Animal Management Practices Research Articles

The forest effect: Biosphere 87Sr/86Sr shifts due to changing land use and the implications for migration studies

This study documents a transect of 87Sr/86Sr values from a variety of plant, soil and rock samples across the ancient woodland of the Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve (SFNNR) and into adjoining farmland in Britain. All samples were collected from the Triassic Sherwood Sandstone Group. A shift of +0.0037 in 87Sr/86Sr values is observed between the average plant from the biosphere of the ancient forest and that of the farmland. This shift is caused by the leaf litter accumulation in the forest, through time, leading to soil acidity that leaches out the carbonate component of the soil. This results in the forest floor soil reflecting only the silicate minerals from the original Sandstone rock formation. We have named this process “the forest effect”. Rock samples from boreholes of the Sherwood Sandstone Group, as well as water samples from aquifers and mineral waters from previous studies, further indicate that the change in biosphere 87Sr/86Sr is a result of the wooded environment rather than the anthropological addition of lime to farmland.The extent of the forest effect will vary with differing lithologies with the most susceptible terrains being those with mixed carbonate-silicate composition, and it may be sufficient to impact the interpretation of animal and human 87Sr/86Sr in studies of mobility and migration. The model provides an opportunity to understand and assess food procurement strategies and animal management practices in the past, as well as the interaction of humans with their natural environment.

Isotopic evidence for animal management strategies at Archaic and Classical period Argilos, Greece

This paper utilizes the stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic composition of bulk animal bone collagen to better understand animal management practices in Archaic and Classical period Argilos in northern Greece. The results from Argilos are compared with data from other sites in northern Greece to provide new insights into herd management in the region over time. Our results reveal some changes in cattle and pig diets at Argilos between the Archaic and Classical periods. Throughout both periods cattle and caprines exhibit evidence of having consumed C4 vegetation, likely obtained from the nearby salt marshes in the Strymon river delta. This dietary regime is similar to that observed at other north Aegean sites dating back to the Neolithic, suggesting that the long tradition of animal herding in the marshes was an environmentally specific practice in the region.

\u201cThe climate itself must have hidden some medicines\u201d: traditional veterinary medicine of indigenous and non-indigenous campesinos of the southern Andes

BackgroundTraditional veterinary medicine (TVM) or ethnoveterinary medicine comprises knowledge, practices, and beliefs about farm animals. Its study serves to offer ecologically and culturally appropriate strategies for the management of animals and their health in a context marked by the increased use of synthetic pharmaceuticals, social–environmental degradation, pollution, and climate change. In this study, we examine the TVM that Mapuche and non-Mapuche campesinos in the southern Andes have about the management of animals and their health. In addition, we investigate the main factors influencing the current use of TVM.MethodsBetween December 2020 and March 2021, we undertook participant observation and conducted 60 semi-structured and informal interviews with Mapuche and non-Mapuche campesinos from the Pucón and Curarrehue municipal districts in the southern Andes of Chile.ResultsWe identified a set of knowledge about cycles and manifestations of nature used in planning 14 animal management practices related to a Mapuche kosmos expressed in living with respect for and in dialogue with non-human elements. On health management, we recorded knowledge about 30 plant species, whose use for different categories of wounds and parasites has the highest informant consensus factors. The use of these plant species is governed by a kosmos associated with respect and reciprocity in their gathering. Nonetheless, 70% of the campesinos interviewed prefer to use synthetic pharmaceuticals. We found that the growing use of synthetic pharmaceuticals, the processes of reduction and change in the structure of land ownership, and climate change are perceived as the main factors behind processes of assimilation of new praxis and hybridization as well as the reduction and/or loss of the use of TVM.ConclusionOur results reveal the presence of ethnoveterinary knowledge, practices, and beliefs that are safeguarded by Mapuche and non-Mapuche campesinos in the southern Andes. However, in the context of different social–environmental changes, it is imperative to document, visibilize, and revitalize TVM since it provides new perspectives for bioculturally diverse and sustainable animal production.

