Articles tagged with Livestock
A study by Michigan State University researchers found that allowing livestock to graze amidst protected wildlife disrupts their survival. Wildlife reacts differently to livestock invasions, requiring diverse policies for each species.
A groundbreaking study has used DNA from taxidermy specimens to understand the genetic diversity of Irish and British goat populations. The research reveals two distinct genetic groupings among feral 'Old Goat' herds, with modern-day dairy goats falling outside these groupings.
Genome editing enables precise genetic changes in livestock, boosting productivity and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Researchers aim to apply this technology to improve animal welfare and potentially produce single-gender offspring.
Researchers from the University of Warwick have discovered that establishing a daily vaccination capacity can effectively control and eradicate foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks. By tailoring controls to this number, the UK could save up to £50 million and spare around 200,000 animals from culling.
A mathematical model determines the best vaccination strategy in the presence of uncertainty surrounding vaccination efficacy and animal vaccination capacity. The study shows significant cost savings can be achieved by accurately identifying our capacity to vaccinate, with £55 million in outbreak costs potentially saved.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that around a quarter of snow leopard and Himalayan wolf diets consist of livestock, highlighting the challenges for conserving these endangered species. The research analyzed DNA and hairs in scats from 182 snow leopards and 57 wolves, revealing prey preferences and diet composition.
A new project from Liverpool John Moores University is using drones equipped with thermal cameras to help identify endangered species, such as rhinos and orang-utans. The technique involves analyzing thermal heat profiles to create a unique 'fingerprint' for each animal, allowing for more efficient conservation efforts.
The study reveals that veterinarian movements significantly contribute to the spread of diseases, with animal exchanges playing a synergistic role. This research can help develop more accurate tools for predicting disease outbreaks and implement effective biosecurity measures.
A comprehensive report warns of dire prospects for many nonhuman primates due to habitat loss, hunting, and poaching. Conservation efforts are crucial to address local poverty and population growth, as well as humanity's agricultural footprint and mining activities.
Researchers used imaging techniques to map the brain wiring of two thylacine specimens, comparing them to the brains of living Tasmanian devils. The results suggest that the larger-brained thylacine had more cortex devoted to planning and decision-making.
Researchers found that livestock can have both detrimental and beneficial effects on rare wildlife, such as argali and wolves. While livestock reduces available pasturage for argali, it also serves as an alternative prey source for wolves, relieving predatory pressure. In contrast, herding dogs pose a threat to argali populations.
Research suggests that up to 40% of natural grasslands worldwide have potential for increased livestock grazing, leading to a 5% increase in milk production and 4% in meat production. The study highlights the importance of considering seasonal constraints and socioeconomic factors in unlocking this potential.
A Rift Valley fever outbreak has been reported in Niger, with 64 human cases and 23 deaths confirmed. Umeå University's Osama Ahmed Hassan joined a UN expert mission to develop action plans to curb the spread of the disease. The mission aimed to implement short-, mid- and long-term strategies to prevent further outbreaks.
Scientists have developed machine learning algorithms to recognize insect feeding patterns causing devastating damage worldwide, including citrus greening through probing on host tissues. The technology enables rapid screening and disruption of pathogen transmission, benefiting agriculture, livestock, and human health.
The US Department of Agriculture has awarded over $4.3 million to 48 veterinarians to repay their loans and provide critical services in areas lacking sufficient veterinary resources. The program aims to address shortages of food animal veterinarians, particularly in rural areas.
A unique study by Midwestern University and partners identified genetic markers associated with CWD resistance in elk, enabling the development of more sensitive tests. This breakthrough allows deer and elk farmers to take ownership of CWD management through selective breeding, potentially stopping the disease in its tracks.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have named a new species of extinct reptile, Vivaron haydeni, discovered in New Mexico. The species, related to crocodiles and dinosaurs, is the sixth known rauisuchid found in the region.
Researchers have developed genetically modified male flies that produce only males when mating, suppressing New World screwworm fly populations. The technique could increase the efficiency of sterile insect technique programs and provide a cost-effective solution for controlling livestock pests in tropical regions.
Tiny immune receptors on T-cells recognize antigens more effectively when clustered together, leading to improved immune response. This discovery could lead to new strategies to reprogram inactive T-cells and improve treatment for cancer and deadly infections.
