Seasonal evolution of faecal egg output by gastrointestinal worms in goats on communal farms in eastern Namibia

As a more detailed continuation of a previous study, faecal samples for worm egg counts were collected per rectum from ten marked adult animals in selected flocks of goats, in each of six villages evenly spread out in the communal farming district of Okakarara in eastern Namibia. The study was conducted on a monthly basis from August 1999 to July 2000. Average faecal worm egg counts (FECs) were highest during the warm-wet season, much lower during the cold-dry months and moderate during the hot-dry season. Least square means of FECs were 2140, 430 and 653 per gram of faeces for the three seasons, respectively. Seasonal variation in egg counts was significant (P < 0.0001). Gastrointestinal strongyles, and to a lesser extent Strongyloides species, were the predominant parasite groups identified in goats. Kidding rates peaked in the cold-dry season and mortality rates in the hot-dry season. Results of this study suggest that gastrointestinal parasitism may be a problem that accentuates the effect of poor nutrition on small ruminants during the season of food shortages in the east of Namibia and that the use of FECs per se to assess the severity of gastrointestinal parasitic infection in goats followed by chemoprophylactic strategic and/or tactical treatment, may not be the best approach to addressing the worm problem under resource-poor conditions. The use of the FAMACHA system that identifies severely affected animals for treatment is technically a better option for communal farmers.     

The relation of climate and topography to gastro-intestinal nematode worm egg counts of Angora goats in the Eastern Cape

Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Ostertagia and Nematodirus worm populations of Angora goats, based on differential egg counts, are considered in relation to climatological and topographical data. Egg counts indicated that the estimated worm populations in goats that experienced wet circumstances were higher than those exposed to dry conditions. Wetness was assessed by relating spring, summer, and early autumn rainfalls to ground slope. It is proposed, that tactical anthelmintic treatments of goats be based on the degree of wetness of the grazing or property.     

The influence of various types and frequencies of rest on the production and condition of sourveld grazed by sheep or cattle. 2. Vigour

Treatments involving a full growing season rest in alternate years, half a growing season rest (late season) in alternate years and no rest were applied to veld grazed by sheep or cattle at similar stocking rates. Residual effects of the treatments on veld vigour were determined by measuring species regrowth during the season following treatment application, compared to ungrazed controls. The vigour of veld grazed by sheep declined rapidly relative to veld grazed by cattle. The vigour of palatable species was severely impacted, vigour of intermediate species was variably impacted and vigour of unpalatable species increased dramatically on veld grazed by sheep. Similar trends occurred in veld grazed by cattle, but to a lesser degree. Resting was beneficial for vigour recovery in both sheep and cattle treatments but it seems that the grazing treatment between rests has an over-riding influence on veld vigour. The veld grazed by sheep remained at a lower productivity level than veld grazed by cattle. Principles related to resting and the impacts of sheep and cattle grazing are briefly discussed with a view to formulating management strategies.     

Tactical treatment with copper oxide wire particles and symptomatic levamisole treatment using the FAMACHA(©) system in indigenous goats in South Africa

Haemonchosis is considered to be the most economically important gastrointestinal disease of small ruminants in the tropics and subtropics. However, chemical anthelmintics, which were the mainstay of control, have been compromised by a high prevalence of resistance worldwide. Copper oxide wire particles (COWP) have been shown to have anthelmintic effects, but few studies have examined their use under field conditions. The use of COWP was therefore evaluated as a tactical anthelmintic treatment in indigenous goats raised under communal farming conditions in Bergville, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. At the beginning of the summer rainfall season (October 2007), the faecal egg counts of 172 female goats belonging to 15 farmers were determined and this sampling continued every four weeks until the second week of January 2008. The goats within each of the 15 herds were ranked according to their faecal egg counts for this week. The goats were sequentially paired off within each ranking starting with those goats with the highest counts. One goat from each pair was randomly allocated to a treated or control group. Two weeks later, a 4 g COWP bolus was randomly administered to each goat in the treated group. Faecal egg counts were carried out on the goats two weeks following treatment, and the sampling of the goats then proceeded every four weeks until October 2008. Except for the six-week period prior to the administration of the COWP, the goats were examined according to the FAMACHA^© system and symptomatically treated with 12 mg/kg levamisole when anaemic. The percentage reduction in faecal egg count due to the COWP treatment was 89.0%. Mean pre- and post-treatment faecal egg counts for the COWP-treated group (n = 73) were 2347 eggs per gram of faeces (epg) and 264 epg, respectively. The corresponding values for the untreated controls (n = 66) were 2652 epg and 2709 epg. The prevalence of Haemonchus spp. larvae in pre- and post-treatment faecal cultures was 72% and 46%, respectively. Symptomatic anthelmintic treatments in combination with mid-summer tactical treatments with COWP appear to be useful strategies for the control of Haemonchus contortus in indigenous goats in this farming system and this approach could have application in other similar agro-ecological zones.     

