Herd Research Articles

Dynamics of the number and productivity of <i>Hereford</i> breeding cattle in the Novosibirsk region

The article presents an analysis of the state of the breeding stock of Hereford cattle in the Novosibirsk region in dynamics for 2021–2023. The Hereford breed is one of the most common breeds of beef cattle in Russia and in the world, and its productive qualities and the ability to adapt to different climatic conditions and pasture content allows it to be successfully used to produce high-quality and environmentally friendly meat. The results of zootechnical reports on bonification from breeding farms of the Novosibirsk region were analyzed, a comparison of indicators of productivity and use of herd animals, including own productivity, growth and development of young animals, reproductive qualities and longevity of cows of breeding herds, was carried out. It was found that despite the reduction in the number of breeding farms and breeding stock of Hereford cattle in the Novosibirsk region, is an improvement in both individual signs of productivity of cows and young animals, as well as in the overall class composition of the herd. Nevertheless, the available livestock seems to be insufficient in terms of meeting the needs of farms for breeding animals adapted to the climate conditions of Western Siberia and year-round outdoor maintenance. Currently, the animals produced at Sibirskaya Niva LLC most adequately meet the requirements of the market, but their number is extremely insufficient both for the formation of breeding herds of commodity farms in volumes corresponding to those necessary to fill the beef market, and for the formation of daughter breeding herds in the region.

Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of bovine herpesvirus 1 in smallholder dairy farms in two districts of Gondar Zones, North-West Ethiopia

Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) is the infectious agent that causes infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), a disease affecting the reproductive and respiratory systems of cattle. Significant economic losses result from infectious bovine rhinotracheitis because of metritis, abortions, placenta retention, recurrent breeding, animal deaths, and losses from trade restrictions Reports of the diseases have been made in southern, southwestern and in major cities that kept improved breed of dairy cows in Ethiopia with prevalence ranging from 28.5–67%. However, there is insufficient information available regarding the frequency and spread of IBR in the northwest part of the nation. In northwest Ethiopia, a cross-sectional study was carried out to estimate seroprevalence of BoHV-1 and identify associated risk factors. Dairy farms and farm owners were chosen using a multistage cluster sampling technique, while dairy cattle were chosen using a simple random sample technique. Four hundred and thirty-one dairy cattle from 177 herds in the Debark and Lay-Armachiho districts in the North and Central Gondar zones, respectively, both in Northwestern Ethiopia, were selected to provide serum samples. Owners of dairy animals provided information via questionnaires. Using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA), anti-BoHV-1 antibodies were detected in serum samples. To identify risk factors, univariable and multivariable mixed effect logistic regression models were used. We calculated animal level and herd level seroprevalence of 72% (95% CI: 64.9-78.4%) and 85.7% (95% CI: 79.8-90%), respectively. Parity was associated with seroprevalence of BoHV-1; cows with higher parity had increased seroprevalence of BoHV-1. Bull mating [OR=3.13, (95% CI: 1.74-5.64)] compared to AI and Debark district [OR=2.73 (95% CI: 1.63-4.57)] compared to Lay-Armachiho district, were associated with seroprevalence of BoHV-1. The study had shown that BoHV-1 is circulating out of the major cities and also on dairy farms keeping local breeds of dairy cows in Gondar zones, North-West Ethiopia. This suggests need of attention in prevention and control of BoHV-1.

Esh-Shaheinab: The archetype of the Sudanese Neolithic, its premises and sequels.

Esh-Shaheinab is a landmark in the African Neolithic. This site gave the name Shaheinab Neolithic to the Neolithic period in central Sudan, becoming its archetype. Excavated in the late 1940s by A.J. Arkell, it bears witness to the processes of domestic animal introduction from the Middle East into North and East Africa. Its excavation also uncovered the remains of an earlier Mesolithic or Early Khartoum (ca. ninth-sixth millennia BC) and a Late Neolithic occupation (ca. fourth millennium BC), providing essential insights into the Neolithic's premises and sequels. Although the influence of Esh-Shaheinab has been recognized for more than seventy years, our knowledge of its material culture has remained as it was then. In 2001, one of the present authors (EAAG) had permission to restudy the ceramic collection at the National Museum in Khartoum and subsequently export samples for laboratory analyses. Here, for the first time, we provide a multi-scale analysis of the Esh-Shaheinab ceramic material from the Early Khartoum to the Late Neolithic periods by integrating the chaîne opératoire approach into the local landscape. By combining the results of macroscopic and microscopic analyses, we performed petrographic investigations on the composition and manufacturing technology of the ceramic pastes using polarized optical microscopy (POM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS). Organic residue analysis (ORA) was also carried out, to provide information on diet, vessel use, and subsistence practices. The results of our combined analyses showed that the inhabitants of Esh-Shaheinab developed an adaptation specific to the ecological niche they inhabited. They lived in the western valley of the Nile, which was narrower and offered different environmental conditions than the eastern bank. This resulted in partial continuity in manufacturing traditions and ceramic recipes, including more mixed wadi materials and a strong emphasis on wild meat consumption as the narrower alluvial plain restricted animal herding.

