Farm Animal Production Research Articles

Adding Sodium Citrate in Water and Effect in Physiological Performance of Broiler Chickens Reared Under High-Density Condition

This study was conducted on animal production farm in Collage Agriculture - University of Diyala from 1/10 to 4/11/2022 aimed to study the effect of sodium citrate as an anti-stress factor on the physiological performance of ROSS 308 broiler chickens reared under high densities condition. 405 one day unsexed hatched chicks will be distributed into 9 treatments T1 control treatment 12 birds / m2 without sodium citrate, T2: 15 birds / m2 without sodium citrate, T3: 18 birds / m2 without sodium citrate, T4, T5 and T6 12, 15 and 18 birds / m2 with 1.5 mg / L of sodium citrate drinking water while T7, T8 and T9 was 12, 15 and 18 birds / m2 with 3 mg/ L of sodium citrate drinking water. The statistical analysis revealed that raising broilers at high densities (15 and 18 birds/m2) caused physiological stress in the birds by increasing the concentrations of glucose, uric acid, AST and ALT enzymes in the blood serum while decreasing the concentrations of protein and cholesterol, while there are no significant differences between T1, T4, T5, T6, T7, T8 and T9 and that indicates the role of sodium citrate in reducing high-density stress.

Effect of Adding Taurine on Gene Expression of GPX1 and ACACA Genes of Broiler Chickens Raised at Different Temperatures

This study was conducted in animal production farm in Collage Agriculture - University of Anbar during 7/8 – 17/9/2022 during summer and 25/2–7/4/2023 in winter to study the effect of addition different levels of taurine to diet in gene expression of GPX1 and ACACA genes of broiler chickens (Ross 308) raised at different temperatures during the summer and winter seasons. 180 one day unsexed hatched chicks will distributed into five treatments with three replicates for each treatment, as the following T1, control treatment, T2 adding 300 mg of vitamin C per kg diet during summer and 300 mg of vitamin D in winter, T3, T4 and T5 adding 300,600 and 900 mg of taurine per kg diet respectively. The results of the statistical analysis of the two experiments showed significant effect (P≤0.01) of the addition treatments on gene expression values of the ACACA gene, as the treatments T3-T5 recorded the lowest values of gene expression during the summer and winter seasons compared to the t1 treatment. As for the gene expression of the GPX1 enzyme, the treatment T5 and T2 recorded the lowest values of gene expression during the summer and winter seasons, respectively.

Physiological Changes Caused by Dietary Proanthocyanidin Supplementation at Varying Doses in Laying Hens

The research was carried out at the college of Agriculture/Al-Qasim Green University’s Department of Animal Production farm. Beginning on March 19, 2022, and ending on July 2, 2022, the experimental field trial lasted a total of 16 weeks (four intervals of four weeks each). The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of supplementing chicken diets with varying concentrations of the Proanthocyanidin chemical on egg production, quality, and oxidation markers. During the experiment’s breeding phase, which lasted for 50 weeks, 105 Lohmann brown laying hens were split into four groups: those aged 57-60 weeks, 61-64” weeks, and 65-68 weeks. A total of 21 birds were randomly assigned to one of five experimental treatments, with three replicates per 7 birds in each treatment (as per the standard standards outlined in the Lohmann Brown Layer Managements Guide). This is what we found to work in our clinical trials: The initial procedure: a no-additions control group. Second, 100 milligrammes of proanthocyanidin per kilogramme of feed was given to a standard diet. Third, we have a standard diet with 200 milligrammes of proanthocyanidin per kilogramme of feed. Fourthly, a standard diet with 300 milligrammes of Proanthocyanidin per kilogramme of feed was used. In the sixth treatment, 400 milligrammes of proanthocyanidin per kilogramme of feed is given to a standard diet. The study found mostly these results: Compared to the control group, the third, fourth, and fifth treatments significantly increased (p≤0.05) egg production rate, total eggs laid, egg weight, egg mass, and feed conversion coefficient. - The shell’s relative weight and thickness were found to be optimal for treatments three, four, and five, while albumin height (mm) and hu units improved significantly (p≤0.05) for treatments four and five compared to the control treatment.

