Publications - Publikationer

Vision analysis and prediction for estimation of pig weight in slaughter pens

Tu, G. J., Jørgensen, E. — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 11:25:10 +0200

The potential of using computer vision to estimate the weight of pigs has been demonstrated in several studies. In this paper, we propose a Vision Analysis and Prediction (VAP) system, which consisted of two main parts: (1) computer vision – a vision algorithm was developed to segment the pigs and identify which pig area could be used to estimate the corresponding weight; (2) statistical analysis – a statistical method for predicting pig weight using the area was presented, including BLUP model and linear regression as well as a prediction function. The results showed that our approach has successfully estimated the weight of growing pigs (approximate ranges from 20 to 105 kg) with an accuracy of weight estimation of 97.76% on average for the predicted mean weight at pen level. The proposed system does not require modifications to the building and shows a strong potential to be utilized in pig weight estimation in slaughter pens.

Low-protein diets for broilers

Woyengo, T. A., Knudsen, K. E.Bach, Børsting, C. F. — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 11:25:10 +0100

Amino acids (AA) are the second most expensive component of broiler diets after energy, and therefore their excessive inclusion in diets can result in significant increase in broiler feed cost. In addition to the increased feed cost, excessive intake of AA by broilers results in increased N excretion, which has negative impact on environment, and welfare of birds and caretakers. Also, excessive intake of AA by broilers results in increased excretion of water and hence increased litter moisture, which has negative impact on environment and welfare of birds. Finally, excessive intake of AA can result in increased production of toxic compounds in hindgut from AA post small intestinal digestion. Thus, methods to reduce dietary CP level without compromising performance of broilers will reduce feed costs and improve the environment, and may improve poultry health and welfare. The dietary level of CP can be reduced without compromising performance of broilers if the resulting low-CP diets are supplemented with crystalline AA to meet the AA requirements of broilers. By supplementing the diets with crystalline AA, the CP values in broiler starter, in this paper any period between hatch and approximately days 21 of age and finisher, in this paper any period between day 21 and day 42 of age, diets can be reduced from approximately 220 and 200 g/kg to 190 and 170 g/kg, respectively, without compromising growth performance of the broilers provided the digestible Lys, Met, Thr, and Val contents in low-CP diets are similar to those in the high-CP diets. The level of CP in broiler starter and finisher diets can be further reduced to 180 g/kg and 160 g/kg, respectively, without compromising growth performance of the broilers if the low-CP diets in addition are supplemented by Gly and the digestible content of Lys, Met, Thr and Val, and Gly are equivalent of the low-CP diets to those in the high-CP diets. Publications delineated in this text indicate several strategies to consider for reducing CP in broiler diets including: feed enzymes, soybean isoflavones, fatty acid type, and fiber type. All these strategies are discussed and gaps in knowledge are identified.

The effects of part-time dam-contact and stepwise weaning and separation on the voluntary human approach behaviour of dairy calves

Bertelsen, M., Steinerová, K., Jensen, M. B. — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 11:25:10 +0100

