Intensive Livestock Production Research Articles

The prevalence of brucellosis and bovine tuberculosis in ruminants in Sidi Kacem Province, Morocco.

Bovine tuberculosis (BTB) and brucellosis are major endemic zoonoses in ruminants in Morocco that impact on both animal and human health. This study presents an assessment of the epidemiological and socioeconomic burden of bacterial zoonoses in Sidi Kacem Province in Northern Morocco from a cross-sectional survey of 125 cattle and/or small ruminant-owning households. In total, 1082 sheep and goats were examined from 81 households. The single intradermal comparative cervical test to screen for bovine tuberculosis was undertaken on 1194 cattle from 123 households and all cattle were blood sampled. Cattle and small ruminant sera were tested for brucellosis using the standard Rose Bengal Test (sRBT) and the modified Rose Bengal Test (mRBT). Bacteriology was performed on 21 milk samples obtained from cattle that were seropositive for brucellosis for isolation and phenotyping of circulating Brucella strains. Individual and herd prevalence for BTB in cattle of 20.4% (95% CI 18%-23%) and 57.7% (95% CI 48%-66%), respectively, were observed in this study. The prevalence of brucellosis in cattle at individual and herd level was 1.9% (95% CI 1.2%-2.8%) and 9% (95% CI 4.5%-1.5%), respectively. Brucella pathogens were isolated from three cattle milk samples and were identified as B. abortus using Bruceladder® multiplex PCR and B. abortus biovar 1 by classical phenotyping. All small ruminants were seronegative to sRBT, two were positive to mRBT. A higher risk of BTB and brucellosis was observed in cattle in intensive livestock systems, in imported and crossed breeds and in animals from larger herds (>15). The three risk factors were usually present in the same herds, leading to higher transmission risk and persistence of both zoonoses. These results highlight the importance of implementing control strategies for both BTB and brucellosis to reduce productivity losses and the risk of transmission to humans. Prioritising control for BTB and brucellosis in intensive livestock production systems is essential for human and animal health.

Screening fluorescent method for the fluoroquinolone family in groundwater samples from intensive livestock production systems

ABSTRACTA fast and simple screening fluorescent method was developed and applied for detection of quinolones in groundwater samples. The experimental conditions for quinolone family detection in 96-well plates were acid media (pH = 4.85) from acetate buffer solution (0.1 mol L−1) and 5.8 × 10−3 mol L−1 of anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as micellar media at excitation and emission wavelengths of 280 and 450 nm, respectively. The developed method was validated to guarantee the quality of the results reported. Thus, the decision limit (CCα) of ciprofloxacin of 6.8 μg L−1, the most prescript quinolone in our country, was selected as the cut-off level to classify the water samples as ‘suspect’ or ‘negative’ referred to quinolone content. The method showed good recoveries ranging between 80 and 114% for 6.8 μg L−1 ciprofloxacin with relative standard deviation values lower than 13%. Moreover, other families of antibiotics such as aminoglycoside, penicillin, macrolide, sulfonamide and tetracycline did not present interference in the quinolone detection. Groundwater samples from Argentine regions with intensive livestock activities were analysed by this method, and the results had a good correlation with a reference method based on ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry.

DEVELOPMENT OF MODE PARAMETERS OF IR IRRADIATION OF WEANERS ACCORDING TO ANALYSIS OF ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR USING VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM

The research relevance is determined by the need to reduce the energy intensity of intensive livestock production. The latter is possible on the basis of innovative methods and technical means of intelligent management of complex biotechnical systems with identification of animal behaviour and control using video surveillance systems. The paper presents the results of experimental researches of the energy efficiency of an automated infrared irradiation system for weaners with irradiation modes set according to analysis of video surveillance of animal behaviour. A sign for the location of animals along the floor area relative to a warm source – a dark infrared irradiator, was defined as an ethological sign for the analysis of animal behaviour. As a result of experimental studies, based on the video surveillance data, IR-irradiation modes were determined by statistical analysis of the ethological sign of the location of animals relative to the thermal source of IR-irradiation. These modes were recorded in the program of the microcontroller, within 20 days the experimental group of animals was exposed to IR-irradiation according to the established modes. It was determined that the developed irradiation modes ensure additional profit of 2.97 roubles per animal, including economic effect for heating of 0.89 roubles per animal. The developed IR irradiation modes for weaners exclude general heating requirement. The IKOV-1 automated plant allows to develop energy-efficient zoology hygienic modes for animals management based on data processing and video surveillance equipment using air temperature sensor in the IR irradiation area. Acknowledgement. This research was supported by the Belarusian Republican Foundation for Fundamental Research under the T18M-001 Contract “Integrated energy supply for controlled biotechnical systems in agricultural production using renewable energy sources”.

