An analysis of age and body weight at first calving for Holsteins in the United States

In a national survey of US dairy producers, only 2.7 ± 0.5% of Holstein dairy operations reported achieving recommended target ranges of age ≤ 24 months and body weight (BW) ≥ 550 kg at first calving. Allowing for wider target ranges, still only 14.6 ± 1.3% of Holstein dairy operations reported achieving age ≤ 25 months and BW ≥ 544.3 kg at first calving. Ages of individual first-calf heifers observed at calving were heavily skewed toward older individuals. Dairy producers reported an average age at first calving that was 1.3 months lower than the mean and 1.0 months lower than median age of first-calf heifers' observed calving on the operations. Stepwise logistic regression was used to identify the herd characteristics associated with producers reporting first calvings within the wider age and BW target ranges for Holsteins. Rolling herd average milk production ≥ 7711 kg/yr, using a computer for recordkeeping, and not tying preweaned heifers in a barn with cows, were associated with achieving the target BW and age at first calving.     

Control of heifer mastitis by nutrition

Nutritional factors that are linked to mastitis in the mature dairy cow can be associated with mastitis in the first lactation cow as well. However, there may also be risk factors unique to the heifer due to differences in feeding management during rearing or pre-calving. Literature was reviewed to summarize current knowledge regarding links between heifer nutrition and mastitis with the potential to identify areas for future research. The preponderance of data relating nutrition and bovine mastitis involves selected micronutrients. Selenium and vitamin E enhance phagocytic activity and have been associated with decreased clinical mastitis risk. Copper has antioxidant functions and can reduce clinical mastitis in heifers. Zinc is implicated in maintaining the epithelial barriers to infection, but reports vary as to its role in udder health. Vitamin A and beta-carotene aid in maintaining the health of mucosal surfaces, and beta-carotene may also have antioxidant properties. Supplementation with vitamin A and beta-carotene has produced inconsistent results. Vitamin and mineral requirements of dairy heifers are generally influenced by growth rate and body weight relative to mature size, though little specific data is available. From a management standpoint, heifer rations should be supplemented where necessary, and a pre-fresh heifer diet is critical to assure that first lactation animals have adequate stores of minerals and vitamins. Adequate stores are necessary for transfer into colostrum by calving. Additional studies using field data and controlled studies are needed to further define the role of nutrition in animal health and in affecting specific mastitis-causing organisms.     

Structure–activity relationships of eugenol derivatives against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae

BACKGROUND: Dengue fever is a severe public health problem for several countries. In order to find effective larvicides to aid control programs, the structure‐activity relationships of eugenol derivatives against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae were evaluated. Additionally, the composition and larvicidal activity of Syzygium aromaticum essential oil was assessed. RESULTS: Four compounds representing 99.05% of S. aromaticum essential oil have been identified. The essential oil was active against Ae. aegypti larvae (LC₅₀ = 62.3 and 77.0 ppm, field‐collected and Rockefeller larvae respectively). The larvicidal activity of eugenol, the major compound of the essential oil, was further evaluated (LC₅₀ = 93.3 and 71.9 ppm, field‐collected and Rockefeller larvae respectively). The larvicidal activity and structure‐activity relationships of synthetic derivatives of eugenol were also assessed. The larvicidal activity of the derivatives varied between 62.3 and 1614.9 ppm. Oxidation of eugenol allylic bond to a primary alcohol and removal of the phenolic proton resulted in decreased potency. However, oxidation of the same double bond in 1‐benzoate‐2‐methoxy‐4‐(2‐propen‐1‐yl)‐phenol resulted in increased potency. CONCLUSION: Structural characteristics were identified that may contribute to the understanding of the larvicidal activity of phenylpropanoids. The present approach may help future work in the search for larvicidal compounds. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Gehalte von Baumwurzeln an chemischen Elementen einschließlich Schwermetallen aus Luftverunreinigungen

Concentrations of chemical elements in tree roots including heavy metals from air pollution Total concentrations of P, S, Na, K, Mg, Ca, Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were measured in roots from beech, spruce, ash, maple and a forest herb (Mercurialis perennis). The root samples were taken from a site with an acid soil type (Saure Braunerde) and from a site with calcareous soil (Rendzina). All elements except Mn, Zn and Pb (on acid soils) and Ca (on calcareous soils) showed higher concentrations in finest roots (<1 mm diameter) compared to fine roots (1–2 mm). In the case of the toxic heavy metals, this is interpreted as a consequence of reduced root uptake due to physiological processes or to organic complexing, followed by an accumulation at the root surface. Compared with aboveground plant parts, roots show accumulation of Al, Pb, Cd and Zn, indicating reduced translocation from roots to shoots. Roots from acid soil show higher concentrations of P, Mn, and Pb than in calcareous soil. The concentrations of Al and heavy metals in the roots are considered to be a consequence of the contamination of the investigated forest sites by long-range transported air pollutants, i.e. acid precipitation and deposition of heavy metals.     

