Pasture Conditions Research Articles

Live weight and body condition changes in dry cows at pasture and effects on subsequent performance.

During a 720-d experiment in a Holstein and Brown Swiss herd, two feeding regimens were compared during the grazing phase of dry cow management until confinement before expected calving.The two treatments involved rotational grazing (24-d cycles) at a stocking rate of 2.5 animals per hectare in; (A) all-grass swards or (B) all-grass plus 3 h daily access to swards of Leucaena leucocephala and grasses, Large heifers were added as needed to maintain constant group size at pasture. A daily supplement of 2 kg/head of bulky concentrate was fed. During the first 19 mo of the study, while rainfall was adequate, dry cows in treatments A and B gained live weight (LW) satisfactorily (0.69 ± 0.26 and 0.67 ± 0.23 kg/d) and increased in body condition score (BCS) on a scale of 1 to 5 at rates of 0.40 and 0.34 point/100 d, respectively. During the final 5 mo, pasture conditions and LW gains were poor because of prolonged drought. Monthly rainfall of 50 mm or more maintained grazing conditions adequate for use with the present level of supplemental feeding. There were no differences (P > 0.05) between treatments. Under common postpartum management, standard 305-d lactational milk yields were unaffected by previous treatments A or B. However, a positive trend (P < 0.10) was associated with higher prepartum BCS. Cows that scored 3.5 produced 4,013; 4,111; 4,367; 4,627 and 4,450 kg, respectively. Postcalving reproductive performance was not affected by previous treatment or by BCS prepartum or BCS at 6 wk postpartum.

What drives reindeer management in Finland towards social and ecological tipping points?

Reindeer management (RM) in northern Fennoscandia is an example of social-ecological systems (SESs) providing social, cultural, ecological, and economic values. Changing climate and pasture conditions and societal changes continue to transform the operational environment of RM. These key drivers, and resulting transformations including alternative SES states, have not been studied in detail before. Our comprehensive literature review and interviews with herders reveal that land use, climate change, and governance drive the emergence of SES tipping points. The basis of successful RM depends on the quantity and quality of pastures to secure animal fitness. However, intensive forestry, extreme weather, and predators constrain the availability of forage and suitable calving grounds. Maintaining RM by means of predation compensation mechanisms and regular supplementary winter feeding to adapt to changes brought about by land use and warming climate comprises an alternative system state. However, if negative impacts increase remarkably or rapidly and compensatory mechanisms become insufficient, long-term impacts on system identity, and even local collapses, are expected. Although some environmental and societal changes are perceived as pressures by herders, they can be beneficial for other livelihoods in the region. Therefore, our study raises questions for future studies on social justice, such as who has the right to decide what constitutes a desirable system state, or what collaborative efforts to maintain RM in Fennoscandia would entail. Our work is applicable also in other Arctic/sub-Arctic regions where nature-based livelihoods, such as small-scale forestry and agriculture, hunting, traditional fishing, and gathering are practiced.

The efficacy of FOS and Fitoverm drugs against Ixodes ticks

The purpose of the research is studying the efficacy of FOS and Fitoverm drugs against ixodid ticks.Materials and methods. The study objects were ixodid tick species Ixodes persulcatus (Schulze, 1930), Dermacentor reticulatus (Hermann, 1804) and D. marginatus (Schulzer, 1776) in the imago stage. Ticks were collected in the environment of the Altai plains and mountains from vegetation to the flag under the methodology. The efficacy of drug acaricidal activity was assessed according to the methodological guide. In the laboratory, the ticks were placed in a chamber at a temperature of 7 оC. The effect of drugs was assessed by observation every hour for 2-3 days. Live ticks (20 individuals) were contacted with the drug by immersion three times in the working solution in a permeable fabric container. Neostomosan was used as control. Further tests of FOS and Fitoverm were carried out in the field environment. Briz 25% e.c. was used as control. The plots on which the number of Ixodes had previously been recorded was treated using a sprayer on June 1-2 in the morning. The number of live ticks in the plots was counted 1-2 days after the treatment. The biochemical composition of grass stand on various treated grounds was studied according to standard methods. The results were processed statistically.Results and discussion. The Siberian Scientific-Research Institute of Horticulture has developed a series of environmentally friendly drugs based on natural biologically active substances that have shown high efficacy against Ixodes. These are FOS and Fitoverm, which provided a 100% lethal effect against Ixodes in working concentrations of 3–4% and 0.1–0.3% under laboratory conditions. Treatment with Fitoverm 0.3%, FOS 3% and synthetic industrial drug Briz 25% of e.c. 0.75% of grass stand at the stage of grazing for cattle in pasture conditions statistically significantly reduces the number of ticks by 71–79%.

