Comparison of behavior, thermoregulation, and growth of pair-housed versus individually housed calves in outdoor hutches during continental wintertime.

Cold stress negatively affects the welfare of calves in outdoor hutches. No studies have examined the potential benefits of pair housing calves to buffer against cold stress. Our study evaluated the effects of pair versus individual housing on thermoregulatory, behavioral, and growth performance responses of calves in outdoor hutches during a Wisconsin continental winter. Forty-eight Holstein-Friesian heifer calves were enrolled into 1 of 2 housing treatments: individually (n = 16 calves) or pair housed (n = 16 pairs; 32 calves). Calves were fed milk twice daily, with ad libitum access to starter and water. Step-down weaning began on d 42 of life, and all milk was removed on d 54. Data collection continued through d 59. Calves were restricted inside a hutch (pair-housed calves in the same hutch) for 1 h during wk 4, 6, and 9 of life; internal hutch air temperature (T) was recorded with data loggers, and rectal temperature (RT) was recorded outside the hutch before and after restriction. On the subsequent 3 d in those weeks, calves' locations (outside or inside a hutch) were recorded at 15-min intervals using time-lapse cameras. Linear mixed models (change in T and RT after 1 h) and generalized linear mixed models with a ß distribution (proportion of time spent inside hutches) were used to evaluate the fixed effects of housing treatment, week of life, and their interaction. For pair-housed calves, preference to be together was evaluated using one-sample t-tests comparing the proportion of time they were observed in the same location against 50% (chance, no preference), separately for each week of life. Predicted dry matter intake (DMI) of starter and body weight (BW) were standardized by day of life using regression models and used to calculate average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR; DMI of starter/ADG). Linear mixed models were constructed for each measure, separately for the preweaning, weaning, and postweaning periods, with a fixed effect of housing treatment; the models for BW included birth weight as a covariate. All mixed models included a random term for housing unit (individual or pair of calves) nested within treatment. Hutch T increased more after 1 h with pair-housed calves inside than with those housed individually (+2.3 vs. 1.4°C, respectively; standard error of the mean = 0.26°C). However, no treatment differences were detected in RT. Individually housed calves spent more time inside the hutches than pair-housed ones (93.9 vs. 90.7% of total time, respectively; standard error of the mean = 0.8%), and the latter chose to be together most of the time, regardless of location (90.0 ± 1.3%, 88.6 ± 1.2%, and 79.4 ± 4.2% in wk 4, 6, and 9 of life, respectively). After weaning, there was some evidence suggesting that pair-housed calves had greater starter DMI than those housed individually. No effects of housing type were found on FCR, BW, or ADG. Our study is the first to explicitly examine the potential benefits of pair housing for alleviating cold stress in outdoor-housed dairy calves, and we found limited evidence in support of our hypotheses.

Do carcass traits influence consumer perception of pork eating quality?

The objective of this study was to assess carcass traits' influence on pork eating quality as evaluated by consumers. A total of 1360 pork chops were used, with 824 from the sirloin end and 536 from the butt end of the loin (Longissimuss thoracis et lumborum), to produce 340 packages, each containing four pork chops. Untrained participants received one package of either sirloin or butt chops, being two pork chops from barrows and two from gilts. Participants answered a survey rating the tenderness, juiciness, flavour, and overall acceptability of each chop on an 8-point scale. Correlation analysis was conducted between carcass traits and pork eating quality attributes. For the descriptive analysis, classes (low, medium, and high) for carcass traits, Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) and cooking loss were created based on our consumer responses dataset for palatability attributes. No significant correlations (P > 0.05) were observed between carcass traits and pork eating quality traits. Tenderness and overall acceptability were negatively correlated (P < 0.05) with cooking loss and WBSF. Loin intramuscular fat (IMF) content showed a weak negative correlation (P < 0.05) with WBSF and cooking loss. Consumers rated chops from the high and medium/high backfat thickness and loin IMF classes slightly higher for tenderness and juiciness, respectively. Additionally, chops from the low and/or medium WBSF and cooking loss classes received slightly higher scores for tenderness and juiciness than pork chops in the high classes. In conclusion, the study indicated that carcass traits had minimal impact on overall acceptability of pork by consumers.

