Search Results (330)

Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) represent a major constraint to sheep production, and sustainable alternatives to routine anthelmintic use are increasingly required. This study compared two parasite control strategies in Zerasca sheep: routine albendazole treatment administered twice yearly (T) and a long-term non-chemical approach based on rotational grazing (relocation to a new pasture when grass height fell below 10 cm) combined with quarterly veterinary monitoring (NT). Twenty-four adult ewes (n = 12 per group) were monitored over an eight-month period. Mean faecal egg counts (EPG) differed significantly between groups (T: 210 ± 78; NT: 529 ± 89; p = 0.0007). In group T, EPG values decreased markedly 7 days after treatment but increased again by 150 days, resulting in no persistent differences between groups over time. Despite higher parasite burdens, NT sheep showed significantly higher body condition scores compared with treated animals (3.00 ± 0.61 vs. 2.51 ± 0.53; p = 0.0014). Haematological parameters were largely comparable between groups, although mild reductions in RBC, HGB, and HCT were observed in both. Treated sheep exhibited higher AST activity (p < 0.0001) and transient increases in ALT and BUN following treatment. Hair cortisol concentrations did not differ significantly between groups. Overall, these findings suggest that a non-chemical parasite management strategy, when combined with controlled grazing and veterinary monitoring, may maintain acceptable parasite levels while supporting body condition and stable welfare indicators, potentially reducing reliance on routine anthelmintic treatments. Full article

The growing pet economy boosts demand for fiber-enriched functional foods to improve canine gut motility and metabolic health. However, low-bioavailability commercial fibers often falter in high-energy diets. Whole lamb omasum—from grass-fed sheep omasum and gastric contents—repurposes a discarded byproduct for waste reduction and sustainable livestock production. This study evaluated the short-term effects of WLO supplementation on gut health and metabolism in healthy adult Shiba Inu dogs. Twelve dogs were randomly assigned to control or WLO groups in a randomized controlled trial. WLO supplementation significantly reduced fecal scores by 8.91% (p < 0.05), increased apparent crude fat and fiber digestibility by 3.70% and 11.55% (p < 0.05), and elevated serum IgA by 35.79–36.15% and T-AOC by 30.53–35.71% (p < 0.05). Serum metabolome revealed 13 between-group and 8 within-subject differences related to lipid and endocrine modulation. Fecal microbiota analysis indicated enrichment of the Bacillota phylum and Blautia genus (p < 0.05). These findings support WLO as a functional food that enhances gut and metabolic health in small-breed dogs. Full article

Oats (Avena sativa L.) are a staple grain and forage crop with substantial market demand. In China, they are the second most-imported forage grass, only after alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Enhancing the salt tolerance of oats to facilitate their cultivation in saline areas can thereby increase forage yield and promote the utilization of saline land, which constitutes an important reserve land resource in China. This study aimed to identify the bacterial strain Bacillus sp. LrM2 (hereafter referred to as strain LrM2) to determine its precise species-level classification and evaluate its effects on oat photosynthesis and growth under salt stress through indoor pot experiments. The results indicated that strain LrM2, capable of urease production and citrate utilization, was identified as Bacillus mojavensis. The strain LrM2 had a positive effect on shoot and root growth of oats under 100 mM NaCl stress conditions. Strain LrM2 inoculation modulated osmotic stress in oats under 100 mM NaCl stress by significantly increasing soluble sugar and decreasing proline content in leaves. It inhibited Na⁺ uptake and promoted K⁺ absorption in the roots, thereby reducing Na⁺ translocation to the leaves and mitigating ionic toxicity. Inoculation with strain LrM2 significantly increased photosynthetic pigment content (chlorophyll a, carotenoids), improved gas exchange parameters (stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, net rate of photosynthesis), enhanced PSII photochemical efficiency (maximum quantum yield, coefficient of photochemical quenching, actual photosynthetic efficiency of PSII, electron transfer rate), and reduced the quantum yield of non-regulated energy dissipation. These improvements, coupled with increased relative water content and instantaneous water use efficiency, thereby collectively enhanced the overall photosynthetic performance. In conclusion, strain LrM2 represents a promising bio-resource for mitigating salt stress and promoting growth in oats, with direct applications for developing novel biofertilizers and sustainable agricultural strategies. Full article

