Agriculture Commons^™

Feed Formulation: Expanding Our Horizons Beyond The Simple Provision Of Least-Cost Diets, Rick Kleyn, Mariana Ciacciariello

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

Commercial feed formulation is typically based on linear programming (LP) algorithms that derive a least-cost solution for a blend of ingredients that meet specific nutrient criteria. This methodology has been effectively used for decades, but how we achieve our primary goal, which is sustainable poultry production, needs to be reconsidered in broader terms. Some of the issues that this paper will deal with are: not all parameters that we consider are linear and additive; we are still unsure of how to build the matrix required for feed formulation; dealing with the variability encountered in every batch of ingredient remains a …

Reducing Feed’S Environmental Footprint: Where Are The Opportunities?, Lara Moody

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

Working with animal food industry members and stakeholders up- and down-stream in the supply chain, the Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER) developed a ‘Sustainability Road Map’ to support the U.S. animal food industry as it pursues continuous improvement on impacts important to industry members and their customers. For IFEEDER and the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), sustainability is defined and managed by each individual organization to deliver measurable, continuous improvements on the impacts related to people, planet and governance that are most important to them and their stakeholders.

No Antibiotic Ever (Nae) Versus Conventional Broiler Production: It’S Complicated, Marcos H. Rostagno

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

Broiler production has evolved significantly over the years to meet a constant growing demand for animal protein. Rooted on major advances in genetics, facilities and environmental conditions, management, and specially, in nutrition and health, the U.S. broiler industry improved tremendously in productivity and efficiency, clearly demonstrated by a marked reduction of the average market age (i.e., days to market), while significantly increasing average market weight, breast meat yield and feed efficiency (National Chicken Council, 2023). For decades, conventional broiler production was dominant, with extensive use of antibiotics to promote growth and manage disease challenges (prevention and control). However, concerns over …

Organic Trace Minerals In Environmentally Sustainable Systems, Sergio L. Vieira, Julmar C. Feijó, André Favero

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

Essential trace minerals (Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, Se and I) are traditionally included as supplements through mineral premixes in poultry feeds. In comparison to other essential nutrients, as well as energy, they are scarcely studied. The essentiality of a nutrient, by definition, refers to the nutrient role in normal body function, such as growth or egg production, and considers that they cannot be synthesized by the body and, therefore, must be supplied from the feed.

Students’ Knowledge Of And Attitudes Toward Dairy Production: A Survey Methodology Report, Heather Akin, Babatope Akinyemi, Julia Mcquillan, Tami Brown-Brandl

Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication: Faculty Publications

This report presents findings from a pilot survey conducted among undergraduate and graduate students (N = 410) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln about students’ perspectives on technology usage, consumption, and sustainability in dairy production systems. An interdisciplinary research team developed the survey instrument and report. The main purpose of this pilot study was to create and administer survey items to support further research on experiential education and outreach opportunities related to robotics in small-scale dairy production and rural economic development. Descriptive findings indicated that most students had some familiarity with dairy production and the nutritional aspects of dairy products …

Pasture Pig Basics, Jacob Hadfield, Jessie Hadfield, Joshua Dallin, Lorie Millward

All Current Publications

With an increasing push for more sustainable agriculture practices, raising pigs on pasture has gained much attention over recent years. Although it is possible to raise pigs on pasture, and this production method may support some sustainability goals, there are some important considerations. This fact sheet provides insight and answers to aspiring pig farmers so that they can make better-informed decisions before purchasing their pigs.

Anthelmintic Resistance In Sheep Across Ireland And The Uk: A Literature Review Of The In Vivo Versus In Vitro Methods, Megan Tumulty

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

Background: The animal welfare and production consequences of gastrointestinal nematode infections, namely Nematodirus battus, on sheep are compelling. The control of gastrointestinal infections has been heavily reliant on the administration of anthelmintics since their introduction into mainstream use in 1960. However, their frequent and often excessive use has resulted in anthelmintic resistance being reported extensively in several gastrointestinal nematode species. The prevalence of anthelmintic resistance as well as the increase in the number of cases of multiple-drug resistance in nematode populations now poses substantial hindrance on the viability of sheep production systems. However, despite the threat N. battus poses …

Impact Of Wood-Sourced Biochar On Carbon And Nitrogen Capture In Beef Feedlot Systems, Jessica L. Sperber

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

A feedlot growing and finishing experiment evaluated the effect of including pine-sourced biochar at 0.8 (growing) and 1.0% (finishing) of dietary DM on steer performance, carcass characteristics, and greenhouse gas (GHG) production (Exp 1). Two nutrient mass balance experiments were conducted during winter and summer seasons to evaluate the effect of spreading unprocessed red cedar biochar on the feedlot pen surface on manure nutrient capture and cattle performance (Exp 2). In Exp. 1, the inclusion of biochar in the growing diet did not impact steer performance. The inclusion of biochar in the finishing diet significantly reduced intake and gain, resulting …

Small Farm Husbandry: Cow, Sheep And Goat For Meat Production, Nicole Burton

Sustainability Education Resources

This course provides students with a farmer’s perspective on the sustainable management of cows, sheep and goats on a small farm. The course provides students with a clear understanding of how to think through the planning and management of cows, sheep and goats for meat production. All aspects from purchasing and nutrition to marketing and finances will be addressed. This course also brings awareness to the U.S. meat industry and supports students in becoming educated consumers and producers. Students will walk away with a rudimentary plan on how to incorporate ruminants into their small farm plan.

