269 Validation of an Automatic Scale Equipped with Solar Panels for Grazing Beef Cattle

Body weight (BW) is used to detect health and nutritional disorders in cattle, as well as calculate profitability of the production system based on weight gain curves. In grazing systems, measuring BW frequently implies moving animals, which is labor intense, stressful, and reduces grazing time and feed intake. All of which negatively impacts animal performance. An automated scale in the pasture can reduce labor and animal handling, while ensuring an accurate BW estimation. Our objective was to evaluate the functionality and accuracy of an automatic wireless scale system equipped with solar panels (SmartScale, C-LOCKTM), when compared to a conventional scale located at the cattle working facility. Eight multiparous beef cows were weighed in a 14-day interval for a period of 57 days with a conventional scale, while at the same time BW was measured daily with an automated scale located at the pasture in front of the water trough. This wireless system registers BW every time the animal approaches the water trough and automatically transmit it to a server via cellular network. Correlation between weighing systems was evaluated through a linear regression (R Core Team, 2019), where the adjusted R2 value was 0.99, determining an excellent linear relationship between values obtained by the conventional scale and values obtained by the automated scale. In addition, the automated scale registered the time of day, time spent in the scale, and number of daily visits. The probability to find an animal at the scale varies between 15% to 20% during daylight, decreasing under 9% during the night, with 2.56±1.50 average number of visits per day, where animals spend in average 2.94±1.84 minutes. In conclusion, the automated scale has the ability to measure BW with great precision and has potential to be used as a complimentary instrument to evaluate animal behavior in grazing systems.

Public and Private Water: Analysis of Consumer’s Behaviors

In this work we have pointed out how the use of bottled water affects our economic, social and environmental system comparing this phenomenon to the use of public water. Trough a detaild analysis and a social experiment about preferences between public and private water (plastic bottled), we have tried to understand deeply how and why the phenomenon of bottled water is always increasing in Italy if we compare it to what happens in other countries. Received: 15 July 2021 / Accepted: 27 August 2021 / Published: 5 September 2021

Beef Cattle on Pasture Have Better Performance When Supplied With Water Trough Than Pond

The behavior and performance of steers on pasture regarding water availability in troughs or in ponds were compared. Eight paddocks were randomly allocated to one treatment: POND (~30 m of diameter) or TROUGH (water trough, 120 cm diameter and 60 cm high and 500 L capacity). Eight groups of six beef steers were randomly assigned to one of the paddocks. The first 10 days were considered for animal habituation. Animals were individually weighed (days 0, 30, 60, and 90). Beginning in the day after each weighing on days 30 (Month 1), 60 (Month 2), and 90 (Month 3), behavior and animal distribution in the paddock were recorded by direct visual observation in three periods of 4 consecutive days. Water temperature and fecal and herbage DM were also recorded in these periods. Water intake was measured during 16 random days in the troughs. Data were analyzed using Generalized Linear Mixed Models, with treatment and period as fixed effects. TROUGH steers gained more weight (0.44 vs. 0.34 kg/day/animal; P ≤ 0.007) during the experiment and were heavier than the others at the end of the study (P ≤ 0.05). POND steers spent more time drinking water, but TROUGH steers increased the number of drinking events throughout the study (P ≤ 0.05), suggesting an adaptation for the new type of water source. Both treatments increased grazing time throughout the study, but not ruminating time (P ≤ 0.05). Walking time differed between treatments in all periods of behavior observation (P ≤ 0.05). Events of animal licking and ingesting salt of POND steers reduced throughout the study (P ≤ 0.05). The number of drinking events of TROUGH steers increased throughout the study, and drinking events were longer for POND steers than TROUGH steers (P ≤ 0.05). TROUGH steers spent more time on pasture on Month 2 (P ≤ 0.05). Period collection did not affect the water intake of TROUGH treatment (P > 0.05). This study demonstrates that water available in troughs rather than ponds for steers on pasture has positive effects on their weight gain and affects cattle behavior.

Spatio-Thermal Variability and Behaviour as Bio-Thermal Indicators of Heat Stress in Dairy Cows in a Compost Barn: A Case Study

The spatial variability and behavioural aspects of compost-bedded pack barns remain unknown in subtropical regions. In this study, we investigated whether spatial variability occurs in the thermal environment of a compost barn and how the behaviour of dairy cows with different numbers of lactations differs in this system. The spatial sampling design comprised a grid of 108 locations inside the facility. At each location, we measured air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and bed temperature at 9:00, 12:00, and 15:00. We performed 24-h behavioural observations. Regarding spatial variability, the north face showed high air temperature values, and the distribution of relative humidity varied from the north to the south face. Kriging maps revealed a high bedding temperature trend, indicating heterogeneous ventilation management. Primiparous cows visited the water trough during the hottest hours of the day, whereas multiparous cows displayed a higher probability of walking during these periods. In conclusion, we observed a heterogeneous management of ventilation through the spatial distribution of the thermal environment inside the compost-bedded pack barn, with multiparous cows exhibiting dominance over primiparous cows seeking environmental resources.

