Software to productive and reproductive control of goats: PROCAPRI

PROCAPRI is a software to productive and reproductive control of goats developed with the aim of assisting the goat producers in their decisions, to make a representative data set of Brazilian goats production and providing research information. It has five modules: Administration, Association, UNESP, Maintenance, and Utilities. It has been available since October 1994, and it has been amply used, with 157 copies distributed until April 1998 in Brazil and other countries.

Avaliação da adoção de tecnologias na produção de leite caprino

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Claroscuros del desarrollo sustentable y la lucha contra la desertificación: las racionalidades económicas en el ojo de la tormenta : Estudio de caso con productores caprinos de tierras secas (Mendoza, Argentina)

El trabajo analiza la situación de conflicto que se presenta en las tierras secas de Mendoza, entre productores caprinos y programas de lucha contra la desertificación, a propósito de las prácticas productivas y el uso de los recursos naturales.Se aborda un caso de estudio situado en el extremo noreste de la provincia de Mendoza, polo hiperárido de la región, gravemente afectado por procesos de desertificación, con una extensión de 10.007km2 y poblado por 3015 habitantes, donde dominan las pequeñas explotaciones caprinas. Estudios previos señalan que las principales causas de la desertificación de la zona son la tala de bosque nativo y el sobrepastoreo que ocasionan las inadecuadas prácticas de producción ganadera. En respuesta a ello, las acciones de lucha contra la desertificación se orientan a "concientizar" y "capacitar" a los productores e impulsan procesos de cambio productivo. Las propuestas en curso insisten en que, de mantenerse los actuales niveles de presión sobre los recursos, en el futuro se amplificarán las ya graves condiciones de pobreza y desertificación. Sin embargo, a pesar de los esfuerzos y fondos invertidos los productores parecen obstinados en sus actuales estrategias de producción y en la dinámica de uso de los recursos naturales que de ellas derivan. ¿Cómo explicar que no tomen otras opciones productivas que impliquen mayores beneficios económicos y mejores equilibrios ambientales? ¿Cómo explicar que actúen, al menos en apariencia, en contra de sus propios beneficios? Haciendo crítica de las explicaciones que ubican en el epicentro del problema "la cultura" de los productores, este trabajo busca realizar un aporte a través del análisis de tres dimensiones: 1- La oferta ambiental que es soporte de las actividades productivas, 2- Los ingresos que las unidades de producción alcanzan y 3- Los egresos que enfrentan en concepto de subsistencia. El trabajo se despliega haciendo uso de una metodología mixta que resulta de la combinación de técnicas cuantitativas y cualitativas.

Claroscuros del desarrollo sustentable y la lucha contra la desertificación: las racionalidades económicas en el ojo de la tormenta : Estudio de caso con productores caprinos de tierras secas (Mendoza, Argentina)

El trabajo analiza la situación de conflicto que se presenta en las tierras secas de Mendoza, entre productores caprinos y programas de lucha contra la desertificación, a propósito de las prácticas productivas y el uso de los recursos naturales.Se aborda un caso de estudio situado en el extremo noreste de la provincia de Mendoza, polo hiperárido de la región, gravemente afectado por procesos de desertificación, con una extensión de 10.007km2 y poblado por 3015 habitantes, donde dominan las pequeñas explotaciones caprinas. Estudios previos señalan que las principales causas de la desertificación de la zona son la tala de bosque nativo y el sobrepastoreo que ocasionan las inadecuadas prácticas de producción ganadera. En respuesta a ello, las acciones de lucha contra la desertificación se orientan a "concientizar" y "capacitar" a los productores e impulsan procesos de cambio productivo. Las propuestas en curso insisten en que, de mantenerse los actuales niveles de presión sobre los recursos, en el futuro se amplificarán las ya graves condiciones de pobreza y desertificación. Sin embargo, a pesar de los esfuerzos y fondos invertidos los productores parecen obstinados en sus actuales estrategias de producción y en la dinámica de uso de los recursos naturales que de ellas derivan. ¿Cómo explicar que no tomen otras opciones productivas que impliquen mayores beneficios económicos y mejores equilibrios ambientales? ¿Cómo explicar que actúen, al menos en apariencia, en contra de sus propios beneficios? Haciendo crítica de las explicaciones que ubican en el epicentro del problema "la cultura" de los productores, este trabajo busca realizar un aporte a través del análisis de tres dimensiones: 1- La oferta ambiental que es soporte de las actividades productivas, 2- Los ingresos que las unidades de producción alcanzan y 3- Los egresos que enfrentan en concepto de subsistencia. El trabajo se despliega haciendo uso de una metodología mixta que resulta de la combinación de técnicas cuantitativas y cualitativas.

