Productivity and conversion of sown grasslands in the plains area of Banat

The sown meadows, consisting of complex mixtures of grassland grasses and legumes species ensure a high level of production, a high quality of feed, an important source of biological nitrogen, which ensures the protein autonomy of the forage system. The paper highlights the influence of the structure of some perennial grasses and legumes, sown in the plains area, on the production of plant dry matter, on the use of the sown grassland, on the conversion into animal products and on the economic efficiency of the pratoecosystem in relation to animals. Carried out studies have shown that sown grasslands, consisting of a complex mixture (Lolium perenne 30 % + Festuca pratensis 30 % + Trifolium repens 20 % + Lotus corniculatus 20 %), in the plains area, used for grazing with sheep, obtains, in average, about 9 t/ha feed dry matter, over 3200 l/ha milk production and very high milk quality (5.5 % protein and 8.0 % fat). The research results showed an increase of sheep’s milk production in complex mixtures in both years of experience, compared to the mixture variant consisting only of grass species. The value of the quality indices of sheep's milk is higher, both in protein and fat, in the grazed variant, sown with a complex mixture of grasses and legumes, compared to the variant sown with only a mixture of grass species. In livestock farms, the complex sown grassland, consisting of several species of grassland grasses and legumes (multispecies) secures and makes the fodder system more efficient, ensuring both the constant increase of the feed value of the fodder and the increase of the quality indices of the animal products

Unusual Canine Distemper Virus Infection in Captive Raccoons (Procyon lotor)

Canine morbillivirus, also known as canine distemper virus (CDV), is the causative agent of canine distemper (CD), which is a serious contagious disease of canines, large felids, and, occasionally, raccoons. This study included seven raccoons from the Timisoara Zoological Garden, Romania. CDV was detected using RT-qPCR on blood samples, but several other exams were also performed—clinical, bacteriological, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and histopathology, toxicological screening, and necropsy—which confirmed CDV infection. Severe digestive disorders (diarrhea and frequent hematemesis) were observed. The necropsy findings included pseudo membranous gastroenteritis, congestion, and pulmonary edema in two raccoons. Immunohistochemistry showed immunolabeled CDV antigenantibodies on the viral nucleocapsid. Histopathology revealed lymphocyte depletion in mesenteric lymphnodes and intranuclear and intracytoplasmic inclusions in the enterocytes of the small intestine. Based on the RT-qPCR assay, laboratory tests, and the lesions observed, it was established that the raccoons were infected with CDV, which was the cause of death in two cases. The results from the necropsy, histology, and immunohistochemistry in the raccoons are comparable with reported CDV lesions in dogs. In conclusion, several exams may be performed to establish the etiology of possible interspecific viral infection, but only very specific exams can identify aCDV infection. Laboratory analyses must be completed by RT-qPCR assay or IHC to establish infection with uncommon viruses in raccoons with high accuracy

Temperature dependent effect of difenoconazole on enzymatic activity from the soil

The purpose of this study was to quantify the effect of difenoconazole (DFC) on the activity of a few enzymes commonly found on soil: dehydrogenase, urease, phosphatase and protease. Three experimental variants were established: in field conditions with variable temperature (10-21 °C, variants A1-A3), under laboratory conditions with constant temperature (30 °C, variants B1-B3) and untreated soil (C variant). The commercial product "Score 250EC" with 250 g DFC L-1 was used at the following concentrations: 0.037 mg DFC g-1 soil (variants A1 and B1), 0.075 mg DFC g-1 soil (variants A2 and B2) and 0.150 mg DFC g-1 soil (variants A3 and B3). The dehydrogenase, phosphatase and urease activities decreased significantly (p<0.05) both under filed (variants A1-A3) and laboratory (variants B1-B3) conditions compared to untreated soil (variant C). The protease activity was reduced in variants A1-A3 compared to variant C and increased at the dose of 0.150 mg DFC g-1 soil in the variant B3

Effects of Crossbreeding and Concentrates Feeding on Growth Rates of Goat Kids Reared under Highlands Conditions

Aim of the current research was to evaluate the effects that crossbreeding and concentrates feeding have on growth performance of goat kids managed under pasture conditions of the Romanian highlands. Experiments were carried out at the Research and Development Station for Sheep and Goats from Caransebes, in south-western Romania. The growth performances of two kids genotypes were studied, Carpatina purebreds and F1 Boer x Carpatina crossbred kids, respectively. Under two experimental variants, with no concentrates allowance and with 300 g/day concentrates supplementation of the ration, respectively. Carpatina purebred kids had an average daily gain of 100.7±0.03 g/day when managed exclusively on pastures (control group), while the group fed with concentrates registered growth rates of 124.4±0.02 g/day (p≤0.05). The F1 Boer x Carpatina crossbreeds had growth rates of 145.2±0.02 g/day when kept exclusively on pasture, while the group fed with additional concentrates registered growth rates of 211.9±0.04 g/day (p≤0.01). Genotype of the kids affected significantly (p≤0.001) the growth rates, in both experimental variants. It was concluded that both crossbreeding and, to a leaser extent concentrates feeding of kids, are influencing the growth rates of fattening kids managed under highlands conditions of Romania

