The beef cattle sector is a cornerstone of the Italian agri-food system, which, for the supply of live animals, relies almost exclusively on France. Importation and transport to Italy constitute significant sources of stress capable of compromising animal welfare during the receiving phase, a critical period for adaptation to new environmental, social, and nutritional conditions. The primary health concern during this phase is Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD), a pathology with a high economic impact that requires timely diagnosis to limit antimicrobial treatments and production losses. The present study, conducted between October 2024 and July 2025 on 127 young Limousine cattle, analyzed individual daily water intake (DWI) and drinking behavior during the first month post-arrival of each batch. Using Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) technologies, these parameters were evaluated as potential predictive indicators of animal health status. The results indicate that approximately 61% (78/127) of the subjects required at least one therapeutic intervention for BRD; the first treatment occurred on average at 11,7 ± 5,9 days post-arrival (Mean ± Standard Deviation [SD]). Seasonality proved to be crucial: the prevalence of treated animals reached 71–90% during the winter months. Individual daily water consumption was influenced by both the season of arrival and monitoring in the fattening unit (28,9 ± 16,8 L/head/day [n = 64] in winter and 54,6 ± 21,6 L/head/day [n = 31] in spring–early summer; Mean ± SD) and the frequency of therapeutic treatment (44,8 ± 22,9 L/head/day for untreated animals [n = 49] and 25,9 ± 14,4 L/head/day for animals treated two or more times [n = 40]; Mean ± SD). The analysis of drinking behavior revealed that, in autumn, the total average individual daily time spent at the water trough (seconds/head/day) for multi-treated animals was approximately 1,75 times higher (P < 0,01) than that of untreated animals, despite an average DWI approximately 46% lower (P < 0,05). In winter, however, the average daily drinking frequency (visits/head/day) was approximately 28% higher (P < 0,05) in multi-treated subjects compared to untreated ones. Comparing the DWI of treated animals near the therapeutic intervention with a baseline reference value outside the relative clinical window revealed a significant drop (P < 0,0001) detectable as early as 48–56 hours prior to clinical diagnosis and subsequent antimicrobial treatment, thus offering a valuable time window for medical intervention. Furthermore, the study defined the risk factors during the first ten days of monitoring associated with a higher susceptibility to severe BRD: a DWI equal to or less than 32 L/head/day and a maximum Temperature-Humidity Index (THImax) equal to or less than 56 significantly increased the risk of multiple treatments for respiratory disease (OR = 10, P < 0,05 and OR = 14,4 , P < 0,05, respectively). In addition, rectal temperature emerged as an important prognostic marker: each day with a temperature ≥ 39,8 °C was associated with an increased risk of recurrent treatments (OR = 12,6; P < 0,01). Evaluating the influence of rectal temperature on DWI in treated animals (treated 1 or more times), for every 1 °C increase in rectal temperature, there was an estimated mean reduction in water intake ranging between 5 and 6 L/head/day (P < 0,0001). In conclusion, the use of automated drinking behaviour monitoring systems combined with routine rectal temperature checks would allow for early diagnosis of BRD, optimizing therapeutic protocols and safeguarding both animal welfare and the productivity of the beef cattle sector.
Il comparto della carne bovina è un importante settore del sistema agroalimentare italiano che, per l’approvvigionamento di animali vivi, fa affidamento quasi esclusivamente sulla Francia. L’importazione e il trasporto in Italia costituiscono fonti di stress in grado di compromettere il benessere animale nella fase di ristallo, momento critico per l’adattamento alle nuove condizioni ambientali, sociali e alimentari. La principale problematica sanitaria in questa fase è la malattia respiratoria bovina (BRD), patologia ad alto impatto economico che richiede diagnosi tempestive per limitare trattamenti antibiotici e perdite produttive. Il presente studio, condotto tra ottobre 2024 e luglio 2025 su 127 giovani bovini di razza Limousine, ha analizzato il consumo individuale di acqua (DWI) e il comportamento di abbeverata durante il primo mese dall'arrivo in allevamento di ciascuna partita. Tramite tecnologie di Precision Livestock Farming (PLF), questi parametri sono stati valutati quali potenziali indicatori predittivi dello stato di salute degli animali. I risultati indicano che circa il 61% (78/127) dei soggetti ha richiesto almeno un intervento terapeutico per BRD; il primo trattamento è avvenuto mediamente a 11,7±5,9 giorni dall’arrivo (Media±DS). La stagionalità è risultata cruciale: la prevalenza di animali trattati ha raggiunto il 71-90% nei mesi invernali. I consumi idrici medi individuali giornalieri sono stati influenzati sia dalla stagione di arrivo e monitoraggio in allevamento (28,9±16,8 L/capo/giorno in inverno e 54,6±21,6 L/capo/giorno in primavera-inizio estate; Media±DS) sia dalla frequenza del trattamento terapeutico (44,8±22,9 L/capo/giorno per gli animali mai trattati e 25,9±14,4 L/capo/giorno per gli animali trattati due volte o più; Media±DS). L’analisi del comportamento di abbeverata ha rivelato che, in autunno, il tempo totale medio individuale di permanenza all’abbeveratoio (secondi/capo/giorno) per gli animali sottoposti a trattamenti multipli è risultato circa 1,75 volte (P<0,01) superiore rispetto a quello dei mai trattati, nonostante un DWI medio inferiore di circa il 