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The present study aims to characterize buffalo Stracchino cheese (BS) from a sensory point of view and verify how much consumers like it compared with the standard Stracchino cheese obtained from cow milk (CS). Nine panelists specifically trained to evaluate Stracchino cheese were used to conduct a quantitative descriptive sensory analysis, whereas 80 untrained consumers balanced for gender participated in the hedonic consumer test. Stracchino appearance was affected by milk type with higher intensities perceived for BS in terms of whiteness (P

Demographics, anthropometrics, oral responsiveness to sensory stimuli and psycho-attitudinal traits were collected from a representative Italian population sample (n = 2384; 58% women, age 18-60 years) and considered as possible explanatory variables affecting meat liking. Differences in motives underlying individual variation in liking for meat were independently investigated by gender. Three groups of subjects were identified based on liking ratings: Slightly Likers, Likers and Lovers. Both common and gender-specific variables affecting liking for meat were identified. The interest in food (including its rewarding function) and eating experience, low food neophobia and relatively high Body Mass Index characterized meat Lovers irrespective to gender. The careful food selection and the food comforting function further characterized women meat Lovers. Men Slightly Likers were characterized by the interest for health-related food aspects, importance assigned to naturalness and restrained eating. Markers of oral responsiveness were ineffective for describing variation in liking for meat.

Small-medium dairy enterprises may verify the possibility to enhance their margins by shortening the supply chain. We propose a short sequence of marketing actions with the aim to support the inclusion of transformed goods into their productive process. These actions include the assessment of the main factors affecting consumer cheese purchase decision, evaluation of the validity of the association brand product, and identification of the preferred cheese format. Eighty-two consumers were selected. Their motives for purchasing pasta filata cheese were assessed using the food choice questionnaire. They were also asked to rate their preference for 4 different traditional pasta filata cheeses and 3 well-known local cheese brands. The frequency of consumption of 4 different Mozzarella cheese formats (standard Mozzarella, bite-size Mozzarella, cherries, knots or braids) was gathered. One-way ANOVA was used to analyze the food choice questionnaire scores. Purchase intentions were subjected to ANOVA with 2 factors (brand and cheese) and their interaction. The frequencies of consumption of the 4 different Mozzarella formats was analyzed using the χ

We aimed to assess whether the environmental impacts in terms of global warming potential (GWP), acidification potential (AP), eutrophication potential (EP), and land occupation (LO) of beef can be decreased when ecosystem and cultural/provisioning services are included in the evaluation. We used four Italian production systems: Fat, with beef imported calves kept in confinement, CoCaI, with beef cows and calves kept in confinement, SpEx, with beef cows and calves kept on pasture and finishing conducted in confinement, and Pod, with Podolian cows and calves kept on pasture and finishing conducted in confinement. After the economic allocation, the GWP of system Pod decreased considerably and showed values lower than those computed for systems CoCaI and SpEx (P &lt, 0.05 and P &lt, 0.001, respectively). System Pod showed the lowest AP and EP as compared with all the other systems (P &lt, 0.01). Systems Fat and CoCaI showed the smallest LO, with values lower than systems Pod (P &lt, 0.05) and SpEx (P &lt, 0.001). We conclude that the environmental impacts of extensive and local beef production systems in terms of GWP, AP, and EP was markedly reduced when the provision of accessory services was included in the calculation. Conversely, LO did not markedly change due to the high absolute values needed to allow pasture-based feeding. The estimation of additional positive aspects linked to the use of natural pastures, such as removal of carbon dioxide, increased biodiversity, and exploitation of feeds nonedible by humans, may allow a further reduction of LO.

In the near future dairy enterprises will have to meet increasing environmental regulations. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effects on the environment of dairy buffalo farming as affected by two different heifer rearing systems, free-ranging (FR) and confinement (C) using the Life Cycle Assessment approach. The primary data were collected from 32 subjects. The analysis included all of the farming phases (i.e. birth to weaning, weaning to 7–8 months of age, 7–8 months to puberty, puberty to first calving, lactation, dry period). During the heifer phase from 7 to 8 months of age to puberty, sixteen animals were group-housed and confined in an indoor slatted floor pen (4 m2/animal) with an outdoor paddock (4 m2/animal); 16 others were FR on a Mediterranean natural pasture. When pubertal, the animals from system FR were returned to the farm and reunited with the animals from system C. We used 1 kg of fat and protein corrected buffalo milk (FPCM), with a reference milk fat and protein content of 8.3% and 4.73%, respectively, as functional unit. Impact categories investigated were Climate Change (CC), Terrestrial Acidification (TA), Marine Eutrophication (ME), Agricultural land occupation (ALO), Water depletion (WD). At category level system FR showed a reduction of the impact in terms of CC (9%), TA (10%), ME (6%) and WD (11%), whereas ALO was 7% higher as compared to system C. In conclusion, we clearly showed that the conduction of part of dairy buffalo farming (i.e. the unproductive phase from 7 to 8 months of age to puberty) on natural pasture is possible and it also allows the reduction of several sources of pollution while reducing the production costs, hence the economic sustainability. Although this system requires a greater use of land, parameters concerning the quality of land use should be included for a more accurate assessment of this aspect.

