Concerns regarding the welfare of farm animals continue to grow. Traditionally, research efforts have largely focused on refining existing management practices to improve welfare. However, the incorporation of views from those directly involved in animal care is equally, if not more, important. This study investigated the perspectives of Canadian dairy farmers on animal welfare. We conducted 16 interviews with a total of 22 participants from four provinces across Canada. Recorded audio files and field notes were transcribed, anonymised, and coded using deductive and inductive thematic analysis. The interview data revealed two major themes: (1) animal dimension of animal welfare, including views related to biological functioning, naturalness and affective states; and (2) dairy farmer identity, including, the voice of the ‘city’, what it means to be a good ‘cow-man’, and the nature of human-animal relationships. Dairy farmers emphasised biological functioning, but they made numerous references to the emotional and natural living aspects of their animals’ lives. Our work also provides evidence that farmers believed it was their duty to care for their animals beyond simply milking cows and making a profit. In terms of the larger debate, this study identified potential shared values with members of the public: opportunities for natural living and agency, attentiveness to individual animals, and the value of life over death. Finally, the emotional relationship that farmers developed with their animals highlights the values dairy farmers have for their animals beyond simply utilitarian function. Overall, these shared values could contribute to constructive dialogue.

Interview questionnaires were administered to the general public in central Scotland and northern England during summer 2007 to investigate consumer awareness of UK dairy production methods, welfare issues and recognition of ‘quality assurance’ product logos. Fifty percent of respondents gave UK dairy animal welfare a positive rating. Recognition of individual quality assurance logos was poor and 75% of respondents stated that they did not intentionally seek to buy products with any of the logos. Respondents’ perceptions of good dairy welfare included: appropriate feeding, good stockmanship, plenty of space, freedom to roam/free range and environmental cleanliness. Half of respondents felt they were poorly informed about food production and the majority of respondents (68%) would like more information on food production. Respondents believed that information on animal welfare provided by veterinarians and farmers would be reliable. Most respondents (93%) said they would pay more for good dairy welfare. The findings show that the general public are interested in animal welfare but could be better informed on dairy animal production and welfare. Veterinarians and farmers may have a potentially important role in providing this information with increasing demand for higher welfare provenance products potentially helping to improve animal welfare.

United States certified organic and conventional dairy farms are compared on the basis of economic, financial, and technological measures using dairy data from the 2016 USDA Agricultural Resource Management Survey. A stochastic production frontier model using an input distance function framework is estimated for U.S. dairy farms to examine technical efficiency and returns to scale (RTS) of farms of both systems and by multiple size categories. Financial and economic measures such as net return on assets and input costs, as well as technological adoption measures are compared by system and size. For both systems, size is the major determinant of competitiveness based on selected measures of productivity and RTS.

The relationship between the cow and calf develops over time after birth. The behavioural mechanisms underlying its development are important and comparisons with other species may increase our understanding. In nature the cow will separate herself from the herd to give birth and then the cow–calf relationship will develop with the ability to recognise each other. While twinning levels are low in cows, they do rear their twin calves. If the calf is lost at or after birth the cow can be responsive towards other calves and in specific circumstances the cow can develop a maternal bond with an alien calf, i.e. foster. In this Research Reflection a distinction is made between the development of, on the one hand, maternal responsiveness (the tendency of the cow to care for a calf which occurs before birth) and, on the other hand, the development of the maternal–filial bond or relationship which is reciprocal, occurs after birth and is characterised by the ability to discriminate the mother's own calf from alien calves. These processes can overlap and the relationship between cow and calf in this ‘hider’ species is more plastic than in some other mammals. For example, a cow might form an attachment with an alien calf before she gives birth. After the cow has given birth the loss of her own calf may result in the state of maternal responsiveness being maintained, such that developing a maternal bond with one or several appropriate alien calves is possible. Viable fostering techniques are possible. If a maternal relationship to the mother's own calf has developed then fostering will be more difficult. If the cow's relationship with her own calf is not exclusive, and she is in a state of maternal responsiveness then fostering of calves of an appropriate age and status can be achieved.

