Herbage intake of dairy cows in mixed sequential grazing with breeding ewes as followers

This study aimed to evaluate the hypothesis that mixed sequential grazing of dairy cows and breeding ewes is beneficial. During the seasons of spring–summer 2013 and autumn–winter 2013–2014, 12 (spring–summer) and 16 (autumn–winter) Holstein Friesian cows and 24 gestating (spring–summer) and lactating (autumn–winter) Pelibuey ewes grazed on six (spring–summer) and nine (autumn–winter) paddocks of alfalfa and orchard grass mixed pastures. The treatments “single species cow grazing” (CowG) and “mixed sequential grazing with ewes as followers of cows” (MixG) were evaluated, under a completely randomized design with two replicates per paddock. Herbage mass on offer (HO) and residual herbage mass (RH) were estimated by cutting samples. The estimate of herbage intake (HI) of cows was based on the use of internal and external markers; the apparent HI of ewes was calculated as the difference between HO (RH of cows) and RH. Even though HO was higher in CowG, the HI of cows was higher in MixG during spring–summer and similar in both treatments during autumn–winter, implying that in MixG the effects on the cows HI of higher alfalfa proportion and herbage accumulation rate evolving from lower residual herbage mass in the previous cycle counteracted that of a higher HO in CowG. The HI of ewes was sufficient to enable satisfactory performance as breeding ewes. Thus, the benefits of mixed sequential grazing arose from higher herbage accumulation, positive changes in botanical composition, and the achievement of sheep production without negative effects on the herbage intake of cows.     

Virulence traits of avian pathogenic (APEC) and fecal (AFEC) <Emphasis Type="Italic">E. coli</Emphasis> isolated from broiler chickens in Algeria

Avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) is the etiologic agent of avian colibacillosis, the most common disease responsible for chicken morbidity in the world. Although multiple virulence-associated factors were identified, their prevalence in Algeria is still poorly known. In the present research, 92 avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) isolates were recovered from broilers with clinical signs and lesions of colibacillosis. In addition, 32 E. coli isolates collected from feces of healthy birds (AFEC) were included for comparison. All isolates were investigated by PCR for the presence of a total of 11 virulence-associated genes described for avian pathogenic (iroN, ompT, hlyF, iss, iutA, and fimC) and diarrheagenic E. coli (eae, stx, elt/est, ipaH, and aggR). The sensitivity of 39 APEC isolates to 16 antibiotics was also determined using antimicrobial pretreated microplates. Here, we report that 98% of the examined isolates host at least one of the tested virulence factors. The most prevalent genes in APEC were iutA (90.6%), ompT (86.9%), and iss (85.8%); whereas, iutA (78.1%), fimC (78.1%), and iroN (68.7%) were the highest prevalent genes in AFEC. Our data showed that none of the AFEC isolates harbor any of the tested diarrheagenic genes. Moreover, only elt/est (5.4%), stx (2.1%), and ipaH (2.1%) genes were carried by APEC isolates. We further established that ceftazodime, ceftiofur, mequindox, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, and meropenem were the most efficient antibiotics against the analyzed APEC isolates. Overall, our findings provide more insights about APEC and AFEC virulence potential in Algeria which could participate in the fight against colibacillosis.     

Feeding behavior of feedlot lambs fed diets containing levels of cassava wastewater

In this study, we evaluated the effects of including cassava wastewater in the diet on the feeding behavior of feedlot lambs in 35 male uncastrated Santa Inês × Dorper crossbred lambs at an approximate age of 3 months, with an average live weight of 20.0?±?3.4 kg. Diets were formulated with hay of cassava shoots (roughage) and a concentrate based on corn and soybean, with a roughage:concentrate ratio of 50:50, plus inclusion of cassava wastewater at the levels of 0, 12, 24, 36, or 48 g/kg of the total diet. Feeding behavior was evaluated between the 46th and 52nd days of the experiment. Increasing cassava wastewater levels in the diet reduced (P?<?0.05) the intakes (kg/day) of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber as well as the efficiency of rumination (g/cud and g/h) of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber. The other behavioral parameters were not affected by wastewater inclusion in the diet. Therefore, the inclusion of up to 48 g/kg of cassava wastewater on fresh matter of diets is not recommended for feedlot lambs.     

