Public attitudes toward different management scenarios for "surplus" dairy calves

As awareness grows, some traditional management practices used by the dairy industry will be questioned by members of the public. Therefore, to maintain its social license to operate, the industry needs to account for public perspectives when developing future directions. Our aims were to assess attitudes of members of the public toward the management of surplus calves not needed for milk production on dairy farms, and to assess how specific calf management practices might influence these attitudes. A mixed-methods questionnaire was developed and distributed online in the United States and in Canada. After reading an introductory paragraph stating that surplus calves are generally used for meat production, participants were randomly allocated into groups and read 1 of 4 scenarios that described different surplus calf management practices in more detail. The scenarios followed a 2 × 2 factorial design, and the factors that differed were the calf's age at slaughter (≤2 wk vs. ≥12 mo), and whether the calf was separated from the cow at birth or sometime later. Data representative of key census demographics from 998 participants were analyzed. Quantitative data analysis included descriptive statistics, nonparametric tests, generalized partial credit models, and linear regression models. For qualitative data, we used reliability thematic analysis. Overall, participants were slightly positive in their attitudes toward the introductory paragraph, and participants in the groups in which the calf was slaughtered after 12 mo of age often specifically linked their acceptance of the practice to the fact that the calves' lives had a purpose (i.e., contributing meaningfully to the beef supply). In contrast, only 3% of the participants regarded a slaughter age of <1 mo as appropriate. Participants in the groups in which calves were slaughtered within 2 wk after birth had more negative attitudes, and these attitudes declined even further when the calf was separated from the cow soon after birth. Besides the 2 main factors (age at slaughter and cow-calf separation), information on pasture access, the healthiness of the meat from the calves, and the exact age of slaughter were also considered important by participants to make a more informed decision about their view on surplus calf management. Overall, our results indicate that failure by the dairy industry to provide assurances that excess dairy calves have a reasonable length of life and that this life has purpose (i.e., contributes to the beef supply chain) places the industry at odds with public values. Also, as awareness grows, the practice of early cow-calf separation will be increasingly questioned by the public; failure to begin discussions on this topic will increase the risk that future decisions about this topic will be made in the absence of the farmer.

Wrestling with bird flu, Europe considers once-taboo vaccines

To lessen the toll of culling, some countries launch vaccine trials despite trade implications and public health risks.

Mind the gap: Comparing expert and public opinions on managing overabundant koalas

Management decisions that do not adequately align with the values and opinions of the public-at-large can lead to controversy and conflict. In conservation and natural resource management, knowledge of the public's values and opinions are often assumed or based on the personal perceptions of experts, rather than on empirical evidence. Mismatches can occur, and in Australia, an ongoing debate about how to best manage overabundant koalas has divided experts and members of the public for decades. On several occasions, experts have recommended culling of overabundant koalas, and yet culls are rarely conducted by managers. Anecdotally this is due to perceived public opposition to the culling of koalas, but there is little empirical evidence to evaluate this assessment. Using a nationwide survey, we investigated the social acceptability of different options for koala management in a population of experts and the general public, and how underlying environmental values and basic beliefs about human-wildlife relationships can explain differences of opinion. We found significant differences in the acceptability of management options between experts and the general public, although the polarity of acceptability was mostly the same. However, the lethal management options of culling and indigenous hunting elicited opposing opinions. Consistent with previous research, beliefs about human-wildlife relationships and belief profiles were found to be useful in explaining differences in acceptability of lethal control among the public, but not among experts. Biospheric values and increased experience and knowledge could play a greater role in the formation of experts' acceptability judgements. Due consideration of evidence-based knowledge of people's opinions can avoid reactive decision-making based on the opinions of a vocal minority. Where differences of opinion exist between experts and the general public, reconciling these divergent views should lead to better conservation outcomes with reduced conflict over potentially controversial management actions.

