Journal of Dairy Science

Comparison of antimicrobial usage estimated using records-based software with estimates based on an inventory of drug packaging waste

Measurement of antimicrobial usage (AMU) on dairy farms is an important aspect of antimicrobial stewardship and has been performed using a variety of methods. The objectives of this observational study were to compare AMU estimated using data extracted from computerized herd records with estimates based on drug packaging inventories and to assess consistency in AMU during different periods. Data were collected between May 2023 and January 2024 from a convenience sample of 25 conventional dairy farms that recorded treatments in selected herd management software.

An updated hierarchical 3-level meta-analysis of the effects of supplemental lysine on lactational performance in dairy cows and the associated influencing factors

Although Lys has been widely used in dairy cows, its effects on lactational performance are inconsistent, and the potential interfering factors have not been systematically investigated. Thirty-three reviewed publications from PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases up to March 31, 2025, were pooled to calculate the weighted mean differences (WMD) and CI for continuous variables using a stratified 3-level meta-analysis with a random-effects model. A moderator analysis was used to evaluate the influences of cow breed, lactational stage, dietary MP supply, basal diet type, and other additions, as well as methods, dosage, and duration of administration, on the effects of supplemental Lys.

Effect of aqueous extract of doum (Hyphaene thebaica L.) fruit on the physicochemical, microbiological, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and sensory properties of set-type yogurt

Doum fruit, which contains valuable nutritional components and biologically active substances while being readily available, low-cost, and offering numerous health benefits, may present an innovative approach to yogurt fortification. The present study evaluated the physicochemical properties, microbiological counts, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, antioxidant activity, antimicrobial activity, and sensory properties of set-type yogurt fortified with aqueous extract of doum fruit.

Bifidobacterium breve and Lacto-N-neotetraose mediate gut microbiota-derived acetate to regulate defecation performance and intestinal barrier function in constipated mice

Constipation has emerged as an important public health concern, and novel therapeutic approaches, such as those, are attracting increasing attention. However, the effects and mechanisms of Bifidobacterium breve (B. breve) and Lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT) in relieving constipation remain incompletely understood. Moreover, the potential synergistic effects of B. breve and LNnT in alleviating constipation are still unclear. In this study, we used 4-wk-old female BALB/c mice (n = 60), which were randomly assigned to normal control (NC) group, model control (MC) group, LNnT group, B.

Preweaning calf transportation practices in the United States: A cross-sectional survey of dairies, haulers, and calf raisers

Transportation is a significant stressor for cattle, but research is lacking regarding preweaning dairy calf transport practices in the United States. Improving our understanding of calf transportation practices can inform management practices that minimize welfare challenges of transport. The objectives of this study were to (1) describe current industry practices regarding transportation of preweaning dairy and beef-on-dairy crossbred calves, (2) determine differences in pre-transport management on dairies between replacement heifers, beef-on-dairy crossbreds, and dairy bull calves, and (3) identify outreach and research needs to address calf welfare concerns related to transportation.

Predicting functional bioactivities in fermented milk using deep learning on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry metabolomics

Fermented dairy products are increasingly valued not only for their nutritional content but also for their potential health-promoting properties. However, assessing these functional benefits often requires time-consuming chemical assays that limit scalability. In this study, we investigated whether deep learning (DL) could offer a faster, more efficient alternative. Using liquid chromatography (LC)-MS quadrupole time-of-flight metabolomics, we analyzed 18 fermented milk samples (derived from camel and bovine milk fermented with different bacterial strains) and measured their bioactivity across 9 in vitro assays, including antioxidant capacity (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), enzyme inhibition (angiotensin-converting enzyme, DH), and anticancer activity (HT-29, MDAMB).

Evaluation and development of prediction models for enteric methane emissions from cattle in India

India is home to more than 525 million ruminants, which are major contributors to global warming via enteric methane (EntCH4) emissions. Various mitigation strategies exist to reduce EntCH4 emissions but accurate emission estimates are needed to establish the true potential of these strategies. Measuring EntCH4 emissions is expensive and unrealistic at such a large scale, so an urgent need exists for accurate EntCH4 prediction models. The present study evaluated the accuracy of various existing models and developed a new model to predict EntCH4 emissions from cattle in India.

