Small Cattle Farms Research Articles

Effect of Fermented Feed on Cattle Weight at Pondok Rawa Village, Deli Serdang Regency, North Sumatera

Abstract: Cattle farming in Indonesia, especially in North Sumatra, is still a secondary livelihood for breeders. Treatment and processing of beef are generally done in the traditional way. The success of the beef cattle business is very dependent on the fulfillment of nutrients that affect livestock health. Therefore, quality and sustainable feed is an important factor in livestock cultivation technology. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of fermented feed on cattle weight at a small cattle farm in Pondok Rawa Village, Deli Serdang Regency, Sumatera Utara. Fermented feed is formulated by mixing corn ash and palm oil cake (5:1), coarse salt, molasses, and EM4 into chlorine-free water. The feed was stored in PP plastic and incubated for 7 days. Five cows chosen randomly were given fermented feed every day for 1 month while the other 5 cows were only given forage. All test cattle were about 4 years old and weighed weekly and the data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA in JASP 0.16.4. The results showed that the average weight gain of one cattle fed with fermented feed (1.54 kg/week) was higher than forage treatment (0.69 kg/week). This result was validated and substantiated by ANOVA test result showing that value of p < 0.05.

Advancements in Biogas Production from Cow Dung: A Review of Present and Future Innovations

Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the world, which is significant with energy consumption. Currently, Indonesia is heavily dependent on fossil fuels to its energy needs, but continued reliance on these fuels could lead to depletion. To overcome this problem, biogas is considered as an alternative energy source for cooking and electricity, especially from waste such as cow dung. This research provides an overview of biogas production from small cattle farms in Indonesia, with a focus on cow dung as a valuable resource. It covers factors that increase biogas production, multiple digesters, purification techniques, and integrates Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. Articles for this study were selected using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method from reputable journals indexed in Scopus and PubMed. Sustainable biogas from cattle farms offers energy generation using abundant cow dung. Optimizing production involves adjusting raw materials, temperature, pH, C/N ratio and HRT. Different types of digesters have unique advantages. Purification techniques such as water scrubbing, PSA, etc. increase methane production. Integrating IoT provides monitoring and optimization. Biogas production has enormous potential for renewable energy, requiring the use and application of efficient techniques, digester types, purification, and IoT integration for a greener future.

Liner motor drive of cattle farm feeders

This article discusses feed distribution control using a linear electric drive for small cattle farms. Electrification feeders are difficult complex units which in addition to the dispenser, they are equipped with working bodies that perform various technological functions. Given the above, we can conclude that this type of farm use a lot electro energy to low this effect we need use automation systems to electro mechanic units. In this article given results of experimental work in using of liner motor drives in cattle farms and mathematic explanation of electro safety according to proposed technology.

Detection of single nucleotide polymorphism in the para-sodium channel gene of Rhipicephalus annulatus populations from Egypt resistant to deltamethrin

Rhipicephalus annulatus field populations collected from small cattle farms in Beni-Suef province in Egypt were evaluated for deltamethrin resistance by toxicological in vitro bioassays (adult immersion test-AIT and larval packet test-LPT). Moreover, a quantitative PCR high resolution melting (PCR-HRM) technique was used to detect nucleotide substitutions in the voltage-gated sodium channel (Na-channel) gene. By the in vitro bioassays, the examined ticks were phenotypically categorized as deltamethrin susceptible (populations El-Wasta - A, and El-Hakamna - C) or resistant (populations El-Wasta - B, El-Hakamna - D, EL-Halabia - E, and Kom-abokhalad - F). Based on LPT findings, the phenotypic resistant populations were found to have a resistance ratio between 6.5 – 10.8. The PCR-HRM genotyping of the ticks showed variable melting curves among the populations in domain II of the Na-channel gene. Analysis of the curves showed the presence of wild type, mutant homozygous, and mutant heterozygous tick individuals. By sequencing the PCR amplified fragments, the C190A mutation was the only detected nucleotide polymorphism of domain II among the phenotypically resistant populations, which was present in 39.5 % (34/86) of the ticks tested. On the other hand, the phenotypically susceptible populations A and C did not show C190A mutant homozygous (RR) individuals. Meanwhile, in domain III all of the examined populations revealed melting curves like the wild type. Furthermore, the sequence analysis of these populations confirmed the absence of SNPs in domain III. The C190A single point mutation was detected for the first time in domain II of the Na-channel gene of deltamethrin-resistant R. annulatus in Egypt using PCR-HRM. Screening for efficacy of chemical compounds used by farmers to control ticks on cattle should be considered as part of animal health programs to manage the emerging resistance to acaricides in R. annulatus populations.

