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Abstract Livestock depredation by brown bears is one of the main source of human–wildlife conflict in rural Eastern Europe. Thus, identifying environmental and anthropogenic drivers of human–bear conflict, and developing spatial predictions for predation intensity are critical to mitigate such conflicts. We used 756 records of bear‐caused livestock predation collected between 2008 and 2016 in the Romanian Carpathians and evaluated predictors and spatial distribution of bear livestock predation events (BPEs) using separate binomial generalized linear mixed models for cows, sheep, and other livestock. Despite differences in the direction and magnitude of the effect, the prevalence of BPE for all livestock was driven by the interaction between environmental drivers along with relative bear abundance. Distance from forest was a strong negative predictor for cows and sheep, while distance to villages was a strong negative predictor for cows. Landscape heterogeneity was positively associated with cow and other livestock predation and negatively associated with sheep. Relative bear abundance data collected by wildlife managers was a positive predictor for predation on all livestock. Livestock damage was more prevalent near villages, showcasing plasticity of food resources sought by bears. Our work informs brown bear and livestock management strategies to develop awareness and implement damage prevention measures.

This article examines the relationship between folk knowledge of subsistence and the reformist Buddhism movement, focusing on unique suffocation method of slaughtering for the purpose of self-consumption among Tibetan pastoralists in Amdo. In the suffocation method, the animal selected for slaughter is tied to a rope and one end of the rope is then pulled toward the head and tied around the muzzle, and the animal is suffocated for 10 to 20 min. People describe meat from animals slaughtered in this way as rich in blood, tasty, and nourishing. However, reformist lamas, who follow vegetarianism, have been concerned about the violence of this method, and have been campaigning for a fundamental change in the pastoralists' livestock management and diet system. By approaching this controversial issue of "the proper treatment of animals," this article depicts a condition in which the holistic nature of subsistence folk knowledge that has been formed to survive the harsh highland environment is being undermined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ease of use and advancements in drone technology is resulting in the widespread application of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to diverse fields, making it a booming technology. Among UAVs’ several applications, livestock agriculture is one of the most promising, where UAVs facilitate various operations for efficient animal management. But the field is characterized by multiple environmental, technical, economic, and strategic challenges. However, the use of advanced technological techniques like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Machine Learning (ML), Deep Learning (DL), advanced sensors, etc., along with the assurance of animal welfare while operating the UAVs, can lead to widespread adoption of drone technology amongst livestock farmers. This paper discusses livestock management research where UAVs monitor farm animals via detection, counting, tracking animals, etc. In this article, an attempt has been made to elucidate different aspects and broader issues around livestock management while highlighting the associated challenges, opportunities, and prospects. This work is the first review paper on the subject matter with all the necessary information and analysis, to the best of our knowledge. Therefore, the article promises to provide interested researchers with detailed information about the field, guiding future research.

This paper concerns the management and protection of livestock using Indigenous Technical Knowledge among the Maasai of Kenya with an ultimate goal of promoting agricultural development. A sample of 120 households were selected from four Sub-locations of Loita ward in Narok County and subjected to questionnaire surveys. Additional qualitative data were collected through Key Informant Interviews and Focused Group Discussions. Results from this study show that the Maasai still rear three types of livestock, namely, cattle, sheep and goats. These animals provide them with food (99.2%) and other livestock byproducts. Study findings also reveal that the Maasai still predominantly use traditional methods based on indigenous technical knowledge to manage livestock feeding (85.8%), livestock diseases (89.9%), livestock breeding (74.2%) and livestock protection against predators and other incidental accidents. These findings are also supported by qualitative information from Focused Groups Discussions and Key Informants Interviews. In conclusion, the study established that the use of indigenous technical knowledge to manage and protect livestock among the Maasai have enabled them to sustain high-quality breeds of livestock for food security and income as well as environmental protection. The study recommends that as a policy, the Kenya government should put emphasis on mainstreaming indigenous technical knowledge systems in its agriculture extension programme and scientific knowledge base for sustainable well being and agricultural development.

The functions of non-agricultural crops unearthed from archaeological sites mainly pertain to their usage as livestock feed. However, the studies of livestock feed have predominantly relied on qualitative analysis, which often lacks descriptive objectivity and relies heavily on subjective feelings and experiences. In this paper, we aim to address this gap by focusing on quantitative analysis, utilizing macro-plant remains from the data of seventy-five archaeological settlements and one archaeological investigation in northern China spanning the Neolithic Age to the Bronze Age, as well as stable isotope analyses of carbon and nitrogen. This research delves into various aspects, including the exploration of the plant resources and livestock farming and the categorization of feed types for cattle and pigs in captivity. By employing quantitative analysis, we can gain a more comprehensive and objective understanding of these subjects. This approach aligns with studies on ancient livestock management and feed diversity. In essence, the discussion of civilization development and social changes during the Pre-Qin period holds significant value when considering forage analysis, just as crop analysis has proven insightful. By focusing on the quantitative analysis of non-agricultural crops and their role as livestock feed, we can shed light on important aspects of ancient societies and their agricultural practices.

