191 research outputs found
Livestock production and climate change CABI climate change series ;, 6./ edited by P.K. Malik, R. Bhatta, J. Takahashi, R.A. Kohn, C.S. Prasad.
No full textIncludes bibliographical references and index.In a changing climate, livestock production is expected to exhibit dual roles of mitigation and adaptation in order to meet the challenge of food security. This book approaches the issues of livestock production and climate change through three sections: I. Livestock production, II. Climate change and, III. Enteric methane amelioration. Section I addresses issues of feed quality and availability, abiotic stress (heat and nutritional) and strategies for alleviation, livestock generated nitrogen and phosphorus pollution, and approaches for harnessing the complex gut microbial diversity. Section.Overview / C.S. Prasad, P.K. Malik and R. Bhatta -- Feed Resources vis-à-vis Livestock and Fish Productivity in a Changing Climate / Michael Blümmel, Amare Haileslassie, Mario Herrero, Malcolm Beveridge, Michael Phillips and Petr Havlik -- Strategies for Alleviating Abiotic Stress in Livestock / V. Sejian, Iqbal Hyder, P.K. Malik, N.M. Soren, A. Mech, A. Mishra and J.P. Ravindra -- Nitrogen Emissions from Animal Agricultural Systems and Strategies to Protect the Environment / Richard A. Kohn -- Nutritional Strategies for Minimizing Phosphorus Pollution from the Livestock Industry / P.P. Ray and K.F. Knowlton -- Metagenomic Approaches in Harnessing Gut Microbial Diversity / A. Thulasi, Lyju Jose, M. Chandrasekharaiah, D. Rajendran and C.S. Prasad -- Proteomics in Studying the Molecular Mechanism of Fibre Degradation / N.K. Singh -- Perspective on Livestock-Generated GHGs and Climate / J. Takahashi -- Carbon Footprints of Food of Animal Origin / Gerhard Flachowsky -- Carbon Sequestration and Animal-Agriculture : Relevance and Strategies to Cope with Climate Change / C. Devendra -- Climate Change : Impacts on Livestock Diversity in Tropical Countries / S. Banik, P.K. Pankaj and S. Naskar -- Climate Change : Effects on Animal Reproduction / Jyotirmoy Ghosh, Sujoy K. Dhara and P.K. Malik -- Climate Change : Impact of Meat Production / Levi Mugalavai Musalia -- Indigenous Livestock Resources in a Changing Climate : Indian Perspective / S.P.S. Ahlawat, Pushpendra Kumar, Kush Shrivastava and N.R. Sahoo -- Enteric Methane Emission : Status, Mitigation and Future Challenges -- An Indian Perspective / Raghavendra Bhatta, P.K. Malik and C.S. Prasad -- Thermodynamic and Kinetic Control of Methane Emissions from Ruminants / Richard A. Kohn -- Ionophores : A Tool for Improving Ruminant Production and Reducing Environmental Impact / Natasha Bell, Tryon Wickersham, Vijay Sharma and Todd Callaway -- Residual Feed Intake and Breeding Approaches for Enteric Methane Mitigation / D.P. Berry, J. Lassen and Y. de Haas -- Acetogenesis as an Alternative to Methanogenesis in the Rumen / Emma J. Gagen, Stuart E. Denman and Christopher S. McSweeney -- Immunization and Tannins in Livestock Enteric Methane Amelioration / Yutaka Uyeno -- Phage Therapy in Livestock Methane Amelioration / Rosalind A. Gilbert, Diane Ouwerkerk and Athol V. Klieve -- Feed-based Approaches in Enteric Methane Amelioration / P.K. Malik, R. Bhatta, N.M. Soren, V. Sejian, A. Mech, K.S. Prasad and C.S. Prasad -- Methanotrophs in Enteric Methane Mitigation / N.M. Soren, P.K. Malik and V. Sejian -- Summary / P.K. Malik, R. Bhatta, M. Saravanan and L. Baruah.1 online resource (xi, 395 pages)
Dairy production in an urbanizing environment-Typology and linkages in the megacity of Bengaluru, India
No full textUrbanization is a main driver of agricultural transition in the Global South but how it shapes trends of intensification or extensification is not yet well understood. The Indian megacity of Bengaluru combines rapid urbanization with a high demand for dairy products, which is partly supplied by urban and peri-urban dairy producers. To study the impacts of urbanization on dairy production and to identify key features of dairy production systems across Bengaluru's rural-urban interface, 337 dairy producers were surveyed on the socio-economic profile of their household, their dairy herd and management, resources availability and, in- and output markets. A two-step cluster analysis identified four spatially explicit dairy production systems based on urbanization level of their neighborhood, reliance on self-cultivated forages, pasture use, cattle in- and outflow and share of specialized dairy genotypes. The most extensive dairy production system, common to the whole rural-urban interface, utilized publicly available feed resources and pasture grounds rather than to cultivate forages. In rural areas, two semi-intensive and one intensive dairy production systems relying on self-cultivation of forage with or without pasture further distinguished themselves by their herd and breeding management. In rural areas, the village's dairy cooperative, which also provided access to inputs such as exotic genotype through artificial insemination, concentrate feeds and health care, was often the only marketing channel available to dairy producers, irrespective of the dairy production system to which they belonged. In urban areas, milk was mostly sold through direct marketing or a middleman. Despite rapidly progressing urbanization and a population of 10 million, Bengaluru's dairy sector still relies on small-scale family dairy farms. Shifts in resources availability, such as land and labor, are potential drivers of market-oriented intensification but also extensification of dairy production in an urbanizing environment.Open-Access-Publikationsfonds 202
