This page has only limited features, please log in for full access.
The present study investigated the impact of heat stress and genetics on lamb growth performance and meat quality. Forty-eight Dorper and 2nd cross [Poll Dorset × (Border Leicester × Merino)] lambs (38‐–42 kg; 4–5 months old) were allocated to either thermoneutral [TN; 18–21 °C, 45–55% relative humidity (RH)], or heat stress (HS; 28 °C–38 °C, 40–60% RH) conditions in a 2 × 2 factorial design for 2 weeks. Compared with 2nd cross, Dorper lambs had a lower respiration rate (RR) and rectal temperature (RT), and exhibited less decline in body weight under HS. 2nd cross lambs showed a higher body weight gain than Dorpers under TN conditions. HS increased a* and chroma of the Longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) from 2nd cross lambs over 10 days of display, but had no impact on Dorper LTL. In conclusion, Dorpers showed higher heat tolerance compared with 2nd cross lambs during the 2 weeks HS.
Minghao Zhang; Robyn D. Warner; Frank R. Dunshea; Kristy DiGiacomo; Aleena Joy; Archana Abhijith; Richard Osei-Amponsah; David L. Hopkins; Minh Ha; Surinder S. Chauhan. Impact of heat stress on the growth performance and retail meat quality of 2nd cross (Poll Dorset × (Border Leicester × Merino)) and Dorper lambs. Meat Science 2021, 181, 108581 .
AMA StyleMinghao Zhang, Robyn D. Warner, Frank R. Dunshea, Kristy DiGiacomo, Aleena Joy, Archana Abhijith, Richard Osei-Amponsah, David L. Hopkins, Minh Ha, Surinder S. Chauhan. Impact of heat stress on the growth performance and retail meat quality of 2nd cross (Poll Dorset × (Border Leicester × Merino)) and Dorper lambs. Meat Science. 2021; 181 ():108581.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMinghao Zhang; Robyn D. Warner; Frank R. Dunshea; Kristy DiGiacomo; Aleena Joy; Archana Abhijith; Richard Osei-Amponsah; David L. Hopkins; Minh Ha; Surinder S. Chauhan. 2021. "Impact of heat stress on the growth performance and retail meat quality of 2nd cross (Poll Dorset × (Border Leicester × Merino)) and Dorper lambs." Meat Science 181, no. : 108581.
The increasing need for sustainable livestock production demands more research in the field of greenhouse gas (GHG), particularly methane (CH4), measurement and mitigation. Dietary interventions, management, and biotechnological strategies to reduce the environmental impacts and economic implications of enteric CH4 emissions are needed. While the use of biotechnological interventions and management strategies can be challenging on a routine basis, feed additive supplementation appears to be the most researched, developed, and ready to use strategy to mitigate enteric CH4 emissions. This paper discusses various recently developed feeding strategies to reduce enteric CH4 emissions in livestock. Additionally, the manuscript reviews various technologies developed for CH4 estimation since the accurate and reliable estimation of CH4 emissions can be a limiting step in the development and adoption of any mitigation strategy.
Pragna Prathap; Surinder Chauhan; Brian Leury; Jeremy Cottrell; Frank Dunshea. Towards Sustainable Livestock Production: Estimation of Methane Emissions and Dietary Interventions for Mitigation. Sustainability 2021, 13, 6081 .
AMA StylePragna Prathap, Surinder Chauhan, Brian Leury, Jeremy Cottrell, Frank Dunshea. Towards Sustainable Livestock Production: Estimation of Methane Emissions and Dietary Interventions for Mitigation. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (11):6081.
Chicago/Turabian StylePragna Prathap; Surinder Chauhan; Brian Leury; Jeremy Cottrell; Frank Dunshea. 2021. "Towards Sustainable Livestock Production: Estimation of Methane Emissions and Dietary Interventions for Mitigation." Sustainability 13, no. 11: 6081.
This review attempted to collate and synthesize information on goat welfare and production constraints during heat stress exposure. Among the farm animals, goats arguably are considered the best-suited animals to survive in tropical climates. Heat stress was found to negatively influence growth, milk and meat production and compromised the immune response, thereby significantly reducing goats’ welfare under extensive conditions and transportation. Although considered extremely adapted to tropical climates, their production can be compromised to cope with heat stress. Therefore, information on goat adaptation and production performance during heat exposure could help assess their welfare. Such information would be valuable as the farming communities are often struggling in their efforts to assess animal welfare, especially in tropical regions. Broadly three aspects must be considered to ensure appropriate welfare in goats, and these include (i) housing and environment; (ii) breeding and genetics and (iii) handling and transport. Apart from these, there are a few other negative welfare factors in goat rearing, which differ across the production system being followed. Such negative practices are predominant in extensive systems and include nutritional stress, limited supply of good quality water, climatic extremes, parasitic infestation and lameness, culminating in low production, reproduction and high mortality rates. Broadly two types of methodologies are available to assess welfare in goats in these systems: (i) animal-based measures include behavioral measurements, health and production records and disease symptoms; (ii) resources based and management-based measures include stocking density, manpower, housing conditions and health plans. Goat welfare could be assessed based on several indicators covering behavioral, physical, physiological and productive responses. The important indicators of goat welfare include agonistic behavior, vocalization, skin temperature, body condition score (BCS), hair coat conditions, rectal temperature, respiration rate, heart rate, sweating, reduced growth, reduced milk production and reduced reproductive efficiency. There are also different approaches available by which the welfare of goats could be assessed, such as naturalistic, functional and subjective approaches. Thus, assessing welfare in goats at every production stage is a prerequisite for ensuring appropriate production in this all-important species to guarantee optimum returns to the marginal and subsistence farmers.