Two studies were carried out to assess the effects of seed inoculation by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) coupled to a reduced fertilizer supply on yield, economic benefit and energy balance of maize and sorghum forage cropping. The effect of dietary inclusion of mycorrhizal forages on milk yield was also examined. The control treatments (control maize and control sorghum) were non-mycorrhizal seeds fertilized with recommended doses of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). The inoculated treatments (inoculated maize and inoculated sorghum) were the mycorrhizal seeds fertilized with a half dose of N. For each treatment, two plots, 1.5 ha each, were used. The forages were ensiled and fed to lactating buffaloes (maize) and dairy cows (sorghum). Plant traits and yield parameters were generally found to be higher in inoculated compared to the control plants. Inoculation positively influenced the chemical composition of sorghum silage that resulted in less fibre and more protein and presented higher dry matter degradability. No differences between the control and inoculated maize silages were found. For both inoculated crops, higher profitability (+670 and 732€ for maize and sorghum, respectively), as well as an increment of net energy (+0.24 and 0.60, respectively), and energy use efficiency (+0.53 and 0.85, respectively) were observed. The use of the inoculated silages did not affect milk yield. Results suggest that seed inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi combined with the low rate of fertilizers could be a viable solution to increase the eco-efficiency and profitability in forage production without affecting forage quality and lactating cow productivity.

Livestock production, particularly beef supply chain, is charged as the major contributor to green-house gas (GHG) emissions, as well as, in land degradation and deforestation. Environmental impacts per kg of edible beef, however, vary largely due to differences in beef production systems. Thus, this study aimed to compare the cradle-to-farm gate sustainability of four different Italian beef production systems, in terms of land occupation (LO, m2/year), global warming (GWP, kg CO2 -eq), water depletion (WD, m3), acidification (AP, g SO2 -eq) and eutrophication (EP, g NO3 -eq) potentials by using the LCA methodology (SimaPro 8.01 PhD, PRé Consultants). The primary data were obtained from 25 farms: 7 farms conducting cow–calf operations, with specialized beef cattle maintained on pasture and finished in confinement, (Specialized extensive, SE); 6 farms conducting high grain fattening of specialized beef breed imported calves (Fattening systems, FS); 5 farms conducting cow-calf operations, with specialized beef animals constantly kept in confinement (Cow-calf intensive; CCI); 7 farms conducting cow–calf operations, with Podolian cattle (a native breed of Southern Italy) maintained on pasture and finished in confinement, (Podolian system; PoS). The functional unit was 1 kg of live weight of marketed beef cattle. Intensive systems (i.e. CCI and FS) showed lower GWP values than systems partially based on pasture such as PoS, and even SE (17.62 ± 1.78 and 21.94 ± 1.95 kg CO2 –eq vs 26.30 ± 1.65 and 25.41 ± 1.65 kg CO2 –eq, P

