Postpasteurization contamination (PPC) with gram-negative bacteria and the growth of spore-forming bacteria are major causes of fluid milk spoilage, typically leading to sensory defects when bacterial concentrations exceed 6 log10 cfu/mL. Existing models focus on individual spoilage pathways, limiting their ability to capture the complexity of milk spoilage. To address this, we developed a simulation framework that simultaneously models the growth of both types of bacteria in high-temperature short-time pasteurized milk along a supply chain.

To investigate the regulatory mechanisms underlying milk production traits, transcriptional sequencing (RNA-seq) and metabolomic analysis with liquid chromatography-MS were implemented in blood and serum samples from 25 lactating Holstein cows across multiple lactation stages. We identified 16,147, 15,859, and 16,010 expressed genes (fragments per kilobase million >1) and 160, 332, and 142 differentially expressed genes (DEG) during early, peak, and late lactation, respectively; the DEG were significantly enriched in adipocytokine, PPAR, and cAMP signaling and influenced cholesterol, vitamin B6, and fat metabolism; 9 candidate genes were identified by comparing QTLs related to milk production, reproduction, and disease resistance traits.

Respiratory tract infections remain a major challenge in cattle production, particularly in calves, but increasingly in adult dairy cows. Over the past decade, outbreaks of fatal Mannheimia haemolytica fibrinous pleuropneumonia (FPP) emerged in dairy herds in the Netherlands, with similar occurrences reported in other countries. The objective of this case-referent study was to describe the characteristics of these outbreaks and the circumstances under which they occur. For this purpose, 50 dairy farmers who had submitted a cow with a confirmed M.

Dietary palmitic acid (PA) supplementation can be used to increase milk fat yield by dairy cows. Additionally, increasing milking frequency (MF) promotes milk production. Both practices are of interest to enhance milk performance, but their effects on milk properties are a concern from a milk processing perspective. Moreover, little is known regarding the possible interaction between those 2 practices on milk performance. This study aimed to evaluate whether milk responses of early-lactation dairy cows could benefit from the combined effects of PA supplementation and increased MF.

This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effects of rottlerin, a plant-derived polyphenol compound, on methane (CH4) production in dairy cow rumen fermentation by targeting methyl-coenzyme M reductase (MCR). Molecular docking and virtual screening revealed that rottlerin exhibited a high binding affinity (−8.300 kcal/mol) with key residues in the catalytic site of MCR (GLY-142 and GLN-230). In vitro rumen fermentation showed that rottlerin significantly reduced CH4 production in a dose-dependent manner (up to 32.4%), while maintaining stable pH, dry matter digestibility, and VFA concentration.

The transfer of passive immunity is essential to ensure the health and welfare of newborn calves. Although the dynamics of serum Ig concentrations in these animals are well-described, data about saliva Ig are limited. This study aimed to evaluate serum and saliva Ig (i.e., IgG, IgA, and IgM) concentrations during the first week of life in healthy and sick calves. Blood and saliva samples were collected from 20 dairy calves from a dairy farm located in Portugal, at birth (30 min before colostrum intake) and on d 1, 2, and 7 of life.

Hyperketonemia (HYK) is a metabolic disorder defined by increased ketone concentrations, particularly β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). It is linked to increased disease risk and reduced milk production in dairy cows due to energy deficits during early lactation. Recently, omics approaches such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics have been used to better understand mechanisms associated to HYK. These studies have helped characterize pathways associated to energy metabolism, lipid mobilization, insulin resistance, and immune response, with associated genes identified in several genome regions, including Bos taurus autosome 6.

Mycoplasma bovis poses a global threat to cattle health, causing severe respiratory, mastitis, and arthritis syndromes with substantial economic losses. However, its worldwide epidemiology remains poorly characterized due to methodological inconsistencies and fragmented regional studies. This study presents the first comprehensive geospatial analysis of M. bovis infections across 31 countries (2000–2024), integrating data from 61 studies through meta-analysis, time series modeling, and geographic information system mapping.

Understanding the relationship between microbial community alterations and disease can provide valuable insights for improving diagnostics, prevention, and treatment strategies. This study used 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing to investigate and compare microbial diversity in the milk and feces of Holstein cows with subclinical mastitis caused by Streptococcus agalactiae and Prototheca spp. with that of healthy cows. A bacteriological screening identified 50 Holstein cows reared in a commercial dairy farm and classified into 3 experimental groups: i) animals negative at the bacteriological examination with no history of subclinical mastitis (HLTH; n = 16), ii) animals positive at the bacteriological examination for either Streptococcus agalactiae (STRP; n = 22) or Prototheca spp.

