Digital Commons Network^™

Real-World Applications For Virtual Fences – What Are Potential Benefits For Conservation?, F. Riesch, M. Komainda, J. Horn, J. Isselstein

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Livestock grazing can enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services in agricultural landscapes. In many parts of Europe, however, grazing has lost its importance, especially in the dairy sector. Large proportions of permanent grassland have been converted to arable land or intensified by fertilization and frequent defoliation. The disappearance of large herbivores and extensively grazed pastures contributes to the loss of structural, functional and biological diversity and ecosystem services. Modern technologies, which circumvent the cost- and labour-intensive installation of physical fences, could facilitate a precise spatio-temporal management of livestock and promote grazing. We reviewed the literature on the state-of-the-art of virtual fencing, …

Sahiwal Breed In Pastoral Production Systems In Kenya: Future Roles And Existing Gaps In Knowledge And Supportive Technical Logistics; A Review, Samson I. Mwangi, E. D. Ilatsia

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Sahiwal genetic resources is an integral part of the ASALs economy of Kenya. Sahiwal is the largest single dual purpose cattle breed kept by the pastoral communities in the ASALs where livestock products are the main drivers of food and nutrition security, and a source of income to support other household obligations. It was introduced in Kenya to upgrade the low performing small east African Zebu because of its superior productive and reproductive performance. The promising results of this upgrading programme led to the breed gaining preference over the local Zebu among the Maasai pastoralists. Despite the impressive results from …

Potential Of Croton Megalocarpus Nut As An Alternative Protein Supplement For Feeding Of Ruminants In The Tropics, E. K. Njoroge, C. C. Wambui, C. B. Wasike

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Croton megalocarous is a tree native to the arid and semi-arid rangelands of East Africa that produces nuts reported to contain high crude protein (CP). However, they are often neglected as a potential feed due to lack of information on how best to utilize them. This study was conducted to evaluate the chemical composition and in sacco dry matter (DM) degradability of four forms of croton namely whole nut (WN), peeled nut (PN), De-husked nut (DhN) and Defatted seed (DfS). DM of all forms was above 89%, ash content was highest in WN (5.9%) and least in PN (2.2%). Crude …

Polyphenol Concentration Of Native Plant Species, And Its Effect On Blood Antioxidant Capacity In Grazing Cattle In A Species-Rich Vegetation In Japan, S. Ogura, A. Tamura, H. Kakihara, T. Shishido, K. Shimoda

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

It is known that polyphenols in plants have a high antioxidant capacity. However, there is scarce information on its concentration in native plants and the effect of antioxidant capacity to grazing animals. In this study, polyphenol concentration of available plants was investigated in a species-rich grazing area in north-eastern district of Japan. In addition, polyphenol concentration in blood serum of grazing cattle was also measured. Eight beef cows grazed in a grazing area (hill pasture 3.1 ha; forest 16.9 ha) from late spring to mid-autumn (142 days), and four cows among the eight grazed at an orchardgrass pasture in mid-summer …

Metabolic Features Of Brain Function With Relevance To Clinical Features Of Alzheimer And Parkinson Diseases, David Allan Butterfield, Maria Favia, Iolanda Spera, Annalisa Campanella, Martina Lanza, Alessandra Castegna

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Brain metabolism is comprised in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Since the brain primarily relies on metabolism of glucose, ketone bodies, and amino acids, aspects of these metabolic processes in these disorders—and particularly how these altered metabolic processes are related to oxidative and/or nitrosative stress and the resulting damaged targets—are reviewed in this paper. Greater understanding of the decreased functions in brain metabolism in AD and PD is posited to lead to potentially important therapeutic strategies to address both of these disorders, which cause relatively long-lasting decreased quality of life in patients.

