8 pages, This study examined the impact of replacing soybean meal (SBM) for treated and untreated sesame meal (SM) with varying amounts of crude protein (CP) on nutrient intake and digestibility, milk composition, and ruminal parameters in lactating goats. Forty mid-lactation Murciano-Granadina goats were randomly allocated to four diets including (1) SBM (16.5% CP; CON); (2) untreated SM (USM; 16.5% CP). (3) formaldehyde-treated SM (FTSM; 16.5% CP), and (4) FTSM containing 14.5% CP (LPFT). FTSM goats had higher dry matter (DM) and nutrient intake than CON and LPFT, as observed for milk fat (P<0.001) and total solids (TS; P=0.001) yield. Milk fat content was higher with USM than LPFT (P<0.05). In general, the sum of milk saturated fatty acids (SFA) decreased, and milk unsaturated FA (UFA), monounsaturated FA (MUFA), polyunsaturated FA (PUFA), and long-chain FA (LCFA) increased by the inclusion of USM, and FTSM in the diet. Incorporation of FTSM in the diet decreased ruminal pH, ammonia nitrogen, and acetate molar proportion compared to CON and USM as observed with LPFT. Also, this inclusion increased total volatile FAs production and propionate proportion compared to CON and USM (P<0.001). In conclusion, substitution of SBM for FTSM in the diet of dairy goats can improve milk and milk component yield as well as health-promoting alterations in milk FAs profile. Furthermore, reducing dietary CP level along with FTSM inclusion in the diet may be considered as a proper tool in compensating the adverse effects of dietary CP deficiency and optimizing the productive performance of dairy goats utilizing lower amounts of nitrogen sources.
11 pages, While cow's milk and plant-based milk are often hypothesized to be substitutes, much remains unknown about the impacts that plant-based milks have on the retail price for cow's milk, if any. We explore the individual retail price relationship between two plant-based milks, almond and soy, with cow's milk. If the markets are cointegrated, and shocks in the plant-based markets affect the cow's milk market, it can add volatility to cow's milk prices, which could have implications for costs and benefits of the USDA Dairy Margin Coverage Program and price calculations by the Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMO). However, while we find evidence that plant-based milk prices react to shocks in cow's milk prices, we do not find evidence that cow's milk prices respond to changes in plant-based milk prices.
12 pages, Knowledge of how different management strategies affect gas production from livestock buildings can be helpful for emission predicting purposes and for defining mitigation strategies. The objective of this study was to statistically assess whether and how measured concentrations of ammonia (NH3), methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) were influenced by milking frequency. Concentrations of gases were measured continuously by using infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy in the breeding environment of an open dairy barn located in Sicily in hot climate conditions. Data were acquired by specific in-field experiments carried out in 2016 and 2018, when milking sessions occurred twice a day (2MSs) and three times a day (3MSs), respectively. The number of the milking cows was 64 in both 2MSs and 3MSs. The results showed that concentrations of NH3, CH4 and CO2 were statistically influenced by the number of milking sessions. From 2MSs to 3MSs, NH3 concentrations were enhanced (p < 0.001) due to the higher cow’s activity. Conversely, gas concentrations of CH4 and CO2 were lower for 3MSs compared to those for 2MSs due to the effect of the different feeding frequency. Overall, the milking frequency influenced barn management and cow behaviour by modifying the level of gas concentrations in the barn environment.
USA: International Food Information Council Foundation, Washington, D.C.
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 124 Document Number: D11194
Notes:
3 pages., IFIC specialists offer five predictions for 2020, guided by findings from surveys among American consumers in an annual Food and Health Survey, 2012-2019.
Online via AgEconSearch., In this teaching case study the authors analyze the economics of installing automatic milking systems under three investment scenarios. The study also "provides an opportunity to apply capital budgeting to a modern agriculture investment and addresses broader questions related to technology investment and adoption on farm."
9 pages., Online via publisher., An adapted health-branding framework guided the 3-step mixed-methods approach to identify evidence for campaigns using a scoping review, comprehensive literature review (1990-2016), and key-informant interviews. Results showed that industry, government, and non-governmental organizations supported 13 campaigns that used various health-branding strategies.
Via online issue. 2 pages., Introduction and description of Golden ARC Award in social media for the Moo Lab entry submitted by Midwest Dairy and FLM Harvest.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 83 Document Number: D10838
Notes:
Online from the Center for Food Integrity, Gladstone, Missouri. 2 pages., "New research shows a significant and growing group of health-conscious consumers is confused by the mixed messages they're receiving about the 'real deal' and the substitutes entering the market."
