An investigation into the grazing efficiency of perennial ryegrass varieties

The objective of this study was to compare the grazing efficiency of 30 perennial ryegrass varieties, differing in ploidy and heading date. Plots were grazed by lactating dairy cows and managed under a rotational grazing system with 19 grazing events occurring over two years. Pre-grazing and post-grazing compressed sward heights were measured with a rising plate meter. A mixed model was used to predict the post-grazing sward height of each variety based on year, grazing event, block and pre-grazing sward height. Residual grazed height (RGH) was derived as the difference between the actual and predicted post-grazing sward height and was used as the measure of grazing efficiency. Negative RGH values indicated that the actual herbage removed was greater than that predicted and so indicated a superior grazing efficiency. Varieties differed in their level of grazing efficiency (p < .001), with RGH values ranging from −0.38 to +0.34 cm. Tetraploid varieties exhibited significantly greater grazing efficiency performance than diploids (p < .001), with average RGH values of −0.13 and +0.13 cm respectively. A significant difference in grazing efficiency was found among recommended perennial ryegrass varieties that are not being recorded by mechanically harvested simulated grazing protocols. A variety reappraisal that included grazing efficiency could identify varieties capable of improving on-farm livestock productivity from grass.     

Ecoviability for ecosystem‐based fisheries management

Reconciling food security, economic development and biodiversity conservation is a key challenge, especially in the face of the demographic transition characterizing many countries in the world. Fisheries and marine ecosystems constitute a difficult application of this bio‐economic challenge. Many experts and scientists advocate an ecosystem approach to manage marine socio‐ecosystems for their sustainability and resilience. However, the ways by which to operationalize ecosystem‐based fisheries management (EBFM) remain poorly specified. We propose a specific methodological framework—viability modelling—to do so. We show how viability modelling can be applied using four contrasted case‐studies: two small‐scale fisheries in South America and Pacific and two larger‐scale fisheries in Europe and Australia. The four fisheries are analysed using the same modelling framework, structured around a set of common methods, indicators and scenarios. The calibrated models are dynamic, multispecies and multifleet and account for various sources of uncertainty. A multicriteria evaluation is used to assess the scenarios’ outcomes over a long time horizon with different constraints based on ecological, social and economic reference points. Results show to what extent the bio‐economic and ecosystem risks associated with the adoption of status quo strategies are relatively high and challenge the implementation of EBFM. In contrast, strategies called ecoviability or co‐viability strategies, that aim at satisfying the viability constraints, reduce significantly these ecological and economic risks and promote EBFM. The gains associated with those ecoviability strategies, however, decrease with the intensity of regulations imposed on these fisheries.     

Fertility of Holstein cows and heifers submitted to timed artificial insemination and receiving one or two doses (12 h apart) of semen

The objective of this retrospective study was to assess the effect of receiving a single (n = 50,285) or double (n = 4392) artificial insemination (AI), 12 h apart, within a timed artificial insemination protocol on pregnancy per AI (P/AI) in nulliparous heifers (inseminated with either sex-sorted or conventional semen) and pluriparous Holstein cows in a commercial dairy herd. Also, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between temperature-humidity index (THI) and time of the first AI and fertility. Fertility of cows receiving two AI with normothermia (THI <68) was higher (p < .05) than cows receiving a single AI (42.9% vs. 36.4%). P/AI of cows receiving two AI with severe heat stress (THI >85) was higher (p < .05) than cows receiving a single AI (21.0% vs. 12.6%). Regardless of heat stress conditions, applying the first AI in the morning increased (p < .05) P/AI in cows with double AI than in cows whose first AI occurred in the afternoon (38.4 vs. 33.3%). With moderate heat stress, and sexed-sorted semen, P/AI to timed AI was higher (65.0 vs. 51.9%; p < .05) in heifers receiving double AI than those serviced once. It was concluded that double AI, 12 h apart, enhanced fertility at timed AI than herd mates with a single AI, particularly with heat stress at breeding.     

Multiple progressive piloleiomyomas in a ferret (Mustela putorius furo): a case report

A 2.5‐year‐old ovariectomized female ferret developed multiple progressive linear and raised nodules on the skin. The first lesions occurred on the tail, which was then amputated. Over the following 3 years, additional lesions appeared in the vicinity of the scar and then further rostrally on the flanks and thorax. Histological and immunohistochemical investigation led to a diagnosis of multiple piloleiomyomas. The unique characteristics of this ferret disease are described and compared with those of multiple piloleiomyomas in humans and with those of other cutaneous smooth muscle cell tumours reported in the veterinary literature.     