Does trapping catch sociable, exploratory and innovative mynas preferentially? No, but perhaps less fearful ones

Humans prey on animals with often dramatic effects on abundances, but also alterations to the phenotypical composition of prey populations. Instances of lethal management provide an opportunity to explore proximate mechanisms of phenotypical change. While there is evidence from exploitative predation (e.g. fisheries) that prey can change via evolutionary mechanisms, we present one of the first studies to explore this effect in an invasive vertebrate species that is being lethally controlled. Using an avian species that is known to be changing its behaviour in areas where it is heavily trapped, this study explored whether trapping of specific behavioural phenotypes might underpin observed changes. The behaviour of common mynas, Acridotheres tristis , captured using a large walk-in baited trap was compared with that of mynas captured using a cryptic whoosh net. All tests revealed significant inter-individual variation in ecologically meaningful aspects of myna temperament. Contrary to our predictions, however, we found no evidence that mynas captured in traps were more exploratory, more sociable, less fearful or better problem-solvers than those captured with the cryptic net. We present various interpretations of this finding, including the possibility learning might underpin behavioural changes in free-ranging mynas from heavily trapped populations, complemented by some selection against sociability and low fearfulness. As such, our findings and their interpretation will serve to guide future research on prey responses to human predation and inform animal management practices. • Animal populations change when predated upon by humans. • Invasive common mynas are known to change behaviour where they are trapped. • There was no evidence that trapping only captures more exploratory and social birds. • Trapping may not exert a selective evolutionary pressure on myna behaviour.

Positive Animal Welfare: Bridging the Gap or Raising Inequalities Worldwide?

Positive animal welfare (PAW) is a rising topic in animal welfare science, although its construct, definition, and operational approach remain debated. Despite this scientific uncertainty, there is societal interest to include more indicators of positive welfare in legislation, animal welfare assessment and accreditation schemes. Changes in some farming practices seem to be in line with promoting PAW (e.g., free-range housing), providing animals more opportunities for positive experiences such as rewarding natural behaviour, greater autonomy, or choice. Interestingly, some of the ideas underlying PAW are present in extensive production systems or low-input animal management practices that are common in low-income countries, for example free-roaming livestock or village dogs. Nevertheless, welfare challenges such as neglect, diseases, poor nutrition, animal abuse and other forms of suffering remain ubiquitous, especially where resources like veterinary support are limited. Living conditions for animals in low-income countries provide examples of the delicate balance between positive welfare and welfare risks relating to health and survival, with inextricable ethical dilemmas. In our view, the growing focus on PAW could stimulate a more balanced approach to animal welfare worldwide, promoting PAW while simultaneously limiting various forms of welfare challenges. However, this requires accounting for human factors such as societal and cultural location-specific aspects to find flexible solutions that also benefit and respect people whose livelihood may be at stake. Those human factors also modulate the consideration and importance of providing animals with positive welfare states and the role of underlying ethical concepts like happiness and “a good life.”

An exploratory assessment of human and animal health concerns of smallholder farmers in rural communities of Chimborazo, Ecuador.

BackgroundLivestock play important economic and cultural roles in smallholder communities of Ecuador, yet they also serve as potential sources of zoonotic infections. Understanding the animal and human health concerns of smallholder farmers is important in guiding strategies for improvement of the health and livelihoods of these resource-poor farmers. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to: (a) assess the health concerns of smallholder farmers; (b) explore animal and waste management practices; and (c) identify predictors of pediatric and livestock diarrhea on smallholder farms in Ecuador.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional survey of 58 smallholder farmers in three communities of Chimborazo province, Ecuador. Data were collected on household demographics, smallholding characteristics, type of animals owned, human-animal interactions, health concerns, and 30-day occurrence of human as well as animal diarrhea. Summary statistics were computed and logistic models used to investigate predictors of pediatric and animal diarrhea.ResultsAll respondents reported keeping animals. Animals kept included cattle, pigs, poultry, dogs, guinea pigs, cats, sheep, horses, rabbits, donkeys, or other livestock. More than half of the respondents named diseases as their greatest personal (55.2%) or family (58.6%) health concern, while an even greater percentage (60.3%) reported physiological stress as the primary health concern for their animals. Occurrence of diarrhea in the 30 days prior to the study was reported by 12.1% of the respondents. Additionally, 15.2% and 55.2% of the households reported diarrhea among children and animals, respectively. The majority (65.5%) of the households had toilets, while the remainder had either latrines (27.6%) or no sanitation facilities (6.9%). However, only 9.1% of the smallholdings had either a toilet (3.6%) or a latrine (5.5%) onsite and yet the farmers tended to spend most of the day at the smallholdings. Potential exposures to gastrointestinal pathogens included food- or water-borne sources (93.5% of children; 91.4% of adults) and blood-borne or fecal sources (80.4% of children; 100% of adults). Although 98.3% of the respondents kept cattle, only 27.6% had animal enclosures and even fewer (15.5%) had animal waste management plans. The odds of animal diarrhea were significantly higher (Odds Ratio [OR] = 8.7; 95% Confidence Interval [1.0–75.0]; p = .049) among households that had animal waste management plans compared to those that did not. None of the variables investigated were significant predictors of pediatric diarrhea.ConclusionsOngoing surveillance is needed to develop estimates of diarrhea incidence among smallholder families and their livestock. The impact of different animal management strategies on the potential pathogen exposure of smallholders warrants further investigations. Improving sanitation infrastructure and animal waste management strategies is recommended.