Influence of microclimate on dairy cows’ behavior in three pasture systems during the winter in south Brazil

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of microclimate on thermal comfort and dairy cows' behavior in different pasture systems during the winter of a subtropical climate. The experiment was carried out in June and August 2020, covering the winter season in the southern hemisphere. Local microclimatic variables and cows' behaviors were compared in two conditions (shaded and sunny), in three pasture systems: silvopastoral system with disperse trees (SPSdisp), silvopastoral system with trees along the border fences (SPSfen), and treeless pasture (TLP). The black globe-humidity index (BGHI) was calculated to measure thermal comfort. During the afternoon the BGHI values were above animal thermal comfort at the sunny condition in the three pasture systems. The lowest average values (p<0.05) of BGHI and soil surface temperature were recorded in the SPSdisp and SPSfen when compared to TLP. The highest value of soil surface temperature observed in the three systems were: in the sunny condition of the SPSdisp (24.7°C) and SPSfen (23.1°C), both between 13:00-14:55; in the TLP (28.5°C) between 12:00-12:55. The time cows spent on each behavior was different (p<0.05) among the pasture systems and conditions (shaded and sunny): in both SPSs, cows spent more time lying (resting and rumination) at the sunny condition between 12:00-12:50, and more time standing (resting and ruminating) at the shaded condition between 13:00-13:50. The frequency of drinking water was approximately 33% greater in the TLP than in the SPSs when the BGHI exceeded the comfort threshold (12:00-12:50). In the silvopastoral systems the cows had the option to compensate the heat loss caused by low temperatures staying at the sun; they could also use shade when motivated to do so, either to seek protection from the sun in the middle of the day or to rest.

ПОЕДАЕМОСТЬ ПАСТБИЩНЫХ КОРМОВ И ОБЕСПЕЧЕННОСТЬ ДОЙНЫХ ВЕРБЛЮДОМАТОК-ДРОМЕДАРОВ ПИТАТЕЛЬНЫМИ ВЕЩЕСТВАМИ

The aim of the research is to determine the amount and nutritional value of pasture forage eaten by dromedary camels on saltwort pastures. As the results of the experiments showed, adult female camels consumed, on average, over three years, 19.2 kg of sagebrush-saltwort-herb pasture pasture food of the above-described saltwort pasture with an initial moisture content of 35.7% and a nutritional value of 0.44 feed units, 4.96 MJ of exchange energy , 50 g digestible protein, 2.92 g calcium, 0.73 g phosphorus and 27 mg carotene in 1 kg of pasture feed at natural moisture. Adult single female camels with live weight in the range of 530-550 kg in the indicated amount of pasture forage (19.2 kg) consumed an average of 12.29 kg of dry matter, which contained 8.45 forage units, 95.23 MJ of metabolizable energy, 960 g of digestible protein, 56.06 g of calcium, 14.01 g of phosphorus and 518.4 mg of carotene. The actual provision in digestible protein was 115.8%, as they consume 960 g at a rate of 829 g, which indicates good grazing and forage conditions of saltwort pastures. The indicated feeding level of single female camels provided the animals with the average daily gain of 670 g. On a similar type of saltwort pastures, a 1.5 year old young camel stock with an average live weight of 265 kg consumed about 11.5 kg of pasture forage, which contained 7.36 kg of dry matter, 5.06 forage units, 57.04 MJ of metabolizable energy , 575 g of digestible protein, 33.6 g of calcium, 8.4 g of phosphorus, and 310 mg of carotene. At the same time, the average daily gain of the experimental young stock for the grazing period is 620 g.

Evidence of cooperative calves' care and providers' characteristics in zebu cattle (Bos indicus) raised under extensive conditions.

Communal rearing has been reported in several mammals, including wild ungulates. However, until now, there was no evidence of any alloparental care in the Bos genus. To test the hypothesis that calves' groups are formed under the care of specific cows, a herd of 31 peri-partum zebu cows raised under pasture conditions were used. Groups of ≥ 3 individuals within a 10-m diameter were estimated using aerial pictures taken every other day at 7:00, 10:30, 13:30, 16:00, and 18:00h, during 6weeks. Temperament (exit speed, flight distance, intensity of reaction), age, and parity of each cow were registered. A total of 142 groups were observed, and in all of them, at least one calf was present. A total of 75% of the groups were more calves than cows, and in 65.4% of the cases, there were 1 to 3 cows with 2 to 32 calves. While there were no groups integrated only by cows, there were 3.5% integrated only with calves. The most frequent group was formed by 2 calves and 1 cow (14.8%). Parity was positively related with the number of times that a cow was observed in a group (R2 = 0.19, P = 0.01) and with the number of groups in which her calf was present (R2 = 0.16; P = 0.03). The results of the temperament tests were unrelated to the total number of groups in which a cow was observed nor the number of groups with or without its calf. It was concluded that zebu calves congregate in newborn groups in companion with one or more adults, preferably high parity cows, regardless of their temperament.

Apparent Nitrogen Recovery in Milk and Early Dry Season Nitrous Oxide Emission Factors for Urine Deposited by Dual-Purpose Cattle on Different Soil Types

Pasture conditions influence the nutrients use efficiency and nitrogen (N) losses from deposited excreta. Part of the N is lost as nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas. The objective of this study was to characterize apparent N recovery in milk of dual-purpose cattle and to quantify N2O emissions from the urine they deposit following grazing on Megathyrsus maximus cv. Mombasa. The N content in the grass and the milk produced by the cattle and the milk urea N (MUN) content were quantified in two contrasting regions of Colombia (Casanare and Atlántico). Dry matter intake (DMI) by the cattle was estimated using the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System. We used a closed static chamber technique to measure N2O emissions from soils in areas with and without urine patches (21 days in Atlántico and 35 Days in Casanare). Estimated DMI values were 11.5 and 11.6 kg DM day−1, milk production was 6.5 and 5.9 L day−1, apparent N recovery in milk was 24 and 23%, and the MUN content was 4.4 and 17.2 mg N dl−1 in Casanare and Atlántico, respectively. N applied to soil in the form of urine corresponded at rates of 20 and 64 g N m−2 and net cumulative N2O emissions were 350 and 20 mg N2O-N m−2 in Casanare and Atlántico, respectively. Despite low digestibility of offered diet, N recovery in milk was above the values reported at dairy cattle in tropical conditions. High urine-N inputs at Atlántico site did not result in high N2O emissions suggesting that the default Tier 1 emission factor (EF) which is based on N inputs would have overestimated urine-based N2O emissions in Atlántico. Comparing previous studies conducted in Colombia, we observed inter-regional differences by urine-based N2O emissions. This observation suggests that to increase certainty in estimating urine-based N2O emissions, Colombia needs to move toward more region-specific Tier 2 EF and reduce its dependence on the default IPCC Tier 1 EF. In addition, the adoption of Tier 2 EF in the cattle sector will facilitate accounting for the effect of animal diets on N2O inventories.

