Animal welfare and environmental impacts have been emphasized in the sustainable production of livestock. Labels are useful tools for clearly providing such attribute information to consumers. The ...aim of this study was to evaluate how human values influence consumer segments for beef with information on animal welfare and environmentally friendly production. Using a choice experiment, we examined whether animal welfare and environmentally friendly labels, country of origin and price impact consumer choice. As results, five heterogeneous consumer classes were identified using a latent class model: label conscious, domestic beef preferring, price conscious, animal welfare preferring and not interested in production method. Almost 90% of consumers were interested in and willing to pay for beef with animal welfare or environmentally friendly label. The classes with significant preferences for such labeled beef were affected by “openness to change”, “self-enhancement” and “security”. Improving consumer attitudes and strengthening consumer perception towards labeled beef by marketers and policy makers will be required.
•The relations between human values and consumer preferences for beef were analyzed.•Preferences for animal welfare and environmentally friendly labels were quantified.•Five heterogeneous consumer segments were influenced by certain human values.•The value “Security” positively affected the choice of labeled beef in Japan.
•Goat behaviors were classified using 9-axis multi sensor data.•Two machine learning algorithms were used in the classification.•The effect of imbalanced datasets on classification performance was ...assessed.•In addition to acceleration, magnetism was useful in classifying the behaviors.•Data balancing slightly improved the classification of behavior with low prevalence.
Recent developments of small electronic instruments have enabled the classification of animal behavior using simultaneous measurements of various bio-logging data such as acceleration, magnetism, and angular velocity. Following technological progress, studies on the behavioral classification of ruminants combining measurements based on accelerometers, magnetometers, and gyroscopes have received attention. However, while the issue of class imbalance has recently become a serious challenge in classification by machine learning, few behavioral classification studies on livestock animals have focused on the effect of equalizing the prevalence of each behavior to improve the problem caused by the imbalance of data on classification performance. The aims of this study were to classify the behaviors of goats using a back-mounted 9-axis multi sensor (a tri-axial accelerometer, a tri-axial gyroscope, and a tri-axial magnetometer) with machine learning algorithms, and to evaluate changes in the predictive scores by equalizing the prevalence of each behavior. The behaviors of three goats grazing on an experimental pasture were logged for approximately 12 h with the multi sensors. The behaviors were recorded at 1-second intervals with time-lapse cameras throughout the experimental period. Three behaviors were classified: lying, standing, and grazing. Over 100 different variables were extracted from the raw sensor data, and classification was executed by inputting the variables into two supervised machine learning algorithms: K-nearest neighbors (KNN) and decision tree (DT). Moreover, because the prevalence of standing was low compared to that of grazing, the number of observations of each behavior in the training datasets for classification models was equalized by undersampling. As expected, the results indicated that the overall accuracies of both algorithms using all variables derived from the three sensors were higher than those using only variables from the acceleration data. Furthermore, both the algorithms using the variables from the acceleration and magnetism data could classify the behaviors as accurate as the algorithms using variables from all sensor data. Balancing the prevalence of each behavior resulted in a decrease in the F1 scores of the lying and grazing classifications but a slight increase in those of the standing classification by DT. In conclusion, our results suggest that, in addition to tri-axial acceleration, tri-axial magnetism is useful for classifying lying, standing, and grazing activities of ruminants and that equalizing the number of data for each behavior is important to correctly assess the predictive accuracy of behavioral classifications, particularly for the behavior with low prevalence.
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to determine the taxonomic and functional characteristics of the Japanese Black (JB) steer rumen microbiome. The rumen microbiomes of six JB steers (age 14.7 ± 1.44 months) ...and six JB sires × Holstein dams crossbred (F1) steers (age 11.1 ± 0.39 months), fed the same diet, were evaluated. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the beta diversity revealed differences in microbial community structures between the JB and F1 rumen. Shotgun sequencing showed that Fibrobacter succinogenes and two Ruminococcus spp., which are related to cellulose degradation were relatively more abundant in the JB steer rumen than in the F1 rumen. Furthermore, the 16S rRNA gene copy number of F. succinogenes was significantly higher in the JB steer rumen than in the F1 rumen according to quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. Genes encoding the enzymes that accelerate cellulose degradation and those associated with hemicellulose degradation were enriched in the JB steer rumen. Although Prevotella spp. were predominant both in the JB and F1 rumen, the genes encoding carbohydrate-active enzymes of Prevotella spp. may differ between JB and F1.
JB rumen microbiome had relatively higher abundance of fibrolytic bacteria such as F. succinogenes and Ruminococcus spp., increasing the carbohydrate-active enzymes associated with cellulose and hemicellulose degradation.
•Wine lees decreased dry matter and crude protein digestibility in an in vitro study.•Wine lees protected polyunsaturated fatty acids from biohydrogenation in vitro.•Dietary wine lees had no adverse ...effect on apparent digestibility in an in vivo study.•Wine lees decreased the malondialdehyde level in sheep plasma.
