Comparison of an intermittent, short-dawn/dusk photoperiod with an increasing, long-dawn/dusk photoperiod on broiler growth, stress, and welfare

Photoperiod has been shown to significantly affect broiler performance. However, the effects of the traditional 1-min dimming period on broiler growth and welfare are unclear. In this study, 4 consecutive trials were conducted to compare the effects of an intermittent, short-dawn/dusk photoperiod (ISD) to an increasing, long-dawn/dusk photoperiod (ILD) on broiler growth, stress, and welfare. Straight run day-of-hatch Ross 708 × Ross 708 broilers were placed in 1 of 4 commercial broiler barns (2 b of 26,200 birds each per treatment) and grown to 45 D of age. The photoperiod in the ISD treatment consisted of 24L:0D day 0 to 6, 16L:8D day 7 to 13, 12L:4D:2L:6D day 14 to 20, 12L:4D:3L:5D day 21 to 27, 12L:4D:4L:4D day 28 to 41, and 13L:3D:5L:3D day 42 to 45, with a 1-min transition between light and dark periods. The photoperiod in the ILD treatment consisted of 23L:1D day 0 to 7, 16L:8D day 8 to 21, 18L:6D day 22 to 32, and 20L:4D day 33 to 45, with a 1-min light/dark transition period day 0 to 7 and a 30-min transition period day 8 to 45. Treatments were rotated among the barns between trials. On day 45, blood samples were collected from 20 birds/barn (n = 40/treatment) to assess plasma corticosterone (CORT) and heterophil/lymphocyte (H/L) ratio. One hundred birds per barn (n = 200/treatment) were weighed individually and assigned scores for hock burn, foot pad dermatitis, and feather condition on day 45. Trial differences were observed for all measures (P ≤ 0.001). Birds in the ISD treatment were heavier on day 45 (P \u3c 0.001) and had lower hock burn (P = 0.044) and foot pad dermatitis (P \u3c 0.001) scores. Birds in the ILD treatment had lower plasma CORT (P \u3c 0.001) and H/L ratio (P \u3c 0.001). No treatment differences were observed for feather condition (P \u3e 0.05). Overall, birds reared under the intermittent, short-dawn/dusk photoperiod had higher day 45 live body weights and lower hock burn and foot pad dermatitis scores, whereas those reared under the increasing, long-dawn/dusk photoperiod had reduced measures of short-term and long-term stress

Light emitting diode (LED) color and broiler growth: effect of supplementing blue/green LED to white LED light on broiler growth, stress, and welfare

Light emitting diode (LED) lighting provides an affordable lighting option for use in commercial poultry production. However, more information is needed to understand the effects of LED color on broiler welfare and growth. Five consecutive flocks (1 in summer, 1 in fall, 2 in winter, and 1 in spring) of straight run Ross 708 × Ross 708 broilers were reared in commercial type barns for 45 D. For white only (WO) treatment, birds were reared under white LED only (Agrishift MLB). For white supplemented (WS) treatment, birds were reared under white LED (Agrishift MLB) in the center aisle, with supplemental blue/green LED lighting (Agrishift MLBg) above the feed and water lines on either side of the barn. Each barn housed 26,200 chicks, and there were 2 barns in each treatment (n = 52,400/treatment). Treatments were rotated among barns between each flock. On day 45, blood samples were collected from 20 birds/barn (n = 40/treatment) to assess the plasma corticosterone (CORT) level and heterophil/lymphocyte ratio. On day 45, 100 birds/barn (n = 200/treatment) were weighed individually and assigned scores for hock burn and foot pad dermatitis. All measures were affected by trial (P \u3c 0.001). Plasma CORT and body weight were affected by the treatment × trial interaction (P ≤ 0.001). Overall, birds in the WS treatment had higher day 45 live body weight (P \u3c 0.001) and lower hock burn scores (P = 0.032) than birds in the WO treatment. Birds in the WS treatment had higher day 45 body weight overall (P \u3c 0.001) and in trials 1, 3, and 5, although the overall body weight was lower in trials 1, 3, and 5 than in trials 2 and 4. Supplemental blue/green LED improved hock burn scores and increased overall day 45 body weight. However, trial differences suggest that more data are needed to determine whether supplementing blue/green LED to white LED improves body weight gain in mixed sex broiler chickens

Pig farmers’ perceptions, attitudes, influences and management of information in the decision-making process for disease control

The objectives of this study were (1) to explore the factors involved in the decision-making process used by pig farmers for disease control and (2) to investigate pig farmers’ attitudes and perceptions about different information sources relating to disease control. In 2011 a qualitative study involving 20 face-to-face interviews with English pig farmers was conducted. The questionnaire was composed of three parts. The first part required farmers to identify two diseases they had experienced and which were difficult to recognize and/or control. They were asked to report how the disease problem was recognized, how the need for control was decided, and what affected the choice of control approach. For the latter, a structure related to the Theory of Planned Behaviour was used. Their verbal responses were classified as associated with: (1) attitude and beliefs, (2) subjective norms, or (3) perceived behavioural control (PBC). In the second part, five key sources of information for disease control (Defra, BPEX, research from academia, internet and veterinarians) and the factors related to barriers to knowledge were investigated. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. A qualitative analysis of the text of the interview transcripts was carried out using templates. Drivers for disease control were ‘pig mortality’, ‘feeling of entering in an economically critical situation’, ‘animal welfare’ and ‘feeling of despair’. Veterinarians were perceived by several participating farmers as the most trusted information source on disease control. However, in particular non-sustainable situations, other producers, and especially experiences from abroad, seemed to considerably influence the farmers’ decision-making. ‘Lack of knowledge’, ‘farm structure and management barriers’ and ‘economic constrains’ were identified in relation to PBC. Several negative themes, such as ‘lack of communication’, ‘not knowing where to look’, and ‘information bias’ were associated with research from academia. This study identified a range of factors influencing the decision-making process for disease control by pig farmers. In addition, it highlighted the lack of awareness and difficult access of producers to current scientific research outputs. The factors identified should be considered when developing communication strategies to disseminate research findings and advice for disease control

