Well-managed Farms Research Articles

Narrowing the Yield Gap of Coconut (Cocos Nucifera L.) Through Integrated Nutrient Management in the Philippines: An On-Farm Experiment Approach

Over the years, coconut farmers are facing an inherent problem of low productivity in the Philippines due to the senile palms, poor agronomic practices, and other environmental factors. Fertilizer application is not typically practiced in most coconut plantations resulting in yield gaps of 31 to 87% between farmers’ fields and well-managed farms. We aimed to show the potential of integrated nutrient management (INM) in improving coconut productivity and narrowing the yield gap. In this study, five fertilizer treatments viz. T1 - farmer’s practice, T2 - 100% Philippine Coconut Authority’s recommended fertilizer rate (RFR) at two equal splits, applied semi-annually, T3 - 100% RFR at four equal splits, applied quarterly, T4 - 1/2 RFR at two equal splits, applied semi-annually plus one-time application of MykoVAM™, and T5 - 1/2 RFR at four equal splits, applied quarterly plus one-time application of MykoVAM™ were tested in four provinces to represent the four climate conditions in the Philippines. Each experimental site was carried out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Nut yields from the on-farm experiments were used to analyze the different yield levels and yield gaps. The actual yields were lower than the attainable yields across all the locations. In terms of nut yield, Northern Samar had the highest yield gap of 68%, while Zamboanga City had the lowest yield gap with 21% difference. The exploitable yield gaps were 8,113, 9,408, 2,649 and 3,203 nuts/ha in Palawan, Northern Samar, Zamboanga City and Davao City, respectively. Results suggested that the indigenous soil nutrient content in the farmer’s field was not sufficient to supply the nutrient requirement of the crop compared to the attainable yield. INM has a potential in improving the nut yield. Thus, nutrient management plays a key role in closing the yield gap and in achieving high productivity.

A Practical Approach to Providing Environmental Enrichment to Pigs and Broiler Chickens Housed in Intensive Systems.

In Europe, regulations contain guidance to maintain high standards of animal welfare. In many parts of the world, large buyers for supermarkets or restaurants are the main enforcers of basic animal welfare standards. They can have considerable influence on improving standards on large commercial farms. Research clearly shows that straw is one of the most effective environmental enrichment for pigs. On some large farms, there are concerns that straw will either clog waste management systems or bring in disease. This paper contains a review of both scientific research and practical experience with enrichment devices that are easy to implement. Pigs prefer enrichment objects that they can chew up and deform. Broiler chickens prefer to climb up on objects, hide under them or peck them. It is always essential to uphold basic welfare standards such as animal cleanliness and low levels of lameness (difficulty walking). It is also important to reduce lesions, and maintain body conditions of breeding animals. An environment enrichment device is never a substitute for poorly managed facilities. It should enhance animal welfare on well-managed farms.

Does the Implementation of an Animal Welfare Programme on a Farm Yield a Demonstrable Improvement in Fattening Pig Welfare?

In the course of social criticism of fattening pig farming, an animal welfare programme called "Initiative Animal Welfare" (ITW) was founded to increase animal welfare in pig farming in Germany. Furthermore, there is a legal obligation to record animal welfare parameters as a self-monitoring measure. The "German Association for Technology and Structures in Agriculture" published a guideline on the applicable animal welfare criteria. This guide formed the basis of this study's data collection. The aim was to apply the animal welfare parameters on farms by comparing the results between farms participating in ITW with those not participating. A cumulative score was calculated by evaluating the collected data. In addition, the relative risk was calculated in order to estimate the risk of finding a negative expression of a parameter. Our data show that ITW farms did not perform significantly better than the farms without ITW in terms of both the cumulative score and the relative risk. Overall, it must be considered that in both farm variants the occurrence of negative evaluations was very rare and the visited farms thus certainly can be considered to be well-managed farms. Climate parameters were recorded in each compartment and showed no significant differences in most cases.