Effect of different air speeds at cow resting height in freestalls on heat stress responses and resting behavior in lactating cows in Wisconsin.

Heat abatement (e.g., soakers, fans) effectively reduces the negative physiological and production effects of heat stress, but no previous studies have documented effective interventions for the reduced lying times observed in response to hot weather. Although likely adaptive for heat dissipation, the reduction in motivated lying behavior may be an animal welfare concern. We evaluated the effect of air speed from fans with variable frequency drives on the heat stress responses of cows in a naturally ventilated freestall barn. Eight groups of lactating Holsteins (16 cows/group) were exposed to 3 treatments in a replicated crossover design: control (fans off, 0.4 ± 0.2 m/s, measured 0.5 m above the stall surface to represent cow resting height) versus 60% (1.7 ± 0.5 m/s; ≥1 m/s in all stalls) and 100% (2.4 ± 0.8 m/s) fan power. Each treatment was applied for 3 d of acclimation and 4 d of data collection. The effects of treatment on daily maximum vaginal temperature (VT) and lying time (LT; both measured with data loggers), respiration rate (RR; recorded from video), unshaved scapular skin temperature (ST), milk yield (MY), and dry matter intake (DMI) were analyzed using linear mixed models. All models included the fixed effect of treatment and a repeated term for treatment day within group of cows, with group as the subject. The models for LT, VT, and RR also included a fixed effect for same-day temperature-humidity index (THI; recorded in the pens with data loggers) and the THI × treatment interaction. The models for DMI and MY, using data from the latter 3 d of each treatment period, also included a fixed effect for the previous day's THI and the -1 d THI × treatment interaction. Lying time differed among treatments (100% vs. 60% fan power vs. control: 14.2 vs. 13.9 vs. 13.2 h/d, respectively, SEM = 0.15 h/d), but both fan treatments prevented the reduction in LT observed in the control treatment as THI increased. Relative to the control, both fan treatments effectively reduced ST, RR, and VT and increased DMI and MY. In the control, average values were elevated for both RR (68.7 ± 1.5 breaths/min, mean ± SEM, greater than a common benchmark of 60 breaths/min) and VT (39.3 ± 0.05°C) but remained in the normal range in both fan treatments (54.2 vs. 50.7 breaths/min in the 60% vs. 100% fan power treatments; 39.0°C in both fan treatments). Both fan treatments resulted in greater overall MY (42.6 vs. 43.0 ± 0.4 kg/d in the 60% vs. 100% fan power treatments) relative to the control (41.0 kg/d) and similarly avoided the reduction in MY when -1 d THI increased. Compared with natural ventilation alone, fans delivering air speeds of at least 1 m/s at cow resting height were effective not only for reducing thermoregulatory responses, but also for maintaining lying time, DMI, and MY in heat stress conditions. This is the first study to demonstrate an intervention to improve animal welfare by maintaining lying times during periods of heat stress.

Integrated Decision Support Systems (IDSS) for Dairy Farming: A Discussion on How to Improve Their Sustained Adoption.

Dairy farm decision support systems (DSS) are tools which help dairy farmers to solve complex problems by improving the decision-making processes. In this paper, we are interested in newer generation, integrated DSS (IDSS), which additionally and concurrently: (1) receive continuous data feed from on-farm and off-farm data collection systems and (2) integrate more than one data stream to produce insightful outcomes. The scientific community and the allied dairy community have not been successful in developing, disseminating, and promoting a sustained adoption of IDSS. Thus, this paper identifies barriers to adoption as well as factors that would promote the sustained adoption of IDSS. The main barriers to adoption discussed include perceived lack of a good value proposition, complexities of practical application, and ease of use; and IDSS challenges related to data collection, data standards, data integration, and data shareability. Success in the sustainable adoption of IDSS depends on solving these problems and also addressing intrinsic issues related to the development, maintenance, and functioning of IDSS. There is a need for coordinated action by all the main stakeholders in the dairy sector to realize the potential benefits of IDSS, including all important players in the dairy industry production and distribution chain.

