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Key drivers found for environmental adaptation in Ethiopian chickens
Results of a new study strongly suggests that during evolution, the DNA of indigenous Ethiopian village chickens has changed to develop traits that can help the birds cope with the climatic challenges they face in their local environments. Researchers found six key environmental drivers for adapt...Read more -
Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR)
Cause Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) is a highly contagious, infectious respiratory disease that is caused by Bovine Herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1). It can affect young and older cattle. In addition to causing respiratory disease, this virus can cause conjunctivitis, abortions, encephalitis, and ...Read more -
Fog Fever
Also known as Acute Bovine Pulmonary Edema and Emphysema (ABPEE). Fog fever is an acute pneumonia of adult cattle which occurs within four to 10 days of moving from an over grazed pasture or dry feed, to a fresh, lush green pasture. The condition develops rapidly. It typically occurs in Autumn, f...Read more -
Ethiopian scientists evaluate three chicken breeds in rural and small-scale systems
So how can producers find the right balance? In a recent study, a team of Ethiopia-based scientists investigated the on-farm growth and egg production performance of three exotic chicken breeds: Kuroiler, Sasso and Sasso-R. The scientists focused on whether these tropically-adapted breeds could s...Read more -
Environment drives DNA changes in Ethiopian chickens
Key environmental drivers for adaptation relate to temperature, which is associated with altitude, rainfall, which impacts water availability, as well as soil and land cover, which affect food availability for foraging chickens, scientists found. Regions of the genetic code of chickens are found ...Read more -
Correcting night blindness in dogs
People with congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB) are unable to distinguish objects in dim-light conditions. This impairment presents challenges, especially where artificial lighting is unavailable or when driving at night. In 2015, researchers from Penn’s School of Veterinary Medici...Read more -
Chickens Can Help Protect Humans from Malaria
Odours emitted by species such as chickens could provide protection for humans at risk of mosquito-transmitted diseases, according to a study in the open access Malaria Journal. Researchers at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia found that Anophele...Read more -
Calf Pneumonia
Cause Calf pneumonia is a major problem in dairy and beef herds. It is a multifactorial disease, and the most common post-mortem diagnosis in calves between one to five months of age. Infectious agents involved include Mannheimia haemolytica, Haemophilus somnus, Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis ...Read more -
Calf Diphtheria (Necrobacillosis)
What is calf diphtheria? There are two forms of calf diphtheria. The most common is an acute oral (mouth) infection, usually seen in calves less than 3 months old. The second form is usually seen in older calves and affects the larynx (or voice-box), Both forms are caused by the bacteria Fusobact...Read more -
Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD)
BVD is a common cause of respiratory and reproductive issues in the herd. It is a economically important disease in many countries, and problems realted to the disease are thought to be increasing in some areas. Although a disease in itself, BVD causes a number of transient infections which are o...Read more -
Bluetongue (BTV)
Bluetongue is an insect-borne, viral disease affecting sheep, cattle, deer, goats and camelids (camels, llamas, alpacas, guanaco and vicuña). Although sheep are most severely affected, cattle are the main mammal reservoir of the virus and are critical in the disease epidemiology. The disease is n...Read more -
Bacteriophages as a viable alternative to antibiotics in poultry
he moment of introducing antibiotics was a turning point in medicine. Antibiotics revolutionized the industry, displacing other methods of combating microorganisms, and contributed to the development of various medical therapies, e.g., chemotherapy, and transplantation. The phenomenon of antibiot...Read more -
Arizona Infection, Arizonosis
Introduction Caused by the bacterium Arizona hinshawii, renamed Salmonella Arizonae. It affects turkeys, mainly in North America, and is not present in the UK turkey population. Mortality is 10-50% in young birds, older birds are asymptomatic carriers. Transmission is vertical, transovarian, and ...Read more -
Anatipestifer Disease, New Duck Syndrome, Duck Septicaemia
Introduction An acute or chronic septicaemic disease caused by Riemerella anatipestifer, syn Pasteurella, or Moraxella a. It affects ducks of any age, sometimes turkeys, and may also be isolated from chickens, game birds and wild waterfowl. Mortality is 2-75% in young ducks. Transmission is mainl...Read more -
Amyloidosis
Introduction A Coronavirus infection of chickens with a morbidity of 50-100% and a mortality 0-25%, depending on secondary infections. Infection is via the conjunctiva or upper respiratory tract with an incubation period of 18-36 hours. The infection spreads rapidly by contact, fomites or aerosol...Read more -
WHY PIG HEARTS COULD BE IMPLANTED IN HUMANS WITHIN THREE YEARS
Pioneering surgeon who performed Britain’s first successful transplant 40 years ago says this could pave way for more complex procedure in future Pig hearts may be adapted for human use within three years in a breakthrough move that could clear the long donor list globally, a leading surgeon has ...Read more -
Tips for Improving Out-of-season Reproduction
For most, fall lambing in 2021 is in the far distance; however, timely planning now will foster future improvements. This article provides tips for improving out of season reproduction in sheep. Lamb supply is seasonal in nature and is explained largely by the seasonal nature of sheep reproductio...Read more -
TIPS FOR FEEDING NEW-BORN CALVES
Since new-born calves depend on milk for most of their energy needs, it is especially important to adjust the liquid ration for cold conditions. Here are some practical tips. “Calves are more susceptible to cold stress than older animals, due to their low body fat reserves and larger surface-area...Read more -
THE IMPORTANCE OF FLOCK UNIFORMITY
Flock uniformity is becoming an increasingly important driver for farmers and processors alike. However, until now there has been no definitive way of measuring or benchmarking this. With consumer demands increasing and supply chain pressures rising to provide a consistent end product, it’s impor...Read more -
Pirbright scientists use ground-breaking techniques to identify how a ruminant virus can adapt to infect human cells
Scientists from The Pirbright Institute have used a ground-breaking approach to identify that a morbillivirus that causes disease in small ruminants such as sheep and goats, known as peste des petits ruminants (a close relative of measles virus – the human morbillivirus), could, through minor cha...Read more -
Pirbright collaboration proves Rift Valley fever vaccine safe in pregnant animals
Collaborative research involving scientists from The Pirbright Institute has shown that a new vaccine, ChAdOx1 RVF, is effective at protecting pregnant sheep and goats from Rift Valley fever (RVF), a debilitating disease that can also be transmitted to humans. This work will also help progress th...Read more -
PIGLET ANAEMIA CAUSES AND PREVENTION
Piglet Anaemia also known as Iron Deficient Anaemia is a hypochromic-microcytic anaemia generally associated with young, rapidly growing piglets deprived of iron in their diet or from their environment. “The most common parameter to indicate iron-deficient anaemia is haemoglobin concentration. Wh...Read more -
Know the basics Starting a commercial beef herd from scratch
Commercial cattle farming forms the backbone of the beef industry in South Africa. Over the past few years, the demand for good-quality South African beef products, both at home and abroad, has continued on a steady upward curve. In many cases, cattle farming forms part of a diversified farming e...Read more -
PHYTOGENIC BLEND HELPS TO BOOST FEED STRATEGY AND IMPROVE PERFORMANCE
Phytogenic feed additives offer multiple benefits in terms of increased feed intake, improved gut health and – crucially for developing piglets – reduced incidence of diarrhea by Dr Ceinwen Evans, Danisco Animal Nutrition (IFF). With restrictions on the use of in-feed antibiotics introduced in a ...Read more
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