Semi-intensive Farming Systems Research Articles

Lactation related changes of haematological parameters of female dromedary camels reared under semiintensive farming system in Algerian extreme arid region

Lactation related changes of haematological parameters of female dromedary camels reared under semiintensive farming system in Algerian extreme arid region

Growth and carbon turnover of Piaractus mesopotamicus Holmberg, 1887 (Osteicthyes: Characidae): contribution of extruded feed and natural food.

Piaractus mesopotamicus, is a fish usually farmed in semi-intensive systems with access to natural food and supplementary feed. This study evaluates effects of feed allowance on the productive performance, carbon turnover and proportions of nutrient (carbon) contribution of feed and natural food for the growth of pacu. Juvenile fish were stocked in fiberglass tanks and fed to 100, 75, 50, 25, 0% apparent satiety (ApS), with a practical, extruded (C4 photosynthetic pathway) feed in a randomized design trial (n=3); plankton production for simulated semi-intensive farming system condition was induced by chemical fertilization. A control treatment was set up in tanks devoid of natural food. Data on muscle stable carbon isotope ratios were used to study carbon turnover using a relative growth-based model. Low variation of the δ13C impaired fitting a turnover model curve for the 0 and 25 % ApS treatments. Fish of the 100% and 75% ApS treatments reached circa 95% and 82.85% of the carbon turnover, respectively. Extruded feed was the main nutrient source for the growth of pacu in the semi-intensive, simulated farming condition. The current study contributes to the knowledge of the relationship between feeding rates and carbon turnover rates in the pacu muscle.

Bacterial Diversity and Antibiotic Resistance Genes Associated with the Different Farming Systems of Black Tiger Shrimp (Penaeus monodon) in Bangladesh

Microbial community inhabiting the intestine of the shrimp (Penaeus monodon) and their surrounding environments (e.g., water and sediment) is considered as a key contributing factor for the sustainable farming of shrimp. Indiscriminate application of antibiotics in aquaculture is a growing concern due to the emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB), more specifically the antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). The present study investigates the microbiome composition and 19 ARGs from four different shrimp farming systems; (i) cluster, (ii) extensive, (iii) semi-intensive, and (iv) improved extensive in the southwest coastal region of Bangladesh. In doing so, the study applied advanced 16S rRNA-based metagenomic sequencing to study the bacterial composition. Moreover, gene specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to detect the ARGs in shrimp, water, and sediments of different farming systems. In the current study, bacteria from the phylum Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were predominant among the samples (n = 12) collected from the different farming systems followed by Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Cyanobacteria. Firmicutes was the predominant phylum in the gut of shrimp cultured in the cluster (relative abundance 53.33%) and semi-intensive (relative abundance 59.2%) culture systems. Results indicated that the bacterial community structure was significantly ( p < 0.05 ) distinct among gut, sediment, and water samples as well as the farming systems. The shared operational taxonomic unit (OTU) in the sediment sample (16,495) was nearly double than the gut (7,931) and water (8,513) bacterial communities. The improved extensive farming system showed 1,289 (11.05%) shared OTUs among gut, sediment, and water followed by semi-intensive (6.87%), cluster (6.27%), and extensive (5.46%) farming system. Among the tested ARGs, sul1, cat, gyrA(C), tetA, tetC, tetX, ere(A), vanR, and dfrA1 were predominant in water and sediment samples. Semi-intensive farming system had the highest prevalence of ARGs (21.05%) while the lowest prevalence was found in extensive (5.26%) farming system. Overall, the study provides a comprehensive scenario of bacterial composition and growing emergence of ARGs in shrimp farming of Bangladesh. Therefore, the production strategy must focus on the alternatives of antibiotic for shaping the shrimp cultivation technique more sustainable.

