Intensive Dairy Cattle Research Articles

The most common diseases in intensive dairy cattle farms in the Mediterranean region

This study was conducted in an intensive dairy cattle farm with a capacity of 200 lactating cow in the Mediterranean region. In this study, 2-year health records in the farm were systematically analysed. The common diseases seen in the records were determined and the recurrence status and the periods of occurrence were determined. Based on the information obtained from the records of the farm , the most common diseases and the diseases that affect the efficiency of the farm the most were determined and evaluated here. In the results, it was understood that the most common diseases treated in the dairy farming operating in the Mediterranean region in a period of 2 years were mastitis, lameness, reproductive problems and metritis.

Potential of slurry from intensive dairy cattle farms for paulownia and populus trees, as organic fertilizer: i. effect on production

Intensive dairy cattle breeding have a relevant social and economic impact in Portugal, particularly in the northern region. This activity generates a high flow of livestock effluents (slurry), rich in important nutrients for plant growth, which can be introduced into forest production systems. These effluents can provide a good alternative to mineral fertilizers, not only from an economic perspective, but also from the point of view of soil fertility resilience. In the present study, the effect of increasing doses of slurry on tree growth was evaluated in clones of Paulownia and Populus, as they are genotypes that have a high efficiency in the mobilization of soil nutrients and in the capture of CO2 from the atmosphere, as well as high biomass calorific value. To this end, a demonstration field was installed, where the trees were planted with the compasses of: 2.5 x 1.5 m and 2.5 x 0.75 m, respectively for Paulownia and for Populus. In the field, the following treatments were performed: T0 - no fertilization, either mineral or organic; T1 - amount of slurry equivalent to 85 kg of N ha-1; T2 - amount of slurry equivalent to 170 kg of N ha-1; T3 - amount of slurry equivalent to 340 kg of N ha-1, either with or without inoculation prior to transplantation, with mycorrhizal arbuscular fungi and plant growth-promoting bacteria. Results evidenced a positive effect of the slurry application, both in the diameter at breast height and in total stand height, showing its fertilizing potential which should later be assessed on the ability to constitute an alternative or, simply, a complement to mineral fertilization.

A Review of the Effects of Stress on Dairy Cattle Behaviour.

In this narrative review, the authors summarise the relationship between stress and behaviour and how dairy cattle cope with stressors. Based on the available literature, the most common stressors in intensive dairy cattle farming, such as pain, disease, heat stress, poor comfort caused by technology, and social stress, are surveyed. The authors describe how these stressors modify the behaviour of dairy cattle, influencing their feeding patterns, social interactions, and overall well-being. Additionally, the review explores the effectiveness of various coping mechanisms employed by dairy cattle to mitigate stress, including physiological adaptations and behavioural responses. This review is a valuable resource for understanding and grading stress in dairy cattle through behavioural reactions. Elucidating the intricate interplay between stressors and behaviour offers insights into potential interventions to improve animal welfare and productivity in dairy farming. Furthermore, this review highlights areas for future research, suggesting avenues for more comprehensive behavioural studies to enhance our understanding of stress management strategies in dairy cattle.

Study on the Constraints and Practical Knowledge for Intensive Dairy Cattle Farming in Mongolia

The given text highlights the importance of managing the intensive farming of Mongolian dairy cattle effectively to improve the quality of dairy products and promote the livestock industry's comprehensive development. The livestock industry is a crucial pillar of Mongolia's economy, contributing about 12% to the annual GDP. However, Mongolia's dairy industry has not been fully developed, and there has been a significant increase in the quality and demand for dairy products in recent years due to urbanization. The text also discusses the challenges faced by Mongolian livestock farming, such as the extensive farming practices, harsh winters, and lack of management and planning. The author suggests standardizing the standards for large-scale ranch management operations and practical operations of modern ranch management systems to enhance the livestock industry's intensification, scaling, organization, socialization, and industrialization. The text also highlights the need to improve the management level of breeders, plan the construction of breeding farms rationally, strengthen the inspection efforts of relevant departments, and enhance technical research to address the problems existing in intensive management. Overall, the text provides a comprehensive study on developing the livestock industry and promoting the healthy and sustainable development of the livestock economy.

