Oilseed supplementation is a strategy to improve milk production and milk composition in dairy cows; however, the response to this approach is inconsistent. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of oilseed supplementation on milk production and milk composition in dairy cows via a meta-analysis and meta-regression. A comprehensive and structured search was performed using the following electronic databases: Google Scholar, Primo-UAEH and PubMed. The response variables were: milk yield (MY), atherogenic index (AI), Σ omega-3 PUFA, Σ omega-6 PUFA, fat, protein, lactose, linoleic acid (LA), linolenic acid (LNA), oleic acid (OA), vaccenic acid (VA), conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) and saturated fatty acid (SFA) contents. The explanatory variables were breed, lactation stage (first, second, and third), oilseed type (linseed, soybean, rapeseed, cottonseed, and sunflower), way (whole, extruded, ground, and roasted), dietary inclusion level, difference of the LA, LNA, OA, forage and NDF of supplemented and control rations, washout period and experimental design. A meta-analysis was performed with the “meta” package of the statistical program R. A meta-regression analysis was applied to explore the sources of heretogeneity. The inclusion of oilseeds in dairy cow rations had a positive effect on CLA (+0.27 g 100 g⁻¹ fatty acids (FA); p < 0.0001), VA (+1.03 g 100 g⁻¹ FA; p < 0.0001), OA (+3.44 g 100 g⁻¹ FA; p < 0.0001), LNA (+0.28 g 100 g⁻¹ FA; p < 0.0001) and UFA (+8.32 g 100 g⁻¹ FA; p < 0.0001), and negative effects on AI (−1.01; p < 0.0001), SFA (−6.51; p < 0.0001), fat milk (−0.11%; p < 0.001) and protein milk (−0.04%; p < 0.007). Fat content was affected by animal breed, lactation stage, type and processing of oilseed and dietary NDF and LA contents. CLA, LA, OA and UFA, desirable FA milk components, were affected by type, processing, and the intake of oilseed; additionally, the concentrations of CLA and VA are affected by washout and design. Oilseed supplementation in dairy cow rations has a positive effect on desirable milk components for human consumption. However, animal response to oilseed supplementation depends on explanatory variables related to experimental design, animal characteristics and the type of oilseed.

In recent years, machine learning (ML) algorithms have emerged as powerful tools for predicting and modeling complex data. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the prediction ability of different ML algorithms and a traditional empirical model to estimate the parameters of lactation curves. A total of 1186 monthly records from 156 sheep lactations were used. The model development process involved training and testing models using ML algorithms. In addition to these algorithms, lactation curves were also fitted using the Wood model. The goodness of fit was assessed using correlation coefficient (r), mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE), relative absolute error (RAE), and relative root mean square error (RRSE). SMOreg was the algorithm with the best estimates of the characteristics of the sheep lactation curve, with higher values of r compared to the Wood model (0.96 vs. 0.68) for the total milk yield. The results of the current study showed that ML algorithms are able to adequately predict the characteristics of the lactation curve, using a relatively small number of input data. Some ML algorithms provide an interpretable architecture, which is useful for decision-making at the farm level to maximize the use of available information.

Mesquite (Prosopis spp.), a highly nutritious legume from arid regions characterized by its secondary metabolites, offers a cost-effective resource to provide energy and protein for small ruminant farmers in harsh environments. In addition, the high concentrations of secondary metabolites found in mesquite pods could be an option to mitigate methane (CH₄) emissions. Thus, the aim of this study was to conduct an analytical review to assess the impact of adding mesquite pods on small ruminant productivity and enteric CH₄ emissions. A comprehensive and structured search of scientific articles resulted in a database of 38 trials. The response variables were evaluated through raw mean differences (RMDs) and standardized mean differences (SMDs), followed by a meta-regression, used to investigate the heterogeneity of the explanatory variables. Supplementation with mesquite pods significantly increased the dry matter intake (DMI) and average daily gain (ADG) and reduced the feed conversion ratio (FCR), with sheep showing the highest effect. The meta-regression demonstrated that the mesquite pod effect was influenced mainly by the species, level of incorporation and processing of the pods. Studies employing in silico CH₄ estimation reported increased emissions when the diets included mesquite pods. In contrast, in vivo studies demonstrated promising results, showing a significant reduction in CH₄ emissions when mesquite pods were included in small ruminant diets. Therefore, future research should focus on evaluating mesquite pod supplementation using precise methods to assess CH₄ emissions.

Background. Mesquite is a shrubby legume that dominates the vegetation of arid regions with multiple benefits in controlling erosive process, improving micrometeorology, and as feed source for livestock species. In addition, mesquite pods contain secondary components that could represent an option to mitigate emissions of enteric methane in ruminants. Objective. To evaluate in vitro fermentation patterns and methane production of mesquite pods (Prosopis spp.) in the arid ecoregion of the State of Hidalgo. Methodology. Mesquite pod samples were obtained from four municipalities in the arid ecoregion of the state of Hidalgo: Actopan (ACT), Tula de Allende (TUL), San Salvador (SAL) and Zimapán (ZIM). In vitro fermentation of the mesquite pods was carried out during 72 h to 39 °C in a culture medium with ruminal bacteria and mineral solutions. The fractional gas volume (Vf), cumulated gas volume (Va), maximum volume (V), gas production rate (S) and lag time (L) were calculated. The volume of methane was quantified by displacement of a NaOH 2N solution. Results. Some chemical composition characteristics of the mesquite pods were different between municipalities. V showed significant differences between localities (p≤0.05), with mesquite pods collected in SAL showing the highest values (163.2 mL g-1 MS). A municipality x time interaction was observed for Vf (p≤0.05) and differences between municipalities were observed. The values of volume partial of CH4 observed at 24 hours were different between collection sites (p≤0.05), with higher emission values observed in mesquite pods collected in SAL (16.3 mL/g MS) and ACT (17.3 mL/g MS). Conclusion. The results of the current study provide evidence of differences of in vitro fermentation patterns and methane emissions from the mesquite pods regarding to origin place. Implications. These results should be considered in the design and implementation of future nutritional and greenhouse gas mitigation strategies.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12011-026-05078-6.