The study aimed to investigate the regulatory effects of exopolysaccharides (EPS) derived from Pediococcus acidilactici S1 on the cell physiological functions of Lactobacillus plantarum FQR during the freezing process. Results demonstrated that the addition of 70 mg/mL EPS as a cryoprotectant achieved a maximum survival rate of 91.99 ± 3.52%. The EPS effectively mitigated cell wall and membrane damage, reduced membrane permeability, and stabilized membrane fluidity. Furthermore, EPS decreased the freezing point of the solution from −17.37°C ± 0.19°C to −17.08°C ± 0.20°C, thereby inhibiting ice crystal formation and maintaining post-freeze-drying stability in DNA structure, membrane structure, cell wall protein structure, and unsaturated fatty acid composition within cells.

Rumen-native microbial supplementation can improve milk production by enhancing rumen function, but its effects on immunity, health, and mammary development are less known. This study evaluated Galaxis Frontier (GF, Native Microbials, San Diego, CA) top dressed daily at 5 g/cow per day, administered either pre- and postpartum (wk −4 to 16) or postpartum only (wk 1 to 16). Microbial feed supplementation consisted of 2 × 107 cfu/g of Pichia kudriavzevii, 2 × 106 cfu/g of Clostridium beijerinckii, 2 × 107 cfu/g of Ruminococcus bovis, and 2 × 107 cfu/g of Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens.

Surplus calves are animals produced by the dairy industry but not retained on the farm as herd replacements, namely, male calves and excess females. These animals primarily enter dairy-beef or veal production systems. In recent years, surplus calf production has come under scrutiny due to welfare concerns, such as health outcomes and housing. To design and implement effective interventions, it is critical to understand the perspectives of industry stakeholders (i.e., calf marketers and calf raisers).

Owing to political and societal requirements, farmers are required to produce animal-friendly and sustainable products in an economic manner. Investments have been made to improve housing conditions for farm animals such as cattle, but further improvements regarding animal welfare of dairy husbandry are needed to regain societal acceptance. In this review, we first provide a brief overview of current housing and management conditions of dairy cattle worldwide as well as their impact on animal welfare of calves, young stock, and dairy cows.

The antibacterial activity, dairy biopreservative potential, and antibacterial compounds of the lactic acid bacterium Lactiplantibacillus pentosus remain largely unexplored. In this study, we investigated the antibacterial activity of L. pentosus YXJ 1401 isolated from food-grade traditional Chinese pickles. The YXJ 1401 strain exhibited notable antibacterial activity against multiple foodborne pathogens, with an inhibition zone of 23.87 ± 0.19 mm against multidrug-resistant Salmonella Enteritidis.

Modern reproductive technology combined with genomic selection allows for great genetic gains for dairy cattle populations. However, for small, local breeds, the risk of excessive inbreeding, low selection intensity, and lack of resources makes it challenging to stay competitive with the larger international breeds. In the case of Icelandic dairy cattle, the continued use of private bulls for natural mating for an otherwise centralized breeding program adds to the challenge. The objectives of this study were to compare genomic breeding programs for a population mimicking the Icelandic population and evaluate how the use of private bulls combines with genomic selection schemes, multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) programs, and the use of sexed semen to influence genetic gain and rate of inbreeding.

The increased uptake of sensor technologies and precision farming tools for the dairy cattle sector is enabling real-time monitoring of animal health, welfare, and productivity. These digital advancements provide high-frequency, objective, and large-scale phenotypic data for breeding purposes. This review explores the potential of sensor-derived data to improve genetic and genomic evaluations in dairy cattle and outlines key challenges, opportunities, and approaches associated with their implementation.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a maternal bovine appeasing substance (MBAS) and analgesia and anesthetics (A/A) on stress (measured via hair and serum cortisol) and performance (ADG and number of disease treatments) following caustic paste disbudding. Calves from 3 dairy farms in Texas were transported to a commercial heifer rearing ranch (d −1), weighed, and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups (n = 30/treatment) before hutch placement: (1) receiving caustic paste only (negative control, CON); (2) receiving 5 mL of MBAS above the muzzle and 5 mL behind the poll (100 mg/mL; MBAS), (3) receiving an analgesic (transdermal flunixin meglumine, 3.3 mg/kg BW) and anesthetic (2% lidocaine, 2 mL/horn bud; A/A-CON); or (4) receiving both MBAS and A/A (A/A-MBAS).

Multiplicative adjustment factors to standardize milk, fat, and protein lactation yields for age, parity, season of calving, geographical region, milking frequency, and previous days open were last updated in 1994. Since then, the national animal model has updated age-parity adjustments within each 5-year period, but those were not publicized or summarized until now. New multiplicative adjustment factors were estimated using 101.5 million milk, 100.5 million fat, and 81.2 million protein lactation records from 1960 to 2022 in a multitrait model.

Mozzarella cheese is one of the most popular cheeses consumed on pizza worldwide. In commercial markets, mozzarella cheese is sold in a variety of formats (e.g., shreds, slices, blocks), and the functionality of mozzarella cheese is determined based on the end use. For example, for pizza applications, mozzarella cheese block is converted into shreds in the factory setting or at home. For minimizing losses during conversion, it is important to have optimum material properties in the block at low temperatures.