The Relationship Between Perceptions of Livestock Participation Rates in the Dairy Cattle Business Insurance Program

The majority of dairy cattle businesses in Indonesia are smallholder farmers. The government has tried various ways to increase domestic fresh milk production, one of which is increasing the number of intensive dairy cattle in the form of various facilities such as assistance programs, Asuransi Usaha Ternak Sapi (AUTS). Koperasi Unit Desa (KUD) Sarwa Mukti is one of the cooperatives engaged in the dairy cattle business in the Bandung Barat Regency area that received AUTS assistance. Research is needed to see the relationship between perception (cognition and affection) with the level of farmer participation in the AUTS program at KUD Sarwa Mukti. The results of this study can be a source of information and input for all livestock groups, KUD Sarwa Mukti and AUTS organizers for the progress of the program. This research is a survey with purposive sampling and simple random sampling and the outputs are Spearman rank correlation analysis and the interpretation of the degree of relationship with Guilford's rule. A total of 67 farmers with 1-20 dairy cows were the respondents of this study. The results obtained, the perception of dairy farmers who are members of the KUD Sarwa Mukti towards the AUTS program is in the high category (49.3%). Participation in the decision-making, implementation, and utilization stages of the results of dairy farmers who are members of the KUD Sarwa Mukti towards the AUTS program is at a moderate level (82.09%). There is a weak positive relationship between the perception and participation of dairy farmers who are members of the KUD Sarwa Mukti on the AUTS program, with a Spearman Rank correlation coefficient with Guilford's rule of 0.253.

Polymorphic variants of the CD62L and ACSL1 genes in connection with the resistance of cows to mastitis

Relevance. In conditions of intensive dairy cattle breeding, the incidence of cows with mastitis continues to be an urgent problem. The number of somatic cells (CCCs) in milk is a breeding indicator for improving the health of the mammary gland of cows. The study of animal resistance to the disease, which is based, among other things, on the genetic component, will make it possible to increase the efficiency of breeding in the future. The purpose of this work is a comparative analysis of the relationship of polymorphic variants of the ACS L1 (rs208522533) and CD62L (rs41803917 and rs41803917) genes with indicators of milk productivity and the level of somatic cells in the milk of Ayrshire cows.Methods. A sample of first-calf cows of Ayrshire breed (n = 191) belonging to one of the breeding farms of the Leningrad region was formed. Animal genotypes were determined by PCR-PDRF. Analysis of the genotype frequency by rs208522533 of the ACS LI gene showed that 99% of the animals were carriers of the GG genotype.Results. The results of studies of the CD62L gene showed that rs41803917 determined a high frequency of the G allele (80.4%) and on average more than 60% of animals had the GG genotype. rs109966956 of the CD62L gene revealed a high frequency of the C allele (80.1%) and 64.9% of the animals had the CC genotype. High values of BOX PC were established in small groups of animals with the AA genotype according to rs41803917 (p £ 0.05) and the TT genotype according to rs109966956 (p £ 0.001). Individuals with the AG genotype according to rs41803917 of the CD62L gene had high protein percentages (p £ 0.05) and low BSC (p £ 0.05). The results obtained indicate that SNPs rs41803917 and rs41803917 of the CD62L gene can be considered as potential markers of resistance to mastitis in Ayrshire cows.

THE MILK CATTLE BREDS’ SELECTION IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Research on the breeds’ composition placement and these ratio across the Russian regions in dynamics allow to identify the fundamental positions of dairy and dairymeat breeds’ rational zoning underlying. The most breeds for selection in various climatic zones are good adapted; for example, Holstein, Simmental and Black-and-white breeds of cattle in all federal districts are located. In turn, Ayrshire, Brown Schwyz, Red steppe, Red-and-white, Kholmogorskaya and Yaroslavlskaya breeds traditionally in areas with continental climate from moderate to sharply are bred. In oil production areas, those breeds that the greatest total milk fat and protein’s yield during the milk production period providing the most widespread they are used. High production breeds with low milk output for the best quality cheese production in the cheesemaking zones are located. Simmental and Brown Schwyz cattle mainly in areas with dairy and beef cattle selecting are bred, where animals at significant amount of coarse feed are fed. The Red steppe, Black-and-white and Kostromskaya breeds for areas with intensive forage production and dairy cattle keeping are most suitable. In grain areas with a land’s high intensive using, where arable land is over 60%, and natural forage lands are limited, cattle of the Simmental, Red steppe and Brown Schwyz breeds are concentrated. Black-mottled, Red-and-white breeds in areas where arable land have had 40-60% become more widespread. In areas with ploughed land up to 40% and significant areas of natural hayfields and pastures, Kholmogorskaya and Yaroslavskaya breeds are traditionally selected.