Occurrence of Abortions in Goats Reared under Different Farming Systems

Background: Abortion is a very common health problem of animals including goats and it causes heavy economic losses to the farmers. The current study was planned to assess the occurrence of abortions in goats reared under different farming systems and association of occurrence of abortions with stage of pregnancy, season and parity of the aborted goats. Methods: The data on caprine abortions from semi-intensive and free range farming systems was compiled and analysed. Occurrence of abortion in the goats reared under field conditions and at organized farms under semi-intensive management system was categorized on the basis of stage of pregnancy, season and parity of aborted goats. The statistical analysis of the abortion data was done by using Chi-Square test. Result: Abortion rates in goats reared at different management systems (semi-intensive and free range systems) differed significantly (p less than 0.01). Occurrence of the abortions was found highest in the field goats. Occurrence of the abortions in the different stages of pregnancy (early, mid and late) in the goats reared at organized farms under semi-intensive management system and field conditions differed significantly (p less than 0.01). Maximum abortions were seen in the later stage of pregnancy. Likewise, occurrence of the abortions in various seasons (rainy, winter and summer) in the goats reared at organized farms under semi-intensive system and field conditions differed significantly (p less than 0.01). Highest occurrence of abortion was noticed in winter season. Occurrence of abortion was also significantly associated with parity of pregnancy in the goats from the organised farms as well as in the field goats. The study concludes that abortion rate in goats are significantly associated (p less than 0.01) with management practices, season, parity and stage of pregnancy.

Performa Ayam Kampung Pada Pemeliharaan Intensif Di Kecamatan Salahutu

This study aims to determine the performance of native chickens cultivated by breeders in an intensive rearing system in Salahutu District, Central Maluku Regency. The research method is survey and observation through direct observation and measurement of data related to native chicken performance. The materials used as samples in this study were 71 native chickens aged 6-7 months. The observed variable was the performance of native chickens in intensive rearing. The results showed that the average male body weight was 2059.667 grams and 1163.88 grams for females; the average wing length of males is 16.46 cm and females is 15.45 cm; the average male chest circumference is 30.81 cm and 27.72 cm for females; the average femur length of males is 12.39 cm and females are 6.98 cm; the average tibia length is 14.95 cm for males and 13.07 cm for females; and the average metatarsus length of males is 10.09 cm and females is 8.07 cm. While the average distance between the pubic bones of hens is 3.56 cm with egg production reaching 22.1 eggs/30 days of production. The performance of free-range chickens is still diverse but better than traditional and semi-intensive farming systems.

Prevalence, potential risk factors and genetic diversity of Blastocystis in ruminant livestock animals from Penang, Malaysia.

Blastocystis is a unicellular, anaerobic protist inhabiting the intestinal tract of diverse animal hosts, including human. Information regarding Blastocystis in small ruminants, namely goats and sheep, is limited globally; thus, this study was carried out to investigate the distribution and determinants of Blastocystis in ruminant livestock animals from Penang, Malaysia. Fecal samples from 127 cattle, 149 goats, and 100 sheep were examined for Blastocystis by in vitro cultivation using modified Jones' medium, while DNA barcoding was used for subtyping. Overall, 23.1% (87/376) of animals screened were positive for Blastocystis sp. The prevalence of infection was significantly higher in goats than in cattle and sheep, while the female gender, semi-intensive farming system, and the Northeast Penang Island district were identified as potential risk factors for Blastocystis infection. Blastocystis sp. ST5, ST14, and ST25 were identified in cattle; ST5, ST10, ST13, and ST14 in goats; and ST4, ST5, ST14, and ST15 in sheep. ST5 and ST14 were found to be the most abundant and widespread subtypes in the study area. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of ST4 from sheep and ST13 from goats, thus serving as an update to the host range of Blastocystis sp. ST4 and ST13. The isolation of ST4 and ST5 in this study suggests that ruminant livestock animals could serve as reservoirs of human infection.

