Commercial Farms Research Articles

Intraspecific venom variation in the Iberian asp viper (Vipera aspis zinnikeri) across natural and intensive agricultural habitats

Snake venom composition varies at different levels. To date, comparative venom studies have seldom taken into account the role of habitat type in the occurrence of snake venom variation. Here we investigated the presence of venom variation across different populations of the Iberian asp viper (Vipera aspis zinnikeri) inhabiting two contrasting habitats: natural vs. intensive agricultural. We used shotgun proteomics to describe the protein composition of the venoms of six adults from two distinct localities. Furthermore, to test whether local conditions and habitat can alter venom composition in this taxon, we compared the SDS-PAGE profiles of 40 adult venoms from six populations, three in natural habitats and three in intensive agricultural environments. The venoms were composed of 21 toxin families, of which five (CTL, PLA2, VEGF, svSP, and svMP) comprised 69–82 % of each proteome. The relative abundances of toxin families varied considerably at inter- and intra-population levels. Linear regression performed on non-metric multidimensional scaling values showed a significant effect of locality of origin and habitat type on the differences detected between individual SDS-PAGE venom profiles. Our results suggest the presence of regional variation in V. a. zinnikeri venom, potentially reinforcing the role of local pressures in shaping snake venom composition. SignificanceThis work provides the first proteomic characterization of the venom of the Iberian asp viper, Vipera aspis zinnikeri, obtained by means of shotgun proteomics. The statistical analysis of 40 individual SDS-PAGE venom profiles highlights that venom variation in this taxon can be associated with geographical origin and habitat type of the area where each viper was collected. Our results suggest the presence of regional variation in V. a. zinnikeri venom, reinforcing the role that local pressures may play as drivers of snake venom variation.

Soil erosion assessment using SWAT, in relation withLand use, agricultural practices, and future climate change in a semi-arid catchment in Tunisia

Abstract Soil erosion is a severe environmental concern arising from intensive agricultural uses, land degradation, and anthropogenic activities. This problem threatens agricultural productivity and sustainable development, particularly in emerging countries. Therefore, evaluating soil erosion is essential in conservation, planning, and management on a watershed or basin scale. This study aims to assess the erosion of soil loss in the El Gouazine Watershed, central Tunisia, using the Soil and water assessment tool (SWAT). We define the impact of soil and water conservation management implementation combined with climate change scenario. We identified the spatial distribution of erosion rates based on soil properties, topography, and land use. The observed specific erosion rate of the watershed is estimated at 1.6 t.ha−1.yr−1, whereas according to the SWAT model, the average soil loss rate is 1.4 t.ha−1.yr−1. Furthermore, the obtained results highlight importance of the slope factor in affecting the severity of the soil loss rates in the El Gouazine watershed. It was also demonstrated that it’s urgent to prioritize other measures such as contour cropping or conservation agriculture, to enhance and strengthen the soils’ resistance against the detachment due to discharge water. In this context, this research found that these techniques decrease considerably the soil loss by 22% for the strip cropping, 33% for the No-tillage, and 72% for the bench terracing. Moreover, these farming techniques, contribute at the same time to the amelioration of the water balance by reducing the evapotranspiration and enhancing the soil water storage. To go further in this study a soil erosion forecast using the worst-case scenario for climate change RCP 8.5 was conducted. an overview of the future soil erosion patterns is obtained. We noticed then a decrease of the average annual soil loss rate until 2050 and then a prominent increase from 2051 to 2100.

Metabolic profile of prepartum dairy cows and its influence on the immediate postpartum period, colostrum quality and passive immunity transference