Gastrointestinal parasitic infections in intensive dairy cattle breeding: Update on the epidemiology and associated risk factors in northern Italy.

Parasitic infections such as Strongylida and Eimeria still represent a major health problem of dairy cattle impacting their health, welfare, and productivity. In view of the scarcity of data on risk factors contributing to the spread of parasitic infections in cattle breeding, an epidemiological study in intensive dairy farms in northern Italy was planned. 495 animals (lactating and dry cows, heifers, and calves) from 19 farms were enrolled in the study. Individual fecal samples were analyzed by a quantitative copromicroscopic analysis to detect the number of Strongylida eggs or Eimeria oocysts per gram of faeces (EPG/OPG). Data concerning management, sanitary and biosecurity measures were collected using a questionnaire; a management measures score (MMS) was also calculated. The possible influence of risk factors on Strongylida and Eimeria was thus assessed by statistical analysis using generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs). Eimeria spp. was the most frequently detected parasitic taxon (herd and individual prevalence: 89.5% and 46.2%, respectively), followed by Strongylida (herd and individual prevalence: 63.1% and 16.6%, respectively). The presence of Strongylida resulted associated to the productive category (p-value=0.028), with heifers and dry cows at higher risk of infection than lactating cows and calves, and to the MMS (p-value=0.007). Higher prevalence values were recorded in farms with intermediate or low MMS compared to those with optimal MMS. As regard Eimeria infection, a greater effect of MMS on OPG was recorded in calves when compared to those recorded in heifers (OR=0.228, p-value=0.003) and dry cows (OR=0.241, p-value=0.009). Gastrointestinal parasitic infections still remain an underestimated problem in intensive dairy cattle breeding. MMS may help in the choice of strategies aimed at minimizing the impact of parasites on animal health, thus improving the productivity of the entire herd.

Fertilizer potential of slurry from intensive dairy cattle farms in Intensive production forestry systems

Intensive dairy cattle breeding has a relevant social and economic impact in Portugal, particularly in the northern region. This activity generates a high flow of livestock effluents (slurry), rich in important nutrients for plant growth, which can be introduced into intensive production forestry systems. These effluents can provide a good alternative to mineral fertilizers, not only from an economic perspective but, particularly, from the point of view of environmental protection. In the present study, the effect of increasing doses of slurry on tree growth, either with or without mycorrhizal arbuscular fungi (AMF) and plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) inoculation, was evaluated in clones of Paulownia CoT2 and Populus i214, as they are genotypes that have a high efficiency in the mobilization of soil nutrients (namely N) and in the capture of CO2 from the atmosphere, as well as high biomass calorific value. For this purpose, a demonstration field trial was installed, occupying an area of 14,607 m2, where the trees were planted with the compasses of: 2.5 x 1.5 m and 2.5 x 0.75 m, respectively for Paulownia and for Poplar. Prior to transplantation to the field, some plants were inoculated with AMF and PGPB. In the field, the following treatments were performed: T0 - no fertilization, either mineral or organic; T1 - amount of slurry equivalent to 85 kg of N ha-1; T2 - amount of slurry equivalent to 170 kg of N ha-1; T3 - amount of slurry equivalent to 340 kg of N ha-1, both with and without inoculation. Results revealed a significant and positive effect of the slurry application, both in the diameter at breast height (DBH) and total stand height (TH), showing its high fertilizing potential, and, on the other hand, there was no increased contamination by nitrates and by pathogenic microorganism in the leachates for the experimental doses of slurry. Therefore, we can conclude that, under the experimental conditions, the slurry resulting from the intensive exploitation of cattle constitutes an alternative to exclusively mineral fertilization in intensive production forestry systems, either by increasing the production of biomass or by the absence of contamination of aquifers by nitrates and pathogens.

