Beef Science Commons^™

Impact Assessment Of Push-Pull Pest Management On Incomes, Productivity And Poverty Among Smallholder Households In Eastern Uganda, Ruth T. Chepchirchir, Ibrahim Macharia, Alice W. Murage, Charles A.O. Midega, Zeyaur R. Khan

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The paper evaluates the impact of adoption of push-pull technology (PPT) on household welfare in terms of productivity, incomes and poverty status measured through per-capita food consumption in eastern Uganda. Push-pull is a habitat management strategy for the integrated management of stemborers, striga weeds and poor soil fertility involving the use of a natural repellent (push) and an attractant (pull). This biological technology simultaneously reduces the impact of three major production constraints to cereal-livestock farming in Africa − pests, weeds and poor soil. Cross sectional survey data were collected from 560 households in four districts in the region (Busia, Tororo, …

Cattle Industry Funding Scheme Annual Report 2016/2017, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity published reports

In June 2010 the Cattle Industry Funding Scheme (IFS) was introduced to address biosecurity threats relevant to the Western Australian (WA) cattle industry. The Scheme was established under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 to enable cattle producers to identify the pest and disease priorities at a whole-of-industry level and to raise funds for activities to address these priorities.

There are currently three Industry Funding Schemes in operation. In addition to the Cattle IFS, there is a Sheep and Goat IFS and a Grains, Seeds and Hay IFS. The three IFSs operate in a similar manner.

The purpose of …

Is Tb Testing Associated With Increased Blood Interferon-Gamma Levels?, Aideen E. Kennedy, Jim O'Mahony, Noel Byrne, John Macsharry, Riona G. Sayers

Department of Biological Sciences Publications

The Republic of Ireland reports a relatively low prevalence of Johne’s disease (JD) compared to international counterparts. Postulated reasons for this include a lower average herd size and a grass-based production system. Ireland also engages in high levels of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) testing. As interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) is believed to play a key role in protecting against JD, it is our hypothesis that administration of purified protein derivative (PPD), as part of the bTB test, is associated with a systemic increase in IFN-γ production, which may potentially limit clinical progression of the disease. We studied 265 cows (202 Friesian and 63 …

Protecting Cows In Small Holder Farms In East Africa From Tsetse Flies By Mimicking The Odor Profile Of A Non-Host Bovid, Rajinder K. Saini, Benedict O. Orindi, Norber Mbahin, John A. Andoke, Peter N. Muasa, David M. Mbuvi, Caroline M. Muya, John A. Pickett, Christian W. Borgemeister

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background: For the first time, differential attraction of pathogen vectors to vertebrate animals is investigated for novel repellents which when applied to preferred host animals turn them into non-hosts thereby providing a new paradigm for innovative vector control. For effectively controlling tsetse flies (Glossina spp.), vectors of African trypanosomosis, causing nagana, repellents more powerful than plant derived, from a non-host animal the waterbuck, Kobus ellipsiprymnus defassa, have recently been identified. Here we investigate these repellents in the field to protect cattle from nagana by making cattle as unattractive as the buck. Methodology/Principal findings: To dispense the waterbuck repellents comprising guaiacol, …

Supplementary Feeding Of Rangeland Cattle, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock factsheets

Native pastures generally have adequate nitrogen levels during the growing season. During this time phosphorus is the most limiting nutrient. As the grass matures and sets seed, the nitrogen content of the pasture decreases. This can lead to protein and energy deficiencies which result in decreased animal production. Feeding urea during the dry season can increase digestion, resulting in improved animal performance. However, urea can be toxic to cattle and so must be introduced slowly. Other important nutrients include calcium, magnesium, sulphur and sodium.

Assessing Plant-Wax Markers As A Tool To Estimate Intake And Diet Composition In Beef Cattle, Emily J. Hilburger

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

Estimating feed efficiency of ruminants in grazing environments is difficult due to challenges in measuring intake and diet composition of animals that are freely grazing. Plant-wax markers, especially n-alkanes (ALK), have been shown to be a potential tool to calculate intake and diet composition.

Two indoor experiments were conducted in successive years to assess ALK reliability to facilely estimate DMI (EDMI) and diet composition. Heifers were fed a ration of 69.8% corn silage and 30% ground alfalfa with a daily supplement containing a ALK marker (C₃₂). Using a pooled fecal sample increased the …

Sustainability Assessment Of U.S. Beef Production Systems, Greg Thoma, Ben Putman, Marty Matlock, Jennie Popp, Leah English

Food Systems

With increasing public concern and awareness of agricultural sustainability issues, comprehensive methodologies such as life cycle assessment are required to benchmark the beef industry and identify areas of opportunity for continuous improvement. To that end, the Beef Checkoff completed a retrospective sustainability assessment benchmark in 2013 by using Eco-efficiency analysis to compare the years 2005 and 2011. At the time of the analysis, the methodology used was the most up-to-date and comprehensive – indeed the analysis remains one of the only complete cradle-to-grave assessments of the U.S. beef industry. In 2015, a further refined version of the Eco-efficiency analysis was …