Effect of strategic gastrointestinal nematode control on faecal egg count in traditional West African cattle

This paper reports on the effect of strategic anthelmintic treatments and other determinants on faecal egg counts (FEC) of Trichostrongyles in N'Dama cattle of a west African village. Initially, 527 animals from 13 private N'Dama cattle herds were monitored in a longitudinal study from October 1989 to December 1994. Each herd was stratified by age and animals were sequentially allocated to two groups with similar age distributions. One group received a single anthelmintic treatment of fenbendazole (7.5 mg/kg BW), in October 1989 (n = 250), whereas the other group remained untreated (n = 277) throughout the study. In the next rainy season (June to October), the treated animals were treated twice (in July and September). The same treatment schedule was used in the subsequent rainy seasons until December 1994. Biannual anthelmintic treatments decreased the level of FEC between 31% (late dry season) and 57% (rainy season), when compared to untreated controls. The highest levels of FEC were found during the rainy season from June to October. FEC levels decreased until 4 years of age, after which they remained on a constant low level. The variability of returns to anthelmintic treatments between herds did not seem to be influenced by FEC at the herd level. The financial evaluation of anthelmintic interventions cannot be predicted from FEC and must necessarily rely on the direct monitoring of livestock productivity parameters.     

牦牛放牧率对小嵩草高寒草甸不同植物类群地上生物量生产率的影响

2年的牦牛放牧试验表明:除不同植物本身的生理特性外,降水和地温是影响小嵩草高寒草甸两季草场不同植物类群地上生物量绝对生长率的关键因素。小嵩草高寒草甸两季草场地上总生物量的绝对生长率1999年在7月份最大;1998年,冷季草场各放牧处理的绝对生长率在8月份达到最大,暖季草场的对照组和轻牧组在7月份最大,中牧组和重牧组在8月份最大。不同植物类群地上生物量生长率的变化不尽相同。1998年,冷季草场禾草和莎草地上生物量的绝对生长率8月份达到最大,暖季草场禾草和莎草地上生物量的绝对生长率7月份达到最大,且9月份出现了营养的再次积累;1999年,冷季草场禾草地上生物量的绝对生长率在6月份和8月份出现了两个峰值,暖季草场禾草地生物量的绝对生长率在7月份达到最大。对杂草类而言,1998年冷季草场的绝对生长率6月份最大,暖季草场重牧组的绝对生长率8月份达到最大,其他各处理7月份达到最大;1999年重牧组杂草的绝对生长率在6月份达到最大,其他各处理杂草在8月份达到最大。     

秸秆及生物炭还田对土壤有机碳及其活性组分的影响

以油菜/玉米轮作农田生态系统为研究对象,根据“等碳量还田”原则设置了常规施肥(CK)、秸秆还田(CS)、秸秆+速腐剂还田(CSD)、生物炭还田(BC)、秸秆+生物炭1∶1还田(CSBC)处理,采用田间试验方法,研究了秸秆与生物炭还田下土壤有机碳及其活性碳组分的变化,以期为秸秆和生物炭还田及紫色土培肥提供依据。结果表明: 1) 与对照(CK)相比,各处理均能显著增加土壤总有机碳含量,增幅为31.26%~107.82%,其中以BC处理最显著,达到107.82%,且BC、CSBC处理显著高于CS、CSD处理,生物炭更有利于土壤固碳。2)土壤各活性有机碳含量在油菜角果期和玉米灌浆期最高,除玉米季土壤可溶性碳外,各处理微生物量碳(MBC)、可溶性碳(DOC)和易氧化态碳(ROC)含量大小顺序均为:CSD>CS>CSBC>BC>CK处理,秸秆与生物炭还田各处理的MBC、DOC和ROC含量分别为125.53~172.02 mg·kg^-1、102.73~79.07 mg·kg^-1和2.00~6.01 g·kg^-1。3)秸秆和秸秆+速腐剂的微生物熵、DOC/SOC、ROC/SOC显著高于生物炭和秸秆+生物炭。与CK相比,CS和CSD处理显著提高了土壤ROC/SOC,而BC和CSBC处理却显著低于CK处理14.33%~18.38%。秸秆、秸秆+速腐剂还田能促进微生物可直接利用的活性碳转化,提高土壤有机碳活性,改善土壤生物肥力。生物炭还田尽管其微生物活性较低,但土壤有机碳稳定性较高,可以促进土壤固碳。     

