High Livestock Density Research Articles

Cattle don’t care: Animal behaviour is similar regardless of grazing management in grasslands

It is well known that rangelands lose productivity and ecosystem function under excessive rates of livestock stocking, however the role of the spatio-temporal distribution of grazing density remains debated. Multiple studies show that managing grazing for high livestock density has little effect on plant and livestock productivity, yet fewer explore animal behaviour as a mechanism that would explain these observations. We hypothesised that increasing cattle grazing densities under equivalent stocking rates will cause animals to concentrate more, spend more time grazing and thereby increase utilisation of forage, and reduce selection for palatable vegetation patches and species. We compared season-long grazing (SLG), four-camp grazing (FCG) and holistic planned grazing (HPG) over three years in an experimental trial in a mesic grassland of South Africa reflecting a range of grazing densities (SLG < FCG < HPG). We measured the spatio-temporal patterns of cattle behaviour, dietary composition, dung trampling, animal productivity, and normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI). The management approach did not change the time allocated to different animal behaviours, trampling of dung, nor the selection for particular plants. HPG cattle grazed at closer distances to one another than SLG but not FCG, and herds were equally concentrated when resting and walking. HPG cattle spent less time in patches of high vegetation NDVI compared to SLG, thereby reducing the spatial heterogeneity of NDVI over time. Cattle gained 0.2 ± 0.02 kg day−1 ha−1, and this did not differ between management approaches. The HPG approach is costly to set up and is predicted to take twice as long as FCG and SLG to become profitable. Depending on the management goal, HPG could reduce selection for palatable patches, possibly preventing overgrazing and formation of bare patches over the long term. Alternatively, SLG could increase selection for palatable patches and initiate the formation of grazing lawns and, in combination with fire, commonly used in FCG, might enhance biodiversity.

Fencing Africa's protected areas: Costs, benefits, and management issues

The fencing of protected areas (PAs) is highly controversial, and much remains unknown about the associated financial, ecological, and social impacts. We surveyed experts on 63 fenced and 121 unfenced PAs across 23 African countries to assess the advantages and drawbacks of fencing. Where fences exist, they are largely supported and widely viewed as effective at demarcating PA boundaries and mitigating human-wildlife conflicts. However, most fences were insufficiently funded, which limited their ability to contain conflict-prone species like elephants and lions. Fences were also frequently vandalised and caused numerous conflicts with local communities. We documented for the first time the distribution of and support for fencing in PAs across Africa. While fencing is largely limited to Southern Africa and East Africa, support for fencing is greatest in West Africa and is associated with high human and livestock densities, and high threats from bushmeat harvesting, livestock encroachment, and logging.

Resource selection in an apex predator and variation in response to local landscape characteristics

Habitat loss and fragmentation represent major threats for the conservation of apex predators, such as the jaguar (Panthera onca). Investigating species' resource selection behavior in response to landscape alteration is critical for developing relevant conservation management plans. The jaguar is found across a variety of habitats with different gradients of human disturbance, making them a good candidate to study how apex predators respond to increasing intensity of human land use. We developed resource selection models to characterize patterns of jaguar resource selection at two different spatial scales, home range (coarse) and foraging scale (fine). This analysis was based on the largest existing GPS-location dataset for jaguars (n = 40 individuals, n = 87,376 locations), spanning the species' geographic range in Brazil and Argentina. We found that both males and females jaguars exhibited an overall preference for forests and areas close to watercourses at both the home range and foraging scale. At the foraging scale, areas of high livestock density “attracted” male jaguars. We also performed a follow-up analysis to test for context-dependent resource selection (i.e., functional responses) by relating individual behavior to local habitat characteristics. We found that jaguars in heavily-forested landscapes showed strong avoidance of non-forest. Furthermore, we found that only the individuals in closest proximity to watercourses showed positive selection for water. Our results highlight that jaguars display different patterns of resource selection in different areas, demonstrating a considerable ability to use or tolerate a wide variety of different conditions across the species geographic range. This plasticity may allow jaguars to adjust their behavior according to land use changes but also increases human-jaguar conflict and jaguar mortality, especially in areas with high livestock density.

