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To curb the impacts arising from the agricultural sector, the actions undertaken by policymakers, and ultimately by the farmers, are of paramount importance. However, finding the best strategy to reduce impacts, and especially assessing the effects of the interactions and mutual influence among farmers, is very difficult. To this aim, this paper shows an application of an agent-based model (ABM) coupled with life cycle assessment (LCA), which also includes multi-objective optimization of farming activities (including both crop cultivation and livestock breeding) from an economic and environmental perspective. The environmental impacts are assessed using the impact assessment scores calculated with the Environmental Footprint 3.0 life cycle impact assessment method and the study is conducted "from cradle to farm gate". The model is applied to all the farms in Luxembourg, whose network is built utilizing neighborhood interactions, through which a parameter known as farmer's green consciousness is updated at each time step. The optimization module is instantiated at the end of each time step, and decision variables (the number of livestock units and land allocation) are assigned based on profitability and specified environmental impact categories. If only profit optimization is considered (i.e., when farmers' green consciousness is de-activated), the results show a 9% reduction in the aggregated environmental impacts (obtained as the Environmental Footprint single score) and a 5.5% increase in overall profitability. At the farm level, simulations display a clear trade-off between environmental sustainability and financial stability, with a 25% reduction in overall emissions possible if farming activities are carried out using the single score impact in the objective function, though this results in an 8% reduction in profitability over 10 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This article aims to investigate the nutritional behavior of dairy cattle, aiming to comprehend their dietary requirements and eating habits. In this regard, an effort has been made to scrutinize dietary patterns by analyzing sound recordings captured from the cows' jaws during the chewing process. The paper outlines the methodology for developing various models to discern nutritional patterns in dairy cattle, employing six well-known classifiers. Understanding nutritional behavior and dietary patterns in dairy cattle is crucial for livestock managers and animal welfare. By comprehending the dietary requirements and eating habits of dairy cattle, managers can ensure that the cows are receiving the appropriate nutrients to maintain their health and productivity. This information can also help managers identify any potential health issues or deficiencies in the cows' diets, allowing for early intervention and prevention of further health problems. Additionally, understanding the nutritional behavior of dairy cattle can lead to more efficient feeding practices, reducing waste and costs associated with overfeeding or underfeeding. Ultimately, establishing an appropriate pattern for evaluating the nutrition of dairy cattle can serve as a valuable guide for livestock managers to ensure the well-being and welfare of the cows while also improving the overall productivity and profitability of the dairy farm. This research paper introduces a novel methodology for classifying jaw movements in dairy cattle into four distinct categories: bites, exclusive chews, chew-bite combinations, and exclusive sorting, under conditions of tall and short particle sizes in wheat straw and Alfalfa hay feeding. Sound signals were recorded and transformed into images using a short-time Fourier transform. A total of 31 texture features were extracted using the gray level co-occurrence matrix, spatial gray level dependence method, gray level run length method, and gray level difference method. Genetic Algorithm (GA) was applied to the data to select the most important features. Six distinct classifiers were employed to classify the jaw movements. The total precision found was 91.62%, 94.48%, 95.9%, 92.8%, 94.18%, and 89.62% for Naive Bayes, k-nearest neighbor, support vector machine, decision tree, multi-layer perceptron, and k-means clustering, respectively. The results of this study provide valuable insights into the nutritional behavior and dietary patterns of dairy cattle. The understanding of how cows consume different types of feed and the identification of any potential health issues or deficiencies in their diets are enhanced by the accurate classification of jaw movements. This information can be used to improve feeding practices, reduce waste, and ensure the well-being and productivity of the cows. The methodology introduced in this study can serve as a valuable tool for livestock managers to evaluate the nutrition of their dairy cattle and make informed decisions about their feeding practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Spontaneous humeral fractures in first- and second-lactation dairy cows are recognized as a serious welfare problem in New Zealand. However, the condition is sporadic, which means that simple epidemiological descriptions and estimates of the extent of the problem are lacking. By combining the data from four independent studies using a multi-method approach, we found that their occurrence is more common than previously thought, with potentially up to 12% of farms and 4,620 dairy cattle affected in the 2013/2014 lactation season. Furthermore, the condition exclusively affects first- and second-lactation spring calving dairy cows, up to 4 months post-partum, and may affect multiple animals on the same farm, in the same season, and over multiple seasons, which are not always consecutive. We suggest that the evidence presented in this paper places an urgent requirement on the New Zealand dairy industry to undertake prompt action to understand the determinants of this epidemic. A multi-method approach integrating data from four independent sources was used to describe some key features of the epidemiology and estimate the herd and within-herd incidence of fractured humeri in New Zealand dairy cattle for the period 2007–2015. The first dataset was from a national case series where cases of humeral fractures in dairy cattle were identified by veterinarians across New Zealand between the 2007/2008 and 2011/2012 lactation seasons. The second dataset was from a pet food company based in the Waikato region, which collated the number of casualty first- and second-lactation cows found to have a fractured humerus post-slaughter in the 2014/2015 lactation season, and the third dataset was a case series conducted by veterinarians employed in a Waikato veterinary business, also from the 2014/2015 lactation season. For the final dataset, 505 randomly selected New Zealand dairy farmers completed a phone survey on the incidence of non-responsive, non-weight-bearing forelimb lameness in first- and second-lactation cows in the 2014/2015 lactation season. Using the telephone survey results, the within-herd and herd-level incidence of cases for first- and second-lactation dairy animals was calculated. The national case series reported 149 cases of humeral fractures in 22 dairy herds; the pet food case series identified 61 cases from 41 farms; and the practice-based case series found 14 cases from 10 farms. Humeral fractures exclusively affected first- and second-lactation dairy cows and had a peak incidence between calving and early mating. The national telephone survey found that non-weight-bearing forelimb lameness requiring euthanasia of first- or second-lactation cows occurred in 11.7% of herds, with a mean within-herd incidence of 2.6% for first lactation cows and 2.8% for second-lactation cows for affected herds. These combined datasets demonstrate that humeral fractures in young, lactating dairy cattle are more common than previously suspected and that they occur nationally and over multiple years on some farms. Further work on this condition is urgently required in New Zealand to establish cost-effective management practices that will reduce unnecessary animal suffering and waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Milk fatty acid composition has gained the interest of both manufacturers and consumers during recent years. The present paper aimed to perform an analysis of fatty acid composition in cow's milk in relation to the type of ration, parity, lactation phase and season. Milk fatty acid profile varies significantly through the studied effects. According to different studies, fatty acid profile is associated with animal health, organoleptic properties of milk or even methane production, which highlights the importance of studying factors that affect its variation. Milk fatty acid composition has gained the interest of both manufacturers and consumers during recent years. The present paper aimed to perform an analysis of C14:0, C16:0, C18:0, C18:1, saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), polyunsaturated (PUFA) and short chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentration in cow's milk in relation to the type of ration, parity, lactation phase and season. Cows' milk from animals being fed total mixed rations, including corn silage, had higher C14:0, C16:0 and SFA concentrations than those being fed pasture-based rations but lower concentrations of C18:0 and PUFA. Comparing to 1st parity cows, 2nd and 3rd parity animals had higher SFA and SCFA concentrations in milk. With respect to spring, C14:0, C16:0 and SFA concentrations increased in summer, autumn and winter while MUFA, PUFA and SCFA concentrations decreased. Considering the lactation phase, C14:0, C16:0 and SFA concentrations decreased in fresh cows with ketosis comparing to healthy fresh cows and increased in peak, mid and late lactation. C18:0, C18:1 and MUFA follow the opposite trend. The milk fatty acid profile varies significantly through the studied effects. The fact that the fatty acid profile is associated with animal health, organoleptic properties of milk or even methane production highlights the importance of studying factors that affect its variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: There is an increased global effort to develop and identify the opportunities and challenges of extended dairy cow-calf suckling systems due to societal concerns about removing calves from cows soon after birth. Implementing a pasture-based system where the dams have half-day contact with their calves and are milked once a day could potentially serve as a viable choice for developing alternative practices in the dairy industry. However, most research on extended suckling systems has been conducted on indoor dairy farms. This paper describes an investigation into the productivity of cows and calves in a pasture-based extended suckling system featuring part-time cow-calf contact and once-a-day milking. Although suckled cows produced less saleable milk than commercially managed cows, their reduced milk yield did not persist after weaning. Dam-reared calves grew faster than commercially reared calves from weeks 3 to 9. The system offers a promising foundation for future large-scale and longitudinal research on the benefits, challenges, and scalability of pastoral cow-calf dairy systems. This approach would be in line with public expectations of enhanced animal welfare in the dairy industry by addressing the concern of removing calves from cows soon after birth. This study investigated cow-calf productivity in a 10-week, pasture-based, extended suckling system featuring part-time cow-calf contact and once-a-day milking. A total of 30 dairy cows and their calves were assigned to two treatments: (1) cow and calf managed in an extended suckling system; or (2) cow and calf separated at birth and managed as usual. Cow-calf pairs grazed together during the day and spent the night separated by fence-line contact. The dams were reunited with the calves after once-a-day milking every morning. The commercial treatment pairs were separated after birth, and cows were milked twice a day and managed within the farm herd. Commercial calves were reared and managed as per commercial Australian practices. Cow-calf dams yielded 9 L/cow/day less saleable milk (p < 0.001), and their milk had lower fat (p = 0.04) but a higher protein percentage (p < 0.001) than commercial cows during pre-weaning. However, milk yield and composition were comparable post-weaning. Dam-suckled calves gained weight faster and were therefore weaned 2 weeks earlier than commercial calves, which were offered 8 L/day milk. This study has demonstrated a novel system of extended cow-calf suckling that could be practical to implement in pasture-based dairies. The long-term effects and scalability of the extended suckling system described here require further validation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dairy sector in Tunisia is based on small-scale farms, with 81% of the breeders owning less than five cows. On these farms, milk is stored in plastic containers, resulting in post-production losses estimated at 10% in the studied region. Due to high temperatures, the present paper aims to study the implementation of an innovative solar-powered milk cooling system in Central Tunisia and assess its profitability