Different Levels Of Intensification Research Articles

Whole soil fatty acid lipidic signature discriminates agriculture intensification in no-till systems

Argentinean farmers are adopting alternative agricultural systems based on diversification and intensification of crop rotations in no-till agriculture in order to improve soil health and recover degraded soils after years of monocropping. This is achieved by reducing fallow periods, increasing the intensity of crop rotations with maize and soybean in summer, and establishing different winter crops, including cover crops. We evaluated whole soil fatty acids (WSFA) signature in agricultural cropping systems with different levels of intensification in three on-farm experiments in Argentinean Argiudolls soils, along an on-field 8-year assay and measuring at 5 and 8 years after the beginning of the intensification. Contrasted treatments were: typical rotation, intensified rotation with cereals and intensified rotation with legumes. They were compared to an implanted pasture, and a pasture converted to intensified rotation. Eight years after the beginning of the trial, the intensified crop rotations were separated from the typical rotation by multivariate analysis of WSFA. This technique was able to distinguish between agricultural treatments with subtle differences in management, separating the intensified rotations, which later showed higher crop productivity. Conversion of pasture back to agriculture showed a delay of three years before changing the lipidic signature according to WSFA-based indicators. The outstanding conclusion is that mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) are the most relevant fatty acid functional group for land use discrimination, with a similar potency to the whole lipidic pattern. Within the MUFA group, the fatty acids 16:1w5c and 18:1w5c, appeared as potential biomarkers of these alternative agricultural practices.

Rapidly increased greenhouse gas emissions by Pacific white shrimp aquacultural intensification and potential solutions for mitigation in China

The Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) plays a crucial role in global aquaculture, contributing significantly to farmed shrimp production, with China being a major contributor. In the last two decades, China's production of farmed L. vannamei experienced substantial growth due to expanded aquaculture areas and intensification. These processes can lead to increases in greenhouse gas emissions. However, the magnitude of greenhouse gas emissions from L. vannamei aquaculture systems remains unclear. Therefore, in this study, we systematically quantified greenhouse gas (carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide) emissions in L. vannamei farming systems with different levels of intensification. Various emission sources were assessed, including infrastructure, energy use, feed production, and pond aquatic emissions. The estimates indicate that greenhouse gas emissions increased from 6159.35 ± 475.24 kg CO2e/t of L. vannamei in semi-intensive systems to 24,059.81 ± 3846.31 kg CO2e/t of L. vannamei in super-intensive systems. The increase in greenhouse gas emissions was primarily due to energy use (2395% increase) and infrastructure (15,939% increase). As a result, the greenhouse gas emissions from China's shrimp farming industry increased three-fold (from 5633.37 ± 177.40 to 19,730.68 ± 635.52 million kg CO2e) from 2003 to 2022, mainly contributed by coastal provinces. As the demand for high-quality aquatic products continues to increase, coupled with the urgent necessity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, there is a crucial requirement to lower the emissions associated with each unit of L. vannamei production. The results of this study suggest that reducing fossil fuel use, improving feed efficiency, promoting biofloc technology, and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture systems may help to build climate-resilient sustainable aquaculture.

Nutrient cycling in dairy systems under different levels of intensification

Nutrient cycling in dairy systems under different levels of intensification

Multi-stakeholder perception analysis of the status, characteristics, and factors affecting small-scale carp aquaculture systems in Bangladesh

Inland aquaculture is essential for the food and livelihoods of millions of small-scale producers across the global South. Very diverse actions from national governments, civil sector and international organizations have been seeking to enhance the performance of small-scale aquaculture systems. However, many of these efforts are constrained by the general lack of information about the status and characteristics of the sector. In many cases, data are unavailable, highly aggregated or outdated, thus failing to provide a clear picture of the situation on the ground to inform relevant efforts. Bangladesh is one such country, where, on the one hand, the aquaculture sector is extremely important for national economic growth, rural development and food and nutrition security, but on the other hand suffers from a general lack of quality data to inform relevant actions. In this study, we report the findings generated though eight workshops that engaged 215 stakeholders involved in the Bangladesh small-scale carp aquaculture sector. By leveraging the expertise of the participants, we obtain an overarching picture of the characteristics of small-scale carp production models around the country. The findings suggest a large variability of production models and levels of intensification, which are mainly based on polyculture involving species such as rohu, catla, and mrigal. These systems have been roughly categorized in four types characterized by different levels of intensification and dominant species, which are present across the country with varied socio-economic, infrastructure and environmental conditions. The study also identified an unfolding shift in the last years, from subsistence-based to commercially oriented production. In terms of market preference, quite different carp attributes are valued among small-scale producers across the country, with large size of carp, its rapid growth and the availability of improved strains being the most valued. As aquaculture, and particularly carp aquaculture, is important for rural development in Bangladesh by sustaining households’ income and livelihoods in different ways, we argue for the need to undertake more detailed studies to understand the characteristics and performance of these types of small-scale aquaculture systems. This will be indispensable for informing policies and actions that aim to target more effectively the different types of producers, and to improve the overall performance and sustainability of the sector.