In western countries buffaloes are emerging as an alternative species for dairy product differentiation. In the near future dairy enterprises will have to meet increasing environmental regulations. Life Cycle Assessment has been widely used to assess the environmental impact of different milk production systems. We aimed to examine the environmental consequences of two dairy buffalo heifer farming systems using the Life Cycle Assessment approach. The primary data were collected from 32 subjects aged 7–8 months at the start of the experiment until they reached the age of puberty in about 12 months (i.e. at the age of 19–20 months). Sixteen animals were group-housed and confined in an indoor slatted floor pen (4 m2/animal) with an outdoor paddock (4 m2/animal); 16 others free-ranged on a Mediterranean natural pasture. The environmental charges for global warming potential expressed in terms of total emissions of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-eq) was 35.7% less in the free-ranging system as compared with the confined system. The main source of pollution for the confined system was biogenic methane (total amount produced = 2012 kg CO2-eq) followed by CO2 from fossil fuels (total amount produced = 1006 kg CO2-eq). The environmental charges for acidification potential, eutrophication potential and non-renewable energy use were 86.3%. 60.0% and 81.4% lower in the free-ranging system compared with the confined system, respectively. In the confined system the largest pollutant in terms of acidification potential was ammonia, whereas nitrate leaching in water (total amount produced = 3311 g SO2-eq) and the use of crude oil (total amount consumed = 5684 MJ-eq) were the most relevant for eutrophication potential and non-renewable energy use, respectively. Our results represent the first example of study comparing the environmental impact of an intensive dairy farming system with an alternative natural pasture based system in the Mediterranean region and suggest that the conduction of the unproductive part of the cycle on natural pasture can promote the reduction of several sources of pollution both in atmosphere and in water. Conversely, land occupation was higher in the free-ranging system as compared with the confined system (20,349 vs 1381 m2 year, respectively). However, the software and the database used for this calculation only considered duration of land use and yield per area unit, whereas no relevance was given to the quality of land use in terms of animal welfare promotion, contribution to biodiversity conservation, and maintenance of economically active social communities. Therefore, we suggest that the estimation of the impact categories related to land occupation would include aspects concerning the nature of the land.

The aim of this paper was to examine the environmental consequences of raising buffalo calves, as assessed by life cycle assessment. Life cycle assessment has been widely used to assess the environmental impact of different livestock production systems. The primary data were collected from 32 animals aged 0-90 days. Calves were allowed to uptake colostrum before separation from their mothers within 24-h after birth. After separation, the animals were kept individually (1 x 2 m) for 8 weeks and then housed in groups of 8 in straw-bedded pens (5 x 8 m). According to the results of the analysis, the contributions from all calves to global warming potential, acidification potential, eutrophication potential, non-renewable energy use was high. In particular, the impact generated from global warm potential was 7 kg CO2 – eq per day, and the impact of non-renewable energy use was 38 MJ – eq per day. Our results estimated for the first time the environmental impact generated from buffalo calves. We conclude that the strategies to mitigate the effects on the environment impact must start from the birth of the buffalo calves and then continue throughout its life cycle.

The aim of this study was to determine the timing of ovulation in relation to the LH peak after synchronization using PRID or Ovsynch protocols, to assess the effects of the period of treatment on these parameters and to provide information concerning how to use the two main protocols for fixed-time artificial insemination in buffalo. Forty-eight lactating Italian Mediterranean buffalo cows were used. The buffaloes were treated in various periods as follows: February to March (n = 12 PRID, n = 12 Ovsynch), end of the breeding season, May to June (n = 12 PRID, n = 12 Ovsynch), beginning of low-breeding season according to Italian environmental conditions. To determine the LH, blood samples were taken at 4-hour intervals, starting 24 hours from PRID removal (PRID group) or 12 hours from (PGF2α) injection (Ovsynch group) up to 108 hours. The ovaries were monitored by transrectal ultrasonography to verify ovulation. The LH–ovulation interval was similar in both groups (30.10 ± 1.05 and 32.77 ± 1.15 hours, respectively, in PRID and Ovsynch group). In the PRID group, the timing of ovulation in relation to device removal was 76.83 ± 3.65 hours with a high level of variability among the animals. In the Ovsynch group, we observed a better synchronization of LH peaks and ovulations, and the timing of ovulation in relation to the last GnRH injection was 35.67 ± 1.15 hours. The percentage of animals reaching the LH peak and ovulation was lower (P ≤ 0.05) in May to June (respectively 75.0% and 54.1%) compared to February to March (respectively 95.8% and 83.3%), indicating a reduction of hypothalamus–pituitary responsiveness to the synchronization treatments in the daylight-lengthening period.

This study aimed to assess the effect of a dietary supplementation rich in n-3 fatty acids from algae (Schizochytrium sp.) on cow immune-competence and milk quality. Twenty-one lactating Italian Friesian cows (at 220±20 days of lactation) were equally allocated to 3 treatments: group C received no supplementation, group D was offered 136 g of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) per day and group E was supplemented with 136 g of DHA + 2000 U.I. of vitamin E per day. Individual milk production was recorded weekly and samples were collected for analysis of milk composition and fatty acid profile. At the end of the trial and 2 weeks later animals were subcutaneously injected with 5 mg of keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH), whereas at the end of the trial and 8 weeks later skinfold thickness was measured after intradermal injection with 500 mg phytohaemagglutinin. Dietary treatment showed no effect on milk production. Concentrations of DHA were higher (P

