Articles tagged with Cattle
A new large-scale study finds that functional traits, not nativeness, play a key role in shaping the effects of large mammalian herbivores on plant communities. Introducing feral cattle or water buffaloes into local areas could be a good idea for complementing native deer and promoting plant diversity.
Recent studies in JDS Communications have found that paired housing can build behavior skills, shape calf personalities, and set up animals for success in the herd. Early socialization has been shown to boost competitive skills, increase time drinking from a bottle, and make calves bolder towards novel objects and unfamiliar calves.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have developed a method to remove low-concentration methane from air using UV light and chlorine. The technique has shown promise in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from livestock housing, biogas production plants, and wastewater treatment plants.
Researchers found evidence of domesticated yak dating back 2,500 years in the southern Tibetan Plateau, revealing insights into animal domestication pathways and human adaptation to high-altitude environments. The discovery was made using a combination of ancient DNA sequencing and zooarchaeological analysis.
A recent study found that beef operations with lifelong grass-based diets may produce a 42% higher carbon footprint when considering soil carbon sequestration and carbon opportunity costs. This is in contrast to grain-finished operations, which have been previously shown to have a lower environmental impact. The study's findings emphas...
Researchers analyzed bones from 52 sacrificed animals at the well-preserved site of Casas del Turuñuelo, revealing a pattern of repeated mass animal sacrifice in Iron Age Spain. The study sheds light on ritual protocols and intentional selection of adult horses over young animals.
Asian longhorned ticks, originating from East Asia, have been detected in Ohio, with over 1 million estimated in a single pasture. Researchers stress the need for early detection and targeted control measures to manage these persistent pests.
A team of animal scientists has developed a new breed of cow that can produce up to 20 times the milk of indigenous breeds, offering a potential game changer for subsistence farmers in Tanzania. The breeding process combines the heat and disease resistance of Gyrs with the milk-producing prowess of Holsteins and Jerseys.
A Texas A&M-led team is studying cattle respiratory disease (BRD) prevention using a $300,000 USDA grant. The goal is to understand which factors make individual animals susceptible to BRD and develop new management strategies.
An international team of scientists is recruiting microbes to reduce methane production in cows, with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The project involves tracking hydrogen production and utilization during fermentation to redirect excess hydrogens towards more productive end-products.
Researchers discovered that the lancet liver fluke takes over an ant's brain, causing them to cling to blades of grass against their will. The parasite controls the ant's behavior to avoid heat, a strategy also used by cattle and deer.
A new study found that 12% of Americans are responsible for eating half of all beef consumed on a given day. The study analyzed data from the CDC's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and found that these individuals, mostly men or those between 50-65 years old, eat disproportionately large amounts of beef.
A new MU study highlights the protective role of innate lymphoid cells and interferons in reducing neurological effects of Brucellosis. The findings could lead to improved diagnostics and therapies for neurobrucellosis, a condition that can cause long-term neurological complications.
Cattle farming expansion and unchecked climate change would expose over 1 billion cows to heat stress, impacting animal welfare and farm income. Cutting carbon emissions rapidly can reduce these impacts by 50-84%, protecting cattle in some regions.
Researchers analyzed data from 31 studies and found that cattle face a higher risk of getting tuberculosis from wildlife through indirect interactions. Indirect interaction rates were 154 times higher than direct interaction rates.
A recent study found that extending cooling strategies to day-and-night improves milk yield, reduces rumen temperatures, and enhances cow well-being. The enhanced day-plus-night cooling group produced more milk and had lower panting scores compared to the daytime cooling group.
A study published in Cell Genomics reveals that noncoding DNA accounts for 69% of the heritability of dairy cattle traits, including milk production and fertility. This breakthrough could improve the efficiency of agricultural breeding programs and provide a new model system for future studies in humans and other animals.
A new study analyzed ancient DNA from Spanish settlements in the Caribbean and Mexico, revealing that cattle were imported from Africa early in the colonization process. This challenges previous historical records, which suggested cattle were only introduced by Europeans from Europe.
Researchers at the University of São Paulo's Institute of Biosciences successfully developed blastoids from bovine pluripotent stem cells, creating an accessible in vitro model for studying embryogenesis. This breakthrough could lead to improved farm animal reproduction and enable breeding cattle with desirable characteristics.
Researchers found that biting midges responsible for transmitting the virus are active on warmest days throughout the winter, contrary to previous theories. The discovery suggests that bluetongue virus transmission is likely ongoing year-round, with potential economic impacts for cattle farming.