Wine lees are by-products of wine-manufacturing, but the usefulness as animal by-product feed has not yet been revealed. The present study was aimed to investigate the usability of wine lees as feed for ruminants in fattening conditions by in vitro and in vivo trials. In in vitro experiments (in vitro I and II), the following four treatments were prepared: 100% dry matter (DM) rolled barley as a control (WL0), and replaced 7.5% DM, 15.0% DM, and 22.5% DM of wine lees as three treatments (WL7.5, WL15, WL22.5, respectively). A linear decrease in gas production was observed at 48 h after incubation with an increase in the percentage of wine lees in the substrate (P < 0.01). The DM and crude protein (CP) digestibility were linearly decreased with wine lees inclusion (P < 0.01), while neutral detergent fiber expressed exclusive of residual ash (NDFom) digestibility was linearly increased (P < 0.05). The polyphenolic contents and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging ability of fermented residue were linearly increased with wine lees inclusion (P < 0.01 and 0.05, respectively). The proportion of α-linolenic acid and total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the residues after incubation was linearly increased with wine lees inclusion (P < 0.01). Additionally, in in vivo experiment, four cannulated wethers were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design experiment and each wether was assigned to one of the following feeding treatments: C, basal concentrate without wine lees; L, 6.7% DM of concentrate was replaced with wine lees; M, 13.3% DM of concentrate was replaced with wine lees; H, 20.0% DM of concentrate was replaced with wine lees. The apparent digestibilities of DM, CP, and NDFom did not differ among the treatments (P > 0.05). As wine lees increased, the proportion of ruminal propionate at 4 h after feeding and plasma malondialdehyde, which is one of the oxidative stress markers, were decreased (P < 0.05), and inorganic phosphorus concentration in plasma was increased (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed in the nitrogen balance between the treatments. Conclusively, the wine lees substituted for the fattening ration up to 20% DM had no adverse effects on apparent digestibility, ruminal fermentation, and nitrogen balance and decreased an oxidative stress marker in plasma in vivo. Although the gas production and DM and CP digestibility were decreased in vitro, wine lees inclusion protected PUFA from ruminal biohydrogenation during ruminal fermentation. Thus, wine lees have a potential to be an important alternative as a partial substitute for antioxidant products.
Calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids (CSFA) from linseed oil have the potential to reduce methane (CH4) production from ruminants; however, there is little information on the effect of ...supplementary CSFA on rumen microbiome as well as CH4 production. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of supplementary CSFA on ruminal fermentation, digestibility, CH4 production, and rumen microbiome in vitro. We compared five treatments: three CSFA concentrations-0% (CON), 2.25% (FAL) and 4.50% (FAH) on a dry matter (DM) basis-15 mM of fumarate (FUM), and 20 mg/kg DM of monensin (MON). The results showed that the proportions of propionate in FAL, FAH, FUM, and MON were increased, compared with CON (P < 0.05). Although DM and neutral detergent fiber expressed exclusive of residual ash (NDFom) digestibility decreased in FAL and FAH compared to those in CON (P < 0.05), DM digestibility-adjusted CH4 production in FAL and FAH was reduced by 38.2% and 63.0%, respectively, compared with that in CON (P < 0.05). The genera Ruminobacter, Succinivibrio, Succiniclasticum, Streptococcus, Selenomonas.1, and Megasphaera, which are related to propionate production, were increased (P < 0.05), while Methanobrevibacter and protozoa counts, which are associated with CH4 production, were decreased in FAH, compared with CON (P < 0.05). The results suggested that the inclusion of CSFA significantly changed the rumen microbiome, leading to the acceleration of propionate production and the reduction of CH4 production. In conclusion, although further in vivo study is needed to evaluate the reduction effect on rumen CH4 production, CSFA may be a promising candidate for reduction of CH4 emission from ruminants.
The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for first calving reproductive traits and growth curve characteristics in Japanese Black cattle. The Gompertz growth function was fitted ...to body weight–age data to obtain the mature weight (MWT) and rate of maturing (ROM) of cows. Data of reproductive traits including the first service conception rate (CR) for heifers, age at the first calving (AFC), and gestation length for the first calving were collected. Records of 3,204 animals were used for analysis. Genetic parameters were estimated using a linear uni‐ and bivariate animal model. The heritability estimates were moderate (0.29 for ROM) and high (0.57 for MWT) for growth curve parameters and low (0.03–0.11) for reproductive traits. There was a negative genetic correlation between MWT and ROM (−0.26), suggesting that an animal with a faster ROM would show a lower MWT. CR was negatively correlated with MWT (−0.42) but significantly and positively correlated with ROM (0.91). There was a negative genetic correlation between AFC and MWT (−0.49). These results suggest that a heifer with a faster ROM and lower MWT would show a higher CR. Meanwhile, a heifer with a lower MWT would show a higher AFC.