Veerasamy Sejian; Mullakkalparambil Silpa; Mini Reshma Nair; Chinnasamy Devaraj; Govindan Krishnan; Madiajagan Bagath; Surinder Chauhan; Rajendran Suganthi; Vinicius Fonseca; Sven König; John Gaughan; Frank Dunshea; Raghavendra Bhatta. Heat Stress and Goat Welfare: Adaptation and Production Considerations. Animals 2021, 11, 1021 .
AMA StyleVeerasamy Sejian, Mullakkalparambil Silpa, Mini Reshma Nair, Chinnasamy Devaraj, Govindan Krishnan, Madiajagan Bagath, Surinder Chauhan, Rajendran Suganthi, Vinicius Fonseca, Sven König, John Gaughan, Frank Dunshea, Raghavendra Bhatta. Heat Stress and Goat Welfare: Adaptation and Production Considerations. Animals. 2021; 11 (4):1021.
Chicago/Turabian StyleVeerasamy Sejian; Mullakkalparambil Silpa; Mini Reshma Nair; Chinnasamy Devaraj; Govindan Krishnan; Madiajagan Bagath; Surinder Chauhan; Rajendran Suganthi; Vinicius Fonseca; Sven König; John Gaughan; Frank Dunshea; Raghavendra Bhatta. 2021. "Heat Stress and Goat Welfare: Adaptation and Production Considerations." Animals 11, no. 4: 1021.
This study investigated the effects of age of animal and days post-mortem (PM) on meat quality of Boer goats. Twenty-four (24) wether Boer goats of two age groups (2YO group: 2 years old and 9MO: 6–9 months, with 12 animals/group) were slaughtered in a commercial processing plant. The [email protected] was estimated to be above 6 in both age groups with higher (P < 0.01) values in 2YO goats. The PM storage for 14 days reduced the shear force in both age groups (P < 0.01). 2YO goat muscles (longissimus and semimembranosus) exhibited higher (P < 0.01) Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance values (TBARS), indicating increased lipid oxidation. Glycogen (P < 0.01) and lactate content (20 min post-slaughter) in longissimus of 9MO were lower compared to 2YO, and total muscle glycogen concentration was lower (P < 0.01) in both age groups below the threshold levels. Hence, as hypothesized, age and days PM proved to play crucial roles on Boer meat quality.
Archana Abhijith; Robyn D. Warner; Minh Ha; Frank R. Dunshea; Brian J. Leury; Minghao Zhang; Aleena Joy; Richard Osei-Amponsah; Surinder S. Chauhan. Effect of slaughter age and post-mortem days on meat quality of longissimus and semimembranosus muscles of Boer goats. Meat Science 2021, 175, 108466 .
AMA StyleArchana Abhijith, Robyn D. Warner, Minh Ha, Frank R. Dunshea, Brian J. Leury, Minghao Zhang, Aleena Joy, Richard Osei-Amponsah, Surinder S. Chauhan. Effect of slaughter age and post-mortem days on meat quality of longissimus and semimembranosus muscles of Boer goats. Meat Science. 2021; 175 ():108466.
Chicago/Turabian StyleArchana Abhijith; Robyn D. Warner; Minh Ha; Frank R. Dunshea; Brian J. Leury; Minghao Zhang; Aleena Joy; Richard Osei-Amponsah; Surinder S. Chauhan. 2021. "Effect of slaughter age and post-mortem days on meat quality of longissimus and semimembranosus muscles of Boer goats." Meat Science 175, no. : 108466.
Heat stress is one of the greatest challenges for the global livestock industries as increased environmental temperature and humidity compromises animal production during summer leading to devastating economic consequences. Over the last 30 years, significant developments have been achieved in cooling and provision of shade and shelter to mitigate heat stress reducing some of the losses associated with heat stress in farm animals. However, the recent increase in the incidence of heat waves which are also becoming more severe and lasting longer, due to climate change, further accentuates the problem of heat stress. Economic losses associated with heat stress are both direct due to loss in production and animal life, and indirect due to poorer quality products as a result of poor animal health and welfare. Animal health is affected due to impaired immune responses and increased reactive oxygen species production and/or deficiency of antioxidants during heat stress leading to an imbalance between oxidant and antioxidants and resultant oxidative stress. Research over the last 20 years has achieved partial success in understanding the intricacies of heat stress impacts on oxidative stress and immune responses and developing interventions to ameliorate impacts of heat stress, improving immune responses and farm animal health. This paper reviews the body of knowledge on heat stress impacts on immune response in farm animals. The impacts of heat stress on both cell-mediated and humoral immune responses have been discussed identifying the shift in immune response from cell-mediated towards humoral response, thereby weakening the immune status of the animal. Both species and breed differences have been identified as influencing how heat stress impacts the immune status of farm animals. In addition, crosstalk signaling between the immune system and oxidative stress has been considered and the role of antioxidants as potential nutritional strategies to mitigate heat stress has been discussed.
Surinder S. Chauhan; V. P. Rashamol; M. Bagath; Veerasamy Sejian; Frank R. Dunshea. Impacts of heat stress on immune responses and oxidative stress in farm animals and nutritional strategies for amelioration. International Journal of Biometeorology 2021, 65, 1231 -1244.
AMA StyleSurinder S. Chauhan, V. P. Rashamol, M. Bagath, Veerasamy Sejian, Frank R. Dunshea. Impacts of heat stress on immune responses and oxidative stress in farm animals and nutritional strategies for amelioration. International Journal of Biometeorology. 2021; 65 (7):1231-1244.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSurinder S. Chauhan; V. P. Rashamol; M. Bagath; Veerasamy Sejian; Frank R. Dunshea. 2021. "Impacts of heat stress on immune responses and oxidative stress in farm animals and nutritional strategies for amelioration." International Journal of Biometeorology 65, no. 7: 1231-1244.
