Grading Index(GI)∶A New Integrated Technique for Evaluation of Forage Quality

IntroductionForage quality can be defined as the extent to which forage has the potential to produce a desired animal response or level of performance,for example,daily gain or milk production.Due to forage quality is a function of both animal and plant factors.It is difficult and complex to completely evaluate forage quality.Recently,an new integrated index,Grading index (GI),was proposed by Chinese scholar Lu Dexun.Grading index (GI) method has been appraised officially as the national standard of forage quality evaluation in China,which was implemented in 2009.On basis of briefly overview the development of forage quality evaluation technology,this paper is to emphasize on introducing forage grading index and its application in dairy cattle feeding.     

Grading Index（GI）：A New Integrated Technique for Evaluation of Forage Quality

Introduction Forage quality can be defined as the extent to which forage has the potential to produce a desired animal response or level of performance,for example,daily gain or milk production.Due to forage quality is a function of both animal and plant factors.It is difficult and complex to completely evaluate forage quality.Recently,     

Validation and Implementation of an Automated Chew Sensor–Based Remote Monitoring Device as Tool for Equine Grazing Research

Field studies characterizing equine grazing activity primarily rely on observational protocols, limiting the quantity and accuracy of collected data. The objectives of this study were to validate an automated chew sensor technology, the EquiWatch System (EWS), for detecting grazing behaviors and to demonstrate potential applications of the EWS in equine grazing research. Eight mature standardbred mares were used in this study. EquiWatch System validation was completed in two phases: grazing time was evaluated in experiment 1 and chew counts in experiment 2. The correlation between visual observations and system-recorded grazing time was high (concordance correlation coefficient [CCC] = 0.997). There was also a high agreement between the sum of manually counted bites and chews and total chew counts reported by the EWS (CCC = 0.979). Following validation, a pilot study was conducted using the EWS to assess feeding behaviors of horses with unrestricted pasture access (PAS) versus horses offered ad libitum hay (HAY). Horses spent more time engaged in feeding behavior on PAS (14.79 ± 0.48 hr/d) than HAY (11.98 ± 0.48 hr/d; P < .0001). Chewing rate also differed by forage (PAS 83.92 ± 1.61; HAY 68.50 ± 1.61 chews/min; P < .0001). However, although the magnitude of these behavioral parameters was influenced by treatment, the underlying 24-hour patterns were largely preserved regardless of forage type. These results demonstrate that the EWS can generate data necessary for characterizing feeding behavior in horses. Future studies implementing this tool could provide a greater understanding of biological, environmental, and nutritive factors driving grazing behavior in horses.     

Comparative Evaluation of Three In Situ Castration Techniques for Sterilizing Donkeys: Incision–Ligation (a Novel Technique), Section–Ligation–Release,and Pinhole

Castration is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in equines and is associated with various complications, such as severe hemorrhage and evisceration. Using clinical, hormonal, and histopathological findings, this study aimed to evaluate a novel in situ castration technique and compare it with two other in situ techniques, namely, “section–ligation–release” (SLR) and “pinhole” (PH), to choose the most compatible and safe technique for sterilizing donkeys. Fifteen adult male donkeys were divided into three groups (five animals each). The vascular and the nonvascular parts of the spermatic cord were double ligated separately after opening the skin and the tunica vaginalis at the scrotal neck in the first group (incision–ligation [IL] technique, IL group). In the second group, donkeys were subjected to in situ castration using SLR technique, where both parts of the spermatic cord were triple clamped, ligated, and transected (SLR group). In the third group, percutaneous ligation of the spermatic vessels was performed without opening the skin (PH technique, PH group). The PH technique was less effective and failed to induce necrosis in the testes in situ. Also, Testosterone hormone levels remained elevated 60 days after this procedure. Although the IL and SLR techniques result in convincing reductions in resting and human chorionic gonadotropin–stimulated testosterone levels in treated donkeys, IL and SLR techniques were conducted under narcosis and strict asepsis. We concluded that the PH technique should not be recommended for sterilizing donkeys. Meanwhile, the IL and SLR techniques can be considered as an alternative to other conventional methods used for sterilizing donkeys.     

