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The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) in animal husbandry, particularly in pig interaction recognition (PIR), offers a transformative approach to enhancing animal welfare, promoting sustainability, and bolstering climate resilience. This innovative methodology not only mitigates labor costs but also significantly reduces stress levels among domestic pigs, thereby diminishing the necessity for constant human intervention. However, the raw PIR datasets often encompass irrelevant porcine features, which pose a challenge for the accurate interpretation and application of these datasets in real-world scenarios. The majority of these datasets are derived from sequential pig imagery captured from video recordings, and an unregulated shuffling of data often leads to an overlap of data samples between training and testing groups, resulting in skewed experimental evaluations. To circumvent these obstacles, we introduced a groundbreaking solution—the Semi-Shuffle-Pig Detector (SSPD) for PIR datasets. This novel approach ensures a less biased experimental output by maintaining the distinctiveness of testing data samples from the training datasets and systematically discarding superfluous information from raw images. Our optimized method significantly enhances the true performance of classification, providing unbiased experimental evaluations. Remarkably, our approach has led to a substantial improvement in the isolation after feeding (IAF) metric by 20.2% and achieved higher accuracy in segregating IAF and paired after feeding (PAF) classifications exceeding 92%. This methodology, therefore, ensures the preservation of pertinent data within the PIR system and eliminates potential biases in experimental evaluations. As a result, it enhances the accuracy and reliability of real-world PIR applications, contributing to improved animal welfare management, elevated food safety standards, and a more sustainable and climate-resilient livestock industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Understanding the causal factors associated with human/livestock-large carnivore conflict and distribution of conflict risk is key to designing effective preventative and mitigation strategies. Spatial modelling of human-carnivore conflict has recently gained traction, and predictive maps have become a great tool to understand the distribution of present and future conflict risk. However, very few such studies consider scale and use appropriate spatial modelling tools. We aimed to understand the ecological correlates of human-tiger (Panthera tigris) conflict, predict livestock predation risk by reintroduced tigers in Panna Tiger Reserve, Central India and understand the prey-predator dynamics behind the conflict. We modelled livestock kill as a function of various tiger relevant ecological variables at multiple scales employing spatially explicit statistical tools. As a first step, we used geostatistical modelling to create raster layers of covariates (prey, cover, human activities), following which we did univariate scaling. We then modelled livestock loss by tiger using a geoadditive model. Employing this model, we predicted and mapped conflict risk probabilities within our study site. It was found that prey and shrub cover both selected at a fine scale, were key ecological determinants of human-tiger conflict. Prey showed an inverse relationship while shrub showed non-linear relationship with livestock predation. Which lead us to conclude that in habitats where optimum ambush cover is available but prey presence is low at fine-scale, carnivores are more likely to depredate domestic livestock since livestock have lost most of their anti-predator behaviours. Livestock kill by tiger is thus a culmination of predator choice and foraging tactics, and prey vulnerability and defence mechanism. The spatially explicit predation risk map produced in this study can guide adequate human-tiger conflict prevention measures.

The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) in animal husbandry, particularly in pig interaction recognition (PIR), offers a transformative approach to enhancing animal welfare, promoting sustainability, and bolstering climate resilience. This innovative methodology not only mitigates labor costs but also significantly reduces stress levels among domestic pigs, thereby diminishing the necessity for constant human intervention. However, the raw PIR datasets often encompass irrelevant porcine features, which pose a challenge for the accurate interpretation and application of these datasets in real-world scenarios. The majority of these datasets are derived from sequential pig imagery captured from video recordings, and an unregulated shuffling of data often leads to an overlap of data samples between training and testing groups, resulting in skewed experimental evaluations. To circumvent these obstacles, we introduced a groundbreaking solution—the Semi-Shuffle-Pig Detector (SSPD) for PIR datasets. This novel approach ensures a less biased experimental output by maintaining the distinctiveness of testing data samples from the training datasets and systematically discarding superfluous information from raw images. Our optimized method significantly enhances the true performance of classification, providing unbiased experimental evaluations. Remarkably, our approach has led to a substantial improvement in the isolation after feeding (IAF) metric by 20.2% and achieved higher accuracy in segregating IAF and paired after feeding (PAF) classifications exceeding 92%. This methodology, therefore, ensures the preservation of pertinent data within the PIR system and eliminates potential biases in experimental evaluations. As a result, it enhances the accuracy and reliability of real-world PIR applications, contributing to improved animal welfare management, elevated food safety standards, and a more sustainable and climate-resilient livestock industry.