Field assessment of the risk of feral cat baits to nontarget species in eastern Australia

Feral cats (Felis catus) pose a significant threat to wildlife, agriculture, and human health through predation, disease transmission, and competition with native animals. Controlling feral cats and their impacts, however, is challenging. New and emerging 1080-based feral cat baits have shown promising results in western and central Australia; however, the safety of these new baits for nontarget species in eastern Australia, where many native animals are more sensitive to compound 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) than their western conspecifics, has not been assessed. We investigated the uptake of 499 toxic Eradicat^® baits by nontarget animals across five different eastern Australian environs and the uptake of nontoxic Eradicat and Hisstory^® baits at an additional two sites. Using field-based observations of species eating or removing baits, we determined that 13 nontarget species (eight mammals, four birds, and one reptile) were at high risk of individual mortality, with individuals of 11 of those 13 species (seven mammals, four birds) observed consuming enough toxic Eradicat in a single visit to ingest a lethal dose of 1080. Feral cats (the target species) consumed only 3.1% of monitored baits, which was only 52% of the 31 baits they encountered. We recommend undertaking targeted population monitoring of species identified at high risk of individual mortality, to determine whether Eradicat baits present a population-level risk to these species. Our findings suggest that the small-sized Eradicat baits present a greater risk to nontarget species in eastern Australia than the larger traditional 1080-based meat baits used for the control of wild dogs and foxes. Our study highlights the importance of performing risk assessments for different bait types, even when the same toxin is used, and of performing site-specific nontarget risk assessments of new baits such as Eradicat to assist developing guidelines for their safe and effective use in different environs. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:224-244. © 2021 State of Queensland. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management © 2021 SETAC.

Bovine fetal wastages in Southeast Nigeria: prevalence, causes and public health implications

Slaughter of pregnant animals for meat is unethical, counterproductive and enhances zoonotic disease spread. This study determined the prevalence and reasons for slaughtering pregnant cows (SPCs) for meat. Pregnancy status of cows slaughtered was determined by evisceration and longitudinal incision of the uterus for presence of fetus. Closed-ended questionnaire was used to elicit information on causes of SPCs and disposal of eviscerated fetuses. Of the 851 cows slaughtered, 17.4% (148/851) were pregnant. Of the 148 pregnant cows, 87 (58.8) were slaughtered during dry season while 43.2% (64/148) of the recovered fetuses were in their third trimester. Reasons adduced for SPCs by the participants in the questionnaire were: ignorance of the animals' pregnancy status, 69.7% (n=119), high demand for beef, 61.3% (n=148), buyers preference for large-sized animals, 47.9 (n=148), economic hardship, 52.1% (n=148) and disease conditions, 42.9% (n=148). Fetuses or uterine contents were sold for human consumption, 17.6% (n=119), preparation of dog food, 27.7 (n=119) or disposed by open refuse dump method, 54.6% (n=119). The 17.4% SPCs prevalence is unacceptably high. This warrants ante-mortem pregnancy diagnosis in the slaughterhouses and strict implementation of the Animal Welfare Act (Meat Edict of 1968) to conserve livestock production and limit animal cruelty and spread of zoonoses.

Does aerial baiting for controlling feral cats in a heterogeneous landscape confer benefits to a threatened native meso-predator?

Introduced mammalian predators can have devastating impacts on recipient ecosystems and disrupt native predator–prey relationships. Feral cats (Felis catus) have been implicated in the decline and extinction of many Australian native species and developing effective and affordable methods to control them is a national priority. While there has been considerable progress in the lethal control of feral cats, effective management at landscape scales has proved challenging. Justification of the allocation of resources to feral cat control programs requires demonstration of the conservation benefit baiting provides to native species susceptible to cat predation. Here, we examined the effectiveness of a landscape-scale Eradicat® baiting program to protect threatened northern quolls (Dasyurus hallucatus) from feral cat predation in a heterogeneous rocky landscape in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. We used camera traps and GPS collars fitted to feral cats to monitor changes in activity patterns of feral cats and northern quolls at a baited treatment site and unbaited reference site over four years. Feral cat populations appeared to be naturally sparse in our study area, and camera trap monitoring showed no significant effect of baiting on cat detections. However, mortality rates of collared feral cats ranged from 18–33% after baiting, indicating that the program was reducing cat numbers. Our study demonstrated that feral cat baiting had a positive effect on northern quoll populations, with evidence of range expansion at the treatment site. We suggest that the rugged rocky habitat preferred by northern quolls in the Pilbara buffered them to some extent from feral cat predation, and baiting was sufficient to demonstrate a positive effect in this relatively short-term project. A more strategic approach to feral cat management is likely to be required in the longer-term to maximise the efficacy of control programs and thereby improve the conservation outlook for susceptible threatened fauna.