Needs for increasing the storage infrastructure for manure in Poland in the light of the requirements of the new action programme to implement the Nitrates Directive

The aim of the research was to determine the need to increase the infrastructure for storing livestock manure in Poland in groups of farms divided on the basis of the number of animal herds. Using individual data from Statistics Poland and using the balance method, the maladjustment of the infrastructure to the new legal requirements regarding the storage of manure was estimated. It was determined that meeting the standards included in the new action program in force in the country under the Nitrates Directive will require the construction or expansion of manure plates with an area of 2,539.6 thousand m2, new tanks with a capacity of 3,437.2 thousand m3 and covering the existing ones with a capacity of 3,170.6 thousand m3. Total investment costs were estimated at PLN 5,907,913.40 thousand, i.e. approximately EUR 1.4 billion. The requirements in force for most entities since January 1, 2025, will bring far-reaching changes, leading to the concentration of animals in very large herds and deepening the regionalisation of production. Both positive and negative effects of this process on the natural environment were indicated.

Post-release dispersal and home range of translocated red deer in the Vojvodina province (Serbia)

Monitoring of 38 (12 male and 26 female) red deer translocated from Ivo Wildlife Park (Romania) to hunting ground "Bosutske Forest" (Vojvodina, Serbia) was conducted from 2017 to 2021. The red deer were translocated in lieu of the managing authority's efforts to counteract the effects of red deer losses due to catastrophic flooding in the region. All animals were ear-tagged, while 7 males and 10 females were fitted with GPS collars. A total of 2,288 valid signals were analyzed (565 from males and 1,723 from females). In addition, 1,333 sighting records were collected from eight observation posts (480 in 2019, 670 in 2020 and 183 in 2021). We determined the movements and spatial distribution of translocated animals in the new habitat and estimated their home range sizes. Home range was calculated using the minimum convex polygon method, while the core area was calculated using the kernel density estimator method. The greatest straight-line distance from the acclimatisation enclosure was essentially the same for both sexes (average 6.0 km for males and 6.4 km for females). A non-significant relationship existed between the number of days in captivity and the greatest straight-line distance, as well as between days in captivity and the core area of the home range. The estimated home range of males was 12.8 km2 (range 0.2‒36.1), smaller than that of females (20.6 km2, range 0.4‒68.7), but this difference was not statistically significant. Observations made independently showed mostly herds of 4 to 6 individuals (52.3%), while large herds (≥ 10 individuals) were rare. Participation of translocated and resident animals in mixed herds was common during the monitoring period (62.3%). Our results showed that a high level of acceptance of the new habitat and social cohesion between translocated and resident animals was achieved. We believe that this is due to two main reasons: firstly, the long-term stay in a large acclimatisation enclosure prior to release and secondly, year-round supplemental feeding coupled with an abundant natural food supply in this unique forest area also contributed to successful acclimatisation. Keywords: Cervus elaphus; population; habitat; home range size; red deer; management

Spatial correlations in laboratory insect swarms.

In contrast with flocks of birds, schools of fish and herds of animals, swarms of the non-biting midge Chironomus riparius do not possess global order and under quiescent conditions velocities are only weakly correlated at long distances. Without such order it is challenging to characterize the collective behaviours of the swarms which until now have only been evident in their coordinated responses to disturbances. Here I show that the positions of the midges in laboratory swarms are maximally anticorrelated. This novel form of long-range ordering has until now gone unnoticed in the literature on collective animal movements. Here, its occurrence is attributed to midges being, in nearly equal measure, attracted towards the centre of the swarm and repelled by one another. It is shown that the midge swarms are poised at the cusp of a stable-unstable phase transition.