Measuring the productivity and physical workload of brushcutters within the context of a production-based pay system

Forestry occupations are known to be physically demanding, and workers are often paid on a piece rate basis. This pay system is largely used in silvicultural treatments such as plantation and vegetation management. An ill adjusted piece rate system may induce workforce recruitment difficulties or increase accident rates and work related illnesses. A study combining work measurement, ergonomics and economics was undertaken to better understand the factors influencing a worker's workload. Mathematical relations between site factors, worker's production and heart rate variation during work have been examined based on time and motion studies of 38 brushsaw operators performing regeneration release (cleaning) in northern forests. Results show that a piece rate pay system that considers only the area treated without taking into account site factors may lead workers to behave in ways that may compromise their health and safety. The use of a pay system that integrates the influence of site factors on work performance is therefore suggested.     

Large-scale structural variation and long-term growth dynamics of Juniperus thurifera trees in a managed woodland in Soria, central Spain

? Juniper woodlands have a great conservational and productive importance in Spain. However, basic traits of their structural variation and growth dynamics are unknown.

? To characterize the structural variation and assess both height and radial growth patterns, we sampled and measured stem cross-sections every 0.5 m in height from 107 Spanish juniper (Juniperus thurifera L.) trees, which were selected based on a 350 m regular grid over a whole woodland of 3 300 ha in area. We used dendroecological techniques and spatial analysis to study tree structure and growth.

? Structural traits such as bole diameter and height were mainly determined by tree life-related parameters such as tree age and growth rate variation, while abiotic factors such as altitude played a minor role in determining structural variation. Over the last 300 years, juniper establishment has been continuous in time but discontinuous in space. Large-scale spatial heterogeneity of tree establishment, and the presence of an early growth suppression and abrupt growth changes in junipers > 100 years old are consequences of an intense management that almost ceased in the late 19th century.

? Abrupt growth releases and suppressions were synchronic among different age classes, and coincided with documentary records on livestock decrease and key historical changes in land use. Growth patterns suggest that juniper is a brow sing-tolerant species that is able to survive large periods of intense browsing pressure.

     

Impacts of mixed litter decomposition from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Robinia pseudoacacia</Emphasis> and other tree species on C loss and nutrient release in the Loess Plateau of China

The productivity of Robinia pseudoacacia (R.p.) pure forest usually declines at the late growth stage, and reforming it into mixed forests could be a promising way to resolve this problem. When choosing a suitable tree species that can be mixed with R.p., the interspecific relationship is an important issue. Therefore, we gathered the autumn litter fall from R.p. and 10 other species from the Loess Plateau of China were mixed in dual species litterbags (R.p. + each other species) and buried them in soil for a 345 days lab decay incubation. We measured the litter mass loss and nutrient contents to determine whether the nutrient release was affected by mixed species litter decomposition. The impacts of mixed litter decomposition on macro-elements release were more obvious than on micro-elements. The litters with similar substrate quality might show variable impacts on nutrients release in mixed decomposition. The C loss and release of nutrient was improved by descending order when R.p. litter was mixed with Hippophae rhamnoides, Ulmus pumila, Populus simonii, Larix principis-rupprechtii and Quercus liaotungensis (Q.l.). But, except for Q.l., only the other species were recommended as suitable mix-plants for R.p. since promoting a high turnover of the nutrient in the litter compartment and a rapid availability for tree.     

Variations in water use by a mature mangrove of Avicennia germinans, French Guiana

? In the tropical intertidal zones, little is known on water uptake by mangroves. Transpiration rates are generally measured at leaf level, but few studies exist on water use at tree or stand levels.

? The objective of this study was to measure sap flow in trees of different sizes to appreciate the range of variation in water use that may exist in a site dominated by 80% mature Avicennia germinans.

? The results showed that from the dry to the wet season the mean water use increased from 3.2 to 5.3 dm³ d^?1 in small trees (DBH ～ 13 cm), from 11.5 to 30.8 dm³ d^?1 in medium trees (～24 cm) and from 40.8 to 64.1 dm³ d^?1 in large ones (～45 cm).

? Sapwood remained active up to a depth of 8 cm with radial variations within the stem. Weak correlations were obtained with VPD and net radiation.

? This study confirmed that transpiration was larger under low levels of salinity. Water use at stand level (～1900 living stems ha^?1) was estimated to be in the range of 5.8 to 11.8 m³ ha?1 d^?1 according to the season.

     

Assessment of motor pathways by magnetic stimulation in human and veterinary medicine

Magnetic stimulation is a non-invasive and painless technique for studying the motor pathways in medical neurology. A time-varying magnetic field induces an electrical field in conducting objects, such as nervous tissue. The technique can be applied to nerve roots and peripheral nerves or to the motor cortex of the brain in human and veterinary medicine. In this review, the basic principles, applications and risk factors of peripheral nerve and motor cortex stimulation in human and veterinary medicine are discussed.