Systems approaches to beef cattle production systems using modeling and simulation

Systems approach techniques have been applied to modeling production systems for beef cattle from the relatively micro‐level of tissues and organs to the macro‐level of farms and geographical regions. This paper reviews the various types of beef cattle production models already in operation in order to analyze beef cattle production systems and their components. It may be theoretically possible to construct system models which describe such complex production systems and can be generally used in various genetic, nutritional, management and economic situations as well as in training, extension and educational programs. Moreover, the systems approach can assist in the organization of information and identification of knowledge gaps and thereby open an avenue to multi‐disciplinary research projects.     

澳大利亚2018年肉牛产业发展分析与借鉴

肉牛产业是澳大利亚重要的农牧产业之一,其牛肉出口量居世界前三。2018年我国已跃居成为澳大利亚牛肉对外出口的第三大国。本文收集汇总了澳大利亚官方发布的相关数据,主要对2018年澳大利亚肉牛产业发展现状、贸易状况进行了汇总分析。通过借鉴其发展经验和模式,继续促进我国肉牛产业转型升级,对提高行业竞争力具有重要意义。     

Disease signs reported in south-eastern Australian dairy cattle while grazing Brassica species

Objective
To estimate the relative frequency of various disease signs in dairy cattle fed brassicas in south-eastern Australia, to estimate the incidence of disease signs within affected groups and to identify risk factors for commonly reported signs in brassica-fed dairy cows.
Design
A case series study and a case-control study.
Procedures
Case data was collected using an incident reporting system. Herd managers and veterinarians recorded details about disease incidents in brassica-fed dairy cattle in summer and autumn 1995 using a standard questionnaire. Potential risk factors for photosensitisation were assessed using a case-control study.
Results
Disease signs were reported in 66 groups of brassica-fed dairy cattle. Photosensitisation and bloat were the more frequently reported signs. While high incidences were reported in some groups, the incidence of disease signs was low within most affected groups. Photosensitisation occurred more frequently among groups of cows fed brassica crops treated with nitrogenous fertilisers or which were low yielding. Risks of other disease signs were greatest while the first one quarter of the crop was grazed.
Conclusions
In the study population, most disease outbreaks occurring in brassica-fed cattle were of low incidence. However, some high incidence outbreaks occurred. Results from this study suggest that important risk factors exist for disease signs in brassica-fed dairy cattle. Further studies are required if these risk factors are to be fully identified. This would allow the development of preventative strategies for high incidence disease outbreaks while feeding brassicas to dairy cattle.     

澳大利亚2019年肉牛产业发展分析与借鉴

澳大利亚是世界上牛肉出口大国之一,肉牛产业是其重要的支柱产业。我国是澳大利亚重要的牛肉出口国之一,随着我国与澳大利亚自由贸易协议的签订及实施,近几年我国对澳大利亚的牛肉进口量持续快速攀升,2019年跃居澳大利亚牛肉出口国第一位。本文收集汇总了澳大利亚官方发布的相关数据,对2019年澳大利亚肉牛产业发展现状、贸易情况进行追踪,通过分析以期为我国肉牛产业持续健康发展提出借鉴。     

Cryptosporidium andersoni in Western Australian feedlot cattle

Cryptosporidium andersoni has not been previously reported in feedlot beef cattle in Western Australia. Faecal samples were collected from 10 groups of cattle ranging in age from 11 to 36 months in five different feedlots in Western Australia. The incidence of C. andersoni ranged from 0% to 26%. There were no clinical signs associated with C. andersoni infection, but there was a significant reduction in rate of gain of 0.44 kg in infected animals compared with negative pen mates. Cryptosporidium andersoni is characterised by large oocysts (7.4 x 5.5 μm) and was confirmed by 18S sequencing.     

Serological evidence of Coxiella burnetii infection in beef cattle in Queensland

Background Queensland has the highest incidence of Q fever in Australia. The aim of this study was to undertake a cross‐sectional seroprevalence survey of Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever, in beef cattle in Queensland. Methods Serum samples were tested by ELISA for both phase II and phase I antigens of the organism using an Australian isolate. Blood samples were collected at an abattoir that processes beef cattle originating from northern and north‐western Queensland, in addition to blood samples taken from beef cattle across Queensland as part of a second survey. Results Seropositivity was 16.8% (95% confidence interval 16.7–16.8%). Conclusion Evidence of C. burnetii infection in beef cattle has public health implications for occupational exposure of primary producers and veterinarians and for the proximity of beef cattle properties to residential areas in regional Queensland. This study is the first known investigation of C. burnetii seroprevalence in beef cattle in Queensland and the first known use of an Australian C. burnetii isolate for screening using both phase II and phase I antigens.     