Dairy calves are commonly reared without contact with their dam, which facilitates a human-animal relationship based on close human contact and feeding. Dam-contact may negatively affect calves’ relationship with humans. The current study investigates the effect of dam-contact and weaning method on calves’ response to humans. A total of 69 dairy calves were allocated to one of three dam-contact treatments [Control (separated from dam after 24 h), Whole-day (housed with dam for 23 h/d), and Half-day (housed with dam for 10 h/d)]. Within each treatment, calves were allocated to one of two weaning treatments [Stepwise (weaning off milk at eight weeks, dam-separation/pen change at nine weeks) or Simultaneous (weaning off milk and dam-separation/pen change simultaneously at nine weeks), i.e Control were weaned in the same manner but only the pen change was possible at the separation step, as calves were already separated from the dam]. All animals received a similar amount of human contact, except control calves who were additionally fed milk by teat bucket twice a day. Calves were tested in a random order within block using a human approach test followed by an animal approach test conducted in a 2.5 m x 10 m arena at 10 weeks of age. Stepwise-Control calves had shorter latencies to first approach the test person than Stepwise-Whole-day (p < 0.05, median survival time of Stepwise-Control: 11 s, Stepwise-Whole-day: 111 s and Stepwise-Half-day: 52 s). Among Simultaneous calves, no dam-contact treatment differences were detected for the latency to first approach. Similarly, Stepwise-Control calves had an odds ratio (95% CI) of 24.2 (1.6–365.9, p < 0.05) for coming within 1 m of the test person vs Stepwise-Whole-day calves and 12.5 (1.1–141.1, p < 0.05) vs Stepwise-Half-day calves. Throughout the test period Simultaneous-Control vocalised less [estimated mean no. of vocalisations (95% CI), 3.6 (2.1–6.4)] than both Simultaneous-Whole-day [18.2 (12.8–25.9), p < 0.01] and Simultaneous-Half-day [15.7 (11.0–22.5), p < 0.01] while there was no difference under Stepwise. As expected, Control approached faster and were more likely to come close to the test person than dam-reared calves, but exclusively after the stepwise weaning and separation. For calves tested one week after simultaneous weaning and separation no effect of the dam-contact treatments was found, except a higher frequency of vocalisations for dam-reared calves. This implies that controlling for the stress level related to weaning and separation from the dam is important when interpreting human-animal relationship tests, as dam-contact treatment effects appeared to be affected by high levels of weaning stress.

Dynamics of fatty acid and non-volatile polar metabolite profiles in colostrum and milk depending on the lactation stage and parity number of sows

Settachaimongkon, S., Homyog, K., Mekboonsonglarp, W., et al. — Fri, 01 Dec 2023 11:25:10 +0100

The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of lactation stage and parity number on fatty acid and non-volatile polar metabolite profiles in sow colostrum and milk using a metabolomics approach. A total number of 63 colostrum, transient and mature milk were collected from primiparous and multiparous Landrace × Yorkshire crossbred sows. Macrochemical, fatty acid and non-volatile polar metabolite compositions of samples were analyzed using infrared spectrometry, gas chromatography coupled with mass-spectrometry and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, respectively. Univariate and multivariate statistical analysis demonstrated significant impacts of lactation stage and parity number on colostrum and milk compositions. Chemometric analysis revealed significant influences of sow parity on the distinction in fatty acid profiles of mature milk while the distinction in non-volatile polar metabolite profiles was more evident in colostrum. Alterations in the concentration of linoleic (C18:2n6), lignoceric (C24:0), behenic (C22:0), caprylic (C8:0) and myristoleic (C14:1) acid together with those of creatine, creatinine phosphate, glutamate and glycolate were statistically suggested to be mainly affected by sow parity number. Variations in the concentration of these compounds reflected the physiological function of sow mammary gland influenced. This information could be applied for feed and feeding strategies in lactating sows and improving lactating performances.

Carcass characteristics of Nordic native cattle breeds

Therkildsen, M., Vestergaard, M., Kargo, M. ., et al. — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 11:25:10 +0100

Native livestock breeds are part of the history of the Nordic people and comprise a resource for future food
production. In this study, net gain and carcass characteristics of two Danish, three Finnish, one Icelandic, six Norwegian and five Swedish native cattle breeds were retrieved and compared to commercial breeds: two beef breeds and two dairy breeds. Breed data were collected from national databases and sorted into six animal categories: young bull, bull, steer, heifer, young cow and cow, for which means and standard deviations were calculated within each country. The native breeds ranged from small-sized milking type breeds with low net gain, carcass weights and EUROP classification to larger multipurpose breeds with high net gains, carcass weights and EUROP classification. All Finnish and most of the Norwegian and Swedish native breeds had lower net gain and carcass weight than the dairy breeds in the same category and country, but with similar carcass conformation and fatness scores. The two Danish native breeds had higher net gain, carcass weight and conformation class than the reference dairy breed, but lower than the reference beef breeds. The net gain and carcass traits of the Icelandic native breed were similar to the smallest-sized native breeds from the other countries. The carcass traits of the native breeds indicate that they have comparative advantages in an extensive production system based on forage and marginal grasslands. They may also succeed better in the value-added markets than in mainstream beef production.