Performance Of Lora-Wan Sensors For Precision Livestock Tracking And Biosensing Applications, S. Nyamuryekung’E, Andrés F. Cibils, R. E. Estell, M. Funk, M. M. Mcintosh, A. Cox, S. A. Utsumi, H. Cao, L. Boucheron, Q. Gong, H. Chen, S. Spiegal, G. Duff, V. Gouvea, C. B. Brandani

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This study investigated the integration of Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRa WAN) communication technology and sensors for use as Internet of Things (IoT) platform for Precision Livestock-Farming (PLF) applications. The research was conducted at New Mexico State University’s Clayton Livestock Research Centre. The functionality of LoRA WAN communication technology and performance of LoRa WAN motion and GPS sensors were tested using static sensors that were placed either, a) outdoors and at incremental distances from the LoRa WAN gateway antenna (Field, n=6), or b) housed indoors and close to the same LoRa WAN gateway antenna (Indoor, n=5). Accelerometer data, reported …

Pasture Management Relevant Behaviour Of Yaks (Bosgrunniens), O. Kaufmann, A. Tolebekova

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

After a decline in yak populations in Central Asia, efforts have been made for several years to rebuild them. In that context, the ecological demands of the alpine landscape must be taken into account. The aim of the studies was to analyse the behaviour of yak cows in short time intervals and to deduce which sub-areas the yaks prefer more or less strongly, which altitudes in the mountains the animals visit in the course of a year, which distances they cover in summer and winter and which factors influence their grazing behaviour. The investigations were carried out on yaks in …

Herbage And Livestock Responses For N-Fertilized And Grass-Legume Grazing Systems, D. M. Jaramillo, José C. B. Dubeux Jr., L. M. D. Queiroz, L. Garcia, E. R. S. Santos

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Forage legumes provide an alternative N source in grazing systems. The objective was to evaluate plant and animal responses in N-fertilized or grass-legume-based systems under continuous stocking during winter and summer, from 2016-2019. The three treatments consisted of year-round forage systems including winter and summer forage components. The first system (Grass+N) included N-fertilized (112 kg N ha^-1 yr^-1) ‘Argentine’ bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) pastures during the summer, overseeded with a mixture (56 kg ha^-1 of each) of ‘FL 401’ cereal rye (Secale cereale) and ‘RAM’ oat (Avena sativa) during winter with …

New Forms Of Pastoral Mobility Among Sheep Herders In The Algerian Steppe; The Case Of Pastoralists Of Djelfa, Dihia Gaci, Jean-Pierre Boutonnet

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The recent socio-economic, political and climatic changes experienced by the Algerian steppe for the last decades have led to profound changes in pastoral mobility practices. This study describes the new mobility practices as currently adopted by the breeders of the Djelfa region. The realization of 59 semi-directive surveys was conducted between 2014 and 2016 among breeders in different reception areas. Practices related to the distance travelled during an annual cycle, the transhumance calendar and itinerary and the passage or not in the homeland are diverse. These practices of mobility can vary from one year to another or during the life …

Pastoralism, Social, Gender, And Policy Issues, Nahid Naghizadeh

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Nearly half of the Earth's land surface is classified as rangelands. Rangeland's health and productivity are directly critical to the livelihoods, cultures, and resilience of more than 500 million people worldwide, many of whom are indigenous peoples who depend on rangelands. Pastoralism is very diverse; it can be found in all continents, from the drylands of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula to the highlands of Asia and Latin America, or the tundra in the circumpolar zones, and in particular where crop cultivation is physically limited. Pastoralism supports several hundred million households worldwide and manages one billion animals, including camels, cattle, …

Annual Ryegrass Pasture For Dairy Cows Receiving Total Mixed Ration, M. Civiero, L. H. Schaitz, C. P. Ferris, Henrique M. N. Ribeiro-Filho

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The inclusion of herbage in the diet of medium yielding dairy cows offered a total mixed ration (TMR) may be beneficial. This study, which involved mid lactation dairy cows, examined the effect of partial replacement of a TMR with annual temperate pasture. Treatments were ad libitum TMR (TMR₁₀₀), 75% ad libitum TMR + ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum ‘Maximus’) (TMR₇₅), and 50% ad libitum TMR + ryegrass (TMR₅₀). Twelve multiparous Holstein and F1 Jersey × Holstein cows were divided into six homogeneous groups, taking account of milk production (26.6 ± 4.5 kg/day), days in milk …