Health effects of livestock farms: An updated analysis of seven consecutive years

Background: There is continuing debate and public health concern regarding the association between high livestock density and human health. Previous research in the Netherlands showed that living close to goat and poultry farms is a risk factor for pneumonia. The primary aim of this study is to verify this association for respiratory health effects, based on recent longitudinal health data and various exposure proxies. Methods: Prevalence (per year) of health symptoms and chronic conditions were collected for the period 2010-2016, based on electronic health records registered in general practices in areas with intensive livestock farming in the Netherlands (study areas). The study sample consisted of100,000 individuals. Two main methods were used to assess exposure-outcome associations: 1) Comparison with corresponding health data from different rural regions with less livestock farms and other major environmental exposures (control areas); 2) Use of individual estimates of exposure to goats and poultry (e.g. distance, number of farm animals) in the study areas, based on geographic information system data. Results: Multilevel regression models showed a significantly higher prevalence of pneumonia and lower respiratory tract infections in the study areas compared to the control areas (OR 1.6, 99% CI 1.13 – 2.28 and OR 1.46, 99% CI 1.03 – 2.05 respectively for the year 2016). There were no significant differences in asthma, COPD, lung cancer or coronary heart disease. The current findings constitute work in progress; the complete results of the current project will be presented. Conclusions: Acute respiratory symptoms and infections but not chronic conditions were more common in areas with a high livestock density. This needs to be considered in the planning of farms nearby living environments and development of related public health measures. Key messages: Living closer to livestock farms could constitute a risk factor for respiratory infections. Electronic patient records is an important tool for health impact assessment.

Regeneración de Sebastiania commersoniana (Euphorbiaceae) en relación al ganado y la distancia al bosque en las sierras del centro de Argentina

Entender los requerimientos de regeneración de especies leñosas es importante para guiar prácticas de conservación y restauración de los bosques. Evaluamos el nicho de regeneración de Sebastiania commersoniana en relación a la vegetación, suelo y luminosidad comparando micrositios con y sin renoval en dos potreros con densidad de ganado alta y baja y a tres distancias del borde de los parches de bosque dominados por la especie: -2 m (dentro del bosque), 1 m y 3 m (fuera del bosque). También evaluamos la densidad de renovales y la proporción de tallos ramoneados. Los renovales se encontraron en micrositios con abundante vegetación herbácea y suelo poco compactado. La densidad de renovales fue un 134 % mayor con baja densidad de ganado que con alta fuera del bosque, sin diferencias dentro, y disminuyó marcadamente al aumentar la distancia al borde. La proporción de tallos ramoneados fue 13 veces mayor ante alta densidad de ganado que ante baja. Concluimos que el establecimiento puede verse favorecido en micrositios con vegetación y suelo conservados; que el reclutamiento de renovales puede encontrarse limitado a las cercanías de los parches de bosque, y que la reducción en densidad de ganado puede favorecer la regeneración de la especie.

A spatial and temporal analysis of risk factors associated with sporadic Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 infection in England between 2009 and 2015.

Infection with STEC O157 is relatively rare but has potentially serious sequelae, particularly for children. Large outbreaks have prompted considerable efforts designed to reduce transmission primarily from food and direct animal contact. Despite these interventions, numbers of infections have remained constant for many years and the mechanisms leading to many sporadic infections remain unclear.Here, we show that two-thirds of all cases reported in England between 2009 and 2015 were sporadic. Crude rates of infection differed geographically and were highest in rural areas during the summer months. Living in rural areas with high densities of cattle, sheep or pigs and those served by private water supplies were associated with increased risk. Living in an area of lower deprivation contributed to increased risk but this appeared to be associated with reported travel abroad. Fresh water coverage and residential proximity to the coast were not risk factors.To reduce the overall burden of infection in England, interventions designed to reduce the number of sporadic infections with STEC should focus on the residents of rural areas with high densities of livestock and the effective management of non-municipal water supplies. The role of sheep as a reservoir and potential source of infection in humans should not be overlooked.

