Development of an application programming interface to automate downloading and processing of precision livestock data.

Advancements in technology have ushered in a new era of sensor-based measurement and management of livestock production systems. These sensor-based technologies have the ability to automatically monitor feeding, growth, and enteric emissions for individual animals across confined and extensive production systems. One challenge with sensor-based technologies is the large amount of data generated, which can be difficult to access, process, visualize, and monitor information in real time to ensure equipment is working properly and animals are utilizing it correctly. A solution to this problem is the development of application programming interfaces (APIs) to automate downloading, visualizing, and summarizing datasets generated from precision livestock technology (PLT). For this methods paper, we develop three APIs and accompanying processes for rapid data acquisition, visualization, systems tracking, and summary statistics for three technologies (SmartScale, SmartFeed, and GreenFeed) manufactured by C-Lock Inc (Rapid City, SD). Program R markdown documents and example datasets are provided to facilitate greater adoption of these techniques and to further advance PLT. The methodology presented successfully downloaded data from the cloud and generated a series of visualizations to conduct systems checks, animal usage rates, and calculate summary statistics. These tools will be essential for further adoption of precision technology. There is huge potential to further leverage APIs to incorporate a wide range of datasets such as weather data, animal locations, and sensor data to facilitate decision-making on time scales relevant to researchers and livestock managers.

The importance of developmental programming in the beef industry.

The beef industry relies on multiple focused segments (e.g., cow-calf, stocker/feeder, and meat packing) to supply the world with beef. Thus, the potential impact of developmental programming on the beef industry needs to be evaluated with regards to the different production traits that drive profitability within each segment. For example, when nutrient restriction of dams occurred early in gestation embryo survival was decreased and the ovarian reserve of heifer progeny was negatively affected. Restriction during mid- to late gestation negatively impacted first service conception rates and pregnancy success of daughters. Even non-nutrient stress has been reported to impact transgenerational embryo development through the male progeny. Primary and secondary muscle fibers form during months two to eight (Days 60-240) of gestation. Therefore, external stimuli (nutrition or environmental) during this window have the potential to decrease the postnatal number of muscle fibers; which has an irreversible impact on animal growth and performance. Nutrient restriction during the last third of gestation resulted in decreased weaning weights, and in some instances decreased dry mater intake, hot carcass weight, and marbling scores. Protein supplementation during late gestation; however, increased weaning weight and ADG to weaning, but progeny of dams restricted in protein in late gestation had greater ribeye area. The importance of developmental programming is recognized; however, its precise application depends on comprehension of its integrated effects across the multiple-focused segments of the beef industry.

Risk factors contributing to tick-acaricide control failure in communal areas of the Oliver Tambo district eastern cape province, South Africa.

Application of chemical acaricides in the control of ticks has led to the problem of tick-acaricide control failure. To obtain an understanding of the possible risk factors involved in this tick-acaricide control failure, this study investigated tick control practices on communal farms in the north-eastern part of the Eastern Cape Province (ECP) of South Africa. A semi-structured questionnaire designed to document specific farm attributes and acaricide usage practices was administered at 94 communal farms from the Oliver Tambo District municipality of the ECP. Data collected indicated that the main acaricide chemicals used at plunge dips of inland and coastal areas were synthetic pyrethroid formulations. Most (75%) farmers claimed not to have noticed a significant reduction in numbers of actively feeding and growing ticks on cattle after several acaricide treatments. Based on the farmers' perceptions, leading factors that could have led to tick-acaricide control failure included: weak strength of the dip solution (76%); poor structural state of dip tanks (42%); and irregular tick control (21%). The rearing of crossbreeds of local and exotic cattle breeds, perceived weak strength of the dip solution and high frequency of acaricide treatment, were statistically associated with proportions of farms reporting tick-acaricide control failure. Furthermore, approximately 50% of farms reported at least four tick control malpractices, which could have resulted in the emergence and spread of tick-acaricide control failure. Other sub-optimal tick control practices encountered included incorrect acaricide rotation, and failure to treat all cattle in a herd. This data will inform and guide the development of management strategies for tick-acaricide control failure and resistance in communal farming areas.