Kapitel 7 Næringsstofudskillelse fra får og geder, ab dyr – Normtal for husdyrgødning 2021/2022

Lund, P. — Sat, 01 Jan 2022 11:25:10 +0100

Kapitel 6 Næringsstofudskillelse fra heste, ab dyr - Normtal for husdyrgødning 2021/2022

Børsting, C. F., Clausen, E. — Sat, 01 Jan 2022 11:25:10 +0100

Effekten af 3-NOP afhænger af dosis og grovfodertype

Maigaard, M., Weisbjerg, M. R., Lund, P., Olson, C., Walker, N. — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 11:25:10 +0200

Administration of procaine-based local anaesthetic prior to surgical castration influences post-operative behaviours of piglets

Coutant, M. P., Malmkvist, J., Tallet, C., et al. — Sun, 01 Jan 2023 11:25:10 +0100

In an effort to mitigate piglet acute responses to surgical castration, the procedure can be preceded by injections of a local anaesthetic. Regardless of potential benefits at castration, the impact of local anaesthetics on piglet welfare following the procedure remains under-documented. The present paper is based on data collected in two separate castration studies investigating the impact of injection with procaine, using different injection methods, different volumes of injected drug and different timing of injection, on behavioural responses of 3–4 day old piglets, as measured by indicators of social motivation immediately after castration (Study 1 and 2), as well as behaviours recorded continuously for 10 min upon return to the home pen (Study 2 only). Study 1 involved 597 piglets, and 13 treatments: castration without anaesthesia (CC), local anaesthesia followed by castration involving all combinations of two methods of injection (intra-funicular and intra-testicular) and four intervals between injection and castration (2.5, 5, 10 and 30 min), and sham handling separated by the same four intervals (SH). Study 2 involved 290 piglets and 5 treatments: castration without anaesthesia (CC), castration after intra-testicular injections of 0.5 or 0.3 mL of procaine per testis, and sham handling with either one (SH1) or two stays in a castration bench (SH2). Across both studies, piglets injected with procaine showed signs of reduced motivation to approach their siblings in the social motivation test compared to controls castrated without anaesthesia or sham handled. The indicators of social motivation did not differ from the controls in case of castration 30 min after drug injection. In addition, responses shown in the social motivation test were less impacted after injection of 0.3 compared to 0.5 mL of procaine per testis. In Study 2, piglets injected with 0.5 mL of procaine appeared to be less active at the udder, and displayed more huddled up postures, immediately upon return to the home pen, as compared to piglets injected with 0.3 mL of procaine or the controls castrated without anaesthesia or sham handled. Altogether, the results suggest that injections with a procaine-based local anaesthetic negatively impact the responses of piglets in a test of social motivation as well as the home-pen behaviour of piglets in the early post-operative period. The present results call for attention towards the post-surgical phase, but understanding the potential welfare impacts as well as the motivational changes underlying these findings require further study.

Effect of abomasal amino acid infusions on performances and metabolism in postpartum dairy cows

Bahloul, L., Hernandez Castellano, L. E., Lapierre, H., Schwab, C.G., Larsen, M. — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 11:25:10 +0200

Fremtidens klimaeffektive fodring (af kvæg)

Nielsen, M. O., Thorsteinsson, M. M., Rønn, M., et al. — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 11:25:10 +0100

Stof X reducerer køernes metan emission - uden forringelse af mælkeproduktion eller fodereffektivitet?

Nielsen, M. O., Thorsteinsson, M. M., Rønn, M., et al. — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 11:25:10 +0200

Potential for use of seaweed as feed for ruminant livestock?

