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Scientists publish handbook on experimental methods in nutrition and behavioral research on cattle
How do you measure how much methane a cow produces? What are the ways to assess stress and health in cattle? What should be considered in behavioral testing? Researchers from ten nations have published a handbook as part of the EU SmartCow project that for the first time provides an overview of a variety of experimental methods in nutritional and behavioral research on cattle.
The handbook has been published online by PUBLISSO Cologne and is open to all interested scientists and livestock farmers. The handbook was published by the partners of the EU project SmartCow. "The German editors and authors are from the Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN) in Dummerstorf," explained PD Dr. Björn Kuhla, department head at the Institute of Nutritional Physiology there. "The main issue is to establish uniform minimum standards throughout Europe for measuring digestibility, emissions, behavior and much more. Up to now, this has often been done very inconsistently," Dr. Björn Kuhla emphasized.
The authors from Spain, Denmark, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Finland, Canada and France as well as from Germany describe in 19 chapters in detail the experimental principles in the field of nutritional and behavioral research on cattle. Emphasis is placed on various measurement methods for recording methane emissions from cattle, including respiration chambers, mobile measuring stations, and the use of tracer-assisted techniques in barns and on pasture. The first compilation of research methods of this kind to date is intended to enable young scientists in particular to conduct their research more effectively and comparably on the basis of standardized procedures and benchmarks as well as ethical principles. The publication was funded by the Leibniz Association Open Access Fund and the FBN Open Access Fund.
Background EU project „SmartCow“
Three years ago, the SmartCow joint project, funded by the European Union, was initiated. Institutes of top-level research from seven European countries are involved, including the Research Institute of Farm Animal Biology (FBN) in Dummerstorf. As part of the international consortium, these research institutes are making their experimental infrastructure and know-how available. Natural scientists from all European countries as well as business partners can use these for their own research activities. France is coordinating the project, which is funded to the tune of 5 million euros. The research focus is on the European cattle sector. Three studies are currently underway at the FBN with scientists from Austria, Norway and Ireland. Further information can be found at: http://www.smartcow.eu
Methods in cattle physiology and behaviour research – Recommendations from the SmartCow consortium, 2021
Methoden in der Rinderphysiologie und Verhaltensforschung – Empfehlungen des SmartCow-Konsortiums, 2021
https://books.publisso.de/en/publisso_gold/publishing/books/overview/53/199/over...
Institut für Nutztierbiologie (FBN)
Vorstand Prof. Dr. Klaus Wimmers
T +49 38208-68 600
E wimmers@fbn-dummerstorf.de
Institut für Ernährungsphysiologie „Oskar Kellner“
Leitung Prof. Dr. Cornelia C. Metges
T +49 38208-68 650
E metges@fbn-dummerstorf.de
SmartCow-Studienleiter PD Dr. Björn Kuhla
T +49 38208-68 695
E b.kuhla@fbn-dummerstorf.de
http://www.fbn-dummerstorf.de
SmartCow-Studienleiter PD Dr. Björn Kuhla
T +49 38208-68 695
E b.kuhla@fbn-dummerstorf.de
Methods in cattle physiology and behaviour research – Recommendations from the SmartCow consortium, 2021
https://books.publisso.de/en/publisso_gold/publishing/books/overview/53/199/over...
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