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LARGE HERDS - GREATER CHALLENGES: COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF WELFARE QUALITY OF DAIRY COWS BY FARM SIZE
No full textThe aim of this study was to determine the effect of dairy herd size on the health score (“Good Health”) and key welfare indicators of cows, using the Welfare Quality® methodology. Data were collected from small (≤ 100 cows), medium (101–300 cows), and large (> 300 cows) farms. More than 30 indicators were analyzed, including the prevalence of injuries, lameness, skin lesions, metabolic and reproductive disorders, mastitis, and mortality. The results showed that smaller-capacity farms achieved significantly higher (p < 0.05), health scores, lower prevalence of lameness, skin lesions, and metabolic disorders, as well as lower mortality rates compared with large farms. In large herds, higher incidences of mastitis, dystocia, and downer cow syndrome, along with increased mortality, were recorded, confirming the negative impact of production pressure and high animal aggregation on welfare. Mortality above the alarm threshold was occasionally observed on small and medium farms as well, indicating the necessity for continuous monitoring across all production systems. The findings suggest that optimizing herd size, improving housing conditions, and reducing production intensity are key strategies for achieving sustainable dairy production in line with animal welfare principles
A New Technique for Marking Queen Bees (Apis mellifera) for Better Visibility and Easier Spotting
No full textWhile marking queens is an optional rather than mandatory technique, it is
increasingly becoming a standard practice in modern beekeeping. Finding queens in strong
colonies and large apiaries is a time-consuming process. The visible and durable marking
of the queen enables it to be seen more quickly, directly improving productivity in apiary
management. This study examined a new technique for marking queens using an oil-based
marker, which involved marking not only the thorax (as a standard technique) but also
the wings and abdomen. The durability of the marking was assessed by measuring color
retention at the start of the experiment and after five months. Two groups of queens
were formed: an experimental group, marked with the new technique on three body
parts—Group O (n = 12) and a control group of unmarked queens—Group N (n = 12). The
most durable color retention was observed on the thorax (54.4%) and abdomen (14.4%),
while retention on the wings was weaker (2.4%), necessitating reapplication during the
season. Considering the proportion of the total marked area, abdomen marking gave better
results (9.5%) compared to the thorax (5.4%) and wings (0.6%) marking. The application
of this marking technique showed no negative effects on queen acceptance, survival, or
supersedure. Marking three body parts can increase the queen’s visibility in a non-invasive
way, improving work efficiency
LIPA SHEEP: RESILIENCE, RECOVERY, AND CONSERVATION NEEDS
No full textstract: The Lipa sheep, an indigenous genotype from central Serbia, is an important part of the
region’s agrobiodiversity. This zackel strain, known for its adaptability, moderate productivity and suitability
for low-input systems, has faced significant population decline in recent decades. However, targeted
conservation programmes have led to a controlled increase in the population — from 520 animals in 2015 to
almost 2,500 in 2024. Despite this growth, the recent plateau in numbers indicates challenges related to farm
capacity, reproductive performance and economic constraints. This study combines demographic records,
morphometric measurements and biochemical blood data to assess the current status and adaptive value of
the breed. Adult ewes have a robust conformation with an average weight of 62 kg, a height at withers of 73
cm and a chest circumference of 93 cm. Blood profiling from three representative farms (n = 30) showed
predominantly stable physiological indicators, with minor but statistically significant differences in protein
fractions, glucose, cholesterol and mineral levels, probably due to differences in diet and terrain. Overall, the
breed's metabolism remains stable under pasture-based management and limited supplementary feeding.
These results underpin the role of the Lipa sheep in sustainable sheep breeding and highlight the need for
improved breeding strategies, dietary optimisation and long-term genetic monitoring to ensure the breed's
survival. This integrated assessment emphasises the importance of preserving this underrepresented Balkan
genotype
ANALYSIS OF FATTY ACID PROFILES AND CALCULATION OF HEALTH LIPID INDICES IN EGGS OF DIFFERENT POULTRY SPECIES
No full textThe study aimed to calculate qualitative and nutritional lipid indices in eggs of different
poultry species based on the fatty acid profiles in egg yolks. The analyses included chicken, turkey, and duck
eggs purchased from a family farm in the Osijek-Baranja County. A total of 70 eggs were analysed (30
chicken, 20 turkey, and 20 duck). A gas chromatograph was used to analyse the fatty acid profiles in egg
yolks, while mathematical formulas were used to evaluate health lipid indices. The study presents qualitative
indices (ΣPUFA n-6/ΣPUFA n-3; ΣPUFA/ΣSFA and EPA+DHA) based on the ratio of polyunsaturated and
saturated fatty acids and the sum of eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) fatty acids.