The increase in livestock production in the Ecuadorian Amazon Region has caused an increase in deforestation and the advance of the agricultural frontier. The aim of the current study was to conduct a socioeconomic and productive characterization in Andean-Amazonian livestock systems in Ecuador. The study area was part of the Sumaco Biosphere Reserve (SBR) and three other zones: low (400 to 700 masl), middle (701 to 1600 masl), and high (701 to 1600 masl). Data were collected from 167 ranching households. There are significant differences (p ≤ 0.001) in the results. It was identified that 56.1% of the producers in the middle zone are indigenous (Kichwa). The largest (p ≤ 0.01) average household size (6.7 household members) and the highest level of household heads without schooling (16%) were found in the same area. Heads of households over 54 years of age were reported throughout the gradient. The largest farms were also found in the middle zone, with an average of 62.3 ha, of which an average of 32.9 ha is native forest, 2.1 ha is agricultural land, and 27.2 ha is cattle pasture. The household economy is driven by a greater investment in livestock in the upper area, and therefore their annual gross income has a high impact on their economy. With these results, this study presents recommendations to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pantanal is the largest wetland in the world and a World Heritage Site. During 2019–2020, the Pantanal has experienced the most severe burning in its history, with vast destroyed areas of vegetation and killed wildlife. Since the long‐term damage caused by fire to the Pantanal is still unknown, understanding how the biodiversity responds to post‐fire disturbance over a short‐term is an important step for conservation initiatives.The authors studied the effects of fire on dung beetle communities, a recognised bioindicator group, in the Brazilian Pantanal. For this, the authors assessed the patterns of taxonomic and functional diversity between unburned and burned sites (16 months post‐fire).The authors found that taxonomic and functional diversity of dung beetles were similar between unburned and burned grasslands, but with a distinct taxonomic composition post‐fire. The functional traits composition was similar between unburned and burned sites, demonstrating that this metric is less sensitive to fire effects in the Brazilian Pantanal.The study's results provide evidence that dung beetles exhibit high resistance to the occurrence of fire and fast recovery from its consequences. Thus, due to its ecological functions (secondary seed dispersion, nutrient cycling and others), these insects may assist ecological restoration of burned sites, being useful tools in restoration approaches for areas of the Pantanal that have been affected by fire.Finally, combining traditional taxonomic community attributes with functional diversity measurements provides a more comprehensive picture of responses of dung beetle communities, post‐fire, over a short‐term in the Brazilian Pantanal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term “psychobiotics” refers to beneficial microbiota, such as Lactobacillus spp., which positively influence the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, immune response, and inflammation via the gut-brain axis. While these bacteria are recognized for benefiting their host, research on their application in cattle is limited. Therefore, this study evaluated the impacts of administering a bovine-derived mixture of Lactobacillus spp. during early life to beef calves as a strategy to modulate long-term gut microbiota and potentially alleviate weaning stress. Crossbred beef calves [n = 32; 66 ± 11 kg of body weight (BW); 60 ± 6 d of age] were stratified by age and sex and randomly assigned to receive either two doses of an orally-administrated Lactobacillus cocktail (n = 16; 10^9 CFU; LAB) or saline solution (n = 16; CON) 3-d apart. After first inoculation (d 0), cow-calf pairs were allocated to four different paddocks (two/ treatment) for 15 d, and then, both treatments were placed in a single pen until weaning, at ~202 d of age. After weaning, calves from both treatments were housed in a single pen. Body weight was recorded, and blood samples were collected on d 0, 3, weaning, and 3- and 14-d post-weaning (PW). Data was analyzed as a completely randomized design. Plasma concentrations of phenylalanine (P = 0.04) were greater, while tyrosine (P = 0.09) and lysine (P = 0.07) tended to be greater in LAB compared with CON calves. Furthermore, LAB calves had reduced plasma concentrations of heat shock proteins 70 (P = 0.04; 0.02 vs. 0.13 ng/mL) and cortisol (P = 0.03; 108.1 vs. 121.1 ng/mL). A tendency for a treatment × day interaction was detected (P ≤ 0.07) for white blood cells (WBC), where CON calves had decreased WBC and lymphocytes (P = 0.05) on d 0 compared with LAB. Treatment did not impact average daily gain and final BW (P ≥ 0.26). Regardless of treatment, weaning stress increased plasma concentrations of haptoglobin (P < 0.01), serotonin (P = 0.06), and the counts and percentages of monocyte, eosinophils, and basophils (P < 0.01), whereas gamma-aminobutyric acid, aspartate, and insulin-like growth factor-1 concentrations decreased (P < 0.01) on d 3 PW. In conclusion, early life inoculation of suckling beef calves with a Lactobacillus spp. mixture presents promising effects on mitigating some physiological stress indicators, as indicated by decreased cortisol and heat shock protein concentrations and greater concentrations of amino acids precursor of central catecholamines. These preliminary results suggest that psychobiotics could offer a promising avenue for stress management in beef calves, potentially with long-term effects. This emphasizes the importance of future research on other physiological and behavioral indicators of weaning and other stressors to fully elucidate the potential benefits of psychobiotic inoculation in livestock management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The techniques of agriculture and animal husbandry at Tell Humeida, a Middle Uruk Period (Late Chalcolithic) site on the middle Syrian Euphrates, were studied using stable isotopes of bone collagen of domestic and wild mammals and from cereal and ruderal plant seeds. Two archaeological campaigns in 2009 and 2011 yielded a small collection of bones, most of which were taxonomically indeterminable. The work had to be interrupted due to the political conflict. The faunal study comprised collagen peptide fingerprinting for taxonomic identification, followed by isotopic analysis. Multiple 14C dating were performed to date the infill to around 3600 cal BC. An isotopic analysis of the sparse plant remains suggested that irrigation and manuring were common practices. Sheep and equids predominated in the faunal assemblage. Sheep grazed on manured soils, and their diet could include millet or another C4 plant, of which, however, no carpological remains were found. The diet of equids differed from that of sheep but also that of other wild ungulates (cervids/gazelles). Their isotopic signatures indicated that they grazed in humid areas, near the watercourse. These finds indicated a settlement that was closely linked to the availability of water, which made it possible to grow crops in an almost desert-like area, and the rearing of sheep.

