Reduction of slaughterhouse stress in beef cattle by facilitating animal tameness

The relationship between animals and humans is important for animal husbandry and welfare. Loosehousing and grazing systems with low management input often result in frail relationships between humans and animals. This study investigated whether a positive handling, applied during the first days of the animals’ life, had a calming and stress reducing effect on suckler beef calves at slaughter

Effect of feeding buckwheat and chicory silages on fatty acid profile and cheese-making properties of milk from dairy cows

Fresh buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) and chicory (Cichorium intybus) had been shown to have the potential to improve certain milk quality traits when fed as forages to dairy cows. However, the process of ensiling might alter these properties. In the present study, two silages, prepared from mixtures of buckwheat or chicory and ryegrass, were compared with pure ryegrass silage (Lolium multiflorum) by feeding to 3×6 late-lactating cows. The dietary dry matter proportions realised for buckwheat and chicory were 0·46 and 0·34 accounting also for 2kg/d of concentrate. Data and samples were collected from days 10 to 15 of treatment feeding. Buckwheat silage was richest in condensed tannins. Proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and α-linoleic acid in total fatty acids (FA) were highest in the ryegrass silage. Feed intake, milk yield and milk gross composition did not differ among the groups. Feeding buckwheat resulted in the highest milk fat concentrations (g/kg) of linoleic acid (15·7) and total PUFA (40·5; both P<0·05 compared with ryegrass). The concentration of α-linolenic acid in milk fat was similar across treatments, but its apparent recovery in milk relative to the amounts ingested was highest with buckwheat. The same was true for the occurrence of FA biohydrogenation products in milk relative to α-linolenic acid intake. Recovery of dietary linoleic acid in milk remained unaffected. Feeding buckwheat silage shortened rennet coagulation time by 26% and tended (P<0·1) to increase curd firmness by 29%. In conclusion, particularly buckwheat silage seems to have a certain potential to modify the transfer of FA from feed to milk and to contribute to improved cheese-making propertie

Führt Zufütterung von Esparsette zu einer höheren Effizienz bei eiweissreicher Herbstweide?

Schlussfolgerung: Esparsette … • erhöht die Proteineffizienz bei graslandbasierter Fütterung. • kann kurzzeitig zu einer Verbesserung der Leistung in Bezug auf Milch-, Eiweiss- und Fettmenge führen. • führt dauerhaft aber zu einer geringeren Milchleistung. • beeinflusst keine weiteren Milchparameter

Methane-suppressing effect of myristic acid in sheep as affected by dietary calcium and forage proportion

The efficiency of myristic acid (14:0) as a feed additive to suppress CH4 emissions of ruminants was evaluated under different dietary conditions. Six sheep were subjected to a 6 × 6 Latin square arrangement. A supplement of non-esterified 14: 0 (50 g/kg DM) was added to two basal diets differing in their forage:concentrate values (1:1/5 and 1: 0/5), which were adjusted to dietary Ca contents of 4/2 and 9/0 g/ kg DM, respectively. Comparisons were made with the unsupplemented basal diets (4/2 g Ca/kg DM). The 14:0 supplementation decreased (P < 0/001) total tract CH4 release depending on basal diet type (interaction, P < 0/001) and dietary Ca level (P < 0/05, post hoc test). In the concentrate-based diet, 14:0 suppressed CH4 emission by 58 and 47% with 4/2 and 9/0 g Ca/kg DM, respectively. The 14:0 effect was lower (22%) in the forage-based diet and became insignificant with additional Ca. Myristic acid inhibited (P < 0/05) rumen archaea without significantly altering proportions of individual methanogen orders. Ciliate protozoa concentration was decreased (P < 0/05, post hoc test) by 14:0 only in combination with 9/0 g Ca/kg DM. Rumen fluid NH3 concentration and acetate:pro-pionate were decreased (P < 0/05) and water consumption was lower (P < 0/01) with 14:0. The use of 14:0 had no clear effects on total tract organic matter and fibre digestion; this further illustrates that the suppressed methanogenesis resulted from direct effects against methanogens. The present study demonstrated that 14:0 is a potent CH4 inhibitor but, to be effective in CH4 mitigation feeding strategies, interactions with other diet ingredients have to be considere

