Good dog! Using livestock guardian dogs to protect livestock from predators in Australia's extensive grazing systems

2012 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda van Bommel ◽  
Chris N. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Farming Systems ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Extensive Grazing ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Grazing Systems ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Wild Dogs ◽  
Wild Predators ◽  
Free Ranging

Context Wild predators are a serious threat to livestock in Australia. Livestock guardian dogs (LGDs) may be able to reduce or eliminate predation, but their effectiveness in Australian grazing systems has not been systematically evaluated. In particular, little is known about the effectiveness of LGDs in situations where they range freely over large areas in company with large numbers of livestock. Aims We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of LGDs as currently used in Australia and determine the factors influencing effectiveness, in particular in relation to scale of management. We also documented how LGDs are managed in Australia, evaluated their cost effectiveness, and identified factors that influence the number of dogs required in different property situations. Methods We conducted a telephone survey of 150 livestock producers with LGDs in Australia, including all livestock types and property situations, in all States. Ten producers were visited, of which one is detailed as a case study. Key results Effectiveness was apparently high: 65.7% of respondents reported that predation ceased after obtaining LGDs, and a further 30.2% reported a decrease of predation. When the number of stock per dog exceeds 100, LGDs might not be able to eliminate all predation. Dogs are often kept free-ranging on large properties where wild dogs are the main predator, but are usually restricted in their movements on smaller properties or with smaller predators. The cost of obtaining a LGD is returned within 1–3 years after the dog starts working. The number of dogs required for a property mainly depends on the number of livestock needing protection, and the main type of predator in the area. Conclusions Provided a sufficient number of LGDs are used, they can be as effective in protecting livestock from predators in Australia when ranging freely on large properties with large numbers of livestock as they are in small-scale farming systems. Implications LGDs can provide a cost-effective alternative to conventional predator control methods in Australia’s extensive grazing enterprises, potentially reducing or eliminating the need for other forms of control. LGDs could play a major role in securing the viability of livestock businesses and reconciling people–predator conflict in Australia.

Using Homer Software for Cost Analysis of Stand-Alone Power Generation for Small Scale Industry in Nigeria: A Case Study Lumatec Aluminium Products

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 90-102
Author(s):  
Luqman Raji ◽  
Zhigilla Y.I ◽  
Wadai J
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Cost Analysis ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Pv System ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
Small Scale Industry ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Small Scale Industries

Nigeria is one of developing countries in the world that experience shortage of electricity for her economic and social development. In Nigeria, most of the small-scale industries use diesel/petrol-based systems to generate their electricity. However, due to the cost fluctuation of oil and gas fuel, an alternative power generation should be considered. This paper targets to examine the cost analysis of system for supplying electricity to LUMATEC Aluminium products shop in Mubi, Adamawa state Nigeria. Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewable (HOMER) is used as a tool for cost analysis. The scenario consider in this study was only stand-alone with battery system. Results revealed that the system have 10kW PV with cost of electricity (COE) of $0.312/kW. The initial capital cost and total net present cost (NPC) are $21.775 and $26.148 respectively, with payback period of 5.8years. In conclusion, this study provides the solution of power supply to the small-scale industries at cost effective and available throughout the year and it is feasible to solve the small-scale industries, rural and urban electricity supplying in this country (Nigeria). It is recommended that Nigerian Government & Law makers should promotes the use of standalone PV system for domestic and small-scale industry by providing financial assistance through soft loans, subsides and grants.

Options for Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) Control in White Guinea Yam (Dioscorea rotundata) and Cassava (Manihot esculenta)

2006 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 784-792 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Chikoye ◽  
Jim Ellis-Jones ◽  
Patrick Kormawa ◽  
Udensi E. Udensi ◽  
Simon E. Ibana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crop ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Imperata Cylindrica ◽  
Shoot Biomass ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Dioscorea Rotundata ◽  
Legume Cover Crop ◽  
Rhizome Biomass ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Guinea Yam