African swine fever (ASF), classical swine fever (CSF) and foot‐and‐mouth disease (FMD) are considered to be three of the most detrimental animal diseases and are currently foreign to the U.S. Emerging and re‐emerging pathogens can have tremendous impacts in terms of livestock morbidity and mortality events, production losses, forced trade restrictions, and costs associated with treatment and control. The United States is the world's top producer of beef for domestic and export use and the world's third‐largest producer and consumer of pork and pork products; it has also recently been either the world's largest or second largest exporter of pork and pork products. Understanding the routes of introduction into the United States and the potential economic impact of each pathogen are crucial to (a) allocate resources to prevent routes of introduction that are believed to be more probable, (b) evaluate cost and efficacy of control methods and (c) ensure that protections are enacted to minimize impact to the most vulnerable industries. With two scoping literature reviews, pulled from global data, this study assesses the risk posed by each disease in the event of a viral introduction into the United States and illustrates what is known about the economic costs and losses associated with an outbreak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foodborne diseases (FBDs) are a major concern worldwide since they are associated with high mortality and morbidity in the human population. Among the causative agents of FBDs, Taenia solium, Echinococcus granulosus, Toxoplasma gondii, Cryptosporidium spp., and Trichinella spiralis are listed in the top global risk ranking of foodborne parasites. One common feature between them is that they affect domestic livestock, encompassing an enormous risk to global food production and human health from farm to fork, infecting animals, and people either directly or indirectly. Several approaches have been employed to control FBDs caused by parasites, including veterinary vaccines for livestock. Veterinary vaccines against foodborne parasites not only improve the animal health by controlling animal infections but also contribute to increase public health by controlling an important source of FBDs. In the present review, we discuss the advances in the development of veterinary vaccines for domestic livestock as a strategy to control foodborne parasitic diseases.

Selective grazing by domestic livestock is a major control of plant community structure and dynamics in drylands. However, grazing impact predictions supporting management decisions are frequently based on average biomass consumption, neglecting selectivity. We evaluated the relative importance of grazing pressure, total and each species density, and plant dead biomass proportion as drivers of selective defoliation by sheep in three dominant native grass species in Patagonian steppes. Species were Poa ligularis, Festuca pallescens, and Pappostipa speciosa, which a priori present different preference degree by sheep. The relevance of these drivers for differently preferred species has not been simultaneously studied. We recorded the defoliation frequency and degree of the three species (dependent variables) throughout 112 field surveys. Besides, we recorded grazing management and vegetation structure descriptors (independent variables). Poa ligularis was highly defoliated (90% of plants), and grazing pressure was the leading driver (asymptotic exponential relationship). For F. pallescens, almost 70% of plants were defoliated, and defoliation non-linearly increased as grazing pressure rose and linearly decreased as both its dead biomass proportion and P. ligularis density increased. For P. speciosa, defoliation was low (20% of plants) and linearly decreased as both its dead biomass proportion and the density of the other two species increased. Grazing pressure played a negligible role in this species. These patterns confirmed that P. ligularis, F. pallescens, and P. speciosa, respectively, present high, intermediate, and low preference degree by sheep. In conclusion, our findings suggest that (1) selective defoliation can be satisfactorily predicted as function of grazing pressure, species densities, and plant dead biomass proportion; (2) grazing pressure becomes a more relevant driver as species preference rises and its effect on defoliation is markedly non-linear; (3) the dead biomass proportion and the abundance of highly preferred species are the leading factors determining less preferred species defoliation; and (4) grazing pressure management by itself is not enough to reduce the high defoliation of preferred species and increase the defoliation of non-preferred species. This knowledge is critical for developing effective management practices to control forage species defoliation in rangelands worldwide where species with different preference by herbivores coexist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foodborne diseases (FBDs) are a major concern worldwide since they are associated with high mortality and morbidity in the human population. Among the causative agents of FBDs, Taenia solium, Echinococcus granulosus, Toxoplasma gondii, Cryptosporidium spp., and Trichinella spiralis are listed in the top global risk ranking of foodborne parasites. One common feature between them is that they affect domestic livestock, encompassing an enormous risk to global food production and human health from farm to fork, infecting animals, and people either directly or indirectly. Several approaches have been employed to control FBDs caused by parasites, including veterinary vaccines for livestock. Veterinary vaccines against foodborne parasites not only improve the animal health by controlling animal infections but also contribute to increase public health by controlling an important source of FBDs. In the present review, we discuss the advances in the development of veterinary vaccines for domestic livestock as a strategy to control foodborne parasitic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dystocia is a complication that occurs at parturition either due to foetal or maternal factors. This condition has been well studies in domesticated species. However, there is very little information on dystocia in the agouti (Dasyprocta leporina). The agouti is utilized for its meat in South America and the Caribbean. More recently, farming of these animals intensively is being practiced in the Neo-tropics. This case report attempted to provide some insight into dystocia in the agouti which has been rarely reported in animals in captivity. A female agouti weighing approximately 3 kg (kg), which was in the last stage of pregnancy, was found dead in its cage. The vulva of the animal had the hind-limbs of the offspring protruding. Upon necropsy the animal had little fat reserves and had two foetuses in the right horn of the uterus. The feet of on offspring were dislocated and exposed at the level of the vulva. Each foetus weighed approximately 200 g. The foetuses were well formed with fur, teeth and eyes. The placenta was attached to each of the foetuses. The pathological findings suggested that dystocia resulted in secondary uterine inertia, which was the cause of death of the adult female agouti. To prevent the recurrence of this situation the gestation should be staged (timed) using ultrasonography. Animals which are in their third stage of gestation should be monitored using cameras or with personnel at the facility to assist agoutis which are having difficulties at parturition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-typhoid salmonellosis is a common and problematic foodborne zoonotic disease in which pork and pork products can be an important potential source of infection. To prevent this disease, important efforts to monitor the situation in the main source, livestock, are conducted in most developed countries. In the European Union, European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) and European Center for Disease Control (ECDC) compile information at the member-state level, even though important differences in production systems and surveillance systems exist. Here, Salmonella surveillance systems in one of the main sources of foodborne salmonellosis, swine, and humans in Spain were reviewed to identify potential gaps and discuss potential ways of integration under a "One-Health" approach. Despite the extensive information generated through the surveillance activities, source attribution can be only routinely performed through ad-hoc outbreak investigations, and national reports on human outbreaks do not provide sufficiently detailed information to gain a better understanding of the epidemiology of the pathogen. Human and animal monitoring of Salmonella would benefit from a better exchange of information and collaboration. Analysis of spatio-temporal trends in livestock and humans could help to identify likely sources of infection and to target surveillance efforts in areas with higher prevalence or where specific strains are found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dystocia is a complication that occurs at parturition either due to foetal or maternal factors. This condition has been well studies in domesticated species. However, there is very little information on dystocia in the agouti (Dasyprocta leporina). The agouti is utilized for its meat in South America and the Caribbean. More recently, farming of these animals intensively is being practiced in the Neo-tropics. This case report attempted to provide some insight into dystocia in the agouti which has been rarely reported in animals in captivity. A female agouti weighing approximately 3 kg (kg), which was in the last stage of pregnancy, was found dead in its cage. The vulva of the animal had the hind-limbs of the offspring protruding. Upon necropsy the animal had little fat reserves and had two foetuses in the right horn of the uterus. The feet of on offspring were dislocated and exposed at the level of the vulva. Each foetus weighed approximately 200 g. The foetuses were well formed with fur, teeth and eyes. The placenta was attached to each of the foetuses. The pathological findings suggested that dystocia resulted in secondary uterine inertia, which was the cause of death of the adult female agouti. To prevent the recurrence of this situation the gestation should be staged (timed) using ultrasonography. Animals which are in their third stage of gestation should be monitored using cameras or with personnel at the facility to assist agoutis which are having difficulties at parturition.