Insight into antimicrobial resistance at a new beef cattle feedlot in western Canada.

IMPORTANCE: A better understanding of how environmental reservoirs of ARGs in the feedlot relate to those found in animal pathogens will help inform and improve disease management, treatment strategies, and outcomes. Monitoring individual cattle or small groups is invasive, logistically challenging, expensive, and unlikely to gain adoption by the beef cattle industry. Wastewater surveillance has become standard in public health studies and has inspired similar work to better our understanding of AMR in feedlots. We derived our insights from sampling water bowls in a newly established feedlot: a unique opportunity to observe AMR prior to animal arrival and to monitor its development over 2 months. Importantly, the bacterial community of a single water bowl can be influenced by direct contact with hundreds of animals. Our results suggest that water bowl microbiomes are economical and pragmatic sentinels for monitoring relevant AMR mechanisms.

Wild animal densities as predictors of cattle disease risks and breed types in southwestern Uganda.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the spatial distribution of wild ungulates that pastoralist communities perceive as culprits in the transmission of cattle diseases outside protected areas in southwestern Uganda. Diseases are hypothesized as having influence on pastoralists' choice of cattle breed types. Until now, there have been no studies conducted on spatial patterns of wild animal species association with cattle breeds reared in Lake Mburo Conservation Area (LMCA), and how diseases transmitted therein potentially influence cattle breed herd sizes. METHODS: Animal population survey was carried out on cattle and wild ungulate species along transect lines laid perpendicular to the northern boundary of Lake Mburo National Park (LMNP). Data on the costs of cattle mortality and disease control were gathered using face-to-face interviews. We used SPSS version 17 for descriptive statistics to summarize unit cost of disease control at herd level, whereas chi-square (χ2) tests of goodness-of-fit were used to analyze observations on frequency of wild animal sightings, whose association with spatial distribution patterns of cattle breeds was examined using Pearson correlation test. RESULTS: Our results show inverse association of distance away from LMNP with wild animal populations and the cost of cattle disease control. The mean population of exotic cattle significantly increased as that of indigenous cattle decreased with increasing distance from LMNP. In a similar way, the cost of disease control and cattle abortion incidences were much lower in rangelands far away from LMNP (R2 = 0.965, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Spatial distribution of wild ungulates was significantly associated with reported cattle mortality, disease, and cost of disease control. Diseases and their costs of control potentially influenced spatial patterns of cattle breeds and breed herd sizes in LMCA, which in turn could affect range resource use for conserving different species of wild animals outside protected area.

Carcass traits and meat characteristics of grazing Nellore cattle submitted to different supplementation strategies in the tropics.

This study explored the effects of different supplementation strategies during the dry and rainy seasons in the tropics on the carcass traits and meat quality of Nellore cattle produced under grazing conditions. Additionally, a cost assessment of the supplementation strategies was conducted to define the most suitable ones from an economic standpoint. Twenty-eight non-castrated male animals (18 months) with an initial body weight of 327.9 ± 4.2 kg were used. The animals were equitably distributed in a randomized complete design thorough four supplementation strategies as follows: (i) mineral supplementation (MS) in both dry and rainy seasons (MS/MS), (ii) MS during the dry season and concentrate supplementation (CS) during the rainy season (MS/CS), (iii) CS during the dry season and MS during the rainy season (CS/MS), and (iv) CS in both dry and rainy seasons (CS/CS). Thereafter, carcass traits, primary carcass cut yields, meat quality traits, and chemical composition of the meat of cattle produced across different supplementation strategies were determined. Data revealed that animals under CS/CS showed the greatest (P < 0.01) hot carcass weights among the other supplementation strategies evaluated. Conversely, supplementation strategy did not affect (P > 0.10) the carcass traits (the ribeye area, final pH, and forequarter), meat quality traits (shear force, myofibrillar fragment index, sarcomere length, and color), and meat chemical composition (crude protein, fat, and moisture) of the animals. A cost assessment of the supplementation strategies revealed that CS/CS had the highest production costs. Nevertheless, CS/CS had the greatest income and profit, while MS/MS had the lowest ones. In conclusion, data suggest that cattle grazing on tropical forage under CS during at least one season (i.e., dry or rainy) produce similar meat quality traits and chemical composition of meat to those observed for animals under CS in both seasons. Additionally, the last supplementation strategy revealed the greatest profit indicators among the other explored.

