News & Events
Recent graduates from the group:
Alana Schudel recently graduated with an MSc in Agricultural Sciences, after completing her masters thesis project in our group. She is now working as a regional consultant for external page Multiforsa AG, specialists in the field of minerals and calf milk powder.
We wish Alana all the best in her new job!
Latest Publication: Learning end-to-end respiratory rate prediction of dairy cows from RGB videos
M. Wang, S. Li, R. Peng, S.E. Räisänen, A.M. Serviento, X. Sun, K. Wang, F. Yu, M. Niu
doi: external page 10.3168/jds.2023-24601
An end-to-end computer vision method has been developed to monitor the respiratory rate (RR) of dairy cows, crucial for assessing their health and welfare. The new approach utilizes the advanced Transformer model, VideoMAE, to analyze video data and automatically select relevant regions like the cow's abdomen for RR prediction. Unlike traditional methods that require multiple processing steps, this method simplifies the process and reduces errors. Tested on video data from 6 cows, the model demonstrated strong performance with a mean absolute error of 2.58 breaths per minute and a Pearson correlation of 0.86. This innovative method shows promise for automated RR monitoring in dairy farms and could potentially be expanded to include other behavioral and identification monitoring.
Two demonstration videos can be found here: Demonstration Video: RR Monitoring for Dairy Cows
July 2024
Welcome Usman Arshad
Dr. Usman Arshad joined the Animal Nutrition group this month, we would like to extend a warm welcome to Usman!
We would also like to congratulate him on receiving the 2024 National Milk Producers Federation: Richard M. Hoyt Award
The American Dairy Science Association® (ADSA®) is pleased to announce Usman Arshad as the 2024 recipient of the National Milk Producers Federation: Richard M. Hoyt Award. The award was presented on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, during the awards ceremony at the ADSA Annual Meeting in West Palm Beach, Florida.
The National Milk Producers Federation: Richard M. Hoyt Award was created to recognize outstanding research efforts with direct application to problems of the US dairy industry.
Recent publications from the group:
Exhalomics as a noninvasive method for assessing rumen fermentation in dairy cows: Can exhaled-breath metabolomics replace rumen sampling?
This is the first study that validates exhalomics as a reliable method to assess rumen fermentation in dairy cows, showing consistent volatile fatty acid patterns regardless of diet or measurement method. This study open the door for non-invasive assessment of nutrient fermentation in dairy cows.
Islam MZ, Räisänen S, Schudel A, Wang K, He T, Kunz C, Li Y, Ma X, Serviento AM, Zeng Z, Wahl F, Zenobi R, Giannoukos S, Niu M. (2024) Journal of Dairy Science, 107(4), 2099–2110. external page https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2023-24124
Modeling the effect of ambient temperature on reticulorumen temperature, and drinking and eating behaviors of late-lactation dairy cows during colder seasons.
This study reveals how cold weather affects dairy cows in late lactation: colder temperatures increase feed intake, reduce water intake, and alter eating, drinking, and rumination behaviors. Key findings include how water and feed temperatures impact feed efficiency due to the extra energetic cost of thermoregulation.
Serviento AM, He T, Ma X, Räisänen SE, Niu M. (2024) Animal. Published online May 31, 2024. doi:external page 10.1016/j.animal.2024.101209
Effects of 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP, Bovaer®10) and whole cottonseed on milk production, total-tract digestibility, and enteric methane emissions from dairy cows under Swiss management conditions.
A new study, in collaboration with the Nestle research team, finds 3-NOP (one of the most promising enteric CH4 inhibitors approved to be used as a feed additive) reduces methane emissions by 18-19% in Holstein Friesian dairy cows but less effective in Brown Swiss. Whole cottonseed boosts milk fat yield without enhancing CH4 reduction. This is the first study shows divergent CH4 mitigation effects of 3-NOP in different breed of cows, demonstrating the importance of breed differences in implementing CH4 mitigation strategies and national greenhouse gas inventories.
Ma X, Räisänen SE, Bobkov M, Garcia-Ascolani ME, He T, Islam MZ, Li Y, Peng R, Reichenbach M, Serviento AM, Soussan E, Sun X, Wang K, Yang S, Zeng Z, Niu M. (2024) In press, Journal of Dairy Science. external page https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2023-24460
Chiropractic effects on stride parameters and heart rate during exercise in sport horses.
This new study finds riders perceive improved quality in ridden work following chiropractic treatments in hunter-jumper horses, despite no changes in stride metrics or heart rate. Further research needed on chiropractic benefits.
