Succession and management of tropical dry forests in the Americas: Review and new perspectives

Understanding tropical forest succession is critical for the development of tropical forest conservation strategies worldwide, given that tropical secondary forests can be considered the forests of the future. Tropical dry forests (TDF) are among the most threatened tropical ecosystems, there are more secondary forests and forest restoration efforts that require a better understanding of successional processes. The main goal of this synthesis for this special issue on the ecology and management of tropical dry forests in the Americas is to present a summarized review of the current knowledge of the ecology and management implications associated to TDF succession. We explore specific issues associated to tropical dry forest succession with emphasis on the use of chronosequences, plant diversity and composition, plant phenology and remote sensing, pollination, and animal-plant interactions; all under the integrating umbrella of ecosystem succession. We also emphasize the need to conduct socio-ecological research to understand changes in land-use history and its effects on succession and forest regeneration of TDF. We close this paper with some thoughts and ideas associated with the strong need for an integrating dimension not considered until today: the role of cyberinfrastructure and eco-informatics as a tool to support sound conservation, management and understanding of TDF in the Americas. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Design of experimental composting of animal carcasses in universitary unit of treatment aimed a correct final disposition and soil improve

For many years, composting has been used as a result of the recycling of organic matter. There is significative animal carcasses accumulation from teaching and researching activities of the university veterinary hospital. Every year, Unesp University needs to dispose correctly about 180 tones of this waste and the composting seemed to be the most sustainable alternative. Piles of animal carcasses were prepared using peanut hulls and tree pruning as bulking agent and water to the first phase of this process. The extracts pH values no impediments for offering germination and indicated a good addition to the soil management. The germination index showed no impediment to the seeds germination on any type of compost and the extracts concentrations not influenced this biological process. No parameters studied assigns risks of contamination of carcasses for the compost development in Unesp according to the proposed design. © 2013 Taylor & Francis Group.

Água e o manejo ambiental como fatores de risco para saúde humana e saúde animal em propriedades rurais

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Caracterização do transporte rodoviário de bovinos de corte e efeitos no bem-estar animal e na qualidade as carcaças

Pós-graduação em Zootecnia - FCAV

Gestão da cadeia de suprimentos e o mapeamento de processos críticos: um estudo de caso em uma Escola Técnica Estadual produtora de produtos de origem animal

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Uma proposta de análise qualitativa de risco aplicada ao gerenciamento de resíduos de atenção animal

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Efficacy of sulfadoxine plus trimethoprim compared to management measures for the control of Eimeria parasitism in naturally infected and clinically asymptomatic sheep that were maintained in a feedlot

The efficacy of sulfadoxine + trimethoprim in comparison to management measures for the control of Eimeria parasitism was studied in naturally infected sheep that were raised in a feedlot and were clinically asymptomatic for eimeriosis. Weight gain was also evaluated in these animals. The following groups were formed with 15 animals/group: TO!, control animals that received saline solution and maintenance of the same management measures that were performed before the study; T02, animals that received two intramuscular doses of sulfadoxine (20 mg/kg) + trimethoprim (4 mg/kg) with a 14-day interval; T03, sheep that received two intramuscular doses of sulfadoxine (20 mg/kg) + trimethoprim (4 mg/kg) with a 14-day interval plus management measures (wood shaving bedding was changed every Monday, and 30g of ammonium sulfate were applied to the bedding and other facilities were performed every Thursday, 10 mL/20 L of water); and T04, animals that received only the management measures described for the previous group. The highest efficacy rates (arithmetic mean) for the T02 group (sulfadoxine + trimethoprim at days 0 and 14) were 21.04% and 21.98% on the 14th and 28th days after the first treatment (DAFT), respectively. However, the treatment showed efficacy rates below 17% and was totally ineffective from the 70th DAFT to the end of the study. In both the T03 (chemical treatment+ management) and T04 (management only) groups, a significant (P <= 0.05) reduction of oocyst shedding per gram of feces was observed in the animals from the 14th DAFT in comparison to the control group; however, an efficacy rate above 90% was observed from the 28th DAFT. Animals belonging to the T02, T03 and T04 groups presented with alterations in weight gain of 0.57 kg, 4.30 kg and 4.53 kg, respectively, in comparison with the control animals (T01) throughout the 91-day study period. Thus, it is possible to conclude that the two-dose sulfadoxine + trimethoprim treatment, given with a 14-day interval, had little no effect on the oocyst shedding. Moreover, the adopted management measures were enough to cause a significant decrease in the animal parasite loads. (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier B.V.

