http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/cows,_sheep,_pigs/ Agricultural Animal News. From genetically enhanced pig embryos to electronic tagging of cattle, read news articles on cows, sheep and pigs. en-us Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:05:02 EST Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:05:02 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/cows,_sheep,_pigs/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120214100813.htm Society could considerably reduce its carbon footprint if more of us switched to a vegetarian diet, according to new research. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:08:08 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120214100813.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120208132549.htm A new study has shown, for the first time, that growing up on a farm directly affects the regulation of the immune system and causes a reduction in the immunological responses to food proteins. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:25:25 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120208132549.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120207202620.htm Mapping the ancestry of sheep over the past 11,000 years has revealed that our woolly friends are stars among domestic animals, boasting vast genetic diversity and substantial prospects for continued breeding to further boost wool and food production for a rising world population. An international research team has provided an unprecedented in-depth view of the genetic history of sheep, one of the world's most important livestock species. The study maps out how humans have moulded sheep to suit diverse environments and to enhance the specialised production of meat, wool and milk. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:26:26 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120207202620.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120206143815.htm Researchers and experts on food safety have commented on the danger presented to farmers and consumers by the raw milk movement. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:38:38 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120206143815.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120130171911.htm It took about 10 million generations for terrestrial mammals to hit their maximum mass: that's about the size of a cat evolving into the size of an elephant. Sea mammals, such as whales took about half the number of generations to hit their maximum. Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:19:19 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120130171911.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120124140103.htm A three year feeding study has shown no adverse health effects in pigs fed genetically modified (GM) maize.  The maize, which is a Bt-maize bred for its insect resistant properties, was sourced from Spain. Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:01:01 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120124140103.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120123152528.htm A 33,000-year-old dog skull unearthed in a Siberian mountain cave presents some of the oldest known evidence of dog domestication and indicates that modern dogs may be descended from multiple ancestors, with advancing glaciers thwarting early domestication efforts. Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:25:25 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120123152528.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120120182427.htm Retail pork products in the U.S. have a higher prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (MRSA) than previously identified, according to new research. Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:24:24 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120120182427.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120111103851.htm A short burst of low voltage alternating current can effectively eradicate E. coli bacteria growing on the surface of even heavily contaminated beef, according to a new study. The technique offers an inexpensive and easy to implement approach to reducing the risk of food poisoning, which can occur despite handlers complying with hygiene standards. Wed, 11 Jan 2012 10:38:38 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120111103851.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120104115057.htm Researchers have developed a new technology that can reduce air pollutant emissions from some chicken and swine barns, and also reduce their energy use by recovering and possibly generating heat. Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:50:50 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120104115057.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111215141625.htm North Americans and Western Europeans love a good mix of alpha-terpineol, 4-methylpentanoic acid and ethyl propionate for dinner, flavor compounds shared in popular ingredients like tomatoes, Parmesan cheese and white wine. Authentic East Asian recipes, on the other hand, tend to avoid mixing ingredients with many shared flavor compounds, according to new research. Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:16:16 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111215141625.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111124150355.htm Researchers have produced the first clear evidence that textiles made by the indigenous population of the Pacific coast of North America contained dog hair. Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:03:03 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111124150355.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111027173533.htm A new approach to vaccinating cattle could help farmers worldwide, research suggests. Scientists have developed a technique using a harmless parasite, which lives in cows but has no effect on their health, to carry medicines into the animals' bloodstream. Thu, 27 Oct 2011 17:35:35 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111027173533.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111026113646.htm Amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, are essential to support the normal growth of a developing embryo and the placenta. An insufficient supply of amino acids in the mother’s uterus caused by abnormal maternal-embryo interactions may explain the developmental abnormalities and complications of pregnancy that result in the death of cloned bovine embryos, according to a new article. Wed, 26 Oct 2011 11:36:36 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111026113646.