scholarly journals Seasonal hogget grazing as a potential alternative grazing system for the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau: weight gain and animal behaviour under continuous or rotational grazing at high or low stocking rates

2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 329 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. C. Du ◽  
T. Yan ◽  
S. H. Chang ◽  
Z. F. Wang ◽  
F. J. Hou
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Production Efficiency ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Cold Season ◽  
Bodyweight Gain ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Tibetan Sheep ◽  
Utilisation Efficiency

The traditional transhumance grazing system on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) is being replaced by a system in which pastoralists are allocated fixed areas for grazing. In this context, we conducted experiments to evaluate a possible change to seasonal grazing of young animals for weight gain, and the effects of grazing management (continuous grazing (CG) vs rotational grazing (RG)) and stocking rate (SR) on the performance and behaviour of Oura-type Tibetan sheep. In Experiment 1 (June–December 2014), 72 Tibetan sheep (initial bodyweight (BW) 32.2 ± 3.37 kg) were allocated to one of three treatments: (1) CG24 – eight sheep grazed continuously in a single 2-ha plot for the entire duration of the experiment; (2) RG24 – eight sheep grazed in a 1-ha plot from June to September (growing season), and then moved to a new plot for September–December grazing (early cold season); (3) RG48 – eight sheep grazed in a 0.5-ha plot, but otherwise as for RG24. All treatments had three replicates. In Experiment 2 (September–December 2014), 48 Tibetan sheep (initial BW 46.3 ± 1.62 kg) were used to repeat the RG24 and RG48 treatments imposed in the early cold season of the Experiment 1. In both experiments, increasing SR significantly reduced bodyweight gain (BWG) per head and increased BWG per ha in the RG treatments. In Experiment 1, RG, compared with CG, did not significantly affect BWG per head, BWG per ha, or feed utilisation efficiency. In both experiments weight gain was small or negative in the early cold season. These results indicate that removal of sheep at the onset of the cold season will be important for retention of the weight gain achieved in the growing season but choice between a CG and RG grazing system is unimportant for the production efficiency in the proposed grazing system of Tibetan sheep.

scholarly journals Effects of grazing systems on herbage mass and liveweight gain of Tibetan sheep in Eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, China

2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Sun ◽  
J. P. Angerer ◽  
F. J. Hou
Keyword(s):  
Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Cold Season ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Tibetan Sheep ◽  
Grazing Systems ◽  
Grazing Period ◽  
Opposite Tendency

Grazing strategies, consisting of grazing systems and stocking rate adjustments, have evolved from the need to sustain efficient use of the forage resources by livestock, increase animal performance and sustain forage production. A 3-year study was conducted with Tibetan sheep on the Eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, China to compare: (1) two grazing systems [season-long continuous (SLC; July to December) versus short duration with seasonal rotation (SDSR; July to September in growing-season pasture and October to December in cold-season pasture) with a stocking rate of 24 sheep months ha–1(SM ha–1)]; (2) SDSR system with 24, 36 and 48 SM ha–1; and (3) seasonal aspects of stocking rate under the SDSR system by comparing strategies of heavy stocking rate in the growing season and light stocking rate in the cold season (SDSR-HL) versus light stocking rate in the growing season and heavy stocking rate in the cold season (SDSR-LH). No differences were found between grazing systems in liveweight gain per head or per ha and in residual herbage mass. Liveweight gain per head for treatment SDSR24 was greater than for treatments SDSR36 and SDRS48, whereas liveweight gain per ha showed the opposite tendency. No differences were found between the SDSR-HL and SDSR-LH treatments in liveweight gain per head or per ha, whereas the ratio of residual herbage mass at the end of grazing the growing-season pasture to the cold pasture of treatment SDSR-LH was more than twice that of treatment SDSR-HL. Daily liveweight gain of Tibetan sheep decreased linearly with increasing grazing pressure in both growing and cold seasons. It was estimated that, at a grazing pressure index of 310 sheep days t–1 DM peak herbage mass, liveweight gain per head and ha appears to be optimised over the whole grazing period. Liveweight loss by Tibetan sheep during the cold season was apparent regardless of grazing pressure indicating that temperature had a stronger influence on sheep performance in the cold season than herbage availability.

scholarly journals Tibetan sheep grazing modifies rodent density and their interactions effect on GHG emissions of alpine meadow