Cogongrass is a serious weed in small-scale farms in the lowland humid zone of West Africa. This study evaluated the response of cogongrass to herbicides and the legume cover crop velvetbean in cassava and white Guinea yam. In 2001/2002, cassava tuber yields and gross returns in treatments that received glyphosate alone were higher than in plots that received fluazifop-P-butyl once. In 2002/2003, treatments that received fluazifop-P-butyl once, glyphosate alone, glyphosate integrated with sowing velvetbean, or hoeing only, had higher cassava tuber yields than other treatments. Gross returns were higher in treatments that received glyphosate followed by sowing velvetbean or those hoed only than in other treatments. Fluazifop-P-butyl applied twice, glyphosate alone, or glyphosate followed by sowing velvetbean reduced cogongrass shoot biomass more than other treatments. Rhizome biomass was lower in plots that received glyphosate alone than in all fluazifop-P-butyl treatments. In 2002, white Guinea yam tuber yields were highest in plots that received glyphosate alone and lowest in plots where fluazifop-P-butyl was applied alone or followed by sowing velvetbean. The highest gross return was obtained in plots that received glyphosate alone while the lowest was obtained in plots that received fluazifop-P-butyl once followed by sowing velvetbean. In 2003, the highest tuber yields and gross returns were from plots that received glyphosate alone, fluazifop-P-butyl alone, or those hoed only. The hoed-only plots had 14 times higher cogongrass shoot biomass and 7 times higher rhizome biomass than other treatments. In both crops, hoeing alone or followed by sowing velvetbean was more costly than chemical control. The highest margin over hoeing was obtained from plots that received glyphosate alone. Sensitivity analysis showed that using glyphosate was more cost effective than fluazifop-P-butyl, even if the cost of the herbicide increased by 100% or the cost of labor decreased by 30%.

scholarly journals Modelling the cost-effectiveness of introducing subsidised malaria rapid diagnostic tests in the private retail sector in sub-Saharan Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. e002138
Author(s):  
David Bath ◽  
Catherine Goodman ◽  
Shunmay Yeung
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Rapid Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Retail Sector ◽  
First Line ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Cost

BackgroundOver the last 10 years, there has been a huge shift in malaria diagnosis in public health facilities, due to widespread deployment of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), which are accurate, quick and easy to use and inexpensive. There are calls for RDTs to be made available at-scale in the private retail sector where many people with suspected malaria seek care. Retail sector RDT use in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is limited to small-scale studies, and robust evidence on value-for-money is not yet available. We modelled the cost-effectiveness of introducing subsidised RDTs and supporting interventions in the SSA retail sector, in a context of a subsidy programme for first-line antimalarials.MethodsWe developed a decision tree following febrile patients through presentation, diagnosis, treatment, disease progression and further care, to final health outcomes. We modelled results for three ‘treatment scenarios’, based on parameters from three small-scale studies in Nigeria (TS-N), Tanzania (TS-T) and Uganda (TS-U), under low and medium/high transmission (5% and 50% Plasmodium falciparum (parasite) positivity rates (PfPR), respectively).ResultsCost-effectiveness varied considerably between treatment scenarios. Cost per disability-adjusted life year averted at 5% PfPR was US$482 (TS-N) and US$115 (TS-T) and at 50% PfPR US$44 (TS-N) and US$45 (TS-T), from a health service perspective. TS-U was dominated in both transmission settings.ConclusionThe cost-effectiveness of subsidised RDTs is strongly influenced by treatment practices, for which further evidence is required from larger-scale operational settings. However, subsidised RDTs could promote increased use of first-line antimalarials in patients with malaria. RDTs may, therefore, be more cost-effective in higher transmission settings, where a greater proportion of patients have malaria and benefit from increased antimalarial use. This is contrary to previous public sector models, where RDTs were most cost-effective in lower transmission settings as they reduced unnecessary antimalarial use in patients without malaria.

Water systems and risk analysis

2005 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 105-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
O.A.C. Hoes ◽  
W. Schuurmans ◽  
J. Strijker
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Design Standards ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Significant Damage ◽  
The Cost

Worldwide the water management sector is about to review the design standards for water systems, as expected climate changes may possibly increase the frequency of flood events. This paper reviews new flood standards for surface water systems in The Netherlands, also presenting a cost-benefit analysis. Flood standards were formulated after several serious incidents in 1998 and 2001 to inform residents about the level of protection that they may expect to receive. At this moment all water boards are about to evaluate their water systems using these standards. The cost-benefit approach has been applied to determine whether the necessary measures to comply with such standards were cost-effective. We found that the standards make too much a simplification of the variety of water systems, and lead to costly measures without being beneficial while many small-scale floods in The Netherlands do not cause any significant damage. A better starting point to anticipate on climate change is to prevent damage, instead of the prevention of flooding.

