Monensin controlled-release intraruminal capsule for control of bloat in pastured dairy cows

Monensin, a polyether ionophore antibiotic, is potentially an important agent for bloat relief in dairy cows grazing temperate legume-based pasture. A series of studies was undertaken to determine the effect of monensin, when delivered continuously in the rumen of lactating dairy cows by means of controlled-release capsules (monensin CRC). Such devices release approximately 300 mg/head/day for 100 d. A short-term pilot study made at Ruakura, New Zealand, tested monensin CRC in cows selected for high susceptibility to bloat and grazing lucerne (Medicago sativa) or red clover (Trifolium pratense). Treatment significantly reduced the incidence of bloat, while milk yield and protein yield were increased. There was no effect on fat yield. Following the pilot study, 6 large-scale field experiments involving a total of 368 lactating dairy cows, were made in Australia and New Zealand to confirm the effectiveness of monensin CRC for bloat control and to measure the effect of such treatment on milk production and composition. A severe bloat problem occurred in 2 experiments, mild bloat occurred in 2 others, while no visual signs of bloat were observed in the remaining 2 experiments. Bloat was significantly (P less than 0.05) reduced by monensin CRC treatment when data was pooled over the 4 experiments in which bloat occurred. Daily milk yield was increased in all experiments from a mean of 17.7 in untreated groups to 18.8 kg/head/day (P less than 0.05) in monensin CRC-treated cows. Protein percentage was not affected by treatment, while there was a decrease from 4.29 to 4.10% fat, although total fat yield was not affected.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Organic zinc and copper supplementation on antioxidant protective mechanism and their correlation with sperm functional characteristics in goats

Trace minerals feeding had significant effects on sperm production and fertility with better absorption and proper utilization within the body for optimum reproductive function. Several studies have shown that more influenced trace elements in the diets of animals are copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn). Bucks showing deficiency of this mineral might affect the quality of semen production which in turn would affect the fertility. This experiment was thus designed to test the effects of organic Cu and Zn supplementation on antioxidants enzyme activities and sperm functional attributes in fresh semen of bucks. Forty bucks (n = 40, Aged 5 months) were assigned to ten groups of four animals in each group, supplemented (for a period of 8 months) with different levels of organic Zn: 20 mg (T2), 40 mg (T3) and 60 mg (T4), organic Cu: 12.5 mg (T5), 25 mg (T6), 37.5 mg (T7) and combined organic Zn and Cu: 20 + 12.5 mg (T8), 40 + 25 mg (T9), 60 + 37.5 mg (T10), respectively, per kg dry matter and no additional mineral diet (control; T1). One hundred and sixty semen samples were collected through electro‐ejaculator and analysed for sperm quantity, quality, acrosome intactness and plasma membrane integrity and correlated with the catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase enzyme activities in seminal plasma. The results indicated organic Cu and zinc supplemented bucks produced more sperm cells, had higher sperm concentrations, maintained higher (p < .01) sperm livability, plasma membrane and acrosome integrities, more motility and velocity. The increased antioxidant enzyme activities, reduced oxidative stress and lowered lipid peroxidation were positively correlated (p < .05) with the sperm functional attributes. In conclusion, organic Cu and Zn supplement to male goats showed protective roles against oxidative damage and maintained better fresh semen characteristics.     

Impact of molybdenum on the copper status of red deer (Cervus elaphus)

AIM: To determine the effect of increasing molybdenum (Mo) intakes on serum and liver copper (Cu) concentrations and growth rates of grazing red deer (Cervus elaphus).

METHODS: Molybdenum- and Cu-amended fertilisers were applied to six 1.1-ha paddocks in a 3 × 2 design. Three levels of Mo were applied on two paddocks at each level in mid April (designated Day 1); levels were: none (control), 0.5 (medium) and 1.0 (high) kg Mo/ha as sodium molybdate. In late May (Day 39), two levels of Cu (none and 3.0 kg Cu/ha, as copper sulphate) were applied to each of the three levels of Mo-treated paddocks. Pasture Mo, Cu and sulphur (S) concentrations were measured at about fortnightly intervals. In late June (Day 74), ten 6-month-old red deer hinds were placed on the six experimental pastures, and serum and liver Cu concentrations were monitored at about monthly intervals for 102 days. The hinds were weighed on four occasions during the trial.

