scholarly journals Reproductive management strategies to reduce postpartum anestrus in dual-purpose cattle

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan González-Maldonado ◽  
Miguel J. García-Winder ◽  
Jaime Gallegos-Sánchez ◽  
Camelia A. Herrera-Corredor ◽  
Gustavo Sosa-Pérez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Reproductive Potential ◽  
Productive Efficiency ◽  
Weight Changes ◽  
Dual Purpose ◽  
Reproductive Management ◽  
Dual Purpose Cattle ◽  
Postpartum Weight

Objective: To share technical aspects and recommendations to improve the reproductive and productive efficiency of dual-purpose cattle. Design/Methodology/Approach: A review of scientific articles published in journals was carried out to show the importance of some factors that limit reproduction, as well as to identify management strategies to increase the reproductive potential in dual-purpose cows. Results: The duration of postpartum anestrus is reduced by weaning calves at a few days or weeks of age, restricting suckling to short periods of the day, delaying suckling, and exposing cows to a bull during postpartum. On average, the combined effect of delayed suckling and exposure of cows to a bull reduces postpartum anestrus to less than 50 d and the calving-conception interval to 84 days. Milk production and calf weight gain also are improved without affecting postpartum weight changes in cows. Study Limitations/Implications: Extensive management of dual-purpose cattle reduces the intensive use of some reproductive biotechnologies commonly applied in other animal production systems. Findings/Conclusions: Improvement in the reproductive efficiency of dual-purpose cattle can be achieved by reducing the postpartum anestrus by using reproductive management strategies and minor modifications to common management practices.

scholarly journals Legumes increase grassland productivity with no effect on nitrous oxide emissions

2019 ◽  
Vol 446 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 163-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arlete S. Barneze ◽  
Jeanette Whitaker ◽  
Niall P. McNamara ◽  
Nicholas J. Ostle
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Relative Proportion ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Nitrous Oxide Emissions ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Grassland Productivity

Abstract Aims Grasslands are important agricultural production systems, where ecosystem functioning is affected by land management practices. Grass-legume mixtures are commonly cultivated to increase grassland productivity while reducing the need for nitrogen (N) fertiliser. However, little is known about the effect of this increase in productivity on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in grass-legume mixtures. The aim of this study was to investigate interactions between the proportion of legumes in grass-legume mixtures and N-fertiliser addition on productivity and GHG emissions. We tested the hypotheses that an increase in the relative proportion of legumes would increase plant productivity and decrease GHG emissions, and the magnitude of these effects would be reduced by N-fertiliser addition. Methods This was tested in a controlled environment mesocosm experiment with one grass and one legume species grown in mixtures in different proportions, with or without N-fertiliser. The effects on N cycling processes were assessed by measurement of above- and below-ground biomass, shoot N uptake, soil physico-chemical properties and GHG emissions. Results Above-ground productivity and shoot N uptake were greater in legume-grass mixtures compared to grass or legume monocultures, in fertilised and unfertilised soils. However, we found no effect of legume proportion on N2O emissions, total soil N or mineral-N in fertilised or unfertilised soils. Conclusions This study shows that the inclusion of legumes in grass-legume mixtures positively affected productivity, however N cycle were in the short-term unaffected and mainly affected by nitrogen fertilisation. Legumes can be used in grassland management strategies to mitigate climate change by reducing crop demand for N-fertilisers.

scholarly journals A Conceptual Model of Grassland-Based Beef Systems

2012 ◽  
pp. 100-119
Author(s):  
Guillaume Martin ◽  
Roger Martin-Clouaire ◽  
Jean-Pierre Rellier ◽  
Michel Duru
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Farm Management ◽  
Scientific Investigation ◽  
Biophysical Processes ◽  
Farm Scale ◽  
Context Specific ◽  
Production Objectives

Fulfilling the production objectives of a grassland-based beef system requires a robust management strategy to secure the best practicable use of forage resources with regard to the cattle demand. To address the challenging issue of designing such strategies, this article describes the application of an ontology of agricultural production systems to the generic conceptual model SEDIVER, which supports the representation and dynamic farm-scale simulation of specific grassland-based beef systems. The most salient and novel aspects of SEDIVER concern the explicit modeling of (a) the diversity in plant, grassland, animal and farmland, and (b) management strategies that deal with the planning and coordination of activities whereby the farmer controls the biophysical processes. By using the SEDIVER conceptual framework, part of the subjective and context-specific knowledge used in farm management can be captured and, in this way, enable scientific investigation of management practices.

