Search Results (684)

As an important ecological barrier and animal husbandry resource base in arid and semi-arid areas, grassland degradation directly affects regional ecological security and sustainable development. Ili Prefecture is located in the western part of Xinjiang, China, and is a typical grassland resource-rich area. However, in recent years, driven by climate change and human activities, grassland degradation has become increasingly serious. In view of the lack of comprehensive evaluation indicators and the inconsistency of grassland evaluation grade standards in remote sensing monitoring of grassland resource degradation, this study takes the current situation of grassland degradation in Ili Prefecture in the past 20 years as the research object and constructs a comprehensive evaluation index system covering three criteria layers of vegetation characteristics, environmental characteristics, and utilization characteristics. Net primary productivity (NPP), vegetation coverage, temperature, precipitation, soil erosion modulus, and grazing intensity were selected as multi-source indicators. Combined with data sources such as remote sensing inversion, sample survey, meteorological data, and farmer survey, the factor weight coefficient was determined by analytic hierarchy process. The Grassland Degeneration Comprehensive Index (GDCI) model was constructed to carry out remote sensing monitoring and evaluation of grassland degradation in Yili Prefecture. With reference to the classification threshold of the national standard for grassland degradation, the GDCI grassland degradation evaluation grade threshold (GDCI reduction rate) was determined by the method of weighted average of coefficients: non-degradation (0–10%), mild degradation (10–20%), moderate degradation (20–37.66%) and severe degradation (more than 37.66%). According to the results, between 2000 and 2022, non-degraded grasslands in Ili Prefecture covered an area of 27,200 km², representing 90.19% of the total grassland area. Slight, moderate, and severe degradation accounted for 4.34%, 3.33%, and 2.15%, respectively. Moderately and severely degraded areas are primarily distributed in agro-pastoral transition zones and economically developed urban regions, respectively. The results revealed the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of grassland degradation in Yili Prefecture and provided data basis and technical support for regional grassland resource management, degradation prevention and control and ecological restoration. Full article

The objective of this analysis was to compare the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from contemporary grazing cattle production with bison grazing, both modern and historical. The data sets used in this analysis were derived from existing research and conservation properties located outside of Manhattan, KS (USA), which are home to stocker cattle, cow–calf production (CCS), and grazing bison. For stocker cattle, 10 years of animal production data (2007–2016) from season-long stocking (SLS, grazing 156 d) and intensive early stocking systems (IES; 76 grazing d and 2× stocking density) were used for GHG calculations. Enteric CH₄, manure CH₄, and direct nitrous oxide emissions were estimated using the IPCC tier 2 methodology. Historic bison (HGB) enteric CH₄ estimates were calculated using a stocking density of 0.15 ha/animal and assuming that only 13% of grassland was used by bison each year. Within contemporary systems, IES had the lowest emissions (463.3 kg CO₂-eq./ha/yr), while SLS, CCS, and MGB had the highest estimates (494.7, 493.9, and 595.9 kg CO₂-eq./ha/yr, respectively). HGB had the lowest estimated annual emissions at 295.7 kg CO₂-eq./ha/yr. These results imply that the historic grazing baseline of this grassland system is lower but similar to that of contemporary grazing cattle in the Great Plains region. Full article

Virtual fencing (VF) offers a promising alternative to conventional or electrified fences for managing livestock grazing distribution. This study evaluated the behavioral responses of 25 Rarámuri Criollo cows fitted with Nofence^® collars in Pine Valley, CA, USA. The VF system was deployed in chaparral rangeland pastures. The study included a 14-day training phase followed by an 18-day testing phase. The collar-recorded variables, including audio warnings and electric pulses, animal movement, and daily typical behavior patterns of cows classified into a High or Low virtual fence response group, were compared using repeated-measure analyses with mixed models. During training, High-response cows (i.e., resistant responders) received more audio warnings and electric pulses, while Low-response cows (i.e., active responders) had fewer audio warnings and electric pulses, explored smaller areas, and exhibited lower mobility. Despite these differences, both groups showed a time-dependent decrease in the pulse-to-warning ratio, indicating increased reliance on audio cues and reduced need for electrical stimulation to achieve similar containment rates. In the testing phase, both groups maintained high containment with minimal reinforcement. The study found that Rarámuri Criollo cows can effectively adapt to virtual fencing technology, achieving over 99% containment rate while displaying typical diurnal patterns for grazing, resting, or traveling behavior. These findings support the technical feasibility of using virtual fencing in chaparral rangelands and underscore the importance of accounting for individual behavioral variability in behavior-based containment systems. Full article

