33 Nationwide Sheep & Goat Producer Needs Assessment

Resources for sheep and goat production are limited despite expanded interest and rising numbers of producers in the United States. It is critical for extension professionals, producer organizations, and industry to be attune to producer needs as educational programming is planned and developed. Therefore, a voluntary needs assessment was conducted to identify US producer interests and enhance future extension efforts. The online QuestionPro survey was peer-reviewed by 15 university small ruminant specialists. Closed-ended and open-ended questions were utilized to identify important production topics, preferred program delivery methods, production challenges, and participant demographics. Six hundred and seventy-two respondents completed at least half of the survey. Most respondents raise sheep only (46%) followed by goats only (35%) then both (19%). Seventy percent of respondents describe their operation as providing supplemental household income. Fifty-five percent direct market products. The largest percentage of respondents indicated live animals (82%) and meat (63%) were “very important” economically to their operation. Seventy-one percent of respondents have flocks/herds of less than 100 animals and 49% have less than 10 years of experience raising small ruminants. “Very important” topics were parasite management (65%), breeding stock nutrition (61%), and reproductive management (60%). Overwhelmingly, 43% of respondents prefer virtual programs to be a single event shorter than 45 minutes while 32% expressed willingness to attend an in-person, all-day program with multiple session. For in-person programming, most respondents preferred wintertime (Dec-Feb, 34%), mornings (41%), and Saturdays (20%). Most indicated that email (38%) was the best way to promote upcoming extension resources. The results of this survey highlighted current needs, interests, and preferences for extension programming and resources by sheep and goat producers in the US. These results are important to enhance extension efforts and collectively strengthen the sustainability of the American small ruminant producer.

54 Eastern Red Cedar Targeted Grazing with Goats: Tree Height Significance

Eastern red cedar (ERC; Juniperus Virginiana L.) encroachment into grassland ecosystems, facilitated by fire suppression and overgrazing, threatens the long-term health of the Northern Great Plains. Goats consume juniper through defoliation and debarking, and debarking causes branch death. ERC do not resprout, meaning trunk girdling can effectively kill the tree, making targeted grazing with goats a potential control tool, though little is known about targeted grazing with goats on ERC. The objective of this project is to investigate how goats defoliate and debark ERC of different heights. Moderately stocked (95 AUD∙ha-1) Spanish cross-bred goats grazed 24-hour periods in each of 4 replicate ERC-invaded 0.056 ha paddocks (average 117 trees∙paddock-1). ERC of 5 height classes, up to 250 cm at 50 cm increments, were permanently tagged in each paddock. Defoliation was measured by volume (⅓πr2h) reduction (%) from pre- to post-treatment, branch browse was measured as branches browsed (%) below the browse line, and debarking was measured by trunk debarked (%) below the browse line. Tree height was a significant predictor of defoliation (r2 = 0.63, n = 159, P < 0.001) and debarking (r2 = 0.53, n = 159, P < 0.001). ERC < 100 cm tall were significantly more defoliated (P < 0.05, x̄ = 74%) and ERC 50-100 cm had significantly more branches browsed up to the browse line (P < 0.05, x̄ = 85%), while ERC > 100 cm were significantly more likely to be debarked (P < 0.05, x̄ = 45%). Average browse line for trees 100-250 cm was 186 cm. Our results suggest that goats disproportionally defoliate and debark short (1-100 cm) and tall (100-250 cm) ERC trees, respectively. Moderately stocked targeted grazing with goats could be an effective ERC site pre-treatment for prescribed fire or other control methods.

61 Oral Dosing Loline Alkaloid and Its Effects Against Mixed Infection of L4 Teladorsagia Circumcincta, and Trichostrongylus Colubriformis, and Adult Haemonchus Contortus