Characterization of rice farming systems, production constraints and determinants of adoption of improved varieties by smallholder farmers of the Republic of Benin

The identification of technological and policy interventions allowing to improve the performance of Beninese rice systems is necessary to reduce the heavy dependence on rice imports. This study characterized the Beninese rice farming systems, identified the production constraints, and determinants of the adoption of improved varieties by farmers. Four hundred eighteen rice farm households were surveyed across 39 villages using participatory research tools and methods. Cluster analysis was used to classify the surveyed farm households and revealed four typologies of rice farming systems differentiated by 8 variables. These are, the intensive rice farming system (cluster 4; 33.7%), semi-intensive rice farming system (cluster 1; 31.8%), integrated rice–livestock farming system (cluster 3; 11.8%), and subsistence rice farming (cluster 2; 22.7%). The integrated rice–livestock farming system was the dominant type practiced in the northern Benin, while, it is the intensive rice farming system in the south. Fifteen production constraints across rice-growing areas were recorded. Our results suggest that to increase adoption of improved rice varieties, agricultural extension services should target landowners’ farmers practicing off-season rice production, and having other sources of income. Initiatives to boost rice production in Benin should prioritize the establishment of formal agricultural credit and mechanization option policies.

Prevalence of Repeat Breeding Syndrome in Dairy Cattle in Selected Regions of Kenya

The optimum production in dairy cows aims at getting a calf per cow per year. This, however, is limited by repeat breeding syndrome (RBS), which has multiple etiologies that cause either fertilization failure or early embryonic death. This study objective was to determine the prevalence of repeat breeding syndrome in dairy cattle within the selected regions of Kenya. A cross-sectional study design was carried out in 205 smallholder dairy farms in Makueni, Kakamega and Nandi counties. A total of 553 cows/heifers were recruited and examined per rectal to determine their reproductive status. Information on the breeding history of the cow and heifer was acquired at the farm. The results revealed that cross bred cattle were most affected by RBS at 38.9% followed by Jersey, Guernsey Ayrshire and least in Frisians at 21.1, 16.7, 25 and 14%, respectively. The overall animal level prevalence of RBS in cattle in the three counties was at 18.4%, while the overall farm-level prevalence was 58.3%. However, per county prevalence’s were different with animal level prevalence at 31.9, 20.9 and 12.5% in Makueni, Kakamega and Nandi, respectively. The farm-level prevalence’s at the counties were 75.4, 58.3 and 48.4% in Makueni, Kakamega and Nandi counties, respectively. Cattle kept in the zero-grazing/intensive system had the highest level of RBS at 30.1% compared to semi-intensive and extensive farming systems. The prevalence of RBS was also higher in multipara at 76% in comparison to primipara cows. Finally cows over four years which were in third or more parities had the highest prevalence of RBS, accounting for 65%) of the cases. In conclusion, the prevalence of RBS is significantly high in the Kenyan smallholder dairy farms. Further research should be undertaken to identify risk factors and appropriate intervention approaches for RBS to enhance its management.

Quantitative Deposition of Nutrients in Dorsal Muscle, Adipose Tissue and Liver in Common Carp (Cyprinus Carpio L.) in a Semi-Intensive Farming System

Carp is the dominant species grown in Serbia and makes up over 80% of the total fish production. The aims of the present study were to analyze changes of protein, lipid, ash and moisture in dorsal muscle, adipose tissue and liver in common carp additionally fed complete pellets during four months in natural carp ponds. Twenty fish from four ponds were sampled. Analysis of variance showed that proteincontent was the highest in dorsal muscle and adipose tissue and was the smallest in liver (P < 0.05). The percentage of protein was quite stable and reached a plateau value (18.42–19.49%) in dorsal muscle. Totallipid content in common carp was the highest in liver (14.79–17.24%) and smaller in dorsal muscle (1.92–5.42%) (P<0.05). More interested were how the fish mass increased during breeding. The proximate composition of fish tissues was expressed as absolute content by weight of each fish. Simple regression resulted in relationships between protein content (g/fish) and body weight (g) indicating strong association (r = 0.965). Simple regression resulted in not strong relationships between lipid content (g/fish) and body weight (g (r = 0.784). There was a strong relationship between moisture content (%) and lipid content (%) (r = 0.962). The protein content (g/fish) was strongly associated with body weight in dorsal muscle and adipose tissue since coefficients of regression were high (>0.95), as were t-tests of significance (13.69, 18.04), and in the liver there was also an association since the coefficient of regression was 0.952 and the t-test was high (11.72).