Researchers found that ancient turtles' shells evolved from broadened ribs for burrowing, not protection, in a study published in Current Biology. The discovery sheds light on the earliest beginnings of the turtle shell's unique structure.
A team of 43 wildlife experts warns that preventing the extinction of iconic species like gorillas and tigers demands bold political action and financial commitments. The scientists highlight the urgent need to address threats such as illegal hunting, deforestation, and habitat loss.
Researchers from Queen Mary University of London found that goats communicate with humans by gazing at them when faced with unsolvable problems. The study showed similarities between goat behavior and that of domesticated animals like dogs and horses.
Researchers uncovered evidence of early Chacolithic agropastoral communities using rock-shelters as enclosures for sheep and goats. The study reveals a correlation between the use of shelters and grazing areas in the Sierra de Cantabria region.
Research finds TB transmission in mongooses occurs through social behavior, with scent marks and urine allowing pathogen spread. Smaller social groups are most threatened by the disease.
Researchers found that dromedaries' genetic diversity is linked to their use as transportation animals. The animals' high genetic diversity was maintained due to regular gene flow from different populations.
Researchers estimate cheetah populations in the Maasai Mara to be lower than previously thought, with an average of 1.28 adult cheetahs per 100km2. The 'spatially explicit' method used can distinguish between visiting and resident animals, providing a more accurate count.
A new study provides science-based recommendations for setback distances between animal agriculture practices and fresh produce, aiming to improve food safety. The research found that produce fields should be set back at least 160 meters from areas of manure application to lower the risk of foodborne illness.
Experimental physicists at Saarland University developed a flexible security solution that can detect changes in the Earth's magnetic field. The sensor cable system issues a warning signal when it registers a change in the field strength, making it ideal for monitoring gardens, driveways, and livestock.
A comprehensive analysis published in Nature Climate Change estimates that the livestock sector can account for up to half of the global agricultural, forestry and land-use sectors' mitigation potential. The study suggests integrating land use and practice change, dietary patterns and nutrition can help unlock this potential.
Research shows that restoring and protecting streamside meadows can help keep streams cool for the California golden trout, which are threatened by rising temperatures. The study found that water temperatures approached the upper limit of tolerance in areas with suitable habitat, but were cooler in ungrazed meadow areas.
A team of researchers used a non-invasive method to extract protein from medieval parchment samples, identifying the use of multiple mammal species in some manuscripts. The study resolves a long-standing controversy over the origin of 'uterine vellum' and sheds new light on medieval manuscript production techniques.
Exposure to dogs or farm animals during a child's first year of life is associated with a lower risk of childhood asthma. Children exposed to these animals at age six had a significantly reduced risk of developing asthma.
A new study found that nearly half of camels in parts of Kenya have been infected with the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus. The research suggests camels may be a major reservoir host for the virus and a potential source of infection in humans.
A national nitrogen budget for Denmark shows significant reductions in nitrogen emissions from agriculture, but other sectors like energy production and transport remain major contributors. New initiatives, such as organic farming expansion and electric vehicles, aim to further reduce nitrogen losses.
Researchers at the University of Bonn successfully eliminated multi-resistant bacteria from a pig stable using radical hygiene measures, including frequent hand washing and quarantine. While MRSA was not eradicated, overall health improvement led to reduced antibiotic use, highlighting potential applications for hospitals
The world's first known mass extinction, which occurred around 540 million years ago, is now believed to have been caused by the emergence of complex animals capable of altering their environments. These 'ecosystem engineers' changed the planet in ways that made it difficult for earlier multicellular organisms like Ediacarans to survive.
A new study found that Asian sheep are genetically diverse, with two migratory waves of domestication. This diversity can help herders in developing countries preserve valuable traits for meat production.
Leptospirosis is a poorly understood and often misdiagnosed bacterial disease with a high case fatality rate. The researchers aim to develop an inexpensive, sensitive, and efficient diagnostic test for leptospirosis, which could lead to improved clinical outcomes and reduced mortality.
Research by Cornell University found family farm managers in NY make $22,000 less annually, yet experience non-financial rewards like socioemotional wealth and future ownership opportunities.
Researchers found that humans carried more antibiotic-resistant staphylococci than farm animals they worked with. The study suggests a low health risk to close contact workers and milk consumers through exposure to resistant bacteria originating from milk.