The carbon footprint (CF) of milk produced in six Italian Mediterranean Buffalo farms was estimated through a simplified Life Cycle Assessment. Functional unit was 1 kg of fat and protein corrected milk (FPCM).The farms were characterized by high levels of inputs, as purchased feeds, chemical fertilizers and fossil fuels. Average cultivated area was 53.2 ha; the forage system was based mainly on maize silage, immediately followed by Italian ryegrass and/or whole cereal silage. Average herd size was 360 and the average FPCM per lactating buffalo was 3563 kg/year with an average milk fat and protein percentage of 8.24 and 4.57 respectively. The CF assessment was from cradle to farm gate. The greenhouse gases (GHG) that were taken into account were CH 4 from enteric fermentations, CH 4 from manure in the stable and in the tank; N 2 O from nitrification and denitrification processes in the manure before application into the soil and N 2 O produced after organic and synthetic fertilizer application; direct emissions of CO 2 from the fossil fuels combustion within the farms and indirect emissions of CO 2 deriving from production of electricity, off-farm feeds, synthetic fertilizers and other minor inputs. Carbon footprint of 1 kg of FPCM was 3.75 kg CO 2 eq. Main sources of GHG are enteric CH 4 (45%) and indirect CO 2 eq (25%). Besides enteric CH 4 , the farm activity that gives the highest contribution to milk CF is on-farm feed production, with 34% on total greenhouse gas emissions (TGE). Carbon footprint with economic allocation (CFea) was estimated by considering the live-weight of males calves and culled cows: its value was 3.60 kg CO 2 eq. If the economic value of the increase of the herd size is considered in the assessment, CFea decreases to 3.45 or 3.27 kg CO 2 eq with an increase of 10% or 20% of the number of mature buffalos.

The purpose of the present study was to assess the effect of grazing on meat quality of young Podolian bulls by using 6 free-ranging (FR) and 6 confined (CON) animals slaughtered at 18 mo of age (Exp. 1). A second experiment (Exp. 2) was performed the subsequent year where the age at slaughter was 15 mo of age (6 animals/group). Quantitative descriptive sensory analysis, water-holding capacity (WHC; thawing, centrifugation, and cooking losses), and shear force (only in Exp. 2) were evaluated on LM, aged 8 d. Both experiments showed that CON animals produced beef with greater overall beef flavor (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05 in Exp. 1 and 2, respectively) and odor intensities (P < 0.10 and P < 0.05 in Exp. and 1 and 2, respectively) and increased malondialdehyde contents (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05 in Exp. 1 and 2, respectively). In Exp. 2 beef from FR bulls showed higher sensory tenderness as compared with CON bulls (P < 0.05) and a lower shear force (P < 0.05). In Exp. 1, beef obtained from FR bulls showed lower centrifugation and greater thawing losses compared with samples from bulls from group CON (P < 0.05) whereas rearing system did not affect any WHC variables in Exp. 2. The results obtained from the 2 experiments were generally consistent. The different results occasionally observed (e.g., sensory tenderness and WHC) is attributed to the different ages at slaughter used in the 2 experiments (18 and 15 mo). In particular, at an earlier age at slaughter (15 mo) the effect of FR on meat quality was beneficial on sensory tenderness and mechanical properties. Therefore, given the additional costs of maintaining the bulls for another 3 mo when slaughtered at 18 mo of age, a reduced age at slaughter of FR bulls may be suggested to avoid the decrement of herbage mass availability inducing the consumption of high amounts of concentrate.

This review deals with the behaviour of river buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis), in confinement and in extensive conditions, also focusing on the effects of different housing and rearing conditions on their welfare. The behavioural repertoire expressed by buffaloes in extensive and intensive conditions is similar to those displayed by other domestic ruminants. However, through natural selection, buffaloes have also acquired several morphological, physiological and behavioural (i.e. wallowing) adaptations to hot climatic conditions. Buffaloes kept in intensive conditions and having no access to pasture and water for wallowing extend their periods of idling and are less often involved in investigative activities. Confinement is also associated with a reduction of space; however, no specific studies have been carried out to determine the specific requirements of this species. Space restriction can adversely affect various aspects of buffalo welfare, such as health (increased levels of lesions and injuries), social behaviour (increased number of agonistic interactions) and heat dissipation. The buffaloes, originating from tropical areas, are well adapted to large variations in food availability and quality, and to dietetic unbalances. As to human animal relationship, it has been observed that the incidence of stepping and kicking behaviour of buffaloes in the milking parlour is positively correlated with the frequency of oxytocin injections, whereas the frequency of positive stockperson interactions with the animals such as talking quietly, petting and gentle touching are negatively correlated with the number of kicks during milking. Data from farms where both dairy cattle and buffaloes are present show that avoidance distance measured in the pen is lower in buffaloes than in cattle. This may be attributed to the fact that buffaloes are generally recognised to be curious animals. Finally, the effects of different farming practices on animal-related indicators are described. However, these measures should be integrated into a monitoring protocol, such as the Welfare Quality® scheme, to reliably assess buffalo welfare in the current intensive farming conditions.