Effect of Pig and Cattle Slurry Application on Heavy Metal Composition of Maize Grown on Different Soils

Cattle and pig manure contain useful mineral nutrients (N, P, and K) and are therefore used as organic fertilizer. However, excessive applications of manure can cause environmental problems and threaten animal and human health because these materials also hold significant amounts of heavy metals, particularly Cu and Zn. To assess the potential risk due to the increased concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Mn, Zn, and Cr) in a harvested crop, two maize hybrids were grown in pots on four different soils with three different fertilisers (urea, pig manure, and cattle manure). Both soil and manure characteristics influenced the heavy metal concentrations in the plant shoots. Organic fertilisation strongly interacted with the soils and, in general, reduced the shoot content of Cu, Mn, and Zn. A preliminary assessment of the heavy metal balance of the agricultural systems based on the intensive livestock production and maize cultivation showed that the potential soil enrichment of the long-term application of livestock manure arises mainly from the application of pig slurries that have a high content of Cu and Zn. The time required to apply an amount of metal that is equal to the initial soil content is 60–300 years for Zn and 240–450 years for Cu, depending on the soil type and the initial heavy metal content.

German Pig Farmers’ Attitudes towards Animal Welfare Programs and their Willingness to Participate in these Programs: An Empirical Study

In recent years, the image of intensive livestock production systems has been suffering from increasing public criticism. Many consumers express strong demands for higher farm animal welfare standards – especially in conventional livestock husbandry systems. This applies primarily to products from pork production, as consumers have criticized that the animals have not enough space in their stables and no possibility for outdoor access. Although pig farmers are key stakeholders for the implementation of animal welfare programs (AWPs) there is little evidence of their attitudes towards AWPs. Thus, the main objective of this investigation was to investigate pig farmers’ attitudes towards AWPs and to determine target groups for participation in AWPs. Therefore conventional pig farmers throughout Germany were questioned via an online survey. For statistical analysis an explorative factor analysis and a hierarchical cluster analysis were applied. Four factors and three farmer groups were identified which significantly differ regarding their attitudes towards AWPs and their willingness to participate in AWPs. For all groups of farmers the economic aspects are important for implementing AWPs. The orientation on the production process is strongly influenced by monetary aspects. This paper represents a starting point for the design of tailormade strategies to increase the market penetration of AWPs and to provide incentives for farmers to participate in AWPs. Further financial incentives are needed to transfer pig farmers attitudes into corresponding behaviour.

Comment on “In vivo assessment of possible probiotic properties of Bacillus subtilis and prebiotic properties of levan”

With the increase in intensive crop and livestock production, excess application of P as fertilizer and manure contributes to the build-up of soil P levels causing eutrophication. A novel biofilm-based technology was developed to recover and reposition the nutrients in manure, producing biofilm fertilizer and the treated water with better nutrient composition. Anaerobically digested and pretreated manure was used as a medium to grow the surface-attached composite biofilm, which constitutes the selected polyphosphate accumulating fungi and nitrogen accumulating fresh water microalgae for efficient recovery of nutrients on a matrix for better biomass harvesting. Under the tested conditions in lab-scale with the pretreated digested manure, the removal efficiency of the nutrients by attached mycoalgae biofilm was 76.74% P and 76.40% N with COD removal of 65.75%. To increase the nutrient content of the biomass and for enhancing the cell growth the wastewater generated in corn ethanol process (thin stillage) was added as an external nutrient at different ratios in the digested manure. The cell growth, nutrient removal efficiency, lipid content of the biomass, COD removal and reducing sugar content at different medium conditions were evaluated. The nutrient-rich solid biofilm can be harvested by scraping off the biofilm from the matrix and the nutrient lean liquid can be discharged or further used for agriculture. The microbial biofilm assimilates the organic and inorganic components in manure and converts them into cellular constituents together with N-P-K resulting in deposition of manure nutrients in biofilm, which can be directly used as a bio-fertilizer.