Genomic Characterization of Enterococcus hirae From Beef Cattle Feedlots and Associated Environmental Continuum.

Enterococci are commensal bacteria of the gastrointestinal tract of humans, animals, and insects. They are also found in soil, water, and plant ecosystems. The presence of enterococci in human, animal, and environmental settings makes these bacteria ideal candidates to study antimicrobial resistance in the One-Health continuum. This study focused on Enterococcus hirae isolates (n = 4,601) predominantly isolated from beef production systems including bovine feces (n = 4,117, 89.5%), catch-basin water (n = 306, 66.5%), stockpiled bovine manure (n = 24, 0.5%), and natural water sources near feedlots (n = 145, 32%), and a few isolates from urban wastewater (n = 9, 0.2%) denoted as human-associated environmental samples. Antimicrobial susceptibility profiling of a subset (n = 1,319) of E. hirae isolates originating from beef production systems (n = 1,308) showed high resistance to tetracycline (65%) and erythromycin (57%) with 50.4% isolates harboring multi-drug resistance, whereas urban wastewater isolates (n = 9) were resistant to nitrofurantoin (44.5%) and tigecycline (44.5%) followed by linezolid (33.3%). Genes for tetracycline (tetL, M, S/M, and O/32/O) and macrolide resistance erm(B) were frequently found in beef production isolates. Antimicrobial resistance profiles of E. hirae isolates recovered from different environmental settings appeared to reflect the kind of antimicrobial usage in beef and human sectors. Comparative genomic analysis of E. hirae isolates showed an open pan-genome that consisted of 1,427 core genes, 358 soft core genes, 1701 shell genes, and 7,969 cloud genes. Across species comparative genomic analysis conducted on E. hirae, Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium genomes revealed that E. hirae had unique genes associated with vitamin production, cellulose, and pectin degradation, traits which may support its adaptation to the bovine digestive tract. E. faecium and E. faecalis more frequently harbored virulence genes associated with biofilm formation, iron transport, and cell adhesion, suggesting niche specificity within these species.

Selection effect for growth traits on energy requirements in beef Nelore steers.

Growth data of 77,372 Nelore steers were used to estimate the selection effect on energy requirements considering two beef production systems: cow-calf and slaughter cycles. All the animals had measures from 120 days to 7 years old. The parameters necessary to evaluate the selection effect on energy requirements were obtained by random regression analysis using Legendre polynomials. The models included additive direct and maternal effects, and animal and maternal permanent environmental effects as random terms. Contemporary group and dam age at calving (linear and quadratic effect) were included as fixed effects, and orthogonal Legendre polynomials of animal age (cubic regression) were considered random covariables. The coefficients from the model M3353_5 were used to calculate the genetic gains necessary to predict the increase in phenotypes. The selection was simulated for body weight (BW) and weight gain (WG) at different ages and energy requirements were calculated using NRC equations. The cost of feed was calculated for a cow-calf and slaughter cycle of production considering a system of Brachiaria decumbens pasture without supplementation. In slaughter system, the selection for weight of 365 days of age is the best option. In cow-calf systems, the selection W120 is the best choice.

Environmental impacts of a rice-beef-biogas integrated system in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam evaluated by life cycle assessment.