Free-Enterprise Farming On Grasslands In Central Nsw, Australia, Des Green, Stuart Green, Ted Wolfe, Jo Richardson, Rob Eccles

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A pathway is described in developing and improving the pastures on family-owned sheep and beef properties at sites near Blayney in central NSW. Initially, the twin approach of sowing perennial grasses, predominantly phalaris (Phalaris aquatica) with subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) plus the recommended addition of superphosphate fertiliser, was closely followed but within a decade ill-thrift in pastures and livestock occurred. Once the core problem of soil acidity was recognised, steps were taken to overcome this constraint with applications of lime. However, an additional modification involving the application of gypsum with lime had to be sorted out …

Long-Lasting Impairments In Quadriceps Mitochondrial Health, Muscle Size, And Phenotypic Composition Are Present After Non-Invasive Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury, Steven M. Davi, Ahram Ahn, Mckenzie S. White, Timothy A. Butterfield, Kate Kosmac, Oh Sung Kwon, Lindsey K. Lepley

Center for Muscle Biology Faculty Publications

Introduction: Despite rigorous rehabilitation aimed at restoring muscle health, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is often hallmarked by significant long-term quadriceps muscle weakness. Derangements in mitochondrial function are a common feature of various atrophying conditions, yet it is unclear to what extent mitochondria are involved in the detrimental sequela of quadriceps dysfunction after ACL injury. Using a preclinical, non-invasive ACL injury rodent model, our objective was to explore the direct effect of an isolated ACL injury on mitochondrial function, muscle atrophy, and muscle phenotypic transitions.

Methods: A total of 40 male and female, Long Evans rats (16-week-old) were exposed to …

Forage Systems To Optimize Agronomic And Economic Performance In Organic Dairy Systems, S. Ray Smith, G. Pighetti, D. M. Butler, Kenneth H. Burdine, Krista Lea, K. Mercier, K. Payne, J. Allison, Gary E. Bates, N. Colton, A. Rius, P. Krawczel, E. Eckelkamp

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Organic dairy production in the USA is growing, but most forage systems research focuses on conventional production practices. As a result, organic dairy producers have limited science-based information to assist with farm and livestock management. The objective of this project was to use a multi-faceted approach to determine the ideal species mixtures for organic dairy production as well as document forage quality, forage yield, soil characteristics, milk production and milk quality during the grazing season. The forages studied ranged from a single species monoculture to a four species mixture of warm and cool season grasses and legumes. Nine distinct forage …

Fodder Crop Adoption Through Push-Pull Technology (Ppt) For Fall Armyworm (Faw) Control In Cereals Cropping Systems, Michael N. Njunie, E. N. Muthiani, A. Mzingirwa, N. F. Pole, B. M. Muli, A. O. Esilaba

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

There is an urgent need to increase grain yields and animal products due to increasing human population in Africa. Push-pull technology (PPT) is a conservation agriculture intercrop technology which protects and enhances natural resources productivity and ecosystem services in mixed farming systems. The technology involves growing of a cereal crop with a repellent intercrop, Desmodium genus (silverleaf, D. uncinatum and greenleaf, D. intortum) with grass such as Pennisetum purpureum or Brachiaria spp. planted as a border around the cereal-legume intercrop. The plants accompanying the cereal crop are typically valuable high quality fodder thus integrating crop-livestock production. The PPT was …

Evaluation Of The Chemical And Biological Characteristics Of Sake Lees, S. Katsumata, S. Yamanaka, M. Yamauchi, H. Hirooka, H. Kumagai

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Sake lees (SLs), produced from brewing Japanese Sake and known to be rich in yeast, is expected to be an alternative of feed protein sources for ruminants. Previous studies showed that yeast improved the digestibility of fibers in ruminants. However, the nutrient composition and the numbers of live and dead yeast in the SLs, have large diversity because of the different brewing materials and processes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical and biological characteristics of SLs with diverse brewing processes and storing periods (0-23 weeks). Seven types of SLs (SLs 1-7) were collected from two breweries. …