Reducing agricultural nutrient surpluses in a large catchment – Links to livestock density

The separation between crop- and livestock production is an important driver of agricultural nutrient surpluses in many parts of the world. Nutrient surpluses can be symptomatic of poor resource use efficiency and contribute to environmental problems. Thus, it is important not only to identify where surpluses can be reduced, but also the potential policy tools that could facilitate reductions. Here, we explored linkages between livestock production and nutrient flows for the Baltic Sea catchment and discuss management practices and policies that influence the magnitude of nutrient surpluses. We found that the majority of nutrients cycled through the livestock sector and that large nitrogen and phosphorus surpluses often occurred in regions with high livestock density. Imports of mineral fertilizers and feed to the catchment increased overall surpluses, which in turn increased the risk of nutrient losses from agriculture to the aquatic environment. Many things can be done to reduce agricultural nutrient surpluses; an important example is using manure nutrients more efficiently in crop production, thereby reducing the need to import mineral fertilizers. Also, existing soil P reserves could be used to a greater extent, which further emphasizes the need to improve nutrient management practices. The countries around the Baltic Sea used different approaches to manage agricultural nutrient surpluses, and because eight of the coastal countries are members in the European Union (EU), common EU policies play an important role in management. We observed reductions in surpluses between 2000 and 2010 in some countries, which suggested the influence of different approaches to management and policy and that there are opportunities for further improvement. However, the separation between crop and livestock production in agriculture appears to be an underlying cause of nutrient surpluses; thus, further research is needed to understand how policy can address these structural issues and increase sustainability in food production.

A case for reconsidering the conservation status of former Closed Areas in arid landscapes of western India

The Indian Wildlife Protection Act (WPA) of 1972 prohibits hunting within the ProtectedAreas (PA), while diverse populations of wildlife exist outside them, as well. In the 1980s, the State Government of Rajasthan declared wildlife-rich areas (14690 km2) located outside PA, as Closed Areas (CA) to prohibit hunting activities. In 2002, due to an amendment of the WPA of 1972, these CA lost their PA status, thus putting into question, the future of these endangered species-rich ecosystems. To inform future management decisions, a rapid biodiversity assessment was conducted across seven former CA in the arid landscapes of western Rajasthan. Furthermore, the dynamics of biodiversity and conservation practices over time was also assessed through interviews of 3357 adults from 2470 households in the region. Due to the natural low productivity of arid regions, the mean tree density (5.2 ± 0.8 individual ha−1) was found significantly lower (P = 0.001) than the mean shrub density (114.4 ± 31.4 individual ha−1) particularly where human interferences were recorded, while species richness and diversity (Sobs and Shannon indices) were higher for trees (16 ± 0.0 and 2.4, respectively) than the shrubs (13 ± 0.1 and 1.8, respectively). Prosopis cineraria was assessed, as the most dominant and exploited tree species. Ecological densities of all the wild ungulates (11.7 ± 1.8 individual km−2) were quite comparable to other well-guarded PA of India. However, high density of domestic livestock (94.6 ± 7.2 individual km−2) provides severe competition to them. Indian desert fox (Vulpes vulpes pusilla) and domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris), adapted to survive amongst human dominated landscapes, were the most abundant canids (0.9 ± 0.2 individual km−2 and 0.6 ± 0.1 individual km−2, respectively), where the latter was considerably responsible for wild ungulate mortalities. State Government records and over 69% of the interviewees (n = 2331) reported that the region’s wildlife populations had significantly declined during the past two decades in absence of any designated protection regime. Therefore, to protect this endangered biodiversity, reconsideration of the future conservation status of these former CA should be prioritized, as “Conservation Reserves – CR” or “Community Conservation Reserves – CCR” with the assistance of local communities.