344 The Ag Guide serves as a primary standard for animal scientists and AAALAC accreditation of Ag research programs

Abstract Institutions that engage in animal research and production must ensure that high standards of animal care and use meet expectations of society while being ethical stewards of the animals they use in research. In order to achieve engagement in best practices, the Ag Guide is the most appropriate standard for assessing agricultural animals used in research and teaching. The Ag Guide minimizes the potential to overuse performance standards while enhancing the ability to appropriately address specific performance-derived exceptions to situations for which they have been validated. The primary objectives of the standards established in the Ag Guide are well-aligned with the goals of the AAALAC International accreditation program. The Ag Guide provides scientifically-sound, performance-based approaches to animal care and housing, which meet the expectations of AAALAC’s accreditation program. AAALAC provides a third-party peer review of all facets of the animal care and use program that serves as an effective mechanism to ensure institutions meet the standards of the Ag Guide. The process is designed to help identify the strengths and weaknesses of the program to ensure high-quality scientific outcomes and a high level of animal welfare. AAALAC accreditation program for agricultural animal research program is built on the cornerstone of the Ag Guide standards and connects science and responsible animal care. AAALAC accreditation promotes a comprehensive, institutionally supported program with a commitment to continuous improvement, humane and ethical animal care resulting in high-quality animal welfare, and scientific validity. AAALAC takes the position that, in accredited programs, the housing and care for agricultural animals should meet the standards that prevail on a high-quality, well-managed farm and the Ag Guide serves as this foundation. Therefore, the use of the Ag Guide for agricultural animal programs ensures a review that is based on science, professional judgment, and the best interests of the animal.

Outbreak of sudden death in weaned calves on a New York dairy caused by Strongyloides papillosus

S. papillosus are slender hair-like worms that have a predilection for the duodenum and proximal jejunum of ruminants. The third larval stage of S. papillosus penetrates the skin, often in the coronary band region of the limb, and migrates to the gastrointestinal tract where it matures to the parthenogenetic adult stage. Typically S. papillosus infection of calves in North America is associated with clinical signs of diarrhea, dehydration, anorexia, and weight loss or poor weight gain (Thamsborg et al, 2017).
 Outbreaks of sudden death associated with heavy S. papillosus burden are rare and have only been reported in 2-5 month old calves in Japan (Taira and Ura, 1991). These Japanese outbreaks occurred in the summer, where common conditions included sawdust bedding, high environmental temperatures, and high humidity. Experimental studies revealed the sudden death of calves with heavy worm burdens to be preceded by cardiac arrhythmias for 1-2 days and ventricular arrhythmias leading to cardiac arrest (Tsuji et al, 1992). These researchers hypothesized that S. papillosus may produce a cardiotoxin that leads to cardiac arrest of infected calves.
 S. papillosus has recently been implicated as the novel cause of an outbreak of sudden death in weaned dairy calves on a well-managed farm in New York State. The following report describes this first documented North American outbreak of sudden death in calves caused by S. papillosus.

Smart Animal Agriculture: Application of Real-Time Sensors to Improve Animal Well-Being and Production.

Consumption of animal products such as meat, milk, and eggs in first-world countries has leveled off, but it is rising precipitously in developing countries. Agriculture will have to increase its output to meet demand, opening the door to increased automation and technological innovation; intensified, sustainable farming; and precision livestock farming (PLF) applications. Early indicators of medical problems, which use sensors to alert cattle farmers early concerning individual animals that need special care, are proliferating. Wearable technologies dominate the market. In less-value-per-animal systems like sheep, goat, pig, poultry, and fish, one sensor, like a camera or robot per herd/flock/school, rather than one sensor per animal, will become common. PLF sensors generate huge amounts of data, and many actors benefit from PLF data. No standards currently exist for sharing sensor-generated data, limiting the use of commercial sensors. Technologies providing accurate data can enhance a well-managed farm. Development of methods to turn the data into actionable solutions is critical.

Prevalence of patent Strongyloides westeri infections in Thoroughbred foals in 2014.

