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Wildfire smoke exposure negatively impacts dairy cow health

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.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Dairy Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 16, 2022

New research reveals the complexity of improving rangeland management in Africa

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...

An uncertain future for livestock production in the tropics

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.

SourceInternational Livestock Research Institute·JournalThe Lancet Planetary Health·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 6, 2022

How cattle ranchers in Brazil could help reduce carbon emissions

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...

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 17, 2022

Peace has led to more deforestation in Colombia

A new study reveals that Colombia's peace agreement has led to more forest loss, primarily due to increased coca farming and cattle ranching in the Andes and Amazon respectively. The research highlights the importance of considering local factors such as land use, politics, and socioeconomics in conservation efforts.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Environmental Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 21, 2022

A smart livestock farming solution

A team of researchers from the University of Groningen developed an AI-based system that can identify individual Holstein cows in a milking station based on their coat pattern. The system achieved a recognition rate of 99.7% and has several advantages, including non-invasiveness, cost-effectiveness, and scalability.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalExpert Systems with Applications·TypeImaging analysis·DateDec 15, 2021

Secondary forests restore fresh water sources in degraded landscapes

Researchers found that bacterial communities in streams adjacent to young secondary forests recover to resemble those of mature forest streams within a decade after cattle is removed from the land. This study provides hope for restoring water quality through passive reforestation, which can be crucial for human health and the environment.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 5, 2021

Deadly virus’s pathway to infect cells identified

Researchers at WashU Medicine and University of Pittsburgh discover that Rift Valley fever virus uses a protein linked to cholesterol metabolism to infect cells. The finding could lead to therapies preventing or reducing the virus's impact by interfering with its entry into cells.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 23, 2021

The deforestation risk of making livestock systems greener

New research suggests that scaling up silvopastoral systems in Colombia's Amazon Rainforest can lead to deforestation if safeguards are not put in place. The study found that excess male cattle produced by these systems may be sold to farms in nearby areas, contributing to deforestation.

’Til the cows come home

New research reveals Bronze Age farmers in China prioritized cattle for their diets, utilizing byproducts like millet stalks for feed. This approach differs from other regions, where cows were raised closer to human settlements.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2021

Hidden genes discovered in bovine genome

A research team at ETH Zurich has created a comprehensive bovine genome reference by integrating data from six breeds, revealing numerous new genes and functionalities. These newly discovered sequences show connections to immune functions and may provide insights into genetic variants lost during domestication.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 26, 2021

Spotting cows from space

A team of researchers used satellite imagery to study the interactions between cows and elk at the interface of wildland and rangeland. Their findings suggest that elk have acclimated to cattle by avoiding cow pastures and selecting separate foraging sites, reducing potential grazing conflicts.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalBiological Conservation·DateApr 12, 2021

What are we breeding for, and who decides?

A review in the Journal of Dairy Science examines how US dairy industry breeding selection objectives are established, detailing opportunities and obstacles related to new technologies. The net merit dollars (NM$) selection index has increased the rate of gain in dairy cattle through genomic selection, but challenges remain in measurin...

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Dairy Science·DateMar 31, 2021

What does the fox say to a puma?

Pumas and culpeo foxes can successfully coexist due to distinct diets, with pumas primarily feeding on introduced hare species and foxes on smaller mammals. This study sheds light on predator interactions and ecosystem balances in the Andes.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalDiversity·DateNov 13, 2020

Vaccine shows promise against herpes virus

A genetically edited form of a herpes simplex virus has outperformed a leading vaccine candidate in a new study, significantly increasing antibody production and reducing viral replication. The modified live virus demonstrated cross-protection against both HSV-1 and HSV-2, suggesting an HSV-2-specific edition could be even more effective.

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·Journalnpj Vaccines·DateNov 6, 2020

Cows prefer "live" co-moo-nication, study reveals

A new study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that cows are more relaxed when spoken to directly by a live human than when listening to a recorded voice. The researchers observed higher heart rate variability and lower heart rates after the live interaction, indicating improved mood.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateOct 15, 2020