scholarly journals 121 The impact of changing consumer preferences on production and management practices at cow-calf level

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 49-49
Author(s):  
Robbi H Pritchard
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Consumer Preferences ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Major Step ◽  
Cow Calf ◽  
Calving Season ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Changes in cow-calf operations and management need to be deliberate and focus on consumer preferences that are substantive and enduring. For the sake of argument these preference changes could include: 1) continued erosion of the image of the cattle industry; 2) growth in demand of high quality grade beef, likely branded, and available at an affordable price; 3) production systems that yield improvements in cattle health, have a lesser environmental impact, and demonstrate prudent animal care and well-being; 4) Specification systems that may or may not include stipulations such as grass fed or non-implanted. At the ranch level there will be continued pressure to pursue rapid, efficient growth, marbling, structural soundness, and immunocompetence via genetic selection. A major step to reduce health problems is to reduce co-mingling. To achieve this goal breeding programs will change to improve the genetic and phenotypic uniformity and possibly the heterosis of the calf crop on each ranch. The National calving season needs to be more uniformly distributed throughout the year. New, more relevant cattle performance metrics will be developed. Calves that fit a branded production stream will have more value. Production streams that require Verified processes will be inequitably distributed across herd size because of associated costs, forcing smaller herds to either coop, vertically integrate, or accept generic cattle prices. Because of the diversity of environments and corresponding compatible bio-types of cows, identifying the profitable combination of specific branded systems with the genetics, calving season, labor, resource management and nutrition program of the ranch is very complicated. It will be increasingly necessary to put incremental response assessments in the context of the greater production-product system. Successful adaptors will place a much greater reliance on strong technical support in the areas of genetics, nutrition, growth, animal handling, documentation, and branded production streams.

scholarly journals Review: Impacts of shade on cattle well-being in the beef supply chain

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lily N Edwards-Callaway ◽  
M Caitlin Cramer ◽  
Caitlin N Cadaret ◽  
Elizabeth J Bigler ◽  
Terry E Engle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Heat Stress ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Ambient Temperatures ◽  
Stress Susceptibility ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT Shade is a mechanism to reduce heat load providing cattle with an environment supportive of their welfare needs. Although heat stress has been extensively reviewed, researched, and addressed in dairy production systems, it has not been investigated in the same manner in the beef cattle supply chain. Like all animals, beef cattle are susceptible to heat stress if they are unable to dissipate heat during times of elevated ambient temperatures. There are many factors that impact heat stress susceptibility in beef cattle throughout the different supply chain sectors, many of which relate to the production system, i.e. availability of shade, microclimate of environment, and nutrition management. The results from studies evaluating the effects of shade on production and welfare are difficult to compare due to variation in structural design, construction materials used, height, shape, and area of shade provided. Additionally, depending on operation location, shade may or may not be beneficial during all times of the year, which can influence the decision to make shade a permanent part of management systems. Shade has been shown to lessen the physiologic response of cattle to heat stress. Shaded cattle exhibit lower respiration rates, body temperatures, and panting scores compared to un-shaded cattle in weather that increases the risk of heat stress. Results from studies investigating the provision of shade indicate that cattle seek shade in hot weather. The impact of shade on behavioral patterns is inconsistent in the current body of research, some studies indicating shade provision impacts behavior and other studies reporting no difference between shaded and un-shaded groups. Analysis of performance and carcass characteristics across feedlot studies demonstrated that shaded cattle had increased ADG, improved feed efficiency, HCW, and dressing percentage when compared to cattle without shade. Despite the documented benefits of shade, current industry statistics, although severely limited in scope, indicate low shade implementation rates in feedlots and data in other supply chain sectors do not exist. Industry guidelines and third party on-farm certification programs articulate the critical need for protection from extreme weather but are not consistent in providing specific recommendations and requirements. Future efforts should include: updated economic analyses of cost versus benefit of shade implementation, exploration of producer perspectives and needs relative to shade, consideration of shade impacts in the cow-calf and slaughter plant segments of the supply chain, and integration of indicators of affective (mental) state and preference in research studies to enhance the holistic assessment of cattle welfare.

