Articles tagged with Livestock
Tall fescue toxicosis is a costly disorder affecting forage-livestock agriculture, with no cure but proven management techniques available. The new guidebook covers management strategies such as endophyte testing and supplement feeding to lessen the impact of toxicosis.
Researchers have developed a new, completely natural alternative to using antibiotics in animal feed. The activated clay product Amadeite adsorbs mycotoxins, reducing the risk of disease and improving livestock productivity.
Researchers found that Viagra can aid fetal development in pregnant female sheep by enhancing blood flow and supplying vital nutrients. The study's results suggest that the medication may have similar benefits for humans, particularly in preventing low birth-weight babies and related health issues.
Researchers propose reintroducing small, managed populations of wolves into national parks to enhance ecosystem biodiversity, increase plant biomass, and boost tourism. Advances in animal tracking technology and management techniques may mitigate concerns about wolf behavior and human safety.
The HALI project recognizes the need for integrated health approaches due to explosive population growth and environmental changes. Integrated policies addressing multiple causes of poor health, such as water scarcity and food insecurity, can yield larger health benefits than individualized interventions.
A study found that 77% of male pigs in Europe are castrated without anesthesia, despite EU regulations requiring the practice to be done within the first seven days of life. This is a concern as it can lead to animal suffering and health issues.
A 30% reduction in livestock production in high-producing countries could lead to a substantial decrease in saturated fat consumption, resulting in positive effects on health. This reduction would also contribute to slowing climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
A new study projects variable impacts of climate change on maize and bean harvests in East Africa, presenting both threats and opportunities for farmers. With adequate investment, the region can achieve food security despite predicted declines in staple crop production.
The University of Minnesota is part of a multidisciplinary team working to pre-empt or combat emerging zoonotic pandemics. The project, RESPOND, aims to improve the ability of countries to recognize and respond to new epidemics in areas with unstable ecological relationships.
A Spanish researcher analyzed wolf feces and found that 62.8% of prey was roe deer, while domestic sheep and goats only made up 7.7% and 2.9%, respectively. The study suggests that wolves do not prioritize easily available prey like domestic animals.
The study found that traditional farming practices by local communities create open habitats suitable for the birds. Conservation efforts may rely on these partnerships to save the species from extinction.
A new international partnership aims to improve African institutions' capacity to detect infectious diseases affecting humans and animals. The Southern African Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance (SACIDS) will develop courses, research skills, and biosafety systems to tackle major livestock and wildlife diseases.
High ozone conditions decrease oilseed rape yield by 30% and increase toxic glucosinolate compounds, affecting crop resistance and animal fodder quality. This could lead to significant income loss for farmers and impact human health in future climates.
A University of Minnesota-led study finds that sport hunting is depleting lion and cougar populations, with management agencies often prioritizing human safety over conservation. The study suggests that new approaches are needed to protect humans and livestock while managing sport hunting.
Climate change models project 500,000-1 million sq km of marginal African farmland will no longer support crop cultivation by 2050. However, livestock production could be a sustainable alternative for millions of poor farmers in Africa.
The US wildlife trade is plagued by a lack of coordination and regulation, leading to the importation of millions of animals each year. This can have devastating effects on native species, food supply chains, and human health, as evidenced by previous disease outbreaks such as monkeypox.
A recent study by Brown University and the Wildlife Trust found that US wildlife imports are fragmented and insufficiently coordinated, failing to accurately list over four in five species entering the country. This lack of regulation poses significant risks to human health, food supply chains, and ecosystems.
UC Davis establishes Mountain Gorilla One Health Program to conserve gorillas & address human health, livestock, and agricultural issues. The program aims to improve gorilla health & prevent disease from affecting human populations.
A new study reveals widespread and substantial declines in wildlife populations in Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve. The researchers found that a growing concentration of human settlements near the reserve is linked to large losses of wildlife, including giraffes, hartebeest, impala, and warthogs.
A groundbreaking CSIRO study has defined the period when horses are most likely to shed Hendra virus, enabling early diagnosis and prevention of transmission. This breakthrough aims to reduce the risk of spread to both humans and susceptible horses.