Healthcare utilisation prior to the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel diseases and the influence of livestock exposure: A longitudinal case-control study.

An increased prevalence of the inflammatory bowel diseases, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, was found amongst residents in a livestock dense area. We hypothesised that exposure to livestock farms might be a substantial environmental factor that contributes to the development of these diseases and that in the lead up to inflammatory bowel diseases potential risk factors can be identified. This study aimed to investigate the contribution of livestock exposure to the development of these diseases and the clinical events prior to the diagnosis. Electronic health records from 2006–2013 of general practices were used. The study population consisted of patients with a new diagnosis of inflammatory bowel diseases resident in areas with a high (n = 141) or lower (n = 109) livestock density. Patients with low back pain (n = 10,469) were used as controls. For those in a livestock dense area, distance to livestock farms was determined. Associations between morbidities and drug prescriptions in the reporting year and three years previous to the diagnosis, and the residential proximity to livestock exposure were investigated with multivariable logistic regression analyses. Acute and chronic morbidity of the gastrointestinal tract and associated drug prescriptions were predictive for the development of inflammatory bowel diseases. In addition, a positive association was found between infections and living within 500 meter of poultry farms and the development of inflammatory bowel diseases [OR: 3.3 (1.1–9.9)]. Nonetheless, overall livestock exposure contributed little to the development of these diseases. These results suggest that exposure to livestock farms on its own contributes minimal to the development of inflammatory bowel diseases. Nonetheless, having infections appeared to be a risk factor for neighbouring residents of poultry farms. More research is warranted to explain the increased prevalence of inflammatory bowel diseases amongst residents in areas with a high density of livestock.

Increasing importance of precipitation variability on global livestock grazing lands

Pastures and rangelands underpin global meat and milk production and are a critical resource for millions of people dependent on livestock for food security1,2. Forage growth, which is highly climate dependent3,4, is potentially vulnerable to climate change, although precisely where and to what extent remains relatively unexplored. In this study, we assess climate-based threats to global pastures, with a specific focus on changes in within- and between-year precipitation variability (precipitation concentration index (PCI) and coefficient of variation of precipitation (CVP), respectively). Relating global satellite measures of vegetation greenness (such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index; NDVI) to key climatic factors reveals that CVP is a significant, yet often overlooked, constraint on vegetation productivity across global pastures. Using independent stocking data, we found that areas with high CVP support lower livestock densities than less-variable regions. Globally, pastures experience about a 25% greater year-to-year precipitation variation (CVP = 0.27) than the average global land surface area (0.21). Over the past century, CVP has generally increased across pasture areas, although both positive (49% of pasture area) and negative (31% of pasture area) trends exist. We identify regions in which livestock grazing is important for local food access and economies, and discuss the potential for pasture intensification in the context of long-term regional trends in precipitation variability. Satellite measures of vegetation greenness, together with animal stocking data and key climatic factors, reveal interannual precipitation variability to be a significant constraint on global pasture productivity.

Short communication: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in conventional and organic dairy herds in Germany

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have been described repeatedly in dairy herds. In this study, we compared the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of MRSA in bulk tank milk from conventional and organic dairy herds in Germany. Samples were collected from 372 conventional and 303 organic dairy herds throughout Germany. Bulk tank milk (25 mL) was tested for MRSA using an established double selective enrichment method. The MRSA isolates were typed using spa typing and tested for resistance to 19 antimicrobials using the broth microdilution method. Methicillin-resistant Staph. aureus was detected more frequently in bulk tank milk from conventional (9.7%) than from organic (1.7%) dairy herds. Herd size and region were associated with differences in prevalence. Most isolates (38/41) were from spa types associated with the livestock-associated clonal complex CC398. Isolates from conventional herds tended to be more resistant to antimicrobials; however, because of the limited number of isolates from organic herds, no statistical tests were performed. In conclusion, prevalence of MRSA in dairy herds in Germany seems to be increasing and is more prevalent in regions with high livestock density. Organic herds are also affected although at a lower level. Therefore, MRSA should be specifically included in biosecurity protocols for dairy herds, and effective control measures need to be investigated.

