A new study challenges previous estimates of US livestock methane emissions, suggesting a significant discrepancy between top-down and bottom-up approaches. The researchers used a spatially explicit approach to estimate enteric methane emissions for cattle and manure methane emissions for swine and poultry.
A new approach has been developed to measure methane emissions from livestock, highlighting the need for more accurate estimates. The study reveals that current data may be outdated and do not fully consider factors such as feed intake and manure storage, leading to large uncertainties in methane emission figures.
A Brazilian study reveals that minor changes to corrals, such as removing splash colors and water puddles, can significantly reduce the stress levels of cattle. The implementation of good handling practices, including calm handlers and reduced noise levels, also led to improved behavior and cortisol release.
A study by the University of Nottingham found that current injection methods in UK dairy cattle can damage the sciatic nerve, particularly in cows with low body condition scores. Researchers recommend injecting cattle in the neck or choosing a more lateral location when using the gluteal region to minimize the risk of nerve injury.
A new early warning system called Y-Ware is being developed to alert farmers to the risk of disease among their young cattle stock, aiming to improve health and welfare while reducing antimicrobial use. The project utilizes machine learning techniques and real-time data from sensors to provide an early warning system for health.
A team of scientists developed an innovative way to prevent sleeping sickness in cattle using the smell of antelopes. By mimicking the waterbuck's repellent scent, more than 80 percent of cows were spared from infection. The method is cheaper and more popular among Maasai herders than traditional treatments.
A new mapping tool helps wildlife and livestock managers prioritize prevention efforts in high-risk areas to minimize disease transmission. The model predicts an average of 700 elk abortions per year, with higher transmission risk at lower elevations during heavy snow years.
A simpler early pregnancy test for cattle has improved animal welfare and food production by enabling pregnancy to be determined after just 25 days. This detection method has contributed to reduced animal costs, more efficient food production, and ultimately good human health.
A genetic study aims to improve the tenderness and productivity of Brazilian beef cattle. Researchers bred over 800 animals to identify genomic areas associated with meat quality characteristics, revealing molecular processes related to muscle deposition and fat thickness.
Researchers investigate alternatives to address ruminal acidosis, a serious disease affecting intensive farming systems. Feed additives, such as ionophores, can control lactic acid production, reducing the risk of acidosis and improving animal productivity.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have discovered a new cattle disease called Facial Dysplasia Syndrome, which causes facial deformations and breathing problems in young calves. The disease is linked to a genetic mutation found in semen from one breeding bull, and its identification could help prevent further cases.
Researchers have identified a genetic link between host animals, their microbial community, and methane production in a study that won the PLOS Genetics Research Prize. The study found that certain microbial profiles can be used to recognize cattle that use feed more efficiently while emitting less methane.
Researchers seek to understand how trypanosome parasites cause long-term infections in cattle, with potential to develop novel ideas for prevention and treatment. The project aims to target the parasite's defences using drug therapy or vaccines.
The University of Missouri is developing immunizations against bovine anaplasmosis using extracts from tick tissues. The goal is to create sustainable methods to prevent the spread of tick-transmitted diseases.
Researchers analyzed cattle teeth and bones to uncover diverse farming strategies. The study reveals that Neolithic farmers implemented parallel strategies for grazing cattle, including keeping some close to settlements and others in distant pastures.
Researchers analyzed strontium isotopes in prehistoric cattle teeth to infer herding management and mobility. The study found three distinct herding patterns, indicating local, seasonal, and year-round grazing strategies that may have contributed to social inequalities.
Researchers have successfully elicited broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) to HIV in calves by immunization, a breakthrough that may inform HIV vaccine and therapeutics design. The unique structure of bovine bNAbs, particularly the long HCDR3 loops, shows promise for promoting human immune system development.
Scientists have found that supplementing cattle with dried distillers' grains can minimize the effects of harder-to-digest Bermuda grass as seasons progress. This allows for a potential two-season grazing strategy to optimize nutrition and weight gain.
A fall calving season in the southeastern United States can be more profitable due to higher calf prices at weaning and increased calves weaned per cow. This is attributed to longer growing seasons for forages, providing a competitive advantage in feed costs.
A 16-year Nebraska study found minimal negative impacts of grazing cattle on corn stubble on soil properties, except for slight compaction. Grazing may even have a slightly positive effect on soil microbial community structure due to the addition of nutrient-rich manure.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia found dairy cows are highly motivated to be outside, working equally hard to access pasture as they do to fresh feed. The study's findings support previous research that public opinion of a good life for cattle involves outdoor grazing access.
