Cattle Farms Research Articles

Conservation imperatives for swallowtail butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae): a case study in the north bank landscape of river Brahmaputra, Bodoland Territorial Region, India

The decline of swallowtail butterflies in forest habitats, which was not a significant concern about two decades ago, has now garnered attention worldwide, leading to their designation as globally endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. A recent study conducted in the north bank landscape (NBL) of river Brahmaputra, specifically under the Bodoland Territorial Region in India, has shed light on the remarkable diversity of swallowtail butterfly species in the area. The study documented a total of 35 species representing eight different genera. Notably, three species are endemic to northeastern India, and 12 enjoy federal protection. The findings suggest that the studied landscape plays a crucial role in supporting larval host plants and adult resources of swallowtail butterflies along with the other abiotic factors. These butterflies depend on 25 plant species from six families as essential food sources. Unfortunately, these host plants, valued for their traditional medicinal properties, are being overexploited. Urgent conservation measures are imperative to safeguard the habitats of swallowtail butterflies and other wildlife in the NBL under Bodoland Territorial Region, as they face significant threats from practices such as agriculture, illegal tree felling, forest fires, and cattle farming.

A New Method for Non-Destructive Identification and Tracking of Multi-Object Behaviors in Beef Cattle Based on Deep Learning.

The method proposed in this paper provides theoretical and practical support for the intelligent recognition and management of beef cattle. Accurate identification and tracking of beef cattle behaviors are essential components of beef cattle production management. Traditional beef cattle identification and tracking methods are time-consuming and labor-intensive, which hinders precise cattle farming. This paper utilizes deep learning algorithms to achieve the identification and tracking of multi-object behaviors in beef cattle, as follows: (1) The beef cattle behavior detection module is based on the YOLOv8n algorithm. Initially, a dynamic snake convolution module is introduced to enhance the ability to extract key features of beef cattle behaviors and expand the model's receptive field. Subsequently, the BiFormer attention mechanism is incorporated to integrate high-level and low-level feature information, dynamically and sparsely learning the behavioral features of beef cattle. The improved YOLOv8n_BiF_DSC algorithm achieves an identification accuracy of 93.6% for nine behaviors, including standing, lying, mounting, fighting, licking, eating, drinking, working, and searching, with average 50 and 50:95 precisions of 96.5% and 71.5%, showing an improvement of 5.3%, 5.2%, and 7.1% over the original YOLOv8n. (2) The beef cattle multi-object tracking module is based on the Deep SORT algorithm. Initially, the detector is replaced with YOLOv8n_BiF_DSC to enhance detection accuracy. Subsequently, the re-identification network model is switched to ResNet18 to enhance the tracking algorithm's capability to gather appearance information. Finally, the trajectory generation and matching process of the Deep SORT algorithm is optimized with secondary IOU matching to reduce ID mismatching errors during tracking. Experimentation with five different complexity levels of test video sequences shows improvements in IDF1, IDS, MOTA, and MOTP, among other metrics, with IDS reduced by 65.8% and MOTA increased by 2%. These enhancements address issues of tracking omission and misidentification in sparse and long-range dense environments, thereby facilitating better tracking of group-raised beef cattle and laying a foundation for intelligent detection and tracking in beef cattle farming.

Factors Affecting the Innovation of Crop-Livestock Integration System (SITT) Adoption in North Minahasa Regency

The adoption of beef cattle crop-livestock integration system (SITT) innovations in North Minahasa Regency still faces various obstacles. As a result, beef cattle development tends to experience a decline in population, productivity, and competitiveness. The purpose of the study was to determine the factors influencing farmers' attitudes and adoption of SITT technology innovations for beef cattle in North Minahasa Regency. Mixed-method research was conducted from March to May 2024, where 25 extension agents and cattle farmers were selected purposively. The variables used were farmer characteristics, extension worker performance, nature of innovation, communication channels, attitudes, and farmer adoption of SITT. Data analysis used the Spearman rank method. The study revealed a strong correlation between extension worker performance and the nature of innovation on farmers' attitudes and SITT adoption. In contrast, communication behavior exhibited a negligible impact. These findings underscore the critical role of extension agents in facilitating technology adoption. To maximize the effectiveness of extension programs, efforts should focus on enhancing extension worker capabilities and creating innovative solutions tailored to farmers' needs.