It is essential to increase the production of foods to meet the increasing future food demand, but this should be done in an environmentally sustainable manner. Integrated crop-livestock systems have been suggested to balance the reduction of environmental impacts and the increase in food production. Here we assessed and compared the environmental impacts of specialized (SPC) and integrated (ITG) rice and beef production systems in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, using a life-cycle assessment (LCA). The productions of rice and beef are separated in the SPC, whereas they are integrated in the ITG: cattle manure is treated by a biodigester for biogas production, its digestate is applied to rice paddy fields as fertilizer, and part of the rice straw is used as cattle feed. We developed an LCA model based on data collected by site investigations of rice and beef farms and the relevant literature and LCA databases. Our evaluation of the ITG and SPC rice-beef production systems using the LCA revealed that among the four environmental impact categories investigated herein, the ITG had less environmental impacts on climate change (22%), energy consumption (22%), and eutrophication (14%) compared to the SPC. With the ITG, the reduction of methane emissions from paddy fields, the avoided energy consumption by the biogas produced, and the lower ammonia, nitrate, and phosphorous emissions from cattle manure and no eutrophying pollutant emissions from grassland were the main contributors to the lower greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and eutrophication potential of this system, respectively. A sensitivity analysis showed that the use of cover for digestate storage resulted in lower environmental impacts of the ITG system compared to SPC system in all of the impact categories investigated here. These results provide helpful information to develop a circular and resource-efficient rice and beef production system that balances increasing productivity with environmental sustainability in rice-producing countries, particularly in Asia.

Occurrence of Salmonella in the Cattle Production in France.

Salmonella is among the most common foodborne pathogens worldwide, and can lead to acute gastroenteritis. Along with poultry, cattle production is recognized as an important source of human infection. Salmonella transmission from cattle to humans can occur through the environment, or through close contact with sick animals or their derived products. This study aimed to investigate the intestinal carriage of Salmonella spp. within French cattle production. A total of 959 cattle intestinal samples, from one of the largest French slaughterhouses, were analyzed. Isolated strains were genotyped by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and a sub-selection was taken by whole genome sequencing (WGS). Twenty-nine samples were positive for Salmonella spp., yielding an estimated prevalence of 3% in cattle production. Eight different Salmonella serotypes were found: Montevideo was the most prevalent (34%), followed by Mbandaka (24%) and Anatum (14%). PFGE genotyping allowed the clustering of Salmonella isolates according to their serotype. Within the clusters, some isolates presented 100% similarity. To investigate potential epidemiological links between them, WGS and core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) were used, revealing identical profiles between isolates originating from different areas and/or different animal breeds. This investigation provides new insights on Salmonella serotype epidemiology in cattle production in France.

Fatores de influência sobre o desempenho reprodutivo em vacas leiteiras / [Influence factors on reproductive performance in dairy cows]

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos das estações do parto e da inseminação, da retenção de placenta, da natimortalidade e da ordem de parto sobre o desempenho reprodutivo de vacas leiteiras. Utilizou-se a regressão logística, em que as variáveis dependentes foram concepção à primeira inseminação pós-parto e percentual de vacas prenhes no rebanho aos 100, 150 ou 200 DEL e as variáveis independentes foram a estação do parto e a estação da inseminação, a retenção de placenta, a natimortalidade e a ordem de parto. A estação do parto e a estação da inseminação influenciaram o desempenho reprodutivo, reduzindo a fertilidade das vacas nas estações quentes do ano. O atraso na primeira inseminação aumentou a concepção na primeira inseminação, mas reduziu o percentual de vacas prenhes ao longo da lactação. O desempenho reprodutivo da vaca leiteira foi afetado por vários fatores, relacionados à vaca, ao ambiente e ao manejo a ela imposto.(AU)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the calving season, insemination, placenta retention, stillbirth and birth order on the reproductive performance of dairy cows. Logistic regression was used, where the dependent variables were conception at the first postpartum insemination and the percentage of cows pregnant in the herd at 100, 150 and 200 DEL. The independent variables were delivery season and insemination season, placenta retention, stillbirth and delivery order. The calving season and the insemination season influenced reproductive performance, and in the hot seasons of the year the fertility of the cows was reduced. The delay in the first insemination increased conception in the first insemination but reduced the percentage of pregnant cows during lactation. The reproductive performance of the dairy cow was affected by several factors, related to the cow, the environment and the management imposed on it.(AU)

First Occurrence and Population Dynamics of Blissus pulchellus (Hemiptera: Blissidae) in Brazil: a new pest of pastures in Roraima