Genetic diversity and virulence properties of caprine Trueperella pyogenes isolates

BackgroundTrueperella pyogenes is an opportunistic pathogen that causes suppurative infections in various animal species, including goats. So far, only limited knowledge of phenotypic and genotypic properties of T. pyogenes isolates from goats has been gathered. In our study, we characterized the phenotypic and genotypic properties of caprine T. pyogenes isolates and established their relationship by Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RAPD-PCR).ResultsFrom 2015 to 2023, 104 T. pyogenes isolates were obtained from 1146 clinical materials. In addition, two T. pyogenes isolates were obtained from 306 swabs collected from healthy goats. A total of 51 T. pyogenes isolates were subjected to detailed phenotypic and genotypic characterization. The virulence genotype plo/nanH/nanP/fimA/fimC/luxS was predominant. All of the tested isolates showed the ability to form a biofilm but with different intensities, whereby most of them were classified as strong biofilm formers (72.5%). The high level of genetic diversity among tested caprine T. pyogenes isolates (19 different RAPD profiles) was observed. The same RAPD profiles were found for isolates obtained from one individual, as well as from other animals in the same herd, but also in various herds.ConclusionsThis study provided important data on the occurrence of T. pyogenes infections in goats. The assessment of virulence properties and genetic relationships of caprine T. pyogenes isolates contributed to the knowledge of the epidemiology of infections caused by this pathogen in small ruminants. Nevertheless, further investigations are warranted to clarify the routes of transmission and dissemination of the pathogen.

Effects of alcohol abuse on involvement of youth in productive economic activities in Baringo Central Sub-County, Kenya

This study sought to analyse the effects of alcohol abuse on youth involvement in productive economic activities in Baringo's central sub-county, Kenya. The issue of alcohol abuse among youth is pervasive globally, with approximately 30 per cent of adolescents engaging in binge drinking, leading to severe consequences for health systems, economic productivity, and social stability. In Baringo Central Sub-County, approximately 40 per cent of the youth engage in regular alcohol consumption, presenting a critical public health issue. This study aimed to assess the effects of alcohol abuse on youth involvement in productive economic activities, including crop farming, animal herding, entrepreneurial activities, and formal employment. The researchers utilised a cross-sectional descriptive research design to collect data from youth aged 18-35 using structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews. The findings revealed that 66 per cent of respondents reported missed farming deadlines, 69 per cent indicated neglect of livestock, 69 per cent of young entrepreneurs reported reduced motivation, and 70 per cent of respondents in formal employment reported increased absenteeism due to alcohol abuse. These results underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions such as comprehensive awareness programs, enhanced access to rehabilitation services, and stricter regulations on alcohol sales to address alcohol abuse and support the socio-economic development of youth in Baringo Central Sub-County. The study contributes valuable insights into the socio-economic effects of alcohol abuse, informing policymakers and stakeholders about the necessary measures to mitigate these impacts and promote sustainable development.

Emerging of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O177:H11 and O177:H25 from cattle at slaughter in Italy

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are zoonotic pathogens frequently carried by cattle, responsible in humans of mild to bloody diarrhoea, haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) and even death. In 2023–2024, a study on STEC contamination of hide and carcasses of dairy cattle at slaughter was planned in Emilia-Romagna region (northern Italy). When the study was still in progress and 60 animals were sampled, the detection of STEC O177 isolates reached high rates and gained our attention. A total of five O177 STEC strains were detected, namely four from three carcasses (5.0 %) and one from a hide sample (1.7 %). The isolates were typed by WGS as following: 1) STEC O177:H11 sequence type (ST) 765 (stx2a+, eae+), detected from one carcass; 2) STEC O177:H25 ST659 (stx2c+, eae+) detected from three carcasses and one hide sample. One carcass was contaminated by both STEC serotypes. The isolates carried other virulence determinants often found in STEC strains associated with HUS, namely the exha, astA and espP genes, together with genes for adhesion to the epithelial cells of the gut (lpfA, fdeC, fimH) and non-Locus for Enterocyte Effacement (LEE) effector protein genes (nleA, nleB). The STEC O177:H11 isolate harboured antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes to β-lactams (blaTEM-1A), aminoglycosides (aadA1, aph(3″)-Ib, aph(6)-Id), trimethoprim (dfrA1), sulphonamides (sul1, sul2), tetracyclines (tetA), (tetB), streptothricin (sat2), and quaternary ammonium compounds (qacEdelta1). On the contrary, the STEC O177:H25 isolates carried no AMR genes. Persistent carriage of STEC O177:H25 ST659 (stx2c+, eae+) at farm level was assessed by testing animals of the same herd sent to slaughter.Interestingly, the colonies of STEC O177:H11 and STEC O177:H25 had different morphology on CHROMagar™ STEC plates, being mauve and colourless, respectively. Since mauve is the colour STEC colonies commonly have on the CHROMagar™ STEC medium, our findings can help microbiologists in the selection of uncommon serotypes.To the best of our knowledge, this is the first detection of STEC O177 from carcasses and hides of dairy cattle at slaughter. Noteworthy, the STEC-positive hide was classified as “very dirty” thus stressing the need of clean animals entering the slaughter chain, as required by Regulation (EC) No 853/2004. Since STEC O177 has been responsible of HUS in Europe, our data could add information on the source of uncommon serogroups in human infections.