scholarly journals Pollination Potential in Portugal: Leveraging an Ecosystem Service for Sustainable Agricultural Productivity

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 431
Author(s):  
Caroline Wentling ◽  
Felipe S. Campos ◽  
João David ◽  
Pedro Cabral
Keyword(s):  
Land Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Pollination Services ◽  
Pollinator Abundance ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Administrative Boundary

As urbanization and agriculture increase worldwide, habitats and food sources for wild pollinators are often fragmented or destroyed. As wild pollinators contribute both resilience and variety to agricultural fields, it is desirable to implement land management practices that preserve their well-being and ability to contribute to food production systems. This study evaluates continental Portugal for its change in suitability to host bee’s pollinator species (Apis mellifera) from 1990 to 2018. It uses the InVEST crop pollination modeling tool and CORINE Land Cover, as well as parameterization to produce pollinator abundance and supply maps. These are generalized to municipality boundaries to provide actionable insights to farmers and policymakers and strengthen land management practices. It finds that the potential for pollination services is growing, with averages of both pollinator abundance and supply indices improving by 8.76% across the continental territory in 28 years. The study results are validated using another pollination index derived from a study that is based on expert opinion and field sampling in a sub-region of Portugal. This method of aggregation of model results and comparison of the percent difference by administrative boundary has the potential to better inform both policymakers and farmers about the pollination potential on a local level, as well as inspire interventions for future productivity.

scholarly journals The role of life friendly policies on employees' work-life balance

2012 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colleen Yuile ◽  
Artemis Chang ◽  
Amanda Gudmundsson ◽  
Sukanlaya Sawang
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Work Family Conflict ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Work Related ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractAn employee's inability to balance work and non-work related responsibilities has resulted in an increase in stress related illnesses. Historically, research into the relationship between work and non-work has primarily focused on work/family conflict, predominately investigating the impact of this conflict on parents, usually mothers. To date research has not sufficiently examined the management practices that enable all ‘individuals’ to achieve a ‘balance’ between work and life. This study explores the relationship between contemporary life friendly, HR management policies and work/life balance for individuals as well as the effect of managerial support to the policies. Self-report questionnaire data from 1241 men and women is analysed and discussed to enable organizations to consider the use of life friendly policies and thus create a convergence between the well-being of employees and the effectiveness of the organization.

scholarly journals The impact of cow size on cow-calf and postweaning progeny performance in the Nebraska Sandhills

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert L Ziegler ◽  
Jacki A Musgrave ◽  
Tanya L Meyer ◽  
Rick N Funston ◽  
Elliott J Dennis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Production System ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Total Production ◽  
Production Environment ◽  
Economic Returns ◽  
Cow Calf ◽  
Calving Season ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Progeny Performance

Abstract Optimizing beef production system efficiency requires an understanding of genetic potential suitable for a given production environment. Therefore, the objective of this retrospective analysis was to determine the influence of cow body weight (BW) adjusted to a common body condition score (BCS) of 5 at weaning-influenced cow-calf performance and postweaning steer and heifer progeny performance. Data were collected at the Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory, Whitman, NE, on crossbred, mature cows (n = 1,607) from 2005 to 2017. Cow BCS at calving, prebreeding, and weaning were positively associated (P < 0.01) with greater cow BW. Increasing cow BW was positively associated (P < 0.01) with the percentage of cows that conceived during a 45-d breeding season. For every additional 100-kg increase in cow BW, calf BW increased (P < 0.01) at birth by 2.70 kg and adjusted 205-d weaning BW by 14.76 kg. Calf preweaning average daily gain (ADG) increased (P < 0.01) 0.06 kg/d for every additional 100-kg increase in cow BW. Heifer progeny BW increased (P < 0.01) postweaning with every additional 100-kg increase in dam BW. Dam BW did not influence (P ≥ 0.11) heifer puberty status prior to breeding, overall pregnancy rates, or the percentage of heifers calving in the first 21 d of the calving season. Steer initial feedlot BW increased by 7.20 kg, reimplant BW increased by 10.47 kg, and final BW increased by 10.29 kg (P ≤ 0.01) for every additional 100-kg increase in dam BW. However, steer feedlot ADG was not influenced (P > 0.67) by dam BW. Hot carcass weights of steers were increased (P = 0.01) by 6.48 kg with every additional 100-kg increase in cow BW. In a hypothetical model using the regression coefficients from this study, regardless of pricing method, cow-calf producers maximize the highest amount of profit by selecting smaller cows. Overall, larger-sized cows within this herd and production system of the current study had increased reproductive performance and offspring BW; however, total production output and economic returns would be potentially greater when utilizing smaller-sized cows.

