As tecnologias baseadas em sensores estão cada vez mais disponíveis e podem ser usadas para coletar informações detalhadas sobre o comportamento animal. Com esta informação é possível avaliar o ritmo circadiano de variáveis comportamentais e monitorar sua resposta. A identificação de variações na resposta deste ritmo tem o potencial de detectar problemas de saúde e questões de bem-estar animal. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar os ritmos circadianos comportamentais como uma nova abordagem para monitorar ovelhas em sistemas extensivos e estudar a emissão de metano, eficiência alimentar e crescimento de novilhos de corte. Este trabalho foi composto por dois experimentos (ovinos e bovinos). Foram utilizados cochos automatizados e sensores de atividade baseados em acelerômetro para coletar informações detalhadas do comportamento ingestivo (bovinos) e do comportamento de atividade (ovinos e bovinos), juntamente com as características de desempenho animal. Estes dados foram utilizados para calcular a percentagem de comportamento cíclico harmônico/sincronizado a cada período de 24 h. Essa porcentagem é chamada de grau de acoplamento funcional (DFC) e é calculada com uso de um período móvel de sete dias. No experimento com ovinos, um total de 29 ovelhas Scottish Blackface foram monitoradas por quatro semanas em cada estação do ano, em sistema extensivo nas terras altas da Escócia. Dados meteorológicos foram coletados diariamente. Modelos estatísticos de regressão com efeito aleatório foram utilizados para avaliar a variação da resposta entre indivíduos. Houve uma forte dinâmica criada pelas estações do ano e pelo ciclo produtivo/fisiológico das ovelhas. Durante a primavera e o verão, o desvio padrão do DFC foi um melhor estimador do ganho de peso quando comparado ao índice de moção. A combinação da análise do DFC e o agrupamento de indivíduos com base em sua resposta às variáveis ambientais oferece potencial para obter informações relevantes para o manejo do rebanho. O experimento de bovinos foi conduzido com duas dietas contrastantes (volumoso: concentrado 8:92 e 50:50) e duas raças (40 mestiços Charolês e 40 Luing). Os padrões diurnos de ingestão e atividade foram altamente sincronizados. O ritmo circadiano da atividade foi importante para explicar as diferentes emissões de metano entre indivíduos, independente da raça ou dieta, e também teve ligação com a eficiência alimentar e o crescimento dos novilhos. Este trabalho mostra a importância dos ritmos circadianos comportamentais e como essas abordagens podem melhorar a qualidade e o significado dos dados provenientes de sensores automatizados. / Sensor-based technologies are becoming increasingly available and can be used to gather detailed information about animal behaviour. With this information it is possible to assess animal behavioural circadian rhythm and monitor its response. Identifying breakdowns of this rhythm has the potential to detect health problems and animal welfare issues. The aim of this work was to study the behavioural circadian rhythms as a novel approach to monitor sheep in extensive systems and to study the differences between beef steers production traits, in methane emission, feed efficiency and growth. This work consisted of two experiments, one dealing with sheep in an extensive system and the other with housed beef steers. Automated feed intake equipment and accelerometer-based activity sensors were used to collect detailed information on feed intake (for cattle) and activity behaviour (for sheep and cattle), alongside animal performance characteristics. These data were used to calculate the percentage of cyclic behaviour that is harmonic/synchronized to each 24 h period as Degree of Functional Coupling (DFC) shown within rolling seven day periods. In the sheep experiment, in total twenty-nine Scottish Blackface ewes were monitored for four consecutive weeks in each season across a full year, in an extensive system on Scottish upland pastures. Weather data were collected daily. Random regression statistical models were used to assess between-individual variation in response to the weather. There was a strong dynamic created by the seasons and by the production and physiological cycle in sheep in these high latitude systems. Over the spring and summer period, the variation in the response of DFC was a better estimator of BWG (Body Weight Gain) than the use of a simple motion index. The combination of circadian rhythm analysis and the clustering of individuals into groups based around their regression response to environmental variables provides considerable potential to glean information relevant for group and individual animal management. The cattle experiment was conducted with two contrasting diets (concentrate-based and mixed diet) and two breeds (40 crossbred Charolais and 40 purebred Luing). The diurnal patterns of feeding and activity behaviours were strong and highly synchronised. Activity rhythmicity was well suited to show up differences between individual methane emissions independent of breed or diet, and it was also well related to important production traits as feed efficiency and growth of beef steers. This work shows the importance of the behavioural circadian rhythms and that these approaches may enhance the quality and meaningfulness of data coming from automated sensors.

In rural Punjab of Pakistan, women from small farm families have a huge role to play in realizing the potential that the country has in livestock sector to flourish. The study presents the current socio-economic condition of women livestock raisers, the extent and nature of their participation in livestock management activities, the impact of women's participation on their families' welfare, and the factors affecting their participation in livestock management activities. The type and size of the family, respondent's age, distant location of the village from the city, and the overall developmental status of the district had their impact on different aspects of rural women's status. At each of the three geographical levels, women respondent's participation level in livestock management activities was multiple of that of their husbands' level. Cultural norms, gendered division of labor, availability of family labor, and the physical condition of the participant were found more operative in determining the nature and level of participation of the family labor in livestock management activities. Participation of the family labor, various aspects of women's status, livestock related factors, and economic factors were the main causes identified as the factors affecting women's participation in livestock management activities. Improving women's role in livestock management and production is essential in improving overall family's health, education, income, and food security. The results signify the need for geographical targeting and the importance of using a gendered approach in the agricultural development programs.

