Breeding Production Research Articles

The Effects of Native Grass and Shrub Restoration on Nesting and Fall Migrant Songbirds in Central Kentucky

While native grass and shrub restoration is often promoted for bird conservation, evaluations are necessary to understand the effects of habitat change on songbird vital rates and migratory stopover use. We evaluated the effects of native vegetation restoration on the species richness, productivity, and capture rate of breeding and fall migrating songbirds at the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, in central Kentucky, USA. From 2009 to 2022, we conducted constant effort mist netting, resulting in 8418 captures of 110 bird species. In 2012–2013, we implemented management in the study area, which began as an old field, to restore native grasses, forbs, and shrubs. Effects on the vital rates of breeding species included higher Spizella pusilla (field sparrow) and Spinus tristis (American goldfinch) productivity post restoration. Restoration of native vegetation also led to significantly higher fall capture rates for pooled cohorts of both long-distance and medium-distance migrants. Our results demonstrate that the restoration and management of native vegetation can enhance stopover habitats for fall migrating songbirds including neotropical migrants and the field sparrow, a common bird in steep decline. We recommend prioritizing areas for native grass and shrub restoration that initially lack structural heterogeneity (a well-developed grass component with diverse forbs and interspersed shrubs).

Comparative study of first lactation performance of Norwegian Red crossbred cows with traditional breeds in New Zealand dairy systems

ABSTRACT Some New Zealand dairy farmers are using semen from Norwegian Red (NR) bulls to explore the performance of this breed under local grazing conditions. The objective of this study was to compare the first lactation performance of first cross NR cattle with traditional New Zealand breeds. Data were collected from six dairy farms in Southland, New Zealand, during 2022–2023 milk production seasons. Data were collected from 1178 first lactation cows including herd test of daily yields of milk, fat and protein and somatic cell counts, and persistency. Breeds included 386 NR cross (NRX), 231 Holstein Friesian (F), 84 Holstein Friesian cross (FX), 134 Holstein Friesian x Jersey (FJ) and 58 Jersey cross (JX) cows. Findings indicate F cows produced the greatest cumulative milk yield (3,744 kg), 138.6 kg more than NRX cows. There were no significant differences among the breed groups for milk yield and milk solids yield persistency and SCS (SCS = Log2 SCC). The total lactation milk yield of NRX cows was lower than that of the other breeds, excluding JX. These results pertain specifically to first lactation cows; therefore, it is necessary to undertake further analysis to evaluate the long-term productivity and longevity of NR breeds under New Zealand conditions.

A review of commercial captive breeding of parrots as a supply-side intervention to address unsustainable trade.

The volume and scale of commercial captive breeding of parrots have grown dramatically in recent decades. Although it has been proposed, and is often assumed, that captive breeding can reduce pressure on wild populations, there has been little scrutiny of the scale, viability, or impacts of captive breeding to prevent overexploitation among parrots, compared with similar approaches in other threatened taxa, such as pangolins or tigers. We reviewed the primary and gray literature to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate evidence concerning 5 criteria, established a priori, for commercial captive breeding of parrots as an effective supply-side intervention. We focused on a sample of 16 threatened parrot species that are heavily traded or for which unsustainable trade has been a factor in the decline of wild populations, representing a range of taxonomic groups, life histories, and native regions. We identified multiple major gaps in knowledge of the extent to which these criteria are met, including a lack of quantitative data on breeding productivity under current commercial breeding practices, the scale and scope of commercial breeding practices in growing parrot markets, particularly in the Middle East and Asia, and the lack of financial viability of captive breeding under effective regulation to prevent laundering or use of wild-sourced specimens as breeding stock. The capacity for captive breeding to displace demand for wild-sourced parrots varied between species, and complex interactions between trade in different species and contexts sometimes made consequences of commercial production difficult to predict. Decision makers and regulatory authorities should approach commercial captive breeding of parrots with caution and take into account knowledge gaps and cross-linkages between trade in different species to avoid unanticipated consequences from stimulating and facilitating unsustainable trade in wild-sourced parrots.