Temperature-humidity index and reproductive performance of dairy cattle farms in Lima, Peru.

Background:Heat stress results in a mild reduction in milk production, while long-term heat stress exposure can severely affect the productive and reproductive performance in dairy cattle.Aim:To quantify the relationship between reproductive performance and temperature–humidity index in dairy cattle farms in Lima, Peru.Methods:Monthly service, conception, and pregnancy rates were measured from four dairy farms in four different Lima localities as reproductive performance indicators, along with an index of heat stress and maximum daily temperature–humidity index (max THI), during a 3-year period. In order to establish the relationship between the max THI and the reproductive performance indicators, a multiple regression analysis was carried out, which considered farm and year as explicative variables.Results:The regression model showed an adjusted R2 of 33.5% with an estimated standard error of 5.75% and was highly significant (p < 0.001). The regression coefficients for max THI for the variables pregnancy rate and conception rate were significant (p < 0.0001). With every increasing unit of max THI, a 0.84% drop in the pregnancy rate and a 1.74% drop in the conception rate were estimated by the model. The regression coefficient of max THI for the service rate variable was not significant.Conclusion:It was concluded that the increase in max THI significantly affected the reproductive performance of intensive dairy cattle farms in Lima.

A Longitudinal Study of Cattle Productivity in Intensive Dairy Farms in Central Ethiopia.

Ethiopia is witnessing an emergence of intensive urban dairy farming. The aims of this study were to capture cattle productivity parameters in selected intensive dairy farms in and around Addis Ababa (Central Ethiopia). The study is a pre-requisite and baseline for further economic analysis of diseases such as bovine tuberculosis (BTB) and to assess some of the current challenges faced by farm owners for optimal animal performances. Hence, a 3-year longitudinal observational study was conducted for the first time in Ethiopia, in 24 dairy farms with intensive husbandry, including a total of 1,705 dairy animals. Herd characteristics, animal movement, and productivity parameters (fertility, morbidity, mortality) were recorded in a herd-book. Whereas, half the farms saw their animals increase in number over the 3 years, 37.5% (mainly large farms) saw their herd size decrease. Offtakes accounted for 76.6% of all animal exits. One hundred and ninety (11.1%) animals died of natural causes. Highest mortality was observed in young stock (13.9%). Overall, diseases were the leading cause for death (57.5%). The majority of calves (69%) that died, did so within the first week of life. Mean calving interval (CI) was 483.2 days. Successful conception after artificial insemination (AI) was 66.1% with Addis Ababa and smaller farms faring worst. Mean time interval from calving to first service was 152 days. Date of birth to first service was 592.2 days and date of birth to first calving was 794.7 days. In conclusion, the study showed sub-optimal productivity performances in intensive dairy cattle and highlighted some of the current gaps and challenges in urban dairy productivity.

Genetic diversity of Mycobacterium bovis evaluated by spoligotyping and MIRU‐VNTR in an intensive dairy cattle breeding area in Mexico

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is mainly caused by Mycobacterium bovis. In Mexico, dairy cattle play an important role in the persistence and spread of the bacillus. In order to describe M.bovis genetic diversity, we genotyped a total of 132 strains isolated from slaughtered cattle with bTB suggestive lesions between 2009 and 2010 in Hidalgo, Mexico, using a panel of 9-loci mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable number of tandem repeats (MIRU-VNTR) and spoligotyping. We found 21 spoligotypes, and 124 isolates were grouped in 13 clusters. The most frequent spoligotypes were SB0121 (49, 37.1%) and SB0673 (27, 20.5%); three new spoligotypes were reported SB02703, SB02704 and SB02705. We observed 37 MIRU-VNTR patterns, 107 isolates were grouped in 12 clusters and 25 isolates were unique. Spoligotypes SB0121, SB0673, SB0140, SB0145 and SB0120 showed marked subdivision applying MIRU-VNTR method; meanwhile, spoligotypes SB0971 and SB0327 showed single MIRU-VNTR profiles. The Hunter-Gaston discriminatory index (HGDI) was 0.88, 0.78 and 0.90 for 9-loci MIRU-VNTR, spoligotyping and both methods, respectively. Additionally, allelic diversity (h) analysis showed high diversity for QUB3232, QUB26 and QUB11b with h=0.79, 0.66 and 0.63, respectively. Overall, high genetic variability was observed among M.bovis isolates. Thus, the use of 9-loci MIRU-VNTR panel is enough to describe genetic diversity, evolution and distribution of M.bovis. This study supports the use of these tools for subsequent epidemiological studies in high incidence areas.

