The implementation of new technologies and best practices on factory farms is crucial for reducing the environmental pollution burden. This study aimed to evaluate the use of natural sorbents in the cows’ diet to reduce gaseous pollutants released on the farm and the content of faecal biogenic compounds. To this end, a mixture of natural sorbents (65% beechwood biochar, 25% aluminosilicate, and 10% glycerine) was added to cows’ feed. Pollutants released from all groups of cows were continually monitored on the farm during the experiment. Blood samples were also collected from the cows for haematological and biochemical analysis to determine the sorbents’ impact on their health. The average level of gaseous pollutants in the air on the farm were highest in the control group and lowest in the experimental groups. The levels of NH₃, CH₄, and H₂S were statistically significant at p < 0.05. The results demonstrated that the added sorbents effectively reduced gaseous pollutants without adversely affecting the health of cows. Natural additives in the cows’ diet, including sorbents, bind harmful substances such as NH₃ and CH₄, which are common gaseous by-products of digestion. This leads to improvements in animal welfare and the natural environment.

Introduction: Mastitis is one of the most economically significant diseases in dairy cattle, and its causation by atypical environmental pathogens is gaining attention. The study investigated the involvement of Serratia marcescens in intramammary infections occurring in a dairy herd and evaluated the bacterium’s antimicrobial resistance profile. Material and Methods: Between February 2024 and June 2025, 481 quarter-milk samples collected from cows on a dairy farm in eastern Poland were subjected to routine bacteriological examination. Isolates were identified by biochemical, proteomic and molecular methods and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility by automated biochemical analysis. Results: Serratia marcescens was isolated from the milk samples of 10 cows during different sampling periods. All isolates were consistently identified as S. marcescens , confirming the reliability of the applied comprehensive approach. Molecular analyses demonstrated high sequence similarity with reference strains. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed uniform resistance to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, cefuroxime, colistin and tigecycline. Conclusion: Serratia marcescens should be considered a relevant opportunistic pathogen in dairies, capable of causing sporadic or epidemic mastitis episodes. The findings are consistent with previous reports linking S. marcescens mastitis to environmental reservoirs and milking equipment contamination. Comprehensive diagnostic strategies, strict hygiene practices and targeted herd management measures are important to prevent and control mastitis caused by uncommon environmental pathogens.

Air quality in equestrian facilities is an important factor affecting equine respiratory health. This study evaluated particulate matter (PM), gaseous pollutants, and microclimatic parameters in a stable, an indoor riding arena, and an outdoor riding arena, and estimated the potential inhaled dust dose in horses under different exposure scenarios. Nine independent measurements were conducted at a height of 1.5 m in three locations. Concentrations of PM₁, PM_2.5, PM₁₀, respirable dust, total dust, and selected gaseous pollutants were measured. Four exposure scenarios combined 18 or 20 h spent in the stable with 4 or 6 h spent in the indoor or outdoor riding arena. Measurements were performed during summer under normal operating conditions at a university equestrian centre in Slovakia. The outdoor riding arena exhibited the highest concentrations of all PM fractions, whereas the indoor riding arena showed the lowest values (p < 0.05). Ammonia concentrations were higher in the stable than in the indoor riding arena, while the remaining gaseous pollutants showed only minor differences between facilities. Spatial mapping identified localized areas of elevated PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ concentrations, and exposure modelling demonstrated higher estimated inhaled mass of total and respirable dust for scenarios involving outdoor training. The results indicate that particulate matter, rather than gaseous pollutants, was the main factor affecting air quality. Reducing dust generation through appropriate riding surface management, regular maintenance, and air quality monitoring may help minimize inhalation exposure and improve the respiratory environment for horses.

The aim of this study was to compare, using culture methods, the microflora of the small and large intestines, distinguishing pathogenic bacteria, in free-living ruminants: roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and red deer (Cervus elaphus). Intestinal samples from six individuals of each species were collected immediately after hunting under aseptic conditions. Aerobic and facultatively anaerobic bacteria, including Lactobacillus spp., Escherichia coli, Listeria spp., and Clostridium perfringens, were quantified using standard culture methods. Statistical analysis (ANOVA) revealed no significant differences (p > 0.05) between species in any of the microbial groups analyzed, although higher mean abundances were observed in red deer, particularly in the large intestine. The results indicate that interspecific variation in cultured microbiota may reflect individual and environmental factors rather than consistent taxonomic differences. Due to the high inter-individual variability and limited sample size, this study should be considered preliminary. The results demonstrate the predominance of viable aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacterial groups in culture-based analysis and provide reference data for future metagenomic studies. This study fills an important knowledge gap, as culture-dependent studies of the gut microbiota of wild cervids are still rare due to the logistical and ethical constraints associated with sampling wild animals.