Dietary and Manure Management Practices on Equine Farms in Two New Jersey Watersheds

Equine farms are increasing in number in Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. These farms may influence environmental quality owing to manure collection, storage, spreading, and disposal practices. A manure management survey was mailed to 700 New Jersey equine farms during the winter of 2009-2010 (these farms were located in two watersheds). Two hundred forty-two surveys were returned; 10% were training or performance farms, whereas the remainder (90%) were breeding, boarding, or pleasure farms. There were differences between the two watersheds in turnout time, pasture acreage, use of drag harrows, and income. Respondents answered questions about diet and environmental management on farms. Seventy-eight percent had bunk management plans. Forty-seven percent disposed of waste feed in a manure pile, 35% left it on fields or paddocks, and 18% put it in a dumpster. Twenty-six percent engage a professional for feeding advice (21% veterinarians, 2% extension, 3% nutrition consultants). Most respondents did not have a regular feed management plan. Sixty-two percent of all farms spread manure on-farm. Of those who spread, 29% have >8.09 hectares (20 acres) for spreading. Ninety-six percent of respondents stored manure >100 ft from water or wetlands. Comparison of cross-tabulations indicates a strong relationship (P < .01) between rotational grazing and the use of a sacrifice or exercise area. Eighty-eight percent of respondents using sacrifice areas also rotationally graze. Results indicate future outreach programs should focus on feed management, manure storage location, rotational grazing, and the use of sacrifice areas as part of a pasture management program.     

A retrospective survey of hydatidosis in livestock in Arusha,Tanzania, based on abattoir data during 2005 - 2007

A 3-year (2005–2007) retrospective study was carried out to investigate the occurrence of cystic echinococcosis (CE) in cattle and shoats (sheep and goats) slaughtered at Arusha municipal abattoir, Tanzania. A total of 115186 cattle and 99401 shoats were slaughtered. Cattle liver, lungs, spleen and heart condemnation rate was 16.35%, 13.04%, 2.09% and 3.06% respectively while 17.63%, 7.63%, 0.38% and 0.04% of shoats’ liver, lungs, spleen and heart respectively were condemned. A highly significant (p < 0.001) cystic echinococcosis (CE) infection rate was recorded in shoats (6.02%) than in cattle (4.2%) probably because of differences in grazing patterns. Cattle lungs were more affected by CE (22.5%) than liver (19.7%) while shoats liver were found to be more affacted (21%) than the lungs (19.3). A significant (p < 0.001) higher CE infection rate was observed in cattle spleen (15.5%) than shoats (9.7%). There was no significant (p > 0.05) difference between condemnation rates due to hydatidosis during rain and dry seasons probably because of chronicity of the disease. The study have established that CE is prevalent in animals slaughtered at Arusha abattoir and causes higher condemnation rates of edible offals. This merit for more extensive epidemiological investigations to better determine the prevalence, economic impact and public health importance of the disease in the region.     

Investigation of farmers' perspectives on the disposal of fallen livestock and animal by-products in Great Britain

Two questionnaires were completed by a selection of farms in Great Britain during 2008 and 2009 to ascertain the role of the National Fallen Stock Company (NFSCo) in fallen livestock disposal, the current disposal methods used for fallen livestock and other animal by-products (ABPs), and factors determining use of a particular method. The results demonstrated a significant difference (P<0.001) in NFSCo membership in relation to geographical location and a significant difference (P<0.001) in disposal choice. Farmers' perceptions as to why they did or did not join NFSCo, and why they used particular disposal methods are discussed. Disposal methods of other ABPs (aborted fetuses/stillborn animals and placentas) demonstrated the illegal disposal of aborted fetuses/stillborn animals (19.5 per cent of respondents) and placentas (57.6 per cent of respondents). Overall, 13.7 per cent of respondents used a variety of illegal disposal methods for fallen livestock carcases and other ABPs.     

