Giulia Ferronato

Pork production is a key component of the European livestock sector playing a significant role in meat supply and agri-food value chains. Across the European Union, pig farming is characterised by ...

Introduction: Nitrogen management in dairy production systems is a major determinant of environmental performance and nutrient use efficiency, as substantial nitrogen losses can occur along the manure management chain. Although life cycle assessment and nutrient balance approaches are commonly used to estimate emissions, they often provide limited insight into internal nitrogen transformations and provide restricted support for farm-scale decision making. This study aimed to develop a simplified compartmental model to quantify nitrogen flows and losses across the main components of intensive dairy farms. Methods: The model combines process-based relationships with a limited set of farm-specific input data, including herd composition, feeding strategy, housing systems, and manure management practices. Nitrogen dynamics are represented through interconnected compartments describing the animal, barn, treatment, storage, and land application phases, enabling the identification of key stages contributing to gaseous nitrogen losses. The model was applied to ten commercial Holstein dairy farms located in the Po Valley (Northern Italy). Results: Total gaseous nitrogen losses averaged 7.20 ± 6.43% of nitrogen intake in untreated systems, with ammonia volatilization representing the dominant loss pathway. Farms adopting anaerobic digestion showed increased nitrogen retention in digestate, despite higher overall losses associated with subsequent handling stages. A preliminary comparison between simulated and measured nitrogen concentrations in selected manure and digestate matrices indicated a generally consistent representation of nitrogen partitioning, although systematic overestimations were observed for liquid matrices during the early management stages. Discussion: Given the limited number of monitored farms and the absence of a comprehensive quantitative validation, the results should be interpreted as indicative of nitrogen flow patterns rather than precise emission estimates. Nevertheless, the proposed framework provides a transparent and data-efficient tool for exploring farm-specific nitrogen balances, supporting scenario analyses and nutrient management strategies, and contributing to the transition toward more circular and environmentally efficient dairy production systems.

The preweaning period is a critical phase for dairy calves, during which gastrointestinal disorders, particularly diarrhea, remain a major cause of morbidity and antimicrobial use. Astaxanthin, a xanthophyll carotenoid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has shown potential to support intestinal health in several animal species, but information in preweaning dairy calves is limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of astaxanthin supplementation administered through milk replacer on growth performance, clinical health, metabolic profile, and fecal microbiota in preweaning Holstein calves. Twenty-four female Holstein calves (body weight, mean ± SD: 49.51 ± 12.14 kg) were randomly assigned to a control group (CTR; n = 12) or an astaxanthin-supplemented group (TRT; n = 12). Treated calves received 40 mg/d of astaxanthin from week 0 to 4 and 80 mg/d from week 4 to 8. Body weight, feed intake, rectal temperature, and fecal consistency score, fecal color score and clinical scores were recorded throughout the trial. Blood samples were collected in weeks 0 and 8 for metabolic profiling, and fecal samples were collected in weeks 0, 4, and 8 to assess fecal consistency and bacterial populations. Astaxanthin supplementation did not affect body weight, average daily gain, or overall feed intake. However, treated calves exhibited a lower frequency of abnormal fecal consistency scores, indicating reduced diarrhea incidence compared with control calves. Fecal microbiological analysis revealed lower coliform counts in astaxanthin-supplemented calves in weeks 4 and 8, whereas total bacterial counts were greater in week 8. Most blood metabolites were primarily influenced by age-related physiological changes; however, circulating calcium concentrations were greater in treated calves. These results suggest that astaxanthin may represent a promising nutritional strategy to support gastrointestinal health during early life, although larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Early life is a critical phase for dairy calves, influencing their growth, metabolism, and overall health. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of feeding either whole milk (WM) or milk replacer (MR) on growth performance, metabolic markers, and hematological parameters from birth until weaning at 60 d of age in Fleckvieh dairy. Eighteen heifer calves were assigned to one of 2 dietary treatments: WM (n = 9; DM basis, 29.1% protein, 27.3% fat, and 37.3% lactose; 5.25 Mcal/kg of DM) or MR (n = 9; DM basis, 22.9% protein, 19.1% fat, and 51.73% lactose; 4.76 Mcal/kg DM; Elvor, Maen Roch, France). The MR was prepared at 130 g/L to match solids content in WM. Calves were housed in individual hutches, fed 3 L of milk twice daily until 53 d and then 3 L of milk once daily until weaning (60 d). Calves had ad libitum access to starter and intake was recorded daily. Growth performance was assessed through BW and period-specific ADG (gain per day between successive weighings), whereas metabolic and hematological markers were analyzed through plasma biomarkers and blood cell counts, respectively. Data were subjected to ANOVA using the GLM procedure for single measures and the GLIMMIX procedure for repeated measures. Despite similar total DMI, calves fed WM exhibited an overall greater BW and greater period-specific ADG (0.77 vs. 0.85 kg/d in MR and WM, respectively), and from 21 to 60 d, WM calves were 3.8 kg heavier than MR-fed calves. From the metabolism standpoint, feeding WM resulted in overall greater plasma concentrations of glucose, urea, cholesterol, alkaline phosphatase, and Ca, but lower bilirubin. Specifically, WM calves had greater paraoxonase activity at 35, 45, and 60 d (weaning), greater ceruloplasmin levels at 15, 21, and 28 d, and greater Mg at 60 d of age. Among hematological parameters, WM calves had greater circulating total leukocytes at 21 and 28 d of age due to enhanced neutrophils. Although WM calves consumed milk with greater proportions of fat and protein and lower lactose content, the intake of milk and starter DM and total energy was similar compared with MR calves. However, considering the better growth rate of WM calves (especially in the second week of life), the better balance between fat, protein, and lactose suggests that feeding WM can enhance bioavailability of nutrients. Further research is needed to explore the long-term implications of these feeding strategies on calf health and productivity, particularly in relation to sustainability and economic feasibility.