Phenotypic Dairy Cattle Trait Expressions in Dependency of Social-Ecological Characteristics along Rural–Urban Gradients
No full textThe aim of the present study was to infer phenotypic trait expressions via mixed modeling considering both social and ecological continuous descriptors simultaneously. In this regard, we selected a challenging heterogeneous social-ecological environment, with focus on the rising megacity Bangalore, located in southern India. Dairy traits from 517 dairy cattle were recorded in 121 herds, equally distributed along a southern and a northern rural–urban gradient of Bangalore, distinguishing between urban, mixed, and rural areas. Repeated records from three visits per herd included production traits (daily milk yield in liter: MY), energy efficiency indicators (body condition score: BCS), cow wellbeing indicators (udder hygiene score: UddHS, upper leg hygiene score: ULHS, hock assessment score: HAS, rectal temperature in °C: RT), and health traits (locomotion score: LS, subclinical mastitis: SubMast). Associations between a continuous rural–urban gradient and phenotypic trait expressions were analyzed via mixed modeling, additionally considering “classic” environmental explanatory variables such as climatic conditions. MY and BCS were higher in urban than in rural areas, associated with reduced SubMast and improved hygiene scores for UddHS and ULHS. Scores for wellbeing indicators HAS and LS were unfavorable for cows in urban areas, indicating poor leg health conditions in that area. In rural areas, least-squares means for RT were quite large, probably due to the scarcity of shading and heat insulation of the barns. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study disentangling phenotypic trait expressions in the context of social-ecological heterogeneity, contributing to a deeper understanding of physiological mechanisms underlying genotype by environment interactions
Enteric Methane Emissions of Dairy Cattle Considering Breed Composition, Pasture Management, Housing Conditions and Feeding Characteristics along a Rural-Urban Gradient in a Rising Megacity
No full textGreenhouse gas emissions from livestock farming and in particular enteric methane (CH4) from ruminants are criticized for being one of the main contributors to climate change. Different breeding, feeding and management strategies are tested to decrease these emissions, but a status quo analysis is also relevant to implement such measures. The present study aimed to analyze the concentration of CH4 in air exhaled by dairy cows along a rural-urban gradient of Bangalore, India. Urban, mixed and rural areas were defined based on a survey stratification index (SSI) comprising build-up density and distance to the city center. Using a laser methane detector (LMD), CH4 concentration was determined in 2-min spot measurements of exhaled air of 448 cows at three equally spaced visits between June 2017 and April 2018. Mean, maximum and CH4 concentration per duration of the overall measurement, eructation and respiration bouts were calculated. For the overall mean and respiration bouts, CH4 concentration was higher in cows from urban areas, which had also higher milk yield than cows from mixed and rural areas. Although no differences were found in terms of the intake level of fibrous diet components, the type of measurement location (indoor, half-outdoor or outdoor) and pasture access had an impact on CH4 concentration. To our knowledge, this is the first study using the LMD on-farm and in an urbanizing environment. The LMD measurements show variations in enteric CH4 emissions along the rural-urban gradient of Bangalore that reflect differences in dairy husbandry systems governed by the social-ecological context
Differences in enteric methane emissions across four dairy production systems in the urbanizing environment of an Indian megacity
No full textLow- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are rapidly urbanizing, leading to a high demand for high-quality animal products. Production increase is seen as a key to meeting this demand and reducing the global environmental impact of low-yielding dairy production system (DPS) often found in LMICs. Therefore, the present study assesses the relationship between enteric methane emissions and different dairy production strategies, taking DPS in the rural–urban interface of Bengaluru, an Indian megacity, as a case study. Twenty-eight dairy farms, evenly distributed across four DPS, were monitored for 1 year (eight visits at 6-week intervals). Following IPCC 2006 guidelines and a Tier 2 approach, enteric methane emissions from dairy cattle were calculated as carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2 eq). Dairy producers in ExtDPS, an extensive DPS found throughout the rural–urban interface of Bengaluru, fed their dairy cattle a high-quality diet, partly based on organic wastes from markets or neighbors, achieving 9.4 kg energy-corrected milk (ECM) per cow and day. Dairy producers in Semi-ADPS, a semi-intensive and rural DPS, fed an average quality diet and achieved the lowest milk production (7.9 kg ECM cow−1 day−1; p < 0.05). Dairy producers in Semi-BDPS, another semi-intensive and rural DPS, relied on average quality but more abundant feedstuffs and achieved a production of 10.0 kg ECM cow−1 day−1. A similar milk yield (10.1 kg ECM cow−1 day−1) was achieved by IntDPS, an intensive and rural DPS. The intensity of enteric methane emissions was the highest in Semi-BDPS (1.38 kg CO2-eq kg−1 ECM; p < 0.05), lowest in ExtDPS (0.79 kg CO2-eq kg−1 ECM; p < 0.05), and intermediate in semi-ADPS and IntDPS. The results highlight the close relationship between the intensity of enteric methane emissions and the intensification strategies chosen by dairy producers based on locally available resources. They also underline the importance of region- and system-specific environmental assessments of production systems in LMICs
Seasonal variation in heavy metal intake and excretion by dairy cattle in an Indian megacity
No full textUrbanisation threats to dairy cattle health: Insights from Greater Bengaluru, India
No full textAbstract Complex urbanisation dynamics, on the one hand, create a high demand for animal products, and on the other hand put enormous pressure on arable land with negative consequences for animal feed production. To explore the impact of accelerated urbanisation on dairy cattle health in urban farming systems, 151 farmers from different parts of the Greater Bengaluru metropolitan area in India were individually interviewed on aspects addressing cattle management and cattle health. In addition, 97 samples of forages from the shores of 10 different lakes, and vegetable leftovers used in cattle feeding were collected for nutritional analysis. Along with the use of cultivated forages, crop residues, and concentrate feed, 47% and 77% of the farmers occasionally or frequently used lake fodder and food leftovers, respectively. Nutritionally, lake fodder corresponded to high-quality pasture vegetation, but 43% of the samples contained toxic heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and lead above official critical threshold levels. Therefore, lake fodder may affect cows’ health if consumed regularly; however, heavy metal concentrations varied between lakes ( P < 0.05), but not between fodder types ( P > 0.05). Although 60% of the interviewed farmers believed that their cows were in good health, logit model applications revealed that insufficient drinking water supply and the use of lake fodder negatively impacted cattle health ( P < 0.05). While it remains unknown if regular feeding of lake fodder results in heavy metal accumulation in animal products, farmers and farm advisors must address this and other urbanization-related challenges to protect cattle health. Graphical abstractDeutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100001659Universität Kassel http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/50110001268
Unraveling the Genomic Association for Milk Production Traits and Signatures of Selection of Cattle in a Harsh Tropical Environment
No full textA study was designed to identify the genomic regions associated with milk production traits in a dairy cattle population reared by smallholder farmers in the harsh and challenging tropical savanna climate of Bengaluru, India. This study is a first-of-its-kind attempt to identify the selection sweeps for the dairy cattle breeds reared in such an environment. Two hundred forty lactating dairy cows reared by 68 farmers across the rural–urban transiting regions of Bengaluru were selected for this study. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed to identify candidate genes for test-day milk yield, solids-not-fat (SNF), milk lactose, milk density and clinical mastitis. Furthermore, the cross-population extended haplotype homozygosity (XP-EHH) methodology was adopted to scan the dairy cattle breeds (Holstein Friesian, Jersey and Crossbred) in Bengaluru. Two SNPs, rs109340659 and rs41571523, were observed to be significantly associated with test-day milk yield. No significant SNPs were observed for the remaining production traits. The GWAS for milk lactose revealed one SNP (rs41634101) that was very close to the threshold limit, though not significant. The potential candidate genes fibrosin-like 1 (FBRSL) and calcium voltage-gated channel auxiliary subunit gamma 3 (CACN) were identified to be in close proximity to the SNP identified for test-day milk yield. These genes were observed to be associated with milk production traits based on previous reports. Furthermore, the selection signature analysis revealed a number of regions under selection for the breed-group comparisons (Crossbred-HF, Crossbred-J and HF-J). Functional analysis of these annotated genes under selection indicated pathways and mechanisms involving ubiquitination, cell signaling and immune response. These findings point towards the probable selection of dairy cows in Bengaluru for thermotolerance
Selective Sweeps in Cattle Genomes in Response to the Influence of Urbanization and Environmental Contamination