A study published in the Journal of Natural Resources & Life Sciences Education found that workshops improved Iranian pastoralists' understanding of rangeland management techniques, leading to better land utilization. The results showed a significant impact on concepts like animal-rangeland equilibrium and grazing duration.
A study found that the pathogenic soil bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei is associated with land management changes such as livestock husbandry and residential gardening. The bacterium was more commonly found in areas with lower soil pH, irrigation, and presence of livestock animals.
A recent study reveals that humans have actively selected for rare genetic mutations to change the coat color of domestic animals, such as pigs and dogs. This process has been ongoing for thousands of years, eliminating alternative explanations for coat color changes within domestic populations.
A recent study found that humans actively changed the coats of domestic animals through selective breeding, leading to diverse coat colors and patterns. The researchers discovered that domestic pigs with rare genetic mutations had altered proteins, while wild pigs lacked such changes due to rapid selection by predators.
A new study in the American Journal of Agricultural Economics explores the effects of livestock facility pollution on infant health. The research found a strong positive relationship between livestock production and infant mortality, with an estimated 7.4% increase in infant deaths for every 100% increase in livestock production.
A University of Michigan analysis shows that captive breeding colonies are too small to protect the critically endangered Asian vulture from extinction. Adding wild birds to the captive colonies is crucial but hampered by political and logistical barriers.
The world's great animal migrations are experiencing steep declines and disappearances due to human activities such as dam construction, overfishing, and habitat destruction. The loss of these migrations not only disrupts the natural balance but also has significant effects on the ecology of surrounding landscapes.
A WCS study in Chile's Karukinka reserve aims to understand guanaco movements and habitat impact. The research will help restore overland migrations of guanacos, critical for biodiversity in Latin America.
A new study highlights the critical need for veterinarians in New England, where the region's economy relies on veterinary medicine worth $3.3 billion. The study reveals a shortage of up to 658 veterinarians by 2014 and notes that food animal veterinians will retire at nearly twice the rate of their companion animal colleagues.
A randomized controlled trial found that spending time with farm animals improved patients' self-efficacy and coping ability, particularly those with schizophrenia and long-lasting psychiatric symptoms. The study suggests that farm animal-assisted therapy may be a beneficial treatment option for individuals with mental health conditions.
Prebiotic sugars have been shown to reduce Salmonella infection severity in animals, improving health and reducing economic losses. The study's findings suggest a potential solution to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance and foodborne illnesses.
A recent study found a narrow corridor of habitat in Mongolia threatened by herders and increased traffic, posing a migration bottleneck for the endangered saiga antelope. The species, known for its distinctive nose, has seen its numbers plummet by 95% due to poaching and competition with livestock.
A new study maps emerging disease hotspots worldwide, revealing that human-wildlife conflict and drug-resistant pathogens are major contributors. The research, which analyzed 335 diseases from 1940 to 2004, shows that disease emergence has roughly quadrupled over the past 50 years.
DNA traceability technology requires access to DNA from cloned animals for verification and tracing. IdentiGEN founder Patrick Cunningham advocates for public DNA access to assure consumers about product origins.
A new study reveals that parasites play a pivotal role in the decline of species in fragmented forests. Red colobus monkeys were found to be infected with more human or livestock parasites than their black-and-white cousins, due to their varied diet and increased travel range.
Researchers observed and videotaped four captive caimans and three alligators at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park, finding that five of the seven animals teared up as they ate. The cause of the tears is still unknown, but it may be related to air forced through the sinuses during feeding.
The UNC School of Pharmacy team has developed a new synthetic form of heparin called Recomparin, which is less complex and easier to produce than previous forms. This reduction in structural complexity is expected to lower the risk of uncontrolled bleeding while maintaining the drug's anticoagulant properties.
Food crops like corn, lettuce, and potato take up antibiotics from soils treated with manure containing the antibiotic Sulfamethazine. This raises concerns about the potential for contamination of the human food supply, particularly among vulnerable populations like young children who may experience allergic reactions.
A study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers found that soil particles can increase the infectious nature of rogue proteins causing CWD. Binding to common soil minerals like montmorillonite significantly increases oral transmissibility, with a nearly 700-fold difference observed.
The University of Georgia is partnering with Mexican universities to develop innovative technologies for generating biofuels from agricultural waste. This initiative aims to support rural economic development and environmental sustainability by providing training, internships, and exchanges between UGA and Mexican academics and profess...
