DSpace Angular :: Browsing by Author "Enriquez-Hidalgo, Daniel"

Browsing by Author "Enriquez-Hidalgo, Daniel"

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Adaptation strategies based on the historical evolution for dairy production systems in temperate areas: A case study approach
(2020) Toro-Mujica, Paula; Vera, Raul; Pinedo, Pablo; Bas, Fernando; Enriquez-Hidalgo, Daniel; Vargas-Bello-Perez, Einar
Dairy production systems are heterogeneous as they are influenced by farm location and structure, markets, environmental conditions, and the producers' preferences and peculiarities. A typology of the existing dairy systems in Chile was developed with the objective of identifying homogenous groups that would allow for the characterization of adaptation strategies to changing environmental, social, technological, political and economic variables. Multivariate analyses were performed on data from official surveys carried out in 2009, 2011, 2013, and 2015. Six groups (I-VI) were identified representing 26.9%, 21.5%, 21.6%, 14.6%, 6.8% and 8.6% of the population surveyed. Group I was the largest, and it included non-specialized commercial dairies. Group II clustered semi-extensive, medium to large dairies that rely mostly on high yielding improved pastures. Group III included small, semi-extensive commercial farms that make a more intense use of pastoral resources, such as sown pastures and improved native grasslands. Groups IV, V, and VI corresponded to specialized dairies, highly market-oriented, that use annual forages to supplement intensively managed and planned pastures, but that differ in size and some management strategies. The observed temporal changes and adaptations over time were closely linked to farm size, intensity in the use of various technologies, the number and the breed of the dairy cows, and the presence of other agricultural activities in the property. The effect of variable prices of milk and system inputs differed by group. Given the social and economic importance of dairies throughout Central and Southern Chile, a number of interventions are proposed, including technical modifications, extension initiatives, and changes in policies.
Assessment of Animal-Based Pig Welfare Outcomes on Farm and at the Abattoir: A Case Study
(2020) Teixeira, Dayane Lemos; Salazar, Laura C.; Enriquez-Hidalgo, Daniel; Boyle, Laura A.
The study assessed the prevalence of animal-based pig welfare outcomes on one Chilean farm and one abattoir. A total of 198 pens of slaughter pigs (9,049 pigs) were observed on farm and 54 batches (8,843 pigs) were observed at the abattoir. All assessments were conducted from outside the pen on farm and from outside the corridor where pigs were unloaded from the truck at the abattoir. Batch size and number of pigs with ear, tail and skin lesions, hernias, rectal prolapse, bursitis, and lameness were recorded. Data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models. There was a large variation among pens on farm and among batches at the abattoir for all outcomes. Bursitis was the most prevalent outcome recorded in both locations, followed by ear lesions recorded on farm and by tail lesions recorded at the abattoir. Ear lesions' prevalence was higher on farm (P< 0.001), while tail lesions, hernia, and bursitis prevalence were higher at the abattoir (P< 0.001). Ear lesions' prevalence on farm was higher in female and mixed-sex groups than in male groups (P < 0.01), but male groups tended to have a higher tail lesions' prevalence (P< 0.1). The results show a difference in welfare outcomes, suggesting that assessment of outcomes on farm could complement ante-mortem inspections at the abattoir. However, as the same animals were not inspected in the two locations and there is the possibility of a seasonal influence on the results, the findings should be interpreted with caution and further research is required.
Behavioural responses of pasture based dairy cows to short term management in tie-stalls
(2018) Enriquez-Hidalgo, Daniel; Teixeira, Dayane Lemos; Lewis, Eva; Buckley, Frank; Boyle, Laura; O'Driscoll, Keelin
Chilean public attitudes towards beef production systems
(2023) de la Fuente, Valentina Mansky; Enriquez-Hidalgo, Daniel; Teixeira, Dayane Lemos; Larrain, Rafael; Hotzel, Maria Jose
Much is discussed about the characteristics, efficiency, and externalities of indoor housing and pasture-based beef production systems, but little is known about how these features influence public attitudes towards beef production. This study aimed to explore Chilean citizens' attitudes towards beef production systems and their underlying reasons. Citizens (n = 1,084) were recruited to participate in a survey and given information about one beef production system: indoor housing, continuous grazing or regenerative grazing. Participants had more favourable attitudes (from 1 = most negative attitudes to 5 = most positive attitudes) towards pasture-based systems (regenerative grazing = 2.94; continuous grazing = 2.83) than towards indoor housing (1.94), mainly due to concerns with animal welfare and environmental impacts. Productivity was not as important as the other sustainability aspects for participants as they were not willing to do that trade-off. Support for beef production may benefit if production systems adopt characteristics that are perceived by the public as positive for the environment and animal welfare.
