In vitro fermentation characteristics of diets with different forage/concentrate ratios: comparison of rumen and faecal inocula

BACKGROUND: The aim of this trial was to evaluate the replacement of rumen fluid with faeces as inoculum in studying the invitrofermentationcharacteristicsofdietsforruminantsusingtheinvitrogasproduction technique.Sixiso-proteindietswith different forage/concentrate ratios were incubated with rumen fluid (RI) or faeces (FI) collected from sheep. RESULTS: Most of the fermentation parameters were influenced by diet and inoculum (P < 0.01). With both inocula, organic matterdegradability(dOM),cumulativegasproduction(OMCV)andmaximumfermentationrate(Rmax)increasedastheamount ofconcentrateinthedietincreased.Rmax waslowerwithFIvsRI(P < 0.01);dOMwashigherwithFIvsRIandthediet×inoculum interaction was significant. As expected, with both inocula, Rmax increased as the neutral detergent fibre content of the diet decreased. Significant correlations were obtained using both inocula between OMCV/dOM and gas/volatile fatty acid (VFA), while the correlation VFA/dOM was significant only with FI. The microbial biomass yield calculated by stoichiometric analysis for all diets was higher with FI vs RI. With FI the organic matter used for microbial growth showed an overall decreasing trend as the amount of concentrate in the diet increased. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that both faeces and rumen fluid from sheep have the potential to be used as inoculum for the in vitro gas production technique

Effect of pre-partum habituation to milking routine on behaviour and lactation performance of buffalo heifers

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect pre-partum habituation in the milkingparlour on behaviour and lactation performance of buffalo heifers. Sixteen buffalo heifersin late gestation were used for this study. The animals, with an age ranging from 30 to44 months at the start of the study, were equally allocated into two treatments and bal-anced for estimated calving date. Eight animals received pre-partum habituation for 10 daysbefore the estimated calving date (group H), while the eight others received no treatmentand served as the control (group C). During the pre-partum habituation sessions, group Hanimals were moved to the milking parlour and left for 10 min in the milking stall onceeach day, where the udder was thoroughly washed with warm water, wiped with a dis-posable towel and massaged. The behaviours, registered from entrance into the milkingstall to exit, were step and kick. After calving milk flow profiles, milk yield and milk qual-ity variables were determined along with behavioural recordings. The H animals duringthe habituation procedure showed a reduction in the number of steps (P < 0.001) and kicks(P < 0.01). After calving the H animals performed fewer steps than the control animals at 0(P < 0.001), 3 (P < 0.01), 6 (P < 0.01), 13 (P < 0.01) and 20 (P < 0.01) days after calving. Animalsfrom group H also performed fewer kicks than control animals at 0 (P < 0.001), 3 (P < 0.01),6 (P < 0.01) and 13 (P < 0.01) days after calving. In the C group a reduction in the numberof steps (P < 0.001) and kicks (P < 0.001) was observed as lactation proceeded, whereas forgroup H only a tendency for a reduction over lactation was detected. Pre-partum habitu-ation did not significantly affect milk quality or milk flow variables. Milk yield in the first3 min of milking (P < 0.001), and average milk flow (P < 0.001), increased throughout theexperimental period, whereas the duration of the pre-milking phase decreased as lactationproceeded (P < 0.001). This study shows that buffalo heifers exposed to a pre-partum habit-uation programme performed fewer steps and kicks than control animals during milking.Therefore, it is concluded that using this treatment can reduce the level of restlessness inbuffalo heifers during milking

Nutritional Characterization of Hay Produced in Campania Region: Analysis by the near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) Technology

: Since the dietary characteristics of hays can be very variable, it is of great importance for nutritionists to know their chemical composition in order to formulate adequate rations for the animals. Laboratory analyses are time-consuming and expensive while the Near Infrared Spectroscopy offers several advantages, including obtaining information on feeds nutritional characteristics very quickly and in situ at the farm, thanks to portable NIRS. In this trial, over 400 hay samples collected in the Campania region (Italy) were analyzed with portable NIRS device. The final aim was to analyze the differences in hay quality in different production areas, highlighting the possible factors involved and suggesting possible corrective measures. All the analyzed hays (polyphite, Gramineae and alfalfa) were significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by the area of cultivation/preservation. In particular, the polyphite and Gramineae hays produced in most of the areas of Campania region showed poor nutritional value due to the low protein content and high structural carbohydrate that significantly reduced its digestibility. The use of high-quality forages in the ration represents a pivotal factor to allow the production of high-quality products of animal origin. The use of NIRS seems to be a valuable strategy to select potential treatments that can increase feed digestibility and to avoid long chemical analysis

Bioaccumulation of Trace Elements in the Muscle of the Blackmouth Catshark Galeus melastomus from Mediterranean Waters