Productive and reproductive performance of crossbred and indigenous dairy cows at smallholdings in selected towns of Jimma Zone, Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 92
Author(s):  
Belay Duguma
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Jimma Zone ◽  
Improvement Programs

Context Evaluation of the performance of dairy cows kept in different production systems is essential for the development of appropriate breeding strategies. Aims To examine milk production and reproductive performance of crossbred (CB) and indigenous (I) dairy cows, farmers’ traits preference for CB and I breeding females, and factors affecting the performance of dairy cattle on smallholdings in selected towns of Jimma Zone, Ethiopia. Methods In total, 52 smallholder dairy cattle farmers were randomly sampled and data were collected through individual face-to-face interviews by using structured questionnaires. The traits studied were daily milk yield (DMY), lactation milk yield (LMY), lactation length (LL), age at first service (AFS), age at first calving (AFC), calving interval (CI), days open (DO), and number of service per conception (NSC), all being factors affecting performance of dairy cattle and farmers’ preferred dairy traits. Results On average, CB cows had significantly (P < 0.05) higher DMY (6.0 ± 0.33 vs 1.8 ± 0.07 L/cow), LMY (1466.7 ± 1.13 vs 376.0 ± 21.02 L (L)), LL (8.1 ± 0.41 vs 6.9 ± 0.22 months), and lower AFS (2.69 ± 0.1 vs 3.3 ± 0.07 years), AFC (3.7 ± 0.13 vs 4.3 ± 0.07 years) and CI (21.2 ± 1.37 vs 29.8 ± 1.30 months) than did I cows. However, DO and NSC were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by genotype. In order of perceived importance, high milk yield (mean rank = 0.306), LL (0.292) and fertility (0.199) were farmers’ most preferred traits for CB breeding cows, and the corresponding preferred traits for I cows were high milk yield (0.253), adaptability (0.229) and LL (0.192). The most important factors perceived by farmers affecting the performance of dairy cattle were breed, nutrition, diseases, breeding and management practices Conclusions The findings of the study indicated that even though CB cows performed better, the performance of both breeds of dairy cows in the study area was found to be generally low due to delayed AFS, late AFC, long CI, shorter LL, low daily and LMY and high NSC. Implications The study highlighted that there is a potential for increasing the performance of dairy cows in the study area, through improved management strategies leading to shorter AFS, AFC, CI and lower NSC. Furthermore, future breed-improvement programs should take into consideration farmers’ trait preferences in design of sustainable improvement programs.

scholarly journals Animal Welfare and Production Challenges Associated with Pasture Pig Systems: A Review

Agriculture ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvana Pietrosemoli ◽  
Clara Tang
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Production System ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Extreme Temperatures ◽  
Pig Production ◽  
Potential Contact ◽  
Piglet Mortality ◽  
Cleaning And Disinfection

A review of published literature was conducted to identify pasture pig production system features that pose risks to animal welfare, and to develop recommendations aimed at improving the wellbeing of the animals managed in those systems. Pasture pig production systems present specific challenges to animal welfare that are inherent to the nature of these systems where producers have little room to make improvements. However, these systems present other challenges that could be reduced with a carefully designed system, by adopting appropriate management strategies and by avoiding management practices that are likely to negatively affect animal wellbeing. In pasture pig production systems, exposure to extreme temperatures, potential contact with wildlife and pathogens (especially parasites), vulnerability to predators, risk of malnutrition, pre-weaning piglet mortality, complexity of processes for monitoring and treating sick animals, and for cleaning and disinfection of facilities and equipment are among the main threats to animal welfare.

scholarly journals Reproductive Management of Rams and Ram Lambs during the Pre-Breeding Season in US Sheep Farms

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 2503
Author(s):  
Martin G. Maquivar ◽  
Sarah M. Smith ◽  
Jan R. Busboom
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Health Assessment ◽  
Productive Efficiency ◽  
Reproductive Management ◽  
The Us ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
Ram Lambs ◽  
Breeding Soundness ◽  
Selection Of