Effect of Adding Different Levels of Proanthocyanidin in Laying Hens Diet on Productive Performance

The research was carried out at the college of Agriculture/Al-Qasim Green University’s Department of Animal Production farm. The experimental field trial ran for 16 weeks, from March 19, 2022, to July 2, 2022 (divided into four 4-week phases). The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of supplementing chicken diets with varying concentrations of the Proanthocyanidin chemical on egg production, quality, and oxidation markers. During the experiment’s breeding phase, which was split into four experimental periods (ages 53–56 weeks, 57–60 weeks, 61–64 weeks, and 65–68 weeks), 105 Lohmann brown laying hens were used.15 pens were set up with 5 experimental treatments for each treatment of 21 birds, and each treatment contained 3 duplicates per 7 birds, all fed according to the standards outlined in the Lohmann Brown Layer Managements Guide. The following procedures were used in the pilot programme:In the first phase, a non-experimental group served as a control. Second, 100 milligrammes of proanthocyanidin per kilogramme of feed was given to a standard diet. Third, we have a standard diet with 200 milligrammes of proanthocyanidin per kilogramme of feed. Fourthly, a standard diet with 300 milligrammes of Proanthocyanidin per kilogramme of feed was used. Fifthly, we have a standard diet with 400 milligrammes of proanthocyanidin per kilogramme of feed. Key findings from the research include: Compared to the control group, the third, fourth, and fifth treatments significantly increased (p0.05) egg production rate, cumulative number of eggs, egg weight, egg mass, and feed conversion coefficient. - Shell thickness (in millimetres) and relative weight (in percent) were best for treatments three through five. In contrast, albumin height (in millimetres) and hu units improved significantly (p 0.05) for treatments four and five compared to the control therapy (treatment one).

METABOLIC CHANGES IN BURNS DURING ORAL ADMINISTRATION OF AEROCOCCUS VIRIDANS IN UNCOMFORTABLE TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS

The organism of farm animals is in an inextricable connection with the environment, with which there is a constant exchange of substances, energy and information, that is, it is an open metabolic system that depends on the conditions of existence. Therefore, it is very important to create the most favorable technologies for exploiting the physiological capabilities of animals in conditions of physiological well-being and epidemiological well-being. This is the foundation for obtaining high-quality and bio-safe animal husbandry products. One of the common negative factors of violations of the physiological needs of the animal body is the effect of low-intensity permanent stress of multivalent etiology. During the development of negative pathophysiological disorders, the quantitative and qualitative composition of the microbiota of the large intestine changes, as a dynamic microbial community of transient and resident populations that develop according to the chemo-static principle of functioning. Restoration and correction of the microbiota of the large intestine and transformation of the disturbed equilibrium of the interpopulation ratio is an effective means of eliminating the negative effects of stress on the animal body. The resident probiotic microflora is represented by a wide variety of prokaryotic microbiota and many reference strains are used for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes. Aerococcus viridans is very promising and effective, which lives in various biotopes of the macro-organism and is an indicator of the physiological well-being of the organism, because it is sensitive to toxic compounds and antimicrobial substances, but with permanent use it exhibits pronounced antagonistic properties against transient microflora with potentially pathogenic properties due to inhibition of their colonization abilities and exhibits detoxification potentials. Ants were used to simulate low-intensity permanent stress. as heat-loving animals sensitive to uncomfortable temperatures of the external environment and placed them in a household refrigerator for ten days at a temperature of 6-8 oC. Probiotic culture of production strain BI-07 Aerococcus viridans in a dose of 2×109 CFU/cm3 was administered orally as an anti-stress factor. A similar experiment was conducted in comfortable conditions, that is, at a temperature of 20-22 oC. Metabolic changes in the body of ants were recorded during a laboratory blood test. Probiotic culture does not affect the normergic processes of the macro-organism and does not change indicators beyond the physiological norm, but when used in conditions of low-intensity temperature stress, it has a positive effect on the adaptation-compensatory mechanisms of the macro-organism and shows protective potential in relation to non-resident microbiota.