The prevalence of patent Strongyloides westeri infections was determined by examination for eggs in fecal samples collected from 513 Thoroughbred (TB) foals between February 25 and June 3, 2014. The study was conducted with 244 colts and 269 fillies from 11 well-managed farms in Central Kentucky. Foals ranged from 17 to 117 days of age and had never been dewormed. The mean prevalence of patent S. westeri infection was 30% (156/513 foals). This prevalence was substantially greater than historical reports from the same sampling area during the late 1990s and early 2000s. It is hypothesized that this change is attributable to diminished use of ivermectin in foals due to concerns about macrocyclic lactone resistance in Parascaris equorum.

FRECUENCIA DE Leptospira spp EN PORCINOS DE CRIANZA TECNIFICADA Y DE TRANSPATIO BENEFICIADOS EN DOS MATADEROS DE LIMA.

The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of antibodies against Leptospira spp in pigs reared in five well-managed farms (n=163) and from 11 backyard breeding (n=133) owners in the Lima valley, Peru. Blood samples (n=296) were collected in two slaughterhouses for antibody detection against eight serovars of Leptospira by microaglutination test. The 85.8 ± 3.9% (254/296) of samples had antibodies against one or more serovars of Leptospira. The 89.6 ± 4.7% (146/163) and 82.1 ± 6.5% (108/133) of samples from well-managed farms and from backyard breeding pigs showed antibodies against Leptospira spp. The serovars icterohaemorrhagiae, pomona, and georgia were the most frequently detected in both groups of pigs. No antibodies were detected against serovars bratislava and grippothyphosa. Antibody titres ranged from 100 to 400, being the highest titles (800 to 1600) detected more frequently in backyard breeding pigs. Serovars icterohaemorrhagiae and pomona were the most common mixed infections found for both type of breeding systems. There were no association between antibodies against Leptospira and type of pig breeding system.

Characterisation of IgE antibody responses to Anoplocephala perfoliata

Between April 2006 and September 2007, ceco-colic intussusceptions were diagnosed in four standardbred horses aged 1-3 years on a well-managed farm in southern Ontario, Canada. Throughout this period there were approximately 90 standardbred horses maintained on the farm. Surgery on all four horses with ceco-colic intussusceptions revealed the presence of large numbers of Anoplocephala perfoliata in all four animals. Blood samples were collected from all horses on the farm in October 2007 and examined for antibody to a 12/13 kDa A. perfoliata secretory protein [1,2]; 61 of 67 (91%) horses were seropositive and themean optical density (OD) of all horses was 1.391 (median 1⁄4 1.538). Among the seropositive horses, 4 (6% of total) and 57 (85% of total) had OD values indicative of moderate (0.201-0.600) and high (>0.600) infection intensity, respectively. This is in contrast to a 2003-2004 study of 234 horses in southern Ontario of multiple breeds, 117with colic and 117 controls; 131 (56%) were seropositive to A. perfoliata and the mean OD of all horses was 0.509 (median 1⁄4 0.243). Among the seropositives, 65 (27.9% of total) and 66 (28.1% of total) had OD values indicative of moderate and high infection intensity, respectively. Assuming data independence, horses on the standardbred farm were significantly more likely to be seropositive than the 2003-2004 reference population (odds ratio 1⁄4 8.0; 95% CI 1⁄4 3.3-19.6; p < 0.0001). The reason for the high prevalence and high intensity of A. perfoliata infection among horses on the standardbred farm are unclear. In November each year, for multiple years, all yearlings and adult horses on the farm were treated for tapeworms with double-dose pyrantel. In contrast, only 23% of the reference population had received treatment with a cestocide in the year prior to sampling. Since neither underdosing nor use of outdated product appear to have been a concern, it is possible that the problemwas associatedwith resistance to pyrantel in A. perfoliata. However, because of the lack of a sensitive diagnostic method for current infection, this was not possible to prove.

