A comparison of methods to assess the likely on-farm value for meat production systems of pasture traits and genetic gain through plant breeding using phalaris (Phalaris aquaticaL.) as an example

2015 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. I. Ludemann ◽  
K. F. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Plant Breeding ◽  
Genetic Gain ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Comparison Of Methods ◽  
On Farm

scholarly journals Animal-Based Measures for the On-Farm Welfare Assessment of Geese

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 890
Author(s):  
Carlo Tremolada ◽  
Halina Bielińska ◽  
Michela Minero ◽  
Valentina Ferrante ◽  
Elisabetta Canali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Critical Review ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Welfare Assessment ◽  
Observer Reliability ◽  
Human Animal ◽  
Two Phases ◽  
On Farm

Currently, no specific animal-based measures (ABMs) protocols are available for geese in commercial meat production systems. Following a critical review of the literature and consultation of experts, seven ABMs, potentially valid and feasible for the on-farm welfare assessment of geese, were identified and then tested in 12 farms in Poland to assess their inter-observer reliability. Two observers conducted the assessment, which was divided into two phases. First, a handling test assessed the human–animal relationship (HAR), and a 100% inter-observer reliability was achieved by the observers when evaluating the attitudes of stockpeople and the reactions of geese to humans. Next, an animal inspection was conducted, and the observers simultaneously and independently visually evaluated 100 randomly selected geese per farm and assessed whether the selected ABMs could be identified. In terms of inter-observer reliability, high correlation coefficients were found for plumage dirtiness (ρ = 0.745; p < 0.01), twisted wings (ρ = 0.890; p < 0.001), and broken/twisted wings (ρ = 0.858; p < 0.001). The results showed that plumage dirtiness, twisted wings, and broken/twisted wings are valid and reliable measures. Further research should address the reliability of ABMs of geese in other types of production systems.

Assessing the place and role of crop simulation modelling in Australia

2015 ◽  
Vol 66 (9) ◽  
pp. 877 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Robertson ◽  
G. J. Rebetzke ◽  
R. M. Norton
Keyword(s):  
Plant Breeding ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Scientific Progress ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Simulation Models ◽  
Management Scenarios ◽  
Breeding Programs ◽  
Plant Nitrogen ◽  
Crop Simulation ◽  
On Farm

Computer-based crop simulation models (CSMs) are well entrenched as tools for a wide variety of research, development and extension applications. Despite this, critics remain and there are perceptions that CSMs have not contributed to impacts on-farm or in the research community, particularly with plant breeding. This study reviewed the literature, interviewed 45 stakeholders (modellers, institutional representatives and clients of modelling), and analysed the industry-funded project portfolio to ascertain the current state of use of CSMs in the grains industry in Australia, including scientific progress, impacts and development needs. We found that CSMs in Australia are widely used, with ~100 active and independent users, ~15 model developers, and at any one time ~10 postgraduate students, chiefly across six public research institutions. The dominant platform used is APSIM (Agricultural Production Systems Simulator). It is widely used in the agronomic domain. Several cases were documented where CSM use had a demonstrable impact on farm and research practice. The updating of both plant and soil process routines in the models has slowed and even stalled in recent years, and scientific limitations to future use were identified: the soil–plant nitrogen cycle, root growth and function, soil surface water and residue dynamics, impact of temperature extremes on plant function, and up-to-date cultivar parameter sets. There was a widespread appreciation of and optimism for the potential of CSMs to assist with plant-breeding activities, such as environmental characterisation, trait assessment, and design of plant-breeding programs. However, we found little evidence of models or model output being used by plant breeders in Australia, despite significant impacts that have emerged recently in larger international breeding programs. Closer cooperation between geneticists, physiologists and breeders will allow gene-based approaches to characterise and parameterise cultivars in CSMs, demonstrated by recent progress with phenology in wheat. This will give models the ability to deal with a wider range of potential genotype × environment × management scenarios.

scholarly journals 83 Evaluation of transmammary-delivered firocoxib and an ethyl chloride spray to mitigate pain associated with processing procedures in piglets

