Livestock Health Research Articles

Long-term analysis of drinking water quality in poultry and pig farms in Northwest Germany

Hygienically safe drinking water is essential for the health, well-being, and efficient production of livestock. In contrast to drinking water for human consumption, there are guidelines but no legal limits for drinking water for animals. Risk factors due to hygienically relevant microorganisms or chemical compounds in drinking water are known from literature, but there is little information on the quality of drinking water for livestock in Germany. To gain an overview of the quality of drinking water, data from samples collected from pig and poultry farms in Northwest Germany over a 10-year period were analyzed retrospectively. Data consisted of 326 samples analyzed chemically, and 519 samples analyzed microbiologically. Of these, 80 water samples were analyzed for both chemical and microbial contaminants. There was no correlation between samples exceeding chemical and microbial guideline levels. The number of samples exceeding the chemical guideline values (58.0%) was higher than the number of samples exceeding the microbiological guideline values (47.4%). This long-term study illustrated the potential risk to pigs and poultry from drinking water and highlights the need for effective hygiene measures to prevent the transmission of microorganisms and chemicals residues through water to maintain animal health and safe food products.

Exposure of Cattle Breeding Herds to Naturally Co-Contaminated Zearalenone and Deoxynivalenol: The Relevance of a Urinary Mycotoxin Monitoring System for Herd Health and Food Safety.

The widespread presence of Fusarium mycotoxins in animal feed is a global issue, not only for the health of livestock but also for ensure the safety of food as an end product. High concentrations of zearalenone (ZEN) and deoxynivalenol (DON) have been detected in the diets of Japanese Black (JB) and Holstein Friesian (HF) breeding herds. Consequently, we monitored serum biochemical parameters over a long time in both herds, focusing on anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels and acute-phase inflammation. Additionally, urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and progesterone levels were measured in the HF herd. The JB herd, a ZEN-dominant model with low DON contamination, demonstrated ZEN levels that exceeded the Japanese limit in the purchased total mixed rations (TMR). Conversely, the HF herd, which primary consumes DON-dominant feed with low ZEN contamination, had high DON levels in the dent corn silage. Specifically, the JB herd's TMR contained 1.79 mg/kg ZEN and 0.58 mg/kg DON, whereas the HF herd's silage had 15.3 mg/kg DON (dried sample) and 0.1 mg/kg ZEN. Enzyme-linked immunoassay were used to measure urinary ZEN-DON levels following confirmation through liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Urinary ZEN-DON levels measured were significantly correlated (p < 0.05, r > 0.6) in both herds. In the HF herd, AMH levels increased (p = 0.01) and serum amyloid A (SAA) levels decreased (p = 0.02) when contaminated and at the end of the monitoring period. Additionally, urinary ZEN and DON levels were significantly correlated with SAA levels (ZEN: p = 0.00, r = 0.46; DON: p = 0.03, r = 0.33), with an increase in ZEN and DON levels resulting in higher SAA levels. The JB herd showed no significant differences. Additionally, in the HF herd, 8-OHdG/Cre levels increased significantly during major contamination periods (p < 0.05). Clinical data from the HF herd indicated an increase in mastitis cases and treatment rates during periods of major contamination. Abortion rates in the HF herd decreased from 22.9% (before monitoring) to 8.9% (during the high contamination period) and finally to 1% (at the end of the monitoring period), with corresponding increases in progesterone levels. ZEN-DON contamination adversely affects breeding cattle's productivity, reproductive performance, and health. Therefore, monitoring urinary ZEN-DON is valuable for detecting contaminants and ensuring the safety of food products.

171 Examining the role of vitamin E in ruminant livestock growth and production

Abstract Vitamin E is necessary for health, growth, and reproduction in livestock. However, vitamin E requirements and supplement strategies for optimal livestock production and performance are poorly understood, and the role that it plays in skeletal muscle growth has not been thoroughly explored. Ideal vitamin E requirements for optimal skeletal muscle growth have yet to be identified in beef cattle or sheep. Because skeletal muscle growth is important for meat production in livestock, a more thorough understanding of postnatal skeletal muscle growth and the relationship with vitamin E is necessary. The goal of this presentation is to discuss what we currently understand about vitamin E and the relationship it has with skeletal muscle growth in ruminant livestock. This presentation will discuss previous research relating to vitamin E supplementation in beef cattle and sheep, and the resulting impacts on growth and production. Additionally, emerging research using both in vivo and in vitro methods to further explore the relationship between vitamin E and skeletal muscle growth and production of beef cattle and sheep will be presented.