No full textA genomic study was conducted to identify the effects of urbanization and environmental contaminants with heavy metals on selection footprints in dairy cattle populations reared in the megacity of Bengaluru, South India. Dairy cattle reared along the rural–urban interface of Bengaluru with/without access to roughage from public lakeshores were selected. The genotyped animals were subjected to the cross-population–extended haplotype homozygosity (XP-EHH) methodology to infer selection sweeps caused by urbanization (rural, mixed, and urban) and environmental contamination with cadmium and lead. We postulated that social-ecological challenges contribute to mechanisms of natural selection. A number of selection sweeps were identified when comparing the genomes of cattle located in rural, mixed, or urban regions. The largest effects were identified on BTA21, displaying pronounced peaks for selection sweeps for all three urbanization levels (urban_vs_rural, urban_vs_mixed and rural_vs_mixed). Selection sweeps are located in chromosomal segments in close proximity to the genes lrand rab interactor 3 (RIN3), solute carrier family 24 member 4 (SLC24A4), tetraspanin 3 (TSPAN3), and proline-serine-threonine phosphatase interacting protein 1 (PSTPIP1). Functional enrichment analyses of the selection sweeps for all three comparisons revealed a number of gene ontology (GO) and KEGG terms, which were associated with reproduction, metabolism, and cell signaling-related functional mechanisms. Likewise, a number of the chromosomal segments under selection were observed when creating cattle groups according to cadmium and lead contaminations. Stronger and more intense positive selection sweeps were observed for the cadmium contaminated group, i.e., signals of selection on BTA 16 and BTA19 in close proximity to genes regulating the somatotropic axis (growth factor receptor bound protein 2 (GRB2) and cell ion exchange (chloride voltage-gated channel 6 (CLCN6)). A few novel, so far uncharacterized genes, mostly with effects on immune physiology, were identified. The lead contaminated group revealed sweeps which were annotated with genes involved in carcass traits (TNNC2, SLC12A5, and GABRA4), milk yield (HTR1D, SLCO3A1, TEK, and OPCML), reproduction (GABRA4), hypoxia/stress response (OPRD1 and KDR), cell adhesion (PCDHGC3), inflammatory response (ADORA2A), and immune defense mechanism (ALCAM). Thus, the findings from this study provide a deeper insight into the genomic regions under selection under the effects of urbanization and environmental contamination
Adaptation strategies to counter climate change impact on sheep
No full textClimate change has proved to impose potential negative effects on species survival, ecosystems stability and sustainable livestock production around the globe. Among the various environmental factors, heat stress is well known for its harmful effects on livestock and related production losses. Sheep exposed to heat stress show lower body growth and hide quality and compromised reproductive functions in both males and females. Adapting to the changing climate requires appropriate manipulations in the production system by taking into account the positive effects and attempting to diminish the negative effects of climate change. The highly adapted indigenous breeds identified by marker-assisted selection can be used as an efficient tool for developing thermotolerant breeds through improved breeding programmes. Promotion of such breeds can improve production efficiency and may lead to fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Further, the local people, especially women, are good managers of natural resources and possess excellent skills to utilize the natural resources efficiently. Hence, occasional training and a participatory research approach into the roles of women assist the tackling of climate change in the rural areas. In addition, well-organized early warning systems avoid severe damage due to unexpected disasters by providing sufficient time to prepare effective responses. Development of skilled disease surveillance supported with effective health services may effectively control the spread of climate change-related diseases in sheep. Furthermore, the production system requires improved water resource management to provide sufficient water for sheep production in the arid and semi-arid regions. Cultivation of drought-tolerant fodder varieties in extremely hot areas is an efficient adaptive strategy to ensure sufficient supply of feed during scarcity periods. Finally, strengthening extension services and building awareness through capacity-building programmes helps the livestock keepers to improve their adaptive capacities against climate change. Adaptation strategies related to cold stress include advanced cold-tolerant breeding programmes, migration in extreme winter and adoption of proper cold management practices. According to the predictions by various international bodies, the consequences of climate change will be on the rise in the future. Hence, adequate cost-effective management strategies appear to be the immediate need of the hour for adapting sheep production systems to the changing climate
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