Prevalence of Fasciolosis in Commercial Cattle of Tulsipur Sub-Metropolitan, Dang, Nepal

Fasciolosis is a frequently occurring and economically significant parasitic disease of ruminants that is widely distributed. A cross-sectional study was conducted to find out the prevalence of fasciolosis in commercial cattle farms during the period from April 2023 to June 2023 in Tulsipur sub-metropolitan, Dang, Nepal. A total of 202 fresh fecal samples were collected purposively from the study area from cattle of different ages, breeds, sexes, and stages and examined using the direct method and the sedimentation method. The obtained data were coded and analyzed using the SPSS version 23 software. The overall prevalence of fasciolosis was 32.20%. Age-wise prevalence was found to be 52.83%, 23.46%, and 27.45% in groups less than two years, two to five years, and above five years, respectively. The prevalence of Fasciola was found to be 34.62% in cross-breed cattle and 10% in indigenous cattle, and 31.11% in females and 40.90% in male cattle. The stage-wise prevalence of Fasciola in calves, heifers and productive cattle were 50%, 39.21% and 22.52% respectively. Breed, age and stage-wise prevalence were found to be statistically significant (p<0.05) while sex-wise prevalence was found insignificant (p>0.05). Since fasciolosis is significantly prevalent among cattle in the Tulsipur sub-metropolitan area, periodic deworming is required to prevent the infections and maximize cattle production. Further study is required for the identification of the epidemiological risk factors and the preventive measures of the disease in Nepal.

Determinants of Livestock Insurance Adoption by Dairy Cattle Farmers of Nawalpur District, Nepal

Livestock farming faces inherent vulnerabilities, such as disease outbreaks and natural disasters. The utilization of livestock insurance can play a crucial role in alleviating risks and uncertainties associated with farming practices, ultimately fostering security for farmers. The research was carried out purposively in Nawalpur district during 2022 to identify the factors affecting adoption of livestock insurance among dairy cattle farmers. One hundred and twenty dairy cattle farmers were selected randomly from the study area. Primary data were collected using pretested semi-structured interview schedule, Focus Group Discussion and Key Informant Interview. Descriptive statistics and probit model were used to interpret the findings. Findings from the research revealed that age, membership in farmer’s organization, contact with extension worker and rearing of improved breed were statistically significant in the adoption of livestock insurance. Extension agencies of government, non-governmental institution and insurance companies should primarily focus on farmers who are old aged, rear improved breed, participate in farmer’s organization and have regular contact with extension worker for better adoption.

Assessment of implementation of biosecurity measures on livestock farms in three regions of Kosovo

Biosecurity is a multicomponent procedure that encompasses risk analysis and management strategies relevant to human, animal and plant life, as well as environmental risk assessment. The aim of this study was to assess data related to biosecurity measures implemented by farmers on cattle, sheep and goat farms in Kosovo. A total of 36 farms from three regions of Kosovo, Pristina, Ferizaj and Peja were included. A questionnaire consisting of one open-ended question and 37 closed questions was administered directly to farmers, and the current on-farm situation was observed by the investigators. Based on the collected results, 86% of farms were cattle farms, 8% were sheep farms, and 6% were goat farms. Among all the farms visited, 67% of them operated with a combined system, 28% with a closed system and only 5% operated with an open system. The vast majority of participants (81%) declared that they did not have sufficient knowledge about the term biosecurity, whereas 11% of them were moderately familiar with the term biosecurity and only 8% of them were quite familiar with the term. 83% reported that their animals undergo a veterinary health check only when necessary. Other biosecurity measures applied less frequently included: showering before entering the farm, specific clothing and shoes for visitors, animal quarantine, disinfection and systematic plan for insect and rodent control. We propose that there is room for improving the level of on-farm biosecurity by enhancing practical training and information from localinstitutions. We conclude that routine integration of biosecurity measures was not demonstrated by most farmers in their management practices and that there is significant room for improvement concerning the level of biosecurity in Kosovo.