Control technologies to prevent aerosol-based disease transmission in animal agriculture production settings: a review of established and emerging approaches.

Transmission of infectious agents via aerosols is an ever-present concern in animal agriculture production settings, as the aerosol route to disease transmission can lead to difficult-to-control and costly diseases, such as porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus and influenza A virus. It is increasingly necessary to implement control technologies to mitigate aerosol-based disease transmission. Here, we review currently utilized and prospective future aerosol control technologies to collect and potentially inactivate pathogens in aerosols, with an emphasis on technologies that can be incorporated into mechanically driven (forced air) ventilation systems to prevent aerosol-based disease spread from facility to facility. Broadly, we find that control technologies can be grouped into three categories: (1) currently implemented technologies; (2) scaled technologies used in industrial and medical settings; and (3) emerging technologies. Category (1) solely consists of fibrous filter media, which have been demonstrated to reduce the spread of PRRSV between swine production facilities. We review the mechanisms by which filters function and are rated (minimum efficiency reporting values). Category (2) consists of electrostatic precipitators (ESPs), used industrially to collect aerosol particles in higher flow rate systems, and ultraviolet C (UV-C) systems, used in medical settings to inactivate pathogens. Finally, category (3) consists of a variety of technologies, including ionization-based systems, microwaves, and those generating reactive oxygen species, often with the goal of pathogen inactivation in aerosols. As such technologies are typically first tested through varied means at the laboratory scale, we additionally review control technology testing techniques at various stages of development, from laboratory studies to field demonstration, and in doing so, suggest uniform testing and report standards are needed. Testing standards should consider the cost-benefit of implementing the technologies applicable to the livestock species of interest. Finally, we examine economic models for implementing aerosol control technologies, defining the collected infectious particles per unit energy demand.

Concentration of livestock production in Ukraine

The article examines the concentration of production of the main types of animal husbandry products in Ukrainian farms. A comparative assessment of the concentration of meat production in slaughter weight, gross milk yield, and egg production by regions of Ukraine, taking into account the specific weight of agricultural enterprises and households in rural areas in the structure of production of livestock products, was carried out. Indices of the concentration of production of livestock products in Ukraine were determined, and an analysis of the grouping of enterprises by the number of livestock was carried out. According to the results of the study, it was established that livestock production in Ukraine is characterized by an uneven concentration of production and the number of productive animals. The most concentrated is the production of meat in slaughter weight and edible eggs, according to the CR10 index, which was 0.8 and 0.73, respectively. A relatively low concentration level is observed in dairy cattle breeding, where they traditionally dominate the structure of household production, but their share is constantly decreasing in contrast to agricultural enterprises. According to regional specifics, a high level of concentration of production of livestock products is characteristic of Kyiv, Poltava, and Cherkasy regions. Taking into account the analysis of the grouping of enterprises for the production of the main types of animal husbandry products in Ukraine, it was established that in the poultry industry, more than 85 % of all livestock belongs to the 23 largest enterprises. In dairy farming, about half of the produced products come from enterprises with an average annual herd of more than 500 cows, but small farms with an average number of up to 100 cows still predominate in quantity. The 65 largest complexes in pig farming account for more than 65 % of the pork produced. A relatively low concentration level is characterized by sheep and goat breeding, where the average number of animals in 80 % of farms does not exceed 300 heads.