Question Root biomass distribution and below-ground processes are the main drivers of plant community structure and dynamics in arid rangelands. However, despite their relevance, below-ground plant responses to disturbance regimes remain poorly understood. This knowledge is a pressing issue since most of our ideas derive from extrapolating above-ground ecological theory and data. Here, we asked how domestic grazing management changes (intensification and abandonment) impact on both below-ground species co-occurrence at microsite level (point-richness) in relation to above-ground patterns and below-ground biomass distribution of dominant graminoid species across different soil layers. Location Patagonian steppe, Argentina. Methods We sampled and compared ungrazed, moderately grazed and intensively grazed steppes. We evaluated below- and above-ground point-richness (microsite level: 6-cm diameter), as well as total and specific root biomass in the top 20 cm of soil along 50-m transects in commercial paddocks. Results We found independence between fine-scale below- and above-ground responses. Below-ground point-richness was at least three times higher than above-ground point-richness. Besides, below-ground point-richness decreased from 4.2 species in ungrazed sites to 3.4 species in intensively grazed ones. Neither grazing intensification nor abandonment changed total root biomass, although intensification changed the root biomass composition, reducing preferred and increasing non-preferred grass species. Strikingly, below-ground point-richness and total root biomass did not differ between microsites covered and not covered by vegetation. This pattern was not affected by grazing. Conclusions Our findings showed a higher degree of fine-scale below-ground species co-occurrence than above-ground in this Patagonian steppe. The intensification of grazing slightly decreased below-ground species co-occurrence and changed root composition (species abundance), although grazing management did not modify the high degree of independence between below- and above-ground structure. Even though intensive grazing markedly decreases above-ground biomass, total below-ground biomass does not vary along a wide range of grazing conditions. In general, most of our knowledge about vegetation responses to grazing is based on above-ground information, assuming that below-ground patterns and processes are analogous to those above-ground. This study suggests that below- and above-ground community structure at fine-scale are not strongly correlated and they can be differentially affected by grazing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines and compares the evolution of animal husbandry practices in several civitates of Gallia Belgica and western Germania Inferior, as documented by archaeozoological data. It focuses on two neighbouring civitates, those of the Nervii and the Tungri, its aim being to explore the factors that influenced diversity in husbandry practices. In general, it appears that cattle played an important role in the Early Roman animal economy of these civitates. There is evidence that large cattle were primarily bred for use as draught animals. At the same time, the intensive processing of cattle on professional butchery sites, and indications of cattle-related craft activities in urban environments, demonstrate that within the market economy animal exploitation was focused on cattle. Nevertheless, several aspects of animal husbandry practices exhibit geographical differences. Evidence of surplus production of pigs in the countryside of Gallia Belgica suggests that different kinds of agricultural specialization existed within the loess belt. There are also differences in the adoption of Roman agricultural innovations in terms of morphological changes in cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The hitherto lost Domesday manor ofDonnelie(Warwicks), which had ahaia(hay), is likely to have lain in the ecclesiastical parish of Wootton Wawen and been absorbed into the manor of Wootton by the end of the twelfth century. The location of Wootton’s late medieval hay (presumably onceDonnelie’s) is identified, and is found to be unsuitable for the commonly accepted purpose of hays, the taking and holding of deer. A brief discussion of the role of medieval hays points to a previously unrecognized type which existed independently of woodland – a fenced enclosure for holding domestic livestock, which in some cases may have been a gathering point for animals being taken to be sold or exchanged. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Non-typhoid salmonellosis is a common and problematic foodborne zoonotic disease in which pork and pork products can be an important potential source of infection. To prevent this disease, important efforts to monitor the situation in the main source, livestock, are conducted in most developed countries. In the European Union, European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) and European Center for Disease Control (ECDC) compile information at the member-state level, even though important differences in production systems and surveillance systems exist. Here, Salmonella surveillance systems in one of the main sources of foodborne salmonellosis, swine, and humans in Spain were reviewed to identify potential gaps and discuss potential ways of integration under a “One-Health„ approach. Despite the extensive information generated through the surveillance activities, source attribution can be only routinely performed through ad-hoc outbreak investigations, and national reports on human outbreaks do not provide sufficiently detailed information to gain a better understanding of the epidemiology of the pathogen. Human and animal monitoring of Salmonella would benefit from a better exchange of information and collaboration. Analysis of spatio-temporal trends in livestock and humans could help to identify likely sources of infection and to target surveillance efforts in areas with higher prevalence or where specific strains are found.

