Milk replacers for the neonatal calf

A rather long list of broad generalizations exist regarding milk replacers for calves. At least two more general statements should be added to that list. Most broad generalizations regarding milk replacers should be applied cautiously; and if young calves (less than 2 to 3 weeks) are to be fed milk substitutes, the products should be of high quality. Our primary goal in feeding baby calves should be health oriented--that is, not to pre-dispose to or cause diarrhea through diet. This means using milk-source ingredients in milk substitutes targeted for young calves. The preponderance of data presented in this article underscores that statement. Milk replacers containing nonmilk sources of major nutrients are better fed to older calves.     

Acute Reactions in Dogs Treated with Doxorubicin: Increased Frequency with the Use of a Generic Formulation

During a 4-month period, 34 dogs with tumors received a total of 60 doses of a single generic formulation of doxorubicin; 13 acute drug reactions were observed in these 34 dogs, and no acute reactions were observed after replacing the product with the proprietary brand. These reactions were characterized by one or more of the following signs: pruritus; head-shaking; urticaria; erythema of the pinnal, axillary, or inguinal regions; vocalization; vomiting; hyperemic or pale mucous membranes; high heart rate; and high respiratory rate. We propose that a component unique to generic doxorubicin was responsible for the unusually high number of acute drug reactions observed.     

Effects of oil of cloves and citronellol, two commercially available repellents, against the webbing clothes mothTineola bisselliella Hum. (Lepidoptera: Tineidae)

Tineola bisselliella is a common pest on natural fabrics of economic importance. Two commercially available repellents for use against adult webbing clothes moths were tested for their efficacy in dual- and no-choice bioassays. Oil of cloves and citral in combination, as well as citronellol scented with oil of lavender showed promising repellent effects for 4 weeks when applied in small compartments of a wardrobe. Although the repellent efficacy was not 100% under the conditions tested, the usage of essential oils in combination with other infestation prevention techniques is discussed.

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Zusammenfassung Die KleidermotteTineola bisselliella Hum. ist einer der wirtschaftlich bedeutenden tierischen Wollzerstörer. Auch Pelze, Felle, Polsterhaare und Federn werden von dem weit verbreiteten Kleinschmetterling aus der Familie der Tineidae befallen. In der Praxis gilt es vor allem Kleidungsstücke, die z. B. saisonbedingt für längere Zeit ungenutzt in einem Kleiderschrank aufbewahrt werden, vor dem Befall durch die Kleidermotte zu schützen. Hierfür stehen dem Verbraucher neben den konventionellen Bekämpfungsmitteln mit den Wirkstoffen Kampfer, Naphthalin und Paradichlorbenzol sowie pyrethrum- und pyrethroidhaltige Mittel auch Präparate zur Verfügung, die auf die repellierende Wirkung von ätherischen Ölen zurückgreifen. Die abstoßende Wirkung von Nelkenöl in Kombination mit Citral und von Citronellol parfümiert mit Lavendelöl auf die Falter der Kleidermotte wurde auf vergleichbare Eigenschaften untersucht. In Wahlversuchen wurden deutliche Repellent-Wirkungen der Mottenschutz-Präparate sichtbar. Die Präparate zeigten gute Wirkungen, wenn sie zum Schutz gegen den Zuflug von Kleidermotten an wollhaltigen Stoffen in kleinen Kompartimenten eines Kleiderschrankes ausgelegt waren. Auch in Zwangsversuchen hatte dieser Befund zum Teil Bestand. Bei längeren Versuchszeiten wurden allerdings verstärkt Fraßschäden durch Larven an den Wollstoffen festgestellt. Dies ist darauf zurückzuführen, daß Mottenweibchen nicht mehr in dem Maße repelliert wurden und ihre Eier an den Stoffen ablegten.

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This article reports the results of research only. Mention of a proprietary product or pesticide does not constitute an endorsement or a recommendation for its use by the Federal Biological Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry or by the USDA-ARS.     

Grazing and fertilizer management for establishment of Lotus uliginosus and Trifolium subterraneum under Pinus radiata in southern Chile

An experiment was conducted in southern Chile to study the effect of tree cover (0 or 200 stems of 13-year-old Pinus radiate/ha), grazing severity (8 or 12 cm height at commencement of grazing by sheep) and fertilizer application rate (low or high) on the establishment and growth of Lotus uliginosus and Trifolium subterraneum, when sown in conjunction with Festuca arundinacea. The establishment of both legumes was greater in the agroforestry than the open field, and the percentage of viable seeds that were established was greater for Trifolium than Lotus. Festuca established better when sown in conjunction with Lotus in the open field. During the two years after stand establishment there was a greater reduction in the ground cover and dry matter (DM) yield of both legumes, but in particular Trifolium, in the agroforestry than in the open field. In the second year of grazing Trifolium contributed less than 9% of total DM yield in the agroforestry, compared with 22% for Lotus. The ground cover of Lotus was increased by a tall grazing height in the agroforestry, whereas Trifolium increased its cover when the grazing height was short. Additional fertilizer at establishment had a greater effect in increasing herbage yield in the open field than in agroforestry. It is concluded that both Lotus and Trifolium establishments are greater in agroforestry than in an open field, but that in agroforestry there is a reduction in legume yield over time, particularly of Trifolium. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Time series diagnosis of tree hydraulic characteristics