Environmental pollution, particularly in the marine environment, has become a significant concern due to the increasing presence of pollutants and their adverse effects on ecosystems and human health. This study focuses on the bioaccumulation of trace elements in the muscle tissue of the blackmouth catshark (Galeus melastomus) from different areas in the Mediterranean Sea. Trace elements are of interest due to their persistence, toxicity, and potential for bioaccumulation. This research aims to assess the distribution and accumulation of trace elements in the muscle tissue of G. melastomus and investigate their potential impact on the deep-sea environment of the Mediterranean. The focused areas include the Ligurian Sea, the northern and central Tyrrhenian Sea, the southern Tyrrhenian Sea, the Ionian Sea, the Pantelleria Waters, and the Gela Waters. Samples were collected following established protocols, and trace element analysis was conducted using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The study provides data on the concentrations of 17 trace elements, namely aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, copper, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, zinc, selenium, strontium, lead, chromium, iron, barium, bismuth, and uranium. The findings contribute to a better understanding of trace element bioaccumulation patterns in elasmobranch species, specifically G. melastomus, and highlight the potential risks associated with chemical contamination in the Mediterranean Sea. This research emphasizes the importance of studying the impacts of pollutants on marine organisms, particularly those occupying key ecological roles, like sharks, to support effective conservation and management strategies

Effects of space availability on productive and reproductive performances in buffalo cows

The effects of space availability on productive and reproductive performances have been evaluated in buffalo cows. The trial was carried out on 124 lactating buffaloes (69&plusmn;84 days in milk) equally divided in two experimental groups (group 1 and group 2) with different space availability (15 vs 20m2/ head). Daily milk production was recorded in each group and a sample of milk was monthly analysed for fat and protein contents. Furthermore, fertility and intercalving and start trial-conception (number of days from the beginning of the trial until conception) intervals were also evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA with repeated measures for productive parameters and by Student&rsquo;s t Test for intercalving and start trial-conception intervals. Buffaloes in Group 2 showed higher (P<0.05) milk production in both the initial (74 to 104 days in milk) and final (around 230 days in milk) phases of the lactation curve compared to animals in Group 1. No differences emerged for qualitative characteristics of milk and reproductive parameters. In conclusion the increase of space availability improve animal milk yield in buffalo cows while reproductive performances are not modified

Influence of the period and of the space on the milk production and on the consumption of the dry matter in the Italian Mediterranean buffalo.

Buffalo breeding in Italy changed in these last decades from wild to intensive housing. Field trials and experimental studies (De Rosa et al., 2003) have shown that in this species too breeding environment is an important productive factor. The aim of this trial was to evaluate the relationships among different barn space and seasons with dry matter consumption and milk production in a medium - high yielding buffalo farm. The trial was carried out from June2003 to March 2005 in the Garofalo’s farm (Caserta, Italy), that is structured in 6 barns each able to house 48 buffalo females and two bulls (14 m2/per head, half of which sheltered) during the winter. In the summer time each barn is open in a paddock; and the m2/per head become double (28 m2). However the m2/per head were reduced on farm demand till to halve the space availability. The daily milk production (kg) was recorded (Dairy Plan C21–Westfalia) for each buffaloes and the mean milk yield of the group, expressed as ECM was calculated. Moreover, the dry matter consumption DMC), the n. of heads, the DIM, and the % of the primiparous was recorded daily for each group (from 22 to 346 DIM). The DMC for maintenance was estimated for a body weight of 650 kg and 500 kg for pluriparous and primiparous respectively in order to estimate the DMC/kg ECM. The multiple regression analysis was used to analyse the relationships among the ECM production, the DMC and DMC/kg of milk with number of animals/group, the DIM and periods of the year (January-February: GF; March-May: MM; June- August: JA; September-October: SO; November-December: ND). The increase number of the animals in each group (> 48), and, hence, the dropping of the m2/head, lowered the ECM roduction; at the same space availability, ECM yield was lower in JF and MM. Also the DMC, at the same DIM, was reduced in the crowding barn period, and, moreover DMC was strictly correlated to the % of primiparous and to the kg ECM produced. The DCM was higher in: GA, contrary to what happen in the bovine, and GF, while in MM it was lower. The DMC/kg ECM was not influenced by the barn space, and it was lower in MM, SO and ND period, and higher when the % of primiparous in the group increased (tab.1). These results confirm that the Mediterranean Italian Buffalo is nfluenced more by the cold than the warm temperature and that it behaves as a species that is still being tamed for its need of vital space

The “Noble Method®”: A One Health Approach for a Sustainable Improvement in Dairy Farming

The Noble Method® has been successfully introduced in the last few years in Italy and in some foreign countries. This novel livestock management provides, among other rules, a high forage/concentrate ratio, no use of silage and supplements, no GMOs and the availability of outdoor paddocks. One of the goals is to achieve high-quality milk in terms of nutritional properties. Other benefits have been reported; amongst them, the forage/concentrate ratio of the diet was shown to reduce the amount of methane produced by animals, also, the system provides economic benefits, mainly for small breeders, in terms of the sustainability and market placement of milk. Thus, the method represents a sustainable approach to improve the production and the supply chain, from the land to the final product. In this review, the most recent studies on Noble Method® are depicted, showing that, besides the nutritional proprieties of dairy products, the method is able to improve animal welfare, human health and environmental sustainability, thus falling within a “One Health” approach