Stakeholder mapping in animal health surveillance: A comparative assessment of networks in intensive dairy cattle and extensive sheep production in Australia

The capacity to rapidly identify and respond to suspicion of animal disease is fundamental to protecting the integrity of the Australian livestock industry. An incursion of a nationally significant endemic, emerging or exotic animal disease could be disruptive and economically damaging for the industry, broader community and national economy. To counter this potential threat, a surveillance system that includes general and targeted activities exists at a jurisdictional and national level. Such a system requires a collaborative effort from all involved to work towards a common goal, reflecting the notion of shared responsibility. As in all systems, the animal health surveillance system can be enhanced or constrained by the relationships of the players involved. This study focusses on two livestock industries, dairy cattle and sheep, exploring the interrelationships between all stakeholders, and their role within the Australian animal health surveillance system. A stakeholder mapping exercise was undertaken, including a depiction of the perceived level of stakeholder interest and influence on producers’ animal health surveillance practices and/or the surveillance system. Results from these activities were expanded upon through interviews. The findings reveal complex networks and a system that is, at times, constrained by institutional and individual barriers such as communication between and within stakeholders, and uncertainty about the consequences of reporting a suspected emergency disease. Whilst these challenges have the potential to negatively impact the robustness of the animal disease surveillance system, the study also provides clear evidence of strong and effective relationships amongst many of the key individuals and organisations.

180 Screening the carbon footprint of intensive Korean dairy cattle farms: Transition towards low emissions’ production system

Abstract In the context of global climate change, carbon footprint (CF) becomes an important sustainability indicator for dairy production systems. To mitigation the CF of the dairy sector, insight into greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions from individual farms is required. The objective of this study was to determine the primary contributors to GHG emissions at the farm-gate level, expressed as a carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2-eq), to produce one kg of fat-and protein corrected milk (FPCM). Primary data about farms’ management and feeding practices were collected from twelve dairy farms that belong to Gyeonggi-do province, which represent the most important region for milk production in South Korea. Allocation of GHG emissions between meat and milk was assessed as a physical allocation, 98% allocated to milk and 2% to meat (surplus of calves and culled cows). The CF of the evaluated farms averaged to 0.61 CO2-eq/kg of FPCM and ranged from 0.49 to 0.78 CO2-eq/kg of FPCM. Results indicated that the largest source of GHG comes mostly from enteric fermentation (83%), followed by manure management (6%), manure and fertilizer land application (8%) and energy consumption (3%). By type of gas emitted, methane accounted for 86% of total emissions, originating from enteric fermentation and manure management. Nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide accounted for 11.6 % and 2.8% of total GHG emissions, respectively. Lactating cows contributed by 70% of total GHG emissions, whereas dry cows, heifers and calves contributed by 5, 22 and 3%, respectively. Differences in GHG emissions from the evaluated farms could be explained by differences in feed quality and management practices through manure and fertilizers application on cropland. This study contributes to identify the main sources of GHG production in dairy farms, which can help to define mitigation strategies towards the transition to neutral carbon emissions of the dairy sector.

Spatio-temporal critical source area patterns of runoff pollution from agricultural practices in the Colombian Andes