RESULTS: Mean pasture Mo concentrations on Day 56 were 2, 4.6 and 11.3 mg/kg dry matter (DM) for the untreated control, medium and high Mo-treated pastures, respectively. Pasture Cu concentration was 95 mg/kg DM on Day 59, 53 mg/kg DM on Day 90, and 9 mg/kg DM by Day 153. Mean S concentration in pasture was 3.3 (range 3.03–3.45) g/kg DM. Copper application to pasture had no significant effect on serum and liver Cu concentrations in deer so data were pooled within Mo treatment. Mean initial (Day 74) serum Cu concentration was 9.2 µmol/L. In the deer grazing the control Mo pasture, this increased to 10.3 µmol/L on Day 112, before decreasing to 6.4 µmol/L on Day 176. In deer grazing the medium and high Mo-treated pastures, mean serum Cu concentrations were 3.8 and 3.9 µmol/L, respectively, on Day 112, and 2.5 and 3.3 µmol/L, respectively, on Day 176. Mean initial (Day 74) liver Cu concentration was 131 µmol/kg fresh tissue. In the deer grazing the control Mo pasture, this declined to 120 and 52 µmol/kg on Days 112 and Day 176, respectively. In deer grazing the medium and high Motreated pastures, liver Cu concentrations decreased to 55 and 52 µmol/kg fresh tissue, respectively, on Day 112, and 21 and 20 µmol/kg fresh tissue, respectively, on Day 176. Mean serum and liver Cu concentrations were not significantly different between deer grazing the medium and high Mo-treated pastures, and were lower (serum p=0.003, liver p<0.001) in those groups than in deer grazing the untreated control pastures. No clinical signs of Cu deficiency associated with lameness were observed. Deer grazing pastures that had Mo concentrations >10 mg/kg DM had lower (p=0.002) growth rates (100 vs 130 g/day) than those on pastures containing <2.4 mg Mo/kg DM.

CONCLUSION: Increasing pasture Mo concentrations from 2 mg/kg DM to ≥4.6 mg/kg DM significantly reduced serum and liver Cu concentrations in grazing deer. Reduced growth rate was observed at pasture Mo concentrations >10 mg/kg DM.     

Demography and control of Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten. in relation to grazing

Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten. is a serious biennial alien weed only in pasture land in Australia. To identify reasons for such preferential infestation and to isolate sensitive stages in the life history of C. vulgare, comparative demographic analyses were conducted in grazed, ungrazed and herbicide-treated Mediterranean-like pastures in south-eastern Australia. Grazing by sheep (i) reduced competition from neighbouring plants, (ii) increased C. vulgare growth, flowering and seed (achene) production, and (iii) promoted survival of C. vulgare seedlings. The most sensitive period in the life of C. vulgare appears to be the transition from the seedling to rosette life stages where, for example, an average survival rate of only 0.2 and 1.0% occurred in ungrazed and grazed pastures, respectively. In contrast, 10 and 15% of seeds successfully emerge on average as seedlings, and 49 and 51% of rosettes successfully develop into adult plants. Control of C. vulgare with dicamba was most effective just after initiation of autumn rainfall. This time corresponds to the period of naturally high seedling mortality in C. vulgare induced by competition from neighbouring plants. Démographie de Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten. et sa maîtrise par rapport au pâturage Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten. est une mauvaise herbe bisannuelle en Australie, d'origine étrangère, mais elle n'est importante que dans les pâtures. Dans le but de déterminer les raisons de cette préférence et d'établier les stades sensibles dans le cycle de C. vulgare, des analyses démographiques ont été entreprises au sud-est de l'Australie dans des pâtures de type méditerranéen. Le pâturage des moutons a diminué la concurrence des plantes voisines, rendu plus importantes la croissance de C. vulgare ainsi que sa floraison et la production de graines (akènes) et favorisé la survie des jeunes plants adventices. Il parait que le stade le plus sensible de la vie de C. vulgare est la période de transition du stade jeune plant au stade rosette, où le taux moyen de survie était de 0,2% sans et 1% avec pâturage. Par contre, une levée de 10 et 15% des graines a été constatée et 49 et 51% des rosettes deviennent des plantes adultes. Le dicamba s'est montré le plus efficace contre C. vulgare en application juste après le commencement des pluies d'automne, époque d'une forte mortalité naturelle parmi les jeunes plants, provoquée par la concurrence des plantes voisines. Populationsdynamik und Bekämpfung von Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten. unter Bezug auf Beweidung Cirsium vulgare tritt in Australien nur in Weideland als wichtiges, zweijähriges, adventives Unkraut auf. Um Ursachen für die selektive Besiedelung von Grasland und um empfindliche Entwicklungsstadien im Entwicklungszyklus herauszufinden, wurden in SO-Australien vergleichende populationsdynamische Untersuchungen in beweidetem, unbeweidetem und mit Herbiziden behandeltem Grasland von mediterranem Typus durchgeführt. Die Beweidung durch Schafe hatte zur Folge, dass (i) die Konkurrenz durh benachbarte Pflanzen verringert, (ii) das Wachstum, Blühen und die Samenproduktion von C. vulgare gesteigert und (iii) die Ueberlebensrate von C. vulgare-Sämlingen erhöht wurden. Es scheint, dass im Entwicklungszyklus von C. vulgare der Uebergang vom Sämlings-zum Rosettenstadium die empfindlichste Phase darstellt, in der nur 0,2% in unbeweidetem. resp.1% in beweidetem Grasland überleben. Die Keimungsrate hingegen beträgt im Mittel 10 und 15% und 49 und 51% der Jungpflanzen im Rosettenstadium entwickeln sich zu adulten Exemplaren. Die Bekämpfung von C. vulgare mit Dicamba erwies sieh kurz nach Beginn der herbstlichen Regenfälle als am wirksamsten. Dieser Zeitpunkt entspricht einer Periode erhöhter, natürlicher Keimlingsmortalität, bedingt durch eine verstärkte Konkurrenzierung durch benachbarte Pflanzen.     