METHOD OF COVERING THE SCHEDULE OF LOADING OF A LIVESTOCK FARM IN THE CASE OF AUTONOMOUS ELECTRICITY SUPPLY, BASED ON BIOGAS PLANTS

The paper proposes a method of tracking the livestock farm load schedule based on the determination of the required generation capacity depending on the actual load schedule. The use of this method allows the management of biogas power plants based on internal combustion engines, depending on changes in the load without power reserve for the time of possible displacement of technological operations. Unlike the power backup method, there is no additional power loss at the time of the reservation, the possible incorrect switches of electrical equipment that do not correspond to the normalized schedule are excluded, there is work in changing the order of operations and the order of switching on the equipment. The use of the method improves the energy efficiency of the biogas plant and also increases the reliability of the livestock farm's autonomous electricity supply system. The calculations of the use of this method for the cattle farm prove its energy efficiency in the conditions of autonomous electricity supply. Developed approaches to tracking the load schedule of the livestock farm allow for the management of biogas power plants depending on changes in the magnitude of the load without power reserve for the time of possible displacement of technological operations. The use of the proposed method is especially relevant for autonomous power systems. The calculations of using this method for a cattle farm testify to its effectiveness, in particular for a small cattle farm with a herd of 60 valid cows, 11 dry and 29 heads of young animals kept in the winter-stall period, the total saving is 82.8 kW ∙ h day.

Change in the Structure of Escherichia coli Population and the Pattern of Virulence Genes along a Rural Aquatic Continuum.

The aim of this study was to investigate the diversity of the Escherichia coli population, focusing on the occurrence of pathogenic E. coli, in surface water draining a rural catchment. Two sampling campaigns were carried out in similar hydrological conditions (wet period, low flow) along a river continuum, characterized by two opposite density gradients of animals (cattle and wild animals) and human populations. While the abundance of E. coli slightly increased along the river continuum, the abundance of both human and ruminant-associated Bacteroidales markers, as well as the number of E. coli multi-resistant to antibiotics, evidenced a fecal contamination originating from animals at upstream rural sites, and from humans at downstream urban sites. A strong spatial modification of the structure of the E. coli population was observed. At the upstream site close to a forest, a higher abundance of the B2 phylogroup and Escherichia clade strains were observed. At the pasture upstream site, a greater proportion of both E and B1 phylogroups was detected, therefore suggesting a fecal contamination of mainly bovine origin. Conversely, in downstream urban sites, A, D, and F phylogroups were more abundant. To assess the occurrence of intestinal pathogenic strains, virulence factors [afaD, stx1, stx2, eltB (LT), estA (ST), ipaH, bfpA, eae, aaiC and aatA] were screened among 651 E. coli isolates. Intestinal pathogenic strains STEC O174:H21 (stx2) and EHEC O26:H11 (eae, stx1) were isolated in water and sediments close to the pasture site. In contrast, in the downstream urban site aEPEC/EAEC and DAEC of human origin, as well as extra-intestinal pathogenic E. coli belonging to clonal group A of D phylogroup, were sampled. Even if the estimated input of STEC (Shiga toxin-producing E. coli) – released in water at the upstream pasture site – at the downstream site was low, we show that STEC could persist in sediment. These results show that, the run-off of small cattle farms contributed, as much as the wastewater effluent, in the dissemination of pathogenic E. coli in both water and sediments, even if the microbiological quality of the water was good or to average quality according to the French water index.