Nutritional indices (nutritional value index; NVI, atherogenic index; AI, thrombogenic index; TI, and
hypo/hypercholesterolemic index; hHI) are calculated by including unsaturated, monounsaturated, and
polyunsaturated fatty acids in relation to saturated fatty acids. The results of the study showed that there were
significant differences in the content of ΣSFA, ΣMUFA, Σn-6 PUFA, and Σn-3 PUFA between the eggs of
different poultry species tested (P<0.001). Duck eggs had lower ΣPUFA n-6/ΣPUFA n-3 ratio values
compared to eggs of other poultry species, while the most favourable ΣPUFA/ΣSFA ratio was determined in
turkey eggs (P<0.05). The sum of EPA and DHA was uniform in all tested eggs. The most favourable values
of NVI, hHI, and TI were determined in turkey eggs (P<0.05). The values of AI were uniform in all tested
groups (P>0.05). The presented data can serve as an information base for nutritionists when choosing eggs in
the human diet to improve consumer health
Значај селекције и резултати спровођења одгајивачких програма у говедарству и свињарству
No full textУ овом раду приказана је важност спровођења програма мера селекције у Р. Србији на најважније особине као што су млечност, плодност и меснатост. Резултати контроле млечности крава симеталске расе показују да је у 2022. години остварена просечна производња млека крава (n=94.347) у стандардној лактацији од 5.060 kg (значајно више у односу на резултат од пре двадесет година када је утврђен просек од 3.996 kg млека) са 3,98% млечне масти и 3,20% протеина, односно са приносом од 203,64 kg млечне масти, и 162,46 kg протеина. Укупан број закључених лактација у 2022. години за холштајн расу износио је 11.277 са просечном производњом у стандардној лактацији од 7.361 kg млека (значајно више у односу на резултат из 2017. године од 6.895 kg млека) са 3,67% односно 270 kg млечне масти. Контролисане плоткиње имале су садржај протеина у млеку од 3,19%, односно 235 kg протеина. Контролом продуктивности уматичених крмача у 2022. години обухваћено је 16793 грла код којих је утврђена просечна величина легла при прашењу од 12,24 живорођених прасади, мртворођених 0,54 и укупно рођених12,78 прасади. У 2018. години просечан број одгајене прасади је био 11,09 прасади са просечном масом легла од 77,66 kg док је у 2022. години просечан број одгајене прасади био 11,30 прасади са просечном масом легла од 96,70 kg.Зборник радова са научно-стручног скупа одражаног 07. јуна 2023. године
Примљено на VI скупу Одељења хемијских и биотехничких наука одржаном 22. септембра 2023. годин
The role of natural biostimulants in climate-smart agriculture: Ascophyllum nodosum’s impact on alfalfa yield
No full textIn the context of growing challenges posed by climate change, sustainable agriculture increasingly recognizes the importance of biostimulants derived from natural bioactive molecules, which offer an ecological alternative to synthetic fertilizers. The significant variability in bioactive compounds and sources of biostimulants highlights a broad spectrum of potential solutions for improving crop yields and enhancing plant stress tolerance, particularly in response to climate-induced stresses such as drought and temperature extremes. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of Ascophyllum nodosum liquid extract as a biostimulant in promoting the growth and yield of the hybrid alfalfa variety Banat VS during its first year of vegetation. The experiment was conducted under the agroecological conditions of the Banat region in the eastern part of Vojvodina, Republic of Serbia. Alfalfa seeds were treated by irrigation with liquid seaweed extract, and their effect on yield was assessed after three harvests. The average mass of treated plants was 19.82 g, representing a 4.6% increase compared to the control group (18.95 g). In addition to quantitative results, treated plants demonstrated an accelerated flowering phase and a higher percentage of inflorescences compared to control samples. The application of Ascophyllum nodosum-based biostimulant significantly enhanced the vegetative growth and yield of alfalfa, confirming its potential in sustainable agriculture. These findings highlight the efficacy of biostimulants in stimulating plant growth, particularly under challenging growth conditions that may become more frequent due to climate variability
Pig farming: challenges and perspectives
No full textGlobal pork production in 2022 increased by 1% compared to the previous year. The largest producer
of pork is still the People‘s Republic of China with 46%, followed by the EU with 18% and the USA with a 10%
share in total production. In the previous period, there were major disruptions in the market due to the emergence
of two 2020 COVID-19 viruses and the emergence of the African swine fever (ASF) virus in Ukraine in 2012.