435 Use of plant bioactives to improve the efficiency of rumen function

Abstract Plant bioactives, also known as phytogenics or phytobiotics, are secondary metabolites of plant origin that are deployed as host-defense mechanisms against predators or to enable them to be more competitive in their environment. These metabolites also regulate growth and reproductive functions in the plant. They can be grouped into three major classes: terpenoids, phenolic compounds, and alkaloids. Various studies have shown their worth in improving livestock production and health via insectifugal, organoleptic and enhanced rumen functions. Ruminants are critical to food security because they are able to convert poor-quality feed materials into nutritious products like meat. The rumen provides temporary storage of feed but serves the main function of digesting those complex materials through symbiotic relationships among prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms within the rumen vat. Antimicrobial resistance and other health or social license challenges have led researchers to find acceptable replacements that will not exacerbate the health and social issues in animals and humans. Plant bioactives appeal to producers because of the ‘natural’ brand and because they are usually certified as generally recognized as safe (GRAS). Anecdotal reports from input companies show an increased demand for mineral supplements infused with phytogenics. The complex chemical compositions of these products appear to make them less prone to developing resistance by microorganisms. Phytogenics research has been further catalyzed by government legislation that has banned the use of medically important antibiotics to prevent the spread of antibiotic resistance. Potential improvements in livestock productivity are associated with mechanisms such as enhanced nutrient utilization, increased digestibility, modified digestive secretions or altered microbial communities. These benefits contribute to the increasing use of these phytogenics by livestock producers to keep their animals healthy and productive while enhancing the profitability of their operations. We will examine the different bioactives and their applications in improving the efficiency of the rumen function. Some commercial products in the Canadian market will be presented. Other research trials showcasing their potential benefits to rumen health and general animal productivity will also be discussed.

Study of the Mastery of Digital Self-Efficacy through the Learning Process among Students of Universities in the Livestock Sector

Mastery of digital skills is essential for animal husbandry students because digital technology has changed the way of work and innovation in the livestock industry. With digital skills, students can optimize livestock management, track livestock health and reproduction, and predict market developments more efficiently. Perceptions of self-efficacy regarding the ability to use digital technology will encourage increased digital skills for students. Many studies examine digital skills, but limited studies discuss how digital self-efficacy is formed by involving institutional support, instructor influence, peer influence, and digital literacy. Therefore, this study examines a structural model for forming digital self-efficacy involving institutional support, instructor influence, peer influence, and digital literacy. A total of 263 students were involved in filling out the research questionnaire. This study uses structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis with SmartPLS software. The study results reveal that digital self-efficacy is directly influenced by peer influence and digital literacy. Meanwhile, institutional support and instructor influence do not directly affect digital self-efficacy. Another finding, digital literacy mediates the influence of institutional support, instructor influence, and peer influence on student digital self-efficacy. This study discusses in depth how to master digital self-efficacy through the learning process on campus and the implications of this study for universities.

Review of Liquid Vitamin A and E Formulations in Veterinary and Livestock Production: Applications and Perspectives.

Vitamins A and E are vital fat-soluble micronutrients with distinct yet intertwined roles in various biological processes. This review delves into their functions, nutritional requirements across different animal species, the consequences of deficiencies, and the impact of liquid formulations on veterinary medicine and livestock production. Vitamin A exists in multiple forms, essential for vision, immunity, and growth, while vitamin E acts primarily as an antioxidant, safeguarding cell membranes from oxidative damage. Hypovitaminosis in these vitamins can lead to severe health consequences, affecting vision, immunity, growth, reproduction, and neurological functions. Hence, supplementation, particularly through innovative liquid formulations, becomes pivotal in addressing deficiencies and enhancing overall animal health and productivity. Injectable forms of vitamins A and E show promise in enhancing reproductive performance, growth, and immune function in livestock. Administering these vitamins through drinking water offers a convenient way to enhance livestock health and productivity, particularly during times of stress or increased nutritional needs. Liquid vitamin A and E drops offer a flexible and effective solution in veterinary practice, allowing precise dosing and easy administration, particularly for companion animals. Future research may aim to optimize formulations and explore targeted therapies and precision feeding via nutrigenomics, promising advancements in veterinary medicine and livestock production.