Genetic×environment variation in sheep lines bred for divergent resistance to strongyle infection.

Drug‐resistant parasites threaten livestock production. Breeding more resistant hosts could be a sustainable control strategy. Environmental variation linked to animal management practices or to parasite species turnover across farms may however alter the expression of genetic potential. We created sheep lines with high or low resistance to Haemonchus contortus and achieved significant divergence on both phenotypic and genetic scales. We exposed both lines to chronic stress or to the infection by another parasite Trichostrongylus colubriformis, to test for genotype‐by‐environment and genotype‐by‐parasite species interactions respectively. Between‐line divergence remained significant following chronic stress exposure although between‐family variation was found. Significant genotype‐by‐parasite interaction was found although H. contortus‐resistant lambs remained more resistant against T. colubriformis. Growth curves were not altered by the selection process although resistant lambs were lighter after the second round of divergence, before any infection took place. Breeding for resistance is a sustainable strategy but allowance needs to be made for environmental perturbations and worm species.

Potential applications of personality assessments to the management of non-human primates: a review of 10 years of study.

Studies of primate personality have become increasingly common over the past three decades. Recently, studies have begun to focus on the health, welfare and conservation implications of personality, and the potential applications of incorporating quantitative personality assessments into animal management programmes. However, this literature is dispersed across a multitude of settings and scientific disciplines. We conducted a review of nonhuman primate personality studies relevant to these issues published since 2010, following on from an earlier review. The databases ScienceDirect, PubMed and Web of Science were used to identify relevant articles. After eliminating irrelevant or duplicate papers, 69 studies were selected. Our review reveals that, while primate personality research is carried out on a range of species, there is strong taxonomic bias. While 28 species appeared within the reviewed literature, 52% of studies were carried out on just five species. Further, the most common research focus (43%) was validating new assessment methods or describing personality in different species, rather than exploring the links between personality and animal welfare using existing validated methods. However, among the remaining studies that did explore the role of animal personality in husbandry, health, and welfare, we identified progression towards integrating personality data into various aspects of animal management. Evidence suggests the assessment of personality may benefit social group management, enrichment practices, training protocols, health and welfare monitoring, and conservation planning for endangered species. We argue that further research which develops our understanding of primate personality and its influence in these areas will provide a valuable tool to inform animal management practices.

The role of chicken management practices in children\u2019s exposure to environmental contamination: a mixed-methods analysis