Economic impact of an outbreak of botulism in a cattle feedlot

ABSTRACT: Botulism is a febrile disease, fatal in most cases, which affects the muscles of locomotion, chewing, and swallowing, as well as the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, causing flaccid paralysis and respiratory arrest. In bovines, the etiology is due to the ingestion of neurotoxins types C and D formed by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum in an animal or vegetal substance, during decomposition. Vaccination is one of the most effective prophylactic means to prevent this disease. In this study, an outbreak of botulism was evaluated in a feedlot with 6,300 finishing cattle, wherein 25 died as a consequence of contracting this disease. The economic losses resulting from the deaths were analyzed, and economic analysis was conducted, involving the estimated cost of vaccination for the whole herd under risk, with the objective of evaluating whether this prophylactic practice is a viable action plan. The financial loss due to the deaths resulting from botulism in the case studied was found to be R$55,560.00, equivalent to 0.39% of the total monetary value of the herd. The cost of immunizing the entire herd under risk was 14.06% (for toxins exclusive to toxins C and D) and 22.22% (for polyvalent vaccines against clostridiosis) of the financial loss incurred as a consequence of the recorded deaths. It was concluded that botulism is a disease that can cause a significant economic impact on intensive livestock production systems, and that vaccination is an economically viable prophylactic action if performed with adequate sanitary planning.

Perception of animal welfare issues during Chinese transport and slaughter of livestock by a sample of stakeholders in the industry.

China is the world’s biggest livestock producer, and has a rapidly expanding intensive livestock production in response to growing demand. The large size of the country and geographical dispersion of the livestock production systems means that animals are often transported long distances to slaughter. This study investigated perceptions of animal welfare issues by stakeholders in the Chinese transport and slaughter industry using utility scores and adaptive conjoint analysis. An initial workshop for experts in this field identified key concerns; these were then included in a questionnaire, which was distributed electronically to stakeholders. Stakeholders, particularly those with higher levels of education, were most concerned about the absence of pre-slaughter stunning and failure to maintain unconsciousness throughout the slaughter process. For all livestock species electrical stunning was considered the best method of stunning and blunt trauma the worst; for cattle and sheep stunning using a penetrating captive bolt was considered preferable to the use a percussive captive bolt. Other concerns considered very important were journey quality and livestock workers’ experience and attitudes. Heat stress and closed-sided vehicles were of greater concern than cold stress. Loading facilities and journey length were considered of intermediate importance, while lairage and methods for catching chickens were of least concern. The importance of some welfare concerns, e.g. livestock having to remain standing during a journey, was more commonly recognised by stakeholders who reported a high level of knowledge and experience. Therefore, these welfare issues could be a focus for future training activities. Compared to respondents directly involved in livestock transport, respondents involved in teaching and researching within livestock production rated the presented animal welfare issues as more important. These results can be used to guide development of training programmes, animal welfare research, and certification and regulatory control to target challenges to animal welfare in livestock transport and slaughter in China.

Some regulation of agricultural land use and regulatory arrangements

Legislation on cropping is to regulate the relations pertaining to the cultivation, establishment of crop areas, rational use of farms, protection of soil and improvement of crop and intensive livestock production. However, there is a lack of enforcement and lead to disagree with crop and herder farmers. In this study, the consequences of enforcing the law were to suggest a scientifically-oriented approach. According to the results of the survey, crop farms in Darkhan-Uul aimag are crowded in one place and over 200 hectares are expected to undermine the stability of the landscape. Some provisions for the implementation of the Law on Crops are: 24.2 and 24.4 tend to conflict with herders and farmers. Consequently, ecologically and adapted land management measures are essential.

Challenges of a one-health approach to the development of alternatives to antibiotics.

By 2050, global infectious disease caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria is projected to be responsible for 10 million human deaths per year—1.8 million more than cancer. Antibiotic resistance is a natural phenomenon, but the anthropomorphic use of antimicrobials has created heightened selective pressure that has led to an increased presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in agriculture, aquaculture, and hospital environments. Concerns over the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that threaten human health has prompted the retail and fast food sector to promote meat and milk produced from livestock that are raised “without the use of antibiotics.” Antibiotics have become an integral component of intensive livestock production and are used to treat (therapeutic use) and prevent (prophylactic, metaphylactic) infectious disease and promote growth (subtherapeutic). The growing restriction of antibiotic use in livestock production has promoted research into a plethora of potential alternatives.