Climatic Predictors of Long‐Distance Migratory Birds Breeding Productivity Across Europe

ABSTRACTAimOngoing climate changes represent a major determinant of demographic processes in many organisms worldwide. Birds, and especially long‐distance migrants, are particularly sensitive to such changes. To better understand these impacts on long‐distance migrants' breeding productivity, we tested three hypotheses focused on (i) the shape of the relationships with different climate variables, including previously rarely tested quadratic responses, and on regional differences in these relationships predicted by (ii) mean climatic conditions and (iii) by the rate of climate change in respective regions ranging from Spain to Finland.LocationEurope.Time Period2004–2021.Major Taxa StudiedLong‐distance migratory passerine birds.MethodsWe calculated breeding productivity from constant effort ringing sites from 11 European countries covering 34° of latitude, and extracted temperature‐ and precipitation‐related climate variables from E‐OBS and NASA MODIS datasets. To test our hypotheses, we fitted GLMM and Bayesian meta‐analytic models.ResultsWe revealed hump‐shaped responses of productivity to temperature, growing degree‐days, green‐up onset date, and precipitation anomaly, and negative responses to intense and prolonged rains across the regions. The effects of March temperature and April growing degree‐days were more negative in cold than in warm regions, except for the region with the highest accumulated heat, whereas increasing June precipitation anomalies were associated with higher productivity in both dry and wet regions. Productivity responses to climate were unrelated to the rate of climate warming.Main ConclusionsThe influence of climate on bird productivity proved to be frequently nonlinear, as expected by ecological theory. The rate of climate change is less important than regional interannual variability in climate (which is predicted to increase), but this may change with the progression of climate change in the future. Productivity declines in long‐distance migratory songbirds are particularly expected if out‐of‐norm water excess increases in frequency or strength.

PIGS OF MEAT BREEDS IN UKRAINE AND THE NEED FOR THE REVIVAL OF PIG BREEDING

The article highlights the peculiarities of pork production in Ukraine, examines the productivity of domestic and foreign meat breeds of pigs in the dynamics of 2002–2022. It was found that the meat pork market in Ukraine developed intensively from 2002 to 2016, with a sharp reduction thereafter. The breeds of pigs in the meat direction of productivity include Durok, Landras, Pietrain, Poltavian Meat, Welsh, Ukrainian Meat and Red White-Beltid with some changes in the breed composition during 2002–2022. It was established that until 2005, the leaders in the meat pork production market were the Ukrainian and Poltavian Meat breeds, which were later supplanted by Landrace pigs. The population of the main sows of the investigated breeds was 7.8–9.3% of the total number of pigs, including 8.9% in 2022, which ensured the necessary reproduction of animals with some nuances regarding small populations. In 2022, the number of queens of the landrace breed will be 87.7–98.8% higher than the number of the rest of the studied breeds. Sows of meat breeds, which were bred in breeding farms during 2002–2022, are characterized by significant variability of multifertility, and the difference in the trait within one breed quite often exceeded the interbreed difference. The variability of the best indicators of the age of pigs reaching a live weight of 100 kg in the process of their cultivation in representatives of the Durok breed during the years 2002–2022 was 164–178 days, Landras 148–183 days, Pietrain 150–154 days, Poltavian Meat 179–198 days, Welsh 156–187 days, Ukrainian Meat 174–187 days and Red White-Beltid 181–207 days. The highest indicators of average daily gains were among pigs of the Durok breed, which varied between 658–810 g, Landras 612–860 g, Pietrain 520–890 g, Poltavian Meat 574–735 g, Welsh 344–628 g, Ukrainian butchers 435–768 g and Red White-Beltid 470–635 g. It has been proven that Durok pigs in the best breeding herds had lard thickness at the level of 13–16 mm, Landras 10–12 mm, Pietrain 7–9 mm, Poltavian Meat 21–23 mm, Welsh 12–16 mm, Ukrainian Meat 16–20 mm and Red White-Beltid 22–23 mm. On the example of the genealogical structure of pigs of the Landrace and Pietrain breeds, as well as the market for the sale of breeding offspring and semen, the conduct of purebred breeding in subjects of the breeding business in the pig industry of Ukraine is questioned. In order to revive Ukrainian pig farming and bring order to breeding pig breeding, it is recommended to take into account the requirements for the functioning of the pig breeding industry in the countries of the European Union.

