Farm Survey Research Articles

A mixed method approach to analysing patterns and drivers of antibiotic use and resistance in beef farms in Argentina

IntroductionAntimicrobial resistance is a challenge to be faced by all livestock sectors; within beef farming, antibiotic use patterns vary by country and management practices. Argentina is a country with high beef production & consumption but limited information surrounding antibiotic use. The aims of this project was to understand how antibiotics are being used across the beef industry in Argentina and exploring drivers of usage.MethodsQuantitative and qualitative data was collected by: A survey of breeding and feedlot farms including antibiotic use (from purchase data); a detailed analysis of two feedlot farms’ therapeutic antibiotic use records; a survey of vets’ views on certain antibiotic practices; and a focus group of farmers and vets focusing on wider influences affecting decision making. Antibiotic use data was calculated using mg/population corrected unit (PCU) (ESVAC) and thematic analysis was used to identify drivers of antibiotic use among participants.ResultsThe median use across 17 farms that supplied purchase data was 76.52 mg/kg PCU (ESVAC; IQR = 36.81 mg/kg PCU [ESVAC]). The detailed farm records showed that the largest reason for treatment was group treatments (72.92% of treatments) followed by treatment for respiratory disease (12.75% of treatments). Macrolides accounted for 76.37% of treatments. Nearly half of farms used routine prophylactic treatment for arriving animals (n = 7/18). The use of quarantine and ‘sick pens’ were seen as important by surveyed vets with antibiotic prophylaxis and in-feed antibiotics seen as contributors to antibiotic resistance. The focus group highlighted the influence of the economic and political landscape on husbandry practices and the responsibility the farming sector had towards antibiotic stewardship.DiscussionOverall, Argentine beef feedlots resemble North American beef feedlots in terms of antibiotic practices but with considerably lower usage, with in-feed monensin representing a large proportion of total ABU. The adaptation period presents a challenge to animal health; antibiotics are administered a prophylaxis, metaphylactic and individual treatments depending on farm management practices. Further research into internationally comparable measures of ABU and detailed cost-benefit analysis of practical, on-farm interventions are needed to aid improved antimicrobial stewardship in livestock systems globally.

Mixed method evaluation of factors influencing the adoption of organic participatory guarantee system certification among Vietnamese vegetable farmers

AbstractIn markets where vegetables are commonly cultivated with heavy use of synthetic pesticides, it is particularly important for consumers to be able to identify genuine organic produce. Organic Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) certification offers smallholder farmers an affordable way to build trust among consumers and secure premium prices for their organic produce. In Vietnam, the demand for vegetables with no, or low, pesticide residues is growing. The attractiveness of PGS certification should increase accordingly, but the number of organic PGS certified farmers in Vietnam are stagnating or even decreasing. The aim of this study is to explain this paradox by investigating the factors that influence the adoption of organic PGS certification among Vietnamese vegetable farmers. We follow a mixed methods approach, combining a qualitative analysis of farmer interviews (n = 62) and a quantitative analysis of a farm survey data (n = 434) using a sample selection model that estimates adoption contingent on farmers’ awareness of PGS certification. Drawing on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, we found that social relationships and positive attitudes towards farming and the environment drive the adoption of organic PGS. Barriers include insufficient knowledge of organic farming techniques, labour shortages, and ageing farmers. At the systemic level, support by (non-)governmental institutions facilitates adoption, but challenges such as lower yields and limited access to premium markets remain. To promote organic PGS among Vietnamese vegetable farmers, efforts should focus on disseminating organic farming techniques that boost yields, alleviate labour demands, and ensure secure markets for premium-priced organic vegetables.