Vegetation and soil indices are able to indicate patterns of gradual plant growth. Therefore, productivity data may be used to predict performance in the development of pastures prior to grazing, since the morphology of the pasture follows repetitive cycles through the grazing of animals. Accordingly, in recent decades, much attention has been paid to the monitoring and development of vegetation by means of remote sensing using remote sensors. The current study seeks to determine the differences between three remote sensing products in the monitoring and development of white clover and perennial ryegrass ratios. Various grass and legume associations (perennial ryegrass, Lolium perenne, and white clover, Trifolium repens) were evaluated in different proportions to determine their yield and relationship through vegetation and soil indices. Four proportions (%) of perennial ryegrass and white clover were used, being 100:0; 90:10; 80:20 and 70:30. Likewise, to obtain spectral indices, a Spectral Evolution PSR-1100 spectroradiometer was used, and two UAVs with a MAPIR 3W RGNIR camera and a Parrot Sequoia multispectral camera, respectively, were employed. The data collection was performed before and after each cut or grazing period in each experimental unit, and post-processing and the generation of spectral indices were conducted. The results indicate that there were no significant differences between treatments for yield or for vegetation indices. However, there were significant differences in the index variables between sensors, with the spectroradiometer and Parrot obtaining similar values for the indices both pre- and post-grazing. The NDVI values were closely correlated with the yield of the forage proportions (R² = 0.8948), constituting an optimal index for the prediction of pasture yield. Full article

Creole goats have adapted to the harsh Andean environment, yet the physiological impacts of high-altitude production systems remain underexplored. This study assessed seasonal and dietary influences on the hematological and biochemical profiles of 45 Creole goats in the Peruvian Andes. The animals were assigned to three diets: D1 (grazing), D2 (grazing + 2000 g hay), and D3 (grazing + 400 g concentrate), across rainy and dry seasons. Biweekly blood sampling measured urea, cholesterol, total protein, albumin, ALP, ALT, WBCL, NeuP, LymP, HGB, and MCV. Season exerted the strongest influence (p < 0.001), with modest dietary effects and a consistent effect of sampling time. Urea, total protein, and albumin increased during the rainy season, though only urea responded significantly to diet. Leukocytosis rose in the dry season and with higher-protein diets, suggesting heightened immune activation under environmental stress. Hemoglobin peaked in the rainy season and early sampling, indicating better oxygenation. MCV and body weight were higher in the dry season, with weight unaffected by diet. These results underscore the complex interplay of environmental and nutritional factors in shaping goat physiology at high altitudes, emphasizing the importance of dynamic modeling in sustainable Andean livestock systems. Full article

The locoweeds Astragalus and Oxytropis in the Americas and China, as well as Swainsona in Australia, harbor swainsonine-producing endophytes responsible for “locoism” or “pea struck” syndromes in grazing animals. Demonstration of Alternaria section Undifilum spp. requires demonstration of morphological characters such as a wavy germ tube and slow growth. While Astragalus wetherilli, A. pubentissimus, Swainsona canescens, and S. galegifolia plants have been shown to contain swainsonine, and fungi isolated from the plants have been partially characterized genetically, the fungi have not been characterized morphologically. This work sought to complete morphological characterization and determine species for those fungi and from fungi associated with Swainsona luteola and S. brachycarpa. The fungi were isolated from their hosts onto media and exhibited slow growth, resulting in a colony diameter of approximately 10 mm after 30 days. Morphological identification revealed production of conidia that produced a wavy germ tube for the endophytes from Astragalus pubentissimus species, Swainsona canescens, and S. galegifolia. Sequence analyses of the ITS region and the swnK-KS and swnK-TR genes of these fungi suggest that the fungi isolated from Astragalus are closely related and distinct from the fungi isolated from Swainsona. Presence of the swnK gene demonstrates that all the fungi have a necessary component to produce swainsonine. Fungi isolated from Astragalus spp. differed in color, growth, and conidium size, and/or their sequences. While the fungi isolated from Swainsona canescens and S. galegifolia endophytes differed in color, growth, and conidium size, those isolated from Swainsona luteola and S. brachycarpa did not produce conidia. Sequences from all Swainsona endophytes were almost identical and were concluded to be the same species. The new species described here are Alternaria wetherii, A. pubentissima, A. pubentissimoides, and A. swainsonii. Full article

