Spatial and temporal patterns of pig herds diagnosed with Postweaning Multisystemic Wasting Syndrome (PMWS) during the first two years of its occurrence in Denmark

The clinical syndrome Postweaning Multisystemic Wasting Syndrome (PMWS) in pigs has emerged globally during the last decade. In October 2001, the first pig herd diagnosed with PMWS was reported in Denmark, and since then the number of herds diagnosed with PMWS has increased markedly. The etiology of PMWS is not well understood, but increased knowledge of the causal factors is prerequisite for applying preventive interventions. In this study we described the temporal (time of diagnosis), spatial (location of herds) and spatio-temporal pattern of Danish pig herds diagnosed with PMWS during the first two years after the first herd was diagnosed, and we tested for spatial and spatio-temporal clustering using scan statistics. The study population consisted of pig herds that during the study period (October 2001-September 2003) performed diagnostic submissions to the two major veterinary diagnostic laboratories in Denmark (6724 herds). Of these, 277 herds were diagnosed with PMWS. Two statistically significant spatial clusters of herds diagnosed with PMWS were identified. These clusters included 11% and 8% of the study herds, respectively. Within these two clusters the relative risk for a herd to be diagnosed with PMWS was twice as high as expected. One statistically significant spatio-temporal cluster was identified between February and May 2002. We discuss different hypotheses that could explain why pig herds diagnosed with PMWS were clustered both spatially and spatio-temporally, and conclude that the results support the hypothesis that PMWS is caused by introduction of a new, unidentified, pathogen into the Danish pig production.     

Seroprevalence of Dictyocaulus viviparus in first grazing season calves in Sweden

A serological survey was carried out to determine the prevalence and geographical distribution of Dictyocaulus viviparus in calves after their first grazing season in Sweden. A total of 754 animals from 76 randomly selected herds in seven geographical regions were examined between September 24 and December 19, 2001. To get an indication about the geographical distribution of the infection 41 herds with beef-suckler calves were investigated. On each farm, blood was collected from 8 to 10 animals after an average of 26 +/- 24 days post-housing to determine specific IgG1 levels against a possible lungworm sperm antigen that is highly specific against patent infections of D. viviparus. We also investigated the seroprevalence of lungworm infection in relation to cattle management. In one region additional samples were analysed from 35 herds either with: (a) beef-suckling calves that were dewormed at housing, (b) untreated organically raised dairy calves, and finally from conventionally raised dairy calves either, (c) with or, (d) without a prophylactic anthelmintic treatment programme against gastrointestinal parasites on pasture. A questionnaire was used to obtain information about herd size and management, including measures to control nematode parasites on the farm. A total of 86 (11.8%) out of 754 animals had antibodies against D. viviparus, and at least one infected individual was detected in 30 (39.5%) of the 76 herds examined. Lungworm infected animals were found throughout the country and there was no significant differences between regions, although in southern and southwestern Sweden 70.0% of the herds were infected. Furthermore, there were no major differences in the seroprevalence in relation to management. Between 40.0 and 44.4% of the herds were infected irrespective of management, with the exception of calves from organic herds where no seropositive samples were found (0%). This result is in contrast to previous findings of lungworms in Sweden, and indicates that the parasite status on organic farms is diverse.     

Influence of vitamin E on organic matter fermentation,ruminal protein and fatty acid metabolism,protozoa concentrations and transfer of fatty acids

Vitamin E (Vit. E) is discussed to influence ruminal biohydrogenation. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of a Vit. E supplementation on rumen fermentation characteristics, ruminal microbial protein synthesis as well as ruminal organic matter fermentation. Furthermore, we aimed to investigate the influence of Vit. E supplementation on short‐chain fatty acids (SCFA) and protozoa concentrations in the rumen and, in addition, on transfer rates of middle‐chain and long‐chain fatty acids into the duodenum in lactating dairy cows. Eight rumen and duodenum fistulated German Holstein cows were assigned to either a group receiving 2,327 IU/d Vit. E (138.6 IU/kg DM DL‐α‐tocopherylacetate; n = 4) or a control group (23.1 IU/kg DM; n = 4). Neither ruminal protein synthesis nor organic matter fermentation was influenced by treatment. Vit. E did not act on the concentrations of short‐chain fatty acids and protozoa in rumen fluid. Duodenal flow of C13:0 (1.3 versus 0.2 g/d, p = 0.014) and iso‐C14:0 (1.0 versus 0.5 g/d, p = 0.050) was higher in the Vit. E group. We observed a trend for higher duodenal flows for C12:0 (1.6 versus 0.9 g/d, p = 0.095) and anteiso‐C15:0 (12.2 versus 8.9 g/d, p = 0.084). Transfer rate of C12:0 tended to be higher in the Vit. E group (125.61 versus 73.96, p = 0.082). No other transfer rates were affected by treatment. Further studies are necessary to investigate the influence of Vit. E on rumen microbiota and their fatty acid production as well as on the impact of different doses of Vit. E supplementation on variables of protein synthesis efficiency.     