Breeding Common Scoters Melanitta nigra in Scotland’s Flow Country: a population in decline despite productivity being stable

ABSTRACT Capsule The breeding productivity of the Common Scoter population in Scotland’s Flow Country remained relatively stable during a 44% population decline in Britain and Ireland. Aim To investigate breeding productivity changes in the eastern Flow Country’s Common Scoter population over 22 years and identify possible threats and causes of change during a period of national population decline. Methods Common Scoters from 32 breeding sites were surveyed annually between 2002 and 2023. Each site was visited two to three times in May (pre-nesting period) and two to three times in July and August (post-hatching period) to record the numbers of adult and juvenile Common Scoters. Results Between 2002 and 2023, whilst the Common Scoter population declined (approximately 44% from 27 to 15 breeding pairs) across the study area, breeding productivity (defined as large ducklings per female) remained stable, averaging 0.44 (range of annual means 0.00–1.06) large ducklings per female. The number of small ducklings per female also remained relatively stable. A year of higher breeding productivity did not result in an increase in the number of breeding females in the following years, suggesting that the cause of the population decline lies away from the breeding region. Conclusion Breeding productivity needs to increase, and poor breeding seasons need to be prevented to help maintain this population. The causes of the Common Scoter’s decline away from the breeding area need to be resolved to prevent local extinction. This could be assisted with the removal of non-native forestry plantations in the area, which has been observed to benefit other ground-nesting species by alleviating predation pressure, and by maintaining lake habitat quality, as reflected in shallow water and abundant large invertebrates.

Food availability aligns with contrasting demographics in populations of an at-risk songbird.

Golden-winged Warblers (Vermivora chrysoptera) have become rare across much of their historic breeding range and response to conservation efforts is variable. Evidence from several recent studies suggests that breeding output is a primary driver explaining responses to conservation and it is hypothesized that differences in food availability may be driving breeding output disparity between two subpopulations of the warbler's Appalachian breeding range. Herein, we studied two subpopulations: central Pennsylvania ("central subpopulation"), where breeding productivity is relatively low, and eastern Pennsylvania ("eastern subpopulation"), where breeding productivity is relatively high. To test the food-availability hypothesis in this system, we measured density of caterpillars, plasma lipid metabolites (triglycerides [TRIG; fat deposition] and glycerol [GLYC; fat breakdown]), body mass of adults males, and acquired body mass data for fledglings at 38 sites managed for nesting habitat. Consistent with our prediction, leaf-roller caterpillar density, the group upon which Golden-winged Warblers specialize, was 45× lower in the central subpopulation than the eastern subpopulation. TRIG concentrations were highest within the eastern subpopulation during breeding grounds arrival. The change in TRIG concentrations from the breeding-grounds-arrival stage to the nestling-rearing stage was subpopulation dependent: TRIG decreased in the eastern subpopulation and was constant in the central subpopulation, resulting in similar concentrations during the nestling-rearing stage. Furthermore, GLYC concentrations were higher in the eastern subpopulation, which suggests greater energy demands in this region. Despite this, adult male warblers in the eastern subpopulation maintained a higher average body mass. Finally, fledgling body mass was 16% greater in the eastern subpopulation than the central subpopulation before and after fledging. Collectively, our results suggest that poor breeding success of Golden-winged Warblers in the central subpopulation could be driven by lower availability of primary prey during the breeding season (leaf-roller caterpillars), and this, in turn, limits their response to conservation efforts.