Gastrointestinal (GI) parasites not only significantly impact goat health and productivity but can also affect human health due to the zoonotic potential of some species. This study investigates the prevalence of internal parasites within the tropical monsoon ecosystem of southern Thailand, focusing on both phenotypic and molecular characteristics of the parasites and identifying associated risk factors in caprine farming systems. A total of 276 meat goats from Nakhon Si Thammarat province were examined, indicating an overall GI parasite prevalence of 88.8% (245/276), with strongyles and Eimeria spp. identified as the dominant parasites. In addition, mixed parasitic infections were observed in 72.2% of cases, whereas single infections comprised 27.8%. Strongyle-positive fecal samples were cultured and genetically sequenced, revealing the presence of Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, and Oesophagostomum asperum. For associated risk factors, gender and grazing with other herds significantly impacted overall GI parasitic infections, while the gender, breed, and packed cell volume (PCV) affected the strongyle infection. A correlation analysis revealed a substantial relationship between strongyle egg per gram (EPG) counts and clinical parameters, indicating that monitoring animals with low body condition scores (BCS) and high Faffa Malan Chart (FAMACHA) scores could be an effective strategy for controlling strongyle infections. These findings highlight the importance of continued research and effective farm management practices to address strongyle infections in meat goats, improving their health and agricultural productivity in tropical regions. Moreover, the detection of four zoonotic parasites (Giardia spp., H. contortus, T. colubriformis, and Fasciola spp.) indicates the necessity for the routine surveillance and monitoring of zoonotic parasites in goats to mitigate potential human health risks. Full article

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the inclusion impacts of macroalgae Gigartina skottsbergii (Gs) for grazing sheep. Experiment (Exp.) 1 studied the effect of Gs on in vitro gas production (IVGP), dry matter (DM) digestibility (IVDMD), and methane (CH₄) emission using three fistulated sheep and 96 h incubation of samples. In Exp. 2, ten Dohne Merino ewes [5-year-old; 47 ± 0.14 kg body weight (BW)] were randomly assigned to dietary treatments supplemented with Gs at 0 or 450 g DM/d per animal. The study lasted 31 days and was preceded by an adaptation period of 9 days. The BW, body conditional score (BCS), and blood were sampled at the first and the last day of the trial. The results of Exp. 1 showed that Gs supplementation reduced (MCP, p = 0.026) gas production (A), lag time (p = 0.013), and IVDMD (p = 0.071), while it enhanced partition factor (PF96; p = 0.004) and microbial crude protein (MCP) (p = 0.054). The concentration of CH₄ decreased after 3 h (p = 0.0002), 6 h (p = 0.013), and 12 h (p = 0.010) with a tendency at 9 h (p = 0.109) and 24 h (p = 0.068). In Exp. 2, there were no diet effects on the initial BW (IBW, p = 0.77), final BW (FBW, p = 0.91), and average daily gain (ADG, p = 0.24) of ewes; however, Gs supplementation decreased BCS (p = 0.004). Of all blood parameters, only the concentration of glucose (p = 0.021) and albumin (p = 0.011) decreased in the Gs group. Overall, our results revealed that the dietary inclusion of Gs (at 450 g DM/d) affected neither the BW nor ADG of ewes; however, Gs was accompanied by lesser IVGP and CH₄ emission. Full article