Deposition of manure nutrients in a novel mycoalgae biofilm for Nutrient management

Abstract With the increase in intensive crop and livestock production, excess application of P as fertilizer and manure contributes to the build-up of soil P levels causing eutrophication. A novel biofilm-based technology was developed to recover and reposition the nutrients in manure, producing biofilm fertilizer and the treated water with better nutrient composition. Anaerobically digested and pretreated manure was used as a medium to grow the surface-attached composite biofilm, which constitutes the selected polyphosphate accumulating fungi and nitrogen accumulating fresh water microalgae for efficient recovery of nutrients on a matrix for better biomass harvesting. Under the tested conditions in lab-scale with the pretreated digested manure, the removal efficiency of the nutrients by attached mycoalgae biofilm was 76.74% P and 76.40% N with COD removal of 65.75%. To increase the nutrient content of the biomass and for enhancing the cell growth the wastewater generated in corn ethanol process (thin stillage) was added as an external nutrient at different ratios in the digested manure. The cell growth, nutrient removal efficiency, lipid content of the biomass, COD removal and reducing sugar content at different medium conditions were evaluated. The nutrient-rich solid biofilm can be harvested by scraping off the biofilm from the matrix and the nutrient lean liquid can be discharged or further used for agriculture. The microbial biofilm assimilates the organic and inorganic components in manure and converts them into cellular constituents together with N-P-K resulting in deposition of manure nutrients in biofilm, which can be directly used as a bio-fertilizer.

Italian ryegrass swards reduce N leaching via greater N uptake and lower drainage over perennial ryegrass cultivars varying in cool season growth rates

ABSTRACTPasture mitigation strategies are needed to reduce the negative effects of nitrate (NO3−) leaching from intensive pastoral livestock production systems. We explored the capability of pasture grasses with different cool season (winter–early spring) growth rates to reduce NO3− leaching and increase N uptake. Following a single urine application of 700 kg N ha−1, NO3− leaching loss and N uptake by Italian ryegrass and four perennial ryegrass cultivars of varying seasonal growth (heading dates from –7 to +20 days), either undersown with/without Italian ryegrass, were quantified in a 12 month lysimeter study. Italian ryegrass cv. Tabu had lower NO3−–N leaching loss and drainage, and greater N uptake and DM yield than perennial ryegrass varieties. Italian ryegrass total N leaching loss (143 kg N ha−1 yr−1) was 46–33% less (P < .05) than early and mid-season maturing Tyson, Arrow and AberDart perennial ryegrass. Italian ryegrass total N uptake (463 kg N ha−1) was 1.2–1.4 times greater than all other grass sward types. Overall, perennial ryegrass pure swards had similar N uptake and N leaching. Late-season maturing One 50 perennial ryegrass showed significantly reduced (P < .05) total N leaching loss. Undersowing Italian ryegrass into established perennial ryegrass swards resulted in lower NO3− leaching and greater N uptake than non-undersown perennial ryegrass swards, though not significant. Results confirm Italian ryegrass is a useful pasture grass option for reducing annual N leaching loss. Cool season perennial ryegrass varieties appear not to influence soil N uptake and leaching loss.

Different approaches to assess the environmental performance of a cow manure biogas plant

In intensive livestock production areas, farmers must apply manure management systems to comply with governmental regulations. Biogas plants, as a source of renewable energy, have the potential to reduce environmental impacts comparing with other manure management practices. Nevertheless, manure processing at biogas plants also incurs in non-desired gas emissions that should be considered. At present, available emission calculation methods cover partially emissions produced at a biogas plant, with the subsequent difficulty in the preparation of life cycle inventories. The objective of this study is to characterise gaseous emissions: ammonia (NH3-N), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2Oindirect, and N2Odirect) and hydrogen sulphide (H2S) from the anaerobic co-digestion of cow manure by using different approaches for preparing gaseous emission inventories, and to compare the different methodologies used. The chosen scenario for the study is a biogas plant located next to a dairy farm in the North of Catalonia, Spain. Emissions were calculated by two methods: field measurements and estimation, following international guidelines. International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines were adapted to estimate emissions for the specific situation according to Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 approaches. Total air emissions at the biogas plant were calculated from the emissions produced at the three main manure storage facilities on the plant: influent storage, liquid fraction storage, and the solid fraction storage of the digestate. Results showed that most of the emissions were produced in the liquid fraction storage. Comparing measured emissions with estimated emissions, NH3, CH4, N2Oindirect and H2S total emission results were in the same order of magnitude for both methodologies, while, N2Odirect total measured emissions were one order of magnitude higher than the estimates. A Monte Carlo analysis was carried out to examine the uncertainties of emissions determined from experimental data, providing probability distribution functions. Four emission inventories were developed with the different methodologies used. Estimation methods proved to be a useful tool to determine emissions when field sampling is not possible. Nevertheless, it was not possible to establish which methodology is more reliable. Therefore, more measurements at different biogas plants should be evaluated to validate the methodologies more precisely.

