Improvement of biological efficiency, Animal breeding: contributions to the efficiency of livestock production

1973 ◽  
Vol 267 (882) ◽  
pp. 131-144 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Food Production ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Reproductive Rate ◽  
Animal Breeding ◽  
Scientific Study ◽  
Biological Efficiency ◽  
Factory Farming ◽  
Production Methods ◽  
Breeding Research ◽  
Hill Farming

Biological efficiency is an elastic term that commonly refers to comparisons of some aspect of animal performance at individual or herd level. It is useful in reviewing the opportunities for improvement by animal breeding to stretch the term to cover the biological efficiency of whole industries and thus their ability to compete for resources. Past improvements in the productivity of livestock, especially of pigs and poultry, suggests that genetical progress tends to be contemporary with advances in husbandry, scale, and other aspects of management; that ruminants are relatively backward; and that reproductive rate has so far not contributed fully to the improvements. The conflict of objectives that follows from diversity in production methods that range from hill-farming to factory farming needs resolving. Most of the prospective contributions from animal breeding research imply an emphasis on intensive systems and on efficient food production. Since society at large has other interests as well, there is a case for initiating an articulate and scientific study of the facts, methods and principles of livestock policy with a view to identifying national priorities.

scholarly journals Radiation-hygienic supervision in cattle production by application of HACCP system

2006 ◽  
Vol 22 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 115-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Radosav Mitrovic ◽  
Ranko Kljajic ◽  
Mihajlo Vicentijevic
Keyword(s):  
Food Production ◽  
Radiation Safety ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Cattle Production ◽  
Typical Representative ◽  
Bull Calves ◽  
Haccp System ◽  
Intensive Breeding ◽  
Selection Of

In this work is exposed instructive methodology for introducing and conducting HACCP system in intensive livestock production on the example of bullock fattening as a typical representative of intensive breeding. Aim is establishing radiation-hygienic supervision. Attention is focused on the fattened bull calves as a key link in chain of food production. In reference to selection of row materials components necessity in production of concentrated food for fattened bull calves in intensive breeding and establishing certain radiation-hygienic balance by using prognostic-selective methodology, as a grant of radiation safety ness.

Phenotypic and genetic parameters for lamb weights in a synthetic line of sheep

1980 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 261-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. G. Martin ◽  
D. I. Sales ◽  
C. Smith ◽  
D. Nicholson
Keyword(s):  
Least Squares ◽  
Genetic Parameters ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Animal Breeding ◽  
Research Organization ◽  
Correction Factors ◽  
Component Method ◽  
Breeding Research ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Synthetic Line

ABSTRACTData on 2120 lambs produced over 7 years in the Animal Breeding Research Organization synthetic Dam Line (49% Finn, 22% East Friesian, 16 % Border Leicester and 13 % Dorset Horn) were analysed by least squares. The effects of sex, age of dam, year of birth, birthrearing class, and age of lamb on weights at birth and at 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age were all appreciable. However, pooled within-year correction factors should be adequate in adjusting records for selection. Heritability estimates for weights at the five ages ranged from 0·17 to 0·24 by the sire component method and from 0·18 to 0·28 by regression of offspring on dam. Previous reports of differences in heritability in singles and in twins were not confirmed. Estimates of the genetic correlations among the various lamb weights were high (0·62 to 1·04) indicating that selection for weight at one age should result in increased weights at all ages.

Estimated halothane gene frequency in eight British pig breeding companies

1986 ◽  
Vol 1986 ◽  
pp. 25-25
Author(s):  
O.I. Southwood ◽  
M.K. Curran ◽  
S.P. Simpson ◽  
A.J. Webb
Keyword(s):  
Gene Frequency ◽  
Animal Breeding ◽  
Large White ◽  
Lean Growth ◽  
Research Organisation ◽  
Breeding Research ◽  
Foundation Stock ◽  
Joint Experiment ◽  
Wye College

Eight breeding companies contributed foundation stock for a joint experiment on lean growth at the Animal Breeding Research Organisation (ABRO) and Wye College. All animals were test-mated to halothane positive (HP) reactors and incidences of HP reaction among progeny were used to estimate the frequency of the halothane gene (n) in the original herds. Estimated incidences of HP were compared with those observed in an earlier 1979 survey.260 British Landrace (LR) were test-mated to HP (expected nn) LR at Wye, and 186 Large White (LW), including 18 boars standing at national AI centres, were test-mated to HP LR, Pietrain-Hampshire or LR x (LW x Norwegian Landrace) at ABRO.Offspring were given a 4-minute halothane test at an average age of 50 days in LW and 76 days in LR. Numbers tested and incidences of reaction are shown in Table 1. Herds are coded ‘A’ to ‘I’ for anonymity. Purebred LR in herds A, C, D, E, H and I were halothane testec in advance and only halothane negatives (HN) were supplied for test-mating.