Assessing the Visual Quality of Rural and Urban-fringed Landscapes surrounding Livestock Farms

This study concentrated on main concerns and preferences relating to the visual quality of rural and urban-fringed landscapes together with livestock farms and their surroundings, and assessed negative or positive effects of existing natural and cultural features on the landscape in visual context. The study area covered seven rural or urban-fringed districts of İzmir province, situated in the western end of Turkey. A panel of 30 viewers was asked to evaluate a total of 116 min of footage. This comprised viewing 58 min of video and a 58 min evaluation of 58 slides of 250 images. The selection represented a myriad of rural and urban-fringed landscapes and livestock farms with their surroundings across the province. The study clearly identified that rural landscapes were relatively rated with higher scores than urban edge landscapes. Natural features provided positive effects on the visual quality of landscapes whereas some cultural features sharply decreased. Rural landscapes in some districts achieved relatively the highest degree of visual quality but farms and their environs remained of poor quality. In contrast, the gap between landscapes and farms in some others which are completely under heavy pressure from densities of settlements, increasing urban and industrial sprawl besides poor visual quality and insufficient construction techniques of farms. However, modern and well-managed farms enhance visual appeal of landscapes as well. As a conclusion, livestock farms usually did not adapt or correspond well visually with landscapes. To compete with this challenge, land should be allocated provisionally for new livestock farms in rural landscapes without charging for environmental problems or visual intrusions, managed visual adjustment between existing farms and their environs, and surfaced detrimental effects of natural and cultural landscape features explicitly.

Technical efficiency of meat sheep production systems in Spain

The technical efficiency of sheep results in one of the most important sheep producing regions in Spain has been assessed. The methodology is based on a survey from representative farms (in terms of the existing alternative production systems) within the region. Results indicate that the best farms, in terms of technical efficiency, are obtained by extreme situations: either by extensive and well-managed farms, without pens and one lambing per year (lower production but well adapted to the seasonality of prices and more reduced costs), or by well-managed farms with prolific ewes. Thus, maximum efficiency is determined not so much by the production system as by the technical and economic management to accommodate the specific circumstances of each farm.

Randomized controlled trial of effects of Escherichia coli antiserum on serum immunoglobulin G concentrations and morbidity and mortality rates in foals

Objective To determine whether administration of commercially available Escherichia coli antiserum to neonatal foals would affect serum IgG concentration or morbidity and mortality rates during the first 60 days of life. Design Randomized controlled trial. Animals 271 neonatal foals on 4 well-managed farms. Procedure Foals were randomly assigned to a treatment or control group. All foals were allowed to suckle colostrum normally. In addition, treatment-group foals were given E coli antiserum (10 ml) orally between 0 and 8 hours after birth. Serum samples were obtained between 18 and 36 hours after birth, and serum IgG concentration was determined. Foals were monitored for the first 60 days after birth, and causes of disease or death were recorded. Results Groups did not differ significantly in regard to breed, sex, month of birth, season of birth, age of dams, parity of dams, duration of gestation, or specific gravity of colostrum before suckling. In addition, groups did not differ significantly in regard to mean serum IgG concentration, prevalence of complete or partial failure of passive transfer of immunity, frequency or causes of disease, or frequency of death from infectious causes. Clinical Implications In this group of foals on well-managed farms, administration of E coli antiserum did not alter serum IgG concentrations or morbidity and mortality rates during the first 60 days of life. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 1998;212: 1746–1750)

Conservation of mammals on a tobacco farm on the Highlands of Malawi

The natural vegetation of the Shire Highlands of Malawi has become fragmented because of human activities. As a consequence, some species of mammals have become locally extinct and the population numbers and geographical ranges of other species have declined. This study investigated the species richness of mammals on a commercial tobacco farm, and the importance of remnants of natural vegetation on farms for the conservation of mammals. The farm covered 180 ha and supported 44 species of mammals (equivalent to 66% of the species known to occur in the Shire Highlands at a similar altitude, and 24% of the total mammalian fauna of Malawi). Most of the species were bats (22 species) and rodents (13 species). The largest remnants of natural 'miombo' woodland supported more species and more individuals than smaller remnants. The high species richness was due, in part, to the variety of different habitats on the farm ('miombo' woodland, riverine forest, grassland, swamp, streams and dams), as well as to good conservation practices. The farm is especially important for the conservation of 13 species which are rare and/or have limited geographical ranges in Malawi. It is suggested that well-managed farms which contain remnants of natural vegetation can play a significant role in the conservation of mammals, and other vertebrates, in Central Africa.

