Litter Moisture Research Articles

West Virginia Nocturne

West Virginia Nocturne Geffrey Davis (bio) One grief, all evening—: I've stumbledupon another animal merely being itself and still cuffing me to grace. This time a bumblebee, black and staggeredabove some wet sidewalk litter. When I stop at what I think is dying to deny loneliness one more triumph,I see instead a thing drunk with discovery—the bee entangled with blossom after pale, rain-dropped blossomgathered beneath a dogwood. And suddenly I receive the cold curves and severe angles from this morning's difficult dreamsabout faith:—certain as light, arriving; certain as light, dimming to another shadowed wait. How many strokes of undivided wonderwill have me cross the next border, my hands emptied of questions? [End Page 118] Geffrey Davis Geffrey Davis is the author of Revising the Storm (BOA Editions, 2014), winner of the A. Poulin Jr. Poetry Prize and a Hurston/Wright Legacy Award finalist. His honors include fellowships from the Cave Canem Foundation and the Vermont Studio Center, the Anne Halley Poetry Prize, the Dogwood Prize in Poetry, the Wabash Prize for Poetry, and an Academy of American Poets Prize. His poems have been published in Massachusetts Review, New York Times Magazine, and Ploughshares, among other places. A native of the Pacific Northwest, Davis teaches at the University of Arkansas. Copyright © 2018 Middlebury College Publications

An analysis of the effect of aspect and vegetation type on fine fuel moisture content in eucalypt forest

The magnitude of site effect on dead fine fuel moisture content (FMC) in eucalypt forests was investigated for different fuel strata: bark, near-surface, top and profile litter. In addition, the variation across two fire seasons in litter FMC and fraction of fuel available for burning was analysed. Over different fuel strata, the aspect effect ranged from an average moisture content of ~3% in the dry forest to 11% in the moist forest, but the effect in the moist forest could also be attributed to increased vegetation cover. For the top litter (first 1 cm of litter), moisture content averaged ~4% higher than bark, and 3% lower than profile (whole) litter, differences being higher on the wetter sites. Site effects were greatest for profile and least for bark. The percentage of days that the top litter moisture content fell into categories associated with severe fire behaviour and prescribed burning availability was calculated for each site in the different forest types to facilitate discussion of fire management planning.

Mitigating Ammonia and PM Generation of Cage-Free Henhouse Litter with Solid Additive and Liquid Spray

Abstract. A number of chain restaurants, retailers, and grocers in the U.S. have pledged to source only cage-free (CF) eggs in the foreseeable future (e.g., by 2025) due to marketing reasons or concerns over animal welfare. However, CF housing has some inherent challenges, and a predominant one is poor air quality, i.e., ammonia gas (NH3) and particulate matter (PM), and increased emissions. Spraying a liquid agent such as electrolyzed water (EW) can effectively suppress PM generation of CF henhouse litter. However, liquid spray can enhance NH3 generation because it increases the litter moisture content (LMC). Application of acidic liquid to the litter would help control NH3 while suppressing PM, but concerns arise about the potential corrosive effect of acidic liquid on housing equipment. To overcome this dilemma, this study evaluated the effect of applying PLT, a commercial poultry litter additive (LA), on NH3 emissions of CF hen litter while spraying it with neutral EW (NEW) at a rate of 25 mL kg-1 dry litter d-1. The PLT application rates were 0.3, 0.6, and 0.9 kg m-2, denoted as Low-LA, Med-LA, and High-LA, respectively. CF litter was placed inside dynamic emission chambers and automatically stirred to mimic hen scratching. PLT was topically applied onto the litter on day 1; NEW was sprayed daily for 11 d, followed by a 3 d non-spray period (i.e., 14 d per trial); and each regimen was replicated four times. The ammonia emission rate (ER) of the control (no LA), Low-LA, Med-LA, and High-LA regimens (mean ±SE) was, respectively, 0.76 ±0.05, 0.55 ±0.06, 0.37 ±0.04, and 0.16 ±0.02 g kg-1 dry litter d-1, i.e., 28% to 79% reduction by the treatments. The NH3 reduction efficiency was linearly proportional to the PLT application rate, with higher application rate resulting in lower litter pH (p < 0.05). At the end of each trial (d14), the Med-LA and High-LA regimens still showed relatively low NH3 emissions, suggesting the need for a longer measurement period in future studies. The NEW spray increased LMC by up to 60% after 11 once-a-day sprays, which reduced PM2.5, PM10, and TSP levels from 3.83, 6.39, and 7 mg m-3 to 0.07, 0.14, and 0.15 mg m-3, respectively. After a 3 d spray suspension, the PM levels rebounded to 0.72, 1.02, and 1.12 mg m-3 for PM2.5, PM10, and TSP, respectively, due to decreased LMC. Field verification of the mitigation efficacy and an economic assessment of the method are warranted. Keywords: Air quality, Alternative hen housing, Animal and worker health, Litter treatment.