A survey on dairy heifer farm management practices in a Western-European plainland, the French Pays de la Loire region

2012 ◽  
Vol 150 (4) ◽  
pp. 518-533 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. LE COZLER ◽  
O. RECOURSÉ ◽  
E. GANCHE ◽  
D. GIRAUD ◽  
J. DANEL ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Herd Management ◽  
Production Region ◽  
Qualitative Survey ◽  
Small Set ◽  
Dairy Heifer ◽  
The Impact

SUMMARYDespite practical information and applied results from numerous experimental studies and/or field observations, there is a persistent gap between scientific recommendations and on-farm reality. There are numerous published reports on the impact of dairy heifer herd management conditions on short-term, medium-term and long-term performances, but few studies on actual dairy heifer herd management practices – particularly in France. In an attempt to address this shortfall, a survey was conducted in 2010 on 449 herds located in the second largest dairy production region, the Pays de la Loire region (Western France). Economic-related aspects of heifer farming were not addressed. The essentially qualitative survey information was collected by 107 independent agricultural technologists. A quantitative analysis based on a small set of the most representative key production criteria was also conducted on a representative sub-sample of 286 herds. Mean herd size, at 46·6 cows per farm, and milk production, at 7953 kg milk/cow/lactation, were close to French national averages (47·3 cows per farm and 8109 kg milk/cow/lactation). The survey covered nine core themes and confirmed an all-round lack of precise monitoring on animal growth, as reported in earlier studies performed outside France. Most of the farmers surveyed considered animal weight a useful indicator for estimating growth performance. However, very few actually weighed their animals, despite the fact that 0·80 of the farmers surveyed aimed to calve their heifers before 30 months of age, with 0·55 of them setting a minimum calving weight target of at least 610 kg. Mean calf age at weaning was 2·9 months, but in practice this was >3·5 months in 0·31 of cases. Although farmers differ on certain practices, common core foci emerged: weight or age targets for pre-determined growth and development stages (at weaning or at service), recycling non-marketable milk for feeding young calves, essentially visual oestrus detection methods, and others. Based on the farmers’ declarations, the estimated time spent rearing a heifer from birth to calving ranges from 12 to 15 h per animal, with most farmers spending an estimated 0–2 h/day rearing their heifers. While almost two-thirds of farmers stated that rearing heifers was a necessity, 0·36 of this survey population claimed they enjoyed the work, whereas 0·02 of the farmers felt the work was purely a chore. Mirroring the conclusions from other countries, dairy heifer herd performances could be improved through better animal monitoring and management.

Risk factors forEscherichia coliO157 on beef cattle ranches located near a major produce production region

2014 ◽  
Vol 143 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. A. BENJAMIN ◽  
M. T. JAY-RUSSELL ◽  
E. R. ATWILL ◽  
M. B. COOLEY ◽  
D. CARYCHAO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Climate Variables ◽  
Production Region ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Green Production ◽  
Cattle Faeces ◽  
Cow Calf

SUMMARYOur goal was to identify climate variables and management practices associated with the presence ofE. coliO157 in rangeland cow-calf operations located in a major leafy green production region in the California Central Coast.E. coliO157 was present in 2·6% (68/2654) of faecal, 1·5% (3/204) of water and 1·1% (1/93) of sediment samples collected on eight ranches over 2.5 years. Five (62·5%) ranches were positive at least once during the study. The odds of detectingE. coliO157 in faecal samples was higher during periods of higher maximum soil temperature, higher maximum relative humidity, and larger herd sizes, but decreased as wind speed increased. Molecular subtyping of isolates from cattle faeces and streams/sediments suggested minimal movement of strains between ranches. The findings suggest thatE. coliO157 prevalence is relatively low on cow-calf ranches in this region, spatially constrained, but may vary by weather conditions and herd size.