Experimental and comparative studies suggest that the striped coats of zebras can prevent biting fly attacks. Biting flies are serious pests of livestock that cause economic losses in animal ...production. We hypothesized that cows painted with black and white stripes on their body could avoid biting fly attacks and show fewer fly-repelling behaviors. Six Japanese Black cows were assigned to treatments using a 3 × 3 Latin-square design. The treatments were black-and-white painted stripes, black painted stripes, and no stripes (all-black body surface). Recorded fly-repelling behaviors were head throw, ear beat, leg stamp, skin twitch, and tail flick. Photo images of the right side of each cow were taken using a commercial digital camera after every observation and biting flies on the body and each leg were counted from the photo images. Here we show that the numbers of biting flies on Japanese Black cows painted with black-and-white stripes were significantly lower than those on non-painted cows and cows painted only with black stripes. The frequencies of fly-repelling behaviors in cows painted with black-and-white stripes were also lower than those in the non-painted and black-striped cows. These results thus suggest that painting black-and-white stripes on livestock such as cattle can prevent biting fly attacks and provide an alternative method of defending livestock against biting flies without using pesticides in animal production, thereby proposing a solution for the problem of pesticide resistance in the environment.
Estimating the energy expenditure of farm animals at pasture is important for efficient animal management. In recent years, an alternative technique for estimating energy expenditure by measuring ...body acceleration has been widely performed in wildlife and human studies, but the availability of the technique in farm animals has not yet been examined. In the present study, we tested the potential use of an acceleration index, overall dynamic body acceleration (ODBA), as a new proxy for estimating the energy expenditure of grazing farm animals (cattle, goats and sheep) at pasture with the simultaneous evaluation of a conventional proxy, heart rate. Body accelerations in three axes and heart rate for cows (n = 8, two breeds), goats (n = 6) and sheep (n = 5) were recorded, and the effect of ODBA calculated from the body accelerations on heart rate was analyzed. In addition, the effects of the two other activity indices, the number of steps and vectorial dynamic body acceleration (VeDBA), on heart rate were also investigated. The results of the comparison among three activity indices indicated that ODBA was the best predictor for heart rate. Although the relationship between ODBA and heart rate was different between the groups of species and breeds and between individuals (P<0.01), the difference could be explained by different body weights; a common equation could be established by correcting the body weights (M: kg): heart rate (beats/min) = 147.263∙M-0.141 + 889.640∙M-0.179∙ODBA (g). Combining this equation with the previously reported energy expenditure per heartbeat, we estimated the energy expenditure of the tested animals, and the results indicated that ODBA is a good proxy for estimating the energy expenditure of grazing farm animals across species and breeds. The utility and simplicity of the procedure with acceleration loggers could make the accelerometry technique a worthwhile option in field research and commercial farm use.
•A novel accelerometry approach for evaluating behavior of animals was proposed.•Behavior of cattle under vitamin A (VA) restriction was assessed as a pilot study.•Dynamic body acceleration (DBA) was ...used as an index of physical activity.•Combining behavioral classification and DBA was useful for the behavior assessment.
Evaluation of animal behavior provides information on health and well-being in animals. In this preliminary study, we investigated the effectiveness of an accelerometry approach to evaluate changes in health status of cattle by combining physical activity quantified by dynamic body acceleration (DBA) and qualitative behavioral classification data. Although feeding low vitamin A (VA) diets to fattening cattle is a popular technique to enhance marbling of beef in Japan, the effects of VA restriction on behavior of fattening cattle have been unclear. Therefore, the effect of VA restriction on behavioral change in feedlot steers was assessed by the approach as an example of evaluation of the change in health status. Ten Japanese Black fattening steers were divided into VA restricted (RES) and supplemented (SUP) groups (five in each group). The RES steers were fed lower VA diets than SUP from 11 to 20 months of age. The measurements of blood VA concentrations, accelerations and classified behaviors of the steers were conducted at 18 and 24 months of age. An accelerometer was fitted dorsally to each steer and three axial accelerations were measured at 10 Hz. The raw acceleration data was processed to calculate vectorial DBA (VeDBA) per second. Behavior of the steers was recorded for 8.5 h on one day and visually classified per second as lying, standing, walking or feeding. As the results, the blood VA concentration at 18 months of age was lower in RES than SUP (P < 0.05) (53.2 and 95.6 IU/dL, respectively) but the concentration was similar between the groups at 24 months of age. All VA concentrations were over the recommended minimum value and none of the steers showed clinical manifestations of VA deficiency, indicating that VA restriction was controlled as expected. The durations of classified behaviors and the overall mean VeDBA were similar between the groups. However, the VeDBA for walking was higher in RES than SUP at both ages (P < 0.05). The results suggested that animals under VA restriction might slightly alter their gait as a stress response at 18 months of age and a residual of this might be detected even after the increase of blood VA concentration at 24 months of age; small changes in behavior that could not be detectable by visual classification were quantified via accelerometry. In the future, a combination of automatic behavioral classification and quantified physical activity such as DBA will be useful for feedback on animal health and well-being.
The rumen contains a complex microbial ecosystem that degrades plant materials, such as cellulose and hemicellulose. We herein reconstructed 146 nonredundant, rumen-specific metagenome-assembled ...genomes (MAGs), with ≥50% completeness and <10% contamination, from cattle in Japan. The majority of MAGs were potentially novel strains, encoding various enzymes related to plant biomass degradation and volatile fatty acid production. The MAGs identified in the present study may be valuable resources to enhance the resolution of future taxonomical and functional studies based on metagenomes and metatranscriptomes.
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