Changes in the suckling behaviour of beef calves at 1 month and 4 months of age and effect on cow production variables

The experiment used tri-axial accelerometers to record changes in suckling behaviour in beef calves with advancing age and also investigated the correlations between suckling behaviour, production variables and postpartum anestrous period (PPAP) of cows. Data were collected from 20 Bos taurus calves reared under pastoral conditions of northern Australia over two periods: when calves were on average1 and 4 months old. Calves suckled less frequently per 24 h at 4 months (8.2 ± 0.66 times) than at 1 month of age (9.8 ± 0.46 times, P < 0.05); however, calves had significantly longer suckling durations per bout at 4 months (9.3 ± 0.35 min) than 1 month of age (8.3 ± 0.31 min, P < 0.05). The suckling behaviour of calves had no effect on their average daily weight gain (ADWG) (P> 0.05). However, the ADWG of cows were negatively associated with suckling duration per bout (rho=-0.54, P < 0.05). Cow’s PPAP was shorter when they had greater body condition score (BCS) (at 4 months of calf’s age rho=-0.49, P < 0.05), greater loin eye muscle area (LEMA) (at 1 month of calf’s age rho=-0.58, P < 0.05; at 4 months of calf’s age rho = 0.57, P < 0.05) and greater fat depth over rib (at 1month of calf’s age rho=-0.45, P < 0.05). Dams with greater fat depth over their ribs at 1 month of their calves’ age nursed their calves less frequently when they were 4 months old (rho=-0.52, P < 0.05). It is concluded that calf suckling behaviour changes with age, specifically bout length increases and suckling frequency decreases. Additionally, the calves of dams in greater body condition suckle less frequently, suggesting the dams may have greater overall reproduction efficiency.

ПЕРСПЕКТИВЫ ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЯ ВОЗОБНОВЛЯЕМЫХ ИСТОЧНИКОВ ЭНЕРГИИ В ПАСТБИЩНОМ ЖИВОТНОВОДСТВЕ

The formation of a promising technology of cattle man-agement under pasture conditions in the absence of sta-tionary power supply is an urgent task. Livestock facilities are an integral part in providing the population with essen-tial food products. At the same time, it is associated with the need for significant expenditures on providing material and technical resources. This applies primarily to electricity costs, since all the most important means of mechanization are electric driven. In the process of keeping animals, es-pecially under pasture conditions, the unstable state of the fuel and energy complex which consists in supply failures of electric and thermal energy to farms, has a negative impact on production processes. Therefore, the direction of development of grassland animal farming is the transfer of all energy supply technologies to non-traditional and re-newable sources. It is planned to simultaneously use the power of the sun, wind, biopower and power of small rivers, that is, sources that are mainly typical of pastures. The maximum energy load is assigned to biopower. It is known that a bioplant has a unique opportunity within the frame-work of an animal production unit to provide it with a certain necessary set of energy resources as well as high-quality fertilizers. In grassland animal farming, the absolute posi-tive property of wind is its renewability and environmental friendliness; in particular, our country has the highest wind energy potential in the world. Non-traditional energy sources for grassland animal farming conditions are identi-fied and substantiated. The sources are designed for pow-er supply of the entire complex of technological equipment at its maximum load.

Meat productivity of young local goats in the conditions of karakalpakstan

The article presents balance and methods of additional feeding 4,0–4,5 and 9–10 month aged local male goatlings. Indicators of meat productivity were defined in experiment by their ages, chemical broberties of meat and muscular tissues were studied. The information is given about foraging in the condition of pasture and influence of additional feeding on living weight of goatlings.

