Livestock In Areas Research Articles

The sustainability of Intensive Livestock Areas (ILAS): network system and conflict potential from the perspective of animal farmers.

The present study has determined the perceived consequences of an ILA on the production conditions of livestock farming systems based on the advantages of an agglomerated agri-food industry and the disadvantages of an increasing livestock concentration. It became obvious that the benefits of such ILAs can be understood according to their human and social capital. These elements, however, are both associated with a low geographic responsiveness to any increase in problems and so cause land use conflicts to increase. Their perception of the effects of being located within an ILA caused the livestock farmers in this survey to consider their production conditions more when formulating their demands with respect to policies concerning regional development and land use planning. Understanding this type of perception may help to counter current problems and to enhance the success of structural policies in ILAs.

Thelazia rhodesiiin the African Buffalo,Syncerus caffer, in Zambia

We report 2 cases of Thelazia rhodesii infection in the African buffaloes, Syncerus caffer, in Zambia. African buffalo calves were captured from the livestock and wildlife interface area of the Kafue basin in the dry season of August 2005 for the purpose to translocate to game ranches. At capture, calves (n=48) were examined for the presence of eye infections by gently manipulating the orbital membranes to check for eye-worms in the conjunctival sacs and corneal surfaces. Two (4.3%) were infected and the mean infection burden per infected eye was 5.3 worms (n=3). The mean length of the worms was 16.4 mm (95% CI; 14.7-18.2 mm) and the diameter 0.41 mm (95% CI; 0.38-0.45 mm). The surface cuticle was made of transverse striations which gave the worms a characteristic serrated appearance. Although the calves showed signs of kerato-conjunctivitis, the major pathological change observed was corneal opacity. The calves were kept in quarantine and were examined thrice at 30 days interval. At each interval, they were treated with 200 µg/kg ivermectin, and then translocated to game ranches. Given that the disease has been reported in cattle and Kafue lechwe (Kobus lechwe kafuensis) in the area, there is a need for a comprehensive study which aims at determining the disease dynamics and transmission patterns of thelaziasis between wildlife and livestock in the Kafue basin.

Calibration models for electromagnetic induction methods to assess nutrient accumulation beneath confined livestock areas

Nutrient accumulation in soils beneath confined livestock areas is a potential source of groundwater contamination. Electromagnetic induction (EMI) has become a practical method to assess nutrient content, with multiple linear regression (MLR) as the statistical method often employed to translate EMI readings into nutrient content. The purpose of this research is to compare and contrast the performance of spatially referenced MLR models that include secondary, ‘easy‐to‐acquire’ predictor variables such as spatial coordinate locations, soil water content and elevation information with MLR models based solely on EMI readings. Six feedlot areas were surveyed with an EM38 conductivity meter and between 6 and 12 sites at each feedlot were sampled at five different depths. The electrical conductivity (ECe), nitrate (NO3 −) and phosphate (PO4 3−) concentrations were measured and used as response variables. Analyses were performed using two different approaches: the response variables in individual layers and response variables by combining the layers within the soil profile. The results of both MLR methods were comparable in most instances because the models preferentially incorporated predictors derived from EM38 readings. Differences between the models were more evident when predicting NO3 − and PO4 3−, even though prediction of these two analytes by either method was generally poor. Combined profile analysis was more effective for defining nutrient build‐up because by‐layer analysis gave non‐significant or poor models in many instances.

Relationship between land use and water quality in a small watershed in South Korea

Recent research and monitoring undertaken by various institutions have emphasized measurements of river-water quality. Based on the results, government agencies have set guidelines to improve river-water quality management. However, the relationship between water quality and land use/land cover (LULC) has not been examined closely in South Korea to date. This study investigated this relationship in the Imgok River watershed. For this study, the relationship between water quality parameters, e.g. metallic ions, biological oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand (BOD and COD), NH₃, NO₃ and PO₄ levels and land-use types (abandoned mine land, forest/grassland, agricultural, livestock and residential areas) was examined by correlation analysis with significant level (p<0.05) and principal component analysis (PCA). Applying PCA to water quality parameters according to land-use coverage, the principal component impacting river water quality were found to be the pH, metallic ions, BOD, PO₄, COD and total suspended solids (TSS) for abandoned mine land (AML) coverage; BOD, NO₃ and PO₄ for forest/grassland areas; TSS, NO₃, and PO₄ for agricultural land; BOD, COD, NH₃ and NO₃ for livestock coverage; and BOD, COD, NH₃ and PO₄ for residential areas. For the AML, the pH exhibited a significant negative correlation with other water quality parameters at the significant level (p<0.05). Grassland showed significant positive correlations of BOD with values of 0.837 NO₃ and 0.514 PO₄. In agricultural land, TSS had a significant negative correlation with value of -0.772 PO₄. For livestock coverage, BOD had significant positive correlations with values of 0.865 COD, 0.629 NH₃, 0.709 NO₃ and 0.472 TSS. In residential areas, COD was significantly positively correlated with values of 0.988 BOD and 0.856 PO₄, and TSS was highly positively correlated with value of 0.810 NO₃ but highly negatively correlated with value of -0.702 PO₄. Based on the above, LULC is a significant factor to influence on river water quality and this relationship should be based on the management plan for river water quality control. Future work will be conducted to take more samples in the entire river and season, to run water quality model and to choose a new method for better analysis and more accurate relationship between land-use and water quality.