Evaluation of Management Practices in Layer Chickens and their Influence on Welfare Status in Kabete Sub-County, Kenya

Reduced land sizes, increased demand for food and employment creation are drivers for increased intensive poultry production in Kenya. Intensification of production is likely to compromise the welfare of birds raised for egg production (layers). There is therefore need to determine the welfare status of layers in smallholder farms in Kenya. This study was conducted in Kabete Sub-county of Kiambu County in Kenya, covering Muguga, Nyathuna and Kabete wards. Data was collected from 135 randomly selected farms comprising of 54, 55, and 26 from Muguga, Nyathuna and Kabete, respectively. One laying flock in each household was studied. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on feeding, housing, health and behaviour of layers. Measurements were taken to determine stocking densities, feeding, watering, perching and nesting spaces, house temperature and litter depth. Observations were made to assess house ammonia levels, litter quality and foot pad dermatitis. In each ward a focus group discussion with farmers was held. Focus group discussion was also held with extension agents. Hen-day egg production was the same (p>0.05) in the three wards, with a mean of 80±12%. Water and feed were provided throughout the day by 100 and 80% of the farmers, respectively. The mean feed consumption was 115.2±15.7 g/bird/day, which was the same (p>0.05) in the three wards. The mean feeding space was 10.4±3.0 cm/bird while the linear watering space was 2.5±0.7 cm/bird. Similar stocking densities (p > 0.05) of 10±3, 10±3 and 11±3 birds/m2 were found in Muguga, Nyathuna and Kabete, respectively. Similar poultry house temperatures (p>0.05) of 24.6±2.3, 24.4±2.2 and 22.9±2.9oC were recorded in Muguga, Nyathuna and Kabete, respectively. Ammonia level was not a problem in 64% of the houses studied. In 70% of the layer houses the litter moisture content was acceptable (dry). A small proportion of farmers (24%) provided perches for the layers. Similar perching space (p>0.05) of 7.1±5.8, 12±11, 12±8.7 cm/bird was recorded in Muguga, Nyathuna and Kabete, respectively. About 37% of the farmers reported occurrence of diseases such as New Castle, gumboro, fowl pox and fowl typhoid. All farmers provided laying nests, but none of them provided sand bathing facilities. For control of cannibalism, 63% of the farmers provided fresh green vegetables to the birds for pecking. In conclusion, welfare needs in terms of good feeding, house temperature, and litter quality were met. However the stocking density was high and there was minimum attempt to provide facilities for normal behaviour (perches and sand bathing boxes). The overall assessment was that the welfare of the birds was compromised because some of their requirements were not met.