Species composition and ecological structure of ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) communities as biological indicators of the agro-environmental sustainability

Intensification of crop cultivation can have detrimental environmental consequences that however can be prevented by monitoring of the specific biological indicators sensitive to changes in the ambient environment. In this study the impact of crop type (spring wheat and corn) and cultivation intensity on the community of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in the forest-steppe of Western Siberia was investigated. A total of 39 species from 15 genera were collected. Ground beetles' community was characterized by a high evenness of species distribution across the agroecosystems. The average Jaccard's similarity index for species presence/absence was 65%, and for abundance it was 54%. The significant difference in the distribution of predatory and mixophytophages ground beetles in wheat crops (U test, P < 0.05) can be justified by the constant suppression of the weed component and the use of insecticides that lead to the dominance of the predators. Fauna of wheat crops was more diverse than that in corn (Margalef index, U test, P < 0.05). No significant differences in biological diversity indexes, except for the Simpson dominance index (U test, P < 0.05, wheat), were found in ground beetle communities in crops at different levels of intensification. A certain differentiation of predatory species was caused by the selective occurrence of the litter-soil species, especially abundant in the row-crop. The specificity of the ground beetle community of corn crops may have been caused by repeated inter-row tillage, which influenced the increase in porosity and topsoil relief and contributed to the creation of favorable microclimatic conditions. In general, the applied level of agrotechnological intensification had no significant effect on the species composition and ecological structure of beetle communities in agrolandscapes. The use of bioindicators made it possible to assess the environmental sustainability of the agricultural environment and also creates the prerequisites for the development of ecologically directed correction of agrotechnological operations in agroecosystem management.

Характеристика першого селекційного покоління антонінсько-зозуленецького внутрішньопородного типу українських порід коропа на 4 та 5 роках життя

Purpose. To provide a comprehensive characterization of the first selective breeding generation of the Antoninsko-Zozulenets intrabreed type of Ukrainian carp breeds in the 4th and 5th years of life based on productive and biological parameters. Methodology. The material for the study were age-3+ and 4+ individuals of the Antoninsko-Zozulenets intrabreed type of carp. The main productive and biological parameters were studied during spring valuation and autumn harvest according to generally accepted methods in fish farming. The exterior assessment of the experimental groups was carried out for following parameters: weight, length, height and body girth. Measurements were made with a centimeter tape with an accuracy of 1 mm. Individual weighing was carried out on electronic commercial scales with an accuracy of 1 g. The main exterior indices were analyzed and determined based on the measurement results: girth index, body length to height ratio, head length to body length ratio. Findings. The conducted study showed that the yield from wintering was in the range of 91.31–92.25% for age-3, and 90.68–91.78% for age-4 fish. At the same time, weight loss was 6.43–7.65% in the third year of life and 5.74–7.46% in the fourth year of life. The survival rate of age-3+ fish was 95.3 - 96.6%, age-4+ 95.9 - 97.2%. The average weight of age-3+ framed and scaled carps was 3835.0±77.27 g and 3740.0±120.50 g, respectively. The weight gain during the season was 2.0 kg in scaled and 2.1 kg in framed carps. The average individual body weight of age-4+ fish was on average 5060.0±110.54 g for framed individuals and 4900.0±117.26 g for scaled ones. The weight gain of scaled Antoninsko-Zozulenets carp was 1.8 kg, framed carp - 1.9 kg. According to exterior parameters, age-3+ and age-4+ fish had higher values of the body length to height and condition factor, but were inferior in terms of the head length to body length ratio compared to their peers with the scaled cover. Originality. For the first time in the conditions of Ukraine, a comparative analysis of fish productive and biological parameters of the replacement brood stock of the first selective breeding generation of the Antoninsko-Zozulenets intrabreed type of the Ukrainian framed and scaled carp breed was carried out. Practical value. The use of brood fish of a new intrabreed type with defined features of the genotype will allow obtaining new promising lines for industrial cultivation at different levels of intensification of aquaculture and in different climatic zones as well as hybrids between geographically isolated populations. Key words: carp, selective breeding, intrabreed type, generation, exterior, weight, condition factor.