ABSTRACT Cattle production is one of the main economic activities in the state of Roraima, and insect pest attacks in pastures have a negative effect on this sector in the region. Little is known about the species that cause damage to forage fields in the state. This study presents the first report of the occurrence of the chinch bug Blissus pulchellus Montandon (Hemiptera: Blissidae) in Roraima, Brazil and a description of the population dynamics of this pest in pasture areas in this state. Pasture areas were sampled in nine municipalities of Roraima to detect the insect. The population dynamics study was conducted for two years in Alto Alegre municipality, two of which have Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu and one of Megathrysus maximus cv. Mombaça (Poaceae) crops. Blissus pulchellus was found in all sampled areas, except in Rorainópolis and São João da Baliza. High densities of this bug were found in in Alto Alegre. This is the first report of B. pulchellus in Brazil. The factors that affect the population dynamics and the damage caused by this insect pest to pastures as well as the risk of dispersal of this pest in Brazil are discussed.

Economic impact assessment of foot-and-mouth disease burden and control in pastoral local dairy cattle production systems in Northern Nigeria: A cross-sectional survey.

Milk has been envisaged as a major source of high-quality protein and bioavailable nutrients to humans. Its production is constraint by foot and mouth disease (FMD), a contagious viral disease of very high economic importance worldwide. This study was aimed at assessing the economic impact of FMD in pastoral dairy cattle herds in Nigeria and determines returns to investments in its control to better inform policy decisions. An interview questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 660 nomadic and agro-pastoral dairy cattle herds in 2019. Economic impact analyses were conducted using the total economic cost and benefit-cost analysis models. Of the 660 pastoralists enrolled, 92.6% (n = 611) participated. Nomadic pastoralists constituted 50.7% (n = 310) of the respondents while 49.3% (n = 301) were agro-pastoralists. Most of the respondents (66.4%, n = 406) had no formal education. The value of visible losses to the herders was estimated at USD 15,591,694.30 and the cost of control by treatment of secondary infections was USD 463,673.70. The economic impact of FMD due to production losses and costs of treatment to pastoralists was estimated to be USD 16,055,368.00. Return on investment in FMD control was positive with a benefit-cost ratio of 33.6. The estimated total economic costs due to FMD have indicated that it is a disease of high economic importance to dairy production herds and must be controlled to assure food security, local incomes to herders, and protein requirement of human population, especially the children in FMD endemic countries.

Assessment of regional greenhouse gas emission from beef cattle production: A case study of Saskatchewan in Canada.

The beef cattle production has been considered as one of the largest sources of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emission. A large amount of GHGs including N2O and CH4 from enteric fermentation and manure are discharged to atmosphere during beef-production process. In addition, a substantial amount of GHGs is also emitted from many other related processes such as feed production, transportation, and energy consumption. In this study, an emission assessment model was developed to quantify the amount of regional GHGs produced from the beef cattle production process. A case study was conducted based on the beef production in Saskatchewan, Canada. The results demonstrated that the GHG emissions from the annual marketed beef cattle in Saskatchewan in 2014 were 8.52 × 109 kg CO2-eq in total and the cattle-source GHGs (enteric CH4, manure CH4, and manure N2O emission) accounted for more than 90% of the total emission. Sensitivity analysis showed that the most critical factors influencing the GHG emission included feedlot manure handling system, cattle diet, feed additives, maximum methane producing capacity (Bo), and climate (temperature, precipitation, and potential evapotranspiration). The potential impacts of climate change on GHG emission from beef cattle production in Saskatchewan were also investigated. An overall decrease in the GHG emission can be observed due to the climate change, which are 3.67%, 4.96%, and 6.63% for 2020-2039, 2040-2059, and 2060-2099, respectively.