Sodium selenite (Na2SeO3) attenuates T-2 toxin-induced iron death in LMH cells through the ROS/PI3K/AKT/Nrf2 pathway

T-2 toxin, is a monotrichous mycotoxin commonly found in animal feed and agricultural products that can damage tissues and organs through oxidative stress. Selenium is a trace element with favorable antioxidant effects. However, it is unclear whether T-2 toxin-induces ferroptosis in LMH cells and whether Na2SeO3 has a protective role in this process. To investigate the process of hepatic injury by T-2 toxin and its antagonistic effect by Na2SeO3, we used 20 ng/mL T-2 toxin as well as 160 nmol/L Na2SeO3 to treat the LMH cells. The results demonstrated that exposure to the T-2 toxin induced iron death by increasing the quantity of ROS, leading to oxidative damage, decreasing the quantities of SOD, GPx, and T-AOC, and increasing the accumulation of MDA and H2O2, which resulted in the accumulation of Fe2+ and the down-regulation of the manifestation of linked genes and proteins including FTH1, Gpx4, NQO-1, and HO-1. After the addition of Na2SeO3, the PI3K/AKT/Nrf2 pathway is activated by regulating the selenoproteins gene level, and the above abnormal changes are reversed. In summary, Na2SeO3 alleviated T-2 toxin-induced iron death via the PI3K/AKT/Nrf2 pathway. These study not only broaden the cytotoxic knowledge regarding T-2 toxin, but also serve as a foundation for the use of Na2SeO3 in daily life.

Effect of Adding Taurine and Vitamin C on Physiological Performance and Antioxidant State of Broiler Chickens During Summer Season

This study was conducted in animal production farm during in Collage Agriculture - University of Anbar during to aimed to study the effect of effect of adding taurine and vitamin C on physiological performance of broiler chickens during summer season. 180 one day unsexed hatched chicks will distributed into five treatments with three replicates for each treatment, as the following T1, control treatment, T2 adding 300 mg of vitamin C / kg diet, T3, T4 and T5 adding 300, 600 and 900 mg of taurine / kg diet respectively. The results showed there is no significant effect of adding taurine and vitamin C on total protein, albumin, uric acid, creatinine, glucose and Triglycerides as well as the addition of taurine and vitamin C to diet caused a significant decreased in AST, ALT and MDA compared with control treatment. AST enzyme level was 5.493 U/L in T1 compared with 4.630, 4.677, 4.387 and 4.234 U/L while the ALT level was 6.433 U/L and decreased to 3.933, 5.027, 4.033 and 3.383 U/L in T2-T5, respectively as well as MDA concentration was 0.1504 and 0.1127 and decreased to 0.0853 in T3 and 0.0968 in T4 and the highest decreased was in T5 treatment 0.0868.

Ruling out Efficacy of Hormonal Protocols alone or Fortified with Mineral and Bypass Fat for Treatment of Postpartum Anoestrus in Cattle

Background: High milk production and excellent fertility is a dream of livestock owners.The major reproductive disorders which lead to decrease the productivity and reproductive ability of farm animals is postpartum anestrous.Recently, kisspeptin was reported as game changer in the animal reproduction. Kisspeptin increases the number of follicles at wave emergence, oestrus response rate and duration of oestrus. Thus, indicating its potentiality for induction of oestrus in anestrous animals. Methods: The present study was conducted to compare the efficacy of Ovsynch and kisspeptin protocol and need of fortification for treatment of postpartum anestrous.Fifty postpartum anestrous cows were selected. The animals were divided into four treatment groups (10 cows in each) and treated with Ovsynch (Group I), Ovsynch fortified with mineral mixture (MM) and bypass fat (BPF) (Group II), kisspeptin (Group III) and kisspeptin fortified with MM +BPF (Group IV). The remaining 10 cows served as control (Group V). The oestrus response was recorded on the basis of behavioral signs, physical signs and clinico-gynaecological changes. The blood was collected following treatment for hormonal estimation. The pregnancy was confirmed on day 45 post AI using ultrasound. Result: The oestrusresponse was pronounced in Ovsynch as compared to kisspeptin groups. Further, fortification has enhanced the response. The serum oestrogen concentration increased following treatment and was significantly high on day of onset of oestruswith highest concentration in group II. The results indicate Ovsynchdistinguishly succeeded in addressing postpartum anestrus with fortification enhances fertility response.However, kisspeptin also emerged as a potent candidate for the resumption of cyclicity.