The objective of this study was to evaluate which biochemical markers in the prepartum period of dairy cows influence the immediate postpartum period, the quality of colostrum, and the passive immunity transference in the calves. The experiment was performed on a commercial dairy farm with 52 pregnant multiparous Holstein cows. Animals that gave birth to twins or males were discarded from the experiment. On days -20 of the expected calving date and 24hours after calving, blood collections, body condition score assessments, and animals weighing were performed. Blood samples from calves were performed 24hours after colostrum intake. Calf plasma was used to estimate the passive immunity transfer by % brix and total plasma proteins (TPP). In the principal component analysis, it was shown that postpartum NEFA and BHBA was higher in cows with higher prepartum urinary pH and Ca lower prepartum. The cows with the highest NEFA and BHBA in pre and postpartum were the ones that had the lowest % brix in the colostrum. The % brix of the cow’s colostrum directly influenced the % brix and TPP of the calves. The NEFA in the cows prepartum negatively influenced the markers of immunity, the higher the NEFA, the lower the % brix of the cows’ colostrum, % brix of the calves, and TPP. In multivariate regression analyses it was shown that pre-calving NEFA was the marker that most influenced post-calving cow markers and calf % brix, along with colostrum time and % brix of the colostrum (P= 0.0092; r2= 0.83). Cows with higher values NEFA in the prepartum had lower calcemic in the immediate postpartum period. Prepartum NEFA was the marker that most influenced the cows’ immediate postpartum period, being directly related to Ca serum, and also to the passive immunity transference.

Nitrogen excretion and utilisation of dairy cows grazing temperate semi-natural grasslands

Diets reliant on grazed, temperate herbage are prone to greater nitrogen (N) losses via urine than balanced stall-fed diets which poses a greater risk for N emissions. Measures for improving the N utilisation in grazing-based dairy cattle systems are predominantly investigated on homogenous clover-ryegrass pastures with high herbage yields and nutritional quality. In contrast, grazing-based systems reliant on less external inputs (e.g., synthetic fertilisers or concentrates) using semi-natural grassland as main feed source, such as in large parts of Central Europe, received less attention. The N utilisation and excretion of grazing cows in low-input dairy farms was, thus, investigated on nine commercial organic dairy farms in South Germany across one to four periods per farm. The dataset captured a diverse set of dairy production systems comprising 323 individual animal observations. A mean (± one standard deviation) milk production, DM intake (DMI), and pasture DMI of 23.9 kg (± 5.35), 21.0 kg (± 3.21), and 11.3 kg/d (± 4.83), respectively, was determined using titanium dioxide and faecal crude protein concentration as markers of faecal excretion and diet digestibility, respectively. Milk N use efficiency (MNE; i.e., milk N secretion as share of N intake) averaged 24.7 g/100 g N intake (± 5.91), which is greater than observations in temperate, high-input grazing systems but lower than in cows receiving balanced diets in the barn. The MNE and another seven indicators of N utilisation and excretion displayed a wide range of values. The grazing management factors explaining this variation were, thus, identified via backward elimination. The supplementation strategy had the greatest potential for manipulating N utilisation and excretion of dairy cows. Increasing shares of fresh forages (i.e., meadow grass or clover-grass leys) as well as of hay in supplement DMI increased N utilisation (e.g., MNE) and decreased urinary N excretion (e.g., urinary N to creatinine ratio), while increasing shares of concentrates in supplement DMI are related to lower N losses via urine. At the same time, increases in total supplement DMI reduced N utilisation and increased urinary N excretion. Hence, full-time grazing combined with supplementation of fresh forage and hay in the barn is a viable option for low-input, grazing-based dairy operations with moderate levels of N losses.

Spatial patterns of influenza A virus spread across compartments in commercial swine farms in the United States.

Multiple genetic variants of H1 and H3 influenza A viruses (IAVs) circulate concurrently in US swine farms. Understanding the spatial transmission patterns of IAVs among these farms is crucial for developing effective control strategies and mitigating the emergence of novel IAVs. In this study, we analysed 1909 IAV genomic sequences from 785 US swine farms, representing 33 farming systems across 12 states, primarily in the Midwest from 2004 to 2023. Bayesian phylogeographic analyses were performed to identify the dispersal patterns of both H1 and H3 virus genetic lineages and to elucidate their spatial migration patterns within and between different systems. Our results showed that both intra-system and inter-system migrations occurred between the swine farms, with intra-system migrations being more frequent. However, migration rates for H1 and H3 IAVs were similar between intra-system and inter-system migration events. Spatial migration patterns aligned with expected pig movement across different compartments of swine farming systems. Sow-Farms were identified as key sources of viruses, with bi-directional migration observed between these farms and other parts of the system, including Wean-to-Finish and Gilt-Development-Units. High intra-system migration was detected across farms in the same region, while spread to geographically distant intra- and inter-system farms was less frequent. These findings suggest that prioritizing resources towards systems frequently confronting influenza problems and targeting pivotal source farms, such as sow farms, could be an effective strategy for controlling influenza in US commercial swine operations.

