Associations between dairy herd management factors and bulk tank milk antibody levels against Ostertagia ostertagi

A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was performed on dairy herds in Flanders (Belgium) to detect management factors that are associated with an increased gastrointestinal parasite infection level of adult dairy cows. At the end of the grazing season, information concerning general herd factors, pasture management and anthelmintic treatment strategy was obtained from 956 herds. A bulk tank milk sample was obtained from 779 out of the 956 herds and the antibody levels (ODR) against Ostertagia ostertagi were determined. The associations between ODR and herd management factors were studied by two linear regression models. The first model evaluated the effect of general herd factors and the level of the cows' exposure to pasture. Large sized herds had significantly lower ODRs as compared to medium (P=0.001) or small sized herds (P=0.03). Herds with only dairy cows had lower ODRs than herds with both dairy and beef cows (P=0.02). An increased exposure to pasture of the cows was associated with higher ODRs (P<0.001). The second model was built to evaluate the effect of pasture management factors and anthelmintic treatment strategy. Later turn-out on pasture (P<0.001) and mowing (P=0.002) were both significantly associated with lower ODRs. Cows that had a restricted grazing time per day tended to have lower ODR than cows that grazed 24 h per day (P=0.07). An increased exposure to pasture of the heifers was significantly associated with higher ODRs (P=0.001). No associations were found between ODR and calf related management factors, anthelmintic treatment strategy, time of turn-in, rotational grazing type or stocking rate. Later turn-out on pasture, mowing and restricting the grazing time per day are factors that can be applied immediately on dairy farms to reduce economical losses due to gastrointestinal nematodes.     

Characterization of the in vitro adhesion of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae to swine alveolar epithelial cells

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae biovar 1 serotypes 2, 5a, 9 and 10 strains were tested for their ability to adhere to alveolar epithelial cells in culture. For the serotypes 5a, 9 and 10 strains, optimal adherence was observed after growth of bacterial cells in a NAD-restricted medium (0.001% NAD). This condition was also associated with the expression of a 55 kDa outer membrane protein (OMP) and of fimbriae. For the serotype 2 strain, adherence and expression of fimbriae and a 55 kDa OMP was less influenced by the growth conditions. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the 55 kDa OMP had no homology with any known sequence, suggesting that it is an as yet unknown protein. Adherence capabilities were significantly reduced following treatment of the bacteria with proteolytic enzymes or heat. These findings suggest that proteins are involved in adhesion. The hydrophobic bond-breaking agent tetramethylurea was unable to inhibit the adherence of A. pleuropneumoniae to alveolar epithelial cells. Treatment of the bacteria with sodium metaperiodate resulted in lower adhesion scores for the serotypes 2 and 9 strains but the inhibition of adhesion was clearly lower than after treatment with proteolytic enzymes. This indicates that, besides proteins, carbohydrates might also be involved in adhesion of A. pleuropneumoniae to alveolar epithelial cells. The finding that inhibition of adhesion was very high when bacteria were treated with a combination of sodium metaperiodate and pronase also suggests that more than one adhesin is involved.     

Breed differences in the pharmacokinetics of ivermectin administered subcutaneously to Holstein and Belgian Blue calves

Belgian Blue (BB) cattle are very sensitive to mange caused by Psoroptes ovis and, in contrast to the case in Holstein cattle, single treatments with ivermectin do not result in complete elimination of the parasite. The objective of the present study was to determine the concentration of ivermectin in plasma, skin and hair following subcutaneous administration to Holstein and BB calves and to assess the influence of breed on drug pharmacokinetics and availability. Two groups of six healthy female Holstein and BB calves were treated with ivermectin (SC formulation) at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg. Blood, skin and hair were collected before treatment and up to 21 days after treatment. Ivermectin was analyzed in plasma and tissue by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The peak concentrations (Cmax), time-peak concentrations (Tmax), the area under the plasma concentration-time curves (AUC) and the mean residence time (MRT) were determined. The patterns of plasma and tissue ivermectin concentrations were similar in the two breeds of animals, however, the AUC and Cmax levels for plasma and skin were significantly higher in the BB calves. In hair, ivermectin was detected later than in plasma and skin, with the Tmax ranging between 4 days (Holstein group) and 6 days (BB group). The possible reasons for the significantly higher levels in plasma and skin in BB calves compared to Holstein calves are discussed.     