Evaluación del estado metabólico, el peso vivo y la condición corporal durante la gestación en vacas de carne en la Altillanura colombiana / Evaluation of the metabolic status, live weight and body condition during pregnancy in beef in the Colombian Altillanura cows / Avaliação do estado metabólico, peso vivo e condição corporal durante a gestação em vacas de corte no Altillanura colombiana

Resumen El objetivo de este estudio, fue conocer los valores promedios de diferentes metabolitos, la variación del peso vivo (PV) y la condición corporal (CC) en vacas Cebú (C) y Simmental x Cebú (SC) bajo pastoreo extensivo en una finca de la Altillanura colombiana. Se utilizaron 19 vacas multíparas y durante cada trimestre de la gestación, se evaluaron los niveles de Glucosa (Glu), Colesterol (Col), Proteína totales (Ptt), Albúmina (Alb), Globulinas (Glo), Hemoglobina (Hb), Hematocrito (Hto), Nitrógeno en sangre (BUN), Cobre (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Calcio (Ca), Magnesio (Mg), Fósforo (P), y Aspartato aminotransferasa (AST). Los niveles de Glu, Hb, Hto, BUN, Ca, presentaron variaciones significativas durante los trimestre evaluados (P<0,05), con deficiencias de Cu y Zn. El PV y la CC presentaron una relación lineal en función del avance de la gestación. Se reconoce la importancia de los perfiles metabólicos (PM) como una herramienta para identificar los posibles imbalances nutricionales y la manera de corregir las deficiencias, con el propósito de hacer mas eficiente el sistema productivo.

Abstract The objective of this study was to know the average values ​​of different metabolites, the variation of live weight (LW) and body condition (CC) in Cebu (C) and Simmental x Cebu (SC) cows under extensive grazing in a farm of the Colombian Altillanura. We used 19 multiparous cows and during each trimester of pregnancy, we evaluated the levels of Glucose (Glu), Cholesterol (Col), Total Protein (Ptt), Albumin (Alb), Globulins (Glo), Hemoglobin (Hb), Hematocrit (Hto), Nitrogen in blood (BUN), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Phosphorus (P), and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST). The levels of Glu, Hb, Hto, BUN, Ca presented significant variations during the quarter evaluated (P <0.05), with deficiencies of Cu and Zn. The PV and CC presented a linear relationship based on the progress of pregnancy. The importance of metabolic profiles (PM) is recognized as a tool to identify possible nutritional imbalances and how to correct deficiencies, in order to make the productive system more efficient.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi conhecer os valores médios dos diferentes metabólitos, a variação do peso vivo (PV) e a condição corporal (CC) em vacas Cebu (C) e Simmental x Cebu (SC) sob pastejo intenso numa fazenda da Altillanura colombiana. Foram utilizadas 19 vacas multíparas e, durante cada trimestre da gestação, foram avaliados os níveis de glicose (Glu), colesterol (Col), proteína total (Ptt), albumina (Alb), globulinas (Glo), hemoglobina (Hb) e hematócrito (Hto), nitrogênio sanguíneo (BUN), cobre (Cu), zinco (Zn), cálcio (Ca), magnésio (Mg), fósforo (P) e aspartato aminotransferase (AST). Os níveis de Glu, Hb, Hto, BUN, Ca apresentaram variações significativas durante os trimestres avaliados (P <0,05), com deficiências de Cu e Zn. O PV e o CC apresentaram uma relação linear com o progresso da gravidez. A importância dos perfis metabólicos (MP) é reconhecida como uma ferramenta para identificar possíveis desequilíbrios nutricionais e como corrigir deficiências, a fim de tornar o sistema de produção mais eficiente.

Comparative diversity of microbiomes and Resistomes in beef feedlots, downstream environments and urban sewage influent.