The postpartum period is crucial in dairy cows and is marked by major physiological and metabolic changes that affect milk production, immune response and fertility. Nutrition remains the most important lever for limiting the negative energy balance and its consequences on general health status in highly selected dairy cows. In order to analyze the effect of a commercial micronutrient on intrinsic parameters, performances and the epigenome of dairy cows, 2 groups of 12 Holstein cows were used: 1 fed a standard diet (mainly composed of corn silage, soybean meal and non-mineral supplement) and the other 1 fed the same diet supplemented with the commercial micronutrient (µ-nutrient supplementation) for 4 weeks before calving and 8 weeks thereafter. Milk production and composition, BW, body condition score (BCS), DM intake (DMI) and health (calving score, metritis and mastitis) were recorded over the study period. Milk samples were collected on D15 and D60 post-calving for analyses of casein, Na+ and K+ contents and metalloprotease activity. Milk leukocytes and milk mammary epithelial cells (mMECs) were purified and counted. The viability of mMECs was assessed, together with their activity, through an analysis of gene expression. At the same time points, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were purified and counted. Using genomic DNA extracted from PBMCs, mMECs and milk leukocytes, we assessed global DNA methylation (Me-CCGG) to evaluate the epigenetic imprinting associated with the µ-nutrient-supplemented diet. The µ-nutrient supplementation increased BCS and BW without modifying DMI or milk yield and composition. It also improved calving condition, reducing the time interval between calving and first service. Each easily collectable cell type displayed a specific pattern of Me-CCGG with only subtle changes associated with lactation stages in PBMCs. In conclusion, the response to the µ-nutrient supplementation improved the body condition without alteration of global epigenetic status in dairy cows.

In this study, we hypothesized that differences of automatic milking systems (AMS) variables in dairy cows during estrus and through diverse stages of lactation can be suggested as alternative indicators to support the pregnancy in dairy farms using automatic milking systems. The key objectives were: (1) to determine the variation of automatic milking system indicators during lactation and to estimate the relationship with reproduction status in dairy cows; (2) to test the hypothesis that milking traits of cows can be influenced by estrus and conceiving, and can be used as a predictor of the likelihood of reproductive success in dairy herds. Estrus synchronization was performed in 368 healthy Lithuanian Black and White cows. All cows (n = 368) were synchronized and inseminated for the first time on the 91st day in milk (DIM). Cows not pregnant (17.39%) were synchronized and inseminated again at 132 DIM. After the first insemination pregnant (n = 304) cows were identified as group 1, after the second insemination pregnant (n = 58) cows – as group 2. Overall, 12 01 713 records of udder quarters in cows from 5 to 305 DIM were evaluated. The results revealed the reduction in milk yield during estrus 11.05% on 91 DIM and 13.89% on 132 DIM (P < 0.001) and an increment in milk flow traits in cows after 91 DIM (P < 0.05), also a slight decline in milk flow traits on 132 DIM. Furthermore, milking frequency (MF) of cows decreased significantly (P < 0.001) after conceiving. The interval between milkings (MI) increased (40.30%) during estrus of cows in group 1 (P < 0.001), and thereafter gradually increased, however in group 2 there was a temporary increment (6.06%) on the 91 DIM and steady rise (42.13%) on 132 DIM was noticed. The results highlight that changes in AMS indicators of cows may be considered as an additional tool for improvement of reproductive management in dairy herds, but further research-based studies are necessary before practical application.

This research communication aims to test the hypothesis that B-Mode, colour Doppler ultrasonographic measurements and characteristics can identify mastitis in dairy cows. A total of 102 lactating cows were divided into 3 groups: cows in which all mammary quarters were CMT-negative, cows with CMT-positive mammary quarters and cows with clinical mastitis in at least one quarter. Colour Doppler ultrasonography measurements of the supramammary lymph nodes revealed that distortion-type vascular morphology, the rate of type 4 vascular densities and the incidence of mixed-type vascular distributions were highest in the clinical mastitis group, whereas the frequency of avascularity in supramammary lymph nodes was highest in the CMT-negative group. All differences were significant. In conclusion, the use of B-mode and colour Doppler ultrasonographic measurements of the supramammary lymph nodes can provide useful information about the current condition of mastitis in cows, although its diagnostic potential remains to be determined.