for dairy farmers. The methodology is based on a comparison of three small-scale farm business models: a farm without any milk cooling equipment, a farm using an innovative milk cooling technology, and a farm using an electrical cooling tank. Results showed the significance of milk cooling in reducing milk rejection to 0%, leading to a total production of 6400 L per cow by the fifth year. Additionally, milk sales were found to increase due to the premium of 0.010 TND/L for cooled milk paid. In addition, farms utilizing solar-powered milk cooling technology exhibited superior profitability in terms of financial indicators. This research offers a sustainable energy solution for milk cooling on small farms, specifically addressing the challenges faced by these farms located in isolated areas where access to electricity is limited and the availability of milk cooling equipment is lacking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environmental impacts of the dairy industry, particularly global warming, are heavily influenced by milk production. Thus, there is an urgent need for farm-level actions and opportunities for improvement, implying mitigation strategies. The aim of this paper is to investigate five possible mitigation actions at the dairy farm and which one the farmers were willing to adopt: management and distribution of livestock manure and fertilizers, anaerobic manure treatment, optimization of the herd composition, feed quality, and heat recovery. A life cycle assessment was conducted on 63 farms using the product environmental footprint approach. The latter was divided into four quartiles, from which four representative farms were selected. For each farm, three scenarios have been analyzed considering the reference impact (reference scenario), the application of the mitigation actions (best-case scenario), and what farmers would implement (realistic scenario). Overall, the most effective mitigation actions in the best-case scenario were anaerobic manure treatment and the management and distribution of livestock manure and fertilizers, showing a potential reduction in total environmental impacts of 7–9% and 6–7%, respectively. Farmers' responses indicated a willingness to implement the latter mitigation strategy better. The optimization of the herd composition, feed quality, and heat recovery reported a range impact reduction between 0.01–5%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Tunisia, the recognition of the possibility of including longevity and disease resistance in dairy cattle selection objectives has been hypothesized as a useful strategy by both researchers and producers. However, in this paper, the state of the art, with a focus on health and longevity, is reviewed. Along the same lines, the heritability for the milk traits, fertility traits, and longevity of Tunisian Holstein dairy cows complies with the literature. Therefore, the influence of genetics on some diseases of the dairy cow was investigated. In addition, a decreasing efficiency in cow fertility has been observed over the last few years. The results showed that the risk of culling increased with common diseases. When analyzed with the Weibull model, functional lifespan was strongly influenced by milk yield; therefore, the risk increased with a reduced milk yield. In her first three lactations, the relative risk of selection increased gradually with lactation. Thus, the risk of thinning is highest at the beginning and end of the first feeding and the end of her second feeding. In conclusion, the risk of culling was reduced in parity. The factors that influence the life of the herd, such as health, husbandry, environmental conditions, and management, are often ignored when evaluating longevity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-agent-based modelling and simulation provides an adequate environment to study the real world. This paper presents the use of a multi-agent research and simulation (MARS) framework and model design based on the overview, design concepts, design (ODD) protocol to model and simulate small-scale management strategies that are important for increased milk yield per cow. In reality, strategies for farm management at a small-scale level are purely based on heuristics that cost farmers and lead to inadequate milk yields. A differential assessment of the farming strategies was conducted to yield a data-driven approach for selection of the best strategies, which in turn will optimize investments and increase milk yield. The agent-based modelling and simulation revealed that, the studied strategies based on income, farm, and farmer-based characteristics influenced an increase of up to 7.72 L of milk above the average (12.7 ± 4.89). Generally, there was an increase in milk yield based on the identified evolvement strategies; from a baseline data average milk yield of 12.7 ± 4.89 to simulated milk yield average of 17.57 ± 0.72. Evaluating the agent-based models in real-world scenarios will strengthen the assurance that the identified strategies can move small-scale dairy farmers from low to higher milk producers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the significance of dairy science research in improving human health and animal welfare. It covers various areas of focus, including milk quality and safety, nutritious dairy product development, animal nutrition, disease prevention, reproductive efficiency, environmental sustainability, milk processing, food safety, and the health impact of dairy products. The article also provides an overview of the journal 'Dairy', which publishes research on different aspects of dairy science. It suggests strategies to enhance the journal's publication volume and impact, such as engaging with readers and authors, integrating young researchers, and gathering feedback. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of fostering a vibrant and inclusive research community in dairy science. [Extracted from the article]

The retrovirus causing caprine arthritis encephalitis (CAE), a slowly progressive inflammatory disease in goats, belongs to the group of small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs) which cause lifelong infections that ought to be avoided for animal welfare as well as economic reasons. SRLV accreditation has been in place for forty years in The Netherlands and is based on the screening of small ruminant sera for specific antibodies. This paper evaluates 38 dairy goat herds that lost CAEV accreditation between 2012 and 2022. The characteristics of these herds are discussed, and specific follow-up scenarios, depending on desired goals, are introduced. The herd size of the participating herds varies from approximately 400 to 4600 adult dairy goats. The larger herds tended to be more prone to lose herd accreditation and had more difficulties regaining accreditation. Possible routes of introduction are lined up. The Royal GD's tailor-made approach and advice to support livestock farmers with herds that have lost CAE accreditation are discussed in detail. Specific emphasis is placed on the strategic deployment of various diagnostic tests (such as antibody ELISAs and PCR) in different media, such as (pooled) sera, (bulk)milk and tissue samples. Special attention is paid to the added value of retrospective bulk milk testing or the specific testing of groups based on housing and management, which enables the investigation of the moment of viral introduction and route of transmission into a herd. Furthermore, the prospective implementation of bulk milk and strategic pooled milk sample testing in the Dutch SRLV accreditation programs intensifies surveillance and enables the taking of swift action to prevent further transmission within and between herds. An appeal is made to share experiences to improve programs collectively, and to start research into the underlying mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Little information is available regarding the feeding of dairy cattle in Sri Lanka or the impact of feeding on productivity. The aim of this study was to catalogue the availability, quantity, and composition of feeds, to identify the feeding regimens used, and to calculate dietary metabolisable energy (ME) and crude protein (CP) in order to investigate shortfalls in dietary requirements. The ME and CP contents of the abundantly used forages (representing > 50% of the cow diet) Guinea ecotype A and Hybrid Napier CO-3 grasses were generally low (7.5–8.0 MJ/kg DM, 8.0–8.8% DM, respectively), and were lower than that of legumes (i.e., Gliricidia: 10.0 MJ/kg DM, 17.7% DM, respectively). Daily ME intake was consistently 10% lower than the calculated daily energy requirements as a consequence of the low nutritive values of these forages and of farmers' consistent overestimation of their quality. The CP intake of lactating cows (13.5% DM) was inadequate to meet their requirements (16–18.5% DM), whereas the CP intake of dry cows (11.8% DM) adequately met requirements (11–12% DM). Based on the results of this study, limitations on nutritional requirements adversely affect milk production of dairy cows in Sri Lanka. In this paper, the nutritional quality, digestibility, and chemical composition of major feed types as well as the use of those feeds in rations by medium-scale dairy farmers in the Kurunegala district of Sri Lanka were studied. Nine dairy farms were visited fortnightly over a five-month period to identify the feeds that were commonly used. All farms operated under a stall-feeding system in which a manually mixed ration (MMR) was fed 2–3 times daily. Four forages were identified: Guinea grass ecotype A (Panicum maximum), called Guinea grass; Hybrid Napier CO-3 (Pennisetum purpureum × Pennisetum americanum), called CO-3 grass; Gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium); and maize stover (Zea mays L.), along with three other supplementary feeds (maize silage, barley distillers' by-products, and commercially formulated cattle feed). These feeds were subjected to proximate analysis and in vitro digestibility analysis. The metabolisable energy (ME) of the forages ranged from 7.5–10.0 MJ/kg dry matter (DM), with the ME of Guinea grass and CO-3 grass (7.5 and 8.0 MJ/kg DM, respectively) being lower than that of Gliricidia (10.0 MJ/kg DM). The neutral detergent fibre (NDF) concentration of both Guinea grass and CO-3 grass (both 72% DM) was much higher than that of Gliricidia (47% DM). Crude protein (CP) was higher in Gliricidia (17.5% DM) than in either Guinea grass or CO-3 grass (8.0 and 8.8% DM, respectively). The ME of the supplementary feeds varied between 11.0 and 12.8 MJ/kg DM, while CP varied between 15.0 and 24.0% DM. The daily ME intake of cows was consistently 10% lower than their calculated daily energy requirement; for dry cows, the mean intake was 90 MJ/cow/day supplied vs. 101 MJ required, while for cows in early lactation the mean intake was 126 MJ/cow/day supplied vs. 140 MJ required. The average CP intake of lactating cows (13.5% DM) was inadequate (requirements: 16 to 17.5% DM), while the average CP intake of dry cows (11.8% DM) was satisfactory (requirements: 11 to 12% DM). The current study shows that the majority of the feed types used in these medium-scale dairy farms provide insufficient ME or CP to meet the nutritional requirements of either lactating or dry cows irrespective of the quantity of feed provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of antimicrobials for the treatment of food-producing animals is increasingly scrutinized and regulated based on concerns about maintaining the efficacy of antimicrobials used to treat important human diseases. Consumers are skeptical about the use of antibiotics in dairy cows, while dairy producers and veterinarians demonstrate ambivalence about maintaining animal welfare with reduced antimicrobial usage. Antimicrobial stewardship refers to proactive actions taken to preserve the efficacy of antimicrobials and emphasizes the prevention of bacterial diseases and use of evidence-based treatment protocols. The ability to broadly implement antimicrobial stewardship in the dairy industry is based on the recognition of appropriate antimicrobial usage as well as an understanding of the benefits of participating in such programs. The most common reason for the use of antimicrobials on dairy farms is the intramammary treatment of cows affected with clinical mastitis or at dry off. Based on national sales data, intramammary treatments comprise < 1% of overall antimicrobial use for food-producing animals, but a large proportion of that usage is a third-generation cephalosporin, which is classified as a highest-priority, critically important antimicrobial. Opportunities exist to improve the use of antimicrobials in dairy practice. While there are barriers to the increased adoption of antimicrobial stewardship principles, the structured nature of dairy practice and existing emphasis on disease prevention provides an opportunity to easily integrate principles of antimicrobial stewardship into daily veterinary practice. The purpose of this paper is to define elements of antimicrobial stewardship in dairy practice and discuss the challenges and potential benefits associated with these concepts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dairy industry can be considered a contributor to biodiversity loss in Australia. To