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.

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.

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.

The Assessment of Housing Conditions, Management, Animal-Based Measure of Dairy Goats’ Welfare and Its Association with Productive and Reproductive Traits.

Simple SummarySmall ruminant production systems are generally perceived by consumers to be associated with a high standard of welfare, notably in relation to aspects of traditional breeding. However, their performances have reached the same levels of the dairy cow sector, with similar negative externalities. We aimed to evaluate the welfare of dairy goats of 32 farms located in Northwestern Italy by the application of an on-farm assessment protocol. The farms were classified as ‘intensive’ or ‘semi-intensive’ according to the access to pasture. Overall, we observed an adequate level of animal wellbeing both in intensive and semi-intensive farming systems. This is possible thanks to the increased knowledge on goat breeding characteristics, and to the fact that veterinarians and farmers understood the importance of welfare protection to achieve a better health, although some challenges remain, such as the farmers’ approach toward animals. The importance of the farmer’s role is highlighted by the positive association between the milk yield and the presence of the owner on the farm.The aim of the study was to evaluate the welfare of dairy goats of 32 farms located in Northwestern Italy, applying an on-farm assessment protocol, centered on animal-, resources- and management-based measures. The farms were classified as ‘intensive’ or ‘semi-intensive’ according to access to pasture. During each on-farm visit, a checklist was compiled, based on specific scores for housing and management conditions, and animals’ nutritional status, health, and behavior. Finally, the possible association between welfare measures and productive and reproductive traits was assessed. Overall, we observed an adequate level of animal wellbeing both in intensive and semi-intensive farming systems. This is possible thanks to the increased knowledge on goat breeding characteristics, and to the fact that veterinarians and farmers understood the importance of welfare protection to achieve a better health. Higher milk production was associated to some management practices (presence of the owner on the farm, high frequency of bedding change), and to seasonal breeding (which was mainly performed in the intensive farming). Moreover, it was associated to a quantity of urea in the milk comprised between 33 and 44 mg/dL. In intensive farms, the prevalence of caseous lymphadenitis was significantly higher compared to non-intensive farms. The semi-intensive breeding system positively influences the animals’ behavior.

LAND DEALS AND SMALL-SCALE INTENSIVE FARMING DECISIONS

The upsurge of land deals in Northern Ghana is a concern to many stakeholders. In order to reduce the effects of land deals on livelihoods, farmers resort to adopting semi-intensive, intensive or low intensive farming systems. Using a multinomial logit model, this study assessed how land deals influence the decision of a farm household to choose any of the farming regimes. Factors that influence farmers’ decision to choose intensive as against semi-intensive methods of farming are farm size, awareness of land grabbing, intension of cultivating part of grabbed land, number of adults, household expenditure, location, remittances and land grabbed investment type. On the other hand, households’ engagement in low intensive as compared to semi-intensive methods of farming are influenced by age, fallowing period, education, remittances, and household expenditure. Land deals must be accompanied by efforts to diversify livelihoods of smallholder farmers away from land-based systems. This would require skills training for rural peasant farmers to enable them take up emerging livelihood opportunities. In order to safeguard the interests and livelihood of rural peasants, agricultural investment programmes must make community-investor partnership a key condition for gaining access to government and donor incentives.

Aetiology, Risk Factors, Diagnosis and Control of Foot-Related Lameness in Dairy Sheep.