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 4-4
Author(s):  
Abbie V Viscardi ◽  
Elizabeth Shirtcliff ◽  
Emily Eppler ◽  
Savannah Miller ◽  
Johann Coetzee
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Ethyl Chloride ◽  
Hair Cortisol ◽  
Post Processing ◽  
Significant Treatment ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Tail Docking ◽  
Management Procedures ◽  
On Farm

Abstract Piglets raised in commercial production systems in the U.S. undergo painful management procedures, including surgical castration, tail docking and ear notching, without analgesia or anesthesia provision for pain relief. This is a significant animal welfare concern. There is an immediate need to identify the most practical and effective analgesia or anesthesia option for use on-farm. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of 2.0mg/kg firocoxib, administered to the sow and delivered transmammary to her piglets, and a vapocoolant spray (ethyl chloride) to reduce processing pain. Five-day old male and female Yorkshire-cross piglets were used. 2.0mg/kg firocoxib was administered to the sow intramuscularly 7h prior to processing piglets. An ethyl chloride spray was applied to the ears, tail and scrotum of the piglets immediately before ear notching, tail docking and surgical castration, respectively. Piglets were assigned to one of four treatment groups: firocoxib and vapocoolant spray (FV; n=32), firocoxib only (F; n=32), vapocoolant spray only (V; n=32), no treatment (CON; n=32). The observation period was from 24h pre- to 48h post-processing (specific time points = baseline, 0h, 1h, 2h, 4h, 7h, 24h, 30h, 36h, 48h). Preliminary results found piglets displayed significantly more pain-related behaviors at 24h and 30h post-processing than at most other time points (p&lt; 0.05). Piglets had significantly higher cranial temperatures at 7h post-processing than all other time points (p&lt; 0.05). There was a trend in FV and F piglets having a higher cranial temperature at 36h post-processing compared to V and CON piglets (p=0.08). All piglets had significantly higher hair cortisol levels at 4 vs 20-days old (p&lt; .0001); however, there were no significant treatment effects on cranial temperature, hair cortisol or pain behavior, suggesting firocoxib and the ethyl chloride spray were unable to significantly reduce piglet pain post-processing. Further study analysis is needed to confirm these initial findings.

scholarly journals Evolution in Configuration and Productivity of New Zealand Hill Country Sheep and Beef Cattle Systems

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 531
Author(s):  
Januarius Gobilik ◽  
Stephen Todd Morris ◽  
Cory Matthew
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Metabolic Energy ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Feed Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Cattle Systems

Metabolic energy budgeting (MEB) was used to evaluate evolution over 30 years (1980–1981 to 2010–2011) in New Zealand southern North Island ‘hill country’ sheep and beef cattle systems. MEB calculates energy required by animals for body weight maintenance, weight gain or loss, pregnancy, and lactation to estimate the system feed demand and thereby provide a basis for calculating feed conversion efficiency. Historic production systems were reconstructed and modeled using averaged data from industry surveys and data from owners’ diaries of three case-study farms and reviewed for patterns of change over time. The modeling indicated that pasture productivity was 11% lower and herbage harvested was 14% lower in 2010–2011 than in the early 1980s. This productivity decline is attributable to warmer, drier summer weather in recent years. However, primarily through increased lambing percentage, feed conversion efficiency based on industry data improved over the study period from 25 to 19 kg feed consumed per kg lamb weaned, while meat production rose from 137 to 147 kg per ha per year. Similar improvements were observed for the three case farms. The New Zealand MEB model was found effective for analysis of tropical beef production systems in Sabah, Malaysia.

Comparison of Prevalence, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Occurrence of Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella in Antimicrobial-Free and Conventional Pig Production

2006 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 743-748 ◽  
Author(s):  
WONDWOSSEN A. GEBREYES ◽  
SIDDHARTHA THAKUR ◽  
W. E. MORGAN MORROW
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Resistance Pattern ◽  
Swine Production ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Conventional Farms ◽  
Resistance Patterns ◽  
Conventional Systems ◽  
On Farm