address this, many forms of governance can be enlisted, including traditional legislation and regulations, persuasive techniques such as publicly funded subsidy programs or education, and participation in voluntary stewardship programs. This paper explores the benefits of collaborative governance programs, which have international applications to reduce the impact of the dairy industry on biodiversity loss. However, as the Australian sector is unique, the specific opportunities and present challenges are discussed. This paper reports three important objectives that could underpin industry-led initiatives by supporting improved biodiversity conservation on dairy farms: (1) Increase the personal and financial capacities of individual farmers to operate profitable, biodiverse farms; (2) Facilitate market rewards to incentivise pro-conservation behaviours; and (3) Improve the effectiveness of the implementation of biodiversity protection laws and regulatory objectives via collaborative governance arrangements. Existing environmental programs that have been developed by the dairy industry could be suitable for incorporation into more formal co-governance structures sympathetic to biodiversity conservation. However, to be successful in addressing sustainability issues, including biodiversity loss, strengthening the integrity mechanisms around farmers' self-reporting of performance is required to ensure that the industry can credibly refute claims of greenwashing and defend their environmental credentials in the global marketplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document discusses the importance of dairy cattle in economic development and their multifaceted interactions with humans throughout history. It highlights the advancements in reproductive technologies for dairy cattle and their potential applications in other mammalian species. The document emphasizes the significance of effective reproductive management for the economics of herds, cow health and welfare, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It also provides a summary of the articles included in the Special Issue on "Advances in Dairy Cattle Reproduction," which cover various strategies to improve reproductive parameters and optimize assisted reproductive technologies. The document concludes by stating that further research and understanding of the reproductive function of cows can lead to improved health, welfare, productivity, and sustainability in dairy production systems. [Extracted from the article]

Simple Summary: Subacute rumen acidosis (SARA) is a significant clinical issue in high-yield livestock, including dairy sheep, and it is characterized by rumen pH dropping below 5.8 for at least four hours daily. This condition leads to economic losses due to reduced milk production and lower milk fat content. High-concentrate, low-fiber diets increase the risk of SARA by disrupting rumen fermentation. Diagnosing SARA is challenging, with rumen fluid pH measurement being the gold standard. This study investigated the prevalence of SARA and its impact in forty-two Greek dairy sheep flocks, as well as the potential of computerized rumen colorimetry as a diagnostic tool post mortem. Over nine months, rumen pH and milk composition were monitored, and rumen wall samples were analyzed for color and histological changes. The results showed increased epithelium thickness and discoloration in SARA-affected sheep. This study highlights the prevalence of SARA in the modern intensive dairy sheep industry, underscores the need for balanced feeding strategies, and suggests computerized rumen colorimetry as a promising tool for SARA detection and management in dairy sheep farms. Subacute rumen acidosis (SARA) is a current issue in intensive livestock farming, and it is particularly associated with feeding high-concentrate diets. This study investigated the prevalence and impact of SARA in forty-two Greek dairy sheep flocks by recording rumen pH, milk composition, and milk yield over a period of nine months. Moreover, it explored the use of computerized rumen colorimetry as a management and diagnostic tool for SARA in dairy sheep. In culled ewes, computerized rumen mucosal colorimetry was applied, and rumen wall samples taken for histological examination. SARA cases were identified in 19 farms (45%, n = 42). Farms with SARA cases had lower milk fat levels, while milk yield and milk protein levels did not differ based on the SARA status of the farms. In culled ewes, rumen color was significantly associated with the flock's SARA status, and affected ewes showed increased thickness in non-keratinized and total epithelial layers. It was concluded that computerized rumen mucosal colorimetry in aged, culled ewes shows promise as an indicator, post mortem, of SARA present in dairy sheep flocks whose impact can be minimized by making significant changes in dietary management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dairy sector is the second largest agricultural sector in the EU and Lithuania. It faces economic challenges (price volatility, farm consolidation and downsizing, etc.), but its importance outstrips other agricultural sectors (combining agro-systems and providing valuable food products for people). The aim of the study is to identify the vulnerabilities of dairy farms and to consider how to improve their performance after analysis of dairy farms in dairy exporting EU countries. As the problem of the study is complex, a set of indicators was analysed, including farm size, milk yield per cow, number of cows per annual work unit (AWU), milk production per fodder area, feed autonomy, milk price, total operating costs, depreciation, farm net value added per AWU, milk production per capita, and GDP at current prices per capita. The analysis was carried out using data from the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) for 2017–2019. As Lithuania's dairy sector is export-oriented, EU countries with more than 100% milk self–sufficiency (18 countries in total) were chosen for the comparison. The multi-criteria decision-making methods (MCDM) were used for the study. The multi-criteria evaluation revealed that countries that are leaders in dairy exports obtained the best values of dairy farm performance. These countries (Denmark, Netherlands, Ireland, and Belgium) have the highest farm size, production scale, productivity, and income indicators. While Slovenian, Latvian, and Lithuanian dairy farms performed poorly in terms of productivity and economic indicators, these countries achieve competitiveness in the dairy sector through lower milk prices, higher utilisation of own resources, and higher levels of public support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study involved 138 Holstein dairy calves from one UK farm, who were either reared individually or as pairs until 2–4 weeks of age, when they were subsequently batched together. Although there were no differences in growth rate, disease treatments or mortality, the paired calves demonstrated improved behavioural indicators of calf welfare. In addition, the heaviest calf in the pair grew more quickly and displayed less fear and more exploratory behaviour than the lightest calf in the pair. Although recent advice to farmers has been to rear calves in pairs, this study suggests that this may be potentially detrimental to the smaller calf. Previous research has indicated that preweaned dairy calves reared in pairs compared with individually have improved performance and indicators of animal welfare. One hundred and thirty Holstein female calves completed the trial, with eighty-five being allocated to paired housing and forty-five calves being allocated to individual housing. Daily live weight gain (DLWG), treatments and mortality were recorded throughout the preweaning period. Salivary cortisol, latency to feed and latency to approach a novel object were assessed at batching. There were no significant differences in DLWG, mortality and disease treatments between the average of the pair and the individually housed calves, although the pair-reared calves were quicker to approach the milk feed after batching and interacted more quickly with a novel object. The heaviest born calves within the pair had the highest DLWG from birth to weaning, with a higher percentage of calves approaching the novel object, compared with the lightest born calf within the pair. This study shows that calves within a pair may have significantly different performance and welfare during the preweaning period, with the heavier calf outperforming and displaying less fear and more exploratory behaviour than the lighter calf within a pair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several pathotypes of enteric E. coli have been identified. The group represented by Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) is of particular interest. Raw milk and raw milk products are significant sources of STEC infection in humans; therefore, identifying pathogens at the herd level is crucial for public health. Most national surveillance programs focus solely on raw milk and raw milk cheeses that are ready for retail sale, neglecting the possibility of evaluating the source of contamination directly at the beginning of the dairy chain. To assess the viability of the application of new molecular methodologies to STEC identification in raw milk filters and in calf feces, we analyzed 290 samples from 18 different dairy herds, including 88 bulk tank milk (BTM), 104 raw milk filters (RMF), and 98 calf feces samples. In total 3.4% of BTM, 41.4% of RMF, and 73.4% of calves' feces were positive for stx, supporting our hypothesis that BTM is not a suitable matrix to assess the presence of STEC at herd level, underestimating it. Our conclusion is that the surveillance program needs critical and extensive improvements such as RMF and calves' feces analysis implementation to be more efficient in detecting and preventing STEC infections. The epidemiology of these infections and the characteristics of the pathogen clearly show how a One Health approach will be pivotal in improving our capabilities to control the spread of these infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: One key factor in the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in microorganisms is antimicrobial usage in veterinary and human medicine. In dairy cattle, the prevalence of AMR E. coli is age-dependent, with a higher prevalence detected during the early stages of life. In veal calf fattening herds, the high degree of commingling calves from different farms of origin can lead to the rapid spread of infections within the farm. This can cause severe health issues, necessitating greater use of antimicrobial agents. Antimicrobial use has been reported to be higher in the veal calf fattening sector compared to the other production branches of livestock production. This represents an unquantified risk to human health, as antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and the genetic elements mediating resistance can potentially spread through foodborne transmission or environmental dissemination. This surveillance study was conducted, using data available from routine diagnostic activity, to: (i) determine the proportion of antimicrobial-resistant strains and AMR profiles of E. coli isolated from the intestinal contents of veal and dairy calves in the Veneto Region (Northeaster Italy); (ii) investigate potential variation in the AMR profiles of isolates between the two categories of calves and, (iii) identify potential AMR variations over the period considered (2017–2022). This surveillance study aimed to estimate the proportion of antimicrobial resistant strains and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles of E. coli isolates detected from the intestinal contents of veal and dairy calves in the Veneto Region, Northeaster Italy. Additionally, we investigated the differences in AMR profiles between dairy and veal calves over the period 2017–2022. Overall 1150 E. coli isolates were tested from calves exhibiting enteric disease, with 868 from dairy and 282 from veal calves. The percentage of resistant isolates to nine antimicrobials was notably higher in veal calves compared to dairy calves, except for ampicillin. Throughout the study period, we observed a significant increase in the proportion of resistant isolates to florfenicol, gentamycin, paromomycin, tetracycline and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole in dairy calves, while we did not detect any significant increase in the proportion of resistant isolates among veal calves. A substantial proportion (75.9%) of the isolated E. coli exhibited multi-drug resistance (MDR). The proportion of multi-drug resistant isolates was significantly higher in veal calves (91.7%) compared to dairy calves (74.3%) all through the surveillance period (2017–2022), with no significant variation in MDR proportion among veal calves between 2017 and 2022 but a significant increase among dairy calves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The "PraeRi" study, conducted by three German veterinary universities from 2016 to 2020, was aimed at enhancing dairy health and welfare. With 765 visited dairy farms and 101,307 animals examined, the designed study provided an opportunity for improving animal well-being. Researchers applied good epidemiologic