Measures of weight distribution of dairy cows to detect lameness and the presence of hoof lesions

There is increasing interest in automated methods of detecting lame cows. Hoof lesion data and measures of weight distribution from 61 lactating cows were examined in this study. Lame cows were identified with different numerical rating scores (NRS) used as thresholds (NRS \u3e3 and NRS ≥3.5) for lameness. The ratio of weight applied to a pair of legs (LWR) when the cow was standing was calculated using a special weigh scale, and the cows were gait scored using a 1 to 5 NRS. Hoof lesions were scored and the cows placed into 1 of 4 mutually exclusive categories of hoof lesion: a) no lesions, b) moderate or severe hemorrhages, c) digital dermatitis, and d) sole ulcers. Regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to analyze the relation between hoof lesions and LWR. A clear relationship was found between NRS and LWR for the cows with sole ulcers (R2 = 0.79). The LWR could differentiate cows with sole ulcers from sound cows with no hoof lesions [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.87] and lame cows from nonlame cows with lameness thresholds NRS \u3e3 (AUC = 0.71) and NRS ≥3.5 (AUC = 0.88). There was no relationship between LWR and NRS for cows with digital dermatitis. Measurement of how cows distribute their weight when standing holds promise as a method of automated detection of lameness

Measures of weight distribution of dairy cows to detect lameness and the presence of hoof lesions

There is increasing interest in automated methods of detecting lame cows. Hoof lesion data and measures of weight distribution from 61 lactating cows were examined in this study. Lame cows were identified with different numerical rating scores (NRS) used as thresholds (NRS \u3e3 and NRS ≥3.5) for lameness. The ratio of weight applied to a pair of legs (LWR) when the cow was standing was calculated using a special weigh scale, and the cows were gait scored using a 1 to 5 NRS. Hoof lesions were scored and the cows placed into 1 of 4 mutually exclusive categories of hoof lesion: a) no lesions, b) moderate or severe hemorrhages, c) digital dermatitis, and d) sole ulcers. Regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to analyze the relation between hoof lesions and LWR. A clear relationship was found between NRS and LWR for the cows with sole ulcers (R2 = 0.79). The LWR could differentiate cows with sole ulcers from sound cows with no hoof lesions [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.87] and lame cows from nonlame cows with lameness thresholds NRS \u3e3 (AUC = 0.71) and NRS ≥3.5 (AUC = 0.88). There was no relationship between LWR and NRS for cows with digital dermatitis. Measurement of how cows distribute their weight when standing holds promise as a method of automated detection of lameness

Percepção dos consumidores relativamente à carne de bovino: critérios de escolha a partir de grupos de discussão

Nas economias desenvolvidas, a segurança dos alimentos, o bem‑estar animal e o ambiente têm vindo a assumir relevância nas preocupações dos consumidores. Procurámos saber, através da metodologia dos grupos de discussão (focus groups) realizados em duas cidades de Portugal, Lisboa e Porto, as preocupações e perceções dos consumidores relativamente a estes atributos, os quais são essencialmente acreditados. Este conhecimento é fundamental para a aplicação posterior de métodos de preferências declaradas. Foi ainda possível obter, com base em exercícios de seleção entre carnes diferenciadas, e através de um modelo logit, intervalos de preços passíveis de serem utilizados posteriormente na definição de cenários em experiências de escolha (método de preferências declaradas) -----ABSTRACT-----In developed economies, food safety, animal welfare and the environment have become relevant consumers’ concerns. We conducted several focus groups in two Portuguese cities, Lisboa and Porto, in order to get participants perceptions and concerns for these attributes, which are essentially credence attributes. This knowledge is critical for the subsequent application of stated preference methods. It was also possible to estimate, based on exercises of selection among different meats, and through a logit model, price ranges that could be used in the definition of scenarios for choice experiments (stated preference method)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A critical review of fear tests used on cattle, pigs, sheep, poultry and horses

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Comportamento suíno influenciado por dois modelos de maternidade Swine behavior in two motherhood models

Neste estudo foram avaliados dois modelos de maternidade. O modelo um (MOD 1) era formado por duas salas similares, cada sala composta de oito celas parideiras individuais. O escamoteador era de alvenaria com tampa de madeira e aquecimento no piso, por resistência elétrica. A sala do modelo dois (MOD 2), continha 20 celas parideiras individuais, dentre as quais foram avaliadas apenas 16. Os escamoteadores eram de madeira com aquecimento por lâmpada incandescente de 60 W. Foram avaliadas as condições de ambiente das salas e do interior dos escamoteadores. O comportamento dos leitões foi avaliado no ambiente das salas e nos escamoteadores. O ambiente mais favorável para os leitões foi no MOD 1 com o maior percentual de valores de temperatura e umidade dentro da zona de conforto. A temperatura do piso do escamoteador do MOD 2 obteve os melhores resultados. O comportamento mais observado nos leitões foi o de permanecerem no interior do escamoteador e deitados aglomerado. A presente área de estudo carece de mais pesquisas que levem em consideração variáveis que possam afetar a temperatura no interior dos escamoteadores, como o material utilizado na construção dos abrigos e a troca de calor entre os leitões.<br>In this study two models of motherhood were evaluated. A model (MOD 1) consisted of two similar rooms, each room was made up of eight individual breed cells. The creep was of brick with wooden lid and floor heating by electrical resistance. The rooms of second model (MOD 2), consisted of 20 individual cells breeder, where only 16 were evaluated. The creep of wood was heated by 60 W incandescent lamp. The environmental conditions of the rooms and the interior of creep were assessed. The behavior of the piglets was assessed in the hall environment and creep. Generally, the more favorable environment for the piglets was in MOD 1 with the higher values of temperature and humidity within the comfort zone. The floor temperature of creep of MOD 2 was the one which provided the best results. The most observed behavior in the piglets was to stay inside the creep area and cluster of lying. The theme of this study needs further research, taking into account variables that may affect the temperature inside the creep area such as the material used in construction of shelter and heat exchange among the piglets