Quantification of stress sensitive markers in single fecal samples do not accurately predict excretion of these in the pig

All feces produced during 24 h were collected from five pigs and cortisol and immunoreactive cortisol metabolites (CICM), and IgA were quantified. Within pigs, the concentrations of CICM and IgA varied extensively between random samples obtained from a single fecal dropping, and deviated in most cases significantly from the true concentration measured in total fecal output (CV 6.7-130%). The CICM and IgA contents varied considerably (CV 8.1-114%) within and between individual fecal droppings from the same pig compared to the total fecal excretion. In conclusion, single random samples could not be used to reliably quantify the total fecal concentration or excretion of CICM or IgA in pigs. Analyses of all feces collected during shorter periods than 24 h did not provide an accurate estimate of the daily excretion of CICM. Thus, the concentration of stress sensitive molecules in random single fecal samples as an indicator of animal welfare should be interpreted with prudence.     

Tsetse control in cattle from pyrethroid footbaths

In Burkina Faso, we assessed the efficacy of treating cattle with a footbath containing aqueous formulations of pyrethroids to control two tsetse-fly species, Glossina tachinoides Westwood, 1850 (Diptera, Glossinidae) and Glossina palpalis gambiensis Vanderplank 1949. Legs were the most targeted parts of the body for tsetse-fly blood meals: 81% (95% CI: 73, 89) for G. tachinoides and 88% (81, 95) for G. palpalis.

The in-stable efficacy of footbath treatments was compared with manual full spraying with a 0.005% alphacypermethrin (Dominex, FMC, Philadelphia, USA) formulation (250 mL versus 2 L). The proportions of knocked-down flies were the same with footbath and full spray but the latter was more protective against fly bites. In field use, the efficacy of both methods should be similar given the recommended treatment frequency: 3 days for footbath versus 7 days for full spray.

Among 96 cattle drinking at the same water point in Dafinso (Burkina Faso), 68 (71%) were treated with a footbath containing a 0.005% deltamethrin formulation (Vectocid, CEVA SA, Libourne, France). We observed the effect of this live-bait technique on the one hand on released cohorts of reared, irradiated flies, and on the other hand on wild tsetse flies. In both cases, the footbath treatment was associated with a reduction of the apparent fly density probably related to an increased mortality.     

畜牧业生产造成环境污染的原因及治理措施

畜牧业生产造成的环境污染对人类危害很大,解决畜牧业发展造成的环境污染问题对于保护城乡居民身体健康具有非常重要的意义。本文较为详细地分析了畜牧业发展导致环境污染的原因及养殖场的污染对环境的危害性,有针对性地提出了畜牧业发展的环境保护措施。     

草食动物生产学课程教学改革的探索

针对草食动物生产学课程教学过程中存在的问题,华南农业大学教学团队通过提升教师素质、优化教学内容和方法、建立实践教学体系、完善教学考核制度等措施开展了一系列教学改革。实践表明:通过教学改革有效促进和激发了学生的学习兴趣,提升了学生掌握理论知识和实践操作的能力,使得教、学、考有机结合,明显提高了整个课程的教学质量。     

四川省动物性食品源沙门氏菌的耐药性监测与分析

近年食源致病菌耐药性较严重,为了解四川省动物性食品源沙门氏菌（Salmonella spp.）耐药情况,本试验采用肉汤微量稀释法,对源自四川省动物性食品的76株沙门氏菌进行了25种抗生素(组合)的敏感性试验。结果表明76株沙门氏菌对利福平（96.05%）、黏菌素（78.95%）、磺胺异噁唑（64.47%）、先锋唑啉（60.53%）、氨苄西林（60.53%）、阿莫西林—克拉维酸（56.58%）、甲氧苄啶（53.95%）及强力霉素（52.63%）耐药率较高。76株沙门氏菌对25种抗生素（组合）共产生了66种耐药谱,多重耐药率达97.37%（74/76）,主要对青霉素类、先锋唑啉、链霉素、四环素类、磺胺类药物及黏菌素表现出多重耐药。结果表明,四川地区食源沙门氏菌耐药性已较为严重,应加强连续监测。     

