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• Embryonic muscle responds to higher temperatures by proliferation. • The timing of temperature manipulation is crucial for the resulting changes. • Incubation temperature influences leg bone growth, mineralisation and breaking strength. • The reflection of changes in the muscles and bones on walking ability needs more study. • Future studies of temperature manipulation should include welfare assessments. Commercial rearing of broiler chickens can be coupled with compromised animal welfare. Selection for optimal productivity has led to decreased walking ability and associated welfare issues like contact dermatitis. The incubation temperature has previously been shown to affect the development of the locomotory system and can thus be seen as a candidate tool to influence walking ability. This review paper aims to provide an overview on effects of incubation temperature changes in early (week 1), mid-term (week 2) and late (week 3) embryogenesis on broiler muscle and bone development, and subsequent locomotory ability. A novelty in this paper is the discussion of the possible effect of incubation temperature manipulation on the welfare of broilers. Muscle tissue responds to increased temperatures during embryogenesis by proliferation, but this effect depends on the timing, as embryonic muscle development relies on the expression of regulatory factors and cell lines occurring at specific time points. Furthermore, breast and leg muscles respond differently, especially when different timings of temperature manipulation are compared. Leg bone growth seems to be promoted by increased incubation temperature, but the effect cannot clearly be separated from overall embryo growth. Data on the influence of the incubation profile on bone strength and mineralisation is limited and suggests a positive effect of higher temperature in mid-term embryogenesis, but not when applied over extensive periods. The reflection of the changes in bone and muscle development on walking ability has not been widely studied but a beneficial effect is possible due to the effect on muscle and overall body growth. Concluding, further studies to establish proper timing and temperature enabling beneficial changes in the muscle fibres and bones for improved walking ability are needed. This can be a way to make chicken meat production more sustainable and profitable due to fewer production losses and better animal welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A meta-analysis of heritability estimates for milk urea and milk urea nitrogen in dairy cows was conducted. • The average heritability estimates for milk urea and milk urea nitrogen were low. • Milk urea and milk urea nitrogen had low genetic correlations with production and reproduction traits. • The results indicated the existence of additive genetic variation for milk urea nitrogen. • Genetic progress for decreased milk urea can be reached through direct genetic selection. This study aimed to conduct a meta-analysis using the random-effects model to integrate published estimates of genetic parameters for milk urea (MU) and milk urea nitrogen (MUN). The study used a total of 49 heritability and 147 genetic correlation estimates from 30 papers published between 2003 and 2023. The heritability estimates for MU and MUN were low and equal to 0.202 and 0.181, respectively. The genetic correlation estimates between MU and production traits were low and ranged from -0.039 (between MU and milk lactose percentage) to 0.102 (between MU and milk protein yield), but the genetic correlation estimates between MUN and production traits were low and varied from -0.070 (between MUN and somatic cell score) to 0.357 (between MUN and milk protein yield). The genetic correlation estimates between MUN and calving to first service, days open, and first service conception rate were low and equal to 0.093, 0.329, and 0.069, respectively. The results of present study showed that available additive genetic variation in MU and MUN could potentially be exploited in dairy cow genetic selection schemes. Although the correlations of MU and MUN with production and reproduction traits were low, there were some cases where they were unfavorable, and they should not be neglected when planning selection programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At all times prior to arrival at the slaughter plant, pigs may experience stress from a range of on-farm handling practices. The quality of the design of the loading facilities and of the handling procedures plays a key role in determining the effects of the farm on pig response to preslaughter stress, as it may contribute to improve to reduce the load time, the staff workload and stress in pigs. Poor handling management will impair pigs' movement during loading, leading to rougher handling and stressful experiences, and ultimately reduced welfare. Thus, this paper overviews the effects of on-farm handling management factors during loading that may influence the response of pigs to pre-slaughter stress. In addition, this paper provides recommendations on how to sort and move pigs to the loading dock and into the truck. Handling practices (tools, group size, use of shipping pens, mixing) and physical features of the barn, such as light and sound, and alley and exit design (length, width and shape) will be examined. The design of the loading dock will also be discussed, in regards to the ramp design (bedding, cleat spacing and angle) and its alternatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Bibliographic mapping was used to identify major research groups and trends for heat tolerance in farm animals. • Major research countries are the USA, China, Brazil, India, Australia and UK with 54% of all publications. • There was a gradual drift in heat stress studies from animal physiology towards genomics and cellular biology. • This area of research is growing 3x faster than publication rates in general. • Most papers are on cattle, indicating the need for studies with other species. This study looks at the bibliographic mapping of citation, co-occurrence of keywords, co-citation and bibliographic coupling for heat tolerance in farm animals. Data was obtained from Scopus (Elsevier) and analysed in Vosviewer. Several salient points emerge from our analysis. We found a total of 1728 documents from 102 countries, of which 54% are from six countries (USA, China, Brazil, India, Australia and UK). While heat tolerance is important, Global South countries have recently become more important in this topic. Nevertheless, researchers from this region appear relatively isolated using the metrics of this study. One potential factor contributing to isolation could be lack of funding. This is discussed in the light of current Article Processing Charges. We also note a gradual drift in heat stress studies from animal physiology towards genomics and cellular biology. The paper can help understanding tendencies in this field of research and may point to future actions within the research community. This paper also shows the need to strengthen studies in less favoured areas and with species such as small ruminants, whereby small holders may be harder hit by climate change. Biases in the analysis could arise due to low citations from recent papers or those not indexed in Scopus. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper reviews the use of information from animal-based monitoring systems, management information systems (MIS) and decision support systems (DSS) in pig production. As technology evolves, more and new types of data can be automatically collected. This increases the pace at which new systems are being developed. The collected data are processed into information, which should be used at the herd level. As these systems are being developed, there is a need to evaluate the value of the information provided to the user. In this review, the concepts of data and information are first described as well as the factors influencing the value of information, e.g. measuring devices and data/information processing. Then, after presenting the technologies and recordings for obtaining data used in the studies included in this paper, the value of information of the systems is reviewed according to their expected benefits in terms of production and management, animal health and welfare, and economical impact. The aim and value of DSS and other MIS are thereafter reviewed. Few studies have evaluated the economical benefits of using technologies to obtain new information, in terms of the number of piglets or the economical value. To quantify the value of information, it is suggested to develop a model frame with a detailed level of information, which allows one to estimate the value of including or excluding one piece of information. A more precise quantification of the value, and benefits, of information can in the future assist the development of more focused systems, in which implementation may be facilitated by reducing the uncertainty of the payback period. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Lameness in both dairy and beef cattle is a major welfare and economic problem. It results in milk yield reduction, reduced feed intake, weight loss, reduced fertility, and premature culling of affected animals. There is a wide range of infectious agents that are associated with lameness problems in cattle. Both systemic as well as localized infections may cause animals to have problems to move in a natural way. In particular, digital dermatitis (DD) is currently considered a leading cause of severe epidemic lameness in dairy herds, giving rise to major economic losses. This disease was first described in the seventies in Italy after which it has been recorded in different parts of the world with a large variation in prevalence. Surprisingly, despite the huge number of papers that are published regarding this disease, its pathogenesis is still not fully elucidated. Many studies have shown that Treponema spp. play a decisive role in the establishment of the disease, although it is not yet fully clear how exactly an infection with these germs leads to the very typical skin lesions. Some papers emphasized that similar complex microbial communities can be isolated from DD lesions in cows and periodontitis lesions in humans, giving rise to speculations about similarities in the typical inflammatory reaction provoked by an infection by these bacteria. Moreover, DD is considered a multifactorial disease, with besides infectious, also environmental, managerial and individual-animal factors likely playing a decisive role in its pathogenesis. These different contributing factors will be critically discussed in the present paper mainly aiming to come a step closer towards the full elucidation of the pathogenesis of this stubborn infectious disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• This diversity reveals a strong consensus on the need for multi-stakeholder programs. • Divergent views on roles suggest the plurality of potential forms of collaboration with shared responsibilities. • Views on the diversity of stakeholders to be involved diverge according to the experts' profession. Stakeholders' involvement is key to breeding programs' success. The identification of stakeholders, their categories, respective role and weight in the overall process therefore constitutes a crucial aspect of animal breeding. The objective of this paper is to show how the different international experts in breeding perceive the participation of stakeholders and their collaboration in the sustainable management of cattle-breeding programs in developing countries. This study uses the Delphi method to collect experts' opinions on stakeholders' involvement in breeding scheme design. In a first round, experts are asked to list all potential stakeholders and to score them on a scale from 1 to 5 according to the perceived importance of roles assigned to them. In a second round, experts were asked to confirm or modify their first notes for each proposal, by taking into account the opinion of the other experts. In the first and second rounds, 17 and 12 experts answered our questionnaires respectively. Two types of analyses were first realized, i.e., a statistical analysis, which evaluated the consensus and the divergence between experts, and a textual analysis, which evaluated the arguments and the roles. Then a factorial correspondence analysis was conducted to propose a typology of stakeholders according to their roles. In the first round, the State representatives, researchers and breeders were frequently mentioned, but the experts variably perceived the importance given to them individually. In the second round, the experts confirmed the need to involve these stakeholders. Between the two rounds, a convergence of views is observed on this implication, despite a persisting divergence on the assigned roles and their relative importance. This diversity of views may have reflected a diversity of origins and professions of responding experts. Development professionals considered the State as the main actor, while researchers considered the breeders and researchers. Expressed through a typological analysis, this divergence of experts' perception of roles suggests