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111020105904.htm Sheep’s head: Until now very few of us have been tempted by this traditional Norwegian dish. Eating scary food is practice in overcoming fear, according to one researcher. In the tourism industry, a few entrepreneurs have commercialized this idea and thereby raised traditional food to new heights. Thu, 20 Oct 2011 10:59:59 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111020105904.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111013111130.htm Researchers in Vermont confirm that it is technically feasible to convert cow manure to electricity on farms, but the economic returns depend highly on the base electricity price; the premium paid for converted energy; financial supports from government and other agencies; and the ability to sell byproducts of the methane generation. Thu, 13 Oct 2011 11:11:11 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111013111130.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111013091143.htm Gene technology can help farmers to selectively breed production animals for increasingly high-quality meat, eggs and dairy products. Thu, 13 Oct 2011 09:11:11 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111013091143.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111006113610.htm Scientists in the US and South Africa are working to improve prospects for cattle breeders in that African nation -- and they could improve them for breeders around the world. Thu, 06 Oct 2011 11:36:36 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111006113610.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110928131804.htm Heifers can safely eat 20 percent less between weaning and breeding, according to a two-year study. Wed, 28 Sep 2011 13:18:18 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110928131804.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110927073157.htm Emissions from livestock farms cause asthma and COPD patients living nearby to experience more exacerbations, according to new research. Also, chances of contracting Q fever from nearby sheep and goat farms increased with the number of animals rather than with the number of farms, the research found, hinting at higher health risks from "mega farms." Tue, 27 Sep 2011 07:31:31 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110927073157.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110924184746.htm Exposure to goats could increase the risk of a certain type of lung cancer, according to French researchers. Sat, 24 Sep 2011 18:47:47 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110924184746.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110918024046.htm Eating low-fat yogurt while pregnant can increase the risk of your child developing asthma and allergic rhinitis (hay fever), according to recent findings. Researchers suggest that non-fat related nutrient components in the yogurt may play a part in increasing this risk. They are also looking at the possibility that low-fat yogurt intake may serve as a marker for other dietary and lifestyle factors. Sun, 18 Sep 2011 02:40:40 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110918024046.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110914073205.htm The observation that milkmaids are frequently infected with cowpox but rarely catch smallpox is generally credited to the English doctor Edward Jenner. Although Jenner might not have been the first person to notice the correlation, he was the first to make use of it: in 1796 he "vaccinated" children with material from cowpox blisters and showed that they became immune to smallpox. New research suggests that instead smallpox vaccines come from central or eastern Europe. The work is not merely of historical interest: since the cessation of smallpox vaccination there has been a rise in cases of related diseases and pox viruses once again represent a serious threat to public health. Wed, 14 Sep 2011 07:32:32 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110914073205.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110908104001.htm The origin of three costly cattle diseases is genetically linked, according to new findings. Scientists have discovered a location on bovine chromosome 20 that is associated with the incidence of the most prevalent bacterial diseases -- pinkeye, foot rot and bovine respiratory disease (pneumonia) -- that affect feedlot cattle. Thu, 08 Sep 2011 10:40:40 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110908104001.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110907124359.htm Not all trans fats are created equal and it's time for nutritional labels to reflect that reality, says a Canadian nutrition expert. According to a recent scientific review, natural trans fats produced by ruminant animals such as dairy and beef cattle are not detrimental to health. In fact, they show significant positive health effects and some evidence even links these natural trans fats to reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Wed, 07 Sep 2011 12:43:43 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110907124359.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110901163915.htm With citizens' groups seeking government regulation of foul-smelling ammonia emissions from large dairy farms, scientists report that adding natural plant extracts to cow feed can reduce levels of the gas by one-third while reducing the need to fortify cow feed with expensive protein supplements. Thu, 01 Sep 2011 16:39:39 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110901163915.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110829210821.htm New research links bleeding calf syndrome to anti-MHC class I antibodies, produced by the mother in response to contamination of vaccine against Bovine viral diarrhea virus with proteins released by the production process. Mon, 29 Aug 2011 21:08:08 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110829210821.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110817142849.htm Children become dehydrated during exercise, and it's important they get enough fluids, particularly before going into a second round of a game. A new study by researchers in Canada found that milk is better than either a sports drink or water because it is a source of high quality protein, carbohydrates, calcium and electrolytes. Wed, 17 Aug 2011 14:28:28 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110817142849.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110809101608.htm Researchers have completed sequencing the genomes of four important representative species in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China. They are Mongolian sheep, Alxa Bactrian camel, Mongolian horse and Mongolian cattle. Tue, 09 Aug 2011 10:16:16 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110809101608.