M. Comellini

Pea (Pisum sativum) in dairy cow diet: effect on milk production and quality

Abstract The use of alternative plant protein in place of soybean meal protein in diets for farmed animals aims to reduce the extra-EU soybean import and partially substitute GMO in the food chain. Among the possible alternatives, the heat-processed (flaked) pea appears interesting in dairy cow diets. Two consecutive experiments were carried out to test flaked peas as a partial substitute for soybean meal in the diet of Reggiana breed dairy cows producing milk for Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese-making. In both experiments a “Control” concentrate (8.3% soybean meal) was compared to a “Pea” concentrate (5% soybean meal and 15% flaked peas). Forages fed to animals included mixed grass hay and alfalfa hay in experiment 1, and hay (mixed grass and alfalfa) plus mixed grass in experiment 2. Milk yield and quality, and the characteristics of grab faecal samples, examined to get some empirical indicators of digestibility, were similar between feeding groups. Compositional changes (crude protein and solubility) in forages used as common base in the diets of both experiments had a slight effect on milk and plasma urea contents. There was a tendency for a higher milk urea content in the “Pea” group (32.3 vs 30.1mg/dl in experiment 1, P<0.1; 30.2 vs 28.0mg/dl in experiment 2, P<0.1). The plasma urea content was different only in experiment 2 (4.9 vs 5.6mmol/l, respectively for “Control” and “Pea” groups; P<0.05). The inclusion of the heat-processed pea within the allowed limit of the Parmigiano-Reggiano Consortium for diet formulation could represent a feasible opportunity for a partial substitution of soybean meal.

Faba beans (Vicia faba) in dairy cow diet: effect on milk production and quality

The use of alternative plant proteins in place of the soybean meal protein in diets for farmed animals aims to reduce the extra-EU soybean import and partially substitute the GMO in the food chain. Among the possible alternatives, the heat-processed (flaked) faba beans appears interesting for dairy cow diet. Two consecutive experiments were carried out to test flaked faba beans as a partial substitute for soybean meal in the diet of Reggiana breed dairy cows producing milk for Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese-making. In both experiments a “Control” concentrate (12% soybean meal, no faba beans) was compared with a “Faba” concentrate (7.5% soybean meal and 10% flaked faba beans). Forages fed to animals were hay (mixed grass and alfalfa) plus mixed grass in experiment 1, hay only in experiment 2. Milk yield and quality and the characteristics of grab faecal samples as empirical indicators of digestibility, were similar between feeding groups. The milk urea content was slightly lower in the “Faba” group, particularly in experiment 2 (“Control” vs “Faba”: 34.6 vs 32.9 mg/dL in experiment 1, P<0.1; 27.4 vs 23.4 mg/dL in experiment 2, P<0.01); the plasma urea content in experiment 2 confirmed the trend observed in milk (3.9 vs 3.0 mmol/L, P<0.01). The inclusion of faba beans, within the allowed limit of the Parmigiano-Reggiano Consortium for diet formulation, could represent a feasible opportunity for a partial substitution of soybean meal.

Effect of Farm Floor Type on the Behaviour of Heavy Pigs during Pre-slaughter Handling

Nanni Costa, L., 2007. Effect of farm floor type on the behaviour of heavy pigs during pre-slaughter handling. Veterinary Research Communications, 31(Suppl. 1), 397–399

Preliminary investigation of the use of digital image analysis for raw ham evaluation

Abstract In order to find objective parameters for the evaluation of pig thighs to be used for PDO processing, digital images of the external surface of 384 left thighs were acquired, to be used for multivariate image analysis. The following parameters were also measured on the same samples: weight, length, circumference, thickness of fat and thigh, globosity index and colour of skin. Moreover, a subjective evaluation of veining and red skin defects was also made by an expert assessor. Multivariate analysis of the digital images showed a separation of the analysed samples in two clusters, whose differences were then investigated on the basis of the other traits. Various differences between the two clusters where found, mainly for the size-related parameters.

