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Human–Animal Interactions with Bos taurus Cattle and Their Impacts on On-Farm Safety: A Systematic Review
Get PDFPublication history: Accepted - 17 March 2022; Published - 19 March 2022.Simple Summary: Cattle are large animals that can cause serious injuries to humans. Humans may
encounter cattle through working on farms, living on a farm, or traversing fields with cattle. A
systematic review was carried out to assess the factors which may lead to a dangerous interaction
with cattle. A literature search was carried out to find papers that included the criteria ‘Bovine’,
‘Handling’, ‘Behaviour’ and ‘Safety’, or terms therein. The search returned 17 papers, and after
collation, six themes were identified: actions of humans; human demographics, attitude, and experience;
facilities and the environment; the animal involved; under-reporting and poor records;
and mitigation of dangerous interactions. Exploration of these themes shows that more accurate
recording of interactions before an injury is required. Furthermore, targeted, tailored education for
anyone who may come into contact with cattle could reduce cattle-induced injuries.
Abstract: Cattle production necessitates potentially dangerous human–animal interactions. Cattle are
physically strong, large animals that can inflict injuries on humans accidentally or through aggressive
behaviour. This study provides a systematic review of literature relating to farm management
practices (including humans involved, facilities, and the individual animal) associated with cattle
temperament and human’s on-farm safety. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and
Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) was used to frame the review. Population, Exposure, and Outcomes (PEO)
components of the research question are defined as “Bovine” (population), “Handling” (exposure),
and outcomes of “Behaviour”, and “Safety”. The review included 17 papers and identified six
main themes: actions of humans; human demographics, attitude, and experience; facilities and the
environment; the animal involved; under-reporting and poor records; and mitigation of dangerous
interactions. Cattle-related incidents were found to be underreported, with contradictory advice
to prevent injury. The introduction of standardised reporting and recording of incidents to clearly
identify the behaviours and facilities which increase injuries could inform policy to reduce injuries.
Global differences in management systems and animal types mean that it would be impractical to
impose global methods of best practice to reduce the chance of injury. Thus, any recommendations
should be regionally specific, easily accessible, and practicable.Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
(DAERA), Northern Ireland as part of the “TemperGene” project, grant number 19 1 03 (48283)
The effect of naturally acquired rumen fluke infection on animal health and production in dairy and beef cattle in the UK
No full textPublication history: Accepted - 27 July 2022; Published - 18 August 2018.The incidence of paramphistomosis, caused by the rumen fluke, Calicophoron daubneyi, has greatly increased within Europe in the last 15–20 years. However, the production impacts of this disease are poorly understood. This study firstly aimed to investigate the prevalence of rumen fluke in England and Northern Ireland (NI) by conducting an abattoir survey of dairy and beef cattle which also allowed the impact of rumen fluke on carcass weight, conformation and fat classification to be assessed. Secondly, an experiment aimed to assess the impact of C. daubneyi infection on diarrhea score, production loss and welfare in dairy heifers, while also evaluating the impacts of treating infected heifers with oxyclozanide. Rumen fluke prevalence was greater in NI than in England, with 53.8% (95% CI 51.9 - 55.9%) of the NI cattle carcases sampled being infected compared to 16.3% (95% CI 15.8 - 16.8%) and 17.9% (95% CI 17.4 - 18.4%) detected at the two abattoirs in England. However, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the cold carcass weight between infected and non-infected cattle. Similarly, carcass conformation and fat classification were unaffected (P > 0.05) by the presence of rumen fluke. In the second experiment, daily live weight gain (DLWG), diarrhea score and welfare score were also unaffected (P > 0.05) by rumen fluke infection and by oxyclozanide treatment against rumen fluke. The farms in this experiment were managed to a high standard and animals had no intercurrent disease. Therefore, these findings suggest that on well–managed farms, production losses (growth rates) should not be compromised as a result of sub-clinical rumen fluke infection.This work was supported by an Industrial Partnership Award (to MR, AA, and JB) from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BB/N017757/1) with additional financial support from Agrisearch and The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, AHDB
Fasciola hepatica Gastrodermal Cells Selectively Release Extracellular Vesicles via a Novel Atypical Secretory Mechanism
Get PDFPublication history: Accepted - 12 May, 2022; Published - 15 may 2022.The liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica, is an obligate blood-feeder, and the gastrodermal cells of