Organic Farming Suffices to Feed a Country: a Large-Scale Linear Programming Model to Develop an Organic Agriculture Plan for Turkey

A frequently voiced critique is that due to lower yields on organically managed farmlands, one cannot feed a country using organic agriculture. In this paper, we aim to mathematically disprove this claim by developing a linear programming model and produce a detailed agriculture plan for Turkey sufficient to feed her population with a 2400 kcal daily menu on average, solely comprising of organic foods. The model uses information about population sizes and food needs of 81 cities in Turkey, and yields of 120 food, feed, forage crops, and four animal products. Intensive and extensive livestock production methods as well as food transportation between cities has been incorporated into the model. The resulting problem with 950 thousand variables and 40 thousand constraints can be solved with an optimization package in under a minute. Results, prescribing how many acres of each crop should be grown in each city, indicate that to feed the country fully on organic produce, 63% of the arable land suffices, yielding 8.9 million hectares of unused land where further organic foods could be grown for export or aid. We also run the model under different scenarios: fully vegetarian diet, omnivore model, different transportation structures, drought conditions and a limit on fruit trees. With this work, we have shown that it is possible to feed the whole population of Turkey with an agricultural practice that is not harmful to human health, soil, water and air; respects biological cycles and reduces food miles and fossil fuel consumption, thus contributing to sustainability and fighting climate change. We tested preliminary scenarios to understand the robustness of organic agriculture in the face of extreme weather events. The proposed model can also be applied to other countries when appropriate data are used.

Farm animal welfare concept: From beginnings to integration in modern production systems

The farm animal welfare science has undergone a thorny path of development, often disputed because of its lack of measurability and the purpose of existence. At the very beginning, primarily based on moral and ethical attitudes, over time it pointed to the importance of meeting the needs of animals and the consequences of their neglect and exhaustion in the conditions of intensive livestock production. An important segment of its development was the definition and development of methodologies for the assessment of welfare indicators, which made it measurable and accepted as a scientific discipline with the knowledge applicable and useful in modern production systems. This paper is a concise review of the evolution of the animal welfare science, but also an indication of its future in the context of the development of "symbiotic" connections with the concepts of sustainable agriculture and food safety as integral parts of the modern ecological movement arose from a unified concern for the welfare of people and animals, a care for planetary welfare in general.

Subacute ruminai acidosis in dairy cows

Subacute or subclinical ruminai acidosis (SARA) is one of the most important metabolic diseases of dairy cows, characterized by a decrease in pH of rumen fluid below 5.5 (up to 5), certain hours after feeding. SARA is commonly found in intensive livestock production systems; so far, its prevalence has been studied only in few countries and was found to be particularly high. The disease is caused by a decrease in rumen pH below normal level, due to an excessive increase of rumen volatile fattyacids (VFA) concentration. The increased concentration of VFA could be due to diets rich in easily fermentable carbohydrates or slow absorption of the VFA by the rumen wall, due to maladjustment in high energy diets. Finely chopped feeds that do not adequately stimulate mastication and rumination, resulting in less production of saliva that acts as a buffer of the rumen fluid pH, seem to play an important role in the etiology of the disease. The diagnosis of SARA, based on its definition, is established by rumen pH determination, at specific time intervals after feeding. Continuous pH data acquisition can be obtained, for research purposes only, by rumen cannulation and immersion in rumen fluid of a pH-meter that continuously transmits pH data to a computer. Alternatively, the pH-measuring device can be inserted orally into the rumen in a bolus form, which is also a transmittersending the pH data continuously to a computer. The latter method is very promising for clinical practice, but, unfortunately, is currently too expensive. It is easier and more affordable for practitioners to obtain a rumen fluid sample by either using a rumen tube or, preferably, by performing rumenocentesis, by which rumen fluid free of "contaminating" saliva is collected. Rumenocentesis is safe, easy to perform and more accurate than rumen tubing. The impact of SARA in dairy cows includes,amongst others, reduction of milk production, milk fat content depression, laminitis and, therefore, lameness, liver abscesses formation and, therefore, caudal vena cava syndrome, increased culling rate without any obvious cause etc. SARA treatment and prevention is mainly based on management and dietary measures that eliminate the causes of the disease.