Altlık Materyalinin Etlik Piliçlerin Refah ve Performansı Üzerine Etkisi

Bu çalışmanın amacı, altlık materyalinin kalitesi, çeşitleri ve bu materyalin etlik piliçlerin refah ve performansı üzerine etkilerini incelemektir. Etlik piliç yetiştiriciliğinde en uygun yetiştirme sistemi yerde yetiştiricilik olduğundan altlık materyali büyük önem kazanmaktadır. Etlik piliç üretiminde sağlanan gelişmeye bağlı olarak altlığa olan talep de artış göstermektedir. Altlık materyali olarak genelde saman, kaba odun yongası ve hızar talaşı yaygın olarak kullanılmaktadır. Bunlarla birlikte altlık materyali olarak buğday, arpa, çavdar, yulaf, ayçiçeği, çeltik, fındık, mısır, soya, fıstık, pamuk, şekerkamışı gibi malzemeler saf veya karıştırılarak kullanılmaktadır. Altlığın kalitesini altlığın nemi, pH'si, amonyum nitrat içeriği, kekleşme düzeyi ve su tutma kapasitesi belirlemektedir. İdeal altlığın nem oranı %20–25, pH değeri 8–10 arasında olmalı ve amonyak miktarı ise 25 ppm‘i geçmemelidir. Altlık kalınlığı, altlığın türüne göre 2-10 cm arasında değişmekte, parça büyüklüğü de 0.6 cm‘yi geçmemelidir. Altlık neminin artması pH düzeyini, NH3 konsantrasyonunu ve kekleşmeyi arttırır. Altlık materyalinin türü etlik piliçlerin performansı, refahı, sağlığı, davranışı ve ürün kalitesi üzerine etkili olmaktadır. Ayrıca bu materyallerin karkas kusurları, ayak-bacak problemleri, göğüste su toplanması, yaşama gücünde düşme, altlık nemi nedeniyle mikroorganizma gelişiminde artış, kümeslerde gaz ve toz oluşumunun artması gibi olumsuz etkileri bulunmaktadır. Bu olumsuz etkiler entansif işletmelerde büyük ekonomik kayıplara neden olmaktadır. Bu nedenle etlik piliç yetiştiriciliğinde altlık materyalinin kalitesi ve çeşidi çok önemlidir.

Exploring perch provision options for commercial broiler chickens

Two related experiments involving broiler chickens are presented. Experiment 1 evaluated the use of six perch types: (1) an A-frame design (incorporating a platform and ramps), (2) a ‘flat top’ ramp, (3) a curved ramp, (4) a suspended bar, (5) a fixed bar and (6) a suspended platform. Two of each perch type was provided in one commercial house on each of two farms over two 6-week production cycles. Each perch was videoed for a 24 h period in weeks 1–6 of cycle 1, and weeks 1–5 of cycle 2. Scan sampling was used to assign an occupancy score to different perch components (platform, bar and ramp, where appropriate), and an overall weighted occupancy score also calculated. Counts were made of perching and failed perching attempts following selected scans in cycle 1. There were significantly higher occupancy scores for platform than for bar or ramp components, and this was apparent across the production cycle. This resulted in a higher overall weighted occupancy score for suspended platforms. The percentage of failed perching attempts was significantly greater with fixed and suspended bar perches than with the curved ramp. Three treatments were assessed in Experiment 2: (1) provision of six suspended platform perches (P), (2) provision of six suspended platform perches and four peat-filled dust baths (PD), and (3) control treatment with no platform perches or dust baths. Treatments were applied in one of three houses on each of two farms, and replicated over three cycles. Two perches in each of the P and PD treatments were videoed for a 25 min period in weeks 3, 4 and 5, and number of birds using the perches recorded. The severity of angular leg deformities, hock burn and pododermatitis lesions, and walking ability were scored in weeks 3, 4 and 5, and prevalence of pododermatitis and hock burn recorded at slaughter. Litter moisture and production-related measures were also taken. On average, 26 birds (12.6 birds/m2) occupied the perches, and this was not affected by provision of dust baths or age. Treatment did not significantly affect any of the measures taken. It is concluded that broilers prefer to perch on platforms rather than bars or ramps, and thus that platforms better cater for an important behavioural need. However, provision of platform perches, even in combination with dust baths, did not improve leg health, and future research should investigate greater levels of provision of these enrichments.