LInear measurements of carcases of the Myrhorod breed pigs

Objective. To evaluate the dependence of carcass characteristics of pigs of the Myrhorod breed on the starting capabilities of animals in the neonatal period of development. Methods. Three groups of pigs were formed, differing among themselves in the number of piglets in the litter at birth. For the purpose of comparative assessment, indexes for three groups as a whole were also determined. Young boars were selectedfor fattening and further slaughter. All piglets were received in one period, had free access to feed in accordance with the needs of sex and age groups. This stage of research was conducted at the experimental base of Institute of Pig Breeding and AIP NAAS. The main measurements of pig carcasses were taken at the meat processing plant of "Prodfoodservice" LLC in Poltava. Animals with a live weight of 100 kg were selected for the assessment. General rules were followed for the assessment of pig carcasses. The topography of fat deposition on the carcass was determined by the following points of taking measurements of the thickness of lard with skin: at the withers; at the level of 6 - 7 thoracic vertebrae; on the waist; on the crosses in three points; at chest level. The formula proposed by N. V. Pivniak was used to determine the average thickness of lard along the spine (watering of the carcass). To compare animals of different groups of pigs of the Myrhorod breed, the full meatiness index (FMI) was calculated. The research results were processed using the traditional method of variational statistics. Results. The differences between the different groups were insignificant in relation to the girth of the sternum. According to the latitudinal parameters of the bacon half of the carcass, there were also no significant differences between different groups of pigs, with a slight shift of preference towards the third group. Regarding the ratio of the front to the back parts of the bacon halves, the smallest values were found in the animals of the second group, and the largest in the first group. Regarding the determination of fat thickness at different points of taking measurements, a clear picture regarding the superiority of a certain group was not determined, although according to most indexes, the carcasses of animals of the first group were marked by larger actual measurements. The animals of all three groups did not meet the requirements for the first extra and the second category of pigs for slaughter according to the fat thickness index at the level of 6 - 7 thoracic vertebrae. All evaluated carcasses were assigned to the third category, which corresponds to the type of productivity of Myrhorod breed of pigs. According to the comprehensive assessment of carcass watering, the highest values were obtainedfor the first group, the average values for the second group, and the smallest values for the third group, respectively. The opposite picture was observed for the full meatiness index, although differences in this index were also unlikely. By comparing the main and most important indexes of the linear diameters of the carcasses of three different groups with the same indexes for all evaluated animals, the animals of the third group were the closest to the average values in relation to the front to the back parts of the bacon halves, the thickness of the lard at the level of the 6 - 7th thoracic vertebrae. At the same time, the animals of the second group were the closest to the average values according to the full meatiness index. Conclusions. As a result of the conducted research, it was found that there is no dependence of meatiness indexes, quality characteristics ofpig carcasses, and in particular, their salinity, etc. from the starting capabilities of animals in the neonatal period of development. Non-compliance with the requirements for the first extra and second categories of pigs for slaughter was found, which indicates that the productivity of the new generation of animals of the Myrhorod breed still belongs to animals of universal and fatty genotypes, although the carcasses according to the lard thickness index are at the level of 6 - 7 thoracic vertebrae were at the lower limit of the third category of pigs for slaughter. Keywords: pigs, Myrhorod breed, slaughter qualities, pig carcasses, lard, meatiness, watering of carcasses.

LInear measurements of carcases of the Myrhorod breed pigs

Objective. To evaluate the dependence of carcass characteristics of pigs of the Myrhorod breed on the starting capabilities of animals in the neonatal period of development. Methods. Three groups of pigs were formed, differing among themselves in the number of piglets in the litter at birth. For the purpose of comparative assessment, indexes for three groups as a whole were also determined. Young boars were selectedfor fattening and further slaughter. All piglets were received in one period, had free access to feed in accordance with the needs of sex and age groups. This stage of research was conducted at the experimental base of Institute of Pig Breeding and AIP NAAS. The main measurements of pig carcasses were taken at the meat processing plant of "Prodfoodservice" LLC in Poltava. Animals with a live weight of 100 kg were selected for the assessment. General rules were followed for the assessment of pig carcasses. The topography of fat deposition on the carcass was determined by the following points of taking measurements of the thickness of lard with skin: at the withers; at the level of 6 - 7 thoracic vertebrae; on the waist; on the crosses in three points; at chest level. The formula proposed by N. V. Pivniak was used to determine the average thickness of lard along the spine (watering of the carcass). To compare animals of different groups of pigs of the Myrhorod breed, the full meatiness index (FMI) was calculated. The research results were processed using the traditional method of variational statistics. Results. The differences between the different groups were insignificant in relation to the girth of the sternum. According to the latitudinal parameters of the bacon half of the carcass, there were also no significant differences between different groups of pigs, with a slight shift of preference towards the third group. Regarding the ratio of the front to the back parts of the bacon halves, the smallest values were found in the animals of the second group, and the largest in the first group. Regarding the determination of fat thickness at different points of taking measurements, a clear picture regarding the superiority of a certain group was not determined, although according to most indexes, the carcasses of animals of the first group were marked by larger actual measurements. The animals of all three groups did not meet the requirements for the first extra and the second category of pigs for slaughter according to the fat thickness index at the level of 6 - 7 thoracic vertebrae. All evaluated carcasses were assigned to the third category, which corresponds to the type of productivity of Myrhorod breed of pigs. According to the comprehensive assessment of carcass watering, the highest values were obtainedfor the first group, the average values for the second group, and the smallest values for the third group, respectively. The opposite picture was observed for the full meatiness index, although differences in this index were also unlikely. By comparing the main and most important indexes of the linear diameters of the carcasses of three different groups with the same indexes for all evaluated animals, the animals of the third group were the closest to the average values in relation to the front to the back parts of the bacon halves, the thickness of the lard at the level of the 6 - 7th thoracic vertebrae. At the same time, the animals of the second group were the closest to the average values according to the full meatiness index. Conclusions. As a result of the conducted research, it was found that there is no dependence of meatiness indexes, quality characteristics ofpig carcasses, and in particular, their salinity, etc. from the starting capabilities of animals in the neonatal period of development. Non-compliance with the requirements for the first extra and second categories of pigs for slaughter was found, which indicates that the productivity of the new generation of animals of the Myrhorod breed still belongs to animals of universal and fatty genotypes, although the carcasses according to the lard thickness index are at the level of 6 - 7 thoracic vertebrae were at the lower limit of the third category of pigs for slaughter. Keywords: pigs, Myrhorod breed, slaughter qualities, pig carcasses, lard, meatiness, watering of carcasses.