Fasciola hepatica is a helminth parasite that causes huge economic losses to the livestock industry worldwide. Fasciolosis is an emerging foodborne zoonotic disease that affects both humans and grazing animals. This study investigated the associations between climatic/environmental factors (derived from satellite data) and management factors affecting the spatial distribution of this liver fluke in cattle herds across different climate zones in three Mexican states. A bulk-tank milk (BTM) IgG1 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test was used to detect F. hepatica infection levels of 717 cattle herds between January and April 2015. Management data were collected from the farms by questionnaire. The parasite's overall herd prevalence and mean optical density ratio (ODR) were 62.76% and 0.67, respectively. The presence of clustered F. hepatica infections was studied using the spatial scan statistic. Three marked clusters in the spatial distribution of the parasite were observed. Logistic regression was used to test three models of potential statistical association from the ELISA results using climatic, environmental and management variables. The final model based on climatic/environmental and management variables included the following factors: rainfall, elevation, proportion of grazed grass in the diet, contact with other herds, herd size, parasite control use and education level as significant predictors. Geostatistical kriging was applied to generate a risk map for the presence of parasites in dairy herds in Mexico. In conclusion, the spatial distribution of F. hepatica in Mexican cattle herds is influenced by multifactorial effects and should be considered in developing regionally adapted control measures.

The temperature and pH of the contents of the reticulorumen of cattle can be monitored using sensors placed in a rumen bolus. In this research communication we test the hypothesis that these measurements can be used as a predictor of the likelihood of reproductive success. The study was performed on 20 Lithuanian Black and White dairy cows. The pH and temperature of the contents of their reticulorumens were measured using boluses manufactured for animal care (smaXtec animal care technology®). The data from reticulorumen were recording at 1 to 7 and 7 to 56 d post calving and then post insemination (on average 60 ± 12) until 170 d after calving. The pregnancies were tested with ‘Easy scan’ ultrasound 30–35 d after insemination. Those cows which were pregnant were assigned to the PD+ group (n = 12), and those which were not pregnant – assigned to the PD− group (n = 8). Rumen pH was initially lower in the PD+ group but then higher than in PD−, but temperature did not differ between the groups until after conception. We can conclude that cows with disturbed rumen metabolism (with low rumen pH) are less likely to conceive. The measurements of reticuloruminal pH may be useful as a predictor of the likelihood of reproductive success, but more research is needed before practical application.

Magnesium (Mg2+) is an essential mineral without known specific regulatory mechanisms. In ruminants, plasma Mg2+ concentration depends primarily on the balance between Mg2+ absorption and Mg2+ excretion. The primary site of Mg2+ absorption is the rumen, where Mg2+ is apically absorbed by both potential-dependent and potential-independent uptake mechanisms, reflecting involvement of ion channels and electroneutral transporters, respectively. Transport is energised in a secondary active manner by a basolateral Na+/Mg2+ exchanger. Ruminal transport of Mg2+ is significantly influenced by a variety of factors such as high K+ concentration, sudden increases of ammonia, pH, and the concentration of SCFA. Impaired Mg2+ absorption in the rumen is not compensated for by increased transport in the small or large intestine. While renal excretion can be adjusted to compensate precisely for any surplus in Mg2+ uptake, a shortage in dietary Mg2+ cannot be compensated for either via skeletal mobilisation of Mg2+ or via up-regulation of ruminal absorption. In such situations, hypomagnesaemia will lead to decrease of a Mg2+ in the cerebrospinal fluid and clinical manifestations of tetany. Improved knowledge concerning the factors governing Mg2+ homeostasis will allow reliable recommendations for an adequate Mg2+ intake and for the avoidance of possible disturbances. Future research should clarify the molecular identity of the suggested Mg2+ transport proteins and the regulatory mechanisms controlling renal Mg excretion as parameters influencing Mg2+ homeostasis.