African cattle breeds have developed genetic adaptations to cope with varying environments, which will inform breeding programs to improve productivity and resilience. The '10,000 Livestock Genome Project' aims to catalogue all domestic livestock breeds to preserve diversity before it disappears forever.
A novel vaccine developed by scientists at NIAID protected cattle from respiratory syncytial virus infection, with high levels of neutralizing antibodies and protection against viral replication. The vaccine's pre-F protein construct showed promise in a model that may be applied to human RSV vaccine development.
A genetic study has sequenced the genomes of 50 top Brahman bulls in Australia to understand how genes from temperate cattle have influenced production traits. The research found that these genes, which account for 7-10% of the breed's genome, may be associated with fertility, growth and temperament.
A mathematical model of bovine tuberculosis transmission from cattle to cattle and cattle to humans was used to analyze the cost and effectiveness of interventions in Morocco. The results showed that using a more conservative cutoff for a positive skin test could lead to cheaper and quicker elimination of the disease.
Genomic analyses reveal that Mongolian yaks are derived from cattle, with a genetic heritage of about 1.5% of their genome coming from domesticated cattle. The study also found that yak breeders selected for polledness in the early stages of domestication, leading to the loss of horns and exploiting this trait worldwide.
Researchers found that mosquitoes responsible for transmitting malaria often rest in cattle sheds and feed on both humans and cattle. The team suggests that extending mosquito-control efforts to include cattle sheds could help reduce transmission dramatically.
A Washington State University study found that vaccinating cattle for East Coast fever increases household wealth and income, leading to more food and education. Fewer cattle deaths also enable families to send their daughters to secondary school.
A new article highlights the importance of best management practices for cattle transport, improving welfare and providing economic benefits. The study recommends implementing a transporter quality assurance program to ensure safe, humane, and expeditious shipping.
A new study suggests that implementing techniques such as floor scraping, flushing with water, and using different types of flooring can reduce ammonia emissions from commercial dairy cattle barns by up to 50%. This reduction in pollution could have positive impacts on both the environment and human health.
Researchers are exploring the connection between Johne's disease in cattle and Crohn's disease in humans. The study found that MAP-infected cows share symptoms with Crohn's patients, including thickened intestines, diarrhea, and low protein absorption.
A recent study reports a surge in jaguar killings in Panama, primarily due to retaliatory attacks by cattle ranchers on the big cats' prey species. The research highlights the urgent need for conservation measures, including education and economic incentives, to protect the endangered jaguar population.
A big data analysis of over a million cattle and 50,000 badgers found that cattle are primarily infected through other cattle, not badgers. This challenges the long-held assumption that badgers play a key role in spreading TB to cattle.
A University of California, Davis, study published in PLOS Genetics has identified a genetic component contributing to mosquitoes' host choice between humans and animals. Researchers sequenced the genomes of mosquitoes fed on humans and cattle, finding a chromosomal rearrangement called the 3Ra inversion linked to cattle feeding.
A chromosome anomaly in mosquitoes linked to cattle feeding behavior may hold the key to reducing malaria transmission. Researchers identified a specific chromosomal rearrangement associated with cattle feeding in Anopheles arabiensis mosquitoes.
A study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases suggests that treating cattle with fipronil can significantly reduce visceral leishmaniasis by killing sand flies. The treatment is most effective when applied regularly, but also depends on the timing relative to the sand fly lifecycle.
A recent Michigan State University study found that stressed dairy cattle are more likely to shed deadly Shiga toxin-producing E. coli bacteria, which can cause serious illnesses in humans.
A recent study published in BMC Genomics has identified a gene mutation responsible for high juvenile mortality in calves. The mutation affects the structure of cilia in airways, leading to chronic infections and respiratory disease.
A University of Illinois study found that supplementing Holstein cows' diets with methionine during prepartum and postpartum periods increased the number of lipid droplets in preimplantation embryos, allowing them to survive more stress. This may lead to lower embryonic death rates and improved pregnancy outcomes.
Researchers from University of Cincinnati identified sources of methane in three US states using isotopic composition analysis. Methane levels came from organic matter decay and biological processes in coal formations, with fracking contributing to high emissions in some areas.