BackgroundHousehold chicken production presents an opportunity to promote child nutrition, but the benefits might be offset by increased environmental contamination. Using household surveys, direct observations, and in-depth interviews with woman caregivers, we sought to describe the relationship between chicken management practices and household exposure to environmental contamination, and assess barriers to adopting improved husbandry practices.MethodsFirst, we analyzed baseline data from 973 households raising chickens in the two interventions arms from the Agriculture-to-Nutrition (ATONU) study in Ethiopia to assess the relationship between animal management practices and environmental exposures. Second, we conducted six-hour direct observations of children’s environmental exposures in 18 households. Among these households, we analyzed in-depth interviews with child caregivers.ResultsQuantitative analyses showed that households raised approximately 11 chickens, had animal feces visible on the property 67% of the time, and children’s hands were visibly dirty 38% of the time. Households with more chickens had lower exposure to animal feces. Having a chicken coop increased the risk of observing animal feces on the property by 30%, but among those with a coop, having an enclosed coop reduced that risk by 83%. Coops that were enclosed, had fencing, and were located further from homes were associated with a reduced risk of observing animal feces and an increased likelihood of children having clean hands. Direct observations showed that chicken coops were often poorly designed or not used. On average, 3 to 5 chickens were inside homes at a time, and livestock and domestic animals were frequently inside of houses and interacting with young children. In-depth interviews revealed that protection of animals, maintenance of household cleanliness and health, type of chicken (local versus improved) and resource constraints influenced management decisions.ConclusionsImprovements in chicken management practices could mitigate the exposure of household members to environmental contamination. Our findings highlight the need for training and resources to promote safe animal husbandry practices and optimal child health in nutrition-sensitive livestock projects.Trial registrationClinical trials number: NCT03152227; Retrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov on May 12, 2012.

Practical pain management in cows and calves

Negative public perception of pain associated with routine animal management practices such as dehorning and castration is increasing. Preemptive analgesia can be applied in advance of the painful stimulus, thereby reducing sensitization of the nervous system to subsequent stimuli that could amplify pain. Drugs that could be used to provide preemptive analgesia include local anesthetics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, α2-agonists, and N-methyl D-aspartate receptor antagonists. Pathological pain states in cattle occur as a result of tissue damage, nerve damage, and inflammation and are frequently associated with pain hypersensitivity. Chronic pain associated with lameness is considered one of the most significant welfare concerns in dairy cows. Inflammatory pain associated with lameness responds modestly to treatment with NSAIDs, but neuropathic pain (due to nerve damage or neuronal dysfunction) is considered refractory to the effects of NSAIDs, but may respond to gabapentin. In this session we will review the analgesic drug options available for practitioners to use in the United States (US). These proceedings contain excerpts that were previously published in a 2013 (Vol. 1: pp 11-28) issue of Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice and readers are urged to consult this text for more detailed information on this topic.

Relationship Between Sheep Farmer’s Characteristics with the Animal and Environmental Health Management Practices in Batur Village, Banjarnegara, Indonesia

The success of animal husbandry is supported by good animal and environmental health management practices. This study examined the correlation between the sheep farmer’s characteristics and the animal and environmental health management practices. The data collected by direct interviews with 48 respondents in Batur Village, Banjarnegara. Indonesia. The aspects of animal (exercise, grooming, wool shearing, supplement feeding, and water drinking) and environmental (sheepfold sanitation, waste processing, and waste removal) health management practices were divided into three categories, namely low, medium, and high levels. The results showed that 83.3% of respondents were in the low-level following by medium (14.6%) and high (2.1%) levels of animal health management. Furthermore, on the environmental health management shows, 27.1% of respondents were in the low level, 60.4% in the medium level, and 12.5% in the high level. There was a significant relationship between farmers’ characteristics (informal education, livestock farming experience, and the number of sheep) and animal health management practice. A significant relationship was also shown between formal education, livestock purpose, livestock experience, and number of sheep by farmers toward environmental health management practice. It may conclude that the low and medium levels of animal and environmental health management practices were dominant in Batur Village.

Reconstructing animal management practices at Greek Early Iron Age Zagora (Andros) using stable isotopes

The Early Iron Age was an important period of Greek history during which the Greek city states emerged and the two earliest works of western literature, Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, were likely composed. This paper introduces the results of faunal isotope analyses (carbon and nitrogen) from the settlement of Zagora on Andros (900–700 BC), the first such study to focus on agriculture from the Greek Early Iron Age. Due to limited post-abandonment activity, Zagora provides us with a unique opportunity to investigate agricultural practices at a well-preserved settlement from the period. Amongst our findings we identify possible evidence of specialised cattle management as well as evidence that suggests agriculture may have intensified during the final decades of the settlement’s occupation.