practice and concepts proven in large-scale studies, in a study comprising three different regions in Germany with varying farm characteristics. A sample size of 250 farms per region, determined through stratified sampling based on farm size, ensured representative estimates. According to the information provided by the farmers, mastitis was the most frequently occurring disease in their herds (14.2% to 16.3% of the herd—depending on the region). For most disorders, prevalence data were lowest for the region South compared with the two remaining regions. Statistical analyses identified risk factors, with results communicated through individual reports and benchmarking flyers to participating farmers. Challenges arose from managing practical procedures and communication due to the project's vast scale. Harmonizing data management and hypothesis testing across involved parties added complexity. Despite challenges, the PraeRi study considerably contributed to advancing dairy health and welfare practices. From 2016 to 2020, the "PraeRi" study, conducted by three German veterinary universities, was aimed at enhancing animal health and welfare in dairy farms. With 765 dairy farms visited and 101,307 animals examined, this study provided a basis for improving animal health and welfare. The study population comprised three different regions representing a broad variety of characteristics. To ensure representative estimates, a sample size of 250 farms was determined for each region, employing a stratified sampling plan based on farm size. According to the information provided by the farmers, the most commonly occurring disease in their herds was mastitis without general disorder (14.2% to 16.3% of the herd—depending on the region). For most disorders, prevalence data were lowest for the region South compared with the two remaining regions. Multivariable regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for various target variables, and the results were communicated through individual reports and benchmarking flyers to participating farmers. The authors encountered challenges in management and communication due to the project's size in terms of personnel, data, and farms examined. Harmonizing data management and hypothesis testing across all involved parties added complexity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emission factor method (Tier 1) recommended by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is commonly used to estimate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from livestock and poultry farms. However, the estimation accuracy may vary due to practical differences in manure management across China. The objectives of this study were to estimate the direct and indirect nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from dairy manure management between 1990 and 2021 in China and characterize its spatial and temporal variations following IPCC guideline Tier 2. The N2O emission factor (EF) of dairy cow manure management systems was determined at the national level and regional level as well. The results showed that the national cumulative N2O emission of manure management from 1990 to 2021 was 113.1million tons of CO2 equivalent, ranging from 90.3 to 135.9 million tons with an uncertainty of ±20.2%. The annual EF was 0.021 kg N2O-N (kg N)−1 for total emissions, while it was 0.014 kg N2O-N (kg N)−1 for direct emissions. The proportions of N2O emissions in North China, Northeast China, East China, Central and Southern China, Southwest China and Northwest China were 32.3%, 18.6%, 11.4%, 5.8%, 6.1% and 25.8%, respectively. In addition, N2O emissions varied among farms in different scales. The respective proportions of total N2O emissions from small-scale and large-scale farms were 64.8% and 35.2% in the past three decades. With the improvement in farm management and milk production efficiency, the N2O emissions per unit mass of milk decreased from 0.77 × 10−3 kg to 0.48 × 10−3 kg in 1990–2021. This study may provide important insights into compiling a GHG emission inventory and developing GHG emission reduction strategies for the dairy farming system in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high genetic heterogeneity of small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLV) renders the genetic characterization of the circulating strains crucial for the epidemiological investigation and the designation of effective diagnostic tools. In Greece, research data regarding the genetic diversity of the circulating SRLV strains is scarce, hindering the implementation of efficient surveillance and control programs. The objective of the study was to genetically characterize SRLV strains isolated from intensive dairy sheep farms in Greece and evaluate the variability of the immunodominant regions of the capsid protein. For this reason, a total of 12 SRLV-infected animals from four intensive dairy sheep farms with purebred Chios and Lacaune ewes were used for the amplification and sequencing of an 800 bp gag-pol fragment. The phylogenetic analyses revealed a breed-related circulation of strains; Chios ewes were infected with strains belonging exclusively to a separate group of genotype A, whereas strains belonging to subtype B2 were isolated from Lacaune ewes. Immunodominant epitopes of capsid protein were quite conserved among the strains of the same genotype, except for the Major Homology Region which showed some unique mutations with potential effects on viral evolution. The present study contributes to the extension of the current knowledge regarding the genetic diversity of SRLV strains circulating in sheep in Greece. However, broader genetic characterization studies are warranted for the exploration of possible recombinant events and the more comprehensive classification of the circulating strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Paratuberculosis impacts animal welfare and the economic performance of dairy herds by causing reduced milk yield and carcass weight and premature culling. Due to the ability of the infectious agent Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) to survive in the environment for a long time, the limited diagnostic accuracy of tests, and the long incubation period, successful elimination of MAP from a cattle herd is doubted. This study describes measures applied to control the disease in a 450-head dairy herd and, as the result of these measures, the progress of prevalence reduction to a level where the infectious agent was not detectable anymore in any individual sample and from the liquid manure of the herd. MAP shedders were detected by the bacteriological cultivation of individual faecal samples from each cow in annual intervals and MAP shedders were removed from the herd in a timely manner. Calves were kept outside the barn of adult cows and hygienic measures to minimize their MAP exposure were established. The results demonstrate that the elimination of MAP might be possible within 10 years. Voluntary control programs are effective in controlling paratuberculosis in closed herds by providing adequate diagnostic, logistic, and financial support for farmers. This longitudinal case study provides an in-detail report of the process towards the elimination of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) from a closed 450-head commercial dairy herd. In parallel, two diagnostic approaches were applied to all cows in annual intervals during 2012–2022: detection of MAP in individual faecal samples by bacteriological cultivation on solid medium and detection of MAP-specific antibodies by ELISA. For each annual sampling, the kappa coefficients for test agreement and the survival rates of MAP-positive and MAP-negative cows were calculated. Applying a multivariable linear regression model revealed a significantly lower fat-corrected 305-day milk yield for MAP-positive cows. The true prevalence of MAP shedders reduced from 24.2% in 2012 to 0.4% in 2019 and during 2020–2022, no MAP shedder was identified. Test agreement was generally low and bacteriological cultivation showed positive results earlier than the ELISA. In the first years of control, the survival of MAP shedders was longer than in the final stage. In conclusion, the elimination of MAP from a dairy herd might be feasible within a decade. Changes in the test agreement must be considered. Timely removal of MAP shedders, hygienic calf rearing, and colostrum supply are key for successful control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to highlight the influence of cattle farming systems on dairy products, assessments were carried out on certain varieties of cheese—marked with the "Mountain product" quality label in comparison with those conventionally produced ones not bearing the quality label. The study was carried out using products obtained from raw milk issued from seven farms and transformed into cheese in four small dairy factories from the mountainous area of Dornelor Basin, Suceava County, Northeastern Romania. The analyzed cheese issued from the "mountain" production system were "Călimani" Schweizer, "Călimani" Cașcaval, "Călimani" smoked Cașcaval, and "Călimani" Telemea—salty brined cheese. Both the "Mountain cheese" and conventional cheese samples produced throughout the same shift were collected and kept under refrigeration conditions until laboratory analysis in order to compare the production systems. The physico-chemical analysis revealed higher amounts of minerals (2.8 to 10.7% Ca; 2.8 to 9.5% P; 12.3% to double the amount of Fe, p < 0.001) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (+5.6 to +13.7%), in mountain cheeses versus the conventionally processed ones. Also, the sanogenic indices had higher values in the "Mountain cheese", such as the polyunsaturation index (+4.3 to 7.8%) and hypocholesterolic/hypercholesterolic fatty acid ratio (+1.8 to 3.7%), while the atherogenic index and the thrombogenic index had lower values (−1.9 to −4.3%) compared to the conventionally produced cheese, thus revealing healthier properties for consumers. The Enterobacteriaceae family species were identified in "Mountain cheese", while they were absent from conventionally processed cheese, knowing the raw matter milk is thermally treated at ultra-high temperatures in the latter ones. In the "Mountain cheese", such microorganisms were found within the safety regulation limits and contributed to providing flavor, taste, color, and specific texture, making it superior in terms of sensorial quality compared to the conventionally produced cheese. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of Mycoplasma bovirhinis in the development of pulmonary disease in cattle is controversial and was never evaluated in cattle from Latin America. This study investigated the respiratory infection dynamics associated with M. bovirhinis in suckling calves from 15 dairy cattle herds in Southern Brazil. Nasal swabs were obtained from asymptomatic (n = 102) and calves with clinical manifestations (n = 103) of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) and used in molecular assays to identify the specific genes of viral and bacterial disease pathogens of BRD. Only M. bovirhinis, bovine coronavirus (BCoV), ovine gammaherpesvirus 2 (OvGHV2), Histophilus somni, Pasteurella multocida, and Mannheimia haemolytica were detected. M. bovirhinis was the most frequently diagnosed pathogen in diseased (57.8%; 59/102) and asymptomatic (55.3%; 57/103) calves at all farms. BCoV-related infections were diagnosed in diseased (52%; 53/102) and asymptomatic (51.4%; 53/103) calves and occurred in 93.3% (14/15) of all farms. Similarly, infectious due to OvGHV2 occurred in diseased (37.2%; 38/102) and asymptomatic (27.2%; /28/103) calves and were diagnosed in 80% (12/15) of all farms investigated. Significant statistical differences were not identified when the two groups of calves were compared at most farms, except for infections due to OvGHV2 that affected five calves at one farm. These results demonstrated that the respiratory infection dynamics of M. bovirhinis identified in Southern Brazil are similar to those observed worldwide, suggesting that there is not enough sufficient collected data to consider M. bovirhinis as a pathogen of respiratory infections in cattle. Additionally, the possible roles of BCoV and OvGHV2 in the development of BRD are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Automatic milking box systems are becoming more common in USA dairy farms despite being costlier than traditional methods. This study investigated farmers' perceptions on why farms with at least seven milking boxes opted for them, focusing on technological changes, farm structure, management, labor, cow health, and milk production. The primary reasons for choosing these systems were labor cost reduction, improved cow welfare, and enhanced milk production. Most farms constructed new barns with open stalls and easy cow movement to facilitate use of these systems. Farmers perceived that the adoption led to higher water and energy usage, while the operational costs remained manageable. Farmers reported labor savings, better working conditions, and more effective management of cow health issues like mastitis and foot problems. The impact on milk production and quality was mixed, with some farms experiencing improvements. Similarly, farmers perceived an improvement in