Die Nutztierhaltung in Nordwestdeutschland befindet sich derzeit in dem empfindlichen Dilemma zwischen den wirtschaftliche Erfordernissen, welche der internationale Strukturwandel in der Nutztierhaltung an die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit stellt, und den derzeitigen Entwicklungspotentialen in der Region. Zum einen begrenzen die natürlichen Potentiale eine weiter ansteigende räumliche Verdichtung der Nutztierhaltung. Des Weiteren hat sich das gesellschaftliche Anforderungspotential an die Landwirtschaft als auch an den ländlichen Raum geändert und forciert keinen weiteren Anstieg der Nutztierhaltung. Die Bedingungen durch die hohe Tierdichte verlangen zunehmend, dass in Nordwestdeutschland eine nachhaltige Ausrichtung der Nutztierhaltung in höherem Maße verankert wird. Die vorliegende Arbeit beschreibt hierfür wesentliche Herausforderungen der Nutztierhaltung in den Bereichen Umweltschutz, der Tiergerechtheit intensiver Haltungssysteme und regionale Ressourcenkonflikte. Umweltschutz: Die Stoffdynamik von Stickstoff (N) und Phosphor (P) sämtlicher Betriebsgüter wurde auf sechs intensiven schweinehaltenden Betrieben über einen Zeitraum von 5 Jahren analysiert. Es wurde deutlich, dass die hohe Leistung und die leistungsbezogene Fütterung sich positiv auf Nährstoffeffizienz in der Tierhaltung auswirken, im Pflanzenbau jedoch Defizite bestehen. Insbesondere die Wahrnehmung der anfallenden Menge tierischer Exkremente als (N, P) Dünger ist unzureichend. Die Düngewirkung des Wirtschaftsdüngers [Unterschätzung N = 7,6 % (10,6 kg/ha), P = 33,6 % (11,6 kg/ha)], aber auch die Anwendung von Mineraldünger [N um 4,1 % (8,1 kg/ha), P um 12,7 % (1,5 kg/ha)] wurden deutlich unterschätzt. Als Folge hatten die Betriebe große Nährstoffverluste (104,5 kg N/ha; 11,7 kg P/ha) zu verzeichnen. Die Studie bewertet die kritischen Aspekte des Nährstoff-Managements und diskutiert mögliche Verbesserungen für die Zukunft. Tiergerechtheit intensiver Haltungssysteme: Auf drei Mastbetrieben intensiver Haltungsformen wurden jeweils sechs Analysen (wöchentlich) mit dem Bewertungssystem nach Welfare Quality® durchgeführt, um aufzuzeigen, inwiefern dieses geeignet ist, die Tiergerechtheit in intensiven Haltungssystemen zu analysieren. Es wird die Durchführbarkeit des Systems bewertet und analysiert, welche Rückschlüsse sich durch die Bewertung auf die Tiergerechtheit intensiver Haltungsformen ziehen lassen. In der Gesamtbewertung (excellent, enhanced, acceptable or not classified) wurden 72,3 % aller Untersuchungen der zweiten Bewertungskategorie "enhanced" zugeordnet, während 27,7 % die dritte Kategorie 7. Zusammenfassung 79 "akzeptabel" erreichten. Die Hauptkritikpunkte waren eine unzureichende Wasserversorgung, vorhandene Schleimbeutelentzündungen durch die Besatzdichte und das Ausleben natürlicher Verhaltensweisen. Die Untersuchung zeigt, dass das Bewertungssystem grundsätzlich geeignet ist, die Tiergerechtheit in intensiven Haltungssystemen zu analysieren, jedoch scheinen nicht alle Messungen (insbesondere im Bereich „Good Housing“ und „Good Health“) empfindlich genug zu sein, um Unterschiede der Tiergerechtheit zwischen intensiven Haltungssystemen in ausreichendem Maße bewerten zu können. Weitere Analysen mit einer größeren Anzahl von Betrieben sind hier nötig. Die Arbeit diskutiert mögliche Ansatzpunkte für die Verbesserung der Tiergerechtheit intensiver Haltungssysteme und greift hierbei auch die derzeitige gesellschaftliche Diskussion auf. Wachsende Konkurrenz um begrenzte regionale Ressourcen: Die Studie stellt dar, welche Anreizmechanismen und Konflikte die Nutztierhalter als regionale Indikatoren für die Zukunftsfähigkeit des Standortes wahrnehmen. Auf Grundlage der theoretischen Erklärungsansätze für Auswirkungen von intensiven Tierhaltungsregionen ist ein Fragebogen konzipiert worden, welcher in Form einer Onlinebefragung bei 137 Landwirten in der gesamten Region Nordwestdeutschlands durchgeführt wurde. Es wird deutlich, dass sich die Nutztierhaltung, mit den regionalen Herausforderungen einer zunehmend verdichteten Tierhaltung deutlicher konfrontiert sieht, als vorteilhafte Produktionsbedingung wahrgenommen werden. Als bedeutende Ressourcenkonflikte sind eine ansteigende Flächenknappheit für die Verwertung des Wirtschaftsdüngers, die Anforderungen durch den Natur- und Landschaftsschutz als auch eine ansteigende Standortproblematik für Bauvorhaben ausschlaggebend. Im Gegensatz zu dieser hohen Wahrnehmung negativer Auswirkungen des Produktionsstandortes in Nordwestdeutschland wird noch erhebliches Potential für weitere Erweiterungsmöglichkeiten der Tierbestände in Nordwestdeutschland gesehen. Zugleich werden der intensiven Tierhaltung in Nordwestdeutschland auch bedeutende vorteilhafte Produktionsbedingungen zugesprochen. Die Nutzeffekte werden vor allem im human- und social-Kapital gesehen werden. Diese Elemente verursachen jedoch ebenso ein geringes geografisches Reaktionsvermögen auf die zunehmenden Problemstellungen und lassen die Raumnutzungskonflikte weiter ansteigen. Durch die Wahrnehmung der Standortauswirkungen trägt die Arbeit dazu bei, die Anforderungen der Nutztierhalter an die Produktionsbedingungen in der Regionalentwicklung stärker zu berücksichtigen und bestehenden Problemstellungen entgegenzuwirken.

