Academic literature on the topic 'Cattle drovers'

There is little direct evidence about the business model used by the legendary cattle king, Sir Sidney Kidman. Kidman’s properties were invariably stocked at less than full capacity, and were generally contiguous, forming chains that straddled stock routes and watercourses in the most arid zone of central Australia. Railheads at the ends of the chains provided access to the main capital city markets, and Kidman’s drovers supplied a wealth of information on competing cattle movements. This combination of features effectively afforded strategic transport flexibility in the form of so-called ‘real options’, especially during severe region-wide droughts. Alternative perspectives, such as the vertical integration of Kidman’s operations, or spatial diversification of land holdings, offer only partial insights. Faced with a highly variable and unpredictable climate, combined with the onset of erosion and the spread of rabbits, Kidman exemplifies human ability to adapt creatively to exogenous environmental shocks such as climate change.

Despite his lack of formal education, Sutherland bard Rob Donn MacKay (1714–78) left over 220 published poems, far more than any other contemporary Gaelic poet. During his lifetime he was equally esteemed for well-crafted satires and well-chosen (or newly-composed) musical settings for his verse. This article examines a group of related satires attacking the schoolmaster John Sutherland and the drover John Gray, comparing them to Rob Donn's views on other schoolmasters and cattle dealers, and considering both what conventional historical sources tell us about the poetry and what the poetry tells us about history, particularly literacy, bilingualism, and the cattle trade in the eighteenth-century Highlands.

While international beef and sheep meat price developments are usually measured with meat trade prices (provided by FAO), no comparable information exists on world average of national prices that producers receive for livestock. This paper aims to fill this gap by introducing a set of global producer price indices representing cattle, lambs, and sheep prices as received by producers: the agri benchmark of weaner cattle, finished cattle, lambs and lambs and sheep price indices. These Laspeyres, production-weighted indices measure changes in global farm gate prices as provided annually by the agri benchmark Beef and Sheep Network, with this paper covering prices between 2000 and 2019. The results showed that growing Asian imports, local economic developments in South America, the interconnection with the dairy sector in Europe, growth of beef consumption in China and exchange rates shifts are the key factors that drove developments of global beef producer prices over the past 20 years. Droughts in Oceania and the rapid rise in China’s sheep meat prices are highly reflected in the Global Lambs and Lambs and Sheep Meat Price indices. The indices indicate whether cattle and sheep producers globally are receiving more, or less, for the commodity and may increase or reduce production and investment accordingly. This will be of more use if there were similar producer price indices for competing enterprises, such as dairy and cropping, and for competing proteins, such as pigs, poultry, and fish.

AbstractThe advent of refrigerated transport made fresh beef a global commodity, linking South American and Australian producers to hungry consumers in Europe and North America. With vast supplies of cattle, and growing markets in Japan, Russia, and beyond, China was the last great frontier of this global transformation. Rather than a single export trade, China’s beef industry was a complex and multidirectional network of producers, processors, and consumers, its many production chains each facing distinct commercial, logistic, and political challenges. This article examines three such chains, the Qing-era caravan trade that drove live sheep and cattle to Beijing, the Harbin meat-packing industry that grew up around the Russian China Eastern Railway, and Japanese-dominated export of beef from Qingdao. A cross-section of these issues shows how the industry as a whole adapted to the new pressures and opportunities of globalization, as well as those presented by technology, foreign investment, imperialism, and war.

Silvopasture systems combine tree and livestock production to minimize market risk and enhance ecological services. Our objective was to explore and develop a method for identifying driving factors linked to productivity in a silvopastoral system using machine learning. A multi-variable approach was used to detect factors that affect system-level output (i.e., plant production (tree and forage), soil factors, and animal response based on grazing preference). Variables from a three-year (2017–2019) grazing study, including forage, tree, soil, and terrain attribute parameters, were analyzed. Hierarchical variable clustering and random forest model selected 10 important variables for each of four major clusters. A stepwise multiple linear regression and regression tree approach was used to predict cattle grazing hours per animal unit (h ha−1 AU−1) using 40 variables (10 per cluster) selected from 130 total variables. Overall, the variable ranking method selected more weighted variables for systems-level analysis. The regression tree performed better than stepwise linear regression for interpreting factor-level effects on animal grazing preference. Cattle were more likely to graze forage on soils with Cd levels <0.04 mg kg−1 (126% greater grazing hours per AU), soil Cr <0.098 mg kg−1 (108%), and a SAGA wetness index of <2.7 (57%). Cattle also preferred grazing (88%) native grasses compared to orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.). The result shows water flow within the landscape position (wetness index), and associated metals distribution may be used as an indicator of animal grazing preference. Overall, soil nutrient distribution patterns drove grazing response, although animal grazing preference was also influenced by aboveground (forage and tree), soil, and landscape attributes. Machine learning approaches helped explain pasture use and overall drivers of grazing preference in a multifunctional system.

