Barnes Type Research Articles

Planning and Design of Prefabricated Beef Cattle Barns Constructed by Lightweight Concrete for Cold Climate Regions

It is very important to increase the income levels of livestock enterprises and engaged in animal production in our country by producing barns with modern and economic methods. In this study, prefabricated barn types which are built as opposed to traditionally built barns of the cold regions like Erzurum was revealed. Concerning tie-stall type barn, as for the number of animals 10, 20, and 30 headstocks discussed in the study. Moreover, the tie-stall prefabricated barn project is designed by using 50 tunnel type light-weight concrete materials to illustrate an example for commercial enterprises. At the end of the study, it was determined that prefabricated lightweight concrete barns were more economical than produced traditionally classical-type barns. As the number of cattle increased, the cost of barn decreased per cattle for cold climate conditions. The cost reduction percentage for 10-head barns was determined as 38.0% and 38.9% for lightweight concrete cylindrical roof and light concrete tunnel roofed barn types, respectively. These values were calculated as 60.5% - 61.4% for 20 head barns, and 59.9% - 60.4% for the 30 head barns. Among the studied barn types, it was found that the most economically suitable barn combination was a prefabricated barn with tunnel roof and lightweight concrete.

Waste Management in Dairy Cattle Farms in Aydın Region. Potential of Energy Application

In this paper, the dairy cattle waste management systems on farms in Aydın region in Turkey were investigated. Number of farms and livestock herd size, type of barn, type of machinery and farm labour force were studied. The collection, management and storage systems of manure produced in dairy cattle farms were taken into consideration. Additionally, biogas amount, which is produced from animal waste, was calculated for all districts of Aydın by using the number of livestock animals and various criteria such as the rate of dry matter. Results show that the typical and representative farm in the Aydın region is facility with a total head over 100 heads. 89.6% of the farms have heads in the range of 100 to 200. The amount of biogas that can be produced from all manure collected in Aydın region in the biogas plants is approximately 160,438 m3/day (based on 0.5 m3/day biogas per cattle), which would produce around 100 GWh/year that can be used for own needs of farms owners.

A health metadata-based management approach for comparative analysis of high-throughput genetic sequences for quantifying antimicrobial resistance reduction in Canadian hog barns

New Canadian regulations have required that all use of antibiotics in livestock animal production should be under veterinary prescription and oversight, while the prophylactic use and inclusion of these agents in animal feed as growth promoters are also banned. In response to this new rule, many Canadian animal producers have voluntarily implemented production practices aimed at producing animals effectively while avoiding the use of antibiotics. In the swine industry, one such program is the ‘raised without antibiotics’ (RWA) program.In this paper, we describe a comprehensive investigative methodology comparing the effect of the adoption of the RWA approach with non-RWA pig production operations where antibiotics may still be administered on animals as needed. Our experimental approach involves a multi-year longitudinal investigation of pig farming to determine the effects of antibiotic usage on the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and pathogen abundance in the context of the drug exposures recorded in the RWA versus non-RWA scenarios.Surveillance of AMR and pathogens was conducted using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) in conjunction with open source tools and data pipeline analyses, which inform on the resistome, virulome and bacterial diversity in animals and materials associated with the different types of barns. This information was combined and correlated with drug usage (types and amounts) over time, along with animal health metadata (stage of growth, reason for drug use, among others). The overarching goal was to develop a set of interconnected informatic tools and data management procedures wherein specific queries could be made and customized, to reveal statistically valid cause/effect relationships.Results demonstrating possible correlations between RWA and AMR would support the Canadian pig industry, as well as regulatory agencies in new efforts, focused on reducing overall antibiotics use and in curbing the development and spread of AMR related to animal agriculture.

Carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium flows and losses from solid and semi-solid manures produced by beef cattle in deep litter barns and tied stalls

Nutrient losses have to be avoided in agricultural systems for agronomic and environmental reasons. However, they are known to be potentially large and variable. Results from twenty nine trials aiming at quantifying nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and carbon (C) flows and losses from barn and manure storage for beef cattle (Belgian Blue double-muscled breed) were synthesized. They included variation in barn type (tied stall and deep litter), leading to contrasted manure types (respectively semi-solid manure and deep litter manure) of small groups (n=4) of heifers or bulls.Despite uncertainties pointed out by non-zero P or K balances, we established for manure storage, a relation between K losses by flowing out as liquid and rainfalls: K lost (%K stored)=100*(1–0.99*e(−0.00078*rainfalls (mm)); n=28). We also emphasized, within the particular set of data treated, the effects of barn type (approached by STRAWr; kg straw kg-1 DM in feed), manure storage duration (d), nitrogen in feed concentration (NFEED; g N kg-1 DM) and storage temperature (°C) on N losses from the whole system (N lost (% N input)=−33.33+0.0869*storage duration+1.11*storage temperature+27.9*STRAWr+1.278*NFEED; r²=0.700; n=29) such as the strong relation between C and N losses during manure store per day of storage (N lost (% N stored d-1)=0.038+0.617*C lost (% C stored d-1)). We also observed that, even if N and C inputs in the system were higher in deep litter systems due to straw supply, the amounts of N and C remaining in the manure after being stored were very similar, indicating higher losses of these nutrients from deep litter systems compared to tied stalls. These findings will further help in modeling cattle housing systems for nutrient cycling optimization. However, the relations established have to be validated for other tied stall and deep litter systems regarding the diversity in manure management for each barn type. Furthermore, when comparing manure provided under different housing systems, other agronomical (e.g. their sanitization due to heat increase when stored, ease of application to soil after storage) or environmental (e.g. greenhouse gas emissions) aspects have to be considered.

Herd management and welfare assessment of dairy goat farms in Northern Cyprus by using breeding, health, reproduction, and biosecurity indicators.

This study describes the results of a farm-based welfare assessment, herd management, and some yield indicators in Northern Cyprus dairy goat farms. Out of 324 intensive milk goat farms which produce goats, only the 42 goat farms which had 7950 heads were chosen by random sampling in Northern Cyprus (2016), and face-to-face questionnaires and observations were conducted to collect data. Regarding the breeding techniques in these farms, of all the goats in these farms, 45.2% were cross-breed, 38.1% were Damascus, 11.9% were Saanen, and 4.8% were hair goats. The average of the total number of animals was 211.38 ± 209 heads. The average number of pens and the number of animals per pen in the farms, which had 2 to 5 pens, were 67 ± 49.5 heads. The barn types of these farms were observed to be semi-open and nearly open (95%). 45.5% of the farms made a single milking in a day. The most significant reason for this was that the suckling of the kids lasted 3months or more in 73.8% of the farms. Natural random mating was applied to 69% of the farms. The 45.2% of the farms applied additional feeding before the mating season. The rate of multiple births was 24.76%. The mortality rate in kids was greater than 10% in the 57% of farms examined. The 75% of kids had diarrhea, 33% had umbilicus infections, and 33% suffered from respiratory problems. Among the adult goats of the surveyed farms, the most important problem was external parasites (100%). The second and third problems were overgrown claws (80.9%) and common abscesses (80.95%). Regarding the biosecurity indicators, the general disinfection percentage of farms was 78.57%. However, veterinarian controls were conducted only in the 26.9% of the farms on a regular basis. In these farms, there was no significant difference between the breeds regarding their breeding and reproduction techniques or health indicators. The entrance of the farms carries a high risk for biosecurity. Heat stress is quite important factor for the milk quality.

SOS-Representation for the SL(2,ℂ)-Invariant R-Operator and Feynman Diagrams

We discuss the construction of the SL(2, ℂ)-invariant R-operator acting in the tensor product of two principal series representations of SL(2, ℂ) and satisfying the Yang–Baxter equation. We present a closed-form expression for this R-operator as a multiple two-dimensional propagator-type Feynman integral, which can be reduced to a double integral of Mellin–Barnes type. The obtained R-operator can be interpreted as a Boltzmann weight of the corresponding SOS model. All necessary formulas concerning principal series representations of SL(2, ℂ) are presented.

Elemental Composition of Swine Manure from 1997 to 2017: Changes Relevant to Environmental Consequences.