Effects of clenbuterol on body stores of polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF) and dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) in rats

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF), persistent pollutants that accumulate in the food chain, pose a risk to humans through consumption of tainted livestock. Clenbuterol, a leanness-enhancing agent, was tested for usefulness in PCDD/F body store reduction through body fat reduction (the predominant site of accumulation). To mimic the situation of contaminated animals, rats were given feed with or without a mixture of PCDD/F (0.6 to 2.7 ng/congener per day) for 10 d, followed by 16 d of feed with or without dietary clenbuterol (2 mg/kg feed). Clenbuterol reduced body fat by 28% (P < 0.05), increased muscle mass by 25% (P < 0.02), and decreased liver mass by 7% (P < 0.02). Although the concentrations of most PCDD/F per gram of fat were slightly increased after clenbuterol treatment, the total amount of PCDD/F that remained in fat was reduced by approximately 30%. Muscle PCDD/F concentrations and total burden were decreased by clenbuterol. In contrast, clenbuterol tended to increase concentration, but not total burden of PCDD/F in livers. One congener known to be rapidly metabolized and excreted, 2,3,7,8-TCDF, was the exception to this increase, decreasing 40% with clenbuterol treatment. This was also the congener that showed the greatest reduction in both fat and muscle. Examination of the ratio of PCDD/F in liver and fat revealed that clenbuterol increased the liver's share of the body burden of PCDD/F, from 38 to 75%. In a remediation/disposal context, these findings would be beneficial if clenbuterol lowered the meat and carcass burden of PCDD/F to safe levels, requiring only livers to be disposed of as hazardous waste.     

The experience of dog bites: a survey of veterinary science and veterinary nursing students

AIM: To investigate the circumstances of dogs biting people in New Zealand. METHODS: Veterinary science and veterinary nursing students enrolled at Massey University in 2003 completed a questionnaire detailing their lifetime experience of dog bites and their opinions of dog control legislation. RESULTS: The response rate was 100%. There were 228 completed responses to the survey, and 87 (38%) respondents had been bitten by a dog. Most bites caused minor injury, but 17 (20%) required medical attention. Male respondents were more likely to have been bitten. The highest proportion of respondents (27; 31%) had been bitten while between 6 and 10 years of age, and the hand was the part of the body most often injured. Eighteen (21%) bites involved a stranger's dog, but most bites were by a dog known to the victim. Respondents from rural areas were three times more likely to have been bitten than city dwellers. The victim's home was the place where most (31; 36%) bites occurred. Male dogs were responsible for a larger proportion of bites (38; 44%) than females (24; 28%); respondents were unsure about the sex of the remainder of the dogs (25; 29%) that bit them. Protecting the home, play, accidents, rough handling and pain were identified as the common reasons for dogs to bite. Most (46; 52%) respondents did not believe legislation could have prevented their bite. Only four (5%) bites were reported to authorities. CONCLUSION: Rural dwellers, people with more experience of dogs, children <11 years of age, and male respondents were bitten by dogs most often. Only legislation relating to the fencing of dog owners' properties may have prevented a reasonable proportion (25; 29%) of the bites reported here.     

The experience of dog bites: A survey of veterinary science and veterinary nursing students

AIM: To investigate the circumstances of dogs biting people in New Zealand.

METHODS: Veterinary science and veterinary nursing students enrolled at Massey University in 2003 completed a questionnaire detailing their lifetime experience of dog bites and their opinions of dog control legislation.

RESULTS: The response rate was 100%. There were 228 completed responses to the survey, and 87 (38%) respondents had been bitten by a dog. Most bites caused minor injury, but 17 (20%) required medical attention. Male respondents were more likely to have been bitten. The highest proportion of respondents (27; 31%) had been bitten while between 6 and 10 years of age, and the hand was the part of the body most often injured. Eighteen (21%) bites involved a stranger's dog, but most bites were by a dog known to the victim. Respondents from rural areas were three times more likely to have been bitten than city dwellers. The victim's home was the place where most (31; 36%) bites occurred. Male dogs were responsible for a larger proportion of bites (38; 44%) than females (24; 28%); respondents were unsure about the sex of the remainder of the dogs (25; 29%) that bit them. Protecting the home, play, accidents, rough handling and pain were identified as the common reasons for dogs to bite. Most (46; 52%) respondents did not believe legislation could have prevented their bite. Only four (5%) bites were reported to authorities.

CONCLUSION: Rural dwellers, people with more experience of dogs, children <11 years of age, and male respondents were bitten by dogs most often. Only legislation relating to the fencing of dog owners′ properties may have prevented a reasonable proportion (25; 29%) of the bites reported here.     