Loline, an alkaloid produced by Epichloë endophytes in pastoral grass species, is considered non-toxic with suggested antimicrobial and anthelmintic properties. In vivo metabolism of loline suggests ability to reach the abomasum or intestine, and anthelmintic benefit is indicated in vitro when parasites are in either a developmental stage close to the gastric mucus layers or adult stage consuming blood. Therefore, the objective of this project was to investigate the validation of using a loline seed extract as a natural anthelmintic in parasitized lambs. Sixteen Coopworth lambs were individually penned, offered ad-libitum lucerne pellets and water and randomly assigned to 3 treatment groups; CON; no treatment, or treatment with a Festuca pratensis seed extract with (LOL) or without loline (NIL). Lambs were orally infected with 20,0000 L3 Haemonchus contortus on day 0, and 10,000 L3 Teladorsagia circumcincta, and Trichostrongylus colubriformis on day 14. Parasites then matured to determine lolines efficacy on blood feeding adult Haemonchus contortus and L4 mucosal browsers Teladorsagia circumcincta, and Trichostrongylus colubriformis. Loline was orally dosed at 52.5 mg/kg LW starting on day 13, and every other day until slaughter for worm enumeration on day 28. Feed intake and refusals were recorded daily, and fecal samples were taken prior to infection, on loline dose days and at slaughter. Worm and fecal egg counts were transformed to log10 and all data were analyzed in Genstat (18th edition). Significance was declared at P < 0.05. Worm burdens of T. circumcincta (P = 0.96), T. colubriformis (P = 0.43), and H. contortus (P = 0.15) were not different between treatments. No treatment difference (P = 0.39) was observed in fecal egg counts, weight gain (P = 0.51), or feed intake (P = 0.18). Average growth efficiency (kg LWG/ kg DM intake) was 0.18 in CON which was less (P = 0.01) than LOL (0.24) or NIL (0.23). In conclusion, limited evidence supported an in vivo anti-parasitic effect of loline.

Rumen function and grazing behavior of early-lactation dairy cows supplemented with fodder beet

Fodder beet (FB) is a source of readily fermentable carbohydrate that can mitigate early spring herbage deficits and correct the negative energy balance experienced during early lactation in pastoral dairy systems of New Zealand. However, the low-fiber and high-soluble carbohydrate content of both FB bulb and spring herbage are factors that promote subacute ruminal acidosis, impairing rumen function and limiting the marginal milk production response to supplement. In a crossover experiment, 8 Holstein Friesian × Jersey early-lactation dairy cows were used to test the effect of supplementing 16 kg of dry matter (DM) of a grazed perennial ryegrass herbage with 6 kg of DM/d of FB bulb (FBH) versus herbage only (HO) on changes in rumen function and grazing behavior. Following 20 d of adaptation to diets, DM disappearance (%) of FB bulb (FBH cows only) and herbage were measured in sacco, separately. Cows were fasted overnight, and the ruminal contents were bailed the following morning (~0930 h) again to determine the pool size of volatile fatty acids, ammonia, and particle size of digesta, as well as to estimate the rate of ruminal outflow and degradation of neutral detergent fiber. The FBH diet did not alter DM intake, milk yield, or milk solid (fat + protein) production compared with HO. Supplementation of herbage with FB reduced ruminal pH compared with HO between ~0800 h and 1300 h each day. During each period, 1 cow experienced severe subacute ruminal acidosis (pH <5.6 for >180 min/d) during final adaptation to the target FB allocation. The FBH diet reduced the ruminal pool of acetate and ammonia, but increased the ruminal pool of butyrate and lactate compared with HO. When fed FB, rumination and grazing time increased and grazing intensity declined compared with cows fed HO. Despite increased rumination, the comminution of large particles declined 28% between the first and second rumen bailing when cows were fed FB, and in sacco DM disappearance of perennial ryegrass declined 18% compared with cows fed HO. These results indicate that grazing dairy cows supplemented with FB (40% of daily intake) increase rumination and mastication intensity to counteract reduced ruminal degradation of ryegrass herbage due to low ruminal fluid pH.

Feeding an amino acid-formulated milk replacer for Holstein calves during 2 time periods