Class 1 Integrons, Selected Virulence Genes, and Antibiotic Resistance in Escherichia coli Isolates from the Minjiang River, Fujian Province, China

Widespread fecal pollution of surface waters in developing countries is a threat to public health and may represent a significant pathway for the global dissemination of antibiotic resistance. The Minjiang River drainage basin in Fujian Province is one of China's most intensive livestock and poultry production areas and is home to several million people. In the study reported here, Escherichia coli isolates (n = 2,788) were sampled (2007 and 2008) from seven surface water locations in the basin and evaluated by PCR for carriage of selected genes encoding virulence factors, primarily for swine disease. A subset of isolates (n = 500) were evaluated by PCR for the distribution and characteristics of class 1 integrons, and a subset of these (n = 200) were evaluated phenotypically for resistance to a range of antibiotics. A total of 666 (24%) E. coli isolates carried at least one of the virulence genes elt, fedA, astA, fasA, estA, stx(2e), paa, and sepA. Forty-one percent of the isolates harbored class 1 integrons, and these isolates had a significantly higher probability of resistance to tobramycin, cefoperazone, cefazolin, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, azitromycin, and rifampin than isolates with no class 1 integron detected. Frequencies of resistance to selected antibiotics were as high as or higher than those in fecal, wastewater, and clinical isolates in published surveys undertaken in China, North America, and Europe. Overall, E. coli in the Minjiang River drainage basin carry attributes with public health significance at very high frequency, and these data provide a powerful rationale for investment in source water protection strategies in this important agricultural and urban setting in China.

Characterization of microbial communities in exhaust air treatment systems of large-scale pig housing facilities

Exhaust air treatment has gained importance as an essential factor in intensive livestock areas due to the rising emissions in the environment. Wet filter walls of multi-stage exhaust air treatment systems precipitate gaseous ammonia and dust particles from exhaust air in washing water. Microbial communities in the biomass developed in the washing water of five large-scale exhaust air treatment units of pig housing facilities, were investigated by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and 16S rDNA sequence analyses. No "standard" nitrifying bacteria were found in the washing water. Instead mainly α-Proteobacteria, aggregating β- and χ-Proteobacteria, a large number of Actinobacteria, as well as individual Planctomycetales and Crenarchaeota were detected after more than twelve months' operation. The main Proteobacteria species present were affiliated to the families Alcaligenaceae, Comamonadaceae and Xanthomonadaceae. Furthermore, we investigated the consumption of inorganic nitrogen compounds in the washing water of one exhaust air treatment unit during a fattening period with and without pH control. Maintaining the pH at 6.0 resulted in a ca. fivefold higher ammonium concentration and a ca. fourfold lower concentration of oxidized nitrogen compounds after the fattening period was finished.

A EXPANSÃO DA CANA-DE-AÇÚCAR NO CERRADO E NO ESTADO DE GOIÁS: ELEMENTOS PARA UMA ANÁLISE ESPACIAL DO PROCESSO

The Cerrado biome, particularly in Goi&aacute;s and Mato Grosso do Sul states, it is having one process of expansion of sugarcane monoculture since last years of XX century, but intensified since 2007.The aim of this paper is to present one evaluation of the expansion areas mainly Goi&aacute;s state&acute;s South Region and its microregions Meia Ponte and Quirin&oacute;polis, bys study of land use changes focusing the substitution of cultures and livestock areas. In conclusion the spatially axes of sugarcane expansion is the same of agricultural frontier from 70s and the environmental direct and indirect impacts was not sufficiently studied in detailed scales.