关于饲料检测实验室废液处理的探讨

实验室废液处理得当对于保持环境健康有积极的意义。简要分析探讨了饲料检测实验室废液处理的具体方法和措施,以供饲料检测机构参考使用。     

Management practices followed for draught cattle in the southern part of India

A study was conducted to determine the management practices followed by the farmers for draught cattle in Tamil Nadu state, India. Methods of procurement of animals, use of female animals, breeds preferred, housing, health, disposal of animals, feeding, shoeing, purchase of animal-drawn implements and their maintenance were all assessed with 210 farmers from seven districts across different agro-climatic zones in Tamil Nadu. The results revealed that 86 % of the respondents purchased the draught cattle from the livestock markets, most were bullocks but 20 small farmers and 5 medium farmers used female animals for ploughing. Among the indigenous breeds, Kangeyam (33 %) and Hallikar (30 %) breeds were the most popular for work. Most farmers (69 %) provided a mixed type of housing (provision of housing only during the night time and the rainy season) for their draught cattle. The major health problem reported by 63 % of respondents was pyrexia. Almost all farmers sold their animals at the age of 8–10 years. The feeding practices for draught cattle were poor especially with the small farmers. The cattle were fed with mainly paddy straw and rice bran. Oilcakes and cotton seeds were given to the animals which work throughout the year mainly for ploughing and carting. The draught cattle were first shod at around 2.5 years of age. The majority of the farmers (71 %) used the traditional animal-drawn implements made by local artisans, and the farmers were not aware of the new implements to reduce the drudgery of work cattle, designed by the Agricultural Machinery Research Centre and Agricultural Engineering Departments located in India.     

Ingestion of indigestible foreign materials by free grazing ruminants in Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Ruminants slaughtered in Bahir-Dar, northern Ethiopia, were studied to estimate the prevalence and types of foreign bodies in the rumen and reticulum. Of the 400 cattle, 320 sheep, and 320 goats examined between November 2011 and May 2012, 41.8, 20.6 and 11.9 %, respectively, contained one or more types of foreign bodies. The prevalence of foreign bodies was significantly (P?<?0.05) higher (i) in cattle than in sheep and goats, (ii) in cattle in poor body condition than those in good condition, and (iii) in the rumen than in the reticulum. The most commonly encountered materials were plastics, which resulted from the widespread use of plastic bags and improper waste disposal. Other materials found were cloth, rope, metal, and leather. The study demonstrated that ruminants in the area are ingesting various types of indigestible foreign bodies, which can hamper their health and productivity. To avert the problem, collaborative intervention schemes need to be applied involving professionals, policy makers, livestock keepers, and environmental activists.     

Public attitudes in New Zealand towards the use of animals for research, testing and teaching purposes

AIM: To investigate the awareness of and interest in the use of animals for research, testing and teaching (RTT) purposes, the levels of support and attitudes towards this use of animals, and the awareness of and opinions on regulations governing it within the public in New Zealand. METHODS: An independent telephone survey was used to collect information including demographics, awareness and interest in the use of animals for RTT, attitudes towards the use of animals for RTT, and awareness of the regulation of the use of animals in RTT and the degree of confidence held in such regulation. RESULTS: Data were obtained from 750 respondents throughout New Zealand. The rim-weighting efficiency figure was 90%, indicating that the sample collected closely matched the population demographics for New Zealand. Overall, 33% of respondents expressed an interest in the issue generally, 39% were interested in the area of animals used for research and testing purposes, and 21% for teaching purposes. A majority of respondents agreed that the use of animals for teaching (72%) and research and testing (68%) purposes was acceptable as long as there was no unnecessary suffering by the animals. Respondents felt animal research was most justified for research into life-threatening and debilitating diseases, and least justified for safety-testing of cosmetics and household chemicals. Only 8% of respondents knew a fair amount (or more) about the legislation pertaining to the use of animals in RTT. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of New Zealanders were neither interested nor concerned about the use of animals in RTT. The largest proportion of respondents fell into a category of accepting this use of animals with conditions such as where there is no unnecessary suffering by the animals or where the research is for a serious disease. However, the responses also indicated that attitudes towards the use of animals in RTT as a general issue may change when that use is given a specific context. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The understanding of public opinion with regard to the use of animals in RTT is an important tool for New Zealand Veterinary Association nominees on animal ethics committees (AECs), for these veterinarians, as well as acting as assessors of the welfare of the animals involved, are also independent of the institutions using animals, so that, along with the other 'external' members, they provide a societal perspective to the deliberations of AECs.     