ENERGY USE IN THE PRODUCTION AND HOUSING OF POULTRY AND SWINE – AN OVERVIEW

An overview of energy use in agricultural food systems indicates that, unlike crop production, pork and poultry production will always be an energy sink rather than an energy source. Nevertheless, much more energy is involved in the food system beyond the farm gate than that used in production on the farm. Energy is used in the confinement rearing of swine and poultry for barn heating, ventilation, lights, and feed, water and manure handling. Information on how much energy is used, and on the relative amounts of energy used for each purpose, is far from complete and the differences between production units are large. There are opportunities for energy conservation but these are different for each production stage and for each animal species. Although the list of potential energy conservation opportunities is long, only a few are routinely implemented on even modern, well-managed farms. In many cases, the technical feasibility of energy conservation alternatives is well established, but the economic feasibility cannot be predicted because of missing information on animal-environment interactions. Key words: Energy, animal environments, housing

Influence of weather and technology on corn and soybean yield trends — Reply

Abstract Corn and soybean yields on Allerton Trust Farms, Piatt County, Illinois for the period 1950–1976 are studied. Statistical analyses indicate that the description of yield increases by linear trend equations could not be significantly improved by use of various non-linear trend formulations. The adequacy of the linear trend description also applied when the effects of weather were taken into account. Thus, on these well-managed farms, the yield patterns do not suggest that a plateau is being reached. Adjusting for weather effect significantly increased the average yield increases, from 0.182 metric tons per hectare per year to 0.207 metric tons per hectare per year for corn and from 0.028 metric tons per hectare per year to 0.034 metric tons per hectare per year for soybeans. Thus, weather factors have depressed yield increases during this period. Assuming that the yield trends represent the effects of technology, a linear trend indicates that the supply of economical technology has become available at a constant (absolute) rate over this period. A comparison of Allerton Trust Farm yields with Piatt County yields shows that Allerton corn yields are 13% higher than Piatt County yields and that soybean yields are 9% higher. Because this ratio has not changed over the period there apparently has been a rather constant stock of economical, but unused, yield-increasing technology.

Influence of weather and technology on corn and soybean yield trends

Corn and soybean yields on Allerton Trust Farms, Piatt County, Illinois for the period 1950–1976 are studied. Statistical analyses indicate that the description of yield increases by linear trend equations could not be significantly improved by use of various non-linear trend formulations. The adequacy of the linear trend description also applied when the effects of weather were taken into account. Thus, on these well-managed farms, the yield patterns do not suggest that a plateau is being reached. Adjusting for weather effect significantly increased the average yield increases, from 0.182 metric tons per hectare per year to 0.207 metric tons per hectare per year for corn and from 0.028 metric tons per hectare per year to 0.034 metric tons per hectare per year for soybeans. Thus, weather factors have depressed yield increases during this period. Assuming that the yield trends represent the effects of technology, a linear trend indicates that the supply of economical technology has become available at a constant (absolute) rate over this period. A comparison of Allerton Trust Farm yields with Piatt County yields shows that Allerton corn yields are 13% higher than Piatt County yields and that soybean yields are 9% higher. Because this ratio has not changed over the period there apparently has been a rather constant stock of economical, but unused, yield-increasing technology.

L'évolution d'une région rurale traditionnelle au voisinage de la Basse-Seine : le Roumois

The Roumois is a plateau that has remained rural though it lies near to the important urban industrial area of the Lower Seine, but for about 10 years the suburbs have been developing. What is to become of agriculture then ? Of course many are those who give up agricultural ways of life, but there still exist too many small unprofitable farms, covering between 25 and 35 acres. One may expect a few other more important and well-managed farms to remain competitive. One sees that the greatest number of innovating farms are to be found in the areas that have been more affected by urban development. If town-planners want to create a new town on the plateau, it seems advisable to create it in a rural area that has already been involved in technical progress rather than in a slow-growing area, where changes might be tremendous. To link town and country in their development seems quite suitable.

Sources of salmonellas in market swine

SUMMARYA commercial swine fattening ration containing animal origin ingredients was shown to be related to the salmonella excretion of market pigs being sent to slaughter from a well-managed farm. When similar animals from this farm were fed a ration of much lower salmonella content, due to exclusion of ingredients of animal origin, their excretion declined as measured by both rectal and caecal swabs. When subsequent lots of pigs consumed a pelleted weaner ration and the special supplement only, before being exposed to a supplement containing the usual level of contamination, they seemed to be refractory to infection. Probably, this was a function of age at first exposure.With prospective methods it was possible to show that salmonellas from the abattoir environment could infect pigs, that they would excrete them within a very short time, and that organisms from this source could be demonstrated at slaughter and shown to be a cause of carcass contamination.While these findings support the view that the build-up of salmonellas hi pigs is by contact with a contaminated environment, they indicate that the primary source of the contamination is most probably the salmonella-excreting pig which has consumed contaminated feed ingredients on its farm of origin.If the great majority of pigs went to slaughter salmonella-free they would not serve as a source of infection to other pigs being sent to slaughter. Their intestinal contents could not contaminate carcass sides in the slaughtering process. This should help to prevent the contamination with salmonellas of the food preparation area of both homes and commercial eating establishments.

Book Reviews

THE current number of the Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society has just reached us. It fully maintains the reputation so justly earned by previous numbers, and contains papers on many topics of present interest to agriculturists. Among the principal of these may be mentioned “The Progress of Fruit-Farming,” by Mr. Whitehead, of Barming House, Kent, himself largely interested in this business. The continued reports upon Prize Farms are worthy of attention as showing what is being done on the best farms in various districts. A report on sheep-feeding experiments conducted at Woburn by Dr. Voelcker in his capacity of chemist to the Society, and a report on wheat mildew, by Mr. W. C. Little, of Stag's Holl, form the chief attractions to practical farmers. Among the more purely scientific or speculative contents may be mentioned a contribution from Rothamsted, by-Sir John Lawes and his able coadjutor, Dr. Gilbert, upon the composition of drainage water collected at Rothamsted, and a valuable paper upon nitrogen as nitric acid in the soils and subsoils of certain fields on the same estate. The remainder of the volume is chiefly occupied with useful official matter, such as the Weather Report; the Botanical Report, by Mr. Carruthers; and Reports on Live Stock, Implements, &c., exhibited at York. A touching tribute is paid to the memory of a late president of the Society, the late Lord Vernon, by Mr. Wells, him-self an ex-president. Perhaps the most striking and in structive paper is that by Mr. Thomas Bell upon the Yorkshire Prize Competition, containing a full report of the Tuyers Wood and East Park Farms, occupied by Mr. Turnbull. In these days, when dairying is justly attracting very special attention, it is highly interesting to receive sound information as to the methods used on thoroughly well-managed farms. A daily record of the milk yielded by each cow in a dairy containing 100 animals in milk is in itself highly useful, and worthy of imitation. It is impossible in a short notice like the present to open up the various topics dealt with. It has ever been the wise policy of the “Royal Agriculturist” to fill its pages with contributions from specialists upon their own specialities. There is no padding or superfluous discursiveness, and sometimes to the uninitiated there may appear to be a want of that introductory and explanatory matter which entices on the general reader. As a record of agricultural research and progress, the journal holds a high position, which the number just issued fully maintains.