There have been revisions in the composition of swine diets in the last two decades that not only improved production profitability but also had potential environmental benefits. Among other changes, the use of phytase in feed has enabled lower total P concentrations. Nitrogen, specifically protein, concentrations are expected to be lower, and certain trace elements were also expected to change. In this study, analyses of 1195 swine slurry manure samples from various barn types in Manitoba, Canada, collected from 1997 to 2002 were compared with similar analyses from 2010 and 2017. Concentrations of P were significantly lower in 2017, from a median in sow barns of 28.0 g kg dry weight (dw) in 1998 to 2002 to 20.6 g kg dw in 2010 and 2017, and from a median in feeder finisher barns of 24.1 g kg dw in 1998 to 2002 to 18.7 g kg dw in 2010 and 2017. Total N levels did not change with time, but the fraction of manure N that was NH decreased. Zinc concentrations were consistently higher in nursery manures than in other swine manures and increased from a median of 2800 mg kg dw in nursery barns in 1998 to 2002 to 5580 mg kg dw in nursery barns in 2010 and 2017. Concentrations of most other trace elements decreased over this time period. With the exception of Zn from nursery barns, these temporal changes should lessen the potential for environmental consequences from swine manure application to land.

The 6j-Symbols for the SL(2, ℂ) Group

We study 6j-symbols or Racah coefficients for the tensor products of infinite-dimensional unitary principal series representations of the group SL(2, ℂ). Using the Feynman diagram technique, we reproduce the results of Ismagilov in constructing these symbols (up to a slight difference associated with equivalent representations). The resulting 6j-symbols are expressed either as a triple integral over complex plane or as an infinite bilateral sum of integrals of the Mellin–Barnes type.

Reproductive management practices on dairy farms: The Canadian National Dairy Study 2015

The objectives of this cross-sectional study were to characterize reproductive management practices on Canadian dairy farms and describe differences based on regional and demographic factors. A questionnaire was offered to all licensed Canadian dairy producers and included 189 questions regarding producer and farm background information, herd dynamics, biosecurity, disease prevalence, calf health, animal welfare, milking practices, reproduction, and internet use. Twenty-four questions were related to estrus detection, hormonal protocols for reproduction, insemination, and pregnancy diagnosis. A total of 1,373 producers responded to the survey, representing a response rate of 12.5%. Estrus detection practices in lactating cows were associated with herd size, barn type, region, organic production, breeding method, and age of respondent. The most commonly used estrus-detection method in cows was visual (51.0% of farms for first insemination; 45.5% for subsequent inseminations). Estrus detection for nulliparous heifers was associated with herd size, barn type, region, and breeding method, with visual detection also the most common method for heifers (71.3% of farms). Eighty percent of farms used strictly artificial insemination, 2.8% used natural service only, and 16.8% used a combination of artificial insemination and natural service. Breeding method was associated with herd size, barn type, region, and education level of the respondent. Pregnancy diagnosis method was associated with herd size, barn type, region, and organic production. Ultrasound was the most commonly used method of pregnancy diagnosis (used by 52.2% of farms). Sixty-nine percent of farms rechecked cows for pregnancy, and rectal palpation was the most commonly used method (employed by 48.7%). Reproductive management practices vary considerably among Canadian dairy farms and decisions are associated with farm-level factors, including region, herd size, and barn type, as well as producer-level factors, such as age, managerial role, and education level.

Whittaker functions for generalized principal series representations of GSp(2,R)

We study Whittaker functions for generalized principal series representations of GSp(2,R) induced from Siegel parabolic subgroup. We give Mellin–Barnes type integral representations of Whittaker functions belonging to certain K-types. As an application of our explicit formulas, we compute the archimedean parts of Novodvorsky's zeta integrals. As a consequence we can show the entireness of the spinor L-functions for generic cusp forms on GSp(2).

Animal- and management-based welfare indicators for a conventional broiler strain in 2 barn types (Louisiana barn and closed barn).