The objective of this study was to compare the thermotolerance of second-cross (SC; Poll Dorset × Merino × Border Leicester) and Dorper lambs. Dorper and SC lambs (4–5 months of age) were subjected to cyclic heat stress (HS) (28–40 °C). The temperature was increased to 38–40 °C between 800 and 1700 h daily and maintained at 28 °C for the remainder of the day (30–60% relative humidity (RH)) in climatic chambers for 2 weeks (n = 12/group), with controls maintained in a thermoneutral (TN) (18–21 °C, 40–50% RH) environment (n = 12/group). Basal respiration rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT) and skin temperature (ST) were higher (p < 0.01) in SC lambs than in Dorpers. HS increased RR, RT and ST (p < 0.01) in both genotypes, but the levels reached during HS were lower (p < 0.01) in Dorpers. HS increased (p < 0.01) water intake to a greater extent in SC lambs, while feed intake was reduced (p < 0.05) by HS in SC lambs but not in Dorpers. HS increased (p < 0.01) blood urea nitrogen and creatinine in SC lambs only. Plasma non-esterified fatty acid concentrations were reduced (p < 0.05) by HS in SC lambs but increased (p < 0.05) in Dorpers. There was no effect of HS on pO2, cHCO3− and cSO2, but higher (p < 0.01) blood pH and lower (p < 0.01) pCO2 were recorded under HS in both genotypes. Blood electrolytes and base excess were reduced (p < 0.01) under HS, while a genotype difference (p < 0.05) was only observed in blood K+ and hemoglobin concentrations. Basal plasma prolactin concentrations were lower (p < 0.01) in Dorpers but were elevated at a similar level during HS (p < 0.01) in both genotypes. Dorper lambs are more resilient to HS than SC lambs. Future research should focus on confirming whether the better heat tolerance of Dorpers is translated to better returns in terms of growth performance and carcass traits over the summer months.
Aleena Joy; Frank R. Dunshea; Brian J. Leury; Kristy Digiacomo; Iain J. Clarke; Minghao H. Zhang; Archana Abhijith; Richard Osei-Amponsah; Surinder S. Chauhan. Comparative Assessment of Thermotolerance in Dorper and Second-Cross (Poll Dorset/Merino × Border Leicester) Lambs. Animals 2020, 10, 2441 .
AMA StyleAleena Joy, Frank R. Dunshea, Brian J. Leury, Kristy Digiacomo, Iain J. Clarke, Minghao H. Zhang, Archana Abhijith, Richard Osei-Amponsah, Surinder S. Chauhan. Comparative Assessment of Thermotolerance in Dorper and Second-Cross (Poll Dorset/Merino × Border Leicester) Lambs. Animals. 2020; 10 (12):2441.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAleena Joy; Frank R. Dunshea; Brian J. Leury; Kristy Digiacomo; Iain J. Clarke; Minghao H. Zhang; Archana Abhijith; Richard Osei-Amponsah; Surinder S. Chauhan. 2020. "Comparative Assessment of Thermotolerance in Dorper and Second-Cross (Poll Dorset/Merino × Border Leicester) Lambs." Animals 10, no. 12: 2441.
Live sheep export has become a public concern. This study aimed to test a non-contact biometric system based on artificial intelligence to assess heat stress of sheep to be potentially used as automated animal welfare assessment in farms and while in transport. Skin temperature (°C) from head features were extracted from infrared thermal videos (IRTV) using automated tracking algorithms. Two parameter engineering procedures from RGB videos were performed to assess Heart Rate (HR) in beats per minute (BPM) and respiration rate (RR) in breaths per minute (BrPM): (i) using changes in luminosity of the green (G) channel and (ii) changes in the green to red (a) from the CIELAB color scale. A supervised machine learning (ML) classification model was developed using raw RR parameters as inputs to classify cutoff frequencies for low, medium, and high respiration rate (Model 1). A supervised ML regression model was developed using raw HR and RR parameters from Model 1 (Model 2). Results showed that Models 1 and 2 were highly accurate in the estimation of RR frequency level with 96% overall accuracy (Model 1), and HR and RR with R = 0.94 and slope = 0.76 (Model 2) without statistical signs of overfitting
Sigfredo Fuentes; Claudia Gonzalez Viejo; Surinder Chauhan; Aleena Joy; Eden Tongson; Frank Dunshea. Non-Invasive Sheep Biometrics Obtained by Computer Vision Algorithms and Machine Learning Modeling Using Integrated Visible/Infrared Thermal Cameras. Sensors 2020, 20, 6334 .
AMA StyleSigfredo Fuentes, Claudia Gonzalez Viejo, Surinder Chauhan, Aleena Joy, Eden Tongson, Frank Dunshea. Non-Invasive Sheep Biometrics Obtained by Computer Vision Algorithms and Machine Learning Modeling Using Integrated Visible/Infrared Thermal Cameras. Sensors. 2020; 20 (21):6334.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSigfredo Fuentes; Claudia Gonzalez Viejo; Surinder Chauhan; Aleena Joy; Eden Tongson; Frank Dunshea. 2020. "Non-Invasive Sheep Biometrics Obtained by Computer Vision Algorithms and Machine Learning Modeling Using Integrated Visible/Infrared Thermal Cameras." Sensors 20, no. 21: 6334.
The current study is a meta-analysis of the effects of electrical stimulation (ES, n = 28 papers) with different voltages combined with different ageing periods (0–3, 4–7, and 8–14 days) on the meat quality of small ruminants. A comprehensive search for published studies on meat quality of small ruminants investigating the application of low, medium, and high voltage electrical stimulation, was performed using Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Scopus databases. Forest plots, funnel plots, and other statistical tools and tests were used in the study to analyze the results. Electrical stimulation significantly reduced ultimate pH (p < 0.001), Warner–Bratzler shear force (WBSF) (p < 0.001), cooking loss (p < 0.05), and purge loss (p < 0.001). In addition, sarcomere length (p < 0.01), myofibrillar-fragmentation index (MFI) (p < 0.001), and color (L*, a*, b*) (p < 0.001) showed higher values in meat subjected to ES as compared with the control group. In conclusion, the meta-analysis revealed statistical proof of beneficial effects of ES on meat quality of small ruminants in terms of ultimate pH, tenderness, enhanced proteolysis, and higher colorimetric values.