Estimating the effect of biological nitrification inhibition-enabled sorghum on nitrogen fertilizer consumption, life cycle GHG emissions, farmer's benefit and fertilizer subsidy from Indian sorghum production

Biological nitrification inhibition (BNI) effectively curtails nitrogen (N) loss and enhances N utilization efficiency. BNI is increasingly important as a technology for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and water pollution in countries with high N fertilizer consumption. This study aimed to evaluate the potential impacts of BNI-enabled sorghum varieties with a 30 % soil nitrification inhibition rate for a major sorghum-growing state (Maharashtra, India). We analysed the farm survey data collected for Rabi sorghum in 2020–2021 (n = 250) and for Kharif sorghum in 2022 (n = 209). Life cycle greenhouse gas (LC-GHG) emissions were estimated using a life cycle assessment with a cradle-to-farm gate perspective. The results showed that adoption of BNI-enabled sorghum reduced N fertilizer application in the Rabi and Kharif seasons by 8.0 % and 7.4 % and area-scaled/yield-scaled LC-GHG emissions by 15.6 % and 11.2 %, respectively, while increasing farmers' benefits slightly. These changes could reduce the government's expenditure on urea fertilizer subsidies by 9.1 %. However, many farmers indicated that they would not change N fertilizer application even if the yield per N fertilizer application increased. Even under these circumstances, area-scaled/yield-scaled LC-GHG emissions will be decreased by 11.3 % and 13.5 % in the Rabi season and 8.1 % and 10.2 % in the Kharif season, respectively. The yield and farmers' benefit will increase by 2.5 % and 4.9 % in the Rabi season and by 2.4 % and 6.5 % in the Kharif season, respectively, but the government's expenditure on fertilizer will not decrease. These results indicate that BNI-enabled sorghum can be introduced into countries where fertilizer use is low. This study shows the potential impacts of BNI-enabled sorghum under two scenarios; N fertilizer consumption is reduced or maintained. Discussions on the N fertilizer consumption under BNI-enabled sorghum are needed to establish a sustainable food system, especially in countries with high N fertilizer consumption.

Copper requirements of animals and pastures in New Zealand pastoral agriculture - a review

More copper (Cu) is required for the growth of cattle and deer than sheep and pasture. National and regional farm surveys showed that mean pasture Cu concentrations were generally within or above the required range for pasture growth and lambs but below that for cattle and deer. Pasture concentrations of molybdenum (Mo) of up to 7 mg/kg for lambs and 10 mg/kg for deer had no effect on liveweight gain provided that pasture Cu concentrations were 7 to 8 mg/kg or greater. From twenty-one sites, there was a significant response to Cu in animal liveweight gain and wool weight only from lambs injected monthly with Cu and deer grazing pasture top dressed with copper sulphur, both on pasture with high Mo concentrations. Daily drenching of animals with copper sulphate or chelated Cu and the use of Cu capsules or copper oxide (CuO) wire particles was more effective at increasing liver Cu concentration than Cu injections or topdressing with copper sulphate. There was a significant pasture yield response measured on Recent and podzolised soils that had pasture Cu concentrations in the deficient range. There is a need for more research on the response in liveweight gain of cattle and deer from different Cu treatments at varying pasture Mo concentrations.

Evaluation of value adding components from postharvest biomass of Thai medicinal cannabis var. Hang Kra Rog Phu Phan

Thailand has undertaken regulatory reforms to facilitate the cultivation and commercialisation of Cannabis sativa L. for medicinal purposes. The prominent cannabis strain in Thailand is Hang Kra Rog Phu Phan (HRPP), distinguished for its high tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content. The recent adoption of a biocircular approach within the industry reflects a commitment to minimising losses and enhancing value-added processes. However, there is limited information on biomass generation from the postharvest management of this cannabis strain and the development of value-added products. This study aims to address this gap by conducting a survey of local cannabis farms and evaluating the quantity of cannabis biomass by-product materials resulting from the production process. According to the survey, stems were the most abundant materials followed by leaves and roots. These by-products were subsequently gathered and examined for its chemical components. The results of proximate analysis highlighted that the dried leaves had a high protein content up to 19.27 %, the highest in three types of biomasses. The composition of fat, fibre, ash, and carbohydrates varies depending on the type of biomass. By using sequential extraction, it was found that the extraction yield of pectin in the leaf materials was as high as 13.82 %, and in the stem part, it was at 13.02 %. Meanwhile, cellulose was found in the highest proportion from the roots, at 83.77 %. Confirmation of the composition of polysaccharides using microarray profiling revealed that these biomasses contain various types of polysaccharides (pectin, cellulose, hemicellulose). Analysis of bioactive compounds revealed that the total phenolic and total flavonoid content were the highest in the leaf biomass, consisting of 11.57 and 14.91 mg/g DM, respectively. The leaves also had the highest antioxidant activity. Quantitative analysis of the metabolites in the leaves found contents of rosmarinic acid 2.55 mg/g DM, catechin 2.33 mg/g DM, vanillin 2.32 mg/g DM and in the cannabinoid group, the highest quantity of cannabinol (CBN) 2.63 mg/g DM was found. The findings from this study could serve as a guideline for utilising biomass generated from the production process of cannabis that could be used for pharmaceutical, food, and feed purposes.