Recent research at Mississippi State University has discovered melatonin's various health benefits for cattle, including antioxidant properties that alleviate oxidative stress and potentially controlling body temperature. The hormone also alters the microbiome and promotes skeletal muscle growth in cattle.
Scientists have successfully produced a gene-edited calf with resistance to BVDV, a virus costing the US cattle sector billions annually. The edited calf, named Ginger, displayed significantly reduced susceptibility to the virus without adverse health effects.
A gene-edited calf, named Ginger, has been born with reduced susceptibility to a major viral pathogen, bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). If confirmed by follow-up research, this approach could offer long-term potential to reduce antimicrobial and antibiotic use in the cattle industry.
A study found that some of the world's largest slaughterhouses reduced cattle-driven deforestation in the Amazon by 15% through their zero-deforestation policies. If fully implemented, these policies could halve cattle-driven deforestation in Brazil by sparing over 24,000km2 of forest.
Researchers found that weekly and Saturday slaughter capacity utilization interact with live cattle-to-box beef spread, but not in a way that packers control prices. The study suggests Saturday slaughter may be a strategy to increase processing when prices are rising.
The National Cooperative Dairy Herd Improvement Program has successfully collected herd production data for 100 years, providing crucial input for cattle breeding and genetics. The program's cooperative structure, data interoperability, and governance model make it a unique example of how data collection benefits producers.
A new study found that human contact, including neck scratches, can reduce stress and improve well-being in weaning dairy calves. The research showed that calves housed alone benefited most from the extra human interaction, leading to decreased sucking behaviors and increased rest after meals.
Researchers discovered a microbial culture from baby kangaroo feces that can inhibit methane production in cow stomach simulators, replacing it with beneficial acetic acid. This innovation has the potential to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and improve cow health.
A research team from the University of Queensland has developed a tool to guide the global beef industry in reducing costs and greenhouse gas emissions. The study found that as much as 85% of emissions could be cut without an overall economic hit, by opting for more efficient feeds and locations.
A predictive model developed by University of Groningen researchers can identify cows at risk of dystocia before insemination. The model, which uses machine learning on a large dataset, suggests that it could roughly halve the risk of calving problems.
The global food system exerts significant pressure on the environment and climate, with five countries accounting for almost half of the impact. Locally produced food is often the most environmentally friendly option, but production methods can vary greatly between countries.
West Virginia University researchers, Ember Morrissey and Kinsey Reed, are working with private farms to diversify forage species and improve soil health. The project aims to increase economic gains for farmers while reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
Researchers designed a wearable smart device for cows that captures kinetic energy from movement and uses it to power smart ranch technology. The device can be powered by even small movements, such as neck swaying or walking, and stores energy in a lithium battery.
Researchers identified methane inhibitors and dietary changes that can decrease emissions with no negative effect on milk production. Increasing digestible forage intake or using the red macroalga Asparagopsis taxiformis may also be effective mitigation strategies.
A UTIA study will improve price discovery and market transparency in hay markets, providing valuable information for buyers and sellers. By understanding valued attributes of hay, producers can make informed purchasing and selling decisions, managing livestock feed cost and nutrition.
Engineers at Tokyo Tech demonstrated a simple approach to improve AI classifier training using limited sensor data, increasing quality without extra cost. The proposed method promises to address the challenge of classification accuracy in real-world applications, where reliable answers are crucial.
Researchers found that summer rainfall and autumn-winter dry days are increasing, leading to fluvial discharge and sediment load in rainy seasons and water deficits in dry seasons. The Pantanal's complex geomorphology, including mega-fans and self-affine landforms, makes it susceptible to anthropic interference.
A new study reveals that adopting high-yielding dairy cattle breeds and improving feed can help Tanzania increase milk production while reducing planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions and alleviating poverty. The research found that better feed can increase milk yield by up to 179% and improve the country's climate commitments.
A new study found that planting and managing improved grass in tropical savannas can increase soil carbon stocks by 15% compared to degraded pasture. The use of Koronivia grass also reduced nitrous oxide emissions from grazing cattle by a factor of 10.
A new label indicating responsible antibiotic use (RAU) in dairy milk could entice conventional farmers to minimize antibiotics, with half of US adults willing to buy RAU-labeled milk. The price point would need to be competitive with conventional milk, but consumers are more willing to pay for the label.
The study of Bronze Age Politiko-Troullia in Cyprus reveals farming practices for sheep and cattle. Analysis of animal isotopes indicates communal feasting on wild game like deer and pigs during special occasions.