Prevalence and risk factors of mycobacterial infections in farm and trade cattle in southwestern Nigeria

We evaluated the prevalence of mycobacterial infections (i.e., Mycobacterium bovis and non-tuberculous mycobacteria [NTM]) and their associated risk factors among cattle herds and trade cattle in southwestern Nigeria. Through cross-sectional study design, cattle herds from three locations were screened using the single intradermal comparative cervical tuberculin test based on two diagnostic standards; more than 4 mm (? 4 mm) and more than 2 mm (? 2 mm) cut-off points. Abattoir study involved screening trade cattle for tuberculous lesions. Overall, 515 cattle from 45 herds were screened. Using >?4 mm, animal level and herd prevalence of 11.7 and 46.7% were recorded, respectively. Applying the ? 2 mm cut-off, animal level and herd prevalence increased to 31.1 and 60.0%, respectively. Significantly, using the ? 2 mm cut-off, cattle in medium size herds/extensive management system (OR?=?1.6; 95% CI 1.1–2.5) and Sokoto Gudali (OR?=?2.3; 95% CI 1.4–3.8) were more at risk of being positive reactors, while Rahaji (OR?=?0.3; 95% CI 0.1–0.7) breeds of cattle and cows in the peri-urban area (OR?=?0.4; 95% CI 0.2–0.9) were less at risk of being positive reactors. Again, M. avium reactor of 21.7% was observed. In the abattoir, 1797 cattle were examined with 126 lesions suggestive of tuberculosis (TB). Culture/molecular analyses confirmed 2.2% M. bovis and 0.9% NTM infections. Risk factors associated with bovine TB among trade cattle were sex (OR?=?4.0; 95% CI 1.2–13.5) and age (OR?=?0.3; 95% CI 0.1–0.9). We confirm 11.7% prevalence of mycobacterial infections among populations of cattle screened with breed and herd size being major risk factors.     

乙烯利对干旱胁迫下草地早熟禾生理指标的影响

以草地早熟禾(Poa pratensis)‘Nuglade'品种为试验材料,研究叶片喷施乙烯利对草地早熟禾在水分充足、干旱及复水恢复3种处理下叶片电解质渗透率、叶绿素、可溶性蛋白、丙二醛(MDA)等生理指标的影响。结果表明,乙烯利与对照组(CK)相比,乙烯利在干旱胁迫下保持更高的叶片相对含水量23.5%(对照为11.5%)和更低的电解质渗透率68.1%(对照为90.7%)及MDA含量53.90μmol·g~(-1)(对照检查131.62μmol·g~(-1)),且复水后的电解质渗透率恢复程度更好;此外乙烯利处理提高了复水恢复过程草地早熟禾的可溶性蛋白含量;说明,叶片喷施乙烯利能够缓解草地早熟禾的干旱胁迫损伤,并促进干旱后的复水恢复。     

呼伦贝尔草原土壤和植物矿物元素分布特征

为了解呼伦贝尔草原土壤和植物中矿物元素的分布特点,指导草原畜牧业健康发展,对呼伦贝尔草原不同地区草地进行了调查取样和分析。结果表明,呼伦贝尔草原土壤中矿物元素含量由多到少分别为Fe、Na、Ca、K、Mg、Mn、P、Zn、V、Cr、B、Ni、Cu、Co和Sn,其中Ca的变异性最强,K的变异性最弱;植物中矿物元素含量由多到少分别为Ca、K、Mg、P、Fe、Na、Sn、Mn、Cr、B、Zn、Ni、Cu、V和Co,其中Na的变异性最强,Ni的变异性最弱。植物中Co的含量能满足家畜的营养需要,Mg、P、K、Mn和Cu的含量只能满足或部分满足家畜基本生长发育的需要,Na和Zn的含量无法满足家畜的需要,而植物中Fe的含量对家畜可能是过量的。放牧和割草利用对草地土壤中矿物元素的含量没有显著影响(P0.05),但放牧显著提高了植物中P、Fe、Na、V、Co、Mn、Cu、Zn和Cr的浓度(P0.05)。在呼伦贝尔草原上常见的20种植物中,Ca在蓬子菜(Galium verum)中含量最高,在芨芨草(Achnatherum splendens)中含量最低;Mg在披针叶黄华(Thermopsis lanceolate)中含量最高,在针茅(Stipa capillata)中含量最低;Mn在二裂委陵菜(Potentilla bifurca)中含量最高,在马蔺(Iris ensata)中含量最低;Zn在针茅中含量最高,在披针叶黄华中含量最低。针对家畜营养需求,采用适宜的草地利用方式、牧草品种和矿物元素补饲措施,有利于维持呼伦贝尔草原畜牧业可持续发展。     