Contrasting bird communities along production gradients of crops and livestock in French farmlands

Impacts on birds of intensive management practices and of landscape simplification have been widely studied, but there is a lack of knowledge about impacts on birds of landscapes associated with intensive livestock production. The objective of this work was to investigate changes in several bird community descriptors along different production gradients. Production of arable crops and from grazing livestock was computed over French agroecosystems and expressed in terms of edible energy. Using data from the French Breeding Bird Survey along with data from national agricultural statistics, we modeled the relationship between production and five bird community descriptors, namely, community trophic index, community specialization index, and three group-specific species richness indices. Bird communities were shaped by two production gradients. Along a gradient of increasing crop production, we observed a shift from locally species-diverse communities dominated by generalist or grassland specialist species towards species-poor communities dominated by granivorous species specialized in arable habitats (all p-values≤0.002). Second, we observed a shift towards homogenized communities dominated by generalists along a gradient of increasing livestock production (p-values≤0.001). Our research highlights the need to consider crop and livestock separately when investigating their impacts on biodiversity. It also hints towards the need for differentiated strategies to protect farmland birds in crop regions and in livestock regions.

Contribution of livestock H2S to total sulfur emissions in a region with intensive animal production

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from agricultural sources is generally not included in sulfur emission estimates even though H2S is the major sulfur compound emitted from livestock production. Here we show that in a country with intensive livestock production (Denmark), agriculture constitute the most important sulfur source category (~49% of all sources of sulfur dioxide), exceeding both the production industry and energy categories. The analysis is based on measurements of H2S using proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometry. National emissions are obtained using ammonia as a reference pollutant with the validity of this approach documented by the high correlation of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide emissions. Finisher pig production is the most comprehensively characterized agricultural source of sulfur and is estimated to be the largest source of atmospheric sulfur in Denmark. The implication for other locations is discussed and the results imply that the understanding and modeling of atmospheric sulfate sources should include agricultural H2S.

Impacts of Intensive Livestock Production on Human Health in Densely Populated Regions.

In several regions worldwide, the presence of livestock in close proximity to residential areas raises questions about public health implications. The rapid expansion of large‐scale livestock farms, increasingly interwoven with urbanized areas, and its potential impact on neighboring residents' health has hardly been accompanied by any research. The current situation in densely populated livestock farming areas could be regarded as a “natural experiment.” Most scientific and public health initiatives have focused on emerging zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance as potential health threats. In this commentary, we emphasize the importance of respiratory health effects of noninfectious air pollutant emissions from livestock farms.

Veterinary pharmaceutical contamination in mixed land use watersheds: from agricultural headwater to water monitoring watershed

Veterinary pharmaceuticals, widely used in intensive livestock production, may contaminate surface waters. Identifying their sources and pathways in watersheds is difficult because i) most veterinary pharmaceuticals are used in human medicine as well and ii) septic or sewer wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) can release pharmaceuticals into surface water, even in agricultural headwater watersheds. This study aimed to analyze the spatiotemporal variability of animal-specific, mixed-use, and human-specific pharmaceuticals, from agricultural headwaters with intensive livestock production and a WWTP to a watershed used for Water Framework Directive monitoring. Grab sampling was performed during one hydrological year upstream and downstream from a WWTP and at three dates in seven nested watersheds with areas of 1.9–84.1km2. Twenty pharmaceuticals were analyzed. Animal-specific pharmaceuticals were detected at all sampling dates upstream and downstream from the WWTP and at concentrations higher than those of human-specific pharmaceuticals. The predominance of animal-specific and mixed-use pharmaceuticals vs. human-specific pharmaceuticals observed at these sampling points was confirmed at the other sampling points. Animal-specific pharmaceuticals were detected mainly during runoff events and periods of manure spreading. A large percentage of mixed-use pharmaceuticals could come from animal sources, but it was difficult to determine. Mixed-use and human-specific pharmaceuticals predominated in the largest watersheds when runoff decreased. In areas of intensive livestock production, mitigation actions should focus on agricultural headwater watersheds to decrease the number of pathways and the transfer volume of veterinary pharmaceuticals, which can be the main contaminants.