Context: Virtual fencing technology has potential for application in intensive grazing management. However, it is unknown whether the presence of the virtual fence will affect the grazing behaviour of sheep under intensive grazing situations. Aims: This study compared pasture consumption by sheep when pasture access is restricted using either a virtual fence (n = 12) or a conventional electric fence (n = 12), tested over three cohorts. Methods: The sheep were given access to a small section of pasture (8 × 8 m) for approximately 4 h, over a total of 4 days of grazing, being moved onto a fresh plot each day. Within the grazing plot, average pasture dry matter, normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI), and rising plate meter (RPM) height, were measured before and after grazing. NDVI and RPM height were also measured along the fence line before and after grazing. Key results: For within plot measures, there was no effect of treatment on biomass (P = 0.42), pasture height (P = 0.69) or NDVI (P = 0.72). The same was observed for measures taken at the fence line. The results of this study indicated that using a virtual fence to restrict access to pasture to create targeted grazing is as effective as using an electric fence. Conclusions: The similarity in pasture consumption between the groups indicated that the virtual fence does not affect normal grazing behaviour of sheep, nor discourage them from grazing up to the fence line. Further work should be conducted in larger flocks and using automated systems. Implications: Virtual fencing has the potential to be used to restrict sheep access to pasture to create targeted grazing that is as effective as is using an electric fence. Virtual fencing technology has the potential to be used for intensive grazing systems, while reducing the labour involved with these systems. This study compared utilisation and grazing pressure at the fence line between virtually fenced and electrically fenced sheep, using an intensive grazing method. Pasture consumption was similar between the two groups, indicating that the use of virtual fencing does not affect grazing behaviour in sheep. Further work should be conducted in larger flocks and by using automated systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rural youth play an important role in agriculture and other allied activities, because of their family background in farming can be active partners in various agricultural activities. The study was conducted in the purposively selected Davangere and Haveri districts of Karnataka during 2019-2020 by employing an ex-post facto design. The high percent of full involvement (64.71%) in sericulture was observed in the practices of filling trenches with manures, cleaning of beds and management of different instars of silkworms. In the case of floriculture high percent of full involvement was witnessed in harvesting (67.41%), pest and disease management (61.29%) and packaging and marketing (61.29%). On the other hand, a high percentage of full involvement in livestock farming was seen in the health care of livestock (58.97%) and milking (46.15%). The overall involvement of rural youth revealed that a high level of involvement was noticed in floriculture (58.06%) whereas the involvement in sericulture (47.06%) and livestock farming (46.15%) was noticed at a moderate level. Involvement of youth in sericulture was positively and significantly correlated to land ownership, family type, family support, achievement motivation, deferred gratification, risk orientation, extension contact, mass media exposure and availability of production resources. Whereas involvement of youth in the cultivation of floriculture crops was positively and significantly correlated with education, land ownership, family type, leadership in the family, achievement motivation, mass media exposure, extension contact, cosmopoliteness and availability of production resources. Similarly, the involvement of youth in the cultivation of livestock management was positively significantly related to land ownership, family support, leadership in the family, achievement motivation, extension contact, cosmopoliteness and availability of production resources. The results of multiple regression analysis showed that all the selected 16 characteristics of rural youth put together had contributed to the greater extent in the cultivation of floriculture crops (79.30%) followed by involvement in sericulture (64.50%) and livestock management (62.10%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent times, designated grazing areas/fields or routes for livestock grazing are usually defined. Hence, their herding activities' success relies on data extracted from aerial photographs. As such, a direct and cost-effective way of monitoring livestock for perimeter coverage and in other natural situations is required. This paper presents a coverage solution involving multiple interacting unmanned aerial vehicles. The presented approach is built on a graph, with geographic coordinates set such that several Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) can successfully cover the area. The maximum flying time determines the number of UAVs employed for coverage. The proposed solution is thought to solve some practical problems encountered during the execution of the task with actual UAVs. It is suitable for long-term monitoring of animal behavior under various weather conditions and observing the relationship between livestock distribution and available resources on a grazing field. The simulation was carried out using MATLAB and aerial images from Google Earth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Weighting the Hanwoo (Korean cattle) is very important for Korean beef producers