Factores epizootiológicos de las estrongilosis gastrointestinales en cabras Criollas Cubanas: bases para un manejo integrado

Parasitism caused by strongyles is one of the main limiting factors of the production of Creole goats in eastern Cuba. Through a descriptive and exploratory research carried out during the period between 2013 and 2018, the factors that regulate the epizootiological dynamics of gastrointestinal strongyloses were identified in 18 herds. The factors under control were: the population dynamics of larvae per month, the reproductive states and the growth process of the goats. The monthly dynamics of infective larvae in the pasture were recorded. Simple ANOVAS for linear models corresponding to each factor and the Newmankeuls test for multiple comparisons of means were applied. It was observed that the parasitic dynamics of gastrointestinal strongyloses, which affect Cuban Creole goats, are related to physiological and zootechnical processes. In these dynamics, two critical moments or peaks of infestation were identified: in growing animals during the weaning period (2,188 eggs per gram, EPG) and in breeding females in peripartum periods (972 EPG). The general infestation of the herds is conditioned by the combination of greater ingestion of infective larvae, processes of food stress and predisposing physiological states, which lead to seasonal infestation peaks between the months from December to February greater than 1,500 EPG. The dynamics of pasture infestation are related to rainy seasonality with infestation peaks between the months from July to September and an average maximum of 1,200 larvae per kilo of grass.El parasitismo causado por estrongilidos es uno de los principales factores limitantes de la producción de Cabras Criollas en el Este de Cuba. Mediante una investigación descriptiva y exploratoria realizada durante el periodo comprendido entre los años 2013 y 2018, fueron identificados los factores que regulan la dinámica epizootiológica de las estrongilosis gastrointestinales en 18 rebaños. Los factores bajo control fueron: la dinámica de población de larvas por mes, los estados reproductivos y el proceso de crecimiento de las cabras. Se registró la dinámica mensual de larvas infestivas en el pasto. Se aplicaron ANOVAS simples para modelos lineales correspondientes a cada factor y la prueba de Newmankeuls para comparaciones múltiples de media. Se observó que las dinámicas parasitarias de las estrongilosis gastrointestinales, que afectan a las cabras Criollas Cubanas, están relacionadas con procesos fisiológicos y zootécnicos. En estas dinámicas se identificaron dos momentos críticos o picos de infestación: en los animales en crecimiento durante el periodo de destete (2,188 huevos por gramo, HPG) y en las reproductoras en periodos de periparto (972 HPG). La infestación general de los rebaños está condicionada por la combinación de mayor ingestión de larvas infestivas, procesos de estrés alimentario y estados fisiológicos predisponentes, que conducen a picos de infestación estacionales entre los meses de diciembre a febrero superiores a 1,500 HPG. La dinámica de infestación del pasto está relacionada con la estacionalidad lluviosa con picos de infestación entre los meses de julio a septiembre y un máximo promedio de 1,200 larvas por kilo de pasto

CLASSIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF FAMILY CATTLE FARMING SYSTEMS OF THE FRAILESCA REGION OF CHIAPAS, MEXICO, CONSIDERING THE CONTRIBUTION OF CATTLE RAISING TO FAMILY INCOME

Background: In recent decades, many peasant regions of southeastern Mexico, have undergone an expansion of cattle raising. This has led to farmers transitioning from crop agriculture toward mixed production or specializing in cattle raising. Characterizing livestock systems using a multidimensional perspective allows for identifying strategies for increasing their sustainability. Objective: To classify and characterize family cattle farming systems (FCFS) of the Frailesca region of Chiapas, Mexico taking into account the contribution of cattle raising to family income, and using a multidimensional perspective. Methodology: Eighty family units in two areas of the Frailesca region - valley (40) and highlands (40) - were evaluated. Information was obtained through application of questionnaires to farmers. According to the percentage of contribution of cattle raising to family income, a K-means clustering analysis was carried out in each area to differentiate FCFS. Average values of technical, economic, environmental, and social indicators were compared among systems using ANOVA or Kruskall Wallis tests. Results: Two FCFS were identified in each of two areas of the Frailesca region: (I) mixed family systems (MFS) and (II) family systems specialized in cattle raising (FSSC). Average percentages of contribution of cattle raising to family income were: (1) valley MFS = 32.5%; (2) valley FSSC = 80.5%; (3) highland MFS = 38.5%; and (4) highland FSSC = 71.7%.  The valley FSSC followed an intensive-technified cattle raising with high use of external inputs and had the highest values of the economic indicators: calves produced per ha, milk production per cow, and net margin per hectare. The valley MFS practiced semi-intensive-technified cattle raising with low use of external inputs which led it had lower economic profitability than that of the valley FSCC. In both highland systems, farmers followed extensive cattle raising with low use of external inputs. For the economic dimension, these were similar to that of the valley MFS. Nevertheless, for the environmental dimension both highland systems were better (diversity of grasses, backyard animals, cattle breeds, and woody fodder crops) than the valley systems. Particularly, the highlands MFS had the greatest proportion of forested land and grasslands with scattered trees, as well as the abundance of wild fauna. For the social dimension, both the FSSC had a higher level of technical assistance and training, less dependence on subsidies, and a greater capacity to cover their basic purchased-food costs than the two MFS. The highlands MFS had the highest number of family beneficiaries, while the highlands FSSC had a higher level of membership in farmers´ organizations than did both types of valley systems. Implications: The valley farmers should reduce their environmental impacts and maintain and even increase productivity, in the case of the mixed family system. The highlands farmers should increase productivity, and reduce their dependence on subsidies. Conclusions: In order to overcome the multidimensional limitations and increase the sustainability of family cattle raising systems, it is necessary that external social actors promote agroecology and silvopastoral systems, as well as the famers´ co-responsibility and active participation along the process