DAM EA$Y—software for assessing the costs and benefits of on-farm water storage based production systems

2003 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.N Lisson ◽  
L.E Brennan ◽  
K.L Bristow ◽  
B.A Keating ◽  
D.A Hughes
2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 4-4
Author(s):  
Abbie V Viscardi ◽  
Elizabeth Shirtcliff ◽  
Emily Eppler ◽  
Savannah Miller ◽  
Johann Coetzee

Abstract Piglets raised in commercial production systems in the U.S. undergo painful management procedures, including surgical castration, tail docking and ear notching, without analgesia or anesthesia provision for pain relief. This is a significant animal welfare concern. There is an immediate need to identify the most practical and effective analgesia or anesthesia option for use on-farm. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of 2.0mg/kg firocoxib, administered to the sow and delivered transmammary to her piglets, and a vapocoolant spray (ethyl chloride) to reduce processing pain. Five-day old male and female Yorkshire-cross piglets were used. 2.0mg/kg firocoxib was administered to the sow intramuscularly 7h prior to processing piglets. An ethyl chloride spray was applied to the ears, tail and scrotum of the piglets immediately before ear notching, tail docking and surgical castration, respectively. Piglets were assigned to one of four treatment groups: firocoxib and vapocoolant spray (FV; n=32), firocoxib only (F; n=32), vapocoolant spray only (V; n=32), no treatment (CON; n=32). The observation period was from 24h pre- to 48h post-processing (specific time points = baseline, 0h, 1h, 2h, 4h, 7h, 24h, 30h, 36h, 48h). Preliminary results found piglets displayed significantly more pain-related behaviors at 24h and 30h post-processing than at most other time points (p< 0.05). Piglets had significantly higher cranial temperatures at 7h post-processing than all other time points (p< 0.05). There was a trend in FV and F piglets having a higher cranial temperature at 36h post-processing compared to V and CON piglets (p=0.08). All piglets had significantly higher hair cortisol levels at 4 vs 20-days old (p< .0001); however, there were no significant treatment effects on cranial temperature, hair cortisol or pain behavior, suggesting firocoxib and the ethyl chloride spray were unable to significantly reduce piglet pain post-processing. Further study analysis is needed to confirm these initial findings.


2006 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 743-748 ◽  
Author(s):  
WONDWOSSEN A. GEBREYES ◽  
SIDDHARTHA THAKUR ◽  
W. E. MORGAN MORROW

Conventional swine production evolved to routinely use antimicrobials, and common occurrence of antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella has been reported. There is a paucity of information on the antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella in swine production in the absence of antimicrobial selective pressure. Therefore, we compared the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella isolated from antimicrobial-free and conventional production systems. A total of 889 pigs and 743 carcasses were sampled in the study. Salmonella prevalence was significantly higher among the antimicrobial-free systems (15.2%) than the conventional systems (4.2%) (odds ratio [OR] = 4.23; P < 0.05). Antimicrobial resistance was detected against 10 of the 12 antimicrobials tested. The highest frequency of resistance was found against tetracycline (80%), followed by streptomycin (43.4%) and sulfamethoxazole (36%). Frequency of resistance to most classes of antimicrobials (except tetracycline) was significantly higher among conventional farms than antimicrobial-free farms, with ORs ranging from 2.84 for chloramphenicol to 23.22 for kanamycin at the on-farm level. A total of 28 antimicrobial resistance patterns were detected. A resistance pattern with streptomycin, sulfamethoxazole, and tetracycline (n = 130) was the most common multidrug resistance pattern. There was no significant difference in the proportion of isolates with this pattern between the conventional (19.5%) and the antimicrobial-free systems (18%) (OR = 1.8; P > 0.05). A pentaresistance pattern with ampicillin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulfamethoxazole, and tetracycline was strongly associated with antimicrobial-free groups (OR = 5.4; P = 0.01). While showing the higher likelihood of finding antimicrobial resistance among conventional herds, this study also implies that specific multidrug-resistant strains may occur on antimicrobial-free farms. A longitudinal study with a representative sample size is needed to reach more conclusive results of the associations detected in this study.