Delaying induction of ovulation and timed AI in a Double-Ovsynch protocol increased expression of estrus and altered first service reproductive outcomes of lactating dairy cows

The objective of this randomized controlled experiment was to evaluate the effect of delaying induction of ovulation and timed artificial insemination (TAI) on expression of estrus before AI and first service reproductive outcomes. A secondary objective was to evaluate the effects of delaying induction of ovulation in a Double-Ovsynch protocol on ovarian function. Lactating Holstein cows (n = 4,672) from 2 commercial dairy farms fitted with sensors for automated detection of estrus were synchronized with a Double-Ovsynch protocol up to the first PGF2α (PGF-L) of the Breeding-Ovsynch portion of the protocol (Pre-Ovsynch: GnRH, 7 d later PGF2α, 3 d later GnRH, 7 d later Breeding-Ovsynch: GnRH, 7 d later PGF2α, 1 d later PGF2α). At PGF-L, cows blocked by parity (primiparous vs. multiparous) and semen used for first service (sex-sorted dairy vs. conventional beef) were randomly assigned to the G56 (n = 2,338) or G80 (n = 2,334) treatments. Cows in G56 had 56 h whereas cows in G80 had 80 h from PGF-L to induction of ovulation with the last GnRH (GnRH2) before AI. For both treatments, TAI occurred ∼16 h after GnRH2. All cows with automated estrus alerts between PGF-L and TAI were inseminated at detected estrus (AIE) without GnRH. Ovarian function and responses to synchronization were monitored based on circulating concentrations of progesterone and examination of the ovaries by ultrasonography. Data for binary outcomes were analyzed by logistic and continuous outcomes with lineal regression. More cows in G80 received AIE and had estrus before AI. Overall, pregnancies per AI (P/AI) did not differ for the G80 and G56 treatments. Cows in G80 that received TAI and had no estrus had fewer P/AI than cows with estrus that received AIE or TAI in G80, and fewer P/AI than cows AIE and cows that received TAI and had or did not have estrus in the G56 treatment. No differences were observed between treatments or for cows with and without estrus for pregnancy loss. Unlike some minor differences between treatments for concentrations of progesterone at GnRH2, the most notable differences in ovarian function were for cows in both treatments with or without estrus that received TAI. Cows with estrus, were more likely to have follicles > 16 mm, had larger follicles before ovulation, and had a greater ovulation risk after AI. Likewise, within the G80 treatment only, cows with estrus that received AIE or TAI had larger follicles, were more likely to have complete luteal regression, had greater ovulation risk, were more likely to have a functional corpus luteum, and had more circulating progesterone after AI. We concluded that delaying induction of ovulation and TAI was effective for allowing more cows to express estrus before AI which had different ovarian function outcomes and greater P/AI than cows that did not express estrus. However, the greater P/AI of cows that expressed estrus was insufficient to compensate for the reduced P/AI of cows that did not express estrus, and thus increase overall P/AI compared with the treatment without delayed induction of ovulation. Detection of estrus before AI in cows undergoing synchronization of ovulation could help identify cows with different likelihoods of pregnancy after insemination.

Characterization of Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae isolated from diseased Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) and the preliminary development of a formalin-killed cell vaccine.

Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) is an economically important fish species that is widely cultivated in Thailand. However, aquaculture of Asian seabass is limited by infectious diseases. One of the most serious diseases is photobacteriosis, caused by Photobacterium damselae. Vaccination is recognized as an efficient disease prevention and pathogen control method for strengthening the aquaculture industry. To promote vaccine development, the characterization of pathogenic bacteria and their pathogenesis is required. In this study, isolates of P. damselae were obtained from commercial aquaculture farms in Thailand during 2019-2021. Analyses of 16S rRNA and the urease subunit alpha genes identified the isolates as P. damselae subsp. damselae (Phdd). Antibiotic susceptibility analyses showed that all Phdd isolates were resistant to amoxicillin (10 μg). Haemolysis and phospholipase activities were used to categorize P. damselae into three groups based on their biological activities. The pathogenicity of four candidates (SK136, PD001, PD002 and T11L) was tested in Asian seabass. Isolate SK136 showed the highest virulence, with a lethal dose (LD50) of 1.47 × 105 CFU/fish, whereas isolate PD001 did not show any virulence. Genotypic characterization, based on multi-locus sequence typing analysis, demonstrated that all candidates were novel strains with new sequence types (64, 65, 66 and 67). Preliminary vaccination using formalin-killed cells (FKCs) protected Asian seabass from artificial challenges. Taken together, these results provide fundamental knowledge for vaccine development against Phdd infection in Asian seabass.

