Epidemiology of sheep nematodes in sub-arctic Greenland: sources of infection on rangeland grazing

Sources of nematode infection on the rangelands of a southern Greenlandic sheep farm were investigated as a part of a study of the epidemiology of Ostertagia and Nematodirus infections in a sub-arctic climate. Herbage larval counts were performed on samples collected from selected localities on the rangeland and post mortem worm-counts made on tracer lambs that had grazed these areas for the latter part of the summer season. Relatively high concentrations of larvae were found in good quality native grasses at sea-level and in grasses growing beneath canopies of willow-shrub at higher altitudes. In general, however, the infectivity of the vegetation was very low and the pick-up of infection by the tracer lambs was correspondingly small.     

Outbreaks of pythiosis in two flocks of sheep in northeastern Brazil

Two outbreaks of cutaneous pythiosis caused by Pythium insidiosum were diagnosed in two herds of crossbred hair wool sheep of different ages in the semiarid region of Northeastern Brazil. In one herd of 120 sheep, 40 were affected. The other outbreak affected six sheep out of 80. Local swellings with ulcerative lesions were observed in the limbs and abdominal and prescapular regions. Three sheep were necropsied. Two of them had lung metastasis characterized by multifocal nodules measuring 0.5-2 cm. In one animal, the prescapular lymph node was also affected. In another, the cutaneous lesion extended to the sesamoid bone. Microscopically, there were multifocal granulomas with intralesional P. insidiosum hyphae and Splendore-Hoeppli material surrounding the hyphae. The diagnosis was based on the histologic lesions, immunohistochemical identification, and culture of the etiologic agent. One sheep treated with potassium iodide recovered. Standing in swampy water for long periods in a warm aquatic environment seems to be the reason for the high prevalence of the disease.     

Nutritional status of grazing Lowline Angus crossbred supplemented with fermented cassava starch residue

Tropical Animal Health and Production - This study aimed to compare growth performance of Lowline Angus crossbred with Thai native cattle under a grazing system with supplementation of fermented...     

Forage availability x heifer phenotype interactions for Brahman-Hereford F1 yearling heifers grazing humid pasture and semiarid rangeland.

Yearling heifer growth data were obtained during 4 yr for 524 heifers allotted to either humid bermuda grass pastures (Overton) or semiarid rangeland (Uvalde). Each year, heifers were allotted on April 15 to four forage availability levels (400 to 2,800 kg of DM per 100 kg of BW at Uvalde and 80 to 260 kg of DM per 100 kg of BW at Overton) maintained by varying the stocking rate monthly until mid-October of each year. Forage availability and yearling heifer characteristics (weight, condition score, and height at hooks, taken on April 15) were treated as continuous variables in regression analyses. Final heifer weight, height, and condition responses to increased forage allowance were related to yearling phenotypes differently for the two locations. Generally, at Overton, forage availability influenced final characteristics to a greater extent than did yearling variables, whereas the trend was the opposite at Uvalde. At Uvalde, the yearling characteristic that had the largest effect on performance was height at hooks. Yearlings with large frames benefited from increased forage allowance by accumulating body fat at a faster rate than those with small frames. In contrast, at Overton, the yearling characteristic that had the largest effect on performance was condition. Fat heifers responded to increased forage availability to gain even greater advantages in fatness at the expense of potential growth in height and, thus, achieved early maturation. Yearling phenotypes were more broadly adapted to arrays of forage availability for humid, improved pastures than for semiarid rangeland.     

向日葵秆和向日葵盘对绵羊营养价值的评定

试验选用6只体重28 kg左右安装永久瘤胃瘘管的甘肃高山细毛羯羊, 采用3×3无重复拉丁方设计, 通过消化代谢试验, 对向日葵秆和向日葵盘对绵羊的营养价值进行了评定。结果表明:向日葵秆和向日葵盘风干样品中干物质、粗蛋白质、粗脂肪、粗纤维、中性洗涤纤维、酸性洗涤纤维、粗灰分、钙、磷分别为90.73%, 5.72%, 0.89%, 30.15%, 53.09%, 39.40%, 11.61%, 0.84%, 0.13%和89.63%, 11.84%, 2.13%, 12.48%, 23.51%, 15.41%, 14.04%, 0.97%, 0.29%;向日葵秆和向日葵盘对绵羊干物质消化率、氮消化率、氮存留率、有机物消化率、中性洗涤纤维消化率、酸性洗涤纤维消化率、钙消化率、磷消化率及消化能分别为61.61%, 65.37%, 34.72%, 65.19%, 48.18%, 44.89%, 29.10%, 26.07%, 8.75 MJ/kg和70.96%, 69.57%, 41.60%, 76.26%, 60.87%, 58.60%, 37.98%, 44.75%, 9.97 MJ/kg。饲粮中添加向日葵秆对绵羊瘤胃液中乙酸摩尔比及氨氮含量产生了显著的影响(P<0.05),对瘤胃液pH、总挥发性脂肪酸、丙酸摩尔比、丁酸摩尔比、其他酸摩尔比及瘤胃液中总氮、尿素氮、蛋白氮浓度均无显著影响(P>0.05);饲粮中添加向日葵盘对绵羊瘤胃液乙酸摩尔比、丙酸摩尔比和乙酸/丙酸产生了显著的影响(P<0.05),对pH、总挥发性脂肪酸、丁酸摩尔比、其他酸摩尔比和瘤胃液含氮量无显著影响(P>0.05)。     

不同放牧强度对滩羊生产性能影响的研究

为寻找适宜宁夏盐池县草地的放牧强度,于2003年5-11月在该县四墩子试点设5个处理(0.45、0.60、1.75、1.05和1.50只/hm2)进行轮牧,轮牧周期为42 d,共放牧154 d。结果表明:1)滩羊采食量随放牧强度的加重而降低。同一放牧强度下,随放牧时间推移,采食量先逐渐增大而后下降。2)在试验期内,不同放牧强度下,滩羊体重随时间推移总体上都呈增加趋势。在10月2日之后体重开始出现分化。与放牧强度重的处理相比,放牧强度轻的处理日增重峰值较高,持续时间较长。3)滩羊个体增重与放牧强度之间存在着强的负相关;单位草地面积(1 hm2)增重与放牧强度之间呈强的正相关,初步可以确定在该类草地上放牧强度应在0.75只/hm2左右。4)随着放牧强度的加重,饲料报酬先增大后减小。在同一放牧强度下,饲料报酬随时间的推移先升高后降低。5)当放牧强度超过0.75只/hm2以后,滩羊出现了空怀、产羔率降低和推迟怀孕的现象。6)综合考虑各研究指标,该类草地放牧强度以不应超过0.75只/hm2为宜。     

茴香秸秆和茴香秕壳对绵羊营养价值的评定

选择6只体重28 kg左右,安装永久瘤胃瘘管甘肃高山细毛羯羊, 采用3×3无重复拉丁方试验设计,通过消化代谢试验,对茴香秸秆和茴香秕壳对绵羊的营养价值进行了评定。结果表明,绵羊对茴香秸秆和茴香秕壳的干物质消化率、氮消化率、氮存留率、有机物消化率、中性洗涤纤维消化率、酸性洗涤纤维消化率、钙消化率、磷消化率和消化能分别为62.11%和61.63%,63.83%和65.63%,50.58%和47.72%,62.63%和62.50%,54.95%和53.02%,52.18%和49.50%,23.19%和20.35%,31.98%和35.03%,以及9.86和9.51 MJ/kg。绵羊对茴香秸秆和茴香秕壳的消化率较高。饲粮中添加茴香秸秆对绵羊瘤胃液pH、乙酸摩尔比、丙酸摩尔比、丁酸摩尔比、乙酸/丙酸以及瘤胃液中尿素氮和蛋白氮浓度均产生了显著的影响(P<0.05),对其他酸摩尔比、瘤胃液总挥发性脂肪酸(TVFA)、总氮和氨氮浓度无显著影响(P>0.05);饲粮中添加茴香秕壳对绵羊瘤胃液乙酸、丁酸和其他酸摩尔比产生了显著的影响(P<0.05),对pH、丙酸摩尔比、乙酸/丙酸、瘤胃液TVFA和氮浓度无显著影响(P>0.05)。     

绵羊自由放牧人工草地简单评价及决策探讨

以云南省种羊场绵羊自由放牧人工草地为背景，总结出了一套适于基层运作的评价与决策方案。     

我国南方地区天然牧地营养价值和生产能力评价及其开发潜力

在我国南方地区,西部天然牧地的营养价值与东部比较接近;生产力后者较高;生产量前者显著高.中高山地带天然牧地的营养价值高于丘陵低山地带,但生产力和生物生产量低于后者;营养生产量,西部以前者高,东部以后者高.与北方牧区比较,南方地区天然牧地的生产力较高,营养价值和生产量较低.从开发潜力看,南方地区西部高海拔地带以人工牧地较大;东部以农林用地生产饲用植物的较大.     