Although the benefits of rational grazing by polygastric animals are well known, little is understood about how chicken grazing affects soil biological health and its capacity to store organic matter. This study aimed to assess the impact of long-term free-range chicken grazing in an olive grove on the soil chemical and biochemical properties, including the total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), microbial biomass (Cmic), basal respiration, and microbial community structure, as well as the soil’s capability to stock organic carbon and total nitrogen. A field experiment was conducted in an olive grove grazed by chickens for over 20 years, with the animal load decreasing with distance from the poultry houses. At 20 m, where the chicken density was highest, the soils showed reduced OC and TN contents and a decline in fungal biomass. This was mainly due to the loss of both aboveground vegetation and root biomass from intensive grazing. At 50 m, where grazing pressure was lower, the soil OC, TN, and microbial community size and activity were similar to those in a control, ungrazed area. These findings suggest that high chicken density can negatively affect soil health, while moderate grazing allows for the recovery of vegetation and soil organic matter. Rational management of free-range chicken grazing, particularly through the control of chicken density or managing grazing time and frequency, is therefore recommended to preserve soil functions and fertility. Full article

The objective of this work was to explore the effect of taxonomically and phytochemically rich swards, as opposed to ‘status quo’ monoculture of ryegrass and white clover swards, on animals and milk, by assessing the metabolomic profile of plant and milk samples. The results of this study suggest that metabolomic profiles and metabolism are altered by dietary diversity and grazing management. Several metabolites associated with enhanced consumer health were elevated in milk from cows that were grazed in functionally diverse swards as opposed to monoculture of ryegrass and white clover swards. The results show the value of metabolomics for the identification of metabolites associated with a ‘pasture-fed diet’, which is considered beneficial to human health compared with grain-fed milk products. Metabolomics also provide evidence that grazing management and the presence of key forages may be more beneficial for market differentiation of milk products that can enhance consumer health than maximisation of sward species diversification. Full article

Historical application of wastewater treatment sludge (biosolids) has introduced per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) into agricultural systems and led to contamination of crops and livestock. Previous work validated a dynamic exposure and population toxicokinetic (DE_PopTK) modeling approach for estimating perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) concentrations in cattle tissues at sites primarily dominated by water contamination. This work expands the efforts to validate the DE_PopTK model at a self-contained beef farm in Maine with PFAS exposures from feed grown on site where soil is contaminated from historical biosolids applications. The model is also extended to estimate perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) exposure and tissue levels. Farm-specific data were obtained to consider farm management practices, spatial variation of PFAS in soil, animal growth, and seasonal and annual variability in estimating daily exposures based on water, feed, and soil intake. A dynamic exposure pattern was observed as cattle accumulated PFAS while consuming feed grown on contaminated land and eliminated it while grazing on non-contaminated pastures. Model-estimated PFOS and PFDA levels in serum and muscle were in good agreement with biomonitoring data collected at the farm over a four-year period to reflect periods of accumulation and depuration, with the percentage error ranging from 16% to 73% when comparing modeled and measured data. Our findings demonstrated that understanding farm exposures and collecting site-specific data were integral to model performance. The model was applied to simulate management strategies and complement economic analyses to demonstrate that, with modifications to management practices, it is feasible for the farm to achieve lower PFOS and PFDA levels in beef and maintain economic viability despite elevated PFAS soil levels. Full article

This study aimed to evaluate the structural, productive, and qualitative characteristics of forage, as well as the performance of sheep grazing on Urochloa pastures. Santa Inês sheep were used in a completely randomized design, with six experimental units per treatment. Treatments comprised four Urochloa cultivars (Marandu, Paiaguás, Xaraés, and Ipyporã) managed under intermittent stocking. Grazing and rest periods did not differ among cultivars, averaging 9.9 and 43.5 days, respectively. Pre-grazing forage mass was higher in the Ipyporã cultivar than the others, which did not differ from one another (4670.3 kg DM/ha). The leaf blade-to-stem ratio at pre-grazing was lowest in Paiaguás (1.09) and highest in Xaraés (1.61). Mineral matter, acid detergent fiber, and crude protein contents in leaves did not differ among cultivars. The longest grazing time was observed in Paiaguás (370.8 min/day). Cultivar did not affect idling time (592.1 min/day), rumination time (466.9 min/day), or bite rate (19.95 bites/min). Average daily gain did not differ among cultivars, with an overall mean of 74.5 g/day. The stocking rate was higher in Ipyporã compared to the other cultivars (12.75 AU 30 kg/ha), resulting in greater animal gain per unit area (1319.5 g/ha). The Ipyporã cultivar was more productive and supported a higher carrying capacity. Nonetheless, all four cultivars yielded satisfactory results and are recommended for grazing-based sheep production systems. Full article

