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Bruises in beef cattle carcasses are important indicators related to pre-slaughter handling and transport conditions, with implications for animal welfare and meat quality. This study analysed 19.4 million cattle carcasses transported from 42,805 farms to 38 slaughterhouses in Brazil to identify factors associated with bruising. Logistic regression models were used to assess the effects of sex, age, transport distance from farm to industry, and truck class. At least one bruise was found in 33.8% of the analysed carcasses. Older animals had a greater prevalence of bruising, and females were the most affected. The relationship between transport distance and bruising varied across carcass regions, showing distinct patterns rather than a uniform trend. Compared with larger-capacity vehicles, smaller trucks increased the risk of bruising. The round, rump, and flank regions presented the greatest number of bruises. The models assessing individual effects demonstrated good overall performance, with accuracy ranging from 75% to 82% in identifying bruises. The best performance was observed for round-rump, likely due to the higher frequency of bruises in these cuts. These findings highlight the need to improve transport logistics, adopt better handling practices, and implement specific interventions to reduce bruising.

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different levels of quantitative feed restriction on nutrient intake and digestibility, nitrogen balance, efficiency and feeding behavior, and productive performance in F1 Holstein/Zebu cows during the middle third of their lactation.MethodsSixty F1 Holstein/Zebu cows with 111.5±11.75 days of lactation and an initial body weight (BW) of 499±30 kg (mean±standard error of the mean) were used. The experimental design was completely randomized with the following diet levels of feed restriction: 3.39%, 2.75%, 2.50%, 2.25%, and 2.00% of BW, with 12 replications for each level. The experiment lasted for 63 days, of which each period lasted 21 days with the first 16 days for diet adaptation followed by 5 days for collection of data and samples.ResultsFor each 1% of BW diet restriction, there was a decrease in dry matter intake of 5.26 kg/d (p<0.01). There was no difference in daily milk production (p = 0.09) under the restriction levels of 3.39% to 2.0% of BW. When corrected for 3.5% fat, milk production declined (p = 0.05) 3.46 kg/d for each percentage unit of feed restriction.ConclusionRestricting the feed supply for F1 Holstein/Zebu cows in the middle third of their lactation period altered nutrient intake, nitrogen balance and ingestive behavior but did not affect milk production or feed efficiency. However, considering the observed BW loss and decrease in milk production corrected for 3.5% fat, restriction of no less than 2.5% BW is recommended.

Feed and water scarcity are major challenges for the sustainability of livestock production, particularly in semi-arid regions with structural limitations in resource availability. In this context, the valorization of agro-industrial by-products contributes to circular agriculture, reduces waste, and promotes more efficient resource use, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This study evaluated the inclusion of partial mixed tomato residue (PMR) silage in sheep diets and its effects on productive performance, total water intake, and meat quality. Eighteen ewe lambs were assigned to two groups: control (concentrate and deferred pasture) and PMR (tomato residue silage and deferred pasture). The PMR silage had a pH of 3.97 and was mainly characterized by lactic and acetic acids, with minor amounts of propionic and butyric acids. The butyric acid concentration (8.9 g kg−1 DM) slightly exceeded the recommended threshold (0.5% DM), suggesting some clostridial activity but remaining below levels associated with severe deterioration. Animals fed PMR silage showed a 36% higher dry matter intake (p = 0.001), with greater intake of total digestible nutrients and fiber. This translated into a 54% higher average daily gain (p = 0.02) and an 11% greater final body weight compared with the control group (p = 0.02). Dietary water intake was also higher in the PMR group, reducing direct water consumption from drinkers by 38% (p < 0.001). Meat quality parameters were unaffected by the diet. Pesticide residue screening by LC-MS/MS revealed no detectable levels of abamectin, cymoxanil, chlorothalonil, difenoconazole, or mancozeb in silage. In meat samples, only chlorothalonil was tested and it was not detected. However, the use of PMR silage increased direct energy demand due to transport and compaction, while feeding costs per unit of weight gain were reduced. Overall, PMR silage proved to be a safe, fermentatively stable, and effective feeding alternative that enhances performance, reduces direct water intake, and maintains meat quality, representing a viable strategy for small ruminant production in water-limited regions.