when selling the Hanwoo at the right time. Recently, research is being conducted on the automatic prediction of the weight of Hanwoo only through images with the achievement of research using deep learning and image recognition. In this paper, we propose a method for the automatic weight prediction of Hanwoo using the Bayesian ridge algorithm on RGB-D images. The proposed system consists of three parts: segmentation, extraction of features, and estimation of the weight of Korean cattle from a given RGB-D image. The first step is to segment the Hanwoo area from a given RGB-D image using depth information and color information, respectively, and then combine them to perform optimal segmentation. Additionally, we correct the posture using ellipse fitting on segmented body image. The second step is to extract features for weight prediction from the segmented Hanwoo image. We extracted three features: size, shape, and gradients. The third step is to find the optimal machine learning model by comparing eight types of well-known machine learning models. In this step, we compared each model with the aim of finding an efficient model that is lightweight and can be used in an embedded system in the real field. To evaluate the performance of the proposed weight prediction system, we collected 353 RGB-D images from livestock farms in Wonju, Gangwon-do in Korea. In the experimental results, random forest showed the best performance, and the Bayesian ridge model is the second best in MSE or the coefficient of determination. However, we suggest that the Bayesian ridge model is the most optimal model in the aspect of time complexity and space complexity. Finally, it is expected that the proposed system will be casually used to determine the shipping time of Hanwoo in wild farms for a portable commercial device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: In virtual fencing, where an animal learns to remain within a set area by responding to an audio cue in order to avoid receiving an aversive electrical stimulus, maternal learning may play a role in facilitating successful learning. Aims: This study aimed to investigate the effect of early observation of virtual fence engagement using a maternal demonstrator on the ability of lambs to later learn to respond correctly to a virtual fence. Method: Merino lambs (n = 114) were assigned to one of three treatments prior to being trained to a virtual fence: (1) lambs from experienced demonstrators, in which the lambs observed their mothers interacting with a virtual fence having been trained prior to lambing; (2) lambs from naïve demonstrators, in which lambs observed their mothers learning the virtual fence system; and (3) unexposed lambs, in which lambs had not encountered a virtual fence prior to being trained. Following weaning, lambs were trained to a virtual fence and responses to stimuli were recorded. Key results: The number of audio cue and electrical pulse stimuli received by the lambs did not differ across the three treatments (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences between the proportions of correct behavioural responses to the audio cue stimulus across the three treatment groups (P > 0.05). Logistic regression analysis of learning curves showed that lambs from naïve demonstrators displayed a change in behaviour and learned the correct response to the audio cue, while the unexposed lambs and lambs from pre-trained demonstrators did not. Conclusions: These results suggest that maternal influences may be influencing the ability of lambs to learn a virtual fence, although the training protocol was limited due to time, space, equipment and environmental constraints. Implications: This work may help to inform producers on management decisions for the application of the virtual fencing, such as enabling lambs to observe their mothers interacting with a virtual fence prior to weaning to enhance learning the virtual fence when applied later in life. Maternal learning (in which juveniles learn skills and behaviours from their mothers) has not been investigated in the context of virtual fencing in sheep. This study found that observing the mother learning the virtual fence, may influence the lamb's ability to learn the system when compared with control lambs who had not seen the fence, and lambs which had observed previously exposed mothers interacting with the system. Results suggest a possible role for maternal learning in virtual fence implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transformation of forests into agricultural and livestock systems negatively affects the ecological dynamics and the ecosystem services provided by different groups of insects, including dung beetles, which stand out for their importance in recycling livestock dung. Since the 1980s, farmers in different regions of the world have been using Ivermectin to control parasites that affect cattle. The main route of elimination of this molecule and its metabolites is through manure, which affects the richness, abundance, and biomass of dung beetles when they use dung from treated animals. To quantify this effect, we carried out an experimental design in the field in the Colombian Caribbean, where nine cattle farms were evaluated, of which three were taken for each of the different cattle management practices most used in the region: (i) Ivermectin not applied, (ii) two doses of Ivermectin at 1% applied per year and (iii) two doses of Ivermectin at 3.15% applied per year. To assess the richness, abundance, biomass, and functional groups of dung beetles, during the dry and wet seasons, 30 pitfall traps were baited on each farm with fresh cattle manure with the same management doses described above. A total of 25,441 individuals belonging to 19 genera and 30 species were collected. The richness, abundance, and biomass of beetle assemblages decreased along the gradient represented by management without using Ivermectin and management where Ivermectin was used. Paracoprid beetles were the functional group that was most negatively affected in cattle farms with Ivermectin use. In cattle farms where Ivermectin was not used, there was a greater diversity and higher functional structure of dung beetle assemblages than in those where this veterinary medicinal product was used. Using Ivermectin generates short- and long-term effects on the richness, abundance, biomass, and functional groups of dung beetles in livestock systems in the Colombian Caribbean. Therefore, we suggest using integrated treatment management to prevent the recycling fauna from being affected.

