Alfalfa hay digestibility in Sardinian does

A feeding trial was carried out on ten Sardinian does. 5 does (group F) were fed with alfalfa hay and the other 5 (group C+F) with alfalfa hay + 0.6 kg of concentrate to measure the digestibility of these feeds. The digestibility was measured by marker method (lignin) and by the enzymatic method. The marker method showed that the addition of concentrate to the hay increased the OM digestibility. The second method showed similar results. The Authors calculated a regression equation between "in vivo" and "in vitro" digestibility of OM in the C+F group. The changes in lignin composition before and after the digestion were analyzed

Soil Greenhouse Gases emissions in Mediterranean forage systems

Many studies on the impacts of soil management on Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emissions were carried out in the last years. However, field studies on GHG emissions in forage systems under semi-arid Mediterranean conditions are still limited. Modelling approaches are required for predicting the long term performances of Mediterranean grasslands under different environmental and management strategies, but so far very few attempts were made for these environments. The overall aim of the PhD dissertation was to analyse the processes and the management options that influence the soil C cycle and GHG emissions in two typologies of Mediterranean forage systems: extensively managed pastures and irrigated maize-based systems. Field experiments were carried out for both forage systems, while a modelling approach was undertaken only for the pastures. The PaSim model was assessed for its ability to simulate C exchanges in Mediterranean grasslands. A new model parameterization was derived for Mediterranean conditions from a set of ecophysiological parameters. The obtained results highlight the reliability of PaSim to simulate C cycle components in Mediterranean grasslands although some improvements are required. In the irrigated forage systems, soil GHG and the net Global Warming Potential were compared under different fertilization strategies, which showed contrasting impacts on GHG emissions, providing some insights on their different potential mitigation roles under Mediterranean conditions

Raffronto fra i Suoli rossi Calcarei e la «Terra Rossa» della Sardegna nord-occidentale: prime considerazioni

Tale studio ha lo scopo di investigare un'area campione di circa 10.000 Ha; tutto ciò per determinare in dettagli le caratteristiche territoriali, procedere alla loro valutazione, per poi concludere con un giudizio sulla potenzialità del territorio medesimo. Il fine riguarda la possibilità di differenziare, in prima approssimazione, due unità pedologiche molto diffuse nella Sardegna nord-occidentale ed in particolar modo nell'area in istudio: i suoli rossi calcarei e la «Terra Rossa »

Using a GIS technology to plan an agroforestry sustainable system in Sardinia

This study was conducted with the aim to quantify the spread of livestock agroforestry in a Mediterranean ecosystem (island of Sardinia, Italy) and evaluate its sustainability in terms of grazing impact. By using GIS software ArcMap 10.2.2, the map of Sardinia vegetal landscape, obtained by information of Sardinia nature map based on the classification of habitat according to CORINE-Biotopes system, have been overplayed with the map of livestock grazing impact map CAIA developed by INTREGA (spin-off ENEA), to obtain for Meriagos (local agro-silvo-pastoral systems; classified “Dehesa 84.6” according to CORINE-Biotopes system), bushlands and woodlands, the surfaces under grazing and evaluate the extension of overgrazing for each of them

The Effect of the utilization of a high fibre pelleted feed on milk yield and composition in dairy sheep

Twenty Sardinian lactating ewes were divided in four groups (A, B, C, D) and fed with four diets, obtained mixing a pelleted fibre integrator (PFI) and a normal pelleted concentrate (NPC) in different proportions (NPC/PFI: A = 27/73; B = 42/58; C = 58/42; D = 73/27). The intake was 123, 122, 114 and 135 g of DM per kg of metabolic weight. The ewes were able to choose between the two type of pellets. The chewing time per kg of DM decreased with the reduction of PFI content in the diet. The ewes were always able to maintain a regular ruminal activity. There were no significant differences in the milk yield, milk fat content, SCC and body weight variations, while the milk protein content was higher in the group B

Factors of welfare reduction in dairy sheep and goats

Scientific research on factors causing the reduction of well-being in sheep and goats is rather recent, as are studies of strategies to minimize the adverse effects of environmental challenges and improper management practices on flock welfare. Sheep and goats, considered very rustic animals, are reared prevalently under extensive production systems and are widespread mainly in marginal areas. For these reasons, only few studies on the welfare of these species have been carried out in the past. More recently, the scenario has changed, due to a gradual diffusion of intensive and semi-intensive production systems, especially in dairy sheep and goat breeds, to the growing concern of consumers about the life conditions of farmed animals, and to the issuing of a number of rules and laws on the safety of animal products and well-being of farmed livestock. As a consequence, several research groups have turned their attention to the welfare of sheep and goats. Nevertheless, information on this topic is still scarce. This paper reviews major critical points regarding the endangerment of welfare in farmed sheep and goats. Climatic extremes and seasonal fluctuations in herbage amount and quality are discussed as important causes of the reduction of well-being in extensive production systems, which can impair production efficiency of grazing animals and dramatically affect the welfare and health status of sheep and goats. Space allowance and structures of sheep and goat houses are described as the main potential sources of discomfort for housed flocks, together with inadequate control of micro-environment, and inappropriate milking procedures and human-animal interactions. Recent studies on the impact of high ambient temperature, different ventilation regimes, high stocking densities, reduced airspace and poor litter management on behaviour, immune and endocrine response, and on performance of sheep and goats are discussed. The effects of inadequate milking procedures and improper milking technical parameters on welfare and udder health of sheep and goats are also discussed. Finally, some practices aimed at minimizing emotional and nutritional stresses of lambs and kids after early separation from the mother, before the transition to artificial rearing, and at weaning time are described