膳食纤维的理化功能特性及甘薯膳食纤维在动物生产中的应用

甘薯渣是生产甘薯淀粉的副产品,富含膳食纤维。目前甘薯渣除极少部分用于动物饲喂外,几乎全部废弃,造成环境污染和资源浪费。本文综述了膳食纤维的理化特性、生理功能及甘薯膳食纤维在动物生产中的应用,为甘薯膳食纤维的研究和应用提供参考。     

Investigation of biosecurity risks associated with the feed delivery: A pilot study

This study explored potential biosecurity issues related to the delivery of feed to commercial farms. A pilot study was conducted to collect information about the day-to-day feed delivery, including biosecurity concerns at the level of the feed truck, the driver, and the farm. In addition, a reusable rubber boot was tested in an effort to increase the proportion of farms at which truck drivers wore clean footwear, and to explore an alternative to the standard plastic disposable boots that may be unsafe in winter conditions. Most farms did well in terms of proper dead-stock management and keeping the farm lane and feed bin areas clean. The provision of reusable rubber boots significantly increased the proportion of deliveries in which the driver wore clean footwear.     

Knowledge and perceptions of dog-associated zoonoses: Brazos County,Texas, USA

In order to assess the knowledge and perceptions of dog-associated zoonoses in Brazos County, Texas, random digit dialing was used to select 922 households for participation in a cross-sectional telephone survey. The interviews were completed during June 2008 and yielded a response rate of 55% (922/1691). Fifty-six percent of the respondents who completed the questionnaire owned dogs. Eighty-six percent of the respondents indicated they would report being bitten by a dog that they did not own. Five factors were shown to be significantly associated with such reporting. Those respondents who believed that rabies could be transmitted by bats were 5.5 times more likely (95% CI: 1.6, 18.6) to report a dog bite compared to people who did not hold this belief. Respondents who would seek emergency treatment if they believed they had been exposed to rabies were 3.1 times more likely to report a bite (95% CI: 1.8, 5.4). Those who were over 60 years of age were 2.3 times more likely (95% CI: 1.2, 4.4) to report being bitten when compared to respondents who were under the age of 60. Living inside the city limits also increased the chance that the respondent would report being bitten by a dog (OR 2.3, 95% CI: 1.4, 3.9). Females were 2.3 times more likely (95% CI: 1.3, 3.7) to report being bitten than their male counterparts. Dog ownership did not have a significant impact on reporting. Only 85% of respondents stated that they would seek emergency treatment if they believed that they may have been exposed to rabies. In addition, only 59% of respondents were aware that exposure to rabies without treatment could lead to death. While 98% of respondents had heard of rabies and knew that it was possible to get it from a dog, only 54% of respondents knew that worms could be transmitted from dogs to people. This study demonstrated that many people surveyed lacked knowledge about dog-associated zoonotic diseases, which could seriously impact their health and the health of their families. It is important to find a method of getting information out to the public in order to correct this deficiency.     

Castration,other management practices and socio-economic implications for dog keepers in Nsukka area,Enugu state,Nigeria

Structured interviews were used to obtain information from 258 respondents from among 625 people who were selected by stratified random sampling from villages in five of seven local government areas of Nsukka area. Information included gender and literacy status of the respondents, whether the respondents had (between 1990 and 1995) presented any of their dogs for castration, the comparative market value of the dogs, and dog use and owner preference for castrates in performance of such duties. Information on bathing, vaccinations, confinements, use of veterinarians and cultural and religious uses of dogs also were sought. Also, 208 (80%) of the respondents had their dogs castrated.

Of the respondents, 23% were literate, 37% semiliterate and 40% illiterate. Of the 367 non-respondents, 63% were not available during the time of contact and 37% resented dog keeping and therefore refused to talk. About 958 dogs were owned by respondents, of these dogs, 56%, 27% and 17% were females, intact males and castrates, respectively.

There was no association between the respondent’s literacy status and dog-sex preference in performance of such uses as security, hunting, and “economic reasons”. The three most-important reasons for dog keeping were security, pet and hunting. However, the use of castrates for security was favoured by most keepers irrespective of literacy status. Most of the respondents agreed that dogs are used as gifts and 72% of the respondents agree that dog meat is a protein source. Castration should be encouraged because of its market value. Usage was low of veterinary services, confinement, and bathing of dogs.     

裂谷热研究进展

裂谷热是一种烈性毒性人畜共患病,被OIE列为必须报告的疫病.幼年动物感染后,病死率高达100%.人感染此病后,病死率约为1%.2010年3月,南非再度发生疫情,导致186人感染,18人死亡;并调查出154例动物感染,146例死亡,感染动物病死率高达95%.该病的流行不但对人类健康和养殖业构成威胁,其病毒还可能被用于生物...     