The “right‐to‐farm” in Lac Saint‐Pierre (Québec, Canada) floodplains: Are problem‐framing processes able to foster conservation conflict resolution?

AbstractUsing qualitative data, we investigate the impact of the problem‐framing process on stakeholder mobilization for fish habitat restoration and its influence on transforming agricultural practices in floodplains. Problem‐framing involves defining and delineating a problem to suggest practical and measurable solutions for addressing it. We are examining how the conservation conflict changes over time in Lac Saint‐Pierre (LSP), part of the St. Lawrence River Basin in Québec, Canada. Such conflicts arise when there are differing perspectives, interests, or actions regarding conservation goals and objectives. In recent decades, the LSP floodplain has undergone significant changes, particularly the conversion of perennial crops to intensive annual crops, which are deemed incompatible with the ecological needs of yellow perch. This species has experienced a notable decline in LSP since the 1990s, prompting Québec authorities to impose a moratorium on yellow perch fishing in 2012 to safeguard stocks. This moratorium has catalyzed efforts at the policy level to restore its habitat. However, it has also engendered tensions between agricultural activities and conservation endeavors aimed at restoring yellow perch habitat, constituting the conservation conflict under investigation. To investigate this issue, we adopt a post‐normal science approach characterized by reflexivity, inclusivity, and transparency in addressing epistemological and ontological uncertainties among LSP stakeholders. Our findings offer insights into stakeholders' perspectives on the problem‐framing process and its outcomes, highlighting both supportive actions enhancing the effectiveness of certain strategies among LSP stakeholders and barriers hindering their mobilization. These results underscore the importance of incorporating diverse stakeholder perspectives during the problem‐framing process to enhance the robustness of the science–policy interface.

Модуляція цілісності кишкового бар’єру курчат-бройлерів, асоційована зі змінами мікробіому

Cell adhesion proteins play a crucial role in ensuring the barrier function of the intestinal epithelium by forming intercellular tight junctions that prevent the invasion of harmful substances, microorganisms, and toxins into the organism’s internal environment. However, the comprehensive impact of SCFA-M on the modulation of these proteins and their connection with the microbiome of the duodenal intestine of broiler chickens has been overlooked by researchers, thus emphasizing the significance of these studies. The research was carried out on Cobb 500 broiler chickens in conditions of industrial poultry farming. The experimental group chickens were administered with SCFA-M in drinking water (1% solution of C-3 C-10). The results of the experiment revealed that the administration of SCFA-M to chickens was characterized by increased expression of E-cadherin, fibronectin, IFN-α, and decreased expression of IFN-γ in the duodenum of broiler. Specifically, SCFA-M administration to chickens was associated with an increase in the expression level of E-cadherin in the duodenal intestine by 25.8–30.4% (P≤0.001), fibronectin by 17.8–37.0% (P≤0.001), IFN-α by 21.0–71.6% (P≤0.001), and a decrease in the expression of IFN-γ by 13.5%–49.9% (P≤0.01–0.001) compared to the control group chickens. The correlations of molecular marker expression (E-cadherin, fibronectin, IFN-α, and IIFN-γ) in the duodenum of broiler chickens significantly varied throughout the technological cycle not only in magnitude but also in its trend. Obtained results demonstrated that the marker content was positively correlated with Escherichia coli content (r = 0.79–0.87) in 22-day-old broiler chickens. Contrary, marker content was negatively correlated with E. coli content (r = –0.84…–0.68), Staphylococcus spp. and Enterococcus spp. (r = 0.23–0.91) in 29-day-old chickens. Furthermore, this index was negatively correlated with Staphylococcus spp. content (r = –0.83…–0.51) in 45-day-old chickens. The exposure to SCFA-M induced the changes which associated with strong direct correlations of E-cadherin, fibronectin, IFN-α, and IFN-γ with Staphylococcus spp. content in the duodenum of 22-day-old broiler chickens (r = 0.81–0.91). Molecular markers content exhibited strong inverse correlation links with E. coli content in 36-day-old broiler chickens (r = –0.92…–0.80). Thus, the application of SCFA-M induced the beneficial effect on the modulation of molecular marker expression (E- cadherin, fibronectin, IFN-α, and IFN-γ) in the duodenum. The further research required to construct the optimized protocols for SCFA-M applying in poultry farming, which would replace or minimize the use of antibacterial drugs.