MORPHOLOGICAL VARIABILITY IN THE NEW VARIETIES OF TRITICALE, HAIDUC AND FDL BOLID

Currently, new varieties of triticale show improved morphological characteristics, according to the requirements of practice. The new directions mainly concern the waist and the components of the ear. Recent research has shown that new varieties, which form chains with relatively lower heights, could be suitable for different levels of intensification. On the other hand, current studies on morphological characters are useful in the progress of variety improvement, characteristic of the current stage. The wide genetic dowry and growing conditions of triticale usually lead to the specific expression of plant morphology. In the autumn triticale varieties Haiduc and FDL Bolid, some new directions were found, these being recently improved. Thus, compared to the two varieties, the straw and its upper segments were shorter in Haiduc. The thickness of the straw at the base was 0.2 mm smaller at Bolid. Both the length of the spike and its weight were similar. The Haiduc variety dominated instead in the number of spikelets in a spike, 31 compared to 29 in the Bolid variety. The membranes that cover the spikelet had similar dimensions: the external glume of 9 mm, the lower palea of 12-13 mm, and at Bolid the awn was 2 cm higher. The two varieties of triticale were more obviously differentiated by the morphological characteristics of the grains. Thus, for the Bolid variety, the number of grains in an ear was higher by 10, and the weight was higher by 0.5 g. Instead, the grain length was higher in Haiduc. The dominant values of the mass of one thousand grains were in both varieties at 50 g. Specific and at the same time important correlations were obtained between the morphological characters of the varieties. Thus, the number of grains in an ear and their weight were positively correlated with all the studied characters, with higher values of the correlation coefficients obtained for the Bolid variety. Both varieties of autumn triticale have demonstrated by their morphological characteristics, a good adaptability to zonal conditions.

Характеристика першого селекційного покоління антонінсько-зозуленецького внутрішньопородного типу українських порід коропа на 3 та 4 році життя

Purpose. To provide a comprehensive characterization of the first selective breeding generation of the Antoninsko-Zozulenetsky intrabreed type of Ukrainian carp breeds at the 3rd and 4th year of life based on piscicultural and biological parameters. Methodology. The material for the study were age-2+ and age-3+ Antoninsko-Zozulenetsky carps. The main piscicultutral and biological parameters were studied during spring valuation and autumn harvest according to generally accepted methods in fish farming. The external evaluation of the experimental groups was carried out according to the following parameters: body weight and length, body depth, body girth. Measurements were made with a centimeter tape with an accuracy of 1 mm. Individual weighing of fish was carried out on electronic commercial scales with an accuracy of 1 g. Based on the results of the measurements, following exterior parameters were analyzed and determined: girth index, body length to depth ratio, head index. Findings. The study showed that both age-2 and age-3 framed carp had a lower weight loss rate of 11.95 and 10.11%% compared to 12.89 and 12.73%% in the scaly form. The yield from wintering was within 88.6–89.8% of age-2 fish and 88.9–89.3% of age-3 fish. The average body weight gain age-2+ framed carp during the season was 1.3 kg, the scaly carp - 1.1 kg. On the fourth year of life, this parameter in scaly carp was 1.6 kg, framed carp - 1.5 kg. Survival rate during the growing season was higher than standard values and was on average 96.8% in age-2+ fish and 95.9% in age-3+ fish. According to external parameters, age-2+ framed carp had higher values ​​of the body length to depth ratio by 0.3, compared to their peers with a scaly cover. The advantage of this experimental group was also in terms of condition factor: 2.56 versus 2.26. On the other hand, among age-3+, scaly individuals had an advantage according to the body length to depth ratio. Age-3+ framed carp prevailed in terms of the condition factor. Originality. A comparative analysis of piscicultural and biological parameters of the replacement and brood stock of the first selection generation of the Antoninsko-Zozulenetsky intrabreed type of carp was carried out in the conditions of Ukraine for the first time. Practical value. The use of brood fish of a new inbred type with defined features of the genotype will allow obtaining new promising lines for industrial cultivation at different levels of intensification of aquaculture and in different climatic zones, as well as hybrids between geographically isolated populations. Key words: carp, selective breeding, intra­breed type, generation, exterior, weight, condition factor.