1992 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Gunadi ◽  
M. J. Potts ◽  
R. Sinung-Basuki ◽  
Greta A. Watson

SummaryThree seasons of on-farm experimentation to develop potato production from botanical or true potato seed (TPS) under cool fertile conditions in West Java, Indonesia, are described. Twenty-three farmers experimented with two production systems: use of transplants, and use of seedling tubers produced in nursery beds. There was little yield difference between the systems, but an apparent progeny × system × season interaction was observed. All progenies were more resistant to late blight than the present cultivars grown from tubers. Appropriate matching of progeny and system gave seed of comparable quality with, but total yields slightly less than, certified imported seed of cv. Granola. Ware quality was slightly better than that of cv. Granola. Production costs were markedly less than for a tuber crop, making TPS ideal for small, resource-poor farmers.


2016 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 112-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Ryan ◽  
T. Hennessy ◽  
C. Buckley ◽  
E.J. Dillon ◽  
T. Donnellan ◽  
...  

Abstract In the context of an expanding, export-dependent agri-food sector, indicators of sustainable development and intensification are necessary to measure, assess and verify the comparative advantage afforded by Ireland’s natural pastoral-based food production systems. Such indicators are also necessary to ensure that we produce more food with less adverse impacts on the Irish environment, climate and society. This article outlines the development of farm-level indicators that refect the multifaceted nature of sustainability, which is encompassed in economic, environmental and social indicators. The role of innovation in farm sustainability was also examined. A comparison of indicators across Irish farm systems showed that dairy farms, followed by tillage farms, tended to be the most economically and socially sustainable farm systems. In relation to greenhouse gas emissions in particular, the top-performing dairy farms, in an economic sense, also tended to be the best-performing farms from an environmental sustainability perspective. This trend was also evident in relation to the adoption of innovative practices on farm, which was found to be strongly correlated with economic performance.


Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 890
Author(s):  
Carlo Tremolada ◽  
Halina Bielińska ◽  
Michela Minero ◽  
Valentina Ferrante ◽  
Elisabetta Canali ◽  
...  

Currently, no specific animal-based measures (ABMs) protocols are available for geese in commercial meat production systems. Following a critical review of the literature and consultation of experts, seven ABMs, potentially valid and feasible for the on-farm welfare assessment of geese, were identified and then tested in 12 farms in Poland to assess their inter-observer reliability. Two observers conducted the assessment, which was divided into two phases. First, a handling test assessed the human–animal relationship (HAR), and a 100% inter-observer reliability was achieved by the observers when evaluating the attitudes of stockpeople and the reactions of geese to humans. Next, an animal inspection was conducted, and the observers simultaneously and independently visually evaluated 100 randomly selected geese per farm and assessed whether the selected ABMs could be identified. In terms of inter-observer reliability, high correlation coefficients were found for plumage dirtiness (ρ = 0.745; p < 0.01), twisted wings (ρ = 0.890; p < 0.001), and broken/twisted wings (ρ = 0.858; p < 0.001). The results showed that plumage dirtiness, twisted wings, and broken/twisted wings are valid and reliable measures. Further research should address the reliability of ABMs of geese in other types of production systems.


Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brooklyn Wagner ◽  
Kenneth Royal ◽  
Rachel Park ◽  
Monique Pairis-Garcia

Surgical castration is a painful husbandry procedure performed on piglets in the United States (US) to improve meat quality. Veterinarians play a crucial role in developing pain management protocols. However, providing pain management for castration is not common practice in US swine production systems. Therefore, the objective of the present study is to identify factors influencing swine veterinarian decision-making in regard to pain management protocols for piglet castration using focus group methodologies. Swine veterinarians (n = 21) were recruited to participate in one of three focus groups. Audio recordings were transcribed verbatim and analyzed by two independent coders who identified three areas of focus, including (1) the lack of approved products validated for efficacy, (2) economic limitations and challenges, and (3) deficient guidelines and training for veterinarians to develop protocols. Although participating veterinarians acknowledged the importance of pain management from an animal welfare standpoint, these barriers must be addressed to ensure that castration pain can be successfully mitigated on-farm.