Archana Abhijith; Frank R. Dunshea; Robyn D. Warner; Brian J. Leury; Minh Ha; Surinder S. Chauhan. A Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness of High, Medium, and Low Voltage Electrical Stimulation on the Meat Quality of Small Ruminants. Foods 2020, 9, 1587 .
AMA StyleArchana Abhijith, Frank R. Dunshea, Robyn D. Warner, Brian J. Leury, Minh Ha, Surinder S. Chauhan. A Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness of High, Medium, and Low Voltage Electrical Stimulation on the Meat Quality of Small Ruminants. Foods. 2020; 9 (11):1587.
Chicago/Turabian StyleArchana Abhijith; Frank R. Dunshea; Robyn D. Warner; Brian J. Leury; Minh Ha; Surinder S. Chauhan. 2020. "A Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness of High, Medium, and Low Voltage Electrical Stimulation on the Meat Quality of Small Ruminants." Foods 9, no. 11: 1587.
Phosphofructokinase-1 (PFK-1) is the most important enzyme controlling postmortem glycolysis in living skeletal muscle and is the most likely candidate for regulation of postmortem glycolysis. We investigated the regulation of PFK-1 activity by F-2, 6-BP and AMP under simulated postmortem conditions in porcine skeletal muscle. Six pigs were harvested and longissimus lumborum samples were collected immediately post-slaughter. PFK-1 activity was assayed using increasing concentrations of F-2, 6-BP or AMP, added to the buffer adjusted to different pH. Both F-2, 6-BP and AMP increased PFK-1 activity with increasing buffer pH from 5.5 to 7.0. A concentration of 50 μM F-2, 6-BP was required to increase PFK-1 activity which is very high compared to physiological concentration in the porcine skeletal muscle. However, physiological concentrations (50–150 μM) of AMP resulted in increased PFK-1 activity compared to 1–2 μM F-2, 6-BP. Thus, AMP may play a greater role in dictating the rate and extent of postmortem muscle glycolysis and pH decline as compared to F-2, 6-BP.
Surinder S. Chauhan; Michelle LeMaster; Eric M. England. At physiological concentrations, AMP increases phosphofructokinase-1 activity compared to fructose 2, 6-bisphosphate in postmortem porcine skeletal muscle. Meat Science 2020, 172, 108332 .
AMA StyleSurinder S. Chauhan, Michelle LeMaster, Eric M. England. At physiological concentrations, AMP increases phosphofructokinase-1 activity compared to fructose 2, 6-bisphosphate in postmortem porcine skeletal muscle. Meat Science. 2020; 172 ():108332.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSurinder S. Chauhan; Michelle LeMaster; Eric M. England. 2020. "At physiological concentrations, AMP increases phosphofructokinase-1 activity compared to fructose 2, 6-bisphosphate in postmortem porcine skeletal muscle." Meat Science 172, no. : 108332.
The impact of antioxidant supplementation and short-term heat stress on lamb body weight gain, meat nutritional profile and functionality (storage stability of lipids and colour) of lamb meat was investigated. A total of 48 crossbred ((Merino × Border Leicester) × Dorset) lambs (42 ± 2 kg body weight, 7 mo age) were randomly allocated to three dietary treatments (n = 16) by liveweight (LW) that differed in dosage of vitamin E and selenium (Se) in the diet. Vitamin E and Se levels in the control (CON), moderate (MOD) and supranutritional (SUP) dietary treatments were 28, 130 and 228 mg/kg DM as α-tocopherol acetate and 0.16, 0.66 and 1.16 mg Se as SelPlex™/kg DM, respectively. After four weeks of feeding in individual pens, including one week of adaptation, lambs were exposed to two heat treatments. Animals were moved to metabolism cages for one week and subjected to heat treatments: thermoneutral (TN; 18–21 °C and 40–50% relative humidity) and heat stress (HS; 28–40 °C and 30–40% relative humidity) conditions, respectively. Final LW and hot carcass weight were influenced by dietary treatments with higher final live weight (FLW) (p = 0.05; 46.8 vs. 44.4 and 43.8 kg, respectively) and hot carcass weight (HCW) (p = 0.01; 22.5 vs. 21.3 and 21.0 kg, respectively) recorded in lambs fed the SUP as opposed to the CON and MOD diets. Vitamin E concentration in the longissimus lumborum (LL) muscle tended to be higher in lambs fed MOD or SUP diets than the CON group. Lipid oxidation of aged meat at 72 h of simulated retail display was reduced by antioxidant supplementation. Short-term (one week) heat stress treatment significantly increased muscle linoleic acid and total omega-6 concentrations compared with the CON group. The results demonstrate that four-week antioxidant supplementation at the SUP level improved animal productivity by increasing LW and carcass weight and the functionality of meat exhibited by reduced lipid oxidation. An increase in muscle omega-6 fatty acid concentration from short-term heat stress may induce oxidative stress via proinflammatory action.
Surinder S. Chauhan; Frank R. Dunshea; Tim E. Plozza; David L. Hopkins; Eric N. Ponnampalam. The Impact of Antioxidant Supplementation and Heat Stress on Carcass Characteristics, Muscle Nutritional Profile and Functionality of Lamb Meat. Animals 2020, 10, 1286 .
