Substitution versus wealth: Dual effects of non-pastoral income on livestock herd size

2022 ◽  
Vol 151 ◽  
pp. 105749
Author(s):  
Jie Zhou ◽  
Hua Zhong ◽  
Wuyang Hu ◽  
Guanghua Qiao
Keyword(s):  
Herd Size

Sources and uses of information on a West Coast dairy farm

2002 ◽  
pp. 31-32
Author(s):  
C. Van der Geest
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Time Pressure ◽  
Data Gathering ◽  
Technical Information ◽  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Financial Benefit ◽  
Nitrogen Response ◽  
Directional Information

I am a 30-year-old sharemilker on my parent's 600 cow developing farm near Blackball on the western side of the Grey Valley. Earlier this year I competed in the National Young Farmer of the Year competition and finished a close third. So what is information? There are two types of information that I use. There is data gathered from my farm to help fine tune the running of the day to day operations on the farm And directional information This is the information that arrives in papers and directs the long-term direction and plans of the farm and farming businesses. Due to the variability in weather on the Coast there is a greater need to monitor and adjust the farming system compared to an area like Canterbury. This was shown last year (2001/02) when the farm was undergoing a rapid period of development and I was under time restraints from increasing the herd size, building a new shed as well as developing the farm. The results of the time pressure was that day to day information gathering was lower resulting in per cow production falling by 11% or around $182 per cow. So what information was lacking that caused this large drop in profit. • Pasture growth rates • Cow condition • Nitrogen requirements • Paddock performance • Milk production • Pre-mating heat detection As scientists and advisers I hear you say that it is the farmer's responsibility to gather and analyse this information. You have the bigger topics to research and discover, gene marking, improving pasture species, sexing of sperm and ideas that I have not even contemplated yet. This is indeed very valuable research. Where would farming be without the invention of electric fences, artificial breeding and nitrogen research? But my problem is to take a farm with below average production to the top 10% in production with the existing technology and farming principles. I have all the technical information I need at the end of a phone. I can and do ring my consultant, fertiliser rep, vet, neighbour and due to the size and openness of New Zealand science, at present if they do not know I can ring an expert in agronomy, nutrition, soils and receive the answer that I require. I hope that this openness remains as in a time of privatisation and cost cutting it is a true advantage. I feel that for myself the next leap in information is not in the growing of grass or production of milk but in the tools to collect, store and utilise that information. This being tied to a financial benefit to the farming business is the real reason that I farm. Think of the benefits of being able to read pasture cover on a motorbike instantly downloaded, overlaying cow intake with milk production, changes in cow weight, daily soil temperature and predicted nitrogen response. Telling me low producing cows and poor producing paddocks, any potential feed deficits or surpluses. This would be a powerful information tool to use. The majority of this information is already available but until the restraints of time and cost are removed from data gathering and storage, this will not happen.

COST OF MILK PRODUCTION AND BREAK EVEN ANALYSIS OF MEMBER AND NON MEMBER OF DAIRY COOPERATIVE SOCIETY FOR MILCH ANIMALS (COW & BUFFALO) IN DISTRICT ETAWAH OF U.P.

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-37
Author(s):  
Ashish Chandra ◽  
Dr. A. K. Dubey ◽  
Dr. Sachin Kumar Srivastava
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Total Cost ◽  
Minimum Quantity ◽  
Cooperative Society ◽  
Point Analysis ◽  
Large Herd ◽  
Breakeven Point

This study covered 150 cooperative member milk producers and 150 non-member milk producers which were post- stratified into Landless, Marginal, small, medium and large herd size categories. Breakeven point is a point where no profit no loss status achieved where MR = MC. In this study breakeven point analysis was done to estimate the minimum quantity milk to be produced to cover the total cost on all categories (members and nonmembers) of households of milch animals (Cow and buffalo). And also in this study the researchers have find out the Total cost of milk production per liter for member and non member categories. This study is helpful to find out the total cost of milk production in all categories as well as members and nonmembers of dairy cooperative society are able to find out the breakeven point of the whole business.