Effect of stunning voltage and scalding method on the incidence of the “red skin” defect of Parma ham

Effect of stunning voltage and scalding method on the incidence of the “red skin” defect of Parma ham D. P. Lo Fiego & M. Comellini & M. C. Ielo & F. Tassone & L. A. Volpelli # Springer Science + Business Media B.V. 2009

Effect of the slaughterhouse on the incidence of defects in raw pig ham destined to the dry-curing process

Effect of the slaughterhouse on the incidence of defects in raw pig ham destined to the dry-curing process L. Nanni Costa & F. Tassone & M. Comellini & M. C. Ielo & D. P. Lo Fiego & V. Russo Published online: 7 August 2008 # Springer Science + Business Media B.V. 2008

Effect of different pre-slaughter procedures on behavioural and blood parameters in pigs

Abstract The effect of different pre-slaughter procedures on behavioural and blood parameters were evaluated on 120 pigs reared in one farm and delivered in groups of 40 subjects to three slaughterhouses. Due to the different attitude of the personnel involved, differences in handling were evident at loading and at unloading where the difficulties to drive the pigs increased the behavioural events. Blood analysis parameters showed that different resting time did not reduce the physical stress experienced by the pigs, which seems related “per se” to loading, transport and unloading and not to the different handling applied in each slaughter plant.

Modification of lipid fraction in ensiled high moisture corn

The aim of this work is to study the changes of the lipidic fraction of ensiled high moisture corn (HMC). 11 maize hybrids were used, ensiled each in 3 mini experimental silos of 100 litres. For each hybrid 1 sample of fresh high moisture corn was obtained immediately after milling and 3 samples of ensiling HMC were kept after 2, 7 and 12 months. All samples were analysed for pH, dry matter, lactic acid, ammonia-N, ether extract, fatty acid composition and volatile fatty acids (VFAs). Ether extract of fresh high moisture corn was 35.7 g/kg dry matter (DM) and increased after 2 and 7 months of storage up to 39.4 g/Kg DM (P≤0.01); after 12 months it decreased to 38.1 g/kg DM (P≤0.01). Both saturated fatty acids (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) percentages decreased from 18.23% to 15.47% and from 24.84% to 23.57% respectively (before ensiling vs 12 months P≤0.01). Linoleic acid percentage increased from 55.34% to 59.44% (before ensiling vs 12 months P≤0.01). The linoleic acid content (g/kg of DM) increased on average from 19,1 before ensiling to 22.5 after 12 months of ensiling. These differences may affect the linoleic acid content of heavy pig diets when maize is used as HMC instead of corn meal.

Pea (Pisum sativum) and faba beans (Vicia faba) in dairy cow diet: effect on milk production and quality

The use of alternative plant proteins in place of the soybean meal protein in diets for producing animals aims to reduce the extra-EU soybean import and partially substitute the GMO in the food chain. Among possible alternatives, the heat-processed legume grains seem interesting for dairy cow diets. Two consecutive experiments were carried out to evaluate flaked pea and faba beans as substitute for soybean meal in diets for Reggiana breed dairy cows producing milk for Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese-making. In both experiments a C concentrate (110 g/kg soybean meal, no pea and faba beans) was compared to a PF concentrate (150 g/kg flaked pea, 100 g/kg flaked faba beans, no soybean meal). Forages fed to animals were hay (mixed grass and alfalfa) in experiment 1 and hay plus mixed grass in experiment 2. Concentrate intake, milk yield and milk quality (rennet coagulation traits included) were similar between feeding groups. Parameters on the grab faecal samples, as empirical indicators of digestibility, had a smaller (P<0.01) amount of residual concentrate in the PF group compared to the C group (2.4 vs 3.1 and 2.3 vs 2.8%, respectively for PF and C in experiment 1 and 2). Some blood indicators of nitrogen metabolism (protein, albumin, urea) were similar between the feeding groups. The inclusion of pea and faba beans, within the allowed limit of the Parmigiano-Reggiano Consortium for diet formulation, could represent a feasible opportunity for a total substitution of soybean meal.

Faba bean in dairy cow diet: effect on milk production and quality

Abstract Two consecutive trials were carried out to test flaked faba beans as a partial substitute for soybean meal (SBM) in the diet of Reggiana breed dairy cows. In both trials a “Control” concentrate (12% dehulled SBM) was compared to a “Faba” concentrate (7.5% dehulled SBM; 10% flaked faba beans). Forages fed to animals included hay (mixed grass and alfalfa) plus green mixed grass in trial 1, hay only in trial 2. Concentrate intake, faecal scores, milk yield and quality were similar between feeding groups. The milk urea content was lower in the “Faba” group (“Control” vs. “Faba”: 34.6 vs. 32.9mg/dl in trial 1, P<0.1; 27.4 vs. 23.4mg/dl in trial 2, P<0.01). The plasma urea was different only in trial 2 (“Control” vs. “Faba”: 3.9 vs. 3.0mmol/l, P<0.01). The inclusion of faba beans within the allowed limit of the Parmigiano-Reggiano Consortium for diet formulation could represent a feasible opportunity for a partial substitution of SBM.