Técnicas de manejo agropecuário sustentável

The competitiveness in the rural sector and the need to make viable and sustainable property, direct the farmer to seek new production strategies. In this sense, the book Techniques of sustainable agricultural management has as objective contributed information on concepts, management practices, technological innovations, which are applicable in the agricultural production. The same is composed of 13 chapters, topics covered in aquaculture production, management and dairy production, as general aspects of hematology fish; dynamics of decision-making and adaptive flow dairy production systems; importance of performance measures and body biometrics in small ruminants; milk production in beef cows; parasitism in beef cattle; performance of dairy cows in production; efficiency of cross beef cattle in finishing phase; development of Marchangus: five years; and, bovine growth efficiency. In vegetable production area are addressed matters relating on management and olive cultivation, species of great economic importance and diversification as alternative on the property; functional foods in fruit and vegetables; influence of environmental factors, harvesting and drying in the production and composition of essential oils of Mentha spp; and, implication of the contamination of corn grain by mycotoxins in livestock production. At the end of the book, the expectation of the authors is to have contributed with relevant themes of Brazilian agriculture, which could reflect positively on knowledge, values and quality of available material.

Relação entre caracteres morfológicos e produtivos em vacas Holstein-Frísia em S. Miguel

Dissertação de Mestrado, Engenharia Zootécnica, 18 de Julho de 2016, Universidade dos Açores.

Patologías podales infecciosas y no infecciosas en vacas lecheras

Las cojeras son una de las mayores causas de problemas en el bienestar animal de las vacas lecheras, y tienen diferentes orígenes: infecciosas (dermatitis digital, flemón digital); o lesiones causadas por discontinuidad en el crecimiento del cuerno de las pezuñas (hemorragias, úlcera podal, enfermedad de la línea blanca). Los factores de riesgo que inducen estas afecciones son multifactoriales y no siempre son detectables, difieren según el establecimiento, así como su prevalencia / incidencia. La prevención y la detección precoz mantiene estas patología tengan un impacto menor sobre las economía en la producción lechera.

Variações anátomo-fisiológicas face à aclimatação sazonal - estudo em vacas leiteiras com diferente potencial leiteiro

O presente estudo teve como objetivo a caracterização de variações anátomo-fisiológicas que decorrem do processo de aclimatação sazonal em bovinos leiteiros com alto (Altas) e baixo (Baixas) potencial leiteiro, com vista a selecionar animais que conciliem bons desempenhos produtivos e índices de adaptabilidade que possibilitem a mudança de homeostase face às condições climáticas presentes no clima mediterrânico. O estudo foi realizado numa herdade comercial, situada no Alentejo, utilizando 13 vacas multíparas (6 Baixas e 7 Altas), durante três períodos: P1 (animais aclimatados ao verão; presença de stresse térmico); P2 (animais aclimatados ao verão; termoneutralidade); P3 (animais aclimatados ao inverno; termoneutralidade). Em stresse térmico (P1), verificaram-se maiores esforços termolíticos e maiores armazenamentos de calor no grupo das Altas. Observou-se também que a produção de leite das Altas foi afetada pelo stresse térmico, evidênciando uma redução 24-48h após os valores de temperatura retal mais elevados. Nesta situação, as Baixas apresentaram uma variação na produção oposta à das Altas. Em P1, os valores de proteína e de gordura no leite foram significativamente mais baixos que em P3, em ambos os grupos. A ureia no leite foi significativamente mais elevada nas Altas durante o P1, revelando potencial como biomarcador de stresse térmico. Do P1 para o P3 obser-vou-se uma redução gradual do hematócrito, da hemoglobina e da triiodotironina (T3). As Altas apresentaram uma maior redução de triiodotironina (T3) que as Baixas, como consequência de uma maior intensidade de aclimatação. Nos pelos não se registaram diferenças entre os períodos, o que contrasta com alguma bibliografia. Porém, a ausência da insolação direta poderá ter sido um fator determinante; ABSTRACT: The main objective of the present study was the characterization of anatomical and physiological variations that occur in the seasonal acclimatization process of dairy cows with high (Altas) and low (Baixas) milk yield potential. In this way it should be possible to do a selection of animals with good productive traits and also with adaptability indexes that allow a change in homeostasis to cope with the climatic conditions of the mediterranean climate. Meteorological, clinical, productive, physiological and anatomical data were collected. The study was conducted in an Alentejo's dairy farm, using 13 multiparous cows (6 with low milk yield and 7 with high milk yield), during three periods: P1 (animals acclimated to summer, in heat stress); P2 (animals acclimated to summer, thermoneutrality); P3 (animals acclimated to winter; thermoneutrality). In thermal stress (P1), the high milk yield group (Altas) shown greater thermolytic efforts and also higher heat storage. The milk yield in this group was also affected by heat stress, showing a decrease in production when the rectal temperature increased, with a delay of 24-42 hours. In this situation the Baixas group showed an opposite milk production variation. In P1, the protein and fat milk content was lower than in P3, in both groups. Milk urea levels were significantly higher during P1 in the Altas group, revealing potential as an heat stress biomarker. Hematocrit, hemoglobin and triiodothyronine (T3) values gradualy decreased from P1 to P3. T3 values were lower in Altas than in Baixas group, as a consequence of a more intense acclimatization. The hair analysis didn’t show the standard seasonal acclimatization process, indicating the absence of direct solar radiation as a determinant factor.