A collaboration between UK, Colombia and Kenya institutions aims to improve Brachiaria forage crops with drought and pest-resistance. The project uses genomic technologies to develop new varieties under physical stresses.
A new UNSW Australia study suggests that reintroducing Tasmanian devils to the mainland could restore ecosystem health by controlling red foxes and feral cats. The devil's presence would also benefit small and medium-sized animals, such as bandicoots and ringtail possums.
Researchers at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) have developed a new genetic technique using CRISPR-Cas9 to improve the nutritional value of feed for livestock. The method generates specific yeast that combine protein with digestive enzymes, reducing the need for supplements.
Researchers found that just ten diseases account for around 50% of all published knowledge on diseases at the wildlife-livestock interface. The study emphasizes the need for sustained investments in research to evaluate risks and improve responses to disease epidemics in animals and humans.
Insect-based food production could alleviate childhood malnutrition and provide a sustainable alternative to traditional livestock sources. The use of insects as food requires strict regulations and sanitary conditions due to disease and pesticide risks, according to the FDA.
A study found that rhino horn is more valuable by weight than gold, diamonds, or cocaine, posing a devastating threat to the world's largest herbivores. The loss of these animals would have drastic implications for ecosystems and human societies, with some species expected to become extinct in as little as 80-100 years.
Researchers have developed a new variety of low-allergenic soybean that lacks key allergenic and anti-nutritional proteins, making it suitable for use in infant formulas, livestock feed, and aquaculture. The 'Triple Null' soybean has the potential to reduce processing costs and make animal feed production more efficient.
A UNL researcher highlights the impact of climate change on the emergence of infectious diseases, citing examples of West Nile virus and Ebola as predictable outcomes. The expert calls for greater collaboration between public and veterinary health communities to address the growing threat.
The Arizona State University-SoilCarbon Nation team is examining the adaptive multi-paddock (AMP) grazing management technique to compare its effectiveness with conventional, continuous grazing methods. This approach aims to sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide while improving ranch ecosystems and wildlife habitat.
University of Illinois journalism professor Matthew Ehrlich compiled hundreds of cat-related tales from the New York Times digital archive, showing a range of stories beyond just cute cat videos. He found hero cats and nuisance cats, as well as concerns over animal treatment and rights.
The FibreLux is a small portable unit measuring average fiber diameter, comparable to the $75,000 OFDA2000 in accuracy with an 87% rating. Preliminary studies indicate the tool is user-friendly enough for growers to use on ranches.
A WCS study tracked guanacos in Karukinka Natural Park, Chile, revealing their seasonal movements and conflicts with livestock. The research suggests a limited science-based harvest may help conserve this species.
A study found that deworming medications reduced individual deaths from bovine tuberculosis but increased the potential for disease spread to other animals. The research suggests that treatments that aid an individual could come at the expense of a wider spread of disease in the larger community.
A Harvard study found that members of an East African herding tribe who engaged in violent raids had more wives and thus more opportunities to increase their reproductive success. The study, which analyzed the data of 120 men, found a clear correlation between raid participation and higher reproductive capacity.
A Kansas State University research project developed a simulation model to assess the impact of vaccination strategies and livestock herd types on foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks. The study found that effective control methods can be implemented while minimizing harm to the livestock industry.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin and the University of York used genetic sequencing techniques to analyze DNA from parchment samples, revealing insights into livestock breeding history. The study sheds light on how agricultural development shaped animal genetics across centuries.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London studied goats' physiological, behavioral and vocal indicators to understand their emotional states. They found that goats exhibit subtle positive emotions through ear position and call stability, paving the way for improved animal care.
A GPS-collar study found that leopards stay surprisingly close to homes and can thrive in human-dominated areas, depending on resources. The study's findings suggest that leopards are not always 'stray' or 'conflict' animals but residents, requiring policy makers to rethink conservation strategies.
The Ebola pandemic serves as a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. The study emphasizes the urgent need to adopt a One Health approach to detect and prevent infectious diseases, particularly in developing countries.
A study by the University of Edinburgh found that MRSA bacteria from farm animals has been detected in UK hospitals, highlighting the need for strict biosecurity practices and responsible antibiotic use. The strain, CC398, is resistant to some common antibiotic drugs and can be transmitted to humans through contact with livestock.