268 Heat Stress Impacts on Cattle Production

Abstract Heat stress (HS) compromises farm animal productivity and it is thus both an economic and food security issue. Reduced output (e.g., milk yield, muscle growth, egg production) during HS was traditionally thought to result from decreased nutrient intake (a classic biological response shared by all animals during environmental-induced hyperthermia). Utilizing pair-feeding experimental designs clearly indicate that reduced feed intake only accounts for a portion of the decreased productivity. The etiological epicenter of many (if not most) of the physiological consequences of HS is gastrointestinal tract hyperpermeability. For reasons not clearly understood, HS compromises the intestinal barrier allowing luminal antigens to infiltrate into local and systemic circulation. The invading antigens are recognized and stimulate the immune system. An activated immune system rearranges the hierarchy of nutrient partitioning, and the entire body participates in ensuring that leukocytes receive the fuel and building blocks necessary to mount an effective response. Central to this is increased insulin secretion coupled with simultaneous decreased adipose tissue and skeletal muscle insulin resistance. Activated leukocytes switch their energetic metabolism away from oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis. Utilizing a LPS-Euglycemic clamp we have estimated that an intensely activated immune system can use more than 2 kg of glucose/d in lactating cows. We extended this in growing steers and pigs and the amount of glucose used is approximately 1 g/Kg BW0.75/h regardless of species and physiological state. If the heat load is severe enough, the consequences can become lethal. This is primarily explained by inflammation induced hypercoagulation, endothelial barrier dysfunction and disseminated intravascular coagulation. If the animal survives, these changes result in the reprioritization of fuel selection during HS which appears to be primarily responsible for reduced animal productivity during the warm summer months.

Prevalence and molecular identification of gastrointestinal nematodes in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau of China.

Gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) have seriously affected the production and earnings of animal husbandry in various countries, while some species of GINs infect humans. At present, little is known about the species and prevalence of GINs in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP). In this study, 528 fresh faecal samples were collected from typical areas in different altitudes with seven species of livestock in Qinghai, Tibet, Gansu and Yunnan Provinces. ITS-2 rRNA gene of nematodes was employed to detect by PCR and sequencing analysis. Phylogenetic analysis of related sequences was performed using MEGA 6.0 software. The overall prevalence of GINs was 80.3% with 20 species of GINs detected, while Teladorsagia circumcincta was the dominant one, and four of which were zoonotic species such as Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Trichostrongylus axei, Trichostrongylus vitrinus and Oesophagostomum stephanostomum. The study provided panoptic information on the prevalence and species diversity of GINs in QTP area, which is useful and valuable for reference of measure formulation in livestock husbandry and public health concerns. The parasites of T. circumcincta, Cylicocyclus nassatus, Strongylus edentatus, Cylicostephanus longibursatus, Telephlebia brevicauda, Cyathostomum catinatum, Mecistocirrus digitatus, Cooperia punctata, Cylicodontophorus bicoronatus, Nematodirus oiratianus and Oesophagostomum asperum were firstly reported the presence in QTP area. The study also showed that horse could be infected by T. circumcincta, goat could be infected by C. nassatus, cattle could be infected by S. edentatus and C. bicoronatus,and O. stephanostomum could infect yak, cattle and Mongolian sheep in worldwide. Nevertheless, more investigations are needed, such as microscopic examination, to accurately determine the species in the region.

Recombinant Myostatin: Isolation and Use in Vaccines

Protein myostatin is not only a potential target for therapeutic effects in pathologies of the muscular system, but also a tool for biotechnological regulation of the meat productivity of farm animals. The action of myostatin can be blocked by inducing autoantibody synthesis using recombinant myostatin (rMST) as an antigen. E. coli producer strain Bl21/pET28-MSTN was obtained with a high level of recombinant protein expression in inclusion bodies. Purified rMST was used to immunize sheep and rabbits. Using the created ELISA test system for the detection of antibodies to myostatin in the blood of sheep, it was shown that rMST is immunogenic (the working titer of sera is 1/400–1/800). As a result of vaccination of rabbits over a monthly period, the average body weight and average daily weight gain in animals of the experimental groups was observed to increase compared to the control group.

