Semi-intensive Farming Research Articles

Survie et aptitudes des veaux issus de croisements entre Brunes des Alpes et Zébus Peuls dans la région des Cascades au Burkina Faso

L’amélioration du potentiel génétique des bovins au Burkina Faso s’appuie sur des programmes de croisements avec des races exotiques par la promotion de l’insémination artificielle (IA) depuis un quart de siècle. Néanmoins, l’adaptation des veaux métis obtenus est controversée aussi bien en élevage périurbain que traditionnel. L’objectif de cette étude a été de déterminer le taux de survie et les aptitudes de métis F1 issus de croisements entre des bovins de races Brune des Alpes et Zébu Peul dans des élevages de la région des Cascades au Burkina Faso. L’étude a été menée sur 142 veaux répartis dans 60 élevages extensifs et semi-intensifs entre octobre 2013 et août 2017. Les animaux ont fait l’objet d’un suivi sanitaire rigoureux et d’une alimentation améliorée grâce à la production locale de fourrages. Le taux de survie des veaux à 42 mois a été estimé à 88 % avec une différence significative (p < 0,05) entre saisons avant sevrage, et entre systèmes d’élevage après sevrage. Au total, 26,76 % des métis F1 ont été atteints de cowdriose, dermatophilose, fièvre aphteuse ou trypanosomoses avant et après le sevrage. Rustiques (82,4 %) avec un rythme cardiaque normal (85,6 %), les croisés ont été dociles et affectueux (64,8 %). Les mâles et les femelles F1 ont été respectivement de potentiels reproducteurs et de véritables conductrices de troupeaux. Les femelles sont d’emblée utilisées pour améliorer la production laitière mais l’utilisation des mâles dans les croisements doit éviter la consanguinité dans les élevages. La survie des métis nécessite un suivi sanitaire permanent et une bonne conduite d’élevage. Cependant, considérant le taux de survie élevé, la bonne adaptation et la docilité des métis, l’IA est en mesure d’améliorer les productions animales bovines au Burkina Faso.

Environmental impact assessment of beef cattle production in semi-intensive systems in Paraguay

Beef production has notable environmental implications on a global scale. Paraguayan beef cattle farming is characterized by being developed mostly in pastures or grasslands, but recently the practice of finishing confined to feedlots has thrived. In this context, the aim of this study was to understand the environmental performance of a semi-intensive beef farm which involved in its production system both a pasture and a feedlot stage. A Life Cycle Assessment was carried out with a “cradle-to-farm gate” perspective and 1 kg of Live Weight as the functional unit. Primary data referring to cropping and livestock systems’ inputs and outputs were collected on site and a wide range of impact categories were evaluated. Beef cattle farming proved to be responsible for intensive greenhouse gas emissions (22.0 ± 3.9 kg CO2 eq ⋅ kg LW−1), especially when it occurs predominantly on pasture. The breeding phase is the one that weighs most on global warming potential within the rearing cycle. Since most animals are present in the pasture stage, this contributed highly to the impact categories influenced by animal-related emissions. The feedlot stage, despite its limited duration with respect to the overall rearing cycle, weighs significantly in the categories related to non-methane volatile organic compounds emissions, toxicity, land occupation and fuel consumption, especially because of feed production (both on- and off-farm). Moreover, this stage takes on a greater environmental load when considering the impacts of land use changes related to the consumption of purchased feed, even though its short duration reduces the relative variation given by land use changes inclusion. Some possible mitigation solutions were identified in the discussion, but further study is required into the implications of this topic and the exploration of different scenarios.