Human-edible protein contribution of tropical beef cattle production systems at different levels of intensification

Sustainable intensification of tropical grasslands has been identified by researchers and stakeholders as a solution to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation. However, there are concerns about food security and the role of livestock in feed-food competition between animals and humans involving land and other resources. We aimed to determine the net protein contribution (NPC), a feed-food competitiveness index, of tropical beef cattle raised on extensive systems or finished in pastures or conventional feedlots, under different levels of intensification. We modelled five scenarios, from cow-calf to slaughter, based on common beef cattle practices in Brazil, whose main production system is grazing. Scenario 1 represented the lowest level of intensification and the most extensive system. Scenario 2 represented a moderately extensive system. Scenarios 3, 4, and 5 represented different degrees and practices of intensification, with animals in cow-calf and stocker phases raised solely on well-managed permanent pastures. In Scenario 3, the animals were finished in a feedlot. In Scenarios 4 and 5, all animals in the stocker phase received a protein-energy supplement, but in Scenario 4, animals were finished in a permanent pasture with high-concentrate intake. In Scenario 5, animals were finished in a feedlot. The human-edible protein (heP) conversion efficiency (hePCE) was calculated as the ratio of heP produced (meat) to heP consumed as feed, and the NPC was the product of hePCE using the protein quality ratio, accounting for the digestible indispensable amino acid score content. An hePCE > 1 indicated that meat production did not compete with humans for food, and an NPC > 1 indicated that it contributed positively to meet human requirements. Meat production and heP intake consistently increased with intensification. The greatest hePCE values were from Scenarios 1 (9.2), 2 (2.2), and 3 (1.2), which were essentially pasture-fed systems, compared to Scenarios 4 and 5 (average of 1.0). The NPC varied from 24.1 (Scenario 1) to 2.6 (Scenario 5). The area required to produce 1 kg of carcass decreased from 147 to 45 m2, and the slaughter age decreased from 36 to 21 months from the most extensive to intensive systems. Brazilian beef cattle production contributes positively to the protein requirements of humans without limiting human food supplies. The intensification of tropical grazing beef systems is a key strategy to save land and produce more meat without limiting food for humans, playing an important role in the food security agenda.

Факторы, оказывающие влияние на численность и пространственное распределение жужелиц (Coleoptera, Carabidae) в агроценозах с разным уровнем интенсификации агротехнологий

This paper describes the results of data analysis on species composition and population of ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) in agrocenoses of spring wheat and corn at different levels of intensification in the forest-steppe of Western Siberia in the period of 2019-2021. The research was aimed at identifying correlating factors with the abundance of ground beetle communities and assessing their significance. The data analysis methods were specified with regard to the peculiarities of the structure and nature of the initial data distribution. Analysis of the population dynamics was performed for 20 species common and abundant for all agrocenoses (represented by dominants and subdominants). A position of the crop in the crop rotation was a significant factor for the agrocenoses of spring wheat, given that the distance from the steam increases the total biomass of vegetation due to weeds, as well as the number of pests, which probably forms more favorable conditions for the activity of ground beetles. Another correlation was also established between the index of dynamic density of ground beetles in wheat crops and the sum of active temperatures (t&gt;5 ºC), revealing the significant role of heat supply for poikilothermic organisms. The correlation between the index of dynamic density of ground beetles and the vegetation index NDVI values in corn pointed to the features of microclimate formation, given the biology of corn and the ability to build up a large volume of biomass already by mid-summer. No significant correlation between the technology of cultivation (level of intensification) and the dynamic density of ground beetles in agrocenoses was found. Therefore, the level of intensification (the use of crop protection agents and fertilizers regulated by the cultivation technology) does not have a significant effect on the number of ground beetles in the crops. Keywords: GROUND BEETLES, SPECIES DIVERSITY, COMMUNITY STRUCTURE, COMMUNITY DYNAMICS, AGROCENOSIS, INTENSIFICATION OF AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY

Revisiting yield gaps and the scope for sustainable intensification for irrigated lowland rice in Southeast Asia

CONTEXTRecent studies on yield gap analysis for rice in Southeast Asia revealed different levels of intensification across the main ‘rice bowls’ in the region. Identifying the key crop management and biophysical drivers of rice yield gaps across different ‘rice bowls’ provides opportunities for comparative analyses, which are crucial to better understand the scope to narrow yield gaps and increase resource-use efficiencies across the region. OBJECTIVEThe objective of this study was to decompose rice yield gaps into their efficiency, resource, and technology components and to map the scope to sustainably increase rice production across four lowland irrigated rice areas in Southeast Asia through improved crop management. METHODSA novel framework for yield gap decomposition accounting for the main genotype, management, and environmental factors explaining crop yield in intensive rice irrigated systems was developed. A combination of crop simulation modelling at field-level and stochastic frontier analysis was applied to household survey data to identify the drivers of yield variability and to disentangle efficiency, resource, and technology yield gaps, including decomposing the latter into its sowing date and genotype components. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONThe yield gap was greatest in Bago, Myanmar (75% of Yp), intermediate in Yogyakarta, Indonesia (57% of Yp) and in Nakhon Sawan, Thailand (47% of Yp), and lowest in Can Tho, Vietnam (44% of Yp). The yield gap in Myanmar was largely attributed to the resource yield gap, reflecting a large scope to sustainably intensify rice production through increases in fertilizer use and proper weed control (i.e., more output with more inputs). In Vietnam, the yield gap was mostly attributed to the technology yield gap and to resource and efficiency yield gaps in the dry season and wet season, respectively. Yet, sustainability aspects associated with inefficient use of fertilizer and low profitability from high input levels should also be considered alongside precision agriculture technologies for site-specific management (i.e., more output with the same or less inputs). The same is true in Thailand, where the yield gap was equally explained by the technology, resource, and efficiency yield gaps. The yield gap in Indonesia was mostly attributed to efficiency and technology yield gaps and yield response curves to N based on farmer field data in this site suggest it is possible to reduce its use while increasing rice yield (i.e., more output with less inputs). SIGNIFICANCEThis study provides a novel approach to decomposing rice yield gaps in Southeast Asia's main rice producing areas. By breaking down the yield gap into different components, context-specific opportunities to narrow yield gaps were identified to target sustainable intensification of rice production in the region.

Population dynamics of predatory ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) in agrocenoses with different levels of intensification in the forest-steppe zone of Western Siberia

Population dynamics of predatory ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) in agrocenoses with different levels of intensification in the forest-steppe zone of Western Siberia

Communities of ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) in agrocenoses with different levels of intensification in the forest-steppe zone of Western Siberia

Communities of ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) in agrocenoses with different levels of intensification in the forest-steppe zone of Western Siberia

Intensive Production and Management of Marandu Palisadegrass (Urochloa brizantha ‘Marandu’) Accelerates Leaf Turnover but Does Not Change Herbage Mass

Pasture intensification through higher stocking rates, nitrogen fertilization and intensified grazing management in beef cattle production optimizes pasture use by increasing the forage harvested. We aimed to assess its effects on the morphogenesis and canopy structure of Urochloa brizantha ‘Marandu’ (marandu palisadegrass) pastures. The treatments consisted of marandu palisadegrass pastures managed under continuous stocking and a canopy height of 25 cm, with different levels of intensification: extensive, semi-intensive, and intensive systems N-fertilized with 0 kg, 75 kg, and 150 kg N ha−1 year−1, respectively, as ammonium nitrate (32% of N), with four replicates (paddocks) in a completely randomized design. Phyllochron (9.8 days) and leaf lifespan (34.7 days) were shorter in intensified pastures, whereas herbage mass was similar among treatments. Extensive pastures had a higher proportion of senescent material; thus, more intensive systems showed higher proportions of leaves and stems, although the leaves-to-stem ratio remained similar across production systems. The defoliation interval was lower in intensive (14.4 days) and higher in extensive (18.7 days) treatments. Thus, pasture intensification accelerates leaf appearance, decreases leaf lifespan, shortens the tiller defoliation interval and increased herbage accumulation rate but does not change herbage mass. The extensive system produces excessive forage losses due to dead material.