Response of growing pigs to different evaporative cooling systems

Study was conducted for seven weeks to compare the response of growing pigs to shower and wallow cooling systems. Growing cross breeds of Landrace x Large White pigs (weight 20-25kg) were used. Treatment 1, 2 and 3 were pigs without shower/wallow (control), pigs on wallow and pigs under shower, respectively. Forty-eight pigs comprising four pigs/replicate were replicated four times to the three treatments in a completely randomized design. The shower was activated for 5 minutes every hour from 11am to 5pm. During the period, the performance response, physiological parameter, temperature humidity indexes, microbiological and behavioral response of the growing pigs were observed. Significant differences were observed in the final weight of pigs in T3 (49.50 kg) compared to pigs in T1 (46.75 kg) and T2 (46.00kg). Although, pigs in T1 had the highest significant feed intake of 14.15kg compared to 10.81 kg and 10.38 kg that were observed for pigs in T2 and T3 respectively, the feed conversion ratio of pigs in T3 (3.82) was better. The temperature humidity index in the pen suggested that the pigs were at intense heat stress, thus requiring cooling (THI ranged from 81.12 to 86.39). The respiratory rate of the pigs ranged from approximately 41 min-1 to 51 min0-1 while the weekly rectal temperatures ranged from 37.3°C to 39.4°C in all the treatments. The microbial analysis of the water in wallow and shower showed an increase in microbial population to be 26.0 x 104±3.54 and 12.0 x 104±1.32 while the fungi populations were 2.0 x 104±0.86 and 1.0.x 104±0.57 respectively. Pigs in T1 were found to exhibit more habitual lateral lying position, increased frequency of visiting water trough and defecating in resting areas. Huddling, defecating in wallow and frequency of using wallow was predominant in T2 pigs. It can be concluded that pigs in wallows may be more predisposed to infectious diseases due to high microbial load, however, pigs under shower responded positively to cooling via improved performance.

Response of growing pigs to different evaporative cooling systems

Study was conducted for seven weeks to compare the response of growing pigs to shower and wallow cooling systems. Growing cross breeds of Landrace x Large White pigs (weight 20-25kg) were used. Treatment 1, 2 and 3 were pigs without shower/wallow (control), pigs on wallow and pigs under shower, respectively. Forty-eight pigs comprising four pigs/replicate were replicated four times to the three treatments in a completely randomized design. The shower was activated for 5 minutes every hour from 11am to 5pm. During the period, the performance response, physiological parameter, temperature humidity indexes, microbiological and behavioral response of the growing pigs were observed. Significant differences were observed in the final weight of pigs in T3 (49.50 kg) compared to pigs in T1 (46.75 kg) and T2 (46.00kg). Although, pigs in T1 had the highest significant feed intake of 14.15kg compared to 10.81 kg and 10.38 kg that were observed for pigs in T2 and T3 respectively, the feed conversion ratio of pigs in T3 (3.82) was better. The temperature humidity index in the pen suggested that the pigs were at intense heat stress, thus requiring cooling (THI ranged from 81.12 to 86.39). The respiratory rate of the pigs ranged from approximately 41 min-1 to 51-1 min while the weekly rectal temperatures ranged from 37.3°C to 39.4°C in all the treatments. The microbial analysis of the water in wallow and shower showed an increase in microbial population to be 26.0 x 104 ± 3.54 and 12.0 x 104 ±1.32 while the fungi populations were 2.0 x 104 ± 0.86 and 1.0 x 104 ± 0.57 respectively. Pigs in T1 were found to exhibit more habitual lateral lying position, increased frequency of visiting water trough and defecating in resting areas. Huddling, defecating in wallow and frequency of using wallow was predominant in T2 pigs. It can be concluded that pigs in wallows may be more predisposed to infectious diseases due to high microbial load, however, pigs under shower responded positively to cooling via improved performance

PSVI-19 Evaluation of an automated system for monitoring water intake in group-housed beef cattle