Prolonged drought and resource scarcity have limited feed availability for livestock in arid and semi-arid regions, necessitating strategic resource management to sustain cattle productivity. This study evaluated the use of spineless cactus as an alternative feed ingredient for ruminants in dryland areas. The experiment assessed in vitro cumulative gas production from silages of Miúda forage cactus (Nopalea cochenillifera Salm-Dyck) combined with Tifton 85 Bermuda Grass (Cynodon sp.) hay and varying levels of urea (1%, 2%, and 3% on a dry matter basis) as a nitrogen source. Traditional supplements comprising Tifton hay, wheat bran, soybean meal, and urea served as controls. Kinetic organic matter degradation parameters exceeded 60%. Dry matter degradability was similar across all urea levels at six hours but diverged over time, with the 3% urea treatment showing lower degradability at 48 and 96 h. Organic matter degradability varied throughout incubation, with the 2% urea treatment performing best. Overall, these findings suggest that silage made from native Miúda forage cactus combined with Tifton hay and up to 2% urea can serve as an effective alternative roughage to meet the nutritional requirements of ruminants, particularly during periods of feed scarcity in arid environments. Full article

Dryland grasslands face elevated risks of rapid threshold crossing under a regime of warming, precipitation redistribution, and intensified interannual hydrothermal variability. Using the Ebinur Lake Basin (ELB) as a case, we developed an integrated structure × function assessment—linking land-use/cover change (LUCC) transitions with functional indicators of net primary productivity (NPP), net ecosystem production (NEP), soil conservation (SC), and grass supply (GS)—and coupled it with Bayesian-optimized XGBoost, SHAP, and partial dependence plots (PDPs) at a 30 m pixel scale to identify dominant drivers and ecological thresholds, subsequently translating them into governance zones. From 2003 to 2023, overall grassland status was dominated by degradation (20,160.62 km²; 69.42%), with restoration at 8878.85 km² (30.57%) and stability at 2.79 km² (0.01%). NPP/NEP followed a rise–decline–recovery trajectory, while SC exhibited marked bipolarity. Precipitation and temperature emerged as primary drivers (interaction X3 × X4 = 0.0621), whose effects, together with topography and accessibility, shaped a spatial paradigm of piedmont sensitive–oasis sluggish–lakeshore vulnerable. Key thresholds included an annual precipitation recovery threshold of ~200 mm and an optimal window of 272–429 mm; a road-density divide near ~0.06 km km⁻²; and sustainable grazing windows of ~2.2–4.2 and ~4.65–5.61 livestock units (LU) km⁻². These thresholds underpinned four management units—Priority Control (52.53%), Monitoring and Alert (21.53%), Natural Recovery (20.40%), and Optimized Maintenance (5.55%)—organized within a “two belts–four zones–one axis” spatial framework, closing the loop from threshold detection to adaptive governance. The approach provides a replicable paradigm for climate-adaptive management and ecological risk mitigation of dryland grasslands under warming. Full article

In arid regions, the ecological restoration of limestone tailings requires sustainable strategies, yet the synergistic effects of substrate optimization and native plant selection remain poorly understood. In this study, we systematically evaluated substrate amendments and native species for rehabilitating limestone tailings in Northern China’s arid zone using a controlled pot experiment. An orthogonal L9(3⁴) experimental design was employed to test three factors: the soil-to-tailings ratio (1:2, 1:1, and 2:1), moisture level (30%, 45%, and 60% of field capacity), and nitrogen addition (0, 5, and 10 g N m⁻²). Five native grass species (Pennisetum centrasiaticum, Setaria viridis, Leymus chinensis, Achnatherum splendens, and Eleusine indica) were grown under these treatment conditions, and plant biomass and key soil nutrient variables were measured. Stepwise regression, structural equation modeling, and principal component analysis were applied to assess plant growth responses and soil nutrient dynamics. The results indicated that a 2:1 soil-to-tailings substrate maintained at 60% moisture content maximized biomass production across all species. Soil total potassium consistently correlated positively with biomass (Standardized β: 0.397–0.603), whereas available potassium showed a negative relationship (Standardized β: −0.825–−0.391). Nutrient dynamics ultimately governed biomass accumulation, accounting for 57.8–84.2% of the biomass variation. P. centrasiaticum ranked as the most effective species, followed by S. viridis, L. chinensis, A. splendens, and E. indica. We concluded that successful restoration under these experimental conditions hinged on key factors: using a 2:1 soil-to-tailings substrate, maintaining 60% soil moisture, and strategically combining deep-rooted P. centrasiaticum with shallow-rooted S. viridis to exploit complementary resource use. This work provides fundamental data and a conceptual framework for rehabilitating arid limestone tailings in similar ecological settings, based on controlled experimental evidence. Full article