Thorsteinsson, M. M., Weisbjerg, M. R., Lund, P., Bruhn, A., Nielsen, M. O. — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 11:25:10 +0200

Broad targeting of C-type lectin receptors and TLR3 by a cationic adjuvant formulation (CAF09) combined with pustulan in chicken subunit vaccines may support cell mediated immunity

Dalgaard, T. S., Kjærup, R. B., Larsen, F. T., et al. — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 11:25:10 +0200

The welfare impact of heat stress in modern breeds of broiler chickens

Schuck-Paim, C., Wurtz, K. E., Alonso, W. — Sat, 01 Jan 2022 11:25:10 +0100

Quantifying the Welfare Impact of Cardiorespiratory Problems in Broilers

Wurtz, K. E., Schuck-Paim, C., Alonso, W. — Sat, 01 Jan 2022 11:25:10 +0100

Potential of depth images to monitor feeder access in growing pigs

Larsen, M. L. V., Norton, T. — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 11:25:10 +0200

Investigation and application of tracking algorithm on behaviour analysis for weaners housed in two-climate pens

Wang, M., Larsen, M. L. V., Liu, D., Norton, T. — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 11:25:10 +0200

Assessment of open-source programs for automated tracking of individual pigs within a group

Wurtz, K. E., Norton, T., Siegford, J., Steibel, J. — Fri, 09 Sep 2022 11:25:10 +0200

As researchers search for tools to automate individual animal tracking, particularly in the livestock industry, they come across papers that make strong claims about the ability of such programs to accurately track individual animals within group-housed laboratory settings and imply that this ability will translate to other situations and species. We selected four of these programs (idTracker, ToxTrac, BioTracker, and Ctrax) and tested their ability to track single, pairs, and groups of pigs in an indoor pen typical of commercial farms and a pen modified to improve lighting, contrast, and camera location. We concluded that at present, these four tracking programs do not perform robustly enough to be adapted for use processing videos from commercial-style pig farms, including smaller research farms. It is hoped that identifying limitations of detection programs can help make systems more robust and user-friendly for future use.

First step to remote detection of locomotor play in young pigs

Larsen, M. L. V., Wang, M., Willems, S. ., Liu, D., Norton, T. — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 11:25:10 +0200

Unge køer foretrækker madro

Thomsen, P. T. — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 11:25:10 +0100

Steps and barriers in the development of a PLF system for welfare monitoring: tail biting in growing pigs as example

Larsen, M. L. V., Norton, T., Pedersen, L. J. — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 11:25:10 +0200

Modern livestock production systems can heavily challenge the welfare of animals. A way to manage farm animal welfare in real-time is through the use of Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) systems. The aim of this chapter is to present the authors’ experience in conducting research towards the development of a PLF system that can provide early warnings to pig farmers when the risk of tail damage is high. During our work, we identified challenges related to: (1) choosing the gold standard; (2) choosing the appropriate technology; (3) performing model validation and implementation. Choosing the gold standard for tail damage is challenged by the fact that tail damage will have different stages of development. Also, choosing the optimal time to raise the warning is a compromise between warning early enough to provide farmers’ with sufficient time to prevent the problem and late enough so that the probability of developing into a real problem is high. The gold standard must also be easy to standardise between different observers and conditions. Choice of appropriate technology needs to consider that tail damage is a multifactorial welfare problem with multiple risk factors and thus, several sensor technologies may be needed. Also the nature of the animals to possibly explore and destroy a sensor as well as the harsh environment of livestock buildings is a challenge. Major barriers for performing model validation and implementation are that already in the beginning, data needs to be saved for internal validation, and collaboration contracts with research herds across nations, farmers and information technology companies needs to be in place; to ensure data for external validation and prototype development. Developing a PLF system for welfare monitoring demands that several considerations and decisions are made already in the beginning. These considerations will take time and decisions made will often be a compromise.