Potential resident bacterial microbiota in udder tissues of culled cows sampled in abattoir

While mammary gland tissues (MGTs) are difficult to sample without risks for cow's health or milk production, milk analysis are used in routine to assess dairy cow udder's health. This study aimed to identify, quantify, compare the milk and MGTs microbiota of macroscopically healthy dairy bovine mammary glands (MG) in order to evaluate their degree of similarity. We harvested 13 couples of milk and MGTs samples, originated from the same quarter at culling. 16S rDNA Amplicon Sequencing was performed, showing Corynebacterium as the main bacterial genus in both types of samples but generally found in the milk in higher proportions than in tissues. Species evenness was higher in MGTs while species richness was higher in milk samples. Beta diversity was significantly different between both matrices suggesting the presence of a resident microbiota in MGTs of dairy cows at time of culling partially reflected by the milk microbiota from the same quarter.

A stochastic network-based model to simulate farm-level transmission of African swine fever virus in Vietnam

African swine fever virus is highly contagious, and mortality rates reach up to 100% depending on the host, virus dose, and the transmission routes. The main objective of this study was to develop a network-based simulation model for the farm-level transmission of ASF virus to evaluate the impact of changes in farm connectivity on ASF spread in Vietnam. A hypothetical population of 1,000 pig farms was created and used for the network-based simulation, where each farm represented a node, and the connection between farms represented an edge. The three scenarios modelled in this way (baseline, low, and high) evaluated the impact of connectivity on disease transmission. The median number of infected farms was higher as the connectivity increased (low: 659, baseline: 968 and high: 993). In addition, we evaluated the impact of the culling strategy on the number of infected farms. A total of four scenarios were simulated depending on the timing of culling after a farm was infected. We found that the timing of culling at 16, 12, 8, and 6 weeks had resulted in a reduction of the number of median infected farms by 81.92%, 91.63%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. Finally, our evaluation of the implication of stability of ties between farms indicated that if the farms were to have the same trading partners for at least six months could significantly reduce the median number of infected farms to two (95th percentile: 413) than in the basic model. Our study showed that pig movements among farms had a significant influence on the transmission dynamics of ASF virus. In addition, we found that the either timing of culling, reduction in the number of trading partners each farm had, or decreased mean contact rate during the outbreaks were essential to prevent or stop further outbreaks.

Breeding practices and trait preferences of smallholder farmers for indigenous sheep in the northwest highlands of Ethiopia: Inputs to design a breeding program

The aim of this study was to identify breeding practices and trait preferences for indigenous sheep in three districts (Estie, Farta and Lay Gayient) located in the northwest highlands of Ethiopia. Questionnaire survey and choice experiment methods were used to collect data from 370 smallholder farmers. Respondents were selected randomly among smallholder farmers who own sheep in the aforementioned districts. A generalized multinomial logit model was employed to examine preferences for sheep attributes, while descriptive statistics and index values were computed to describe sheep breeding practices. Having the highest index value of 0.36, income generation was ranked as the primary reason for keeping sheep, followed by meat and manure sources. The average flock size per smallholder farmer was 10.21 sheep. The majority of the smallholder farmers (91%) have the experience of selecting breeding rams and ewes within their own flock using diverse criteria. Given the highest index value of 0.34, body size was ranked as a primary ram and ewe selection criteria, followed by coat color. Furthermore, choice modeling results revealed that tail type, body size, coat color, growth rate, horn and ear size have shown significant influences on smallholder farmers' preference for breeding rams (P<0.01). The part-worth utility coefficients were positive for all ram attributes except ear size. For breeding ewes, mothering ability, coat color, body size, lambing interval, growth rate, tail type and litter size have shown significant effects on choice preferences of smallholder farmers (P<0.05). Moreover, significant scale heterogeneity was observed among respondents for ewe attributes (P<0.001). Overall, the results implied that sheep breeding objectives suitable for the northwest highlands of the country can be derived from traits such as linear body measurement, weight and survival at different ages, and lambing intervals. However, selection decisions at the smallholder level should not only be based on estimated breeding values of traits included in the breeding objective but instead, incorporate ways to address farmers' preference for qualitative traits.