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110801160217.htm Researchers have taken a step towards producing better vaccines against bluetongue -- an important disease of livestock -- after successfully assembling the virus outside a cell. This research could provide scientists with the tools to develop vaccines with useful new properties. Mon, 01 Aug 2011 16:02:02 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110801160217.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110727204414.htm Growing up on a livestock farm seems to be linked to an increased risk of developing blood cancers as an adult, indicates new research. Wed, 27 Jul 2011 20:44:44 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110727204414.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110727204407.htm Electronic ear tags are being trialled by scientists in a bid to provide farmers with an extra line of defense against diseases such as foot and mouth and TB. Wed, 27 Jul 2011 20:44:44 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110727204407.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110720142346.htm In an article that may bring smiles to the faces of vegetarians who consume no dairy products and vegans, who consume no animal-based foods, scientists have identified seaweed as a rich new potential source of heart-healthy food ingredients. Seaweed and other "macroalgae" could rival milk products as sources of these so-called "bioactive peptides." Wed, 20 Jul 2011 14:23:23 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110720142346.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110719111708.htm Scientists have produced the first detailed data on how large-scale dairy facilities contribute to the emission of greenhouse gases. Tue, 19 Jul 2011 11:17:17 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110719111708.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110714101036.htm Meat grown using tissue engineering techniques, so-called 'cultured meat', would generate up to 96% lower greenhouse gas emissions than conventionally produced meat, according to a new study. Thu, 14 Jul 2011 10:10:10 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110714101036.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110713093005.htm Localized badger culling in response to bovine tuberculosis (TB) outbreaks increases the risk of infection in nearby herds, according to a new analysis by researchers in the UK. Wed, 13 Jul 2011 09:30:30 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110713093005.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110712093847.htm As soon as aphids feeding on a plant sense the heat and humidity in a mammal's breath, they drop to safety before they are inadvertently eaten together with the plant the animal is feeding on. Tue, 12 Jul 2011 09:38:38 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110712093847.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110706093912.htm Emerging from the heads of most cud-chewing mammals, headgear inspire an almost mystical and certainly majestic aura. But, scientists say, we know shockingly little about them. In a new paper, scientists out what is known -- and not known -- about antlers, horns, pronghorns and ossicones. Wed, 06 Jul 2011 09:39:39 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110706093912.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110705183843.htm Access to swine effluent or waste water can help a producer grow more grass. But a Texas researcher says the grass is "greener" economically if it is a cool-season rather than a warm-season variety. While the warm-season grasses appear to have a greater growth boost with swine effluent application, the cool-season grasses have marketing advantages that make it a more viable economic option. Tue, 05 Jul 2011 18:38:38 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110705183843.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110701150454.htm Introducing increasing amounts of foods that contain baked milk into the diets of children who have milk allergies helped a majority of them outgrow their allergies, according to a new study. Fri, 01 Jul 2011 15:04:04 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110701150454.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110630183818.htm "Goat plague," or peste des petits ruminants, is threatening global food security and poverty alleviation in the developing world, say leading veterinarians and animal health experts. Thu, 30 Jun 2011 18:38:38 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110630183818.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110630142841.htm The discovery that a bacterial species in the Australian Tammar wallaby gut is responsible for keeping the animal's methane emissions relatively low suggests a potential new strategy may exist to try to reduce methane emissions from livestock, according to a new study. Thu, 30 Jun 2011 14:28:28 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110630142841.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110613211235.htm Spring flowers are opening sooner and songbirds breeding earlier in the year, but scientists know little about how climate change is affecting phenology -- the timing of key biological events -- in UK mammals. Now, a new study on Northumberland's iconic Chillingham cattle shows climate change is altering when these animals breed, and fewer calves are surviving as a result. Mon, 13 Jun 2011 21:12:12 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110613211235.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110610094509.htm A new product has come to market that could allow the cattle feeding industry to realize efficiencies in mills and put more weight on cattle, according to experts. Fri, 10 Jun 2011 09:45:45 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110610094509.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110608122811.htm As millions of acres of farmland in the US Midwest and South recover from Mississippi River flooding, scientists report that river flooding can increase levels of potentially harmful flame retardants in farm soils. But the higher levels apparently do not find their way into the milk produced by cows that graze on these lands, according to a new study. Wed, 08 Jun 2011 12:28:28 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110608122811.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110606112822.htm Scientists could have a revolutionary new way of measuring how much of the potent greenhouse gas methane is produced by cows and other ruminants, thanks to a surprising discovery in their feces. Mon, 06 Jun 2011 11:28:28 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110606112822.