In sheep farms, achieving economic and productive efficiency and sustainability goals is directly related with the reproductive management of the animals. Genetically, the male contribution to the offspring is 50%, but in practical terms, there is a greater potential impact of the ram on reproductive results, because one male has the potential to affect a large group of females and therefore greatly affects the entire flock. Unfortunately, the selection of males for breeding in the US sheep industry has been traditionally conducted based on phenotypical traits, without a genetic/reproductive evaluation, and/or health assessment or records. Therefore, it is important to establish integrative management practices to select the rams and ram lambs to be used in the breeding season. Among these practices are genomic testing, a comprehensive breeding soundness evaluation and assessment of health status and records of the males before the breeding season, to detect and correct potential issues.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence and risk factor associated with respiratory viral pathogens in dual-purpose cattle of Aguachica, Rio de Oro, and La Gloria municipalities in Cesar department, Colombia

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 951-958 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Carlos Pinilla León ◽  
Wilson Diaz ◽  
María Cristina Vasquez ◽  
Julio Cesar Tobón ◽  
Alfredo Sánchez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Statistical Association ◽  
Viral Pathogens ◽  
Dual Purpose ◽  
Diarrhea Virus ◽  
Dual Purpose Cattle

Aim: The research was conducted to determine the seroprevalence and risk factor associated with respiratory viral pathogens in dual-purpose cattle of Aguachica, Rio de Oro and La Gloria municipalities in Cesar department, Colombia. Materials and Methods: The seroprevalence study was done from the random sampling (n=1000) of blood collected from 29 dual-purpose herds, located in three municipalities (Aguachica, Rio de Oro, and La Gloria) of Cesar department. The presence of antibodies against bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), and bovine parainfluenza-3 virus (BPI-3V) in the samples was detected by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Epidemiological data were obtained using a questionnaire administered to the owner or manager of each herd. Results: The overall highest seroprevalence was observed for BHV-1 (94.7%), followed by BRSV (98.6%), BVDV (35.2%), and BPI-3V (47.1%). Regarding the seroprevalence by municipalities, there was a statistical association (p<0.05) for BVDV; however, for BRSV, BHV-1, and BPI-3V, no statistical association was found (p>0.05) between seropositive values and the municipalities, indicating that animal was seropositive in similar proportions in the three municipalities. Female sex and older animals (>24 months) were a significant risk factor for BHV-1 and BPI-3V infection. Regarding the clinical signs, there was a statistical association (p<0.05) between the seropositive values of BVDV and most of clinical signs observed, except for abortion. Conclusion: This research confirms the high seroprevalence of the respiratory viral pathogens in nonvaccinated cattle within the study areas. Therefore, appropriate sanitary management practices and routine vaccination programs should be adopted to reduce the seroprevalence of these infectious agents.

scholarly journals Weed phytosociology in diversified soybean production systems

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (6supl2) ◽  
pp. 3567-3580
Author(s):  
Ivan Bordin ◽  
◽  
Osmar Maziero Buratto ◽  
Andreia Cristina Peres Rodrigues da Costa ◽  
Benedito Noedi Rodrigues ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Integrated Management ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Suppressive Effect ◽  
Ecological Interactions ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Importance Value Index ◽  
Importance Value ◽  
Commelina Benghalensis

The knowledge of the impacts of the management practices used in each agricultural production system on the ecological interactions between commercial crops and weed populations can assist in the development of specific and sustainable integrated management strategies. This study aimed to assess weed communities in soybean in succession to second-crop corn and production systems with crop diversification in Northern Paraná State. The study was conducted during three agricultural years (2014/2017). Six treatments were setup: 1 – corn/soybean, corn/soybean, and corn/soybean), 2 – white oat/soybean, rye/corn, and wheat/soybean, 3 – oat + rye/soybean, oat + radish/corn, and congo grass/soybean, 4 – canola/corn, crambe/corn, and safflower/soybean, 5 – buckwheat/ radish/corn, bean/soybean, and buckwheat/oat/soybean, and 6 – wheat/corn + congo grass, canola/corn, and bean/soybean. The relative importance value index of each weed species and the soil cover (soil, straw, and weeds) were assessed. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks with four replications of 300 m2 (20 × 15 m). The production systems white oat/soybean, rye/corn, and wheat/soybean; buckwheat/radish/corn, bean/soybean, buckwheat/oat/soybean; and wheat/corn+congo grass, canola/corn, bean/soybean had a suppressive effect on the species Commelina benghalensis. Euphorbia heterophylla and Digitaria horizontalis were the species most adapted to the assessed production systems. Seeds remaining from crambe and radish cultivations became volunteer plants in subsequent cultivations.