Lake Riogrande II, located in the central region of the Colombian Andes, has eutrophication due to a progressive increase of runoff pollution from upstream intensive dairy cattle and agricultural activities in the watershed. Public and private entities have invested in programs aimed at adopting the best agricultural management practices (BMP). BMP is a general formulation of recommended criteria and, therefore, not universally fit all problems. For example, the corrective measures taken so far demonstrate difficulties in selecting and allocating BMPs aligned to the space-time hydrological variability within the watershed. This research analyses the spatio-temporal dynamics of BMP pollution patterns. The study is built on the concept of critical source areas of runoff pollution from agricultural practices in the Colombia Andes. Fieldwork was conducted with the participation of farmers to collect spatial data of the current management operations for potato (Solanum tuberosum), tree tomato (Solanum betaceum), and dairy agriculture. A Soil Water Assessment model is used to simulate agricultural and hydrological processes. The model was calibrated using observed discharge, nitrate-N (NO3—N), and soluble phosphorus (P) concentrations at a monthly scale. The origin of pollution at the catchment scale was used applying the critical source areas (CSAs) method. This paper proposes for this analysis a new spatio-temporal CSA index (ST-CSA) to represent the behavior of the CSAs simultaneously in space and time. For this, several aggregated CSA in time were analyzed for monthly and annual time steps. Results indicate that there is an essential difference in the aggregation of CSA in time, and pollution location changes significantly using the ST-CSA. As expected, the highest number of CSAs occurs during the rainy months. However, these CSAs are located in the region with the lowest precipitation levels in the agricultural areas dominated by potato, tree tomato, and dairy agriculture located within the watershed. These areas vary significantly from 24.07% of the entire area of the basin (1034.348 km2), and it could reach a maximum value of 61.78%. Despite the model uncertainties, the results highlight the importance of identifying spatio-temporal CSAs to select BMPs with the highest potential of nitrogen and phosphorus losses reduction - such as the adaptation of fertilization schedules - applicable to the study watershed.

Scaling issues in the interpretation of dry matter yield differences among perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) cultivars

Perennial ryegrass breeding is estimated to be delivering rates of genetic gain in dry matter (DM) yield of 50–60 kg DM/ha per year of breeding effort. These estimates are based on DM yield data from tightly managed small-plot trials which are not necessarily representative of typical farm management. To assess the possible realised (on-farm) DMY gains from breeding, seasonal DMY data were collected contemporaneously at two ‘scales’ of evaluation for eight perennial ryegrass cultivars over a total of 14 seasons (comprising 5 ‘seasons’ in each of three years excluding the first winter) in each of four regions. The scales were denoted ‘small plot’ (SP, 10 m2, perennial ryegrass monocultures only) and ‘large plot’ (LP, 65–90 m2, subject to more intensive dairy cattle grazing and including all combinations of two nitrogen fertiliser rates with or without white clover as treatments). Relationships between DMY measured in SP versus LP were statistically significant (P&lt;0.001) for all combinations of region, N fertiliser level and clover presence/absence, indicating good general agreement in cultivar performance trends. However, the slope of the relationship (range 0.492 to 1.171, mean 0.733) was significantly less than 1 in three-quarters of the region by treatment combinations. The slope was closely and inversely related to the size of the difference in total N supply between and SP (N from fertiliser only) and LP (where N was supplied as fertiliser at a lower rate but included biological fixation): the smaller the difference in N supply between the two ‘scales’, the greater the slope. Estimated realised DMY differences between cultivar ranking positions on New Zealand dairy farms under future projected N fertiliser rates were in the range 0.7–0.8 of those predicted from the SP scale of evaluation.

English

Dairy farming remains the economic backbone of livestock farmers in high potential area like Badulla district in Sri Lanka. Though, milk production has been quite low. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the factors affecting dairy cattle milk production in Badulla. Total of 500 dairy farmers were selected using multistage stratified and simple random sampling techniques. Milk production and socio-economic data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire covering 15 divisional secretariats in Badulla. Data were analyzed for descriptive and inferential statistics followed by regression analysis. Results of the study revealed that the intensive dairy cattle farming is operated (87.14%) in up country wet zone. Jersey breed was the major breed (86.4%) accounting for 6.19 L/cow average daily milk production. The highest (10.89±1.73 L/cow/day) and lowest (3.17±0.38 L/cow/day) milk productions were reported in Haputhale and Mahiyangana, respectively. The best fitted multiple linear regression model predicted that R2 value of 62.91% daily milk production suggesting farmers experience, farmer’s age, number of milking cows, forage type, shed condition, concentrate feeding supplement, frequency of concentrate supplement, frequency of water supplement, calves feeding amount age at wean, feeding method of cow, mineral supplement and monthly income of the farmers were significantly (p<0.05) affected by the daily milk production of Badulla district. However, lack of high yielding cross breeds, less success rate in artificial inseminations, low quality pasture and seasonality in pasture production, poor milk collection network and low farmer gate price, high price of concentrates, and inadequate facilities for animals in the estate area were reported as key constraints which need to be properly focused on in future to increase milk production in Badulla district, Sri Lanka. Key words: Dairy cattle farming, milk production, factors, regression analysis.