Constraints to milk production in grazing dairy cows in Brazil and management strategies for improving their productivity

Productivity in most Brazilian dairy herds is low and depends exclusively on pasture. To study the productive potential of pastures and to devise strategies to further improve pasture and animal productivity in this production system, studies were carried out to obtain basic on-farm information. The constraints which affect productivity and reproductive performance of dairy cows, the effects of restrictions in suckling time of calves, and strategic supplementation during the dry season upon animal production were the evaluated parameters. From March 1992 through February 1997, studies were carried out on four private farms in the northern region of the State of S?o Paulo. Between March 1992 and February 1994 (Study 1--survey phase), 142 cows (parity = 1-6) grazed pasture which consisted of signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens and Brachiaria brizanta). Once-a-month data were collected on body weight, body condition, and milk production. Reproduction parameters were assessed by milk progesterone profiles. From March 1996 to February 1997 (Study 2--intervention phase), 45 lactating dairy cows from two farms were hand-milked once a day and the calf suckling was restricted to two hours after milking. Data were collected on milk production and cow body weight. In Study 1, cows were grouped by calving date for the analysis of the reproductive and production data. Concentrations of blood metabolites, hemoglobin, and hematocrit were compared among randomly selected cows (n = 69) from all farms. Estimated pasture available per hectare (ha) at any time, crude protein (CP), and dry matter digestibility (DMD) of pasture available for grazing differed (p < 0.05) between seasons [pasture available = 1.2, 1.4, 1.8 and 2.2 t/ha (SE = 0.70); CP = 42, 60, 48 and 57 g/kg (DM) (SE = 10.1); DMD = 399, 468, 401 and 457 g/kg (DM) (SE = 21), respectively, for dry season 1992 (D92), wet season 1992 (W92), dry season 1993 (D93), and wet season 1993 (W93)]. The proportion of animals showing ovarian activity at 90 days postpartum (DPP) was higher for cows which calved in the wet season than cows which calved in the dry season. In Study 2, milk production tended to the higher (7.3 and 6.5 kg/day, respectively, for the intervention and survey studies; p = 0.08). The data suggest that milk production is being limited by pasture availability, the quality of pasture, and the lack of supplementation. We suggest that, although supplementing cows in the dry period may have an economic advantage, better pasture management needs to be introduced. Stocking rate must be adapted to pasture productivity and pasture quality throughout the year.     

珍珠草原对不同模拟放牧强度的响应

草与畜的关系是放牧生态学研究的重点。以阿拉善荒漠草原典型植物珍珠(Salsola passerina)为研究对象,人工设置不同的处理模拟不同放牧强度对珍珠生长的影响,为荒漠草原的合理利用提供依据。研究结果表明,轻度、中度及重度放牧条件下,珍珠种群密度随处理强度的增加而增加。不同处理下植株的冠幅变化不明显,植株的高度在中度干扰下最大,轻度放牧次之,重度放牧最低。3种处理对珍珠生物量都有很大影响,轻度及中度放牧有利于珍珠的生长,而重度放牧则使生物量下降。计算补偿生长指数发现珍珠秋季的补偿生长旺盛,春季中度放牧有利于珍珠的补偿性生长,夏季补偿性生长表现不明显。因此,适度放牧有利于珍珠草原的恢复与健康发展,珍珠这种荒漠草原特有的植物在秋季具有极好的耐牧性。     

天祝县草地资源特征及其生产力分析

对甘肃省天祝县天然草地资源类型、分布规律和特点及生产力进行分析和总结.结果发现,该区天然草地主要有温性草原、山地草甸、高寒草甸、灌丛草甸和疏林草甸5类;不同地区、年际和季节间的草地生产力与营养成分差异很大,草地饲用植物种类多,产量低.品质差.建议综合利用草地培育措施,实行草畜系统的半放牧半舍饲经营,以恢复草地植被,发展...     

Dynamics of natural infection by Toxoplasma gondii in goat herds in the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil: transitional antibody observation

Veterinary Research Communications - This study aimed to describe the transmission of T. gondii in naturally infected goats in the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil, through evaluating the...     