The milk-fed calf has a requirement for essential amino acids (EAA) instead of crude protein (CP). However, most milk replacers (MR) are still formulated to a CP concentration, and although limited amounts of Lys or Met may be added, these MR are not formulated solely on an AA basis. Previous work has demonstrated that feeding a modified MR balanced for specific EAA concentrations of a 24% CP MR, but reducing CP to 22%, resulted in improved growth performance in calves compared with a 24% CP MR. The 56-d objective was to determine if the hypothesis that an EAA MR formulated to the specific EAA concentrations of a 24% CP MR, but reducing CP to 22 (22AA) compared with a standard 22% CP MR would result in similar or enhanced growth performance, while reducing feed costs. Two 56-d studies using forty 3- to 5-d-old Holstein bull calves per study received in 1 lot starting on May 8, 2018 (late-spring cooler) and June 22, 2018 (summer with heat stress) were blocked by body weight (BW) and randomly assigned to 1 of 2 MR treatments. Milk replacer treatments consisted of a standard 22:20 (CP:fat; 22CP) and a 22:20 MR with greater EAA concentrations of a 24% CP MR (22AA). All MR, containing decoquinate and diflubenzuron, were fed at 0.57 kg/d per calf split into 2 feedings at 0630 h and 1800 h for 0 to 14 d via bucket, increased to 0.85 kg/d through 35 d split in 2 feedings, and fed once per day at 0.41 kg/d in the morning with weaning after 42 d. Calves were housed in straw-bedded hutches with ad libitum access to water and 25% CP pelleted calf starter (CS). All data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design with block within study considered random and week as a repeated measurement. Initial BW was similar across all treatments (39.9 ± 2.32 kg). Average daily temperature (i.e., heat stress intensity) tended to be greater for calves in study 2 compared with study 1 (20.5 and 22.9°C for study 1 and 2, respectively). The interaction of study and MR effects were nonsignificant. Calf BW, BW gain, average daily gain, CS intake, total dry matter intake (MR plus CS), feed conversions, and EAA intake (MR plus CS) were similar for calves fed both MR. Study 2 (summer heat stress) resulted in more scours incidences compared with study 1, and 22AA MR formulation tended to increase scours possibly due to synthetic AA addition or greater carbohydrate (lactose) inclusion when AA replaced protein sources. Feed costs as MR and total feed costs were lower for calves fed 22AA MR compared with calves fed 22CP MR. The increased Leu, Lys, Met, Thr, and Val concentrations in the 22AA MR compared with the 22CP MR resulted in similar calf growth performance, but the feed cost was lower for calves fed the 22AA MR, which achieved similar growth performance at a lesser cost under current study conditions, but not enhanced as hypothesized.

A comparison of methods for estimating forage intake, digestibility, and fecal output in red deer (Cervus elaphus)

The objective of this experiment was to determine appropriate methods for estimating fecal output, digestibility, and intake in red deer (Cervus elaphus). Dry matter intake (DMI), digestibility, and fecal output were estimated using the dual-marker (titanium dioxide; TiO2 and indigestible acid detergent fiber) technique, double n-alkane ratio technique (ALK) and the pulse dose (Yttrium; Y) technique to determine a suitable method to estimate DMI, fecal output, and digestibility measurements. Four male and four female deer were stratified by sex and randomly assigned either fresh-cut perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) or fresh-cut plantain (Plantago lanceolata) ad libitum in a cross-over design experiment. Actual DMI (mean ± SD: 1.5 ± 0.36 kg DM/d), digestibility (0.70 ± 0.06), and fecal output (0.45 ± 0.1 kg DM/d) were measured daily over the collection periods, and the average of each period was used for methods' comparison. The ALK method adequately estimated digestibility and fecal output of plantain; however, overestimated digestibility (P < 0.05) and DMI of ryegrass, so that there was no statistical agreement (P > 0.10) in DMI when diets were pooled. The overestimated DMI of the ryegrass diet led to ALK predicting greater intake when deer consumed ryegrass than plantain, which was the opposite of actual measurements. The pulse dosed Y overestimated (P < 0.05) fecal output and consequently DMI for both plantain and ryegrass, however, indicated similar trends to actual values. The dual-marker technique using TiO2 was able to detect the statistical differences between plantain and ryegrass as the actual measurements, had moderate to strong precision (r = 0.50 to 0.66) and statistical agreement (P < 0.05) with the pooled diet data. Therefore, the dual-marker technique provided the best alternative estimation method to actual measurements of forage DMI of grazing red deer.