Urea supplementation in rumen and post-rumen for cattle fed a low-quality tropical forage.

We evaluated the differences between the supplementation of urea in rumen and/or abomasum on forage digestion, N metabolism and urea kinetics in cattle fed a low-quality tropical forage. Five Nellore heifers were fitted with rumen and abomasum fistulas and assigned to a Latin square design. The treatments were control, continuous infusion of urea in the abomasum (AC), continuous infusion of urea in the rumen, a pulse dose of urea in the rumen every 12 h (PR) and a combination of PR and AC. The control exhibited the lowest (P < 0·10) faecal and urinary N losses, which were, overall, increased by supplementation. The highest urinary N losses (P < 0·10) were observed when urea was either totally or partially supplied as a ruminal pulse dose. The rumen N balance was negative for the control and when urea was totally supplied in the abomasum. The greatest microbial N production (P < 0·10) was obtained when urea was partially or totally supplied in the abomasum. Urea supplementation increased (P < 0·10) the amount of urea recycled to the gastrointestinal tract and the amount of urea-N returned to the ornithine cycle. The greatest (P < 0·10) amounts of urea-N used for anabolism were observed when urea was totally and continuously infused in the abomasum. The continuous abomasal infusion also resulted in the highest (P < 0·10) assimilation of microbial N from recycling. The continuous releasing of urea throughout day either in the rumen or abomasum is able to improve N accretion in the animal body, despite mechanism responsible for that being different.

Silage from heart-of-palm waste produced from Alexander palm tree / Ensilaje de residuos de palmito producidos a partir de Palma Real / Silagem de resíduos de palmito produzidos a partir da Palmeira Real

Abstract Background: Production of heart-of-palm from Alexander palm tree generates a waste that could be used as silage for feeding ruminants. Objective: To evaluate the chemical composition, fermentation parameters, and quality of silage made from waste of heart-of-palm production using Alexander palm. Methods: Three types of silage made from waste of heart-of-palm production were evaluated: 1) leaf silage, 2) sheath silage, and 3) compound (leaf + sheath) silage. The processed waste was packed in experimental silos and distributed in a completely randomized design with 10 replications. Means were compared pairwise using Tukey's test at the 5% significance level. Results: Leaf silage had the highest pH (p<0.05) and the lowest ammonia nitrogen (p<0.05) in relation to the other silages. No difference was observed (p>0.05) for lactic and butyric acids, whereas acetic acid was higher (p<0.05) in the sheath and compound silages. Dry matter and crude protein contents were the highest (p<0.05) in leaf silage. Neutral detergent fiber was higher (p<0.05) in sheath silage, followed by leaf and compound silages, respectively. The highest lignin content (p<0.05) was observed in sheath silage. Conclusions: Based on the fermentative parameters, waste from heart-of-palm from Alexander palm tree has potential for silage production. However, differences in silage composition at the time of feeding ruminants should be considered.