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingxin Wang ◽  
Hang Yuan ◽  
Xinglu Zhang ◽  
Yi Sun ◽  
Shenghua Chang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Cold Season ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Rodent Population ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Tibetan Sheep

AbstractDigging and mound-building by rodents lead to considerable disturbances in the topsoil and may affect plant composition, soil properties. However, little is known about the effects of these activities on GHG emissions, especially under different grazing management. This paper aimed to measure changes in CO2 and CH4 efflux with varying grazing management during the warm and cold seasons and to relate CO2 and CH4 efflux to pika burrow density and zokor mound density with different grazing management. Results of this study showed that CO2 efflux was significantly affected by the grazing season, whereas CH4 efflux was significantly affected by the grazing system. There were significant relationships between GHG efflux and rodent population density which were regulated by grazing management. CO2 efflux increased linearly with rodent density under seasonal continuous grazing in warm season. CO2 and CH4 efflux and rodent population density showed a significant quadratic convex relationship under rotational grazing at 24 SM/ha in warm and cold seasons and rotational grazing at 48 SM/ha in cold season. Under rotational grazing at light stocking rate (24 SM/ha), appropriate populations of rodents were beneficial for decreasing GHG emissions. This results also used to help drive a best-practices model for grazing practices of local herders.

scholarly journals DETERMINATION OF ANIMAL LOAD AND GRAZING SYSTEM IN THE WEIGHT GAIN OF BOVINES WITH SECONDARY VEGETATION FEEDING

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (08) ◽  
pp. 441-447
Author(s):  
Sosa-Rubio Edgar Enrique ◽  
◽  
Herrera-Cool Gilbert Jose ◽  
Zavaleta-Cordoba Maria Del Carmen ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Experimental Design ◽  
First Year ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Secondary Vegetation ◽  
Grazing Effect ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Two Systems ◽  
Grazing Systems

The present study was to evaluate the weight gain of bovinesin three animal loads with two grazing systems and three levels of grazing, furthermore to evaluate the botanic composition of secondary vegetation areas. The study was carried out during two years, in the first year, the animal loads used were 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75 animal unit per hectare (AU/ha).The vegetation which animals were evaluated was secondary vegetation of 8 years old. Botanic composition was determined by transects at the beginning of experiment. The two systems used were rotational and alternate grazing with three animals per each load and system.The initial average weights were 175 kg and evaluation were carried out each 56 days. The experimental design used was random totally with factorial arrange of 3X2, the first factor was the animal load and the second was the grazing system. Results indicated changes in botanic composition caused by grazing effect (P≤0.05), furthermore, grazing system and animal loads showed significative statistical differences between treatments and interaction. The best weight gain was 520 g of weight gain average per day detected in 0.50AU/ha with rotational grazing system (P≤0.05).

scholarly journals Effects of Dietary Protein Levels on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, Serum Metabolites, and Meat Composition of Tibetan Sheep during the Cold Season on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 801
Author(s):  
Xungang Wang ◽  
Tianwei Xu ◽  
Xiaoling Zhang ◽  
Yuanyue Geng ◽  
Shengping Kang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Dietary Protein ◽  
Carcass Traits ◽  
Cold Season ◽  
Serum Metabolites ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Meat Composition ◽  
Tibetan Sheep ◽  
Body Weights

Dietary protein is a critical nutrient that directly influences the health and production of livestock. Recent studies showed that protein supplements could enhance the growth performance of Tibetan sheep. However, there is a lack of information regarding the influence of dietary protein levels on carcass traits and meat composition. This study investigated the effects of dietary protein levels on growth performance, carcass traits, serum metabolites, and meat composition in Tibetan sheep during the cold season on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. A total of eighteen 1-year-old, healthy, castrated Tibetan sheep with similar initial body weights (31.7 ± 0.72 kg) were randomly divided into three treatment groups with different dietary protein level (low protein (LP, 10.1%); medium protein (MP, 12.1%); high protein (HP, 14.1%)) diets. The results indicated that the Tibetan sheep fed with the MP and HP diets had greater final body weights (BWs), average daily gains (ADGs), and average daily feed intakes (ADFIs) (p < 0.05). The MP and HP diets also improved the hot carcass weight, net meat (including the fat) weight, and bone weight of the sheep significantly (p < 0.05). Besides, the dietary protein levels could significantly affect the serum concentrations of growth hormone (p < 0.05). The diameter of muscle fibers in the MP group was significantly greater than that in the LP group (p < 0.05), while the density of muscle fibers showed the opposite trend. The dietary protein levels only significantly (p < 0.05) influenced the ether extract content and profile content of the longissimus dorsi muscle but had no effect on other parameters of meat composition. In summary, our results indicate that dietary protein levels affect growth performance, carcass traits, and meat composition and that diets containing 12.1% and 14.1% protein are recommended to obtain better production performance and meat products in Tibetan sheep, rather than a diet containing 10.1% protein, during the cold season on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