Considerations for studying transmission of antimicrobial resistant enteric bacteria between wild birds and the environment on intensive dairy and beef cattle operations.

BackgroundWild birds using livestock facilities for food and shelter may contribute to dissemination of enteric pathogens or antimicrobial resistant bacteria. However, drivers of microbial exchange among wildlife and livestock are not well characterized. Predisposition for acquiring and retaining environmental bacteria may vary among species because of physiologic or behavioral differences, complicating selection of a bacterial model that can accurately characterize microbial connections among hosts of interest. This study compares the prevalence and antibiotic resistance phenotypes of two potential model bacterial organisms isolated from wild birds and their environments.MethodsWe compared prevalence and resistance profiles of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus species isolated from environmental swabs and bird feces on a residential control site, a confinement dairy, a pasture-based beef farm, and a confinement beef farm.ResultsBird feces at all sites had low-to-moderate prevalence of Escherichia coli (range: 17–47%), despite potential for exposure on farms (range: 63–97%). Few Escherichia coli were isolated from the control environment. Enterococcus faecalis was dominant in birds at both beef farms (62% and 81% of Enterococcus isolates) and low-to-moderately prevalent at the dairy and control sites (29% and 23% of isolates, respectively). Antimicrobial resistance prevalence was higher in farm samples compared to those from the residential control, but distribution of resistant isolates varied between the bacterial genera. Birds on all farms carried resistant Enterococcus at similar rates to that of the environment, but resistance was less common in bird-associated Escherichia coli despite presence of resistant isolates in the farm environment.DiscussionBacterial species studied may affect how readily bacterial exchange among populations is detected. Selection of microbial models must carefully consider both the questions being posed and how findings might influence resulting management decisions.

Declarative or procedural knowledge? Knowledge for enhancing farmers’ mitigation and adaptation behaviour to climate change

Climate change poses a major challenge for farmers, but agricultural sustainability, mitigation, and adaptation can effectively decrease climate impacts on agricultural systems. Changes in farming practices are necessary to reduce emissions and to adapt to climate change. However, such modifications to common practices depend, to a large extent, on farmers' knowledge and attitudes towards climate risks. An empirical study of farmers' attitudes and knowledge of climate change mitigation and adaptation practices is useful to understand how farmers' knowledge influences their attitudes and practices towards climate change mitigation and adaptation. Based on a case study characterised by four agricultural farming systems (extensive dairy sheep, intensive dairy cattle, horticultural farming, and rice farming) in the Province of Oristano in Italy, this study contains an investigation of (i) farmers' knowledge of climate change causes and effects, how they construct such knowledge, and how they adapt to the phenomenon; (ii) what and how are farmers' attitudes towards climate change causes are shaped under their contextual social interests and values; and (iii) if their practices in responding to climate variability are influenced by their constructed knowledge. The research results showed that farmers' declarative knowledge of climate change did not affect their adaptation practices but directed farmers’ attitudes towards climate change causes. The findings also underscore the necessity of facilitating social learning spaces for enhancing virtuous behaviours towards climate change mitigation and the sharing and co-production of procedural knowledge for developing shared sustainable climate adaptation practices at the farm level.

English

The review aims to examine dairy cattle production system together with pastoral and agro- pastoral, small holder, peri urban and urban intensive dairy cattle production system, breeding practice including mating system (natural mating and Artificial Insemination), breeding objectives, reproductive and productive traits of dairy cattle in Ethiopia. In Ethiopia most farmers use natural, unplanned and uncontrolled mating system by using breeding from communal grazing and a few farmer use AI for improvement of breed and production by upgrading the genetic makeup of indigenous breed of cattle. Hence in Ethiopia, using breeding objectives in line with the effective breeding policies for both natural service and AI for sustainable and effective animal breeding practice is needed. Stakeholders, animal breeders and policy designers are to pay attention in transforming the already existing traditional breeding practices that target the productivity of dairy cattle with cautious consideration of genetic conservation of local cattle breeds. Key words: Breeding objective, breeding practice, dairy cattle, Ethiopia.