The US dairy industry has set the goal of attaining greenhouse gas (GHG) neutrality by mid-century. Reaching this goal requires the implementation of multiple strategies for mitigating and offsetting GHG production. A large range of animal feeding, manure handling, cropping and energy saving strategies were evaluated alone and in combination to quantify their potential for reducing the farmgate life cycle carbon (C) footprint of milk production. Representative dairy farms in major dairy regions of the US were simulated without and with these mitigation strategies using the Integrated Farm System Model (IFSM).

Many multiparous cows struggle to adapt to the challenges of the early postpartum period. Dyscalcemia, a condition defined by low blood calcium concentrations at 4 DIM and associated with suboptimal performance across a spectrum of epidemiologically important outcomes (health, productivity, and reproductive success), can be a useful indicator that maladaptive phenotypes are developing in early postpartum dairy cows. Identifying dyscalcemic cows, though theoretically useful from a management perspective, is not logistically viable for commercial dairy farms due to the costs and labor that would be involved in the collection and analysis of samples.

Dairy goat milk possesses substantial nutritional value, and comprehending the regulatory mechanisms of lactation is crucial for enhancing the milk production performance of dairy goats. During lactation, the mammary gland of dairy goats exhibits marked alterations in the expression of numerous genes. While extensive research has clarified the mechanisms governing mammary gene expression at the transcriptional level, the regulation of these genes at the translational level remains largely unexplored.

The development of large-scale intensive dairy farms led to increased numbers of animals housed indoors. This can lead to competition, with dominance hierarchies determining who gets preferential access to resources. It is therefore important to understand social ranking in farm animals, but there is currently limited data in pre-weaned calves due in part to difficulties in gathering data on agonistic interactions. Here we aimed to automatically detect displacements at the feeder and determine the dominance hierarchy in pre-weaned calves.

Climate change, with the increase in ambient temperatures and heat waves, is worsening the health and welfare of sheep. International policies are promoting the use of natural additives to sustain livestock health and welfare. Citrus essential oils (CEO), bioactive plant extracts, have several beneficial effects on livestock, in particular anti-inflammatory properties. This study investigated ex ante the possible strategies for the development of CEO in sheep breeding. A SWOT-SOr approach was used, and 2 emerging strategies were identified, namely the “attack” and “face the crisis” strategies.

The decline in production of milk and its components has been extensively studied as an indicator of heat tolerance for genetic evaluations. However, the antagonistic relationship between high production and functionality raises questions about the suitability of using productive traits as indicators of heat tolerance. This study aimed to estimate changes in the relationship between production and fertility under thermoneutral (TN) and heat stress (HS) conditions, to define breeding strategies that enhance adaptation to high heat loads while maintaining both productivity and functionality.

Antimicrobial resistance poses a significant challenge to global health, particularly concerning bacteria in the food we consume. Pathogens such as Escherichia coli, commonly found in milk and dairy products, are increasingly resistant to multiple antimicrobials due to the overuse and misuse of these drugs in both human medicine and agricultural practices. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and resistance rate to various antimicrobials of E. coli isolated from bovine milk and dairy products.

Our primary objective was to investigate the effect of 2 dietary treatments differing in energy density during late lactation on body reserves and the subsequent effects on the next dry period and lactation of high-producing Holstein cows. At 150 d of gestation, 66 multiparous lactating Holstein dairy cows were blocked by expected calving date and then randomly assigned to 2 dietary treatment groups that were fed either a high-energy diet (HE; 1.74 Mcal NEL kg DM) or a low-energy diet (LE; 1.50 Mcal NEL kg DM) to achieve a high or normal BCS at dry-off, respectively.

Comparative studies between pasture-based dairy production and indoor confinement-based production have demonstrated that including pasture in the diet reduces enteric methane emissions. However, the effects of seasonal access to pasture, where animals are allowed outdoors only during parts of the year, have been less extensively studied. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of providing dairy cows with voluntary access to a production pasture compared with an exercise pasture on their performance and enteric methane emission.

Body condition scoring is a tool for assessing a dairy cow's energy reserves and nutritional status. However, traditional methods are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and subject to observer bias, leading to variable results. The use of digital images or autonomous, camera-based technology (AUTO) may reduce subjectivity and labor. This study evaluated the interobserver agreement between on-site BCS and digital image-derived scores, along with intra- and interobserver agreement among image-based BCS, autonomous BCS technology, and various image-based modes.

The definition of dietary models that meet the animal's nutritional needs, improve its physiological state, and preserve the microbiota equilibrium, along with the challenge of reducing environmental effects is essential for producing sustainable, high-quality milk suitable for dairy production. This study aimed to investigate whether a more sustainable diet, with a higher content of alfalfa hay but equal net energy, protein, and NDF levels, has an effect on rumen fluid, feces, and milk microbiota in Sarda sheep.