Communities of herpetobional invertebrate agroecosystems at different levels of intensification

Human economic activity, including agriculture, leads to an inevitable decrease in the biodiversity of natural fauna and flora, both in the cultivated areas and in the surrounding natural ecosystems. The degree of these violations depends on a number of factors, including the agrotechnical measures used and the level of chemicalization. The species composition has been researched and the characteristics of the ecological structure of herpetobiont invertebrates in areas with crops of grain crops differing in the level of chemicalization and adjacent virgin areas with natural vegetation are given. It was revealed that the most numerous orders in areas with extensive and intensive cultivation technologies are: Coleoptera (Carabidae), Opiliones (Phalangiidae) and Hymenoptera (Formicidae). It has been established that geographically adjacent agrocenoses, which differ in terms of the level of anthropogenic impact, and their border areas, are similar in their species composition. At the same time, an increase in the level of intensification of the cultivated areas leads to a significant restructuring of the structure of communities of terrestrial invertebrates. The dynamic density of most species in areas with intensive processing technology was lower than in fields with a low background of chemicalization. Also, in areas with intensive technology, a decrease in species richness and a decrease in the relative number of dominant groups were noted. Low values of the diversity index in areas with extensive cultivation technology compared to not cultivated, border areas indicate an uneven distribution of invertebrate groups in these areas.

Aquaculture, Fish and Fisheries: A new home for the Blue Revolution

<i>Aquaculture, Fish and Fisheries</i>: A new home for the Blue Revolution

Liming agricultural soils in Western Kenya: Can long-term economic and environmental benefits pay off short term investments?

ContextSoil acidification affects crop yields which can diminish farmers' incomes. Whilst soil pH can easily be increased by application of lime, in practice application must be economically viable with yield benefits offering an acceptable return on investments. Liming is a long-term investment with benefits becoming apparent over multiple years. Long-term economic strategies can be problematic for farmers who lack investment capital and who may have short-term decision time frames, such as most smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. In addition, application of lime causes substantial greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (especially CO2). It is currently unclear how liming affects GHG emissions per tonne of maize, in cases where liming increases crop yields. ObjectiveIn this study, we assessed if liming acid soils is economically and environmentally viable at different levels of intensification for maize cultivation in Western Kenya. MethodsFirst, a meta-analysis using a regression analysis was conducted to quantify effects of lime application on soil pH and maize yields based on 26 field experiments. Related effects on farm profit and and returns on investment were estimated for a period of five years for soils with varying levels of initial soil pH and fertiliser application. Finally, synergies and trade-offs were assessed between maize yields, economic benefits and GHG emissions. Results and conclusionsLiming consistently increased maize yields on soils with an initial soil pH between 4.0 and 5.7 in Western Kenya, with or without fertiliser use. For a soil pH of 5, applying 2 t ha−1 lime resulted in a significant increase in maize yields of 57% (from 2.3 to 3.6 t ha −1) in the first year after application. Despite these positive effects on yield, associated profits – when including costs of labour - were only positive when liming was combined with fertiliser (N,P) application. While liming causes substantial GHG emissions per tonne lime applied, these were offset when expressing GHG emissions per tonne of grain maize, due to the observed yield increases. The pay-back period for lime investments was at least two years. SignificanceOur analysis shows that liming has potential co-benefits for food security and the environment in tropical acid soils, but we expect uptake by farmers to be unlikely without external incentives, at least in Western Kenya.

Antibiotic use in pig farms at different levels of intensification-Farmers' practices in northeastern Thailand.