‘They adopt, I also adopt’: The neighborhood effects and irrigator farmers’ conversion to adopt water-saving irrigation technology

Promoting water-saving irrigation technology (WSIT) has long been recognized as an effective measure to reduce irrigation water use and alleviate regional water poverty. Neighbours are the groups with the most interaction, the most intensive contact and the most frequent communication in agricultural production. In this paper, based on a field survey of irrigator farmers of China, experiments were conducted to evaluate the contribution of neighbour effect to farmers’ WSIT behaviour and its moderating mechanism between neighbour effect and technology adoption. The results show 26.7 % farmers adopt water-saving technology and these farmers often have strong neighborly relationships. In particular, neighbor effect significantly promote WSIT adoption by 42.1 % and farmers with strong neighborly effects apply significant higher technology compared to farmers with weak neighbourly effects. Furthermore, mechanism results indicated that neighbour effects indirectly influence farmers' adoption of water-saving irrigation technology through three pathways: reducing information search costs, mitigating agricultural production risks and benefiting from the demonstration effect. Moreover, the heterogeneous results report that higher-income, lower digital and lower training frequency farmers will benefit more from the NE in terms of WSIT. Overall, this research provides a micro foundation and policy implications for the promotion of WSIT, and sheds light upon how the government can formulate relevant policies to promote the sustainable development of agricultural water resources.

Gender dynamics and aspirational disparities in agriculture

AbstractDespite increasing scholarly attention to individual aspirations, rural women's aspirations in agriculture remain largely unexplored. With women increasingly central to agricultural work, understanding their aspirations is crucial. Using farm surveys from Ecuador, Kenya, and Rwanda, we investigate the relationship between gender and aspiration formation in agriculture. Similar to previous findings related to education and entrepreneurship, our findings show women have lower ambitions for agricultural production. Addressing the unique challenges they face, gender‐sensitive policies are vital for inclusive, sustainable agriculture. Our study contributes to a broader understanding of the multidimensional factors shaping agricultural outcomes, underscoring the importance of integrating diverse perspectives for effective policy formulation in agriculture.

Potassium limits productivity in intensive cereal cropping systems in Southeast Asia.

Potassium (K) has received little attention as a potential yield-limiting factor in cropping systems. Here we investigated the K status in intensive cereal cropping systems in Indonesia, which are representative of many other Southeast Asian countries. Our analysis included nutrient input-output balance, leaf nutrient status, long- and short-term fertilizer trials, and farmer surveys. We revealed that soil K levels alone are insufficient to meet plant requirements, and current fertilizer applications are inadequate to prevent K deficiencies and large negative annual soil K balances in farmer fields (average -62 kgK ha-1). On-farm fertilizer trials indicated that nearly 80% of rice crops and 70% of maize crops achieved higher yields with the application of K fertilizer. Addressing K limitations will require an enhanced capacity to predict crop responses to K fertilizer, together with long-term, flexible fertilizer and crop residue management strategies. Furthermore, similar K limitations have probably emerged in other regions globally due to intensive cropping with insufficient K replenishment, which must be addressed to close yield gaps on existing farmland.

Environmental impacts and nitrogen-carbon-energy nexus of vegetable production in subtropical plateau lake basins.