Nye forsøg med protein til ungdyr

Vestergaard, M. ., Johansen, M., Madsen, P. A., Martinussen, H., Lund, P. — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 11:25:10 +0200

Udledning af drivhusgasser fra husdyrproduktionen i Danmark

Børsting, C. F. — Fri, 01 Apr 2022 11:25:10 +0200

Normtal 2022/23 - Tabeller for næringsstofudskillelse

Børsting, C. F., Hellwing, A. L. F. — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 11:25:10 +0200

A new methanotrophic bacteria derived protein feed can be included in weaner diets without negative impacts on piglet performance and intestinal health in the post weaning period

Hedemann, M. S., Rønn, M., Julegaard, I. K., Nielsen, M. O. — Wed, 01 Jun 2022 11:25:10 +0200

Det er elendig formidling, at en bog om dansk landbrug ikke lader en dyreetiker komme til orde

Anneberg, I. — Tue, 06 Dec 2022 11:25:10 +0100

Den 2. december 2022 bragte Information Mathilde Walter Clarks essay, hvori hun rister en nyudgivet bog om landbruget fra Det Grønne Museum. Kritikken er berettiget. Bogen formår nemlig slet ikke at formidle saglig viden om dyrs forhold i produktion

Fald i tilvækst hen over efteråret

Myhlendorph-Jarltoft, T., Vestergaard, M. . — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 11:25:10 +0100

Kornbærme – et prisfordelagtigt alternativ til protein- og cellevægsholdige råvarer

Myhlendorph-Jarltoft, T., Vestergaard, M. . — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 11:25:10 +0200

Normtal for husdyrgødning 2022/2023

Børsting, C. F. — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 11:25:10 +0100

Kapitel 7 Næringsstofudskillelse fra får og geder, ab dyr – Normtal for husdyrgødning 2022/2023

Lund, P. — Sat, 01 Jan 2022 11:25:10 +0100

Kapitel 6 Næringsstofudskillelse fra heste, ab dyr – Normtal for husdyrgødning 2022/2023

Børsting, C. F., Clausen, E. — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 11:25:10 +0100

Kapitel 4 Næringsstofudskillelse fra fjerkræ, ab dyr – Normtal for husdyrgødning 2022/2023

van der Heide, M. E., Børsting, C. F., Hellwing, A. L. F., Jensen, . H. B. — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 11:25:10 +0200

Kapitel 3 Næringsstofudskillelse fra kvæg, ab dyr – Normtal for husdyrgødning 2022/2023

Lund, P., Børsting, C. F., Martinussen, H. — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 11:25:10 +0100

Kapitel 2 Næringsstofudskillelse fra svin, ab dyr

Sørensen, M. T., Tybirk, P., Hellwing, A. L. F., Børsting, C. F. — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 11:25:10 +0100

Kapitel 5 Næringsstofudskillelse fra pelsdyr, ab dyr – Normtal for husdyrgødning 2022/2023

Møller, S. H. — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 11:25:10 +0100

Plantecocktail reducerer diarré hos økologiske fravænningsgrise

Jerez-Bogota, K. S., Hojberg, O., Jensen, M., Canibe, N. — Wed, 01 Jun 2022 11:25:10 +0200

Prevalence of conflict behaviour in Icelandic horses during elite competition

Christensen, J. W., Jensen, D. — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 11:25:10 +0200

Plantecocktail reducerer colibakterier hos øko-smågrise

Jerez-Bogota, K. S., Hojberg, O., Jensen, M., Canibe, N. — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 11:25:10 +0200

Plantecocktail reducerer colibakterier hos øko-smågrise

Jensen, M., Jerez-Bogota, K. S., Hojberg, O., Canibe, N. — Tue, 01 Mar 2022 11:25:10 +0100

Transcriptomic analysis of circulating leukocytes obtained during the recovery from clinical mastitis caused by escherichia coli in Holstein dairy cows

Cheng, Z., Palma-Vera, S., Buggiotti, L., et al. — Sun, 21 Aug 2022 11:25:10 +0200