AMA StyleSurinder S. Chauhan, Frank R. Dunshea, Tim E. Plozza, David L. Hopkins, Eric N. Ponnampalam. The Impact of Antioxidant Supplementation and Heat Stress on Carcass Characteristics, Muscle Nutritional Profile and Functionality of Lamb Meat. Animals. 2020; 10 (8):1286.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSurinder S. Chauhan; Frank R. Dunshea; Tim E. Plozza; David L. Hopkins; Eric N. Ponnampalam. 2020. "The Impact of Antioxidant Supplementation and Heat Stress on Carcass Characteristics, Muscle Nutritional Profile and Functionality of Lamb Meat." Animals 10, no. 8: 1286.
Increased global temperatures and climatic anomalies, such as heatwaves, as a product of climate change, are impacting the heat stress levels of farm animals. These impacts could have detrimental effects on the milk quality and productivity of dairy cows. This research used four years of data from a robotic dairy farm from 36 cows with similar heat tolerance (Model 1), and all 312 cows from the farm (Model 2). These data consisted of programmed concentrate feed and weight combined with weather parameters to develop supervised machine learning fitting models to predict milk yield, fat and protein content, and actual cow concentrate feed intake. Results showed highly accurate models, which were developed for cows with a similar genetic heat tolerance (Model 1: n = 116, 456; R = 0.87; slope = 0.76) and for all cows (Model 2: n = 665, 836; R = 0.86; slope = 0.74). Furthermore, an artificial intelligence (AI) system was proposed to increase or maintain a targeted level of milk quality by reducing heat stress that could be applied to a conventional dairy farm with minimal technology addition.
Sigfredo Fuentes; Claudia Gonzalez Viejo; Brendan Cullen; Eden Tongson; Surinder S. Chauhan; Frank R. Dunshea. Artificial Intelligence Applied to a Robotic Dairy Farm to Model Milk Productivity and Quality based on Cow Data and Daily Environmental Parameters. Sensors 2020, 20, 2975 .
AMA StyleSigfredo Fuentes, Claudia Gonzalez Viejo, Brendan Cullen, Eden Tongson, Surinder S. Chauhan, Frank R. Dunshea. Artificial Intelligence Applied to a Robotic Dairy Farm to Model Milk Productivity and Quality based on Cow Data and Daily Environmental Parameters. Sensors. 2020; 20 (10):2975.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSigfredo Fuentes; Claudia Gonzalez Viejo; Brendan Cullen; Eden Tongson; Surinder S. Chauhan; Frank R. Dunshea. 2020. "Artificial Intelligence Applied to a Robotic Dairy Farm to Model Milk Productivity and Quality based on Cow Data and Daily Environmental Parameters." Sensors 20, no. 10: 2975.
The objective of this study was to measure the impacts of summer heat events on physiological parameters (body temperature, respiratory rate and panting scores), grazing behaviour and production parameters of lactating Holstein Friesian cows managed on an Automated Robotic Dairy during Australian summer. The severity of heat stress was measured using Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) and impacts of different THIs—low (≤72), moderate (73–82) and high (≥83)—on physiological responses and production performance were measured. There was a highly significant (p ≤ 0.01) effect of THI on respiratory rate (66.7, 84.7 and 109.1/min), panting scores (1.4, 1.9 and 2.3) and average body temperature of cows (38.4, 39.4 and 41.5 °C), which increased as THI increased from low to moderate to high over the summer. Average milk production parameters were also significantly (p ≤ 0.01) affected by THI, such that daily milk production dropped by 14% from low to high THI, milk temperature and fat% increased by 3%, whilst protein% increased by 2%. The lactation stage of cow had no significant effect on physiological parameters but affected (p ≤ 0.05) average daily milk yield and milk solids. Highly significant (p ≤ 0.01) positive correlations were obtained between THI and milk temperature, fat% and protein% whilst the reverse was observed between THI and milk yield, feed intake and rumination time. Under moderate and high THI, most cows sought shade, spent more time around watering points and showed signs of distress (excessive salivation and open mouth panting). In view of the expected future increase in the frequency and severity of heat events, additional strategies including selection and breeding for thermotolerance and dietary interventions to improve resilience of cows need to be pursued.
Richard Osei-Amponsah; Frank R. Dunshea; Brian J. Leury; Long Cheng; Brendan Cullen; Aleena Joy; Archana Abhijith; Michael H. Zhang; Surinder S. Chauhan. Heat Stress Impacts on Lactating Cows Grazing Australian Summer Pastures on an Automatic Robotic Dairy. Animals 2020, 10, 869 .
AMA StyleRichard Osei-Amponsah, Frank R. Dunshea, Brian J. Leury, Long Cheng, Brendan Cullen, Aleena Joy, Archana Abhijith, Michael H. Zhang, Surinder S. Chauhan. Heat Stress Impacts on Lactating Cows Grazing Australian Summer Pastures on an Automatic Robotic Dairy. Animals. 2020; 10 (5):869.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRichard Osei-Amponsah; Frank R. Dunshea; Brian J. Leury; Long Cheng; Brendan Cullen; Aleena Joy; Archana Abhijith; Michael H. Zhang; Surinder S. Chauhan. 2020. "Heat Stress Impacts on Lactating Cows Grazing Australian Summer Pastures on an Automatic Robotic Dairy." Animals 10, no. 5: 869.