Claroscuros del desarrollo sustentable y la lucha contra la desertificación: las racionalidades económicas en el ojo de la tormenta : Estudio de caso con productores caprinos de tierras secas (Mendoza, Argentina)

El trabajo analiza la situación de conflicto que se presenta en las tierras secas de Mendoza, entre productores caprinos y programas de lucha contra la desertificación, a propósito de las prácticas productivas y el uso de los recursos naturales.Se aborda un caso de estudio situado en el extremo noreste de la provincia de Mendoza, polo hiperárido de la región, gravemente afectado por procesos de desertificación, con una extensión de 10.007km2 y poblado por 3015 habitantes, donde dominan las pequeñas explotaciones caprinas. Estudios previos señalan que las principales causas de la desertificación de la zona son la tala de bosque nativo y el sobrepastoreo que ocasionan las inadecuadas prácticas de producción ganadera. En respuesta a ello, las acciones de lucha contra la desertificación se orientan a "concientizar" y "capacitar" a los productores e impulsan procesos de cambio productivo. Las propuestas en curso insisten en que, de mantenerse los actuales niveles de presión sobre los recursos, en el futuro se amplificarán las ya graves condiciones de pobreza y desertificación. Sin embargo, a pesar de los esfuerzos y fondos invertidos los productores parecen obstinados en sus actuales estrategias de producción y en la dinámica de uso de los recursos naturales que de ellas derivan. ¿Cómo explicar que no tomen otras opciones productivas que impliquen mayores beneficios económicos y mejores equilibrios ambientales? ¿Cómo explicar que actúen, al menos en apariencia, en contra de sus propios beneficios? Haciendo crítica de las explicaciones que ubican en el epicentro del problema "la cultura" de los productores, este trabajo busca realizar un aporte a través del análisis de tres dimensiones: 1- La oferta ambiental que es soporte de las actividades productivas, 2- Los ingresos que las unidades de producción alcanzan y 3- Los egresos que enfrentan en concepto de subsistencia. El trabajo se despliega haciendo uso de una metodología mixta que resulta de la combinación de técnicas cuantitativas y cualitativas.

Antibiofilm activity of Brasilian propolis extracts against Staphylococcus aureus producers isolated from goat and sheep mastitic milk

The aim of this study was to investigate the action of inhibiting S. aureus biofilm formation, and the ability to eliminate formed biofilm, by alcoholic extracts of green, red and brown propolis from Brazil. Ten isolates of S. aureus have been tested, 8 field isolates, 1 MRSA and 1 ATCC 25923, by microplate quantitative method. For the evaluation of inhibitory action, the isolates were inoculated, in triplicate, in TSB 1% glucose in the presence of green (1), red (2) and brown (4) propolis extracts. Biofilm formation was evaluated by optical reading, compared to a negative control consisting of a mixture of TSB and extract. For biofilm elimination assay, extracts were added to plates with 24h cultures of the same isolates. Assays were repeated three times on three different days. Eight out of the 10 isolates produced less biofilm in the presence of the green propolis extracts, so the inhibitory effect is 80%. Brown propolis extracts inhibited the formation of biofilm in 10% to 70% of the isolates and the red extracts in 30% to 80%. Regarding the biofilm elimination activity, green propolis extract was positive for 9 out of the 10 isolates (90%), the brown propolis extracts were positive for 0% to 100% isolates and red extracts for 0% to 10% isolates.

A survey of the meat goat industry in Queensland and New South Wales. 1. General property information, goat and pasture management.

This study aimed to survey farmers knowledge and practices on the management of pastures, stocking rates and markets of meat goat-producing enterprises within New South Wales and Queensland, Australia. An interview-based questionnaire was conducted on properties that derived a significant proportion of their income from goats. The survey covered 31 landholders with a total land area of 567 177 ha and a reported total of 160 010 goats. A total of 55% (17/31) of producers were involved in both opportunistic harvesting and commercial goat operations, and 45% (14/31) were specialised seedstock producers. Goats were the most important livestock enterprise on 55% (17/31) of surveyed properties. Stocking rate varied considerably (0.3?9.3 goats/ha) within and across surveyed properties and was found to be negatively associated with property size and positively associated with rainfall. Overall, 81% (25/31) of producers reported that the purpose of running goats on their properties was to target international markets. Producers also cited the importance of targeting markets as a way to increase profitability. Fifty-three percent of producers were located over 600 km from a processing plant and the high cost of freight can limit the continuity of goats supplied to abattoirs. Fencing was an important issue for goat farmers, with many producers acknowledging this could potentially add to capital costs associated with better goat management and production. Producers in the pastoral regions appear to have a low investment in pasture development and opportunistic goat harvesting appears to be an important source of income.