The aim of this observational study was to describe health- and management-related welfare indicators for a conventional broiler strain housed in 2 barn types (Louisiana barn and closed barn) on the same farm and to assess the impact of age and housing conditions on these indicators. Broilers were examined 4 times in each of 7 fattening periods. Their weight gain, gait score, and further animal-based indicators did not differ between the barn types. On average 46% showed no sign, 51% a minor but visible, and 3% a profound lameness at the end of the fattening period (fattening day 39). Soiling of the plumage, skin scratches, foot pad dermatitis, and hock burns worsened with increasing age. Soiling of the plumage was correlated negatively with litter depth (Pearson, r = -0.549, P = 0.042) and positively with litter quality (Pearson, r = 0.641, P = 0.013). Skin scratches occurred in 89% of the broilers (32% deep with penetration of dermis) on fattening day 39 and were correlated positively with cumulative mortality (Pearson, r = 0.615, P = 0.019), indicating a severe animal welfare impact. Foot pad dermatitis did not correlate with health- or management-related indicators, whereas hock burn correlated positively with the broilers' weight (Pearson, r = 0.853, P < 0.001) and with ammonia concentrations (Pearson, r = 0.577, P = 0.031). Management-related indicators (antibiotic treatments, dead on arrival) and cumulative mortality did not differ between the barn types. At the end of the fattening period, the litter quality was worse and concentrations of ammonia and peaks of high carbon dioxide concentrations were higher in the Louisiana than in the closed barn. The light intensity was on average 20 times higher in the Louisiana than in the closed barn without any negative impact. Summarizing, the barn type did not seem to influence the investigated welfare indicators, but Louisiana barns might need a more precise management to maintain the required ranges of noxious gases and litter quality.

Resource-saving milk production technologies with use of easy-assembled premises and high-performance milking plants

High productivity of dairy cows in the conditions of new innovative technologies can not be obtained without providing comfortable conditions for their functioning.In this connection, the conditions for maintaining high-yielding cows in various types of livestock buildings are investigated: the traditional, 24.0 m wide and new unassembled, 32.5 m wide and 36.0 m in extreme periods of the year. The different width of the premises is due to the need to use different types of milking plants: MilkProud, Parallel, Carousel and robotic milking systems.Studies have established that volumetric-planning and technological solutions for easy-assembled premises increase the volume of space per head from 45.6 m3 to 96.3 m3 and 129.6 m3. It positively affects the conditions for the maintenance of highly productive cows. The presence in their design of side curtains and light-aeration ridge increases the speed of air in 3 times. This provides a reduction in the concentration of ammonia in 8 times, and bacterial pollution at 18.7 times compared with traditional barn.Increasing the volume of the room up to 129.6m³ per head reduces the bacterial air pollution in the winter period to a minimum value of 2.8 thousand/m³. New elements in the design of easy-assembled spaces provide resource-saving and organizing their lighting.According to the existing standards in Ukraine, the lighting in the feeding area should be at 52 lux. In traditional rooms, this level is achieved only by installing additional energy sources, which provide an increase in lighting from 31 lux to 52 lux. In new types of premises the required level of lighting is provided naturally, which leads to significant energy savings. It was established that technological solutions of easy-assembled premises provide comfortable conditions for recreation of high-yielding cows.In these types of rooms, the animals rest 12.4% and 20.0% more time compared to traditional rooms. Feeding of cows in easy-assembled premises from the stern table provides quick feeding of animals with feed. At the same time the time consumed for feed consumption in new types of barns is significantly less and is 252.0–246.0 min a day compared to 320.2 min in traditional premises where feeding is carried out from traditional feeding troughs.It is positive that in the new types of premises in animals there is a new important element of behavior – the movement, which they spend 8.6% and 9.9% of the time. New types of premises with resource-saving milk production technologies have a positive effect on the conditions for the maintenance of highly productive cows and can be widely implemented in Ukraine.