Soil Monitoring System as a Basic Tool for Protection of Soils and Sustainable Land Use in Slovakia

The purpose of soil monitoring system in Slovakia is better to protect the soils with regard to sustainable land use. The main objective is the observation of soil properties concerning the main threats to soil： soil contamination, salinisation and sodification, decline in soil organic matter （SOM）, soil compaction and erosion. Soil monitoring system in Slovakia is consistently running since 1993. Its importance consists of providing the information on changing spatial and temporal variations of soil parameters as well as the evolution of soil quality in topsoil and subsoil. Soil monitoring network in Slovakia is constructed using ecological principles, taking into account all main soil types and subtypes, SOM, climatic regions, emission regions, polluted and non-polluted regions as well as various land use. The results of soil monitoring of 318 sites on agricultural land in Slovakia have been presented. Soil properties are evaluated according to the main threats to soil relating to European Commission recommendation for European soil monitoring performance as follows： soil contamination, soil salinization and sodification, decline in SOM, soil compaction and erosion. The most significant change has been determined in physical properties of soils. The physical degradation was especially manifested in compacted and the eroded soils. About 50% of agricultural land is potentially affected by soil erosion in Slovakia. In addition, decline in SOM and available nutrients indicate the serious facts on evaluation and extension of soil degradation processes during the last period in Slovakia. Obtained measured data and required outputs are reported to Joint Research Centre （JRC） in lspra （Italy） and European Environmental Agency （EEA） in Copenhagen （Denmark）. Finally, soil monitoring system thus becomes a basic tool for protection of soils and sustainable land use as well as for the creation of legislatives not only in Slovakia, but in EU, too.     

Seasonal Surface Drainage of Sloping Farmland: A Review of Its Hydrogeomorphic Impacts

The combination of runoff‐generating areas (saturated soils) and overland flow concentration in features such as drainage ditches makes sloping farmland vulnerable to soil erosion. The establishment of drainage ditches aims at draining the excess of water from the farmland, particularly in areas where soils are saturated in the rainy season. The hydrogeomorphic impacts on the farmland itself and on downstream areas need however also to be studied. Off site, downstream problems comprise higher peak discharges, leading to gully initiation, an increase in sediment load, and flooding problems. On‐site problems such as the development of the drainage ditches into (ephemeral) gullies are less documented, although they may be important, as illustrated in the Lake Tana Basin (Ethiopia). The similarities and interactions between ephemeral gully channels and drainage ditches have to be considered to better understand all effects of drainage. Drainage ditches are a potential source of conflict between farmers with different interests and power, as well as between upstream and downstream users. A case study on drainage ditches on sloping farmlands in the Lake Tana Basin showed that nine out of ten catchments had drainage densities by ditches ranging from 53 to 510 m ha⁻¹. Drainage ditches were constructed with an average top width of 27 (±9) cm. A significant correlation was found between stone bund density (physical conservation structures) and ditch drainage density (R = −0·72), in line with the Ethiopian government's ban on drainage ditches in farmlands where stone bunds have been constructed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Module to Calculate Primary Particulate Matter Emissions and Abatement Measures in Europe

Primary particulate matter is emitted directly into the atmosphere from various anthropogenic and natural sources such as power plants (combustion of fossil fuels) or forest fires. Secondary particles are formed by transformation of SO₂, NO_x, NH₃, and VOC in the atmosphere. They both contribute to ambient particulate matter concentrations, which may have adverse effects on human health. Health hazards are caused by small particulate size, high number of especially fine (< 2.5 µm) and ultra-fine (< 0.1 µm) particles and/or their chemical composition. As part of an integrated assessment model developed at IIASA, a module on primary particulate matter (PM) emissions has been added to the existing SO₂, NO_x, NH₃ and VOC sections. The module considers so far primary emissions of total suspended particles (TSP), PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 from aggregated stationary and mobile sources. A primary PM emission database has been established. Country specific emission factors for stationary sources have been calculated within the module using the ash content of solid fuels.     