Assessment of Seroprevalence and the Risk Factors of Sheep Brucellosis in Basrah (Southern Iraq): A Challenge to Prospectively Control Brucellosis

Brucellosis is one of the most important foodborne infectious diseases distributed widely in low- and middle-income countries. The current study was carried out to investigate the prevalence and risk factors that influence the distribution of Brucella in sheep. A structured questionnaire was prepared and introduced to a total of 60 resident owners from five counties, and 400 sheep blood samples were randomly collected from the selected herds. The sera of isolated sheep were tested for Brucella spp. using the Rose Bengal Test (RBT). A univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the risk factors linked to animal management and husbandry practices at the farm level. The overall prevalence estimated for brucellosis was 31% (95% confidence interval [Cl]: 26.5–35.8). The odds of seroprevalence in sheep >1 year were significantly higher than those in sheep ≤1 year (odds ratio [OR]: 2.2, 95% Cl: 1.41–3.44). The logistic regression outcomes revealed that two variables related to the management and practices at the farm level were significantly associated with the seroprevalence of brucellosis. These variables were sheep sheep grazing with other flocks (OR: 5.8, 95 Cl% Cl: 1.53–22.67) and the practice of lending ram among sheep owners (OR: 9.3, 95% Cl: 1.05–83.82). Unconfined domesticated dogs, improper handling of aborted ewes, introduction of new animals in a herd, (purchased), and lack of knowledge about brucellosis among owners were underlined to be further important factors that could influence the spread of brucellosis. This study concluded that brucellosis is an endemic disease in Basrah, and the animal vaccination control program with an integrated health education program for sheep owners are obligatory elements of the prevention measures needed to be established to minimize the risk of brucellosis in Basrah.

Animal husbandry as the driver of progress in India and Kerala

The dairy sector, which contributes to 21 per cent of the value of the agriculture and allied sectors in India, is the growth propeller of the rural economy of the country. However, extraneous factors beyond the farmer’s control, for instance climatic variations such as low rainfall and heavy drought; fluctuating and many a times low prices for produce and exploitation by middlemen have cast a gloomy spell over the sector, indicating that the prospects of the agricultural sector are gloomy, as evinced by the fact that in the year 2014-15, the sector showed a negative growth (-0.20 %), from where it is struggling hard to pick up, indicating that its prospects are more or less saturated. This augurs well for the dairy sector, which grew annually at the rate of around five per cent, every year, since 2014-15 and has started asserting great and added significance, as a livelihood ensurer to the poor farmers of the country. The state of Kerala is a demographically and socially well advanced state located in the South Western region of India, having 3.34 crores of people with a population density of 859 persons per square kilometre, the third among the states in India. The present scenario, via-a-vis, both India and Kerala, with respect to feed, the costliest component, which accounts for more than 80 per cent of any animal husbandry enterprise, fodder, management practices, reproduction, disease incidence and market of dairy and meat products are discussed thread bare, by analysing the present situation, pointing out lacunas, if any and suggesting feasible, scientific and practical solutions. These recommendations for the upliftment of the sector, if implemented at the grass root level, would definitely help animal husbandry and dairying in becoming the driver of progress in India and Kerala and will speed up our onward march towards the ultimate goal of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharath’.

Livestock as an indicator of socioeconomic changes in Medieval Prague (Czech Republic)

The continuity of occupation at the settlement of Prague, Czech Republic, from the ninth to fourteenth centuries makes it a good case study for investigating the evolution of animal husbandry practices during the Early and High Middle Ages. Previous archaeozoological work shows that people’s dietary behaviour in Prague underwent a transformation at the beginning of the High Middle Ages (thirteenth century). This change has been attributed to large-scale socioeconomic transformations, which may have affected animal management practices. Stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope analysis of the tooth dentine collagen of livestock (cattle, domestic pigs, sheep and goats) from three different areas in Prague (the Lesser Town, Prague Castle and the Old Town) presented in this study provides support for this hypothesis. The range of stable isotope values increased over time, which may, in addition to a farm-household model, indicate a more advanced system of livestock supply–for example, through urban markets–and may also be explained by more diversified breeding conditions in the town and its surroundings. The results show an increase in the δ15N values in pig diet over time and suggest that their management changed. This difference may have been caused by increased animal protein intake or higher δ15N value of the dietary sources. It has also been corroborated that the root dentine collagen of High Medieval cattle has slightly higher average δ15N values when compared to cattle from the earlier period, which could be related to gradual changes in landscape utilization and soil processing, such as fertilization.