Життя в науці і для науки (пам’яті Р. С. Федорука)

The article shows the life and scientific career of the famous physiologist, scientist, doctor of veterinary sciences, professor, corresponding member of the National Academy of Sciences Rostyslav Fedoruk. It describes the scientific, pedagogical, organizational and public activities of the professor. The results of fundamental research and applied developments obtained by R. Fedoruk during the performance of tasks that were part of the scientific programs of the NAAS and the Scientific and Methodological Center “Animal Physiology” are presented. The main results of the theoretical and applied research conducted under the leadership of R. Fedoruk regarding the influence of new effective feed additives and biologically active substances tested and implemented in production, in particular in cattle breeding, sheep breeding, rabbit breeding, poultry farming and beekeeping, and proposals and methods about their use are substantiated. Rostyslav Fedoruk is the author of more than 500 scientific works, including monographs, textbooks, reference books, etc. For a long time he was the deputy editor-in-chief and a member of the editorial boards of numerous scientific publications, a member of the Ukrainian Biochemical and Physiological Societies, the T. Shevchenko Scientific Society. Since 2015, he has been elected vice-president of the Ukrainian Physiological Society named after P. Kostyuk. The scientific activity of R. Fedoruk and his students is devoted to studying the processes of adaptation in animals to agroecological conditions of keeping, elucidating the physiological and biochemical mechanisms of the influence of biologically active additives on the main and intermediate exchanges, the reproductive function and productivity of farm animals, and the assessment of the biological value of animal husbandry products. During the period of persistent creative and scientific-pedagogical activity, R. Fedoruk gained a strong authority as a scientist and enjoyed deep respect among his colleagues, influenced the formation of Ukrainian agricultural science and formed his scientific school of researchers.

Construction and Practice of Livelihood Efficiency Index System for Herders in Typical Steppe Area of Inner Mongolia Based on Super-Efficiency Slacks-Based Measure Model

Inner Mongolia is one of the main animal husbandry production bases in China, with herders being the main animal husbandry producers. A systematic analysis of the efficiency of herding households’ livelihoods and the influencing factors is of great importance to formulate effective policies to support herding households’ livelihoods, enhance their social adaptability, and alleviate the vulnerability of poor people in herding areas. This study used a typical steppe of Inner Mongolia as the research area. It used the interview data of herding households from 2021, constructed the evaluation index system of herding households’ livelihood efficiency, analyzed the redundancy of the inputs and outputs of herding households’ livelihoods, and examined the key factors affecting herding households’ livelihood efficiency. The results indicate that (1) the pure technical effectiveness of the livelihood efficiency of typical grassland herding households in Inner Mongolia is the highest; the comprehensive technical efficiency and scale efficiency are low. The scale return of most herders’ livelihoods shows a decreasing state. (2) According to the results of the model, under the premise of the output not being reduced, reducing the amount of social capital input can effectively save resources. Without increasing the input, the room for improvement in the living level is the most obvious. (3) The pasture area, the communication network, and the access to information have significant negative effects on the efficiency of herders’ livelihoods; infrastructure and water supply have significant positive impacts. In summary, we built a model for evaluating the livelihood efficiency of herders in typical grassland areas of Inner Mongolia, which can provide a reference for the revitalization work of pastoral areas and related research in the future.

Virome of high-altitude canine digestive tract and genetic characterization of novel viruses potentially threatening human health.