In order to evaluate the degree of adaptability of three native cattle breeds to the natural pastures of southern Italy, the diurnal grazing behavioural pattern was monitored on 84 multiparous cows: 28 Podolian (14 suckling and 14 non-suckling), 28 Chianina (14 suckling and 14 non-suckling) and 28 Romagnola (14 suckling and 14 non-suckling). From August to October 2009 ten sessions of 9 h of behavioural observations were performed, from 07.00 to 19.00 h, through continuous focal animal recording method. Every hour, bite rate was recorded and bite mass and botanical preferences were determined on hand-plucked samples. Chianina cows selected proportionally more percent legumes than Romagnola and Podolian animals (P

Buffalo intensive husbandry represents the most lucrative dairy activity in Campania Region. The main forage crop system used in this area are based on winter Italian reygrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) and spring corn (Zea mays L.). The continuous growing of this crops stressed the soil with a consequent reduction of yield potential. The experiment aimed to assess the agronomic and nutritive feeding value of Italian ryegrasscorn vs other cropping systems (models) based on double rotated legumes and graminaceous crops grown under irrigated and rainfed water supply.

Forage availability with low cost of production is the main farmer requisite for obtaining a competitive husbandry dairy product in the market. Cropping system for silage consumption differently impact the cost of Milk Feeding Unit (MFU) and sustainable agronomic cultivation of herbage production. The experiment aimed to assess the analytical cost of MFU per hectare in four forage cropping system models based on two crops per year bred under irrigated and rainfed condition in a Mediterranean site with intensive buffaloes breeding pressure.

Welfare Quality® is the acronym of an European research project focussing on the integration of animal welfare in the food quality chain: from public concern to improved welfare and transparent quality. The project aims to accommodate societal concerns and market demands, to develop reliable on-farm monitoring systems, product information systems, and practical species-specific strategies to improve animal welfare. Forty-four institutes and universities, representing 20 countries participate in this integrated research project concerning 3 animal species (cattle, pigs and chicken). From 2007 dairy buffalo has been also included in the list. Welfare Quality® has been co-financed by the European Commission, within the 6th Framework Programme. In this paper the development of a monitoring system to assess buffalo welfare is described.

Sixteen pluriparous lactating buffaloes were divided in two groups homogeneous for parity, lactation stage, milk yield and weight. The diets assigned to two groups, based on maize silage (M group) and sorghum silage (S group), had the same energy-protein level (0.90 Milk FU/kg DM and 155 g/kg DM of crude protein). Five records of milk yield and quality during lactation were carried out. The physical-chemical characteristics (pH, fat, protein, lactose and urea), somatic cell count, coagulation properties and nutritional parameters (cholesterol, alfa tocopherol, 13 cis and trans retinol and 13 cis/trans retinol ratio) were analysed. Statistical analysis was performed using a factorial model. The average daily milk yield during experimental period was similar: 9.29 and 9.55 kg respectively in M and S groups. Fat and protein content were not different, while the urea content was significantly different varying from 39.13 mg/dl in M group to 45.55 mg/dl in S group. The coagulation properties, the estimated Mozzarella yield, somatic cell count and the nutritional parameters analysed were not different between the two groups. These results indicate that the sorghum silage diet utilised did not affect the milk yield and quality, then it could be adopted in lactating buffaloes.

In the present review some animal-related indicators, possibly relevant for a monitoring scheme of buffalo cow welfareat the farm level, are suggested. The indicators are discussed on the basis of their validity (meaningful with respect toanimal welfare), reliability (reflecting the tendency to give the same results on repeated measurements) and feasibility(concerning time and money consume). The attention was focused on the following indicators: excessive thinning or fatteningassessed with Body Condition Score (BCS) systems; cleanliness; lameness; resting, social, oral abnormalbehaviours; injuries; stockmanship; animal-human relationship; positive indicators (diversity of lying postures,allogrooming, etc.). We have concluded that some of the indicators validated for cattle could be conveniently applied tobuffaloes without changes (e.g. injuries and avoidance distance), while others should be appropriately adjusted to thisspecies (e.g. BCS, cleanliness, housing factors). In addition, further studies are needed either to find reliable and feasibleregistration methods for some indicators (e.g. aggressive and resting behaviours) or to identify additional parametersspecific for buffaloes (e.g. prevalence of buffalo cows injected with oxytocin during milking as an indicator of thequality of human-animal relationship).