three groups of actors playing main roles. Group 1 corresponds to research, which role is to provide a scientific support for genetic and economic evaluation, as well as technological development. Group 2, composed of State, NGOs and funding institutions, covers roles in financing, subsidizing and capacity building. Group 3, including farmers and their organizations, is responsible of the breeding program management, genetic progress and breed conservation. The proposed typology of actors according to their role may intervene as a basis of discussion, helping in the identification of fruitful agreements beyond the perspective of one sole expert in charge of the designing of a breeding program. It suggests an organization that federates these groups of actors and defines the intervention framework and the activities of the breeding program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• In the Brazilian pork supply chain, horizontal relationships positively influence performance of Brazilian pig-farmers. • In the Brazilian pork supply chain, horizontal relationships positively influence farmer-buyer vertical relationships. • Vertical relationships positively influence performance of Brazilian pig farmers. • Farmer-buyer relationship quality positively influences performance of Brazilian pig farmers. According to the literature, vertical and horizontal relationships are of key importance to farmer performance. However, most studies have examined these relationships using distinct models. This paper contributes with new insights to the supply chain management and network theories by using a single model to analyse how horizontal relationships impact on vertical relationships and how these jointly affect the performance of Brazilian pig farmers. Data were obtained from 269 farmers delivering pigs through contracts and spot markets in southern Brazil. The results demonstrate that both vertical and horizontal relationships can improve farmer performance. Moreover, horizontal relationships positively influence vertical relationships by improving the exchange of information between farmers and buyers. Furthermore, the findings suggest that these relationships are sensitive to the context (spot market or contracted production) in which the transactions are executed. The study draws relevant management implications for pig farmers, buyers and farmer associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Early weaning favors milk production, but affect health status of buffalo calves. • Early weaning affects the temperament of buffalo cows and amount milk production. • Suckling systems improve welfare of buffalo calves, but delayed postpartum estrus. • Application of different strategies of weaning need be studied in buffalo calves. The objective of this paper is to review the existing literature regarding the advantages and disadvantages that different weaning practices have on the stress responses and productivity of water buffalo in different breeding systems. On farms where water buffalo are bred for milk production, early weaning favors the amount of milk produced, reduces breeding costs and improves the reproductive rate. However, this early separation may be associated with the restriction of colostrum and essential nutrients for water buffalo calves, which cannot be replaced by the use of milk replacers made for cattle. Consequently, colostrum restriction can lead to an increase in disease susceptibility, high mortality rates and compromises future performance. In addition, mothers show a more temperamental behavior, making milk ejection difficult due to the anatomical characteristics of the udder in this species. On the other hand, a continuous suckling system may be more beneficial to weight, immune status, and welfare of calves but may cause economic losses due to delayed postpartum estrus. The results in terms of susceptibility to stress are contradictory; some authors conclude that separation between mother and calves does not generate stress, as long as weaning is carried out within the first hours or days after birth (3–6 days old) after colostrum intake, compared to weaning at 45 and 90 days. However, these calves have greater difficulty in learning to eat on their own and show an increase in abnormal behaviors. The most commonly utilized form of weaning is abrupt. Behavioral and physiological indicators suggest that abrupt weaning is stressful for both the mother and the offspring. The protocols for performing gradual weaning seem to offer advantages in reducing stress in buffalo compared to abrupt weaning. On buffalo farms, calf management is one of the critical points of breeding, therefore, more studies are required to improve current breeding systems and promote the welfare of water buffalo calves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Farmers have preferences for conserving different livestock species. • Farmer preferences for conservation contracts vary by livestock species. • Meeting farmer preferences for conservation contracts may increase participation. • Barriers to entry may preclude farmers from entering conservation programmes. This paper describes a choice experiment (CE) administered to explore farmer preferences for conservation agreements to conserve rare breeds among a sample of 174 respondents in Transylvania (Romania). The study site was chosen due to the prevalence of small-scale and extensive farm systems threatened by a changing policy environment that is increasing the scale and intensity of production units. Agreement attributes included length of conservation contract (5 or 10 years); scheme structure (community or individual managed conservation programme), and scheme support (application assistance or farm advisory support). A monetary attribute that reflects compensation for scheme participation allows the assessment of farmers' willingness to accept (WTA) for different contracts. Results suggest 89% of respondents would be willing to farm with rare breeds; cattle and sheep being the most popular livestock option; 40% of farmers were reportedly farming with endangered breeds. However, only 8% were likely to qualify for funding support under current requirements. WTA estimates reveal minimum annual compensation values of €167 and €7 per year respectively, for bovine and ovine farmers to consider enrolling in a contract. These values are comparable to Romanian Rural Development Programme (RDP) support offered to farmers keeping rare breeds of €200 and €10 per year for bovine and ovine farmers respectively. Our estimates of scheme uptake, calculated with coefficient values derived from the CE, suggest rare