Animal Bytes

Cows like to be housed, at least some of the time.

The implementation of genomic evaluations in Ireland has been very successful and the uptake of the genomically selected (GS) bulls has been encouraging with dairy producers using several bulls as recommended to reduce the risks.

Having calving ease proofs available will help dairy producers to identify bulls that are genetically good (or bad) for calving performance.

There’s no evidence that reducing feed space allowances, when feeding an ad-lib ration, had a detrimental effect on dairy cow performance parameters measured.

Continuous monitoring of physiological variables in ‘real’ animal production and transport conditions is an essential tool for assessing physiological stress and welfare.

It is more effective to treat herds with a high prevalence of digital dermatitis with a 5% rather than a 2% copper sulphate solution in a weekly footbathing regime.

Measures to reduce culling for lameness in breeding stock should be directed towards the young replacement animals and should include minimising aggression associated with re-mixing and feeding but, most importantly, protecting gilts feet and limbs from the concrete floor either by the use of bedding or cushioned flooring such as slat mats.

Pig producers using a straw bedding system should consider straw as a component of the diet and it should be tested as part of any veterinary investigation of mycotoxicosis.

Shelly hoof is the most significant problem for the majority of the flocks recorded, although the extent to which it causes lameness is not known.

Variations in finishing environment had specific effects on pork adipose attributes. Just one of the findings of a study, carried out by scientists in the US, that set out to compare the effects of finishing environment on growth performance, pork quality and lipid composition of pork.