While there is very limited information on the cost of production (COP) for the emerging 100% grass-fed organic dairy sector, this study (1) estimates the COP using primary data collected from on-farm surveys, (2) assesses the correlation between COP and key production and management factors, (3) examines how land, feed and labor efficiency, and production scale affect the COP, and (4) derives recommendations for enhancing the economic efficiency of grass-fed organic dairy farms. Data collected via annual surveys in the Northeastern United States from 2019 to 2022 were analyzed through descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, hypothesis tests, and regression analysis. At an average cost of USD 45.91 per hundredweight equivalent of milk, the marginal impacts of the cows managed per full time equivalent labor and milk sold per cow on the COP were −USD 0.166 and −USD 0.003, respectively. Conversely, the COP increased by USD 1.44 when the crop acres per cow increased by one unit, and the COP of small farms with less than 45 cows was USD 6.20 higher than other farms. As farms are significantly different in resource endowment and other factors, the strategies for reducing the COP and improving the economic returns should be identified for individual farms. However, our analyses highlight the importance of enhancing labor efficiency in forage production, land management, milking and feeding, improving herd management and optimizing nutrition and dry matter intake to support high milk productivity. This study may help existing grass-fed dairy farms improve their farm management and reduce COP and help prospective farms assess their suitability for transitioning to grass-fed operation. Full article

Beef production on chemically uniform grass monocultures can limit nutrient synchrony and contribute to uneven pasture use. We evaluated whether supplementing tannins with bioactive plant secondary compounds improves foraging dynamics and landscape use by beef cattle grazing a meadow bromegrass monoculture in ways aligned with rangeland sustainability. Twenty-four Angus cow–calf pairs were allocated to six 3.6-ha paddocks (four pairs/paddock), randomly assigned to Control (Ctrl; n = 3) or Tannin treatment (TT; n = 3). Animals received 1 kg/cow/day of DDGs, with TT receiving an added 0.4% tannins (2:1 condensed:hydrolyzable). Grazing occurred during four 15-day periods (July–September) across two years. Data were analyzed with mixed-effects models. Tannins did not alter biomass removal or cow weight loss (p > 0.05). However, TT cows exhibited longer evening grazing (2.9 vs. 2.1 h), fewer standing-to-lying transitions (5.7% vs. 7.3%), and more even spatial grazing distribution (CV = 1.861 vs. 2.13; p < 0.05), and greater water consumption (147 vs. 121 L/day; p < 0.01). Average daily gain of calves was numerically greater in TT compared to Ctrl (1.03 vs. 0.93 kg/day; p = 0.27). Collectively, these shifts promoted by tannins point to enhanced evening intake opportunities and reduced patch overuse, outcomes consistent with improved welfare and more uniform pasture utilization two pillars of sustainable grazing. Increased water demand under tannins highlights a management consideration for arid systems. Overall, moderate tannin inclusion was compatible with sustainable grazing by promoting even pasture use and potentially improving nutrient use efficiency without compromising intake. Full article