breed conservation contracts are considered attractive by Romanian farmers. Analysis suggests meeting farmer preferences for non-monetary contractual factors will increase participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • BAEP had discriminative ability to detect changes in hearing thresholds. • The auditory parameters in early calves were similar those described in adult cows. • BAEP is a qualitative and quantitative method minimally-invasive to evaluate hearing. Abstract Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) are useful to diagnose neurologic and genetic disorders in cattle but normal parameters and its application to detect changes in hearing are not demonstrated. The aims of this study were to develop a protocol for obtaining BAEP in Holstein calves and to establish the normal parameters of peak latencies, interpeak latencies (IPL) and waveforms of BAEP in this species. Ten male Holstein calves, aged 2.5 months and weighting 90.7 ± 4.0 kg were used. All animals were previously sedated with 0.08 mg/kg xylazine hydrochloride administered intramuscularly. The BAEP analysis was recorded using the IHS SmartEP-ASSR program connected with electrode needles placed on the standardized locations of the animal's head. Monoaurally presented broadband click stimuli (0.1 ms) were used for BAEP stimulation, with contralateral masking of 30 dB SPL. Stimuli were presented at a rate of 35.5 pulses per second (PPS) and evoked responses were collected and averaged 450–1500 times for each sound intensity. Earphones were inserted into the ear canal to present the acoustic stimulus and to attenuate environmental noise. Peak latencies, IPL, waveforms and auditory thresholds were recorded and analyzed in the right ear and were like those described in previous papers in adult male bulls. Auditory thresholds obtained in all animals were 33 ± 1.5 dB SPL. Peak latencies were 1.4 ± 0.07 ms (Peak I), 2.4 ± 0.10 ms (Peak II), 3.3 ± 0.10 ms (Peak III), 4.4 ± 0.19 ms (Peak IV) and 5.6 ± 0.28 ms (Peak V). IPL were 1.9 ± 0.12 ms (IPL I-III), 4.1 ± 0.29 ms (IPL I-V), 2.2 ± 0.19 ms (IPL II-V) and 2.2 ± 0.19 ms (IPL III-V). Brainstem auditory evoked potentials are a minimally-invasive method to evaluate level of audition in Holstein calves. In addition, BAEP is a method that can be applied in young calves and it would work on-farm to select the animals with better conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • The replacement of the traditional diet for the complete diet is possible for ponies. • No gastrointestinal or health problems were observed in horses fed a complete diet. • Processed diets containing dehydrated elephant grass presented higher fecal pH. • Pelleting provided higher lactate feces concentration. • Thermally processed diets presented lower apparent digestibility coefficients of nutrients. Abstract This paper describes the digestible and fermentative effects of total replacement of a traditional diet (it supplies hay and concentrate separately) for a thermally processed complete feed (it supplies both concentrate and forage) in ponies. Acetate, butyrate, propionate and lactate concentrations in feces, relative population of bacteria in feces, serum tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) activity and apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of nutrients were determined in eight adult ponies in maintenance. Three different sources of fiber (dehydrated whole corn plant, dehydrated elephant grass and Tifton 85 hay) and two thermal processing (pelleting or extrusion) were tested. Ponies were randomized in two simultaneous Latin square (4 × 4). First, we compared the means of processed diets versus control group by contrasts, to identify changes caused by the processing. For this, the analysis of variance considered a factorial scheme 2 × 4. Second, to compare the effects among processed diets only, statistical analysis disregarded the control group and used a 2 × 3 factorial scheme. The means were compared by the Tukey test with P < 0.05. The experimental chronogram considered 4 periods with 20 days each (15 for adaptation to diet and 5 for data collection) with 21-day intervals among periods. The control group had higher (P < 0.05) dry matter, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid (ADF) digestibility coefficients when compared to the thermally processing complete feed group. The Tukey test (processed feeds only), showed that dehydrated elephant grass had higher fecal pH values, lower digestibility coefficients of dry and organic matter, while the diets containing Tifton 85 hay presented better results for NDF and ADF. There was higher lactate concentration in feces for pelletized group, while extrusion improved the ADF's digestibility coefficients. In summary, when processed complete feed replaces the traditional diet, the apparent digestibility coefficients of some nutrients reduces. Dehydrated elephant grass had the lowest ADC's and it presented higher fecal pH. The pelleted diet resulted in a higher lactic acid feces concentration, but it did not alter the results of fecal pH. No gastrointestinal or clinical problems were observed in the ponies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • A high proportion of clover in the sward had the most positive influence on profit. • Three-cut systems were always more profitable than two-cut systems. • Use of formic acid-treated silage was unprofitable at restrictive land availability. • The key to profitable use of silage additives was a low real cost of silage. Abstract The objective of this paper was to examine how cutting frequency, silage fermentation patterns and clover performance in grass–clover swards influence the use of inputs and profitability in an organic dairy system. A linear programming model was developed to compare a three-cut and a two-cut system for a model farm in Central Norway, either with restricted or extensive silage fermentation at low or high red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) proportion in the sward, giving 8 different silage types in all. Input-output relations incorporated into the model were derived from a meta-analysis of organic grassland field trials in Norway as well as a silage fermentation experiment, and with feed intakes and milk yields from simulations with the 'TINE Optifôr' feed ration planner in the Norfor feed evaluation system. The model maximized total gross margin of farms with 260,000 l milk quota and housing capacity for 45 cows, with separate model versions for each of the 8 silage types. Farmland availability varied from 30 to 70 ha with 40 ha as the basis. Our results suggested