Effect of Slaughter Weight on Meat Quality of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromisniloticus)

AbstractA total of 375 Nile tilapia was subdivided into three groups (125 fish/group), based on weight (600, 800 and 1200g, respectively). Fish were killed and analyzed for various traits describing meat characteristics. Data was subjected to analysis of variance. Protein percentage of the 600g weighing Nile tilapia was the highest (P<0.05). Fat percentage of the 1200g weighing Nile tilapia was higher than that of the 600g weighing animals (P<0.05). Drip loss percentage of the fillet of the 600g weighing Nile tilapia was the highest (P<0.05), whereas boiling loss percentage was the highest (P<0.05) in the 1200g heavy fish. TBARS value on days 0, 1, 3, 6 and 9 were not different (P>0.05) between groups. Shear force values of raw and cooked fillets were highest with the 1200g heavy fish (P<0.05. The total collagen content of the fillet of the 1200g weighing fish was highest (P<0.05). Flavor, juiciness, tenderness and acceptability ratings were lowest with fish weighing 600g (P<0.05). In conclusion, fat percentages and firmness were higher with increasing the slaughter weight. Also flavor was improved with higher slaughter weight. By modifying the slaughter weight, a certain target meat quality can be achieved

Geographic origin of meat—elements of an analytical approach to its authentication

This review article discusses recent analytical developments with respect to the determination of the geographic origin of raw meat. The main emphasis is laid on lamb, beef and poultry. So far, some methods have shown quite promising potential (e.g. stable isotope ratios, trace elements), others have remained unsatisfactory in their discriminating power to authenticate the geographic origin of meat (e.g. microbiological profile, sensory traits, volatile compounds). Other methods (e.g. animal genotype, gross chemical composition) could be auxiliary criteria as they help to determine related indicators such as feeding or housing conditions but not directly the origin. The complexity of this question is large. An integrated approach simultaneously addressing various species and production characteristics such as environment, animal husbandry conditions, breed, feeding and drinking water has to be developed. Strategies have to be different for global and micro-regional scale

Particle size distribution in commercial pig compound feeds in Switzerland: survey and methodological considerations

Abstracts: English - Deutsch - Français - Italiano English Particle size distribution in commercial pig compound feeds in Switzerland: survey and methodological considerations The grinding intensity of pig feed is considered one potential predisposing factor for gastric ulcers, and a variety of particle size recommendations have been published for pig feeds. We subjected 51 different commercial compound feeds for pigs (38 meals, 13 pellets/granulates) to dry and/or wet sieve analysis. The amount of particles passing the finest sieve (or being soluble) was estimated by the difference to the total dry matter weighed prior to sieving. Mean particle size was calculated based on the weighted average of the material retained on the sieves (MPSsieves), and additionally with accounting for this lost material (MPStotal). Dry sieve analysis of the meals yielded MPSsieves of 0,58–2,90 mm and MPStotal of 0,58–2,89 mm; only 0,02 to 2,71 % of the dry matter passed all sieves. Wet sieve analysis of all meals and pellets yielded similar MPSsieves of 0,63–1,66 mm, but dramatically lower MPStotal of 0,26–1,04 mm; between 35 and 66 % of the dry matter was not retained on the sieves. Pellets had smaller MPS, and a higher proportion of particles passing all sieves than meals. Depending on the reference used, a maximum of 26 % of meals conformed to recommendations for pig feed particle size. None of the pelleted feeds met these criteria, irrespective of the source consulted for the recommendation. Wet sieving should be considered the standard analysis, because in dry sieving, very fine particles adhering to larger particles may not be registered separately but contribute erroneously to larger particle weight. In addition, the MPS calculation should account for material lost through the finest sieve. Reasons why Swiss pig feed does not meet particle size recommendations should be further investigated. Keywords: Diet, ulcer, stomach health, prevention, grinding Deutsch Partikelgrösse in kommerziellen Schweinefuttermischungen in der Schweiz: Erhebung und methodische Überlegungen Das Ausmass der Zerkleinerung von Schweinefutter wird als ein möglicher prädisponierender Faktor für Magengeschwüre angesehen. Für Schweinefutter wurden verschiedene Empfehlungen zur Partikelgrösse veröffentlicht. Wir haben 51 verschiedene handelsübliche Mischfuttermittel für Schweine (38 Mehle, 13 Pellets/Granulate) einer Trocken – und/oder Nass-Siebanalyse unterzogen. Die Menge an Partikeln, die das feinste Sieb passierten (oder löslich waren), wurde durch die Differenz zu der vor dem Sieben gewogenen Gesamttrockenmasse abgeschätzt. Die mittlere Partikelgrösse wurde basierend auf Mittelwert des Gewichtes von dem im Sieb zurückgehaltenen Materials (MPSsieves) unter Berücksichtigung dieses verlorenen Materials (MPStotal) berechnet. Die Trocken-Siebanalyse der Mischungen ergab MPSSiebe von 0,58–2,90 mm und MPStotal von 0,58–2,89 mm; nur 0,02 bis 2,71 % der Trockenmasse passierten alle Siebe. Die Nass-Siebanalyse aller Mehle und Pellets ergab ähnliche MPSSiebe von 0,63–1,66 mm, aber signifikant niedrigere MPStotal von 0,26–1,04 mm; zwischen 35 und 66 % der Trockenmasse wurden nicht auf den Sieben zurückgehalten. Pellets hatten im Vergleich zu den Fütterungsmehlen eine kleinere MPS und einen höheren Anteil an Partikeln, die alle Siebe passierten. Je nach verwendeter Referenz entsprachen maximal 26 % der Fütterungsmehle den Empfehlungen für die Partikelgrösse von Schweinefutter. Unabhängig der konsultierten Referenzliteratur erfüllte keine der pelletierten Futtermittel diese Kriterien. Die Nass-Siebung sollte als Standardanalyse angesehen werden, da bei der Trocken-Siebung sehr feine Partikel, die an grösseren Partikeln anhaften, möglicherweise nicht separat erfasst werden, sondern fälschlicherweise zu einem grösseren Partikelgewicht beitragen. Zusätzlich sollte die MPS-Berechnung den Materialverlust durch das feinste Sieb berücksichtigen. Weiter Untersuchungen sollten die Gründe abklären, warum Schweizer Schweinefutter die Empfehlungen zur Partikelgrösse nicht erfüllen. Schlüsselwörter: Diät, Magengeschwür, Magengesundheit, Vorbeugung, Zerkleinerung Français Taille des particules dans les aliments composés commerciaux pour porcs en Suisse: enquête et considérations méthodologiques L’intensité de broyage des aliments pour porcs est considérée comme un facteur potentiel de prédisposition aux ulcères