Thesis (MScEng (Industrial Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In terms of its contribution to the agricultural economic activity in Namibia, the small stock industry is the most important sector, second only to the beef industry. This sector makes a significant contribution to the agricultural business in Namibia due to the sector’s exports, its provision of employment, use of natural resources, contribution to GDP and to consumer spending as well as food security. Agricultural activities in Namibia contributed 5.5 percent to Namibia’s GDP, while 70 percent of the population relies on agriculture for employment and day-to-day living. Livestock farming in Namibia is free ranging on natural pastures and therefore produces high-quality meat that is in high demand in both the national and international markets. Small stock production in Namibia is unstable due to the high variability of weather patterns, changes in economic and social environments, unpredictable droughts as well as political and structural changes. Due to the decline in mutton production over the last years, research in the supply economics of the mutton industry in Namibia is important. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships between the various price and non-price factors contributing to the supply dynamics within the mutton industry in Namibia. Two hypotheses are tested with the aid of econometric modelling techniques on monthly time series data. The Autoregressive Distributed Lag approach to co-integration was used to determine the long-run and short-run supply response elasticities towards economic and climatology factors. Results showed a significant long-run relationship between the average Namibian mutton producer price and mutton supply. Results revealed that a one percent increase in the mutton producer price leads to a 1.97 percent increase in mutton supply. Beef producer price, a substitute product to mutton, showed a significant negative long-run effect towards mutton production whereas rainfall showed a meaningful positive long-run contribution to mutton supply. These supply shifters towards mutton production also showed significant short-run elasticities. Results further revealed that the system takes nearly two months to recover to the long-run supply equilibrium, should any disturbances occur within the supply system. The study showed that price-related and climatological factors play a major role in the Namibian mutton production industry. Industry stakeholders and policy makers should therefore incorporate these significant relationships between supply shifters and production output into future decisions and marketing policies to secure a healthy, growing and sustainable mutton industry in Namibia. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In terme van bydrae tot die landboubedryf in Namibië is die kleinveebedryf die tweede belangrikste sektor, net kleiner as die land se grootveebedryf. Die sektor maak ‘n betekenisvolle bydrae tot die landboubedryf in Namibië deur middel van werkskepping, die gebruik van natuurlike hulpbronne, bydrae tot Bruto Binnelandse Produk, uitvoere, verbruikersbesteding sowel as voedselsekerheid. Landbou-aktiwiteite dra by tot 5,5 persent van die Bruto Binnelandse Produk van ‘n land waar meer as 70 persent van die bevolking afhanklik is van landbou om ‘n bestaan te kan maak. Veeboerdery in Namibië geskied ekstensief op natuurlike veld wat lei tot die produksie van ‘n hoë kwaliteit produk, wat hoog in aanvraag is in plaaslike en internasionale markte. Kleinvee produksie in Namibië is onstabiel as gevolg van fluktuasies in weerpatrone, veranderings in ekonomiese en sosiale omgewings, onvoorspelbare droogtes asook politieke- en struktuurveranderinge. As gevolg van die huidige afname in skaapvleis produksie is navorsing in die aanbodkantekonomie van die skaapvleisbedryf belangrik in Namibië. Die doel van hierdie studie is om die verwantskap te ondersoek tussen verskeie prys en nie-prys faktore wat bydra tot die aanboddinamika van die skaapvleisbedryf. Twee hipoteses word getoets met behulp van ekonometriese modelleringstegnieke op maandelikse tydreeksdata. ‘n Outoregressiewe verspreide sloeringbenadering tot ko-integrasie is gebruik om die langtermyn en korttermyn elastisiteite tussen ekonomiese en klimaatsfaktore vir die aanbod van skaapvleis te bepaal. Resultate dui op ‘n betekenisvolle langtermyn verwantskap tussen die gemiddelde Namibiese produsente prys en skaapvleis produksie. Resultate wys daarop dat ‘n een persent styging in skaapvleis produsente prys ‘n 1,97 persent styging in skaapvleis aanbod het. Die beesvleis produsente prys, ‘n substituut vir skaapvleis, het ‘n beduidende negatiewe effek getoon oor die langtermyn op skaapvleis produksie. Reënval het ‘n beduidende positiewe bydrae getoon ten opsigte van skaapvleis aanbod. Hierdie aanbodsfaktore het betekenisvolle korttermyn elastisiteite getoon. Resultate het ook getoon dat die stelsel twee maande neem om te herstel tot die langtermyn aanbodsewewig, sou daar enige drastiese veranderings in die stelsel plaasvind. Die studie het getoon dat prysverwante en klimaatsfaktore ‘n uiters prominente rol speel met betrekking tot skaapvleisproduksie in Namibië. Bedryfsaandeelhouers en politieke leiers sal hierdie betekenisvolle verwantskappe tussen produksie faktore en aanbod uitset in ag moet neem in toekomstige beplanning en bemarkingsbeleid om ‘n gesonde, groeiende en volhoubare skaapvleisbedryf in Namibië te verseker.