that farmland availability and marginal return of a competing barley crop profoundly influenced the profitability of the different silage types. A high clover proportion increased dry matter (DM) yields and was far more important for profitability than the score on the other factors considered at restricted land availabilities. Profits with the three-cut systems were always greater than those with the two-cut systems, the former being associated with greater silage intakes and improved dairy cow performances but lower DM forage yields. Three-cut systems were further favoured as land availability increased and also by a lower marginal return of barley. Although use of an acidifying silage additive improved feed intakes and milk production per cow, the practice reduced total milk production and depressed profit compared to untreated, extensively fermented silage at restrictive land availabilities. With more land available, and in particular at a low marginal return of barley, use of a silage additive was profitable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • GHG emission cost can be easily incorporated in the definition of pig breeding goals. • Increasing sow productivity decreases GHG emission per kg of pig meat produced. • GHG emission do not affect contribution of sow productivity traits in selection indexes. Abstract Genetic improvement programmes should incorporate emerging challenges about environmental concerns into breeding goals. The large volume of pig meat production implies important greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions despite its lower carbon footprint per animal in front of ruminant productions. The different breeding goals considered by swine industry depending on different purebred lines, or line crosses adapted to different market demands and production constraints, could mask the effect of incorporating GHG emissions into selection indexes for improving sow productivity traits in nucleus populations. This paper analysed this effect following a methodological approach consisting in augmenting existing selection indexes derived from profit functions. An index previously described in the literature including litter size at birth, piglet perinatal survival, piglet survival to weaning, age at first conception and weaning to conception interval, was employed. This index was expanded to include GHG emissions calculating the emission intensities per litter, assuming a finished pig market and different scenarios and financial costs of GHG emissions. Results indicated that the inclusion of GHG emissions diminished the economic weight of litter size and piglet survival vs. the age at first conception and the interval weaning to conception, but did not affect significantly the contributions of these traits in the selection indexes. The improvement of sow productivity traits diluted relevantly the GHG emissions per piglet produced, and so, per kg of pork produced. The approach used in this study, despite its limitations in front of bio-economic models, has shown to be a simple and flexible way to analyse the effect of incorporating GHG emissions into existing selection indexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • The effects of abortion and other herd-cow factors on risk of mastitis were estimated. • Probability of mastitis differed between herds, parities, milk yield levels, lactation stages, and calving seasons. • Abortion interacted with other factors influencing the risk of mastitis. • Cows with a previous experience of mastitis were at high risk of re-infection. • Considering interaction terms in a risk factor analysis was informative. Abstract This paper forms a part of a series of studies aiming to estimate the costs of abortion in Iranian dairy herds. In previous studies we have determined mastitis as a significant risk factor for abortion. In order to provide a more reliable estimation of the costs associated with abortion in Iranian dairy herds, the risk of a cow getting infected with mastitis needs to be included. Data from 6 commercial herds and 32,191 cows was assigned to 3-weeks in milk (3-WIM) records from 1 to 567 d after calving (1st–27th 3-WIM). The effect of herd, parity, calving season, past incidence of abortion, cumulative FCM yield level (CFCML), past incidence of mastitis in previous 3-WIM periods (EMAS), days in milk (DIM) and their significant 2-way interactions on mastitis in current 3-WIM period (MAS) were evaluated using a logistic regression model. Mastitis rate (MR) in studied herds was on average 28.3%. Results show that herd, parity, EMAS, CFCML, calving season, and lactation stage significantly (P < 0.01) influenced the risk of MAS. The risk of MAS increased with lactation number. Cows with EMAS had 4.98 times greater risk of MAS compared to cows with no EMAS. Additionally, cows with medium-level CFCML (i.e. 2, 3, and 4) had a higher risk of MAS compared to cows on level 1 and 5. Calving during the spring significantly (P < 0.01) increased the risk of MAS compared to other seasons. Past incidence of abortion, however, was not significantly associated with MAS, but remained in the final model because of the interaction with other factors. It can be concluded that a risk factor analysis with all significant interactions is more informative than a model without the interactions, especially when making the optimal decision for a cow with given characteristics. Moreover, knowledge on the effect of influential factors on mastitis will be useful when designing mastitis control programs at herd or national level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Pastoralism is not only a livestock-based livelihood strategy but also a way of life with socio-cultural norms and values, and indigenous knowledge revolving around livestock. Pastoral systems in Africa are facing demographic, economic, socio-political and climatic pressures which are driving many pastoralists into non-livestock based livelihood strategies. The changing contexts in which pastoralists operate raise the issue of the sustainability of pastoral systems in dryland Africa. The specific objectives of this paper are: (i) to identify the challenges of assessing the sustainability of pastoral systems with focus on East and West Africa; (ii) to propose criteria and indicators for sustainability assessment of pastoral systems; and (iii) to demonstrate the diversity of pastoral systems by elaborating on features in East and West Africa with case studies from pastoral communities in both regions, namely Samburu in Kenya and Fakara in Niger. All these objectives are to contribute to the debates on the sustainability of