The majority of currently emerging infectious illnesses are zoonotic infections, which have caused serious public health and economic implications. The development of viral metagenomics has helped us to explore unknown viruses. We collected 1,970 canine feces from Yushu and Guoluo in the plateau region of China for this study to do a metagenomics analysis of the viral community of the canine digestive tract. Our analysis identified 203 novel viruses, classified into 11 known families and 2 unclassified groups. These viruses include the hepatitis E virus, first identified in dogs, and the astrovirus, coronavirus, polyomavirus, and others. The relationship between the newly identified canine viruses and known viruses was investigated through the use of phylogenetic analysis. Furthermore, we demonstrated the cross-species transmission of viruses and predicted new viruses that may cause diseases in both humans and animals, providing technical support for the prevention and control of diseases caused by environmental pollution viruses. IMPORTANCE Most emerging infectious diseases are due to zoonotic disease agents. Because of their effects on the security of human or animal life, agriculture production, and food safety, zoonotic illnesses and livestock diseases are of worldwide significance. Because dogs are closely related to humans and domestic animals, they serve as one of the important links in the transmission of zoonotic and livestock diseases. Canines can contaminate the environment in which humans live such as water and soil through secretions, potentially altering the human gut microbiota or causing diseases. Our study enriched the viral community in the digestive tract microbiome of dogs and found types of viruses that threaten human health, providing technical support for the prevention and control of early warning of diseases caused by environmental contaminant viruses.

A Study on Effectiveness of Dairy Farming Related Front Line Demonstrations of Krishi Vigyan Kendra Shivamogga on Knowledge Level of Dairy Farmers

The lack of transfer of technology from research system to the client system is the main problem in increasing animal husbandry production in the developing world. The quality and quantity of milk production can be increased if farmer fallows scientific dairy farming practices. This is possible through the FLDs as it is an important and appropriate extension method which makes it possible to disseminate technology to the final user. It has played significant role in increasing the knowledge and adoption of scientific dairy farming practices by dairy farmers; thus, the present study was undertaken to assess the knowledge level of dairy farmers. The present study was conducted with the help of Ex-post facto research design with a sample size of 60 FLD beneficiaries and 60 Non beneficiaries. The knowledge level of respondents about scientific dairy management practices were checked in following subheadings viz knowledge about breeding, feed and feeding practices, health of dairy animals and other management practices in dairy farming and it is found that FLD beneficiaries had more knowledge in scientific dairy farming than non-beneficiaries. The probable reason for high knowledge among beneficiaries might be that the beneficiaries have been benefited by different extension activities, input supply and acquired guidance from research scientists of KVK through FLD’s showing that the FLD’s conducted by KVK were effective.

Influence of the probiotic “Bioseven” on the intestinal biocenose of white rats

The use of probiotics in animal husbandry ensures the maintenance of homeostasis of the digestive tract and prevents the development of factor infections in young animals – colibacteriosis, dyspepsia, and others, promotes the growth of animals with high survival rates. The main advantages of probiotics over chemotherapeutic drugs and antibiotics are that they are harmless to animal organism and are ecologically clean. In connection with the great attention paid to probiotics as ecologically safe drugs, the study of biological properties and the selection of bacterial strains, the most promising in the probiotic sense, are currently being intensified. This is the direction of the selection of species-specific strains for the intestinal biocenosis of a specific animal species, which have high colonization and antagonistic properties. Therefore, the development of the scientific basis for the creation of new probiotic preparations gave an impetus to their improvement and continued research in this direction. The aim of the work was to study the effect of the probiotic “Bioseven” on the intestinal biocenosis of white rats depending on the dose. Objectives of the study: to establish the toxicity of the drug “Bioseven” on laboratory animals with a single dose (“acute toxicity”) according to microbiological indicators; to investigate the toxicity of “Bioseven” on laboratory animals with long-term administration (“subacute toxicity”) according to microbiological indicators. Research work was carried out during 2022 at the department of veterinary and sanitary examination, hygiene of animal husbandry products and pathanatomy named after J. S. Zagaevskii. The toxicological characterization of the probiotic drug “Bioseven” (study of subacute and acute toxicity) was carried out under the conditions of the State Research Control Institute of Veterinary Medicines and Feed Additives (Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology), (Lviv), the manufacturer of the drug was PP “BTU-CENTER” Ladyzhyn, Vinnytsia region. On the 31st day of use of the drug “Bioseven” (a feed additive with probiotic action) in a therapeutic dose, microorganisms of the genus Lactobacillus were sown 0.3 lg CFU/g more from the large intestine of experimental rats, microorganisms of the genus Bifidobacterium were sown at 0.5 lg CFU/g more than in the control group. The number of Candida fungi decreased by 0.6 lg CFU/g, and the total number of Escherichia coli – 0.2 lg CFU/g. When using the “Bioseven” probiotic in a 5-fold therapeutic dose, 0.5 lg CFU/g more microorganisms of the Lactobacillus genus and 0.6 lg CFU/g more Bifidobacterium microorganisms were sown from the large intestine of experimental rats than in the control group. At the same time, the number of Candida fungi decreased by 0.7 lg CFU/g, and the total number of Escherichia coli to 0.4 lg CFU/g. Under the conditions of use of the drug “Bioseven” in a 10-fold therapeutic dose, microorganisms of the genus Lactobacillus were sown from the large intestine of experimental rats, 0.9 lg CFU/g more, microorganisms of the genus Bifidobacterium 1.2 lg CFU/g more than in the control the group At the same time, the number of Candida fungi decreased by 1.1 lg CFU/g, and the total number of Escherichia coli by 0.8 lg CFU/g. Prospects for further research consist in the study of the impact of the biotic drug “Bioseven” on indicators of metabolic processes and productive qualities of farm animals.