Vegetables are important economic crops globally, and their production has approximately doubled over the past 20 years. Globally, vegetables account for 13% of the harvested area but consume 25% of the fertilizer, leading to serious environmental impacts. However, the quantitative evaluation of vegetable production systems in subtropical plateau lake basins and the establishment of optimal management practices to further reduce environmental risks are still lacking. Using the life cycle assessment method, this study quantified the global warming, eutrophication, acidification, and energy depletion potential of vegetable production in a subtropical plateau lake basin in China based on data from 183 farmer surveys. Our results indicated that vegetable production in the study area, the Erhai Lake Basin, was high but came at a high environmental cost, mainly due to low fertilizer efficiency and high nutrient loss. Root vegetables have relatively high environmental costs due to the significant environmental impacts of fertilizer production, transportation, and application. A comprehensive analysis showed that the vegetable production in this region exhibited low economic and net ecosystem economic benefits, with ranges of 7.88-8.91 × 103 and 7.35-8.69 × 103 $ ha-1, respectively. Scenario analysis showed that adopting strategies that comprehensively consider soil, crop, and nutrient conditions for vegetable production can reduce environmental costs (with reductions in global warming potential (GWP), eutrophication potential (EP), acidification potential (AP), and energy depletion potential (EDP) by 10.6-28.2%, 65.1-73.5%, 64.5-71.9%, 47.8-70.4%, respectively) compared with the current practices of farmers. This study highlighted the importance of optimizing nutrient management in vegetable production based on farmers' practices, which can achieve more yield with less environmental impacts and thereby avoid the "trade-off" effect between productivity and environmental sustainability.

The LTAR Cropland Common Experiment at the Kellogg Biological Station.

The Kellogg Biological Station Long-term Agroecosystem Research site (KBS LTAR) joined the national LTAR Network in 2015 to represent a northeast portion of the North Central Region, extending across 76,000 km2 of southern Michigan and northern Indiana. Regional cropping systems are dominated by corn (Zea mays)-soybean (Glycine max) rotations managed with conventional tillage, industry-average rates of fertilizer and pesticide inputs uniformly applied, few cover crops, and little animal integration. In 2020, KBS LTAR initiated the Aspirational Cropping System Experiment as part of the LTAR Common Experiment, a co-production model wherein stakeholders and researchers collaborate to advance transformative change in agriculture. The Aspirational (ASP) cropping system treatment, designed by a team of agronomists, farmers, scientists, and other stakeholders, is a five-crop rotation of corn, soybean, winter wheat (Triticum aestivum), winter canola (Brassicus napus), and a diverse forage mix. All phases are managed with continuous no-till, variable rate fertilizer inputs, and integrated pest management to provide benefits related to economic returns, water quality, greenhouse gas mitigation, soil health, biodiversity, and social well-being. Cover crops follow corn and winter wheat, with fall-planted crops in the rotation providing winter cover in other years. The experiment is replicated with all rotation phases at both the plot and field scales and with perennial prairie strips in consistently low-producing areas of ASP fields. The prevailing practice (or Business as usual [BAU]) treatment mirrors regional prevailing practices as revealed by farmer surveys. Stakeholders and researchers evaluate the success of the ASP and BAU systems annually and implement management changes on a 5-year cycle.

Campylobacter californiensis sp. nov., isolated from cattle and feral swine.