Resumen Antecedentes: Los residuos de la producción de palmito de Palma Real podrian utilizarse como ensilaje para alimentación de rumiantes. Objetivo: Determinar la composición, parámetros químicos de fermentación, y calidad del ensilaje elaborado a partir de residuos procedentes de la producción de palmito de Palma Real. Métodos: Tres tipos de ensilaje hechos con los residuos generados a partir de la producción de palmito fueron evaluados: 1) ensilaje de hojas, 2) ensilaje de vainas, y 3) ensilaje compuesto (hojas + vainas). Los residuos tratados fueron empacados en silos experimentales y distribuidos en un diseño completamente al azar con 10 repeticiones. Las medias fueron comparadas mediante la prueba de Tukey, con un nivel de significancia del 5%. Resultados: El ensilaje de hojas mostró el pH más alto (p<0,05) y el nivel más bajo de nitrógeno amoniacal (p<0,05) en comparación con los otros ensilajes. No se observaron diferencias (p>0,05) en los ácidos láctico y butírico, mientras que el ácido acético fue mayor en el ensilaje de vainas y en el compuesto en relación con el otro ensilaje. La materia seca (MS) y el contenido de proteína cruda (PC) fueron mayores (p<0,05) en el ensilaje de hojas. Los contenidos de fibra detergente neutra fueron mayores (p<0,05) en los ensilajes de vainas, seguido por los ensilajes de hojas y compuesto, respectivamente. El contenido de lignina fue más alto (p<0,05) en el ensilaje de vainas. Conclusiones: Según los parámetros fermentativos, los residuos de la producción de palmito de Palma Real tienen potencial para la producción de ensilaje. Sin embargo, se deben considerar las diferencias en la composición de los ensilajes al momento de alimentar rumiantes.

Resumo Antecedentes: Resíduos da produção de palmito da palmeira Real são um problema para a agroindústria devido sua falta de utilização e o seu uso na forma de silagem pode ser uma alternativa na alimentação de ruminantes. Objetivo: Avaliar a composição química e os parâmetros fermentativos, e verificar a qualidade da silagem produzida a partir do resíduo da produção de palmito da Palmeira Real Australiana. Métodos: Foram avaliadas três tipos de silagem de resíduo da produção de palmito da Palmeira Real: silagem de folha, silagem de bainha e silagem da composta (folha + bainha). O resíduo processado foi acondicionado em silos experimentais e distribuídos em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado com 10 repetições e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey a 5% de significância. Resultados: A silagem de folha apresentou maior pH (p<0,05) em relação as demais silagens, enquanto para o nitrogênio amoniacal (p<0,05), apresentou menor teor em relação as demais silagens. Não observou-se diferença (p>0,05) para os ácidos lático e butírico, enquanto o ácido acético foi maior para as silagens de bainha e composta em relação as demais silagens. O teor de matéria seca (MS), proteína bruta (PB) foi maior (p<0,05) na silagem de folha em relação as demais silagens. A fibra em detergente neutro analisada estimada apresentou maiores valores (p<0,05) para a silagem de bainha, seguida pela silagem de folhas e silagem composta, respectivamente. O teor de lignina foi maior (p<0,05) para a silagem de bainha. Conclusões: De acordo com os parâmetros fermentativos, os resíduos da produção de palmito da Palmeira Real apresentam potencial para a produção de silagem. No entanto, as diferenças na composição das silagens devem ser consideradas quando oferecidas para animais ruminantes.

Evaluation of buffer solutions and urea addition for estimating the in vitro digestibility of feeds.

The aim of this study was to compare the in vitro digestibility of dry matter (IVDMD) and neutral detergent fiber (IVNDFD) using 2 buffer solutions with or without urea addition. The study was comprised of 2 separate experiments. In both experiments, the treatments were composed of Kansas or McDougall's buffer solutions with or without urea addition, according to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. In Exp. I, the IVDMD and IVNDFD of 25 forages and 25 concentrates were evaluated. Samples were incubated for 48 h using an artificial fermenter and nonwoven textile filter bags (100 g/m2). In this experiment, the repeatability and discriminatory power among samples were calculated within forage or concentrate samples, for each treatment. In Exp. II, Tifton hay and ground corn samples were incubated for 48 h. The pH and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) concentration were measured after 0, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 48 h of incubation. In Exp. I, the interaction between buffer solution and urea addition impacted the IVDMD and IVNDFD of forages (P < 0.05), with greater values being exhibited when using McDougall's buffer with urea (P < 0.05). For concentrates, the effect of buffer and urea interaction did not affect IVDMD and IVNDFD (P > 0.05). However, greater IVDMD and IVNDFD were observed for McDougall's buffer (P < 0.05), while urea addition increased IVDMD and IVFDFD estimates (P < 0.05) regardless of buffer solution used. In general, repeatability of the digestibility was better using McDougall's buffer and improved when urea was added. Urea addition also decreased the discriminatory power among samples for both buffers. In Exp. II, a buffer solution × urea addition × incubation time interaction was detected (P < 0.05) for pH and NH3-N in both Tifton hay and ground corn. Kansas buffer exhibited lower pH values with a greater decrease observed throughout incubation time when compared to McDougall's buffer. The use of Kansas buffer with urea addition was the only treatment exhibiting NH3-N accumulation throughout incubation. In conclusion, McDougall's buffer provides both better conditions for in vitro fiber digestion and greater precision in digestibility estimates, and is recommended over Kansas buffer. In spite of urea addition increases the precision of in vitro digestibility estimates, it decreases discriminatory power among samples.

