Grazing Allometry: Anatomy, Movement, and Foraging Behavior of Three Cattle Breeds of Different Productivity

Pauler, Caren M.; Isselstein, J.; Bérard, Joël; Braunbeck, Thomas; Schneider, Manuel K.

doi:10.3389/fvets.2020.00494

Cited by 32 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 65 publications

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“…However, these differences in grazing selection were minimal compared to those expressed within breeds on pastures with different botanical composition or under different grazing management (21,27), as was also observed in the present study, when forage of different vegetation growth stage was offered in June and July. Still, the breed differences in grazing selection were lower than expected and were in contrast to the results of Farruggia et al (35), who showed that lactating cattle with high nutrient requirements grazed more selectively than dry cows, and Pauler et al (22,23), who found that more productive Angus × Holstein cattle grazed more selectively than Highland cattle. However, Dumont et al (36) also did not find relevant differences in grazing behavior among traditional and specialized breeds.…”

Section: Discussion Differences Among Breeds In Grazing Selectioncontrasting

confidence: 63%

“…Dairy cattle grazing on biodiverse pastures express preference or aversion for some specific plants that can vary according to their nutrient requirements and experience. Therefore, the actual diet ingested by the animals might differ from the average vegetation available on the pasture (20,21), and this according to individual or breed-specific behavior (22,23). Consequently, FA and terpene composition of the milk might vary among animals grazing the same biodiverse grassland.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Little Difference in Milk Fatty Acid and Terpene Composition Among Three Contrasting Dairy Breeds When Grazing a Biodiverse Mountain Pasture

Koczura¹,

Martin²,

Musci³

et al. 2021

Front. Vet. Sci.

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In the mountains, autochthonous and robust breeds are often used to valorize biodiverse grasslands. Along with their lower nutrient requirements, compared to specialized dairy breeds, they are expected to be better adapted to complex environments and valorize grasslands into dairy products of high quality. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the grazing selection of three contrasting dairy breeds on a biodiverse mountain pasture, and its consequences on milk fatty acid (FA) profile and prevalence of individual terpenes. A dual-purpose breed from the Italian Alps, the Valdostana Red Pied (Va), was compared to Montbéliardes (Mo), more specialized in milk production, and the highly specialized Holsteins (Ho). Diet selection was measured by scan-sampling, calculating selectivity indexes, and collecting simulated bites during two consecutive days in June (end of first grazing cycle) and July (second grazing cycle). Milk samples were collected at each milking during these experimental periods. Yield of milk and its fat and protein contents were measured. Milk FA and terpenes were analyzed by gas chromatographic methods. We tested the effects of breed, period and their interaction in a repeated mixed model, and calculated Pearson's correlations between behavioral data and milk FA as well as terpenes. The Va grazed less mature vegetation than Ho, but this difference was not sufficient to lead to a major breed effect on milk FA profile and prevalence of terpenes. However, the proportion of α-linolenic acid (C18:3 n-3) was always higher in the milk fat of Va than Ho (Mo were intermediary), but this without any correlation to grazing selection. This could be a consequence from a different metabolism concerning ruminal biohydrogenation, but must be further investigated. Finally, we confirmed previous studies that highlighted a link between milk quality and cows' grazing behavior, but here without differences among breeds. All cows adapted their behavior to the herbage evolution during the season, leading to higher proportions of unsaturated FA in July than June milks. Our study suggests that under mountain grazing conditions (biodiverse pasture and cows in late lactation), milk quality depends more on herbage composition than on cow breed.

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Section: Discussion Differences Among Breeds In Grazing Selectioncontrasting

confidence: 63%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Little Difference in Milk Fatty Acid and Terpene Composition Among Three Contrasting Dairy Breeds When Grazing a Biodiverse Mountain Pasture

Koczura¹,

Martin²,

Musci³

et al. 2021

Front. Vet. Sci.