the parasite form the interface with the host’s blood. Despite their importance in the host–parasite
interaction, in-depth proteomic analysis of the gastrodermal cells is lacking. Here, we used laser
microdissection of F. hepatica tissue sections to generate unique and biologically exclusive tissue
fractions of the gastrodermal cells and tegument for analysis by mass spectrometry. A total of
226 gastrodermal cell proteins were identified, with proteases that degrade haemoglobin being the
most abundant. Other detected proteins included those such as proton pumps and anticoagulants
which maintain a microenvironment that facilitates digestion. By comparing the gastrodermal cell
proteome and the 102 proteins identified in the laser microdissected tegument with previously
published tegument proteomic datasets, we showed that one-quarter of proteins (removed by freeze–
thaw extraction) or one-third of proteins (removed by detergent extraction) previously identified
as tegumental were instead derived from the gastrodermal cells. Comparative analysis of the laser
microdissected gastrodermal cells, tegument, and F. hepatica secretome revealed that the gastrodermal
cells are the principal source of secreted proteins, as well as showed that both the gastrodermal cells
and the tegument are likely to release subpopulations of extracellular vesicles (EVs). Microscopical
examination of the gut caeca from flukes fixed immediately after their removal from the host bile
ducts showed that selected gastrodermal cells underwent a progressive thinning of the apical plasma
membrane which ruptured to release secretory vesicles en masse into the gut lumen. Our findings
suggest that gut-derived EVs are released via a novel atypical secretory route and highlight the
importance of the gastrodermal cells in nutrient acquisition and possible immunomodulation by
the parasite.This work was supported by a grant to M.W.R. (BB/L019612/1) from the Biotechnology and
Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). A.P.S.B. was supported by a postgraduate studentship
from the Department for the Economy (DfE) Northern Ireland
Biotic and abiotic predictors of potential N2O emissions from denitrification in Irish grasslands soils: A national-scale field study
Get PDFPublication history: Accepted - 18 March 2022; Published - 25 March 2022.Large-scale information regarding nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions is needed as an evidence base to underpin land
use policy and mitigation approaches. However, the highly variable rates of denitrification make the prediction
of N2O emission demanding. Here, we evaluated the role of abiotic and biotic factors on the potential denitrification
of Irish soils, in order to identify the key factors regulating potential N2O emissions at a large scale. To do
so, we collected 136 soil samples from 32 sites across Ireland, and characterised the soil physico-chemical
properties, the prokaryotic and fungal community composition, the abundance of N-cycling genes and evaluated
the soil potential nitrification, denitrification and end product N2O/(N2O + N2). We found large differences
in soil potential denitrification between sites (up to 41.5 mg N2O–N kg 1 soil day 1) with most of the emissions
released in the form of N2O rather than N2. Soils with highest potential nitrification rates also exhibited the
highest potential denitrification rates, and similar parameters were linked to both processes. The factors most
predictive of soil potential denitrification were soil physico-chemical properties and the prokaryotic community
composition. Soil phosphorus content was as important for predicting potential denitrification as was pH and
total nitrogen. Soil microbial community structure, rather than denitrifier abundance, was an important predictor
of the potential denitrification and the end-product N2O/(N2O + N2). The prokaryotic community
composition was more strongly associated with denitrification rates and the resulting end-products than fungal
communities. Increased relative abundance of the prokaryotic phyla Actinobacteriota and Crenarchaeota, were
positively correlated to complete denitrification. Altogether, these results lay the foundation for a better understanding
of the key factors regulating the potential denitrification in soils and identify important properties
that enhance prediction of the potential denitrification at larger scales.This research and CD, JR and PRP were financially supported under
the National Development Plan, through the Research Stimulus Fund,
administered by the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the
Marine (Grant number 15S655: MINE project)
Grassland Reseeding - Improving Grassland Productivity and Reducing Excess Soil-Surface Nutrient Accumulations