The influence of a dietary supplementation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) during the first and the second phase of lactation on dry matter (DM) intake, organic matter digestibility, milk yield and quality and haematological profile was evaluated in buffalo cows. Lactating buffaloes (n=190), 118.7 days in milk (DIM), were randomly divided into Group C (control, n=95) and Group T (fed diet supplemented with 98 billion CFU of S. cerevisiae, n=95). Eight buffaloes for each group (Groups T1 and C1), 85.4 DIM, were used to study the in vivo digestibility and the haematological profile. No differences were found for DM intake (16.5 kg·day−1) and haematological profile. The SC supplementation increased milk yield (7.9±0.2 vs. 7.4±0.2; Pb0.01) but did not affect milk fat and protein. SC supplementation increased OM digestibility, mainly, in the first phase of lactation (b135 days), thus allowing a higher energy availability for milk yield and reduced fat mobilization.

This study aimed to verify whether consumers confirm their willingness to pay extra costs for higher animal welfare standards in a situation where a potential purchase performed by consumers, such as the Vickrey auction, is used. A 104-member consumer panel was asked to rate its willingness to pay (WTP) for plain and low-fat yogurts in 3 information conditions: tasting without information (blind WTP), information about animal welfare without tasting (expected WTP), tasting with information about animal welfare (actual WTP). Information was provided to the consumers under the form of labels indicating the level of animal cleanliness and freedom of movement (5-point scale, from poor to very good). Consumers were influenced by information about low standards of animal welfare (low cleanliness and low freedom of movement) and moved their willingness to pay in the direction of their expectations. However, the discrepancy between expectancy and actual WTP was not totally assimilated, indicating that WTP was also expressed in relation to other aspects (e.g., the sensory properties of the products). Conversely, the information concerning high standards of animal welfare (high cleanliness and high freedom of movement) was able to affect expectancy but had an effect on actual WTP only when the most acceptable yogurt was offered to the consumers. In the case of discordant information on animal welfare, partly indicating high levels of welfare (freedom of movements) and low levels of welfare (cleanliness), expected WTP was always lower than blind WTP. However, when the least acceptable product was presented, they completely assimilated their actual WTP to the expectations. Conversely, with the most acceptable yogurt, no assimilation occurred and sensory properties prevailed in orienting consumer WTP. Within each product, consumers expressed a higher WTP for products with labels indicating high welfare standards as compared with yogurts with labels reporting intermediate and low welfare standard. These results show that information about animal welfare, if given to the consumers, can be a major determinant of consumer WTP for animal-based food products. However, information about high standards of animal welfare should be paired with products presenting a good eating quality.

In order to achieve an adequate level of tenderness while reducing chilling and technological losses, the effect of two aging methods (on the carcass or under vacuum packaging) on the shelf life (5-day retail display) of meat from eight Podolian young bulls (16–18 months old) was assessed. Most of the recorded variables were not affected by the interaction aging method × time of display (P > 0.05). These results indicate that the shelf life of meat from Podolian cattle was not influenced by the aging method. In both aging methods, redness a* increased after 1 day of display and subsequently decreased (P

The effect of grazing and homeopathic therapy on sheep immune response and milk production was investigated on 40 multiparous Merino derived ewes. Twenty animals were housed in an indoor-bedded pen (P), whereas 20 others were allowed to graze on pasture for 9 h/d (G). P and G animals were fed an equivalent diet in terms of dry matter intake, crude protein percentage and energy concentration. In each group, 10 animals were subjected to unicistic homeopathic treatments (H), while 10 ewes were kept as a control and treated with conventional medicine when necessary (C). The grazing rearing system had a marked positive effect on in vivo cellular immune response (delayed-type hypersensivity to PHA, P < 0.001). Grazing animals produced more milk than the penned ones (1048.00 ± 75.61 kg versus 853.04 ± 67.78 kg, P < 0.05), with increased content of milk fat (7.69 ± 0.15% versus 7.25 ± 0.14%, P < 0.05). Accordingly, blood levels of triglycerides (P < 0.01), urea (P < 0.001) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (P < 0.001) were significantly higher in group G. The homeopathic treatments produced limited effects on the milk production and immune response. However, such treatments reduced the risk of contamination of the products with medicinal traces, as H group received no allopathic treatment.