Evaluación de la involución, salud uterina y retorno de la actividad ovárica con la adición de zeolita 2% en la dieta basal de vacas lecheras

El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar el efecto de zeolita (Clinoptilolita) adicionado en la dieta basal de vacas lecheras durante 105 días, 60 días pre-parto (dap) y 45 días post-parto (dpp) y su influencia en la involución (IU) y salud uterina (SU), el retorno de la actividad ovárica (AO) y la condición corporal (CC). El proyecto se realizó en tres ganaderías de la comunidad de Soldados del Cantón Cuenca – Azuay, en 50 vacas secas, con una CC ≥ 3,5, entre 2 a 5 partos, clínicamente sanas y todas en las mismas condiciones sanitarias y de manejo; fueron divididas en un grupo control (n1=25), alimentadas con dieta basal y un experimental (n2=25), con dieta basal + 2% de Zeolita del consumo de materia (CMS). Se evaluó retorno de AO considerando folículos ≥ 10 mm de diámetro a los 15, 22, 35 y 45 dpp por Ultrasonografía transrectal, SU (>10 PMN) a los 35 dpp por cytobrush, IU considerando posición del útero con respecto a la pelvis (PU), simetría de los cuernos (SCU), y diámetro del cérvix (DC), a los 22 y 45 dpp por palpación rectal, y finalmente la CC a los 15 dap, parto y 45 dpp. Se usó un diseño completamente al azar (DCA) y los resultados fueron analizados con el programa estadístico SPSS versión 22.0, posteriormente fueron aplicados los estadísticos de “U de Mann Withney y Kruscall Wallis”. Se obtuvo eficacia en el GE con mayor porcentaje de vacas que retornaron su AO (respectivamente, para GC y GE fueron: 35 dpp 29,6% vs. 70,4%; 45 dpp 44,4% vs. 55,6%; p<0,05). La IU fue a los 45 dpp, los valores obtenido para GC y GE fueron: respectivamente, PU 40,0% vs. 76,0%, SCU 32,0% vs. 76,0% y DC 28,0% vs. 68,0%, (p<0,05). Y en SU también mostró eficacia en el GE obteniendo un 3,4% vs. 22,2% de PMN en comparación con el GC, (p<0,05). Finalmente, se comprobó diferencias significativas (p<0,05) en la CC al parto y 45 dpp con eficacia atribuida al GE. En conclusión, la adición de zeolita al 2% en la dieta basal mostró eficacia en la involución y salud uterina, retorno de la actividad ovárica y la condición corporal en vacas en transición, recomendando su uso en las ganaderías lecheras