Maintaining the appeal of Australian lamb to the modern consumer

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (8) ◽  
pp. 1392 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. Fowler ◽  
J. M. Hoban ◽  
G. Melville ◽  
D. W. Pethick ◽  
S. Morris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Consumer Preferences ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Nutritional Composition ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
Retail Cuts ◽  
On Farm ◽  
The Impact

Aligning the production of lamb cuts with consumer preferences is an ongoing challenge for the Australian lamb supply chain. In recent decades, genetic and on-farm management practices have improved, while the demographics of consumers and their consumption patterns have changed. This has resulted in larger traditional lamb cuts, which have less appeal to modern consumers. Therefore, research has been conducted to determine the potential to fabricate new value-added lamb cuts from heavier carcasses, determine consumer preferences for lamb roasts, investigate the impact of increasing carcass weight and fat depths on the production of value-added retail cuts and determine the nutritional composition of these cuts. In an effort to address these issues, a new value-added cut, the compact shoulder roast, was developed from the forequarter of the carcass to provide an option for retailers processing heavier lamb carcasses. A subsequent survey of consumer preferences highlighted that preferences for roast weight and size were affected by frequency of consumption, with daily consumers preferring the heaviest roasts and younger consumers preferring lighter roasts, implying the need for further fabrication, such as that required for the compact shoulder roast. However, the time taken to fabricate these value-added cuts increases with each kilo increase in carcass weight and decreasing saleable meat yield of lamb carcasses results as the degree of value-adding increases, indicating that a higher average price per kilo is required at retail. Subsequently, value-added cuts will need to be marketed on the basis of other product qualities such as nutritive value. However, profiling of lamb cuts has also shown that there is little data on the nutritive value of a range of lamb cuts, apart from the loin, so work has been undertaken to address this deficiency using grass-fed lamb through a major supply chain.

scholarly journals Strip Tillage and Compost Influence Carrot Quality, Yield, and Net Returns

HortScience ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 47 (8) ◽  
pp. 1073-1079 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel C. Brainard ◽  
D. Corey Noyes
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Net Returns ◽  
Budget Analysis ◽  
Common Purslane ◽  
Strip Tillage ◽  
The Impact

Management practices that build soil organic matter—including reduced tillage, cover cropping, and compost applications—may be useful for protecting vulnerable crops from extreme weather events, reducing energy costs, and suppressing pests in carrot (Daucus carota subsp. sativa) production systems. The primary objective of this research was to assess the effects of strip tillage, compost, and carrot cultivar on carrot quality, yield, and profitability. An important secondary objective was to evaluate the impact of tillage and compost on establishment of important weeds in carrot systems—including two species that have developed resistance to linuron: Powell amaranth (Amaranthus powellii) and common purslane (Portulaca oleracea). Field experiments were conducted in 2009 and 2010 comparing conventional tillage (CT) to strip tillage (ST) under two rates of mature compost addition (0 or 3 dry t·ha−1) for three processing carrot varieties (‘Canada’, ‘Finley’, and ‘Recoleta’). In the ST system, a pre-established barley cover crop was left to grow as a windbreak between crop rows until carrots were established. Partial budget analysis was used to estimate net returns associated with all treatments. Compared with CT, the ST system resulted in 1) either equivalent or greater (2010, Finley cultivar) total carrot yields and net returns; and 2) either equivalent or lower summer annual weed densities. Addition of compost resulted in equivalent (2010) or higher (2009) carrot yields and gross returns but did not affect net returns as a result of the increased costs associated with compost application. Compost reduced the density of common purslane in 2009 but resulted in a threefold increase in the density of Powell amaranth in 2010. Our results demonstrate that both ST and compost applications are potentially valuable tools for improving the profitability of carrot production systems. Future research examining the mechanistic basis for compost and tillage effects on carrots and weeds as well as the long-term effects of these practices on profitability of rotational crops would be helpful for optimizing their use in vegetable production systems.

