The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a complete hay-based total mixed ration (TMR) for calves, focusing on their feed intake, animal growth performance, and fecal output, and to develop a preliminary estimation equation for solid feed intake and body weight in Holstein heifer calves. Twenty female Italian Holstein calves (37.14 ± 2.72 kg) born between February and July were studied from the day of birth until 77 days of age. From the fourth day of life, they were fed 3 L/day of pasteurized milk twice daily and supplemented with the same hay-based TMR. The data on feed intake, fecal characteristics, and growth performances were collected and showed that these calves had adequate parameters. Moreover, the data collected was used to create equations to predict body weight and solid feed intake using a mixed model. The goodness of fit of the developed equations was evaluated by coefficients of determinations (R²). The equation obtained shows high R² (0.98 for solid feed intake and 0.99 for calf weight), indicating the satisfactory precision and accuracy needed to predict female calves’ body weight and solid feed intake.

Aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) is a well-known mycotoxin that can be found in the milk of animals that have ingested feed contaminated with aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁). In Italy, the development of donkey farms is mainly due to growing request of donkey milk, which is considered an incomparable substitute for human mother’s milk for its chemical composition and organoleptic characteristics. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of AFM₁ in donkey milk produced in a farm in Northern Italy, also in view of the few data available about the presence of this mycotoxin in this type of milk. Therefore, 63 milk samples were collected and analyzed using a fast and sensitive HPLC and fluorescence detection (FLD) method previously optimized and validated. None of the milk samples collected were found to be contaminated at a level above the limit of quantification (LOQ) (0.0125 ng/mL), while only one sample showed traces of the mycotoxin at a concentration between the limit of detection (LOD) and LOQ (0.0044 ng/mL), well below the legal limit established for infant milk and follow-on milk (0.025 ng/mL). These results are in line with those of the few similar surveys carried out on donkey milk and seem to indicate a low risk of AFM₁ contamination for this food.

Dry-aging is a process during which meat is stored within maturation chambers at low temperatures and low relative humidity, resulting in improved tenderness and flavor development. The cuts are exposed to the atmosphere by hanging them or setting them on racks in the maturation chamber without any protective packaging. Animals and humans are usually the major sources of bacterial food contamination in the meat industry, but other routes might be involved. Therefore, procedures to reduce or eliminate pathogens from surfaces are crucial for an effective hazard analysis critical control point program in the food industry and other environments. This study aimed to assess the survival of Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Staphylococcus aureus on the inner surface of dry aging chambers. Moreover, we tested the efficacy of alkaline electrolyzed water (REW) for its eventual application within a procedure aimed at reducing foodborne pathogens during meat storage. Environmental conditions inside the dry aging cabinet determine a reduction of circa 3 log CFU/cm2 of the considered microorganisms on the inner surface in 24 hours. Additionally, the nebulization of alkaline electrolyzed water with the smoking system increased the count reduction in 24 hours due to environmental conditions for L. monocytogenes (~1 log CFU/cm2) and for S. aureus (~2 log CFU/cm2). In this context, the use of REW can be justified for routine cleaning procedures of the surfaces, with the added value of being safe to handle, not containing environmental pollutants, and making it unnecessary to rinse surfaces due to its instability.

This study investigates the impact of cattle breed on key quality attributes—color, marbling, and tenderness—central to consumer choice. Six different bovine breeds were taken into consideration: German Red Pied, Piemontese, Chianina, Angus, Holstein, and a Polish crossbreed. The muscle taken into consideration was the Longissimus thoracis et lumborum. Colorimetric assessments, marbling evaluations, fatty acid profiling, and tenderness measurements were conducted on meat cuts from each breed. The results revealed that Chianina, Holstein, and the Polish crossbreed exhibited distinct color characteristics, with Chianina displaying notably brighter meat. Angus emerged as the most marbled breed, while Chianina and Piemontese showed lower marbling. Total lipid content was correlated with visible marbling. Tenderness assessments identified Angus and Holstein as the most tender breeds. The study’s findings contribute to a proposed grading scale for color, marbling, and tenderness, offering potential labeling infographics to assist consumers in making informed choices based on individual preferences and needs. These insights underscore the importance of breed-specific information on labels to enhance consumer understanding and facilitate more informed purchasing decisions.

Calves reared for the production of white veal are subjected to stressful events due to the type of liquid diet they receive. Stress responses are mediated by three main stress-responsive cerebral regions: the prefrontal cortex, the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, and the nucleus of the solitary tract of the brainstem. In the present study, we have investigated the effects of different diets on these brain regions of ruminants using immunohistochemical methods. In this study, 15 calves were used and kept in group housing systems of five calves each. They were fed with three different diets: a control diet, a milk diet, and a weaned diet. Brain sections were immunostained to evaluate the distribution of neuronal nitric oxide synthase and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein immunoreactivity in the prefrontal cortex; the expression of oxytocin in the paraventricular nucleus; and the presence of c-Fos in the A2 group of the nucleus of the solitary tract. The main results obtained indicate that in weaned diet group the oxytocin activity is lower than in control diet and milk diet groups. In addition, weaning appears to stimulate myelination in the prefrontal cortex. In summary, this study supports the importance of maintaining a nutritional lifestyle similar to that occurring in natural conditions.

Consumer preferences for beef are increasingly driven by a desire for hygienic and nutritious meat with excellent organoleptic qualities. This paper investigates the impact of cattle breed on key quality attributes—colour, marbling, and tenderness—central to consumer choice. Six different bovine breeds were taken into consideration: German Red Pied, Piemontese, Chianina, Angus, Holstein and a Polish crossbreed. The muscle taken into consideration was the Longissimus thoracis et lumborum. Colorimetric assessments, marbling evaluations, fatty acid profiling, and tenderness measurements, were conducted on meat cuts from each breed. Results revealed that Chianina, Holstein, and the Polish crossbreed exhibited distinct colour characteristics, with Chianina displaying notably brighter meat. Angus emerged as the most marbled breed, while Chianina and Piemontese showed lower marbling. Total lipids content was correlated with visible marbling. Tenderness assessments identified Angus and Holstein as the most tender breeds. The study's findings contribute to a proposed grading scale for colour, marbling, and tenderness, offering potential labelling infographics to assist consumers in making informed choices based on individual preferences and needs. These insights underscore the importance of breed-specific information on labels to enhance consumer understanding and facilitate more informed purchasing decisions.