Climate change is a major global threat to the sustainability of livestock systems. Climatic factors such as ambient temperature, relative humidity, direct and indirect solar radiation and wind speed influence feed and water availability, fodder quality and disease occurrence, with production being most efficient in optimal environmental conditions. Among these climatic variables, ambient temperature fluctuations have the most impact on livestock production and animal welfare. Continuous exposure of the animals to heat stress compromises growth, milk and meat production and reproduction. The capacity of an animal to mitigate effects of increased environmental temperature, without progressing into stress response, differs within and between species. Comparatively, small ruminants are better adapted to hot environments than large ruminants and have better ability to survive, produce and reproduce in harsh climatic regions. Nevertheless, the physiological and behavioral changes in response to hot environments affect small ruminant production. It has been found that tropical breeds are more adaptive to hot climates than high-producing temperate breeds. The growing body of knowledge on the negative impact of heat stress on small ruminant production and welfare will assist in the development of suitable strategies to mitigate heat stress. Selection of thermotolerant breeds, through identification of genetic traits for adaption to extreme environmental conditions (high temperature, feed scarcity, water scarcity), is a viable strategy to combat climate change and minimize the impact on small ruminant production and welfare. This review highlights such adaption within and among different breeds of small ruminants challenged by heat stress.
Aleena Joy; Frank R. Dunshea; Brian J. Leury; Iain J. Clarke; Kristy Digiacomo; Surinder S. Chauhan. Resilience of Small Ruminants to Climate Change and Increased Environmental Temperature: A Review. Animals 2020, 10, 867 .
AMA StyleAleena Joy, Frank R. Dunshea, Brian J. Leury, Iain J. Clarke, Kristy Digiacomo, Surinder S. Chauhan. Resilience of Small Ruminants to Climate Change and Increased Environmental Temperature: A Review. Animals. 2020; 10 (5):867.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAleena Joy; Frank R. Dunshea; Brian J. Leury; Iain J. Clarke; Kristy Digiacomo; Surinder S. Chauhan. 2020. "Resilience of Small Ruminants to Climate Change and Increased Environmental Temperature: A Review." Animals 10, no. 5: 867.
During the summer, high ambient temperature and humidity cause economic loss to the global livestock industry via reduced livestock productivity and increased mortality. The problem of heat stress (HS) is likely to be exacerbated by global warming and climate change. Recent research has shown that HS not only leads to physiological and metabolic perturbations in live animals but can also affect carcass and meat quality characteristics plausibly by altering the rate and extent of postmortem muscle glycolysis and resultant pH. However, these impacts of HS are not consistent across species. Higher incidence of pale soft and exudative (PSE) meat has been reported in poultry. On the contrary, higher incidence of high ultimate pH and dark firm and dry (DFD) meat or no impacts of HS have been reported in sheep and cattle. With the limited data on HS impacts on meat quality of ruminants, it is difficult to explain the exact mechanisms driving these variable impacts. However, it is hypothesized that the severity and duration of HS may lead to variable impacts due to lack of opportunity to adapdate to acute heat exposure. Longer HS exposure may allow ruminants to adapdate to heat and may not record any negative impacts on meat quality. This paper reviews the recent research on impacts of HS on meat quality characteristics and identify the key areas of further research required to better understand these negative impacts to develop strategies for amelioration. In addition, some mitigation strategies of HS have also been discussed which include both managemental and nutritional interventions.
Minghao Zhang; Frank R. Dunshea; Robyn D. Warner; Kristy Digiacomo; R. Osei-Amponsah; Surinder S. Chauhan. Impacts of heat stress on meat quality and strategies for amelioration: a review. International Journal of Biometeorology 2020, 64, 1613 -1628.
AMA StyleMinghao Zhang, Frank R. Dunshea, Robyn D. Warner, Kristy Digiacomo, R. Osei-Amponsah, Surinder S. Chauhan. Impacts of heat stress on meat quality and strategies for amelioration: a review. International Journal of Biometeorology. 2020; 64 (9):1613-1628.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMinghao Zhang; Frank R. Dunshea; Robyn D. Warner; Kristy Digiacomo; R. Osei-Amponsah; Surinder S. Chauhan. 2020. "Impacts of heat stress on meat quality and strategies for amelioration: a review." International Journal of Biometeorology 64, no. 9: 1613-1628.
Sheep in semi-arid environments are likely to be affected by warming environment due to climate change. To identify genotypes best suited to warmer climates we assessed thermotolerance and meat quality of 5 female sheep of each of 4 breeds (Merino, Wiltshire, Dorper, and Southdown) under simulated summer conditions. The sheep were housed in metabolic crates within climate-controlled rooms and were exposed to thermo-neutral (TN; 18–21 °C and 40–50% relative humidity) or cyclic heat stress (HS; 28–40 °C and 30–40% RH) conditions for two weeks. Physiological responses were recorded 3 times daily, and brown fat tissue temperature was measured by data loggers inserted into the brisket. Sheep were slaughtered at an abattoir as per standard commercial procedure and samples obtained for carcass and meat quality attributes. When exposed to HS, Dorpers and Merinos exhibited lower respiration rate (151, 142 breaths/min, respectively) and rectal temperature (39.39, 39.32 °C, respectively) (P < 0.05) than Southdowns (192 breaths/min, 40.05 °C) and Wiltshires (200 breaths/min, 39.91 °C). Dorper and Wiltshire (n = 3) showed lowest sternal fat temperatures during HS indicating inherent differences in thermogenesis. HS had significant effect (P < 0.05) on post mortem muscle pH decline which was slower than TN sheep, except in Dorper again indicating better thermotolerance. There were significant (P = 0.03) breed effects on meat cooking loss % such that Southdown showed minimum cooking loss (17%) while Merino showed the greatest loss (24%). These results suggest that there are genetic (breed) differences in thermotolerance and meat quality of sheep, providing an opportunity to select best sheep suited to a warming climate.
Surinder S. Chauhan; Minghao Zhang; Aleena Joy; Richard Osei-Amponsah; Brian J. Leury; Robyn D. Warner; Iain J. Clarke; Frank R. Dunshea. Adaptive and Productive Sheep Breed for Changing Climate. Proceedings 2020, 36, 137 .