Analysis of selected economic and environmental impacts of long distance manure transports to biogas plants

In regions with high livestock density, manure supply often exceeds demand and complete local deployment would lead to severe environmental damage due to over-nutrification. One solution is to use the surplus in other regions, which have lower nutrient-levels. To decrease costs associated with transport the manure can first be used in biogas plants of those regions. To date, however, the economic and ecological consequences of this solution are unclear. Here, we develop a model of the consequences from the perspective of a biogas plant owner and apply it to a case study in Lower-Saxony, Germany. The model determines the maximal profitable manure transport distance from a financial point of view. Furthermore, it examines selected environmental impacts for various scenarios with an assumed transport range of 150 km, a typical distance. For dry poultry manure transport distances up to 700 km and more can be financially advantageous. Emission reductions occurred in all scenarios in the impact categories Greenhouse Gas and Acidification. The model can support decision-makers in the livestock and biogas industries in determining whether to transport manure and, if so, how far.

Management intensity controls soil N2O fluxes in an Afromontane ecosystem

Studies that quantify nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes from African tropical forests and adjacent managed land uses are scarce. The expansion of smallholder agriculture and commercial agriculture into the Mau forest, the largest montane forest in Kenya, has caused large-scale land use change over the last decades. We measured annual soil N2O fluxes between August 2015 and July 2016 from natural forests and compared them to the N2O fluxes from land either managed by smallholder farmers for grazing and tea production, or commercial tea and eucalyptus plantations (n=18). Air samples from 5 pooled static chambers were collected between 8:00am and 11:30am and used within each plot to calculate the gas flux rates. Annual soil N2O fluxes ranged between 0.2 and 2.9kgNha−1yr−1 at smallholder sites and 0.6–1.7kgNha−1yr−1 at the commercial agriculture sites, with no difference between land uses (p=0.98 and p=0.18, respectively). There was marked variation within land uses and, in particular, within those managed by smallholder farmers where management was also highly variable. Plots receiving fertilizer applications and those with high densities of livestock showed the highest N2O fluxes (1.6±0.3kgN2O-Nha−1yr−1, n=7) followed by natural forests (1.1±0.1kgN2O-Nha−1yr−1, n=6); although these were not significantly different (p=0.19). Significantly lower fluxes (0.5±0.1kgNha−1yr−1, p<0.01, n=5) were found on plots that received little or no inputs. Daily soil N2O flux rates were not correlated with concurrent measurements of water filled pore space (WFPS), soil temperature or inorganic nitrogen (IN) concentrations. However, IN intensity, a measure of exposure of soil microbes (in both time and magnitude) to IN concentrations was strongly correlated with annual soil N2O fluxes.

Bluetongue virus spread in Europe is a consequence of climatic, landscape and vertebrate host factors as revealed by phylogeographic inference

Spatio-temporal patterns of the spread of infectious diseases are commonly driven by environmental and ecological factors. This is particularly true for vector-borne diseases because vector populations can be strongly affected by host distribution as well as by climatic and landscape variables. Here, we aim to identify environmental drivers for bluetongue virus (BTV), the causative agent of a major vector-borne disease of ruminants that has emerged multiple times in Europe in recent decades. In order to determine the importance of climatic, landscape and host-related factors affecting BTV diffusion across Europe, we fitted different phylogeographic models to a dataset of 113 time-stamped and geo-referenced BTV genomes, representing multiple strains and serotypes. Diffusion models using continuous space revealed that terrestrial habitat below 300 m altitude, wind direction and higher livestock densities were associated with faster BTV movement. Results of discrete phylogeographic analysis involving generalized linear models broadly supported these findings, but varied considerably with the level of spatial partitioning. Contrary to common perception, we found no evidence for average temperature having a positive effect on BTV diffusion, though both methodological and biological reasons could be responsible for this result. Our study provides important insights into the drivers of BTV transmission at the landscape scale that could inform predictive models of viral spread and have implications for designing control strategies.