Identifying economic and societal drivers of engagement in agri-environmental schemes for English dairy producers

Livestock production is under increasing scrutiny regarding its impacts on the environment and its wider role in climate change. Consequently, there are a growing number of private agri-environmental schemes (AES) now operating alongside public AES that offer farmers economic rewards to maintain and enhance the environment. This study focused exclusively on a small number of commercial dairy producers located in the North West of England who were all suppliers of a global food producer and members of the producer’s own private AES. The study explored the economic and societal drivers of adoption of agri-environmental behaviours and perceptions of the private processor AES.The study adopted a mixed-method approach. In Stage 1 a structured questionnaire was used to explore the role of an AES offered by the global food processor in the financial stability and environmental sustainability of dairy farms (n = 20). The survey sought to understand the range of interventions adopted, explore future adoption intentions and identify possible ways in which AESs could be extended. The results from the questionnaire were explored further in Stage 2, through qualitative in-depth interviews (n = 12). A thematic analysis approach was taken to describe the key themes that motivated farmer engagement in agri-environmental schemes.Overall, farmers felt that income from the private AES provided stability and resilience to their businesses, permitting them to have greater confidence in business planning and budgeting for the upcoming year. The majority of the farmers were not part of a public AES, but were already undertaking some agri-environmental behaviours and were motivated to join the private scheme primarily by financial incentives and by a desire to maintain the natural environment. A minority of respondents identified that the financial incentives offered had directly motivated a behaviour change. Decisions over which agri-environmental behaviours to adopt were driven by the existing animal management practices, geography and landscape of the farm.Farmers compared the private scheme favourably to available public AESs, which they perceived as more restrictive and providing insufficient reward for the “red tape” involved. In contrast, private scheme membership was perceived to have been beneficial for both their farm business and the local environment, and many reported personal satisfaction from engagement in agri-environmental behaviours. It is important that the design of future public AES does not “crowd out” private schemes, giving farmers increasing AES choice and increasing the overall amount of funding available for the delivery of public goods from agriculture.

Reframing New Zealand’s Biosecurity Conversation Post-Covid-19: An Argument for Integrating Interspecies Concerns

This article began in March 2020, during New Zealand’s Alert Level 4 lockdown, and the writing process has spanned more than five months of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic. As at August 2020, COVID-19 continues to rage across the globe, while New Zealanders enjoy a relative freedom of movement. Due to a collective commitment to biosecurity practices such as isolation, quarantine and movement restrictions, along with the government’s strong public health messaging, the ‘team of five million’ had, at the time of writing, eliminated COVID-19 from our communities. This article discusses New Zealand’s biosecurity messaging in light of COVID-19, and argues that biosecurity discussions that link animal management practices with risks to human health are essential for pandemic preparedness. As a global leader in biosecurity, New Zealand is well placed to make the conceptual shift towards treating public health and biosecurity as a shared concern.

Diversity in perception and management of farming risks in southern Mali

A deeper understanding of how smallholder farmers perceive and manage risks is crucial to identify options that increase farmers' adaptive capacity. We investigated a broad range of risks that play a role in farmers' decision-making processes. In the cotton zone of Mali opportunities and constraints vary with the resource endowment of farms. Furthermore, as households are large in this region, often comprising 20–50 family members, intra-household diversity may influence perceptions and risk management. For this reason, we analysed diversity both among and within farms. Information was gathered through focus group discussions and a survey with 250 people from 58 households. Risk was assessed as the combination of the perceived frequency of occurrence of hazards and the impact on food availability and income. Farmers faced a diversity of risks, with hazards related to animal and personal health, and climate variability of highest concern. Resource endowment of farms was related to risk perception to a limited extent. Differences within the household were related to the generational factor and decision power, and not to gender. Household members with decision power worried most about risks. Almost a quarter of described hazards occurred with a high frequency and led to a high impact on food availability and income. Low resource-endowed farms were more often exposed to high risks than other farm types. Farmers applied a variety of actions to cope with hazards, yet in many cases farmers lacked a response. Medical actions were targeted to human and animal health hazards. Changes in field and animal management practices, adapted consumption rates and calls on social interactions, were combined for a diversity of hazards. By assessing the diversity of risks encountered by farmers and the diversity of risk management actions taken by farmers, this study goes beyond common risk research that focuses on a single hazard. Our results suggest that development interventions should not focus on either agronomic or economic options separately, but combine both to strengthen social well-being and agricultural production.