高寒草甸茎直黄芪物候对模拟季节性不对称增温的响应

植物物候是植物为适应其生长环境而呈现的节律性变化,是气候变化的最敏感指示器之一.为了探讨高寒植物对其生长环境水热变化的响应特征和机制,本研究利用开顶式模拟增温装置进行增温,以茎直黄芪(Astraga-lusstrictus Grah.Ex Bunge)为研究对象,探讨其返青、枯黄物候和生长期长度对2016—2019年季...     

Antibody responses to natural Dictyocaulus viviparus exposure in first year grazing cattle using vaccination or different kinds of anthelmintic treatment.

In two field trials vaccination or different anthelmintic treatments against Dictyocaulus viviparus infections were used in 6 groups of first year grazing cattle. The antibody response to lungworm infections was determined using an ELISA. Cattle treated once or repeatedly at long intervals with levamisole developed clinical signs of dictyocaulosis. The detection of anti-D. viviparus antibodies at the end of the grazing season confirmed that these anthelmintic treatments were not able to prevent lungworm infections. Cattle that received strategically administered treatments with ivermectin remained clinically healthy. These cattle were seronegative until the end of the trial which proved the efficacy of the strategic control. Cattle that received an intraruminal slow release bolus did not develop clinical disease. However one animal shed lungworm larvae and the herd became seropositive at the end of the grazing season indicating a history of infection. The serological examination of a cattle herd at the end of the grazing season is able to demonstrate a history of lungworm infections and to determine the efficacy of anthelmintic control measures.     

模拟干旱对藏北高寒草甸植物物候期和生产力的影响

为探究生长季不同时期干旱事件对高寒草甸植物物候期和生产力的影响,采用截雨棚于藏北高寒草甸生长季前期和后期进行为期2年(2016-2017年)的截雨试验.结果表明:1)植物物候期对不同时期干旱处理响应不同,高寒草甸关键物种植物物候期对生长季前期干旱(SE)响应较为敏感,SE会导致植物返青期大幅推迟,生长季长度和繁殖期明显...     

不同放牧方式对荒漠草原土壤碳氮储量及固持的影响

研究放牧对草地碳氮储量及固持的影响对草地科学管理具有重要意义。以宁夏荒漠草原为对象,研究了封育、自由放牧和暖季轮牧下0～40 cm土壤有机碳和全氮储量及碳氮固持特征。结果表明：1)经过5年放牧,土壤碳氮含量暖季轮牧最高,分别为5.66±0.32 g·kg-1和0.32±0.01 g·kg^-1,自由放牧最低。随土层的加深,有机碳含量在暖季轮牧处理中增加,封育和自由放牧变化不显著;氮含量3种处理垂直变化均不显著。自由放牧碳氮比最高,达到26.98±1.05,暖季轮牧最低。0～40 cm土壤碳氮储量表现为暖季轮牧>封育>自由放牧。2)以封育为对照,碳氮固持量和固持速率呈暖季轮牧>封育>自由放牧。3)Pearson相关性分析表明,土壤碳氮储量、固持与地上生物量呈显著相关性(P<0.05);与物种多样性呈极显著正相关(P<0.01,P<0.001)。研究认为,从土壤碳氮储量及固持考虑,暖季轮牧的草地利用方式更有利于研究区荒漠草原碳汇能力提升和草地持续发展。     

氮素和水分添加对荒漠草原短花针茅氮磷特征的影响

植物氮(N),磷(P)含量特征为研究植物的养分利用状况提供了重要的手段.为判断草地生态系统植被限制性元素及对环境的适应策略,在短花针茅荒漠草原的自由放牧区进行了N和水分添加试验,研究在N和水分添加条件下优势植物短花针茅叶的N,P含量及其化学计量特征.通过对N添加,水添加和N水同时添加3个处理的测定表明,短花针茅通过提高叶N含量来增强对贫瘠生境的适应能力.N和水分是影响短花针茅N吸收的限制因子.短花针茅叶N,P含量及N:P对N添加和水添加的响应在成熟期较枯萎期敏感;N对成熟期叶的N,P含量,N:P以及枯萎期的N:P有显著影响,而水分仅对成熟期叶的N,P含量有影响.     