Human–tiger conflict: A review and call for comprehensive plans

Human-tiger (Panthera tigris Linnaeus, 1758) conflicts (HTC), manifested primarily as attacks on people and domestic animals, exacerbate at least 2 major threats to tigers: (i) conflicts often result in mortality or removal of tigers from the wild; and (ii) they result in negative attitudes towards tigers by local people, thereby reducing support for tiger conservation. Although HTC has decreased over the past century, it will likely increase if current and proposed conservation initiatives to double tiger populations are successful. Increased HTC could undermine successful conservation initiatives if proactive steps are not taken to reduce HTC. The present paper provides a review of the impacts of HTC and the measures taken to reduce it in ways that reduce negative impacts on both humans and tigers, and stresses the need for development and implementation of comprehensive plans to reduce HTC.     

A computed tomography–based method for the assessment of canine retrobulbar cone volume for ophthalmic anaesthesia

ObjectiveTo develop a comprehensive formula for calculating the volume of local anaesthetic solution used for retrobulbar anaesthesia in dogs with different skull morphologies.Study designRetrospective cohort imaging study.AnimalsSkull computed tomography (CT) images of 188 dogs of different breeds collected between January 2009 and December 2017.MethodsAnatomical integrity of the orbit and adjacent structures, presenting complaint, clinical signs and CT findings were verified to exclude ocular abnormalities. The volume of the retrobulbar cone of 376 eyes was calculated using CT scans of the dogs’ skulls. Additional data recorded included morphology of the skull, body weight, sex and size of the dogs, all of which were matched for possible association to the retrobulbar cone volume through univariable and multivariable linear regression models. Results of linear regression models were expressed as estimated beta coefficients with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).ResultsUsing univariate analysis, the retrobulbar cone volume was positively associated with weight and male sex. In addition, brachycephalic and dolichocephalic dogs showed a larger retrobulbar cone volume than mesocephalic dogs, while sex was no longer significantly associated with the retrobulbar cone volume. In multivariate analysis, when considering all variables in the model, weight emerged as the strongest predictor (beta coefficient: 0.062 mL kg^–1, 95% CI: 0.056–0.067 mL kg^–1, p < 0.001).Conclusionsand clinical relevance In the veterinary literature, there is no agreement on the precise volume of local anaesthetic solution that should be used to achieve intraconal retrobulbar anaesthesia in dogs. Here we suggest a formula to calculate the retrobulbar cone volume and, accordingly, the injection volume of local anaesthetic solution for effective retrobulbar anaesthesia.     

A live weight–heart girth relationship for accurate dosing of east African shorthorn zebu cattle

The accurate estimation of livestock weights is important for many aspects of livestock management including nutrition, production and appropriate dosing of pharmaceuticals. Subtherapeutic dosing has been shown to accelerate pathogen resistance which can have subsequent widespread impacts. There are a number of published models for the prediction of live weight from morphometric measurements of cattle, but many of these models use measurements difficult to gather and include complicated age, size and gender stratification. In this paper, we use data from the Infectious Diseases of East Africa calf cohort study and additional data collected at local markets in western Kenya to develop a simple model based on heart girth circumference to predict live weight of east African shorthorn zebu (SHZ) cattle. SHZ cattle are widespread throughout eastern and southern Africa and are economically important multipurpose animals. We demonstrate model accuracy by splitting the data into training and validation subsets and comparing fitted and predicted values. The final model is weight^0.262?=?0.95?+?0.022 × girth which has an R ² value of 0.98 and 95 % prediction intervals that fall within the ±20 % body weight error band regarded as acceptable when dosing livestock. This model provides a highly reliable and accurate method for predicting weights of SHZ cattle using a single heart girth measurement which can be easily obtained with a tape measure in the field setting.     

Excretory–secretory antigens: A suitable candidate for immunization against ocular toxoplasmosis in a murine model

Toxoplasmosis, responsible for ocular impairment, is caused by Toxoplasma gondii. We investigated the effect of Toxoplasma excretory–secretory antigens (ESA) on parasite load and distribution in the eye tissue of a murine model. Case and control groups were immunized with ESA and PBS, respectively. Two weeks after the second immunization, the mice were challenged intraperitoneally with virulent RH strain of Toxoplasma; eye tissue samples of both groups were collected daily (days 1, 2, 3, and the last day before death). Parasite load was determined using real-time quantitative PCR targeted at the B1 gene. Compared to the control group, infected mice that received ESA vaccine presented a considerable decrease in parasite load in the eye tissue, demonstrating the effect of ESA on parasite load and distribution. Diminution of parasite load in mouse eye tissue indicated that ESA might help control disease-related complications and could be a valuable immunization candidate against ocular toxoplasmosis.     