Immunodetection of Ostertagia ostertagi in Cattle Milk Samples in Wasit Province

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (28) ◽  
pp. 637-648
Author(s):  
Abbas Hassan Khlaty Al-Sray
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Elisa Test ◽  
Production Factor ◽  
Size Factor ◽  
Ostertagia Ostertagi ◽  
Milk Samples ◽  
Management Group ◽  
Breed Group ◽  
Age Factor

The aim of present study was to detect the seroprevalence of Ostertagia ostertagi specific antibodies in cattle milk samples in Wasit province, by using the indirect ELISA test for first time in Iraq. For this purpose, an overall 368 dairies cow was submitted for study and the results were revealed that 51 (13.86 %) of tested cows were positive, and the mean optic density ratios (ODRs) of ELISA test values in seropositive cattle were 0.58. Also, this study aimed to investigate an association of seropositive results with some epidemiological risk factors. Hence, the positive results, according to these factors, were as follow: in milk production factor, 6.32 % for ³18 liters/day group, 14.29 % for ³10-18 liters/day group, and 25 % for < 10 liters/day group; in age factor, 13.41% for ³3-6 years group, and 14.75% for >6 years group; in breed factor, 18.27% for local breed group, 12.17% for cross-breed group, and 12% for pure breed group; in farm management factor, 21.35% for bad management group, and 5.68% for good management group; and in herd size factor, 11.59% for <25 (cow/herd) group, and 17.78% for ³ 25 (cow/herd) group. Statistically, the significant differences (P£ 0.05) were observed among related groups of milk production, breed, husbandry management, and herd size factors; while it’s not reported among groups of age factor.

scholarly journals Emission of harmful gases from animal production in Poland

2021 ◽  
Vol 193 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamila Mazur ◽  
Kamil Roman ◽  
Witold Jan Wardal ◽  
Kinga Borek ◽  
Jan Barwicki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Ammonia Concentration ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
Ammonia Emission ◽  
Emission Rates ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Air Exchange Rate ◽  
Microclimate Conditions ◽  
Air Exchange

AbstractThe aim of the study was to present the scale of greenhouse gas emissions from animal production, and to provide test results from different housing systems. In three free stall buildings, two with slurry in deep channels and one with cattle in cubicles staying on shallow litter concentration of ammonia and carbon dioxide were measured in summer season by using dedicated equipment from Industrial Scientific Research. Air exchange was calculated on the base of balance carbon dioxide method. This method was used in order to estimate the air flow rate. Concentrations of ammonia and CO2 were measured as the base for air exchange and ammonia emission rates. Ammonia emissions were product of ammonia concentration and air exchange rate. Temperature and relative humidity were measured to establish microclimate conditions in buildings tested to show the overall microclimatic situation in buildings. Differences between ammonia emission rates were observed in both housing systems. The highest ammonia emission rate was equal to 2.75 g·h−1·LU−1 in well-ventilated cattle barn with the largest herd size.

scholarly journals Livestock movement informs the risk of disease spread in traditional production systems in East Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Divine Ekwem ◽  
Thomas A. Morrison ◽  
Richard Reeve ◽  
Jessica Enright ◽  
Joram Buza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Transmission Risk ◽  
Disease Spread ◽  
Transmission Potential ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Scales ◽  
Transmission Distance ◽  
Risk Of Disease

AbstractIn Africa, livestock are important to local and national economies, but their productivity is constrained by infectious diseases. Comprehensive information on livestock movements and contacts is required to devise appropriate disease control strategies; yet, understanding contact risk in systems where herds mix extensively, and where different pathogens can be transmitted at different spatial and temporal scales, remains a major challenge. We deployed Global Positioning System collars on cattle in 52 herds in a traditional agropastoral system in western Serengeti, Tanzania, to understand fine-scale movements and between-herd contacts, and to identify locations of greatest interaction between herds. We examined contact across spatiotemporal scales relevant to different disease transmission scenarios. Daily cattle movements increased with herd size and rainfall. Generally, contact between herds was greatest away from households, during periods with low rainfall and in locations close to dipping points. We demonstrate how movements and contacts affect the risk of disease spread. For example, transmission risk is relatively sensitive to the survival time of different pathogens in the environment, and less sensitive to transmission distance, at least over the range of the spatiotemporal definitions of contacts that we explored. We identify times and locations of greatest disease transmission potential and that could be targeted through tailored control strategies.