Nine Campylobacter strains were isolated from cattle and feral swine faeces: three were recovered during a 2007 Campylobacter-associated outbreak linked to a dairy, and the other six were isolated during a 2009-2010 survey of farms and ranches in Central California. The species identification of these strains could not be determined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing but were most similar to Campylobacter concisus and Campylobacter mucosalis. Additional atpA typing indicated that the nine strains composed a discrete novel clade related to C. concisus and C. mucosalis. A polyphasic study was undertaken here to clarify their taxonomic position. Phylogenetic analyses were performed based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and the concatenated sequences of 330 core genes. The core gene analysis placed the nine strains into a clade well separated from the other Campylobacter taxa, indicating that these strains represent a novel Campylobacter species. Pairwise digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values between these strains and other campylobacters are lower than 16 and 73%, respectively, further supporting their placement into a novel taxon. Standard phenotypic testing was performed. All strains are microaerobic or anaerobic, motile, Gram-negative, slightly-curved rods that are oxidase positive but catalase negative. Strains can be distinguished from the other catalase-negative Campylobacter species using phenotypic markers such as motility, oxidase activity, cephalothin resistance, hippuricase activity, growth at 30 °C, and α-haemolysis. The data presented here show that these strains represent a novel species within Campylobacter, for which the name Campylobacter californiensis sp. nov. (type strain RM6914T=LMG 32304T=CCUG 75329T) is proposed.

The Inarticulate Few: Agrarian voices during the modernisation of agriculture in Leicestershire 1935–1955

Abstract Leicestershire experienced a uniquely pronounced shift from pastoral to mixed arable agriculture during the Second World War, with changes to farming practice being overseen and enforced by the County War Agricultural Executive Committee. The invasive powers of such Committees have led them to be criticised in recent historiography as an affront to individual freedoms. Opposition and resentment towards these policies would surely be most pronounced where they caused the greatest change – in Leicestershire. This article studies oral testimonies, alongside corresponding farm surveys from the period to provide a more objective basis for comparison, to reveal contemporary farmers did not share the negative historiographical characterisation of wartime policy. By the mid-1950s, agriculture in Leicestershire had embraced the ‘modern’ scientific methods demanded by the committees, but farmers’ recollections of the committee appear to span from favourable to, at worst, ambivalent. They considered the committee’s demands and methods necessary and for the most part, entirely reasonable.

Influences affecting adoption of management to mitigate impacts of intensive winter grazing of forage crops

ABSTRACT Intensive winter grazing on forage crops helps overcome winter feed shortages but is associated with soil pugging and high rates of sediment and nutrient losses. A recently recommended approach to intensive winter grazing management–grazing from the top of the slope downwards (‘top-down’)–can substantially reduce sediment and nutrient losses as part of a suite of practices called ‘strategic grazing’. We hypothesised that this new management has had significant uptake and that a farmer’s risk preferences, values, and demographics influence adoption of these practices. Using a national-scale survey of farmers from 2023, we found that 52.5% of respondents who grazed winter forage crops on slopes, grazed top-down. Location had a modest impact on this decision, with Otago respondents being 17–24% more likely to graze top-down than those from other regions. Māori farmers were 30% more likely to graze top-down than non-Māori farmers. Profitability was positively correlated with this decision. We conclude that the adoption of top-down grazing practices on slopes for winter forage crops is widespread, with just over half of the farmers surveyed grazing winter forage crops top-down.

Farmers’ Perception of Shelter Forests and the Influencing Factors in Windy Desert Areas of the Hexi Corridor, China

Shelter forest systems in the sandy areas mainly comprise farmland shelter forests (FSF) and windbreak and sand-fixing forests (WSF). Through a questionnaire survey of farmers in the oasis–desert transition zone of the windy desert areas of the Hexi Corridor in China, a perception assessment model of farmers’ perception of the status quo and ecosystem service function of shelter forests was constructed, and the willingness of farmers to pay for shelter forest construction and protection was measured. Influencing factors for the farmers’ perception of shelter forests were analyzed by a multiple regression analysis. The results showed problems with pests and diseases all present in FSF and WSF, the destruction of farmland in FSF, and water scarcity in WSF. Farmers evaluated the ecological role of shelter forests as the most obvious in windbreak and sand fixation; intermediate in the four ecological roles of leisure and recreation, agricultural production, a sense of locality, and climate regulation; and the smallest in soil improvement. Nearly 95% of farmers are willing to donate funds to shelter forest construction and protection, and the average amount the farmers were willing to pay was CNY 54.30 per year. Willingness to pay, annual household income, gender, environmental experience, age, and interview area have significant effects on farmers’ perception of shelter forests. Finally, in this paper, we recommend increasing motivation through government financial support and training for farmers to address pests and diseases, water security, and the destruction of farmland in shelter forests to ensure healthy and sustainable growth.