Udder health in Canadian dairy heifers during early lactation

Mastitis is the most prevalent and costly disease in dairy cattle worldwide, with implications for animal health and welfare as well as production and economics. Nonlactating heifers are an often-neglected group of animals concerning mastitis management, as they are assumed to be free of mastitis. An observational field study was conducted between 2007 and 2008 on 91 dairy herds across Canada, representative of provincial averages of bulk milk somatic cell count (BMSCC) and barn type. The aims of that study were to (1) estimate in early-lactating heifers overall and pathogen-specific incidence rate of clinical mastitis (IRCM), prevalence of intramammary infection (IMI), and prevalence of subclinical mastitis (SCM; defined as SCC ≥200,000 cells/mL); (2) compare these udder health parameters between heifers and multiparous cows; and (3) determine regional patterns and variations in these udder health parameters across BMSCC categories. During the first day of lactation, IRCM was higher in heifers than in multiparous cows (99 vs. 48 cases per 10,000 quarter-days at risk, respectively). Clinical mastitis affected 4% of heifers (0.73 cases per 100 quarters) in the first 30 d after calving, with the most common pathogens isolated being Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, whereas S. aureus and non-aureus staphylococci were the most commonly isolated pathogens in multiparous cows. The IRCM in heifers was highest in Ontario heifers, but overall IRCM did not vary by BMSCC category and it was only higher in multiparous cows than heifers in high-BMSCC Ontario herds. Intramammary infections were present in 33% of heifer quarters, with non-aureus staphylococci the most commonly isolated group of bacteria in both heifers (26% of quarters) and multiparous cows (18% of quarters). Pathogen-specific prevalence of IMI did not differ between heifers and multiparous cows, but we noted regional differences and differences across BMSCC categories in pathogen-specific prevalence of IMI. Prevalence of SCM in heifers was 13.6% and was lowest in Alberta herds. In all regions, SCM prevalence was higher in multiparous cows than in heifers. In conclusion, udder health of Canadian dairy heifers was similar to that of other countries, demonstrating the importance of the issue. Differences between heifers and multiparous cows early in lactation highlighted the need for management practices to target the precalving period in heifers, when exposure to risk factors differs from that in lactating cows.

Some Families of the Incomplete H-Functions and the Incomplete $$\overline H $$ H ¯ -Functions and Associated Integral Transforms and Operators of Fractional Calculus with Applications

Our present investigation is inspired by the recent interesting extensions (by Srivastava et al. [35]) of a pair of the Mellin–Barnes type contour integral representations of their incomplete generalized hypergeometric functions p γ q and p Γ q by means of the incomplete gamma functions γ(s, x) and Γ(s, x). Here, in this sequel, we introduce a family of the relatively more general incomplete H-functions γ (z) and Γ (z) as well as their such special cases as the incomplete Fox-Wright generalized hypergeometric functions p Ψ (γ) [z] and p Ψ (Γ) [z]. The main object of this paper is to study and investigate several interesting properties of these incomplete H-functions, including (for example) decomposition and reduction formulas, derivative formulas, various integral transforms, computational representations, and so on. We apply some substantially general Riemann–Liouville and Weyl type fractional integral operators to each of these incomplete H-functions. We indicate the easilyderivable extensions of the results presented here that hold for the corresponding incomplete $$\overline H $$ -functions as well. Potential applications of many of these incomplete special functions involving (for example) probability theory are also indicated.

Transformation formulae and asymptotic expansions for double holomorphic Eisenstein series of two complex variables