scholarly journals Metformin reduces 12-month change in body weight among people newly commenced on clozapine: a retrospective naturalistic cohort study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 204512532110006
Author(s):  
Jessica Spokes ◽  
Samantha Hollingworth ◽  
Karl Winckel ◽  
Steve Kisely ◽  
Andrea Baker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Tobacco Smoking ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Bodyweight Gain ◽  
Metabolic Effects ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Standard Clinical Practice ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Background: People with schizophrenia have a 15–20-year reduction in life expectancy, driven in part by the metabolic effects of antipsychotics. Clozapine is associated with the highest rates of weight gain. As clozapine remains the most effective antipsychotic for treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS), identifying treatments to ameliorate clozapine-induced weight gain (CIWG) is urgently needed to reduce this morality gap. Methods: We retrospectively analysed digital health records of patients with TRS aged 18–65 newly initiated on clozapine at four tertiary hospitals in south-east Queensland from 1 March 2017 to 30 June 2019. Our primary outcome was the effect of metformin on change in percentage bodyweight at 12 months after clozapine initiation, with secondary outcome being proportion with >5% or >7% bodyweight change. We also explored impact on bodyweight change of other variables including sex, tobacco smoking, type 2 diabetes (T2DM), age, clozapine level and dose and clozapine/norclozapine ratio. Results: Among 90 patients initiated on clozapine, metformin use ( n = 48) was associated with a smaller increase in percentage bodyweight (1.32% versus 5.95%, p = 0.031), lower rates of >7% gain in bodyweight (37.8% versus 63.0%, p = 0.025) but not >5% gain in bodyweight. Age below the median (32.0 years) was associated with greater bodyweight gain (5.55% versus 1.22%, p = 0.046). Sex, tobacco smoking, T2DM, clozapine dose and level and clozapine/norclozapine ratio were not associated with differences in change in bodyweight. Conclusion: In this small retrospective cohort study, use of metformin within 12-months of clozapine initiation was associated with a statistically and clinically significant reduction in CIWG. Although there is increasing evidence for the role of metformin to ameliorate bodyweight gain at time of clozapine initiation, our findings need replication and testing in a randomised controlled trial before recommending metformin co-commencement with clozapine as standard clinical practice.

scholarly journals Using different levels of energy and protein and their effects on bodyweight and blood chemistry of ostriches

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tahereh Nikravesh-Masouleh ◽  
Alireza Seidavi ◽  
Magdalena Solka ◽  
Mohammad Dadashbeiki
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Total Cholesterol ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Blood Chemistry ◽  
Blood Parameters ◽  
Bodyweight Gain ◽  
Transferase Activity ◽  
Dietary Energy ◽  
Protein Levels

AbstractTo determine the effect of different dietary energy and protein levels on bodyweight and blood chemistry, 36 ostriches at 2 to 9 weeks of age for feeding conditions and 18 for blood chemistry parameters was used. The birds were divided into six treatment groups. Energy and protein levels of diet were 2400 and 2600 kcal/kg and 20%, 22%, and 24%, respectively. The feed intake and bodyweight gain were determined a weekly. Blood chemical parameters including glucose, HDL, LDL, total cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein, albumin, globulin, aspartate amino-transferase and alanine amino-transferase activity were determined. The highest weight gain during the whole experiment was observed in ostriches offered 2400 kcal · kg−1 dietary energy and 20% protein. The lowest level of total cholesterol and protein was observed in treatment V (2600 kcal · kg−1 dietary energy and 22% protein). The lowest level of glucose and triglycerides was noted after treatment I. The highest albumin and globulin concentrations were in treatment III (2400 kcal · kg−1 dietary energy and 24% protein) and treatment II (2400 kcal · kg−1 dietary energy and 22% protein), respectively. The energy level had no effect (P < 0.05) on feed intake and weight gain in all experimental period. The results of this study showed that with increasing energy and protein levels, most blood parameters increased in ostriches but total cholesterol did not.