Exploring veterinary students' awareness and perception of zoonoses risks, infection control practices, and biosecurity measures in Ethiopia.

Universities and colleges are often regarded as playing a key role in educating veterinarians and animal health workers who advise farmers on herd health and animal husbandry. However, to date, studies examining veterinary students' knowledge of zoonotic diseases of public health importance and the source of this knowledge, as well as their preparedness to respond to these diseases, have focused on the Global North rather than the Global South. This study takes Ethiopia as a case study in exploring veterinary medicine students' knowledge of zoonosis risks, infection control practices and biosecurity measures, recognizing that it is imperative to reconcile national-level veterinary education curricula with emerging global trends, such as One Health-focused training. This training advocates for a collaborative, interdisciplinary response at local, national, and international levels to the adverse impact of zoonotic diseases on animal health and productivity, and human and environmental health. Data for this study were collected through a pre-tested online questionnaire administered to 154 veterinary students from several universities in Ethiopia. The findings of this study suggest veterinary students were aware of the public health risks posed by zoonoses and the important role that collaboration between the disciplines of human and animal health can play in addressing zoonoses and emerging health risks. However, students demonstrated poor knowledge of the need to adopt infection control measures (ICPs) and biosecurity measures to reduce occupational risks and prevent within and between herd transmission of infection. Moreover, students' vaccination rates against zoonotic diseases associated with occupational risks, such as rabies, were low. The results of this study suggest that there are currently gaps in Ethiopia's veterinary curriculum and that enhancing veterinary students' access to information regarding infection control practices and biosecurity measures could contribute to reducing their future occupational exposure to zoonoses. This study highlights the policy implications of the current veterinary medicine curriculum in Ethiopia and the scope for aligning the curriculum with important global initiatives, such as One Health-focused training.

Chapter 7. Mapping land use with integrated environmental archaeological datasets

AbstractArchaeologists have developed tools to reconstruct the locations of farming and animal herding using ecological and digital modeling of ancient landscapes. The determination of where on a landscape farming and herding took place, however, can remain elusive in environments with evidence for substantial geomorphological and/or ecological change since the period of occupation. Archaeobotanical and geoarchaeological evidence from the site of Gordion, in central Anatolia, indicates substantial landscape change over the last 4000 years, including deforestation, overgrazing, erosion, and alluviation. These have been inferred to be the result of past agricultural practices, but no firm evidence has pointed to specific locations (geographic and temporal) where ancient farming and herding may have caused these changes. Integrating extant archaeobotanical, zooarchaeological, and geoarchaeological evidence with new isotopic data provides a more detailed reconstruction of the sequence of agricultural practices that shaped the present landscape and ecology of the region, offering a model for future archaeological research within substantially transformed landscapes.

Reactive shepherding along a dynamic path

Shepherding, the task of guiding a herd of autonomous individuals in a desired direction, is an essential skill employed in the herding of animals, crowd control, and evacuation operations. Integrating shepherding capabilities into robots holds promise to perform such tasks with increased efficiency and reduced labor costs. To date, robotic shepherds have only been designed to steer a herd towards a predetermined goal location without constraints on the trajectory. However, the tasks of a sheepdog encompass not only steering the herd but also (i) maintaining the herd within a designated area and (ii) averting dangers, obstacles, or undesirable terrain such as newly sown land. We present a decentralized control algorithm for multi-robot shepherding designed to guide a group of animals along a specified path delineated by two boundaries. The algorithm incorporates the additional objective of preserving the group within these boundaries. Simulation results reveal that, especially in sections of the path with sharp turns and a small distance between the boundaries, the group exhibits a tendency to deviate beyond the prescribed margin. Additionally, our findings emphasize the algorithm’s sensitivity to the ratio of robot-group sizes and the magnitude of the group’s velocity.