The main object of study in this paper is the double holomorphic Eisenstein series $$\widetilde{\zeta _{\mathbb {Z}^2}}(\mathbf{s};\mathbf{z})$$ having two complex variables $$\mathbf{s}=(s_1,s_2)$$ and two parameters $$\mathbf{z}= (z_1,z_2)$$ which satisfies either $$\mathbf{z}\in (\mathfrak {H}^+)^2$$ or $$\mathbf{z}\in (\mathfrak {H}^-)^2$$ , where $$\mathfrak {H}^{\pm }$$ denotes the complex upper and lower half-planes, respectively. For $$\widetilde{\zeta _{\mathbb {Z}^2}}(\mathbf{s};\mathbf{z})$$ , its transformation properties and asymptotic aspects are studied when the distance $$|z_2-z_1|$$ becomes both small and large under certain natural settings on the movement of $$\mathbf{z}\in (\mathfrak {H}^{\pm })^2$$ . Prior to the proofs our main results, a new parameter $$\eta $$ , which plays a pivotal role in describing our results, is introduced in connection with the difference $$z_2-z_1$$ . We then establish complete asymptotic expansions for $$\widetilde{\zeta _{\mathbb {Z}^2}}(\mathbf{s};\mathbf{z})$$ when $$\mathbf{z}$$ moves within the poly-sector either $$(\mathfrak {H}^+)^2$$ or $$(\mathfrak {H}^-)^2$$ , so as to $$\eta \rightarrow 0$$ through $$|\arg \eta |<\pi /2$$ in the ascending order of $$\eta $$ (Theorem 1). This further leads us to show that counterpart expansions exist for $$\widetilde{\zeta _{\mathbb {Z}^2}}(\mathbf{s};\mathbf{z})$$ in the descending order of $$\eta $$ as $$\eta \rightarrow \infty $$ through $$|\arg \eta |<\pi /2$$ (Theorem 2). Our second main formula in Theorem 2 yields a functional equation for $$\widetilde{\zeta _{\mathbb {Z}^2}}(\mathbf{s};\mathbf{z})$$ (Corollaries 2.1, 2.2), and also reduces naturally to various expressions of $$\widetilde{\zeta _{\mathbb {Z}^2}}(\mathbf{s};\mathbf{z})$$ in closed forms for integer lattice point $$\mathbf{s}\in \mathbb {Z}^2$$ (Corollaries 2.3–2.17). Most of these results reveal that the particular values of $$\widetilde{\zeta _{\mathbb {Z}^2}}(\mathbf{s};\mathbf{z})$$ at $$\mathbf{s}\in \mathbb {Z}^2$$ are closely linked to Weierstras’ elliptic function, the classical Eisenstein series reformulated by Ramanujan, and the Jordan–Kronecker type functions, each associated with the bases $$2\pi (1, z_j)$$ , $$j=1,2$$ . The latter two functions were extensively utilized by Ramanujan in the course of developing his theories of Eisenstein series, elliptic functions, and theta functions. As for the methods used, crucial roles in the proofs are played by the Mellin–Barnes type integrals, manipulated with several properties of hypergeometric functions; the transference from Theorem 1 to Theorem 2 is, for instance, achieved by a connection formula for Kummer’s confluent hypergeometric functions.

Smallholder farmers’ perceptions and constraints on the use of alternative energy sources to miombo wood and energy-efficient barns

Flue-cured tobacco consumes large quantities of wood, therefore, use of alternative energy sources to preferred indigenous miombo wood and energy-efficient barns may reduce tobacco-related deforestation of miombo woodlands. The objective of this study was to identify smallholder farmers’ perceptions and constraints on use of alternative energy sources to miombo wood and energy-efficient barns for tobacco curing, and identify factors affecting type of barn owned in Zimbabwe’s tobacco growing belt. Multistage sampling of tobacco growers from districts lists, was used to select 200 smallholder farmers. In addition, twelve key informants were interviewed. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to the respondents. Multinomial regression was used to analyse factors affecting type of barn owned and all the other variables were analysed using descriptive statistics. Eucalyptus species were perceived to have low calorific value, coal was associated with health problems and Bamboo (Oxytenanthera abyssinica) was deemed unsuitable for tobacco curing. Unavailability of electricity was cited as a constraint to the use of coal. Farmers with tertiary education and females were more likely to own more energy-efficient barns, relative to conventional barns. Setting up of electricity-powered tobacco processing centres, and demonstrations on energy-efficient barns and alternative energy sources in communities are recommended.

Prevalence of non-aureus staphylococci species causing intramammary infections in Canadian dairy herds