gastriques et diverses recommandations sur la taille des particules ont été publiées pour les aliments pour porcs. Nous avons soumis 51 différents aliments composés commerciaux pour porcs (38 farines, 13 pellets/granulés) à une analyse par tamisage à sec et/ou humide. La quantité de particules passant le tamis le plus fin (ou étant solubles) a été estimée par la différence avec la matière sèche totale pesée avant le tamisage. La taille moyenne des particules a été calculée sur la base des moyennes pondérées du matériel retenu sur les tamis (MPSsieves) en tenant compte en plus du matériel perdu (MPStotal). L’analyse des mélanges par tamisage à sec a donné des MPSsieves de 0,58–2,90 mm et des MPStotal de 0,58–2,89 mm ; seule 0,02 à 2,71 % de la matière sèche a passé tous les tamis. L’analyse par tamisage humide de toutes les farines et des granulés a donné des MPSsieves similaires de 0,63–1,66 mm, mais des MPStotal nettement inférieurs de 0,26–1,04 mm ; entre 35 et 66 % de la matière sèche n’a pas été retenue sur les tamis. Les granulés présentaient des MPS plus faibles et une proportion plus élevée de particules passant par tous les tamis que les farines. Selon la référence utilisée, un maximum de 26 % des farines étaient conformes aux recommandations relatives à la taille des particules des aliments pour porcs. Aucun des aliments granulés ne répondait à ces critères, quelle que soit la source consultée pour la recommandation. Le tamisage humide devrait être considéré comme l’analyse standard car, dans le tamisage sec, les particules très fines adhérant à des particules plus grosses peuvent ne pas être enregistrées séparément mais contribuer de manière erronée au poids des particules plus grosses. En outre, le calcul du MPS devrait tenir compte de la matière perdue par le tamis le plus fin. Les raisons pour lesquelles les aliments pour porcs suisses ne répondent pas aux recommandations sur la taille des particules devraient être étudiées plus en détail. Mots-clés: Régime alimentaire, ulcère gastrique, santé gastrique, prévention, broyage Italiano Dimensioni granulometriche nelle miscele commerciali di mangimi per suini in Svizzera: indagine e considerazioni metodologiche Il grado di sminuzzamento dei mangimi per suini è considerato un possibile fattore predisponente alle ulcere gastriche e sono state pubblicate diverse raccomandazioni sulla dimensione dei granuli per i mangimi dei suini. Abbiamo sottoposto 51 diverse miscele di mangimi commerciali per suini (38 farine, 13 pellet/granuli) all’analisi del setaccio a secco e/o a umido. La quantità di particelle che hanno superato il setaccio più fine (o che erano solubili) è stata stimata dalla differenza rispetto alla sostanza secca totale pesata prima della setacciatura. La dimensione media delle particelle (DMP) è stata calcolata in base al peso medio del materiale trattenuto nel setaccio (DMPsetacci) tenendo conto del materiale perso (DMPtotale). L’analisi dei setacci a secco delle miscele ha mostrato una DMPsetacci di 0,58-2,90 mm e una DMPtotale di 0,58–2,89 mm; solo lo 0,02–2,71 % della sostanza secca ha superato tutti i setacci. L’analisi al setaccio umido di tutte le farine e dei pellet ha mostrato una DMPsetacci analoghi di 0,63-1,66 mm, ma con una DMPtotale significativamente inferiore di 0,26–1,04 mm; tra il 35 e il 66 % della sostanza secca non è stata trattenuta dai setacci. I pellet presentavano una DMP inferiore e una percentuale maggiore di particelle che passavano tutti i setacci rispetto alle farine. A seconda del riferimento utilizzato, un massimo del 26 % delle farine soddisfaceva le raccomandazioni sulla dimensione delle particelle nei mangimi per suini. Mentre, indipendentemente dalla letteratura di riferimento consultata, nessuno dei mangimi a pellet soddisfaceva le raccomandazioni. La setacciatura a umido deve essere considerata l’analisi standard, poiché la setacciatura a secco potrebbe non rilevare separatamente le particelle molto fini che aderiscono a quelle più grandi, ma che contribuiscono erroneamente a un peso maggiore delle particelle. Inoltre, il calcolo della DMP deve tenere conto della perdita di materiale attraverso il setaccio più fine. Ulteriori indagini dovrebbero chiarire le ragioni per cui i mangimi per suini svizzeri non soddisfano le raccomandazioni sulle dimensioni delle particelle. Parole chiavi: dieta, ulcera, salute dello stomaco, prevenzione, macinazion