Modelling the transmission and persistence of African swine fever in wild boar in contrasting European scenarios

African swine fever (ASF) is a severe viral disease that is currently spreading among domestic pigs and wild boar (Sus scrofa) in large areas of Eurasia. Wild boar play a key role in the spread of ASF, yet despite their significance, little is known about the key mechanisms that drive infection transmission and disease persistence. A mathematical model of the wild boar ASF system is developed that captures the observed drop in population density, the peak in infected density and the persistence of the virus observed in ASF outbreaks. The model results provide insight into the key processes that drive the ASF dynamics and show that environmental transmission is a key mechanism determining the severity of an infectious outbreak and that direct frequency dependent transmission and transmission from individuals that survive initial ASF infection but eventually succumb to the disease are key for the long-term persistence of the virus. By considering scenarios representative of Estonia and Spain we show that faster degradation of carcasses in Spain, due to elevated temperature and abundant obligate scavengers, may reduce the severity of the infectious outbreak. Our results also suggest that the higher underlying host density and longer breeding season associated with supplementary feeding leads to a more pronounced epidemic outbreak and persistence of the disease in the long-term. The model is used to assess disease control measures and suggests that a combination of culling and infected carcass removal is the most effective method to eradicate the virus without also eradicating the host population, and that early implementation of these control measures will reduce infection levels whilst maintaining a higher host population density and in some situations prevent ASF from establishing in a population.

The Critical Role of Infectious Disease in Compensatory Population Growth in Response to Culling

Despite the ubiquity of disease in nature, the role that disease dynamics play in the compensatory growth response to harvesting has been ignored. We use a mathematical approach to show that harvesting can lead to compensatory growth due to a release from disease-induced mortality. Our findings imply that culling in systems that harbor virulent parasites can reduce disease prevalence and increase population density. Our models predict that this compensation occurs for a broad range of infectious disease characteristics unless the disease induces long-lasting immunity in hosts. Our key insight is that a population can be regulated at a similar density by disease or at reduced prevalence by a combination of culling and disease. We illustrate our predictions with a system-specific model representing wild boar tuberculosis infection, parameterized for central Spain, and find significant compensation to culling. Given that few wildlife diseases are likely to induce long-lived immunity, populations with virulent diseases may often be resilient to harvesting.

Effects of Culling on Leptospira interrogans Carriage by Rats

We found that lethal, urban rat control is associated with a significant increase in the odds that surviving rats carry Leptospira interrogans. Our results suggest that human interventions have the potential to affect and even increase the prevalence of zoonotic pathogens within rat populations.

On the dynamics of brucellosis infection in bison population with vertical transmission and culling

We introduce a new mathematical modeling framework that seek to improve our quantitative understanding of the influence of chronic brucellosis and culling control on brucellosis dynamics in periodic and non-periodic environments. We conduct both epidemic and endemic analysis, with a focus on the threshold dynamics characterized by the basic reproduction numbers. In addition, we also perform an optimal control study to explore optimal culling strategy in periodic and non-periodic environment.

Effects of isolation and slaughter strategies in different species on emerging zoonoses

Zoonosis is the kind of infectious disease transmitting among different species by zoonotic pathogens. Different species play different roles in zoonoses. In this paper, we established a basic model to describe the zoonotic pathogen transmission from wildlife, to domestic animals, to humans. Then we put three strategies into the basic model to control the emerging zoonoses. Three strategies are corresponding to control measures of isolation, slaughter or similar in wildlife, domestic animals and humans respectively. We analyzed the effects of these three strategies on control reproductive numbers and equilibriums and we took avian influenza epidemic in China as an example to show the impacts of the strategies on emerging zoonoses in different areas at beginning.