Biological traits of acarophagous thrips, Scolothrips longicornis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on Schizotetranychus smirnovi (Acari: Tetranychidae): Application of female age-specific and age-stage, two-sex life tables

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 512-524
Author(s):  
Marjan Heidarian ◽  
Yaghoub Fathipor ◽  
Amin Sedaratian-jahromi
Keyword(s):  
Life Table ◽  
Intrinsic Rate ◽  
Reproductive Rate ◽  
Intrinsic Rate Of Increase ◽  
Biological Efficiency ◽  
Biological Traits ◽  
Net Reproductive Rate ◽  
Female Age ◽  
Rate Of Increase ◽  
Scolothrips Longicornis

Schizotetranychus smirnovi Wainstein is an important phytophagous pest of almond trees which causes serious damage in southwestern Iran. Scolothrips longicornis Priesner has been considered as an efficient predatory thrips that feeds on this spider mite and hence its efficiency for controlling S. smirnovi should be evaluated. In the current study, all main biological parameters of S. longicornis fed on S. smirnovi were determined under laboratory conditions. Data analysis was performed using both female age-specific and age-stage, two-sex life table theories. Duration of incubation, larval, pre-pupal, pupal and pre-adult periods of male predators were 4.73, 3.18, 1.05, 1.86 and 10.82 days, respectively. These periods in female individuals lasted 4.57, 3.92, 1.04, 1.87 and 11.00 days, respectively. Our findings showed that each female laid an average of 62.74 eggs during its ovipositional period (13.61 days). Using the age-stage, two-sex life table, the values of the net reproductive rate (R0), intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ) and mean generation time (T) were estimated to be 26.236 (eggs/individual), 0.171 (day-1), 1.186 (day-1) and 19.130 (days), respectively. Using the female age-specific life table, these parameters had different values. Our findings revealed that S. longicornis has a reliable capability to increase its population by feeding on S. smirnovi. This information can expand our knowledge for assessing biological efficiency of this predatory thrips in sustainable management of the destructive mite pest. 

scholarly journals Radiation-hygienic supervision in cattle production by application of HACCP system

2006 ◽  
Vol 22 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 65-78
Author(s):  
Radosav Mitrovic ◽  
Ranko Kljajic ◽  
Mihajlo Vicentijevic
Keyword(s):  
Food Production ◽  
Radiation Safety ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Cattle Production ◽  
Typical Representative ◽  
Bull Calves ◽  
Haccp System ◽  
Intensive Breeding ◽  
Selection Of

In this work is exposed instructive methodology for introducing and conducting HACCP system in intensive livestock production on the example of bullock fattening as a typical representative of intensive breeding. Aim is establishing radiation-hygienic supervision. Attention is focused on the fattened bull calves as a key link in chain of food production. In reference to selection of row materials components necessity in production of concentrated food for fattened bull calves in intensive breeding and establishing certain radiation-hygienic balance by using prognostic-selective methodology, as a grant of radiation safety ness.

scholarly journals Neuroeconomics Meets Aquaponics: An Eye-tracking Pilot Study on Perception of Information about Aquaponics

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (13) ◽  
pp. 3580
Author(s):  
Iris Schröter ◽  
Marcus Mergenthaler
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Eye Tracking ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Aquatic Organisms ◽  
Production Method ◽  
Plant Production ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Production Methods ◽  
Key Stakeholders

Aquaponics is an innovative food production method that combines the production of aquatic organisms with plant production. This can have environmental advantages such as reducing land conversion and resource input and waste output through nutrient cycling. To support the dissemination of aquaponics, key stakeholders need to be appropriately informed about this production method, an aspect that has received little attention so far. In this pilot study, visual perception of information about aquaponics was explored using eye tracking combined with a questionnaire. The results show that people distinguish between aquaponics variants when evaluating aquaponics. A production system with a more natural appearance is preferred. Allocation of visual attention is linked to the specific information content and to the assessment of the naturalness of aquaponics production. The results of the present study could form a basis for further research, not only to make information about food production systems more appropriate but also to develop food production systems in a way that people become more aware of the sustainability aspects of production methods and its products.

One-third of global food production at risk for unprecedented climate conditions due to climate change

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matti Kummu ◽  
Matias Heino ◽  
Maija Taka ◽  
Olli Varis ◽  
Daniel Viviroli
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Planetary Boundaries ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Global Food

<p>The majority of food production is based on agricultural practices developed for the stable Holocene climatic conditions, which now are under risk for rapid change due to climate change. Although various studies have assessed the potential changes in climatic conditions and their projected impacts on yields globally, there is no clear understanding on the climatic niche of the current food production. Nor, which areas are under risk of falling outside this niche.</p><p>In this study we aim first at defining the novel concept Safe Climatic Space (SCS) by using a combination of three key climatic parameters. SCS is defined here as the climate conditions to which current food production systems (here crop production and livestock production separately) are accustomed to, an analogue to Safe Operating Space (SOS) concepts such as Planetary Boundaries and human climate niche. We use a combination of selected key climatic factors to define the SCS through the Holdridge Life Zone (HLZ) concept. It allows us to first define the SCS based on three climatic factors (annual precipitation, biotemperature and aridity) and to identify which food production areas would stay within it under changed future climate conditions. </p><p>We show that a rapid and unhalted growth of GHG emissions (SSP5-8.5) could force 31% (25-37% with 5th-95th percentile confidence interval) of global food crop production and 34% (26-43%) of livestock production beyond the SCS by 2081-2100. Our results underpin the importance of committing to a low emission scenario (SSP1-2.6), whereupon the extent of food production facing unprecedented conditions would be a fraction: 8% (4-10%) for crop production and 4% (2-8%) for livestock production. The most vulnerable areas are the ones at risk of leaving SCS with low resilience to cope with the change, particularly South and Southeast Asia and Africa’s Sudano-Sahelian Zone. </p><p>Our findings reinforce the existing research in suggesting that climate change forces humanity into a new era of reduced validity of past experiences and dramatically increased uncertainties. Future solutions should be concentrated on actions that would both mitigate climate change as well as increase resilience in food systems and societies, increase the food production sustainability that respects key planetary boundaries, adapt to climate change by, for example, crop migration and foster local livelihoods especially in the most critical areas.</p>

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