Principal component analysis on fatty acid composition of the meat deriving from calves, young bull and bull of Maremmana breed slaughtered at different age

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the performance at slaughtering of calves; young bull and bull of Maremmana breed, and compared, through Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) on fatty acid composition, the characteristics of the resulting meat categories: veal, young bull meat and bull meat. The Maremmana cattle is a local endangered breed deriving from Tuscany and Latium. The animals of this study were raised under same conditions in pasture with hay and concentrate supplementations. Eighteen calves of 12-14 months, 27 young bulls of 18 months and 14 bulls of 20-24 months were slaughtered in this trial. The performances at slaughtering were considered, and on the meat samples, the chemical analysis and the fatty acid composition were carried out. Results were submitted to ANOVA and PCA, and a Heat map that considered the fatty acid distances among meat typologies was built. Slaughtering performances were better in young bulls and bulls. Chemical composition didn’t differ among meat categories. Saturated fatty acids (SFA) were similar among meats, but Monounsaturated (MUFA) and Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were lower in veal. Desirable fatty acids and Healthy Indices were better in veal. The results of PCA and Heat map confirmed that veal was quite different from other meats. Maremmana meat deriving from animals of different age has shown overall good characteristics, suitable for the diet of western country population.

Ingestive behavior and infrared thermography of Holstein × Zebu crossbreed cows in the final third of gestation in different pastoral environments

This study aimed to evaluate the ingestive behavior and body surface temperature of F1 Holstein × Zebu cows that were non-lactating in the final third of gestation and managed in two pastoral environments. Forty F1 Holstein × Zebu cows divided into two pastoral environments were evaluated: signal grass (Urochloadecumbens cv. Basilisk) deferred at the beginning of regrowth and pasture of xaraés grass (Urochloa brizantha cv. Xaraés) in vegetative growth in four periods during the day (morning, afternoon, night and dawn), following the completely randomized design in a factorial scheme. Each cow is the experimental unit. The total grazing time was 32.22% higher in the signal grass than xaraés grass (average of 479.50 minutes). There was an interaction between the pastoral environments and the periods on the black globe temperature and humidity index (BGHI). In the pasture of signal grass, the BGHI was 19.07% higher in the morning and afternoon periods than the average (68.95) verified during the night and dawn. F1 Holstein × Zebu cows grazing time in the final third of gestation is influenced by the pasture condition and not by the climate since they feed in a high BGHI environment.

Assessment of the Elements of the Sudan Grass Cultivation Technology in the Zone of Dry Steppes

Sudan grass (Sorghum Sudanese (Piper.) Stapf) is the most productive, drought-resistant and promising crop for the dry-steppe zone of Western Kazakhstan. In this regard, in order to ensure an uninterrupted supply of livestock with feed raw materials, studies devoted to improving the elements of the Sudan grass cultivation technology in the conditions of the region are relevant. During the studies, various terms of sowing with the interval of 10 days were studied, along with the terms of collecting green fodder, haylage and hay in various development phases - before the ear formation phase, at the beginning of the ear formation phase and in the flowering phase, as well as the grazing conditions of using Sudan grass. The results of the scientific studies have shown that for the conditions of the region, it is important to choose the optimal terms for both sowing and harvesting. On average for the years of the research, the yield of the dry mass of Sudan grass at various terms of sowing has amounted to 17.88-22.06 c/ha, while the highest productivity of 22.06 c/ha has been noted in the case of the early first term of sowing. In studying the terms of harvesting, a high yield of the dry mass of Sudan grass (21.38 c/ha) has been noted in the case of harvesting the grass stands in the phase of flowering. In the pasture conditions in the studied area, in the total over four grazings, Sudan grass has formed 16.97 c/ha of dry mass. The results of the study have been used by farmers for cultivating Sudan grass in the dry-steppe zone of Western Kazakhstan for providing full-fledged fodder for livestock breeding.