Relationship Between Fatigue and Changes in Swim Technique During an Exhaustive Swim Exercise.

PURPOSE: To analyze the relationship between the responses of isometric peak torque (IPT) and maximal rate of force development (RFDmax) with the changes in stroking parameters in an exhaustive exercise performed in front crawl. METHODS: Fifteen male swimmers performed, on different days, the following protocols: maximal 400-m trial, strength tests before and after an exhaustive test at 100% of the mean speed obtained during the 400-m test, and the same procedures on day 2. RESULTS: The IPT of elbow flexors (79.9 ± 19.4 and 66.7 ± 20.0 N·m) and elbow extensors (95.1 ± 28.0 N·m and 85.8 ± 30.5 N·m) was decreased after the swim test, as was RFDmax (521.8 ± 198.6 and 426.0 ± 229.9 N·m/s; 420.6 ± 168.2 and 384.0 ± 143.5 N·m/s, respectively). Stroke length decreased during the swim test (1.96 ± 0.22 and 1.68 ± 0.29 m/stroke), while stroke rate increased (37.2 ± 3.14 and 41.3 ± 4.32 strokes/min). The propulsive phases increased while the nonpropulsive phases decreased during the test. Significant correlation was found between the changes in IPT and stroke length, stroke rate and recovery (elbow flexors), and entry and catch phase (elbow extensors). In addition, significant correlation was found between the changes in RFDmax of elbow flexors with the changes in pull and recovery phases. CONCLUSION: Changes in swim technique during an exhaustive test can be, at least in part, associated with fatigue of the arm muscles.

Mammary gland development of dairy heifers fed diets containing increasing levels of metabolisable protein: metabolisable energy.

This study was conducted to evaluate the development of the mammary gland in Holstein heifers subjected to different dietary metabolisable protein (MP): metabolisable energy (ME) ratios. Twenty-five Holstein heifers (initial body weight (BW) 213±13·5 kg and initial average age 7·8±0·5 months) were divided into five treatments. The treatments were designed to provide MP:ME ratios equal to 33, 38, 43, 48, and 53 g of MP per Mcal of ME. All diets were formulated to have the same energy content (2·6 Mcal ME/kg dry matter). Actual MP:ME ratios were 36·2, 40·2, 46·2, 47·1, and 50·8 g MP/Mcal ME. The experiment was conducted in a randomised block design, while considering initial BW as a blocking factor to evaluate pre- and post-pubertal periods. Block effect was not observed for all variables evaluated; hence it was considered that the diets had the same influence both on pre- and post-pubertal phases. Dry matter and nutrient intake did not change between treatments, excepting protein intake and digestibility. Serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor 1 increased linearly across treatments. Changes in the pixel brightness of mammary gland ultrasound images, which are associated with lipid content, were significantly influenced by MP:ME ratios in the diet of heifers that were subjected to accelerated growth rates. It is not recommended to use diets of less than 38 g MP/Mcal ME in diets to heifers allowed to gain more than 1 kg/d.