Researchers at UTIA are studying feed efficiency in pregnant Angus heifers to improve the overall sustainability of beef production. The team is examining the impact of pregnancy on rumen environment and nutritional changes, aiming to provide producers with strategies to improve feed efficiency and calf quality.
A new study from the University of Illinois reveals how cattle ranchers in Brazil cope with weather shocks. The research found that ranchers make decisions based on rainfall patterns and anticipate extreme dry seasons by selling animals for slaughter or to confinement operations, which can decouple food sources from current weather.
A study published in the Journal of Dairy Science found that feeding behavior traits are correlated with feed efficiency in lactating dairy cattle. Researchers estimated genetic parameters for feeding behavior and their associations with feed efficiency traits in US Holstein cows.
A new international study finds that dairy cows and their calves experience worse welfare than beef cattle. The researchers' assessment of bovine welfare risks is based on expert opinions from around the world.
A recent study found that cattle grazing with virtual fencing can create effective wildfire fuel breaks on sagebrush landscapes, reducing the risk of devastating wildfires. The technology uses collars to communicate with GPS and reception towers, forming a virtual fence to manage livestock distribution.
New research finds that purple needlegrass thrives in areas with sheep grazing, especially during wet weather, creating space for new growth and reducing competition from non-native grasses. The study's findings aim to inform effective management strategies for this long-lived species and its potential role in mitigating climate change.
A recent Oregon State University study found that spent hemp biomass is a safe and nutritious alternative feed for lambs, with nutritional quality comparable to alfalfa. The findings provide evidence for the use of hemp byproducts as an animal feedstuff, potentially offering economic benefits for hemp farmers and livestock producers.
Researchers will conduct a national survey to identify barriers to adopting price risk management tools and assess perceptions of tool effectiveness. A free mobile application will be developed to provide information needed for making informed decisions, aiming to improve US beef cattle producers' economic sustainability.
Researchers analyzed physiological parameters to understand metabolic and nutritional characteristics linked to enteric methane emissions in Japanese Black cattle. Cattle with high methane emissions were found to have a higher butyrate-to-propionate ratio, decreased amino acid levels, and increased insulin concentrations.
A new study in the Journal of Dairy Science finds that dairy cows exposed to wildfire smoke experience reduced milk production and altered immune function. The researchers observed a decrease in milk yield for seven consecutive days during the smoke exposure period, which persisted for another seven days post-exposure.
Cattle grazing with protein feed supplements during the fall and early winter can significantly reduce standing fine-fuel biomass by over 50% in cheatgrass-dominated pastures. This reduces fire risk by creating space for native grasses to grow, benefiting both ecosystem health and cattle ranchers.
A new study documents multiple small regions of DNA from domestic cattle in North American bison genomes, revealing a shared genetic ancestry. The research reveals that even historically isolated herds contain low levels of cattle genomic introgression, with implications for bison conservation efforts.
Two projects aim to develop novel acaricides and vaccines against cattle fever ticks, a growing threat to the US cattle industry. The grants seek to protect Texas cattle from deadly diseases like bovine babesiosis and anaplasmosis.
A recent study found that community-based rangeland management projects in Namibia improved resource governance but had limited impact on environmental and economic outcomes. The projects aimed to increase household incomes and improve rangeland conditions through coordinated land use practices, but ultimately failed to achieve signifi...
A new study published in Science Magazine found that nearly 42% of cattle destined for the 'Raised without Antibiotics' market have been treated with antibiotics, casting doubt on the accuracy of these labels. The research team suggests strengthening verification and enforcement to curb antibiotic use in food-animal production.
A study found that climate change could lead to significant economic losses of $15-40 billion annually for livestock farmers, especially in poor, tropical countries. Adaptation measures such as breeding heat-stress tolerant cattle and relocating animals to suitable regions can mitigate these losses.
Researchers investigated physiological changes in Japanese Black cattle during feeding, uncovering metabolic and nutritional conditions. They found increased blood triglycerides, insulin levels, and fat metabolism during fattening phases.
A recent study found that bison reintroduction to mixed-grass prairies increases bird diversity and cervid occupancy in riparian areas. Vegetation changes associated with bison grazing promote biodiversity, benefiting multiple species.
A new study from the University of Colorado Boulder finds that customized training and technical assistance can help Brazilian cattle ranchers sustainably increase their production while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The program resulted in a significant impact on carbon sequestration and emissions, equivalent to reducing CO2 emis...