2026-03-26
Isabella Lora, Luisa Magrin, Barbara Contiero, Andrea Quaglini, Giulio Cozzi
The current farming systems for fattening beef cattle in Europe are generally perceived as detrimental to animal welfare. Although previous studies have identified risk factors in these rearing systems, a comprehensive description of animal welfare conditions across beef cattle farms is still missing. This study collected data on animal welfare and management practices of 49 beef cattle farms located in northeastern Italy. Overall, 38 items referring to farm management and personnel, structures and equipment, and animal-based measures (ABM) were analyzed. Given the wide variability in herd size, its impact on the assessed items was tested by dividing the farms into three equal groups based on the tertiles of their average herd size. The recorded ABMs highlighted satisfactory welfare conditions for the inspected animals, regardless of the herd size. Major shortcomings were observed in farm structures and equipment, like limited space allowances, unsafe flooring systems, lack of specific facilities for cattle moving and restraining, and deficiencies in infirmary areas. Water availability also required improvement, especially considering the increased animal demand under hot environmental conditions. Better personnel skills, effective feeding management, written recordings and protocols, and optimal environmental conditions were more frequent in larger herds. Given the increasing consumer expectations and societal concerns regarding farm animal welfare, this study offered a first comprehensive overview of the current welfare and management conditions of fattening beef cattle, which can serve as a valuable baseline for future research and targeted interventions.
DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2026.17598282026-03-25
Claudia Kalbe, Anja Eggert, Dirk Dannenberger
Feeding pigs a reduced crude protein diet has proven to be an important tool for improving meat quality, but the effects of low- or high-protein diets on fat deposits in pigs are less well understood. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of n-3 and n-6 PUFA supplementation combined with reduced-protein diet (RPD) or high-protein diet (HPD) on lipid metabolism in five distinct fat depots in pigs. A total of 40 castrated male Landrace pigs were divided into four experimental groups fed diets differing in protein levels and PUFA supplementation and one control group. The n-3 and n-6 PUFA-supplemented RPD/HPD resulted in significant changes, primarily in the n-3 and n-6 PUFA concentrations in the adipose depots of the pigs (P <0.05). Compared with the control group, the content of the most abundant fatty acid in adipose tissue, oleic acid, was significantly decreased in the back, intestinal, and perirenal fat of almost all experimental groups. The gene expression of lipogenic enzymes (ELOVL5, FADS1, FADS2, SREBP1, ACACA, FASN, and SCD) at the mRNA level did not change in response to the different diets in any of the fat depots. However, ACACA and FASN protein expression in perirenal fat and SREBP expression in back fat were affected by diet (P <0.05). On the basis of the very limited dietary effects observed on fat depots in Landrace pigs, our results suggest that lipid metabolism remains similar regardless of whether different amounts of dietary protein are combined with n-3 or n-6 PUFA supplementation.
DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2026.17836682026-03-24
Rajesh Kumar, J. B. Phogat, R. K. Sharma, Vishal Mudgal, S. K. Phulia, Yogesh Bangar, Jerome Andonissamy
The present study was carried out to determine the effect of an anti-stressor nutritional supplement in combination with a progesterone implant on estrus induction and conception rates in summer anestrus Murrah buffaloes. In this study, 33 anovular lactating buffaloes (> 90 days postpartum) were monitored for one month and adjudged anovular through transrectal ultrasonography at 10-day intervals. Subsequently, buffaloes were divided into treatment (n=16) and control groups (n=17), and the treatment group buffaloes were given an anti-stressor feed supplement (a preparation consisting of sodium bicarbonate and additional minerals and vitamins ~ 100g daily) for 40 days, while the control group animals received no feed supplement and were fed the normal diet as per the farm schedule. A controlled internal drug-releasing device (CIDR, 1.38g progesterone, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Ltd.) was administered intravaginally 15 days prior to the start of the feeding trial and was left in place. After 7 days, implants were removed, and 400 IU PMSG (Folligon, MSD Animal Health, i.m) and 500 ug Cloprostenol (Injection Vetmate, 2 ml, i.m) were administered at the time of implant removal. Fixed-time insemination using frozen-thawed semen was carried out at 48 and 60 h after implant removal. The feeding trial was continued until 15 days post-artificial insemination (AI), and CIDR was inserted intravaginally simultaneously in the control group and kept in place for 7 days, similar to the treatment group. Within 15 days of feed supplementation, 37.5% (6/16) buffaloes in the treatment group resumed cyclicity as compared to 11.8% (2/17) in the control group. In response to hormonal treatment, the overall estrus induction rate was 100% for both the treatment and control groups. No difference in estrus intensity was observed between the groups. Following fixed-time AI, the conception rate was lower in the treatment group (37.5%) as compared to the control group (64.7%). However, approximately 70% of buffaloes became pregnant within two AIs in both groups. Furthermore, no significant difference (P = 0.60) in overall conception rates was found between the treatment (93.7%) and control groups (87.4%) within 90 days of CIDR removal. However, a significant difference (P = 0.03) in conception rates was noticed between 30–90 days of CIDR removal between the two groups (56.2% vs 17.7%). In conclusion, the inclusion of anti-stress supplements along with CIDR supplementation may enhance estrus induction in postpartum anestrus buffaloes during the summer season.
DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2026.17456642026-03-23
Peter T. Thomsen, Helle Tegner Anker, Mette S. Herskin
Even though most cattle are slaughtered at commercial slaughterhouses, so-called on-farm emergency slaughter (OFES) offers a possibility for slaughter on-farm when otherwise healthy animals suffer an accident preventing transportation. In the European Union (EU), OFES is regulated by Regulation (EC) No. 853/2004. A legal analysis showed that although this regulation applies directly and should be uniformly interpreted across EU Member States, ambiguous and unprecise terms - especially ‘accident’ - may lead to national differences. A survey among Danish official veterinarians revealed unclear rules and inconsistent interpretations. Answers from competent national authorities in 10 EU Member States showed major differences in definitions, eligible conditions, time limits, and procedural requirements for OFES. EU guidelines are recommended to ensure clarity and consistency.
DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2026.1783462