The design and conduct of experiments to measure animal and herbage production responses to fertilizer nitrogen under cutting and grazing managements

1985 ◽  
Vol 104 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. V. Large ◽  
J. M. Cobby ◽  
R. D. Baker
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Continuous Systems ◽  
Linear Extrapolation ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Response Curves ◽  
Live Weight Gain ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Consistent Manner ◽  
Fourth Experiment

SummaryTwo experiments were conducted to provide information on the precision of herbage sampling, the degree of replication and the logistics of managing rotational and continuous grazing experiments. In a third experiment the possibility of estimating herbage growth, during the rotational grazing of paddocks for 4 days, by linear extrapolation of measured growth estimates made during the interval between grazings was investigated. A fourth experiment was then conducted to investigate animal and herbage production responses to nitrogen applied at five levels over the range 80–900 kg N/ha with three replicates per treatment.Results from Expts 1 and 2 showed that similar precision could be obtained under both rotational and continuous systems of grazing with the same number of replicates and samples of herbage. There was little advantage in having more than three replicates and four samples per paddock or two replicates and eight samples per paddock. Under continuous grazing a 3-weekly sampling and movement of exclosure cages was indicated. It was also found, from Expt 3 that, under rotational grazing, linear extrapolation of growth from 0–24 days did not reflect growth to 28 days in a consistent manner. Six animals per treatment, permanently in the paddocks, proved adequate for the estimation of live-weight gain.Experiment 4 confirmed that response curves could be fitted with an acceptable degree of precision if there was one low, one very high, and two intermediate levels of nitrogen. Adjustment of the number of animals to maintain sward height at between 5 and 7 cm ensured similar sward conditions and rates of live-weight gain across all treatments.The problems associated with the measurement of herbage production under grazing are discussed.

Effects of yak dung patch dropped in cold season on soil and pasture on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

2013 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 241-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-jun Yu ◽  
Chang-lin Xu ◽  
I. Muhammad ◽  
Rui-jun Long
Keyword(s):  
Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Cold Season ◽  
Yak Dung

Dynamic and Thermodynamic Relations of Distinctive Stratus Clouds on the Lee Side of the Tibetan Plateau in the Cold Season

2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (21) ◽  
pp. 8378-8391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Zhang ◽  
Rucong Yu ◽  
Jian Li ◽  
Weihua Yuan ◽  
Minghua Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Eastern China ◽  
Cold Season ◽  
Water Vapor Transport ◽  
The Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Primary Role ◽  
Moist Air ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Stratus Clouds

Abstract Given the large discrepancies that exist in climate models for shortwave cloud forcing over eastern China (EC), the dynamic (vertical motion and horizontal circulation) and thermodynamic (stability) relations of stratus clouds and the associated cloud radiative forcing in the cold season are examined. Unlike the stratus clouds over the southeastern Pacific Ocean (as a representative of marine boundary stratus), where thermodynamic forcing plays a primary role, the stratus clouds over EC are affected by both dynamic and thermodynamic factors. The Tibetan Plateau (TP)-forced low-level large-scale lifting and high stability over EC favor the accumulation of abundant saturated moist air, which contributes to the formation of stratus clouds. The TP slows down the westerly overflow through a frictional effect, resulting in midlevel divergence, and forces the low-level surrounding flows, resulting in convergence. Both midlevel divergence and low-level convergence sustain a rising motion and vertical water vapor transport over EC. The surface cold air is advected from the Siberian high by the surrounding northerly flow, causing low-level cooling. The cooling effect is enhanced by the blocking of the YunGui Plateau. The southwesterly wind carrying warm, moist air from the east Bay of Bengal is uplifted by the HengDuan Mountains via topographical forcing; the midtropospheric westerly flow further advects the warm air downstream of the TP, moistening and warming the middle troposphere on the lee side of the TP. The low-level cooling and midlevel warming together increase the stability. The favorable dynamic and thermodynamic large-scale environment allows for the formation of stratus clouds over EC during the cold season.

Characterizing CH 4 , CO 2 and N 2 O emission from barn feeding Tibetan sheep in Tibetan alpine pastoral area in cold season

2017 ◽  
Vol 157 ◽  
pp. 84-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tianwei Xu ◽  
Na Zhao ◽  
Linyong Hu ◽  
Shixiao Xu ◽  
Hongjin Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cold Season ◽  
Pastoral Area ◽  
Tibetan Sheep
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