肉牛育种目标的经济导向

人们普遍认为,设计结构化育种方案的首要步骤是肉牛的育种目标,其发展可分为以下阶段:规范的育种、生产和销售系统,商业收入和费用支出来源,确定生物性状对收入和费用支出的影响,衍生的经济价值,育种选择标准,预估的表型特征和遗传参数。本文旨在综述肉牛养殖目标的发展及经济价值的导向。     

两种中草药添加剂对肉牛生产性能和血液指标的影响

试验旨在研究两种复方中草药添加剂对肉牛生产性能及血液生化指标的影响。选择性别(母牛)、品种(西门塔尔×本地黄牛)相同,体重相近[(350±25)kg]的杂交肉牛12头,按体重随机分为对照组、试验Ⅰ组和试验Ⅱ组。以黄贮为粗饲料来源,采取精料定量粗饲料自由采食的方式进行饲喂。试验Ⅰ组和试验Ⅱ组的精料中分别添加一种中草药添加剂,对照组不添加任何添加剂。试验预饲期7 d,正式试验期90 d,每天精确记录采食量,并于试验开始和结束的清晨空腹称重,试验结束的清晨空腹采集静脉血进行检测。结果表明,试验Ⅰ组和试验Ⅱ组的干物质采食量分别提高了5.66%和4.21%(P<0.05);试验Ⅰ组和试验Ⅱ组的平均日增重比对照组分别提高了33.64%和28.26%(P<0.05);两试验组的血液常规指标中,白蛋白含量比对照组分别提高了7.16%和16.89%(P<0.05);但球蛋白含量比对照组分别降低了31.75%和35.16%(P<0.05);血液肝功指标中,试验Ⅰ组的乳酸脱氢酶活性显著低于试验Ⅱ组和对照组(P<0.05),其他指标未见显著差异(P>0.05);试验Ⅰ组的血液总抗氧化能力显著高于试验Ⅱ组和对照组(P<0.05),其中试验Ⅰ组的超氧化物歧化酶活性比对照组和试验Ⅱ组分别高出62.47%和9.10%(P<0.05),试验Ⅱ组比对照组高出48.92%(P<0.05);其他血液抗氧化指标未见显著差异(P>0.05)。     

不同蛋白源饲料对秦川肉牛屠宰性能及牛肉品质的影响

[目的]试验旨在研究不同蛋白源饲料对秦川肉牛日增重、屠宰性能及肉品质的影响。[方法]选择20头体重相近、健康状况良好的12月龄左右的秦川肉牛(母牛)为试验动物,随机将试验牛分为5组,各组分别饲喂5种不同精饲料。试验结束后,对照组(31%豆粕组)、试验Ⅰ组(36%菜籽粕组)和试验Ⅳ组(42%紫苏饼组)各选3头参试牛进行屠宰。[结果]试验Ⅳ组的全期总增重、平均日增重和屠宰率均显著高于对照组(P<0.05);试验Ⅳ组背最长肌中干物质和粗蛋白含量均高于其他两组,但各组间均差异不显著(P>0.05);对照组和试验Ⅰ组大理石花纹均是3级,试验Ⅳ组大理石花纹是4级。[结论]本试验条件下,精饲料中添加42%的紫苏饼能够提高肉牛日增重和屠宰率,能够提高牛肉中氨基酸的含量和粗蛋白水平。     

肉牛舍走向对夏季舍内环境的影响

为了研究肉牛舍走向对舍内环境指标的影响,试验选取2种不同走向的牛舍,测定夏季舍内温度、相对湿度、风速以及二氧化碳、氨气浓度。结果表明:东西走向牛舍内的风速显著高于南北走向牛舍(P<0.05),有效温度及有害气体浓度极显著低于南北走向牛舍(P<0.01),2种牛舍内温度和相对湿度无显著差异(P>0.05)。     

肉牛养殖中饮水管理注意事项

随着肉牛养殖业的不断发展,养殖户越来越注重精粗饲料的高效利用以及饲养管理水平的提升,往往容易忽视养殖过程中最基础同时也是非常重要的环节——饮水管理。适宜的饮水条件不仅可以降低肉牛疾病的发生,还可提高饲料消化率及生产性能,从而提高经济效益。     

Pregnancy rate per cycle is heritable and reduces with cycle in naturally mated tropically adapted beef cows

Pregnancy in cattle is the outcome of the complex process of initiation of cycling, fertilization, maternal recognition of pregnancy and foeto-placental development. Though much is known about initiation of cycling and associated risk factors, there are virtually no data on pregnancy rate per cycle for naturally mated cattle, especially for extensively managed, tropically adapted genotypes, which this study aimed to determine. Tropical composite (Bos indicus and African Sanga crosses with Bos taurus) and Brahman cattle (n = 2,181) of known pedigree in four-year groups at four sites were mated annually for 84 days. Body condition, ovarian function, pregnancies, calving and lactation were monitored through six full reproductive cycles using 4–8 weekly ultrasound of the reproductive tract outside the calving period and daily monitoring during calving. From this, dates of commencement of cycling and conception in each year were estimated for each animal, enabling calculation of established pregnancy for consecutive 21-day periods while cycling and of pregnancies within four months of calving while lactating (P4M). Pregnancy per 21-day period (cycle) during mating for cycling animals averaged 63%, 71%, 41% and 28% in four consecutive cycles. Pregnant per cycle was 2%–11% higher in tropical composites than in Brahmans. The only other consistently significant risk to becoming pregnant was if cycling commenced later than three weeks before mating commenced. P4M averaged 62% and was lower for cows in sub-optimal body condition and in first-parity and later-calving cows. Pregnant per cycle was moderately heritable (~20%), while heritability was moderate to high (33%) for P4M. Selection for pregnant per cycle could be achieved indirectly by selection for P4M, a trait that is readily measured.     