PERCEPTION OF ANIMAL OWNERS TOWARDS VETERINARY CLINICAL COMPLEX

The Veterinary Clinical Complex is a leading centre for animal treatment and serves as a reference Veterinary Clinic, with the main goal of training students to attain academic excellence and become successful veterinarians. Many clinical cases of small and large animals are presented to the veterinary clinical complex, which gives undergraduate students plenty of instructional material. The placement of multiple clinical departments and Veterinary Clinic units in one site has allowed for a well-integrated and coordinated approach to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases in small and large animals. The research was conducted at the veterinary clinical complex (VCC), CVS & AH, Kamdhenu University, Junagadh. An interview schedule was used in accordance with the objectives of the research in order to gauge how animal owners respect the VCC. In order to conduct a statistical analysis based on mean, frequency and percentage, 200 animal owners who visited VCC every day from 2021 to 2022 were randomly selected. The result indicated that majority of the animal owners had a medium level of perception towards Veterinary Clinical Complex services. Variables like education, experience as an animal owners, herd size, social participation and extension contact were positive and significant association with perception of animal owners about veterinary clinical complex and the variables like type of family, size of land holding, annual income and occupation had non-significant relationship with perception of animal owners about VCC services. Major constraints experienced by animal owners are vaccination and free of cost medicine is not provided by the VCC centre. Major suggestions given by the respondents to overcome the constraints were; medicine should be provided free of cost in veterinary clinical complex.

Salmonellosis in Ukraine: An analysis of food products contamination, Salmonella transmission, and serovar diversity during 2012–2023

A laboratory-based surveillance was conducted to study the transmission of Salmonella infection in Ukraine during the period 2012-2023. The study focused on the different categories of food products, feed, and animals as the main transmission factors and tried to analyze the relationship between them. The serological profile of Salmonella was predominantly observed in samples from objects of veterinary control, including biological/pathological material from animals and biomaterials from poultry within the National Poultry Salmonellosis Control Program. The study found that the most frequently isolated serovars were S. Enteritidis (20.03%), followed by S. Typhimurium (14.76%), S. Pullorum (without biovar identification;10.71%), S. Pullorum biovar Pullorum (10.50%), S. Pullorum var. Gallinarum (6.62%), S. Choleraesuis (5.79%), S. Livingstone (2.53%), and S. Infantis (1.70%). In 2021, an isolate of monophasic S. Typhimurium was identified for the first time in pathological material from pigs. The study also found that the most frequent Salmonella-positive categories of food products in Ukraine were meat and meat products (78.16%), eggs and egg products (11.75%); dairy products (3.319%), fish products (2.71%), ready-to-eat food products (1.96%). The largest specific share of Salmonella isolates from food products and feed was S. Enteritidis, followed by serotypes such as S. Infantis, S. Typhimurium, S. Livingstone, S. Virchow, and rare serotypes such as S. Nigeria and S. Thompson. The dominance of certain serovars such as S. Enteritidis, S. Typhimurium, S. Infantis, S. Livingstone, and S. Virchow in biomaterials from sick animals indicates their primary role in the infection of food products of animal origin. Hence, a stress to enhance diagnostic and monitoring frameworks at animal herd levels. The findings of this study can be used as a basis for evidence-based epidemiology, as well as for the implementation of joint steps to improve the effectiveness of control measures against salmonellosis in each region.

Factors Affecting Cattle Insurance Purchase and its Effects on the Financial Situation of Dairy Farmers

The results of the study indicated that the age of the respondents, the type of animals reared, herd size, and membership in dairy cooperatives and districts significantly influenced the adoption of cattle insurance. The education of the respondent, herd size, the type of animal holding, and membership in dairy cooperatives significantly influenced the willingness to pay for cattle insurance. Willingness to pay was found to be less than the actual payment for the cattle insurance premium, and it was more in the case of crossbreds than other categories of animals. The type of animal and membership in dairy cooperatives had a positive and significant influence on the actual level of payment for cattle insurance. The landholding size, animal herd size, and non-farm occupation, along with dairying, had a positive influence, and the loss of animals had a negative impact on the net- income of the farmers. Finally, it can be concluded that cattle insurance is one of the best risk mitigation strategies to help farmers stabilize their income under risks and uncertain situations.