Comparative Study Regarding Body Weight in Turcana and R1 German Blackheaded x Turcana yearling ewes

Researches were carried out in a commercial sheep farm from Arad county, situated in western Romania. Yearling ewes, with their age ranging from 12 to 13 months were included in the trial. Two genotypes were considered, purebred indigenous Turcana (TA, n = 18) and R1 German Blackheaded 75% x Turcana 25 % (R1GBT, n = 17) back-crosses. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effects that crossbreeding local Turcana sheep with the meat specialized German Blackheaded breed have on the body development of maiden ewes. Results have shown that the R1GBT back-cross gimmers had a significantly (p≤0.001) higher body weight, of 56.81 kg when compared with the TA purebreds, which had on average 45.0 kg. Wool production and the length of the wool-staple was significantly higher (p≤0.001) in TA yearling ewes when compared to their counterparts. Results of the current study outlined that the R1GBT yearling ewes are more precocious when body weight is concerned, and this could lead to their introduction to reproduction starting with 12 months of age

Study on Quantity and Quality of Sheep Milk Sampled from Three Areas of Timis County

Investigations were carried out in April on raw sheep milk collected from three centres from west (V), centre (C) and east (E) part of Timis County. The milk was collected by a commercial dairy-factory, with the purpose to monitor quantity (l), the fat content (%), protein content (%), pH, the presence of antibiotics, this cow or goat milk added, freezing point and the addition of water. Based on these investigations we can state that in lowland areas (V and respective C) was producing significantly (p≤0.001) more milk compared to the hilly area (E). The average fat percentage was significantly (p≤0.001) higher, by 0.56 and 0.46 percentage in V centre, compared to C and E. The average percentage of protein varied in very close (V = 5.75%, C 5.70% and E 5.66%), differences were not significant (p> 0.05). The milk had a slightly acid pH of 6.78. No antibiotics residues were identified or cow and goat milk was added. Addition of water was identified in 55% of milk samples taken from the C centre, and 22% from the E centre. Current results suggest that the milk of sheep taken from three centres in Timis County meets current European regulations on quality and food safet

Study on Milk and Dairy Products Consumers Preferences in Timis and Caras-Severin Counties from Romania

Following the elimination of the EU milk quota system in dairy cattle, starting 2015, this has raised a great number of questions and concerns regarding the future of the dairy sector. Aim of the current research was to evaluate milk and dairy derived consumer’s behaviour and preferences in Timis and Caras-Severin countries from Western Romania, in order to be able to further formulate advice and strategies to both farmers, farm-advisors and policy makers. Data was collected following questionnaire based-interviews, between January and June 2016. There were 202 persons who answered a face-to-face interview, and had to answer to a 15 questions based questionnaire. The main six categories of products purchased were raw fresh milk (13.45%), yogurts (16.42%), sour cream (15.51%), butter (13.00%) and cheeses (19.84%). Out of the respondents, 60.95% preferred cow milk and derived products, 19.68% sheep milk and derived products, 12.38% goat milk and derived products and 6.98% buffalo milk and derived products. Findings of the current study could help both dairy farmers and dairy factories to come up with new products and also in the decision making process when changing the type of products, and also to find new ways to increase their sales, and the overall enterprise economic returns

The Variation of Serotonin Values in Dogs in Different Environmental Conditions

Serotonin is considered to be the neurotransmitter that controls several types of behavior: aggressiveness, impulsivity, food selection, stimulation, sexual behavior, reaction to pain, and emotional manifestations. The aim of this study was to determine the serotonin values in 43 dogs, divided into three different experimental variants: (1) between two groups of medium (n = 6) and small (n = 4) breed shelter dogs; (2) in dogs with (n = 15) and without (n = 10) owners after administration of pre-spaying/neutering anesthesia; (3) in different behavioral states (n = 8) classified as follows: M1&mdash;happy, M2&mdash;aggressive, M3&mdash;calmed status, post-exposure to a stressful situation, compared to the reference time referred to as M0. There were no significant differences (p &ge; 0.05) regarding the serotonin values between the two groups of medium and small breed shelter dogs. Following anesthesia, the average mean serotonin values were significantly lower (p &le; 0.003), by 63.85 ng/mL, in stray dogs compared to dogs with owners. No significant differences (p &ge; 0.05) were found when comparing the reference time M0 to M1, M2, and M3. The differences decreased significantly (p &le; 0.05), by 89.61 ng/mL, between M1 and M2 and increased significantly (p &le; 0.008), by 112.78 ng/mL, between M2 and M3