Lorello O, Rule E, Haughan J, et al. (2024) Equine Vet J. Published online January 4, 2024. doi:external page 10.1111/evj.14043
Dietary supplementation of vitamin D3 and calcium partially recover the compromised time budget and circadian rhythm of lying behavior in lactating cows under heat stress.
The study finds heat stress reduces lying time and disrupts circadian rhythms in dairy cows. Supplementing with vitamin D3 and Ca partially restores normal behavior, demonstrating effectiveness and importance of nutritional modulation in mitigating negative effect of heat stress in animals.
Wang K, Ruiz González A, Räisänen SE, Ouellet V, Boucher A, Rico DE, Niu M. (2024) Journal of Dairy Science, 107(3), 1707–1718. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2023-23589
Tween® 80 is a suitable emulsifier for in vitro ruminal gas production and fermentation: comparative assessment of seven emulsifiers.
This new study evaluates 7 emulsifiers on rumen fermentation: Tween® 80 emerges as most inert, ideal for in vitro incubations with lipophilic substances. Ethanol viable alternative when methane isn't a concern.
Sun X, Li Y, Giller K, Kunz C, Terranova M, Niu M. (2024) Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition, 10.1111/jpn.13924. Advance online publication. external page https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.13924
Additionally, our guest student Senlin Zhu has published Single-cell transcriptomics across 2,534 microbial species reveals functional heterogeneity in the rumen microbiome
The study applied a single-cell transcriptomics approach to explore the rumen microbiome, revealing functional diversity among single-cell microbes. The cell atlas was mapped to the to-date largest ruminants microbial genomes database. As a result, they identified 172 core active species in the single-cell level and detailed the specific roles of species like Basfia succiniciproducens in carbohydrate metabolism. This study highlights microbial niche adaptations and offers a valuable resource for further microbiome research..
Jia, M., Zhu, S., Xue, MY. et al. Single-cell transcriptomics across 2,534 microbial species reveals functional heterogeneity in the rumen microbiome. Nat Microbiol (2024). https://doi.org/external page 10.1038/s41564-024-01723-9
The Animal Nutrition Group at the external page American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) Annual Meeting June 16–19, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Florida
Posters:
- Abs.2127: Dr. Meiqing Wang presents “Predicting feed intake for dairy cows using an RGB image-based approach.”
- Abs.2401: Xiaoqi Ma presents “Biochemical methane potential to evaluate potential trade-offs between methane emissions from enteric and manure fermentation when enteric methane emissions of dairy cows are mitigated.” In collaboration with Dr. April Leytem from US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS).
Poster and Spot-light:
- Abs. 2607 & 2607-SPOT: Dr. Meiqing Wang presents “Machine learning models to predict sleep state and stages of dairy cows using noseband sensor parameters and respiratory rate.” In collaboration with Fisher Yu.
Oral presentation:
- Abs.1335: Kai Wang presents “Feed intake regulation stabilized daily intake pattern but reduced lactational performance with little impact on rumen fermentation or efficacy of 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP) in dairy cows.” In collaboration with Frigga Dohme-Meier from Agroscope.
- Abs.1337: Md Zakirul Islam presents our novel findings on #3NOP efficacy: “Divergent effects of 3-nitrooxypropanol on methane emissions and exhaled volatile fatty acid profiles in Holstein and Brown Swiss cows, and its lack of synergy with Acacia mearnsii tannin extract.”
- Abs. 1367: Dr. Daniel E. Rico presents our collaborative work with Dr. Yachun Wang from China Agricultural University: “Modeling the effect of heat stress exposure on daily rumination time and milk yield in multiparous lactating cows.”
- Abs. 1368: Boris Zandona presents “Development of a video-based method for identifying and tracking Holstein cows in a freestall barn environment.”
- Abs. 1549: Md Zakirul Islam presents “Exhalomics as a mirror to rumen fluid metabolomics in dairy cows.” In collaboration with Renato Zenobi and Stamatis Giannoukos from ETH, and Fabian Wahl from Agroscope.
- Abs. 1603: Mario Barrientos presents “Methodology for breath profiling in dairy cows: A novel approach for metabolic assessment.” In collaboration with Renato Zenobi and Stamatis Giannoukos from ETH, and Fabian Wahl from Agroscope.
- Abs. 1616: Dr. Susanna Räisänen presents “Evaluation of milk energy predictions based on inclusion of energy content of individual milk components and their constituents.”