Get PDFPublication history: Published online 10 February 2022Long-term phosphorus (P) accumulation in agricultural soils presents a challenge for water quality improvement. P is commonly elevated in soils managed for intensive livestock production due to the repeated over-application of slurry and fertilizers. High legacy nutrient accumulations can result in poor water quality via transport pathways such as surface runoff, subsurface drainage, and soil erosion. To achieve the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) aims, improved management strategies are required for diffuse and point P sources. Reseeding is known to improve grassland productivity and enhance overall soil health. However, soil disturbance associated with reseeding could have positive and negative effects on several other soil functions that affect the nutrient balance (including improved microbial activity, but also increasing the potential for sediment and nutrient losses). This study investigated the role of reseeding in addressing nutrient surpluses in surface soils and identified potential trade-offs between production, environment, and soil health. At a study site in the Blackwater catchment in Northern Ireland, we collected high-resolution gridded soil samples pre- and post-reseeding for nutrient analyses and combined this with GIS-based interpolation. We found that decreases in sub-field scale nutrient content occurred following reseeding, but that this was spatially variable. This indicates that this strategy is effective in reducing soil surface P accumulations. However, more research is needed to determine whether this P becomes available for grass uptake during re-growth or whether it increases the pool of mobile P, which can be lost in surface runoff, subsurface drainage, and soil erosionThis research was funded by the NERC QUADRAT DTP, grant number 2280708
Quantifying MCPA load pathways at catchment scale using high temporal resolution data
Get PDFPublication history: Accepted - 21 May 2022; Published online - 24 May 2022.Detection of the agricultural acid herbicide MCPA (2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid) in drinking water
source catchments is of growing concern, with economic and environmental implications for water utilities and
wider ecosystem services. MCPA is poorly adsorbed to soil and highly mobile in water, but hydrological pathway
processes are relatively unknown at the catchment scale and limited by coarse resolution data. This understanding
is required to target mitigation measures and to provide a framework to monitor their effectiveness. To
address this knowledge gap, this study reports findings from river discharge and synchronous MCPA concentration
datasets (continuous 7 hour and with additional hourly sampling during storm events) collected over a 7
month herbicide spraying season. The study was undertaken in a surface (source) water catchment (384 km2—of
which 154 km2 is agricultural land use) in the cross-border area of Ireland. Combined into loads, and using two
pathway separation techniques, the MCPA data were apportioned into event and baseload components and the
former was further separated to quantify a quickflow (QF) and other event pathways. Based on the 7 hourly
dataset, 85.2 kg (0.22 kg km 2 by catchment area, or 0.55 kg km 2 by agricultural area) of MCPA was exported
from the catchment in 7 months. Of this load, 87.7 % was transported via event flow pathways with 72.0 %
transported via surface dominated (QF) pathways. Approximately 12 % of the MCPA load was transported via
deep baseflows, indicating a persistence in this delayed pathway, and this was the primary pathway condition
monitored in a weekly regulatory sampling programme. However, overall, the data indicated a dominant acute,
storm dependent process of incidental MCPA loss during the spraying season. Reducing use and/or implementing
extensive surface pathway disconnection measures are the mitigation options with greatest potential, the success
of which can only be assessed using high temporal resolution monitoring techniques.This work was carried out as part of Source to Tap (IVA5018), a
project supported by the European Union’s INTERREG VA Programme,
managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB)
A review of Willow (Salix spp.) as an integrated biorefinery feedstock
No full textPublication history: Accepted - 13 October 2022; Published online - 22 October 2022Throughout history, the genus Salix (willow) has been an incredibly useful temperate plant for humans, with widespread global distribution and species indigenous to all continents except Antarctica. Estimations of the number of species range from 450 to 520 worldwide, and there are still more natural hybrids and multi-hybrid combinations. Several biomass willow breeding programmes have been established across the globe. All of these attempt to produce fast-growing, high-yielding stems with a straight habit and minimal side branching that are highly adaptable to different sites and are also disease and pest resistant. Short rotation coppice (SRC) cultivation involves growing willow at close spacings with a stocking rate of around 15,000 per hectare with harvests every 2–4 years. The crop is mechanically harvested, typically using a forager, and material has recently been used for bioenergy applications. Trial plots have achieved yields of up to 20 odt/ha/yr, whilst well-tended commercial crops have yielded up to 14 odt/ha/yr. Global willow breeding programmes have produced a wide variety of commercial genotypes that have suitable properties for easy planting and harvesting and have the added benefit of elevated levels of bioactive compounds, including salicin, present in the bark, which can be used in medical and veterinary applications. These high-yielding willow varieties grow well in the wetter regions of the globe, including NW Europe, and afford multiple harvests before re-planting. Salix's versatility and adaptability and the SRC cultivation process make them an ideal candidate feedstock for use in an integrated biorefinery to produce a range of biobased materials, including pharmaceuticals, and biocomposites, fuels, energy and fertiliser.The authors would like to thank the European Union's Interreg North West Europe programme, financed by the European Regional Development Fund (Biowill; project number 964) and also the Welsh Government (Environmental Evidence Programme) for support and to Micaela Cosgrove (European Landowners Organisation) for final proof reading