Alterations in biochemical parameters of fish species under choline administration directly into the pond water in a semi-intensive fish farming system: A comparative study

The present study deals with the impact of choline chloride supplementation, applied directly into the pond water in a semi-intensive farm culture system for 90 d on two Indian Major Carps (IMCs) (Catla catla, Labeo rohita) and two air-breathing teleostean fishes (Anabas testudineus, Clarias batracus).The experiment was conducted in two seasons (breeding and dry) under choline (treated) and non-choline (control) exposure. Biochemical parameters, viz., PRO (total protein) content gained maximum significantly (p< 0.01) in treated-breeding with the lowest in control-dry in intestine, liver, muscle, brain. IMCs showed significant (p< 0.01) increased amylase activity in the liver and intestine in treated-dry and treatment-breeding conditions, while liver amylase activity in both the seasons increased manifolds significantly (p< 0.01) in air-breathing fishes, showing a sharp decline only in the intestine. Protease and lipase activity in the intestine and liver of choline-fed fishes disclosed declining trend in the breeding season significantly (p< 0.01), but treated (choline-fed) IMCs under dry revealed the significant (p< 0.01) increasing and decreasing trend of protease and lipase activity respectively; the reverse trend at dry season was found in air-breathing fishes under choline-fed condition. ALP (alkaline phosphatase) in intestine indicated significant (p< 0.01) lowest activity in treatment-breeding, highest in treatment-dry. This study explored the higher activity towards total protein generation, especially muscle; higher carbohydrate digestion; elevated lipid digestion in choline-fed fishes. So, the fishes from this farm-based pisciculture system are healthy and its yield can be prescribed as a rich source of quality fish food for human health.

The Novel Factors for Profitability and Viability for Ponds’ Tilapia Farming in Coastal Region of Tanzania

The study examined the profitability and the present factors for Tilapia production in Tanzania. A purposive sampling technique used to obtain a total of 92 Tilapia farming households from 120 farming communities provided by the Tanzania government. Primary data are collected through the use of a structured questionnaire and analyzed by using descriptive statistics. The Gross Margin tool used to calculate the profitability of the semi-intensive tilapia pond fish farming. The Ordinary Least Squares regression used to determine the novel factors affecting the profitability and Net Present Values determined the viability of tilapia pond farming, respectively. The descriptive findings have revealed that the majority of tilapia farmers had a mean age of 39 years, while male respondents dominated tilapia farming. Among the costs, the feed cost contributed about 73% of the total cost indicating that feeds availability is among the prominent challenge for tilapia farming. The Gross margin obtained by the respondents was averagely 21.7%. The regression analysis has revealed that the cost of feeds, stocking density and the size of seed significantly affected the accrued pond tilapia profit negatively. The result from the Present Net Value was negative; thus, concludes that the current tilapia pond fish farming is not worthy in the study area.

Availability of aqua drugs and their uses in semi intensive culture farms at Patuakhali district in Bangladesh

A survey was undertaken to examine the accessibility of aqua-drugs and their applications in the semi-intensive aquaculture farms in Patuakhali district. A total of 83 stakeholders were selected and data gathered from aqua-medicine stores, representatives of different pharmaceuticals and semi-intensive aqua-farms owners via questionnaire interviews. PRA tools like focused group discussion, cross-checking, and key informant interviews were also used. Results show that 78% of farmers conduct polyculture and rest executes monoculture. Among the total fish farmer majority, 38% used lime for pond preparation and water quality management and potash used by 44% farmer as a disinfectant. For increasing dissolve-oxygen Oxy-rich (26%) was vastly used while 28% of farmers don’t use any oxygen supplier in their pond. However, 14% of farmers use commercial Megavit-Aqua growth promoters and 14% farmer used probiotics. For disease control, 52% and 14% of farmers use Renamycin and Renamox respectively due to its easy availability and affordability compared to probiotics. Several issues have been reported due to improper use of aquatic medications, such as lack of information about chemical use, sufficient dosage, form of application and indiscriminate use of antibiotics. This research result will help the policymaker to understand the requirement of fishers for healthy and sustainable aquaculture practices.

Effect of GH p.L127V Polymorphism and Feeding Systems on Milk Production Traits and Fatty Acid Composition in Modicana Cows.