- Abs. 1552: Dr. Yang Li presents “Hydroponic fodder as alternative feeds to reduce methane (CH4) emission, and their effects on ruminal digestibility: An in vitro study.”
Additionally, Prof. Mutian Niu will be chairing the “Ruminant Nutrition Platform Session: Challenges and Opportunities for the Impactful Implementation of Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Strategies” on Tuesday, 1:30 – 4 pm.
Spring Conference May 2024
Spring Conference May 2024
Strickhof Forum, Eschikon
23.05.2024
We were pleased to welcome colleagues from the field of animal nutrition to our Spring Conference on Thursday, 23rd May 2024.
After a welcoming speech by Mutian Niu the day began with engaging presentations from our keynote speakers, moderated by Joël Berard, Agroscope.
Luciano Pinotti, Unimi, gave us insights into “Ex-food quality and safety: present and future challenges”. Lutz Merbold, Agroscope, raised compelling points about food waste and the affordability of healthy diets in “Animal-source foods and its contribution to healthy and environmentally sustainable diets”. In a joint presenation by Brigitta Wichert and Daniel Brugger, UZH, the isssues around finding balance between the environment and animal health were explored in their talk “Environmental protection and animal health - a conflict of objectives? The supply of minerals in the 21st century.”
After a coffee break, Martin Gierus, BOKU, spoke to us about why dietary fibre is difficult to define and measure, in his presentation “Influence of feed processing and dietary fiber on digestion and nutrient utilization”. The morning was completed with a presentation of “Challenges and opportunities in enteric methane mitigation of dairy cattle” by Mutian Niu, ETH Zurich.
In the afternoon, highlights from ongoing research were presented, moderated by Annettte Liesegang, UZH. The following, interesting presentations were given:
- “Histidine requirements in lactating dairy cows: aiming for low protein diets with optimal production efficiency” Susanna Räisänen, ETH Zurich
- “Microplastics in feed – a problem?” Daniel Brugger, UZH
- “Dynamics of bone mineralization in sows as a function of dietary phosphorus during lactation” Julien Heurtault, Agroscope
- “Synergistic effects of whey and 3-NOP on ruminal methane mitigation: an in vitro study” Helene Luisier, U. Hohenheim/Strickhof
- “Rumiplan the next generation of feeding: optimise feeding by view of economy and ecology” Markus Rombach, AGRIDEA
Throughout the day there was ample time to study the 33 posters, and to network with colleagues. Melissa Terranova, Head of Research AgroVet-Strickhof, was pleased to announce poster prizes awarded to:
- Marion Girard, from Agroscope, “The water solubility of dietary fibers affects sow farrowing duration, colostrum production and offspring growth” (Prize from the Poster Committee)
- Md Zakirul Islam, ETH Animal Nutrition “Exhalomics as a Mirror to Rumen Fluid Metabolomics in Dairy Cows” (selected as best poster by conference participants)
- Inés García Viñado from Agroscope, “CapSa project: In-vivo validation of a non-invasive tool to collect intestinal content in postweaning pigs” (selected as 2nd place poster by conference participants)
The prize winners each received a gift basket from the Strickhof farm shop. Congratulations!
The day concluded with a short closing word from Mutian Niu, including an invitation to join us again in 2025.
The conference abstracts are available. If you wish to receive a printed or digital version, please contact Elli Broxham
Graduation celebration Agricultural Sciences and Food Science
Graduation celebration Agricultural Sciences and Food Science
At the ceremony on April 19, 2024, a total of 109 graduates of ETH Zurich's Agricultural Sciences and Food Science study programs celebrated their successful graduation.
In keeping with tradition, this year's celebration began with a poster exhibition featuring posters on all the work in the two degree programs. This was accompanied by coffee and cake, and the graduates had the opportunity to present their work to their relatives and friends.
The ceremony, in the Audimax, was opened by Prof. Michael Siegrist, Director of Studies in Food Science. In the keynote address that followed, Ariane Bulant, who completed her Master's degree in Food Science in 2017, gave the graduates some thoughts to take with them into their future careers.
After the keynote speech, a total of seven prize winners received their awards, including::
Wilhelm Schaumann Prize for a master's thesis in Agricultural Sciences: Pascal Urscheler
As always, the highlight of the ceremony was the congratulatory sequence in which the graduates were honored. Three Animal Nutrition students graduated:
Pascal Urscheler, with the thesis title: The use of whey in suckler cow feeding – effects on digestion and enteric methane emissions, supervised by Prof. Mutian Niu and Dr. Melissa Terranova, AgroVet-Strickhof
Ramon Winterburg, with the thesis title: Spatially indicator of nitrogen circularity assessment of livestock husbandry, supervised by Prof. Mutian Niu and Dr. Catherine Pfeifer, FiBL
Boris Zandona, with the thesis title: Development of a computer vision-based method for identifying and tracking Holstein cows in a free-stall barn environment, supervised by Prof. Mutian Niu and Dr. Meiqing Wang
Congratulations to all the graduates!