Molecular Detection Of Tick-Borne Pathogen Diversities In Ticks From Livestock And Reptiles Along The Shores And Adjacent Islands Of Lake Victoria And Lake Baringo, Kenya, David Omondi, Daniel K. Masiga, Burtram C. Fielding, Edward Kariuki, Yvonne Ukamaka Ajamma, Micky M. Mwamuye, Daniel O. Ouso, Jandouwe Villinger

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Although diverse tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) are endemic to East Africa, with recognized impact on human and livestock health, their diversity and specific interactions with tick and vertebrate host species remain poorly understood in the region. In particular, the role of reptiles in TBP epidemiology remains unknown, despite having been implicated with TBPs of livestock among exported tortoises and lizards. Understanding TBP ecologies, and the potential role of common reptiles, is critical for the development of targeted transmission control strategies for these neglected tropical disease agents. During the wet months (April-May; October-December) of 2012-2013, we surveyed TBP diversity among 4,126 ticks …

Collaboration And Trust In The Northern Beef Supply Chain In Western Australia: Draft Framework And Plan, Jan Paul Van Moort, Antonia Hodby, Nicki Mazur, Peter Barnard

Animal production and livestock published reports

The Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (the Department) commissioned ACIL Allen Consulting to conduct a study into collaboration in the northern beef supply chain. The study is part of the Northern Beef Futures (NBF), a four year $15 million project led by the Department and funded by Royalties for Regions.

The aim of the study was to scope a framework for measuring collaboration in the northern beef supply chains; and develop an implementation plan for ways to improve collaboration that will benefit the development of the northern beef industry.

Genes Encoding Two Theileria Parva Antigens Recognized By Cd8+ T-Cells Exhibit Sequence Diversity In South Sudanese Cattle Populations But The Majority Of Alleles Are Similar To The Muguga Component Of The Live Vaccine Cocktail, Diaeldin A. Salih, Roger Pelle, Joram M. Mwacharo, Moses N. Njahira, Wani L. Marcellino, Henry Kiara, Agol K. Malak, Abdel Rahim M.E.L. Hussein, Richard Bishop, Robert A. Skilton

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

East Coast fever (ECF), caused by Theileria parva infection, is a frequently fatal disease of cattle in eastern, central and southern Africa, and an emerging disease in South Sudan. Immunization using the infection and treatment method (ITM) is increasingly being used for control in countries affected by ECF, but not yet in South Sudan. It has been reported that CD8+ T-cell lymphocytes specific for parasitized cells play a central role in the immunity induced by ITM and a number of T. parva antigens recognized by parasite-specific CD8+ T-cells have been identified. In this study we determined the sequence diversity among …

Effect Of Concrete Slats, Three Mat Types And Out-Wintering Pads On Performance And Welfare Of Finishing Beef Steers, Bernadette Earley, John Mcnamara, Stephen Jerrams, Edward G. O’Riordan

Articles

The objective was to investigate the effect of placing mats on concrete slatted floors on performance, behaviour, hoof condition, dirt scores, physiological and immunological variables of beef steers, and to compare responses with animals on out-wintering pads. Continental crossbred beef steers [n = 360; mean (±SD) initial live weight 539 kg (42.2)] were blocked by breed and live weight and randomly assigned to one of five treatments; (1) Concrete slats alone, (2) Mat 1 (Natural Rubber structure) (Durapak Rubber Products), (3) Mat 2 (Natural rubber structure) (EasyFix), (4) Mat 3 (modified ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam structure) and (5) Out-wintering …

Nebraska Grazing Conference Proceedings, 2017, Center For Grassland Studies, University Of Nebraska-Lincoln

Nebraska Grazing Conference Proceedings

Fences and Water Points: Where They Should Go by Jim Gerrish

Beef Systems Initiative by Archie Clutter

Grass-based Health and the Ruminant Revolution by Peter Ballerstedt

The Good, Bad, and Ugly of Weedy Plants by Chris Helzer

2016 Leopold Conservation Award Winner by Nancy Peterson

Managing Grassland Vegetation to Benefit Livestock and Wildlife by Patricia Johnson

What is Plant Cover, and How Can We Manage it for Wildlife Needs? by Dwayne Elmore

Producer Panel: Annual Forages vs Row Crops Under Irrigation moderated by John Maddux

Producer Panel: Economics of Grazing Strategies moderated by Jim Jankins

It Costs How Much!? by …

Low Cost, Multi-Purpose Genotyping Panels For Dairy And Beef Cattle, Michelle Judge