Simple SummaryGrowth hormone (GH) participates in the regulation of lactation and lipid metabolism. Milk traits and fatty acid composition were investigated in Modicana cows, in relation to the genetic polymorphism at GH locus p.L127V and its interaction with the feeding system. It has been compared 8 hours of grazing without concentrate (EX), versus 2 h of grazing with concentrate (SI). The frequencies of LL, LV and VV genotypes were, respectively, 0.64, 0.34, 0.02. The GH polymorphism and its interaction with feeding system did not influence milk yield and gross composition. LL cows showed higher levels of total unsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, thus suggesting a potential role of the GH polymorphism on improving the healthy quality of milk. A higher level of 18:1 in the LL cows was evident only in the extensive system. The lower energy input in the extensive system, compared to the semi-intensive system, could justify this result.Growth hormone participates in the regulation of lactation and lipid metabolism. A trial study was conducted to evaluate the effects of genetic polymorphism at GH p.L127V and its interaction with feeding system (extensive, EX; semi-intensive, SI) on milk traits and fatty acids composition in Modicana cows. In the semi-intensive farm (SI) diet consisted of hay, concentrate and 2 h of grazing. In the extensive farm (EX) feeding consisted in 8 h of grazing and hay. The frequencies of LL, LV and VV genotypes were, respectively: 0.64, 0.34, 0.02. GH polymorphism and its interaction with feeding system did not influence milk yield and composition. Cows carrying LL genotype produced milk with lower 6:0 and 8:0 and higher 16:1 c9 and 18:1 c9, total UFA and total MUFA. Feeding significantly affected fatty acids: in EX cows lower SFA and higher PUFA and UFA were found, compared to SI cows. The lower, more favorable atherogenic index of milk from EX system was coherent with the improved healthy characteristics of milk from animals fed almost exclusively on pasture. A significant interaction genotype x feeding system was evident for 18:1, higher in the LL cows only in the EX system, but not in the SI system.

Assessment of trace metals, total organic carbon and total nitrogen of a shrimp farm system in Southern Brazil

The unconsumed food in shrimp farm systems is responsible for increasing the organic compounds in sediment, and it is a potential source of trace metals. This study evaluates the total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) concentrations in sediments from control sites, a shrimp pond, a sedimentation basin and receiving ecosystem effluents at a semi-intensive Litopenaeus vannamei farm in southern Brazil. Copper and zinc concentrations were also analyzed in shrimp tissue. The sediment samples were taken before the effluent discharge (BD), 1 day post discharge (1PD), 10 days post discharge (10PD) and 30 days post discharge (30PD). The TOC concentrations ranged from 0.12 to 0.67%, and the TN concentrations were <0.07% in all samples. The labile Cu and Zn concentrations in sediment ranged from 0.12 to 1.27 μg g−1 and from 0.51 to 3.07 μg g−1, respectively, while the more strongly adsorbed fraction of Cu ranged from 0.3 to 2.65 μg g−1, and that of Zn ranged from 30.44 to 121.4 μg g−1. Some significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed among the sites, but they were not related to the effluent discharge. Pearson correlation analysis showed no relationship between the effluent discharge and increased TOC, TN, Cu or Zn values in the sediment, except in the 1PD sampling. The Cu and Zn concentrations in the shrimp tissues were 6.63 ± 0.2 μg g−1 and 19.76 ± 0.2 μg g−1 in pond 1 and 7.6 ± 0.51 μg g−1 and 19.13 ± 0.32 μg g−1 in pond 2. All parameters were within in accordance with the guidelines levels, and this shrimp farm did not have adverse effects on the environment when considering these parameters.