Biosecurity on Finnish cattle, pig and sheep farms – results from a questionnaire

Biosecurity is important in order to prevent disease transmission between animals on farms as well as from farm to farm. Personal biosecurity routines such as hand washing and the use of protective clothing and footwear are measures that should be used at all farms. Other measures are for example related to purchasing new animals to the farm.A questionnaire-based survey was undertaken to study the frequency of use of different biosecurity measures on cattle, pig and sheep farms in Finland. Information about which biosecurity measures are in use is needed for contingency planning of emerging diseases or when combating endemic diseases. Knowledge about the level of biosecurity of a farm is also needed in order to assess if and where improvement is needed. Information regarding biosecurity levels may benefit future animal disease risk assessments.A total of 2242 farmers responded to the questionnaire resulting in a response rate of 45%. The implementation frequencies of different biosecurity measures are reported. The results revealed differences between species: large pig farms had a better biosecurity level than small cattle farms. There were also differences between production types such as dairy farming versus beef cattle farming, but these were not as remarkable. Sheep farming in Finland is sparse and the large number of hobby farmers keeps the biosecurity level low on sheep farms. This might represent a risk for the entire sheep farming industry.The Finnish farmers were satisfied with their on-farm biosecurity. Eighty percent of the farmers report that they were satisfied even though the biosecurity level was not particularly high. The implementation of biosecurity measures could be further improved. Even though the disease situation in Finland is good today, one must be prepared for possible epidemics of threatening diseases.

Impact of Bacterial and Somatic Cells Content on Quality Fresh Milk in Small-Scale Dairy Farms in Kosovo

The basic goal of this research was to determine the impact of the presence of bacterial (CFU) and somatic cells count content (SCC) in quality of fresh milk in some small cattle farms in Kosovo. The survey was based on existing standards for milk quality in Kosovo placed under administrative guidance MA-no. 20/2006. The study was based on fresh milk analysis of 150 farms performed during the period September-December 2012, which was obtained in 9 different localities (collection points) of the Kosovo. Our study reveals that CFU and SCC in fresh milk were significantly affected by a number of factors, as: sampling period (repetition), locality, breed, and time of sampling (evening or/and morning). According to the results for CFU and SCC, there were big differences between the farms (milk collection points) included in the study (P < 0.0403) and (P < 0.0293). The results show that small size breed like Busha and its crosses tend to be less exposed to SCC/mL in milk (72.840) and (293.592), compared to Black Holstein (613.462), Simmental (521.519) and Brown Swiss (418.44). Milk produced in evening tended to be of better quality (259.854 CFU/mL) compared to the one from morning milking (576.689 CFU/mL). Fresh milk quality analyzed in the third repetition was better for about 33.3% compared with the repletion first. For CFU and SCC, the analyses show that about 74.7% and 64.7% of milk produced belongs to extra quality, while lower quality of milk of category three is 12.0% and 23.3%, respectively. Considering that about 85% of milk produced in Kosovo comes from small-scale dairy farms, the current study sets out that small-scale milk production system cannot be neglected by interest parties in dairy sector and needs permanent following up and improvement.

Dairy cow monitoring by RFID

Dairy cows identification and monitoring on small cattle farms are usually based on the utilization of barcode technology. This kind of identification technology is unsuitable for dairy cows milking and feeding process automation. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology is a better solution in this case. This paper describes the research and implementation of the milking cycle´s automated monitoring with the use of RFID tags conducted on a small cattle farm in the Republic of Serbia. This solution is based on RFID system which consists of two parts. First part includes control box, two Ultra High Frequency (UHF) RFID readers operating at frequency of 915 MHz and RFID tags glued onto the dairy cow ear labels. Second part includes software modules for acquisition and collecting data from RFID tags to build up an archive due to supervision and analysis of the milking cycle. Reading accuracy of RFID system in the observed period was 99.8 % in average. A group of dairy cows having a settled milking cycle within an interval of 12h ± 5 % had a 1.5 % better yield and a 0.08 better quality in comparison with a group of dairy cows having a milking cycle variance higher than 20 %. RFID system implemented in described way can be easily integrated into a new or existing farm management system in order to have better production results which depend on several factors including settled milking cycles.