Factors potentially affecting fertility of lactating dairy cow recipients

Objectives of this study were to evaluate factors that could affect pregnancy rate after embryo transfer (ET) in lactating dairy cow recipients. The trial was conducted at a dairy farm located in Descalvado, SP, Brazil from October 2003 to September 2004. From 1037 cows with CL that were treated with an injection of PGF(2 alpha), 43.3% were detected in heat; 263 were previously assigned at day of PGF(2 alpha) injection for AI and 186 for ET. Ovulation rate was 85.7% (385/449). Pregnancy rate for cows with CL for AI and embryo transfer recipients were 36.5% (84/230) and 58.7% (91/155) at day 25 and 33.0% (76/230) and 45.8% (71/155) at day 46, respectively. Embryonic loss were 9.5% (8/84) for the AI group and 21.9% (20/91) for the ET group. Average milk production was 31.4 L/day/cow. Average daily milk production from 7 days before PGFZ injection to 7 days after ET tended (P < 0.10) to influence pregnancy rate on days 25 and 46. Average daily milk production from the day of embryo transfer to 7 days after influenced embryonic loss (P < 0.05). Cows with higher milk production had lower probability of pregnancy and higher probability of embryonic loss. Cows with higher days in milk had higher probability of pregnancy. Cows with higher rectal body temperature had lower probability of pregnancy and higher probability of embryonic loss. The influence of high milk yield and body temperature on fertility in lactating dairy cow recipients suggests that these effects can occur also after embryo reaches the blastocyst stage. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The manipulation of progesterone profiles during progesterone + estradiol timed ai protocols in dairy cattle: effects on fertility

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Female fertility in a Guzerat dairy subpopulation: Heterogeneity of variance components for calving intervals

The objectives of the present study were to determine if variance components of calving intervals varied with age at calving and if considering calving intervals as a longitudinal trait would be a useful approach for fertility analysis of Zebu dairy herds. With these purposes, calving records from females born from 1940 to 2006 in a Guzerat dairy subpopulation in Brazil were analyzed. The fixed effects of contemporary groups, formed by year and farm at birth or at calving, and the regressions of age at calving, equivalent inbreeding coefficient and day of the year on the studied traits were considered in the statistical models. In one approach, calving intervals (Cl) were analyzed as a single trait, by fitting a statistical model on which both animal and permanent environment effects were adjusted for the effect of age at calving by random regression. In a second approach, a four-trait analysis was conducted, including age at first calving (AFC) and three different female categories for the calving intervals: first calving females; young females (less than 80 months old, but not first calving); or mature females (80 months old or more). Finally, a two-trait analysis was performed, also including AFC and Cl, but calving intervals were regarded as a single trait in a repeatability model. Additionally, the ranking of sires was compared among approaches. Calving intervals decreased with age until females were about 80 months old, remaining nearly constant after that age. A quasi-linear increase of 11.5 days on the calving intervals was observed for each 10% increase in the female's equivalent inbreeding coefficient. The heritability of AFC was 0.37. For Cl. the genetic-phenotypic variance ratios ranged from 0.064 to 0.141, depending on the approach and on ages at calving. Differences among genetic variance components for calving intervals were observed along the animal's lifetime. Those differences confirmed the longitudinal aspect of that trait, indicating the importance of such consideration when accessing fertility of Zebu dairy females, especially in situations where the available information relies on their calving intervals. Spearman rank correlations among approaches ranged from 0.90 to 0.95, and changes observed in the ranking of sires suggested that the genetic progress of the population could be affected by the approach chosen for the analysis of calving intervals. (C) 2012 Elsevier ay. All rights reserved.