Behavioral activities of white-lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari, Link, 1795) in a semi-intensive farming system in Brazil

ABSTRACT This study aimed to describe the main behaviors of white-lipped peccaries (Tayassu pecari) expressed in a semi-intensive production system in Brazil. The behavioral activities of two groups of peccaries allocated in two paddocks were assessed, totaling 17 adult animals and eventual pups in different developmental stages. The animals were visually observed using the ad libitum sampling and scan sample methods during the adaptation and experimental phases, respectively. The animals were evaluated in the morning, afternoon, and at night. The behavioral activities observed by ad libitum sampling comprised feeding, pool contact, moving, staying inside the handling area, resting, mud bathing, mutual rubbing, rubbing, aggression, sexual behavior, copulation, foraging, breastfeeding, sleeping, territorial marking, interactions, birthing, gnawing, and other behaviors. All behaviors observed by the ad libitum sampling method were confirmed in the experimental period by scan sample, except for territorial marking and birthing. The effects of time of day were statistically significant (p &lt;0.05) for eating, pool contact, movement, staying inside the handling area, resting, mud bathing and sleeping. These results contribute to the understanding of instinctive animal habits and to the development of nutritional, environmental and health management protocols that meet the requirements of peccaries.

Expert Knowledge and Perceptions about the Ecosystem Services and Natural Values of Hungarian Fishpond Systems

In the past few decades, multiple theoretical studies have highlighted the diverse capabilities of freshwater fishpond systems in the provision of water-related ecosystem services (ESs). However, practical studies to confirm this statement are still lacking in the scientific literature compared to other ecosystems. In this paper, we reveal the ESs of three semi-intensively managed fishpond systems in Hungary and assess the knowledge and perceptions of local experts about them and their main interactions. Between 2017 and 2019, we performed participatory research on the fishpond systems of Biharugra, Akasztó, and Szeged, conducting a total of 22 structured interviews with experts from all related stakeholder groups. Based on the interviews, we identified 16 actively used ESs (4 provisioning, 7 regulating, and 5 cultural ESs) and also revealed 19 main forms of impacts (14 positive and 5 negative) related to them. Despite their different perceptions and demands associated with fish farms, almost every expert articulated the role of semi-intensive fish farming in the sustenance of water-related natural values and ecosystem services, endangered by the ongoing effects of global warming. Besides confirming the theoretical statements of previous studies, these findings could also provide information for subsequent land-use planning, with the aim of creating more sustainable, multifunctionally used fishpond systems.

Nutrient removal from aquaculture effluent using settling ponds and filter-feeding species (Amphibalanus amphitrite and Saccostrea cucullata): an in-situ study

The potential application of settling ponds and two fouling filter-feeder species Amphibalanus amphitrite and Saccostrea cucullata to bioremediate semi-intensive shrimp farm effluent through 6 hours residence time was investigated. Settling pond reduced total nitrogen, total phosphorus and chlorophyll a to 80.5%, 77.8% and 94.3% of the initial concentrations (2.47 ± 0.07 mg L-1, 0.154 ± 0.006 mg L-1, and 24.44 ± 2.02 µg L-1), respectively. Amongst S. cucullata, A. amphitrite and combination of both species, oysters showed the highest efficiency in nutrient removal. Total nitrogen, total phosphorus and chlorophyll a diminished respectively to 70.6%, 67.7% and 40.9% of the initial concentrations in oyster treatments. These proportions were respectively 81.5%, 63.2% and 72.4% for ponds contacting barnacles, and 69.3%, 71.2% and 44.9% of the initial amounts in the combination of the two species treatment. Among three different densities used for treatments, medium density of oysters (0.54 oyster per liter) showed comparable effectiveness in nutrients and phytoplankton removal to the high density. Lower ammonia production along with imposing less costs and effort, as well as relatively equal ability; suggest the medium density of S. cucullata as the most suitable choice. Our results suggest that applying settlement ponds, and particularly with filter-feeder species such as S. cucullata, might mitigate the adverse impacts of shrimp wastewater, including coastal eutrophication, on adjacent ecosystems.

