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.     

犊牛魏氏梭菌的分离鉴定及致病性研究

2017年1月,山东省某规模化奶牛场10～20日龄犊牛出现腹泻、拉血便、呼吸困难等症状,部分犊牛突然死亡。通过流行病学调查和尸体剖检,初步怀疑为魏氏梭菌感染。采集病料进行病理组织学检查、细菌分离鉴定、生化试验、16S及毒素基因检测等,证明疫情由A型魏氏梭菌所致。对死亡犊牛的肠内容物及分离菌株进行致病性研究,发现肠内容物及分离菌株具有较强的致病性。药敏试验结果显示,该菌对青霉素、头孢噻呋、恩诺沙星等表现极敏感。根据病原确诊情况及药敏试验结果,指导临床用药,及时控制了牛场疫情。     

农业科研院校科技档案信息化管理体系在科研绩效评价中的作用

简述农业科研院校科技档案的内涵及作用,分析农业科研院校科技档案管理存在的问题,提出构建农业科研院校科技档案信息化管理体系的建议。     

Symbiotic N<Subscript>2</Subscript> fixation and nitrate utilisation in irrigated lucerne (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Medicago sativa</Emphasis>) systems

Symbiotic N₂ fixation by lucerne (Medicago sativa) has capacity to provide significant inputs of N to agro-ecosystems, and the species has also been shown to scavenge soil mineral N and thus act as a sink for excess reactive N. The balance between these two N cycle processes was investigated in an extensive irrigated lucerne growing region where nitrate contamination of groundwater has been reported. We sampled 18 permanent pure lucerne stands under irrigation for standing dry matter, total shoot N, and N₂ fixation using ¹⁵N natural abundance along with activity of the inducible enzyme nitrate reductase as indicators of use of soil NO₃⁻ by lucerne. On average 65% of lucerne N was obtained from symbiotic N₂ fixation. Converting standing dry matter estimates to annual N₂ fixation amounts we calculated average N₂ fixation of 311 kg N/ha, including N in roots and nodules. Uptake of N from soil by lucerne was calculated to be 181 kg N/ha/year. We were not able to identify the source of this soil mineral N, although nitrate reductase activity of lucerne was higher than that of non-N₂ fixing species examined.     

不同施肥处理对青萝卜产量和品质的影响

以"绿翡翠"青萝卜为试材,采用田间试验方法,研究了不同施肥处理对青萝卜肉质根长度和粗度、叶绿素含量、净光合速率、产量、品质及经济效益指标的影响,以期筛选出冀西北坝上地区青萝卜生产中适宜的施肥量.结果 表明:各施肥处理均能促进青萝卜根的生长,但以处理3、处理4的效果更明显;收获时,处理3、处理4的根鲜质量明显高于CK,二者的根干质量较CK分别增加了25.67％、24.75％,叶绿素含量和净光合速率较CK分别提高了12.64％、11.68％和16.23％、12.59％,二者之间没有显著差异.处理4的生物产量、经济产量和经济效益较CK分别提高了15.00％、15.74％和20.31％;以处理4的维生素C、可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白质含量最高,较CK分别提高了16.20％,27.27％和6.98％,处理4肉质根中亚硝酸盐含量则较CK降低了22.26％;处理3的经济产量、经济效益略高于处理4,二者差异也不明显.综上,在冀西北坝上地区青萝卜生产中,处理4能够达到促进青萝卜生长、增强光合作用、提高青萝卜产量和经济效益、改善青萝卜品质的目的 ,因此,处理4是适合冀西北坝上地区青萝卜的施肥方案.     

不同保水处理下苏丹草光合特性研究

为了研究矿区生态修复过程中植物对不同保水措施的生理响应,以常用修复植物苏丹草为研究对象,利用CIRAS-2型(PP-Systems)光合仪测定苏丹草的光合指标,探讨高温下苏丹草对不同保水措施的生理响应,以期为矿区生态修复中的保水措施提供理论依据。结果表明：不同保水处理下苏丹草的光合速率Pn和瞬间水分利用效率WUE日变化均呈“W”型曲线,蒸腾速率Tr日变化呈“M”型曲线。苏丹草的Pn有“午休”现象存在,主要受非气孔因素的影响。影响苏丹草Pn、Tr的主要环境因子为大气CO₂浓度Ca、大气温度Tc、大气相对湿度RH。在土壤上覆盖火烧石和添加粉煤灰均显著增大了苏丹草的Pn和WUE,增强了苏丹草适应高温环境的能力。从Pn的指标来看,土壤表面覆盖火烧石处理比土壤中添加粉煤灰处理的效果好,但两者同时作用效果略低于单独用火烧石处理,原因有待进一步研究。