This paper concerns the management and protection of livestock using Indigenous Technical Knowledge among the Maasai of Kenya with an ultimate goal of promoting agricultural development. A sample of 120 households were selected from four Sub-locations of Loita ward in Narok County and subjected to questionnaire surveys. Additional qualitative data were collected through Key Informant Interviews and Focused Group Discussions. Results from this study show that the Maasai still rear three types of livestock, namely, cattle, sheep and goats. These animals provide them with food (99.2%) and other livestock byproducts. Study findings also reveal that the Maasai still predominantly use traditional methods based on indigenous technical knowledge to manage livestock feeding (85.8%), livestock diseases (89.9%), livestock breeding (74.2%) and livestock protection against predators and other incidental accidents. These findings are also supported by qualitative information from Focused Groups Discussions and Key Informants Interviews. In conclusion, the study established that the use of indigenous technical knowledge to manage and protect livestock among the Maasai have enabled them to sustain high-quality breeds of livestock for food security and income as well as environmental protection. The study recommends that as a policy, the Kenya government should put emphasis on mainstreaming indigenous technical knowledge systems in its agriculture extension programme and scientific knowledge base for sustainable well being and agricultural development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The greenhouse gas (GHG) emission from the livestock sector is a major concern as GHG can contribute to climate change event such as global warming. The country demand for livestock is rapidly increasing, due to population and economic growth. However, in Malaysia, there is still limited studies on GHG assessment from the livestock sector and its projection based on the self-sufficient level under population growth. In this study, the GHG emissions of different livestock were estimated using the livestock population data published in the year 2010–2019, based on Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Malaysia's livestock sector is dominated by poultry, swine, non-dairy cattle and goat. The emission is dependent on the livestock species and population. For enteric fermentation, non-dairy cattle accounted for 73.91% of the CH4 emission. For manure management, the main contributors were swine and poultry, accounting for 61.49% and 26.24% of the CH4 emission. Poultry and non-dairy cattle contributed to 63.25% and 20.79% of the direct N2O emission from manure management. Comparatively, enteric fermentation was observed to contribute for more than 50% share of the total CO2-eq emission. The GHG projection was carried out in two scenarios based on the population projection, self-sufficient level and product consumption per capita for the year 2019, 2030 and 2040. The scenario analysis showed that increasing the animal mass by 1% without increasing the livestock population could help in elevating the sufficiency level of food product even with increasing product demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revue d'élevage et de Médecine Vétérinaire des pays Tropicaux is the property of CIRAD and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Turkey Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Journal / Türkiye Insansiz Hava Araçlari Dergisi is the property of Ali Ulvi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Our research examines the extent of animal husbandry between the Early and the Late Pottery Neolithic period in the southern Levant. Based on the faunal analysis of several assemblages from sites dated to the Jericho IX/Lodian (7800–7500 Bp) and Wadi Raba cultures (7500–6500 Bp), located in diverse geographic zones, it expands upon the current knowledge regarding the status of livestock exploitation and the extent of hunting. We expected some measure of exploitation of secondary products, as previous studies show that intense use of livestock for milk had already emerged in several places in Europe and the Near East by the 8th millennium BC. Our examination of the species abundance, herd demography, and changes in body size of the main livestock animals and wild species in multiple sites showed that livestock were utilized mainly for meat, and not for their secondary products. Additionally, while the animal economy in all sites relied on a combination of livestock and wild species, the extent of reliance on each source varied greatly between sites, especially in the Late Pottery Neolithic. Finally, our findings demonstrate that the economy of the Late Pottery Neolithic (Wadi Raba) of the southern Levant is more similar to the Early Pottery Neolithic (Jericho IX/Lodian) than to the later Chalcolithic Ghassulian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Images taken by drones often must be preprocessed and stitched together due to the inherent noise, narrow imaging breadth, flying height, and angle of view. Conventional UAV feature-based image stitching techniques significantly rely on the quality of feature identification, made possible by image pixels, which frequently fail to stitch together images with few features or low resolution. Furthermore, later approaches were developed to eliminate the issues with conventional methods by using the deep learning-based stitching technique to collect the general attributes of remote sensing images before they were stitched. However, since the images have empty backgrounds classified as stitched points, it is challenging to distinguish livestock in a grazing area. Consequently, less information can be inferred from the surveillance data. This study provides a four-stage object-based image stitching technique that, before stitching, removes the background’s space and classifies images in the grazing field. In the first stage, the drone-based image sequence of the livestock on the grazing field is preprocessed. In the second stage, the images of the cattle on the grazing field are classified to eliminate the empty spaces or backgrounds. The third stage uses the improved SIFT to detect the feature points of the classified images to o8btain the feature point descriptor. Lastly, the stitching area is computed using the image projection transformation.