Identification, tissue expression, and response to various fatty acid inductions of the fabp gene family in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

The grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) holds significant economic value worldwide. However, intensive farming practices often result in lipid metabolic disorder of fish. It is essential to explore the influence of pivotal genes in the process of fat accumulation, particularly from the perspective of fat transport. Fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs) are crucial for selectively binding and transporting free fatty acids (FAs) within cells. Nevertheless, the types of fabp genes in the grass carp genome and their responses to various FAs remain unclear. In the current study, exhaustive bioinformatic analysis identified nine fabp genes in the grass carp genome: fabp1a, fabp1b.1, fabp2, fabp3, fabp6, fabp7a, fabp10a, fabp11a, and fabp11b. Although these genes showed widespread expression across various tissues, each gene displayed distinct preferences for specific primary expression tissues. Notably, fabp1a exhibited prominent expression in muscle, fabp1b.1 in abdominal fat, fabp2 and fabp6 in the intestine, fabp7a in the brain, fabp10a in the hepatopancreas, and fabp11a showed maximal expression in the eye. Findings from primary grass carp hepatocytes revealed that the addition of palmitic acid (PA), high concentrations oleic acid (OA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (400 µM), significantly increased intracellular lipid accumulation. Intriguingly, the addition of PA resulted in increased expression of fabp2 and fabp11a, while DHA significantly enhanced the expression of fabp7a (P < 0.01). Given that the accumulated FAs are primarily saturated fatty acids, these results suggest that regulating fabps, especially fabp2 and fabp11a, could be a strategy to control fat deposition in grass carp.

Teaching a More Accurate Model of the Evolution of Human Skin Color

In popular materials designed to teach American students about the evolution of human skin color, students are guided toward a model in which ancestral latitude predicts levels of skin pigmentation. While this model agrees with data from people whose ancestors practiced intensive agriculture in Europe, Asia, and Africa, this model does not match data from other human populations across the globe, including the predicted skin pigmentation of ancient hunter-gatherer populations who maintained long-term settlements in these same regions. In this review, we discuss findings from ancient genome sequencing and provide guidance on teaching an updated model on the evolution of human skin color. (To increase accessibility for non-specialists, we present here a targeted rationale for updating classroom teaching practices, with a set of frequently asked questions regarding the current state of scientific research on this topic addressed in supplemental material.) With this update, we hope to help students avoid common misconceptions about human evolution—particularly, that the evolutionary pressures encountered by those who adopted a single human culture would apply to all humans, everywhere—and leverage authentic data and argumentation to convey the anti-racist reality that people with a wide range of skin colors thrived in high-latitude regions for many thousands of years, just as students with a wide range of skin colors can thrive in whatever place they currently call home.

Farmers’ limited perceptions of the role of ecological processes in crop production, a potential obstacle to agroecological transition

Industrialized agriculture has strong impacts on ecosystem functioning. However, despite public policies, incentives and scientific warnings, intensive agriculture remains the main model. Agroecology, as a way to produce food while relying on ecological processes and reducing negative externalities, is considered as a sustainable alternative. The literature on agroecological transitions increasingly focuses on the perceptions that farmers have of ecological processes, supposing that the more farmers perceive the interests of ecological processes for production, the more they will implement sustainable farming practices. In this research, we tested the hypothesis that an obstacle to an agroecological transition is that farmers have little awareness of the reliance of food production on the natural functions of ecosystems. We thus address three issues in this article: first, the weight farmers gave to ecological processes in farming production itself; second, the roles of on-farm experiments (OFEs) or agri-environmental schemes (AESs) as drivers of this perception of ecological processes; and third, the links between the perception of ecological processes and the definitions of agroecology given by farmers. We interviewed 78 farmers representative of an intensive cereal plain in western France about what they perceive as drivers of crop production and of soil fertility and the links they perceived between hedges and crop production. Our results show that farmers perceive climate, inputs and technical aspects of crop production as more important drivers of crop yields than ecological processes. By contrast in non-productive areas of the farm, the perception of the importance of ecological processes was greater for questions relating to hedges. A redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that AESs rather than OFEs positively affected farmers' perceptions of ecological processes in sustaining farming. Nevertheless, despite the fact that half of the farmers related agroecology to benefits in ecosystem functioning, they had limited perceptions of the positive role of ecological processes in sustaining farming. Our study therefore supports our hypothesis that limited perceptions of the role of ecosystem functions in farming could be an obstacle to an agroecological transition, as agroecology and ecological processes are seen as beneficial for ecosystems but not for farming production. Our study also suggests that open-ended and indirect questions rather than direct methodologies can bring new insights to our understanding of farmers’ perceptions.