Application of Management Aspects in Business in Beef Cattle Group

Community service was conducted at the Balai Gadang Sapan livestock group in the Rambatan sub-district, Tanah Datar district. This group's businesses are beef cattle breeding and organic fertilizer processing. The problem with group businesses is that management and business knowledge still need to be higher. Group members still need help to apply management and business principles in managing the business. This community engagement aims to develop the Balai Gadang Sapan group business by increasing the performance and productivity of the beef cattle breeding and organic fertilizer processing business (UPPO) through implementing management aspects in the group business. The methods for carrying out activities were lectures, discussions, mentoring, and demonstrations. The stage carried out in implementing those four methods was the preparation stage, namely preparing material related to completing the solution in the form of PowerPoint, modules, banners, and leaflets. At the implementation stage, modules were distributed to participants, and the material was later. The evaluation stage involved participants filling out a prepared questionnaire. This evaluation was carried out to determine the group's ability to implement management aspects. The results of this activity were five essential aspects that must be applied in group management: making plans consisting of learning and business planning, organizing, and carrying out activities, evaluating business activities, and cadre of management. The group's ability to apply management aspects can be improved at the intermediate and primary levels.

Multitrait genetic parameter estimates in a Tenebrio molitor reference population: high potential for breeding gains

To address multiple issues impacting the climate imbalance, insects, and in particular Tenebrio molitor, represent now a promising alternative for producing high-quality protein products with low environmental impact. As with any new species farmed on an industrial scale, insect breeding production must be improved through the accumulation of knowledge on rearing techniques and genetic management. Little information on the inheritance of agronomically interesting traits, dedicated to Tenebrio molitor, is available. This study aims to decipher the genetic parameters (heritability and genetic correlations) of reproduction, larval growth and survival, pupation rate and developmental time from a reference population made up of 1 931 sib-groups reared under pedigree, in controlled and stable environments and generated with single pair mating. Considering all sib-groups, 29 599 offspring have been generated and phenotyped over four generations to support this study and provide enough data to estimate, under linear animal models, the additive genetic and common environmental effects. Phenotypic analyses underlined an important variability among sib-groups and individuals, as for the total oviposition during 4 weeks counting (0–680 eggs, min – max, respectively) or larval body mass 63 days posteclosion (36.3–206.8 mg, min – max, respectively). Moderate to important heritability values have been obtained and ranged from 0.17 to 0.54 for reproduction phenotypes, 0.10–0.44 for growth parameters, 0.06–0.22 for developmental time and 0.10–0.17 for larval survival rates. The proportion of phenotypic variance explained by the environmental part varyies from 0.10 to 0.36 for reproductive traits, from 0.17 to 0.38 for growth parameters, from 0.06 to 0.36 for developmental time and 0.17–0.22 for survival rates. Genetic correlations underline relationships among phenotypes such as the trade-off between developmental time from egg to pupae and pupae weight (r2 = 0.48 ± 0.06). These important phenotypic variations coupled with promising heritability values pave the road for future breeding programs in Tenebrio molitor.