Effect Of High-Intensity, Short-Duration Grazing On Species Density And Botanical Composition Of Arid Rangelands, Mounir Louhaichi, Mouldi Gamoun, Fethi Gouhis, Ezzeddine Belfekih, Mohamed Abdelkader

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Rangelands are the mainstay of pastoral and agropastoral livelihoods worldwide. They have provided forage for livestock and wildlife for centuries, but steady degradation of rangelands is causing increasing concern. Many rangeland managers believe exclusion of livestock grazing for extended periods would allow degraded rangelands to recover. The purpose of this current ongoing research is to evaluate the effect of high-intensity short-duration grazing on plant density, species richness and botanical composition on arid rangelands during favorable years. The site, which is protected for two years in southern Tunisia and covers an area of 6 ha, was grazed by a flock of …

Economics Of Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Strategies In A North-Eastern Brazilian Beef Production System, K. Agethen, Rogerio M. Mauricio, C. Deblitz

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The state of Maranhão, Brazil, has been among the country’s fastest-growing cattle regions in recent years and it now faces important conflicts for beef production. Pasture degradation, low cattle productivity, and land-use changes due to agriculture and forestry expansion are key challenges. Additionally, beef production systems are a focus for emissions reduction, particularly in the context of increasing deforestation and its impact on global warming. A sustainable intensification of currently used pastures, enhancing economic viability and reducing environmental effects of beef production can help to mitigate the climate impact. Since economics is an important incentive in the decision-making processes of …

Form Of Supplemental Selenium Affects The Expression Of Mrna Transcripts Encoding Selenoproteins, And Proteins Regulating Cholesterol Uptake, In The Corpus Luteum Of Grazing Beef Cows, Sarah N. Carr, Benjamin R. Crites, Joy L. Pate, Camilla H. K. Hughes, James C. Matthews, Phillip J. Bridges

Animal and Food Sciences Faculty Publications

Selenium (Se)-deficient soils necessitate supplementation of this mineral to the diet of forage-grazing cattle. Functionally, Se is incorporated into selenoproteins, some of which function as important antioxidants. We have previously shown that the source of supplemental Se; inorganic (sodium selenite or sodium selenate; ISe), organic (selenomethionine or selenocysteine; OSe) or 1:1 mix of ISe and OSe (MIX), provided to Angus-cross cows affects concentrations of progesterone (P4) during the early luteal phase of the estrous cycle. In this study, we sought to investigate (1) the effect of form of Se on the expression of mRNA encoding selenoproteins in the corpus luteum …

Form Of Supplemental Selenium Affects The Expression Of Mrna Transcripts Encoding Selenoproteins, And Proteins Regulating Cholesterol Uptake, In The Corpus Luteum Of Grazing Beef Cows, Sarah Carr, Benjamin R. Crites, Joy Pate, Camilla Hughes, James C. Matthews, Phillip J. Bridges

Animal and Food Sciences Graduate Research

Selenium (Se)-deficient soils necessitate supplementation of this mineral to the diet of forage-grazing cattle. Functionally, Se is incorporated into selenoproteins, some of which function as important antioxidants. We have previously shown that the source of supplemental Se; inorganic (sodium selenite or sodium selenate; ISe), organic (selenomethionine or selenocysteine; OSe) or 1:1 mix of ISe and OSe (MIX), provided to Angus-cross cows affects concentrations of progesterone (P4) during the early luteal phase of the estrous cycle. In this study, we sought to investigate (1) the effect of form of Se on the expression of mRNA encoding selenoproteins in the corpus luteum …