过量使用抗倒酯对海滨雀稗草坪生长的影响

抗倒酯(Trinexapac-ethyl,TE)具有抑制草坪垂直生长,减少修剪频率的作用,近年来被广泛应用于高尔夫球场草坪,但常常因为过量使用而造成草坪伤害。为此,本研究分别对3种抗倒酯类产品(P、M、N)设置常规浓度(1mL·L~(-1))、中高浓度(1.5mL·L~(-1))、特高浓度(2mL·L~(-1))、超高浓度(10mL·L~(-1)),通过比较其对海滨雀稗(Paspalum vaginatum)草坪草屑量、生物量、颜色、密度、生长速度的影响,为抗倒酯产品的合理使用提供参考依据。结果表明,与清水对照相比,产品P、M、N在常规浓度下,草屑量分别下降70.0%、78.5%、80.0%,生长速度分别下降66.0%、51.5%、53.6%;超高浓度下,草屑量分别下降82.2%、87.8%、81.3%,生长速度分别下降71.1%、72.2%、83.6%,浓度越高下降幅度越大,但不同浓度处理间差异不显著(P0.05)。不同浓度处理对生物量影响也不显著。P、M、N这3种产品超高浓度处理使草坪草颜色分别从常规浓度处理的7.9、7.9、8.0分下降到7.3、7.2、7.2分,使草坪草密度分别从常规浓度处理的8.1、8.1、8.2分下降到7.5、7.4、7.4分。综合分析得出,在1 mL·L~(-1)常规浓度下,产品P对草坪生长速度抑制最强,且对草屑量、草坪颜色和密度影响较小,调控效果最好。过量使用抗倒酯不仅抑制效果不再明显,还会降低草坪质量。     

内蒙古羊屠宰场致泻性大肠杆菌和沙门氏菌污染状况分析

为了解内蒙古地区羊屠宰场各屠宰环节致泻性大肠杆菌和沙门氏菌的携带情况,评估是否存在污染风险,选取不同规模屠宰场,用棉拭子法分别采集不同屠宰环节样品349份,36 h内进行试验;应用PCR方法分离鉴定病原菌,对鉴定为致泻性大肠杆菌的分离株进行16S r DNA测序并构建系统发育树。结果显示:从刚宰杀的羊胴体表面和环境中共分离到致泻性大肠杆菌12株,其中11株携带毒力基因elt,1株携带毒力基因eae和elt;大中型屠宰场(1.21%)的致泻性大肠杆菌阳性率低于小型屠宰场(5.43%),不同规模屠宰场的预冷间均未检出致泻性大肠杆菌和沙门氏菌;从屠宰环境中分离出1株携带inv A基因的沙门氏菌,阳性率为0.29%;经高压冲洗和排酸预冷等屠宰工艺后,在羊胴体表面均未发现致泻性大肠杆菌和沙门氏菌。     

检疫犬基地建设与发展策略探讨

检疫犬应用技术作为一种特殊的检验检疫手段,目前已被30多个国家或地区应用于检验检疫领域。许多国家或地区已建有自己的国家级工作犬训练基地。近年来,由于出入境业务量的迅速增长,我国对检疫犬数量的需求逐年攀升,明确要建成2个国家级检疫犬繁殖训养中心。检疫犬基地作为培养检疫犬的重要场所,其基地面积、位置规划、人力资源、种犬储备、幼犬来源等的科学合理规划,对保证其可持续发展具有重要意义。检疫犬基地的可持续发展,需要准确定位功能需求,搞好种犬繁育,统筹储备人力资源,建设生态环保基地,挖掘和利用社会资源,以及拓展其它功能建设,从而做到行业引领。     

一起销售劣兽药案的查处与思考

云南省德宏州动物卫生监督所通过抽检发现,辖区内某兽药经营服务部涉嫌销售劣兽药。经该县农业局立案调查,认定当事人违法事实清楚,证据充分,根据《兽药管理条例》规定,依法给予了行政处罚。本文重点介绍了案件来源、调查过程、处理情况等执法内容。分析了案件定性、执法主体适格、自由裁量权应用、保护当事人合法权益等问题,以期为同类案件查处提供参考。