Czech Journal of Animal Science - In Press
Mitigating Methane in Dairy Cattle: Integrated Strategies and the Evolving Role of Precision Livestock FarmingReview
Eva Mixtajová, Joana Nery, Radovan Kasarda, Muzaffer Denlí, Achille Schiavone, Alkan Çağlı, José Francisco Pérez, Hasan Hüseyin İpçak, José Luis Repetto, Stanislava Drotárová, Cecilia Cajarville
Modern dairy farming faces the dual challenge of meeting global food demands while mitigating its environmental impact, particularly greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, such as methane (CH₄), a potent contributor to climate change. This review explores the role of Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) technologies in monitoring and reducing CH₄ emissions from dairy cattle. We evaluate state-of-the-art methods, including direct monitoring (e.g., respiratory chambers, GreenFeed systems) and indirect approaches (e.g., infrared milk spectroscopy, AI-driven analytics), alongside mitigation strategies such as nutritional optimization, genetic selection, and ruminal additives. PLF emerges as a transformative tool, integrating real-time data on animal health, feed efficiency, and environmental conditions to optimize management practices and reduce emissions per unit of milk produced. By synthesizing current research, we highlight the potential of PLF to reconcile productivity with sustainability, offering scalable solutions for the dairy sector. Critical gaps in real-time CH₄ monitoring and farm-level implementation are identified, underscoring the need for further innovation. This work provides a roadmap for aligning dairy production with global climate goals while ensuring food security for a growing population.
Effect of dietary administration of Mentha piperita alone and in combination with Artemisia abrotanum on growth performance, body composition, physicochemical properties and amino acid composition of meat in Eimeria-challenged broilersOriginal Paper
David Zapletal, Martina Kosťuková, Lenka Rozsypalová, Vlastimil Šimek, František Ježek, Josef Kameník, Radka Dobšíková
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary administration of peppermint (Mentha piperita) alone and in combination with southernwood (Artemisia abrotanum) on performance, body and carcass composition, physicochemical characteristics, and amino acid composition of breast meat in broilers under Eimeria challenge. A total of 160 14-day-old male broilers (Ross 308) were randomly assigned to four dietary groups: the control (C) group was fed a basal diet; the CC group received a grower diet containing coccidiostat robenidine; the M group was fed the diets with the addition of 20 g peppermint/kg of diet; the MS group was fed the diets with the addition of 10 g peppermint + 10 g of southernwood/kg of diet. The addition of peppermint to the diet increased final live weight compared to the CC group (P < 0.05). The highest value for dressing-out percentage was found in the M group as compared to the CC group (P < 0.01) and C group (P < 0.05). Compared with the C group, a higher intramuscular fat content was found in the breast meat of broilers in both the M and MS groups (P < 0.01; P < 0.05, resp.). Concerning the colour of meat, lower values for yellowness b* and chroma C* characteristics were observed in the C group compared to the MS group (P < 0.05) and mainly to the M group (P < 0.01). In spite of the lower crude protein content (P < 0.05) in the meat of the MS group, the highest content of all essential amino acids (P < 0.05) as well as the total content of all amino acids assessed (P < 0.01) was found in the meat of the MS group, resulting in a considerable increase in the nutritional value of the breast meat protein of these broilers.
The Impact of Pre-Dry-Off Weather Patterns on Subsequent Lactation Udder Health in Dairy Cows, and their comparison with milkability, milk quality and udder health parameters – A pilot studyOriginal Paper
Matúš Gašparík, Jaromír Ducháček, Luděk Stádník, Radim Codl, Iveta Szencziová, Kateřina Cihlářová, Nikola Marešová
Environmental conditions are known to influence dairy cow health, with most research focusing on the detrimental effects of heat stress. However, the impact of non-summer weather patterns in temperate climates on udder health carry-over between lactations is not well understood. This pilot study evaluated the effect of various weather factors (temperature, humidity, precipitation, sunshine) during 1- to 90-day periods before dry-off on udder health in the first month post-calving (represented by somatic cell count, conductivity, lactose, and mastitis incidence) in 199 Holstein cows in Central Europe. The scope of the experiment was limited to one farm and one year of observations. Moreover, we also evaluated milk quality, milkability, and udder health parameters during the same periods before dry-off on udder health after calving. We aimed to identify viable indicators across available automatically collected data from weather stations and milking parlour analysers. We found that long-term (30 to 90-day) exposure to colder temperatures, high humidity, and low sunshine duration before dry-off was significantly associated with worse udder health after calving. In contrast, short-term weather conditions (1 to 7-day) had no significant effect. Monitored milk quality and udder health parameters showed a significant relation to udder health after calving during the immediate periods before dry-off, while milkability parameters were insignificant. If lactose was decreased or protein content, conductivity, and somatic cell count were elevated during the 1- and 7-day period before dry-off, cows after calving showed worse udder health. These findings identify prolonged cold and damp conditions as a significant environmental risk factor for poor udder health in the subsequent lactation, expanding our understanding beyond the conventional focus on heat stress.