无粮饲料原料的开发利用

无粮饲料是以农作物废弃物、优质可再生牧草等为原料,通过人工处理,制作成适合投喂的畜禽饲料。无粮饲料的开发与应用,既可节约养殖成本,又可为人们提供优质的畜禽产品,其发展前景广阔。对无粮饲料原料的开发利用进行了综述。     

Characteristics of snail farming in Edo South Agricultural Zone of Edo State, Nigeria

The study was carried out to determine the characteristics of snail farming in Edo South Agricultural Zone of Edo State Nigeria. The interview schedule was used to collect data from 60 snail farmers randomly selected from six cells in the study area. Information on the socioeconomic status of the farmers, production system, management practices and production constraints in the snail farms were elicited. The constraints were determined using a four-point Likert-type scale; a mean score of ≥2.5 was considered as a production constraint. Majority (85.0 %) of the respondents were part-time snail farmers. The major species of snails reared were Achatina achatina and Archachatina marginata, reared by 43.3 and 26.7 % of the farmers, respectively. Semi-intensive system of production was practised by 40.0 % of the farmers. Majority (78.0 %) of the respondents used car tyres to house their snails. About 56 % of the respondents kept their snails for 1–2 years before sale. Up to 51.7 % of the respondents separated their snails into different pens according to their size/age. The most commonly used feeds were vegetables (71.2 %), plant leaves (67.8 %) and kitchen waste (59.3 %). Records of snail production activities were kept by 75.0 % of respondents. The major constraints identified were lack of capital (3.31), inability to get good laying stock (3.00), lack of formulated feed to buy (2.98) and slow growth rate of snails (2.52). The potentials of snail farming in the study area have not been fully exploited as farmers produced at subsistence level.     

Free-range Village Chickens on the Accra Plains, Ghana:Their Husbandry and Productivity

A cross-sectional[4pc] survey investigating husbandry and productivity of free-range village chickens was carried out in four administrative districts within 60km of Accra. Responses were provided by 101 men and 99 women. The mean (SD) household flock size was 28.7 (25.97) and the median was 20. The factors included in the final model investigating variance in flock size were sex of the respondent (p=0.011), administrative area (p=0.004), the numbers of members in the household (p=0.017) and the number of cattle, sheep and goats owned by the household (p=0.031). Chickens were owned by individual members of the household, but women and children were the predominant providers of care for chickens. All respondents described their chickens as scavengers that were provided with supplementary feed, and over 80% of respondents named maize as a supplementary food source. Approximately 50% of respondents claimed difficulty in providing supplementary feed, with the degree of difficulty varying between administrative areas (p<0.001). A majority of respondents (approximately 65%) claimed that their chickens laid 3–4 clutches of eggs per year. Over 70% of respondents estimated that each clutch contained 10–20 eggs, and approximately 70% of respondents estimated that 75% of the eggs hatched. Opinions on mortality varied, but 60% of men and 70% of women estimated that between 50% and 75% of both chicks and adult birds died each year. Approximately 80% of respondents named Newcastle disease as the most important health issue. The opportunities for and consequences of controlling Newcastle disease are discussed.     

Attitudes of New Zealand farmers to methods used to control wild rabbits

Four years after the release of Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) in New Zealand, we conducted a mail survey of farmers to ascertain their attitudes and practices about rabbit control. A multistage sampling frame (stratified by rabbit-proneness and farm type) was used to select 828 farms in eight geographical regions. The useable response proportion of the survey was 69.3%, and 21% of respondents considered rabbits to be a problem on their farms. Although practices for rabbit control had changed from 1995 to 2001, shooting (practised by 85% of respondents) remained the predominant method used (albeit less frequently than in 1995). Ten percent of farmers used RHDV baiting; of those, 90% released the virus relatively infrequently. Farmers perceived shooting to be the most-humane and environmentally safe method, while RHDV was perceived to be the most effective. Perception of the level of competition for grazing between rabbits and livestock was the factor most-strongly associated with the use of shooting and RHDV. Most (60%) respondents considered the introduction of RHDV to have been beneficial.     

降低人工饲养和饲料对水产养殖水体影响的措施

养殖废水的排放会导致水体富营养化,破坏水体自然生态系统.控制养殖废水生成是必要的,以保持可持续的水产养殖发展.由于饲料是水产养殖的主要废弃物来源,水产养殖废弃物的管理应通过饲料配方或饲养策略来进行.高消化日粮是解决和降低固体废物排放的有效方案.通过选择饲料原料和饲料加工以提高营养有效性,可进一步减少固体废物.通过控制饲...