Anti-Müllerian hormone and Oestradiol as markers of future reproductive success in juvenile gilts

There is a need for an early marker for reproductive success in gilts as the traditional process for selecting breeding females is inefficient. There is evidence that circulating anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is indicative of ovarian reserve, antral follicle populations, gonadotropin responsiveness and fertility in various species other than the pig. Additionally, oestradiol (E2) has been shown to mark antral follicle populations in cattle and pregnancy outcomes in women, after gonadotropin treatment. The aims of this study were to determine whether 1) serum levels of AMH or E2, prior to or after gonadotropin injection at 60, 80 or 100 days of age, and 2) hormonal changes in response to gonadotropin stimulation (i.e. declining, plateauing or increasing hormone levels), are associated with future reproductive success in juvenile gilts. Serum samples were obtained at 0, 2 and 4 days after injection and mating and litter data were collected until parity three. Results showed that, regardless of age group and parity, Day 0 E2 levels were positively associated with the probability of stillbirth (P = 0.035) and E2 levels on Day 0 (P = 0.032), Day 2 (P = 0.045) and Day 4 (P = 0.019) were negatively associated with the number of piglets born alive. Further, both a single measurement of serum AMH levels at Day 2 (P = 0.048) and the AMH response type were associated with gestation length (P = 0.012). These findings suggest that serum AMH and E2 levels can be used to inform the selection of gilts for the breeding herd.

Time-optimal control strategies in SIR epidemic models

We investigate the time-optimal control problem in SIR (Susceptible-Infected-Recovered) epidemic models, focusing on different control policies: vaccination, isolation, culling, and reduction of transmission. Applying the Pontryagin's Minimum Principle (PMP) to the unconstrained control problems (i.e. without costs of control or resource limitations), we prove that, for all the policies investigated, only bang-bang controls with at most one switch are admitted. When a switch occurs, the optimal strategy is to delay the control action some amount of time and then apply the control at the maximum rate for the remainder of the outbreak. This result is in contrast with previous findings on the unconstrained problems of minimizing the total infectious burden over an outbreak, where the optimal strategy is to use the maximal control for the entire epidemic. Then, the critical consequence of our results is that, in a wide range of epidemiological circumstances, it may be impossible to minimize the total infectious burden while minimizing the epidemic duration, and vice versa. Moreover, numerical simulations highlighted additional unexpected results, showing that the optimal control can be delayed also when the control reproduction number is lower than one and that the switching time from no control to maximum control can even occur after the peak of infection has been reached. Our results are especially important for livestock diseases where the minimization of outbreaks duration is a priority due to sanitary restrictions imposed to farms during ongoing epidemics, such as animal movements and export bans.

Can digital reinvention of ecological monitoring remove barriers to its adoption by practitioners? A case study of deer management in Scotland

Monitoring is one of the key tools employed to help understand the condition of the natural environment and inform the development of appropriate management actions. While international conventions encourage the use of standardised methods, the link between the information monitoring provides and local management needs is frequently overlooked. This problem is further exacerbated when monitoring is employed in areas where there are divergent interests among stakeholders in land use and management. Such problems are found in the management of wild deer across Scotland, where monitoring, in the form of habitat impact assessments, have been introduced as an innovation in sustainable deer management. However, the uptake of habitat impact assessments has been limited. We used deer management in Scotland as a case study to explore whether reinventing habitat impact assessments, and hosting the system on a familiar digital platform (a mobile phone) could help to remove perceived barriers to the implementation of assessments. Using the diffusion of innovations as a theoretical framework three sets of workshops were conducted with participants representing different stakeholder interests. While the proposed digital system did address perceived barriers to the conduct of habitat monitoring, in addition it revealed underlying concerns on the use and purpose of habitat monitoring as a tool in land management. Such concerns indicate friction between scientific and management perspectives, which need to be considered and addressed if monitoring is to become more widely acceptable as a tool to inform the management of natural resources.

Proximate and fatty acid composition of zebra (Equus quagga burchellii) muscle and subcutaneous fat

BACKGROUND

The meat from African game species is healthy, naturally produced and increasingly popular with consumers. Among these species, zebra (Equus quagga burchellii) are growing in number in South Africa, with the meat from surplus animals holding potential to contribute to food security and economic stability. Despite being consumed locally and globally, little information exists on the composition of zebra meat. This study aimed to determine the proximate composition of zebra meat as well as the fatty acid composition of the intramuscular (IMF) and subcutaneous (SCF) fat.

RESULTS

Zebra longissimus lumborum muscle was shown to have a high mean protein content (22.29 g per 100 g) and low mean fat content (1.47 g per 100 g). High proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were found in the IMF (41.15%) and SCF (37.71%), mainly comprising α-linolenic (C18:3n-3) and linoleic (C18:2n-6) acids. Furthermore, the IMF and SCF had favourable PUFA/saturated fatty acid ratios (>0.4) and omega-6/omega-3 ratios (<4), indicating that both components are healthy lipid food sources.