高等农业院校动物科学本科专业创新型人才培养的探讨

高校作为人才培养的基地,能否培养出高质量的创新型人才,已成为人们讨论的热点。本文结合动物科学专业的自身特点,阐述了动物科学专业创新型人才的基本特征和基本素质,提出了动物科学专业创新型人才培养的对策,以期对提高动物科学专业人才培养质量有所帮助。     

A genetic analysis of meat compositions in Japanese Black cattle: Genetic parameters and sex influence

Meat composition in beef is related to eating quality and food functionality. Genetic parameters for several meat compositions including free amino acid, peptide and sugar, however, remain poorly described. In this study, we estimated genetic parameters for 51 meat components, including free amino acids, peptides, sugars and fatty acid compositions, and two carcase traits in 1,354 heifers and 1,797 steers of Japanese Black cattle. Heritability estimates were generally equivalent to or moderately greater than those in previous studies of this breed. Genetic correlations between free amino acids, peptides and sugars and carcase traits were often negative, suggesting a trade‐off between traits. Using two‐trait animal models that treat records from the two sexes as different traits, we estimated sex‐specific heritabilities and cross‐sex genetic correlations which indicate the sex differences in genetic architecture. In these analyses, 12 traits showed significant heritability differences between sexes and cross‐sex genetic correlations occasionally deviated from unity. These results could be used to inform future breeding schemes and investigations of the genetic architecture of meat compositions in beef.     

Midsummer Trophic Overlap Between Guanaco and Sheep in Patagonian Rangelands

Diet overlap estimation among species is important to understand interspecific interactions. Through these interactions, one species may extinguish others through competition or adapt through mechanisms such as resource partitioning. The introduction of domestic herbivores in a native assemblage may introduce competition for resources with wild herbivores. In southern Patagonian steppes, guanaco (Lama guanicoe) populations are increasing after a drastic demise during the past century. This is occurring in protected areas and extensive ranching areas for sheep, and in the latter ranchers have rising concerns regarding competition. In this observational study, we measured diet overlap, food selection and preferences, and niche width for guanaco and sheep to compare use of food resources during the summer season. Feces were analyzed through microhistological technique to determine sheep and guanaco diets. Diets of guanaco and sheep were dominated by tussock grass (Festuca gracillima, sheep > 60%, guanaco > 50%), the most abundant plant species. Although food niche widths, measured through Levin’s Index, were narrow, guanaco presented the broadest niche (P < 0.001). Of the 17 identified plant species present in guanaco and sheep diets, 5 were always selected by both ungulates and 1 was always avoided at the four study sites. Overlap between diets was high (> 0.90), evidencing potential competition. In addition, diet overlap coupled with our results of small variation in use and selectivity of food resources suggest the absence of resource partitioning. Therefore, both species might share resources or coexist, possibly due to high availability or spatial distribution of food resources and guanaco resilience to cope with numerically dominant competition from sheep. These findings offer new insight into the understanding of these species’ interactions. It is also a management challenge to emerging wild and domestic herbivores interactions, as well as livestock production concerns at large.     

Sustainable transparent farm animal breeding and reproduction

Farm animal breeders are facing challenges. More and more powerful technologies are at their disposal for creating genetic change. At the same time, society is concerned about the impact of breeding practices and the use to which new technologies are being put. European breeders must compete in a global market. To meet these challenges, European farm animal breeders have conducted three projects to contribute to sustainable and transparent farm animal breeding and reproduction. In “Farm animal breeding and society”, an overview is presented of farm animal breeding in Europe and its technical, ethical, legal and consumer constraints and possibilities. In ‘SEFABAR’, European breeders, scientists and socio-economists have worked towards sustainable breeding and reproduction scenarios. In ‘CODE–EFABAR’, breeders aim to develop, with experts on ethics, communication and certification, and in close contact with NGOs, farmers' organisations and policy makers, a Code of Good Practice for farm animal breeding and reproduction organisations. Along this Code of Good Practice organisations will be able to explain their goals and practices to the public in a transparent way. This paper reviews these projects.     

基于粮食安全的重庆市耕地保护

耕地资源关系到一个国家或地区经济发展、社会稳定和粮食安全。文中通过对1997-2005年重庆市粮食产量和耕地面积的统计数据进行分析,发现耕地面积不断减少、粮食产量以2001年为分界点出现逐年减产和增产的现象,并提出基于粮食安全的重庆市耕地保护对策。