Analysis of green technology usage and inequality reduction related to climate change adaptation

The purpose of this study is to analyze issues related to the use of green technology and to provide a theoretical basis for how the application of green technology in agriculture can reduce inequality. Additionally, the study aims to explore policy alternatives based on the analysis of inequality reduction issues through farmer surveys. For this purpose, this study used survey data to analyze farmers’ perceptions, acceptance status, willingness to accept green technology, and perceptions of inequality. The quantitative analysis was performed to analyze the relationship between the acceptance of green technology and perceptions of inequality. The results confirmed that access to information, perception of climate change, and awareness of the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are major factors. In particular, the higher the satisfaction with policies regarding the introduction of green technology, the lower the perception of inequality. Specifically, the acceptance of green technology showed a significant positive correlation with access to information, perception of climate change, and awareness of the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while perceptions of inequality showed a significant negative correlation with policy satisfaction. In conclusion, green technology in agriculture is vital for reducing climate change damage and inequality. However, targeted policy support for small-scale farmers is essential for successful adoption. This study provides policy implications related to the application of green technology in the agricultural sector, which can promote sustainable agricultural development.

In Good Times and in Bad, in Sickness and in Health: The Continuous Rise in Adoption of Labour-Saving Agricultural Technologies in Myanmar

Agriculture is rapidly transforming in many low- and middle-income countries – most often driven by the adoption of new agricultural technologies – but changes remain poorly understood in fragile and conflict-affected states. We look at the case of Myanmar, a prime example of such a state. After decades of isolationism and economic stagnation, it opened its economy in the beginning of the 2010s, leading to rapid economic growth. But the COVID-19 health crisis and a military coup in the beginning of 2021 – leading to heightened conflicts, forced displacements, and increased migration – dramatically reversed that outlook. Based on large-scale farm surveys, we find that adoption of labour-saving agricultural technologies – measured by the use of mechanization, herbicides, and direct seeding of rice – increased rapidly over the economic growth period and that the increase surprisingly persisted during the crisis years, but at a slower rate. This uptake was lower, however, for households in the most conflict-affected areas, partly due to differential agricultural input availability. Smallholders and more remote farmers also participated less. This finding suggests an increasing labour productivity gap for remote and conflict-affected smallholders, with important implications for their welfare.

The effects of market-oriented farming on living standards, nutrition, and informal sharing arrangements of smallholder farmers: the case of African indigenous vegetables in Kenya

AbstractThe shift from subsistence to more market-oriented agriculture is viewed as essential to increase smallholder farmers’ welfare. However, its impact on farmers’ nutrition and informal sharing arrangements and associated solidarity within African farming communities remains uncertain. To analyse these trade-offs, we study the growing commercialization of African indigenous vegetables (AIV) in Kenya. These vegetables are an essential component of local diets in rural areas but also of informal sharing arrangements that provide access to food outside of markets. This article combines quantitative data from a 2016–2022 panel survey of farmers with qualitative data from focus group discussions. Results based on household fixed-effects models show a significant increase in households’ non-food expenditures due to selling AIV. The results suggest that selling AIV did not negatively affect nutrition outcomes but did not improve them either. Informal AIV sharing between households decreased further with growing market participation. Panel data models indicate, however, inconsistent and insignificant changes in associated solidarity indicators. We attribute this to the multiple and sometimes opposing effects of market-oriented farming on solidarity, as revealed by focus group discussions. While some farmers perceive reduced solidarity due to less informal AIV sharing, others perceived this traditional solidarity to be partially forced. Other forms of social interaction have also emerged, such as cooperatives and more intensive knowledge sharing. Despite concerns about the loss of informal sharing and community solidarity and limited improvements in nutrition outcomes, the tangible income gains generated by selling AIV are likely to foster further growth in the AIV sector.