QUEIROZ, Renata Fernandes de. Consórcio de milho com Urochloa ruziziensis em dois espaçamentos e modalidades de semeadura. 2015. 89 f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Engenharia Agrícola)-Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, 2015. / Submitted by Vitor Campos (vitband@gmail.com) on 2016-10-14T23:27:31Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2015_dis_rfqueiroz.pdf: 2279790 bytes, checksum: 5aa49814b60355abfea133d8e78be0a5 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Jairo Viana (jairo@ufc.br) on 2016-10-18T18:50:29Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2015_dis_rfqueiroz.pdf: 2279790 bytes, checksum: 5aa49814b60355abfea133d8e78be0a5 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-10-18T18:50:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2015_dis_rfqueiroz.pdf: 2279790 bytes, checksum: 5aa49814b60355abfea133d8e78be0a5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / The no tillage system (SPD) is a conservation practice that aims to more sustainable production system and is able to be reproduced in large areas of land. The maize grown in SPD says the culture of compatibility in consortium with forage, mainly with fodder generic taxon Urochloa that have great potential for the production of straw without interfering in grain production. The objective of this study was to identify the appropriate spatial arrangement for the maize crop in consortium with Urochloa ruziziensis taking into account productive aspects of grain, straw and operating the mechanized sowing system. The experiment was conducted experimental area of the Laboratory of Machines and Agricultural Mechanization of UNESP / Jaboticabal- SP, in Rhodic Eutrudox, clayey in the period from January to July of 2014 with experimental design randomized blocks with eight treatments in scheme factorial 2x3 + 2, with four repetitions. The treatments consisted of two spacings of maize (0.45 and 0.90 m) and three types of Urochloa ruziziensis consortium with corn (Urochloa sown at line; Urochloa throwing sowing at the sowing of maize, Urochloa throwing sowing at V4 stage of maize) + Witness (single maize): E1M1- maize spaced 0.45 m intercropped with Urochloa ruziziensis sown at maize line; E1M2 - sown maize on 0.45 m spacing intercropped with Urochloa ruziziensis throwing sowing at sowing of maize; E1M3 - maize sown in 0.45 m spacing with Urochloa ruziziensis sown by broadcasting at V4 stage of maize; E2M1- maize spaced 0.90 m intercropped with Urochloa ruziziensis sown at maize line; E2M2 - sown maize on 0.45 m spacing intercropped with Urochloa ruziziensis throwing sowing at sowing of maize; E2M3 - maize sown in 0.90 m spacing with Urochloa ruziziensis sown by broadcasting at V4 stage of maize; T1 - single maize sown in the spacing of 0.45 m; T2 - single maize sown in the spacing of 0.90 m. The results showed that intercropping maize to 0.90 m with Urochloa ruziziensis at sowing line provided better grain production results without interfering with the production of plant dry matter of Urochloa and getting better results for the operating conditions of mechanized sowing. / O sistema plantio direto (SPD) é uma prática conservacionista que visa maior sustentabilidade do sistema produtivo e é capaz de ser reproduzida em grandes extensões de área. O milho cultivado em SPD relata a compatibilidade da cultura em consórcio com forrageiras, principalmente com forrageiras do táxon genérico Urochloa que possuem grande potencial para produção de palhada sem interferir na produção de grãos. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi identificar o arranjo espacial adequado para a cultura do milho em consórcio com a Urochloa ruziziensis levando em consideração aspectos produtivos de grãos, palhada e operacionais do sistema mecanizado de semeadura. O experimento foi instalado área experimental do Laboratório de Máquinas e Mecanização Agrícola da UNESP/Jaboticabal-SP, em Latossolo Vermelho eutroférrico típico, textura argilosa, no período de janeiro a julho do ano de 2014 com delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados com 8 tratamentos em esquema fatorial 2x3+2, com 4 repetições. Os tratamentos foram constituídos por dois espaçamentos da cultura do milho (0,45 e 0,90 m) e três modalidades de consórcio da Urochloa ruziziensis com o milho (Urochloa semeada na linha; Urochloa semeada a lanço junto à semeadura do milho, Urochloa semeada a lanço no estádio V4 do milho) + Testemunha (milho solteiro): E1M1- milho no espaçamento 0,45 m consorciado com Urochloa ruziziensis semeada na linha junto a semeadura do milho; E1M2 – milho semeado no espaçamento 0,45 m consorciado com Urochloa ruziziensis semeada a lanço junto a semeadura do milho; E1M3 - milho semeado no espaçamento 0,45 m com Urochloa ruziziensis semeada a lanço no estádio V4 do milho; E2M1- milho no espaçamento 0,90 m consorciado com Urochloa ruziziensis semeada na linha junto a semeadura do milho; E2M2 – milho semeado no espaçamento 0,90 m consorciado com Urochloa ruziziensis semeada a lanço junto a semeadura do milho; E2M3 - milho semeado no espaçamento 0,90 m com Urochloa ruziziensis semeada a lanço no estádio V4 do milho; T1- milho solteiro semeado no espaçamento de 0,45 m; T2 – milho solteiro semeado no espaçamento de 0,90 m. Os resultados demonstraram que a consorciação do milho a 0,90 m com Urochloa ruziziensis na linha de semeadura proporcionaram melhores resultados de produção de grãos sem interferir na produção de matéria seca vegetal da Urochloa e obtendo melhores resultados para as condições mecanizadas operacionais de semeadura.