The Effect of Additional Feeding On the Processes of Digestion and Natural Resistance of the Sheep Body in Pasture Conditions

The article presents the materials obtained in the study of the effect of additional fertilizing on the digestive processes and the natural resistance of the body of Karakul sheep with year-round pasture content. We found that sheep and goats that grazed on the pasture for a quarter of a year, regardless of their physiological state, are on half-starved rations, especially in the second half of suyagnost and at the beginning of the spring period. During these periods, the sheep of both groups compared in the winter period daily received from 0.70 to 0.78 energy feed units and from 20 to 28 g of digested protein, and at the beginning of the lactation period, these indicators were 86% of the norm, i.e., they received from 13 to 17% of nutrients. In this regard, we conducted experiments to study the effect of a household diet consisting of coarse feed: 130 g of mixed feed, 50–50% of barley and straw cutting and pasture feed. The sheep of the experimental group received an almost balanced diet for all nutrients. According to the data obtained, the composition and nutritional value of the diet consumed by sheep of the experimental group of feed practically meets their need completely, and in animals of the control group-only 82–85% of the nutritional needs. The highest concentration of total nitrogen was in the rumen of the experimental group -123.33 mg%, while in the Queens of the control group, its concentration averaged 110.0 mg % or was 12.1% less. In the control group of Queens with a higher consumption of pasture feed, the digestibility of the main nutrients was lower compared to the animals of the experimental group. Inadequate feeding negatively affects the severity of the level of natural resistance.

Sustainability of beef production from brigalow lands after cultivation and mining. 3. Pasture rundown, climate and grazing pressure effects

Context The Acland Land System overlying the Walloon sandstone coal deposits in southern Queensland is generally marginal for cropping but well suited to grazing, and thus cultivated land is commonly returned to pasture. Rehabilitation of these lands after open-cut coal mining seeks to be safe, stable and self-sustaining to satisfy requirements for ecologically sustainable development. Aims The present paper evaluates the sustainability and economic viability of beef production on (a) lands retired from cultivation and then rehabilitated with sown pastures after open-cut coal mining at the New Acland mine site, and (b) similar nearby pasture lands that were not mined but were also retired from cultivation. Methods The GRASP grazing systems model was modified and calibrated with short-term (5-year) grazing trial data (soil, pasture and cattle observations), and then used with long-term (60-year) weather data to estimate effects of land type, pasture rundown, climate and grazing pressure on productivity and economic returns. The productivity of three rehabilitated sites and 15 unmined sites were evaluated, including pastures on six commercial properties. Key results Estimates of long-term mean annual growth of pastures on unmined lands retired from cultivation on three land types (Mountain Coolibah, Brigalow Uplands and Poplar Box) were 3398, 2817 and 2325 kg/ha respectively. Pasture growth was greater on rehabilitated lands; 3736 kg/ha on the site most typical of rehabilitated lands and a mean of 4959 kg/ha across three sites. Seasonal conditions had large effects on cattle liveweight gain (133–213 kg/head per year during the trial); however, pasture growth was the main driver of beef production and economic returns per hectare. In GRASP, potential nitrogen uptake was used to influence key pasture growth processes and accounted for 64% of variation in observed annual growth. The short-term lift and subsequent rundown in productivity typically associated with sown pastures was estimated to have increased mean annual pasture and cattle productivity during the 2014–2018 trial period by up to 17% and 25% respectively. Estimates of long-term mean annual beef production and economic returns for the unmined lands were less than estimated for rehabilitated lands and were 139 kg/head.year (45 kg/ha.year) and AU$154/adult equivalent. Conclusions Rehabilitated lands were found to be sustainable for beef production at grazing pressures up to 30% utilisation of annual pasture growth, and comparable with grazing systems on native and sown pastures in good condition. Pastures on unmined lands retired from cultivation had reduced productivity. Implications Overgrazing is a significant and on-going residual risk to sustainable production. Grazing regimes need to continually adjust for changes in novel landscapes, pasture condition and climate. The methods used in the present study could be applied more generally.