BACKGROUND: Comparative knowledge of microbiomes and resistomes across environmental interfaces between animal production systems and urban settings is lacking. In this study, we executed a comparative analysis of the microbiota and resistomes of metagenomes from cattle feces, catch basin water, manured agricultural soil and urban sewage. RESULTS: Metagenomic DNA from composite fecal samples (FC; n = 12) collected from penned cattle at four feedlots in Alberta, Canada, along with water from adjacent catchment basins (CB; n = 13), soil (n = 4) from fields in the vicinity of one of the feedlots and urban sewage influent (SI; n = 6) from two municipalities were subjected to Illumina HiSeq2000 sequencing. Firmicutes exhibited the highest prevalence (40%) in FC, whereas Proteobacteria were most abundant in CB (64%), soil (60%) and SI (83%). Among sample types, SI had the highest diversity of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and metal and biocide resistance (MBR) classes (13 & 15) followed by FC (10 & 8), CB (8 & 4), and soil (6 & 1). The highest antimicrobial resistant (AMR) gene (ARG) abundance was harboured by FC, whereas soil samples had a very small, but unique resistome which did not overlap with FC & CB resistomes. In the beef production system, tetracycline resistance predominated followed by macrolide resistance. The SI resistome harboured ß-lactam, macrolide, tetracycline, aminoglycoside, fluoroquinolone and fosfomycin resistance determinants. Metal and biocide resistance accounted for 26% of the SI resistome with a predominance of mercury resistance. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates an increasing divergence in the nature of the microbiome and resistome as the distance from the feedlot increases. Consistent with antimicrobial use, tetracycline and macrolide resistance genes were predominant in the beef production system. One of the feedlots contributed both conventional (raised with antibiotics) and natural (raised without antibiotics) pens samples. Although natural pen samples exhibited a microbiota composition that was similar to samples from conventional pens, their resistome was less complex. Similarly, the SI resistome was indicative of drug classes used in humans and the greater abundance of mercury resistance may be associated with contamination of municipal water with household and industrial products.

Family farming in agroecological transition: a look at the marketing of milk and dairy products in municipalities of the Zona da Mata of Minas Gerais State, Brazil / Agricultura familiar em transição agroecológica: um olhar sobre a comercialização de leite e derivados em municípios da Zona da Mata de Minas Gerais

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the limits and possibilities of the marketing of milk and dairy products in the context of family farming. We used semi-structured interviews, document analysis, and content analysis as methodological options. We conducted 12 interviews with family farmers who had milk production and the processing and marketing of this raw material in common. Despite changes and reformulations, federal and state legislation still does not consider small family farmers. Even when referring to these protagonists, the legislation address production in a technical manner that is inadequate for the reality of most family farmers, thus favouring dairy industries.

RESUMO: Objetivou-se avaliar os limites e possibilidades da comercialização de leite e seus derivados no contexto da agricultura familiar. Utilizamos entrevistas semiestruturadas, análise documental e análise de conteúdo como opções teórico-metodológicas. Realizamos 12 entrevistas com agricultores familiares que tinham em comum a produção leiteira e o processamento e a comercialização dessa matéria prima. Apesar de mudanças e reformulações, as legislações federais e estaduais ainda não contemplam os pequenos agricultores familiares. Mesmo que em alguns casos remetam a esses protagonistas, as legislações nitidamente discursam sobre uma prática tecnificada de produção, inadequada à realidade da maioria dos agricultores, favorecendo, assim, às indústrias laticinistas.

Altitude effects on technology and productivity of small bovine farms (milk meat) in Veracruz (Gulf of Mexico).

The dual-purpose bovine system represents 98.4% of the bovine livestock of Veracruz, the main cattle-producing state of Mexico. This system supplies calves to meat companies, a sector in which Veracruz has been the national leader in the last decade. The objective of the present study was to analyze the effect of the altitudinal zonation of farms on livestock technology and productivity in a microbasin of the Gulf of Mexico where small farms predominate. Structured interviews were applied to producers located in three altitudinal zones (at average altitudes of 50, 140, and 450 m, respectively, for lower, middle, and upper zones). Sample size was 135 farms having similar land surface (within a range of 15-22 ha). The results indicated multiple differences among farms located in the three zones. Farms in the middle and lower zones presented higher productive indicators than those in the upper zone. Differences in herd structure and management resulted in important differences in productivity, income, and profits in milk and calf production. We concluded from this study that altitudinal zonation in Veracruz had a clear effect on the differentiation of small farms, which are representative of dual-purpose cattle. The upper zone performs cattle activity under conditions with greater disadvantages in the analyzed region.

Impact of "Raised without Antibiotics" Beef Cattle Production Practices on Occurrences of Antimicrobial Resistance.