May 2024
Currently available topics for a semester project or Master thesis:
Development of a tracking algorithm for Brown Swiss and Holstein dairy dairy cows in a free-stall barn environment
Assessment of dairy cow heat stress by behaviour monitoring using computer vision approach
April 2024
Open Position in the group
Postdoctoral Scholar in Dairy Food Quality
April 2024
Congratulations to Xinjie Zhao
Xinjie recently published a review article as the first author from her Master’s work external page “Unlocking the power of postbiotics: A revolutionary approach to nutrition for humans and animals” in the journal Cell Metabolism. Xinjie is a guest in our group from China Agricultural University, Beijing
April 2024
SNSF Grant Awarded
The four-year project “Improving animal welfare with non-invasive breathomics approach for health assessment of dairy cows” has been awarded an SNSF grant. For more information please contact Mutian Niu or Mario Barrientos
April 2024
Spring Conference Animal Nutrition: Role of animal nutrition in sustainability goals for Switzerland and beyond
external page Programme and external page Registration
Date : 23.05.2024
Location : Forum AgroVet-Strickhof, 8315 Lindau
Gain exclusive insights into the latest research findings on animal nutrition. At this year’s conference current research will be presented for a comprehensive overview of developments in the field of animal nutrition in Switzerland and beyond. The focus of the conference is on the contribution that animal nutrition can make to the implementation of agricultural policy goals.
Experience inspiring presentations and an interactive poster session, and take the opportunity to exchange ideas with like-minded people.
Guidelines for authors of poster abstracts for the Spring Conference on May 23rd, 2024, at Forum AgroVet-Strickhof
Language: English
Page size: A4
Margin: left, right, bottom each 2 cm, top 3 cm
Font: Arial
Title: Size 16 pt, bold face, left aligned; followed by one blank line
Authors, Institutions: Size 12 pt, left aligned; followed by one blank line
Please specify contact person and e-mail address
Text: Size 12 pt, line space 1.5, adjusted margin
Abstract length: Space limitations allow a maximum of 2,300 keystrokes (including characters, spaces and punctuation, title, keywords, and tables). Begin the count at the title and end the count with the last keyword or the end of the table, if one is included) The keystroke count does not include author names and references.
Tables: Max. 1, included in character count, tables should be a maximum of 10 columns and 15 rows; keep this in mind when you are formatting tables
Citations in the text:
e.g. (Schams et al., 1991) or (Huntington et al., 1988, 1990)
(Eisemann et al., 1986; McShane et al., 1989)
Eisemann et al. (1986) and McShane et al. (1989)
References:
e.g. Broderick, G.A. and Kang, J.H. (1980): Automated simultaneous determination of ammonia and total amino acids in ruminal fluid and in vitro media. J. Dairy Sci. 63: 64-75
Cleale, R.M., Britton, A., Klopfenstein, T., Bauer, M.L., Harmon, P. and Satterlee, L.D. (1987): Induced non-enzymatic browning of soybean meal. II. Ruminal escape and net portal absorption of soybean protein treated with xylose. J. Anim. Sci. 65: 1319-1326
Kröber, T.F., Sutter, F., Senn, M., Langhans, W. and Kreuzer, M. (1999): Limitation by leucine and lysine additional to methionine in silage-concentrate based diets fed to early lactation cows. In: Book of Abstracts of the VIIth Int. Symp. Protein Metabolism and Nutrition (Lobley, G.E., White, A., MacRae, J.C., eds). Wageningen Pers, Wageningen, The Netherlands: p.80
Page numbers: none
Header or footer: none
Please note that text and figures should be still legible when reduced from A4 to A5 (especially tables and figures) and that the printed version of the conference proceedings will only be black and white.
Please send your abstracts to Elli Broxham by 15.04.2024
Feb. 2024
Welcome Chris N’Cho
Chris joins the group as a Post-Doctoral Scientist this month. He was previously at Suncheon National University (SCNU), South Korea.
Feb. 2024
Contact
Professur für Tierernährung
Universitätstrasse 2
8092
Zürich
Switzerland