Performance and Economic Returns of Stocker Cattle on Tallgrass Prairie Under Different Grazing Management Strategies

A 4-yr study was conducted to determine performance of stocker calves on tallgrass prairie under three grazing management strategies. Pastures were assigned to one of three grazing treatments. Grazing was initiated in June, and pastures were grazed only during the summer months for 57 to 104 d (79.5 ± 20.7 d). Two of the pastures were grazed season-long. Calves in one of the season-long treatments were fed a protein supplement during the second half of the grazing season; calves in the other season-long treatment were not supplemented (control group). The third pasture, an intensive early stocking (IES) treatment, was grazed at twice the stocking rate used in the season-long pastures for the first half of the grazing season (40 ± 11 d) and rested for the second half (39.5 ± 10 d). Individual stocker performance during the first half of the summer was similar among grazing treatments. Providing supplemental protein during the second half of the grazing season increased BW gain by 30 kg/ha during the last 40 d of the 80-d grazing season and increased BW gain by 12 kg/ha for the entire summer. Over the summer, IES stocker calves produced 24% more gain/ha than season-long stocked calves. Nonetheless, IES management was not more profitable than season-long grazing with or without protein supplementation. Under short-term ownership of calves in the IES system, fixed costs represented a large portion of the total cost.     

Epidemiology of gastrointestinal nematodes in cattle on traditional, small-scale dairy and large-scale dairy farms in Iringa district, Tanzania

A longitudinal study was carried out to determine the prevalence, distribution and intensity of gastrointestinal (GI) nematodes in traditional, small-scale dairy and large-scale dairy cattle farms in Iringa district, Southern highlands of Tanzania. Coprological examination of cohorts for GI nematode eggs in faeces, tracer worm counts and pasture larval counts were performed monthly for 1 year. Results indicated that the type of management, especially the grazing habit has a significant influence on the prevalence and intensity of GI nematodes. The predominant nematodes were Cooperia spp. (51.6%), Oesophagostomum radiatum (35.7%) and Haemonchus placei (10.2%). The worm burden in tracers was mainly composed of Cooperia spp. (83%) in large-scale dairy farms, while O. radiatum was dominant (60.8%) in traditional farms. Faecal egg counts (FEC) and tracer worm counts were generally low and FEC peaked only in calves and weaners/yearlings. Adults and all age groups in small-scale dairy farms had very low FEC throughout the year. Pasture larval counts, FEC and tracer worm counts peaked towards the end of the rainy season. Based on conditions of the study area, farmers could save substantial amount of money through strategic treatments as opposed to the previous routine of treating the whole herd at least four times a year. Strategic treatments are recommended in calves and weaners only in traditional and large-scale dairy farms. Strategic treatment of adults and small-scale dairy cattle might be not necessary. Strategic treatments at the end of the rainy/early dry season (May/June) and at the end of the dry/early rainy season (November/December) are recommended in the district. An additional treatment against GI nematodes in calves during the mid rainy season (February/March) might be important.     

Strategic control of gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep in the highlands of central Kenya

The effectiveness of anthelmintic treatments given 3 weeks after the onset of rains to control gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep in the highlands of central Kenya was investigated. The study was carried out on a farm situated approximately 85 km north west of Nairobi in Nyandarua District of central Kenya. In May 1999, 35 Corriedale ram lambs aged between 8 and 10 months were eartagged, weighed and given albendazole at 3.8 mg/kg body mass. The animals were then allocated to three treatment groups. Three weeks after onset of both the short and long rains' season in November 1999 and April 2000 respectively, lambs in groups 1 and 2 were dewormed. Lambs in group 1 were given closantel at 10 mg/kg body mass in November and closantel plus albendazole at 3.8 mg/kg body mass in April. Lambs in group 2 were given albendazole at 3.8 mg/kg body mass on both occasions, while lambs in group 3 were maintained as the untreated controls. Nematode eggs per gram of faeces (epg) for lambs in the control group were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than in the treated groups beginning from November, when the strategic treatments started. The levels of epg did not differ significantly between the two treated groups. Body mass for the treated groups was significantly higher (P< 0.05) than for the control group from January 2000 until the experiment was terminated. The rainfall received in the study area in 2000 during the long rain season was inadequate and only occurred for a short period. The amount of herbage on pastures was therefore not adequate and all the study animals started losing mass from June 2000 until the experiment was terminated. The cumulative mass gain and amount of wool produced by the treated lambs during the study period did not differ significantly. There was therefore no difference in using either of the two drugs. It is concluded that, strategic anthelmintic treatments of sheep at the start of the wet season in the highlands of central Kenya is effective in controlling gastrointestinal nematodes. To prevent high levels of re-infection during the season of the long rains (April to June), it is recommended that, during this season, a second treatment be given 5-6 weeks after the first one or at the start of the dry season.     