Non-aureus staphylococci (NAS), the microorganisms most frequently isolated from bovine milk worldwide, are a heterogeneous group of numerous species. To establish their importance as a group, the distribution of individual species needs to be determined. In the present study, NAS intramammary infection (IMI) was defined as a milk sample containing ≥1,000 cfu/mL in pure or mixed culture that was obtained from a cohort of cows assembled by the Canadian Bovine Mastitis Research Network. Overall, 6,213 (6.3%) of 98,233 quarter-milk samples from 5,149 cows and 20,305 udder quarters were associated with an NAS IMI. Of the 6,213 phenotypically identified NAS isolates, 5,509 (89%) were stored by the Canadian Bovine Mastitis Research Network Mastitis Pathogen Collection and characterized using partial sequencing of the rpoB housekeeping gene, confirming 5,434 isolates as NAS. Prevalence of each NAS species IMI was estimated using Bayesian models, with presence of a specific NAS species as the outcome. Overall quarter-level NAS IMI prevalence was 26%. The most prevalent species causing IMI were Staphylococcus chromogenes (13%), Staphylococcus simulans (4%), Staphylococcus haemolyticus (3%), Staphylococcus xylosus (2%), and Staphylococcus epidermidis (1%). The prevalence of NAS IMI as a group was highest in first-parity heifers and was evenly distributed throughout cows in parities ≥2. The IMI prevalence of some species such as S. chromogenes, S. simulans, and S. epidermidis differed among parities. Overall prevalence of NAS IMI was 35% at calving, decreased over the next 10 d, and then gradually increased until the end of lactation. The prevalence of S. chromogenes, Staphylococcus gallinarum, Staphylococcus cohnii, and Staphylococcus capitis was highest at calving, whereas the prevalence of S. chromogenes, S. haemolyticus, S. xylosus, and S. cohnii increased during lactation. Although the overall prevalence of NAS IMI was similar across barn types, the prevalence of S. simulans, S. xylosus, S. cohnii, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, S. capitis, and Staphylococcus arlettae IMI was higher in tiestall barns; the prevalence of S. epidermidis IMI was lowest; and the prevalence of S. chromogenes and Staphylococcus sciuri IMI was highest in bedded-pack barns. Staphylococcus simulans, S. epidermidis, S. xylosus, and S. cohnii IMI were more prevalent in herds with intermediate to high bulk milk somatic cell count (BMSCC) and S. haemolyticus IMI was more prevalent in herds with high BMSCC, whereas other common NAS species IMI were equally prevalent in all 3 BMSCC categories. Distribution of NAS species IMI differed among the 4 regions of Canada. In conclusion, distribution differed considerably among NAS species IMI; therefore, accurate identification (species level) is essential for studying NAS epidemiology.

Indoor climatic status during winter conditions in dairy herds in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The aim of this cross-sectional field study was to describe climatic status in dairy barns during winter conditions both in lowland and in mountainous regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina. While all the mountain herds had tie-stall systems (MT), eight of the lowland herds had group housing systems (LG) and the remaining 30 herds had tie-stall systems (LT). The mean indoor air temperature (Ti) was around 10 °C across types of barns and in all herds Ti was above 0 °C. The mean relative air humidity (RH) was actually highest in the LT-group, but within the recommended level for both LG, LT and MT barns. At the 15 % of the MT barns, 17 % of the LT barns and 38 % of the LG barns the air velocity was &gt; 0.2 m/s. The level of NH3 was quite low in all groups of barns, although somewhat higher in LT-barns. In none of the barns the level of NH3 exceeded 3 ppm. Only in one barn (a MT-barn) the level of CO2 exceeded 3000 ppm. We conclude that the climatic status in most dairy barns in Bosnia and Herzegovina during winter seem to be acceptable.

Erzurum İli Hınıs İlçesi Sığırcılık İşletmelerinin Barınak Özellikleri Üzerine Bir Araştırma