Soil zinc surveillance frameworks can inform human nutrition studies: opportunities in India

Mineral micronutrient deficiencies are widespread in global food systems and can affect plant growth, crop quality, and human and livestock health. The mapping of soils and soil properties linked to micronutrient supply in food systems is now enabling us to better understand the linkages between soil health and function and its relationship with food quality and human health. Zinc (Zn) deficiencies in Indian soils are of particular concern in the context of crop yields and food quality. This current review aims to understand the data landscapes on soil Zn and related soil properties in India, with a particular focus on three states: Uttar Pradesh (UP), Bihar, and Odisha. The scope of the review is to identify and describe data sets from national and state-wide programmes and research experiments in which soil Zn has been reported, which could be used to provide a framework for integrated surveys and would combine wider agriculture, food systems, nutrition, and public health sectors. The largest data set on soil Zn was collected under a soil health management (SHM) programme, during which the Indian government analysed more than 30 million soil samples for Zn concentration (mg/kg) from 2015 to 2019. This study showed that 39% of Indian soils are considered Zn deficient for crop production (i.e., based on a threshold of &amp;lt;0.6 mg/kg); soil Zn deficiency varied from 2% to 67% across different Indian states. From this survey, soil Zn deficiency was 29%, 67%, and 48% in UP, Bihar, and Odisha, respectively. Individual data points are available for re-use at the Government of India soil health card website (https://www.soilhealth.dac.gov.in/). In addition, the All India Coordinated Research Project on Micro and Secondary Nutrients and Pollutant Elements in Soils and Plants (AICRP-MSPE) programme under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) analysed &amp;gt;240,000 soil samples from 2012 to 2018 from 28 states of India and reported ~38% soil Zn deficiency in the Indian soils. There is no programme in India that currently maps micronutrients in soil and crops together using “GeoNutrition” approaches recently reported in two countries in Africa, Ethiopia, and Malawi. Future co-ordinated soil and crop micronutrient mapping in India can help us to understand better the movement of Zn (and other micronutrients) in food systems and to inform strategies to improve the Zn status in the soil, e.g., the use of Zn fertilisers for yield and agronomic biofortification, and in the edible tissues of crops, e.g., through genetic biofortification.

Deep learning neural network development for the classification of bacteriocin sequences produced by lactic acid bacteria

Background The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria presents a pressing need for exploring new natural compounds with innovative mechanisms to replace existing antibiotics. Bacteriocins offer promising alternatives for developing therapeutic and preventive strategies in livestock, aquaculture, and human health. Specifically, those produced by LAB are recognized as GRAS and QPS. Methods In this study was used a deep learning neural network for binary classification of bacteriocin amino acid sequences, distinguishing those produced by LAB. The features were extracted using the k-mer method and vector embedding. Ten different groups were tested, combining embedding vectors and k-mers: EV, ‘EV+3-mers’, ‘EV+5-mers’, ‘EV+7-mers’, ‘EV+15-mers’, ‘EV+20-mers’, ‘EV+3-mers+5-mers’, ‘EV+3-mers+7-mers’, ‘EV+5-mers+7-mers’, and ‘EV+15-mers+20-mers’. Results Five sets of 100 characteristic k-mers unique to bacteriocins produced by LAB were obtained for values of k = 3, 5, 7, 15, and 20. Significant difference was observed between using only and concatenation. Specially, ‘5-mers+7-mers+EV ’ group showed superior accuracy and loss results. Employing k-fold cross-validation with k=30, the average results for loss, accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score were 9.90%, 90.14%, 90.30%, 90.10%, and 90.10% respectively. Folder 22 stood out with 8.50% loss, 91.47% accuracy, and 91.00% precision, recall, and F1 score. Conclusions The model developed in this study achieved consistent results with those seen in the reviewed literature. It outperformed some studies by 3-10%. The lists of characteristic k-mers pave the way to identify new bacteriocins that could be valuable for therapeutic and preventive strategies within the livestock, aquaculture industries, and potentially in human health.