1995 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Ellis ◽  
F.K. Mckeith

The efficiency of pig production has increased considerably in recent years, but the improvement of meat quality has only recently begun to receive attention. Closer links between the producers and marketers of pigs are now resulting in a clearer understanding of the factors that lead to meat of high quality. Here, some of the major on-farm influences on meat quality are described, focussing on meat colour, water-holding capacity and eating quality.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1656 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Darijani ◽  
Hadi Veisi ◽  
Houman Liaghati ◽  
Mohammad Nazari ◽  
Kours Khoshbakht

This study assessed the resilience of pistachio production systems in the Rafsanjan plain in Iran using an index of behavior-based indicators. One-hundred fifty pistachio orchards located in five major production areas were studied in 2016. The data was subjected to three-step multi-criteria analysis, including (i) normalization and aggregation; (ii) determination of the weights representing the priorities for each criterion and evaluation of the performance of each indicator; and (iii) comparison. The results showed that the study areas had problematic statuses regarding the indicators of membership in grassroots organizations, innate abilities, water sources, production stability, and insurance. They had critical or moderate statuses concerning the indicators of use of organic fertilizers, use of pesticides, soil fertility index, water-use efficiency (kg/m3), trust in government, access to advisor services (extension), on-the-job training, and diversity of marketing. They had positive levels for the indicators of productivity, diversity of cultivars, diversity of on-farm practices, and exchange of information. We recommend the enhancement of the transformability capacity in PPSs by changing the focus from optimal states and the determinants of maximum sustainable yield (MSY paradigm) to adaptive resource management that includes developing participatory platforms for collaboration of usage of water resources.


2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 597-607
Author(s):  
Mario Emanuel de Haro Martí ◽  
William Howard Neibling ◽  
Lide Chen ◽  
Mireille Chahine

Highlights A zeolite filter achieved 92% reduction in ammonia emissions from a dairy flushed manure pit. The reduction in odor concentration was 45% at a minimum filter residence time of 0.9 seconds. The on-farm filter and air collection structure over a manure pit demonstrated the applicability of the project. Abstract. The concentration of large numbers of animals in relatively small areas, high production output per animal unit, and concentration of animal excretions and air emissions are some of the characteristics of modern animal agriculture. Ammonia (NH3) and odors are among the most noticeable as well as locally and regionally problematic emissions generated by concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) dairy production systems. Zeolites are defined as aluminosilicates with open three-dimensional framework structures composed of corner-sharing TO4 tetrahedra, where T is Al or Si. Zeolites are able to lose or gain water reversibly and to exchange and retain cations, including NH3 and ammonium. This study demonstrated the design and performance of a zeolite filter treating the airstream from a flushed manure pit installed on-farm at a commercial dairy. Clinoptilolite zeolite mined in Idaho was used as the filter medium. The capacity of the filter to reduce NH3 emissions was tested at three, six, and 59 days of filter operation. Reduction of odor emissions was tested at six days of operation. NH3 emissions were reduced by 92% (p &lt; 0.001) at three days of operation and by 42% (p = 0.13) at 59 days of operation. The ammonia concentration in the pre-treatment airstream from a dairy manure collection pit was relatively high at 5.287 ±0.04 mg NH3-N m-3 (p &lt; 0.001). The odor concentration reduction was 45% (p = 0.001) at six days of operation with the minimum empty bed residence time of 0.9 s. Total trial running time was 59 days. The roof-like pit cover structure used for air collection and the zeolite filter were proven to be capable of operating in the harsh on-farm environment and to be adaptable to changing operating conditions within the dairy. Keywords: Air filtration, Ammonia, Clinoptilolite, Dairy, Manure, Odor, Zeolite


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