Heat stress poses a significant challenge in communal feedlot systems, affecting cattle welfare and productivity. This study evaluated the impact of shade and water-cooling interventions on thermophysiological stress reduction and growth performance in 60 cattle from communal feedlots. Physiological indicators (rectal temperature, skin temperature, respiration rate) along growth metrics (feed intake, average daily gain [ADG]) were analyzed using regression and principal component analysis (PCA) to identify key drivers of performance.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAntibiotics (Basel)
November 2024
Frequent use of colistin (COL) and tetracyclines in the Nigerian poultry sector potentially triggers bacterial resistance against COL and tigecycline (TIG), which are last-line antibiotics used to treat multidrug-resistant infections. This study aimed to isolate COL- and TIG-resistant . from commercial day-old chicks distributed to poultry farmers in Nsukka Southeastern Nigeria, assess the production of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenemase by the isolates, and establish their pathogenic potentials.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe perceptions of farmers regarding communal feedlots and their role in reducing enteric methane emissions have received limited attention in research. This study aims to examine farmers' perceptions, assess awareness, and identify barriers to adopting feedlots as a climate-smart practice to enteric methane emissions in rural communities in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. 161 structured, paper-based questionnaires were distributed among smallholder cattle farmers around three feedlot locations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFStock theft is a persistent and widespread problem affecting farmers in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. This study aimed to explore farmers' perceptions of stock theft in the region. A mixed methods approach was used to collect data.
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