Improving the Carbon Balance of Cattle Grazing Systems in Madagascar

Climate change is a global issue having significant effects on the grazing systems in Madagascar. In the Boeny region, extensive cattle farming based on natural grazing is at risk of forage shortages. Working with stakeholders across the system, this research assessed the vulnerability and adaptive potential of farms by studying farmers’ preferences, carbon (C) sources and C-stock positions, resource flows, and system management methods.

Mixed grazing of cattle with sheep and goats as a solution for livestock farmers in Greece and other countries around the Mediterranean Sea: a review

The management of common pastures is often a matter of conflict between cattle farmers and small ruminants (goats and sheep), especially in areas with small pastures and low capacity. This conflict is reflected in a relevant opinion survey in Evrytania (Central Greece) where cattle farmers consider that cattle can graze together with goats and/or sheep while goat and sheep farmers consider that cattle should be restricted to separate pastures. However, international experience as reflected in publications, mainly from the USA, shows that the co-grazing of cattle with goats and/or sheep, under certain conditions, can yield multiple benefits which have not been particularly highlighted in Greece. The aim of this paper is to investigate the potential of co-grazing of cattle with small ruminants and to list the benefits of this practice.

Avian phylogenetic and functional diversity are better conserved by land‐sparing than land‐sharing farming in lowland tropical forests

Abstract The transformation of natural habitats for farming is a major driver of tropical biodiversity loss. To mitigate impacts, two alternatives are promoted: intensifying agriculture to offset protected areas (land sparing) or integrating wildlife‐friendly habitats within farmland (land sharing). In the montane and dry tropics, phylogenetic and functional diversity, which underpin evolutionary values and the provision of ecosystem functioning and services, are best protected by land sparing. A key question is how these components of biodiversity are best conserved in the more stable environments of lowland moist tropical forests. Focusing on cattle farming within the Colombian Amazon, we investigated how the occupancy of 280 bird species varies between forest and pasture spanning gradients of wildlife‐friendly features. We then simulated scenarios of land‐sparing and land‐sharing farming to predict impacts on phylogenetic and functional diversity metrics. Predicted metrics differed marginally between forest and pasture. However, community assembly varied significantly. Wildlife‐friendly pastures were inadequate for most forest‐dependent species, while phylogenetic and functional diversity indices showed minimal variation across gradients of wildlife‐friendly features. Land sparing consistently retained higher levels of Faith's phylogenetic diversity (~30%), functional richness (~20%) and evolutionarily distinct lineages (~40%) than land sharing, and did so across a range of landscape sizes. Securing forest protection through land‐sparing practices remains superior for conserving overall community phylogenetic and functional diversity than land sharing. Synthesis and applications: To minimise the loss of avian phylogenetic diversity and functional traits from farming in the Amazon, it is imperative to protect large blocks of undisturbed and regenerating forests. The intensification required within existing farmlands to make space for spared lands while meeting agricultural demand needs to be sustainable, avoiding long‐term negative impacts on soil quality and other ecosystem services. Policies need to secure the delivery of both actions simultaneously.

INTENSITY OF GREENHOUSE GAS FORMATION DUE TO LIVESTOCK FARMING ACTIVITIES – AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL FACTOR