46% (P<0,05). In inverno, invece, la frequenza media di abbeverata (visite/capo/giorno) è risultata superiore di circa il 28% (P<0,05) nei soggetti pluritrattati rispetto a quelli non trattati. Confrontando il DWI degli animali trattati in prossimità dell’intervento terapeutico con un valore di riferimento basale al di fuori della relativa finestra clinica, è risultato un calo (P<0,0001) rilevabile già a partire da 48-56 ore prima della diagnosi clinica di malattia e del successivo trattamento antimicrobico, offrendo così una finestra temporale preziosa per l'intervento medico. Lo studio ha inoltre definito i fattori di rischio che, nei primi dieci giorni di monitoraggio, risultano legati a una maggiore suscettibilità alle forme gravi di BRD: un DWI≤32 L/capo/giorno e un indice temperatura-umidità (THImax)≤56 aumentano in modo significativo il rischio di trattamenti multipli contro la patologia respiratoria (OR=10 e OR=14,4 rispettivamente; P<0,05). Inoltre, la temperatura rettale è emersa come un importante marker prognostico: ogni giorno con temperatura ≥39,8°C si associa a un incremento del rischio di trattamenti ricorrenti (OR=12,6; P<0,01). Valutando l’influenza della temperatura rettale sul DWI nei soggetti sottoposti a trattamento (una o più volte) si è evidenziato che a ogni incremento di 1°C della temperatura rettale è corrisposta una riduzione media stimata del consumo idrico compresa tra 5 e 6 L/capo/giorno (P<0,0001). In conclusione, l'impiego di sistemi di monitoraggio automatico del comportamento di abbeverata associati a un controllo routinario della temperatura rettale consentirebbe di anticipare la diagnosi di BRD, ottimizzando i protocolli terapeutici e salvaguardando il benessere e la produttività del comparto del bovino da carne.
Innovazione nel monitoraggio dei bovini da carne: misurazione individuale del consumo d’acqua e della temperatura rettale per la rilevazione precoce della BRD. Uno studio sul periodo di ristallo nei vitelloni Limousine importati dalla Francia
VISENTINI, ALESSIA
2025/2026
Abstract
The beef cattle sector is a cornerstone of the Italian agri-food system, which, for the supply of live animals, relies almost exclusively on France. Importation and transport to Italy constitute significant sources of stress capable of compromising animal welfare during the receiving phase, a critical period for adaptation to new environmental, social, and nutritional conditions. The primary health concern during this phase is Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD), a pathology with a high economic impact that requires timely diagnosis to limit antimicrobial treatments and production losses. The present study, conducted between October 2024 and July 2025 on 127 young Limousine cattle, analyzed individual daily water intake (DWI) and drinking behavior during the first month post-arrival of each batch. Using Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) technologies, these parameters were evaluated as potential predictive indicators of animal health status. The results indicate that approximately 61% (78/127) of the subjects required at least one therapeutic intervention for BRD; the first treatment occurred on average at 11,7 ± 5,9 days post-arrival (Mean ± Standard Deviation [SD]). Seasonality proved to be crucial: the prevalence of treated animals reached 71–90% during the winter months. Individual daily water consumption was influenced by both the season of arrival and monitoring in the fattening unit (28,9 ± 16,8 L/head/day [n = 64] in winter and 54,6 ± 21,6 L/head/day [n = 31] in spring–early summer; Mean ± SD) and the frequency of therapeutic treatment (44,8 ± 22,9 L/head/day for untreated animals [n = 49] and 25,9 ± 14,4 L/head/day for animals treated two or more times [n = 40]; Mean ± SD). The analysis of drinking behavior revealed that, in autumn, the total average individual daily time spent at the water trough (seconds/head/day) for multi-treated animals was approximately 1,75 times higher (P < 0,01) than that of untreated animals, despite an average DWI approximately 46% lower (P < 0,05). In winter, however, the average daily drinking frequency (visits/head/day) was approximately 28% higher (P < 0,05) in multi-treated subjects compared to untreated ones. Comparing the DWI of treated animals near the therapeutic intervention with a baseline reference value outside the relative clinical window revealed a significant drop (P < 0,0001) detectable as early as 48–56 hours prior to clinical diagnosis and subsequent antimicrobial treatment, thus offering a valuable time window for medical intervention. Furthermore, the study defined the risk factors during the first ten days of monitoring associated with a higher susceptibility to severe BRD: a DWI equal to or less than 32 L/head/day and a maximum Temperature-Humidity Index (THImax) equal to or less than 56 significantly increased the risk of multiple treatments for respiratory disease (OR = 10, P < 0,05 and OR = 14,4 , P < 0,05, respectively). In addition, rectal temperature emerged as an important prognostic marker: each day with a temperature ≥ 39,8 °C was associated with an increased risk of recurrent treatments (OR = 12,6; P < 0,01). Evaluating the influence of rectal temperature on DWI in treated animals (treated 1 or more times), for every 1 °C increase in rectal temperature, there was an estimated mean reduction in water intake ranging between 5 and 6 L/head/day (P < 0,0001). In conclusion, the use of automated drinking behaviour monitoring systems combined with routine rectal temperature checks would allow for early diagnosis of BRD, optimizing therapeutic protocols and safeguarding both animal welfare and the productivity of the beef cattle sector.| File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12608/114403