Simple SummaryDespite improvements in modern livestock management, intensification of farming systems has led to the emergence of infectious and husbandry-related health and welfare challenges. Among them, foot pathology-associated lameness is one of the most significant, as it has been strongly associated with adverse consequences in the well-being of animals, and the productivity and the overall profitability of the farms. The objective of this article is to review the current status of knowledge regarding foot-related lameness in sheep, emphasizing on the etiology, risk factors, diagnostic capabilities and control strategies of foot problems in dairy sheep.During the last twenty years, considerable research efforts have recognized the consequences of foot-related lameness primarily in cattle, and meat and wool sheep. Despite the lack of extensive epidemiological studies, field observations and isolated research reports in dairy sheep have suggested that the problem might be more severe in semi-intensive and intensive farming systems. Footrot, contagious ovine digital dermatitis, ovine interdigital dermatitis, white line disease, and pedal joint abscess are the most common causes of foot-related lameness. Dichelobacter nodosus, Fusobacterium necrophorum, Treponema spp., and Actinomyces pyogenes are the most significant foot-related lameness-associated pathogens. Despite a documented hereditary predisposition, environmental factors are the most important in determining the occurrence of foot-related lameness. Moist and warm environment, increased parity and milk yield, inappropriate housing conditions and infrastructures, inadequate hygiene status, imbalanced nutrition, and insufficient foot care are the most critical risk factors. Furthermore, a foot-lameness control plan should include targeted implementation of claw trimming and footbathing, evidence-based planning of hygiene measures in preventive veterinary practices (i.e., antibiotic administration, vaccinations against footrot), selective breeding to footrot resistance, and, most importantly, the continuous training of farming personnel. Controlling foot-lameness in dairy sheep is critical in determining the well-being of animals, and strongly affects the farm’s profitability and sustainability.

ASSESSING THE ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY OF INTENSIVE AND SEMI-INTENSIVE GOAT FARMING SYSTEMS IN DUYENHAI DISTRICT, TRAVINH PROVINCE

This research is conducted to assess the economic efficiency of two farming operations of goats called intensive and semi-intensive in Duyen Hai District, TraVinh Province, thereby finding out the drawbacks of each system and potential solutions towards the sustainability of goat farming in the area. An in-depth interview method was applied (KIP) to inteview two different groups of participants. The first group was leaders of Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of TraVinh Province and the second group consisted of 120 household farmers in four communes of Duyen Hai District. Beside, multivariate regression model is also applied in this study. The findings show that both systems offer a great deal of productivity (VND 113.27mil/year/household for semi-intensive farming system and VND 136.11 mil/year/household for intensive farming system). However, in response to climate change, the intensive goat farming operation brings higher level of profits and has a lower environmental impact, especially goat manure is beneficial for crops.

Testing eye temperature assessed with infrared thermography to evaluate stress in meat goats raised in a semi-intensive farming system: a pilot study.

The Blanca Serrana goat is selected for meat production and usually raised in an extensive farm system. The meat goat industry is getting bigger in Spain, evolving to more intensive farming systems. The negative influence of stress produced by daily management on animal welfare is even bigger in these animals as they are not used to getting so close to humans. Eye temperature has recently appeared as an appropriate and noninvasive tool for welfare assessment in cattle, but no previous studies have been developed in goats. Thus, the main aim of this pilot study was to test eye temperature as a noninvasive tool to explore stress levels associated with a semi-intensive farming system for meat goats in comparison with the standard measurements of stress.For that, 24 Blanca Serrana goats were used. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR) and eye temperature (ET), assessed with infrared thermography samples, were collected just before and just after a stressful situation created to check how the routine management of semi-intensive farming systems affected this species. A factorial ANOVA, least square means and Scheffé post hoc comparison analyses found statistically significant differences due to the stress test moment for RR () and ET () with higher values shown after the stress test than before it. Differences due to age were found just for HR () and RR () stress parameters, with kids showing higher results than adults. Pearson correlations between HR, RR and ET parameters showed a medium–high positive correlation of 0.56 between RR and ET.Thus, ET appears as an appropriate and noninvasive tool to explore stress levels associated with a semi-intensive farming system for meat goats.