This research evaluated the effects of using by-product from biscuit industry (BBI) in the diet of fattening lambs of Morada Nova breed. Lamb growth performances and carcass traits were investigated. Twenty Morada Nova breed male lambs body weight (BW) 17.1 ± 3.74 kg, single born, and age 141 ± 7 days were divided into four homogeneous groups (n = 5) fed for 8.5 weeks with four experimental diets replacing corn with BBI at 0, 150, 300, and 450 g/kg. Experimental diets were consisted of 30% Tifton-85 hay and 70% concentrate on dry matter (DM) basis. Diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isoenergetic in order to supply nutrient requirements of growing lambs with an average daily gain of 200 g/day. Increased feeding levels of BBI partially replacing corn did not affect dry matter intake, organic matter, and crude protein intake (P > 0.05). Animal performance was not affected by the dietary treatments (P > 0.05). BBI addition to the concentrate did not influence carcass traits, carcass measurements, quali-quantitative of Longissimus lumborum muscle, and meat cuts (P > 0.05). Partially replacing corn with a by-product from biscuit industry does not affect performance and carcass traits of fattening lambs. The BBI can partially replace up to 450 g/kg DM of corn on lambs’ diets as a suitable agro-industrial by-product.

This study analysed the logistics of beef cattle transportation in Brazil from 2018 to 2020, based on 288,267 freight orders involving over 19 million animals from 42,805 farms and 38 slaughterhouses in ten states. The analysis included vehicle categorization, travel distances, carcass weights, available space per animal, and CO 2 equivalent (CO2e) emissions, which amounted to approximately 87,000 tonnes across 244,394 valid records. We hypothesized that emissions would vary substantially by truck class and transport conditions. Given that the median one-way transport distance was 160 km, all emission estimates were calculated for a 320 km round trip to reflect the full journey. Small trucks (up to 18 animals) were the most frequently used but also the least efficient; emissions for this class reached a median of 56.89 kg per ton of carcass and 13.99 kg per animal, with 75th percentiles as high as 98 kg/ton. In contrast, the Trailer54 class showed the highest efficiency, with a median of 37.77 kg/ton of carcass (IQR: 20.5–62.5). Across all classes, the wide gaps between the 25th and 75th percentiles point to substantial room for optimization. Emission intensity also varied between and within states, with median values per animal ranging from 8.74 kg in Minas Gerais to 17.31 kg in Rondônia. Intra-state variability was also considerable, as indicated by the wide interquartile ranges. Although emissions from livestock transport represent a small fraction of Brazil’s total GHG inventory, their spatial variability and operational inefficiencies make them strategically relevant for climate and logistics policy. These findings underscore the importance of region-specific strategies, fleet modernization, and improved logistical planning to support low-carbon beef supply chains.

ObjectiveThis study ascertained effects of cactus pear in association with different roughage in the diet of F1 Holstein/Zebu cows on intake, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance, ingestive behavior and performance.MethodsEight cows with 72±11 days of lactation were used. The experimental design was simultaneous in two 4×4 Latin squares. Four experimental diets were used: Diet 1, sorghum silage as exclusive roughage; Diet 2, sorghum silage associated with cactus pear in a proportion of 50% of the roughage (dry matter basis); Diet 3, elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum cv. Roxo) as exclusive roughage; Diet 4, elephant grass associated with cactus pear in a proportion of 50% of the roughage. The roughage:concentrate ratio was 75:25.ResultsDry matter intake (p = 0.01) was higher with sorghum silage. There were differences in dry matter intake (p = 0.01), crude protein (p<0.01), ether extract (p = 0.01), non-fibrous carbohydrates (p<0.01) and total digestible nutrients (p = 0.01) among the diets. Cactus pear in the diet reduced water intake by 44.52% (p<0.01). The nitrogen balance was 59.71% and 27.49% lower in animals treated with exclusive sorghum silage and sorghum silage associated with cactus pear in relation to diets with elephant grass and elephant grass associated with cactus pear, respectively (p<0.01). The diets did not influence the milk production (p = 0.70), 3.5% fat corrected milk production (p = 0.72) or feed efficiency (p = 0.61).ConclusionThe association of cactus pear with sorghum or elephant grass silage does not alter milk production, reduces the intake of dry matter and water and improves the digestibility of nutrients.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of banana crop wastes in diets of ¾ Holstein × ¼ Zebu heifers on the intake and digestibility of nutrients, microbial protein synthesis, feeding behavior, and animal performance. Eight ¾ Holstein × ¼ Zebu heifers were utilized with an average age of 18 ± 1.0 months and an average body weight (BW) of 298 ± 3.06 kg. The experiment was distributed in two simultaneous 4 × 4 Latin squares. The treatments were as follows: Diet 1 (SS)—sorghum silage as exclusive dietary roughage; diet 2 (SSL)—sorghum silage (50%) associated with 50% leaf hay of banana trees (on a DM basis); diet 3 (SSBP)—sorghum silage (50%) associated with 50% banana peel hay; and diet 4 (SSPS)—sorghum silage (50%) associated with 50% pseudostem hay of banana trees. The roughage:concentrate ratio was 75:25. The greatest dry matter intake (DMI; p < 0.01) was found in heifers that received the SS and SSBP diet, mean of 10.19 kg/day. The SS diet showed greatest dry matter digestibility (DMD; p < 0.01) and crude protein digestibility (CPD; p < 0.01). The concentration of total purines (p < 0.01) and absorbed purines (p < 0.01), microbial protein synthesis (p < 0.01), and microbial efficiency (p < 0.01) was higher in the SSBP diet in comparison with SS and SSL diets. The longest eating time was observed in animals that received the SSL diet, being 17.79% higher (p = 0.01) than the SSBP diet. The final BW (p = 0.39) and BW gain (p = 0.39) were similar, with averages of 319.84 kg and 1.08 kg/day, respectively. Biometric measurements were not altered as a function of bedtime (p > 0.05). Banana wastes can be used to feed ¾ Holstein × ¼ Zebu heifers in partial replacement for sorghum silage as they do not alter the animals’ weight gain and body development.