reproductive performance, supported by activity data. Overall, the shift to Automatic Milking Systems was viewed positively by more than half of farmers, who recommended it to others, although they advised careful consideration of specific farm needs and conditions. These are initial experiences rather than conclusive evidence. Automatic Milking System (AMS) installations are increasing in the USA despite the higher investment cost than conventional systems. Surveys on AMSs conducted outside the USA focused on small–medium herds, specific regions, or aspects of AMS milking. This study described farmers' perceptions about the decision-making process of adopting an AMS in the USA's large dairies (≥7 AMS boxes) regarding changes in technology, housing, management practices, labor, herd performance, and health. After being contacted, 27 of 55 farmers from large AMS herds completed the survey. The main reasons for adopting an AMS were labor costs, cows' welfare, and herd performance. Most farms constructed new barns, used a free-flow traffic system, and changed their feed management. Increases in water and energy use were perceived by 42% and 62% of farmers, respectively. Farmers estimated decreases in labor costs of over 21%, and AMS employees worked 40–60 h/week. Milk production increases were reported by 58%, with 32% observing higher milk fat and protein content. Easier sick cow detection, better mastitis management, and improvements in pregnancy rates were reported. Thus, farmers transitioning to AMSs perceived altered resource utilization, labor cost savings, and improvements in employee quality of life, animal welfare, and farm management. While 54% of respondents would recommend an AMS to other farms, 38% suggested considering additional aspects prior to adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Paratuberculosis is an incurable disease of cattle that causes serious economic damage. The only protection method is to prevent the spread of infection within the farm by culling the infected animals. We examined various control measures regularly carried out on 42 farms over four consecutive years (2018–2021), and how effective they were in reducing the occurrence of paratuberculosis. We found that farms that base their strategy only on blood testing and culling infected animals cannot sufficiently reduce the incidence of the disease. It is necessary to stop the spread of the infection by preventing the calves from coming into contact with infectious material. Paratuberculosis (PTB) is a severe, slow-developing, untreatable disease of ruminants. Worldwide, the disease affects more than 50% of herds in the dairy industry, and causes substantial economic losses for dairy producers. Diagnostic tests show limited sensitivity, especially in the early stages of the disease. Our study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP) in large-scale dairy herds in Hungary, in association with the self-reported presence or absence of screening and intervention measures against MAP transmission. We processed data from 42 large-scale Holstein Friesian farms in Hungary between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2021. An average of 32,009 (min.: 31,702; max.: 32,207) animals were blood sampled yearly (127,372 in total during the four years), corresponding to 15% of the Hungarian dairy cattle population. All female cattle older than 2 years were blood sampled on the farms enroled in the study. The samples were tested using a commercial ELISA (IDEXX paratuberculosis screening Ab test). Farm managers were interviewed about their on-farm diagnostic and intervention approaches using a uniform questionnaire, including questions on the level of awareness, frequency of ELISA and PCR testing, and their strategies for culling adult animals and reducing transmission to newborn calves. By comparing the annual rate of change in seroprevalence and the amount of change observed during the four-year period, we concluded that test-and-cull strategies implemented in parallel with newborn calf management that aimed at preventing MAP transmission were superior to test-and-cull strategies alone; moreover, fortifying culling decision making via additional ELISA and PCR tests is superior to using a single ELISA result. For farms that carried out a complex program with both "test-and-cull" and proper newborn calf management, there was a proportional reduction in apparent seroprevalence at an average of 22.8% per year. Fifteen of the sampled farms had no measures in place to control paratuberculosis. On these farms, the seroprevalence increased by 12.1% per year on average. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Hemorrhagic bowel syndrome (HBS) is a poorly understood, sporadic and often fatal disease in cattle. Although HBS is considered an important disease in dairy cattle, studies about the occurrence and the distribution of this disease in the population (epidemiology) are lacking. This study describes the epidemiology of HBS in Belgium and the Netherlands, based on necropsy records from 2009 to 2022, and reports characteristics about cows and dairy farms with HBS through a questionnaire. A total of 291 confirmed HBS cases in 259 herds in Belgium and the Netherlands were enrolled. There was a significant increase in the annual incidence of HBS in both individual cows and herds from 2009 to 2022. In most recent years, about 1 in 30 necropsied dairy cows died because of HBS. The incidence was higher in the Netherlands compared to Belgium, possibly due to larger herd size. In fall, HBS occurrence was most common. In 35 Flemish dairy herds, HBS mainly manifested as individual cases, with a very variable time between consecutive cases. Most affected cows were in more than 100 days of lactation. In conclusion, HBS is a relevant disease in dairy cattle in Belgium and the Netherlands, with potentially rising occurrence. Hemorrhagic bowel syndrome (HBS) is a poorly understood, sporadic and often fatal disease in cattle. Although, HBS is considered an important disease in dairy cattle, epidemiological data is largely lacking. This study describes the epidemiology of HBS in Belgium and the Netherlands, based on necropsy records from 2009 to 2022, and reports characteristics from 27 cows and 35 dairy operations with HBS, gathered through a survey. The annual incidence of HBS has a significantly increasing trend both at cow and herd level, with incidence above 3.2% in necropsied mature dairy cattle in the most recent years. Estimated herd-level incidence in the Netherlands was double the estimated incidence in Belgium, which might be explained by higher herd size in the Netherlands. Occurrence of HBS was most prevalent in fall, being 40.1% higher than the average of the other seasons. In 35 Flemish (Belgian) surveyed dairy herds with HBS, manifestation of HBS was mostly as solitary cases, and if multiple cases occurred, the time interval was highly variable. In addition, the majority of cows with HBS (61.1%; 16/26) were in more than 100 days lactation. In conclusion, HBS is an important and possibly emerging disease in dairy cattle in Belgium and the Netherlands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The short-term benefits of pair housing pre-weaning calves have been successfully demonstrated, but the longer-term implications are still relatively unknown, especially for heifers enter the milking herd. This study aimed to investigate the impact of pairs compared to the individual housing of pre-weaning calves on longer-term heifer production. We found that pair-housed calves were less likely to exit the herd, which resulted in pair-housed calves producing more total milk per calf recruited into the original study. However, pair-housed calves also suffered from higher risks of developing udder health issues. The season of birth had an impact on growth rates, with heifers born in the colder winter months having reduced growth, but seasonality did not impact any other variables. Pair housing of pre-weaning dairy calves has previously demonstrated positive impacts on their growth, health and behaviour, but longer-term effects on production are still relatively unknown. This study followed a cohort of 431 Holstein heifers, recruited from a single UK commercial dairy farm, from weaning until either culling or the end of their first lactation. All animals were allocated to either individual or pair housing as a pre-weaning calf. Following weaning, all heifers were similarly managed through group housing, feeding with total mixed rations, the use of automatic heat detection for artificial insemination and weighing every two months until conception. Farm staff identified disease occurrences, which were treated following standard operating procedures. First-lactation monthly milk recording was used to measure milk yields and somatic cell counts. Overall mortality (voluntary and involuntary) was 26.6%, with a decreased hazard of exiting the herd if the heifer was pair housed as a calf (HR 0.70; p = 0.067). The voluntary cull rate was highest in the post-insemination period (13.0%) due to poor fertility. Heifers that were pair housed as calves had significantly increased odds of developing udder health issues as a primiparous cow (OR = 1.93, p = 0.022). Despite this, the 305-day milk yields were not associated with the housing group. However, the total milk produced per calf recruited into the original study was greater for pair-housed compared with individually housed calves (8088 kg vs. 7115 kg; p = 0.071), which is likely due to the significantly higher hazard of individually housed calves exiting the herd prematurely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In dairy farms, the culling decision is a complex decision that is influenced by many factors. Economy must also be taken into account when making a decision. The aim of the study was to use a microsimulation to specifically determine the date of culling in addition to the effect of different levels of pregnancy rate on milk production. The results showed that increasing the pregnancy rate successfully reduced the length of the calving interval, but the improved pregnancy rate did not show a significant increase in milk production. Based on this, dairies can more easily determine the time of culling since it has been shown how the milk production of cows can be expected to develop with different pregnancy rates. One of the most important decisions in dairy cattle production today is the correct choice of culling time for cows. In the culling decision process, the farmer has to take into account a number of factors, the complexity of which makes the decision-making task difficult. A crucial factor is the evolution of reproductive indicators. The aim of the research was to develop a microsimulation method that can be used to easily investigate the impact on profitability of increasing pregnancy rates and when the culling decision is made. In the microsimulation, the stock was examined without changing any other conditions. A microsimulation method has been developed to determine with high accuracy the effect of the pregnancy rate and the increase in culling days on the economic indicators of individual dairy farms. By microsimulation, the effect of changing these two parameters on the expected milk production of cows, the most important economic indicator for cattle farms, was investigated. The other parameters of economic importance were simulated using a cattle farm database. The purpose of microsimulation is to assist in producing certain managerial decisions in order to achieve better profitability and economic efficiency. In summary, the results showed that increasing the pregnancy rate can successfully reduce the length of the calving interval, but the improved pregnancy rate did not show a significant increase in milk production. In order to obtain results that can be used by farms, the authors intend to further develop the model in the future, adapting it to farms and taking into account their specificities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the accuracy of a near-infrared spectroscopic sensing system for predicting milk quality indicators in cow milk. The system determined three major milk quality indicators (milk fat, protein, and lactose), milk urea nitrogen (MUN), and somatic cell count (SCC) of two Holstein cows at the Hokkaido University dairy farm. The results showed excellent accuracy for milk fat and protein contents, while sufficient accuracy was found for lactose, MUN, and SCC. This suggests that the NIR spectroscopic sensing system could be used for online real-time milk quality determination, aiding dairy farmers in effective individual cow management and smart dairy farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Selective dry cow therapy (SDCT) involves selecting only cows or mammary quarters with existing intramammary infection to be treated with antimicrobials at dry-off. SDCT became mandatory in Italy in January 2022. Previously, the most common practice was to treat all cows at dry-off with intramammary antibiotics to address current udder infections and to prevent new ones. This study describes the challenges of 11 herds with SDCT, focusing on owner compliance. Compliance, the ability of the farmer to follow veterinary advice, was a critical issue as 21% of all cows were non-compliant, highlighting