As tecnologias baseadas em sensores estão cada vez mais disponíveis e podem ser usadas para coletar informações detalhadas sobre o comportamento animal. Com esta informação é possível avaliar o ritmo circadiano de variáveis comportamentais e monitorar sua resposta. A identificação de variações na resposta deste ritmo tem o potencial de detectar problemas de saúde e questões de bem-estar animal. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar os ritmos circadianos comportamentais como uma nova abordagem para monitorar ovelhas em sistemas extensivos e estudar a emissão de metano, eficiência alimentar e crescimento de novilhos de corte. Este trabalho foi composto por dois experimentos (ovinos e bovinos). Foram utilizados cochos automatizados e sensores de atividade baseados em acelerômetro para coletar informações detalhadas do comportamento ingestivo (bovinos) e do comportamento de atividade (ovinos e bovinos), juntamente com as características de desempenho animal. Estes dados foram utilizados para calcular a percentagem de comportamento cíclico harmônico/sincronizado a cada período de 24 h. Essa porcentagem é chamada de grau de acoplamento funcional (DFC) e é calculada com uso de um período móvel de sete dias. No experimento com ovinos, um total de 29 ovelhas Scottish Blackface foram monitoradas por quatro semanas em cada estação do ano, em sistema extensivo nas terras altas da Escócia. Dados meteorológicos foram coletados diariamente. Modelos estatísticos de regressão com efeito aleatório foram utilizados para avaliar a variação da resposta entre indivíduos. Houve uma forte dinâmica criada pelas estações do ano e pelo ciclo produtivo/fisiológico das ovelhas. Durante a primavera e o verão, o desvio padrão do DFC foi um melhor estimador do ganho de peso quando comparado ao índice de moção. A combinação da análise do DFC e o agrupamento de indivíduos com base em sua resposta às variáveis ambientais oferece potencial para obter informações relevantes para o manejo do rebanho. O experimento de bovinos foi conduzido com duas dietas contrastantes (volumoso: concentrado 8:92 e 50:50) e duas raças (40 mestiços Charolês e 40 Luing). Os padrões diurnos de ingestão e atividade foram altamente sincronizados. O ritmo circadiano da atividade foi importante para explicar as diferentes emissões de metano entre indivíduos, independente da raça ou dieta, e também teve ligação com a eficiência alimentar e o crescimento dos novilhos. Este trabalho mostra a importância dos ritmos circadianos comportamentais e como essas abordagens podem melhorar a qualidade e o significado dos dados provenientes de sensores automatizados. / Sensor-based technologies are becoming increasingly available and can be used to gather detailed information about animal behaviour. With this information it is possible to assess animal behavioural circadian rhythm and monitor its response. Identifying breakdowns of this rhythm has the potential to detect health problems and animal welfare issues. The aim of this work was to study the behavioural circadian rhythms as a novel approach to monitor sheep in extensive systems and to study the differences between beef steers production traits, in methane emission, feed efficiency and growth. This work consisted of two experiments, one dealing with sheep in an extensive system and the other with housed beef steers. Automated feed intake equipment and accelerometer-based activity sensors were used to collect detailed information on feed intake (for cattle) and activity behaviour (for sheep and cattle), alongside animal performance characteristics. These data were used to calculate the percentage of cyclic behaviour that is harmonic/synchronized to each 24 h period as Degree of Functional Coupling (DFC) shown within rolling seven day periods. In the sheep experiment, in total twenty-nine Scottish Blackface ewes were monitored for four consecutive weeks in each season across a full year, in an extensive system on Scottish upland pastures. Weather data were collected daily. Random regression statistical models were used to assess between-individual variation in response to the weather. There was a strong dynamic created by the seasons and by the production and physiological cycle in sheep in these high latitude systems. Over the spring and summer period, the variation in the response of DFC was a better estimator of BWG (Body Weight Gain) than the use of a simple motion index. The combination of circadian rhythm analysis and the clustering of individuals into groups based around their regression response to environmental variables provides considerable potential to glean information relevant for group and individual animal management. The cattle experiment was conducted with two contrasting diets (concentrate-based and mixed diet) and two breeds (40 crossbred Charolais and 40 purebred Luing). The diurnal patterns of feeding and activity behaviours were strong and highly synchronised. Activity rhythmicity was well suited to show up differences between individual methane emissions independent of breed or diet, and it was also well related to important production traits as feed efficiency and growth of beef steers. This work shows the importance of the behavioural circadian rhythms and that these approaches may enhance the quality and meaningfulness of data coming from automated sensors.

Les trypanosomoses animales africaines transmises par les glossines sont une des principales contraintes pathologiques au développement et à l’intensification de l’élevage en Afrique sub-saharienne. Leur contrôle repose sur deux grandes stratégies : la lutte autonome par les éleveurs qui vise à contrôler la maladie de manière à permettre une production rentable, et l’intervention étatique centralisée qui vise dans la plupart des cas l’éradication du vecteur et de la maladie. Cette seconde stratégie s’est amplifiée récemment dans le cadre de la campagne pan-africaine d’éradication des glossines et des trypanosomoses (PATTEC), coordonnée par l’Union Africaine. Je me suis attachée à caractériser les capacités d’innovation des éleveurs face au risque de santé animale et réciproquement à l’effet du contrôle du risque sur les trajectoires d’innovation des éleveurs. Le terrain d’étude a concerné deux pays d’Afrique de l’Ouest: le Burkina Faso et le Sénégal. Au Sénégal, nous avons développé une approche coûts-bénéfices originale d’un projet d’éradication, et montré que les bénéfices attendus dépendent essentiellement de l’innovation, grâce aux gains de productivité dus à la transition des systèmes d’élevage utilisant la race Djakoré trypanotolérante vers des systèmes d’élevage améliorés utilisant des races plus productives trypanosensibles. Au Burkina Faso (bassin du Mouhoun), les objectifs étaient de caractériser la perception du risque par les éleveurs, les stratégies autonomes de lutte et leurs capacités à adopter une nouvelle méthode de lutte contre les glossines, le pédiluve insecticide. Enfin, pour comprendre et anticiper l’impact de l’évolution du risque trypanosomien sur les trajectoires d’innovation des éleveurs et améliorer l’évaluation économique de la campagne d’éradication au Sénégal, une analyse croisée de 10 études de cas a permis d’identifier puis de caractériser les dynamiques locales d’innovation, les logiques d’action et les indicateurs de capacités d’innovation des différents groupes d’éleveurs. Dans les deux sites d’étude, le dynamisme des réseaux socio-techniques auxquels appartiennent les éleveurs et leurs manières de le mobiliser permettent de comprendre l’impact de ce risque sanitaire sur les capacités d’innovation des éleveurs. Ces processus ont été étudiés en mobilisant une théorie de l’innovation, la SAR (sociologie de l’Acteur-Réseau) et en combinant des méthodes d’enquêtes par questionnaire, d’épidémiologie participative et une analyse compréhensive socio-technique inspirée de la méthode du GERDAL (Groupe d’Expérimentation et de Recherche, Développement et Actions Localisées). En perspective, les avancées liées à ce travail dans le domaine de l’hybridation des sciences vétérinaires et sociales sont discutées, et des pistes d’amélioration possibles sont proposées. Un des principaux enseignements de cette thèse est d’ordre méthodologique : une piste est proposée pour l’hybridation de méthodes d’épidémiologie participative et d’une analyse compréhensive