This paper presents a meta-analysis of biometrical data of cattle (Bos taurus), sheep (Ovis aries), and pig (Sus domesticus), with a diachronic, long-term approach (first–twelfth centuries AD) and at a large regional scale (Switzerland and adjacent areas of France), with the aim of looking at changes in animal husbandry during the transition between Roman times and the Early Middle Ages. With this in mind, a comprehensive biometrical analysis is carried out, on the basis of the log-ratio technique (or logarithmic size index — LSI). The results show an increase of the size of domesticates during the Late Roman period, as well as a long period of size decrease in the subsequent centuries. The possible reasons behind this size decrease are discussed, focusing on three factors: a genetic change, less direct control over feeding and breeding, and changing patterns of herd sex ratios. We argue that these changes should be seen as an efficient adaptation of animal husbandry strategies to broader social, economic, and political transformations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discovery of antimicrobial agents for the treatment of infectious diseases was one of the most significant events of the 20th century. Notwithstanding their importance, acquired resistance has become increasingly evident and this pattern has followed the introduction of each new antimicrobial agent. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has not only led to unwarranted mortality rates, but it presents as a major economic burden to societies. The alarming worldwide escalation in AMR poses a serious threat to public health and can cause major disruption globally. Whilst there has been progress in understanding AMR in the scientific literature, there is a dearth of knowledge that considers AMR from an economic perspective, especially as it relates to resource‐based sectors. This paper uses two case studies to illustrate how an economic lens can improve understanding of the potential risks surrounding AMR and to identify the net welfare associated with specific interventions. We demonstrate the importance of economics when considering the impacts of AMR in the context of livestock and wastewater use in Australia and when quantifying the potential disruption to the economy. We also illustrate how economics can both highlight the magnitude of the risks from AMR but offer a way forward through cost‐effective policy options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To quantify the animal welfare of pigs of small producers in communities of southern Veracruz. Materials and methods. We carried out a study in ten production units where we performed a diagnosis and analyzed ten variables in the categories of feeding, housing, health, and behavior of piglets according to the Welfare Quality® protocol of the European Union, which were scored on a 0 to 1 scale, where 0= none, 0.5= fair, and 1= ideal animal welfare. Results. The human-animal relationship was satisfactory; however, there was low thermal comfort associated with the type of facilities. The main indicators of animal welfare were feeding 0.9±0.235, housing 0.6±0.319, health 0.7±0.252, and behavior 0.9±0.192. Conclusions. The quantification of animal welfare allows the practical identification of management aspects that producers have developed intrinsically, such as the human-animal relationship and cleanliness of the facilities. Animal welfare can be quantified in a practical way, offering management alternatives to the producers, who develop adequate (frequent cleaning of the facilities) and inadequate (low-protein diets, tail docking, and castration) activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pharmaceutical contaminants have a recognized negative impact on wildlife health. However, there are still many knowledge gaps on the factors influencing exposure and metabolic processing of compound mixtures as a function of season and individual characteristics such as age and sex. We evaluated age and sex differences in a set of seventeen compounds, including eleven antibiotics, five NSAIDs and caffeine, evaluated by HPLC-MS-TOF analysis in griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) from central Spain. Pharmaceutical cocktails (up to 10 compounds simultaneously) were found in all individuals. Lincomycin was detected in all individuals, and fluoroquinolones were found at high frequencies, while NSAIDs were at low frequencies and concentrations, including flumixin meglumine, which can be lethal to vultures. A higher total number of compounds and sum of concentrations, as well as prevalence and concentration of several of the pharmaceuticals tested was found in females than in males for both nestlings and adults. This is the first study to present evidence of sex differences in the pharmacokinetics of dietary drug contaminants in a vulture species. Chronic exposure to "medications" in entire populations can potentially have sub-lethal health effects that affect fitness differently according to age and sex, with demographic implications for population viability. Specifically, if females have higher mortality