Anthelmintic resistance in Australian sheep nematode populations

SUMMARY The resistance status of gastro–intestinal nematodes to anthelmintics was evaluated on 881 sheep farms throughout Australia during 1991–92. Resistance was shown to be widespread. Overall, 85% of farms had sheep infected with nematodes resistant to benzimidazole, 65% to levamisole and 34% to combination (benzimidazole + levamisole) products. Resistance to ivermectin was not detcted. On only 9% of farms did all anthelmintic groups reduce egg counts by greater than or equal to 95%. The culture of faeces from untreated sheep showed Telodorsagia circumcincta, Trichostrongylus spp, Chabertia ovina and Haemonchus contortus to be the principal species. The nature and prevalence of resistance was not significantly correlated with stocking rate. However, resistance to combination products was almost twice as prevalent on farms in areas with an average annual rainfall of greater than 500 mm.     

后备小母牛限饲的可行性

<正>因为要在佛罗里达反刍动物营养讨论会上做一个题为《小母牛限饲方案》的报告,笔者查阅了大量的相关文献,对此有了较深的认识,本文是该报告的梗概。过去的40年里,生长小母牛的饲养方案经历了多个阶段     

Endometrial gene expression in primiparous dairy cows at the end of the voluntary waiting period is affected by nutrition: Total mixed ration vs increasing levels of herbage allowance

The study postulated that differential nutritional management during the early lactation period would be reflected in endometrial expression of genes related to embryo growth at the end of the voluntary waiting period. Thus, the effect of the combined use of total mixed ration (TMR) and grazing under different herbage allowances during the first 75 days post‐partum (DPP) on endometrial gene expression was evaluated in primiparous dairy cows. Cows were blocked by body weight, age and body condition score and randomly assigned to three grazing treatments: high (HA, 30 kg DM per cow per day), medium (MA, 15 kg DM per cow per day) and low (LA, 7.5 kg DM per cow per day) herbage allowance (mixed pasture, 2,600 kg DM per ha) plus 8 kg DM of supplement or TMR (55% forage, 45% concentrate) fed ad libitum (TMR) from calving to 75 DPP. At 57 DPP, cows were synchronized for oestrus (day 0, 68 DPP) and at day 7, endometrial biopsies were obtained. The nutritional treatment did not affect insulin, IGF‐1 and leptin concentrations on days 0, 4 or 7. Expression of IGF1, IGFBP3, IGFBP4, ADIPOR1 and ADIPOR2 mRNA was significantly affected by the nutritional treatment. Endometrial IGF1 and IGFBP4 mRNA were twofold greater in TMR and HA than MA and LA cows. Expression of IGFBP3 and ADIPOR1 mRNAs was greater in TMR and HA than MA cows, but did not differ from LA cows. All groups had greater expression of ADIPOR2 mRNA than MA cows. This study provided solid evidence of the importance of nutritional management during early lactation on uterine environment at the end of the voluntary waiting period. The greater expression of genes related to embryo growth and uterine function (IGF system, progesterone and adiponectin receptors) in cows fed diets maximizing energy intake suggests a favourable environment for embryonic growth, which may explain the improved reproductive performance of cows in good energy balance.     

Attitudes and practices of Queensland dairy farmers to the control of the cattle tick, Boophilus microplus

Objective To determine practices for the control of cattle ticks on dairy farms in Queensland, the attitudes of farmers to tick infestations and to identify opportunities for and barriers against the introduction of non-chemical methods of tick control.
Design A survey of 199 dairy farmers from tick-infested parts of Queensland was undertaken by 20 dairy advisers and stock inspectors from October 1996 to June 1997. The sample was a proportional, random selection of dairy farms from four regions. A personal interview was conducted with each farmer and answers to 134 questions were obtained.
Results and conclusions Most farmers were not concerned by cattle ticks on their own farms, although they believed that ticks are important to the dairy industry. They were most concerned about the development of chemical resistance by cattle ticks. Inadequate facilities and lack of motivation appeared to be the factors most limiting to improving the methods of control. Most farmers claimed to have only small numbers of ticks at worst. Although a control program recom mended by the Queensland Dairyfarmers' Organisation was well regarded by farmers, few had adopted it. Many farmers saw no need to implement a strategic control program.     

Effect of synchronization protocols on reproductive indices,progesterone profile and fertility under subtropical environmental conditions in repeat breeder Holstein cows

The objectives were to evaluate the reproductive indices and survival analysis of pregnancy outcomes in multiparous repeat breeder Holstein cows (n = 557). The cows were synchronized to ovulate by Ovsynch, new controlled internal drug release device (N‐CIDRsynch), and once‐used CIDR device (U‐CIDRsynch). The pregnancy per AI at 28 days post‐insemination (P/AI 28) in the N‐CIDRsynch group (28.75%) was significantly (COR = 1.49; p = 0.011) greater than that reported in the Ovsynch (23.46%) and U‐CIDRsynch (21.73%) groups. Furthermore, the pregnancy per AI at day 75 post‐insemination (P/AI 75) in the N‐CIDRsynch group was significantly greater than the Ovysync group (COR = 1.35; p = 0.050). The repeat breeder cows received a N‐CIDR device had a significantly higher progesterone level on day 2 and day 4 of CIDR insertion (1.38 and 1.67 ng/ml, respectively) than those received a U‐CIDR device or the control group (p = 0.012 and 0.001, respectively). The Cox regression model recorded significant associations for synchronization protocols, THI at the TAI and season of calving with the hazard of P/AI 28 and P/AI 75 (p = 0.044 and 0.046; 0.001 and 0.005; 0.003 and 0.001, respectively). Multiparous repeat breeder cows (>3) had a lower hazard ratio (HR) of P/AI 28 than that reported in the reference (2nd parity) group (HR = 0.74, p = 0.050). The repeat breeder cows inseminated at 76–80 and >80 temperature‐humidity index (THI) had significantly lower HR of P/AI 28 than those inseminated at the baseline (<70) THI value (HR = 0.73 and 0.30, p = 0.036 and 0.001, respectively). The current results indicate that the use of N‐CIDR synch protocol may achieve satisfactory pregnancy outcomes in repeat breeder cows.     

The influence of citrus rootstocks on the relationship between the mite Brevipalpus phoenicis and citrus leprosis disease

BACKGROUND: Leprosis is one of the most serious citrus plant diseases. Leprosis‐affected plants, especially sweet orange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck], which is the most widely cultivated citrus fruit worldwide, show reduced photosynthetic capacity and severe defoliation. The aim was to evaluate the relationship between the Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes) vector mite and citrus leprosis disease in Pera sweet orange plants grafted on different rootstocks. Data were analysed using numerical classification and conventional statistical analysis (ANOVA). RESULTS: Both viruliferous and non‐viruliferous B. phoenicis populations increased in number on plants maintained at low soil water content. Among the evaluated rootstocks, Sunki mandarin proved least favourable for mite population increase. Furthermore, the viruliferous mite population increased more rapidly than the non‐viruliferous mite population. CONCLUSION: The Cleopatra rootstock showed low variability in leaf nitrogen content, low mite number and low leprosis severity, thereby producing the most favourable results. Under appropriate moisture conditions, the Sunki rootstock produced the best results, showing the least severe leprosis. Rangpur lime rootstock grown in soil with varying water content showed the greatest variation in foliar nitrogen content, mite number and severity of leprosis and is considered to be the most difficult rootstock to manage. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry