Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv., 2004. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis (doctoral)--Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 162-177).

M. Tech. Policing / Residents in the Giyani Policing Area of Limpopo Province are witnessing a scourge of stock theft, with the inhabitants of surrounding communities living in fear and isolation for their livestock, and the protection and preservation, thereof. This study sets out to carefully analyse, and evaluate, the extent of stock theft in the Giyani Policing Area, taking all contributory factors into consideration, determining the relationship between the Giyani South African Police Service Stock Theft Unit and livestock owners, as well as looking at existing strategies (and their effectiveness) in response to stock theft crimes in that area.

Anaerobic digester (AD) technology is a form of renewable energy that’s economic feasibility assessment is required site by site. This thesis presents a freely available workbook to determine the financial feasibility of a farm-based AD and to demonstrate its use for the Ontario livestock sector. To assess the profitability of ADs for farmers in Ontario with uncertainty included the theory of real options is used. Investment in an AD is financially feasible only for the largest dairy farms in Ontario under current electricity prices, which are approximately six times greater than the wholesale price. Shifting to a duel fuel continuous system would improve returns, as would the availability of additional substrate material in the form of solid grease waste. The real options approach shows that even higher net returns are necessary, than indicated by more traditional approaches, in order for AD investments to be feasible for Ontario livestock farmers.

This thesis investigates how capacity development techniques, including training and group formation, can be leveraged to aid in new livelihood development for women living in rural areas who lack the resources necessary for agricultural livelihoods: lack arable land, labour, and capital. This study is situated as a case in an agroforestry development project. The study used multiple qualitative methods to identify how these micro-livestock rearing activities contributed to women’s practical and strategic needs. Key informant interviews (n=5); in-depth interviews, including ranking and scoring exercises, with beneficiaries (n=16); and participant observation all contributed to an in-depth understanding of the relevant phenomena. Interviews were coded and analyzed for key themes that emerged. The study focuses on how micro-livestock as a development intervention may contribute to increased capacities of women in the communities. The conclusions emphasize the importance of fostering knowledge exchange amongst beneficiaries for the maximization of tangible and intangible benefits.

A Study Of Texas Youth Livestock Exhibitors Knowledge Within The Constructs Of The Quality Counts Assessment. (August 2013) J. D. Ragland, B.S., M. S. Chairman of Advisory Committee: Dr. Steve Fraze. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the current Quality Counts program and assessment. This on-line training and assessment is a required program of completion for all youth exhibiting livestock at all major livestock shows in Texas. The studies additional purposes was to evaluate assessment results of participants within their respected age groups and club affiliation, and to identify their relationships of the four program objectives as well as the three research objectives outlined for this study to determine where curriculum improvements maybe needed. It was concluded that the Quality Counts program needs revision to be a more effective tool for youth exhibiting livestock.

The Elsenburg Merino flock has been divergently selected for the ability of ewes to rear multiple offspring since 1986. Updated genetic trends for reproduction are reported for the Elsenburg Merino resource flock. The objective was to determine whether genetic trends estimated previously for the Elsenburg Merino Resource flock changed significantly with the introduction of genetic material from the industry to the high (H) line. All analyses included the full pedigree file, consisting of 6547 individuals. Heritability estimates were 0.08 ± 0.02 for number of lambs weaned and 0.11 ± 0.02 for corrected weight of lamb weaned. The ewe permanent environment variance was estimated at 0.09 ± 0.02 and 0.11 ± 0.02 for number of lambs weaned and for corrected weight of lamb weaned, respectively. Genetic trends for the H and low (L) lines were divergent (P < 0.05) for all reproduction traits during the period prior to the observed breakpoints. Progress for number of lambs weaned in the H line stabilised after 1999 while a decline in response for weight of lamb weaned in the H line occurred after 2003. The change points may result from reduced selection intensity during the formation of reciprocal crossbred lines, or the introduction of unrelated industry sires in the H line. The pedigree was analysed and inbreeding trends computed for the H and L lines with the aim to test the significance of inbreeding within the lines. The software packages used for the statistical analyses were ENDOG v4.8 and POPREP web analysis software. The average inbreeding coefficients (F) were 1.47% and 0.73% for the divergently selected H and L lines. The rate of inbreeding (ΔF) per generation was 0.5% for the H line and 0.6% in the L line. The overall rates of inbreeding per generation were different in the H and L lines but within acceptable levels. The L line, however, showed an unwanted recent increase in inbreeding that will need to be considered in future. Since 2003, part of the Elsenburg Merino breeding flock was subjected to structured reciprocal within-breed crossing. Lamb survival traits and ewe reproductive performance of purebred (H and L) and reciprocal crosses (HxL and LxH) were evaluated using least squares analyses. Levels of heterosis were also assessed. The mean survival of the two crossbred lines was notably superior to the midparent value in absolute terms, although the contrast did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.098). Further research is required to establish whether this within breed heterosis for lamb survival can be exploited to decrease lamb losses. Reproduction, number of lambs born (NLB) and number of lambs weaned (NLW) in the H line was higher than in the L line (P < 0.05) while the two crossbred lines were intermediate and different from both the H line and the L line (P < 0.05) from the analyses of annual reproduction and overall “lifetime” reproduction across three lambing opportunities. Individual heterosis for annual reproduction was estimated at 2.2% for NLB, 13.8% for NLW and 8.5% for corrected weight of lamb weaned (TWW), with the estimate for NLW reaching significance (P < 0.05). Corresponding estimates for total production over three lambing opportunities were 8.7% for TNLB, 19.1% for TNLW and 13.8% for TTWW, with the estimate for NLW reaching significance (P < 0.05). Ten RAPD markers were used to study molecular divergence between the H and L lines. Phenotypic data on the lifetime reproduction of ewes born in 1999 and 2000 indicated that reproduction in the H line ewes was markedly higher than that of L line contemporaries (P < 0.01). The RAPD assay, conducted on 15 ewes from each line, used eight primers and produced 87% polymorphic loci. The mean coefficient of genetic differentiation between lines (Gst) was estimated to be 0.25. In conclusion, the H and L lines were shown to be divergent for genetic trends and levels of inbreeding. The derived estimates of heterosis may also be used to infer divergence between the lines and significant molecular divergence proven using RAPD assays. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.

Selected 4-H youth participated in the Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassador program. Forty six youth attended one of the 2011 Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassador Short Courses held on the campuses of Texas A&M University and Texas Tech University. The three-day short course is in an intense introduction of animal science principles delivered by university professors and staff, Texas AgriLife Extension faculty and industry representatives. Upon completing the short course, the students must contribute 30 hours to youth livestock projects and Texas animal agriculture. Two instruments were developed to evaluate the perceptions of the participants regarding their perceived impact of the program on: 1) livestock production knowledge gained, 2) career development, 3) understanding of higher education, and 4) leadership development. The students perceived the Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassador Program to increase their understanding of livestock production knowledge, career development, higher education and leadership development. The results of the study validate the need for advanced educational opportunities to develop high school aged 4-H members in the state of Texas.

Infection data were obtained monthly from June, 1999 to September, 2000 at the University ofKentucky dairy. Quarter foremilk samples were collected for bacteriological determination andsomatic cell counts (SCC). The Livestock Stress Index (LSI) estimated heat stress and is calculatedby combination of temperature and humidity. For uninfected quarters the geometric mean SCC was29,000 cells/ml. For infected quarters the geometric mean SCC was 213,000 cells/ml. Coagulasenegativestaphylococci (CNS) infections comprised 61 percent of the total infected quarters with ageometric mean SCC of 155,000 cells/ml. Staphylococcus aureus infected quarters had a geometricmean SCC of 680,000 cells/ml. There were no significant correlations between log SCC and LSIwhen looking at the total sample period. However, evaluating October, 1999 through September,2000, significant correlations were found for LSI and log SCC of uninfected quarters (P andlt; 0.05) and`infected quarters (P andlt; 0.0001). All correlation coefficients were less than 0.12. The results suggest nomarked changes in SCC were observed in uninfected quarters during hot summer weather. Hotsummer weather may have a minor impact on SCC in infected quarters, but the effect is variable.Thus, infection status of the mammary gland, not heat stress, is the major factor determining SCC.

The Holstein beef sector is a fascinating and integral part of the United States beefsystem; however, it has been largely overlooked in academic research. Holstein beef has longsuffered from perceptions that it is of poor quality. Recent changes in slaughter industrystructure, marketing systems, and production models have made the Holstein systemunbelievably complex. Coupled with econometric modeling, this sector analysis uses a semistructuredinterview approach to evaluate the reality of these perceptions, the impact of thesechanges, and to determine what truly drives the Holstein beef market. Results suggest that manyof the perceptions of Holstein beef are inaccurate; the market for Holstein steers was found to bequite similar to the market for native steers. Recent changes in production systems appear tohave been driven by changes in market preferences. Finally, the driving forces behind theHolstein market are not that different from the driving factors in the native cattle market,although some of the impacts were found to be different.