after fledging due to high pharmaceutical contamination, this should be considered when modelling the population dynamic of this species for conservation purposes. • Age and sex influences on wildlife pharmaceutical contamination are unknown. • Pharmaceutical cocktails were found in all individual griffon vultures from central Spain. • A higher pharmaceutical load was found in females than in males. • Age and sex pharmacokinetics should be considered into population dynamic modelling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Livestock management is an emerging area of application of the quadrotor, especially for monitoring, counting, detecting, recognizing, and tracking animals through image or video footage. The autonomous operation of the quadrotor requires the development of an obstacle avoidance scheme to avoid collisions. This research develops an obstacle avoidance-based autonomous navigation of a quadrotor suitable for outdoor applications in livestock management. A Simulink model of the UAV is developed to achieve this, and its transient and steady-state performances are measured. Two genetic algorithm-based PID controllers for the quadrotor altitude and attitude control were designed, and an obstacle avoidance algorithm was applied to ensure the autonomous navigation of the quadrotor. The simulation results show that the quadrotor flies to the desired altitude with a settling time of 6.51 s, an overshoot of 2.65%, and a steady-state error of 0.0011 m. At the same time, the attitude controller records a settling time of 0.43 s, an overshoot of 2.50%, and a zero steady-state error. The implementation of the obstacle avoidance scheme shows that the distance threshold of 1 m is sufficient for the autonomous navigation of the quadrotor. Hence, the developed method is suitable for managing livestock with the average size of an adult sheep.

In recent times, designated grazing areas/fields or routes for livestock grazing are usually defined. Hence, their herding activities’ success relies on data extracted from aerial photographs. As such, a direct and cost-effective way of monitoring livestock for perimeter coverage and in other natural situations is required. This paper presents a coverage solution involving multiple interacting unmanned aerial vehicles. The presented approach is built on a graph, with geographic coordinates set such that several Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) can successfully cover the area. The maximum flying time determines the number of UAVs employed for coverage. The proposed solution is thought to solve some practical problems encountered during the execution of the task with actual UAVs. It is suitable for long-term monitoring of animal behavior under various weather conditions and observing the relationship between livestock distribution and available resources on a grazing field. The simulation was carried out using MATLAB and aerial images from Google Earth.

The goal of this review was to analyze published data on animal management practices that mitigate enteric methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from animal operations. Increasing animal productivity can be a very effective strategy for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per unit of livestock product. Improving the genetic potential of animals through planned cross-breeding or selection within breeds and achieving this genetic potential through proper nutrition and improvements in reproductive efficiency, animal health, and reproductive lifespan are effective approaches for improving animal productivity and reducing GHG emission intensity. In subsistence production systems, reduction of herd size would increase feed availability and productivity of individual animals and the total herd, thus lowering CH4 emission intensity. In these systems, improving the nutritive value of low-quality feeds for ruminant diets can have a considerable benefit on herd productivity while keeping the herd CH4 output constant or even decreasing it. Residual feed intake may be a tool for screening animals that are low CH4 emitters, but there is currently insufficient evidence that low residual feed intake animals have a lower CH4 yield per unit of feed intake or animal product. Reducing age at slaughter of finished cattle and the number of days that animals are on feed in the feedlot can significantly reduce GHG emissions in beef and other meat animal production systems. Improved animal health and reduced mortality and morbidity are expected to increase herd productivity and reduce GHG emission intensity in all livestock production systems. Pursuing a suite of intensive and extensive reproductive management technologies provides a significant opportunity to reduce GHG emissions. Recommended approaches will differ by region and species but should target increasing conception rates in dairy, beef, and buffalo, increasing fecundity in swine and small ruminants, and reducing embryo wastage in all species. Interactions among individual components of livestock production systems are complex but must be considered when recommending GHG mitigation practices.