Characterization of the gel-binding mechanism of Grifola frondosa polysaccharide and polymerized whey protein by simultaneous rheology and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and its application in yogurt

The study aimed to develop and characterize composite hydrogels composed of polymerized whey protein (PWP, 10% wt/vol) and Grifola frondosa polysaccharide (GFP, 0%–4% wt/vol) as a natural functional additive for yogurt. The hydrogel structure change was elucidated at the molecular level using simultaneous rheology and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Results indicated that GFP significantly enhanced the hydrogel's network density and thermal stability through hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions, as evidenced by increased particle size, zeta potential, and endothermic peak temperature.

Synergistic effects of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum P-8 and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei ProSci-92 in cofermented milk: Metabolomic and physicochemical evaluation

In this study, a novel composite probiotic fermented milk was developed using Lactiplantibacillus plantarum P-8 and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei ProSci-92 strains with promising probiotic properties. Different proportions of the 2 strains were evaluated to identify the optimal coculture ratio. The physicochemical properties, storage stability, viable bacterial counts, and metabolomic profiles of the coculture fermented milk, single-strain fermented milk samples, and a commercial fermented milk (PYS-010) were compared.

Genome-wide association and functional genomic analyses of teat placement traits derived from robotic milking systems in American Holstein cattle

Automated milking systems (AMS) enable the generation of objective measurements of teat placement, a key factor influencing milking efficiency and udder health. In this context, we performed GWAS to investigate the genetic background of 2 teat placement traits, i.e., rear teat distance (RTD) and front teat distance (FTD), derived from Cartesian coordinates recorded by AMS in American Holstein cows. Phenotypic data were collected from 36 AMS robots, resulting in 4,232,026 records from 4,118 cows genotyped for 57,598 SNPs.

Systematic monitoring reveals continuous improvement in the sensory quality of private-label dairy products in Slovenia

Sensory quality plays a key role in consumer acceptance and can contribute to the growing market share of private-label dairy products. In this study, the sensory quality of private-label dairy products in Slovenia was investigated over a 4-year period (2020–2023). A total of 2,188 samples from 5 major Slovenian retailers were analyzed using a modified sensory evaluation method (ISO 22935). Each retailer conducted about 4 samplings per year. The products were categorized into 11 groups and evaluated by trained panelists according to appearance, color, odor, taste, and product-specific characteristics.

Fermentation of an aqueous ice cream by-product by lactose-utilizing yeast species

This study evaluated the fermentative performance of several yeast strains on the aqueous by-product of waste ice cream (WIC) to ethanol, comparing 3 reported lactose-utilizers, Kluyveromyces marxianus Y-329, Dekkera anomala Y-1414, and Kluyveromyces lactis 8585, with the non-lactose utilizer Streptomyces cerevisiae Y-45. Fermentation progression was monitored by weight loss, and HPLC was used to analyze the composition of the fermentates. Ethanol production reached >10% for S. cerevisiae and K.

Provision of a Probiotic-Postbiotic Blend to Lactating Dairy Cows and the Effect on Circulating Neutrophils Following an Intramammary Lipopolysaccharide Challenge.

This study evaluated the effects of feeding a probiotic-postbiotic blend on transcript abundance in circulating neutrophils following an intramammary (IMM) LPS challenge in lactating dairy cattle. Lactating Holstein cows (n = 16 at 57 ± 4 DIM) with a SCC <250,000 cells/mL received either 28 g/d of probiotic-postbiotic (PB; n = 8, Dairyman's Edge PRO, Papillon Agricultural Company) or no PB (NP; n = 8) for 27 d before intramammary infusion of 200 µg Escherichia coli O111:B4 LPS into both rear quarters.