Advancing Animal Health: A Web-Based Expert System Utilizing Forward Chaining for Disease Diagnosis

The increasing prevalence of animal diseases, along with the increasing need for animal products, highlights the urgent need for efficient diagnostic tools in veterinary medicine. The aim of this research is to create an expert system that uses a forward chaining algorithm to diagnose animal diseases. The forward chaining algorithm is a deductive reasoning approach that starts with existing facts and uses expert tree rules for hypotheses. This process continues until the desired goal is achieved or no additional conclusions can be drawn. Even though there are developments in expert systems, there are still shortcomings in implementing the forward chain for rapid and precise diagnosis of livestock diseases. This work aims to fill this gap by developing an expert system that improves the accuracy and efficiency of disease diagnosis in the livestock industry. A database of animal diseases and symptoms was created by observing and interacting directly with farmers. The system architecture is specifically intended to optimize data processing and user engagement, enabling rapid diagnosis and treatment recommendations. This test shows a level of accuracy and precision, thereby reducing the possibility of misdiagnosis. The capacity of expert systems to provide fast and reliable diagnoses has the potential to improve livestock health management, thereby helping farmers maintain animal welfare and productivity. The results of this work advance the field of veterinary diagnostics and propose other uses of expert systems in animal health management.

Molecular Detection and Characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in Dairy Calves from Ningxia, China.

Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis are two important foodborne human and animal parasites that can be disseminated through both food and water, leading to diarrheal disease. Nevertheless, available information on the circumstances of Cryptosporidium and Giardia duodenalis from Ningxia is limited. A total of 208 stool samples of dairy calves derived from large-scale farms (> 1000 heads) of five cities randomly in Ningxia were gathered randomly, were amplified and analyzed by nested PCR based on the three target genes (18S rRNA, gp60 and tpi)and phylogenetic systematics. The prevalence of cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis in dairy calves in Ningxia were 13.0% (27/208 samples, 95% CI 9.1-18.2%) and 1.9% (4/208, 95% CI 0.8-4.9%) respectively. Three Cryptosporidium species appeared in this study which are Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum), Cryptosporidium andersoni (C. andersoni) and Cryptosporidium ryanae (C. ryanae) based on the 18S rRNA gene sequence. IIdA15G1 and IIdA13G1 belonging to the subtypes of Cryptosporidium were detected by the gp60 PCR. The genotypes of Giardia duodenalis were only assemblage E through the amplification of the triosephosphate-isomerase gene (tpi gene). There is a risk of transmission to humans in Ningxia because of zoonotic genotypes (C. parvum, C. andersoni, assemblage E) and subtypes (IId) of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis in dairy calves, and it is necessary to pay attention to the disease to prevent a widespread epidemic of the disease with the purpose to protect human and livestock health.

Baseline tebuconazole sensitivity and potential resistant risk in Fusarium graminearum

BackgroundThe Fusarium head blight caused by Fusarium graminearum results in reduced crop yields and the potential for vomitoxin contamination, which poses a risk to both human and livestock health. The primary method of control relies on the application of chemical fungicides.ResultsThe current study found that the tebuconazole sensitivity of 165 F. graminearum isolates collected from the Huang-Huai-Hai region of China between 2019 and 2023 ranged from 0.005 to 2.029 µg/mL, with an average EC50 value of 0.33 ± 0.03 µg/mL. The frequency distribution conformed to a unimodal curve around the mean, and therefore provides a useful reference for monitoring the emergence of tebuconazole resistance in field populations of F. graminearum. No cross-resistance was detected between tebuconazole and other unrelated fungicides such as flutriafol, propiconazole and fluazinam, but there was a clear negative cross-resistance with triazole fungicides including fludioxonil, epoxiconazole, hexaconazole, and metconazole. Analysis of five tebuconazole-resistant mutants produced under laboratory conditions indicated that although the mycelial growth of the mutants were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced, spore production and germination rates could be significantly (p < 0.05) increased. However, pathogenicity tests confirmed a severe fitness cost associated with tebuconazole resistance, as all of the mutants completely loss the ability to infect host tissue. Furthermore, in general the resistant mutants were found to have increased sensitivity to abiotic stress, such as ionic and osmotic stress, though not to Congo red and oxidative stress, to which they were more tolerant. Meanwhile, molecular analysis identified several point mutations in the CYP51 genes of the mutants, which resulted in two substitutions (I281T, and T314A) in the predicted sequence of the FgCYP51A subunit, as well as seven (S195F, Q332V, V333L, L334G, M399T, E507G, and E267G) in the FgCYP51C subunit. In addition, it was also noted that the expression of the CYP51 genes in one of the mutants, which lacked point mutations, was significantly up-regulated in response to tebuconazole treatment.ConclusionsThese results provide useful data that allow for more rational use of tebuconazole in the control of F. graminearum, as well as for more effective monitoring of fungicide resistance in the field.

Deltamethrin's Effect on Nitrogen-Fixing Nodules in Medicago truncatula.

Deltamethrin is used against plant pests (e.g., mites and ants) and, in farm animals, against biting insects because of its acaricidal and repellent effects against ticks, thus protecting the sheep and cattle from the transmission of pathogens. However, its impact on the environment still needs to be fully evaluated. This study evaluates the impact of this pyrethroid on the nitrogen-fixing nodules in Medicago truncatula, a model legume. This research compares nodular biomass and root weight between a deltamethrin-treated section and an untreated control section of this legume. Our results indicate a significant reduction in the biomass of nitrogen-fixing nodules in the treated grove, suggesting that deltamethrin negatively affects the symbiotic relationship between M. truncatula and nitrogen-fixing bacteria. This reduction in nodule formation can impair soil fertility and plant growth, highlighting an ecological risk associated with pyrethroid's use in livestock farming. These findings underscore the need for a shift towards Green Veterinary Pharmacology (GVP), which promotes environmentally sustainable practices in managing livestock health. By minimizing our reliance on harmful chemical treatments, GVP offers viable solutions to protect and enhance ecosystem services such as biological nitrogen fixation that are essential for maintaining soil health and agricultural productivity.

Forest fire dynamics in India (2005–2022): Unveiling climatic Impacts, spatial Patterns, and interface with anthrax incidence

The comprehensive analysis of forest fires in India from 2005 to 2022 underscores the urgent need for national-scale management and conservation efforts. Using kriging techniques, significant hotspots were identified, revealing a substantial increase in forest fire incidents in Mizoram by 2022, averaging 2614.78 ± 1519.36 occurrences. The study highlights the direct influence of climate conditions on forest fire occurrences, with significant positive correlations found with average and maximum temperatures. Furthermore, the impact of forest fires on anthrax dynamics in Orissa, Jharkhand, and Andhra Pradesh was examined, illustrating the ecological disruptions’ implications for livestock and public health. This study advocates for interdisciplinary collaboration and tailored strategies to proactively manage forest fires, safeguard biodiversity, and ensure community well-being.

Characterization of mosquito host-biting networks of potential Rift Valley fever virus vectors in north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa

BackgroundRift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a zoonotic mosquito-borne virus with serious implications for livestock health, human health, and the economy in Africa, and is suspected to be endemic in north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. The vectors of RVFV in this area are poorly known, although several species, such as Aedes (Neomelaniconion) mcintoshi, Aedes (Neomelaniconion) circumluteolus, Aedes (Aedimorphus) durbanensis, and Culex (Lasioconops) poicilipes may be involved. The aim of the study was to determine the vertebrate blood meal sources of potential RVFV mosquito vectors in north-eastern KZN and to characterize the host-biting network.MethodsBlood-fed mosquitoes were collected monthly from November 2019 to February 2023 using a backpack aspirator, CO2-baited Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) miniature light traps and tent traps, in the vicinity of water bodies and livestock farming households. The mosquitoes were morphologically identified. DNA was extracted from individual mosquitoes and used as templates to amplify the vertebrate cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) and cytochrome b (cytb) genes using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Amplicons were sequenced and queried in GenBank and the Barcode of Life Data systems to identify the vertebrate blood meal sources and confirm mosquito identifications. All mosquitoes were screened for RVFV using real time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR.ResultsWe identified the mammalian (88.8%) and avian (11.3%) blood meal sources from 409 blood-fed mosquitoes. Aedes circumluteolus (n = 128) made up the largest proportion of collected mosquitoes. Cattle (n = 195) and nyala (n = 61) were the most frequent domestic and wild hosts, respectively. Bipartite network analysis showed that the rural network consisted of more host-biting interactions than the reserve network. All mosquitoes tested negative for RVFV.ConclusionsSeveral mosquito species, including Ae. circumluteolus, and vertebrate host species, including cattle and nyala, could play a central role in RVFV transmission. Future research in this region should focus on these species to better understand RVFV amplification.Graphical

Synthetic antimicrobial peptides Bac-5, BMAP-28, and Syn-1 can inhibit bovine respiratory disease pathogens in vitro.

Mass treatment with antibiotics at arrival has been the mainstay for bovine respiratory disease (BRD) control but there is an increase in antimicrobial-resistant bacteria being shed from treated cattle. BRD is a disease complex that results from the interaction of viruses or bacteria and susceptible animals with inappropriate immunity. With bacteria being the only feasibly treatable agent and the emergence of antimicrobial resistance, decreased efficacy of commonly used antibiotics could threaten livestock health. There is a need for new antimicrobial alternatives that could be used to control disease. Naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides (AMP) have been proposed to address this need. Here we tested the effect of bovine myeloid antimicrobial peptide-28 (BMAP-28), a synthetic BMAP-28 analog Syn-1, and bactenecin 5 (Bac-5) on Mannheimia haemolytica (Mh) using a quantitative culture method and the broth microdilution method to determine minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC and MBC). We also tested the antiviral effect of these AMP against bovine herpes-1 (BHV-1) and bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) using the Reed and Muench method to calculate the viral titers after treatment. We demonstrated that BMAP-28 and Syn-1 can inhibit Mh growth and BMAP-28 can inhibit replication of BHV-1 and BRSV. Moreover, we showed that BMAP-28 and Bac-5 can be used together to inhibit Mh growth. When used alone, the MIC of BMAP-28 and Bac-5 was 64 and 128 μg/mL respectively, but when applied together, their MIC ranged from 0.25-16 for BMAP-28 and 8-64 μg/mL for Bac-5, resulting in a decrease in concentration of up to 256 and 16-fold, respectively. The synergistic interaction between those peptides resulted in concentrations that could be well tolerated by cells. Our results demonstrate that bovine cathelicidins could be used as alternatives to antimicrobials against BRD pathogens. These findings introduce a path to discovering new antimicrobials and determining how these peptides could be tailored to improve cattle health.

Hyperspectral image reconstruction for predicting chick embryo mortality towards advancing egg and hatchery industry

As the demand for food surges and the agricultural sector undergoes a transformative shift towards sustainability and efficiency, the need for precise and proactive measures to ensure the health and welfare of livestock becomes paramount. In the egg and hatchery industry, hyperspectral imaging (HSI) has emerged as a cutting-edge, non-destructive technique for fast and accurate egg quality analysis, including detecting chick embryo mortality. However, the high cost and operational complexity compared to conventional RGB imaging are significant bottlenecks in the widespread adoption of HSI technology. To overcome these hurdles and unlock the full potential of HSI, a promising solution is hyperspectral image reconstruction from standard RGB images. This study aims to reconstruct hyperspectral images from RGB images for non-destructive early prediction of chick embryo mortality. Initially, the performance of different image reconstruction algorithms, such as HRNET, MST++, Restormer, and EDSR were compared to reconstruct the hyperspectral images of the eggs in the early incubation period. Later, the reconstructed spectra were used to differentiate live from dead embryos eggs using the XGBoost and Random Forest classification methods. Among the reconstruction methods, HRNET showed impressive reconstruction performance with MRAE of 0.0955, RMSE of 0.0159, and PSNR of 36.79 dB. This study motivated the idea that harnessing imaging technology integrated with smart sensors and data analytics has the potential to improve automation, enhance biosecurity, and optimize resource management towards sustainable agriculture 4.0.

Development of a cloud-based IoT system for livestock health monitoring using AWS and python