Platform Based Housing System Improved Health and Reduced Mortality Percentage of Goats in Flood Prone Area of Coastal Odisha

Goat rearing under semi intensive farming conditions is characterized by high kid mortality and low weaning weight percentages. The root cause which needs to be addressed for various diseases and parasites leading to low body weight gain and kid mortality is improper housing practises. The welfare of Black Bengal goats as a source of sustainable livelihood is a burning issue since the beginning thus the researchers for so many years have tried to assess ideal housing system for these goats in context to their geographical climate to optimize their production and welfare, still the reports are scarce in this arena. The experimental platform based goat housing system was constructed for 20 farmers with an average flock size of 16 goats in flood ridden Dasmankula village of Marsaghai block Kendrapara district where various families adopted traditional practises of goat farming for sustainable livelihood. This is the first report from Odisha in context of housing pattern of Black Bengal goats where it was observed that a change in housing practise along with proper vaccination schedule led to significant decrease in mortality percentage of goats. The results showed that the body weight increased linearly as the age advanced and the body weight of adult goats at 10 months of age at platform based housing was 9.82 ± 0.74 and 9.12 ± 0.53 as compared to 8.78 ± 0.68 and 7.82 ± 0.42 in mud and slotted floor in males and females, respectively. The platform raised housing system was effective in decreasing gastrointestinal parasite load and thus early recovery from disease incidence as Contagious Echthyma (ORF). Mortality percentage of goat was significantly reduced after adopting the platform based housing system along with proper vaccination schedule due to establishment of better immune system which was directly proportional to decreased parasitic load in this experimental housing system. However, impact on change in body weight was not significant in kids but somewhat noticeable in case of adults which proved to be a great boon for the goat farmers of Dasmankula village.

Trade-Offs between Sustainability Indicators in Response to the Production Choices of Different Farm Household Types in Drylands

A lot of national and international effort has been made to promote sustainable agricultural production systems in drylands. However, success has been seriously limited due to lack of thorough characterization of the impact of the diversity of farm household types on productivity, resource-use efficiency and economic and nutritional status. This study applied hierarchical ascendant classification to a random sample of 286 cereal-producing farm households in Morocco and identified distinct household typologies. It also carried out an analysis of trade-offs between economic, nutritional and environmental factors induced by the production decisions of the different farm household typologies. Our analysis identified three dominant farm household typologies in the production system, namely: (i) intensive predominantly-vegetable farming households with high input intensities, (ii) semi-intensive cereal mono-crop farming households with moderate input intensities and (iii) extensive mixed cereal-legume farming households with low input intensities. Extensive mixed cereal-legume farming households exhibited the highest resource-use efficiency and high biodiversity. These benefits, however, came at the expense of a much lower farm income and limited food supplies relative to the other two systems. These results show that, as is the case for many dryland regions, all three farm types showed precarious conditions for one or more of the sustainability-related indicators.

Dataset of white spot disease affected shrimp farmers disaggregated by the variables of farm site, environment, disease history, operational practices, and saline zones.

The article presents the summary of a dataset related to the risks factors of white spot disease (WSD) of farmed shrimp (Penaeus monodon) in Khulna, Bagerhat and Satkhira districts of Bangladesh. This dataset was developed following two consecutive steps. In the first step, participatory rural appraisal tools were applied to get the conceptual framework for data collection regarding lists of farmers and the variables of the risk factors of WSD. In the second step, sampling of farmers, google featured questionnaire development, and mobile phone-assisted survey were carried out. The total surveyed farms were 233 consisting of 21 and 212 semi-intensive and extensive farms, respectively. The data were collected in the form of continuous, nominal and binary variables disaggregated by saline zones. The dataset contains some basic socio-economic data of shrimp farmers, farm characteristics, environmental attributes and disease history of shrimp farms. The dataset also has GPS coordinates of all the surveyed farms individually which are very useful for spatial analysis. In total, the dataset in MS Excel has 46 variables and attached as the supplementary material with this article.