Caring for herd animals in Isluga

Chapter 3 of the book Earth, Water, Fleece and Fabric, first published in 2002, is presented in this article. It is based on periods of fieldwork carried out between 1986 and the late 1990s. In the previous chapter of the book, it was suggested that camelid domestication arose from the taming of successive generations of animals as part of the daily practices of herding. Domestication was not a once and forall event in the distant past. The present article focuses on the thick description of Isluga people’s herding strategies duringthe 1980s and 1990s. Isluga is an Aymara community in the Chilean highlands, bordering with Bolivia. Caring for camelidsin this community constitutes a process whereby herders sustain and renew lasting relationships between human beingsand herd animals. Cycles of time and space are described in order to contextualisehow and where the herders look after their llamas, alpacas and sheep. All Souls Day marks the arrival of the rainy seasonand Carnival is the event which brings it to an end. The austral summer solstice occurs on the cusp between these two festivalsand coincides with the fiesta of St. Thomas. Isluga people call themselves the «children of Saint Thomas», in a tradition which is inscribed in the topography of their territory. The other season of the year is cold and dry. It is associated with the winds of St. James the Greater and St. Anthony of Padua.The annual cycle therefore unfolds in a calendar of saints’ days accompanied by atmospheric phenomena, which nurturethe pasture grounds. The herding activities take place in a volcanic landscape associatedwith land forms which are perceived to be animated and gendered. The earth is personified as the Wirjin Tayka or Pachamama and the hills as Uywiri. Isluga people engage with these beings on a daily basis. These land forms can serve as aviadores, «providers», associated with the fertility and wellbeing of camelids and sheeps. The composition of the herds of llamas and alpacas is analysed, as well as the classifications Isluga people make accordingto age and gender. Camelid nomenclature is based on the disposition of dark and light colours in the coat of llamas and alpacas. Isluga people use names for their camelids which are intimately related to birds and other beings in their surroundings.The dense description offered makes it possible to analyse the regenerative cycle of water, pasture and fleece in a comparative ethnography, in the light of themes developed in other parts of the book, from which this article has been extracted.

Caring for herd animals in Isluga

En este artículo se presenta el capítulo 3 del libro Earth, Water, Fleece and Fabric —Tierra, agua, vellón y tela—, que se publicó por primera vez en 2002. Se basa en períodos de trabajo de campo realizados desde 1986 hasta finales de los años 1990. En el capítulo anterior del libro, se sostenía que la domesticación de los camélidos surgió del amansar de sucesivas generaciones de animales ligada a las prácticas cotidianas del pastoreo. No fue un acontecimiento único en el lejano pasado. El presente trabajo se centra en la descripción densa de las formas de pastoreo practicadas durante los años 1980 y 1990 por la gente de Isluga, una comunidad aymara del altiplano chileno fronterizo con Bolivia, donde las prácticas ganaderas del cuidado de los camélidos sostienen y renuevan relaciones duraderas entre los seres humanos y los animales de rebaño. Se explican los ciclos de tiempo y espacio para contextualizar cómo y dónde los pastores y las pastoras cuidan de sus llamas, alpacas y corderos. El Día de los Difuntos anuncia la llegada de la estación de las lluvias y el carnaval es el evento que cierra la temporada. El solsticio de verano ocurre en la cúspide entre estas dos fiestas y coincide con la festividad del santo Tomás. Los islugueños se llaman a sí mismos «los hijos de santoTomás», en una tradición que se encarna en la topografía del territorio. La otra estación del año es fría y seca, en asociación con los vientos de Santiago Apóstol y de san Antonio de Padua. El ciclo anual se inscribe pues en un santoral ligado con los fenómenos atmosféricos que nutren los pastizales. Las actividades ganaderas se desarrollan en un paisaje volcánico asociado a formas terrestres dotadas de animación y género. La tierra se personifica como la Wirjin Tayka o Pachamama y los cerros como Uywiri. Los islugueños interactúan a diario con estos seres que pueden servir de «aviadores» —proveedores— asociados a la fertilidad y el bienestar de los camélidos y corderos. Se analiza la composición de los rebaños de llamas y alpacas cuidados por los islugueños, y las clasificaciones según edad y género. La nomenclatura de los camélidos se basa en la disposición de las manchas de colores claros y oscuros en el vellón. Los islugueños aplican nombres a los camélidos que son íntimamente relacionados con las aves y otros seres de su entorno. La densa descripción que se ofrece permite analizar el ciclo regenerador del agua, los pastos y el vellón en un enfoque etnográfico comparativo, tratando temas desarrollados en otras partes del libro del que se extrae el presente trabajo.