pastoralism. Assessing sustainability of pastoral systems is challenging and complex in view of different aspects that should be addressed over time and at different scales. The main challenges addressed in this paper include purpose and interpretation of sustainability, time dimension and scale, diversity of pastoral systems, inter-relatedness of assessment criteria, comprehensiveness and measurability of indicators. To illustrate the challenges, we proposed a number of criteria based on key systems'' components of production, stability, efficiency and resilience. For each criterion, a number of indicators were proposed. The criteria we suggested are inter-related and should not be considered in isolation bearing in mind that sustainability is a composite attribute that integrates several variables. In terms of sustainability of pastoral systems in East and West Africa, the key issues are mobility, livestock diversity, livelihood diversification options, and preservation of pastoral tradition and indigenous knowledge. The degree with which these issues are constraining pastoral production and economy will largely shape the trajectory of sustainability of different pastoral systems in both regions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Sustainable development equally includes environmental protection including biodiversity, economic growth and social equity, both within and between generations. The paper first reviews different aspects related to the sustainable use of livestock biodiversity and property regimes that influence their management. The different dimensions of livestock biodiversity, from the gene to the ecosystem, have characteristics of common pool resources, club goods and private goods that affect the way they are managed, researched, invested in and exchanged. In the second part, the paper uses a country-level dataset to assess trade-offs between livestock genetic diversity and economic development goals. Despite the low resolution of country data, the results of the analysis tend to confirm the importance of economic development drivers for the risk status of breeds. Therefore, research in the valuation of non-market products and services, including ecosystem services, provided by diverse breeds would need to be intensified in order to close the mismatch between the private and public interests in breed conservation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Livestock plays an important role in the livelihoods of millions of poor smallholders within developing countries. Although it has been recognized that smallholders could benefit from genetic improvement strategies (breeding programmes), the challenges associated with establishing genetic improvement strategies for smallholder systems are considerable, resulting in limited successes to date. This paper considers the potential role of marker-based selection to genetic improvement strategies for smallholder production systems, taking into account the socio-economic, infrastructural and institutional issues. The paper stresses that no genetic improvement strategy, with or without the use of markers, is likely to succeed unless a systems approach is applied and other system constraints are met. The marker-based selection technologies discussed in this paper include marker- and gene-assisted selection, marker-assisted introgression and genomic selection. The issues addressed include the priorities of marker-based selection against other genetic improvement strategies, the potential benefits of these technologies to smallholder producers, and conditions under which marker-based selection will most likely succeed in smallholder production systems. We suggest that, of these marker-based selection technologies, marker-assisted introgression and the emerging technology of genomic selection appear to offer the most promise to smallholders, although this is yet to be clearly demonstrated. In relation to genomic selection, developing countries should maintain a ‘watching brief’ on this technology, but simultaneously act now so that they can capitalize on this technology if and when it becomes applicable in the future. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The world is faced with the challenge to meet the increasing demand for livestock products while conserving animal genetic resource diversity and maintaining environmental integrity. Genetic improvement of local breeds can help to improve the livelihood of the livestock keepers, to increase the production of animal products and to conserve genetic diversity. Implementing breeding schemes in developing countries has proven to be very difficult. The objective of this paper is to discuss the role of reproductive technologies for the creation and dissemination of genetic improvement in livestock populations in developing countries. In the paper opportunities are discussed for implementing breeding schemes which minimize the need for extensive pedigree and performance recording. It is shown that genetic progress can be generated in a small population. Community-based breeding schemes offer a good starting point for involving farmers in improving local breeds. Artificial insemination to exchange genetic material between communities offers an opportunity to increase the rate of genetic improvement while restricting the rate of inbreeding. Furthermore, artificial insemination is a promising technique for dissemination of genetic gain to producers at a relatively low cost. Opportunities to use semen sexing in a crossbreeding scheme are presented. It is concluded that tailor-made solutions and long-term commitment are needed in order to meet the needs of farmers to increase their livelihoods and to meet the needs of the growing population of consumers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights • A modeling approach to evaluate the factors affecting goats' diet selection. • The performed model had a high descriptive and explanatory value. • The plant origin of each nutrient source plays important role in diet selection. • The selection of Quercus frainetto was highly correlated with its NDF content. • The other plant groups were mainly selected due to their CP content. Abstract Woody rangelands are important forage resources for grazing goats in the Mediterranean basin. Goats are well adapted in these heterogeneous and complex ecosystems due to their particular anatomic characteristics, metabolic efficiency and browsing ability. However, the mechanism of grazing behavior and forage selection in goats is quite complex and depends on several factors. The present study deals with the seasonal changes of chemical composition