Nutritive value of fall‐stockpiled tall fescue pastures on southeastern U.S. farms

AbstractStockpiling of tall fescue [Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.] may be a useful strategy to avoid fescue toxicosis in autumn and to reduce winter hay feeding costs of beef cattle grazing systems. Typical recommendations are to fertilize with N prior to fall growth. However, little information is available on how soil and pasture conditions affect forage nutritive value responses to fall fertilization. We analyzed the nutritive value of fall‐stockpiled forage in response to N fertilization on 92 fields in North Carolina and neighboring states from 2015 to 2018. We hypothesized that inherent soil nutrient cycling might minimize the need for exogenous N fertilizer inputs. Increasing N fertilization led to (a) greater crude protein, macronutrient concentrations (i.e., K, Ca, and P), and relative feed value and (b) lower acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and lignin. However, changes were small, and effects were modified by surface soil properties. For example, crude protein increased from an average of 114 g kg–1 without N fertilization to 131 g kg–1 with 100 kg N ha–1, but this significant N fertilization effect diminished with increasing total organic C and inorganic N of a field. Small changes in nutritive value may have been a consequence of trials conducted on well‐managed farms with relatively high soil‐test biological activity and net N mineralization potential. Therefore, a single recommendation for fall N fertilization may not always be appropriate for enhancing nutritive value. Stockpiled tall fescue had sufficient nutritive value for pregnant cows, and N fertilization may not always be necessary.

How withdrawing arable land affected the productive capacity of Haplic Kastanozems after 19 years of fallowing in dry steppes of the Ural piedmont

The fertile arable lands in the dry steppe zone of the Ural piedmont, which were intensively used for cereal production for 30 years of the last century, have been withdrawn from cultivation and abandoned for the last 20 years. The Republic of Kazakhstan's new strategy to restore the productivity of natural pasture presents a challenge to scientists when it comes to restoring the natural soil properties to the natural pastoral conditions of the dark chestnut soils studied (Haplic Kastanozems). This chapter presents the results of a project devoted to investigating the changes in the soil's physical and chemical morphology due to the past cultivation history of Haplic Kastanozem soils that have been in a fallow state for the last 19 years. Some changes in the soils' morphological characteristics were caused by the changes in the soils' physical properties due to their past long-term cultivation. The changes observed in the soils' agrochemical characteristics were due to the changes in the soils' physical properties and to the past fertilization history. A minor increase in soil salinity was observed due to the greater accumulation of soluble salts in the arable layer of fallow soil compared to its virgin Haplic Kastanozem analogue. The changes and transitions in the vegetation composition need to be investigated further, and techniques should be developed for the accelerated restoration of fallow soils in dry-steppes of Western Kazakhstan.

Influence of weaning strategy on behavior, humoral indicators of stress, growth, and carcass characteristics.

Weaning is one of the most stressful events a calf experiences in our current beef production system. Its effects may include reduced feed intake, increased activity, slower growth, and increased susceptibility to disease. This study was designed to evaluate weaning after a 7-d placement of nose flaps at 7 mo (N, n = 40) and delaying weaning by 49 d relative to 7-mo weaning (D, n = 39) as alternatives to the industry standard; abrupt weaning at 7 mo of age (A, n = 39). The 4-yr trial utilized Angus and Angus X Senepol steer calves. Calves were randomly assigned to weaning strategy after being stratified by dam parity (heifer/cow), hair coat phenotype (normal/slick), and body weight. Behavioral observations were made on five steers per strategy group per year over the weeks surrounding weaning. Activity levels were determined by accelerometers worn on neck collars. Blood samples were obtained from the observed cattle during the last 2 yr to determine haptoglobin and cortisol concentration. Once weaned, the steers were followed through finishing and carcass characteristics obtained at harvest. Twelve of 38 steers in the N group had sores in their nostrils from the nose flaps when the flaps were removed at weaning of A/N (237 ± 3 d of age). The A and D calves were more active than N calves in the first 2 to 3 d after weaning but settled down to similar activity levels to N by the day 4. The A and D groups were more vocal than N during the same time frame. Cortisol and haptoglobin remained within normal reference ranges. Average daily body weight gain (ADG) was greater for D than A, who in turn had greater ADG than N during the first 42 d after A and N calves were weaned (0.69, 0.54, and 0.37 kg/d for D, A, and N, respectively; P < 0.01). All treatment groups graded Low Choice at harvest and exhibited similar efficiency of gain during growth and finishing (P > 0.2). Based on ADG during the 42 d after weaning, we recommend delaying weaning when available pasture and cow body condition support this strategy. When conditions do not permit delayed weaning, abrupt weaning may be the next viable option based on animal welfare concerns and increased handling to place and remove the flaps. Nose flaps reduced vocalization at weaning but resulted in less postweaning ADG. Based on our data, we suggest that abrupt weaning under the conditions of this study, is less stressful than we perceive it to be, based on calf behavior.