The specific antimicrobial resistance (AMR) decreases that can be expected from reducing antimicrobial (AM) use in U.S. beef production have not been defined. To address this data gap, feces were recovered from 36 lots of "raised without antibiotics" (RWA) and 36 lots of "conventional" (CONV) beef cattle. Samples (n = 719) were collected during harvest and distributed over a year. AMR was assessed by (i) the culture of six AM-resistant bacteria (ARB), (ii) quantitative PCR (qPCR) for 10 AMR genes (ARGs), (iii) a qPCR array of 84 ARGs, and (iv) metagenomic sequencing. Generally, AMR levels were similar, but some were higher in CONV beef cattle. The prevalence of third-generation cephalosporin-resistant (3GCr) Escherichia coli was marginally different between production systems (CONV, 47.5%; RWA, 34.8%; P = 0.04), but the seasonal effect (summer, 92.8%; winter, 48.3%; P < 0.01) was greater. Erythromycin-resistant (ERYr) Enterococcus sp. concentrations significantly differed between production systems (CONV, 1.91 log10 CFU/g; RWA, 0.73 log10 CFU/g; P < 0.01). Levels of aadA1, ant(6)-I, bla ACI, erm(A), erm(B), erm(C), erm(F), erm(Q), tet(A), tet(B), tet(M), and tet(X) ARGs were higher (P < 0.05) in the CONV system. Aggregate abundances of all 43 ARGs detected by metagenomic sequencing and the aggregate abundances of ARGs in the aminoglycoside, ß-lactam, macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B (MLS), and tetracycline AM classes did not differ (log2 fold change < 1.0) between CONV and RWA systems. These results suggest that further reductions of AM use in U.S. beef cattle production may not yield significant AMR reductions beyond MLS and tetracycline resistance.IMPORTANCE The majority of antimicrobial (AM) use in the United States is for food-animal production, leading to concerns that typical AM use patterns during "conventional" (CONV) beef cattle production in the United States contribute broadly to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurrence. In the present study, levels of AMR were generally similar between CONV and "raised without antibiotics" (RWA) cattle. Only a limited number of modest AMR increases was observed in CONV cattle, primarily involving macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B (MLS) and tetracycline resistance. Macrolides (tylosin) and tetracyclines (chlortetracycline) are administered in-feed for relatively long durations to reduce liver abscesses. To ensure judicious AM use, the animal health, economic, and AMR impacts of shorter duration in-feed administration of these AMs should be examined. However, given the modest AMR reductions observed, further reductions of AM use in U.S. beef cattle production may not yield significant AMR reductions beyond MLS and tetracycline resistance.

Land-use strategies to balance livestock production, biodiversity conservation and carbon storage in Yucatán, Mexico.

Balancing the production of food, particularly meat, with preserving biodiversity and maintaining ecosystem services is a major societal challenge. Research into the contrasting strategies of land sparing and land sharing has suggested that land sparing-combining high-yield agriculture with the protection or restoration of natural habitats on nonfarmed land-will have lower environmental impacts than other strategies. Ecosystems with long histories of habitat disturbance, however, could be resilient to low-yield agriculture and thus fare better under land sharing. Using a wider suite of species (birds, dung beetles and trees) and a wider range of livestock-production systems than previous studies, we investigated the probable impacts of different land-use strategies on biodiversity and aboveground carbon stocks in the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico-a region with a long history of habitat disturbance. By modelling the production of multiple products from interdependent land uses, we found that land sparing would allow larger estimated populations of most species and larger carbon stocks to persist than would land sharing or any intermediate strategy. This result held across all agricultural production targets despite the history of disturbance and despite species richness in low- and medium-yielding agriculture being not much lower than that in natural habitats. This highlights the importance, in evaluating the biodiversity impacts of land use, of measuring population densities of individual species, rather than simple species richness. The benefits of land sparing for both biodiversity and carbon storage suggest that safeguarding natural habitats for biodiversity protection and carbon storage alongside promoting areas of high-yield cattle production would be desirable. However, delivering such landscapes will probably require the explicit linkage of livestock yield increases with habitat protection or restoration, as well as a deeper understanding of the long-term sustainability of yields, and research into how other societal outcomes vary across land-use strategies.