Seedling-stage weeds are one of the key factors affecting the crop growth and yield formation of soybean. Accurate detection and density mapping of these weeds are crucial for achieving precise weed management in agricultural fields. To overcome the limitations of traditional large-scale uniform herbicide application, this study proposes an improved YOLOv11n-based method for weed detection and spatial distribution mapping by integrating low-altitude UAV imagery with field elevation data. The second convolution in the C3K2 module was replaced with Wavelet Convolution (WTConv) to reduce complexity. A SENetv2-based C2PSA module was introduced to enhance feature representation and context fusion with minimal parameter increase. Soft-NMS-SIoU replaced traditional NMS, improving detection accuracy and robustness for dense overlaps. The improved YOLOv11n algorithm achieved a 3.4% increase in mAP@50% on the test set, outperforming the original YOLOv11n in FPS, while FLOPs and parameter count increased by only 1.2% and 0.2%, respectively. More importantly, the model reliably detected small grass weeds with morphology highly similar to soybean seedlings, which were undetectable by the original model, thus meeting agricultural production monitoring requirements. In addition, the pixel-level weed detection results from the model were converted into coordinates and interpolated using Kriging in ArcGIS (10.8.1) Pro to generate continuous weed density maps, resulting in high-resolution spatial distribution maps directly applicable to variable-rate spraying equipment. The proposed approach greatly improves both the precision and operational efficiency of weed detection and management across large agricultural fields, providing scientific support for intelligent variable-rate spraying using plant protection UAVs and ground-based sprayers, thereby promoting sustainable agriculture. Full article

Pleurotus giganteus, a heat-tolerant mushroom with high nutritional and medicinal value, is a promising species for tropical mushroom cultivation in Hainan, China. However, its current dependence on rubber sawdust as the primary substrate compromises environmental sustainability. In this study, we applied a “replacing wood with grass” strategy and used a simplex-lattice design to optimize substrate formulations based on agro-residues. Laboratory screening identified banana straw and chili straw as effective substitutes for rubber sawdust, supporting rapid and dense mycelial growth. Mixed formulations showed distinct advantages in mycelial growth, enzyme activity, agronomic traits (growth cycle, yield, and cap-to-stipe ratio), and nutritional composition compared to the control formulation (CF), particularly in terms of growth rate and laccase activity. Correlation analyses revealed that both individual ingredients and their interactions significantly affected mycelial growth and agronomic traits, with the magnitude and direction of effects depending on their relative proportions. Based on expected response values for key evaluation indices, an optimal formulation (9.97% rubber sawdust, 24.33% banana straw, 10.70% chili straw, 40% cottonseed hulls, 10% wheat bran, and 5% lime) was predicted and experimentally validated to outperform the CF. This study provides a sustainable basis for localized cultivation of P. giganteus in Hainan and supports the high-value valorization of agricultural residues for mushroom production. Full article

The agroforestry system, which integrates the strategic intercropping of trees and grasses, is profoundly shaped by complex ecological interactions that dynamically reshape microclimatic environments and significantly impact the growth of understory forage species. Wolfberry–forage intercropping patterns have the potential to improve soil quality and orchard productivity, but their effects on forage cover crops are still unclear. Therefore, this study selects wolfberry and nine forage grass as research subjects to examine the effects of intercropping these species on the morphological characteristics, yield, quality, photosynthetic capacity, and plant physiology of forage grass. Based on experimental data, cover cropping facilitated plant growth, maintained fruit yield, and promoted leaf photosynthesis in forage compared with monocropping. This was exemplified by a notable increase in forage plants under the intercropping system, for the number of primary branches or tillers, and an improvement in the drying ratio of forage grasses, while reducing plant height, leaf-to-stem ratio, and photosynthetic rate (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the intercropping system significantly enhances the dry weight yield of alfalfa, ryegrass, and mangold, with increases of 60%, 64%, and 70%, respectively (p < 0.05). Additionally, it improves forage quality by increasing the crude protein content in ryegrass and mangold by 32% and 10%, respectively, and decreasing acid detergent fiber content by 10% and 18% (p < 0.05). Collectively, the results indicated that mangold, ryegrass, and alfalfa were the optimal cover crops for sustainable wolfberry production in the study area. The use of appropriate wolfberry–forage cover crops enhanced hay yield and the quality of forage by stimulating photosynthetic capacity and biotic stress resistance. Our research elucidates the mechanisms underlying the effects of intercropping systems on forage grass growth, aiming to provide a scientific basis for the development of animal husbandry and the rational utilization of land resources in the Ningxia region. Full article