Citizen attitudes towards present and future beef consumption before and after the COVID-19 pandemic
(2024) Fuente, Valentina Mansky de la; Hotzel, Maria Jose; Teixeira, Dayane Lemos; Larrain, Rafael Esteban; Enriquez-Hidalgo, Daniel
There's been a change in citizens' attitudes towards beef consumption in high-income countries, resulting in a decline in its consumption. The COVID-19 pandemic may have impacted citizens' attitudes and behaviours towards beef consumption. This study aimed to investigate Chilean citizens' attitudes towards beef consumption during the initial 18 months of the pandemic. Socio-demographic characteristics and attitudes towards beef consumption were asked in two questionnaires done in 2020 (n = 1142) and 2021 (n = 1221). Citizens' attitudes to beef eating and production did not change between the start and more than a year after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants not related with animal production, female, young, and non-meat consumers demonstrated more negative attitudes towards beef consumption and production. Half of the participants agreed that beef is bad for the environment, but only 30% agreed that beef is bad for human health. Half of participants had reduced beef consumption and 48% expressed intentions to reduce beef consumption in the future, primarily motivated by concerns related to animal welfare, the environment, and human health. The majority of participants (80%) thought that their fellow citizens should reduce their beef consumption but only 50% had confidence that this will occur. We conclude that Chilean consumers' attitudes to beef eating did not change due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants expressed strong concern about beef consumption both individually and socially, due to environmental, animal and health concerns, and believed Chileans should reduce beef consumption in the future but had low confidence that this will happen.
Incorporating a Fresh Mixed Annual Ryegrass and Berseem Clover Forage Into the Winter Diet of Dairy Cows Resulted in Reduced Milk Yield, but Reduced Nitrogen Excretion and Reduced Methane Yield
(2020) Enriquez-Hidalgo, Daniel; Teixeira, Dayane Lemos; Pinheiro Machado Filho, Luiz Carlos; Hennessy, Deirdre; Toro-Mujica, Paula; Williams, Shaun Richard Owen; Pereira, Fabiellen Cristina
The winter diet of dairy cows in Mediterranean climate regions is usually a total mixed ration with a base of conserved summer crops such as corn silage and alfalfa hay. However, there is increased labor and financial cost related to this kind of feeding, which could be reduced if fresh forages were used in place of some of the conserved forage in the cow diet. The objective of our study was to evaluate the effect of including fresh mixed annual ryegrass and berseem clover into the diet of dairy cows on milk, nitrogen utilization, and methane emission. Twenty-four lactating dairy cows were split into two groups and offered either a diet similar to that usually offered to the cows (CON) or one where a mixture of fresh annual ryegrass and berseem clover was used to partially substitute the corn silage and alfalfa hay in the diet (MIX). Milk yield was recorded automatically, and methane emissions were estimated using the SF6 tracer technique. The MIX diet had lower crude protein concentration (148 vs. 170 g/kg DM) but higher DM digestibility (81.6 vs. 78.6%) than the CON diet. Compared to the cows offered the CON diet, milk yield was reduced when cows were fed the MIX diet (36.4 vs. 31.9 kg/d), but methane emissions (381 vs. 332 g/d) and nitrogen excretion were also reduced (238 vs. 180 g/d). Nitrogen use efficiency was unaffected (30.8%). In addition, milk from cows fed the MIX diet had a fatty acid profile considered to be more beneficial to human health than that of the milk from cows fed the CON diet. Increasing the protein concentration in the MIX diet, either by direct supplementation or increasing the proportion of legume in the mixed herbage, could overcome the reduction on milk and positively affect methane emission and N use efficiency.
Meat Consumers' Opinion Regarding Unhealthy Pigs: Should They Be Treated with Antibiotics or Euthanized on Farm?