A multi-analysis approach for space–time and economic evaluation of risks related with livestock diseases: The example of FMD in Peru

This study presents a multi-disciplinary decision-support tool, which integrates geo-statistics, social network analysis (SNA), spatial-stochastic spread model, economic analysis and mapping/visualization capabilities for the evaluation of the sanitary and socio-economic impact of livestock diseases under diverse epidemiologic scenarios. We illustrate the applicability of this tool using foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Peru as an example. The approach consisted on a flexible, multistep process that may be easily adapted based on data availability. The first module (mI) uses a geo-statistical approach for the estimation (if needed) of the distribution and abundance of susceptible population (in the example here, cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and camelids) at farm-level in the region or country of interest (Peru). The second module (mII) applies SNA for evaluating the farm-to-farm contact patterns and for exploring the structure and frequency of between-farm animal movements as a proxy for potential disease introduction or spread. The third module (mIII) integrates mI–II outputs into a spatial-stochastic model that simulates within- and between-farm FMD-transmission. The economic module (mIV) connects outputs from mI–III to provide an estimate of associated direct and indirect costs. A visualization module (mV) is also implemented to graph and map the outputs of module I–IV. After 1000 simulated epidemics, the mean (95% probability interval) number of outbreaks, infected animals, epidemic duration, and direct costs were 37 (1, 1164), 2152 (1, 13, 250), 63 days (0, 442), and US$ 1.2 million (1072, 9.5 million), respectively. Spread of disease was primarily local (<4.5 km), but geolocation and type of index farm strongly influenced the extent and spatial patterns of an epidemic. The approach is intended to support decisions in the last phase of the FMD eradication program in Peru, in particular to inform and support the implementation of risk-based surveillance and livestock insurance systems that may help to prevent and control potential FMD virus incursions into Peru.     

Polymerase Chain Reaction–Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism of Mitochondrial 12S rRNA Gene: A Simple Method for Identification of Poultry Meat Species

Chicken (Gallus gallus), duck (Anas platyrhynchos), turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) and quail (Coturnix japonica) are the common poultry species consumed as meat throughout the world. In this work, a molecular technique has been developed for identification and differentiation of meat originating from these species. This tool helps in detection of misrepresentation of different poultry meats. The technique involves the extraction of DNA from the given sample, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene using universal primers, restriction analysis with selected restriction enzymes, followed by identification of meat species based on restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) pattern. In this study, we used HinfI, Mph1103I, MvaI, and Eco47I to identify and differentiate to poultry species referred to above. This species identification technique has also been applied successfully to processed meat products including those cooked at 120^∘C for 30 min. Simplicity of interpretation of results combined with versatility makes this a convenient and appropriate technique in the hands of meat analysts for identifying poultry meat species.     

A ten years (2007–2016) retrospective serological survey for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Seneca Valley virus</Emphasis> infection in major pig producing states of Brazil

Seneca Valley virus (SVV) is the etiological agent of vesicular disease in pigs, clinically indistinguishable of classical viral vesicular infections, including foot-and-mouth disease. The first outbreaks of SVV infection in Brazil were reported in 2014. However, it was not known whether the virus was circulating in Brazilian pig herds before this year. This study is a retrospective serological investigation of porcine health status to SVV in Brazil. Serum samples (n = 594) were grouped in before (2007–2013, n = 347) and after (2014–2016, n = 247) SVV outbreaks in Brazil. Twenty-three pig herds were analyzed, of which 19 and 4 were sampled before and after the beginning of SVV outbreaks, respectively. Two herds sampled after 2014 presented animals with SVV-associated clinical manifestations, while the other two housed asymptomatic pigs. Anti-SVV antibodies were evaluated by virus neutralization test. The results demonstrated that pig herds of different Brazilian geographical regions and distinct pig categories were negative to anti-SVV antibodies in sera obtained before 2014. Antibodies to SVV were detected only in serum samples obtained after 2014, particularly in herds with the presence of pigs with SVV-clinical signs. These results present robust serological evidence that the SVV was not present in the major Brazilian pig producing regions prior to 2014.