socio-technique basée sur les apports de la SAR et du GERDAL. / African animal trypanosomosis, transmitted by tsetse flies, are among the main animal health constraints to the development and intensification of cattle production in sub-Saharan Africa. Their control relies on two major strategies: the farmer-based control aiming at controlling the disease in order to allow a cost-effective production, and the centralized state intervention mostly targeting the eradication of the vector and the disease. This second strategy recently spread in the framework of the Pan African Tsetse and Trypanosomosis Eradication Campaign (PATTEC), coordinated by the African Union. I aimed to characterize the innovation capacities of livestock producers facing this animal health risk and vice versa the effect of risk control on innovation trajectories of livestock farmers. The study area concerned two west african countries: Burkina Faso and Senegal. In Senegal, we developed an original cost-benefit approach of the eradication program, and showed that the expected benefits mainly relie on innovation, thanks to the productivity benefits resulting from the shift from livestock breeding systems using the trypanotolerant Djakoré breed toward improved livestock breeding systems using more productive trypanosensible cattle breeds. In Burkina Faso (Mouhoun basin), the goals were to characterize the risk assessment by livestock producers, farmer-based control strategies and their capacities to adopt a new control method against tsetse flies, the insecticide footbath. At last, in order to understand and predict the impact of the evolution of the trypanosomosis risk on innovation trajectories of livestock producers and to improve the economic analysis of the eradication campaign in Senegal, a cross-sectional analysis of 10 case studies allowed identifying and characterizing the local dynamics of innovation, the rationales for action and the indicators of innovation capacities of the different groups of livestock producers. In the two study areas, the dynamism of socio-technical networks which livestock farmers belonged to and the ways they were mobilized allowed to understand the impact of this animal health risk on innovation capacities of the livestock producers. These processes were studied by mobilizing an innovation theory, the ANT (Actor Network Theory) and combining inquiry methods by questionnaires, methods of participatory epidemiology and a comprehensive socio-technical analysis inspired from the GERDAL’s method (Groupe d’Expérimentation et de Recherche, Développement et Actions Localisées). In perspective, advances linked to this work in the field of the hybridization between veterinary and social sciences are discussed, and few potential ways of improvement are proposed. One of the mains learning of this thesis is about methods: a pathway is proposed for hybridization of methods of participatory epidemiology and a comprehensive socio-technical analysis based on the inputs of SAR and GERDAL methods.

As tecnologias baseadas em sensores estão cada vez mais disponíveis e podem ser usadas para coletar informações detalhadas sobre o comportamento animal. Com esta informação é possível avaliar o ritmo circadiano de variáveis comportamentais e monitorar sua resposta. A identificação de variações na resposta deste ritmo tem o potencial de detectar problemas de saúde e questões de bem-estar animal. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar os ritmos circadianos comportamentais como uma nova abordagem para monitorar ovelhas em sistemas extensivos e estudar a emissão de metano, eficiência alimentar e crescimento de novilhos de corte. Este trabalho foi composto por dois experimentos (ovinos e bovinos). Foram utilizados cochos automatizados e sensores de atividade baseados em acelerômetro para coletar informações detalhadas do comportamento ingestivo (bovinos) e do comportamento de atividade (ovinos e bovinos), juntamente com as características de desempenho animal. Estes dados foram utilizados para calcular a percentagem de comportamento cíclico harmônico/sincronizado a cada período de 24 h. Essa porcentagem é chamada de grau de acoplamento funcional (DFC) e é calculada com uso de um período móvel de sete dias. No experimento com ovinos, um total de 29 ovelhas Scottish Blackface foram monitoradas por quatro semanas em cada estação do ano, em sistema extensivo nas terras altas da Escócia. Dados meteorológicos foram coletados diariamente. Modelos estatísticos de regressão com efeito aleatório foram utilizados para avaliar a variação da resposta entre indivíduos. Houve uma forte dinâmica criada pelas estações do ano e pelo ciclo produtivo/fisiológico das ovelhas. Durante a primavera e o verão, o desvio padrão do DFC foi um melhor estimador do ganho de peso quando comparado ao índice de moção. A combinação da análise do DFC e o agrupamento de indivíduos com base em sua resposta às variáveis ambientais oferece potencial para obter informações relevantes para o manejo do rebanho. O experimento de bovinos foi conduzido com duas dietas contrastantes (volumoso: concentrado 8:92 e 50:50) e duas raças (40 mestiços Charolês e 40 Luing). Os padrões diurnos de ingestão e atividade foram altamente sincronizados. O ritmo circadiano da atividade foi importante para explicar as diferentes emissões de metano entre indivíduos, independente da raça ou dieta, e também teve ligação com a eficiência alimentar e o crescimento dos novilhos. Este trabalho mostra a importância dos ritmos circadianos comportamentais e como essas abordagens podem melhorar a qualidade e o significado dos dados provenientes de sensores automatizados. / Sensor-based technologies are becoming increasingly available and can be used to gather detailed information about animal behaviour. With this information it is possible to assess animal behavioural circadian rhythm and monitor its response. Identifying breakdowns of this rhythm has the potential to detect health problems and animal welfare issues. The aim of this work was to study the behavioural circadian rhythms as a novel approach to monitor sheep in extensive systems and to study the differences between beef steers production traits, in methane emission, feed efficiency and growth. This work consisted of two experiments, one dealing with sheep in an extensive system and the other with housed beef steers. Automated feed intake equipment and accelerometer-based activity sensors were used to collect detailed information on feed intake (for cattle) and activity behaviour (for sheep and cattle), alongside animal performance characteristics. These data were used to calculate the percentage of cyclic behaviour that is harmonic/synchronized to each 24 h period as Degree of Functional Coupling (DFC) shown within rolling seven day periods. In the sheep experiment, in total twenty-nine Scottish Blackface ewes were monitored for four consecutive weeks in each season across a full year, in an extensive system on Scottish upland pastures. Weather data were collected daily. Random regression statistical models were used to assess between-individual variation in response to the weather. There was a strong dynamic created by the seasons and by the production and physiological cycle in sheep in these high latitude systems. Over the spring and summer period, the variation in the response of DFC was a better estimator of BWG (Body Weight Gain) than the use of a simple motion index. The combination of circadian rhythm analysis and the clustering of individuals into groups based around their regression response to environmental variables provides considerable potential to glean information relevant for group and individual animal management. The cattle experiment was conducted with two contrasting diets (concentrate-based and mixed diet) and two breeds (40 crossbred Charolais and 40 purebred Luing). The diurnal patterns of feeding and activity behaviours were strong and highly synchronised. Activity rhythmicity was well suited to show up differences between individual methane emissions independent of breed or diet, and it was also well related to important production traits as feed efficiency and growth of beef steers. This work shows the importance of the behavioural circadian rhythms and that these approaches may enhance the quality and meaningfulness of data coming from automated sensors.