The Journal of Dairy Science has compiled a set of articles on the science of tail docking, addressing topics such as pain, hygiene, and biological responses. The collection includes 10 research articles published between 2000 and 2010, freely available online to inform discussion in the dairy community.
A four-year project aims to investigate the effect of supplementing dairy cows with organic oregano on reducing methane emissions. The goal is to show a 25% reduction in methane production through the addition of oregano, benefiting both the climate and organic farmers.
A new review by the University of Liverpool found that approximately one in four reported cattle attacks in the UK were fatal and involved dogs. Dog owners are advised to control their pets to avoid interactions with cattle, suggesting letting them off the lead as a way to prevent attacks.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has granted $478,000 to researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst to develop a vaccine against trypanosomiasis, a fatal disease of cattle in sub-Saharan Africa. The vaccine aims to enhance the immune response of infected hosts to control the disease.
Research by the University of Exeter found that intensive farming practices, such as larger herd sizes and maize growth, increase the risk of bovine TB. Farms with herds over 150 cattle are 50% more likely to suffer a TB outbreak.
A study has revealed that domesticated cattle have a more complex ancestry than previously thought, with some breeds sharing genetic similarities with ancient British aurochs. The discovery sheds new light on the evolutionary history of European cattle breeds.
A study found that European health regulations led to a significant change in the Galician wolf's diet, with a decrease in carrion consumption and an increase in the consumption of wild ungulates like roe deer and wild boars. The wolves' dietary shift has implications for their conservation and coexistence with humans.
A virulent strain of BVDV-2c virus affected over 5,000 cattle in Germany, causing severe symptoms and significant economic losses. The study suggests that farmers and people who visit farms should take biosecurity measures to prevent disease transmission.
Researchers from Queen Mary University of London found declining numbers of Bovine TB infections in Scotland and Wales, while England's approach is unlikely to succeed. More frequent testing led to effective control of the disease, with a significant decline in infections.
Researchers found that a 1,102-pound steer can safely consume up to 2.8 pounds of fresh tall larkspur daily without severe poisoning. The study also identified the importance of non-MSAL-type alkaloids in determining toxicity potential.
Researchers offer knowledge on reducing antibiotic usage and implementing growth technologies in beef production. Drs. Daniel Thomson, Clint Krehbiel, and Chris Calkins presented their findings at the ADSA-ASAS Joint Annual Meeting.
A Kansas State University study uses aggregated data to estimate detailed cattle movement and predict disease risk in the US. The research reveals a significant risk of disease infiltration, highlighting the need for more accurate epidemic models and animal movement parameters.
Recent studies published in Journal of Animal Science explore ways to boost beef and dairy production using marginal lands and fibrous byproducts. Benefits include reduced costs, improved ecological balance, and opportunities for new producers to enter the market.
Researchers from the University of Calgary developed an ear tag-attached accelerometer unit to monitor rumination and feeding behavior in beef cattle. The technology was able to identify feeding activity correctly 95% of the time, but only identified rumination activity correctly 49% of the time.
Researchers in Egypt have developed a biometric identification system for cattle using unique muzzle features, reducing the risk of food fraud and improving tracking efficiency. The system achieved high accuracy rates of 94% in actual tests, making it a promising solution for ranchers to control their stock.
The study reveals that domestic animal size changed significantly over the centuries, with a minimum during the Early Middle Ages and a significant increase since the Late Middle Ages, especially for sheep.
Market-driven 'zero deforestation agreements' have significantly influenced the behavior of ranchers and slaughterhouses, leading to lower deforestation rates among supplying ranches. However, challenges remain to achieve zero-deforestation for beef production, with many ranchers able to bypass the agreements.
Researchers have successfully introduced a gene into foetal cells from Luxi Yellow cattle to increase the levels of beneficial omega-3 oils in beef. The study found that introducing the fat1 gene resulted in over five times higher levels of these fatty acids.
Research finds that growth-promoting hormones like TBA used in beef production can persist in the environment at higher concentrations and for longer durations than previously thought. This persistence has significant impacts on aquatic ecosystems, including disrupting reproductive cycles and altering entire food webs.
Genetic markers have been identified for large offspring syndrome (LOS) in cattle, a condition that can cause physical abnormalities and fatalities in newborn calves. This discovery may lead to safer assisted reproduction procedures by allowing breeders to avoid genetically predisposed embryos.