Technological Modernization And Its Impact On Agriculture, Fisheries And Fossil Fuel Utilization In The Asia Pacific Countries With Emphasis On Sustainability Perspective, Rajee Olaganathan, Kathleen Quigley

Publications

Modernization is a process that moves towards efficiency. This affects most of the fields such as agriculture, fisheries, forestry, urban planning, policy, fossil fuel usage, manufacturing, technology, economic growth etc. This process plays a major role in moving forward making things faster, better and basically more efficient. The effects of modernization on all these fields bring about the major changes to aspects such as social, economic and the environment. The level of operation has increased from a domestic level; small family scale business to large commercial levels. As the level of operation increased, the utilization of natural resources increased gradually …

Life Cycle Assessment Of Alternative Swine Management Practices, Prathamesh Avadhut Bandekar

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) are quantitative analyses of complex systems for evaluation of impacts and risk associated with management decisions. LCAs can be effective tools for determining comparative advantages of management strategies across specific impact concern. In this study, life cycle assessments of pork production management alternatives was performed. The alternative management practices included in this study were production of entire males (boars), use of pens for gestation housing, immunocastration, production without growth promoting antimicrobials, production without growth promoting and preventive antimicrobials, and production without ractopamine. These LCAs evaluated the impact of each management strategy on greenhouse gas emission (GHG), …

Farming For The Future Self-Assessment Tool (Sat), Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia, Danielle England, Rebecca Ashley Jones, John Noonan, Jon Warren

Bulletins 4000 -

Western Australian produce is some of the cleanest, safest and most reliable in the world. It is also being produced in an increasingly sustainable manner as our primary producers adopt documented and industry agreed, current recommended practices. International markets and local consumers want to be confident that their goods have been produced in a sustainable manner.

Farming for the Future now gives Western Australian producers a process to demonstrate this. Farming for the Future is working with industry to identify relevant, scientifically valid and measurable sustainable practices. These on-farm practices are being aligned with business, community and government plans for …

Sheep Updates 2005 - Part 6, Sarah Pugh, Giles Glasson, Ed Barrett-Lennard, Hayley Norman, Matt Wilmot, Meir Altman, Kelly Pearce, Sally Phelan, David Masters, Nadine Eva, Brad Wooldridge, Stephen Gherardi, Lucy Anderton, Gonzalo Mata, P. Sanford, J Young, Tim Wiley, Richard Quinlan, Chris Oldham, Mike Hyder, Mandy Curnow, Samantha Giles, Andrew Thompson

Sheep Updates

This session covers seven papers from different authors:

PASTURES/GRAZING

1. New annual pastures - quality and quantity for fodder conservation?, Sarah Pugh and Giles Glasson, Department of Agriculture Western Australia

2. Saltland Pastures: Dispelling some Myths, Ed Barrett-Lennard^1,3, Hayley Norman^2,3, Matt Wilmat^2,3, Meir Altman,³, Kelly Pearce^2,3, Sally Phelan⁴, David Masters^2,3, ^1. Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, ² CSIRO Livestock Industries, Floreat, WA, ³. CRC for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinity ⁴. Saltland Pastures Association

3. Pastures: Putting profit back into sandplain, Nadine Eva, Department …

सुन्दरबंस की मात्स्यिकी- समस्याएं और प्रत्याशाएं. (Sundaraban Ki Matasyaki- Samasyayen Evam Pratyashyen), Ganesh Chandra, R L. Sagar

Ganesh Chandra

This paper gives an insight into the fisheries of Sundarban delta region of west Bengal India.

Fisheries In Sundarbans: Problems And Prospects, Ganesh Chandra, R L. Sagar

Ganesh Chandra

Sundarbans, the largest delta on the planet earth is famous for its marine and estuarine fish resources. A large population is dependent on fishery activity and capture fisheries is treated as the backbone of Sundarban economy. Sundarban boast around 172 species of fishes, 20 species of prawn and 44 species of crabs including two edible crabs. But fisheries in Sundarbans faces some difficult problems which have an impact on the biodiversity, sustainability and livelihood of fish resources and fisher folk viz. shrinking tiger prawn population, indiscriminate fish seed collection, lack of post harvest and other infrastructures, natural calamities such as …

Scott Coastal Plain A Strategy For A Sustainable Future, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Bulletins 4000 -

The Scott Coastal Plain has significant attributes that make it an area of State and regional significance for agricultural production. The climate, availability of good quality groundwater for irrigation, and large lot sizes provide opportunities for mechanised horticultural production which other parts of the State may not have.

An estimate of the area that could be used for each agricultural land use has been developed, at a broad study area level. The figures presented in this report show that diversified production combining tree plantation and/or irrigation (cropping or hay/silage) with grazing enterprises provides for potential increases in gross margins and …

The Mortenson Ranch: Cattle And Trees At Home On The Range. A Restoration Guidebook, Susan E. Boettcher, W. Carter Johnson, Scott Kronberg, F. Robert Gartner, Clarence Todd, Jeff Mortenson, Scott Fausti

Natural Resource Management Faculty Publications

Early agriculture on western rangeland met with little success and resulted in serious consequences including soil erosion, loss of native woodlands and wildlife, and economic ruin. The Mortenson family in Stanley County, South Dakota, has been engaged in restoring degraded rangeland on their ranch for more than 50 years. Their primary goal has been to return the land to its condition prior to white settlement while maintaining a profitable cattle ranching operation. In recent years the ranch has served as a model of successful ranching based on a conservation ethic. This guidebook summarizes the restoration techniques and grazing regime used …