Tree species effects on asymbiotic N2 fixation in subtropical karst and non-karst forests

Asymbiotic dinitrogen (N2) fixation (ANF) plays an important role in determining forest nitrogen (N) availability. Yet, the controls on ANF variation within or between forests remain poorly understood. In the present study, ANF in bulk leaf litter (or litter ANF hereafter) and soil (or soil ANF hereafter) within the crown radius of the dominant tree species was investigated in a karst forest over limestone and a nearby non-karst forest over clasolite, southwest China. Lithology exerted significant (P < 0.05) influences on ANF in litter but not in soil. ANF in litter was 4.9 times higher in the karst forest than in the non-karst forest. Tree species had significant effects on litter ANF in the karst and non-karst forests with the rates varying 23-fold and 71-fold, respectively. Significant effect of tree species on soil ANF was only encountered in the non-karst forest. The strongest explanatory variables were substrate and forest specific, but generally included litter moisture, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, calcium and soil organic carbon. The findings suggest that tree species and lithology may provide new mechanisms explaining the great variation of ANF within and between forests, respectively.

Alternative bedding materials and litter depth impact litter moisture and footpad dermatitis

A function of bedding material in poultry houses is to absorb and release moisture. New bedding is commonly placed at inadequate depths in houses. Pine shavings are the industry standard for bedding material in the majority of the United States, but can be hard to obtain or costly. Alternative materials were tested for moisture absorption and retention. Peat moss and chopped wheat straw were found to absorb nearly 8× and 7× their own weight in moisture, respectively. Peat moss was then used in a broiler study and compared to fresh and used pine shavings for 6 weeks. Body weight was lower at d 7 for the used litter and peat moss treatment compared to fresh shavings with no differences at d 42. No differences in ammonia generation or litter pH were observed. Litter moisture was higher for peat moss through d 14. Paws were better in the fresh shaving and peat moss pens than used shaving pens at both d 21 and 42. Next, different depths of used and fresh shavings on footpad dermatitis (FPD) were examined. Trials 1 and 2 compared 2.5, 7.6, and 12.7 cm of fresh shavings or used litter, respectively. In Trial 1, 2.5 cm had higher litter moisture than 7.6 and 12.7 cm at d 21, 28, and 35 (P < 0.05). The 12.7 cm had better paw scores than 2.5 cm at d 21 and 35 (P < 0.05). In Trial 2, 12.7 cm had lower litter moisture than 2.5 cm at d 28, 35, and 42 (P < 0.05). The paws in 12.7 cm were better than those in 2.5 cm at d 35 and 42 (P < 0.05). There was little difference in paw quality and litter moisture between 7.6 and 12.7 cm litter depth in both trials. Peat moss may be an acceptable alternative bedding material and should be evaluated on a commercial scale in areas where it can be obtained economically. These findings suggest that broiler houses should have at least 7.6 cm of litter to control litter moisture levels and reduce FPD.

Use of a discrete electromagnetic model for simulating Aquarius L-band active/passive observations and soil moisture retrieval

