Comparison of plasma metabolite concentrations and enzyme activities in beef cattle raised by different feeding systems in Korea, Japan and New Zealand

Concentrations of metabolites and immunoreactive insulin (IRI) and activities of enzymes related to energy metabolism were measured in plasma of Korean and Japanese beef cattle, which were raised by the indoor feeding system programmed to feed larger amount of roughage in their growing periods and larger amount of concentrate diet in their finishing periods (Japanese feeding system), and grazing New Zealand beef cattle. By the Japanese beef grading system, Korean and Japanese beef cattle showed high beef quality score, average grade 3.3 and 3.6, respectively. The plasma free fatty acid and lactate concentrations and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities in Korean beef cattle were significantly higher than those in Japanese beef cattle. The plasma lactate concentration in Korean beef cattle was 8.40 mmol/l, which was similar to the values observed in lactic acidosis. The higher activities of plasma LDH, MDH and AST may indicate slight liver damage by slightly acidotic conditions in Korean beef cattle. New Zealand beef cattle fed on pasture which they harvest by grazing showed significantly lower plasma glucose, cholesterol, lactate and IRI concentrations and enzyme activities than those in Korean and Japanese beef cattle fed on larger amount of concentrate diets. Plasma metabolite concentrations and energy metabolism-related enzyme activities may be good indicators for evaluating metabolic conditions of beef cattle raised by different feeding systems.     

Thiamphenicol pharmacokinetics in beef and dairy cattle

The pharmacokinetics of thiamphenicol were investigated in 10 calves and six lactating cows. It was found that this drug is rapidly absorbed (1 5 min) following intramuscular injection with an absorption rate constant and a bioavailability of 8.7 h^-1 and 84%, respectively. The drug appears to be widely distributed into various body fluids, yielding a volume of distribution (V_d(area)) of approximately 0.9 l/kg. The micro-rate constants indicated that the antibiotic rapidly diffuses into the peripheral compartment (k₁₂ > k₂₁). Elimination from plasma is relatively rapid, with a biological half-life of about 1.75 h. Thiamphenicol appears shortly in milk (15 min) after its intravenous administration, and gives milk to plasma concentration ratios greater than one between 4 and 12 h.     

Antimicrobial resistance in beef and dairy cattle production

Observational studies of cattle production systems usually find that cattle from conventional dairies harbor a higher prevalence of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) enteric bacteria compared to organic dairies or beef-cow operations; given that dairies usually use more antimicrobials, this result is not unexpected. Experimental studies have usually verified that application of antimicrobials leads to at least a transient expansion of AMR bacterial populations in treated cattle. Nevertheless, on dairy farms the majority of antibiotics are used to treat mastitis and yet AMR remains relatively low in mastitis pathogens. Other studies have shown no correlation between antimicrobial use and prevalence of AMR bacteria including documented cases where the prevalence of AMR bacteria is non-responsive to antimicrobial applications or remains relatively high in the absence of antimicrobial use or any other obvious selective pressures. Thus, there are multi-factorial events and pressures that influence AMR bacterial populations in cattle production systems. We introduce a heuristic model that illustrates how repeated antimicrobial selection pressure can increase the probability of genetic linkage between AMR genes and niche- or growth-specific fitness traits. This linkage allows persistence of AMR bacteria at the herd level because subpopulations of AMR bacteria are able to reside long-term within the host animals even in the absence of antimicrobial selection pressure. This model highlights the need for multiple approaches to manage herd health so that the total amount of antimicrobials is limited in a manner that meets animal welfare and public health needs while reducing costs for producers and consumers over the long-term.     