A constante influência humana em atividades de manejo animal, além de aumentar os custos de produção, torna-se uma adicional fonte geradora de estresse sobre os animais. Nesse sentido, é necessária a busca pelo desenvolvimento de métodos alternativos de acompanhamento, à distância e em tempo real, das condições físicas dos animais, em conjunto com o controle das instalações. Para a identificação da condição de conforto ou estresse calórico dos animais, alguns indicativos podem vir a auxiliar, tais como a temperatura retal (TR), sendo esse um bom indicador da temperatura do núcleo corporal, bem como, a frequência respiratória (FR). Porém, com a crescente preocupação em relação ao bem-estar animal, vários questionamentos são feitos acerca de métodos invasivos, motivando a busca por alternativas à mensuração da TR. Surge então, como variável alternativa, a temperatura da superfície corporal, buscando-se correlacioná-la com a TR e FR. Sendo assim, com essa pesquisa objetivou-se identificar a região mais adequada da superfície corporal dos suínos, em fase de creche, que apresente a melhor correlação com a TR e FR. Para tal, foi conduzido um experimento, dividido em duas etapas: etapa 1) pré-experimento, sendo conduzido com dois animais em câmara climática, variando-se as condições de temperatura e testando-se métodos de fixação de sensores e coleta de dados inicialmente propostos; e etapa 2) experimento principal. Este último foi conduzido em uma câmara climática, com cinco leitões da raça Landrace x Large White, com 30 dias de idade, provenientes de uma mesma ninhada e do mesmo sexo (fêmea). Variaram-se as condições de temperatura no interior da câmara climática de 14°C a 35,5°C, de modo a atingir situações de estresse tanto por frio quanto por calor, sendo calculada a entalpia para os propósitos do presente estudo. O delineamento estatístico utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, com um único fator, a entalpia ambiente, com sete níveis (31,26; 39,56; 51,12; 59,24; 74,82; 82,96; 94,26 kJ.kg de ar seco-1). Foram realizadas medidas repetidas em intervalos de 30 minutos, em seis diferentes regiões corporais: cabeça (A), paleta (B), lombo (C), pernil (D), orelha (E) e timpânica (F). Para as regiões de A a E foram utilizados dois métodos de medida diferentes: datalogger de temperatura Thermochron iButton® - DS1921G e outro via termômetro de infravermelho Fluke® 566. Para a região F, utilizou-se um termômetro de infravermelho de testa e ouvido G-Tech - T1000. Todos com cinco repetições das medidas para cada variável, em cada situação ambiente. Com os resultados obtidos foi possível propor equações de regressão múltipla para a TR e FR, sendo esta última apontada pela análise de componentes principais como a melhor candidata a correlações com as temperaturas da superfície corporal e por ser um bom indicador da situação de estresse térmico. Por meio desses resultados foi possível observar que a região timpânica mostrou-se como a melhor opção para acompanhamento tanto da TR quanto da FR via termômetro de infravermelho (TiF), enquanto que ao utilizar sensores de temperatura da superfície corporal, a melhor opção foi a orelha (TbE) para predição de TR, e a região do lombo (TbC) para predição de FR. / Human constant influence in handling activities, besides raising production costs, becomes another stress source for the animals. In this sense, it becomes necessary the development of alternative methods, that can remotely monitor, in real time, animal\'s physical conditions, together with remote facilities control. In terms of identifying comfort or stressful thermal situations for animals, some indicators can be handy, such as rectal temperature (RT), which is a good indicator of the core body temperature, as well as, the respiratory rate (RR). Although, with the raising concerns about animal welfare, several questions are raised against invasive methods, encouraging the search for alternatives to RT measuring. The determination of body surface temperature values, trying to correlate them to RT and RR, emerges as an alternative. Thus, it\'s aimed, with this research, to identify the most adequate swine body surface region, in nursery phase, which presents better correlation with RT and RR. For that, an experiment was conducted, divided in two stages: stage 1) pre-experiment, being conducted with two animals in a climate chamber, varying temperature conditions and testing sensor fixation and data collection methods previously proposed; and stage 2) main experiment. The last one was conducted in a climate chamber, with five Landrace x Large White piglets, 30 days aged, from the same litter and of the same sex (female). Temperature conditions inside the chamber were varied from 14°C to 35.5°C, attaining stressful situations both for cold and heat, being calculated the enthalpy for this study purposes. The statistical design used was the completely randomized, with one factor only, the ambient enthalpy, in seven levels (31.26; 39.56; 51.12; 59.24; 74.82; 82.96; 94.26 kJ.kg of dry air-1). Repeated measures were taken in 30 minutes intervals, in six different body regions: head (A), shoulder (B), loin (C), ham (D), ear (E) and tympanic (F). For regions from A to E, two different methods were used: temperature datalogger Thermochron iButton® - DS1921G and infrared thermometer Fluke® 566. For region F, a forehead and ear infrared thermometer G-Tech - T1000 was used. All of them had five replicates of measures for each variable, in each environment situation. With the obtained data, it was possible to propound multiple regression equations for RT and RR, the last one being shown by principal components analysis as a better candidate to correlate to body surface temperatures and because it\'s a good indicator of the animal\'s thermal stress situation. By means of these results it was possible to observe that the tympanic region arises as the better option for monitoring RT and RR through infrared thermometer (TiF), while when using body surface temperature sensors, the best option was the ear (TbE) for predicting RT, and the loin region (TbC) for predicting RR.