Agricultural restructuring in a Devon Parish: A new chapter in an old story

The structure of the agricultural industry has undergone significant change over the last century, both in the UK and internationally, with post-war shifts towards larger and more owner-occupied farms being well recorded. The extent and detail of more recent agricultural restructuring in England deserves close attention because there are important shortcomings in the key source of official data (the Defra June survey), which obscure the realities of restructuring by inadequately representing unconventional tenure arrangements and overlooking very small farms. This has contributed to an under-recognition of what we consider to be a new phase of agricultural restructuring, beginning in the 1980s and continuing today, in which tenure arrangements have become increasingly complex and capital increasingly concentrated into the hands of fewer operators, many of which are not the family-run businesses that previously characterised the industry. Using a case study parish in Devon, England, we use a range of data sources in order to explore the details of restructuring between 1941 and 2016. Historical information from the National Farm Survey (1941–1943) was analysed alongside contemporary information from the Land Registry in order to spatially map and track changes in farm sizes and occupancy during this period, with the assistance of a Geographical Information System (ArcGIS). A key informant personally familiar with the farms (and their histories) supplemented this data, providing crucial information that was missing from official data sources. Our findings provide a detailed, hitherto unseen picture of agricultural restructuring at a local level, which demonstrates the importance of attending to the presence of complex tenure arrangements not always represented in official data.

Performance evaluation of Uruguayan dairy farming systems

In the last 20 years, the Uruguayan dairy sector has intensified and concentrated on higher cow productivity, maintaining the herd, smaller land, and fewer farms. The research aims are to identify, describe, and evaluate the economic performance of different types of dairy farms. A sample of 284 farms from the National Dairy Farm Survey 2019 was used (representing 2,021 dairies); using k-means Cluster analysis with the variables: cow productivity, stocking rate, land productivity, concentrate, roughage, and grass intake (per hectare). We identified six farm types, three with high participation of grass in the cows’ diets (HG, 60% or more of dry matter intake), and the other three focused on supplementation (HS); with three intensification levels (1-low, 2-intermediate and 3-high productivity per ha). For the 2018/19 season three types of farms presented the best economic performance (HS-3, HG-3, and HG-2), including those with the highest stocking rate and grass intake per hectare, and more than USD 225 Economic Farm Surplus (EFS) per hectare with the lower unitary cost. Other two types exhibited intermediate economic performance (HS-2 and HG-1) with EFS close to zero and unitary cost similar to price. And one type (HS-1) displayed the worst economic performance, with negative indicators and the largest number of farms with very low productivity.

Overview of animal infectious disease situation in the Republic of Dagestan in 2023

An epizootiological survey of livestock farms of Dagestan was conducted, the main infectious diseases common in the region were considered, and measures taken to protect against them were described. At present, the Veterinary Service is undertaking systematic efforts to prevent the occurrence and spread of infectious diseases such as brucellosis, leukosis, rabies, pasteurellosis, blackleg, bradsot and enterotoxemia in the Republic. Among the above-mentioned diseases reported in 2023, brucellosis and leukosis are responsible for the vast majority of outbreaks and diseased animals detected in them. In particular, the following diseases have the largest share in the nosological profile of quarantinable infectious diseases based on the number of detected infected localities during the period under study: brucellosis (52.63%), bovine leukosis (30.70%), rabies (8.77%), enterotoxemia (3.51%), pasteurellosis (1.75%), bradsot (1.75%) and blackleg (0.88%). In total, 1,812 animals were affected with quarantinable infections and 35 animals died in 114 infected localities. Most often over the past year, quarantinable infections were reported in cattle (69.59% of cases) and small ruminants (29.36%); in 1.05% of cases, the diseases affected horses, cats, wild animals and birds. In order to maintain animal disease freedom and sustainable growth of livestock production, the Veterinary Committee of the Republic of Dagestan annually implements measures to prevent the occurrence and spread of 75 diseases of animals and birds, including 10 highly dangerous ones. Anti-epizootic measures taken in the past year included a total of 93.8 million vaccinations and 6.2 million tests performed in the diagnostic institutions. Plans for the prevention of highly dangerous and other contagious diseases of animals and birds were fully implemented.