scholarly journals Water quality and management in the Australian pig industry

2021 ◽  
Vol 61 (7) ◽  
pp. 637
Author(s):  
Louise Edwards ◽  
Helen Crabb
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Water Source ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Quality Of Water ◽  
Standard Quality ◽  
Pig Performance ◽  
The Impact

Context Water is the first nutrient and an essential component of all agricultural production systems. Despite its importance there has been limited research on water, and in particular, the impact of its availability, management and quality on production systems. Aims This research sought to describe the management and quality of water used within the Australian pig industry. Specifically, the water sources utilised, how water was managed and to evaluate water quality at both the source and the point of delivery to the pig. Methods Fifty-seven commercial piggeries across Australia participated in this study by completing a written survey on water management. In addition, survey participants undertook physical farm parameter measurements including collecting water samples. Each water sample was tested for standard quality parameters including pH, hardness, heavy metals and microbiological status. Key results Responses were received from 57 farms, estimated to represent at least 22% of ‘large’ pig herds. Bore water was the most common water source being utilised within the farms surveyed. Management practices and infrastructure delivering water from the source to the point of consumption were found to differ across the farms surveyed. Furthermore, water was regularly used as a delivery mechanism for soluble additives such as antibiotics. The quality of water at the source and point of consumption was found to be highly variable with many parameters, particularly pH, hardness, salinity, iron, manganese and microbiological levels, exceeding the acceptable standard. Conclusions In general, water quality did not appear to be routinely monitored or managed. As a result, farm managers had poor visibility of the potential negative impacts that inferior water quality or management may be having on pig production and in turn the economics of their business. Indeed, inferior water quality may impact the delivery of antibiotics and in turn undermine the industry’s antimicrobial stewardship efforts. Implications The study findings suggest that water quality represents a significant challenge to the Australian pig industry. Access to drinking water of an acceptable quality is essential for optimal pig performance, health and welfare but also to ensure farm to fork supply chain integrity, traceability and food safety.

scholarly journals Effect of Intensification Practices, Lambing Period and Environmental Parameters on Animal Health, and Milk Yield and Quality in Dairy Sheep Production Systems on Crete

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 9706
Author(s):  
Nikolaos Voutzourakis ◽  
Alexandros Stefanakis ◽  
Sokratis Stergiadis ◽  
Leonidas Rempelos ◽  
Nikolaos Tzanidakis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Bovine Milk ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Intensive Production ◽  
Sheep Production ◽  
The Impact

Due to increasing demand, many traditional, grazing-based Mediterranean sheep production systems have introduced intensified feeding regimes, increased investments in infrastructure and drug use to increase milk yields. However, compared to bovine milk production systems, there is limited knowledge about the impact of these intensification practices on animal welfare and health and on the quality of dairy products. The aim of this study was therefore to quantify the effects of management practices and environmental conditions background on udder health, parasitism and milk quantity and quality in Cretan traditional production systems. Milk yields were higher in semi-intensive production systems while concentrations of several nutritionally desirable compounds such as omega-3 fatty acids were found to be higher in milk from extensive systems. Antibiotic and anthelmintic use was relatively low in both extensive and semi-intensive production systems. There was no substantial difference in parasitic burden, somatic cell counts, and microbiological parameters assessed in milk. Recording of flock health parameters showed that animal health and welfare was high in both extensive and semi-intensively managed flocks, and that overall, the health status of extensively managed ewes was slightly better. In contrast, environmental conditions (temperature and rainfall) had a substantial effect on parasitism and milk quality.

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