The virus COVID-19 disrupted the market for two years with a declining impact from 2022, but the ASF virus
is not reducing its impact even today since its appearance. In Serbia, the largest number of euthanized pigs due
to ASF was in 2023, as well as in neighboring Croatia. Smaller farms were the most affected because they did
not have good biosecurity measures, and large pig breeders were endangered and at risk because of them. In
2024, the occurrence of ASF was recorded in four districts (15 villages) as well as in one municipality of the city
of Belgrade. Since the beginning of this year, we have had AFSderegistered in four districts, for 31 populated
places the decision on the area infected with the AFS virus has been revoked. When we talk about the market,
the cost price per kg of warm carcass side in 2022 is the highest in Italy (€2,894/kg of warm carcass side) with a
share of pig feeding costs of 62.89% and a share of labour costs of 5.18% per kg of warm carcass side, while in
Brazil ( Midwest) the price of producing a kg of warm carcass side is significantly lower and amounts to 1,412
euros per kg with a share of pig feeding costs of 77.20% and a share of labour costs of 2.83% in the cost price
of a kg of warm carcass side. Serbia is one of the few countries in Europe that has not introduced a system of
evaluating carcass sides on the slaughter line and paying fattening animals according to the estimated share of
meat in the carcass side, i.e. the meatiness of fattening animals, but mostly fattening animals are paid per kg of
live weight. Introduction of unbiased assessment of meatness on the slaughter line in Serbia would significantly
improve pig production in Serbia and increase the economy of pork production
CHESTNUT TANNINS IN LAMB NUTRITION: BALANCING PROTEIN UTILIZATION AND FEED EFFICIENCY IN SUSTAINABLE FATTENING SYSTEMS
No full textTannins are complex plant-derived polyphenols that are increasingly being investigated in ruminant nutrition due to their protein binding
capacity, bioactive properties and potential to support sustainable production goals.
They can modulate fermentation in the rumen, reduce protein degradation and alter
the dynamics of nutrient absorption dynamics — but their dual role as functional
and potentially antinutritive agents requires differentiated evaluation. This paper
discusses the broader functional importance of tannins in ruminant diets based on a
comprehensive literature review, focussing on their mechanisms of action,
influence on digestibility, animal performance and metabolic responses. Within
this framework, a practical model of lamb fattening will be analysed to investigate
the controlled use of chestnut tannins under different feeding conditions and
protein balances. The model serves to illustrate the general challenges of
implementing tannin research in commercial feeding systems. The importance of
dosage, tannin type, feed matrix and animal-specific factors that determine efficacy
and safety is emphasised. Whilst the integration of tannins offers promising routes
to nitrogen efficiency and reduced environmental impact, practical implementation
requires a clear understanding of the economic trade-offs and variability at farm
level. The findings presented will serve as a basis for future research designs and
practical implementation strategies for plant additives in small ruminant diet
Bulgarian Journal of Animal Husbandry
No full textBulgarian Journal of Animal Husbandry is an open access peer-reviewed bimonthly scientific journal published by the publishing house of Agricultural Academy. It has been published since 1964. The journal is administrated by an international Editorial board and its Editor-in-Chief is Prof. Dr. Maya Ignatova.
Aims & Scope
The journal publishes original research papers, review articles and brief reports, aimed to cover all aspects of animal husbandry: Cattle and Buffalo; Horses; Sheep and Goat; Pig; Poultry; Rabbits; Fish and Aquacultures; Bee Keeping; Sericulture; Animal Breeding, Genetics and Reproduction; Physiology and Biochemistry; Forages and Nutrition; Quality of Animal Production; Organization and Economics of Animal Husbandry / Livestock Farming; Animal Husbandry Technologies and Equipment; Ecology; Animal Behaviour; Veterinary Medicine; Problems of Science and Practice
Five-year overview of the Simmental cattle population in Central Serbia
No full textSerbia has a high potential for livestock production, which is
suitable for breeding dual-purpose Simmental cows, both for milk and meat
production. High quality animals with strong breeding potential registered in the
main herd book are monitored for their production performance, reflecting the
national authorities' commitment to the cattle sector. According to the reports of
the Institute for Animal Husbandry and the results of the implementation of the
main breeding programme in the past five-year period (2024–2029), not only the
number of cows, but also the total number of all categories of Simmental cattle in
the main herd has decreased in the territory of Central Serbia. Selection process in
milk production is carried out through continuous cooperation between farmersbreeders
of high-quality breeding cattle - and local breeding organisations, both at
local and regional level. In central Serbia, there are over 150 registered local
breeding organisations that take on the tasks of recording/registering and selecting
the cattle in the herds. In this study, data from the main breeding organisation for
livestock farming for the area of central Serbia, the Institute for Animal Husbandry
in Zemun, and its annual reports were used. The tabular analysis and the five-year
trend of animal numbers are presented according to the number of registered
animals, the number of linearly evaluated cows after the first calving and the
achieved lactation yield of milk, milk fat and milk protein (standardised to 305
days). Based on the analysed and discussed results of the selection work on
Simmental cows, it can be concluded that there has been some progress in milk
production, but also a reduction in the number of individuals. It is important to
emphasise that these results have an impact on the overall productivity of the cattle
population in central Serbia