Browsing by Subject "Rind"

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Adaptation of herd simulation models to predict the efficiency of the use of resources in tropical ruminant production systems
(2020) Bateki Adjogo, Christian; Dickhöfer, Uta
Agricultural systems in the (Sub-)Tropics are under increasing pressure to produce more food and satisfy the growing demand of a rapidly growing and more affluent human population for agricultural products. With growing rates of urbanization in these regions and the associated dietary changes, the demand for calories from animal-based foods like milk, meat, and eggs could increase by 74 to 114 % between 2010 and 2050. Ruminant livestock have the potential to contribute to satisfying the demand for animal-based foods in the (Sub-)Tropics, but also raise considerable environmental concerns, amongst others due to their emissions. The use of simulation models is a holistic approach to identify how to sustainably harness the potential of ruminants for animal-based food production in the (Sub-)Tropics. Although several ruminant herd models are relevant for studying tropical ruminant production systems, most of them were developed using data that quantify and characterize biological processes of ruminants in temperate regions. Therefore, the present thesis identified and adapted an existing ruminant livestock herd model to adequately predict resource use and the potential outputs from production systems in the (Sub-)Tropics. The present thesis showed that state-of-the-art ruminant livestock herd models used to simulate tropical production systems need further development to enable them to address the modelling needs identified. Instead of developing new models to address these modelling needs, existing simulation models could be adapted using the increasingly available data that quantify and characterize biological processes in ruminants in these regions. This approach will ensure that not only the direction of change for different management strategies will be identified for tropical ruminant production systems, but also the correct magnitude of resources use and productive and reproductive performance.
Adaption and assessment of a UHF-RFID system for livestock management
(2018) Adrion, Felix; Gallmann, Eva
A prerequisite for the implementation of concepts of precision livestock farming is data acquisition on the level of the individual animal, which is only possible on a large scale by applying electronic animal identification. Radio-frequency identification (RFID) systems in the ultra-high frequency range (UHF, 860 – 960 MHz) offer the possibility of simultaneous detection of transponders and a variably adjustable read range of more than 3 m. Until now, these systems were, however, only insufficiently adapted to the operating conditions in livestock farming. In collaboration with industry partners, passive UHF-RFID transponders for integration into ear tags for cattle and pigs and readers have been developed and tested. The objective of this thesis was the adaption and assessment of this UHF-RFID system for livestock farming. In particular, 1) the construction and test of a static test bench for UHF-RFID ear tags, 2) the development of a method of measuring the influence of ear tissue on the performance of UHF-RFID ear tags, and 3) the application and validation of the UHF-RFID system for monitoring of trough visits of growing-finishing pigs should be carried out. The experiments supported the selection and further development of UHF transponder ear tags and reader antennas for application in livestock farming. A suitable test method for UHF-RFID technology in the fields of research covered was established and applied for the first time. It repeatedly became clear during the experiments that the greatest challenge for the application of UHF transponders in ear tags is the reduction of the sensitivity against ear tissue. In addition to the monitoring of animal health with UHF-RFID, further research could be carried out regarding the positioning of animals for measurement of motion activity, the combination of transponders with sensors, for example, to measure body temperature, and the utilisation of the technology for implementation of the Internet of Things in food supply chains.