the need for better treatment monitoring. At first testing, non-compliant cows were 3.77 times more likely to have subclinical mastitis compared to compliant cows. Observations of veterinarians and farmers showed a lack of monitoring systems for cows to be treated with antibiotic selections. This study suggests the need for improved education and increased veterinarian involvement in the implementation of SDCT. Selective dry-cow therapy (SDCT) became mandatory in Italy on 28 January 2022. During 2020, a group of farms involved in a milk quality program began a pilot experiment with SDCT in order to understand its challenges and to identify areas for procedural improvements. The aim of this study was to describe the challenges and results of the SDCT in early adopters' herds with a special focus on treatment compliance. Retrospective data from 1911 cows from 11 dairy herds were evaluated. Somatic cell counts, clinical mastitis (CM) history, and the California Mastitis Test (CMT) were used as criteria for SDCT. Based on the dairy herd improvement test results and CM history, 48% of all cows should have received antibiotic treatments and internal teat sealants. Adding the CMT at dry-off increased the percentage of antibiotic-treated cows to 62%, with relevant variation among farms. Concerning treatment compliance, 21% of the cows were "non-compliant", suggesting the importance of monitoring treatment compliance. In conclusion, even if commonly used selection criteria for antibiotic treatments were used, the need for more education and in-depth monitoring of the SDCT adoption process was clearly identified. Close collaboration and agreement between veterinarians and farmers are key for SDCT adoption success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study, which was carried out as a large-scale investigation in 444 farms throughout Greece, explores the beneficial effects to small ruminant dairy farms of a steady and professional relationship with a veterinarian. The findings of detailed analyses indicated that, in summary, these benefits related to lower parasitic burden in animals of the farms and higher production of better-quality milk, as shown by the assessment of outcomes related to the health and production of animals. Moreover, the welfare of the animals in the farms was also improved, as evidenced by the lower incidence of painful diseases (e.g., clinical mastitis) and the effective use of relevant pharmaceutical products (e.g., non-steroid inflammatory drugs). The results attest that the application of veterinary advice and veterinary clinical services in sheep and goat dairy farms contributes to the improved health, production and welfare of animals. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the potential benefits of veterinarians in improving the health and welfare of dairy sheep and goats by studying the associations of management practices employed in the farms with production- or health-related outcomes in sheep and goat farms in Greece. This work explored associations with 'professional relationship with a veterinarian' at 444 small ruminant dairy farms in an investigation performed around Greece, where 106 variables, related to infrastructure, animals, production outcomes, health management, health problems and human resources, were assessed. In 384 (86.5%) farms, a professional relationship with a veterinarian was maintained. The median value of visits made annually by veterinarians to these farms was five. In farms with a professional relationship with a veterinarian, significant differences were found in 24 variables (35.8%) related to management practices and 6 (30.0%) production- or health-related outcomes. In multivariable analysis, the following emerged with a significant association: epg counts in faecal samples (p = 0.014), average annual milk production per ewe/doe (p = 0.015), somatic cell counts in bulk-tank milk (p = 0.037), and annual incidence of clinical mastitis (p = 0.044). Moreover, associations of the characteristics of veterinarians emerged with somatic cell counts in bulk-tank milk: the gender (p < 0.0001) and the age (p = 0.004) of the veterinarians. The results attest that the application of veterinary advice and clinical services in sheep and goat dairy farms contributes to the improved health, production and welfare of animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Texas is the third-largest milk-producing state in the U.S., with Central Texas being the second-largest milk-producing region in Texas. The average size of a dairy herd in Texas is 1829 cows. In Central Texas alone, there are 88,000 dairy cows. However, there is a lack of environmental impact research for this region. The overall objective of this case study is to evaluate the net carbon and carbon equivalent balances for a large dairy operation in Central Texas. The dairy selected for this study has a herd size of 5000 milking cows. The data assumptions were made regarding the selected dairy's performance and production for the 2021 production year. These data include herd size and management, milk production, crop production, feed purchases, and on-farm energy usage. The USDA-Integrated Farm System Model (IFSM) was used to estimate the daily and annual greenhouse gas emissions and environmental footprint of the dairy by quantifying the operation's carbon footprint based on its 2021 performance and management practices. Research outcomes identify and quantify sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced on the dairy farm. Additionally, the carbon footprint (CF) was determined by estimating the CO2 equivalents (CO2-eq) emitted or sunk from animal and manure emissions, direct and indirect land emissions, net biogenic and anthropogenic CO2 emissions, and the production of resource inputs. The results of this case study indicated that the carbon footprint (CF) of the 5000-milking-head dairy in Central Texas was 0.40 lb. of CO2 per lb. of fat- and protein-corrected milk (FPCM) when considering biogenic CO2 and 0.83 lb. of CO2 per lb. of FPCM without biogenic CO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes an innovative framework to describe sustainable transitions of food systems while considering simultaneously socio-economic and environmental issues, in a just transition perspective. This framework (i) describes the structural changes needed for a sustainable transition in food systems; (ii) assess their effects on employment at the farm and processing industry level; (iii) detect the political levers needed to make this transition a just one—that is, preserving jobs and livelihoods for communities. Using the decarbonation pathway for the agricultural sector issued from the French National Low-Carbon Strategy as reference, we developed two scenarios for the French dairy sector which have the same level of climate ambitious, but a different approach to reach the target. Aiming exclusively to achieve a greenhouse gases reduction, the first scenario relies only on supply side measures. This scenario has a negative impact in terms of employment loss at the farm level and in the agri-food sector. In contrast, a multifunctional scenario considering simultaneously climate, biodiversity, health, and employment issues, and playing with policy measures targeting supply, demand and market organisation can maintain jobs in the farm and agri-food sector, contributes to restore the agro-biodiversity and develops food products compatible with healthy nutritional guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to analyse the technical efficiency (TE) of dairy farms and find its determinants. To accomplish this problem, the Stochastic Frontier Analysis was applied. The data were obtained from the Farm Accountancy Data Network database for dairy farms (TF15-45—Specialist dairying) for 2004–2019. Dairy farms were divided into four clusters according to their physical size (number of livestock units per farm) and economic size (standard output per farm). The largest farms by physical and economic size are located in Denmark and Cyprus. The smallest, in comparison, are in Bulgaria, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Austria, Poland, Romania, and Slovenia. Farms in the EU are relatively technically efficient, i.e., they use their resources efficiently to produce maximum output (production). However, they have the potential to achieve better economic results and be more competitive, as the size of farms' is not fully optimised. The abolition of the milk quota can be considered a factor in improving technical efficiency, as the indicator is higher after the abolition. New and old member states have almost comparable technical efficiency levels (the p-value of the t-test is 0.463), with old members having slightly higher level TE. Subsidies have contradictory effects on TE. Farm efficiency with higher subsidies per cow is higher for farms with €51–100/cow. However, as subsidies increase, TE decreases. Only the group of farms with the highest subsidies has a higher TE. More diversified farms are more technically efficient than specialised farms. Milk yield did not influence the analysed indicator. The analysis results can serve the stakeholders as a tool for modelling future agricultural policy, as the European farms are very heterogenous and show different conditions and economic outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Prototheca algae are among the primary agents of bovine mastitis, incurring significant losses to the dairy industry related to a decrease in milk quality and yield, premature culling, and early replacement of infected cows. To date, there is no effective therapy for bovine mammary protothecosis. Here, the in vitro algaecide activity of quaternary ammonium (QA), a sanitizer used for animal and human purposes, was observed in Prototheca algae isolated from mastitic cows, indicating the potential use of this compound as an antiseptic/disinfectant for milking facilities and surrounding environmental areas. The in vitro algaecide activity of quaternary ammonium (QA) against Prototheca isolated from bovine clinical mastitis was investigated, in which the clinical severity was scored, milk samples were subjected to microbiological culture, and algal species were identified by molecular typing. A total of 4275 milk clinical samples of different cows from ten large dairy farms were used. Forty-four (1%) samples of cows from three dairy farms yielded growth of Prototheca, of which 88.6% (39/44) were identified as Prototheca bovis and 11.3% (5/44) as Prototheca sp. by MALDI-TOF MS, whereas 100% of the isolates were identified as P. bovis using PCR sequencing of the cytb gene. Among cows for which clinical severity scoring was available, 78.8% (26/33) and 21.2% (7/33) had mild and moderate infections, respectively, whereas no animal showed severe clinical signs. The algaecide activity of QA in Prototheca was observed in low concentrations among all isolates, in 20.4% (9/44) at 35 ppm, 36.4% (16/44) at 17 ppm, and 43.2% (19/44) at an 8 ppm, in addition to activity on three reference Prototheca strains. Overall, the study highlights the predominance of P. bovis as the causative agent of algal mastitis in bovines. Prototheca induced abnormalities preponderantly in the milk and mammary gland tissue of cows, and to our knowledge, our study is the first to apply clinical severity scoring in protothecal mastitis. In addition, the study underlines the activity of QA in low concentrations against Prototheca, indicating its potential use as an antiseptic/disinfectant in milking facilities and dairy environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Dairy farms vary in their management practices, which may affect the incidence of mastitis and milk quality. The current study aims to describe different management practices in Egyptian dairies that may influence mastitis and milk quality. An in-person survey was conducted on 20 randomly selected Egyptian dairies. The questionnaire included questions about herd demographics, mastitis status and control, milking practices, and management practices of the study dairies. Most of the surveyed dairies had less than 500 lactating cows, with Holstein as the main cow breed. The average milk production in the study herds was 31.1 (SE ± 1.10) Kg/cow/day with open lots as the pen design for housing of lactating, dry, and close-up cows. Most of the study dairies milked their cows three times per day with herringbone as the most common parlor design. The study dairies used iodine as the most common disinfectant for both pre- and post-milking teat dip, with more than 50% of the dairies reporting that their milkers wore gloves during milking. The study dairies followed different milk quality management practices with 95% having reported inspection of udder health through visual inspection, 87% inspected udder hygiene score, and 72% inspected teat end scores. The diagnosis of subclinical mastitis was performed on 55% of the study dairies using CMT. Mastitis was reported at 52% of the milking herd, with 45.2% of the study herds having reported contagious mastitis pathogens. The main source for replacements was through importation of pregnant heifers. Milk production continues to be the main source of income for dairy producers, and mastitis continues to be the major health challenge for dairy cows worldwide. The objective of the current study was to describe the different management practices implemented in Egyptian dairies, which may influence mastitis and improve milk quality. An in-person survey was completed with herd managers and owners of 20 Egyptian dairies selected using a stratified random sample from four of Egypt's milk sheds. The questionnaire included 80 questions that inquired about herd demographics, mastitis status and control, milking practices, and management practices of the study dairies. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, multiple factor analysis (MFA), and hierarchical clustering to identify the important principal components and different dairy clusters. Of the surveyed herds, 69.50% had less than 500 lactating cows, with Holstein as the main cow breed. The reported average milk production on the study herds was 31.1 (SE ± 1.10) Kg/cow/day. Housing of lactating, dry, and close-up cows was in open lots. The majority of the dairies milked cows were three times per day (90.63%), the remaining milked cows four (5.00%) or a mix of four and three times per day. Furthermore, herringbone parlor design was the most common parlor design (66.79%) in the study dairies. The most common disinfectants used for both pre- and post-milking teat dip were iodine-based, 90.0% and 95.0%, respectively, while 52.16% of the dairies reported that their milkers wore gloves during milking. The reported mean annual percentage of mastitis was 52.3%, as a percent of the milking herd. The study dairies reported the inspection of udder health through either visual inspection (95.00%), udder hygiene score (86.88%), teat end score (71.88%), and/or using CMT (54.91%). Contagious mastitis pathogens were reported in 45.2% of the study herds. More than 50% of the study herds relied on importing pregnant cows or pregnant heifers as replacements. Multiple factor analysis identified 20 questions and represented 5 components of variability related to mastitis on dairies. The current survey of Egyptian dairies described the herd demographics and different management practices related to mastitis control and prevention. All the study dairies relied on the blanket intramammary antimicrobial drugs at dry off when current research elsewhere has identified selective dry cow therapy as an integral component of antimicrobial stewardship on dairies. Further research is required to identify the association between different management factors and the occurrence of mastitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The achlorophyllous unicellular microalga of the genus Prototheca, a causative agent of bovine mammary gland infection, is receiving increasing attention in the field of veterinary medicine. Mastitis caused by these algae leads to significant economic losses for farmers worldwide and represents a source of threat to raw milk quality and dairy food-chain safety. This case report describes an outbreak of bovine mastitis in dairy cattle caused by Prototheca bovis and the on-farm practices that resulted in the recovery of the affected herd and elimination of the presence of Prototheca spp. in the farm environment. Effective management strategies that played a crucial role in protothecosis eradication included regular screening, timely identification, strict separation of Prototheca-positive cows, a change of housing regime associated with the utilisation of straw mattresses and removal of deep bedding and, finally, the introduction of intermediate disinfection of teat cups with peracetic acid to prevent the spread of infection to other healthy individuals. The eradication process lasted approximately three years and required the removal of 139 cows from the farm. The corrective and preventive measures described in this case report provide guidance to farmers on how to successfully deal with protothecal mastitis on farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the impact of different calf rearing systems on calf health, behavior, meat quality, and oxidative stability. The study involved two groups of bull calves: conventionally penned calves (control, fed with use of automatic feeders) and calves reared alongside foster cows (experimental). The presence of foster cows was found to have a significant positive influence on calf health. Calves raised with foster cows experienced lower rates of diarrhea, delayed instances of coughing, and a reduced occurrence of rhinitis compared to conventionally reared calves. Behavioral observations revealed differences in sucking and licking behaviors between the two groups. Calves with foster cows displayed more consistent patterns of these behaviors, while conventionally reared calves exhibited greater variability. Additionally, the experimental group consistently achieved higher daily weight gains, suggesting the potential for larger and more valuable carcasses at slaughter. Importantly, there were no significant differences in the quality of veal between the two rearing groups. This included fatty acid composition, color attributes, and myoglobin levels, indicating consistent meat quality. In summary, this research highlights the advantages of rearing systems that prioritize calf health and behavior, emphasizing maternal care and natural behaviors. Such systems hold promise for improving calf welfare and enhancing the sustainability of the meat production industry. The integration of foster cows into dairy farming practices emerges as a practical and effective approach, particularly for the rearing of bull calves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studying the distribution characteristics of bioaerosols and their interaction with the environment is crucial for dairy farms. The distribution of aerosols differs in dairy farming from farming of other livestock, and their sensitivity to environmental factors varies across sites. Field experiments were conducted in an intensive commercial dairy farm in Northern China to investigate the horizontal and vertical distribution of culturable bacterial bioaerosols. Concentration levels and particle size ranges were analyzed, and the impact of multiple environmental factors on culturable bacterial bioaerosols was assessed. Significant variations in culturable bacterial bioaerosol concentrations were observed across eight functional zones, ranging from 1.14 × 103 to 7.35 × 103 CFU/m3. Culturable bacterial bioaerosols exhibited consistent carrier distribution patterns across six different size ranges. Vertical analysis revealed significantly higher culturable bacterial bioaerosol concentrations at a 1 m height compared to 4 m (p < 0.05), while similar size distributions were observed at different heights of the same sampling location. The top three environmental factors influencing culturable bacterial bioaerosol concentrations were PM100 concentration, wind direction, and air temperature. This study provides insights into the distribution characteristics of culturable bacterial bioaerosols on dairy farms and their response to environmental factors. The findings serve as a reference for evaluating bioaerosol emissions and establishing daily disinfection management measures on dairy farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The importance of implementing protective measures is related to herd size because of potentially more external contact and the ability of each animal to get in contact with more animals. Therefore, with an increasing number of animals in cattle herds, biosecurity is becoming increasingly essential. In particular, cattle-adapted diseases, such as Salmonella Dublin, can survive in the environment for an extended period after it has been excreted in the faeces of infectious animals. Therefore, indirect spread mechanisms, such as the movement of bacteria by contaminated equipment from farm to farm with the risk of contaminating the cow environment and food before oral intake by other animals, become more important. Additionally, the ability to survive in the environment can enhance the risk of the bacteria becoming established as an infection within the herd if improper management procedures compromise hygiene. In this study, we designed an approach and a tool based on existing knowledge, which could be used in further research studies to evaluate the risk of some dairy herds becoming infected compared with others. 'The assessment can be performed through observation of farms (~1 h) and interviews with the farmers (~1 h). This can help reduce the spread of harmful bacteria in dairy cattle production. An increasing average herd size and complexity in farm structures call for a higher level of biosecurity. It can reduce the risk of introducing and establishing pathogens with multiple-pathway and indirect spread mechanisms, such as Salmonella Dublin, a pathogen with an increasing occurrence in dairy cattle farms across different countries and continents. Therefore, this study aimed to use existing knowledge to develop a framework with a supporting tool allowing for a time-efficient, yet comprehensive, assessment of biosecurity measures that can help prevent the introduction and establishment of S. Dublin in dairy herds. Based on the literature review, a seven-step biosecurity assessment framework was developed and evaluated in collaboration with biosecurity experts. The resulting framework includes a weighted semi-quantitative assessment method with a scoring guide in an electronic supporting tool for 12 biosecurity sections assessed through on-farm observations and farmer interviews. The framework and tool provide a novel approach to comprehensively assess the overall (mainly external) on-farm biosecurity level by a trained biosecurity assessor. They can be used for systematic data collection in epidemiological studies on risk factors for the introduction and establishment of S. Dublin in dairy farms. Preliminary interrater reliability testing indicated moderate reliability between assessors with varying biosecurity skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Selective dry cow therapy involves giving local antibiotic treatment into the udder only to those cows which are likely to be infected with a mastitis-causing organism, while uninfected cows receive an internal teat sealant only, a physical barrier inserted into the teat to prevent infections entering the udder via the teat canal. The application of teat sealant only without antibiotics can induce infections into the udder if not done hygienically, and veterinarians should be training farmers in hygienic application. Therefore, veterinary students have to be trained in the technique themselves, and farmers may be concerned about allowing students to practice on their cows. This study follows up cows dried off by farm staff and students on a single dairy farm and compares several parameters indicative of mastitis and also looks into the survival of cows in the herd. There is no indication that cows perform worse when dried off by students under close supervision, and the risk of culling within twelve months was lower in cows dried off by students. (1) Background: Selective dry cow therapy is widely promoted in many countries worldwide, however, concerns have been raised about the consequences of the unhygienic application of preparations by untrained operators, especially if no antimicrobials are being used, risking deteriorating mastitis outcomes. (2) Method: This study follows up on cows being dried off by farm staff and those dried off by final-year veterinary students and first-year graduate interns in a supervised training session. Subsequent mastitis parameters and culling data in a single herd with a low somatic cell count were evaluated. (3) Results: A total of 316 dry periods were enrolled in the study. There was no significant difference in the percentage of cows showing at least one high SCC reading within 90 days of the following lactation or cows with at least one case of clinical mastitis within the same period, neither in the total nor in the subset of cows dried off without an antimicrobial. Dry period cure rates and dry period new infection rates were similar too, as was the percentage of cows surviving in the herd after six months. The risk of culling within twelve months post-drying off was lower in cows dried off by students, the difference in survival manifesting itself from 150 days post-drying off, which is an unexplained finding. (4) Conclusion: Well-supervised practical training sessions on drying off routine can be responsibly implemented on well-managed commercial dairy herds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The rising cost of canola meal has led dairy producers and nutritionists to explore alternative protein sources, such as solvent-extracted dried distillers grains with solubles (SDG). Adding SDG to a ration can potentially minimize feed costs while maximizing production efficiency; however, no research has yet compared the economic impact of feeding cows canola meal vs. SDG. The nutrient profile diversity between fincanola meal and SDG may be helpful when meeting metabolizable protein requirements for dairy cattle. The removal of corn oil from dried distillers grains using solvent extraction allows a higher level of inclusion for solvent-extracted dried distillers grains with solubles (SDG) in rations and reduces the risk of milk fat depression in lactating Holstein dairy cows. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of substituting 70% of the canola meal (CM) with SDG on milk production and total mixed ration costs. A total of 1408 Holstein cows averaging 91 ± 49 days in milk were randomly enrolled to one of four dietary treatment groups: (1) primiparous control cows (PC) fed 13% CM and 0.21% urea; (2) primiparous SDG cows (PSDG) fed 4.2% CM, 8.8% SDG and 0.42% urea; (3) multiparous control cows (MC) with 13% CM and 0.21% urea; and (4) multiparous SDG cows (MSDG) with 4.1% CM, 8.6% SDG and 0.42% urea. The total mixed rations were formulated to be isonitrogenous. For the income over the feed costs from a control herd, the fed PC and MC's total mixed rations and the fed PSDG and MSDG's total mixed rations were compared. The milk yield, energy-corrected milk, milk fat yield, milk protein yield and milk protein % were lower in the PC cows compared to the PSDG cows. The MSDG cows scored lower in terms of the milk yield, milk protein yield and milk protein % and higher for the 3.5%-fat-corrected milk, milk fat yield and milk fat % compared to the MC cows. The total income, cost of dry matter and income over feed costs per cow/d were higher in the control vs. SDG simulated dairy herds. The control herd had a higher income over feed costs than the SDG herd because the average milk yield per cow/d was higher even though the SDG herd had a lower total mixed ration cost and higher milk fat production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The impact of pair compared to individual housing of pre-weaning calves has previously demonstrated benefits in terms of socialization and calf development. This study aimed to investigate the impacts of individual and pair housing on a UK commercial dairy farm and establish further behavioural impacts that housing groups can have on calves. Overall, we found an increase in the activity of pair-housed calves, with individually housed calves spending more time with their head out of the front of the pen, as well as spending longer engaged in self-grooming. There was no impact of housing type on average daily liveweight gain, but there was an increase in disease prevalence in individually housed calves, possibly due to the impact of stress induced by social isolation. Overall, pair housing had a positive impact on the health and behaviour of calves on a commercial UK dairy farm. Social pair housing of calves has previously demonstrated positive impacts for calves, so this study aimed to compare the health and behaviour of calves kept in individual compared to pair housing on a single commercial UK dairy farm. A total of 457 Holstein and Jersey heifer calves were recruited and systematically allocated to individual and pair housing. Weekly visits were conducted up to 8 weeks of age, with weight and presence of clinical disease measured using both a standardized scoring system and thoracic ultrasonography. A subset of calves (n = 90) had accelerometers attached to monitor activity, with CCTV placed above a further 16 pens to allow behavioural assessments to be made via continuous focal sampling at 1 and 5 weeks of age. During the study, there was a mortality rate of 2.8%, and an average daily liveweight gain (ADLG) of 0.72 kg/day, with no significant effect of housing group (p = 0.76). However, individually housed calves had increased odds of developing disease (OR = 1.88, p = 0.014). Accelerometer data showed that housing group had no effect on lying times, with a mean of 18 h 11 min per day (SD 39 min) spent lying down. The motion index was significantly higher in pair-housed calves (F1,83 = 440.3, p < 0.01), potentially due to more social play behaviour. The total time engaged in non-nutritive oral behaviours (NNOBs) was not impacted by housing group (p = 0.72). Pair-housed calves split their time conducting NNOBs equally between inanimate objects and on their pen mates' body. Individually housed calves spent significantly more time with their head out of the front of the pen (p = 0.006), and also engaged in more self-grooming than pair-housed calves (p = 0.017), possibly due to a lack of socialization. The overall findings of this study indicate that within a UK commercial dairy management system, pair-housed calves were healthier and more active than individually housed calves, while housing group did not influence ADLG or the occurrence of NNOBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most valuable and nutritionally essential agricultural commodities worldwide is milk. The European Union and New Zealand are the second- and third-largest exporting regions of milk products and rely heavily on pasture-based production systems. They are comparable to the Australian systems investigated in this study. With projections of herd decline, increased milk yield must be obtained from a combination of animal genetics and feed efficiencies. Accurate pasture biomass estimation across all seasons will improve feed efficiency and increase the productivity of dairy farms; however, the existing time-consuming and manual methods of pasture measurement limit improvements to utilisation. In this study, Sentinel-2 (S2) band and spectral index (SI) information were coupled with the broad season and management-derived datasets using a Random Forest (RF) machine learning (ML) framework to develop a perennial ryegrass (PRG) biomass prediction model accurate to +/−500 kg DM/ha, and that could predict pasture yield above 3000 kg DM/ha. Measurements of PRG biomass were taken from 11 working dairy farms across southeastern Australia over 2019–2021. Of the 68 possible variables investigated, multiple simulations identified 12 S2 bands and 9 SI, management and season as the most important variables, where Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) bands were the most influential in predicting pasture biomass above 4000 kg DM/ha. Conditional Latin Hypercube Sampling (cLHS) was used to split the dataset into 80% and 20% for model calibration and internal validation in addition to an entirely independent validation dataset. The combined internal model validation showed R2 = 0.90, LCCC = 0.72, RMSE = 439.49 kg DM/ha, NRMSE = 15.08, and the combined independent validation had R2 = 0.88, LCCC = 0.68, RMSE = 457.05 kg DM/ha, NRMSE = 19.83. The key findings of this study indicated that the data obtained from the S2 bands and SI were appropriate for making accurate estimations of PRG biomass. Furthermore, including SWIR bands significantly improved the model. Finally, by utilising an RF ML model, a single 'global' model can automate PRG biomass prediction with high accuracy across extensive regions of all seasons and types of farm management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study aimed to determine the levels of various hormones and metabolites in the blood of Holstein dairy cows during the crucial transition period, 7 days before parturition and a further 14 and 21 days postparturition, exploring the link between pregnancy probability after first artificial insemination and during the first 100 days in milk. The cows were split into two subgroups, those that were diagnosed as pregnant and those that did not conceive after further attempts at artificial insemination. The results showed that the levels of IGF-1 and progesterone exhibited significant differences among the two subgroups, which could have a diagnostic value in predicting pregnancy. These findings are relevant for dairy farm management, as they provide new information about the hormones and metabolites that affect the health and reproductive performance of dairy cows. The purpose of this study was to determine the link between insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), progesterone (PROG), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), and glucose (GLU) and pregnancy probability after the first artificial insemination (AI) and during the first 100 days in milk (DIM), during the critical transition period. We determined levels of serum IGF-1, PROG, NEFA, BHB, and GLU in Holstein dairy cows via ELISA, using blood samples collected 7 days before parturition (DAP) until 21 days postparturition (DPP). The group was split into cows diagnosed pregnant at 100 DIM (PREG) and those that did not conceive at 100 and 150 DIM (NPREG). Serum IGF-1 and PROG median levels at 7 DAP were significantly higher in PREG vs. NPREG (p = 0.029), the only statistically significant differences across the subgroups. At 7 DAP, IGF-1 levels within the initial group showed a strong negative correlation with PROG (r = −0.693; p = 0.006), while for the PREG subgroup, the IGF-1 levels exhibited a very strong positive correlation with GLU (r = 0.860; p = 0.011) and NEFA (r = 0.872; p = 0.013). IGF-1 and PROG levels detected at 7 DAP may be useful to predict pregnancy at 100 DIM. The positive correlation of NEFA and GLU levels during the transition period demonstrates that the initial group is not in NEB; thus, the NEFA level was not a decisive factor for reproduction success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Butyric acid producing clostridia (BAPC) cause the so-called late-blowing defect, a serious quality problem in semi-hard and hard cheeses. Late-blown cheeses are characterized by undesired slits and cracks, irregular eyes, and off-flavors due to excessive amounts of gas and organic acids produced by clostridia. Clostridial transfer to raw milk can occur during milking through dirty teats. Therefore, teat cleaning before milking is a key factor in preventing clostridial contamination of the milk. However, different cleaning methods are used, and little information is available on the efficacy of routine teat cleaning in reducing clostridial endospores. The main objectives of this study were to assess the extent of udder contamination with BAPC spores and to investigate the efficacy of routine teat cleaning on BAPC spore counts in milk. In a longitudinal study, eight dairy farms were visited during five sampling events. Clostridial spore counts were quantified from teat skin before and after routine teat cleaning, in pooled quarter milk samples from individual cows, and in bulk tank milk samples using a most probable number method. In addition, farm management data were collected periodically through a survey, and average cow cleanliness was assessed by a veterinarian. On average, teat cleaning resulted in a 0.6 log unit reduction in BAPC spores on teat skin, and a strong positive correlation was found between BAPC spore concentrations on teat skin after cleaning and in pooled quarter milk samples. Seasonal variations and the potential influence of differences in farm management were also noted. Interestingly, average cow cleanliness correlated strongly with BAPC spore levels in milk, suggesting the potential for a quick and rough estimation method of clostridial contamination that could be implemented by farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Buffalo breeding has high economic, cultural, and historic importance around the world. In Italy, most of the farms are located in the Campania region with 58.4% of herds and 66.6% of animals mainly milked for the production of "Buffalo Mozzarella Cheese". The neonatal period is very critical for buffalo calves and is often characterized by a high mortality rate, therefore, it is fundamental to ensure optimal passive immunity within the first few days of life. For these reasons, the intake and absorption of colostral immunoglobulins are critical to attain passive protection against infectious diseases. As a consequence, the management and administration of colostrum are also critical since its characteristics need to be preserved to guarantee its efficacy. In this review, the composition, characteristics, and management of dairy buffalo calves were examined and compared with bovines. The neonatal period is critical for buffalo calves and is characterized by a high mortality rate (more than 40%). The early intake of high-quality colostrum (IgG > 50 mg/mL) is the one way to improve the immune system of calves (serum IgG > 10 mg/mL after 12 h), thus increasing their chances of survival. Mainly in intensive farms, the availability of high-quality colostrum is necessary; thus, good quality colostrum is often stored to provide newborn calves which cannot be fed by their mothers. Also, the manipulation of the immunological status of animals through vaccination has been depicted since the quality of colostrum tended to be influenced by vaccination against pathogens. Buffalo breeding is constantly expanding in Italy, mainly thanks to the Mozzarella cheese production that represents the excellence of the "Made in Italy" and is exported worldwide. Indeed, high calf mortality rates directly affect the profitability of the business. For these reasons, the aim of this review was to examine specific research on buffalo colostrum that, compared with other species, are scarce. Improving the knowledge of buffalo colostrum, in terms of characteristics and management, is critical to guarantee buffalo newborns' health in order to reduce their mortality rate. Importantly, considering the knowledge on cattle valid also for buffalo is a widespread, and often erroneous, habit in several fields, including colostrum feeding. Therefore, the two species were compared in this review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]