Effective nitrogen management in dairy cow diets is essential for optimising milk production and minimising environmental nitrogen emissions. This study develops a simplified model to estimate nitrogen excretion in dairy farms, distinguishing excretion by animal category (lactating cows, heifers, calves) and organic matrix (faeces, urine), with nitrogen intake as a key input. A comprehensive literature review guided the selection of equations for estimating nitrogen excretion based on dietary nitrogen content, dry matter intake and milk yield. The model was specifically calibrated for Holstein dairy herd in the Po Valley (Italy) context using data collected from ten Lombardy dairy farms over 30 months, focusing on diet composition and nitrogen excretion via faeces, urine, and milk. Validation against established the literature and the Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC) excretion factors demonstrated the model’s alignment in estimating nitrogen excretion. Within this context, the proposed framework may support nitrogen management at farm level by providing a practical, descriptive tool to explore nitrogen flows and to identify potential areas for improving nutrient efficiency and reducing environmental impacts.

Enteric methane (CH4) emissions from dairy cattle are a major contributor to greenhouse gas footprint in the livestock sector. This study applied Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Tier 2 equations to estimate enteric methane emissions in Italian Holstein, Brown Swiss, and Red Pied herds using either default dietary assumptions or farm-specific diet information. By combining individual Dairy Herd Improvement (DHI) test-day records with primary ration data, the analysis examined how improved input data resolution affected methane estimates across breeds and animal categories under commercial farming conditions. Data were collected from 138 Italian dairy farms participating in the national Dairy Herd Improvement (DHI) program between January 2021 and December 2022, with farm rations recorded concurrently during DHI test days by trained technicians using a standardized questionnaire. Breed, emission estimation approach, and their interaction were analyzed using aligned rank transform (ART) procedures with permutation-based P-values. Holstein cows exhibited greater daily methane production (MeP = 443.60 ± 5.68 g/d; P < 0.001), whereas Red Pied herds showed the greatest methane intensity (MeI = 29.99 ± 0.70 g/kg fat- and protein-corrected milk; P < 0.001). Breed and CH4 estimation approaches affected emission estimates, however, their interaction was not significant, indicating consistent breed rankings across methods. Post hoc analyses revealed no significant differences in methane indices among breeds. Incorporation of farm-specific ration data impacted emission estimates, particularly for nonproductive groups such as dry cows and heifers, highlighting the importance of context-specific dietary inputs for improving the accuracy and representativeness of CH4 inventories.

The significance of agriculture, particularly dairy farming, in the global food production landscape has been ascertained. Farm efficiency affects how much the agri-food sector, and the dairy industry in particular, contributes to economic and environmental sustainability. This study employs an LCA approach to evaluate the carbon footprint (CF) of Grana Padano PDO cheese production in a dairy plant, analyzing 19 farms supplying milk to the cheese factory. The results showed that milk production is the primary contributor to CF, with enteric methane emissions (34%), feed production and purchases (36%), and manure management (24%) as the main drivers. The CF of milk ranged from 0.95 to 2.14 kg CO₂eq/kg Fat and Protein Corrected Milk, while Grana Padano PDO cheese (9 months ripening) ranged from 16.96 to 23.07 kg CO₂eq/kg. An increase in milk yield and feed efficiency resulted in a reduction in CF per kilogram of cheese. Furthermore, the protein and casein content influenced both cheese yield and environmental performance. This study highlights trade-offs between productivity, product quality, and sustainability, emphasizing the need for tailored mitigation strategies within PDO regulation.