Effect of Phase Feeding, Space Allowance and Mixing on Productive Performance of Grower-Finisher Pigs
Get PDFPublication history: Accepted - 2 February 2022; Published online - 7 February 2022This study investigates the effects of space allowance (SA), mixing and phase feeding (PF) on performance of grower-finisher pigs. Three trials (T) were conducted. In T1 and T2, 345 pigs/trial were moved to finisher stage at 11 weeks of age and assigned to two SAs: 0.96 (n = 15 pens; 10 pigs/pen) and 0.78 (n = 15; 13 pigs/pen) m2/pig. Mixing was applied to 5 pens of each SA leading to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (SA × Mixing). For PF, 2 diets with 0.95 and 0.82 g SID Lys/MJ NE were applied to 5 pens of each SA (not mixed) leading to another 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (SA × PF). In T3, 230 pigs were moved to the grower-finisher stage at 11 weeks of age, mixed, and assigned to 4 treatments (SA × PF; n = 5 pens). Data were analyzed using general linear mixed models. SA did not affect performance (p > 0.05). Non-mixed pigs were 5.40 (T1) and 5.25 (T2) kg heavier than mixed pigs at 21 weeks of age (p < 0.001). PF reduced performance of pigs by 3.45 (T1) and 4.05 (T2) kg at 21 weeks of age (p < 0.001). In conclusion, mixing and reducing SID Lys:NE ratio from 0.95 to 0.82 g/MJ at 15–16 weeks of age, have a more marked impact on performance than reducing SA from 0.96 to 0.78 m2/pig.Jordi Camp Montoro and Joana Pessoa were supported by the Teagasc Walsh Scholarship Scheme grant-in-aid projects Introducing new feeding programs and facilities for Irish finishing pigs ref 0415 and Optimizing feedback of computerized meat inspection findings and Precision Livestock Farming monitors on farm to improve pig health, welfare and carcass quality ref 0165, respectively
Evidence for local and international spread of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis through whole genome sequencing of isolates from the island of Ireland
Get PDFPublication history: Accepted - 1 April 2022; Published online - 5 April 2022We describe application of whole genome sequencing (WGS) to a collection of 197 Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis (MAP) isolates gathered from 122 cattle herds across 27 counties of the island of Ireland. We compare WGS to MAP diversity quantified using mycobacterial interspersed random unit – variable number tandem repeats (MIRU-VNTR). While MIRU-VNTR showed only two major types, WGS could split the 197 isolates into eight major groups. We also found six isolates corresponding to INMV 13, a novel MIRU-VNTR type for Ireland. Evidence for dispersal of MAP across Ireland via cattle movement could be discerned from the data, with mixed infections present in several herds. Furthermore, comparisons of MAP WGS data from Ireland to data from Great Britain and continental Europe revealed many instances of close genetic similarity and hence evidence for international transmission of infection. BEAST MASCOT structured coalescent analyses, with relaxed and strict molecular clocks, estimated the substitution rate to be 0.10–0.13 SNPs/site/year and disclosed greater transitions per lineage per year from Europe to Ireland, indicating transmission into Ireland. Our work therefore reveals new insight into the seeding of MAP infection across Ireland, highlighting how WGS can inform policy formulation to ultimately control MAP transmission at local, national and international scales.We acknowledge funding from the Department of Agriculture, Food
and Marine awards 15/S/651 (‘NexusMAP’) and 2019R404 (’BTBGe-
nIE’)
Programmed acoustic tags reveal novel information on late-phase marine life in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar
No full textPublication history: Accepted - 20 December 2022; Published online - 30 December 2022.This pilot study used programmed acoustic tags implanted into Salmo salar smolts, in
conjunction with an extensive offshore marine receiver array, to investigate latestage
migratory behaviour and survival of returning adult salmon. A total of
100 smolts were tagged in 2020, and a number of individuals were successfully
detected as returning adults in 2021. After detection efficiency was accounted for,
5–9 adults were estimated to have returned to the offshore array c. 45 km from the
river mouth. A total of three fish were subsequently detected in the river. Losses of
between 40% and 66% were evident during the final stages of ocean migration, and
one tagged fish provided direct evidence of a predation event.Seamonitor, Grant/Award Number: INTERREG-V