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico / The no tillage system (SPD) is a conservation practice that aims to more sustainable production system and is able to be reproduced in large areas of land. The maize grown in SPD says the culture of compatibility in consortium with forage, mainly with fodder generic taxon Urochloa that have great potential for the production of straw without interfering in grain production. The objective of this study was to identify the appropriate spatial arrangement for the maize crop in consortium with Urochloa ruziziensis taking into account productive aspects of grain, straw and operating the mechanized sowing system. The experiment was conducted experimental area of the Laboratory of Machines and Agricultural Mechanization of UNESP / Jaboticabal- SP, in Rhodic Eutrudox, clayey in the period from January to July of 2014 with experimental design randomized blocks with eight treatments in scheme factorial 2x3 + 2, with four repetitions. The treatments consisted of two spacings of maize (0.45 and 0.90 m) and three types of Urochloa ruziziensis consortium with corn (Urochloa sown at line; Urochloa throwing sowing at the sowing of maize, Urochloa throwing sowing at V4 stage of maize) + Witness (single maize): E1M1- maize spaced 0.45 m intercropped with Urochloa ruziziensis sown at maize line; E1M2 - sown maize on 0.45 m spacing intercropped with Urochloa ruziziensis throwing sowing at sowing of maize; E1M3 - maize sown in 0.45 m spacing with Urochloa ruziziensis sown by broadcasting at V4 stage of maize; E2M1- maize spaced 0.90 m intercropped with Urochloa ruziziensis sown at maize line; E2M2 - sown maize on 0.45 m spacing intercropped with Urochloa ruziziensis throwing sowing at sowing of maize; E2M3 - maize sown in 0.90 m spacing with Urochloa ruziziensis sown by broadcasting at V4 stage of maize; T1 - single maize sown in the spacing of 0.45 m; T2 - single maize sown in the spacing of 0.90 m. The results showed that intercropping maize to 0.90 m with Urochloa ruziziensis at sowing line provided better grain production results without interfering with the production of plant dry matter of Urochloa and getting better results for the operating conditions of mechanized sowing. / O sistema plantio direto (SPD) à uma prÃtica conservacionista que visa maior sustentabilidade do sistema produtivo e à capaz de ser reproduzida em grandes extensÃes de Ãrea. O milho cultivado em SPD relata a compatibilidade da cultura em consÃrcio com forrageiras, principalmente com forrageiras do tÃxon genÃrico Urochloa que possuem grande potencial para produÃÃo de palhada sem interferir na produÃÃo de grÃos. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi identificar o arranjo espacial adequado para a cultura do milho em consÃrcio com a Urochloa ruziziensis levando em consideraÃÃo aspectos produtivos de grÃos, palhada e operacionais do sistema mecanizado de semeadura. O experimento foi instalado Ãrea experimental do LaboratÃrio de MÃquinas e MecanizaÃÃo AgrÃcola da UNESP/Jaboticabal-SP, em Latossolo Vermelho eutrofÃrrico tÃpico, textura argilosa, no perÃodo de janeiro a julho do ano de 2014 com delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados com 8 tratamentos em esquema fatorial 2x3+2, com 4 repetiÃÃes. Os tratamentos foram constituÃdos por dois espaÃamentos da cultura do milho (0,45 e 0,90 m) e trÃs modalidades de consÃrcio da Urochloa ruziziensis com o milho (Urochloa semeada na linha; Urochloa semeada a lanÃo junto à semeadura do milho, Urochloa semeada a lanÃo no estÃdio V4 do milho) + Testemunha (milho solteiro): E1M1- milho no espaÃamento 0,45 m consorciado com Urochloa ruziziensis semeada na linha junto a semeadura do milho; E1M2 â milho semeado no espaÃamento 0,45 m consorciado com Urochloa ruziziensis semeada a lanÃo junto a semeadura do milho; E1M3 - milho semeado no espaÃamento 0,45 m com Urochloa ruziziensis semeada a lanÃo no estÃdio V4 do milho; E2M1- milho no espaÃamento 0,90 m consorciado com Urochloa ruziziensis semeada na linha junto a semeadura do milho; E2M2 â milho semeado no espaÃamento 0,90 m consorciado com Urochloa ruziziensis semeada a lanÃo junto a semeadura do milho; E2M3 - milho semeado no espaÃamento 0,90 m com Urochloa ruziziensis semeada a lanÃo no estÃdio V4 do milho; T1- milho solteiro semeado no espaÃamento de 0,45 m; T2 â milho solteiro semeado no espaÃamento de 0,90 m. Os resultados demonstraram que a consorciaÃÃo do milho a 0,90 m com Urochloa ruziziensis na linha de semeadura proporcionaram melhores resultados de produÃÃo de grÃos sem interferir na produÃÃo de matÃria seca vegetal da Urochloa e obtendo melhores resultados para as condiÃÃes mecanizadas operacionais de semeadura.