Mastitis represents a significant challenge for dairy farming, resulting in economic losses and environmental impacts. This study assesses a model for the evaluation of the impact of mastitis on dairy productivity and Global Warming Potential (GWP) under diverse management scenarios. The model considers a range of factors, including bedding materials, milking systems, health surveillance, and overcrowding. The results of the simulation demonstrate that effective management, encompassing the utilization of sand bedding, and the presence of an annual herd health monitoring plan have the potential to reduce the prevalence of mastitis and enhance milk yield by up to 10% in milking parlors and 7% in automatic milking systems. At the herd level, the GWP ranged from 1.37 to 1.78 kg CO₂eq/kg Fat- and Protein-Corrected Milk (FPCM), with the use of sand bedding resulting in a 14% reduction in GWP, while the utilization of non-composted manure-based materials led to an increase of 12%. The occurrence of overcrowding and a lack of adequate cleanliness in resting areas were found to have a markedly detrimental impact on both productivity and the environmental performance of cows. These findings illustrate the dual benefits of enhanced mastitis management, namely improved milk production and reduced environmental impact. They offer valuable insights for farmers and policymakers alike.

Residual Feed Intake (RFI) is defined as the difference between measured and predicted intake. Understanding its biological regulators could benefit farm profit margins. The most-efficient animals (M-Eff) have observed intake smaller than predicted resulting in negative RFI, whereas the least-efficient (L-Eff) animals have positive RFI. Hence, this observational study aimed at retrospectively comparing the blood immunometabolic profile in calves with divergent RFI during the preweaning period. Twenty-two Italian Simmental calves were monitored from birth through 60 d of age. Calves received 3 L of colostrum from their respective dams. From 2 to 53 d of age, calves were fed a milk replacer twice daily, whereas from 54 to 60 d (i.e., weaning) calves were stepped down to only one meal in the morning. Calves had ad libitum access to concentrate and intakes were recorded daily. The measurement of BW and blood samples were performed at 0, 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 45, 54, and 60 d of age. Calves were ranked and categorized as M-Eff or L-Eff according to the median RFI value. Median RFI was -0.06 and 0.04 kg of DMI/d for M-Eff and L-Eff, respectively. No evidence for group differences was noted for colostrum and plasma IgG concentrations. Although growth rate was not different, as expected, (0.67 kg/d [95% CI = 0.57-0.76] for both L-Eff and M-Eff) throughout the entire preweaning period (0-60 d), starter intake was greater in L-Eff compared with M-Eff calves (+36%). Overall, M-Eff calves had a greater gain-to-feed ratio compared with L-Eff calves (+16%). Plasma ceruloplasmin, myeloperoxidase, and reactive oxygen metabolites concentrations were greater in L-Eff compared with M-Eff calves. Compared with L-Eff, M-Eff calves had an overall greater plasma concentration of globulin, and γ-glutamyl transferase (indicating a better colostrum uptake) and Zn at 1 d. Retinol and urea were overall greater in L-Eff. The improved efficiency in nutrient utilization observed in M-Eff was paired with a lower grade of oxidative stress and systemic inflammation. L-Eff may have had greater energy expenditure to support the activation of the immune system.

This study aimed to investigate the combined effects of ascorbic acid (VC) and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) on broiler health and performance. A total of 200 Ross 308 male broilers were divided into five groups, each receiving different dietary combinations of ASA and VC (ASA: 50 or 100 mg/kg; VC: 200 or 400 mg/kg). The 42-day trial assessed parameters such as feed intake, average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), carcass characteristics, serum parameters, immune response and cecal microbial flora. The results indicate significant treatment effects on feed intake and growth performance, with a higher feed intake of ADG and FCR in treatment groups (p < 0.05). Serum lipid parameters were unaffected, but creatine kinase increased with ASA and VC intake (p < 0.05). Changes in sheep red blood cell titers and influenza antibodies were noted (p < 0.05). The combination of ASA and VC positively influenced carcass traits, reducing abdominal fat and altering the ratio of immune response organs to body weight (p < 0.05). Additionally, the cecal E. coli count decreased with treatment (p < 0.05). This study underscores the intricate interactions between ASA and VC supplementation, growth performance and carcass composition and immune response in broilers. Further research is warranted to explore dosage nuances and variations under specific stress conditions.