OZET: Bu arastirma, Erzurum ili Hinis ilcesinde faaliyet gosteren sigircilik isletmelerinin barinak ozellikleri hakkinda ayrintili bilgi edinmek uzere yurutulmustur. Bu amacla, 378 adet sigircilik isletme sahibi ile yuz yuze anket yapilarak elde edilen veriler degerlendirilmistir. Degiskenler arasindaki iliskilerin belirlenmesi amaciyla da ki-kare testi yapilmistir. Hinis ilcesinde en sik gorulen ahir tipinin bagli duraksiz kapali ahir (% 51.5) oldugu, ahir yapisinin isletme sahiplerinin sagliklarini (% 88.8), ineklerin sut verimini (% 88.6) ve hayvanlarin gelisimini (% 81.0) olumsuz etkiledigi tespit edilmistir. Isletmelerin % 81.0’i yataklik kullanmazken, yataklik kullananlarin ise daha cok kuru gubre kullanimini (% 63.3) tercih etmislerdir. Isletmelerin % 61.3’unde buzagilara ait ozel bir bolme bulundugu, ahirlarin % 74.9’unda inekler icin dogum bolmesi olmadigi; duve, dana ve kurudaki ineklerin birlikte (% 84.3) barindirildiklari belirlenmistir. Isletmelerin % 84.1’inde ahirdaki gubre elle supurme yoluyla temizlenmekte, gubreyi cok buyuk oranda ahir yakininda acikta (% 80.3) depolamaktadirlar. Isletmelerin % 69.9’u gubreyi tarlada gubre olarak, %13.4’ unun yakacak olarak kullandigi, % 11.8’inin ise sattigi tespit edilmistir. Isletmelerin % 72.1’i kisin ahir ici sicakliginin ilik, % 27.3’u ise sicak oldugunu, % 84.0’u ahir ici sicakliginin ilik olmasi halinde hayvanlarin rahat ettigi ve sut verimlerinin yukseldigini belirtmislerdir. Sonuc olarak Hinis ilcesinde barinak ve cevre yapisi ozellikleri bakimindan bircok eksikliklerinin bulundugu ve ahir tipi, yapisi, havalandirma, aydinlatma, yataklik kullanimi, gubre degerlendirme vb. konularda iyilestirme calismalarina ihtiyaci oldugu ortaya konulmustur. Anahtar Kelimeler : Ahir tipi, yataklik, havalandirma, aydinlatma, gubre degerlendirme A Study on the Characteristics of the Barns in Hinis County of Erzurum Province ABSTRACT: The study was carried out to obtain detailed information about characteristics of barns in the cattle farm enterprises in Hinis County of Erzurum Province. For this purpose, data obtained from a survey that was conducted face to face with 378 of owners of the enterprises were assessed. Chi-square Test was used in order to determine relationships among the variables. It was revealed that the most common type of the barns was tied-free stall barns (% 51.5), and types of the barn affected adversely on the health of the owners of the enterprises (% 88.8), on the milk yield of the cows (% 88.6) as well as on the growth of the animals (% 81.0). While 81.0 of the enterprises did not use bedding material, 63.3 % of the enterprises which were using bedding material preferred commonly to use dried manure. Besides, It was found out that 61.3 % of the enterprises had special compartment for calves, but 74.9 % of the barns did not contain delivery chamber, and heifers, older calves as well as dry cows were housed together (% 84.3). In 84.1 % of the enterprises, manure in the barn was cleaned by sweeping with a broom, and then the manure was generally stored next to the barn without covering. It was also revealed that 69.9 % of the enterprises used the manure in their fields as fertilizer, and 13.4 % of them utilized as fuel for heating, and 11.8 % of the enterprise sold to others. 72.1 % and 27.3 % of the enterprises had warm and hot barns respectively, and 84.0 % of the owners of the enterprises told that if their barns are warm, their animals will feel comfortable and their milk yield will increase. In conclusion, there are several deficiencies concerning features of the barns and their environments in Hinis County, and the county needs improvements in terms of types of barn , barn ventilation, lighting, usage of bedding and manure subjects. Key Words : Type of barn, bedding material, ventilation, lighting and usage of manure

Stress and Burnout Among Finnish Dairy Farmers

ABSTRACTPsychosocial risks among farmers have increasingly been examined because of the ongoing changes in agriculture, such as restructuring of the industry, transition from family farming towards entrepreneurship, and climate change. The aims of the study were to determine the stressors, prevalence of stress and burnout, and variables associated with these symptoms among Finnish dairy farmers. In total 265 respondents completed a postal survey; their average age was 48 years, 44% were females and 56% males. The farms of the survey sample were larger (54 field hectares, 29 cows) than an average farm in Finland (37 hectares, 24 cows) in 2010. The most common stressors were external, such as “agricultural policy of the EU” (European Union) and “the treatment of farmers in society and the media.” In addition, common stressors were related to farm and work, e.g., “amount of work,” unpredictability, and “animal diseases.” The prevalence of stress (42%) was found to have increased compared with earlier studies and was greater than among the general working population. All respondents as a group were classified as having slight symptoms of burnout, and one tenth (9%) of dairy farmers had experienced severe burnout. Stressors related to the workload and health were associated with stress and burnout symptoms. Also, a poor economic situation and loneliness were related to stress. Burnout correlated with a tie stall barn type and with a farm not being involved in the milk production record system. Factors protecting against burnout included positive features of the work and living environment. The study revealed changes during the past decade and new features of the well-being at work on dairy farms in Finland.