The effect of collector size on forest litter-fall collection and analysis

1983 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1037-1042 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. C. McShane ◽  
D. W. Carlile ◽  
W. T. Hinds
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effective ◽  
Forest Litter ◽  
Litter Fall ◽  
Laboratory Sample ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Time Required ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Sample Sorting

Litter fall is commonly collected for a variety of ecological studies. This study was designed to test the effect of collector size on the precision of forest litter-fall estimates and on the time involved in laboratory sample sorting. Collectors varied in size from 0.010 to 0.933 m2 and were physically nested, the smaller units within larger units. Ten of these collector combinations were randomly placed on a 1-ha plot in a Douglas-fir/western hemlock (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco/Tsugaheterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) stand in H. J. Andrews Experimental Forest. Collections were made monthly and records were kept of the time required to sort the litter into needles, epiphytes, and miscellaneous categories. Based on a definition of precision as ±10% of the mean, 90% of the time, results indicate (i) that the cost of obtaining precise estimates of needle fall decreases with decreasing collector size to 0.010 m2, (ii) that collectors of any size can be used to obtain estimates of total litter fall if the number of collectors required to obtain precise results is determined, and (iii) that precise estimates of epiphyte biomass require large numbers of samplers and are not cost effective.

scholarly journals An Experimental Study of Bricks Made with Different Mineral Additives

2021 ◽  
Vol 889 (1) ◽  
pp. 012049
Author(s):  
Harsimranjit Singh ◽  
Mudasir Nazeer ◽  
Aditya Kumar Tiwary
Keyword(s):  
Compressive Strength ◽  
Fly Ash ◽  
Water Absorption ◽  
Industrial Development ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Rate Analysis ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Residential And Commercial Sectors ◽  
Main Component ◽  
The Cost

Abstract Large numbers of bricks are required to meet the needs of increasing population for both residential and commercial sectors. The overall development and industrial development lead to the use of the traditional bricks at a very hefty rate. The traditional bricks are commonly made up of clay as its main component as a result it is on the verge of exhaustion. To standardize its broad, utilize and discovering its auxiliary one is the need of the hour. In this study, bricks were made by using different proportions of alternative materials like fly ash (FA), sand, lime and plaster of Paris. The size of specimen 230×110×70 mm was manufactured and quality constraints like compressive strength and water absorption were tested at different curing ages. The cost-effective mix design of the bricks for optimum compressive strength and rate analysis was also the part of this study. It was detected from the observation of results that the compressive strength decreases with increasing percentage in fly ash and increases with increasing percentage of sand and lime in fly ash-based bricks. Increment in water absorption was observed as fly ash content is increased and decrement of water absorption is seen with increasing percentage of sand and lime in fly ash-based bricks.

A scale-independent cost-effective design of Nature-Based Solutions within a multifractal framework

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yangzi Qiu ◽  
Daniel Schertzer ◽  
Ioulia Tchiguirinskaia ◽  
Laurent Monier ◽  
Bernard Willinger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Development Strategy ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Economic Indicator ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Catchment Scale ◽  
Physically Based ◽  
Scale Range ◽  
The Cost

<p>In the last decades, Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) have become widely considered as a sustainable development strategy for the development of urban environments. Many previous studies only focused on the hydrological performances of NBS, whose economic impacts were not considered. Some studies considered both hydrological performances and economic costs to design cost-effective NBS scenarios, but only at a single catchment scale. Thus, a comprehensive investigation of NBS in terms of both hydrological performances and Life cycle costs (LCC) within the Universal Multifractal (UM) framework is significant for improving the multi-scale resilience of cities. In this study, the hydrological response of a 5.2 km<sup>2</sup> semi-urban watershed is investigated under various NBS scenarios and highly spatially variable rainfall events. First, the heterogeneous spatial NBS distribution in each scenario is quantified using their fractal dimension. Then, the hydrological responses are assessed with the help of the fully-distributed and physically-based model (Multi-Hydro) with a spatial resolution of 10 m. To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of NBS scenarios across scales, the statistical scale-independent “maximum probable singularity”<em> γ<sub>s</sub></em>, as defined in the UM framework, is combined with the economic indicator (LCC) to obtain the scale-independent cost-effectiveness (scale-independent CE) indicator for designing cost-effective NBS scenarios. The effective maximum singularity <em>γ<sub>max </sub></em>of each simulation is combined with LCC at different scales to obtain a scale-dependent cost-effectiveness (scale-dependent CE) indicator to be compared with the scale-independent CE. Results show that CEs obtained by both methods are strongly correlated, especially over the small-scale range. Therefore, the scale-independent CE based on UM framework is considered as an appropriate indicator to design NBS implementation at different scales.</p><p>Overall, this study presents a new approach for designing cost-effective NBS scenarios. This approach is based on the UM framework and enables to quantify the NBS scenario cost-effectiveness across a range of scales with the help of a scale-independent CE indicator. This approach can be efficiently applied to urban planning across various scales.</p>

scholarly journals Individual Monitoring of Behavior to Enhance Productivity and Welfare of Animals in Small-Scale Intensive Cattle Grazing Systems