The Effects of Pond Type and Water Quality Dynamics on Vannamei Shrimp Growth: A Dummy Regression Analysis

Vannamei shrimp is one of Indonesia's leading aquaculture sector commodities due to its high survival rate, short cultivation time, and disease resistance. Vannamei shrimp cultivation in Indonesia adopts an intensive system favoured for high productivity. In intensive cultivation systems, shrimp ponds typically utilize concrete or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) ponds. Each type has its own positive and negative side that affects the growth and production of Vannamei shrimp. Apart from the type of pond, water quality also played an important role in the growth of Vannamei shrimp. Water quality is one of the important factors in intensive shrimp cultivation. Pond type is categorical data and has a nominal measurement scale, while water quality is numerical data with a ratio measurement scale; ordinary regression analysis is unsuitable for analyzing the effect of pond type and water quality on the growth of Vannamei shrimp. Therefore, a dummy regression model accommodates these measurement scale differences. This research aims to determine the effect of different types of ponds and water quality dynamics on the growth of Vannamei shrimp and to select the best type of pond for intensive cultivation of Vannamei shrimp. Additionally, it aims to identify the water quality parameters that most influence the growth of Vannamei shrimp so that it can serve as a reference for Vannamei shrimp farmers to achieve high productivity efficiently. The study was conducted from November 2022 to January 2023 in Banyuwangi Regency, East Java Province, Indonesia. There are three concrete ponds and 10 HDPE ponds. The research method employed in this study is a survey method utilizing simple random sampling. The parameters in this research are the quality of cultivation water, including pH, temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO). The water samples taken are then measured for water quality in the laboratory. The results of this study indicate that the average values for water quality are still within the optimal range. The average ABW in HDPE and concrete ponds ranges from 2.30 to 9.39 grams per shrimp and 2.22-9.73 grams per shrimp. Based on the study's results, it can be concluded that different pond types and water quality dynamics, specifically pH and temperature, affect shrimp growth based on ABW. However, when considering SGR values, the type of pond does not have a significant impact. The water quality parameters that affect SGR are pH and temperature.

Assessment of the efficacy of a gonadotropin releasing factor (GnRF) analog to suppress ovarian function in gilts under pre-clinical and clinical conditions.

The administration of a gonadotropin releasing factor (GnRF) analog to pigs has proven to induce antibodies against endogenous GnRF. In gilts (young female pigs), the subsequent blocking of GnRF activity by specific antibodies results in a temporary suppression of ovarian activity and sexual maturation. One pre-clinical and two clinical studies were conducted to assess the ability of the GnRF analog to produce immunologically suppression of the ovarian function, preventing gilts from reaching puberty before harvest, at 27 weeks of age. In the three studies, a significant reduction of size and weight of reproductive organs and gilts in oestrus was demonstrated in vaccinated gilts compared with intact gilts. A significant increase in anti-GnRF antibody levels in sera was observed after the 2nd dose, which lasted until the end of the study in each of the protocols used. Progesterone levels were significantly reduced from 6 to 8 weeks after 2nd vaccination in clinical studies 2 and 1 respectively, and from 6 weeks after 2nd vaccination in the pre-clinical study. Estradiol levels were below the limit of detection for clinical study 2 and significantly reduced in vaccinated gilts at the end of the pre-clinical study and the clinical study 1. Vaccination of gilts with a GnRF analog with two different protocols (1st dose from 10 to 14 weeks of age, and a 2nd dose 8 or 4 weeks later) was effective in reducing the development of puberty for at least 9 weeks post 2nd dose. These results confirm the flexibility of vaccination programs for veterinarians and producers which can be adapted to pig management practices in commercial farms.