Pengaruh Motivasi Kerja dan Kompetensi terhadap Produktivitas Kerja Peternak Pada Kelompok Tani Ternak Sari Murthi Desa Tegallinggah

Pengaruh Motivasi Kerja dan Kompetensi terhadap Produktivitas Kerja Peternak Pada Kelompok Tani Ternak Sari Murthi Desa Tegallinggah

Farmers’ production constraints, preferred varietal traits and perceptions on sorghum grain mold in Senegal

Improving sorghum adoption rates by developing adapted varieties that meet end-user preferences is a major challenge in West Africa. In this study, a participatory rural appraisal was undertaken to identify the main sorghum production constraints, farmers’ preferred variety traits and their perceptions on sorghum grain mold. The study was conducted in four representative rural communities located in the main sorghum producing area of Senegal. A total of 260 farmers were interviewed and data were collected through focus group discussions and individual questionnaires. Our results indicated that Striga, insects, poor soil fertility and drought are the major sorghum producing constraints in Senegal. Grain mold was identified as the second most important sorghum disease after the damping-off. Discoloration on grain surface was the most important criteria farmers used to recognize the disease. The most important sorghum traits farmers desired in improved varieties are medium to short plant maturity cycle, medium plant height, large open or semi-compact panicle, big and white grain, and adaptation to local growing conditions. The results showed that the sorghum cropping system is dominated by male farmers who mainly grow local landraces. These results will provide updated recommendations for the breeding products profile to meet end-user preferences in Senegal.

Infl uence of the antioxidant “Bisphenol-5” when fattening of steers on the productivity and quality of beef

The use of intensive technologies in beef production will make it possible to most fully reveal the biological potential of meat productivity of dairy and combined breeds of cattle. The purpose of the research was to study the eff ect of the antioxidant “Bisphenol-5” during fattening of steers on the productivity and quality of beef. In order to conduct the experiment, 4 groups (one control and three experimental) were formed from steers of Black-and-White breed undergoing fi nal fattening, which were selected taking into account age, breed, and live weight. The experiment lasted for 122 days. Each group contained 15 steers. The steers of the control and experimental groups were housed in the same premise under the same conditions. In general, during the experiment the average daily gain in live weight of steers of the 1st experimental group was 1200,8 g, which was 7,5 % higher than in the control group. The mintensity of growth was observed in the 2nd experimental group. In this group the average daily gain in live weight reached 1275,4 g during the experiment or, respectively, 14,2 % (p ≤ 0,001), 6,2 % (p ≤ 0,05) and 2,4 % more compared to similar indicators among herdmates in the control, 1st and 3rd experimental groups. In steers of the 3rd experimental group the average daily gain in live weight was 1245,1 g, which was by 11,4 and 3,7 % higher, respectively, compared to the indicators of herdmates in the control and 1st experimental groups. In order to increase the efficiency of rearing and fattening steers of Black-and-White breed, we recommend to use a premix enriched with 0,25 % fat-soluble antioxidant “Bisphenol-5” in an amount of 100 g/head.

Performance Evaluation of Lohman Brown Commercial Layer Chicken Breeds Under On-Station Management at Pawe, Benishangul Gumuz, Ethiopia