Evaluation for Impacts of Nitrogen Source to Groundwater Quality in Livestock Farming Area

We investigated 52 livestock farming complexes in Gyeong-Gi and Incheon provinces based on low, medium, and high livestock density and groundwater quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate a relationship between nitrate N concentration in groundwater and animal factors, such as livestock density and animal species. 2,200 groundwater samples for 3 years from 2012 to 2014 at Gyeong-Gi and Incheon provinces were collected and analyzed for pH, EC, DO, ORP, temperature, major anions and cations, such as NO3-N, HCO3-, PO4-, SO42-, Cl-, NH4-N, K+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, T-N, and TOC. Average concentration of total N for generated load density was 23,973 g day-1 km-2 for cattle, 51,551 g day-1 km-2 for pig, and 52,100 g day-1 km-2 for poultry. For animal feeding species, average ratio for generated load over discharge load was 16.1% for cattle, 7.8% for pig, and 7.1% for poultry. Therefore, cattle feeding region is highly vulnerable for water pollution compared to pig and poultry feeding areas. The concentrations of chloride, nitrate, and total N in the groundwater samples were higher at high animal farming regions than other regions. The average concentration of nitrate, and chloride in groundwater samples was 5.0 mg L-1, 16.6 mg L-1for low livestock density, 6.9 mg L-1, 17.7 mg L-1for medium livestock density and 7.6 mg L-1, 22.7 mg L-1for high livestock density and total nitrogen (T-N) was 7.7 mg L-1for low livestock density, 9.4 mg L-1for medium livestock density, 10.7 mg L-1for high livestock density. In conclusion, based on this research, for managing groundwater quality near livestock farming regions, Ca-(Cl+NO3) group from the Piper diagram is more efficient than using 19 factors for water quality standard. Correlation between generated load and generated load density from monitoring agro-livestock farming areas.

Integrated assessment on the vulnerability of animal husbandry to snow disasters under climate change in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Animal husbandry is a dominant and traditional source of livelihood and income in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. The Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau is the third largest snow covered area in China and is one of the main snow disaster regions in the world. It is thus imperative to urgently address the issue of vulnerability of the animal husbandry sector to snow disasters for disaster mitigation and adaptation under growing risk of these disasters as a result of future climate change. However, there is very few literature reported on the vulnerability of animal husbandry in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. This assessment aims at identifying vulnerability of animal husbandry at spatial scale and to identify the reasons for vulnerability for adaptive planning and disaster mitigation. First, historical snow disaster characteristics have been analyzed and used for the spatial weight for vulnerability assessment. Second, indicator-based vulnerability assessment model and indicator system have been established. We combined risk of snow hazard, sensitivity of livestock to disaster, physical exposure to disaster, and community capacity to adapt to snow disaster in an integrated vulnerability index. Lastly, vulnerability of animal husbandry to snow disaster on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau has been evaluated. Results indicate that high vulnerabilities are mainly concentrated in the eastern and central plateau and that vulnerability decreases gradually from the east to the west. Due to global warming, the vulnerability trend has eased to some extent during the last few decades. High livestock density exposure to blizzard-prone regions and shortages of livestock barn and forage are the main reasons of high vulnerability. The conclusion emphasizes the important role of the local government and community to help local pastoralists for reducing vulnerability to snow disaster and frozen hazard. The approaches presented in this paper can be used for snow disaster mitigation, resilience enhancement and effectively reducing vulnerability to natural hazards in other regions.