in the selected forages and ingested diets as well as their effects on milk yield and composition of goats grazing in a Mediterranean woody rangeland. Hand plucked forage samples similar to those consumed by the goats were collected for chemical analysis. The nutritive value of consumed forages, in combination with the different feeding and grazing system per trial period, influenced milk quality and performance. The replacement of feed supplementation with an increase of the contribution of grazing in the rangeland could maintain the milk yield and quality at the late stage of lactation. In addition, this paper focuses on the influence of the chemical composition of selected forages on the diet selection of goats using a modeling approach. The model showed a high interpretative accuracy and explanatory value (R 2 = 0.923) and was able to distinguish the goats' most important criteria for selecting among the forage plant species in relation to several factors. The results indicate that the dietary preferences of goats were influenced, not only by the seasonality of nutritive value and availability of forages in the rangeland, but also by the plant origin of each nutrient source. The selection of Quercus frainetto was highly correlated with its NDF content. Herbaceous species, Cistus creticus and other woody species were mainly selected due to their CP content. The ADL content seemed to have the lowest influence of all nutritive variables on the selection among groups of plant species. The modeling approach, apart from the understanding of grazing behavior of goats, offers additional information that can be useful to the shepherds in order to manage more effectively the feeding and grazing system of their goat's flock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In today''s world, emerging and re-emerging diseases have a significant impact on global economies and public health, and with bioterrorism a constant threat this has become a very topical subject in recent years. Bernard Vallat, director general of the OIE, made the statement, “As a result of globalisation and climate change we are currently facing an unprecedented worldwide impact of emerging and re-emerging animal diseases and zoonoses”. He is not alone in this thinking, but are we facing an unprecedented impact of diseases and are globalisation and climate change the main driving forces? This paper examines some historical disease outbreaks and the factors that played a role in their emergence and compares these with recent emerging diseases. In doing so it highlights certain challenges that face livestock producers and decision makers today as they grapple with emerging diseases. One of the driving forces for the emergence of diseases is translocation of people and their livestock and this has often been coupled with invading armies or peoples, political unrest and a concurrent environment of socio-economic upheaval. Contact between wild animals, domestic animals and people is another driving force involving the interaction between naïve population groups that induces the emergence of new diseases. Pandemics are not new to human society and nor are many of the driving forces that caused them to occur in the past; what has changed is our increased knowledge and awareness of disease dynamics, allowing identification of challenges for the future and ways of addressing these. Modern farming practices often serve to amplify emerging infectious diseases and modern trade and transport mechanisms and routes have served to sometimes accelerate the spread of disease. How can we reduce the risks and should we only be worried about emerging infectious diseases or are emerging non-communicable diseases just as important in our modern society? This paper serves to explain some of the reasons for the emergence of diseases and to try and answer some of the pressing questions that confront livestock producers today. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Based on individual cow live weight gain, feeding strategies were designed for individual feeding of dairy cows in loose-housing systems, and examined in a four-year production trial including 115 Danish Red (DR), 91 Danish Holstein (DH), and 93 Danish Jersey (DJ). The objective of the present paper was to examine the milk yield obtained in response to three feeding strategies. The interrelationship between feed intake and live weight changes is presented in a companion paper. Cows were stalled in a loose-housing system based on automatic milking, automatic recording of feed intake and automatic weighing of the cows. All cows had 3kg of individually separately offered concentrate (ISC) in addition to a mixed ration (MR). Cows were either allowed a medium energy MR during whole lactation (strategy MR1) or a high energy MR during early lactation, which was reduced to a low energy MR either early or late (strategy MR2-E and MR2-L). The early and late changes were defined as a live weight gain after live weight minimum at 15 and 35kg, respectively, for DR/DH and 11 and 25kg, respectively, for DJ. When MR energy concentration was changed, cows on the MR2 strategies were offered 3kg per day of extra concentrate. The total allowance of 6kg ISC was stepwise reduced to 3kg per day as live weight continued to increase until 50 and 35kg for DR/DH and DJ, respectively. Compared to feeding the MR1 strategy, the analysis showed that feeding the MR2 strategies did not significantly affect milk yield within primiparous DR and DH or within any DJ, as total lactation feed energy intake within these groups of cows was not significantly affected by the feeding strategy. Results obtained for multiparous DH showed that it is possible to increase milk yield without reducing the milk:feed ratio, when MR2 strategies were applied compared to the MR1 strategy. Feeding high energy rations during early lactation caused a higher peak feed energy intake within multiparous cows of DH and DR, but only multiparous DH obtained higher peak ECM yield in response to higher feed energy intake in early lactation. Across breed the results suggested that cows offered the MR2-E strategy might obtain higher lactation ECM yield compared to cows offered the MR2-L strategy due to a higher ECM yield persistency obtained by cows offered the MR2-E strategy. Results on feed intake and live weight changes presented in a companion paper indicated, that cows offered the MR2 strategies obtained a lower extent of mobilization compared to cows offered the MR1 strategy, and feeding the MR2-E strategy significantly increased duration of the mobilization period, which might have increased MR2-E cows'' ability to