In this paper, the discrete electromagnetic model developed at the Tor Vergata University of Rome (hereafter, TV-DEM) is used to simulate both active and passive L-band signals using a single set of input parameters. The simulations are compared to Aquarius observations collected from a view angle of 28.7° over the Maqu study area located near the north-eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau. The TV-DEM parameters litter biomass, litter moisture factor, plant moisture and standard deviation of height variations are calibrated for Aquarius observations collected during the 2012 and 2013 warm seasons. The calibrated parameters are used to reproduce the brightness temperature (Tb) and backscattering coefficient (σo) for the 2014 and 2015 warm season as an independent assessment.The results show that the calibrated TV-DEM simulations capture Aquarius observations reasonably well with coefficients of determination (R2's) varying from 0.75 to 0.86 for the Tb's and from 0.36 to 0.68 (−) for the σo's depending on the polarization and adopted matchup set (e.g. calibration or validation). The simulations, however, systematically overestimate the H polarized Aquarius observation and underestimate the V polarized observations. The calibrated TV-DEM is also utilized for soil moisture retrieval from three combinations of Aquarius data, including a set of both active and passive microwave observations. The obtained error metrics indicate that the soil moisture estimates from the active/passive data have the smallest bias (−0.008m3m−3) and the lowest unbiased root mean squared difference (0.021m3m−3), while soil moisture retrieved using a calibrated τ (optical depth)-ω (single scattering albedo) model based algorithm provided the best R2. These results warrant further investigation of the synergistic use of active/passive data for soil moisture retrieval as well as the use of complex physically radiative transfer model as part of well-established algorithms.

Moisture Content Measurement of Broadleaf Litters Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Technique

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was implemented to monitor the moisture content of broadleaf litters. Partial least-squares regression (PLSR) models, incorporating optimal wavelength selection techniques, have been proposed to better predict the litter moisture of forest floor. Three broadleaf litters were used to sample the reflection spectra corresponding the different degrees of litter moisture. The maximum normalization preprocessing technique was successfully applied to remove unwanted noise from the reflectance spectra of litters. Four variable selection methods were also employed to extract the optimal subset of measured spectra for establishing the best prediction model. The results showed that the PLSR model with the peak of beta coefficients method was the best predictor among all of the candidate models. The proposed NIRS procedure is thought to be a suitable technique for on-the-spot evaluation of litter moisture.

Dietary sugarcane bagasse and coarse particle size of corn are beneficial to performance and gizzard development in broilers fed normal and high sodium diets

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of sugarcane bagasse (SB) and particle size on broiler performance, gizzard development, ileal microflora, litter quality, and bird welfare under a wet litter challenge model. A total of 672 one-day-old Ross 308 male broilers was allocated to 48 pens using a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments with corn particle size—coarse 3,576 μm (CC) or fine 1,113 μm (FC) geometric mean diameter, SB - 0 or 2% and sodium (Na) - 0.16 or 0.40% with increased Na level to induce wet litter. A 3-way particle size × Na × SB interaction (P < 0.05) was observed for weight gain at d 10. Birds fed FC showed a higher weight gain compared to birds fed CC when 0.40% Na without SB diet or 0.16% Na with 2% SB diet was offered. A significant particle size × SB interaction was observed at d 24 on feed conversion ratio (FCR; P < 0.001) and weight gain (P < 0.05). FCR was reduced by 2% SB supplementation in birds fed CC but increased in birds fed FC. Further, weight gain of birds fed 2% SB was higher in birds fed CC but not in those fed FC. On d 35, birds fed 2% SB had a higher weight gain (P < 0.001) compared to those without SB, and a SB × particle size interaction on relative gizzard weight (P < 0.05) and pH (P < 0.05) was present. SB reduced gizzard pH and increased the relative gizzard weight in birds fed the FC diet but not the CC diet (P < 0.05). Counts of ileal Bacillus spp. were increased in birds fed SB (P < 0.05) on d 24. No effects of SB and particle size on litter quality and bird welfare were observed, but higher Na increased litter moisture and footpad dermatitis (FPD) scores (P < 0.001). These findings suggest that SB independently or in combination with CC improves performance in older birds regardless of Na level in diets, possibly through improved gizzard development and gut microflora of birds.