CONCLUSION

This study has shed new light on the nutritional value of zebra meat, which will not only be important for food product labelling, nutritional education and incorporation into food composition databases, but will also be indispensable for marketing and export purposes. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Genetic analysis and genomic selection of stayability and productive life in New Zealand ewes

Genetic parameters for ewes were estimated for stayability (STAY) and productive life (Prodlife). Records from 658,871 animals from 241 seed stock or ram breeder flocks and one research flock were used to estimate parameters for ram breeder flock STAY and Prodlife. These flocks would have a culling policy based on criteria typical of a commercial enterprise, but including culls based on knowledge such as estimated breeding values. A subset of 35,688 of these animals from 4 ram breeder and one research flock was used to infer the animals that might be culled based on the perspective of a commercial flock as these flocks recorded reasons for culling. These data were used to estimate parameters for commercial flock STAY and Prodlife. Heritability for ram breeder flock STAY until age 3 to 6 yr ranged from 0.07 to 0.09. The heritability of commercial flock STAY was similar in yr 5 and 6, but lower at 0.05 (age 3) and 0.07 (age 4). Heritability of Prodlife for ram breeder flock and commercial flock was respectively 0.10 and 0.13. The genetic correlations between ram breeder flock STAY and commercial flock STAY ranged from 0.20 to 0.99. Both STAY and Prodlife were most correlated genetically with the trait number of lambs born, at about 0.4, and to a lesser degree, live weight up to the age of 12 mo for the traits analyzed with lower genetic correlations estimated for the commercial flocks. Live weight at 18 mo and fleece weight had little or no correlation with STAY and Prodlife. From the data set used to estimate genetic parameters from a ram breeder flock, 4,330 animals were genotyped with the Illumina OvineSNP50 BeadChip and the genotypes used to develop genomic predictions via genomic best linear unbiased prediction. The animals used in the training data set were multibreed, but were heavily Romney breed based. The genomic prediction accuracy for ram breeder flock STAY, according to breed, was dependent on sample size and ranged from 0.4 to 0.44 for Romney and 0.26 to 0.4 for Coopworth. Accuracies for Perendale and Composites, for which sample sizes were less, were more variable. This study has derived genetic parameters for STAY and Prodlife and investigated genomic predictions for these traits. As these traits are of low heritability, sex limited and expressed late in life genomic selection will be useful.

Prevalence of and risk factors associated with ovine progressive pneumonia in Wyoming sheep flocks

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of antibodies against small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV), the causative agent of ovine progressive pneumonia (OPP), and to identify risk factors associated with OPP in Wyoming sheep flocks.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

ANIMALS

1,415 sheep from 54 flocks in Wyoming.

PROCEDURES

Flocks were surveyed as part of the National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) 2011 sheep study. Serum samples obtained from sheep in Wyoming were analyzed for anti-SRLV antibodies by use of a competitive-inhibition ELISA. The prevalence of seropositive animals overall and within each flock was calculated. Respective associations between flock OPP status and various demographic and management variables were assessed.

RESULTS

The estimated prevalence of sheep seropositive for anti-SRLV antibodies and OPP-infected flocks in Wyoming was 18.0% and 47.5%, respectively. Within OPP-infected flocks, the prevalence of seropositive sheep ranged from 3.9% to 96%. Flocks maintained on nonfenced range were more likely to be infected with OPP than were flocks maintained on fenced range (OR, 3.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 10.7). The estimated prevalence of OPP-infected flocks in Wyoming did not vary substantially from that at the regional or national level reported in the NAHMS 2001 sheep study. Compared with results of the NAHMS 2011 sheep study, Wyoming producers were more familiar with OPP than were other US sheep producers, but only 61% of Wyoming producers surveyed reported being very or somewhat familiar with the disease.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Results indicated that OPP is prevalent in many Wyoming sheep flocks, which suggested that continued efforts are necessary to increase producer knowledge about the disease and investigate practices to minimize economic losses associated with OPP.