Purpose: Intensive livestock grazing has been associated with an increased risk of soil erosion and concomitant negative impacts on the ecological status of watercourses. Whilst various mitigation options are promoted for reducing livestock impacts, there is a paucity of data on the relationship between stocking rates and quantified sediment losses. This evidence gap means there is uncertainty regarding the cost–benefit of policy preferred best management. Methods: Sediment yields from 15 hydrologically isolated field scale catchments on a heavily instrumented ruminant livestock farm in the south west UK were investigated over ~ 26 months spread across 6 years. Sediment yields were compared to cattle and sheep stocking rates on long-term, winter (November–April), and monthly timescales. The impacts of livestock on soil vegetation cover and bulk density were also examined. Cattle were tracked using GPS collars to determine how grazing related to soil damage. Results: No observable impact of livestock stocking rates of 0.15–1.00 UK livestock units (LU) ha−1 for sheep, and 0–0.77 LU ha−1 for cattle on sediment yields was observed at any of the three timescales. Cattle preferentially spent time close to specific fences where soils were visually damaged. However, there was no indication that livestock have a significant effect on soil bulk density on a field scale. Livestock were housed indoors during winters when most rainfall occurs, and best management practices were used which when combined with low erodibility clayey soils likely limited sediment losses. Conclusion: A combination of clayey soils and soil trampling in only a small proportion of the field areas lead to little impact from grazing livestock. Within similar landscapes with best practice livestock grazing management, additional targeted measures to reduce erosion are unlikely to yield a significant cost-benefit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iberian oak savannahs are traditional silvopastoral systems in which acorns constitute a key food source for livestock. Acorn feeding insects provoke significant economic losses; however, the high natural value of Iberian oak savannahs precludes any chemical treatment. This paper shows a novel way of biological pest control based on promoting livestock predation on these insects. Female Curculio elephas (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) oviposit into developing acorns, which are prematurely abscised before reaching their potential size. Larvae still spend 20 days feeding on the cotyledons after acorn drop, being during this period very vulnerable to predation by livestock. We experimentally assessed that cows, pigs and sheep ate sound and infested acorns in the same proportion, so that infestation rates were lower in those Iberian oak savannahs in which livestock density was higher. An effective biological control of Curculio elephas weevils should involve an early predation of infested acorns by livestock, preferentially within 10 days after falling. Doing this, most larvae will be predated before completing their development and, in addition, the nutritional value of infested acorns will still be high (cotyledons not yet depleted by weevils). We encourage landowners to increase livestock densities during September–October, when the infested acorn dropping peaks. These increased densities should rotate over the farm and be maintained at the same plot for a maximum of 3 years in a row. Otherwise, a prolonged and concentrated livestock predation on sound acorns and seedlings would hamper long-term oak regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigating Impacts of Fuel Costs on Retail Prices for Local and Non-local Milk Products.The Problem of Over-Shooting Supplies of a Tree Crop.Smallholder Livestock Production and the Global Disease Risk

Understanding how individual grasses respond to herbivory and rainfall has been hampered by the difficulty of quantifying above- and belowground carbon (C) storage in grasses. Particularly by restoring degraded rangelands through reseeding, their C storage potential can be greatly enhanced. The responses of reseeded grasses to the effects of herbivory and precipitation were assessed to evaluate the potential of individual grasses for C storage as a technique for climate change mitigation. Clipping experiments were conducted on mature grass tufts of two native grass species, Chloris gayana and Cenchrus ciliaris, in the semi-arid Borana rangelands, Ethiopia. Further, above- and belowground C storage of young grasses of the same species in pot and field plot trials was experimentally quantified under simulated grazing and variable rainfall. The results showed that aboveground C was significantly 4 times lower in the clipped compared to unclipped mature grasses. In contrast, 3 times higher C was found in young reseeded grasses that were clipped compared to unclipped ones. Clipping and irrigation in combination significantly influenced belowground C in young grasses, with reduced irrigation overriding clipping effects. The paper concludes that moderate grazing should be encouraged to enhance CO2 uptake, consequently contributing to climate change mitigation in rangelands.

Tick-borne diseases are a major human and animal health problem for Western countries, particularly in view of climate change. However, farmers' practices and knowledge of tick management remain poorly addressed. This paper examines this issue through a micro-local case study in a Corsican valley, France. Interviews using several methods were conducted with 17 ruminant or horse farmers. Despite considerable field experience, the farmers exhibit poor spatial and biological knowledge of ticks and related diseases, thus leading to a lack of appropriate management practices. However, the data collected show that these farmers could be an effective sentinel population. More efficient prevention could be developed locally through a hybridization of knowledge among farmers and scientists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human behavior often determines the success of conservation projects, and the emerging discipline of conservation psychology focuses on understanding and influencing this behavior. Social norms (a group's perception of the appropriateness of behaviors) are a key influence on human behavior, and social norms campaigns can often engender population‐wide behavior changes. Human‐predator conflict is a major conservation issue, and one in which human behavior plays a substantial role: high standards of livestock management can considerably lower predation levels. In this paper, we use factor analysis to show that the livestock management normative belief structure of rural livestock owners is highly conserved between populations in Kenya and Zimbabwe. Through cluster analysis, we also show that qualitatively distinct attitudinal groups can be identified, and that some of these groups are common to both regions. Researchers often assume that social landscapes are unique, but we show that this is not the case for livestock management norms. People's attitudes are also generally assumed to be site‐specific, but we found commonalities across different regions, indicating that certain attitude sectors may be present in all livestock‐owning populations. If livestock management norms and attitude groups are indeed highly conserved between regions, it may be possible to develop standardized tools with which to understand the norms that influence livestock management behavior, and identify population sectors for targeted interventions. Often, conservation projects have little in‐house social science expertise, and social studies are avoided despite the benefits they bring. Here, we demonstrate that standardized approaches may be possible, and could aid the implementation—and success—of conservation interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]