Supplementation of Spring Pasture with Harvested Fodder Beet Bulb Alters Rumen Fermentation and Increases Risk of Subacute Ruminal Acidosis during Early Lactation

Simple Summary

Fodder beet (FB) is widely used in grazing dairy systems of New Zealand to support early- and late-lactation milk production, however, the large fraction of water-soluble carbohydrate present in FB bulbs presents a risk of subacute and acute ruminal acidosis. Despite widespread use of FB across New Zealand, the incidence of ruminal acidosis using industry-recommended methods of feeding FB has not been investigated. This study analyzed the time-dependent changes to rumen fermentation, apparent dry matter intake, milk production, milk composition and plasma amino acid concentration of grazing dairy cows supplemented with moderate amounts (40% of dry matter intake) of FB during early lactation. Our findings indicate that incidence of subacute ruminal acidosis due to FB is greater than currently realized, as 25% of cows developed severe subacute ruminal acidosis following transition to target FB allocation (40% of daily intake). Across all cows, FB reduced rumen pH, feed conversion efficiency and was not advantageous to milk production. These results suggest methods for adapting cows to a diet containing FB require further evaluation to reduce the risk of subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) experienced by individuals within the herd.

Abstract

In a cross-over design, eight rumen cannulated dairy cows were used to explore the industry-recommended method for dietary transition to fodder beet (FB: Beta vulgaris L.) on changes to rumen fermentation and pH, milk production, dry matter intake (DMI) and the risk of subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) during early lactation. Cows were split into two groups and individually allocated a ryegrass (Lolium Perenne L.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.) diet (HO) or the same herbage supplemented with 6 kg DM/cow of harvested fodder beet bulbs (FBH). Dietary adaptation occurred over 20 days consisting of: stage 1: gradual transition to target FB intake (days 1–12, +0.5 kg DM of FB/d); stage 2: acclimatization (days 13–17) and stage 3: post-adaption sampling (days 18–20). Response variables were analyzed as a factorial arrangement of diet and stage of adaption using a combination of ANOVA and generalized linear mixed modelling. Dietary proportion of FB represented 22, (stage 1), 32 (stage 2) and 38% (stage 3) of daily DMI. One cow during each period developed SARA from FB and the duration of low pH increased with FBH compared to the HO treatment (p < 0.01). Rumen concentrations of lactic and butyric acid increased with FBH but concentrations of acetate, propionate and total volatile fatty acids (VFA) declined by 9.3% at day 20, compared to the HO treatment (p < 0.01). Treatments did not affect milk production but total DMI with supplemented cows increased during the final stage of adaptation and feed conversion efficiency (FCE kg milk/kg DM) declined with the FBH treatment. The occurrence of SARA in 25% of animals fed FB suggest it is a high-risk supplement to animal health and further evaluation of industry-recommended methods for feeding FB at the individual- and herd-scale are needed.

Influence of Leg Position on the Depth and Sonographic Appearance of the Sciatic Nerve in Volunteers

We investigated the effect of leg position on the depth of the sciatic nerve and quality of ultrasound images taken at the proximal and mid-thigh level. Twenty-one volunteers with average body mass index were recruited to represent the younger population receiving sciatic nerve blocks for sports injury surgery. The volunteers were placed in the lateral position, with the hip flexed and with the hip in a neutral (extended) position. A single operator imaged the uppermost leg and the best images of the sciatic nerve at the proximal and mid-thigh level were saved. Sciatic nerve depth was measured at each level. Eleven clinicians experienced in ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia assessed the paired images. In the proximal thigh, the sciatic nerve depth was greater with the hip flexed compared to the neutral position (median 30 vs 23 mm, P=0.0002). There was no consistent difference in the mid-thigh. More clinicians favoured the proximal sciatic image with the leg in the neutral position. Although statistically significant, the depth difference is probably not a major clinical consideration in most patients with an average body mass index. We suggest clinicians place the leg in the most ergonomically favourable position when performing sciatic nerve blocks in the proximal thigh in these patients.

Marine radioactivity assessment of Mururoa and Fangataufa atolls

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) carried out an international project. 'The Study of the Radiological Situation at the Atolls of Mururoa and Fangataufa' with the aim of assessing the present and future radiological situation at the atolls and making recommendations for either monitoring or remedial actions if they are deemed necessary. The paper concentrates on marine radioactivity aspects and gives an estimation of present radionuclide concentrations in water, sediment and biota of the Mururoa and Fangataufa lagoons and the surrounding ocean. The dominant radionuclide in both lagoons is Pu in sediments (the total inventory is approximately 30 TBq). A decline in radionuclide concentrations has been observed in recent years in lagoon water, with the exception of 3H and 90Sr, for which a contribution from underground sources is to be expected. Radionuclide concentrations in biota from the lagoons and the surrounding ocean are low and consistent with previous measurements. The observed radionuclide concentrations in both lagoons imply that no radiological risk exists for hypothetical inhabitants of Mururoa and Fangataufa Atolls.