According to numerous expert assessments by international organizations and specialists, animal husbandry makes a significant negative contribution to global climate change due to the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG), which are formed at different stages of livestock production as a result of various chemical and biological processes in the body of animals and in livestock waste. The domestic animal husbandry is developing mainly due to the intensification of production in the industry, but traditional farming methods as well as small-scale production in the individual sector also take place. Since the use of various technologies in animal husbandry has different effects on the level of environmental pollution and GHG emissions, the aim of the research was to study the differences in the intensity of GHG gas formation by one animal reared with individual features of animal rearing technologies and business activities. The intensity of gas formation and emission of CH4 and N2O in typical farms for pork production and milk production by one animal reared was determined, analyzed and substantiated. A significant variation in this indicator was found depending on the individual economic and technological features of the studied farms. The average weighted annual intensity of CH4 emission from animal manure in pig farms varied within the range of 0.95–25.71, in cattle farm – 2.74; CH4 from intestinal fermentation of dairy cows – 110.8–148.4; N2O (direct) in pig farms – 0.0–0.106, in cattle farm – 0.229; N2O (indirect) in pig farms – 0.071–0.097, in cattle farm – 0.174. The emission intensity is characterized separately in each age and sex group of animals in the herd structure of farms and the average weighted emission intensity in pork producing farms depending on the season. Based on the research results, it is proposed to use the generalized average annual indicator of greenhouse gas emissions per one average weighted animal reared (kg/head/year) as an indicator of the environmental load of livestock farms on the environment, which will allow planning production volumes with minimal environmental risks in the context of climate change.

Enhancing Canada’s Beef Exports and Competitiveness in the Global Market

Alberta reports the highest revenues among all provinces in beef cattle ranching and farming,but there is still considerable potential to maximize profits by expanding international trade.In 2022, Canada exported 0.78 million head of cattle and 430,000 metric tonnes of beef, for atotal trade value of C$5.2 billion. That same year, Canada ranked eighth globally in the volumeof beef exports, sixth in the value of beef exports and fourth in the aggregate value of live cattleand beef exports.This study aims to provide a policy brief on Canada’s beef and cattle production and exports,and international market access and conditions. Trade barriers are identified and evaluated, andthe implications of non-tariff measures (NTMs) are examined. These include, for example, the banimposed by the European Union and the United Kingdom on the importation of peroxyacetic acid(PAA)-treated and hormone-treated beef, and the United States’ political/legislative attemptsto invoke the mandatory country-of-origin labelling (CoOL) standard for Canada’s beef exports.This study also discusses the benefits and limitations of preferential trade agreements (PTAs) forCanada’s beef exports, such as the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA); the Canada-EUComprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA); and the Comprehensive and ProgressiveAgreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The study concludes by exploring theopportunities to increase Canada’s beef exports and competitiveness in international markets.The analysis indicates that the Canadian cattle/beef sector would benefit from pursuing generalstrategies to increase its competitiveness in foreign markets by promoting its beef, raisingproduction efficiency and reducing production costs, tackling labour shortages, alleviatingregulatory constraints and integrating novel technologies in beef production and processing.The Canadian cattle/beef sector must increase its competitiveness in international markets anddiversify export destinations while maintaining access to the U.S. market. Canada is a major playerglobally, but it needs to increase its competitiveness in, for example, China, Japan, South Korea,Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Taiwan and the United Arab Emirates as these markets currently relyheavily on beef imports from Australia, Brazil and the U.S., among other countries.It would be critical to encompass strategies tailored to the market characteristics/conditions ofdestination countries, raise the effectiveness of PTAs and stimulate bilateral business/marketingnetworks. This study emphasizes the importance of sustaining market access to the U.S.,enhancing market access to other foreign countries and pursuing pronounced diversificationstrategies in beef exports to mitigate risks and uncertainties in international markets. It alsounderlines the basic requirement of raising competitiveness vis-à-vis other beef-exportingcountries in various international markets. In this context, trade preferences may not necessarilylead to significant increases in Canada’s beef exports to foreign markets when preferential accessis more pronounced for beef exported from other countries. Also, cost reductions should berelatively significant to effectively compete with other beef-exporting countries and realizeincreases in Canada’s beef exports to international markets.