肉牛和奶牛家庭牧场发展现状与对策

为保证我国肉牛养殖业和奶牛养殖业的高速发展,经过多种养殖模式的对比,发现以家庭为主体集约化生产、商品化经营的家庭牧场更加适合未来畜牧业的发展趋势,我们认为肉牛和奶牛的家庭牧场式养殖已经成为我国畜牧业未来的发展方向之一。本文对我国肉牛和奶业发达国家的奶牛的家庭牧场发展现状进行了分析,并与畜牧业发达国家的家庭牧场进行对比,总结了我国家庭牧场在发展中存在的问题,并针对这些问题提出了未来我国家庭牧场的发展对策,以期促进我国肉牛和奶牛的家庭牧场持续健康发展。     

Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum infection in dairy and beef cattle in Paraguay

Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in 879 beef and dairy cattle in different locations of Paraguay was determined by an ELISA. In the survey, 262 (29.8%) cattle were positive to N. caninum, and animals with anti-Neospora antibody titre were observed in all the locations tested in the country. Serum samples taken from a herd that exhibited persistent abortion had the highest percentage of animals being positive to the parasite (17/30, 56.7%). In the same herd, abortion was significantly more likely in animals with high anti-Neospora antibody titre. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated that the banding pattern from positive Paraguayan cattle was similar to that seen with the positive control sample. In conclusion, N. caninum infection is present among Paraguayan beef and dairy cattle, and it may be an important cause of bovine abortion in Paraguay.     

Seroprevalence of neosporosis in beef and dairy cattle breeds in Northeast Hungary

In order to assess the seroprevalence of bovine neosporosis with indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), blood samples were collected randomly from 1063 beef and dairy cattle belonging to 12 different breeds in Northeast Hungary. Antibodies to Neospora caninum were detected in 27 (2.5%) of the animals, kept on 19 of the 42 settlements included in this survey. Since samples were collected on 50 farms, herd prevalence amounted to 38%. The percentage of cattle with seroconversion increased with age, suggesting a postnatal source of infection. The highest rate of positivity was detected in Aberdeen Angus (3.3%) and Holstein-Friesian cows (3.2%), and the lowest in Limousine (0.9%), but no breed predisposition was statistically substantiated. Neosporosis was more prevalent in dairy (3.4%) than in beef (1.9%) cattle, although the difference was not significant. Only three out of the seropositive cows, all of them Holstein-Friesians, had a history of abortion.     

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.     

超敏蛋白复合酶在肉牛生产中的应用

[目的]试验将超敏蛋白复合酶添加于肉牛生产中的母牛繁育和肉牛育肥环节,研究其应用效果。[方法]试验选择平均怀孕45 d左右的同批次怀孕母牛28头,随机均分为试验A1组和对照A2组,选择育肥青年牛78头,随机均分为试验B1组和对照B2组。对照A2组和B2组按照原来的饲料配方饲喂,试验A1组和B1组在原有的基础上添加精饲料1‰的超敏蛋白复合酶进行饲喂。[结果]试验结果表明,怀孕母牛的试验组相较于对照组产活仔数多1头,出生均重差为7.58 kg, 60日龄断奶均重差为12.55 kg;育肥青年牛的试验组相较于对照组增重大幅提升,育肥期平均增重差为84 kg。[结论]超敏蛋白复合酶在肉牛生产的母牛繁育、青年牛育肥方面均表现出卓越成效,经济效益明显提高。     

Effects of traditional Chinese medicine formula on ruminal fermentation,enzyme activities and nutrient digestibility of beef cattle

This study was conducted to evaluate effects of traditional Chinese medicine formula (TCMF) combined with several herbs on ruminal fermentation, enzyme activities and nutrient digestibility. Twenty finishing bulls were assigned to control or different TCMFs (Yufeisan‐1, ‐2, ‐3; 2.5% dry matter (DM) in concentrate). Results showed that DM intake was higher (P < 0.05) in the Yufeisan‐3 group than others. Compared to control, apparent digestibility of crude protein and neutral detergent fiber were increased (P < 0.05) by Yufeisan‐3. No changes were observed in ruminal pH, concentrations of ammonia‐N, microbial crude protein and total volatile fatty acid, whereas ratio of acetate to propionate was lower (P < 0.05) and propionate proportion tended to be higher (P < 0.1) in three TCMFs than control. Ruminal xylanase (P = 0.061) and carboxymethylcellulase (P < 0.05) activities were higher in Yufeisan‐3 than control. No changes were observed in abundance of total bacteria, fungi and protozoa, whereas Fibrobacter succinogenes (P = 0.062) and Ruminococcus flavefaciens (P < 0.05) were increased and total methanogens was reduced (P = 0.069) by Yufeisan‐3 compared to control. Yufeisan‐3 improved nutrient digestibility and ruminal enzyme activity, and modified fermentation and microbial community, maybe due to the presence of Herba agastaches, Cortex phellodendri and Gypsum fibrosum.     