Mycobacterium bovis Population Structure in Cattle and Local Badgers: Co-Localisation and Variation by Farm Type.

Bovine tuberculosis surveillance in Northern Ireland includes Multiple-Locus Variable number tandem repeat Analysis (MLVA) to determine the Mycobacterium bovis genetic type present in both cattle and the predominant wildlife host, the European badger (Meles meles). These data are useful for investigating clusters of infection and understanding the scale at which interspecific transmission may occur. We utilised a comprehensive dataset of routinely sampled isolates from infected cattle and from badgers killed in road-traffic accidents to investigate the spatial co-location of MLVA types in, and between, the badger and cattle populations. Furthermore, we investigated the hypothesis that the type of farming enterprise might explain some variation in this relationship. MLVA types were spatially co-localised in cattle and road-traffic accident (RTA) badger hosts, indicative of a shared epidemic. Dairy herds were more likely to have at least one MLVA type in common with nearby RTA badgers, compared to non-dairy herd types. Marginally more MLVA spatial clustering was observed in non-dairy herds, which may be a consequence of relatively more between-herd movements. For the cattle population, local transmission mechanisms such as infection from contiguous herds, infectious wildlife and short-range between-herd cattle movements appear primarily to drive the epidemic: there appears to be a more limited role for long-range movements. Animal management practices are likely to be the driving force behind this observation, as beef rearing is associated with elevated numbers of animal movements compared to dairy herds.

EMAG - National model for evaluating environmental impacts of cattle production systems in Uruguay

Cattle and sheep systems in Uruguay and worldwide are challenged to reduce their environmental footprint while increasing efficiency and production. To achieve this challenge, user-friendly tools are needed that can translate research findings into practical information that could improve decision making by farmers and advise different stakeholders. Despite this, there are a limited number of applied environmental models in other countries and they are typically based on productive, high-quality pasture/crop-feed systems with relatively high inputs. In contrast, cattle and sheep production in Uruguay is largely associated with extensive grazing systems on unique natural grassland systems of relatively poor feed quality and often with no nutrient inputs in fertilizers. Thus, there is a need for a model that can take account for these types of systems and bring together relevant country-specific data to provide information of relevance for Uruguay. The EMAG (Evaluación Medio Ambiental Ganadera) model accounts for multiple environmental and resource use indicators of nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) balances and losses, greenhouse gas emissions and use of fossil energy. Results are provided on a per-hectare and per-kg product basis. This decision support tool for cattle and sheep farmers systems is based on life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology from “cradle-to-farm gate” for all resources use indicators. It uses national parameters and in case of lack of information is supplied from international research in pastoral systems. The model use for environmental methodology tier 2 animal energy model to account for key animal productivity and management practices. EMAG is a user-friendly model that requires basic information for a farm system divided into land use (forage types used uniquely for natural grassland in Uruguay), animal management (beef cattle and sheep), farm inputs (fertilizers, supplementary feeds, seeds and agrochemicals) and fossil energy (fuel and electricity) used in the system. EMAG can help to identify hot-spots of emissions and resource use, as well as to evaluate changes over time. In addition, it can be used to test cattle or sheep management practices or evaluate mitigation options within the system. By providing multiple indicators, EMAG can be used to provide information to avoid “trade-offs” between environmental impacts when assessing future options. As an example of usability, the paper reports a case study which showed potential benefits of improving environmental efficiency and note interesting result around negative P balance when increase productivity in a system. In summary, EMAG is a decision-support tool developed with the objective of evaluating the environmental performance of cattle and sheep systems, that would help farmers in decision making and different stakeholders according to their interest.