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110603185133.htm Scientists have identified a new strain of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) which occurs both in human and dairy cow populations. The study identified the new strain in milk from dairy cows while researching mastitis (a bacterial infection which occurs in the cows' udders). Fri, 03 Jun 2011 18:51:51 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110603185133.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110525131711.htm Although swine influenza viruses usually sicken only pigs, potentially one might also spark a pandemic in people, as occurred with the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. Because few long-term studies have surveyed flu viruses in swine, however, gaps exist in what is known about the evolution of swine influenza viruses and the conditions that enable a swine virus to infect humans and cause disease. Increased transportation of live pigs appears to have driven an increase in the diversity of swine influenza viruses found in the animals in Hong Kong over the last three decades, according to a new study. Wed, 25 May 2011 13:17:17 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110525131711.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110524111359.htm Computer simulation studies suggest that a dairy cow living year-round in the great outdoors may leave a markedly smaller ecological hoofprint than its more sheltered sisters. Tue, 24 May 2011 11:13:13 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110524111359.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110519101244.htm After corn is processed to make ethanol, what's left of the corn looks something like slightly dampened cornmeal, though a somewhat darker yellow, and not as finely ground. Known as "wet distiller's grains with solubles," this byproduct is sometimes used as a cattle feed ingredient. Researchers are studying the pros and cons of that practice. Thu, 19 May 2011 10:12:12 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110519101244.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110519090223.htm Humans and animals have highly sophisticated nervous systems, which are unfortunately often prone to illness and disease. A plethora of factors may be responsible for problems but there is increasing evidence of genetic causes for a number of conditions. Species or races with relatively small populations are known to be particularly prone to genetic problems. An example is the Tyrolean Grey, a cattle breed represented by only about 5,000 registered cows and known to be susceptible to a particular neurological disorder. Scientists have now uncovered the genetic basis for the condition. Thu, 19 May 2011 09:02:02 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110519090223.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110518141710.htm Certain lichens can break down the infectious proteins responsible for chronic wasting disease (CWD), a troubling neurological disease fatal to wild deer and elk and spreading throughout the United States and Canada. Wed, 18 May 2011 14:17:17 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110518141710.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110518105728.htm Analysis of dairy intake and heart attack risk found no statistically significant relation in thousands of Costa Rican adults. Dairy foods might not harm heart health, despite saturated fat content, because they contain other possibly protective nutrients, researchers say. Wed, 18 May 2011 10:57:57 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110518105728.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110518092146.htm Researchers in Spain have found that goat milk has nutritional characteristics beneficial to health. They have determined that goat milk has many nutrients that make it similar to human milk. Wed, 18 May 2011 09:21:21 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110518092146.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110513080845.htm A Spanish study has analyzed traffic accidents involving cattle being transported for human consumption in the country for the first time. Despite the "relatively" low mortality rate, animals suffer high-risk situations that cause pain and stress. The scientists say that specific protocols for action are needed with regard to these accidents, and to prepare the emergency services to deal with them. Fri, 13 May 2011 08:08:08 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110513080845.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110512083016.htm Lambs are likely to encounter a number of adverse events, starting from the fetal stage. In rodents and humans, it was shown that the mother can mitigate the effects of adverse experiences in her young. New research shows that in sheep, the dam can also to some extent alleviate the effects of adverse events on the behavior and physiology of her lambs. Thu, 12 May 2011 08:30:30 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110512083016.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110511131136.htm Scientists report how natural plant compounds known as tannins can reduce both the amount of nitrogen cows excrete in urine, and the action of a microbial enzyme in manure that converts the nitrogen into ammonia on the barn floor. Wed, 11 May 2011 13:11:11 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110511131136.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110511101051.htm The package on a supermarket steak may say "grass-fed" or "grass-finished," but how can a consumer know whether the cow spent its days grazing peacefully on meadow grass or actually gorged on feedlot corn? Scientists are now reporting the development of a method that can reconstruct the dietary history of cattle and authenticate the origins of beef. Wed, 11 May 2011 10:10:10 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110511101051.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110505142558.htm A new study of foot-and-mouth disease shows that cattle afflicted with the virus are only infectious for a brief window of time -- about half as long as previously thought. This finding suggests that the controversial control measures used to halt the disease's spread, such as killing large numbers of livestock, could be reduced. The discovery is also changing the way that scientists think about infectious diseases in general. Thu, 05 May 2011 14:25:25 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110505142558.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110504080849.htm Lower piglet mortality is the goal when Norwegian researchers study the conditions of perky newborn piglets and their mothers. Several countries aim to reduce the loss of piglets using a system in which the sow can move around freely. The Norwegian researchers are experimenting with open pens with an activity area and a nest area. Wed, 04 May 2011 08:08:08 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110504080849.htm