Identification of a practical and reliable method for the evaluation of litter moisture in turkey production

ABSTRACT1. An experiment was conducted to compare 5 different methods for the evaluation of litter moisture.2. For litter collection and assessment, 55 farms were selected, one shed from each farm was inspected and 9 points were identified within each shed.3. For each device, used for the evaluation of litter moisture, mean and standard deviation of wetness measures per collection point were assessed.4. The reliability and overall consistency between the 5 instruments used to measure wetness were high (α = 0.72).5. Measurement of three out of the 9 collection points were sufficient to provide a reliable assessment of litter moisture throughout the shed.6. Based on the direct correlation between litter moisture and footpad lesions, litter moisture measurement can be used as a resource based on-farm animal welfare indicator.7. Among the 5 methods analysed, visual scoring is the most simple and practical, and therefore the best candidate to be used on-farm for animal welfare assessment.

Necrotic enteritis challenge and high dietary sodium level affect odorant composition or emission from broilers.

Necrotic enteritis (NE) challenge and high dietary sodium (from sodium chloride) level on odor flux from broiler litter was investigated using 160 day-old Ross 308 male chicks randomly assigned to 4 dietary treatments with 4 replicates of 10 birds each. A 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments was employed. Factors were: presence or absence of NE challenge and normal (1.6 g/kg) or high (4.0 g/kg) dietary sodium (Na) level. On d 20, odorants were collected from litter headspacewith a flux hood and measured using selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS). On d 33, while challenge did not lead to higher mortality, it reduced feed intake by 5.48% (P < 0.05) and body weight gain by 9.02% (P < 0.01) and worsened FCR by 5 points (P < 0.01), indicating subclinical necrotic enteritis occurred in challenged birds. Challenge increased (P < 0.01) litter moisture and litter headspace concentrations of dimethyl sulfide (P < 0.05), propyl mercaptan (P < 0.05), total butanols (P < 0.05), acetoin (P < 0.01), skatole (P = 0.05), butyric acid (P < 0.05), and methyl amine (P < 0.05) and tended to increase concentrations of ethyl mercaptan (P = 0.07), carbon disulfide (P = 0.09), indole (P = 0.10), and formic acid (P = 0.10) compared to the unchallenged group. The birds fed a high Na diet produced higher litter moisture (P < 0.01) and higher litter headspace concentration of sulfur compounds and phenol (P < 0.01) compared to those fed a normal Na diet. In the birds fed a high Na diet, challenge increased the litter flux of some additional odorants, which included 2,3-butanedione (P < 0.05), acetic acid (P < 0.01), propionic acid (P < 0.01), isobutyric acid (P < 0.01), isovaleric acid (P < 0.01), pentanoic acid (P < 0.05), 2-butanone (P < 0.05), and 3-methyl-1-butanol (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that both a high Na diet and sub-clinical NE increase the odor nuisance potential of broiler farms.

Effects of a high dose of microbial phytase and myo-inositol supplementation on growth performance, tibia mineralization, nutrient digestibility, litter moisture content, and foot problems in broiler chickens fed phosphorus-deficient diets

A total of 660 one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly distributed into eleven dietary treatments. Treatments included a maize-soybean meal-based diet with recommended calcium (Ca) and non-phytate phosphorus (nPP) (positive control; PC), an nPP-deficient diet (negative control; NC), NC diets supplemented with different levels of phytase (0, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, 4,000, 5,000, and 6,000 FTU/kg), a NC diet plus 0.15% myo-inositol, and a NC diet with reduced Ca level (Ca to nPP ratio same as PC). Feeding the NC diet had no effects on birds' body weight (BW), weight gain (WG), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR), but decreased (P <0.05) tibia P contents, crude protein (CP) digestibility, and serum P, but increased (P <0.05) serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity at 21 d of age. Phytase supplementation at ≥4,000 FTU/kg improved (P <0.05) BW, WG and digestibility of nutrients. Feeding the NC diet resulted in greater (P <0.05) litter moisture content (42 d) and poorer gait score (21 d), but 4,000 and 6,000 FTU/kg phytase returned (P <0.05) these parameters to that of the PC. Supplemental myo-inositol increased (P <0.05) serum total protein, P retention, and decreased (P <0.05) litter moisture at 42 d of age. Feeding the low Ca NC diet increased (P <0.05) serum total protein, ileum Ca, P, and CP digestibility and decreased serum ALP activity, litter moisture and gait score compared to the NC group. In conclusion, phytase in a dose-dependent manner, especially at ≥4,000 FTU/kg levels, was effective in overcoming the negative consequences of NC diets, primarily due to the ability to improve nutrient utilization. In addition, reducing the Ca level or supplementation of inositol of NC diet can correct some the negative effects of feeding a NC diet confirming the negative effect of a wide Ca: P ratio in a P-deficient diet and suggesting that inositol may play a role in the response to phytase addition.