Assessing the effect of rotational grazing adoption in Iberian silvopastoral systems with Normalized Difference Vegetation Index time series

Adaptive Multi-Paddock (AMP) is a grazing system which combines intensive, rapid grazing livestock rotation with relatively short grazing periods and long recovery time after grazing. The study assesses, under Mediterranean silvopastoral systems, changes in pasture phenology and spatial variability after adopting the AMP under contrasting land cover (Wooded Grassland vs Grassland ) with a remote sensing approach based on the time-series analysis of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) from remote sensing through Landsat satellite. The study revealed an overall positive effect of rotational grazing on pasture phenology and NDVI spatial variability. The AMP adoption resulted in higher estimated values of NDVI at the beginning (under grassland land cover), the end, and the peak of the growing season, while no differences were observed in parameters estimating the length of the growing season. The spatial variability of NDVI was always lower under AMP than in continuously grazed areas, except in the early stages of the growing season under grassland land cover. The results suggested that in a relatively short period (4-5 years), the AMP grazing system can represent a strategy to improve forage availability and exploitation by grazing animals under low stocking rates in extensively managed Mediterranean silvopastoral systems

The ability of crop models to predict soil organic carbon changes in a maize cropping system under contrasting fertilization and residues management: Evidence from a long-term experiment

This study assesses the ability of an ensemble of crop models (MME) to predict the impacts of fertilization and crop residue management on soil organic carbon (SOC) and aboveground biomass (AGB) in a long-term experiment (LTE) based on continuous maize cropping systems. Data from a LTE in Northern Italy were used. Treatments included continuous grain (MG) or silage (MS) maize, fertilized with mineral, cattle slurry, and farmyard manure. The MME median resulted the best predictor of the observed values. Models performance was better when simulating MG than MS, and for crops treated with mineral compared to organic fertilizers. The ability to predict the dynamics of SOC was affected by the model used and by the year × residues management and year × fertilizer interactions. The model and the residue × fertilizer interaction affected the ability to simulate AGB dynamics. Results showed that a MME can effectively predict the long-term dynamics of SOC and maize crop production under contrasting fertilization and crop residue management, and thus their potential for climate change mitigation. The uncertainty in the simulation of SOC is related to the model routines simulating SOC partitioning and to the complexity of the interactions between management factors over time. Highlights - A crop model ensemble was compiled to simulate soil organic carbon and maize aboveground biomass dynamics in a long-term experiment. - The performances of stand-alone models and their ensemble were assessed under contrasting fertilization and crop residue management. - The multi-model ensemble using the median value of simulation was the best predictor of the variables observed in the long-term experiment. - Improved performances in simulations were observed when crop residues were incorporated into the soil, regardless of the fertilization management. - The uncertainty in SOC simulation increased over time for cropping systems with silage maize and organic fertilization

An Innovative and high-speed technology for sweater monitoring of Asinara Gulf (Sardinia- Italy)

Laser induced fluorescenze technique for sea water monitoring allows no-time consuming, non-invasive and non-destructive controls. In this study, the performance of the new shipboard laser spectrofluorometric CAS-PER (Compact and Advanced Laser Spectrometer –ENEA Patent) for monitoring phytoplankton community composition was examined. The prototype CASPER is based on double laser excitation of water samples in the UV (266 nm) and visible (405 nm) spectral region and a double water filtration in order to detect both quantitative data, such as choromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM), proteins-like components (tyrosine, tryptophan), algal pigments (chlorophylls a and b, phycoerythrin, phycocyanin, different pigments of the carotenoid groups) and qualitative data on the presence of hydrocarbons and oil pollutants. Sea water samples from different depths have been collected and analyzed from August 2010 through November 2011 in the Gulf of Asinara (N-W Sardinia). Several sampling stations were selected as sites with different degree of pollution. The accuracy and the reliability of data obtained by CASPER have been evaluated comparing the results with other standard measurements such as: Chlorophyll a (Chl a) data obtained by spectrophotometric method and total phytoplankton abundance in terms of density and class composition. Spectral deconvolution technique was developed and integrated with CASPER system to assess and characterize a marker pigments and organic compounds in situ and in vivo. Field studies confirmed CASPER system capability to effectively discriminate characteritistic spectra of fluorescent water constituents, contributing to decrease the time-consuming manual analysis of the water samples in the laboratory

Caratterizzazione ambientale delle acque del Golfo dell’Asinara (Sardegna) attraverso l’uso di spettrofluorimetria laser e immagini telerilevate

The general objective of this research (financed by L.R. 7 of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia for the period May 2010 –May 2012) is to calibrate bio-optical algorithm for more accurate estimates of phytoplanktonic Chl-a in the Asinara Gulf (Northern Sardinia, Italy) using remote sensing data and in situ measurements. The “sea truth” values of Chl-a were obtained with the new laser spectrofluorometric apparatus CASPER (Compact and Advanced laser SPEctrometeR – Patent ENEA). CASPER permitted not only to quantify values of Chl-a but also to detect other algal pigments (phycoerythrin, phycocyanin), chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM), proteins-like components (tyrosine, tryptophan), and qualitative data on the presence of hydrocarbons and oil pollution. At the moment “sea truth” data of Chl-a were just compared to standard chlorophyll products of MODIS OC3 algorithm. In order to reach better results, the bio-optical algorithm is going to be recalibrated according to the measurements of CASPER during the next year, thus providing new estimates of phytoplanktonic Chl-a in the Asinara Gulf