Theses

rhe selection of animals based on DNA has revolutionised animal breeding, but the associated high cost of obtaining genotypes has limited its uptake. The objective of this thesis was to develop a low-cost, low-density, multi-purpose genotyping panel for the procurement of reliable genotype information, and to quantify the long-term consequences of using such low-density genotype panels in breeding programs. The objectives were achieved through a combination of real-life cattle genotype data and simulations to mimic a cattle population. The in-silico development of genotype panels was based on actual genotypes from up to 58,705 beef cattle. Alternative novel strategies were used …

Department For Agriculture And Food – Northern Beef Futures: Valuing Security Of Supply, Department Of Agriculture And Food Wa

Animal production and livestock published reports

The DAFWA-NBF project is committed to identifying growth and value creation opportunities for the WA Beef industry and have engaged PwC to estimate the value of increased security of supply.

A joint PwC/NBF team have developed a WA beef value chain model to better understand the industry’s potential and establish the potential value associated with changes in the security of supply.

Results indicate that, over a five to twelve year timeframe, the WA Beef industry might have the potential to grow cattle disposals, double revenue to $1.2B and increase profit by $0.5B.

A diversified market which includes Japan and China …

Regulation Of Alpha-Herpesvirus Reactivation From Latency By Stress, Insun Kook

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Bovine herpes virus 1 (BHV-1) and Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) are crucial etiological viral agent of clinical diseases. HSV-1 and BHV-1 establish latent infection in sensory neurons. Periodically, reactivation from latency occurs resulting in virus excretion and transmission. Stress increases corticosteroid levels and the incidence of HSV-1 and BHV-1 reactivation from latency. The synthetic corticosteroid, dexamethasone (DEX) mimics stress and induces BHV-1 and HSV-1 reactivation. However, molecular mechanisms by which corticosteroid mediates viral reactivation are not well understood. My dissertation has focused on elucidating events that induce BHV- 1 or HSV-1 reactivation during the early stages of stress-induced escape …

Arkansas Animal Science Department Report 2016, Paul Beck, Jason Apple, Shane Gadberry, Beth Kegley, Charles Rosenkrans Jr.

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

No abstract provided.

Economic Impact Evaluation Of Bovine Johne’S Disease (Bjd) Management Options In Western Australia, Ananda Ghose Dr, Leo Loth Dr, Mia Carbon Dr, Bruce Twentyman Dr

Biosecurity research reports

Bovine Johne’s disease (BJD) is an infectious disease of cattle caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Mptb) that can also affect other ruminants such as goats, alpaca, sheep and deer. It causes chronic wasting and incurable diarrhoea leading to deaths in mature cattle. Subclinically affected animals may have reduced growth and milk production levels.

The WA cattle industry needs to determine what level of protection from BJD incursion and spread is required for WA, including at the border, and how this is best achieved. The primary decision to be made is whether BJD is best managed on a statewide basis …

Storage Of Pigeonpea Grain (Cajanus Cajan (L.) Millsp.) In Hermetic Triple-Layer Bags Prevents Losses Caused By Callosobruchus Maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae), H. D. Affognon, A. W. Njoroge, C. M. Mutungi, J. Manono, D. Baributsa, L. L. Murdock

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Dry pigeonpea grain is susceptible to infestation from the cowpea bruchid during storage. This study investigated the potential of Purdue Improved Cowpea Storage (PICS™) and polypropylene (PP) bags for reducing insect infestation under ambient laboratory conditions for six months. Some of the bags were artificially infested with cowpea bruchid Callosobruchus maculatus (PICS1, PP1) while others were not (PICS0, PP0). In an additional trial, PP bags containing pigeonpeas were treated with Actellic Super® dust before being artificially infested (PP1Ac). Moisture content, number of live C. maculatus adults, grain damage, and weight loss were determined at monthly intervals. Temperature and relative humidity …

Potential For Rangeland Grassfed Assurance Programs In Western Australia, Eric Broad

Animal production and livestock published reports

The access to large aquifers in the Pilbara region, the investment in mosaic irrigation, the global consumer demand for certified grassfed product and the need to back any branded product with an auditable assurance program were all key factors contributing to the undertaking of this project.

The project conducted a desktop review of existing global grassfed certification programs, undertook modelling to determine the projected viability for grassfed beef, engaged with producers, butchers and processors in Western Australia to determine the potential for developing a Grassfed Assurance Program for Western Australia.

All sectors of the supply chain expressed support for the …

Western Australian Wild Dog Action Plan 2016 - 2021, Wa Wild Dog Action Group, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Biosecurity published reports

The Wild Dog Action Plan 2016 – 2021 is an industry led and driven plan that considers the economic, environmental and social impacts of wild dogs and identifies the key issues for managing them across Western Australia. The plan is designed to protect the livestock and tourism industries and public safety, and recognises the ecological and cultural values of the dingo.