Endophytic fungi found in association with Smallanthus sonchifolius (Asteraceae) as resourceful producers of cytotoxic bioactive natural products

Smallanthus sonchifolius is a traditional Andean plant which has been cultured mainly in Brazil, Japan and New Zealand due to its medicinal properties. A study of the endophytic fungi associated to the plant was carried out in order to characterize new cytotoxic agents. Thirty two fungal strains were isolated and submitted to cultivation and extraction producing 186 extracts. Of these, 12% displayed moderate to high cytotoxic activities and were considered promising anticancer compound sources. The ethyl acetate fractions of Nigrospora sphaerica and Phoma betae liquid fermentations contained the synergistic compounds 8-hydroxy-6-methoxy-3-methylisocoumarin and (22E,24R)-ergosta-4,6,8(14),22-tetraen-3-one which are potential compounds for drug discovery. Another isolated compound, pimara-7,15-dien-3-beta-ol diterpene is being characterized for the first time through a detailed spectroscopic analysis including GC/MS, homo- and hetero-nuclear correlated NMR experiments (HMQC, HMBC, COSY and NOEdiff) along with its optical rotation.

Potential demand for hedging by Australian wheat producers

The potential for hedging Australian wheat with the new Sydney Futures Exchange wheat contract is examined using a theoretical hedging model parametised from previous studies. The optimal hedging ratio for an 'average' wheat farmer was found to be zero under reasonable assumptions about transaction costs and based on previously published measures of risk aversion. The estimated optimal hedging ratios were found by simulation to be quite sensitive to assumptions about the degree of risk aversion. If farmers are significantly more risk averse than is currently believed, then there is likely to be an active interest in the new futures market.

Apoptosis and necrosis of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in goat milk with high and low somatic cell counts

The purpose of the present trial was to compare the percentages of necrotic and apoptotic polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) in goat milk with low and high somatic cell count (SCC). Twenty eight milk samples were collected from 20 lactating goats, determined to be negative in bacteriological examination, and divided in three groups, according to their SCC: samples with SCC lower than 500 x 10(3) cells/mL; between 500 and 1500 x 10(3) cells/mL; and higher than 1500 x 10(3) cells/m L. SCC was performed in an automatic somatic cell counter. Apoptosis and necrosis were quantified using dual-color flow cytometry with fluorescein labeled annexin-V and propidium iodide (PI). Results of the present study showed a significant positive correlation between the percentage of the viable PMNL and milk SCC(r = 0.495, P=0.008), as well as a significant negative correlation between apoptotic PMNL and milk SCC(r = -0.486, P = 0.009). Results also pointed out lower PMNL viability rates due to higher apoptosis rates in milk samples with SCC lower than 5 x 10(5) cells/mL. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Virtual power producers integration into MASCEM

All over the world Distributed Generation is seen as a valuable help to get cleaner and more efficient electricity. Under this context distributed generators, owned by different decentralized players can provide a significant amount of the electricity generation. To get negotiation power and advantages of scale economy, these players can be aggregated giving place to a new concept: the Virtual Power Producer. Virtual Power Producers are multi-technology and multi-site heterogeneous entities. Virtual Power Producers should adopt organization and management methodologies so that they can make Distributed Generation a really profitable activity, able to participate in the market. In this paper we address the integration of Virtual Power Producers into an electricity market simulator –MASCEM – as a coalition of distributed producers.

Virtual power producers market strategies

This paper presents MASCEM - a multi-agent based electricity market simulator. MASCEM uses game theory, machine learning techniques, scenario analysis and optimisation techniques to model market agents and to provide them with decision-support. This paper mainly focus on the MASCEM ability to provide the means to model and simulate Virtual Power Producers (VPP). VPPs are represented as a coalition of agents, with specific characteristics and goals. The paper detail some of the most important aspects considered in VPP formation and in the aggregation of new producers and includes a case study.

Multi-agent electricity market simulation with dynamic strategies & virtual power producers

Distributed energy resources will provide a significant amount of the electricity generation and will be a normal profitable business. In the new decentralized grid, customers will be among the many decentralized players and may even help to co-produce the required energy services such as demand-side management and load shedding. So, they will gain the opportunity to be more active market players. The aggregation of DG plants gives place to a new concept: the Virtual Power Producer (VPP). VPPs can reinforce the importance of these generation technologies making them valuable in electricity markets. In this paper we propose the improvement of MASCEM, a multi-agent simulation tool to study negotiations in electricity spot markets based on different market mechanisms and behavior strategies, in order to take account of decentralized players such as VPP.

Distributed generation producers' reserve management

Sustainable development concerns are being addressed with increasing attention, in general, and in the scope of power industry, in particular. The use of distributed generation (DG), mainly based on renewable sources, has been seen as an interesting approach to this problem. However, the increasing of DG in power systems raises some complex technical and economic issues. This paper presents ViProd, a simulation tool that allows modeling and simulating DG operation and participation in electricity markets. This paper mainly focuses on the operation of Virtual Power Producers (VPP) which are producers’ aggregations, being these producers mainly of DG type. The paper presents several reserve management strategies implemented in the scope of ViProd and the results of a case study, based on real data.