Isotope studies in the Caspian Sea

Oceanographic and isotopic investigations in the Caspian Sea and the analyses of the available data on the discharge to the sea and the observed sea level changes suggest that climatically caused changes of river inflow are the major cause of the sea level fluctuations over the last century. Hydrogen-3 and 3H-3He data indicate that the deep basins of the sea are rapidly ventilated, although the hydraulic turnover time of the sea is approximately 200 years. The concentration levels of the anthropogenic radionuclides 90Sr, 137Cs and 239,240Pu in the water column can be explained by global fallout and therefore, at the sampling sites visited, there were no signs of dumping of radioactive wastes. The anthropogenic radionuclide data support the idea of fast exchange of water masses in the Caspian Sea. The isotopic and oceanographic data collected during the cruises have shown potential to allow for a better understanding of the water circulation in the Caspian Sea.

Chemical and isotopic investigation of groundwater in Tahta region, Sohag-Egypt

Chemical and isotopic investigations indicate that the recharge source for the groundwater in the Tahta district, adjacent to the Nile, is mainly from the Nile water seeping from irrigation channels. The water's chemical type is sodium bicarbonate, with values of oxygen-18 and deuterium close to that of Nile water. Another minor source of recharge to the far west of the Nile bank is palaeowater. This water's chemical type is sodium sulphate and sodium chloride. The change of water quality in some groundwater samples could be due to the extensive use of fertilizers to improve soil characteristics in new reclamation projects. In addition, these wells are slightly depleted in oxygen-18, deuterium and tritium. Recommendations for the periodic monitoring of groundwater quality for proper use are given.

Study of environmental isotope distribution in the Aswan High Dam Lake (Egypt) for estimation of evaporation of lake water and its recharge to adjacent groundwater

Oxygen-18 ((18)0) and deuterium isotopes were used to estimate the evaporation from the Aswan High Dam Lake and to investigate the inter-relation between the lake water and adjacent groundwater.According to stable isotopic analysis of samples taken in 1988 and 1989, the lake can be divided into two sections. In the first section extending between Abu Simbel and a point between EI-Alaki and Krosko, a remarkable vertical gradient of (18)0 and deuterium isotopic composition was observed. The second northern sector extending to the High Dam is characterised by a lower vertical isotopic gradient. In this sector in general, higher values of (18)O and deuterium contents were found at the top and lower values at the bottom. Also a strong horizontal increase of the heavy isotope content was observed. Thus, in the northern section evaporation is of dominating influence on the isotopic composition of the lake water.With the help of an evaporation pan experiment it was possible to calibrate the evaporative isotope enrichment in the lake and to facilitate a preliminary estimate of evaporative losses of lake water. The evaporation from the lake was estimated to be about 19% of the input water flow rate.The groundwater around the lake was investigated and samples from production wells and piezometers were subjected to isotopic analysis. The results indicate that recent recharge to the groundwater aquifer is limited to wells near to the lake and up to a maximum distance of about 10 km. The contribution of recent Nile water to the groundwater in these wells was estimated to range between 23 and 70%. Beyond this distance, palaeowater was observed with highly depleted deuterium and (18)0 contents, which was also confirmed by 14c dating. The age of palaeo groundwater in this area can reach values of more than 26,000 years.Recommendations are given for efficient water management of the lake water.

Adopting new models for continuity of care: the ward as mini-mental-health-center

Several years ago the staff of a traditional psychiatric ward in a Veterans Administration hospital began trying to provide continual care for their former inpatients after they left the hospital. Nursing assistants conducted basic-skills groups and other groups in board-and-care homes; staff members made themselves available to former inpatients and theri families, roommates, or board-and-care sponsors through a 24-hour telephone service and home visits; and a day-care program and follow-up groups for the ward's outpatients were set up. Later the staff establiched additional day-care and follow-up programs in a downtown satellite unit. In a recent three month period, patients made a total of 4488 visits to the satellite and hospital programs. The preceding paper discusses some of the theoretical considerations on which this program and other alternatives to traditional care are based.