Trailer temperature and humidity during winter transport of cattle in Canada and evaluation of indicators used to assess the welfare of cull beef cows before and after transport

The current study evaluated 17 loads of cull beef cows transported in Canadian winter conditions to assess in-transit temperature and humidity, evaluation of events during loading and unloading, and animal condition and bruising. Regardless of the use of boards to block ventilation holes in trailers, temperatures were higher within trailers than at ambient locations during both travel and stationary periods (P < 0.01). Boarding was associated with smaller differences in trailer temperature, compared with ambient conditions, while the trailer was traveling at highway speeds versus when trailers were stationary (P < 0.01). Moisture levels within trailers were not different from ambient conditions when loads using boarding were traveling (P < 0.01), whereas loads without boarding had a larger difference (P < 0.01). The moisture within trailers relative to ambient conditions increased when trailers were stationary compared with traveling when boarding was used (P < 0.01). The majority of cattle transported were in good body condition (97.4% within BCS of 2 to 3.5) and had calm temperaments (96.7%). Although all comparisons were made, only the doghouse compartment had an increased risk of severe bruising compared with all other compartments (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 3.0 [1.6–5.5], 3.7 [2.1–6.4], 2.2 [1.3–3.7] and 3.8 [1.5–9.6] in comparison with the back, belly, deck, and nose compartments, respectively; P < 0.05). Increasing the duration of waiting to unload 30 min relative to a 1 h duration increased the odds of severe bruising by 1.18 times (95% confidence interval: 1.09–1.29; P < 0.01). Scoring systems that have been developed for auditing unloading of cattle had limited variation across loads at both loading and unloading. Pretransport assessment of animal condition using the American Meat Institute’s compromised animal score was the only scoring system that was consistent with posttransport scores. We inferred from the temperature and humidity data in the current study that under commercial conditions, boarding may increase ventilation within trailers during travel and decrease ventilation during stationary periods. The current study provides the first indication that issues in Canadian cull cow transport may be related to pretransport animal condition and management of unloading.

BEEF SPECIES SYMPOSIUM: Can we build the cowherd by increasing longevity of females?

Increasing longevity of beef cows by decreasing the proportion culled due to reproductive failure provides an efficient process to rebuild a cow herd and can reduce number of replacements needed to sustain a constant herd size. Rate of reproductive failure varies due to cow age, where failure in cows 2 to 4 yr of age is often greater than in cows 5 to 7 yr of age. In addition, BW of cow and calf at weaning increase as cows advance from 2 to 5 yr of age. The cumulative effect of increasing retention of young cows is improved production efficiency through decreased replacement rate and changing age structure of the herd resulting in a greater proportion of cows at maximal production potential for calf BW at weaning and cow BW at time of culling. Calculations from cow age-specific culling and BW data from commercial and research herds indicated that reducing replacement rate from 18% to 14% resulted in a 23% increase in calf BW weaned and a 2% increase in cull cow BW per pregnant replacement heifer going into the herd. Although improving longevity increases production efficiency, genetic advancement in sustained reproductive function is challenging, as it is the sequential culmination of the annual repetition of numerous discrete physiological processes, each ending in a qualitative response. Successful completion of one process is prerequisite to evaluating subsequent processes. These physiological processes are subject to nutritional threshold requirements that may vary due to genetic potential for other production traits such as milk, growth, and mature size resulting in genetic-by-nutrition interactions. This is in contrast to most traits for which EPD exist, where genetic-by-environment interactions are not considered to be significant. Extensive research concerning impact of limited nutrition on reproduction has led to recommendations that heifers and cows be fed to a threshold BW or BCS to ensure reproductive success; a process that masks nutritional interactions that might otherwise result in reproductive failure. This management approach minimizes selection for animals capable of sustained reproductive function under limited nutritional environments. Rearing and managing cows under nutritionally limited environments may lead to adaptations that result in relatively high levels of reproductive success under lower input levels. Such adaptation may improve chances for longer retention in their offspring in nutrient-limited environments.