Entwicklung und Etablierung eines innovativen Zuchtwertschätzverfahrens für lokale Rinderrassen in Baden-Württemberg
(2020) Kohl, Sebastian; Herold, Pera
Over the last decades, cattle breeding schemes that used truncation selection provoked high inbreeding rates and were perceived increasingly critical. Reasons are the inefficient conversion of genetic variance in genetic gain and an increased risk of inbreeding depression (Falconer and Mackay, 1996; Woolliams et al., 2015a). A solution was found by Meuwissen (1997) by introducing Optimum Contribution Selection (OCS). OCS facilitates the maximization of genetic gain meanwhile restricting inbreeding rates to predefined levels. Wellmann et al. (2012) extended the existing OCS approach by two components: Migrant contributions and native genetic variance of the breed under observation. The resulting advanced OCS (aOCS) facilitates the implementation in regional breeds that have been crossbred with commercial breeds for upgrading reasons. Basic research has already been carried out (Wang et al., 2017a; b). The objectives of the underlying project were (I) a comparison of OCS approaches to be implemented in Vorderwald cattle by underlying population parameters following Hartwig et al. (2013). (II) A feasibility study to give empirical prove of the applicability of the chosen OCS approach in Vorderwald cattle. The main focus was on the costs of implementing OCS in Vorderwald cattle. These were contrasted with the benefits. (III) The development of strategies to implement an OCS approach in connection to the breeding value estimation at the Landesamt für Geoinformation und Landentwicklung Baden-Württemberg. The development of routine applications was paramount here. (IV) The development of a suitable breeding scheme that fits a proportion of 50 % natural mating in the actual Vorderwald population. Chapter 1 is an opinion article about financial, structural and social obstacles that impede the implementation of OCS in real breeding schemes. This chapter is mainly related to small scale cooperative breeding schemes of Germany, since this is a common organizational structure of regional breeds. Chapter 2 is a feasibility study. On basis of the identified obstacles of Chapter 1, a concrete and easy to implement breeding scheme will be developed. A stochastic simulation will be carried out, to reveal flaws in the developed breeding scheme and aOCS approach. Additionally, results of the stochastic simulation are directly comparable to real data. Chapter 3 is an extension of the feasibility study of Chapter 2 and proofs the feasibility of the developed breeding scheme under actual conditions of the Vorderwald cattle breed. Migrant contributions to the Vorderwald cattle breed reached 61 % in 2014. Thus, the aOCS approach was modified to test for possibilities of reducing this level. The thesis will end with a general discussion. Recommendations will be given, how to implement the developed breeding scheme of Chapter 2 in Vorderwald cattle and comparable breeds.
Das Potenzial der teilmobilen Schlachtung von Rindern im Herkunftsbetrieb : Stressbelastung und Fleischqualität
(2022) Zeidler, Johannes
The industrialization of animal husbandry and the focus on large production volumes have led to the killing of farm animals taking place almost exclusively in what are now a few large slaughterhouses. Of the approximately 3.4 Mio cattle slaughtered in Germany in 2019, nearly 78% are slaughtered in Germanys 10 largest slaughterhouses. Local butchers and small slaughterhouses often cannot comply with the strict legal hygiene regulations. The animals must therefore be transported alive, where loading, the journey, the foreign environment, the separation from the herd and the meeting with unfamiliar animals and humans, are known to cause stress and as well have negative impacts on meat quality. Since the revision of the EU regulation 853/2004 in 2021, slaughter at the farm of origin is now considered an official slaughter method. Although research focussing on slaughtering cattle on the farm of origin using captive bold stunning is missing, meat of cattle slaughtered via gunshot on pasture tends to be more tender and stress levels can be reduced in comparison to cattle slaughtered in the slaughterhouse. This leads to the assumption that also slaughtering cattle on the farm of origin, using captive bolt stunning, should result in higher meat quality and reduce stress prior to slaughter. For this purpose, this study examined 27 cattle from seven different farms slaughtered either on farm of origin using captive bolt stunning, via gunshot or in commercial slaughterhouses. Meat quality parameters and stress indicators were assessed to evaluate these three slaughter methods from a meat quality and an animal welfare perspective Based on the cortisol levels in the blood of exsanguination, no significant differences in the stress levels of the different slaughter methods could be determined. Nevertheless, tendencies towards less stressed animals with slaughtered via gunshot and slaughtered on the farm of origin using captive bolt stunning compared to the slaughterhouse could be revealed. As large variances of cortisol concentrations were measured within cattle slaughtered on farm of origin, stress level seems to depend on the individual slaughtering and preparing procedure. Further research is needed to improve and give recommendations for practical implementation of this method taking different farm structures into account. Quality parameters were not unambiguous. A significant effect of the slaughter method could only be found on ultimate pH-value and redness (a* L*a*b* System). Contrary to our expectations, ultimate pH-value was significantly lower in meat of cattle slaughtered on farm of origin using captive bolt stunning than in meat of cattle slaughtered via gunshot. Moreover, cattle slaughtered on farm of origin using captive bold, had significantly redder meat than cattle slaughtered via gunshot This contradicts the assumption that more stress leads to less red meat. However, it is consistent with the lower pH values of meat from cattle slaughtered with bolt stunning at the farm of origin, because low pH values lead to redder meat. Exploratory results comparing only meat from commercial slaughterhouses with meat from cattle slaughtered on farm using captive bolt stunning show clearer trends. Lower ultimate pH-values, as well as trends towards more tender and juicy meat could be found in cattle slaughtered on farm. To ensure these results and to evaluate meat quality according to different slaughter methods in upcoming research, either environmental effects should be reduced, or the dataset must be larger.