This study was undertaken to evaluate the performance of Lohman Brown under on-station conditions at Pawe Agricultural Research Center. To evaluate the breed production performance and to generate information for private commercial farms and multiplication centers. A total of 100 (sixty-day-old) chicks and commercial layer feed were purchased from Alema poultry farm in Bishoftu. Vaccinations were administered to the chicks while bio-security measures were employed throughout the experimental period (83 weeks). Daily feed intake, body weight, feed conversion rate, egg production, egg weight, egg mass, and mortality, were recorded. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics free R-4.0.4 software. Average feed intake during the growing period (10-20 weeks) 59.29g/head and in the layer period (21-72weeks) 117.26g/head/day. The average feed conversion rate at12, 16 and 20weeks of age was 8.85, 8.23 and 7.35 respectively. Average body weight at age at first egg lay and peak egg production were 1368.6 and 1553.9g/head respectively. Average daily weight gain at 10-12, 12-16, and 16- 20 weeks of age was 5.43, 7.22 and 11.09g/bird respectively. Age at first and 5% egg-laying were recorded at the beginning of 21weeks (141days). Age at 50% and peak egg production were recorded at 22 weeks (151 days) and 36weeks. The average HHEP (90.71) and HDEP (92.03) were recorded at peak production, while the overall percentage of lay from 21-72(52) weeks of age were HHEP (74.77%) and HDEP (78.28%). The total amount of egg production from 21-72(52) weeks of age in terms of HHEP and HDEP was 272.2 and 284.93egg/hen/year. Average egg weight at age at first egg lay, 50% egg lay and peak egg production were 47.43, 51.5 and 57.03g. Overall mean egg weight from 21-72(52) weeks of age was 57.81g. The average daily egg mass at the age of first egg lay, 50% egg lay and peak egg production were 7.59, 25.68, and 52.48g. On the other hand, the overall mean daily egg mass from 21-72(52) weeks of age was 45.38g. The average feed conversion rate and feed conversion efficiency for egg mass from 21-72 weeks were 2.64 and 0.387. There was no mortality record up to 28 weeks but, the overall mortality rate was 10% up to 83 weeks. The higher egg production and lower mortality record showed that the breed is adapted in the study area. Lohman Brown is recommended for users with basic input packages and on-farm evaluation of chickens should be done.

Assessing the Feasibility of a Two-Cohort Design to Assess the Potential of Homeopathic Medicinal Products to Reduce Antimicrobial Resistance in Turkeys (The HOMAMR Project)-Study Protocol.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious public health concern worldwide. The European Union requires a reduction in the use of antibiotics by 50% by 2030, with separate regulations on organic production that give preference to homeopathy and phytotherapy in organic farms before the use of conventional medicines (including antibiotics). We have therefore designed a two-phased project whose overarching aim is to investigate the potential role of homeopathic medicinal products (HMPs) in combating AMR in turkeys (the HOMAMR project): a two-cohort feasibility study using turkey-farm data that have been collected and analyzed retrospectively, followed by a prospective two-cohort study in turkey farms that would examine the impact of HMPs on changing antibiotic use. The objective of this paper is to describe the protocol for the first phase of HOMAMR, which is a study under field conditions to assess the feasibility of collecting data retrospectively about turkeys that have been managed conventionally only or with HMPs. Surveys performed on farms in Germany and Austria, including interviews with consenting farmers, will determine the feasibility of comparing retrospectively gathered data on antibiotic use and performance/production data in two cohorts of turkeys: (1) homeopathic treatment with conventional care (antibiotics) added if necessary or (2) conventional care (antibiotics) only. Co-primary outcomes to be studied are the amount of antimicrobial use and production period-related mortality. In addition, other production/performance parameters will be compared between the two treated cohorts. To our knowledge, this is the first feasibility study on the treatment of turkeys using homeopathy, and whose retrospectively obtained data will inform a prospective study that would examine the impact of HMPs on antibiotic use in commercial turkey raising, fattening and breeding production.

Injury of Macrophages Induced by Clostridium perfringens Type C Exotoxins.

Clostridium perfringens is a kind of anaerobic Gram-positive bacterium that widely exists in the intestinal tissue of humans and animals. And the main virulence factor in Clostridium perfringens is its exotoxins. Clostridium perfringens type C is the main strain of livestock disease, its exotoxins can induce necrotizing enteritis and enterotoxemia, which lead to the reduction in feed conversion, and a serious impact on breeding production performance. Our study found that treatment with exotoxins reduced cell viability and triggered intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human mononuclear leukemia cells (THP-1) cells. Through transcriptome sequencing analysis, we found that the levels of related proteins such as heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and ferroptosis signaling pathway increased significantly after treatment with exotoxins. To investigate whether ferroptosis occurred after exotoxin treatment in macrophages, we confirmed that the protein expression levels of antioxidant factors glutathione peroxidase 4/ferroptosis-suppressor-protein 1/the cystine/glutamate antiporter solute carrier family 7 member 11 (GPX4/FSP1/xCT), ferroptosis-related protein nuclear receptor coactivator 4/transferrin/transferrin receptor (NCOA4/TF/TFR)/ferritin and the level of lipid peroxidation were significantly changed. Based on the above results, our study suggested that Clostridium perfringens type C exotoxins can induce macrophage injury through oxidative stress and ferroptosis.