An in vivo method for diagnosing hydraulic characteristics of branches and whole trees is described. The method imposes short-lived perturbations of transpiration and traces the propagation of the hydraulic response through trees. The water uptake response contains the integrated signature of hydraulic resistance and capacitance within trees. The method produces large signal to noise ratios for analysis, but does not cause damage or destruction to tree stems or branches. Based on results with two conifer tree species, we show that the method allows for the simple parameterization of bulk hydraulic resistance and capacitance of trees. Bulk tree parameterization of resistance and capacitance predicted the overall diel shape of water uptake, but did not predict the overshoot water uptake response in trees to shorter-term variations in transpiration, created by step changes in transpiration rate. Stomatal dynamics likely complicated the use of simple resistance-capacitance models of tree water transport on these short time scales. The results provide insight into dominant hydraulic and physiological factors controlling tree water flux on varying time scales, and allow for the practical assessment of necessary tree hydraulic model complexity in relation to the time step of soil- vegetation-atmosphere transport models.     

Cryopreservation of Piau‐Breed Wild Boar Sperm: Assessment of Cooling Curves and Centrifugation Regimes

This study aimed to assess the effects of different cooling curves and centrifugation regimes used in cryopreservation protocols on the post‐thaw viability of Piau‐breed wild boar (Sus scrofa) sperm using in vitro assessment tests. Two centrifugations (800  g for 10 min and 2400  g for 3 min) and two cooling curves (conventional cooling using nitrogen vapour – freezing 1 and automated cooling using a programmed freezing machine – freezing 2) were tested. Therefore, the treatments were divided into M3 – centrifugation at 2400  g for 3 min and freezing 2; M10 – centrifugation at 800  g for 10 min and freezing 2; R3 – centrifugation at 2400  g for 3 min and freezing 1; and R10 – centrifugation at 800  g for 10 min and freezing 1. No significant differences (p > 0.05) between treatments occurred post‐thawing regarding the total sperm motility means recorded. The mean values of the different treatments were not different from each other regarding the supravital staining (SV), hypo‐osmotic test (HO), sperm–egg binding assay or sperm morphology. This study showed that both the cooling curve and the centrifugation regime affected the quality of post‐thaw sperm, and centrifugation for shorter times and cooling curves using automated cooling are the most suitable for minimizing sperm injury.     

Methyl bromide fumigation and delayed mortality: safe trade of live pests?

Journal of Pest Science - Live organisms intercepted from treated commodities during phytosanitary inspections usually arouse suspicions of treatment failure, sub-standard treatment application, or...     

Aquaculture and the environment: the supply of and demand for environmental goods and services by Asian aquaculture and the implications for sustainability

The present paper explores the relationships between aquaculture and the environment In Asia, focusing on the demands for environmental goods and services among different sectors. Aquaculture in the region accounts for 88% of global production by weight and 80% by value. Nevertheless, environmental problems are increasingly apparent and the higher the demands for environmental goods and services, the more negative the impacts. Against a background of rapid social, economic and political change, the paper considers how the sustainability of the industry is best assured. An integrated view of resource use, in which aquaculture is but one activity, is necessary for sustainable development. The roles of planning, education, research and environmental management schemes are discussed.     

Integrated shrimp-mangrove farming systems in the Mekong delta of Vietnam

In recent years, mangroves have been seriously threatened by shrimp culture development in the Mekong delta of Vietnam. As one way of protecting the mangroves, efforts have been made to develop shrimp-mangrove integrated farming systems through State Forestry Fisheries Enterprises (SFFEs), involving a participatory approach. The present study investigated the shrimp-mangrove farming systems in Ngoc Hien district at the southern tip of the Mekong delta through a detailed farm-level survey, including technical, environmental, social and economic factors. A total of 161 shrimp-mangrove farms on the east and west coasts of Ngoc Hien district were surveyed. The results showed that on the East coast of the delta, the pH of the bottom soil, the water alkalinity, gate width ratio (ratio of gate width to pond area), pond age and mangrove density, and flooding level of ‘flat’ (flat is where the mangroves are planted) in the dry and rainy seasons were significantly correlated with shrimp pond yields. On the west coast, the pH of the bottom soil, dissolved inorganic phosphorus, ditch area, and flooding level of ‘flat’ were found to be significantly correlated with shrimp pond yields. An economic analysis, based solely on the economic returns from shrimp culture showed that the farming systems with a mangrove coverage of 30-50% of the pond area gave the highest annual economic returns. The results demonstrate a better economic return to farmers who maintain mangroves in their farming systems.