A minimum data set for soil quality assessment of wheat and maize cropping in the highlands of Mexico

The objective was to establish a minimum soil quality dataset for a long-term tillage, residue management and rotation trial for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) production systems. Based on this soil quality evaluation, sustainable management practices could be selected for transferring technologies to farmers in the region. A long-term experiment was conducted with 16 different crop management practices varying in: (1) rotation (continuous maize or wheat and both phases of the rotation of maize and wheat), (2) tillage (conventional and zero) and (3) crop residue management (full retention or removal for fodder). Superior soil quality was considered to represent the maintenance of high productivity without significant soil or environmental degradation. The pertinent, minimum soil quality data set included the following physical indicators: time-to-pond, aggregate stability, permanent wilting point, and topsoil penetration resistance. Chemical indicators were: soil C, N, K and Zn concentrations, measured in the 0–5 cm topsoil and C, N concentration in 5–20 cm. Multivariate analysis grouped the treatments into clusters: (1) zero tillage with retention of residue, (2) zero tillage with residue removal and (3) conventional tillage. Zero tillage combined with crop residue retention improved chemical and physical conditions of the soil. In contrast, zero tillage with removal of residues, led to high accumulation of Mn in the topsoil, low aggregate stability, high penetration resistance, surface slaking resulting in low time-to-pond values and high runoff. Finally, soil quality under conventional tillage was intermediate (irrespective of residue management), especially reflected in the physical status of the soil. The results provide a strong justification to promote zero tillage technology combined with appropriate residue management to farmers in the volcanic highlands of Central Mexico and other similar regions. The minimum data set and associated tools for careful monitoring and observation, will be essential for evaluating soil quality in farmer's fields.     

Identification of radical scavengers in sweet grass (Hierochloe odorata)

Extracts from aerial parts of sweet grass (Hierochloe odorata) were active DPPH free radical scavengers. The active compounds were detected in extract fractions using HPLC with on-line radical scavenging detection. After multistep fractionation of the extract, two new natural products possessing radical scavenging activity were isolated, and their structures were elucidated by NMR and MS. They were identified as 5,8-dihydroxybenzopyranone and 5-hydroxy-8-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-benzopyranone. Activities of the compounds isolated were tested by DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging assays, and compared with the known natural antioxidant rosmarinic acid and Trolox.     

Tree Injection in the Management of Horse-Chestnut Leaf Miner. Cameraria ohridella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae)

Insect and disease problems often occur suddenly, and frequently represent a crisis that demands immediate attention. There are some problems with tree health care because application of sprays to shade trees in urban areas requires specialized, expensive equipment. Microinjection is a type of trunk injection where small amounts of therapeutic chemicals are introduced directly into a tree without any contact with the environment. We applied microinjection technology by using VIVID^®II (Tree Tech Microinjection Systems, Morriston, FL, USA) insecticide to solve the problem with horse-chestnut leaf miner (Cameraria ohridella Deschka et Dimic) on horse chestnut tree (Aesculus hippocastanum L.) in urban greenery in Slovakia. In 2006 were treated 230 host trees in 12 localities, 337 trees in 15 localities were treated in 2007. Mean efficiency of control measures was above 95%. The presence of insecticide residues were analyzed in pollen. 0.145 mg/kg of residues was detected in pollen one day after treatment. It decreased rapidly 8 days after treatment and 16 days after treatment was not detectable. In spite of these results the treatment after blossom is recommended.