Infection outbreak for Piscinoodinium pillulare in Piaractus brachypomus from aquaculture farm in Brazilian cerrado

The Brazilian aquaculture stands out due to the climate and water availability, and grows along with the world fish production, due especially to the human population growth. The Piaractus spp. shows great participation in production due to the high economic value and productive performance, and because species of the genus are native from South America, including Brazil. Fish are susceptible to parasitizing infection by Piscinoodinium pillulare, a protozoa that causes a disease known as “rust disease”, even more at high population densities and stressful circunstances. An outbreak was observed in a semi intensive aquaculture farming property of Piaractus spp. for preservation, and without any commercial interest, in the municipality of Jataí, Goiás, Brazil, where the main characteristics were: dying fish on the water surface; petechiae in the ventral region of the body, especially in the abdomen; ulcers in the cranial portion; inappetence; and high mortality rates. Three specimens of P. brachypomus were captured and a scraped was performed on the body surface and gills and subjected to microscopic analysis. After microscopic analysis, P. pillulare was observed in slides of all samples. The diagnose was based only on the visualization of P. pillulare trophons (protozoa) in the skin and gills of the fish. The populational and climate conditions that P. brachypomus were exposed at Brazilian Cerrado are equivalent with those required to lead fish to stressful conditions and thus, make them susceptible to parasites infections, such as P. pillulare.

Longitudinal study of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in female lambs from Paraíba State, Brazil

Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide zoonosis that affects man and homeothermic animals, caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. This parasite is responsible for congenital diseases, miscarriage and stillbirth in some species, such as sheep. Although outbreaks of abortion are considered important, descriptions of these outbreaks in ewes in Brazil are rare, even though infection is highly prevalent, and isolates are very virulent. Studies have shown a strong association between the presence of antibodies against the parasite in mothers and a low occurrence of reproductive problems by T. gondii during pregnancy. The objective of the study was to evaluate the occurrence of T. gondii infection in sheep from the semi-arid region of Paraíba State, Brazil, and to determine if these animals acquire the infection in the first year of life, before the beginning of the reproductive phase. This was done by monitoring the dynamics of anti-T. gondii antibodies by indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT ≥ 64) in animal serum from birth to 12 months of age, obtained once a month. Fifty-six crossbreed females and their 61 offspring, belonging to seven semi-intensive farms (representative of the region's farms) were evaluated. Of the 61 lambs studied, 55.7% (34/61) (IC 95% 44.9%-71.4%) were antibody negative at the end of 12 months, as only presumed colostrum antibodies were detected in these animals or they remained negative throughout the study. The remaining 44.3% (27/61) (IC 95% 28.6%-55.1%) were either presenting high antibody titres since the first examination (5/27; 18.5%), or became seropositive in the first year of life (22/27; 81.5%). Antibody titres ranged from 64 to 65,356 and the variables analysed (presence of cats, type of water supplied, type of flock, sanitary management and existence of sewage within the property) were not associated with the seroconversion of the lambs. The study concludes that about half of the ewes were seronegative at the age of one year, the time of their first gestation and, probably, they are more susceptible to reproductive problems caused by this coccidia.

A field study on the occurrence of gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep over the wet and dry seasons in two West Indian Islands.

Gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infestations are a major constraint to sheep production in the West Indies (WI). Intensive and semi-intensive management systems are most commonly employed. These islands display tropical weather patterns with wet and dry seasons. Semi-intensive farming combined with increased rainfall during the wet season has been reported to be most favourable for development and survival of GIN. This study was conducted to determine whether there was a relationship between GIN burdens in sheep with seasonality and management practices of farmers in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T). Farms were visited on a monthly basis from January to December 2017. A maximum of ten sheep, three to nine months of age, were selected from each farm. A total of 3,053 faecal samples were collected and analysed using the Modified McMaster technique. Environmental data on daily precipitation and temperature were collected from the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Office during the period of sampling. A mixed effects negative binomial regression model was constructed to analyse the relationship between gastrointestinal nematode faecal egg counts (GINFEC) with season, management system and use of dewormers as fixed effects and farm as a random effect. Average diurnal temperatures of T&T fluctuated between 23.2°C to 32.6°C and 23.9°C to 32.3°C in the dry and wet seasons, respectively. Average daily precipitation ranged between 1.6-1.8mm and 6.1-8.5mm during the dry and wet seasons, respectively. A decreased risk of 0.34 (95% CI 0.25-0.47, p<.0001) for GINFEC was observed in dewormed animals versus not dewormed. Semi-intensive management systems experienced an increased risk of GINFEC by 1.39 (95% CI 1.05-1.84, p=.021) compared with intensive and the risk of GINFEC was reduced by 0.40 (95% CI 0.33-0.49, p<.0001) in the wet season versus the dry. A higher prevalence of GIN was observed during the drier months of the year. Climatic conditions observed in T&T remained favourable for GIN survival, development and distribution year-round. Proper management is therefore required for reducing the occurrence of GIN in sheep of T&T throughout the year. This is the first reported study in the WI on the influence of seasonality and management on GIN infestations in sheep during the dry and wet seasons. Further investigation is needed to elucidate why GIN burdens appear to be higher in the dry season than the wet season. This study can be used as a baseline for public education in T&T as well as other developing countries.

Dairy sheep farms in semi-arid rangelands: A carbon footprint dilemma between intensification and land-based grazing

In recent decades there have been significant changes in land use and production orientation in certain marginal agricultural areas in the southwest of Spain. The abandonment of rainfed cereal crops and their change of use as natural pastures grazed by milk sheep, have led to an improvement in the profitability of the farms, greater industrialisation and a positive impact on rural development.This paper calculates the carbon footprint (CF) of farms in the context of life cycle assessment with the objective to identify the system that accounts for the lowest CF while maintaining adequate levels of profitability and revitalising the rural environment. The data were obtained through surveys carried out on dairy sheep farms of different typologies, ranging from the semi-intensive farms with small grazing areas, to the extensive farms with large areas of natural pastures. Findings could help farmers evaluate the environmental impact of their activities, while at the same time provide consumers with valuable evidence to be used in further marketing actions.Greenhouse gas emissions vary from 1.77 to 4.09 Kg CO2eq/kg of milk, where the lowest values correspond to the most intensive farms and the highest values to the most extensive and least productive farms. Enteric fermentation, followed by feeding, are the emissions with the greatest impact. Enteric fermentation reaches its maximum value (52.22 % of the total emissions) in the most extensive farms.On other hand, this study found that carbon sequestration varies between 0.09 and 2.04 kg of CO2eq/kg of milk, a figure that can considerably reduce the carbon footprint calculation and justifies its inclusion in the Life Cycle Assessment.

Habitat and seasonality shape the structure of tench (Tinca tinca L.) gut microbiome

Tench (Tinca tinca L.) is one of the most valued species of the Cyprinidae. This species is commercially important and has been intensively domesticated in recent years. To avoid excessive production losses, the health of farm fish must be maintained. Characterization of the tench gut microbiome can help achieve this goal, as the gastrointestinal microbiome plays an important role in host health. As part of this characterization, investigating the influence of the environment and season will help to understand the interrelationship between host and gut microbiota. Therefore, our aim was to use high-throughput 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to profile the gut microbiome of tench. We studied two populations in summer and autumn: wild tench living in a lake and tench living in a pond in a semi-intensive fish farm. We found that, in the gut microbiome of all fish, the most abundant phylum was Proteobacteria, followed by Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria. Together, these phyla constituted up to 90% of the microbial communities. The abundance of Candidatus Xiphinematobacter differed significantly between lake and pond fish in summer, but not in autumn. In pond tench, Methylobacterium abundance was significantly lower in summer than in autumn. Mean Shannon, Chao1 indices and observed OTU’s indicated that microbial biodiversity was greater in the gut of lake fish than in that of pond fish. Beta-diversity analysis showed significant divergence between groups with both weighted and unweighted UniFrac distance matrices. Principal coordinates analysis revealed that more of the variance in microbial diversity was attributable to environment than to season. Although some of the diversity in lake tench gut microbiota could be attributable to feeding preferences of individual fish, our results suggest that environment is the main factor in determining gut microbiome diversity in tench.