光合细菌在奶牛、肉牛饲养中应用的试验

光合细菌 (ｐｈｏｔｏｓｙｎｔｈｅｔｉｃｂｅｃｔｅｒｉａ)是一类有益微生物 ,含有丰富的优质蛋白质 ,生物素、类胡罗卜素等多种维生素 ,钙、磷及多种微量元素 ,特别富含多种生理活性物质 ,如促生长因子、免疫调节因子、辅酶Ｑ1 0 等 ,是近年来开始发展起来的新型饲料添加剂。为进一步发展光合细菌应用于反刍动物 ,为农业现代化服务 ,我们进行了光合细菌在奶牛、肉牛饲养中的应用试验。1　材料和方法1 1　光合细菌制剂　深泽光合生物实验厂生产的“红精灵”饲宝 ,按农业部颁发质量暂行标准生产 ,每ｍＬ菌液含 30亿个以上总菌数 ,所含主要…     

Inbreeding trends and pedigree analysis of Irish dairy and beef cattle populations

The objective of this study was to determine the inbreeding levels and to analyze the pedigree of Irish purebred populations of Charolais, Limousin, Hereford, Angus, and Simmental beef cattle, as well as the Holstein-Friesian dairy breed. Pedigree analyses included quantifying the depth of known pedigree, average generation intervals, effective population size, the effective number of founders, ancestors, and founder genomes, as well as identifying the most influential animals within the current population of each breed. The annual rate of increase in inbreeding over the past decade was 0.13% (P < 0.001) in the Hereford, 0.06% (P < 0.001) in the Simmental, and 0.10% (P < 0.001) in the Holstein-Friesian breeds. Inbreeding in the other breeds remained relatively constant over the past decade. Herefords had the greatest mean inbreeding in 2004, at 2.19%, whereas Charolais had the lowest, at 0.54%. Over half of each purebred population in 2004 was inbred to some degree; the population with the greatest proportion of animals inbred was the Hereford breed (85%). All 6 breeds displayed a generation interval of approximately 6 yr in recent years. In the pure-bred females born in 2004, the 3 most influential animals contributed between 11% (Limousin) and 24% (Hereford) of the genes. Effective population size was estimated for the Hereford, Simmental, and Holstein-Friesian only, and was 64, 127, and 75, respectively. The effective number of founders varied from 55 (Simmental) to 357 (Charolais), whereas the effective number of ancestors varied from 35 (Simmental and Hereford) to 82 (Limousin). Thus, despite the majority of animals being inbred, the inbreeding level across breeds is low but rising at a slow rate in the Hereford, Simmental, and Holstein-Friesian.     

The seroprevalence of Johne's disease in Georgia beef and dairy cull cattle.

Beef and dairy cattle serum samples, collected during 2000 at sale barns throughout Georgia, were obtained from the Georgia State Brucellosis Laboratory and were used to conduct a retrospective epidemiological study. Statistical samplings of 5,307 sera, from over 200,000 sera, were tested for antibodies to Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis, (Johne's disease) using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test kit. An overall period seroprevalence in all classes of cattle tested was 4.73%. The period seroprevalence in dairy cattle was 9.58%, in beef cattle it was 3.95%, and in cattle of unknown breed it was 4.72%. It was concluded that the seroprevalence of Johne's disease in cull beef and dairy cattle in Georgia is economically significant.     

Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of neosporosis in beef and dairy cattle in Italy

A cross-sectional serological survey for Neospora caninum was carried out on beef and dairy cattle in southern and northern Italy. A total of 111 herds and 1140 animals were tested using an ELISA assay (CHEKIT-Neospora) to detect anti-N. caninum antibodies. Management and individual data were collected and analysed both by linear and logistic multiple-regression models in order to find good predictors of the cattle seroprevalence and anti-N. caninum antibody level. At least one seropositive animal was found in 49 herds (44.1%), of which 31 (39.7%) from southern Italy and 18 (54.5%) from northern Italy. A total of 126 head of cattle (11%) were found to be seropositive and the seroprevalence was lower in southern (8.7%) than in northern Italy (16%). One of the best predictors of neosporosis seroprevalence in this study was the practice of self-rearing replacement heifers. Further risk factors were linked to higher stocking density, i.e. animals farmed in large herds and with no summer or permanent grazing practices were more likely to be seropositive than others. Farms with two or more dogs had higher herd seropositivity than farms with one or no dogs and this factor interacted significantly with the farm size and presence of poultry. Among individual characteristics, seropositivity was higher in animals sampled in mid- or late-pregnancy compared to animals either in early pregnancy or not pregnant. There was a significant interaction between the factors for pregnancy status and grazing practices. None of the epidemiological data recorded was a good predictor of the anti-N. caninum antibody level.     

Comparison of oestrus detection methods in dairy cattle

Sixty-seven Holstein-Friesian cows, from 20 days postpartum, were recruited into the study and fitted with both a pedometer (SAE Afikim) and a Heatime neck collar (SCR Engineers) and allocated a heat mount detector (either scratchcard [Dairymac] or KaMaR [KaMaR]) or left with none, relying only on farm staff observation. Common production stressors and other factors were assessed to determine their impact on the ability of each method to accurately detect oestrus and to investigate effects on the frequency of false-positive detections. Only 74 per cent of all potential oestrus periods (episodes of low progesterone) were identified by combining information from all methods. There was no difference between the methods in terms of sensitivity for detecting 'true oestrus events' (approximately 60 per cent), with the exception of scratchcards, which were less efficient (36 per cent). Pedometers and KaMaRs had higher numbers of false-positive identifications. No production stressors had any consequence on false-positives. The positive predictive values for neck collars or observation by farm staff were higher than those of other methods, and combining these two methods yielded the best results. Neck collars did not detect any of the nine oestrus events occurring in three cows with a body condition score (BCS) of less than 2, and the efficiency of correctly identifying oestrus was also reduced by high milk yield (odds ratio [OR]=0.34). Pedometer efficiency was reduced by lameness, low BCS or high milk yield (OR=0.42, 0.15 or 0.30, respectively).     

The economic consequences of beef crossing in dual-purpose or dairy cattle populations

The total benefit from·beef crossing in a dairy or dual-purpose cow population is (0.68)KM'_bN, where K is the proportion of cows crossed to beef bulls, M'_b is the net economic superiority of beef cross progeny over straight dairy or dual-purpose progeny as beef animals and N is the total number of inseminations. For relatively modest values of K and M'_b, this benefit is shown to be greater than the total cost of the A.I. service. The second consequence of beef crossing is to concentrate the dairy merit transmitted into fewer inseminations. This raises their average genetic value and increases the return for investment in dairy testing and selection.     

Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in dairy and beef cattle with reproductive disorders in Japan

Serum samples from 145 dairy and 65 beef cattle with reproductive disorders and 54 normally calving dairy cattle (controls) in Japan were tested for presence of Neospora caninum antibodies by use of an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT, titer 1:200). Overall, seroprevalence of N. caninum was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in dairy cattle (20.0%, 29/145) than in beef cattle (1.5%, 1/65). In cattle which aborted, seroprevalence of N. caninum was significantly higher (P = 0.041) in dairy cattle (26.1%, 23/88, compared with controls (3.7%, 2/54)) than in beef cattle (5.0%, 1/20), indicating that neosporosis might be a more common problem in dairy cattle than in beef cattle in Japan. Seropositive cattle were 9.2 times more likely to abort compared to seronegative cows. Abortions associated with N. caninum seropositivity in this study were most frequently observed in the second trimester, and the mean gestational age of the fetuses aborted from seropositive dams was 5.7 months. In conclusions, N. caninum seems to be causing serious economic losses in the dairy industry in Japan. This is the first report on an objective comparison of seroprevalence of dairy and beef cattle with reproductive disorders in Asia.