Vegetation Responses to Fixed Stocking Densities in Highly Variable Montane Pastures in the Chinese Altay

Variability in aboveground herbaceous biomass and its quality were studied in response to three different stocking densities during a 2-yr grazing experiment with sheep on a montane summer pasture in the Chinese Altay. We determined herbaceous cover and aboveground biomass in 16 paddocks of 0.25 ha each. Vegetation cover showed high spatial variation, prompting us to implement a randomized block design. Forage intake of one male sheep per paddock was quantified four times per grazing season by collection of total feces and estimation of diet digestibility. Sheep weight was recorded every 3 wk. Aboveground herbaceous dry mass (DM) was characterized by pronounced annual variation. Biomass quality declined with progressing season and increasing sheep density. Daily organic matter intake per sheep ranged from 0.7 to 1.4 kg, which was paralleled by a biomass removal of 710 ? 1 560 kg DM/ha at densities of 8 ? 24 sheep/ha. At 8 sheep/ha, animals gained weight throughout each grazing period, whereas weight losses of 40 ? 100 g/d occurred at higher densities. These results challenge the presently followed concept of a fixed stocking density for summer pastures in Altay Prefecture, Xinjian, China. Such practice may result in low herbage allowances and thus deficient sheep nutrition in one year, as well as underutilization of forage resources in another. Flexible adjustment of stocking densities is also advisable for montane pastures where spatiotemporal variability, although less pronounced than in desert steppes of the Altay foothills, is nonetheless highly relevant.     

Phenology of the Blackcurrant Leaf Midge ( Dasineura tetensi ) in Northern Sweden

The phenology of the black currant leaf midge Dasineura tetensi was studied for 4 years in Umea § in the north of Sweden. At least two generations per annum were recorded. Oviposition by the first generation started at the beginning of June, a few days before the beginning of the flowering period of black currant. Measured as accumulated day-degrees, it started at 44-69 day-degrees, using air temperatures, a threshold temperature of 7°;C and the first date when the surface of the soil was free from snow as the starting date for day-degree accumulation. A forecasting model, using air temperatures and a logistic function based on developmental rates of a Norwegian population, predicted the time of oviposition with fairly good accuracy. The temperature requirements for the development of the studied Swedish population appeared to be lower than those reported for an English population of D. tetensi. Oviposition by the second generation started at approximately 250-300 day-degrees.     

Establishment of Hybrid Arctic Bramble under Field Conditions

The effect of different factors on plant diameter and yield in hybrid arctic bramble (Rubus arcticus nothosubsp. stellarcticus) was examined in two field experiments with a factorial design. The studied factors included planting time (August, September, May or June), plant type (bare-rooted or potted plants) and ground cover (no ground cover or mulching with a dark plastic film). Development of bare-rooted and potted plants did not differ when transplanted in the autumn and in May. Potted plants developed better than bare-rooted plants when transplanted in June. In one year, plants transplanted in May developed best, while in another, plants transplanted in the autumn developed best. Mulching with a dark plastic film improved plant development. The rate of vegetative development during the first growth season was reflected in the yields in both the first and the second harvest year; the greater the plant diameter after the first growth season, the higher the yield.     

Ozonated water electrolytically generated by diamond-coated electrodes controlled phytonematodes in replanted soil

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Phytonematodes cause severe yield losses in horticulture, partly because they are difficult to manage. Compact, energy-efficient generators that...