Strategi Pengembangan Usaha Peternakan Sapi Potong pada BUMDes Siem Kecamatan Darussalam Kabupaten Aceh Besar

BUMDes is a village business institution in the economic sector that is wholly or partially owned by the village and managed by the community and Village Government in an effort to strengthen the village economy and the welfare of the village community that is formed based on the needs and potential of the village. Beef cattle unit as a business unit a Village-Owned Enterprise (BUMDes) in Siem village, Aceh Besar capital. This service aims to develop a series of alternatives for developing a BUMDes cattle business unit in Siem Village, the capital of Aceh Besar. The community service activities was carried on 27 February 2023 in Siem Village, Darussalam Regency, Aceh Besar. The technique of data were collection was done interviews and observation in location. The result community service of this study show that four alternative strategy were beef cattel unit : 1) Improvement of human resources, 2) Availability of food, 3) Increasing the capacity of capital, and 4) Production equipment. The village government requires collaboration from various stakeholders. The village government requires collaboration from various stakeholders. This is necessary to encourage in animal husbandry and empower beef cattle farmers to make their business viable and increase their income. Strategy of provision of forage land and application of appropriate technology in fodder processing.is the priorities strategy in order to improve the growth of cattle industry.

Time for a change? Investigating shifts in agricultural economies and food in southern-central Norway (11th -16th c. AD)

Cattle and, to a lesser extent, sheep/goat and pigs, were crucial components of Norway’s socio-cultural and economic dynamics in the Middle Ages. Zooarchaeological analyses of faunal samples from different urban sites reveal that changes in cattle husbandry practices occurred in Norway over the medieval period, and especially in its early phases. This is clearly demonstrated in the case of medieval Oslo, where an in-depth zooarchaeological study provides the first comprehensive review of cattle husbandry strategies. In the first centuries of the medieval period (11th -mid 12th c. AD), cattle were mainly raised for milk and meat production, while fewer young and more numerous older individuals, most of which probably oxen, were present from mid 12th -13th c. AD onwards. This hypothesis is supported by biometrical analyses of cattle postcranial bones, indicating changes in the sexual composition of cattle herds over time. Therefore, from ca. mid 12th -13th c. AD onward, cattle seem to have been more used for ploughing and, only once old, to have been culled for their meat. In turn, this evidence suggests that more arable lands had to be ploughed, especially in eastern and central Norway. Here, demographic growth and settlement expansion would have led to an increase in food demand; at the same time, more favourable climatic conditions might have contributed to an increase in the availability of arable fields. This article suggests that medieval Norwegian farming was not static as historically thought, but rather connected to wider-scale agricultural innovations characterising other parts of medieval Europe.

Why do rural youth migrate? Evidence from Colombia and Guatemala.

Migration, from rural to urban settings is a common phenomenon in Latin America, due to social, economic, political, and other factors. Young people in search of economic and educational opportunities, financial, and social stability, have been migrating to larger urban centers, thus crafting important shifts in rural labor, generational transfer, and domestic economies. Through a systematic literature review of scientific literature, and documents from public institutions and international organizations, published between 2012 and 2022, this article addresses rural-urban migration of youth in Colombia and Guatemala's cattle sector, particularly identifying (i) driving factors, (ii) their impacts on cattle farming, and (iii) public policies implemented to counteract prejudicial effects. Results show that unemployment, lack of educational opportunities, and insecurity are the main reasons for youth migration to cities or abroad, with Mexico, the United States, and Spain being the most common destinations. Additionally, impacts on the cattle sector include shortage of labor and a perfectible generational transfer, hindering the modernization of the industry and investments in climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies. Despite various implemented public policies, the results are partial, and the issue of accelerated youth migration remains relevant. Consequently, without more effective measures adopted by national governments, the cattle sector will lag behind its regional and international competitors, deterring the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. As the main contribution of the study, the analysis of migration is highlighted based on its effects on a specific economic sector and not focused on its causes, as evidenced in a wide range of literature.

Lumpy skin disease diagnosis in cattle: A deep learning approach optimized with RMSProp and MobileNetV2.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a critical problem for cattle populations, affecting both individual cows and the entire herd. Given cattle's critical role in meeting human needs, effective management of this disease is essential to prevent significant losses. The study proposes a deep learning approach using the MobileNetV2 model and the RMSprop optimizer to address this challenge. Tests on a dataset of healthy and lumpy cattle images show an impressive accuracy of 95%, outperforming existing benchmarks by 4-10%. These results underline the potential of the proposed methodology to revolutionize the diagnosis and management of skin diseases in cattle farming. Researchers and graduate students are the audience for our paper.