Understanding the patterns and drivers of antibiotic use in livestock is crucial for tailoring efficient incentives for responsible use of antibiotics. Here we compared routines for antibiotic use between pig farms of two different levels of intensification in Khon Kaen province in Thailand. Among the 113 family-owned small-scale farms (up to 50 sows) interviewed did 76% get advice from the pharmacy about how to use the antibiotics and 84% used it primarily for treating disease. Among the 51 medium-scale-farms (100–500 sows) belonging to two companies did 100% get advice about antibiotic use from the company’s veterinarian (P<0.0001) and 94% used antibiotics mostly as disease preventive measure (P<0.0001). In 2 small scale farms 3rd generation cephalosporins, tylosin or colistin were used; antibiotics belonging to the group of highest priority critically important antimicrobials for human medicine. Enrofloxacin, belonging to the same group of antimicrobials, was used in 33% of the small-scale and 41% of the medium-scale farms. In the latter farms, the companies supplied 3–4 antibiotics belonging to different classes and those were the only antibiotics used in the farms. The median and mean estimated expenditure on antibiotics per sow was 4.8 USD (IQR = 5.8) for small-scale farms and 7 USD and 3.4 USD for the medium-scale farms belonging to the two respective companies. Our observations suggest to target the following areas when pig farming transitions from small-scale to medium-scale: (i) strengthening access to professional animal health services for all farmers, (ii) review of the competence and role of veterinary pharmacies in selling antibiotics and (iii) adjustment of farming company animal health protocols towards more medically rational use of antibiotics.

Synthesis, design and evaluation of intensified lignocellulosic biorefineries - Case study: Ethanol production

Second generation (2G) biorefineries have shown a potential to convert lignocellulosic wastes into fuels, energy, and other value-added products. However, despite the efforts made in R&D, there are several barriers to overcome their successful operation and profitability. This motivates to intensify 2G biorefineries by integrating unit operations, performing mass integration and heat integration analysis. The main focus of this work is to present the most important aspects of the design and synthesis for the intensification of 2G biorefineries, and the main contribution is the proposal of a systematic approach to evaluate different process configurations by defining a global intensification criterion. This criterion incorporates indicators to assess waste emissions, utility duties, energy consumption and production cost. The proposed methodology is used to decide the best synthesis and design of a 2G biorefinery for the main ethanol production. Various biorefinery configurations are proposed considering different levels of intensification, and comparing two different pretreatments and two alternative separation processes. As a result, the best intensified design is identified by using the proposed global intensification criterion.

Nutritional Quality, Voluntary Intake and Enteric Methane Emissions of Diets Based on Novel Cayman Grass and Its Associations With Two Leucaena Shrub Legumes.

Methane (CH4) emissions from enteric fermentation in cattle are an important source of greenhouse gases, accounting for about 40% of all agricultural emissions. Diet quality plays a fundamental role in determining the magnitude of CH4 emissions. Specifically, the inclusion of feeds with high digestibility and nutritional value have been reported to be a viable option for reducing CH4 emissions and, simultaneously, increase animal productivity. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the nutritional composition and voluntary intake of diets based on tropical forages upon CH4 emissions from zebu steers. Five treatments (diets) were evaluated: Cay1: Urochloa hybrid cv. Cayman (harvested after 65 days of regrowth: low quality); Cay2: cv. Cayman harvested after 45 days of regrowth; CayLl: cv. Cayman + Leucaena leucocephala; CayLd: cv. Cayman + Leucaena diversifolia; Hay: Dichantium aristatum hay as a comparator of common naturalized pasture. For each diet representing different levels of intensification (naturalized pasture, improved pasture, and silvopastoral systems), CH4 emissions were measured using the polytunnel technique with four zebu steers housed in individual chambers. The CH4 accumulated was monitored using an infrared multigas analyzer, and the voluntary forage intake of each animal was calculated. Dry matter intake (DMI, % of body weight) ranged between 0.77 and 2.94 among diets offered. Emissions of CH4 per kg of DMI were significantly higher (P < 0.0001) in Cay1 (60.4 g), compared to other treatments. Diets that included Leucaena forage legumes had generally higher crude protein contents and higher DMI. Cay1 and Hay which had low protein content and digestibility had a higher CH4 emission intensity (per unit live weight gain) compared to Cay2, CayLl and CayLd. Our results suggest that grass consumed after a regrowth period of 45 days results in lower CH4 emissions intensities compared to those observed following a regrowth period of 65 days. Diets with Leucaena inclusion showed advantages in nutrient intake that are reflected in greater live weight gains of cattle. Consequently, the intensity of the emissions generated in the legume-based systems were lower suggesting that they are a good option for achieving the emission reduction goals of sustainable tropical cattle production.