• Energy Research
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Climate change models are predicting increased frequency and severity of droughts in arid and semiarid environments, and these areas are responsible for much of the world's livestock production. Because cattle (Bos Taurus) grazing can impact the abundance, distribution, and ecological function of native plant and animal communities, it is important to understand how cattle might respond to increasingly arid conditions. Here, we evaluate changes in habitat selection by cattle across an 8-yr period as a function of rainfall and other environmental covariates. Using resource selection functions, we evaluated habitat selection based on 2 behaviors, stationary and mobile. Models revealed similarity in cattle habitat selection across years, with only modest changes in selection as a function of precipitation, despite marked seasonal and interannual differences in rainfall. Cattle preferred gentle slopes, forest edges, wet meadows, and areas near water as well as areas far from water on plateaus. Cattle avoided areas at intermediate distances from water, typically associated with steep slopes. As conditions became drier during the late season, cattle did not switch selection patterns but instead contracted their selection around water. Cattle also selected similar habitats whether they were mobile or stationary, possibly making microsite decisions therein. This consistent pattern of selection across years could be particularly problematic for riparian communities as climates become drier; however, it may also simplify cattle management, as range managers can focus vegetation monitoring efforts on riparian areas. Due to the uncertainty surrounding future climatic conditions, it is imperative that both range and wildlife managers develop long-term plans to continue managing these multiuse landscapes in an ecologically sustainable manner based on expected patterns of livestock grazing.

Heat stress is a global issue constraining pig productivity, and it is likely to intensify under future climate change. Technological advances in earth observation have made tools available that enable identification and mapping livestock species that are at risk of exposure to heat stress due to climate change. Here, we present a methodology to map the current and likely future heat stress risk in pigs using R software by combining the effects of temperature and relative humidity. We applied the method to growing-finishing pigs in Uganda. We mapped monthly heat stress risk and quantified the number of pigs exposed to heat stress using 18 global circulation models and projected impacts in the 2050s. Results show that more than 800 000 pigs in Uganda will be affected by heat stress in the future. The results can feed into evidence-based policy, planning and targeted resource allocation in the livestock sector.

Transmittance of a material depends on the type of radiation impinging on the material (direct or diffuse), the angle of incidence of the sun’s rays (in direct radiation conditions) and the structure and characteristics of the material itself. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of nine agricultural screens of different densities, colours, thread diameters and porosities. A simple metal frame was used to quantify global, diffuse and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) transmission to determine their transmittance values (as a function of the incidence angle of solar rays in direct radiation conditions) for global radiation and PAR, as well as the diffuse radiation transmitted characteristics of the screens (ratio of diffuse radiation to global radiation transmitted by screens). Non-coloured (translucent) screens contributed to a higher and more efficient proportion of diffuse radiation (Di/Gi ≈ 90%). The green screen behaved similarly to the non-coloured 20×10 type as far as global radiation was concerned, although the PAR transmittance values were lower (up to 12.4% at 15º). Variation in transmission according to diameter and density of the threads was greatest in the black screens. The non-coloured-thread screens may be the best option for maximising the transmission of diffuse radiation and the 6×6 green screen for vegetables cultivation during the summer in inland areas with latitudes close to 36ºN.

Heat stress and cold stress have a negative influence on cattle welfare and productivity. There have been some studies investigating the influence of cold stress on cattle, however the emphasis within this review is the influence of heat stress on cattle. The impact of hot weather on cattle is of increasing importance due to the changing global environment. Heat stress is a worldwide phenomenon that is associated with reduced animal productivity and welfare, particularly during the summer months. Animal responses to their thermal environment are extremely varied, however, it is clear that the thermal environment influences the health, productivity, and welfare of cattle. Whilst knowledge continues to be developed, managing livestock to reduce the negative impact of hot climatic conditions remains somewhat challenging. This review provides an overview of the impact of heat stress on production and reproduction in bovines.

SUMMARY An Irish Wolfhound was admitted with hyperpnea, hyperthermia, and tachycardia. The dog had been treated with the recommended dosage of disophenol. The dog was cooled with ethyl alcohol sprays and ice packs and was given buffered lactated Ringer's solution. High ambient temperature and vigorous exercise were probably responsible for the toxic reaction to disophenol even though it was given at the recommended dosage.

The levels of production diseases (PD) and the cow replacement rate are high in dairy farming. They indicate excessive production demands on the cow and a poor state of animal welfare. This is the subject of increasing public debate. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of production diseases on the economic sustainability of dairy farms. The contributions of individual culled cows to the farm’s economic performance were calculated, based on milk recording and accounting data from 32 farms in Germany. Cows were identified as ‘profit cows’ when they reached their individual ‘break-even point’. Data from milk recordings (yield and indicators for PD) were used to cluster farms by means of a principal component and a cluster analysis. The analysis revealed five clusters of farms. The average proportion of profit cows was 57.5%, 55.6%, 44.1%, 29.4% and 19.5%. Clusters characterized by a high proportion of cows with metabolic problems and high culling and mortality rates had lower proportions of profit cows, somewhat irrespective of the average milk-yield per cow. Changing the perception of PD from considering it as collateral damage to a threat to the farms’ economic viability might foster change processes to reduce production diseases.

AbstractBACKGROUNDAntrodia camphorata is proven to probably inhibit the neurotoxicity of amyloid β‐peptide (Aβ), known as a risk factor toward the development of Alzheimer's disease. Deep ocean water (DOW), drawn from an ocean depth of more than 200 m, has proven to stimulate the growth and metabolite biosynthesis of fungi owing to its rich minerals and trace elements. Based on these advantages of DOW, this study used statistical response surface methodology (RSM) to investigate the effects of DOW on the growth and anti‐Aβ‐induced neurocytotoxicity ability of A. camphorata.RESULTSThe results showed that DOW was useful for increasing the biomass of A. camphorata and enhancing its neuroprotective capability. The anti‐Aβ40‐induced neurocytotoxicity ability of filtrate was increased via raising the mycelium‐secreted components. Furthermore, the anti‐Aβ40‐induced neurocytotoxicity ability of mycelium was also increased by the DOW‐stimulated intracellular antioxidants. Using 80% DOW concentration, initial pH 3.3 and 20% inoculum size as the optimal culture conditions of A. camphorata significantly stimulated the biomass and mycelium‐mediated Aβ40‐induced cell viability from 302 ± 14 mg per 100 mL and 49.2 ± 2.2% to 452 ± 33 mg per 100 mL and 65.0 ± 7.4% respectively.CONCLUSIONThis study indicated that DOW could be used as a promising supplementary for the production of A. camphorata secondary metabolites with strong antioxidant activity to protect neuron cells from damage based on Aβ stimulation cytotoxicity. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry