korean Hanwoo cattle subjected to slaughtering along with stunning with or without pithing.

Korean Hanwoo Cattle (KHC) were utilized to compare existing and modified methods of slaughtering. Carcass traits, loin eye muscle color coordination, physico-chemical attributes, sensory evaluation and proximate composition were assessed. Twelve KHC were slaughtered following 1) CSNHS: non-halal way neck cutting as following captive bolt stunning with pithing and 2) CSHS: halal way neck cutting as following captive bolt stunning without pithing. Loin eye muscle color coordination, physico-chemical attributes and sensory evaluation did not differ significantly subjected to slaughter types (P > 0.05). However, loin eye muscle crude ash content was higher in CSHS group relative to CSNHS (P < 0.05). Pearson's correlation analysis indicated that several traits were affected by slaughter types. Overall, CSHS ensures no negative impact on meat yield and qualitative traits rather led a higher loin eye muscle crude ash content. Therefore, CSHS could be adopted in Korean slaughterhouses with modification of existing practice.

Effects of dietary natural and fermented herb combination on growth performance, carcass traits and meat quality in grower-finisher pigs.

The effects of an herb combination (pomegranate, Ginkgo biloba, licorice) in natural (NPGL) or fermented (FPGL) form administered as 0.4% of the basal diet on the performance and meat quality of grower-finisher pigs were evaluated. Dietary supplementation with NPGL or FPGL reduced the feed intake and back fat thickness of pigs, while increasing lean production. Serum IgG was higher in the FPGL supplemented group. Remarkably, ingestion of NPGL and FPGL reduced the ether extract in the longissimus dorsi muscle (LDM) with increased moisture, whereas the cholesterol was lower in the NPGL group. Dietary supplementation of NPGL and FPGL increased the n-3 fatty acid in LDM with a reduced ratio of n-6/n-3. Both NPGL and FPGL significantly reduced the TBARS value of pig meat when fresh and after 2 and 3weeks of storage. Overall, dietary NPGL and FPGL improved the quality of pig meat by increasing the n-3 fatty acid levels while reducing the ether extract and TBARS value.

Monitoring Activity for Recognition of Illness in Experimentally Infected Weaned Piglets Using Received Signal Strength Indication ZigBee-based Wireless Acceleration Sensor.

In this experiment, we proposed and implemented a disease forecasting system using a received signal strength indication ZigBee-based wireless network with a 3-axis acceleration sensor to detect illness at an early stage by monitoring movement of experimentally infected weaned piglets. Twenty seven piglets were divided into control, Salmonella enteritidis (SE) infection, and Escherichia coli (EC) infection group, and their movements were monitored for five days using wireless sensor nodes on their backs. Data generated showed the 3-axis movement of piglets (X-axis: left and right direction, Y-axis: anteroposterior direction, and Z-axis: up and down direction) at five different time periods. Piglets in both infected groups had lower weight gain and feed intake, as well as higher feed conversion ratios than the control group (p<0.05). Infection with SE and EC resulted in reduced body temperature of the piglets at day 2, 4, and 5 (p<0.05). The early morning X-axis movement did not differ between groups; however, the Y-axis movement was higher in the EC group (day 1 and 2), and the Z-axis movement was higher in the EC (day 1) and SE group (day 4) during different experimental periods (p<0.05). The morning X and Y-axis movement did not differ between treatment groups. However, the Z-axis movement was higher in both infected groups at day 1 and lower at day 4 compared to the control (p<0.05). The midday X-axis movement was significantly lower in both infected groups (day 4 and 5) compared to the control (p<0.05), whereas the Y-axis movement did not differ. The Z-axis movement was highest in the SE group at day 1 and 2 and lower at day 4 and 5 (p<0.05). Evening X-axis movement was highest in the control group throughout the experimental period. During day 1 and 2, the Z-axis movement was higher in both of the infected groups; whereas it was lower in the SE group during day 3 and 4 (p<0.05). During day 1 and 2, the night X-axis movement was lower and the Z-axis movement was higher in the infected piglets (p<0.05). Overall, the movement of infected piglets was altered, and the acceleration sensor could be successfully employed for monitoring pig activity.

Meat composition, fatty acid profile and oxidative stability of meat from broilers supplemented with pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) by-products.

The effects of diets supplemented with four levels (0%, 0.5%, 1.0% and 2.0%) of pomegranate by-product (PB) on meat composition, fatty acid profile and oxidative stability of broiler meat were evaluated. The crude protein and moisture contents increased, whereas ether extract in breast and thigh meat and cholesterol in breast meat decreased in response to dietary PB supplementation (p<0.05). In breast and thigh meat, the sum of saturated fatty acids was lower, while the sum of mono-unsaturated and n-3 fatty acids were higher, alongside lower n-6/n-3 ratio in the 1.0% and 2.0% PB supplemented group (p<0.05). The TBARS values and pH of breast and thigh meat were reduced in the PB supplemented groups (p<0.05). Overall, the results presented herein indicate that supplementation of diets with up to 2% pomegranate by-products improved the meat composition, fatty acid profile and reduced lipid oxidation of broiler meat.

Effects of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens as a probiotic strain on growth performance, cecal microflora, and fecal noxious gas emissions of broiler chickens.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens probiotic (BAP) as a direct-fed microbial on growth performance, cecal microflora, serum immunoglobulin levels, and fecal noxious gas emissions of broiler chickens. A total of 400 one-day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 treatment diets formulated to supply 0, 1, 5, 10, and 20 g/kg of BAP and were fed for 35 d. Each treatment had 8 replicate pens with 10 birds per replicate. On completion of the growth trial, fecal samples were collected, and ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) emissions were measured. Increasing concentration of BAP had positive linear effect on the ADG of broilers (P < 0.05) throughout the experimental period, with the highest values being observed in broilers offered 20 g/kg of BAP. The ADFI increased linearly (P < 0.02) with the inclusion of BAP during the overall experimental period (d 0 to 35). Providing BAP had a negative linear effect on FCR from d 0 to 21 and d 0 to 35 (P < 0.01). Supplementation with BAP did not affect cecal Lactobacillus and Bacillus content, but exerted negative linear effect on cecal Escherichia coli (P < 0.05) with increasing the level of BAP in broiler diets. Additionally, BAP modified immune response of broilers by linearly increasing serum IgG and IgA (P < 0.01). Dietary BAP resulted in decreased fecal NH3 emissions at 0 (linear, P < 0.001), 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h of incubation (linear, P < 0.05; quadratic, P < 0.01). Supplementation of BAP exerted negative linear and quadratic effects on fecal emissions of H2S (P < 0.001) throughout the incubation period except at 48 h, and the optimum effect was found when BAP was provided at 5 g/kg of diet. Based on these results, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens could be suggested as a potential feed additive of broiler diets.