Mid-infrared spectroscopy as a tool to predict individual goat milk technological traits and the index of milk aptitude to coagulate

Goat milk production has increased notably in recent years. Because a large portion of this production is used for cheese manufacturing, the study of goat milk technological traits becomes particularly important. Traditionally, milk technological traits are measured using reference analytical techniques, which limit large-scale data collection due to their high costs, technical demands, and time requirements. This study aimed to evaluate mid-infrared spectroscopy (MIRS) as a rapid and cost-effective alternative for predicting technological traits of individual milk from Saanen and Alpine goat breeds.

Growth during the first week of life and physiological body weight oscillation between feedings using high-frequency weighing in individually housed calves fed unrestricted amounts of milk twice daily

This study investigated early postnatal weight dynamics in 19 Brown Swiss calves (11 male, 8 female) during their first week of life. It was hypothesized that high-frequency weight monitoring during the first week of life in neonatal calves could reveal patterns of postprandial weight loss and early growth dynamics, which may be used to estimate metabolic activity. Calves were housed individually in hutches on calibrated scales that recorded BW every 10 s, enabling high-resolution monitoring of growth and postprandial weight changes.

Effects of various concentrations and volumes of potassium sorbate on colostrum bacterial contamination over time at ambient and refrigeration temperatures.

Preservation and storage of colostrum on farm is challenging, since cold temperature storage facilities (refrigerators and freezers) often cannot accommodate the volume of colostrum required to feed calves. Potassium sorbate preservative (PSP) is a readily available food grade preservative used in wine and cheese production; shown to be very effective at preserving colostrum at both refrigeration and ambient temperatures. Aims of the current work were to determine the optimal concentration and inclusion volume rate (IVR) of PSP to preserve bovine colostrum for feeding to neonatal calves.

Rapid and simultaneous quantification of viable Lactobacillus and Streptococcus thermophilus cells in yogurt by flow cytometry combined with novel oligonucleotide probes

Yogurt, one of the most consumed fermented dairy products, is produced with Lactobacillus and Streptococcus thermophilus as classical starter cultures. The enumeration of their viable bacterial cells is extremely important for yogurt production and supervision. This study developed 2 novel oligonucleotide probes (NOP), along with flow cytometry (FC) method for rapid and simultaneous quantification of the 2 probiotics. The NOP exhibited excellent specificity, as validated by 5 Streptococcus thermophilus strains, 11 Lactobacillus strains, and 32 other bacterial strains, and the FC method could accurately identify viable cells.

Association of heat tolerance with conformation and fitness traits in dairy cattle

Dairy cows are highly susceptible to heat stress, which has a detrimental effect on milk production, fertility performance, and animal welfare. These adverse effects will increase as dairy-producing regions continue to be affected by climate change. To address this, Australia implemented a genetic evaluation for heat tolerance in 2017, which was updated in 2024. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between heat tolerance solutions from the official genetic evaluation and other important traits in Australian Holsteins and Jerseys.

Effect on first-service outcomes of a modified Double-Ovsynch protocol designed to increase fertility through insemination of cows in estrus and a targeted intervention for nonestrus cows

The objective of this randomized controlled experiment was to evaluate the effect on first-service reproductive outcomes for lactating Holstein cows of a targeted reproductive management program including insemination in estrus (AIE) after a modified Double-Ovsynch protocol and re-enrollment of nonestrus cows in a synchronization of ovulation protocol. Lactating dairy cows (n = 2,101) from a commercial dairy farm fitted with neck-attached sensors for automated detection of estrus were synchronized with a Double-Ovsynch protocol up to the first PGF2α (PGF-L) of the Breeding-Ovsynch portion of the protocol (GnRH, 7 d later PGF2α, 3 d later GnRH, 7 d later GnRH, 7 d later PGF2α, 1 d later PGF2α).

Rapid detection of volatile compounds by gas chromatography– ion mobility spectrometry in infant formula during storage and the implications for consumer preferences

Consumer preferences for food products serve as a fundamental factor that influences purchasing and utilization decisions. Consumer preferences for infant formula (IF) are predominantly determined by its aroma characteristics. This study examined the volatile flavor compounds (VOC), aroma characteristics of IF detected via GC–ion mobility spectrometry (IMS), quantitative descriptive analysis, and consumer testing, respectively, hoping to provide a novel perspective for enterprise quality control.

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