Locating hazardous waste treatment facilities and disposal sites in the State of Yucatan, Mexico

In this work, geographic information systems (GIS) and multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) were used in order to identify the appropriate location for hazardous waste (HW) treatment facilities and final disposal sites in the State of Yucatan, Mexico. For HW-treatment facilities, in addition to the distance to generators and treatment facilities, geographic conditions of the site, such as vegetation, soil type, accessibility, distance to urban or rural communities, and all the boundary elements as agricultural or livestock areas, were considered in GIS and MCDA. Final disposal was taken into account only for those HW that could not be avoided or treated. In order to find the most suitable areas, the Mexican Official Norm NOM-055-SEMARNAT-2003 criteria were observed too. It was found that the most suitable zones for HW-treatment facilities were at the centre of the State, whereas the most recommended areas for HW final disposal sites were at the south.

Pastoreo en áreas de montaña: Estrategias e impactos en el territorio

Mountains represent preferent areas for extensive livestock based on natural resources, and therefore a large amount of scientific literature dealing with pastoralism and the integration between grassland and livestock grazing. The present article provides a bibliographical review about pastoralism in mountain areas, using Scopus database as main data source. Pastoral strategies (nomadism, trashumance and agropastoralism), its impacts on the environment (density and structure of vegetation, soil erosion…), the role of local breeds and complementarities between different cattle types are emphasized in this review. This article underlines recent changes in mountain pastoralism.

Omental fat tissue influence on bone healing: Radiological and histomorphometric study

Reid found selenium (Se) deficient soils were a common factor in two populations with the highest incidence of SIDS world-wide (Indian population of King County Washington State, USA and the population of Canterbury, New Zeland) (1).Reid compared a map of the selenium responsive livestock areas in New Zealand with areas of low soil iodine (I). She found that the 1989 report of areas of the highest SIDS incidence coincided with Se responsive livestock areas combined with low soil iodine (2–4).Foster found the 1983–1984 incidence of SIDS in USA has the strongest positive correlation with the incidence of goitre in World War I troops (1916). Sodium and strontium were positively related (5).Emery found a hypernatraemic SIDS victim in a very cold environment (6). Robertson and Parker associated increased sodium (Na) (used in Scunthorpe, England, as a water softener) with increased incidence of SIDS (7).Godwin's study of White Muscle Disease in lambs describes Se protection (8). Skeletal muscle mitochondria from dystrophic animals showed lowered respiratory rates with palmitoyl-dl-carnitine and acetyl-dl-carnitine as substrate. Dystrophic organelles failed to respond to ADP.Rognun found elevated hypoxanthine and an enhanced immune response in most SIDS victims (9).A syndrome associated with potassium deficiency has been described as a killer of healthy, young Asian men, most often during sleep (19).This paper describes the interactions of sodium (Na), potassium (K), selenium (Se), and iodine (I) to some factors affecting the utilization of oxygen and the production of energy.

Probability of Exporting Infected Carcasses from Vaccinated Pigs Following a Foot‐and‐Mouth Disease Epidemic

Emergency vaccination is an effective control strategy for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) epidemics in densely populated livestock areas, but results in a six-month waiting period before exports can be resumed, incurring severe economic consequences for pig exporting countries. In the European Union, a one-month waiting period has been discussed based on negative test results in a final screening. The objective of this study was to analyze the risk of exporting FMD-infected pig carcasses from a vaccinated area: (1) directly after final screening and (2) after a six-month waiting period. A risk model has been developed to estimate the probability that a processed carcass was derived from an FMD-infected pig (P(carc)). Key variables were herd prevalence (P(H)), within-herd prevalence (P(A)), and the probability of detection at slaughter (P(SL)). P(H) and P(A) were estimated using Bayesian inference under the assumption that, despite all negative test results, > or =1 infected pigs were present. Model calculations indicated that P(carc) was on average 2.0 x 10(-5) directly after final screening, and 1.7 x 10(-5) after a six-month waiting period. Therefore, the additional waiting time did not substantially reduce P(carc). The estimated values were worst-case scenarios because only viraemic pigs pose a risk for disease transmission, while seropositive pigs do not. The risk of exporting FMD via pig carcasses from a vaccinated area can further be reduced by heat treatment of pork and/or by excluding high-risk pork products from export.

Transmission risks and control of foot-and-mouth disease in The Netherlands: Spatial patterns

In 2001 the epidemics of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) in Great Britain, The Netherlands and France have shown how fast FMDV may spread between farms. The massive socio-economic impact of these epidemics and the intervention measures taken demonstrate the need for quantitative assessments of the efficacy of candidate intervention strategies. Here we use a mathematical model to describe the spatial transmission of FMDV in The Netherlands and use the Dutch 2001 outbreak data to estimate model parameters. We assess the effect of ring culling strategies using a novel and fast approach producing risk maps, and discuss its consequences for ring vaccination. These risk maps identify both the geographical areas of low risk, where a given intervention strategy is likely to achieve epidemic control within only two or three farm-to-farm infection generations, and high-risk areas, where control is likely to take (much) longer. Our results indicate that certain densely populated livestock areas in the Netherlands remain high-risk areas even for strategies that extend EU minimum measures with culling or vaccination within a ring radius of several kilometres. Depending on an economic assessment, area-wide vaccination might be judged appropriate once an FMDV outbreak would have been confirmed in or close to such a high-density area. The modeling approach developed here could be readily applied to outbreak data for other diseases and in other countries.

Use of anthelmintics

Veterinary RecordVolume 166, Issue 9 p. 282-282 Letter Use of anthelmintics J. D. Dennis, J. D. Dennis Butts Meadow, Hatton Gardens, Kington, Herefordshire, HR5 3DDSearch for more papers by this author J. D. Dennis, J. D. Dennis Butts Meadow, Hatton Gardens, Kington, Herefordshire, HR5 3DDSearch for more papers by this author First published: 27 February 2010 https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.c965Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume166, Issue9February 2010Pages 282-282 RelatedInformation

Medio siglo de cambios paisajísticos en la montaña mediterránea. Percepción y valoración social del paisaje en la alta Garrotxa (Girona)

Rural depopulation and abandonment of farming activities have resulted in an intense transformation of the characteristic landscapes of Mediterranean mountains. A dynamic characterized by an intense process of expansion of forested cover in detriment to livestock and agricultural areas. This process, which produces effects such as biodiversity and cultural heritage loss and contributes to the spread of wildfires, can be mapped, quantified and described with high accuracy through the means of digital mapping, geographic information systems and landscape indexes. But what is the perception and valuation of these changes by the stakeholders involved in the management of these territories? This article attempts to answer this question in the protected area of Alta Garrotxa (Girona), where a strong correlation between landscape dynamics and their perception by the stakeholders is revealed. On the other hand, the valuation and future prospects produce diverse and often contradictory points of views that illustrate the existing difficulties to management.

Microbial water pollution: A screening tool for initial catchment-scale assessment and source apportionment

The European Union Water Framework Directive requires that Management Plans are developed for individual River Basin Districts. From the point of view of faecal indicator organisms (FIOs), there is a critical need for screening tools that can provide a rapid assessment of the likely FIO concentrations and fluxes within catchments under base- and high-flow conditions, and of the balance (‘source apportionment’) between agriculture- and sewage-derived sources. Accordingly, the present paper reports on: (1) the development of preliminary generic models, using water quality and land cover data from previous UK catchment studies for assessing FIO concentrations, fluxes and source apportionment within catchments during the summer bathing season; (2) the calibration of national land use data, against data previously used in the models; and (3) provisional FIO concentration and source-apportionment assessments for England and Wales. The models clearly highlighted the crucial importance of high-flow conditions for the flux of FIOs within catchments. At high flow, improved grassland (and associated livestock) was the key FIO source; FIO loadings derived from catchments with high proportions of improved grassland were shown to be as high as from urbanised catchments; and in many rural catchments, especially in NW and SW England and Wales, which are important areas of lowland livestock (especially dairy) farming, ≥ 40% of FIOs was assessed to be derived from agricultural sources. In contrast, under base-flow conditions, when there was little or no runoff from agricultural land, urban (i.e. sewerage-related) sources were assessed to dominate, and even in rural areas the majority of FIOs were attributed to urban sources. The results of the study demonstrate the potential of this type of approach, particularly in light of climate change and the likelihood of more high-flow events, in underpinning informed policy development and prioritisation of investment.

¿Las cercas vivas ayudan a la conservación de la diversidad de mariposas en paisajes agropecuarios?

In Central America, natural forests have been transformed into agriculture production areas, generating forest fragmentation, desertification, erosion and loss of biodiversity, among other concerns. Different tree cover compositions are kept on these agricultural landscapes, including scattered trees in pastures, live fences, fragments of secondary forests, and riparian forests. These can help in biodiversity conservation because they generate shelter, feeding and reproduction areas, among others. We studied the composition, richness and abundance of diurnal butterflies on two types of live fences in a landscape where pastures are predominant in Costa Rica's Central Pacific Region. Transects (120 x 5 m) were observed for an hour (two days/habitat) in five multi-strata fences (with several plant species, strata and canopy width) and five simple fences (with smaller and pruned trees). A total of 2,782 butterflies were observed (75 species). The most abundant species were Anartia fatima, Eurema daria, Eurema nise, Hermeuptychia hermes, Junonia evarete and Phoebis philea. Multi-strata fences had more species and can help maintain 56% of the total species observed in secondary and riparian forests. This type of live fence can play an important role in butterfly conservation in livestock areas, and its benefits are influenced by the manner in which farmers manage their land.