Effects of a tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) extract on the labeling of blood constituents with technetium-99m / Efeitos de um extrato de tomate (Solanum lycopersicum) na marcação de constituintes sangüíneos com tecnécio-99m

O tomate (Solanum lycopersicum) é o segundo vegetal mais produzido e consumido no mundo, tendo sido indicado para prevenção e tratamento de câncer, asma e arteriosclerose. Constituintes sangüíneos marcados com radionuclídeos têm sido usados em procedimentos na medicina nuclear. Dados têm mostrado que alimentos e drogas podem alterar a marcação de constituintes sangüíneos com tecnécio-99m (99mTc). Este estudo avaliou a influência de um extrato de tomate neste procedimento de radiomarcação. Sangue heparinizado (Wistar rats) foi incubado in vitro com diferentes concentrações de um extrato de tomate e a marcação com 99mTc foi realizada. Plasma (P) e células sangüíneas (CS) foram separadas permitindo o isolamento das frações solúvel (SF-P/SF-CS) e insolúvel (IF-P/IF-CS) por precipitação e centrifugação. A radioatividade nos constituintes sangüíneos (P, CS, IF-P, SF-P, IF-CS e SF-CS) foi determinada e a porcentagem de radioatividade ( por centoATI), calculada. O extrato de tomate usado, nas maiores concentrações (2,00 e 4,00g/mL), reduziu significativamente (p < 0,05) a por centoATI na IF-P, embora este extrato não tenha modificado a radiomarcação da CS e fixação da radioatividade na IF-CS. Em conclusão, nossos dados sugerem que os compostos químicos presentes no extrato aquoso de tomate teriam algumas propriedades capazes de alterar a fixação do 99mTc nas proteínas plasmáticas.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is the second most produced and consumed vegetable in the world. It has been indicated in the prevention and treatment of cancer, asthma and atherosclerosis. Blood constituents labeled with radionuclides have been used in procedures in nuclear medicine. Data have shown that food and drugs can alter the labeling of blood constituents with technetium-99m (99mTc). This study evaluated the influence of a tomato extract on this radiolabeling procedure. Heparinized blood (Wistar rats) was incubated in vitro with different concentrations of a tomato extract and 99mTc-labeling was performed. Plasma (P) and blood cells (BC) were separated following soluble (SF-P/SF-BC) and insoluble (IF-P/IF-BC) fractions isolation by precipitation and centrifugation. The radioactivities on blood constituents (P, BC, IF-P, SF-P, IF-BC and SF-BC) were determined and the percentage of radioactivity ( percentATI) was calculated. The tomato extract used at the highest concentrations (2.00 and 4.00g/mL), reduced significantly (p < 0.05) the percentATI in IF-P, although this extract did not modify the radiolabeling on BC, neither the radioactivity fixation on IF-BC. In conclusion, our data suggest that the chemical compounds present in the aqueous tomato extract could have some properties capable of change the fixation of 99mTc on plasma proteins.

[Mitral valvuloplasty with Inoue balloon catheter. Analysis of 112 cases]. / Valvuloplastia mitral com cateter-balão de Inoue. Análise de 112 casos.

PURPOSE: To present immediate results of percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PVM) with Inoue balloon for the treatment of mitral stenosis. METHODS: One hundred and twelve consecutive patients mean age 31.26 +/- 9.5 years, 82% females, the majority in functional class III/IV (69%) underwent percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PVM) with Inoue balloon. The procedure was undertaken by the transseptal technique. RESULTS: PMV achieved significant reduction in mean left atrial pressure pre 24.57 +/- 5.37 post 12.36 +/- 4.82, mitral gradient pre 15.31 +/- 4.28 post 3.48 +/- 2.09 and increased mitral valve area pre 0.88 +/- 0.12 post 2.0 +/- 0.28 (P < 0.001). An increase of at least 25% of the mitral valve area with a final result greater than 1.5 cm2 was obtained in 96% of the cases. Cardiac tamponade occurred in five cases (4.4%). In 4 a successful treatment was accomplished in the catheterization laboratory. Significant mitral regurgitation was seen in one case (0.9%) and there was one death (0.9%). CONCLUSION: The results of this series attest to the effectiveness of the PMV with Inoue balloon in selected cases of mitral stenosis.