AMA StyleSurinder S. Chauhan, Minghao Zhang, Aleena Joy, Richard Osei-Amponsah, Brian J. Leury, Robyn D. Warner, Iain J. Clarke, Frank R. Dunshea. Adaptive and Productive Sheep Breed for Changing Climate. Proceedings. 2020; 36 (1):137.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSurinder S. Chauhan; Minghao Zhang; Aleena Joy; Richard Osei-Amponsah; Brian J. Leury; Robyn D. Warner; Iain J. Clarke; Frank R. Dunshea. 2020. "Adaptive and Productive Sheep Breed for Changing Climate." Proceedings 36, no. 1: 137.
In Australia, heat waves are becoming hotter and longer, and more frequent, compromising dairy cattle welfare and productivity. Selection for heat tolerance (HT) may help to ensure sustainability of production under hot summer conditions. In a study at the University of Melbourne’s Dookie Robotic Dairy Farm, we identified the 20 most heat-sensitive and 20 most heat-tolerant cows in a herd of 150 Holstein Friesian lactating cows based on phenotypic responses (increase in body temperature, panting score, and decline in milk production) of dairy cows grazing pasture and given concentrate at milking during hot summer conditions for 3 months. Hair samples were collected from the tip of the tail according to a standard protocol for genotyping (Zoetis). Results based on 36 successfully genotyped cows indicated a significant variation in feed saved (FS) genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs) across age indicating a potential for its selection. The thermotolerant group had relatively higher GEBV for FS and fat% but lower milk production potential. Highly significant (P ≤ 0.05) negative correlations (−0.39 to −0.69) were observed between heat tolerance and current dairy industry economic indices (Balanced Performance Index (BPI), Type Weighted Index (TWI), Australian Selection Index (ASI) and milk production), while positive correlations exist between HT and feed saved (0.44) and fertility (0.27). These findings indicate a positive association between HT and feed saved, fertility, and fat percent breeding values. However, a more extensive study including large number of lactating cows is required to confirm these genomic associations and incorporating in future breeding objectives.
Richard Osei-Amponsah; Frank Dunshea; Brian Leury; Long Cheng; Brendan Cullen; Aleena Joy; Archana Payyanakkal; Michael H Zhang; Surinder S Chauhan. Association of Thermotolerance with Milk Production, Feed Saver, Fertility and Fat Percentage Breeding Values in Holstein Friesian Dairy Cattle. Proceedings 2020, 36, 63 .
AMA StyleRichard Osei-Amponsah, Frank Dunshea, Brian Leury, Long Cheng, Brendan Cullen, Aleena Joy, Archana Payyanakkal, Michael H Zhang, Surinder S Chauhan. Association of Thermotolerance with Milk Production, Feed Saver, Fertility and Fat Percentage Breeding Values in Holstein Friesian Dairy Cattle. Proceedings. 2020; 36 (1):63.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRichard Osei-Amponsah; Frank Dunshea; Brian Leury; Long Cheng; Brendan Cullen; Aleena Joy; Archana Payyanakkal; Michael H Zhang; Surinder S Chauhan. 2020. "Association of Thermotolerance with Milk Production, Feed Saver, Fertility and Fat Percentage Breeding Values in Holstein Friesian Dairy Cattle." Proceedings 36, no. 1: 63.
In this study, the complete genome sequence of bovine papillomavirus (BPV) type 15 (BPV Aks-02), a novel putative BPV type from a skin sample of a cow in southern Xinjiang, China was determined by collecting cutaneous neoplastic lesion, followed by DNA extraction and amplicon sequencing. The complete genome consisted of 7189 base pairs (G+C content of 42.50%) that encoded five early (E8, E7, E1, E2, E4) and two late (L1 and L2) genes. The E7 protein contained a consensus CX2CX29CX2C zinc-binding domain and an LxCxE motif. The nucleotide sequence of the L1 open reading frame (ORF) was related mostly (99%) to the L1 ORF of putative type BAPV-3 reference strain from GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis and sequence similarities based on the L1 ORF suggest that BPV type (BPV Aks-02) clustered with members of genus Xipapillomavirus as BPV15, and closely related to Xipapillomavirus 1.
Jianjun Hu; Wanqi Zhang; Surinder Singh Chauhan; Changqing Shi; Yumeng Song; Zhitao Qiu; Yubing Zhao; Zhehong Wang; Long Cheng; Yingyu Zhang; Wanqi Zhang Jianjun Hu. Complete genome and phylogenetic analysis of bovine papillomavirus type 15 in Southern Xinjiang dairy cow. 2020, 1 .
AMA StyleJianjun Hu, Wanqi Zhang, Surinder Singh Chauhan, Changqing Shi, Yumeng Song, Zhitao Qiu, Yubing Zhao, Zhehong Wang, Long Cheng, Yingyu Zhang, Wanqi Zhang Jianjun Hu. Complete genome and phylogenetic analysis of bovine papillomavirus type 15 in Southern Xinjiang dairy cow. . 2020; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJianjun Hu; Wanqi Zhang; Surinder Singh Chauhan; Changqing Shi; Yumeng Song; Zhitao Qiu; Yubing Zhao; Zhehong Wang; Long Cheng; Yingyu Zhang; Wanqi Zhang Jianjun Hu. 2020. "Complete genome and phylogenetic analysis of bovine papillomavirus type 15 in Southern Xinjiang dairy cow." , no. : 1.