Bacteria Contamination of Groundwater in a Mixed Land-Use Karst Region

Enteric bacteria, many of which are opportunistic pathogens, were detected in groundwater from springs, wells, and a cave stream in the karst region of southwestern Illinois, and concentrations generally were very high in the springs and cave stream. The two main sources of bacterial contamination were determined to be domestic wastewater treatment discharge and livestock manure. The water chemistry in the springs and caves indicated substantial dilution of any wastewater discharge, but the dilution was not sufficient to lower bacteria concentrations to regulatory levels. High counts of enteric bacteria were found throughout the year, suggesting a continuous source of contamination, most likely domestic wastewater discharge. Although wells generally were less contaminated than springs, wells located in livestock areas usually were contaminated with enteric bacteria, and their water chemistry was indicative of contamination by animal waste.

Simulation of foot-and-mouth disease spread within an integrated livestock system in Texas, USA

We used a simulation study to assess the impact of an incursion of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus on the livestock industries in an 8-county area of the Panhandle region of Texas, USA. The study was conducted in a high-density livestock area, with an estimated number of cattle on-feed of approximately 1.8 million. We modified an existing stochastic, spatial simulation model to simulate 64 scenarios for planning and decision-making. Our scenarios simulated four different herd types for the index herd (company feedlot, backgrounder feedlot, large beef, backyard) and variations in three mitigation strategies (time-of-detection, vaccine availability, and surveillance during disease control). Under our assumptions about availability of resources to manage an outbreak, median epidemic lengths in the scenarios with commercial feedlot, backgrounder feedlot, large beef and backyard index herd types ranged from 28 to 52, 19 to 39, 18 to 32, and 18 to 36 days, respectively, and the average number of herds depopulated ranged from 4 to 101, 2 to 29, 1 to 15 and 1 to 18, respectively. Early detection of FMD in the index herd had the largest impact on reducing (∼13–21 days) the length of epidemics and the number of herds (∼5–34) depopulated. Although most predicted epidemics lasted only ∼1–2 months, and <100 herds needed to be depopulated, large outbreaks lasting ∼8–9 months with up to 230 herds depopulated might occur.

河川の水質形成と集水域の土地利用形態との関係

The relationship between the formation of river water quality and the land use of river watershed at Lake Kasumigaura (Ls. Nishiura and Kitaura) was investigated in this study using measured in situ data and data calculated using a geographic information system (GIS). NO3-N concentrations in river water were high, particularly in L. Kitaura watershed. The NO3-N concentrations increased at a low-water-temperature period and decreased with dilution after rainfall. The relationship between river water quality and land use characteristics in river watershed was examined by principal component analysis. The nitrogen concentrations in river water were correlated with the number of livestock, upland field and forest area in their watershed at ordinary flow. A high correlation was confirmed particularly between the number of pigs and NO3-N concentration. Paddy field and urban area were correlated with phosphorus, organic matter and particulate matter concentrations. During flood due to rainfall, the nitrogen concentrations in small-scale rivers showed a high correlation with only the number of pigs.

Modelling the effectiveness and risks of vaccination strategies to control classical swine fever epidemics

In a recent update of the Dutch contingency plan for controlling outbreaks of classical swine fever (CSF), emergency vaccination is preferred to large-scale pre-emptive culling. This policy change raised two questions: can emergency vaccination be as effective as pre-emptive culling, and what are the implications for showing freedom of infection? Here, we integrate quantitative information available on CSF virus transmission and vaccination effects into a stochastic mathematical model that describes the transmission dynamics at the level of animals, farms and livestock areas. This multilevel approach connects individual-level interventions to large-scale effects. Using this model, we compare the performance of five different control strategies applied to hypothetical CSF epidemics in The Netherlands and, for each of these strategies, we study the properties of three different screening scenarios to show freedom of infection. We find that vaccination in a ring of 2 km radius around a detected infection source is as effective as ring culling in a 1 km radius. Feasible screening scenarios, adapted to the use of emergency vaccination, can reduce the enhanced risks of (initially) undetected farm outbreaks by targeting vaccinated farms. Altogether, our results suggest that emergency vaccination against CSF can be equally effective and safe as pre-emptive culling.