The potential of Hoplias malabaricus (Characiformes: Erythrinidae), a Neotropical carnivore, for aquaculture

We describe key production-related traits of trahira (Hoplias malabaricus), an aquaculture candidate species, in a semi-intensive fish farming system. We quantified growth from hatch through grow-out at two stocking densities and evaluated fillet protein, lipids and fatty-acid content. We made 2430 observations of growth and morphometrics on 270 juvenile fish allocated to four fish ponds, two at 5 fish/m2 (90 animals) and two at 10 fish/m2 (180 animals) through 11 months. The fish reached an average length of 27.5 cm (±0.38) and 27.0 cm (±0.24), and weight of 263.0 g (±10.54) and 246.7 g (±6.89), respectively, at the low and high densities. There was no significant difference in weight (P > 0.05) between the densities for any of the parameters assessed, and hence the same growth curve applied to both densities (A = 292.9; B = 28.1; and K = 0.65). Standard length, however, differed significantly (P < 0.05) between densities, with K = 0.35 at the low and K = 0.29 at the high density. At both stocking densities, total lipids increased throughout the trial, while protein content decreased. Oleic acid (C18:0) increased throughout the experimental period, while docosahexaenoic acid and the n3/n6 profile decreased, with no differences among stocking densities. Hoplias malabaricus may prove a viable aquaculture species in Neotropical regions, where development of native species may contribute to sustainable aquaculture production.

Biodiversity of ticks of sheep and goats in semi-intensive farming system in Vojvodina

The present study was conducted in 90 sheep and goats flocks from the territory of Vojvodina in the two years period of March 2016 to October 2017, during the grazing season. Tick infestation was deteected in 53.14% of examined animals. The most dominant was Ixodes ricinus (43.91%), followed by Dermacentor marginatus (31.91%), Rhipicephalus bursa (15.22%), R.sanguineus (8.72%), Hyalomma savignyi (3.72%),, Haemaphysalis punctata (3.21%) and D.pictus (2.72%) . The sex ratio of detected tick species showed a higher number of females in four species (I.ricinus, H.punctata, R.sanguineus and D.marginatus), while higher number of males were detected in two species (R.bursa and Hy.savignyi), and an equal number of ticks of the D.pictus. The population dynamics of recorded tick species showed two annual maxima, in spring (April- May) and in autumn (September-October). The considerable interchange between spring and autumn tick populations can be attributed mainly to environmental conditions.

Reproductive performance and body condition score of Deccani sheep during various physiological stages in different farming systems

The research was carried out to study the effect of different farming systems on reproductive traits and body condition score in Deccani sheep. Ewes (36), 9–12 months of age, were divided in to 3 groups, viz. intensive (T1), semi-intensive (T2) and extensive farming system (T3) with 12 ewes in each group following completely randomized design. The results revealed that, body weight at puberty in intensive group (17.6 kg) was significantly higher than extensive (16.3) group. Age at puberty in extensive group was significantly higher (338 days) than intensive group (290 days). The conception rate in intensive group was 75%, which was higher than semi-intensive and extensive (58.3 and 66.6% respectively). Intensive group had achieved significantly higher body weight at lambing (24.74 kg) than semi-intensive (23.12 kg) and extensive (22.23 kg). Birth weight of lambs in intensive group (2.5 kg) was significantly higher than semi-intensive (1.98 kg) and extensive groups (1.82 kg). Length of estrus cycle and duration of oestrus differed nonsignificantly in different farming systems. BCS values were significantly higher during pregnancy in intensive group. BCS near parturition (48 h near) and BCS 3 months (post-parturition) was significantly higher in intensive as compared to semi-intensive and extensive. BCS (48 h after parturition) was significantly higher in intensive and semi-intensive systems with respect to extensive system. It can be concluded that reproductive traits and body condition score were higher in intensive system compared to other systems because care of life stages through provision of concentrate feed, with minimal body energy loss can be assured in intensive farming system.