Researchers are working together to identify the cause of Devil Facial Tumour Disease and develop a test to detect infected animals. The integrated team will use various techniques to search for infectious agents and markers, with the goal of stopping the disease in its tracks.
Researchers found that de-stocking livestock and receiving cash helped families feed themselves, maintain core herds, and access vital services during droughts. This approach supported local economies and reduced the need for humanitarian assistance.
David R. Franz, Kansas State University's National Agricultural Biosecurity Center director, warned of the vulnerabilities and threats to the nation's livestock industry due to increased animal concentrations and international transportation. He emphasized the need for a different set of tools to protect against intentional disease int...
Nathan Ball, a 23-year-old MIT graduate student, has invented a device that enables rapid vertical mobility, reducing the time to reach the top of a building from six minutes to just 30 seconds. He also developed an improvement in needle-free injection technology with potential applications in animal husbandry and mass inoculation.
Researchers used radio tracking and computer simulation models to understand why wolves are not dispersing as fast as expected in Yellowstone. The team found that the reduced probability of finding mates at low densities slows the predicted rate of recolonization.
Researchers used emus to decipher dinosaur tracks at the Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite in Wyoming. The birds' behavior revealed that dinosaurs likely stopped and observed their environment while walking, resolving a mysterious 'crossing over' track pattern.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that galantamine, an Alzheimer's medication, can effectively counteract the toxic effects of nerve agents and certain insecticides. The treatment was shown to protect the brain from organophosphorus compounds, even when administered after exposure.
Researchers at Tufts University's Feinstein International Center aim to improve animal health, trade, and human livelihoods in Africa. They propose independent certification bodies to ensure safe export trade and fair standards for livestock commodities.
A study found that children living near Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) in Iowa are more likely to develop asthma, with a prevalence rate of 24.6% compared to 11.7% in areas far from the facilities. The results suggest that CAFOs release inflammatory substances that can affect the health of nearby communities.
A new DNA technique, known as plant-fingerprinting, can identify poisonous plants from animal remains by analyzing DNA sequences in the rumen. This method uses plant material extracted from animals within 24 hours of death to create a unique template for amplifying specific DNA sequences.
Scientists have created pigs that produce heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids by transferring a gene called fat-1 to pig cells. This breakthrough could lead to better understanding of cardiovascular function in both pigs and humans, as well as potential benefits for human health and animal welfare.
Scientists are sounding the alarm on the dangers of animal movement in spreading diseases, citing examples such as avian 'flu and diseases of pets through international travel. They call for improved communication and regular screening of animals before movement to prevent disease spread.
A collaboration between Princeton University and the Saint Louis Zoo is bringing effective conservation of Grevy's zebras within reach for Samburu pastoral cooperatives, led by Dr. Daniel Rubenstein.
Climate change and human activities are pushing tiny pikas to higher elevations, leaving them with limited habitat options. The animals' distribution has diminished significantly over the past 40,000 years, with many populations now isolated on separated mountain ranges.
A £2.6m project will examine early life events affecting farm animal stress and quality of life. The research aims to create standards for risk periods and understand the interaction between genetics and environment to optimize animal health and welfare.
Researchers at UK developed a new approach to controlling mosquitoes, which can prevent various forms of encephalitis including West Nile and malaria. The study was conducted in collaboration with colleagues from Johns Hopkins University.
Daniel Gallie's research doubles protein content of corn grain, increasing its value for producers and providing a nutritious source for millions suffering from protein-energy malnutrition. The high-protein corn can be easily applied to sweet corn, offering a solution for those relying on plant-based sources.
According to Irvine, no animals had to be euthanized due to lack of space after Hurricane Charley. She studied how human attitudes and myths influence emergency workers' approach to free-roaming animals during disasters.
The region's livestock trade, migrant labor, and crop production are failing, leaving families without vital income. Humanitarian aid can address immediate needs but won't solve underlying conflicts, researchers warn.
Yun-Hwa Peggy Hsieh's patented immunoassay assays detect BSE and Scrape diseases in animal feeds, improving trade relations with China. Her Reveal Ruminant test kit has been widely adopted globally.