Management of Camel Trypanosomiasis (Surra) among Pastoralists of Isiolo and Marsabit Counties, Kenya

Camel trypanosomiasis or Surra is the single most important cause of morbidity and mortality in camels. The animals are kept under pastoral conditions often characterised by remote settings with poor infrastructure. These characteristics of pastoral areas do not attract either habitation or work of qualified veterinary service providers hence the camel keeping communities are left to play a major role to surmount any constraints that they encounter during animal husbandry. This paper presents management of camel trypanosomiasis, from an emic perspective, among camel keeping communities of Isiolo and Marsabit Counties. The information presented here within was collected in the above areas following field research activities undertaken in 2019. Results indicate that the communities were knowledgeable about the disease and majority rightfully associated camel trypanosomiasis with biting flies, the disease vector. The main symptoms observed for conclusion about surra to be made included loss of body condition, inability to walk long distances, rough hair coat, inability to feed well, reduced milk production in lactating females and abortion. The management of surra and its vectors among the camel keeping communities included use of both formal veterinary products and ethno-medicine. Drug stores (agrovets) were popular sources of veterinary drugs among the communities. The study recommends sensitization of the communities about use of veterinary drugs particularly those targeting camel trypanosomiasis and the disease vectors and, training of agrovet frontline staff to provide the desired information to herders as they buy drugs of their choice for effective disease management.

Effects of supplementary feeding lucerne hay and barley grain to Angora does during the last third of pregnancy and lactation, and of litter size on pasture, birth weight, live weight, parasitism, milk production, milk composition and mohair production

The effects of feeding lucerne hay (Medicago sativa) and or barley grain to grazing reproducing Angora does on birth weight, live weight, body condition, quality and production of milk and mohair and gastrointestinal parasitism were investigated in does and kids. The design was supplementation for the last 8 weeks prepartum to 8 weeks postpartum with 5 levels of whole barley grain (GL: 0, 115, 230, 345, 460 g/d/doe) × 2 levels of hay supplementation (HL, 380 g/d/doe 8 weeks prepartum, 0 g/d postpartum; HH, 830 g/d/doe 8 weeks prepartum, 800 g/d/doe 8 weeks postpartum) × 2 randomised blocks. This provided 20 experimental plots, 10 for each level of hay and 4 for each GL. Each plot contained one dry doe, three single litter does, and one twin litter doe. Pastoral conditions were poor with low availability of green pasture until late spring. Does kidded in early August. Important results were: GL affected kid live weight, milk production, composition and secretion of milk solids, total mohair production and some mohair quality measures but GL increased fibre diameter and incidence of medullated fibres in kid mohair; optimum performance at day 40 of lactation was GL 345 which produced 2325 g/d milk corrected to 4% fat. HH increased secretion of milk protein and total solids compared with HL. Twin litters had greater persistence in lactation to day 100 of lactation compared with single litters. There was evidence that high levels of barley feeding reduced faecal egg count. Dry does gained more live weight, grew 26 % more mohair which was 1.7 μm coarser compared with does with single litter. The results indicate that feeding lucerne hay even under adverse seasonal conditions was of little value. The lactation performance of these grazing Angora does was substantially less than their potential. Optimum barley feeding was GL 345 g/d/doe. There was evidence of substitution of pasture for hay. The results quantified the production responses and penalties of Angora does when litter size was increased from non-pregnant status (zero) to 2.