(2021) Lemos Teixeira, Dayane; Enriquez-Hidalgo, Daniel; Estay Espinoza, Tamara; Bas, Fernando; Hotzel, Maria Jose
The aim of this study was to investigate the opinions of meat consumers (n = 1780) on on-farm management of unhealthy pigs, whether support for treatment with antibiotics varies according with chance of recovery, and the effect of knowledge on the use of antibiotics on these opinions. Most participants believed that the use of antibiotics was the best solution for unhealthy pigs, and this was associated with a low level of knowledge about antibiotics. Increasing the probability of recovery after treatment increased support for treating pigs with antibiotics. However, the majority of participants rejected the consumption of meat from animals housed in "hospital pens". After price, concern with food safety was the second main factor that influenced participants' choice when buying meat. Support for the use of antibiotics to deal with unhealthy pigs in "hospital pens", as well as for consumption of the meat from these animals, was higher among participants involved in agriculture. This shows that consumers are unaware of the potential negative repercussions for animal welfare associated with banning or reducing the use of antibiotics in livestock production, which is an important concern for the industry.
Pigs' capacity to experience feelings and to suffer from tail lesion, ear lesion and lameness: Exploring citizens and pig farm and abattoir workers' knowledge and perceptions
(2023) Teixeira, Dayane Lemos; Salazar, Laura C.; Enriquez-Hidalgo, Daniel; Hotzel, Maria Jose
The aim of this study was to gain insight into the perceptions of pig farm and abattoir workers as well as lay citizens regarding (1) sentience and (2) positive (intelligent and friendly) and negative (gluttonous, stubborn and dirty) attributes of pigs. We also aimed to investigate the (3) knowledge and perceptions of pig farm and abattoir workers on tail lesion, ear lesion and lameness in pigs and (4) the opinion of lay citizens regarding the likelihood of tail lesions, ear lesions, and lameness causing suffering in pigs and affecting meat quality. Chilean pig farm workers (n = 116), pig abattoir workers (n = 95), and lay citizens (n = 708) were invited on farm, at the abattoir and in public places, respectively, to participate in a survey. Answers were indicated using a 5-point Likert scale (0 = totally disagree; 4 = totally agree). Data were analysed using generalized linear models, including recruitment place and socio-demographic data as predictor variables. Female and lay citizens attributed pigs a higher capacity to experience feelings than male participants and pig farm and abattoir workers (p < 0.05). Lay citizens and workers recruited on farm described pigs as being more intelligent and friendly than those workers recruited at the abattoir (p < 0.001); recruitment place and sex were not associated with participants' perception regarding negative attributes of pigs (p > 0.05). Most lay citizens considered that tail lesions, ear lesions and lameness are likely to cause suffering in pigs and older participants had higher odds of agreeing that tail and ear lesions are likely to affect meat quality (p < 0.05). Finally, the risk factors for tail lesion, ear lesions and lameness pointed out by pig farm and abattoir workers is in line with what has been suggested by experts. Our findings contribute to understand the perception and values of all stakeholders regarding animal welfare, as it is crucial to improve the sustainability of animal production systems.
Skin Temperature of Slaughter Pigs With Tail Lesions
(2020) Teixeira, Dayane Lemos; Boyle, Laura Ann; Enriquez-Hidalgo, Daniel
The aim of this study was to assess the effect of tail lesion severity on skin temperature of slaughter pigs measured at the base of the tail and the ear by infrared thermography camera and to evaluate the association between the temperature measurements. Pigs were randomly selected in the lairage, containing similar to 200 pigs/pen. Tail lesions were scored according to severity, using a 0-4 scale. Tail lesion scores 0 and 1 were summed as it was difficult to distinguish healed lesions from mild lesions due to animal dirtiness. In total, 269 study pigs were imaged at the two locations. The effect of tail lesion score and sex of the pig on the highest temperature of the infrared image areas were analyzed using linear mixed models. Association between the tail base and ear base temperatures was evaluated using Pearson correlation. Skin temperature measured at the base of the tail was significantly lower for tails scored 0-1 than for all other tail lesion scores (P < 0.05). Pigs with tail lesion scored 2 had significantly lower skin temperatures at the base of the tail than pigs with tail lesion scored 3 or 4 (P < 0.05) while there was no difference in skin temperature at the base of the tail between pigs with tail lesion scored 3 and 4 (P > 0.05). Skin temperature measured at the ear base was significantly lower for pigs with tail lesion scored 0-1 than pigs of all other tail lesion scores (P < 0.05) with no difference between the other scores (P > 0.05). Furthermore, there was an association between the two measurements (r = 0.50; P < 0.001). The findings suggest that even pigs with moderate tail lesions (score 2) may have general inflammation and infection, evidenced by the elevated systemic temperature compared to pigs with none or mild tail lesion (score 0-1).