Comparisons of longitudinal radiographic measures of keel bones, tibiotarsal bones, and pelvic bones versus post-mortem measures of keel bone damage in Bovans Brown laying hens housed in an aviary system.

Keel bone damage, include deviations and fractures, is common in both white and brown laying hens, regardless of the housing system. Radiography for assessing birds' keel bones is was proposed by previous studies. However, radiographs show only 2 out of 3 dimensions of the dissected keel bones. The current study aimed to (1) investigate the association of radiographic optical density (keel and tibiotarsal) and geometry (keel) with dissected keel bone pathology. Previous studies suggested that keel bone fractures may result from internal pressure exerted by pelvic cavity contents. The current study also aimed to (2) investigate the potential associations between pelvic dimensions and measures of keel bone damage. A sample of 200 laying hens on a commercial farm were radiographed at 16, 29, 42, 55, and 68 weeks, and culled at the end of the laying period (week 74). The birds were examined post-mortem for pelvic dimensions and underwent whole-body radiography, followed by keel and tibiotarsal bone dissection and radiography, and keel bone scoring. The radiographs were used to estimate radiographic optical density (keel and tibiotarsal bone) and keel bone geometry (ratio of keel bone length to mid-depth). The method for on-farm radiography of laying hens, including live bird restraint, positioning for live keel imaging, and post-imaging measurements, was developed, tested, and found to be reproducible. The radiographs (1,116 images of 168 birds) and the respective measurements and post-mortem scores of keel bones are also provided for further development of radiographic metrics relevant to keel bone damage. Some longitudinal radiographic measurements of keel geometry (ratio of length to mid-depth) and optical density (keel and tibiotarsal) showed associations with the damage (deviations/fractures) observed on the dissected keel bones. The associations of keel damage were clearer with the radiographic keel geometry than with keel and tibiotarsal optical density, also clearer for the keel deviations than for keel fractures. The higher radiography ratio of keel length to mid-depth at weeks 42, 55 and 68 of age, the larger deviations size observed on the dissected keels at age of 74 weeks. The higher the tibiotarsal radiographic optical density at week 55 of age, the lower deviations size and fractures count observed on the dissected keels at age of 74 weeks. Pelvic dimensions showed a positive correlation with body weight, but a larger pelvic cavity was associated with increased keel bone damage. These findings lay the foundations for future use of on-farm radiography in identifying appropriate phenotypes for genetic selection for keel bone health.

Assessing the Impact of Casing Material Thickness on Yield and Biological Efficiency of Milky Mushroom (Calocybe indica P&amp;C)

Calocybe indica, known as the milky mushroom, has significant potential for agricultural expansion and economic development, particularly in West Bengal, India. This study investigates the impact of different casing material thicknesses (0.5”, 0.75”, 1.0”, and 1.5”) on the yield and biological efficiency of C. indica. Using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD), the effects on primordia initiation, sporophore maturation, yield, and biological efficiency were assessed. Results indicated that a casing thickness of 1.0” was optimal, leading to the quickest primordia initiation (10.4 days) and sporophore maturation (9 days), and yielding the highest total yield (717.5 g) and biological efficiency (71.75%). In contrast, thinner and thicker casings resulted in lower yields and efficiencies. The findings suggest that a 1.0” casing thickness significantly enhances C. indica cultivation, providing practical recommendations for commercial mushroom farming. This optimization can support the development of milky mushroom farming in West Bengal, offering new opportunities for local farmers and contributing to regional agricultural diversification and economic growth.

A review of intensive contract poultry farming in Nigeria

Contract farming (CF) is a sort of vertical integration in agricultural commodity chains that provides a business with strong control over several operational processes, including the production process, the features of the items, quantity, quality, and timeliness of project execution. Birds were first domesticated by humans as farm animals, and as a result, many years ago, the contemporary practice of raising birds began with the harvesting of their eggs and young from their natural habitat. The Nigerian poultry industry falls into three main categories: small-, medium-, and large-scale, which are also referred to as backyard, semi-commercial, and commercial respectively. Contract farming emerged as an alternative to traditional or spot market-based agricultural production and was introduced into Nigeria under a variety of business names, including CHI, AMO, ANIMAL CARE, and ZARTECH, among others. Nigeria consumes 192.69 MT of poultry meat and egg products annually, resulting in enormous environmental impacts that have not been adequately addressed because of the growing use of contract farming. Contract farming has always received a lot of attention from academics and policymakers. Even though contract farming acknowledges the transfer of technology, prospects for increased revenue, and improved access to inputs, a great deal of research has focused on the risks that smallholder farmers face. In recent years, debate has erupted regarding the benefits and dangers of factory poultry production considering rising awareness of the challenges it poses to public health and the environment. This review reveals that backyard flocks of chickens can thrive independently of large-scale poultry operations. Survival traits including tiny size, hardiness, sluggish growth, low mature body weight, tolerance, or resistance to common local disease organisms and parasites define local chickens.