maintain a high milk production during mid lactation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Throughout human history, livestock producers have relied on a vibrant international exchange of genetic resources to achieve improvements in the quality and productivity of their animals. In recent years, however, some observers have argued that changes in the legal, technological, and economic environment now imply that international exchanges of animal genetic resources (AnGR) systematically benefit rich countries at the expense of poor countries. It is argued that international flows of AnGR are displacing the indigenous animal genetic resources of developing countries, and also that the genetic wealth of the developing world is being expropriated by rich countries. In reaction, there have been growing calls for limitations and/or barriers to the exchange of animal genetic resources. These discussions, however, seem to be based on limited information about the magnitude and direction of current trade flows in AnGR. This paper offers an analysis of AnGR trade flows from 1990 to 2005. The paper draws on national-level data from 150 countries that reported information to the United Nations Statistics Division. Three major trade categories were evaluated: live cattle and pigs for breeding, and cattle semen. Over the period studied, Europe and North America were the primary exporters of genetic resources for the species evaluated. OECD countries accounted for 98.7, 92.5, and 95% of cattle semen, live cattle, and swine exports in 2005, respectively. In evaluating the direction of trade between developed (North) and developing (South) countries, North–North trade had the largest magnitude, followed by North–South, South–South, and South–North. The data do not support the notion that Southern genetic resources are being used on a large scale in the North. We believe that importation from South to North is limited by the vast discrepancies in production efficiency and production systems between countries in the North and South. Given the low volume of South–North exchange, it seems doubtful that sufficient revenues could be acquired through a “benefit-sharing mechanism” to have any substantial impact on in situ or ex situ conservation efforts, or to generate benefits for poor livestock keepers in developing countries. We question whether global agreements or restrictions on trade will achieve the desired goal of conserving rare breeds and threatened genetic resources. We also doubt whether these agreements will succeed in improving the well-being of the poor. We suggest that resources instead be urgently employed for conservation and that more direct measures should be taken to aid poor farmers, ranchers, and herders in their efforts to conserve genetic resources. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Animal germplasm exchange has recently received attention as a product of the FAO''s State of the World''s Animal Genetic Resources effort. Some have advocated a need to explore policies and regulations on the exchange of germplasm (e.g., Hiemstra, S.J., Drucker, A., Tvedt, M., Louwaars, N., Oldenbroek, J., Awgichew, K., Kebede, S., Bhat, P., da Silva Mariante, A. 2006. Exchange, use and conservation of animal genetic resources: policies and regulatory options. Centre for Genetic Resources. Wageningen Univ., the Netherlands, pp. 1­43). However, there has been little comprehensive assessment of either the economic or genetic impact of introduced germplasm into national populations. As a result, much of the discussion of gene flows has been based on assumptions and generalizations. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the genetic impact of germplasm imported into the United States during the last 25 to 50 years. The paper considers both new breeds (Meishan pigs, Tuli cattle, and Boer goats) and new animals within existing breeds (Limousin and Jersey cattle). Of the new breeds recently imported only one had an impact on US animal agriculture. Neither the Tuli nor the Meishan has impacted the US livestock industry. It appears that these breeds were initially viewed as attractive because of single traits, but producers did not find it attractive to adopt the new breeds based on these specific traits. In the end, these breeds did not prove competitive in the US under the current set of market conditions. This result would indicate that importation of new genetic resources due to a single trait of interest is not a viable importation strategy. By contrast, the Boer goat exhibited a number of production characteristics which made it desirable to US producers and thereby allowed the breed to become well established. A second portion of the study evaluated the importation and parentage pattern of Limousin cattle as they became established in the U. S. and the gene flow of imported Jersey cattle since the 1950′s. In both cases, the study relied on pedigree analysis. Over the past fifty years, Jersey cattle have been sporadically imported from various countries, but no imported animal has had an overpowering effect on the population. It appears that by the great-grand progeny level, the genes from imported animals are diminishing rather than increasing in the population. In evaluating the predicted transmitting abilities for imported cattle relative to high and moderately ranked domestically bred cattle, there were significant differences between these groups for milk production. This would be sufficient to explain why the impact of the imported cattle diminished. The results of our analysis at both the breed and individual level underscore the speculative nature of germplasm importation — even within breeds where there is a great deal of information available about production characteristics. From this analysis, we conclude that successful importation of new breeds into the US must be based on a large number of production characteristics; importation for a single characteristic (e.g., high prolificacy) while the breed is deficient in other areas does not lead to the breed''s adoption. While not fully explored in this work, it appears that initial interest and acceptance from the private sector is crucial for breed acceptance, as the Boer goat demonstrates. Within an existing breed, importation of individual animals still appears to have a relatively high degree of risk and is dependent upon the importer''s ability to pick viable candidates. However, once animals are imported their progeny must effectively compete with the domestic population, or else their genetic contribution will rapidly diminish. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]