The biohydrogenation theory of milk fat depression (MFD) attributes decreases in milk fat in cows to the formation of specific fatty acids (FA) in the rumen. Trans-10, cis-12-CLA is the only biohydrogenation intermediate known to inhibit milk fat synthesis, but it is uncertain if increased ruminal synthesis is the sole explanation of MFD. Four lactating cows were used in a 4×4 Latin square with a 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments and 35-d experimental periods to evaluate the effect of diets formulated to cause differences in ruminal lipid metabolism and milk fat synthesis on the flow of FA and dimethyl acetal at the omasum. Treatments comprised total mixed rations based on grass silage with a forage:concentrate ratio of 35:65 or 65:35 containing 0 or 50 g/kg sunflower oil (SO). Supplementing the high-concentrate diet with SO lowered milk fat synthesis from −20·2 to −31·9 % relative to other treatments. Decreases in milk fat were accompanied by alterations in ruminal biohydrogenation favouring the trans-10 pathway and an increase in the formation of specific intermediates including trans-4 to trans-10-18 : 1, trans-8, trans-10-CLA, trans-9, cis-11-CLA and trans-10, cis-15-18 : 2. Flow of trans-10, cis-12-CLA at the omasum was greater on high- than low-concentrate diets but unaffected by SO. In conclusion, ruminal trans-10, cis-12-CLA formation was not increased on a diet causing MFD suggesting that other biohydrogenation intermediates or additional mechanisms contribute to the regulation of fat synthesis in the bovine mammary gland.

Africa has a shortage of animal products but increasing demand because of population growth, urbanisation and changing consumer patterns. Attempts to boost livestock production through the use of breeding technologies such as artificial insemination (AI) have been failing in many countries because costs have escalated and success rates have been relatively low. One example is Kenya, a country with a relatively large number of cows and a dairy industry model relevant to neighbouring countries. There, an innovative dairy marketing approach (farmer-owned collective marketing systems called dairy hubs) has been implemented to enhance access to dairy markets and dairy-related services, including breeding services such as AI. So far, the rate of participation in these dairy hubs has been slow and mixed. In order to understand this phenomenon better and to inform dairy-related development activities by the Kenyan government, we investigated which characteristics of AI services, offered through the dairy hubs, farmers prefer. To do so, we applied a choice experiment (CE), a non-market valuation technique, which allowed us to identify farmers’ preferences for desired characteristics should more dairy hubs be installed in the future. This is the first study to use a CE to evaluate breeding services in Kenya and the results can complement findings of studies of breeding objectives and selection criteria. The results of the CE reveal that dairy farmers prefer to have AI services offered rather than having no service. Farmers prefer AI services to be available at dairy hubs rather than provided by private agents not affiliated to the hubs, to have follow-up services for pregnancy detections, and to use sexed semen rather than conventional semen. Farmers would further like some flexibility in payment systems which include input credit, and are willing to share the costs of any AI repeats that may need to occur. These results provide evidence of a positive attitude to AI services provided through the hubs, which could mean that AI uptake would improve if service characteristics are improved to match farmer preferences. The dairy hubs concept is currently in the implementation phase with most hubs at startup phase, hence understanding which AI service characteristics farmers prefer can inform the design of high-quality and cost-effective AI services in the future.

The study aimed to examine effects of supplemented CLA to periparturient dairy cows receiving different concentrate proportions antepartum (a.p.) to investigate CLA effects on metabolism and immune function. Compared with adapted feeding, high-concentrate diet a.p. should induce a ketogenic metabolic situation postpartum (p.p.) to better understand how CLA works. A total of 64 pregnant German Holstein cows had ad libitum access to partial mixed rations based on concentrate and roughage 3 weeks before calving until day 60 p.p. A.p., cows received 100 g/day control fat (CON) or a CLA supplement, either in a low-concentrate (20%, CON-20, CLA-20) or high-concentrate diet (60%, CON-60, CLA-60). P.p., concentrate proportion was adjusted to 50% while fat supplementation continued. After day 32 p.p., half of the animals of CLA-groups changed to CON supplementation (CLA-20-CON, CLA-60-CON). A ketogenic metabolic state p.p. was not achieved and respective impacts of CLA could not be examined. Blood samples for isolation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were collected on day −21, 7, 28 and 56 relative to calving. Blood chemistry samples were taken over the entire experimental period. Mitogen-stimulated proliferation of PBMC remained unaffected. Besides serum concentrations of triglycerides, total bilirubin, total protein, albumin and IGF-1, clinical-chemical serum characteristics remained uninfluenced by treatments. No post-supplementation effect could be observed. Measured blood metabolites and mitogen-stimulated proliferation of PBMC indicate that all groups had an increased metabolic stress around calving, whereby group CLA-20 was affected more severely. Overall, supplemented CLA did not positively affect metabolism or immune function of periparturient dairy cows. However, feeding CLA in a low-concentrate diet a.p. seems to increase liver stress around calving via reduced DMI.