An Intelligent Grazing Development Strategy for Unmanned Animal Husbandry in China

Grazing is the most important and lowest cost means of livestock breeding. Because of the sharp contradiction between the grassland ecosystem and livestock, the grassland ecosystem has tended to degrade in past decades in China; therefore, the ecological balance of the grassland has been seriously damaged. The implementation of grazing prohibition, rotational grazing and the development of a large-scale breeding industry have not only ensured the supply of animal husbandry products, but also promoted the restoration of the grassland ecosystem. For the large-scale breeding industry, the animal welfare of livestock cannot be guaranteed due to the narrow and crowded space, thus, the production of the breeding industry usually has lower competitiveness than grazing. Disorderly grazing leads to grassland ecological crises; however, intelligent grazing can not only ensure animal welfare, but also fully improve the competitiveness of livestock husbandry products. Under the development of urbanization, the workforce engaged in grazing and breeding in pastoral areas is gradually lost. Intelligent grazing breeding methods need to be developed and popularized. This paper focuses on intelligent grazing, reviews grass remote sensing and aerial seeding, wearable monitoring equipment of livestock, UAV monitoring and intelligent grazing robots, and summarizes the development of intelligent grazing elements, exploring the new development direction of automatic grazing management with the grazing robot at this stage.

Temperature–humidity index monitoring during two summer seasons in dairy cow sheds in Mugello (Tuscany)

Many studies have reported that the impact of high temperatures affects physiology, welfare, health, and productivity of farm animals, and among these, the dairy cattle farming is one of the livestock sectors that suffers the greatest effects. The temperature–humidity index (THI) represents the state of the art in the evaluation of heat stress conditions in dairy cattle but often its measurement is not carried out in sheds. For this reason, the aim of this study was the monitoring of the THI in three dairy cattle farms in Mugello (Tuscany) to understand its influence on dairy cows. THI values were calculated using meteorological data from direct observation in sheds and outdoor environments. Data relating to the animal’s behavior were collected using radio collars. The Pearson test and Mann–Kendall test were used for statistical analysis. The results highlighted a significant (P < 0.001) upward trend in THImax during the last 30 years both in Low Mugello (+ 1.1 every 10 years) and in High Mugello (+ 0.9 every 10 years). In Low Mugello sheds, during the period 2020–2022, more than 70% of daytime hours during the summer period were characterized by heat risk conditions (THI > 72) for livestock. On average the animals showed a significant (P < 0.001) decrease in time spent to feeding and rumination, both during the day and the night, with a significant (P < 0.001) increase in inactivity. This study fits into the growing demand for knowledge of the micro-climatic conditions within farms in order to support resilience actions for protecting both animal welfare and farm productivity from the effects of climate change. This could also be carried out thanks to estimation models which, based on the meteorological conditions forecast, could implement the thermal stress indicator (THI) directly from the high-resolution meteorological model, allowing to get a prediction of the farm’s potential productivity loss based on the expected THI.