Conventional swine production evolved to routinely use antimicrobials, and common occurrence of antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella has been reported. There is a paucity of information on the antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella in swine production in the absence of antimicrobial selective pressure. Therefore, we compared the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella isolated from antimicrobial-free and conventional production systems. A total of 889 pigs and 743 carcasses were sampled in the study. Salmonella prevalence was significantly higher among the antimicrobial-free systems (15.2%) than the conventional systems (4.2%) (odds ratio [OR] = 4.23; P &lt; 0.05). Antimicrobial resistance was detected against 10 of the 12 antimicrobials tested. The highest frequency of resistance was found against tetracycline (80%), followed by streptomycin (43.4%) and sulfamethoxazole (36%). Frequency of resistance to most classes of antimicrobials (except tetracycline) was significantly higher among conventional farms than antimicrobial-free farms, with ORs ranging from 2.84 for chloramphenicol to 23.22 for kanamycin at the on-farm level. A total of 28 antimicrobial resistance patterns were detected. A resistance pattern with streptomycin, sulfamethoxazole, and tetracycline (n = 130) was the most common multidrug resistance pattern. There was no significant difference in the proportion of isolates with this pattern between the conventional (19.5%) and the antimicrobial-free systems (18%) (OR = 1.8; P &gt; 0.05). A pentaresistance pattern with ampicillin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulfamethoxazole, and tetracycline was strongly associated with antimicrobial-free groups (OR = 5.4; P = 0.01). While showing the higher likelihood of finding antimicrobial resistance among conventional herds, this study also implies that specific multidrug-resistant strains may occur on antimicrobial-free farms. A longitudinal study with a representative sample size is needed to reach more conclusive results of the associations detected in this study.

On-farm Development of Potato Production from True Seed in Indonesia

1992 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Gunadi ◽  
M. J. Potts ◽  
R. Sinung-Basuki ◽  
Greta A. Watson
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Potato Production ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Potato Seed ◽  
True Potato Seed ◽  
Yield Difference ◽  
Tuber Crop ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Comparable Quality ◽  
Better Than

SummaryThree seasons of on-farm experimentation to develop potato production from botanical or true potato seed (TPS) under cool fertile conditions in West Java, Indonesia, are described. Twenty-three farmers experimented with two production systems: use of transplants, and use of seedling tubers produced in nursery beds. There was little yield difference between the systems, but an apparent progeny × system × season interaction was observed. All progenies were more resistant to late blight than the present cultivars grown from tubers. Appropriate matching of progeny and system gave seed of comparable quality with, but total yields slightly less than, certified imported seed of cv. Granola. Ware quality was slightly better than that of cv. Granola. Production costs were markedly less than for a tuber crop, making TPS ideal for small, resource-poor farmers.

scholarly journals Carcass and meat lamb and kid quality and development of consumer acceptability

2008 ◽  
Vol 37 (spe) ◽  
pp. 143-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Sañudo Astiz
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Ageing Time ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Consumer Acceptability ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
World Population ◽  
Local Market ◽  
Artificial Fibre ◽  
Human World ◽  
Sheep Production

Small ruminants have been one of the first domesticated species and from their origins have produced multiple benefits to humans. In the last two centuries, world sheep production has become more and more specialised upon geographical areas. But, recent changes in consumer attitudes, together with the increment in artificial fibre industries and human world population, some crisis related with the international wool market and some increments in lamb prices, have provoked that lamb meat has increased its relative importance inside the global sheep income. Also, sheep production systems vary considerably across the world, and reflect the different local environmental conditions, which determine, to a large extent, breeds, housing, levels of intensification and, at the end, local market requirements and qualities. However, among all the meats, sheep meat remains the most internationally traded (16 % of total world production is exported), which explains the potential existence of different lamb products in the same market. Then, the new requirements have created a higher interest for meat production, including its quality and quality marks. This interest from producers and the industry should be reflected in a proportional higher interest from the researches towards sheep and goat, where it exists, in general, important lacks of knowledge and, in particular, in lamb and kid meat Science. In the present speech we will made a special incidence on the relationship between carcass quality and lamb acceptability and on some factors like breed and species, diet and production system, slaughter weight and ageing time and their importance on the variation of the carcass and meat quality, including consumer acceptability.

scholarly journals Appraisal of the conversion possibilities of pastoral meat sheep systems to the organic production model

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Francisco de Asís Ruiz ◽  
Daniel Grande ◽  
José Nahed ◽  
José María Castel ◽  
Yolanda Mena
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Production Model ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Pastoral Systems ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Meat Sheep ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin

Abstract In the Mediterranean Basin, sheep meat production systems are based on grazing, and help to conserve biodiversity, mitigate the greenhouse gases emissions and maintain the population in rural areas. However, the lack of differentiation of pastoral systems, as opposed to the intensive model, puts its continuity at risk. In this sense, organic farming can be an alternative to sustain extensive sheep-cereal production systems in marginal Mediterranean drylands. The aim of this research was to evaluate the conversion possibilities of pastoral meat sheep production systems to the organic production model in the Mediterranean Basin, working with the autochthonous Segureña breed sheep. 46 farms were studied, classified into four clusters by mean of multivariate analysis. In order to determine the degree to which farms approached the organic model, 60 variables, grouped into nine indicators were analyzed to obtain an Organic Conversion Index (OCI). The Nutritional management indicator has a high value of approaching the organic model, as well as Animal welfare and Food safety. Marketing and business management, Breeds and reproduction, Weed and pest control and Sustainable pasture management indicators also reach a good approximation level. Only the Breeds and reproduction indicator presented values with significant differences between clusters. The average value of the OCI for the 46 farms ranges from 63 to 70%, and therefore it can be concluded that extensive meat sheep herds in the region are close to this production model. Among the recommendations that can be made to improve the conversion possibilities to the organic model are: (i) to increase own fodder production or find a way to obtain it easily and economically; (ii) to complete the plant−soil−animal cycle, (iii) to seek greater marketing autonomy and (iv) to achieve closer contact with the final consumer. At the same time, government policy both in Spain and other parts of Europe should persevere to find more ways to support the progress of this type of production, in an effort to address limitations and overcome the lack of alternative markets.

scholarly journals Demonstration of targeted crossovers in hybrid maize using CRISPR technology

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrei Kouranov ◽  
Charles Armstrong ◽  
Ashok Shrawat ◽  
Vladimir Sidorov ◽  
Scott Huesgen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Plant Breeding ◽  
Genetic Gain ◽  
Somatic Cells ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Hybrid Plants ◽  
Key Driver ◽  
The Creation ◽  
Hybrid Maize ◽  
Trait Introgression

Abstract Naturally occurring chromosomal crossovers (CO) during meiosis are a key driver of genetic diversity. The ability to target CO at specific allelic loci in hybrid plants would provide a significant advantage to the plant breeding process by facilitating trait introgression, and potentially increasing the rate of genetic gain. We present the first demonstration of targeted CO in hybrid maize utilizing the CRISPR Cas12a system. Our experiments showed that stable and heritable targeted CO can be produced in F1 somatic cells using Cas12a at a significantly higher rate than the natural CO in the same interval. These results are a step towards the use of RNA guided nuclease technology to simplify the creation of targeted genome combinations in progeny and accelerate breeding.

scholarly journals Developing farm-level sustainability indicators for Ireland using the Teagasc National Farm Survey

2016 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 112-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Ryan ◽  
T. Hennessy ◽  
C. Buckley ◽  
E.J. Dillon ◽  
T. Donnellan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Social Indicators ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Farm Level ◽  
Farm Systems ◽  
Farm Survey ◽  
Farm Sustainability ◽  
On Farm

Abstract In the context of an expanding, export-dependent agri-food sector, indicators of sustainable development and intensification are necessary to measure, assess and verify the comparative advantage afforded by Ireland’s natural pastoral-based food production systems. Such indicators are also necessary to ensure that we produce more food with less adverse impacts on the Irish environment, climate and society. This article outlines the development of farm-level indicators that refect the multifaceted nature of sustainability, which is encompassed in economic, environmental and social indicators. The role of innovation in farm sustainability was also examined. A comparison of indicators across Irish farm systems showed that dairy farms, followed by tillage farms, tended to be the most economically and socially sustainable farm systems. In relation to greenhouse gas emissions in particular, the top-performing dairy farms, in an economic sense, also tended to be the best-performing farms from an environmental sustainability perspective. This trend was also evident in relation to the adoption of innovative practices on farm, which was found to be strongly correlated with economic performance.

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