Feeding flaxseed to dairy cows can modulate gene expression and PG synthesis in the uterus at the time of peri-implantation. The objectives of the present study were to determine which flaxseed components are responsible for these effects and how different endometrial cell types are affected. We evaluated the effects of six different linoleic acid (n-6):α-linolenic acid (n-3) ratios and three concentrations of the lignan enterolactone (ENL) on endometrial stromal cells (SC) and epithelial cells (EC). The mRNA abundance of genes with known or suspected roles in embryo survival or PG synthesis was evaluated, along with PGE2 and PGF2α concentrations in culture media. The mRNA abundance of several genes was modulated by different fatty acid (FA) ratios and/or ENL, and this modulation differed between cell types. The FA4 (FA at an n-6:n-3 ratio of 4) treatment (rich in n-3 FA) increased the mRNA abundance of genes that have positive effects on uterine receptivity and implantation when compared with the FA25 (FA at an n-6:n-3 ratio of 25) treatment (rich in n-6 FA). ENL decreased PGE2 and PGF2α concentrations in both cell types, and this reduction was associated with lower mRNA abundance of the PG synthase genes AKR1B1 and PTGES in SC. The combination of ENL with FA (FA4 treatment) resulted in the greatest reduction in PGF2α concentrations when compared with the addition of FA (FA4) or ENL alone. Because of the known luteolytic properties of PGF2α, a reduction in endometrial PGF2α secretion would favour the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy.

The main requirement for milk processed in most cheese typologies is its rennet coagulation ability. Despite the increasing number of studies, the causes for abnormal coagulation of milk are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to ascertain relationships between milk characteristics and its rennet coagulation ability, focusing on the influence of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P). Ca and P are essential constituents of the micelles. Micellar P can be present as part of colloidal calcium phosphate (inorganic-P) or covalently bound to caseins as phosphate groups (casein-P). Eighty one herd milk samples (SCC<400 000 cell/ml) were classified as Optimal (8), Suboptimal (39) Poor (29) and Non-coagulating milk (5), according to their rennet coagulation parameters as assessed by lactodynamographic test. Samples were analysed for their chemical composition (basic composition, protein fractions, minerals and salt equilibria), physicochemical parameters (pH and titratable acidity) and rheological properties. Optimal milk was characterised by the highest contents of major constituents, protein fractions and minerals, lowest content of chloride and highest values of titratable acidity. Non-coagulating milk was characterised by the highest values of pH and the lowest of titratable acidity. At micellar level, Optimal milk showed the highest values of colloidal Ca, casein-P and colloidal Mg (g/100 g casein), while Non-coagulating milk showed the lowest values. Interestingly, there was no statistical difference regarding the content of colloidal inorganic-P (g/100 g casein) between Optimal and Non-coagulating milks. Overall, high mineralisation of the micelle (expressed as g inorganic-P/100 g casein) positively affect its rennetability. However, excessive mineralisation could lead to a reduction of the phosphate groups (g casein-P/100 g casein) available for curd formation.

In Chile, cow carcasses present the highest bruise prevalence compared with other cattle categories; however, the causes of the bruises are frequently unknown. In this study, 52 cull cows were transported to the slaughterhouse in three batches under identical transport conditions. A combination of direct observation and video analyses was used to determine moment, pre-slaughter stage and cause of potential bruising events during the period from loading on the farm until stunning at the slaughterhouse. After slaughter, number of bruises, location on the carcass and characteristics of the bruises were assessed. Seventy-eight bruises were observed on 37 carcasses. Fifty-two bruises were linked back to their causal event. Results showed that 46% of these bruises were a result of interactions between animal and facility, and most of them were inflicted in the stunning box, 27% of the bruises originated from animal–animal interactions and were mostly inflicted during lairage, another 27% was a result of human–animal interactions and were mostly inflicted during loading and unloading of animals. The percentages of potential bruising events resulting in a bruise were 43%, 9% and less than 1% for animal–facility, human–animal and animal–animal interactions, respectively. Most bruises on the back site were inflicted when the animal was in the stunning box (91.2%), whereas bruises on the pin site were mostly (75%) inflicted during loading at the farm. One may conclude that in relative short journeys (⩽4 h) directly from farm to the slaughterhouse and long lairage times (>12 h), most bruises are the result of circumstances at the slaughterhouse. A substantial amount of these bruises could be avoided by proper animal handling and adequate stunning facilities.