Seasonal occurrence of Theileria parva infection and management practices amongst Maasai pastoralist communities in Monduli District, Northern Tanzania

Theileria parva causes an economically devastating tick-borne disease called East Coast fever (ECF), which affects cattle in central, eastern and southern Africa. Determination of seasonal infection rates for T. parva is crucial for epidemiological understanding and for strengthening ECF management practices. However, this information is lacking for most pastoralist areas with high livestock density, such as the Monduli District in the Maasai steppe, northern Tanzania. A cross-sectional study was carried out to estimate the prevalence of T. parva in wet and dry seasons, and to assess understanding of management practices associated with T. parva amongst pastoralists’ cattle. A total of 960 cattle owned by 130 pastoralists were randomly selected from ten study villages in each season and blood samples analysed for T. parva prevalence using a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Seroprevalence for T. parva in the wet season was assessed using an enzyme-linked-immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Information on relevant management practices was gathered using a standardized questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between T. parva parasitaemia and animal, farm and village-level factors. The prevalence of T. parva parasitaemia was 15.9% (95% CI=0.13–0.19) and 31.6% (95% CI=0.28–0.36) in wet and dry seasons, respectively. All cattle were sero-positive. T. parva parasitaemia was significantly associated with age of the animal, sampling season, and study village. All 130 cattle owners interviewed (100%) reported that they could easily recognise ECF and the vast majority (97.7%) identified swollen lymph nodes as the most prominent sign. At least 70% reported to understand the involvement of R. appendiculatus in ECF transmission. The use of both commercial drugs and herbal medicines for ECF treatment was reported by 54.6% of cattle owners. Among commercial drugs reported, the most commonly used was alamycin 300mg/ml (oxytetracycline dehydrates). Tick control by hand spraying was reported by the majority (90.8%) of cattle owners and less than half (45.4%) reported to vaccinate their cattle. This research provides evidence of widespread T. parva infection across Monduli District, and baseline information on seasonal occurrence. This information can assist the planning of more appropriate control strategies in pastoralist communities both now and into the future as predicted climatic changes progress in the region and potentially influence ECF occurrence and transmission.

Assessing ammonia emission abatement measures in agriculture: Farmers' costs and society's benefits – A case study for Lower Saxony, Germany

Ammonia (NH3) emissions have adverse impacts on the environment and, being a precursor for fine particulate matter, also on human health. About 95% of NH3 emissions in Germany originate from agriculture, mainly from livestock husbandry. This case study is aimed at presenting an approach that evaluates NH3 emission abatement measures in agriculture regarding their abatement costs for farmers and their benefits for the society in terms of avoided external costs of health damages and loss of terrestrial biodiversity. Following the impact-pathway chain, an economic-ecological farm model for estimating NH3 emission reductions and abatement costs was combined with an environmental impact assessment model for estimating the benefits for human health and biodiversity. The case study analysed a variety of manure storage cover and application techniques in Lower Saxony, a region in the north-west of Germany with the highest livestock density in Germany and high NH3 emissions. In the reference situation, the damage costs of NH3 emissions were EUR 2.7 billion. The implementation of concrete storage covers and slurry injection, the most effective measures, reduced NH3 emissions by 25% and achieved net benefits of EUR 505 million. Farmers' abatement costs averaged over all farms ranged from EUR 3.6 to 6.8 per kilogramme NH3 reduced. The abatement costs per farm type ranged from EUR 2.4 to 16.6 for floating plastic covers and from EUR 2.2 to 11.4 for concrete covers. The abatement costs for floating plastic covers were lower for grazing livestock specialists, while the abatement costs for concrete covers were lower for pig specialists, poultry specialists and mixed farms. Farm type specific abatement costs for manure application techniques ranged from EUR 4.5 to 9.6 per kilogramme NH3 reduced with little variation between trailing shoe and cultivator/injector techniques. Abatement costs for trailing shoe application were lower than for cultivator/injector application for grazing livestock specialists, poultry specialists and mixed farms. The average benefits per kilogramme NH3 reduced were EUR 14.1 for health and EUR 10.4 for biodiversity, totalling EUR 24.5. As the benefits exceed the abatement costs for all measures analysed in this study, principally, they can be recommended for implementation. However, the variation in abatement potentials and costs per farm type indicate differences in suitability. While manure covers should above all be implemented by pig specialists because of their high abatement potential, manure application techniques should be implemented by grazing livestock specialists. Among manure storage covers, floating plastic covers are more favourable for grazing livestock specialists, whereas concrete covers are more suitable for all other farm types. The analysis with the farm model was considered more appropriate than recent analyses at technical or macroeconomic level, because the abatement costs reflect differences in farm types, detailed production processes and farmers' profit-maximising behaviour. Overall, it can be concluded that an assessment of NH3 emission abatement measures should be carried out for farm types and should consider impacts of NH3 emission abatement both on human health and biodiversity. The presented modelling approach enables to estimate abatement costs for farm types and benefits for human health and biodiversity. Cost-efficient NH3 emission abatement measures tailored to farm types can be identified and farm type specific regional abatement strategies can be developed.