Synergistic control for enhancing frequency stability in grid-integrated network with decentralized renewable energy resources, energy storage, and electric vehicles

The integration of Decentralized Energy Resources (DERs), Energy Storage Systems (ESS), and Electric Vehicles (EVs) into grid-connected networks presents a transformative paradigm in modern power systems. This article introduces a synergistic control framework tailored for optimizing frequency stability within grid-integrated distributed networks. The proposed approach leverages advanced control algorithms to orchestrate the dynamic interaction between DERs, ESS, and EVs, ensuring seamless operation and enhanced grid resilience. The effectiveness of the proposed control strategy is demonstrated in mitigating frequency deviations, thereby contributing to a more stable and reliable grid infrastructure. This article introduces a novel approach utilizing the Selfish Herd Optimization (SHO) algorithm to address this critical issue. Inspired by the self-preservation behavior observed in animal herding, the SHO algorithm is adapted to coordinate the operation of DERs with loads within a distributed network. By dynamically adjusting their output based on local frequency measurements, DERs collectively exhibit a self-organizing behavior, resulting in improved frequency stability. The SHO based PID controller is also proven to be far more effective at controlling frequency than the traditional PI controller. The findings underscore the potential of bio-inspired algorithms in enhancing the resilience of grid-integrated DER systems, offering a promising avenue for future grid control methodologies.

Which Factors Influence the Consumption of Antibiotics in Q-Fever-Positive Dairy Farms in Northern Germany?

It was the aim of this study to examine whether the usage of the vaccine COXEVAC® (Ceva Santé Animale) could reduce the consumption of antibiotics in Q-fever-positive dairy farms. Additionally, the effects of other herd-level factors on the consumption of antibiotics were investigated. A total of 36 farms with vaccination and 13 farms without vaccination participated in this longitudinal cohort study. In all herds, Coxiella burnetii had been directly or indirectly diagnosed. To compare the treatment frequency of antibiotics between the vaccinated group and the non-vaccinated group, the consumption of antibiotics for each farm was collected using the veterinary documents about the application and delivery of antibiotics. To gather detailed information about herd data, nutrition, milking management, housing, and animal health, the farmers were interviewed with the help of a questionnaire. The results thereof suggest that there might be an association between the vaccination against Q fever and a reduced consumption of antibiotics. Neither herd size nor milk yield level influenced the consumption of antibiotics in the study herds. Type of flooring and udder-cluster disinfection while milking were associated with a lower and higher therapy frequency, respectively. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the cause-effect relationship between vaccination and the consumption of antibiotics.

Statistical methods for the computation and parameter estimation of a fractional SIRC model with Salmonella infection

This study analyzes the fractional order SIRC epidemic model under stochastic fractional differential equations in the Caputo sense. This article describes Salmonella infection in animal herds. For the deterministic system, we explain solution positivity and boundness. We also prove that the fractional stochastic solution exists and is unique. Other criteria considered include non-negativity of solutions, local and global stability analyses, Hyers-Ulam stability analysis, and sensitivity analysis for the deterministic system. Furthermore, according to the truncated Ito-Taylor expansion, we apply a numerical method to solve the stochastic fractional SIRC epidemic model, namely the Milstein method, to solve the stochastic fractional SIRC epidemic model. A comparison of the approximation solution and the corresponding deterministic model for different sample paths shows the efficiency of the numerical method. In addition, graphs and error tables provide insight into numerical experiments' results. The stochastic nature of the model allows random fluctuations in Salmonella infection spread. By incorporating uncertainty into the model, we gain a more realistic understanding of the epidemic dynamics and can better evaluate the effectiveness of control measures. Additionally, the numerical method used to solve the stochastic fractional SIRC epidemic model provides valuable insights into the variability of the results. This enhances our ability to make informed decisions about managing and preventing bacterial infections in animal herds.