Self Cite

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“…The Scottish Highland cattle, which overlap with the park cattle, are a rare breed known for low beef productivity and are mainly used in land management [69,70]. Described as being 'less affected by breeding' they have thrived in open, harsh environments [71] and are able to survive in marginal landscapes [72].…”

Section: (B) Behavioural Selectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intensive human contact correlates with smaller brains: differential brain size reduction in cattle types

et al. 2021

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Cattle are one of the most intensively bred domestic animals, providing humans with a multitude of products and uses. Using data from the fossil record, we test if their domestication, as for other taxa, has resulted in a reduction of their brain size. We not only conclude that Bos taurus (domestic cattle) have smaller brains than their wild ancestor, Bos primigenius (aurochs), but that brain size varies significantly by breed, with some having much smaller brains than others. Differences in husbandry practices between several breed categories align with a range of human engagement, which also aligns with the degree of selection for docility. Sampling 317 domestics from 71 breeds, we investigate if differences in brain size correlate with the intensity of human contact. A clear pattern emerges whereby a brain reduction gradient parallels a gradient in behavioural selection. Bullfighting cattle, which are bred for fighting and aggressive temperament, have much larger brains than dairy breeds, which are intensively selected for docility. Our results add to a fundamental aspect of animal domestication theory: the interplay between basic features of the domestic environment—selection for docility, absence of predators and human provision of resources—seems to explain differences in brain size.

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“…Livestock breeds influence the functioning of the agroecosystems [55], as breeds differ in numerous functional traits, including their feeding preferences, metabolism, behavior, etc. [56]. Thus, they channel energy fluxes between trophic levels and participate in nutrient cycles [57,58].…”

Section: Livestock Breeds As Mediators Of Ecosystem Servicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some literature seems to point toward minor significance of livestock breeds on grazing [65][66][67]. However, more recent studies have shown the effects of livestock breeds on pasture vegetation composition and plant traits [68][69][70], related to body size, foraging behavior, movements, and specific body traits [56,68]. Other examples are resistance to diseases, greenhouse gas emissions, or habitat provision.…”

Section: Livestock Breeds As Mediators Of Ecosystem Servicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disentangling the Multidimensional Relationship between Livestock Breeds and Ecosystem Services

Velado‐Alonso

Gómez‐Sal

Bernués

et al. 2021

Animals

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There is an increasing interest in assessing livestock breed contributions to ecosystem services (ES) and including this knowledge in decision making. However, this task has been limited due to the complexity of the multidimensional relationship between livestock diversity and ecosystem services. In this work, we elaborate on the livestock breed characteristics central to developing a comprehensive approach to livestock breed inclusion in the ecosystem services framework. Thus, we explore the multidimensional nature of livestock breeds, i.e., as eco-cultural entities, biodiversity components, and drivers of livestock system heterogeneity and functioning. First, anthropogenic and natural factors have acted jointly to develop breeds as eco-cultural entities. This fact represents an opportunity to move toward farming system sustainability by Nature-Based Solutions and Nature’s Contribution to People paradigms. Second, livestock breeds are components of biodiversity, and as such, can be framed as goods, as final ecosystem services, and as regulators of ecosystem processes. Third, livestock breeds contribute to livestock system heterogeneity and resilience. By integrating these aspects, we might better understand how livestock breeds provide and modulate ecosystem service provision and, therefore, how to improve breed conservation and livestock policies toward farming system sustainability.

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Grazing Allometry: Anatomy, Movement, and Foraging Behavior of Three Cattle Breeds of Different Productivity

Cited by 32 publications

References 65 publications

Little Difference in Milk Fatty Acid and Terpene Composition Among Three Contrasting Dairy Breeds When Grazing a Biodiverse Mountain Pasture

Little Difference in Milk Fatty Acid and Terpene Composition Among Three Contrasting Dairy Breeds When Grazing a Biodiverse Mountain Pasture

Intensive human contact correlates with smaller brains: differential brain size reduction in cattle types

Disentangling the Multidimensional Relationship between Livestock Breeds and Ecosystem Services

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