The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional composition of beef from five autochthonous calving breeds from Southwest Spain (Retinta, Pajuna, Marismeña, Berrenda en Colorado, and Lidia) reared under their traditional production systems. Longissimus dorsi samples were analyzed for pH, fat, moisture, ash protein content, mineral composition, fatty acid profile, and volatile compounds. Carcass weights of calves ranged from 108 to 328 kg according to the Spanish market, with significant breed differences in fat (range 2.98–8.41%), moisture (69.47–72.62%), and protein (20.98–23.82%), but not in ash (1.03–1.17%). Sodium levels were below 120 mg/100 g, allowing all breeds to be classified as low-sodium, while phosphorus values supported a high-phosphorus label. The Pajuna, Berrenda en Colorado, and Lidia breeds showed higher levels of beneficial fatty acids such as EPA, DPA, DHA, and CLA, with n-6/n-3 ratios ≤ 4, while Retinta and Marismeña presented higher ratios (6.09 and 5.23, respectively). The breeds from Southwest Spain stand out for their content in ketone, ester, and aromatic hydrocarbon volatile compounds linked to the intake of grass, forage, and food concentrate. These results highlight the favorable nutrient profiles and distinctive traits of Spanish autochthonous cattle breeds, emphasizing their value in sustainable production and conservation programs. Full article

This study evaluated a sustainable strategy for Para grass (Brachiaria mutica) forage using composted cow manure in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. At Nam Can Tho Experimental Farm (January–September 2023), a completely randomized design with three replications and three harvest cycles tested five topdressing rates: 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10 t/ha/year (TDM0–TDM10). Tiller emergence, plant height, forage quality, biomass yield, and cost–benefit were measured. Tiller counts were unaffected (p > 0.05), but plant height rose significantly with manure rate. Forage quality remained optimal (CP 7.10–7.85%, NDF 60.5–63.8%). Average fresh biomass yield (FBM, t/ha) increased linearly: y = 0.788x + 14.9 (R² = 0.937), where x is manure rate (t/ha/year). TDM10 yielded 50% more fresh forage (22.6 t/ha) and 48% more dry matter (4.43 t/ha) than the control (15.0 and 2.98 t/ha; p = 0.001), with crude protein up 56% (0.347 t/ha) and neutral detergent fiber up 41% (2.68 t/ha). Total cost increased slightly (from 521 to 552 USD/ha), but per-ton cost dropped 30% (from 34.7 to 24.4 USD). At 10 t/ha/year, manure optimized yield, profitability, circular nutrient use, and reduced fertilizer dependence, providing a scalable model for tropical smallholder livestock feed. Full article

Although pastures cover nearly half of Brazil’s agricultural land and form the backbone of national livestock production, they have historically received limited attention regarding management and fertilization, resulting in widespread degradation. Sustainable intensification of these pasture-based systems is therefore essential to meet growing global demand for animal products while minimizing environmental impacts. This review highlights recent technological innovations in pasture fertilization in Brazil, with a particular focus on alternative phosphorus sources such as natural reactive phosphates, which offer slow-release nutrients at lower costs compared to conventional fertilizers. Efforts to enhance nitrogen use efficiency through nitrification and urease inhibitors show promise in reducing nutrient losses and greenhouse gas emissions, despite current cost constraints limiting adoption. The integration of grass-legume intercropping, especially with Arachis pintoi, has been shown to enhance forage quality and system persistence when appropriately managed. Moreover, plant growth-promoting microorganisms emerge as sustainable biotechnological tools for restoring degraded pastures and boosting forage productivity without adverse environmental consequences. Properly treated agro-industrial residues also present a viable nutrient source for pastures, provided environmental regulations are strictly followed to prevent pollution. Together, these innovations offer a comprehensive framework for enhancing the productivity and sustainability of Brazilian livestock systems, highlighting the pressing need for continued research and the adoption of advanced fertilization strategies. Full article

The growing global demand for mined commodities has intensified the environmental challenges associated with mine tailings. Currently, an estimated 62,381 mining properties impact approximately 50 million square kilometers of the Earth’s land surface. Annual tailings production exceeds 10 billion tonnes and is projected to reach 19 billion tonnes by 2025. This review examines phytoremediation strategies and the associated legal framework in South Africa, highlighting a critical disconnect between existing remediation approaches, environmental legislation, and the broader sustainable development agenda. To address these gaps, a fundamental shift towards a circular economy paradigm is essential—one that aligns research, policy, and practice to foster innovative, sustainable solutions. Phytoremediation using bioenergy crops such as Vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides) offers a holistic approach that integrates environmental restoration with circularity and economic viability, while avoiding competition with food crops for arable land. Full article