Bovine papilloma is a neoplastic disease caused by bovine papillomaviruses (BPVs), which were recently divided into 5 genera and at least 24 genotypes. The complete genome sequence of BPV type 15 (BPV Aks-02), a novel putative BPV type from skin samples from infected cows in Southern Xinjiang China, was determined by collecting warty lesions, followed by DNA extraction and amplicon sequencing. DNA was analyzed initially by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the degenerate primers FAP59 and FAP64. The complete genome sequences of the BPV Aks-02 were amplified by PCR using the amplification primers and sequencing primers. Sequence analysis and phylogenetic analysis were performed using bio-informatic software. The nucleotide sequence of the L1 open reading frame (ORF) of BPV Aks-02 was 75% identity to the L1 ORF of BPV-9 reference strain from GenBank. The complete genome consisted of 7,189 base pairs (G + C content of 42.50%) that encoded 5 early (E8, E7, E1, E2, and E4) and 2 late (L1 and L2) genes. The E7 protein contained a consensus CX₂CX29CX₂C zinc-binding domain and a LxCxE motif. Among the different members of this group, the percentages of the complete genome and ORFs (including 5 early and 2 late ORFs) sequence identity of BPV Aks-02 were closer to the genus Xipapillomavirus 1 of the Xipapillomavirus genus. Phylogenetic analysis and sequence similarities based on the L1 ORF of BPV Aks-02 revealed the same cluster. The results suggest that BPV type (BPV Aks-02) clustered with members of the Xipapillomavirus genus as BPV 15 and were closely related to Xipapillomavirus 1.
Jianjun Hu; Wanqi Zhang; Surinder Singh Chauhan; Changqing Shi; Yumeng Song; Yubing Zhao; Zhehong Wang; Long Cheng; Yingyu Zhang. Complete genome and phylogenetic analysis of bovine papillomavirus type 15 in Southern Xinjiang dairy cow. Journal of Veterinary Science 2020, 21, e73 .
AMA StyleJianjun Hu, Wanqi Zhang, Surinder Singh Chauhan, Changqing Shi, Yumeng Song, Yubing Zhao, Zhehong Wang, Long Cheng, Yingyu Zhang. Complete genome and phylogenetic analysis of bovine papillomavirus type 15 in Southern Xinjiang dairy cow. Journal of Veterinary Science. 2020; 21 (6):e73.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJianjun Hu; Wanqi Zhang; Surinder Singh Chauhan; Changqing Shi; Yumeng Song; Yubing Zhao; Zhehong Wang; Long Cheng; Yingyu Zhang. 2020. "Complete genome and phylogenetic analysis of bovine papillomavirus type 15 in Southern Xinjiang dairy cow." Journal of Veterinary Science 21, no. 6: e73.
Heat stress is one of the most stressful events in the life of livestock with harmful consequences for animal health, productivity and product quality. Ruminants, pigs and poultry are susceptible to heat stress due to their rapid metabolic rate and growth, high level of production, and species-specific characteristics such as rumen fermentation, sweating impairment, and skin insulation. Acute heat stress immediately before slaughter stimulates muscle glycogenolysis and can result in pale, soft and exudative (PSE) meat characterized by low water holding capacity (WHC). By contrast, animals subjected to chronic heat stress, have reduced muscle glycogen stores resulting in dark, firm and dry (DFD) meat with high ultimate pH and high WHC. Furthermore, heat stress leads to oxidative stress, lipid and protein oxidation, and reduced shelf life and food safety due to bacterial growth and shedding. This review discusses the scientific evidence regarding the effects of heat stress on livestock physiology and metabolism, and their consequences for meat quality and safety.
Paula A. Gonzalez-Rivas; Surinder Singh Chauhan; Minh Ha; Narelle Fegan; Frank R. Dunshea; Robyn D. Warner. Effects of heat stress on animal physiology, metabolism, and meat quality: A review. Meat Science 2019, 162, 108025 .
AMA StylePaula A. Gonzalez-Rivas, Surinder Singh Chauhan, Minh Ha, Narelle Fegan, Frank R. Dunshea, Robyn D. Warner. Effects of heat stress on animal physiology, metabolism, and meat quality: A review. Meat Science. 2019; 162 ():108025.
Chicago/Turabian StylePaula A. Gonzalez-Rivas; Surinder Singh Chauhan; Minh Ha; Narelle Fegan; Frank R. Dunshea; Robyn D. Warner. 2019. "Effects of heat stress on animal physiology, metabolism, and meat quality: A review." Meat Science 162, no. : 108025.
Variations in climatic variables (temperature, humidity and solar radiation) negatively impact livestock growth, reproduction, and production. Heat stress, for instance, is a source of huge financial loss to livestock production globally. There have been significant advances in physical modifications of animal environment and nutritional interventions as tools of heat stress mitigation. Unfortunately, these are short-term solutions and may be unsustainable, costly, and not applicable to all production systems. Accordingly, there is a need for innovative, practical, and sustainable approaches to overcome the challenges posed by global warming and climate change-induced heat stress. This review highlights attempts to genetically select and breed ruminants for thermotolerance and thereby sustain production in the face of changing climates. One effective way is to incorporate sustainable heat abatement strategies in ruminant production. Improved knowledge of the physiology of ruminant acclimation to harsh environments, the opportunities and tools available for selecting and breeding thermotolerant ruminants, and the matching of animals to appropriate environments should help to minimise the effect of heat stress on sustainable animal genetic resource growth, production, and reproduction to ensure protein food security.
Richard Osei-Amponsah; Surinder S. Chauhan; Brian J. Leury; Long Cheng; Brendan Cullen; Iain J. Clarke; Frank R. Dunshea. Genetic Selection for Thermotolerance in Ruminants. Animals 2019, 9, 948 .
AMA StyleRichard Osei-Amponsah, Surinder S. Chauhan, Brian J. Leury, Long Cheng, Brendan Cullen, Iain J. Clarke, Frank R. Dunshea. Genetic Selection for Thermotolerance in Ruminants. Animals. 2019; 9 (11):948.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRichard Osei-Amponsah; Surinder S. Chauhan; Brian J. Leury; Long Cheng; Brendan Cullen; Iain J. Clarke; Frank R. Dunshea. 2019. "Genetic Selection for Thermotolerance in Ruminants." Animals 9, no. 11: 948.