Application of DNA markers for discrimination between Japanese and Australian Wagyu beef

The objective of this study was to discriminate between original Japanese and Australian Wagyu beef, which is sold in the Singapore markets, using six previously developed DNA markers. To effectively evaluate the six markers for breed identification, the probability of identification as Australian Wagyu beef was calculated based on the estimated allele frequencies using 130 Australian Wagyu individuals. The combined use of six markers would allow the discrimination of Australian Wagyu beef with an estimated probability of 0.776. The probability to discriminate Australian Wagyu from Japanese Wagyu beef was sufficiently high. In addition, Australian Wagyu has maternal mitochondrial DNA of Bos indicus cattle with moderate high frequency of 0.377. The DNA marker system could also be used as a deterrent force against false sales, and contribute to the reduction and prevention of incorrect or falsified labeling of beef.     

温棚养殖肉牛骨质疏松病的病因研究

本文通过对日粮中钙、磷含量及其比例的研究,结合气候、降雨、土壤pH值、土壤含磷量及施肥等因素对牧草、农作物含磷量的影响,对温棚养殖肉牛发生骨质疏松病的病因进行了探讨。     

Cumulative discounted expressions of dairy and beef traits in cattle production systems

Gene-flow methodology was used to calculate the cumulative discounted expressions (CDE) for annual/lactation, replacement heifer, cull cow, birth, yearling, and slaughter traits in alternative cattle production systems. Generic equations were presented and parameters representing dairy-beef production systems in Ireland and Brazil were inputted. Cumulative discounted expressions using input parameters from a hypothetical purebred dairy production system with poor cow longevity were also calculated. Cumulative discounted expressions were calculated assuming either an initial purebred or crossbred mating within each production system. Absolute and relative differences in CDE existed among trait categories across the three alternative production systems investigated. For example, the CDE of beef-related traits accruing from an initial purebred mating ranged from 0.42 to 0.75 CDE of an annual/lactation trait across the three contrasting systems investigated which differed in various input parameters. Such variation may alter the relative emphasis of traits on overall profitability thereby contributing to genotype by environment interactions. The results of this study highlight the necessity to consider auxiliary traits in sire selection over and above those representing the principal intended use of the sire. This was particularly so for integrated dairy-beef cattle production systems.     

Clinical and pathological findings associated with congenital hypovitaminosis A in extensively grazed beef cattle

Objective   To determine the cause of exceptionally high mortality (41.4%) in perinatal calves on a beef cattle property 50 km south-west of Julia Creek in north-western Queensland.
Design   Investigations were based on clinical assessment of affected calves and laboratory analysis of pre- and postmortem specimens taken from 12 calves aged from 6 to 36 h of age.
Methods   Associations between gross and histopathological findings and biochemical analyses conducted on serum and tissue samples were examined in relation to clinical observations.
Results   Clinical signs varied, but commonly included mild to severe ataxia, difficulty finding a teat and sucking, blindness (partial or complete, as judged by avoidance of obstacles) and depression with prominent drooping of the head. Gross and histopathological findings included herniation of the cerebellar vermis through the foramen magnum, squamous metaplasia of interlobular ducts in the parotid salivary glands and Wallerian degeneration of the optic nerves. Biochemical analysis of serum and liver samples available from four of the calves revealed low or undetectable levels of both vitamin A and vitamin E.
Conclusion   Although vitamin E is known to have a sparing effect on vitamin A, the role (if any) played by deficiency of this vitamin was uncertain. The combination of clinical signs, postmortem findings, histopathological features and biochemical findings indicate that gestational vitamin A deficiency was highly likely to have been an important contributor to perinatal calf mortalities in this herd.     

突破肉牛产业发展效益瓶颈问题的探讨

随着肉牛产业从持续火热期逐渐回落,加上饲料价格的新一轮上涨,出栏育肥牛盈利空间被极度压缩,一度出现一定比例的亏损和弃养现象。这是市场规律调节的结果,是养殖业必然要经历的市场阵痛期。所以仅仅依靠高行情去获得盈利,促进肉牛产业的发展是不可能长久的。本文阐述了从提高种牛品质、提高母牛繁殖性能、抓好犊牛培育及早期断奶、粗饲料储备等几方面着手,抓技术提质增效,抓管理降低成本,理顺养牛投资理念,使肉牛产业安全走出低谷期,以突破肉牛产业发展效益瓶颈。这是市场规律调节的结果,是养殖业必然都要经过的市场阵痛期。所以仅仅依靠高行情去获得盈利,促进肉牛产业的发展是不可能长久的。文章阐述了从提高种牛品质、提高母牛繁殖性能、抓好犊牛培育及早期断奶、粗饲料储备等几方面着手,抓技术提质增效,抓管理降低成本,理顺养牛投资理念,使肉牛产业安全走出低谷期,以突破肉牛产业养殖效益瓶颈。