Overview of Prebiotics and Probiotics: Focus on Performance, Gut Health and Immunity – A Review

Abstract Due to the threat and emergence of bacterial resistance against antibiotics, the use of in-feed antibiotics at therapeutic and subtherapeutic levels has been limited. Complete withdrawal of antibiotics as growth promoters (AGP) has led to poor gut health signs in chickens that include conditions like wet litter, intestinal bacteria overgrowth, poor growth performance, malabsorption and various diseases. Two of the most common alternatives to AGP are prebiotics and probiotics. Both prebiotics and probiotics have become the potential feed additives that improve the gut health, immune system and microbiota by various mechanisms of action, and enhance growth performance of chickens. The review discusses the modes of action like antibacterial, competitive exclusion (CE), and immunomodulatory properties of prebiotics and probiotics, particularly in poultry. In ovo feeding of prebiotics and probiotics with promising effect on growth performance and reduction of pathogens like Salmonella is also discussed in this review. However, it is necessary to conduct more research with prebiotics and probiotics as well as other feed additives to understand the detailed mechanisms of action and identify better alternatives for poultry production and health.

Within-House Spatial Distribution of Fecal Indicator Bacteria in Poultry Litter.

Land application of poultry litter is often considered to be a major source of water pollutants in poultry-producing regions. However, reported levels of fecal indicator microorganisms in litter vary widely, with considerable variation possible within houses and across farms, depending on management practices. Therefore, a study was conducted to determine the levels and distribution of indicator microorganisms within 12 broiler farms representing three companies. Within each house, litter samples were collected from around the feed line, water line, north wall, cool pad end, middle, and fan end. Litter moisture content was significantly different within the houses, with the litter being driest around the feed line (19.8%) and wettest around the water line (40.7%). Mean levels of total coliforms, , enterococci, and were 3.7, 3.3, 6.4, and 4.0 log colony-forming units g dry litter, respectively. Levels of total coliforms, , and were positively correlated with litter moisture content, but enterococci levels were not. Consequently, levels of total coliforms, , and , as well as enterococci, were highest around the water line and lowest around the feed line. These results indicate that areas with higher litter water content are more likely to contain higher levels of most fecal indicator microorganisms. Approaches to reduce litter water content in these areas would not only benefit the microbial quality of litter for land application but would also likely improve in-house disease control.

Prescribed fire experiences on crop residue removal for biomass exploitations. Application to the maritime pine forests in the Mediterranean Basin

Socioeconomic changes, climate change, rural migration and fire exclusion have led to a high woody biomass accumulation increasing potential wildfire severity. Mechanical thinning and prescribed burning practices are commonly used to prevent large fires. The purpose of this study was to assess burning treatment effectiveness following mechanical thinning from biomass harvesting. Prescribed burning to reduce residue removal could help mitigate fire behavior, mainly in strategic management or critical focal points.Field samplings were conducted before and immediately after burnings on different environmental scenarios where fuel load was classified by categories. Prescribed fires reduced available fuel in all fuel categories, mainly in surface litter layer. Total fuel load reduction ranged from 59.07% to 86.18%. In this sense, fuel reduction effects were more pronounced when burns were conducted fewer than 10% on surface litter moisture. The difference in fuel consumption among scenarios was higher for most all woody fuel components and decomposition litter layer than for surface litter layer. Managers can use this information to design technical prescription to achieve the targets while decomposed litter retention maintaining the soil properties and biodiversity. Understanding the most effective “burn window” should help better plan prescribed burning, both in term of fire behavior and fuel consumption, without altering ecosystem properties.