The aim of this work was to evaluate a possible relationship among the size of preovulatory follicle (PF), the size and ultrasonographic appearance of the corresponding corpus luteum (CL) and the functionality of CL based on plasma progesterone (P4) concentration. Moreover, the relationship among PF size, the CL appearance and functionality, and the conception rate after artificial insemination (AI) was studied. Thirty adult buffaloes were used for this study. The animals were synchronized with PRID+PMSG+PGF2α and artificially inseminated. The ovaries were ultrasonografically examined every 12 h starting from 24 h before the AI until ovulation occurred, and then at day 7,14,21,28,35 to study the CL and to diagnose pregnancy. At the same time, blood sample were collected for P4 determination carried out by RIA. On the basis of echogenic appearance, the corpora lutea (CLs) were classified as belonging to: grade 1, greyish structure bounded by an indistinct border; grade 2: increasing darker grey structure more distinguishable from the ovarian stroma; grade 3: a well defined granular CL, dark grey in colour clearly separated from the stroma. Significative difference was found in the diameter of PF and in that of CL in relation to the CL echogenic appearance. Well defined granular CL, distinguishable from the ovarian stroma and dark grey in colour (grade 3) resulted to have a bigger diameter compared with CLs belonging to a grade 1 or 2, and resulted to derive from a larger PF. Positive correlation was found between plasma P4 concentration and CL diameter. The PF diameter was larger in buffaloes become pregnant after AI respect to the non-pregnant. The CL diameter, also, was significatively larger in the pregnant buffalo in confront to the non-pregnant since the first observation at day 7, while significative difference in P4 value was found starting from day 21 after AI.

Herbage of Mediterranean pastures in the last decade weakened the production with a consequences on livestock and landscape. Fertilizer application was used for improve soil fertility in two pastures of Mediterranen environment located at Gioi (Salerno) and Monterotondo (Roma) in the region of Campania and Lazio, respectively. The effect of treatment increased, in the period March-June, the content of natural pasture parameter: dry matter (53% at Gioi and 27% at Monterotondo), nutritive value of herbage (0.016 MFU at both environments), flora composition (mean over locations, Gramineae was higher 22.4 and Leguminosae and miscellaneous group both lower 15 point of percentage than the content of the flora of the natural pasture) and body gain of buffalo heifers (0.421 and 0.581 g day-1, respectively in the pasture of Gioi and Monterotondo). The grass of sward was browsed by a group of 27 heifers during the period September 2005 to November 2006.

Twenty-six buffalo heifers, reared in Roman area (42 latitude North) were randomly assigned to two groups: intensive feeding (IF, n=13) or to pasture system (PS, n=13) and followed until the onset of puberty. The average age at the beginning of the experiment was 223 days and the average weight was 133 kg, without significant differences between groups. At the end of the trial, when heifers reached puberty (IF=599 days, 462 kg and BCS=7.65; PS= 610 days, 375 kg and BCS=6.15), live weight and 19 body linear measurements were recorded on all animals; afterwards 6 relative indices were calculated. Significant differences were found between IF and PS animals: in width chest (46.3 vs 37.7 cm), thoracic circumference (195.3 vs 176,5 cm ); width fore pelvis (50.8 vs 47.4 cm); withers height (126.4 vs 122.7 cm), sacrum (132.3 vs 127.4 cm ), ileum (126.1 vs 121.7 cm) and ischium height (118.6 vs 113.6 cm) and in rump length (46.8 vs 44.2 cm ). Rearing systems significantly affected also some relative zoometric indices. No significant differences were found in any of feet parameters. In conclusion, rearing systems significantly affected body linear measurements and relative indices which could play a significant role in evaluating the buffaloes performances.