Conflict Misleads Large Carnivore Management and Conservation: Brown Bears and Wolves in Spain

Large carnivores inhabiting human-dominated landscapes often interact with people and their properties, leading to conflict scenarios that can mislead carnivore management and, ultimately, jeopardize conservation. In northwest Spain, brown bears Ursus arctos are strictly protected, whereas sympatric wolves Canis lupus are subject to lethal control. We explored ecological, economic and societal components of conflict scenarios involving large carnivores and damages to human properties. We analyzed the relation between complaints of depredations by bears and wolves on beehives and livestock, respectively, and bear and wolf abundance, livestock heads, number of culled wolves, amount of paid compensations, and media coverage. We also evaluated the efficiency of wolf culling to reduce depredations on livestock. Bear damages to beehives correlated positively to the number of female bears with cubs of the year. Complaints of wolf predation on livestock were unrelated to livestock numbers; instead, they correlated positively to the number of wild ungulates harvested during the previous season, the number of wolf packs, and to wolves culled during the previous season. Compensations for wolf complaints were fivefold higher than for bears, but media coverage of wolf damages was thirtyfold higher. Media coverage of wolf damages was unrelated to the actual costs of wolf damages, but the amount of news correlated positively to wolf culling. However, wolf culling was followed by an increase in compensated damages. Our results show that culling of the wolf population failed in its goal of reducing damages, and suggest that management decisions are at least partly mediated by press coverage. We suggest that our results provide insight to similar scenarios, where several species of large carnivores share the landscape with humans, and management may be reactive to perceived conflicts.

Vector and reservoir control for preventing leishmaniasis

BACKGROUND

Leishmaniasis is caused by the Leishmania parasite, and transmitted by infected phlebotomine sandflies. Of the two distinct clinical syndromes, cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) affects the skin and mucous membranes, and visceral leishmaniasis (VL) affects internal organs. Approaches to prevent transmission include vector control by reducing human contact with infected sandflies, and reservoir control, by reducing the number of infected animals.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of vector and reservoir control interventions for cutaneous and for visceral leishmaniasis.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the following databases to 13 January 2015: Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group Specialized Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS and WHOLIS, Web of Science, and RePORTER. We also searched trials registers for ongoing trials.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effects of vector and reservoir control interventions in leishmaniasis-endemic regions.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently searched for trials and extracted data from included RCTs. We resolved any disagreements by discussion with a third review author. We assessed the quality of the evidence using the GRADE approach.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 14 RCTs that evaluated a range of interventions across different settings. The study methods were generally poorly described, and consequently all included trials were judged to be at high or unclear risk of selection and reporting bias. Only seven trials reported clinical outcome data which limits our ability to make broad generalizations to different epidemiological settings and cultures. Cutaneous leishmaniasisOne four-arm RCT from Afghanistan compared indoor residual spraying (IRS), insecticide-treated bednets (ITNs), and insecticide-treated bedsheets, with no intervention. Over 15 months follow-up, all three insecticide-based interventions had a lower incidence of CL than the control area (IRS: risk ratio (RR) 0.61, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.38 to 0.97, 2892 participants, moderate quality evidence; ITNs: RR 0.32, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.56, 2954 participants, low quality evidence; ITS: RR 0.34, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.57, 2784 participants, low quality evidence). No difference was detected between the three interventions (low quality evidence). One additional trial of ITNs from Iran was underpowered to show a difference.Insecticide treated curtains were compared with no intervention in one RCT from Venezuela, where there were no CL episodes in the intervention areas over 12 months follow-up compared to 142 in control areas (RR 0.00, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.49, one trial, 2938 participants, low quality evidence).Personal protection using insecticide treated clothing was evaluated by two RCTs in soldiers, but the trials were underpowered to reliably detect effects on the incidence of CL (RR 0.40, 95% CI 0.13 to 1.20, two trials, 558 participants, low quality evidence). Visceral leishmaniasisIn a single RCT of ITNs versus no intervention from India and Nepal, the incidence of VL was low in both groups and no difference was detected (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.46 to 2.15, one trial, 19,810 participants, moderate quality evidence).Two trials from Brazil evaluated the effects of culling infected dogs compared to no intervention or IRS. Although they report a reduction in seroconversion over 18 months follow-up, they did not measure or report effects on clinical disease.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Using insecticides to reduce phlebotomine sandfly numbers may be effective at reducing the incidence of CL, but there is insufficient evidence from trials to know whether it is better to spray the internal walls of houses or to treat bednets, curtains, bedsheets or clothing.