A Review on Mastitis in Dairy Cows Research: Current Status and Future Perspectives

One of the most serious diseases affecting dairy cattle, causing significant losses both in breeding and economy, is mastitis, an inflammation of the mammary gland. Due to the economic importance of this issue, many research teams are striving to develop an easy-to-apply and, most importantly, effective method to prevent mastitis. The use of traditional methods for mastitis detecting and treating, as well as improvement in hygienic conditions, have not yielded the expected results in combating this disease combating. Currently, the main task is to find the tools that would allow for the rapid detection of mastitis and the improvement of udder health in cows while maintaining high milk production, which is essential for the profitability of dairy cattle farming. Accurate and rapid diagnostic tools, with the simultaneous capability of identifying pathogens, may help to reduce losses. Sufficient sensitivity and specificity for tests are required to minimize the number of false-positive and false-negative cases. Efforts are also being made to determine the optimal threshold value for detecting the disease at its earliest possible stage. The estimation of somatic cell count (SCC) as a phenotypic indicator of mastitis is widely used. A more precise parameter for accurately describing udder health is the differential somatic cell count (DSCC). The well-known California Mastitis Test (CMT) is an inexpensive, easy, and rapid method for mastitis detection useful on farms. The latest diagnostic methods for mastitis utilize tests based on the activity of N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase (NAGase) or lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) as well as the determination of acute phase proteins (APPs) in blood serum and milk (such as haptoglobin, serum amyloid A, fibrinogen, and ceruloplasmin). Research also focuses on the genomic improvement of mastitis resistance in successive generations, and for this purpose, many quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been identified. In recent years, immunotherapy has become an increasingly common area of research, including vaccinations, T/B cell immunotherapy, RNA immunotherapy, epigenetic immunotherapy, stem cell therapy, and native secretory factors. An important aspect of the control of mastitis is the implementation of strategies that focus primarily on preventing the disease through appropriate breeding and farm management practices. In the forthcoming years, a significant challenge will be the development of universal diagnostic and therapeutic strategies that can be effectively implemented as alternatives to antibiotic therapy. Future research should prioritize the advancement of preventive and therapeutic techniques, such as immunotherapies, bacteriocins, herbal therapy, and nanoparticle technology.

Thermotolerance in Angus cattle is related to hair coat characteristics but not to coat color

This study evaluated the impact of coat color (CC) and hair coat characteristics (HC) on productive and physiological traits related to thermotolerance in Angus heifers. The goal was to determine if HC and/or CC were reliable indicators of thermotolerance on a large scale for future breeding programs. Ninety-three 15-month-old Angus heifers (52 black, 41 red) were evaluated in three periods on a beef cattle farm in Brazil. Heifers were classified by CC and HC, and body weight, body condition score (BCS), and reproductive tract score (RTS) were compared between groups. In the summer evaluation, surface temperature (infrared thermography), internal temperature (intravaginal sensors), sweating rate, and behavior were assessed in a subset of heifers. Temperature-humidity index (THI) was calculated using meteorological data. The proportion of heifers with short, fine, and smooth hair (HC1) increased (P < 0.05) over the evaluations. Heifers with thick, long, and woolly hair (HC3) had lower (P < 0.05) body weights than those with finer coats, regardless of CC. Black heifers had greater (P < 0.05) puberty rates than red heifers in the first two evaluations. At a THI of 66, black heifers with HC1 exhibited a lower (P < 0.05) internal temperature compared to black heifers with HC3. At a THI of 75, all heifers with HC1 had lower (P < 0.05) internal temperatures, regardless of CC. Red heifers and those with HC3 experienced hyperthermia for longer (P < 0.05) periods. Neither HC nor CC affected (P > 0.05) surface temperatures or sweating rates. At a THI of 72, more black heifers remained standing, suggesting behavioral adaptation. In conclusion, coat color and characteristics influence thermal stress and performance in Angus heifers, though color impact is limited. Internal temperature monitoring effectively determines thermotolerance. In tropical regions, selecting for short, fine, smooth hair may improve heat tolerance.