Evaluation of the prevalence of stomach ulcers in slaughtered pigs in a Swiss ­abattoir

The development of gastric ulcers in pigs has various reasons. In Switzerland, the last survey on the prevalence of gastric ulcers and possible risk factors was performed in 2005. We aimed to reassess gastric ulcers prevalence today, in 2021. A total of 1005 stomachs from fattening pigs from 136 batches and around 87 herds were evaluated at a Swiss abattoir. The Pars oesophagea of the stomach was scored from 0=healthy to 10=severe ulceration and strictures. Scores were compared between pigs produced under the labels “Integrierte Produktion Schweiz” (IPS, n=242 stomachs, 18 farms) and “Qualitätsmanagement-Schweizerfleisch” (QM, n=649, 58 farms) and others (n=114). The results showed a prevalence of 27.2% mild mucosal changes (Scores 1-3), 14.9% moderate mucosal changes (Scores 4-6) and 19.1% severe mucosal changes (Scores 7-10). Only 38.8% of the stomachs were rated 0 and thus considered healthy. Compared to the results from 2005, there is no difference concerning the lowest scores (0-2) and the highest scores (9-10). However, there was a shift from the medium scores (3-4) to higher scores (5-8). Stomach scores turned out to be herd specific. There were differences (p < 0.01) between labels, indicating that IPS pigs had less affected stomachs. Stomachs that were empty at slaughter showed higher scores (p < 0.001). The mean carcass weight of the pigs in the slaughter groups was negatively correlated (p < 0.05) to their median stomach score. Confiscations were not related to stomach scores. The results suggest that pig stomach health has not improved since 2005. The differences between labels seem to have resulted from different regulations prescribing a minimum particle size of enrichment material in IPS. The reasons for gastric ulcer development, including those on the individual herd within label, still have to be further clarified in order to allow targeted countermeasures. Given apparent farm-specificity, scoring of a limited number of stomachs per farm during the slaughter process could facilitate to establish a feedback scheme

Vitamin E-Gehalt der Kuhmilch in Abhängigkeit von der Grasfütterung im Tal und auf alpinen Weiden

Jeweils sechs laktierende Brown Swiss Kühe erhielten entweder reine Weidefütterung, reine Grünfütterung im Stall oder eine konventionelle Silage-Kraftfutter Vergleichsration. Dies wurde nacheinander für jeweils 42 Tagen an einem raigrasreichen Talstandort (400 m) und auf einer extensiven artenreichen Alpweide (2000 m) durchgeführt. Die Konzentration an Tocopherolen (Vitamin E)in der Milch wurde mittels HPLC bestimmt. Die Vitamin E-Konzentrationen waren in den grasbasierten gegenüber den aus der Vergleichsration stammenden Milchproben generell deutlich erhöht. Einen weiteren geringen Zusatzeffekt für den Tocopherolgehalt der Milch brachte die Alpweide, wobei jedoch aufgrund der geringeren Milchleistung die tägliche Menge an mit der Milch sekretiertem Vitamin E geringer war als auf der Talweide

In vitro indications for favourable non-additive effects on ruminal methane mitigation between high-phenolic and high-quality forages

Feeding plants containing elevated levels of polyphenols may reduce ruminal CH4 emissions, but at the expense of nutrient utilisation. There might, however, be non-additive effects when combining high-phenolic plants with well-digestible, high-nutrient feeds. To test whether non-additive effects exist, the leaves of Carica papaya (high in dietary quality, low in polyphenols), Clidemia hirta (high in hydrolysable tannins), Swietenia mahagoni (high in condensed tannins) and Eugenia aquea (high in non-tannin phenolics) were tested alone and in all possible mixtures (n 15 treatments). An amount of 200mg DM of samples was incubated in vitro (24h; 39oC) with buffered rumen fluid using the Hohenheim gas test apparatus. After the incubation, total gas production, CH4 concentration and fermentation profiles were determined. The levels of absolute CH4, and CH4:SCFA and CH4:total gas ratios were lower (P<0·05) when incubating a combination of C. papaya and any high-phenolic plants (C. hirta, S. mahagoni and E. aquea) than when incubating C. papaya alone. Additionally, mixtures resulted in non-additive effects for all CH4-related parameters of the order of 2-15% deviation from the expected value (P<0·01). This means that, by combining these plants, CH4 in relation to the fermentative capacity was lower than that predicted when assuming the linearity of the effects. Similar non-additive effects of combining C. papaya with the other plants were found for NH3 concentrations but not for SCFA concentrations. In conclusion, using mixtures of high-quality plants and high-phenolic plants could be one approach to CH4 mitigation; however, this awaits in vivo confirmatio