Control of gastrointestinal nematodes in first season grazing calves by two strategic treatments with eprinomectin

A study was carried out to evaluate the effects of strategic early-season treatments with eprinomectin on first-season grazing calves exposed to strongyle infections on a naturally contaminated pasture. Two groups of first grazing season (FGS) calves were turned out in mid-May on two plots that were similar with respect to size and herbage infectivity. They grazed separately until housing at the end of October. One of these groups was given eprinomectin pour-on at turnout and 8 weeks later, while the other group served as untreated controls. The results showed that the treatments reduced gastrointestinal strongyle infections throughout the season as evidenced by lower faecal egg counts and serum pepsinogen levels compared with the controls. Furthermore, the results of herbage larval counts and postmortem worm counts in tracer animals demonstrated that the treatment had reduced herbage infectivity on the 'treated' plot. Finally, the chemoprophylactically treated calves had a better weight gain over the duration of the study than the untreated controls.     

Overberg research projects. VI. The biology and control of Oestrus ovis in sheep in the winter rainfall areas of the southern Cape

Oestrus ovis was endemic on all the farms included in a survey conducted in the southern Cape, but each farm had its own unique seasonal pattern of infestation. Flock sheep were infested 10-12 months and tracers 5-9 months of the year. Sporadic infestations occurred in winter and spring, while peaks were reached in summer and autumn. Development of O. ovis larvae deposited in autumn was retarded for up to 5 1/2 months. Pupae of O. ovis formed from 27 April-9 August, with the exception of a single pupae formed on 29 June, failed to produce flies. Pupal periods ranged from 30 days in January to 80 days in June. Strategic anthelmintic treatments in May, August and November and a tactical treatment in March are recommended.     

Extent of Stem Dieback in Trembling Aspen (Populus Tremuloides) as an Indicator of Time-since Simulated Browsing

Simulated browsing treatments were imposed on an important browse species of the North American moose (Alces alces L.) to see if the development and extent of subsequent stem dieback in trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) could be used to determine the time of browsing during the growing season. Two hundred naturally growing aspen saplings of similar size and form were randomly selected in a 20-ha area near the endowment lands of the University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, British Columbia, Canada. Plants were randomly assigned to treatment categories so that the apical meristems of 50 plants each were assigned to a control or were clipped on one of the following dates 6 weeks apart: 1 June, 16 July, and 30 August 2005. The leader of each aspen was clipped and dieback was left to progress until the onset of winter dormancy. Our results showed that the earlier the simulated browsing occurs in the growing season, the greater the length of stem dieback, up to the maximum of the subapical axillary node below the point of clipping. The average rate at which dieback progressed varied between treatments and decreased throughout the growing season. Our results suggest that the ratio of the actual length of stem dieback to the overall length of stem between the clip point and the subapical axillary node serves as a good indicator for estimating the time at which aspen meristems have been browsed during the growing season.     

短期增水对高寒草甸补播草地植被群落和土壤养分的影响

为探究全球气候变化导致的青藏高原降雨增加对退化补播草地植被群落和土壤养分变化产生的影响,本试验依据当地植被生长季（5-9月）多年平均降水量对人工草地设置了5种增水处理,即增水6.25%（W1）,12.5%（W2）,25%（W3）,50%（W4）以及不增水（CK）来研究不同增水对植被和土壤的影响。结果表明：短期增水可以有效增加高寒草甸生长季植被地上生物量和盖度,增水50%处理下生物量增产最高,可达200%;增水显著提高生长季初期（6月）植被物种丰富度指数,但对Shannon-Wiener指数、Simpson指数和Pielou指数的影响较小;不同增水处理下土壤微生物碳、土壤有效磷、土壤铵态氮、硝态氮等速效养分差异显著,增水量较多（W3,W4）处理下微生物碳含量较高。增水对土壤有机质、全氮、全磷含量有一定影响,但与对照处理差异不显著。可见,在高寒草甸进行短期增水处理可以显著提高植被生物量和盖度,在50%的增水处理下影响最为明显,各梯度增水处理对不同土壤养分类型的影响不一,但总体上促进了土壤养分的累积。