The agriculture industry is currently facing significant challenges in effectively monitoring the health of livestock. Traditional methods of health monitoring are often labor-intensive, inefficient, and insufficiently responsive to the needs of modern farming. As the number of IoT devices in agriculture proliferates, issues of scalability and computational load have become prominent, necessitating efficient and scalable solutions. This research introduces a cloud-based architecture aimed at enhancing livestock health monitoring. This system is designed to track critical health indicators such as movement patterns, body temperature, and heart rate, utilizing AWS for robust data handling and Python for data processing and real-time analytics. The proposed system incorporates Narrow Band IoT (Nb IoT) technology, which is optimized for low-bandwidth, long-range communication, making it suitable for rural and remote farming locations. The architecture's scalability allows for the effective management of varying numbers of IoT devices, which is essential for adapting to changing herd sizes and farm scales. Preliminary experiments conducted to assess the system's performance have demonstrated its durability and effectiveness, indicating a successful integration of AWS IoT Cloud services with the deployed IoT devices. Furthermore, the study explores the implementation of predictive analytics to facilitate proactive health management in livestock. By predicting potential health issues before they become apparent, the system can offer significant improvements in animal welfare and farm efficiency. The integration of cloud computing and IoT not only meets the growing technological needs of modern agriculture but also sets a new benchmark in the development of sustainable farming practices. The findings from this research could have broad implications for the future of livestock management, potentially leading to widespread adoption of technology-driven health monitoring systems in agriculture. This would help in optimizing the health management of livestock globally, thereby enhancing productivity and sustainability in the agricultural sector.

Integrated analysis of intestinal microbial community and muscle transcriptome profile in rabbits

Intestinal microbial community plays an important part in maintaining health and skeletal muscle development in livestock. This study is the first of its kind in the world. In order to better understand the relationship between gut microbiota and gene expression in skeletal muscle of rabbits, caecum contents and longissimus dorsi tissues of rabbits at 0 d (S1), 35 d (S2) and 70d (S3) were collected and subjected for 16S rRNA sequencing and transcriptome sequencing. Our results showed that, among three groups of rabbits, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were the dominant phyla at the phylum level, while Akmansia, Bacteroides and Ruminobacter were the dominant genera at the genus level, and the relative abundance of Akmansia and Bacteroides increased firstly and then decreased from 0 d to 70 d. By analyzing the transcriptome sequencing data, we identified 2866, 2446 and 4541 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in S1 vs S2, S2 vs S3 and S1 vs S3 groups, respectively. Finally, we performed correlation analysis between gut microbiota and the expression levels of muscle development-related genes of rabbits at 0 d and 70 d. Compared with 0 day old rabbits, in 70 day old rabbits Acinetobacter and Cronbacter with decreased abundance, and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014 and Ruminococcus_1 with increase abundance is beneficial to caecum health in rabbits. These results will lay a foundation for further re-searches about the relationship between caecum microflora and muscle development in rabbits.

Loss of production and animal health costs in assessing economic burden of animal disease.

This article focuses on identifying the loss of production and costs (or lack thereof) associated with livestock health as well as animal disease externalities, with the intent to estimate economy-wide burden. It limits its scope to terrestrial livestock and aquaculture, wherein economic burden is predominately determined by market forces. Losses and costs are delineated into both direct losses and costs and indirect losses and costs, as well as ex post costs and ex ante costs. These costs include not only private expenditures but also public expenditures related to the prevention of, treatment of, and response to livestock disease. This distinction is important because a primary role of government is to mitigate externalities. The article then discusses market impacts and investments. Finally, it provides selected examples and illustrative observations and discusses future directions for research and application.

A Sustainable Approach for Degradation of Alternariol by Peroxidase Extracted from Soybean Hulls: Performance, Pathway, and Toxicity Evaluation.

Alternariol (AOH), an emerging mycotoxin, inevitably exists widely in various food and feed commodities with cereals and fruits being particularly susceptible, raising global concerns over its harm to human and livestock health. The development of eco-friendly and efficient strategies to decontaminate AOH has been an urgent task. This study provided insight into the utilization of crude soybean hull peroxidase as a powerful biocatalyst for degrading AOH. The results confirmed that crude soybean hull peroxidase (SHP) could catalyze the oxidation of AOH by use of H2O2 as a co-substrate. The optimum reaction conditions for SHP-catalyzed AOH degradation were recorded at pH 4.0-8.0, at 42-57 °C, and at H2O2 concentration of 100-500 μM. Mass analysis elucidated the degradation of AOH through hydroxylation and methylation by crude SHP. Moreover, toxicological analysis indicated that crude SHP-catalyzed AOH degradation detoxified the hepatotoxicity of this mycotoxin. The performance of crude SHP to degrade AOH in food matrices was further evaluated, and it was found that the enzyme agent could achieve AOH degradation by 77% in wheat flour, 84% in corn flour, 34% in grape juice, and 26% in apple juice. Collectively, these findings establish crude SHP as a promising candidate for effective AOH degradation, with potential applications in the food and feed industry.