The risk and severity of clinical infection with Escherichia coli as a causative pathogen for bovine mastitis is influenced by the hosts’ phenotypic and genotypic variables. We used RNA-Seq analysis of circulating leukocytes to investigate global transcriptomic profiles and genetic variants from Holstein cows with naturally occurring cases of clinical mastitis, diagnosed using clinical symptoms and milk microbiology. Healthy lactation-matched cows served as controls (CONT, n = 6). Blood samples were collected at two time periods during the recovery phase post diagnosis: EARLY (10.3 ± 1.8 days, n = 6) and LATE (46.7 ± 11 days, n = 3). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the groups were identified using CLC Genomics Workbench V21 and subjected to enrichment analysis. Variant calling was performed following GATKv3.8 best practice. The comparison of E. coli(+) EARLY and CONT cows found the upregulation of 1090 DEGs, mainly with immune and inflammatory functions. The key signalling pathways involved NOD-like and interleukin-1 receptors and chemokines. Many up-regulated DEGs encoded antimicrobial peptides including cathelicidins, beta-defensins, S100 calcium binding proteins, haptoglobin and lactoferrin. Inflammation had largely resolved in the E. coli(+) LATE group, with only 29 up-regulated DEGs. Both EARLY and LATE cows had up-regulated DEGs encoding ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters and haemoglobin subunits were also up-regulated in LATE cows. Twelve candidate genetic variants were identified in DEGs between the infected and CONT cows. Three were in contiguous genes WIPI1, ARSG and SLC16A6 on BTA19. Two others (RAC2 and ARHGAP26) encode a Rho-family GTPase and Rho GTPase-activating protein 26. These results show that the initial inflammatory response to E. coli continued for at least 10 days despite prompt treatment and provide preliminary evidence for genetic differences between cows that may predispose them to infection.

Feeding antibacterial plant combinations to mitigate post-weaning diarrhoea in organic piglets challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli F18

Jerez-Bogota, K. S., Hojberg, O., Jensen, M., Canibe, N. — Sat, 01 Jan 2022 11:25:10 +0100

Quantifying specific behaviours related to positive and negative broiler welfare

Williams, S., Rasmussen, S. N., Lui, D., Mounir, M., Riber, A. B., Norton, T. — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 11:25:10 +0200

Effect of dark brooders on activity level in layer pullets

Sirovnik, J., Martin-Cirera, A., Dunn, M., Oczak, M., Riber, A. B. — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 11:25:10 +0200

Resting behaviour of broilers reared with or without artificial brooders

Forslind, S., Hernandez, C., Riber, A. B., Wall, H., Blokhuis, H. — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 11:25:10 +0200

Characterizing age-related changes in walking ability and welfare of broiler chickens with sound and poor gait and the effects of stocking density in commercial barns

Yoder, H., Riber, A. B., Norton, T., Erasmus, M. — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 11:25:10 +0200

Preslaughter Handling and Slaughter of Meat Animals. Edited by L Faucitano (2022). Published by Wageningen Publishers, PO Box 220, 6700 AE Wageningen, The Netherlands. 436 pages Hardback (ISBN: 978-90-8686-372-3). Price €99.00

Herskin, M. S. — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 11:25:10 +0100

Coupling the benefits of grassland crops and green biorefining to produce protein, materials and services for the green transition

Jørgensen, U., Jensen, S. K., Ambye-Jensen, M. — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 11:25:10 +0100