The Impact of Organic Biofertilizer Application in Dairy Cattle Manure on the Chemical Properties of the Soil and the Growth and Nutritional Status of Urochroa Grass

The management of nitrogen (N) fertilization in pasture has great importance for yield and maintenance of Brazilian livestock. The objective of this study was to evaluate soil chemical attributes, shoot dry weight yield (SDWY) and roots dry weight yield (RDWY), nutritional status and nutritive value of Mulato II Urochloa grass that received organic biofertilizer rates as N source. The treatments were arranged in completely randomized blocks, were fertilized with six organic biofertilizer rates (0, 25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 m³ ha^?1) and five replicates during four harvest cycles. There was a quadratic response in the accumulated SDWY for up to a rate of 400 m³ ha^?1 and RDWY with 330 m³ ha^?1 of organic biofertilizer. The organic biofertilizer influenced the soil chemical attributes and foliar nutrient concentration. However, only the crude protein content presented a quadratic response, and neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber levels were not affected by the influence of organic biofertilizer applied to the soil.     

Plant age and levels of resistance to green leafhopper, Nephotettix virescens (Distant), and tungro virus in rice varieties

The level of resistance of rice varieties IR5 to IR46 to the green leafhopper, Nephotettix virescens (Distant) (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) was evaluated on the basis of the seedling bulk test, insect survival and population growth. Results of the seedling bulk test indicated that two varieties were susceptible, 10 moderately resistant and seven resistant. IR22 and IR46 were susceptible and IR24, IR28, IR29, IR30 and IR34 were resistant. Insect survival and population growth differed significantly among varieties of the same age and at different plant ages within the same variety. Generally, insect survival decreased with plant age, being lower at 45 and 60 days after sowing (DAS) than at either 15 or 30 DAS. Population growth on resistant varieties was low at the three plant ages tested. A rating system which takes all three tests into consideration showed that sister lines IR28, IR29 and IR34, which all have the variety Gam Pai as one of the resistant parents, were the most resistant to N. virescens. In addition, only a small percentage of these plants were infected with tungro virus, of which N. virescens is the main vector.     

Genetic analysis of resistance to whitebacked planthopper, Sogatella furcifera (Horvath), in some rice varieties

For genetic analysis of resistance to the whitebacked planthopper, Sogatella furcifera (Horvath) (Homoptera: Delphacidae), in 13 rice varieties, seedlings at the one-leaf stage were artificially infested in the greenhouse with second; and third-instar nymphs of this planthopper. Reactions of the seedlings were recorded 7–10 days after infestation when the susceptible check (control variety) TN1 was completely killed. The reactions of the F₁, F₂, and F₃ populations from the crosses of resistant varieties with TN1 revealed that single dominant genes condition resistance in the varieties Sinnanayam, ARC 13349, MGL 1, Sukhwel 20, Bam 3, Hornamawee, Senawee, A1, T1432, W128, and Chuvanna Kumbolum. The resistance in NP130 and CI-5662-2 was conditioned by two independent dominant genes. The allelic relationships of the latter genes for resistance in the test varieties to resistance genes Wbph 1 and Wbph 2 were determined. Reactions of the F₂ and F₃ progenies from the crosses of test varieties with IR13475-7-3-2 which is homozygous for Wbph 1, and with IR30659-2-165, which is homozygous for Wbph 2, showed that the resistance genes in Sukhwel 20, Senawee, T1432, and W128 are allelic to Wbph 1. The resistance genes in Sinnanayam, ARC 13349, MGL 1, Bam 3, A1, and Chuvanna Kumbolum are allelic to Wbph 2. The two independent dominant genes for resistance in NP130 and CI-5662-2 are Wpbh 1 and Wbph 2. However, there is a single dominant gene for resistance in Hornamawee which is independent and non-allelic to Wbph 1 and Wpbh 2.     

水稻品种抗褐稻虱的改进筛选法及其应用

介绍了鉴定水稻抗褐稻虱的改良苗期集团筛选法（MSST）,该方法可有效地鉴别中抗品种,同时可在室内进行,用虫量邵,方法简便。采用MSST方法对国际水稻研究所收集保存的部分水稻种质进行了筛选鉴定。     

Characterization of the trade in manta and devil ray gill plates in China and South‐east Asia through trader surveys

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Arthropod populations and rice yields in direct-seeded and transplanted lowland rice in West Africa

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