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of different roughage associated with pseudostem hay of banana trees on nutrients intake, chemical composition of milk and cheese and the fatty acid profile of F1 Holstein x Zebu cows. Eight cows F1 Holstein x Zebu were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design, each composed of four animals, four treatments and four experimental periods. Four experimental diets were used: diet 1 - sorghum silage as exclusive dietary roughage; diet 2 - sorghum silage (70%) associated with 30% pseudostem hay of banana trees (dry matter basis; SS); diet 3 - 70% elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum cv. Roxo) with 30% pseudostem hay of banana trees (dry matter basis; EGPS); and diet 4 - 70% sugar cane with 30% pseudostem hay of banana trees (dry matter basis; SCPS). The roughage: concentrate ratio in the four experimental diets was 75:25 in dry matter basis. For the chemical composition of milk and cheese, there was no difference between diets except for milk urea nitrogen which was higher with the EGPS diet. However, in the lipid fraction of milk, the EGPS diet favoured the increase of total monounsaturated fatty acids, besides increasing the concentration of conjugated linoleic acid, contributing to the improvement of some nutritional evaluation indexes of the milk lipid fraction. The pseudostem hay of banana trees associated with different roughages did not influence the chemical composition of milk and cheese of F1 Holstein x Zebu cows. Highlights The inclusion of pseudostem hay of banana trees in the diet of F1 Holstein x Zebu cows does not change the milk yield corrected for 3.5% fat. Pseudostem hay of banana trees diet of lactating cows increased the concentration of omega 6 in milk. Pseudostem hay in the diet of lactating crossbred cows did not change the yield, flavour and appearance of the cheese.

This study analysed the logistics of beef cattle transportation in Brazil from 2018 to 2020, based on 288,267 freight orders involving over 19 million animals from 42,805 farms and 38 slaughterhouses in ten states. The analysis included vehicle categorization, travel distances, carcass weights, available space per animal, and CO equivalent (CO2e) emissions, which amounted to approximately 87,000 tonnes across 244,394 valid records. We hypothesized that emissions would vary substantially by truck class and transport conditions. Given that the median one-way transport distance was 160 km, all emission estimates were calculated for a 320 km round trip to reflect the full journey. Small trucks (up to 18 animals) were the most frequently used but also the least efficient; emissions for this class reached a median of 56.89 kg per ton of carcass and 13.99 kg per animal, with 75th percentiles as high as 98 kg/ton. In contrast, the Trailer54 class showed the highest efficiency, with a median of 37.77 kg/ton of carcass (IQR: 20.5-62.5). Across all classes, the wide gaps between the 25th and 75th percentiles point to substantial room for optimization. Emission intensity also varied between and within states, with median values per animal ranging from 8.74 kg in Minas Gerais to 17.31 kg in Rondônia. Intra-state variability was also considerable, as indicated by the wide interquartile ranges. Although emissions from livestock transport represent a small fraction of Brazil's total GHG inventory, their spatial variability and operational inefficiencies make them strategically relevant for climate and logistics policy. These findings underscore the importance of region-specific strategies, fleet modernization, and improved logistical planning to support low-carbon beef supply chains.