Breaking ground: transformative partnerships for inclusive bean breeding in Zimbabwe

Common bean is often considered a woman’s crop because they play important roles from production to marketing. However, breeding programs often focus on farmers without adequate attention to the interconnectedness between gender and other socioeconomic variables and how they influence varietal and trait preferences of other value chain actors. This study analyzed gendered differences in bean production and trade, implications of socioeconomic conditions on bean production and marketing, and the role of partnerships in closing gender gaps in the bean value chain in Zimbabwe. The results obtained from the analysis of survey data collected from 131 farmers and 18 trades revealed beans as a dual-purpose crop for male and female farmers and traders. Varietal and trait preferences were the same for both male and female farmers and traders but were prioritized differently. While female farmers prioritized cooking time, men farmers prioritized biofortification and market traits. Whereas male traders equally preferred price, color, and appearance, female traders prioritized price over color and appearance. Poverty and marital statuses of respondents influenced the number of varieties preferred by male and female farmers. We found that the effectiveness of partnerships in closing gender gaps in marketing is variety specific. While having partners closed the gender gaps in the marketing of the NUA45 variety, such partnerships did not have the same effect on closing gender gaps in the marketing of Cherry, Gloria, and other varieties. The results show that considering socioeconomic characteristics of actors and partnerships can reduce gender disparities in the bean value chain. Therefore, breeding programs should recognize the interconnectedness between socioeconomic variables and gender when developing breeding products.

The genetics of resilience and its relationships with egg production traits and antibody traits in chickens

BackgroundResilience is the capacity of an animal to be minimally affected by disturbances or to rapidly return to its initial state before exposure to a disturbance. Resilient livestock are desired because of their improved health and increased economic profit. Genetic improvement of resilience may also lead to trade-offs with production traits. Recently, resilience indicators based on longitudinal data have been suggested, but they need further evaluation to determine whether they are indeed predictive of improved resilience, such as disease resilience. This study investigated different resilience indicators based on deviations between expected and observed egg production (EP) by exploring their genetic parameters, their possible trade-offs with production traits, and their relationships with antibody traits in chickens.MethodsEgg production in a nucleus breeding herd environment based on 1-week-, 2-week-, or 3-week-intervals of two purebred chicken lines, a white egg-laying (33,825 chickens) and a brown egg-laying line (34,397 chickens), were used to determine deviations between observed EP and expected average batch EP, and between observed EP and expected individual EP. These deviations were used to calculate three types of resilience indicators for two life periods of each individual: natural logarithm-transformed variance (ln(variance)), skewness, and lag-one autocorrelation (autocorrelation) of deviations from 25 to 83 weeks of age and from 83 weeks of age to end of life. Then, we estimated their genetic correlations with EP traits and with two antibody traits.ResultsThe most promising resilience indicators were those based on 1-week-intervals, as they had the highest heritability estimates (0.02–0.12) and high genetic correlations (above 0.60) with the same resilience indicators based on longer intervals. The three types of resilience indicators differed genetically from each other, which indicates that they possibly capture different aspects of resilience. Genetic correlations of the resilience indicator traits based on 1-week-intervals with EP traits were favorable or zero, which means that trade-off effects were marginal. The resilience indicator traits based on 1-week-intervals also showed no genetic correlations with the antibody traits, which suggests that they are not informative for improved immunity or vice versa in the nucleus environment.ConclusionsThis paper gives direction towards the evaluation and implementation of resilience indicators, i.e. to further investigate resilience indicator traits based on 1-week-intervals, in breeding programs for selecting genetically more resilient layer chickens.

Ways to increase milk productivity of Red Gorbatov breed

Ways to increase milk productivity of Red Gorbatov breed