Coarse particle inclusion and lignocellulose-rich fiber addition in feed benefit performance and health of broiler chickens

Measures to improve gut health and nutrient digestibility have been sought due to in-feed antibiotics being phased out in poultry. The appropriate physical structure of feed ingredients and addition of dietary fiber may be beneficial in enhancing gut health in poultry. In this study, the effect of a lignocellulose-rich fiber source and corn particle size on broiler performance, gizzard development, nutrient digestibility, cecal microflora, and litter quality was evaluated. A total of 684 day-old male Ross 308 chicks were randomly allocated to 6 treatments with 6 replicate pens, each housing 19 birds. A 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments was applied with the factors of: corn particle size (coarse: 2,982 μm or fine: 941 μm geometric mean diameter), and 3 levels of lignocellulose (0%, 1% or 2%). Significant particle size × fiber interaction was observed for feed conversion ratio (FCR) at d 10 (P < 0.05). The birds fed coarsely ground corn (CGC) had lower FCR than those fed finely ground corn (FGC) only at 2% of lignocellulose but not at 1% or no lignocellulose addition. Birds fed FGC were heavier (P < 0.001) at d 10. In contrast, at d 24 and 35, birds fed CGC had lower FCR than those fed FGC (P < 0.05). Ileal gross energy and protein digestibility increased in birds fed CGC compared with those fed FGC at d 24 (P < 0.05). Relative gizzard weight was higher (P < 0.05) on d 24 and 35 in birds fed CGC as compared to those fed FGC. Birds consumed 2% dietary lignocellulose had decreased counts of cecal Clostridium spp. compared to those with 1% lignocellulose (P < 0.05) at d 24. On d 35, both levels of lignocellulose had significantly decreased (P < 0.05) litter moisture content compared to the control. In conclusion, birds fed pelleted diets containing CGC exhibited improved FCR, and increased nutrient digestibility, which may have been caused by larger gizzards. Furthermore, dietary lignocellulose addition is beneficial to litter quality.

Plasticidade da folha e lenho de cinco espécies lenhosas em duas áreas de restinga no Sul do Brasil

This study examined comparatively the plasticity of five “lenhosas” species occurring in two areas of salt marsh in Santa Catarina State, as follow: Clusia criuva Cambess., Myrsine venosa A. DC., Ocotea pulchella (Nees e Mart.) Mez, Pera glabrata (Schott) Poepp. Ex Baill and T ernstroemia brasiliensis Cambess . Functional attributes of leaf and stem were measured, and in the fi eld trees’ height and diameter were taken at breast height. The environmental heterogeneity was characterized by chemical analysis of the soil, thickness of litter and gravimetric moisture. For each morphological and anatomical attribute the phenotypic plasticity index was calculated. Leaf traits showed variation among the areas in all studied species, especially regarding specifi c leaf area. Wood attributes changed little, showing a higher inheritability of characters or similar responses to the water condition from the point of view of water resources’ use of. The results corroborate to other studies indicating that leaf is more plastic to habitats variations

The first schizomid from a dry forest in South America (Arachnida: Schizomida)

Schizomids are arachnids typically found on the ground of areas with rainforest, living in the moist litter. Here we describe Surazomus algodoal sp. nov. from a coastal, dry environment on an island of the state of Pará, Brazil, in the Atlantic Ocean. Only one male has been collected, but the morphology of the flagellum is unique. Surazomus algodoal sp. nov. represents the first epigean schizomid living only in a dry forest and the easternmost record for Surazomus Reddell &amp; Cokendolpher. The type of dry vegetation in which the animal was found covers only a small area and is endangered by human use. The new species is considered critically endangered using the IUCN criteria.