Gut Microbial Trimethylamine Is Elevated In Alcohol-Associated Hepatitis And Contributes To Ethanol-Induced Liver Injury In Mice, Robert N. Helsley, Tatsunori Miyata, Anagha Kadam, Venkateshwari Varadharajan, Naseer Sangwan, Emily C. Huang, Rakhee Banerjee, Amanda L. Brown, Kevin K. Fung, William J. Massey, Chase Neumann, Danny Orabi, Lucas J. Osborn, Rebecca C. Schugar, Megan R. Mcmullen, Annette Bellar, Kyle L. Poulsen, Adam Kim, Vai Pathak, Marko Mrdjen

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

There is mounting evidence that microbes residing in the human intestine contribute to diverse alcohol-associated liver diseases (ALD) including the most deadly form known as alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH). However, mechanisms by which gut microbes synergize with excessive alcohol intake to promote liver injury are poorly understood. Furthermore, whether drugs that selectively target gut microbial metabolism can improve ALD has never been tested. We used liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry to quantify the levels of microbe and host choline co-metabolites in healthy controls and AH patients, finding elevated levels of the microbial metabolite trimethylamine (TMA) in AH. In subsequent studies, we …

Human Microrna (Mir-20b-5p) Modulates Alzheimer’S Disease Pathways And Neuronal Function, And A Specific Polymorphism Close To The Mir20b Gene Influences Alzheimer’S Biomarkers, Ruizhi Wang, Nipun Chopra, Kwangsik Nho, Bryan Maloney, Alexander G. Obukhov, Peter T. Nelson, Scott E. Counts, Debomoy K. Lahiri

Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Faculty Publications

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with loss of cognitive, executive, and other mental functions, and is the most common form of age-related dementia. Amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) contributes to the etiology and progression of the disease. Aβ is derived from the amyloid-β precursor protein (APP). Multiple microRNA (miRNA) species are also implicated in AD. We report that human hsa-miR20b-5p (miR-20b), produced from the MIR20B gene on Chromosome X, may play complex roles in AD pathogenesis, including Aβ regulation. Specifically, miR-20b-5p miRNA levels were altered in association with disease progression in three regions of the human brain: temporal neocortex, …

Rangeland Degradation In Mongolia – Using State And Transition Models To Help Understand Rangeland Dynamics, S. Sainnemekh, B. Densambuu, B. Bestelmeyer, I. C. Barrio, A. L. Aradóttir

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Rangeland degradation and soil erosion pose constant challenges to the management of natural resources in Mongolia. Large increases in livestock numbers since the early 1990s, together with increasing temperatures and higher frequency of extreme weather events have led to widespread degradation of rangeland resources, to the extent that today, nearly 57% of rangelands in Mongolia are considered degraded to some degree. New ways of understanding the dynamics of rangeland ecosystems and guidelines to conserve healthy and productive rangelands are urgently needed. The application of State and Transition Models (STMs) in ecosystem management has shown promise to understand the mechanistic processes …

An Approach To Evaluate Soils Influence On Floristic Composition Of Natural Grasslands, F. L. F. De Quadros, R. M. R. De Carvalho, R. Farenzena, L. Marin, P. L. Nascimento

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This trial aims to evaluate floristic composition of most abundant species in three soil typical of Pampa biome on Brazil. The survey was held at Maronna Fundation located on southern Alegrete municipality, on Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil’s state. Regional climate belongs to Koeppen’s Cfa class. Soil types were shallow basalt (Psamments e Orthents), deep basalt (Vertisols) and sandy soil (Acrisols or Ultisols). Floristic composition were evaluated by visual ranking of aerial biomass of the major species (transformed to kg of dry matter per hectare), calibrated by cuts at ground level, according to field procedures of BOTANAL method. Grasses were …

Interindividual Differences And Their Consistency In Grazing Cattle Behavior Across Seasons, H. Anzai, M. Shitajikkoku, K. Hani, N. Yamada, M. Hirata

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Interindividual differences and their consistency in behavior were investigated for cattle (Bos taurus) grazing a bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) and centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides) dominated pasture as a herd of about 30 breeding cows with their calves. Behavior of the cows was monitored directly by observers and also using GPS and accelerometer data loggers attached to focal cows for a period of 1–5 days every month during the grazing seasons (from May to October) in 2018 and 2019. The data were converted into behavioral variables (e.g. time spent grazing, ruminating and resting, time spent in particular …