The effect of transferring dairy cows from a group housing system to individual pens for research purposes on behaviour and milk yield
(2023) Pereira, Fabiellen C.; Teixeira, Dayane L.; Boyle, Laura; Machado, Luiz C. Pinheiro F.; Williams, Richard S. O.; Enriquez-Hidalgo, Daniel
Context. Cows are often subjected to different environmental and handling conditions for research purposes, and it is important to understand potential behavioural changes, as they may influence research outcomes. Aim. To investigate how a transfer from a group housing system to individual pens affected dairy cow behaviour. Methods. Lactating dairy cows (n = 24), housed in an open-sided barn, were transferred to individual pens for 10 weeks. For another experiment's purposes, cows were assigned to a control or an experimental diet. Measurements were taken before transfer (pre), after transfer to the individual pens (early), in the individual pens (late transfer) and on return to the barn (post transfer). Cows' behaviour was assessed every 10 min for 8 h per day, and whether cows were eating, ruminating or idling was recorded. Occurrences of social interactions were recorded continuously during the last 60-s of every 10-min observation. Lying time was recorded using dataloggers. Locomotory ability assessment and daily milk yields were also recorded. Key results. Ruminating and eating time was not affected by diet type, but decreased after transfer to the individual pens. Only eating time returned to pre transfer values at early transfer. Time that control cows spent idling increased in individual pens, whereas the experimental diet cows spent more time idling in the early transfer phase. Social interactions occurred more often during late and post transfer phases. Cow locomotory ability was not affected by the transfer or by type of diet, but total lying time increased from pre to post transfer, the number of lying bouts decreased from late to post transfer phases, and lying bout duration increased as the experimental period progressed. Milk yield gradually reduced over time, and it was affected by the type of diet. Conclusion. Behavioural changes in dairy cows during transfer between housing systems featured adaptive characteristics and did not seem to be detrimental to the major research.
The Equipment Used in the SF₆ Technique to Estimate Methane Emissions Has No Major Effect on Dairy Cow Behavior
(2021) Cristina Pereira, Fabiellen; Lemos Teixeira, Dayane; Boyle, Laura Ann; Pinheiro Machado Filho, Luiz Carlos; Williams, Shaun Richard Owen; Enriquez-Hidalgo, Daniel
The natural behavior of animals can be disrupted by the techniques and materials of research methodologies. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the equipment used in the SF6 tracer technique to estimate enteric methane emissions on the behavior of lactating dairy cows. The cows (n = 24) were allocated to one of two diets: CONTROL and experimental diet (MIX). Behavior was assessed through video recordings between milking times during four phases: 3 days before fitting the cows with the SF6 equipment (PRE), first 2 days after the cows were fitted with the SF6 equipment (ADAP), 3 days during methane emission measurements (MEAS), and 2 days after the SF6 equipment removal (POST). The behaviors recorded included eating, ruminating or idling, resting, and others. Affiliative or agonistic and discomfort behaviors (scratching or pushing the equipment) were also recorded. Lying time was recorded over 14 days using dataloggers fitted to the cows' leg. Milk production and feed intake were recorded daily. MIX cows ruminated more than CONTROL cows (P = 0.05). The cows ruminated more at MEAS than in any other phase (P < 0.01). Time spent idling gradually decreased from PRE to MEAS for MIX cows (P < 0.01). The cows were lying down longer in MEAS than in ADAP and POST (P < 0.01). The time spent lying with the head down was shorter during PRE and ADAP than during POST (P < 0.05). No difference was observed in the occurrence of discomfort or agonistic behaviors (P > 0.05). Affiliative behaviors occurred more often in ADAP than in MEAS (P < 0.05). There was no difference between phases in daily lying time, number of lying bouts per day, or mean bout duration (P > 0.05). Milk production was not influenced by the SF6 equipment (P > 0.05). Dry matter intake was higher for CONTROL cows (P < 0.01), and it decreased from PRE to MEAS (P < 0.01). However, milk yield did not differ between cows wearing the SF6 equipment and those without it (P > 0.05). We conclude that the SF6 equipment had a minimal effect on dairy cow behavior.

Browsing by Author "Enriquez-Hidalgo, Daniel"

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