Assessment of field fertility and several in vitro sperm characteristics following the use of different Angus sires in a timed-AI program with suckled Nelore cows

In order to provide information that may help researchers to understand the main cause(s) of differences in bull fertility frequently observed in field trials, this study aimed to investigate conception rates as well as several in vitro sperm characteristics of different sires of unknown fertility utilized in a Timed-AI (TAI) program. Suckled Nelore cows submitted to the same TAI protocol were allocated into eight breeding groups of approximately 120 animals each. Frozen semen doses from three Angus bulls and three different batches from each bull were utilized. Approximately 100 doses from each batch were used in TAI. Sires, batches and AI technicians were equally distributed across breeding groups. Cows were examined for pregnancy diagnosis 40 d after TAI. For in vitro sperm analyses, the same thawing procedure was repeated in the laboratory to mimic field conditions. The following in vitro sperm characteristics were assessed: computerized motility, thermal resistance, plasma and acrosomal membrane integrity, lipid peroxidation, morphology, morphometry and chromatin structure. No effect of breeding group, body condition score, AI technician and sire was observed. However, some significant differences among bulls were detected in laboratory analyses. Semen from sire presenting numerically lower (P > 0.05) pregnancy/AI also presented lower (P < 0.05) values in all sperm characteristics analyzed in thermal resistance test at 4 h (Total Motility, Progressive Motility, Average Path Velocity, Straight-Line Velocity, Curvilinear Velocity, Amplitude of Lateral Head Displacement, Beat Cross Frequency, Straightness, Linearity, and Percentage of Rapidly Moving Cells), higher (P < 0.05) Major and Total Defects in sperm morphological test, lower (P < 0.05) Length, Ellipticity and Fourier parameter (Fourier 0) in sperm morphometric analysis as well as higher (P < 0.05) chromatin heterogeneity. It was concluded that, although no bull effect was observed in the field experiment, the sire that presented numerically lower pregnancy/AI also presented lower semen quality according to the laboratory analyses performed. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A case-control study to estimate the effects of acute clinical infection with the Schmallenberg virus on milk yield, fertility and veterinary costs in Swiss dairy herds.

Schmallenberg virus (SBV) was first detected in Switzerland in July 2012 and many Swiss dairy farmers reported acute clinical signs in dairy cattle during the spread of the virus until December 2012. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the effects of an acute infection with SBV on milk yield, fertility and veterinary costs in dairy farms with clinical signs of SBV infection (case farms), and to compare those farms to a matched control group of dairy farms in which cattle did not show clinical signs of SBV infection. Herd size was significantly (p<0.001) larger in case farms (33 cows, n=77) than in control farms (25 cows, n=84). Within case herds, 14.8% (median) of the cows showed acute clinical signs. Managers from case farms indicated to have observed a higher abortion rate during the year with SBV (6.5%) than in the previous year (3.7%). Analysis of fertility parameters based on veterinary bills and data from the breeding associations showed no significant differences between case and control farms. The general veterinary costs per cow from July to December 2012 were significantly higher (p=0.02) in case (CHF 19.80; EUR 16.50) than in control farms (CHF 15.90; EUR 13.25). No differences in milk yield were found between groups, but there was a significant decrease in milk production in case farms in the second half year in 2012 compared to the same period in 2011 (p<0.001) and 2013 (p=0.009). The average daily milk yield per cow (both groups together) was +0.73kg higher (p=0.03) in the second half year 2011 and +0.52kg (p=0.12) in the second half year 2013 compared to the same half year 2012. Fifty-seven percent of the cows with acute clinical signs (n=461) were treated by a veterinarian. The average calculated loss after SBV infection for a standardized farm was CHF 1606 (EUR 1338), which can be considered as low at the national level, but the losses were subject to great fluctuations between farms, so that individual farms could have very high losses (>CHF 10,000, EUR 8333).