Multifaceted effects of microplastics on soil-plant systems: Exploring the role of particle type and plant species

Microplastics have emerged as a global environmental concern, yet their impact on terrestrial environments, particularly agricultural soils, remains underexplored. Agricultural soils, due to intensive farming, may serve as significant sinks for microplastics. This study investigated the effects of different types of microplastics—polyester microfibers, polyethylene terephthalate microfragments, and polystyrene microspheres—on soil properties and radish growth, while a complementary experiment examined the impact of polyester microfibers on the growth of lettuce and Chinese cabbage. Through both horizontal and vertical comparisons, this research comprehensively evaluated the interactions between microplastic particles and plant species in soil-plant systems. The results showed that polyester microfibers significantly affected soil bulk density, with effects varying based on planting conditions (p < 0.01). Polyethylene terephthalate microfragments and polystyrene microspheres reduced the proportion of small soil macroaggregates under radish cultivation (p < 0.01). Additionally, polystyrene microspheres significantly altered the total organic carbon stock in radish-growing soil, potentially affecting the microclimate (p < 0.01). Interestingly, polyester microfibers promoted lettuce seed germination and significantly enhanced the root biomass of Chinese cabbage (p < 0.05). Overall, the environmental effects of microplastic exposure varied depending on the type of particle and plant species, suggesting that microplastics are not always harmful to soil-plant systems and may even offer benefits in certain scenarios. Given the crucial role of soil-plant systems in terrestrial ecosystems, and their direct connection to food safety, human health, and global change, further research should explore both the positive and negative impacts of microplastics on agricultural practices.

Из истории развития табаководства как важнейшей отрасли торгового земледелия в губер-ниях Южного Кавказа во второй половине XIX – начале XX века

The article focuses on the evolution of tobacco cultivation in the South Caucasus over the research period. The author investigates the spread of this technological culture throughout all provinces in the specified region. Information is provided on the quantity of land occupied for tobacco cultiva-tion, tobacco types, industrial firms and their owners, tobacco products produced, and tobacco sales locations. The author examines the many causes of the shift in demand for tobacco products over this historical time, as well as the unequal level of tobacco production. The essay discusses the excellent conditions for the growth of tobacco production in the South Caucasus, which eventually became commodities. The report also underlined the Russian government’s interest in spreading this crop, which was the primary raw material for the tobacco sector. The government, which contributed to the region’s colonial exploitation by the Russian and foreign bourgeoisie, benefited financially from the expansion of the cultivation of technologi-cal and precious crops. The author finds that the tobacco business in the South Caucasus evolved, improved, and gradually adopted the characteristics of commercial agriculture, which included commodity rela-tions. It is emphasized that the quick expansion of commercial agriculture is closely tied to the emergence of capitalist relationships in agriculture.

Left to Live and Die: Resource Security and the Biopolitics of Land Stockpiling in China

AbstractBeginning in 2007, the Chinese state used liberalising policy and funding to encourage the expansion of large‐scale grain farming. Despite this support, many of the new farms have struggled financially and folded. Drawing on Foucauldian biopolitics and resource security literature, I argue that, with modernised agriculture, the state primarily sought to create not commercial farms, but the redundant farming infrastructure needed to buffer its growing reliance on food imports, abide by global trade regulations, and sustain its urban export manufacturing economy. These balancing efforts harmed commercial farmers: land commodification and policy funding incentivised urban government officials to intervene in rural land‐use planning, but low global market aligned grain prices disincentivised them from considering the place‐particular viability of their plans for producers. This article contributes to critical agrarian change literature by highlighting how modernist states become beholden to rational scientific techniques and sacrifice rural areas for increasingly vulnerable urban areas.