Compared with annual grain and seed crops, perennial grassland has significantly lower losses of nutrients and low pesticide requirements, whilst also supporting soil carbon build-up. Until now grassland crops have almost exclusively been fed to ruminants and horses. Our experiments on biorefining forages have produced protein of a quality equal to soybean meal. Forage crops can deliver high yields of biomass as well as protein with a well-balanced amino acid profile. In grass crops from unfertilised permanent grassland, focus has to be on the fibre part of the grass due to a low protein yield. With current techniques we have recovered up to 40% of the forage protein into a protein concentrate with around 50% protein. In addition, a fibre fraction containing 15%–18% protein of dry matter can be produced and used as ruminant feed, bioenergy, or further biorefined into chemical building blocks or bio-materials. Our feeding experiments have shown that biorefined grassland protein can provide a substitute for soybean meal for poultry and pigs without negative effects on animal performance. The first industrial scale biorefineries on green biomass for feed and bioenergy are now established in Denmark, although more research is needed in order to evaluate protein quality for both feed and food applications. In addition, a full EFSA approval has to be obtained for the application for food. The green biorefinery concept opens new markets for grassland and opportunities for increasing the grassland area to obtain associated ecosystem services.

Impact of feeding level on nutrient digestibility and concentrations of plasma metabolites in transition sows

Feyera, T., Nørskov, N., Knudsen, K. E. B., Bruun, T. ., Theil, P. K. — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 11:25:10 +0200

This study investigated the impact of feeding levels in late gestation on
apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of gross energy (GE), nutrients
and concentrations of plasma metabolites in transition sows. We hypothesized
that nutrient digestibility decline and concentrations of plasma
metabolites increase with increasing feeding levels. Forty-eight sows
were assigned to six feeding levels (1.8, 2.4, 3.1, 3.7, 4.3 and 5.0 kg/
d) from day 108 of gestation until farrowing. Faecal samples were collected
on day 114 of gestation, whereas plasma samples were collected
at farrowing. Klason lignin measured as acid insoluble residues in the
feed ingredients was used as an internal marker to estimate ATTD of
GE and nutrients. Data were analysed using general linear mixed model
by including feeding levels and parity as the fixed effects and sow as the
random effect. Plasma concentrations of urea (P0.001) and butyrate (P< 0.001) increased, whereas that of non-esterified
fatty acids (Plevel. The ATTD of GE (Psimilar trends, in which ATTD were greatest at 1.8 and 2.4 kg/d, intermediate
at 3.1 kg/d and lowest at ≥ 3.7 kg/d for both parameters. The
ATTD of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) was greatest at 2.4 and 3.1
kg/d, intermediate at 3.7 and 4.3 kg/d and lowest at 5.0 kg/d (P
0.001). The ATTD of GE, fat and NSP were greater in sows than in gilts
(Pand urea increased with increasing feeding level, indicating increased
fermentation and protein oxidation, whereas the decreased concentration
of non-esterified fatty acids with increasing feeding level implied
a reduced body reserve mobilization. Increased feeding level also
decreased the ATTD of GE, protein and NSP but to different extents.

Assessment of the control measures of the category A diseases of Animal Health Law

Nielsen, S. S., Alvarez, J., Bicout, D. J., et al. — Sat, 01 Jan 2022 11:25:10 +0100

EFSA received a mandate from the European Commission to assess the effectiveness of some of the control measures against diseases included in the Category A list according to Regulation (EU) 2016/429 on transmissible animal diseases ('Animal Health Law'). This opinion belongs to a series of opinions where these control measures will be assessed, with this opinion covering the assessment of control measures for glanders. In this opinion, EFSA and the AHAW Panel of experts review the effectiveness of: (i) clinical and laboratory sampling procedures, (ii) monitoring period and (iii) the minimum radius of the protection and surveillance zone, and the minimum length of time the measures should be applied in these zones. The general methodology used for this series of opinions has been published elsewhere. Considering the epidemiology and distribution of glanders, it was foreseen that three different situations could lead to a suspicion of the disease. Sampling procedures were defined for each of the three different suspicion types, which can also be applied in most of the other scenarios assessed. The monitoring period (6 months) was assessed as effective in all scenarios. The AHAW Panel of experts considered the minimum radius and duration of the existing protection and surveillance zone, set at the establishment level, effective. Recommendations provided for each of the scenarios assessed aim to support the European Commission in the drafting of further pieces of legislation, as well as for plausible ad hoc requests in relation to glanders.