Vegetation Response To Grazing Pressure In The Puna Flat, Nw Argentina, M. Quiroga Mendiola, A. Tálamo

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Puna grasslands are located at a high‐altitude flat plateau in the Northwest of Argentina. It is an arid territory (100 to 300 mm rainfall/year) at 3,000 to 4,000 m a.s.l. The vegetation is scarce, where Andean pastoralist communities produce meat and wool, specialized in llama (Lama glama) and sheep‐breeding, although they do breed multi‐species herds that may also include goats and cattle. There are erosion processes in the Puna, where shepherds and their animals could be synergetic factors with natural very hard climatic conditions. In this work we assess the effect of ovine and lama grazing on the …

Grass Species Density And Biomass Of South African Communal Property Association Farms Differing In Soil Properties, K. E. Ravhuhali, B. Moyo

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Attempts to monitor and mitigate rangeland deterioration in Communal Property Associations projects require some understanding of the knowledge of species composition and distribution. The study was conducted to compare the herbaceous in three selected CPAs projects (Mashung Matlala - Sandy loam, Mawela - clay loam, and Bela-Bela - clay) in South Africa. Mawela and Mashung Matlala CPAs were overgrazed. For species density, basal strike, and biomass, three transects (500m), which served as replicates, were established at two camps of each of the selected CPAs. Variation in herbaceous vegetation parameters was explored through SAS software. Clay soil type had better (P …

Therapeutic Treatment With The Anti-Inflammatory Drug Candidate Mw151 May Partially Reduce Memory Impairment And Normalizes Hippocampal Metabolic Markers In A Mouse Model Of Comorbid Amyloid And Vascular Pathology, David J. Braun, David K. Powell, Christopher J. Mclouth, Saktimayee M. Roy, D. Martin Watterson, Linda J. Van Eldik

Neuroscience Faculty Publications

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia in the elderly, but therapeutic options are lacking. Despite long being able to effectively treat the ill-effects of pathology present in various rodent models of AD, translation of these strategies to the clinic has so far been disappointing. One potential contributor to this situation is the fact that the vast majority of AD patients have other dementia-contributing comorbid pathologies, the most common of which are vascular in nature. This situation is modeled relatively infrequently in basic AD research, and almost never in preclinical studies. As part of our efforts to develop …

Therapeutic Treatment With The Anti-Inflammatory Drug Candidate Mw151 May Partially Reduce Memory Impairment And Normalizes Hippocampal Metabolic Markers In A Mouse Model Of Comorbid Amyloid And Vascular Pathology, David J. Braun, David K. Powell, Christopher J. Mclouth, Saktimayee M. Roy, D. Martin Watterson, Linda J. Van Eldik

Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Faculty Publications

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia in the elderly, but therapeutic options are lacking. Despite long being able to effectively treat the ill-effects of pathology present in various rodent models of AD, translation of these strategies to the clinic has so far been disappointing. One potential contributor to this situation is the fact that the vast majority of AD patients have other dementia-contributing comorbid pathologies, the most common of which are vascular in nature. This situation is modeled relatively infrequently in basic AD research, and almost never in preclinical studies. As part of our efforts to develop …

The Functional Importance Of Forbs In Grassland Ecosystems, F. Siebert, C. Morris, S. Chamane, N. Ntuli, S. J. Siebert

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Herbaceous vegetation in grassland ecosystems is characterised by grass dominance in a species-rich forb-grass mixture. Forbs (i.e. the non-graminoid herbaceous component) represent the largest proportion of total species- and functional richness, which secure important ecosystem functions. Although grasses remain the most important forage source, certain forb species provide nutritious food sources for herbivores. Moreover, forbs provide food- and habitat sources to enhance invertebrate diversity and hence, agricultural food security through the maintenance of healthy pollinator communities. Important food and medicinal sources for human livelihoods in developing countries are also largely contributed by forbs. However, the dynamics and ecology of forb …