A comparative study of production performance and animal health practices in organic and conventional dairy systems

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Survey of the nutritional recommendations and management practices adopted by feedlot cattle nutritionists in Brazil

Thirty-three feedlot cattle nutritionists were surveyed to evaluate the management practices and nutritional recommendations adopted by feedlots in Brazil. The web-based survey consisted of 81 questions that included: general information (n = 10); general commodity information (n = 15); use of coproducts (n = 5), roughage source and level (n = 5); adaptation methods (n = 7); feed mixers (n = 6); feeding management (n = 6); cattle management and type of cattle fed (n = 13); formulation practices (n = 9); information resources used for nutritional recommendations (n = 2); and additional questions (n = 3). In total, the 33 nutritionists were responsible for approximately 2,658,000 animals, and moreover, 65.5% of those participants had clients that feed less than 5000 animals yearly. Corn was the primary source of grain used in feedlot diets (87.9%) and cracking was the primary processing method recommended by nutritionists (57.6%). The average concentrate and roughage inclusion in finishing diets was 79.0% and 21.0%, respectively. The main challenges faced by nutritionists are the lack of available and precise equipment and lack of trained employees with respiratory diseases as the main health problem. This survey of nutrition and management practices should aid in the development of research for the feedlot industry in Brazil and similar tropical climates, as well as provide data to facilitate the broader application of future NRC models. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Jejum no pré-abate de suínos: bem estar animal e qualidade da carne

In the pre-slaughter management of pigs there are stressors, which depending on the duration or severity, are able to alter the quality of meat. One of the factors considered critical to the welfare is the fasting period in the farm. This practice is fundamental and proven relevance in the production chain. Besides the effects on meat quality and welfare of pigs, fasting is among the main factors responsible for the incidence of skin lesions, can significantly influence the incidence of esophagogastric ulcers and is also important to avoid any contamination of carcasses by gastrointestinal contents. When fasting is done right, it has a positive impact on welfare, meat quality and conditions of welfare during the pre-slaughter management of pigs

Marandu grass management and supplementation on performance and methane mitigation of Nellore bulls

Pós-graduação em Zootecnia - FCAV

Manejo pré-abate de ovelhas de descarte: perdas de peso corporal, qualidade da carne e comportamento animal

The aim of this study was to know the behavior of Santa Inês ewes in different physiological stages during the pre-slaughter management, as well as their body weight loss, blood hematocrit values and meat quality. 21 discard ewes were used, arranged into the following treatments: T1 = ewes which remained in lactation for 60 days with their respective lambs and slaughtered one day after weaning; T2 = ewes which remained in lactation for 60 days with their respective lambs and one more period of approximately 30 days without the lambs and afterwards slaughtered; and T3 = ewes which remained in confinement for 60 days and did not give birth during the year. The weight of ewes after transportation was lower for T1 in comparison with T2. Blood hematocrit values of ewes before and after transportation and after fast in the waiting pen were not different among the treatments, with mean value of 58.50%. We concluded that the quality of meat of discard ewes in different physiological stages is not altered by pre-slaughter management, when correctly performed (avoiding animal stress), concerning meat pH.

Conscientizar para o bem-estar animal: posse responsável

The community awareness on responsible ownership associated with public policies is key to the promotion of animal welfare. Most cities have a large population of dogs and cats wandering causing serious health problems and abuse. This project aimed to guide and inform the population aimed at animal welfare with the simple and direct approach to issues related to responsible ownership, management, nature conservation and zoonoses. The methodology developed to approach the project in two modules: the I and II, along public and private Elementary and High Schools in Araçatuba. Module I (Mod.I) is basedon the use of puppet theater and musicals, considering the target audience children 3-10 years and the second module (Mod 2) consists of presentations of lectures by undergraduate and graduate course of Veterinary Medicine FMVA UNESP campus Araçatuba, being the target audience of High School teenagers. Data collection proceeded by questionnaires, with questions regarding the care and practices to pets. The results revealed that there is a lack of information about animal welfare practice.

Management of age at puberty in beef heifers to optimize efficiency of beef production

Age at puberty in beef heifers can influence economic efficiency of beef production through effects on both age at first calving (2 vs. 3+ years of age) and the time of conception of heifers in their initial breeding season. An overarching factor that influences age at puberty in heifers is nutritional management during both the preweaning period and between weaning and the breeding season. Age at puberty is heritable and selection for precocious puberty in populations such as the Nelore breed has the potential to substantially influence production efficiency. Highly effective hormonal technologies exist to aid in induction of puberty in well managed heifers. Age at first ovulation and pregnancy in heifers can be substantially influenced through implementation of nutritional and/or hormonal manipulation strategies. In the long term, combinations of genetic selection, nutritional strategies, and hormonal intervention when necessary will optimize efficiency of this aspect of beef production.

Conscientização para adoção de boas práticas sanitárias em bem-estar animal no manejo das mastites do rebanho bovino: Miriam Yumi Makatu. -

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)