Within the general aim of developing a Welfare Quality system for monitoring dairy buffalo welfare, this study focused on prevalence and interobserver reliability of the animal-related variables to be included in the scheme. As most of the measures were developed for cattle, the study also aimed to verify their prevalence for buffaloes. Thirty animal-based measures (22 clinical and 8 behavioral measurements) and 20 terms used for qualitative behavior assessment were assessed in 42 loose-housed buffalo farms. All farms were located in central-southern Italy. Two assessors were used (1 male and 1 female). The time needed to record all measures (animal-, resource-, and management-based) was 5.47 ± 0.48 h (mean ± SD). Interobserver reliability of animal-based measures was evaluated using Spearman rank correlation coefficient test (rs). If 0.7 is considered as threshold for high interobserver reliability, all animal-based measures were above this level. In particular, most of the coefficients were above 0.85, with higher values observed for prevalence of animals that can be touched (rs = 0.99) and prevalence of animals with iatrogenic abscess (rs = 0.97), whereas lower coefficients were found for the prevalence of vulvar discharge (rs = 0.74) and dewlap edema (rs = 0.73). Twelve out of the 20 terms used for the qualitative behavior assessment reached a satisfactory interobserver reliability (rs = 0.65). Principal component analysis of qualitative behavior assessment scores was conducted for each assessor. Both principal component 1 and principal component 2 showed high interobserver reliability (rs = 0.80 and 0.79, respectively). In addition, relevant proportions of animals were affected by welfare issues specific to buffaloes, such as overgrown claws (median = 34.1%), withers hygroma (median = 13.3%), and vulvar or uterine prolapse (median = 9.3%). We concluded that most of the investigated measures could be reliably included in the final scheme, which can be used as such to monitor buffalo welfare. However, to inform consumers about the welfare status of the animals, the data should be integrated into a single overall assessment of animal welfare, as already performed in the Welfare Quality project for dairy cattle.

Buffalo farming is a dairy enterprise emerging in Italy and other European and non-European countries due to the progressive saturation of the dairy market, which requires product diversification. As a response to the increasing demand for dairy buffalo products, most farms are undertaking a progressive intensification of rearing techniques. In particular, feeding rely on different rations according to the physiological stage of the animals. Buffalo heifers are generally offered a total mixed ration based on corn silage and ryegrass hay, which require high amounts of water, chemical fertilisers and fossil fuel. Additionally, lactating buffaloes receive concentrates with an even higher environmental impact, whereas more fibrous feeds are used in the dry period. Although the emission factors for enteric fermentation and manure management in buffaloes appear to be 38.4 % and 20.5 % less than in dairy cows, respectively, the contribution of dairy buffalo farms to global warming has been estimated as higher than that produced by dairy cow farms. Therefore, studies are needed to assess the general environmental impact of this species and identify alternative environmental friendly rearing techniques.

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is currently one of the most widely used methods for assessing the environmental impacts and performance of livestock products. According to this procedure, intensification of animal production is generally advocated to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions compared with extensive grazing systems due to the use of selected breeds, with enhanced productivity, and the significant reductions in CH4 emissions consequent to the use of concentrates rather than forages. In addition, the impact of intensive systems on land use is much lower. However, free-ranging Podolian cattle show a number of positive environmental effects, such as increased climate stability, improved soil functionality, water quality and footprint and preservation from fires along with maintaining an economically active social community in otherwise unproductive, marginal areas. Other beneficial effects of extensive Podolian farming system include low competition with human nutrition and high level of animal health and welfare. An economic evaluation of these non-commodity outputs should be indirectly estimated by the avoided costs (e.g. reduced veterinary interventions and therapy treatments) or the lack of profits (e.g. direct payments for the enhancement of environmental performance) that would have incurred in their absence. These economic evaluations should be used in order to allocate them as further outputs to be included in the LCA in order to achieve a more accurate estimation of the impact of the Podolian farming system.

The relationship of body condition score ( BCS) and blood urea and ammonia to pregnancy outcome was examined in Italian Mediterranean Buffalo cows mated by AI. The study was conducted on 150 buffaloes at 145 +/- 83 days in milk that were fed a diet comprising 14.8% crude protein, 0.9 milk forage units . kg(-1) dry matter and a non- structural carbohydrate/ crude protein ratio of 2.14. The stage of the oestrous cycle was synchronised by the Ovsynch- TAI programme and blood urea and ammonia levels were assessed on the day of AI. Energy corrected milk ( ECM) production and BCS were recorded bi- weekly. The pregnancy risk was 46.7% and was slightly lower in buffaloes with BCS < 6.0 and BCS > 7.5. There were no significant differences in ECM, urea and ammonia between pregnant and non- pregnant buffaloes. However, pregnancy outcome was higher ( P = 0.02) in buffaloes with blood urea < 6.83 mmol . L-1. The likelihood of pregnancy for buffaloes with low urea blood level was 2.6 greater than for high urea level and exposure to a high urea level lowered the probability of pregnancy by about 0.25. The findings indicate that buffaloes are similar to cattle and increased blood levels of urea are associated with reduced fertility when animals are mated by AI.