Livestock grazing represents an important human disturbance for vegetation worldwide. We analysed the intraspecific differences in mean trait values between different grazing regimes (ungrazed and grazed) and explored whether these differences are consistent across species in a sub-humid mountain ecosystem in Central Argentina. We selected 14 species of eight different families, co-occurring in both regimes and comprising herbaceous (grasses and forbs) and woody (shrubs and trees) plants. For each species and grazing regime we measured 12 traits related to plant size, carbon fixation and water use. We found that plants in the grazed regime had consistently smaller leaves and shorter stature and internodal length than plants of the same species under the ungrazed regime. For the remaining traits the responses were species-specific. Dry matter content, leaf tensile strength and minimum leaf water potential (Ψleaf) showed contrasting responses to grazing. Specific leaf area, wood density and potential water content of wood showed almost no significant responses except for very few species. Neither leaf area per shoot mass nor leaf area per sapwood area differed significantly between grazing regimes. Our study suggested that the intraspecific variation found for the size-related traits would allow species to respond to grazing without modifying markedly other structural traits, a plastic response that might increase the probability of species success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) has emerged as a major health problem for domestic livestock and human beings. Reduced per animal productivity of domestic livestock seriously impacts the economics of dairy farming globally. High to very high bioload of MAP in domestic livestock and also in the human population has been reported from north India. Presence of live MAP bacilli in commercial supplies of raw and pasteurized milk and milk products indicates its public health significance. MAP is not inactivated during pasteurization, therefore, entering into human food chain daily. Recovery of MAP from patients with inflammatory bowel disease or Crohn‘s disease and animal healthcare workers suffering with chronic gastrointestinal problems indicate a close association of MAP with a number of chronic and other diseases affecting human health. Higher bioload of MAP in the animals increases the risk of exposure to the human population with MAP. This review summarizes the current status of MAP infection in animals as well as in human beings and also highlights the prospects of effective management and control of disease in animals to reduce the risk of exposure to human population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herding was the most suitable form of food production that Middle Nilotic populations relied on for a long time before crop cultivation. When domestic livestock reached the Middle Nile Valley, in present Sudan's Upper Nubia, which is some 1500 km upstream of the Nile Delta, their domestication process had long been accomplished elsewhere. As the slow and gradual process of wild animal taming did not regard the populations living there, the shift from foraging to the adoption of food production could have – theoretically and technically – been immediate. Some early Pastoral Neolithic sites in the Middle Nile Valley have been interpreted as the evidence of such an abrupt change, indicating an almost total replacement of previous wild species by domestic livestock in the faunal composition of their subsistence economies. However, new radiocarbon dates, archaeozoological evidence, and archaeological investigations on Pre-Pastoral and Pastoral settlement systems have shown that, even in this region, the switch from foraging to pastoralism followed a lengthy multi-stage path, rather than a geographically progressing, systematic diffusion. This paper proposes a non-consecutive multi-stage adoption of livestock rearing, including: (1) Contemporary settlements of hunter-gatherers and herders in the same areas; (2) Hunter-gatherers adopting a few domestic animals with no visible cultural changes; (3) Early herders of a few domestic animals with some, but not all, visible cultural changes; and (4) Full nomadic pastoralists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The origins of secondary product exploitation for domestic livestock, in particular milking, is a long-standing debate in archaeology. This paper re-analyses zooarchaeological age-at-death data from the central Balkans of south eastern Europe to demonstrate that the earliest intensive milking in this region probably occurred through the exploitation of goats, and not cattle or sheep, and that they were exploited in this manner from the beginning of the Neolithic. The analyses also suggest that there is a change in cattle and sheep exploitation patterns beginning during the Eneolithic, when secondary product exploitation becomes visible in age-at-death patterns, which can be interpreted as an increased scale of secondary products exploitation. This proposal is congruent with the ceramic lipid and zooarchaeological data from the region and has larger implications for understanding and identifying the origins of milking throughout the Old World. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Biometrical analysis of changes in the size of cattle, sheep/goat and pigs was carried out on data from 42 Anglo-Saxon sites. Log-scaling techniques on raw data and comparisons of summary data were employed in the analysis. A number of changes could be observed that were dependant on a continuation of Roman husbandry, importation of animals with the Saxon migration and links between stock size and Saxo-Norman developments in agriculture. A decline in the size of animals with time was also noted, yet it is likely that there would be little observable difference in the actual size of cattle and sheep of between one herd or flock to the next. Such homogeneity suggests that they were not isolated populations, but that some trade of stock occurred between sites. Limitations and problems in working with biometrical data are also discussed, most notably sample size, the reduction in the robustness of datasets with an increase in variables, and those associated with using summary and raw data. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study presents the analysis of 7966 individual cattle, sheep, pig and domestic hen bone measurements from 105 sites excavated in London dating to the period AD 1220–1900. Multiple episodes of size change are identified, although the speed and timing varies by species. The earliest evidence for size change in cattle and sheep occurs in the early 14th century and may be connected to the need to restock livestock populations following the outbreaks of murrain in the first half of that century. Subsequent size increases in livestock size may have occurred as a combined consequence of agricultural innovations in the wake of the Black Death, the increasing commercialisation of animal farming, as the meat requirements of an expanding London grew, and the rise of the ethic of improvement. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Most ungulates in East African savannahs experience some form of human disturbance, such as direct pursuit (e.g. hunting and poaching), habitat degradation and competition with livestock. In many studies, the impact of human activities on wildlife is assessed through census counts, i.e. by estimating population sizes or densities, but also the social organisation of gregarious species can be affected. Using seven species of ungulates occurring in the Akagera Ecosystem, we compared grouping patterns (i.e. group sizes and compositions) of different group types (e.g. bachelor, all-female and mixed-sex groups) between sites situated inside a protected area, i.e. Lake Mburo National Park in Uganda and the adjacent Ankole Ranching Scheme (ARS), an unprotected area with intense human pursuit. Differences in group sizes were detectible in only a few cases, e.g. bachelor group size in common eland Tragelaphus oryx pattersonianus increased in the ARS, which may be advantageous due to increased vigilance. However, we found pronounced differences in group compositions in numerous species and for different group types, for example, in eland and waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus defassa (i.e. in all group types), and topi Damaliscus lunatus jimela, oribi Ourebia ourebi and warthog Phacochoerus aetiopicus (all-female andmixed-sex groups).We discuss that continuous monitoring of grouping patterns of these (and other) species may be a valuable approach to detect 'subtle' effects of human nuisance even before an overall population decline can be observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous models and indices exist that attempt to characterize the effect of environmental factors on the comfort of animals and humans. Heat and cold indices have been utilized to adjust ambient temperature (Ta) for the effects of relative humidity (RH) or wind speed (WS) or both for the purposes of obtaining a "feels–like" or apparent temperature. However, no model has been found that incorporates adjustments for RH, WS, and radiation (RAD) over conditions that encompass hot and cold environmental conditions. The objective of this study was to develop a comprehensive climate index (CCI) that has application under a wide range of environmental conditions and provides an adjustment to Ta for RH, WS, and RAD. Environmental data were compiled from 9 separate summer periods in which heat stress events occurred and from 6 different winter periods to develop and validate the CCI. The RH adjustment is derived from an exponential relationship between Ta and RH with temperature being adjusted up or down from an RH value of 30%. At 45°C, the temperature adjustment for increasing RH from 30 to 100% equals approximately 16°C, whereas at –30°C temperature adjustments due to increasing RH from 30 to 100% equal approximately –3.0°C, with greater RH values contributing to a reduced apparent teml)erature under cold conditions. The relationship between WS and temperature adjustments was also determined to be exponential with a logarithmic adjustment to define appropriate declines in apparent temperature as WS increases. With this index, slower WS results in the greatest change in apparent temperature pci unit of WS regardless of whether hot or cold conditions exist. As WS increases, the change in apparent temperature per unit of WS becomes less. Based on existing windchill and heat indices, the effect of WS on apparent temperature is sufficiently similar to allow one equation to be utilized under hot and cold conditions. The RAD component was separated into direct solar radiation and ground surface radiation. Both of these were found to have a linear relationship with Ta. This index will be useful for further development of biological response functions, which are associated with energy exchange, and improving decision–making processes, which are weather–dependent. In addition, the defined thresholds can serve as management and environmental mitigation guidelines to protect and ensure animal comfort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Sustainable land use under climate change requires detailed knowledge of the system dynamics. This applies particularly for the management of domestic livestock in semi-arid and arid grazing systems, where the risk of degradation is high and likely climate change may have a strong impact. A suitable way to assess potential future trends of these complex systems is through the application of simulation models. 2. We reviewed 41 models published between 1995 and 2005 simulating semi-arid and arid livestock grazing systems. The models were categorized according to the model aim and type, their temporal and spatial scale, and several indicators of model complexity. Additionally, we developed a list of model requirements for adequately simulating the effects of climate change. Based on these requirements, we evaluated the potential of current models to simulate impacts of climate change and determine important shortcomings. 3. Three general model types could be distinguished, namely state and transition, difference and differential equation, and rule-based models. Over time, we found that the number of models aiming to improve management strategies increased, while there were fewer models that aimed to understand system dynamics. This was accompanied by a trend to simplify model descriptions of hydrological relationships. 4. Important shortcomings of current models included the impact of increased CO2 levels on plant productivity and the ability to resolve changes in intra-annual precipitation patterns. The consideration of both external drivers is crucial under climate change, hence sustainable long-term decision making is currently lacking important information. 5. Synthesis and applications. Sustainable livestock management in semi-arid and arid systems requires knowledge about effects of future climate change to adjust livestock density adequately. Producers’ experiences from current weather conditions are not necessarily transferable to future conditions, thus models could help to support management. However, an analysis of current models has shown that few existing models are able to assess the impacts of the predicted climate change. Therefore, we call for the development of new dynamic grazing models that provide land managers with the necessary tools to face the threat of future climate changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coyote lure operative device (CLOD) is a substance delivery system for coyotes (Canis latrans). Field testing has demonstrated that free-ranging coyotes will activate CLODs, but whether individual animals or mated pairs will do so repeatedly has not been examined. We conducted 2 experiments with captive coyotes to determine whether individual animals or mated pairs would approach and activate CLODs repeatedly when exposed to them in a familiar environment over 4 consecutive days. The second experiment allowed us to determine whether a bias existed toward either member of a pair when CLODs were activated. We concluded that individuals and mated pairs approach and activate CLODs with decreased latency over a 4-day testing period. Both sexes activated CLODs when encountered as individuals, but males activated more CLODs than females when mated pairs were exposed to the device. These results imply that an end user of the CLOD can wait until regular "take" occurs before introducing an active ingredient and, thus, have more control over delivery time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper reports the construction and testing of a historical environmental simulation model, Búmodel (bú: Icelandic – farm estate or enterprise). The model permits the investigation of historical grazing management under variable environmental conditions in Iceland through the prediction of spatial and temporal patterns of vegetation biomass and utilisation. Input parameters of the model are environmental, livestock and management variables from historical and archaeological sources. Process sub-models were constructed using contemporary Icelandic data. Validation of the model was based on an independent, published grazing experiment and demonstrated that Búmodel-predicted utilisable biomass values and biomass intake values fall within ±1 standard deviation of observed values. Búmodel provides a validated representation of linkages between environmental and management elements in a historical grazing system. It incorporates key issues of spatial and temporal scale, data quality, model validation and the inherent stochasticity of landscape change over historical periods. In doing so, it enables researchers interested in past landscapes to investigate the flexibility of the historical Icelandic grazing systems within the constraints of climate and vegetation cover, and provides a framework and methodology that can be applied to other historical extensive livestock-based agricultural systems. Access to the model is available at http://www.sbes.stir.ac.uk/research/environmental_modelling/. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Tuberculosis is present in wild animal populations in North America, Europe, Africa and New Zealand. Some wild animal populations are a source of infection for domestic livestock and humans. An understanding of the potential of each wild animal population as a reservoir of infection for domestic animals is reached by determining the nature of the disease in each wild animal species, the routes of infection for domestic species and the risk of domestic animals encountering an infectious dose. The mere presence of infection in a wild animal population does not of itself provide evidence of a significant wildlife reservoir. Although at times counterintuitive, wildlife populations with high disease prevalence may not necessarily have a role in the epidemiology of disease in domestic livestock. The key concepts used in deciding whether an infected wild animal population is involved in the epidemiology of tuberculosis in domestic livestock is illustrated by reference to six well-researched cases: the feral pig (Suis scrofa) and feral Asian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in Australia, white tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Michigan, and the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) and other species, such as the ferret (Mustela furo), in New Zealand. A detailed analysis of Mycobacterium bovis infection in the Eurasian badger (Meles meles) in Ireland and their role as a reservoir of infection for cattle is also presented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

1. The effect of different livestock grazing regimes on the insect fauna of an upland, semi-natural grassland was measured in 1993 and 1994 by a survey of the epigeal Carabidae and Staphylinidae within an experiment established in 1991. Grazing by sheep, or sheep and cattle, to achieve two different inter-tussock sward heights. provided four treatments. In addition, a further treatment was ungrazed from 1992 to test the impact on beetles of a short-term cessation of grazing, trampling and dung inputs. 2. Pitfall traps sampled Carabidae and Staphylinidae within the Nardus stricta-dominated grassland of the experiment. Data on these epigeal Coleoptera were collected from April to October in 1993 and 1994; years three and four of the experiment. 3. The epigeal Coleoptera species were ranked by decreasing abundance in traps, where the captures in traps were accumulated for both seasons The responses to the grazing regimes were analysed using ANOVA, applied to the most abundant species (that together represented 99% of the two seasons' catch). There were significant experimental effects of grazing regime on five of these 32 Coleoptera species, namely Carabus violaceus. Othius angustus. Pterostichus strenamus. Xantholinus linearis and Olophrum piceum. 4. The ordination technique, Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA), was applied to the data on the Coleoptera assemblage. Variables measured to represent the experimental treatments (mean vegetation height, stocking rate and botanical diversity) and environmental covariables (altitude and aspect) were entered in the direct gradient analysis procedure of CCA. This application of CCA partialled out the effects of altitude and aspect of each plot and revealed the significant effects of vegetation structure, botanical species composition and stocking density on a larger number of Coleoptera species than suggested from ANOVA, S. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]