Pastoral activities are an essential part of the cultural and ecological landscape of Central Italy. This traditional practice supports local economies, maintains biodiversity, and contributes to the sustainable use of natural resources. Understanding livestock behavior in response to environmental variability is essential for improving grazing management and animal welfare and ensuring the sustainability of these systems. This study evaluated the movement patterns of sheep grazing on pastures with differing vegetation indices in the Sibillini Mountains. Twenty lactating ewes foraging on two different pastures were monitored from June to October 2023 using GPS collars and accelerometers. GPS tracks were segmented using the Expectation Maximization Binary Clustering (EmBC) method to characterize movement behaviors, such as foraging, traveling, and resting. The NDVI was used to characterize vegetation dynamics, showing notable differences between the two pastures and across the grazing season. Additive mixed models were used to analyze data, accounting for individual variability and temporal autocorrelation in the sample. The results suggest that variations in the NDVI influence grazing behavior, with sheep in areas of lower vegetation density exhibiting increased movement during foraging. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing grazing practices and promoting sustainable land use. Full article

Gut microbiota “enterotypes” are strongly associated with diet and host health. For grazing animals, plant species richness and nutrient content of vegetation may alter the food supply and diet composition of animals. Understanding this relationship is critical to clarify the adaption of gut microbiota to changes in vegetation quantity and quality in grassland ecosystems. Here, we studied the relationship between dietary and gut microbiota composition of sheep (lambs) over a growing season in a grassland ecosystem in northern China. Variation in vegetation composition among grazing intensities was greatest in September: and sheep preferred forbs and Rosaceae throughout the grazing period in all grazing treatments, yet their preference for Fabaceae was reduced in HG treatments in September. Grazing intensity and seasonal variations in food resource availability influenced dietary patterns, which in turn affected gut bacterial community composition. Enterotype 1, dominated by Christensenellaceae_R_7_group and Clostridia_UCG_014_unclassified, predominated during the warm season (July) for both LG and HG treatments. In contrast, Enterotype 2, dominated by Escherichia_Shigella, prevailed during the cool season (September) in HG. Diversity of Enterotype 1 exceeded (p < 0.001) that of Enterotype 2. For MG, Enterotype 1 and Enterotype 2 were evenly distributed over the grazing period. Our results highlight the importance of regulating grazing intensity to maintain the balance and health of gut microbiota according to temporal changes in plant nutrients and aboveground biomass of grassland ecosystems. Full article

Grasslands and livestock are essential to support the diversity of soils, plants, and animals. This study analyzes changes that occurred from 2019 to 2022 in two protected pasture areas of the Italian Apennines, designated as UNESCO (area 1) and NATURA2000 (area 2). In each area, three sampling sites were identified and georeferenced, and the soil was studied. Forage quality and productivity were assessed from botanical and chemical perspectives using biomass samples. Adult bovine unit and grazing index were calculated. Soils, classified as Phaeozems in area 1 and Fluvisols in area 2, exhibit a weak structure with an increased risk of compaction and erosion. The height of forage species and vegetal diversity increased during the study, and variations in botanical and chemical composition were observed. Forage productivity averaged 2760 (±1380 SEM) kg DM/ha in area 1 and 3740 (±1160) kg DM/ha in area 2. Animal population declined by 11.4% in area 1 and by 1.14% in area 2, along with a decrease in the number of livestock farms. From a multidisciplinary perspective, improving management would enhance the ecosystem services of pasture areas, including promoting the role of soil as a carbon sink. The results present means of resilience to enhance cultural and naturalistic values of sites in inner Mediterranean ecosystems. Full article