Caracterização da piscicultura continental no Litoral Norte do Rio Grande do Sul

O estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar a piscicultura continental do Litoral Norte/RS a partir de consultas em órgãos ambientais, escritórios da Emater/Ascar-RS e a aplicação de um questionário à 56 produtores rurais/piscicultores da região quanto a alguns aspectos significativos da atividade, tais como: principais espécies criadas, infraestrutura, sistemas de produção, manejo alimentar, fontes de abastecimento de água, monitoramento da qualidade da água, tratamento de efluentes, finalidade da atividade, medidas de prevenção e controle da atividade aquícola. Os resultados mostraram que a piscicultura da região é desenvolvida de forma familiar, predominando o sistema de criação semi-intensivo, em áreas de pequeno porte, de até 0,5 ha, em tanques escavados e destacando-se a criação de espécies exóticas, principalmente carpas e tilápias para consumo próprio e venda esporádica. Quanto aos aspectos ambientais, ficou constatada a carência de algumas medidas de prevenção e regularização ambiental da atividade. Também foi possível identificar “gargalos” que impedem um desenvolvimento eficaz da piscicultura na região, como gestão da atividade, comercialização e regularização ambiental. O apoio técnico aos piscicultores é feito por meio do serviço de extensão da Emater/Ascar-RS. Os dados coletados podem colaborar futuramente no planejamento de ações públicas voltadas para o fortalecimento da atividade que ainda é incipiente na região.

Analysis of virulence traits of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from bovine mastitis in semi-intensive and family dairy farms.

BackgroundStaphylococcus aureus is one of the main microorganisms that causes bovine mastitis, and its well-known virulence characteristics and interactions with the environment are used to aid the design of more efficient therapies.ObjectivesTo determine whether the virulence traits, such as antibiotic resistance and biofilm-forming and internalization abilities, of S. aureus isolated from bovine mastitis are related to dairy production system types.MethodsThe study was performed in the Mexican states of Guanajuato and Michoacan. Semi-intensive dairy farms (SIDFs) and family dairy farms (FDFs) (454 and 363 cows, respectively) were included. The 194 milk samples from mastitis affected quarters were collected and 92 strains of S. aureus were isolated and identified by biochemical and molecular tests. Antibiotic resistance, biofilm and internalization assays were performed on 30 randomly selected isolated strains to determine virulence traits, and these strains were equally allocated to the 2 dairy production systems.ResultsAll 30 selected strains displayed a high degree of resistance (50%–91.7%) to the antibiotics tested, but no significant difference was found between SIDF and FDF isolates. S. aureus strains from SIDFs had an average biofilm forming capacity of up to 36% (18.9%–53.1%), while S. aureus strains from FDFs registered an average of up to 53% (31.5%–77.8%) (p > 0.05). Internalization assays revealed a higher frequency of internalization capacity for strains isolated from FDFs (33.3%) than for those isolated from SIDFs (6.7%) (p > 0.05). fnbpA gen was detected in 46.6% of FDF strains and 33.3% of SIDF strains, and this difference was significant (p < 0.05).ConclusionsOur findings show that the virulence traits of S. aureus isolates analyzed in this study, depend significantly on several factors, such as phenotype, genotype, and environmental conditions, which are significantly related to dairy production system type and daily management practices.