藏系绵羊瘤胃细菌数量及其放牧地牧草养分随季节变化的研究

试验分别于春、夏、秋和冬季,随机选择3只同群常年放牧健康的藏系绵羯羊(2岁),屠宰后采集瘤胃内容物。采用瘤胃细菌通用引物和实时定量PCR技术,研究瘤胃细菌数量随季节的动态变化。结果表明,1)夏季瘤胃细菌数量显著(P＜0.05)高于其他3个季节,分别是春季、秋季、冬季细菌数量的5.56,2.35和2.49倍;秋、冬季是春季细菌数量的2.38和2.23倍;而秋和冬季瘤胃细菌的数量差异不显著(P＞0.05)。2)夏季藏系绵羊采食量分别为春季、冬季和秋季的1.98,1.61和1.80倍,饲料中的纤维性物质含量增高,采食量也随着降低,瘤胃细菌的数量也相应降低;3)实时定量PCR技术能准确的反映出放牧藏系绵羊瘤胃细菌数量随季节的动态变化。     

棉桃壳和氨化棉桃壳对绵羊的营养价值评定

选用4只体重28 kg左右,安装永久瘤胃瘘管甘肃高山细毛羯羊,采用4×4拉丁方试验设计,通过体内消化代谢试验对棉桃壳和氨化棉桃壳进行营养价值评定。结果表明,绵羊对棉桃壳和氨化棉桃壳消化能、干物质消化率、氮消化率、有机物质消化率、中性洗涤纤维消化率、酸性洗涤纤维消化率、钙消化率、磷消化率和氮存留率分别为11.42 和10.90 MJ/kg,68.41%和66.30%,60.30%和60.68%,70.25%和67.57%,57.44%和54.55%,54.78%和52.21%,27.66%和24.88%,34.56%和27.57%及49.48%和50.34%。氨化棉桃壳和棉桃壳的消化率无显著性差异(P>0.05);饲粮中添加棉桃壳和氨化棉桃壳对绵羊瘤胃液中乙酸、丙酸、丁酸和其他酸摩尔比及乙/丙和氨态氮与蛋白氮浓度均产生了显著的影响(P<0.05),对瘤胃液pH及TVFA、总氮和尿素氮浓度无显著影响(P>0.05)。试验表明棉桃壳和氨化棉桃壳养分表观消化率无显著差异,利用尿素进行氨化处理时绵羊瘤胃内释放氨的速度较快,瘤胃微生物合成强度较低。     

Relationship between terrain use and performance of beef cows grazing foothill rangeland

A study was conducted on foothills rangeland to determine whether grazing patterns differed among cow breeds and to determine whether there was a relationship between individual grazing patterns and performance of beef cows. Hereford (HH), Tarentaise (TT), 3/4 Hereford x 1/4 Tarentaise (3H1T), 1/2 Hereford x 1/2 Tarentaise (HT), and 1/4 Hereford x 3/4 Tarentaise (1H3T) cows were observed during the summers of 1997 (n = 183) and 1998 (n = 159). Locations of individual cows were recorded two to three times per week during 1.5- to 2.5-h periods in the morning by observers on horseback. Statistical models included cow breed, age, and nursing status. Data from each year were analyzed separately. During 1997 and 1998, nonlactating cows were located at greater (P < 0.05) vertical distances from water than lactating cows. In 1998, nonlactating cows used steeper (P < 0.05) slopes than lactating cows. However, nonlactating cows did not travel as far horizontally from water (P < 0.05) as lactating cows in 1997. Younger cows (3 yr) traveled further (P < 0.05) from water both vertically and horizontally than older cows (5+ yr) in 1997, but not during 1998. Tarentaise and 1H3T cows were observed at greater (P < 0.05) vertical distances from water than HH cows during both years of the study. During 1998, TT and 1H3T cows used steeper (P < 0.05) slopes than HH cows. Using residual correlations, there were no consistent relationships between topographic aspects of individual grazing locations and cow weight, height, and body condition score. In 1997, cows with earlier calving dates and correspondingly heavier calf weaning weights used areas that had greater vertical distances to water; however, in 1998 there were no relationships (P > 0.05) of calving date and weaning weight with cow location. During both years, pregnant and nonpregnant cows used terrain similarly (P > 0.05), which suggests that cow reproductive performance was not related to terrain use. Grazing patterns in foothills rangeland varied among cow breeds. Performance of cows that used more rugged topography was similar to cows using gentler terrain.     

High frequency of genital carriers of Leptospira sp. in sheep slaughtered in the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Although some studies in sheep have indicated leptospire colonization of the genital tract, further studies are needed to clarify the role of genital...