Characteristics distinguishing invasive weeds within Echium (Bugloss)

Plant quarantine agencies attempt to regulate the continuing worldwide problem of spread of alien plants, but systems of plant quarantine have not been based entirely on objective criteria. Comparative epidemiological research of known alien weeds may provide such criteria and thereby improve the success of plant quarantine. For this reason biogeographical and ecophysiological data were gathered and analyzed for Echium (Boraginaceae), especially for the three differentially distributed and weedy species in Australia: E. italicum L. (rare), E. vulgare L. (uncommon), and E. plantagineum L. (common). Such data included the following: native distributions in Eurasia and North Africa, historical spread in Australia, seed germination, vegetative growth and propensity to flower. Quantitative plant characteristics which distinguish weedy species of Echium from their innocuous counterparts, and whose values could most easily be determined by plant quarantine officials, are the breadth of native distribution and rapidity of seed germination. Although these results were derived from only a few temperate taxa, they may apply in principle to many species. Caractères distinctifs des mauvaises herbes envahissantes dans le genre Echium Des agences de mise en quarantaine de végétaux s'attachent à contrôler le problème permanent à travers le monde de la propagation des végétaux étrangers; cependant, les systèmes de quarantaine n'ont pas étéétablis exclusivement sur des critères objectifs. Des études d'épidèmiologie comparatives pour des adventices étrangères connues peuvent fournir de tels critères et ainsi accroître le succès de la mise en quarantaine des végétaux. Pour cette raison, des données biogéographiques et écophysiologiques ont été regroupées et analysées pour le genre Echium (Boraginacée), en particulier pour trois espèces de mauvaises herbes différemment réparties en Australie: E. italicum L. (rare), E. vulgare L. (peu répandu), E. plantagineum L. (commun). Parmi ces données, on trouvait les suivantes: répartition originelle en Eurasie et en Afrique du Nord, historique de la propagation en Australie, germination des semences, croissance végétative et propension à fleurir. Les caractéristiques quantifiables qui permettraient de distinguer les espèces nuisibles d'Echium de leurs équivalents inoffensifs et dont les valeurs pourraient très aisément être déterminées par les organismes officiels responsables des quarantaines sont: l'ampleur de la distribution d'origine et la rapidité de la germination des semences. Bien que ces résultats proviennent de seulement quelques taxons, ils peuvent être appliqués, en principe, à de nombreuses espèces. Merkmale zur Definition schädlicher Arten in der Gattung Echium (Natterkopf) Pflanzenquarantäneämter versuchen das weltweite Problem der Ausbreitung von eingeschleppten Pflanzen zu kontrollieren; die Quarantän-evorschriften sind jedoch nicht völlig auf objektiv erfassbare Kriterien abgestützt. Vergleichendc epidemiologische Erforschung von Adventivpflanzen kann derartige Kriterien liefern und damit den Nutzeffekt von Quarantänemassnahmen verbessern. Zu diesem Zweck wurden für die Gattung Echium (Boraginaceen) biogeographische und ökophysiologische Daten gesammelt und analysiert; es wurden dabei speziell die drei in Australien als Unkräter geltenden und verschieden verbreiteten Arten E. italicum L. (selten). E. vulgare L. (gelegentlich vorkommend) und E. plantagineum L. (häufig) untersucht. Der Datenkatalog enthielt Angaben über: die ursprüngliche Verbreitung in Eurasien und N-Afrika, Geschichte der Ausbreitung in Australien, Samenkeimung, vegetatives Wachstum und Blühbereitschaft. Der Ausdehnungsbereich der ursprünglichen Vorkommen und die Geschwindigkeit der Samenkeimung sind quantitativ erfassbare, durch Quarantäncbeamte leicht zu bewertende, Kriterien zur Unterscheidung zwischen unschädlichen und als Unkräuter schädlichen Echium-Arten. Obwohl diese Ergebnisse nur von relativ wenigen, unter temperierten Bedingungen vorkommenden, taxonomischen Einheiten abgeleitet worden sind, mögen sie im Prinzip für viele Arten Gültigkeit haben.     

Assessment of perceived farming risks,communication of risk management practices,and evaluation of their efficiency in Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) farming—a survey-based cross-sectional study

Aquaculture International - Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) farming is an important commercial aquaculture production system contributing substantially to the economic and societal...