Relationship between thirty post-thaw spermatozoal characteristics and the field fertility of 11 high-use Australian dairy AI sires

This study determined the relationship between two measures of field fertility of I I high-use Australian artificial insemination (AI) dairy bulls and thirty standard laboratory assessments of spermatozoal post-thaw viability. The two measures of field fertility used, conception rates (cCR) and non-return rates (cNRR), were both corrected for all major non-bull variables. Sperm viability assessments were conducted on semen collected within the same season as that used to derive the field fertility estimates. These assessments measured sperm concentration, motility, morphology and membrane integrity at thawing, after 2 h incubation and after the swim-up sperm selection procedure. Derivations of these measures and in vitro embryo fertilizing and developmental capacity were also determined. The Genstat Statistical Package [Genstat 5 Release 4.2 Reference Manual, VSN International, Oxford, 20001 was used to conduct an analysis of variance on the viability parameters across semen straws and bulls, and to calculate the strength of correlation between each semen parameter, cNRR and cCR in a correlation matrix. Step forward multiple regression identified the combination of semen parameters that were most highly correlated with cCR and with cNRR. The sperm parameters identified as being most predictive of cCR were the percentage of morphologically normal sperm immediately post-thaw (zeroNorm), the number of morphologically normal sperm after the swim-up procedure (nSuNorm), and the rate of zygote cleavage in vitro (Clv); the predictive equation formed by these parameters accounted for 70% of variance. The predictive equation produced for cNRR contained the variables zeroNorm, the proportion of membrane intact sperm after 2 h incubation at 37 degreesC (twoMem) and Clv and accounted for 76.5% of the variation. ZeroNorm was found to be consistent across straws and semen batches within-bull and the sperm parameter with the strongest individual predictive capacity for both cCR (P = 0.1) and cNRR (P = 0.001). Post-thaw sperm parameters can be used to predict field fertility of Australian dairy sires; the calculated predictive equations are particularly useful for identifying and monitoring bulls of very high and very low potential fertility within a group. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of Nutrition and Time of Weaning on Dry Season Liveweight Loss of Breeder Cows

In the seasonally dry tropics of northern Australia, breeder cows may lose up to 30% liveweight during the dry season when pasture is of low nutritive value. This is a major cause of low reproductive rates and high mortality. Weaning early in the dry season is effective to reduce this liveweight loss of the breeder (Holroyd et al. 1988). An experiment examined the dry season liveweight loss of breeders for a range of weaning times and levels of nutrition. From April to October through the dry season, 209 Bos indicus x Shorthorn cross cows 4-6 years of age grazed speargrass pastures in north Queensland. The cows had been joined with bulls from late January until April. Twenty-nine breeders had not suckled a calf during the previous wet season (DRY cows). In addition 180 cows lactating in April were weaned in late April, mid July or early September. The cows were allocated by stratified randomisation based on lactational status, stage of pregnancy and body condition to 15 x 40 ha paddocks. Five paddocks with low fertility soils provided LOW nutrition, while 10 paddocks with medium fertility soils and no supplementation or with supplementation provided MEDIUM and HIGH nutrition, respectively. The supplement consisted of molasses containing 14% urea offered ad libitum. Liveweight was measured at intervals and conceptus-free liveweight (CF-LW) calculated. Data were analyses by AOV within groups of paddocks. Animal production for a consuming world : proceedings of 9th Congress of the Asian-Australasian Association of Animal Production Societies [AAAP] and 23rd Biennial Conference of the Australian Society of Animal Production [ASAP] and 17th Annual Symposium of the University of Sydney, Dairy Research Foundation, [DRF]. 2-7 July 2000, Sydney, Australia.

Cows, milk and religion: the use of dairy produce in early societies

This review of documentary sources, particularly from Early Mesopotamia, Egypt, India and Europe seeks to show how the range of dairy products varied in different areas and to demonstrate that in many societies, cows and dairying played an important role in early religious practice. The range of dairy products consumed also varied greatly between different societies and the use of milk did not automatically imply that dairying technology was applied to its full potential. Also, in some cultures the consumption of milk was confined to certain sections of society.