The use of culled potatoes was investigated in Belgian Blue double-muscled finishing cows, confined in tie stalls. The control diet (Treatment 1) consisted of concentrate and maize silage (50/50 on a dry matter (DM) basis). Potatoes either replaced 60% maize silage (Treatment 2) or 60% concentrate (Treatment 3). Diets were formulated to be isocaloric and isonitrogenous. They were fed ad libitum. Approximately 18 kg potatoes were fed daily in Treatments 2 and 3. Daily gain was not significantly altered; it decreased from 1.09 kg (Treatment 1) to 1.04 kg (Treatment 2) or increased to 1.20 kg (Treatment 3), although potatoes stimulated DM intake by 5% to 8% (P < 0.05). Feed conversion was unaffected in comparison with the control diet, when expressed in terms of DM, but energy efficiency (MJ/kg live weight gain) was substantially lower for Treatment 2 compared with Treatment 1 (89.9 v. 79.0; P = 0.046). Carcass weight, grading and composition were not affected by treatments, but potatoes increased dressing percentage (P = 0.009). Treatment had no significant effect on meat quality parameters. However, potatoes (Treatments 2 and 3) tended to decrease moisture content (P = 0.090) and tended to increase drip loss (P = 0.059) compared with Treatment 1. Because of a better animal performance and a lower feed cost, it is most appropriate to use potatoes as a replacement for concentrate. Feeding large amounts of potatoes besides concentrate may have an adverse effect on the fibrousness of the diet, resulting in a tendency (−5%) for a reduced daily gain and a lower energy efficiency (P < 0.05).

This study investigates the feasibility to predict individual methane (CH4) emissions from dairy cows using milk mid-infrared (MIR) spectra. To have a large variability of milk composition, two experiments were conducted on 11 lactating Holstein cows (two primiparous and nine multiparous). The first experiment aimed to induce a large variation in CH4 emission by feeding two different diets: the first one was mainly composed of fresh grass and sugar beet pulp and the second one of maize silage and hay. The second experiment consisted of grass and corn silage with cracked corn, soybean meal and dried pulp. For each milking period, the milk yields were recorded twice daily and a milk sample of 50 ml was collected from each cow and analyzed by MIR spectrometry. Individual CH4 emissions were measured daily using the sulfur hexafluoride method during a 7-day period. CH4 daily emissions ranged from 10.2 to 47.1 g CH4/kg of milk. The spectral data were transformed to represent an average daily milk spectrum (AMS), which was related to the recorded daily CH4 data. By assuming a delay before the production of fermentation products in the rumen and their use to produce milk components, five different calculations were used: AMS at days 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 compared with the CH4 measurement. The equations were built using Partial Least Squares regression. From the calculated R2cv, it appears that the accuracy of CH4 prediction by MIR changed in function of the milking days. In our experimental conditions, the AMS at day 1.5 compared with the measure of CH4 emissions gave the best results. The R2 and s.e. of the cross-validation were equal to 0.79 and 5.14 g of CH4/kg of milk. The multiple correlation analysis performed in this study showed the existence of a close relationship between milk fatty acid (FA) profile and CH4 emission at day 1.5. The lower R2 (R2 = 0.76) obtained between FA profile and CH4 emission compared with the one corresponding to the obtained calibration (R2c = 0.87) shows the interest to apply directly the developed CH4 equation instead of the use of correlations between FA and CH4. In conclusion, our preliminary results suggest the feasibility of direct CH4 prediction from milk MIR spectra. Additional research has the potential to improve the calibrations even further. This alternative method could be useful to predict the individual CH4 emissions at farm level or at the regional scale and it also could be used to identify low-CH4-emitting cows.