AI-enhanced real-time cattle identification system through tracking across various environments

Video-based monitoring is essential nowadays in cattle farm management systems for automated evaluation of cow health, encompassing body condition scores, lameness detection, calving events, and other factors. In order to efficiently monitor the well-being of each individual animal, it is vital to automatically identify them in real time. Although there are various techniques available for cattle identification, a significant number of them depend on radio frequency or visible ear tags, which are prone to being lost or damaged. This can result in financial difficulties for farmers. Therefore, this paper presents a novel method for tracking and identifying the cattle with an RGB image-based camera. As a first step, to detect the cattle in the video, we employ the YOLOv8 (You Only Look Once) model. The sample data contains the raw video that was recorded with the cameras that were installed at above from the designated lane used by cattle after the milk production process and above from the rotating milking parlor. As a second step, the detected cattle are continuously tracked and assigned unique local IDs. The tracked images of each individual cattle are then stored in individual folders according to their respective IDs, facilitating the identification process. The images of each folder will be the features which are extracted using a feature extractor called VGG (Visual Geometry Group). After feature extraction task, as a final step, the SVM (Support Vector Machine) identifier for cattle identification will be used to get the identified ID of the cattle. The final ID of a cattle is determined based on the maximum identified output ID from the tracked images of that particular animal. The outcomes of this paper will act as proof of the concept for the use of combining VGG features with SVM is an effective and promising approach for an automatic cattle identification system

Prevalence of tuberculosis, Paratuberculosis and brucellosis in organized livestock farms of Tamil Nadu

Tuberculosis, paratuberculosis and brucellosis are most important diseases affecting livestock and causing severe socioeconomic losses in India. The present study is aimed to determine the prevalence of brucellosis, tuberculosis in cattle, buffaloes, goats and sheep in organized livestock farms of Tamil Nadu, India. Our screening results showed that brucellosis was found 3.13 % positivity in cattle and buffaloes and 100% negativity in sheep and goats. Tuberculosis was found 0.11%, 8.1%and 0.16% positivity in cattle and buffaloes, horses, sheep and goat, respectively. In case of Paratuberculosis, 1.76 % and 2.89% and positivity were recorded in cattle, buffaloes and sheep and goat, respectively in organized livestock farms of Tamil Nadu, India. Since brucellosis, tuberculosis and paratuberculosis are considered under emerging and remerging disease list so continuous periodical screening of livestock needed to prevent spread of those infections and implementation of vaccination policy in high prevalence area.

An Analysis of The Agribusiness Communication Structure of Dairy Cattle Farmers: The Case Study of The Tegal Mandiri Farmer Group

Problems in dairy cattle agribusiness require attention not only from the farmers themselves but also from farmer organizations. To understand the communication patterns among group members in the agribusiness sector, including the exchange of information related to cattle production, animal health, and wholesale prices, it is essential to analyze the communication network of the dairy cattle farmer group. This network is significant because it serves as the hub of organizational communication, both internally and externally. This research seeks to analyze the communication structure of the dairy cattle farmer group and investigate the relationship between the respondent characteristics and the communication networks within the Tegal Mandiri farmer group in Bogor Regency. The Social Network Analysis (SNA) method and a quantitative approach were used to conduct the research, with the Tegal Mandiri farmer group members in Bogor Regency as the unit of analysis. The group communication structure was analyzed using degree and closeness centrality, and the relationship between respondent characteristics and the communication network was analyzed using Spearman rank correlation. IBM SPSS Statistics 26 and UCINET 6 were the tools used for analysis. The study revealed that 1) the average degree centrality of the group was between 1.00 and 2.20, and the average closeness centrality was between 400.00 and 558.10. 2) The respondents' characteristics of farmers were significantly related to the communication networks within the group. The study found that the communication structure of the Tegal Mandiri farmer group exhibited low connectivity and an ineffective coordination forum