scholarly journals Assessing Animal Welfare and Farm Profitability in Cow-Calf Operations with Stochastic Partial Budgeting

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 382
Author(s):  
Haseeb Ahmed ◽  
Karin Alvåsen ◽  
Charlotte Berg ◽  
Helena Hansson ◽  
Jan Hultgren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Economic Consequences ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Farm Animal Welfare ◽  
Partial Budgeting ◽  
Cow Calf

The societal demand for good farm animal welfare (FAW) has increased over time. Yet, very little is known about the economic consequences of improvements in FAW in cow–calf operations. This study investigates on-farm economic consequences of improved FAW measures in cow–calf operations. It uses a stochastic partial budgeting approach to examine the relationship between contribution margins and improvements in FAW in terms of increased space allowance for a typical Swedish cow-calf operation, as compared to current practices. In the current practice, a cow should be given at least 5 m2 and the calf 2.2 m2. We found that a 0.5 m2 increase in space allowance per calf (achieved by a corresponding reduction of herd size) was associated with a 6.9 to 18.7% reduction in contribution margins in the short term. Our analysis does not include possible indirect gains like decrease in disease incidence and enhanced non-use or ‘soft’ values associated with increased FAW. However, our analysis indicates that high FAW standards can be costly and careful cost–benefit analysis should be a part of decision-making processes regarding FAW standards. Our results also suggest a need for government support payments and/or the development of market mechanisms to stimulate farmers to continue producing livestock-based foods with high FAW.

scholarly journals Future Risk of Bovine Tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis) Breakdown in Cattle Herds 2013–2018: A Dominance Analysis Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 1004
Author(s):  
Andrew W. Byrne ◽  
Damien Barrett ◽  
Philip Breslin ◽  
Jamie M. Madden ◽  
James O’Keeffe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bovine Tuberculosis ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Strong Predictor ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Analysis Approach ◽  
Dominance Analysis ◽  
Control Programmes ◽  
Significant Spatial Variation ◽  
Future Risk ◽  
Cattle Herds

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) remains a significant endemic pathogen of cattle herds, despite multi-decadal control programmes being in place in several countries. Understanding the risks of future bTB breakdown (BD) and the associated characteristics of herds and index breakdowns could help inform risk categorisation. Such risk categories could then contribute to tailored management and policies. Here, we estimated the future risk of herd BD for the cohort of herds that were derestricted during 2013 in Ireland using multivariable logit regression models, with a dominance analysis approach. One third of herds that were derestricted in 2013 experienced a breakdown during the follow-up five year period (1469/4459; 33%). BD length was a significant predictor of future risk, primarily driven by long BDs > 230 days relative to short BDs < 130 days (OR 95%CI: 1.157–1.851), as was having had a previous BD (OR 95%CI: 1.012–1.366). Herd-size was the dominant predictor of future risk (accounted for 46% of predicted variance), suggesting significant increase in risk of future breakdown with increasing (log) herd-size (OR 95%CI: 1.378–1.609). There was significant spatial variation in future risk across counties, and it was the second most dominant predictor of future risk (25% of predicted variance). The size of index breakdowns was not a strong predictor of future risk over a 5-year period. These findings can inform a risk-based policy development.

scholarly journals Agropastoral Mobility and Rangelands Multiple Uses in the Miombo Frontier Ecozone of Tabora Region, Western Tanzania

Scientifica ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
George Felix Masanja
Keyword(s):  
Growth Control ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Resource Base ◽  
High Data ◽  
Ex Post ◽  
Agroecological Zones ◽  
Ex Post Facto ◽  
Multistage Sampling

This study aimed to examine the argument of environmental resource-use conflict as the primary cause of crop farmers and agropastoralists conflicts in Tabora Region, Tanzania. It explored the multiple interdependent phenomena that affect livelihoods relationships between crop farmers and agropastoralists and the nature of their continuing conflicts over the ecozonal resources. A primary dataset of the two groups’ conflicts was used. An ex post facto and multistage sampling design was adopted. A total of 252 respondents were interviewed in three separate villages drawn from agroecological zones fringing the miombo woodland where such tensions are high. Data were analyzed using logistic regression. Results indicate that education (β = −1.215, .297; p=.050), household size (β=.958, 2.607; p=.017), herd size (β = 4.276, 7.197; p=0.001), farm size (β = -1.734, .048; p=.176), the police (β = -.912, 4.582; p=.043), and village leaders (β = -.122, .885; p=.012) were the most potent predictors of causes of conflicts. The study found no support for demographic variables, like age, sex, marital status, income, duration of residence, and distance to resource base. The study recommends population growth control and strengthening of local institutions and recommends local communities to sustain management of natural resources base in the area.

scholarly journals Factors associated with 56-day non-return rate in dairy cattle

2011 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 648-654 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramiro Fouz ◽  
Fernando Gandoy ◽  
María Luisa Sanjuán ◽  
Eduardo Yus ◽  
Francisco Javier Diéguez
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Models ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Return Rate ◽  
Dairy Herds ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
North West ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Service Conception ◽  
Major Factors

The objective of this work was to identify factors associated with the 56-day non-return rate (56-NRR) in dairy herds in the Galician region, Spain, and to estimate it for individual Holstein bulls. The experiment was carried out in herds originated from North-West Spain, from September 2008 to August 2009. Data of the 76,440 first inseminations performed during this period were gathered. Candidate factors were tested for their association with the 56-NRR by using a logistic model (binomial). Afterwards, 37 sires with a minimum of 150 first performed inseminations were individually evaluated. Logistic models were also estimated for each bull, and predicted individual 56-NRR rate values were calculated as a solution for the model parameters. Logistic regression found four major factors associated with 56-NRR in lactating cows: age at insemination, days from calving to insemination, milk production level at the time of insemination, and herd size. First-service conception rate, when a particular sire was used, was higher for heifers (0.71) than for lactating cows (0.52). Non-return rates were highly variable among bulls. Asignificant part of the herd-level variation of 56-NRR of Holstein cattle seems attributable to the service sire. High correlation level between observed and predicted 56-NRR was found.

scholarly journals Bovine Tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis) Outbreak Duration in Cattle Herds in Ireland: A Retrospective Observational Study

Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 815
Author(s):  
Andrew W. Byrne ◽  
Damien Barrett ◽  
Philip Breslin ◽  
Jamie M. Madden ◽  
James O'Keeffe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Mycobacterium Bovis ◽  
Bovine Tuberculosis ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Policy Formation ◽  
Nitrogen Loading ◽  
Management Policy ◽  
Retrospective Observational Study

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) outbreaks, caused by Mycobacterium bovis infection, are a costly animal health challenge. Understanding factors associated with the duration of outbreaks, known as breakdowns, could lead to better disease management policy development. We undertook a retrospective observational study (2012–2018) and employed Finite Mixture Models (FMM) to model the outcome parameter, and to investigate how factors were associated with duration for differing subpopulations identified. In addition to traditional risk factors (e.g., herd size, bTB history), we also explored farm geographic area, parcels/farm fragmentation, metrics of intensity via nitrogen loading, and whether herds were designated controlled beef finishing units (CBFU) as potential risk factors for increased duration. The final model fitted log-normal distributions, with two latent classes (k) which partitioned the population into a subpopulation around the central tendency of the distribution, and a second around the tails of the distribution. The latter subpopulation included longer breakdowns of policy interest. Increasing duration was positively associated with recent (<3 years) TB history and the number of reactors disclosed, (log) herd size, beef herd-type relative to other herd types, number of land parcels, area, being designated a CBFU (“feedlot”) and having high annual inward cattle movements within the “tails” subpopulation. Breakdown length was negatively associated with the year of commencement of breakdown (i.e., a decreasing trend) and non-significantly with the organic nitrogen produced on the farm (N kg/hectare), a measure of stocking density. The latter finding may be due to confounding effects with herd size and area. Most variables contributed only moderately to explaining variation in breakdown duration, that is, they had moderate size effects on duration. Herd-size and CBFU had greater effect sizes on the outcome. The findings contribute to evidence-based policy formation in Ireland.

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