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroki Anzai ◽  
Masahiko Hirata
Keyword(s):  
Animal Behavior ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Herd Behavior ◽  
Low Frequencies ◽  
High Productivity ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Grazing Systems

To enhance productivity and welfare of individual animals maintained as a group, management based on individual behavioral tendencies is essential, which requires individual monitoring of animal behavior. Several behavior monitoring systems are currently available to livestock producers. The data obtained from these systems are analyzed to detect significantly high or low frequencies or intensities of behavior associated with estrus, calving and poor health conditions based on thresholds or past trends of the monitored individual. However, because behavior under grazing is more complex and changeable than under confinement, behavioral symptoms are more difficult to detect, and on-farm monitoring of individual animal behavior has been less validated and utilized in grazing systems. Nevertheless, individual monitoring of all animals in a herd is more feasible and cost-effective in small-scale intensive grazing systems because these systems pursue high productivity at the individual level with smaller herd size than large-scale extensive systems. Individually tailored management to enhance productivity and welfare will be possible by focusing on inter-individual differences in behavior within a herd. Behavior of an individual can be analyzed and understood in more detail by comparing it with those of the herd mates. Higher or lower levels of specific activities than the other animals can be associated with health disorders, temporal changes in physiological states, or productivity- or welfare-related traits. More sensitive monitoring and detection of behavioral responses of individuals to changes in nutritional, physical and social environments will lead to more efficient and welfare-conscious management that better meets the needs of individuals.

Guardian dogs protect sheep by guarding sheep, not by establishing territories and excluding predators

2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 1118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee R. Allen ◽  
Ninian Stewart-Moore ◽  
Damian Byrne ◽  
Benjamin L. Allen
Keyword(s):  
Home Ranges ◽  
Fine Scale ◽  
Scale Interaction ◽  
Gps Collars ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Husbandry Practices ◽  
Grazing Systems ◽  
Wild Dog ◽  
Wild Dogs ◽  
Free Ranging

Guardian animals have been a common non-lethal method for reducing predator impacts on livestock for centuries in Europe. But elsewhere, livestock producers sometimes doubt whether such methods work or are compatible with modern livestock husbandry practices in extensive grazing systems. In this study we evaluate the hypothesis that guardian dogs primarily ‘work’ by establishing and defending territories from which canid predators are excluded. Eight maremmas and six free-ranging wild dogs of different sexes were fitted with GPS collars and monitored for 7 months on a large sheep property in north Queensland, Australia. Wild dog incursions into the territories of adjacent wild dogs and maremmas were recorded. Wild dog territories never overlapped and their home ranges infrequently overlapped. In contrast, 713 hourly locations from 120 wild dog incursions into maremma territories were recorded, mostly from three wild dogs. These three wild dogs spent a mean of 2.5–5.9 h inside maremma territories during incursions. At this location, maremmas worked by guarding sheep and prohibiting fine-scale interaction between wild dogs and sheep, not by establishing a territory respected by wild dogs. We conclude that shepherding behaviour and boisterous vocalisations of guardian dogs combined with the flocking behaviour of sheep circumvents attacks on sheep but does not prevent nor discourage wild dogs from foraging in close proximity. Certain husbandry practices and the behaviour of sheep at parturition may incur greater predation risk.

The IBM-PC in electron microscopy

1996 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
pp. 612-613
Author(s):  
James F. Mancuso
Keyword(s):  
Head Start ◽  
Image Acquisition ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Financial Applications ◽  
Number Of Factors ◽  
Instrument Control ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Training And Support ◽  
Control Image ◽  
Ibm Pc

IBM PC compatible computers are widely used in microscopy for applications ranging from control to image acquisition and analysis. The choice of IBM-PC based systems over competing computer platforms can be based on technical merit alone or on a number of factors relating to economics, availability of peripherals, management dictum, or simple personal preference.IBM-PC got a strong “head start” by first dominating clerical, document processing and financial applications. The use of these computers spilled into the laboratory where the DOS based IBM-PC replaced mini-computers. Compared to minicomputer, the PC provided a more for cost-effective platform for applications in numerical analysis, engineering and design, instrument control, image acquisition and image processing. In addition, the sitewide use of a common PC platform could reduce the cost of training and support services relative to cases where many different computer platforms were used. This could be especially true for the microscopists who must use computers in both the laboratory and the office.

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