scholarly journals Facing Change through Diversity: Resilience and Diversification of Plant Management Strategies during the Mid to Late Holocene Transition at the Monte Castelo Shellmound, SW Amazonia

Quaternary ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 8
Author(s):  
Laura P. Furquim ◽  
Jennifer Watling ◽  
Lautaro M. Hilbert ◽  
Myrtle P. Shock ◽  
Gabriela Prestes-Carneiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Production ◽  
Late Holocene ◽  
Amazon Basin ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Landscape Management ◽  
Plant Management ◽  
History Of

Recent advances in the archaeology of lowland South America are furthering our understanding of the Holocene development of plant cultivation and domestication, cultural niche construction, and relationships between environmental changes and cultural strategies of food production. This article offers new data on plant and landscape management and mobility in Southwestern Amazonia during a period of environmental change at the Middle to Late Holocene transition, based on archaeobotanical analysis of the Monte Castelo shellmound, occupied between 6000 and 650 yr BP and located in a modern, seasonally flooded savanna–forest mosaic. Through diachronic comparisons of carbonized plant remains, phytoliths, and starch grains, we construct an ecology of resource use and explore its implications for the long-term history of landscape formation, resource management practices, and mobility. We show how, despite important changes visible in the archaeological record of the shellmound during this period, there persisted an ancient, local, and resilient pattern of plant management which implies a degree of stability in both subsistence and settlement patterns over the last 6000 years. This pattern is characterized by management practices that relied on increasingly diversified, rather than intensive, food production systems. Our findings have important implications in debates regarding the history of settlement permanence, population growth, and carrying capacity in the Amazon basin.

scholarly journals The “female effect” positively affects the appetitive and consummatory sexual behaviour and testosterone concentrations of Alpine male goats under subtropical conditions 

2014 ◽  
Vol 59 (No. 7) ◽  
pp. 337-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
CarrilloE ◽  
Meza-HerreraCA ◽  
Olán-SánchezA ◽  
Robles-TrilloPA ◽  
LeyvaC ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Behaviour ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Serum Testosterone ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Serum Concentrations ◽  
Metal Mesh ◽  
Northern Mexico ◽  
Reproductive Management ◽  
Female Effect

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible action of the &ldquo;female effect&rdquo; by evaluating if exposure to estrogenized females would affect sexual behaviour and testosterone concentrations while affecting the length of the reproductive season of Alpine bucks in northern Mexico (26&deg;N). In January, two experimental groups were formed: (i) treated males (MH; n = 8) kept in a pen aside to another pen with four estrogenized females during four weeks; pens were separated by a metal mesh, and (ii) control males (GC; n = 8) which had no contact with any female during the same period. At the end of the study, an appetitive and consummatory sexual behaviour test was performed by exposing males from both groups to estrogenized females. Besides, serum concentrations of testosterone were quantified in each male on days 0 and 28. On day 0 the serum levels of testosterone were similar in both groups (217 &plusmn; 86 vs 320 &plusmn; 89 ng/dl in MH and GC respectively; P &gt; 0.05). However, on day 28, serum testosterone levels favoured to the MH group (164 &plusmn; 56 vs 49 &plusmn; 18 ng/dl; P = 0.06). With respect to the consummatory (80%) and appetitive (62%) sexual behaviour, the best reproductive performance was depicted by the MH&nbsp;group with respect to the GC group (P &lt; 0.05). Results obtained confirm a positive action of the &ldquo;female effect&rdquo; upon behavioural, reproductive, and endocrinological outcomes, while extending the breeding season of Alpine male goats. These findings should be relevant in the design of clean, green, and ethical reproductive management strategies in goat production systems and potentially important to the animal industry. &nbsp;

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