Exploring knowledge, perception of risk and biosecurity practices among researchers in the UK: a quantitative survey

Accidental introduction and/or spread of Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) can result from a range of activities including agriculture, transport, trade and recreation. Researchers represent an important group of stakeholders who undertake activities in the field that could potentially facilitate the spread of INNS. Biosecurity is key to preventing the introduction and spread of INNS. Risk perceptions are a fundamental component in determining behaviour, so understanding how researchers perceive the risks associated with their activities can help us understand some of the drivers of biosecurity behaviour in the field. The aim of this study was to investigate researchers’ perceptions of risk in relation to their field activities and whether risk perceptions influenced behaviour. We gathered quantitative data on perceptions of risk and biosecurity practices using an online questionnaire. Only 35% of all respondents considered their field activities to pose some risk in terms of spreading INNS. Higher risk perception was found in those who undertook high risk activities or where INNS were known/expected to be present. However, whilst respondents with experience of INNS were more likely to report consciously employing biosecurity in the field, this did not translate into better actual biosecurity practices. Awareness of biosecurity campaigns did in fact increase perception of risk, perceived and actual biosecurity behaviour. However, there remains a disconnect between reported and actual biosecurity practices, including a lack of understanding about what constitutes good biosecurity practice. These findings should be used to improve targeted awareness raising campaigns and help create directed training on biosecurity practices

How Farm Workers Learn to Use and Practice Biosecurity

Biosecurity is any practices, policies, or procedures employed on a farm to prevent and/or control disease entering a farm, or moving around a farm. Using Grounded Theory methodology, the study reported here investigated biosecurity use among workers at finfish recirculation aquaculture facilities in the U.S. and Canada. Farm workers learned to use and continually practice biosecurity through a three-phase, step-wise process of orientation, routine, and thoughtful approach. Certain elements in the work environment and different characteristics of the individual worker influenced the worker\u27s practice of biosecurity on a farm. The findings are relevant to biosecurity practice in all livestock-farming industries

A 360° View of Non-Traditional University Presidents

Institutions of higher learning continue to face many challenges, from declining revenues and increased costs (Fain, 2008) to lack of confidence in their ability to meet the needs of the students and the society they serve (Smith, 2004). At the center of the institution is its CEO: the president. It is in this office and at this person that the buck stops. It is here where decisions are made that will affect the institution and all of its constituencies. As the literal and symbolic leader, the vitality of a given institution is dependent upon the effectiveness of its president (Rhodes, 1998). Yet, it is not uncommon to have hundreds of presidential positions in higher education open in any given year (Alton & Dean, 2002), and institutional governing boards are continually faced with the daunting task of searching for, and selecting, these important leaders

[np] Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA USA

In the autumn of 2001, a self-administered mailed questionnaire was sent to fin fish recirculation facilities in the United States and Canada to examine the extent of biosecurity currently practiced in this sector of aquaculture. This paper describes the results of this survey (86% response rate). It indicates the range of species now being grown in this technology, the most prominent species in production, the various sizes of re-circulation facilities (production volume and fish produced), water sources utilized and the various objectives for the fish culture activity (endpoint of product). In addition, the paper describes what facility managers perceive to be the most effective biosecurity measures, what are the compelling reasons for using biosecurity at their facility and which measures are considered not practical. The results also indicate the avenues of communication which facility managers find most effective, and therefore utilize the most, when seeking information about biosecurity. The information gained from this research is an important first step in the development of effective management systems and training programs to promote, establish and foster the sustained use of biosecurity practices in aquaculture

Aquaculture 242 1-4 165 179

This paper provides the first empirical characterization of biosecurity utilization in finfish aquaculture. In fall 2001, a questionnaire survey was mailed to managers of finfish-rearing recirculation facilities in the United States and Canada to obtain baseline data on the frequency of use of 11 different biosecurity measures. The response rate to the survey was 86%. Of the 139 respondents, 71% were from the United States (n=93) and 29% were from Canada (n=38).Our data show that biosecurity utilization is not homogenous within the finfish recirculation sector of the United States and Canada. Overall, inexpensive and low-tech biosecurity practices were utilized the most. The most frequently practiced biosecurity measures were record-keeping (94%) and dead fish collection (93%). Present use of vaccines (17%) was less than past use of vaccines (30%). Sixty-six percent of facilities reported prophylactic use of chemicals on fish while 81% reported therapeutic use (chemical treatments included the use of salt). Quarantine procedures on incoming fish and/or eggs were commonly employed in recirculation facilities, with use of an isolation area occurring more frequently (83%) than use of an isolated water supply (66%). Seventy-five percent of surveyed facilities have employed the services of a fish health specialist with the majority of facilities using a specialist in the previous 8 months.Biosecurity practices were found to be statistically related (P<0.05) to primary water source, type of fish grown, purpose of the operation and country of operation. Within the recirculation sector, biosecurity utilization was most prevalent at facilities growing Atlantic salmon. Site manager's age and level of education did not show any statistical correlation with biosecurity utilization. The number of years of work experience the manager had in aquaculture was found to be significantly associated with present vaccine use (P=0.011), past vaccine use (P=0.005) and use of fish health specialists (P=0.013).The study lays the foundation for further research on biosecurity utilization in aquaculture and provides insight into factors that influence frequency of use of biosecurity. The findings of this study provide an important first step in improving biosecurity use given that the development of effective remedial and intervention strategies require a valid assessment of the current situation