This study was performed to evaluate the accuracy and precision of an automated water trough system (Intergado, Pro-Eficiencia Solucao para Agronegocios S.A., Betim, Minas Gerais, Brazil) for measuring water intake (WI) of beef cattle. The dataset was obtained from thirteen Angus x Hereford registered crossbred breeding bulls over a 90 d research trial. Animals were consuming beardless wheat (Triticum aestivum) hay near maintenance requirements with free access to water and a trace mineral block. The animals were assigned to 1 of 2 shaded pens provided with a total of eight automated water trough systems. For each voluntary visit to the water trough, the system recorded the animal identification, water consumed, and initial BW. The final BW was determined following each drinking event by accounting for the weight of water disappeared upon drinking (±0.050 kg), scale recorded weights (±0.500 kg), and flow of water consumed (L/s). Data were analyzed based on plotting observed against predicted for the identity line (slope = 0 and intercept = 1) and goodness-of-fit, both were assessed using the Model Evaluation System (Tedeschi 2006). Differences were considered significant at P ≤ 0.10. The intercept was found to be different than zero (P < 0.001) but slope was similar to 1 (P = 0.0658). Differences were attributed to the inherent precision of the scales. The WI values presented a mean bias of 0.140 kg. The predicted WI accounted for 99.9% of the observed WI. Goodness-of-fit indicated very high values for modeling efficiency (0.999), accuracy (0.999), and the overall measurement of precision and accuracy (CCC; 0.998). Additionally, the major part of the prediction error was random (89%), indicating that only 11% of the error was associated with the prediction technique. Therefore, the Intergado automated water trough system is recommended for the monitoring of individual water intake for beef cattle.

PSXI-17 Increasing the number of water troughs do not increase water intake or improve calf performance

Provision of adequate quantity of water is essential for cattle as it can affect their health and growth. In addition, during summer months, the amount of water that calves can drink may double, limiting water access. One hundred and eight Holstein male calves (241 ± 3.1 Kg and 184 ± 0.9 d of age) were used in a randomized design to evaluate the effect of increasing from one to two water troughs per pen on water intake, performance and calf behavior over time. Calves were allocated in 6 pens (3 pens per treatment; 18 calves per pen) with one computerized concentrate feeder and one straw feeder with 5 feeding spaces. Pens were assigned to one of the two treatments according to the number of water troughs, a singles water trough (SWT) or a double water trough (DWT). Concentrate and water intake was recorded daily, and body weight (BW) and behavior fortnightly. Data were analyzed using a mixed-effects model with repeated measures including treatment, period and their interaction as main effect and pen per treatment as random effect. Final BW, average daily gain, water and concentrate intake were not affected by the number of water trough in the pen, as well as carcass weight and dressing percentage. However, water intake increased (P < 0.001) by period with an average water intake per calf of 21 L/day in calves with 241 d of age in February, to 51 L/day in calves with 409 d of age in August. Sexual and agonistic behaviors such as grooming, oral non-nutritive behaviors, fighting and mounting did not differ between treatments. The provision of an extra water trough per pen did not improve calf performance nor increase water intake even in summer month.

Listeria valentina sp. nov., isolated from a water trough and the faeces of healthy sheep

In the context of a study on the occurrence of Listeria species in an animal farm environment in Valencia, Spain, six Listeria -like isolates could not be assigned to any known species. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene and on 231 Listeria core genes grouped these isolates in a monophyletic clade within the genus Listeria , with highest similarity to Listeria thailandensis . Whole-genome sequence analyses based on in silico DNA–DNA hybridization, the average nucleotide blast and the pairwise amino acid identities against all currently known Listeria species confirmed that these isolates constituted a new taxon within the genus Listeria . Phenotypically, these isolates differed from other Listeria species mainly by the production of acid from inositol, the absence of acidification in presence of methyl α-d-glucoside, and the absence of α-mannosidase and nitrate reductase activities. The name Listeria valentina sp. nov. is proposed for this novel species, and the type strain is CLIP 2019/00642T (=CIP 111799T=DSM 110544T).

Effect of environmental enrichment devices on behavior of individually housed beef heifers

In research settings, certain experimental designs may require cattle to be housed individually. Individual housing of cattle may make the animals more susceptible to boredom and result the development of undesirable behaviors. The objective of this trial was to investigate the effects of different environmental enrichment devices (EED) on the behavior and feed intake of heifers. Twenty mixed-breed single-sourced heifers were used in a completely random design. Heifers were housed individually (3.05 m × 3.66 m) with the ability to have physical contact with adjacent heifers. Heifers were randomly assigned to one of the four EED treatments, including a jolly ball (JLY), a broom head (SRCH), a 182 cm 5-knot rope (RP), or a Pas-a-Fier roller (RLR). Behavior was recorded using 8 h long daily instantaneous scan sampling in 30 min intervals over three periods: 7 d prior to EED addition (PR), 7 d with EED (EDP), and 7 d after removing EED (PST). Standing, laying, eating, drinking, and exploratory behaviors were evaluated. Exploratory behaviors included: interaction with water trough, feed bunk, water pipe, pen gate, pen wall, EED, grooming, or allogrooming. Rumination behavior was also recorded during each observation time. Time standing and standing bouts were greatest for RP (P < 0.05), while JLY and RLR spent the most time lying down (P < 0.05). All heifers spent the majority of observation times lying down, followed by solely standing (P < 0.05). Heifers on the RP treatment interacted the most with their EED, followed by SRCH (P < 0.001). Rumination increased during EDP compared to PR (P < 0.001). These results suggest that a RP suspended from the ceiling in the pen may be used most frequently by individually housed beef heifers.