Livestock productivity as indicator of vulnerability to climate hazards: a Mongolian case study

Mongolia is subject to regular peaks of livestock winter mortality called dzuds. Several kinds of dzud exist and the ‘white dzud’, characterized by heavy stochastic snowfalls preventing livestock to access forage, is considered the most common. Droughts and high livestock densities are thought to be part of the dzud process by affecting body condition, which increases vulnerability to snowfalls. Guided by the equilibrium/nonequilibrium framework, we studied how rainfall, animal numbers and pasture health (defined as the integrity of ecological processes sustaining grass growth) impact livestock body condition in a case study of West Mongolia. We studied this parameter through livestock productivity (LP) as a proxy, defined as the annual number of newborns per breeding-age female. We found no significant impact of rainfall or livestock numbers, alone or combined. We found through the study of pasture use, defined as the ratio forage consumed/forage available, an impact of the combined effect of rainfall, animal numbers and pasture health. We observed in addition sharp LP decreases prior to dzuds, which suggests that the above-mentioned drivers interact to weaken livestock which increases its vulnerability to winter hazards. This tends to show that in our case study, dzuds are not the simple consequence of stochastic hazards striking randomly, but instead, the final stage of a chain of events that involves dry years, high livestock densities and pasture degradation. This also indicates that dzud early warning indicators could be designed based on LP monitoring.

Feasibility study on the processing of surplus livestock manure into an organic fertilizer by thermal concentration – The case study of Les Plenesses in Wallonia

Manure processing is a promising option to improve the management of livestock manure in regions with high livestock density and nitrate vulnerable water bodies. It is the aim of this paper to provide a feasibility study for the production of an organic fertilizer from livestock manure, including a GIS-based spatial analysis of regional manure availability. The analysis is provided for the case study Les Plenesse in Wallonia, i.e., a system that uses excess heat from a biomass cogeneration plant to process livestock manure into a high-value organic fertilizer. First, the livestock manure potentials and the nutrient demand for forage crops and pastures in Wallonia are estimated. Then the economic aspects of the production of the organic fertilizer are investigated and the manufacturing costs are assessed on this basis. The results for the case study show that only 46% of the cattle manure is needed to meet 50% of the nitrogen demand of forage crops and pastures. In the presented case study, solid cattle manure turns out to be the most promising manure type for organic fertilizer production with manufacturing costs estimated at 54 €/t fertilizer (85% dry mass). The EU-wide applicable approach can help to quantify the eventually required subsidies for manure-processing technologies. This can significantly improve the existing qualitative statements on the costs of manure processing.