Reassortment contributes to the evolution of RNA viruses with segmented genomes, including Bluetongue virus (BTV). Recently, co-circulation of natural and vaccine BTV variants in Europe, and their ensuing reassortment, were proposed to promote appearance of novel European BTV strains, with potential implications for pathogenicity, spread and vaccination policies. Similarly, the geographical features of the Mediterranean basin, which spans over portions of three continents, may facilitate the appearance of clinically relevant reassortants via co-circulation of BTV strains of African, Asian and European origins. In August–October 2017, BTV serotype 6 (BTV-6) was identified in young animals exhibiting classical clinical signs of Bluetongue (BT) at Israeli sheep and cattle farms. Sequencing and pairwise analysis of this Israeli BTV-6 isolate revealed the closest sequence homology of its serotype-defining Segment 2 was with that of South African reference BTV-6 strain 5011 (93.88% identity). In contrast, the other viral segments showed highest homology (97.0%–99.47% identity) with BTV-3, -4 and -9 of Mediterranean and African origins. Specifically, four viral segments were nearly identical (99.13%–99.47%), with Tunisian and Italian BTV-3 strains (TUN2016 and SAD2018, correspondingly). Together, our data suggest that Mediterranean co-circulation and reassortment of BTV-3 and BTV-6 drove the emergence of a novel and virulent BTV-6 strain

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of weaning preconditioning and parenteral supplementation of minerals and vitamin on growth and plasma total antioxidant status (TAS), glucose, NEFA, and insulin concentrations, in calves at feedlot arrival. Sixty male Angus-cross calves were randomly assigned to 4 treatments (n=15/treatment). Treatments were arranged in a 2x2 factorial design; the main factors were mineral and vitamins supplementation (supplementation (S) vs no supplementation (NS)), and preconditioning (preconditioning (P) vs. not (NP)). Supplementation was applied subcutaneously on d -45, -26 and 0 and provided Cu, Mn, Se, Zn, and vitamins A and E (Adaptador Min-Vit ®, Biogénesis Bagó). Preconditioning consisted in a 26-day period between weaning and transportation at feedlot (d0) with the animals remaining in the same location. Blood samples were collected on d -26, 0 and 15. Animals were weighted on d-45, -26, 0, 8, 15 and 29. On d0 calves were load into a truck and drove for 5-hours to the feedlot. Data were analyzed using a mixed model as a 2x2 factorial, using repeated measurements. Body weight was greater on d 0, 8 15 and 29 group on groups NP, followed by S-P, and the lowest for NS-P (Triple interaction P < 0.01). Treatment did not affect (P ˃ 0.1) plasma insulin and glucose concentrations. There was a triple interaction (P < 0.08) for plasma TAS and NEFA concentration. Plasma TAS concentration was grater due to a decrease in its concentration for the S-P and NS-NP from d0 to d8, but not in the other treatments. Plasma NEFA concentration had the greater increase in the NP groups followed by S-NP on d0. In conclusion, 26-days precondition weaning decrease body weight compare with a traditional weaning. Mineral and vitamin supplementation in precondition weaning partially reduced that effect

Fluazuron is one of the newest veterinary antitick medicines. Belonging to the benzoylphenylureas group, its mechanism of action acts by the interference of the formation of the chitin of the tick, which is responsible for the hardening of its exoskeletons. In addition to taking care of the health of the animal so that it receives the medication in the doses and the correct form, it is important to analyze the safety of the operator. Reduced resistance to infectious disease was a well-documented consequence of primary and acquired immunodeficiencies, but a novel finding following xenobiotic exposure. The awareness of the consequences of altered immune function is the most likely outcome of inadvertent exposure. The human health implications of studies in which chemical exposure reduced resistance to infection drove an early focus on immunosuppression within the toxicology community. The main objective is to perform the evaluation by computational platforms and in cell culture, searching for data that can serve as a foundation for a better understanding of the toxic effects involved with the accidental contamination of Fluazuron and, thus, to assist the medical community and users to understand the risks inherent in its use. As far as we can determine in the literature, our work has unmistakably demonstrated that the Fluazuron can cause genotoxicity by probable chromatin rearrangement and immunodepleting by specific reduction of the CD8 T lymphocyte subpopulation, mediated by the decrease in gamma interferon production. Although the use of Fluazuron is a necessity for tick control and for cattle management, we must bear in mind that the imminent risks to its application exist. Careless use can damage the immune system which in turn carries a gigantic hazard by opening a door to diseases and pathogens and leaving us defenseless.

SummaryThe study focuses on testing the hypothesis that the subsidy system of the Common Agricultural Reform in 1992 (CAP’92) drove to changes in farm efficiency towards the thereby claimed objectives. With sequential applications of semiparametric methods we succeed to identify the impact of the direct payments on environmental adaptation, productivity and efficiency before and after CAP’92 without restrictive model specifications. We find that the claimed objectives of the EU subvention policy were met only partly, but that the CAP’92 was, however, a step forward. Our case study uses large Spanish data sets of animal orientated farms.This paper applies non parametric methods for policy evaluation at firm level. The study focuses on testing the hypothesis that the subsidy system of the Common Agricultural Reform in 1992 (CAP’92) drove to changes in farm efficiency towards the thereby claimed objectives. We concentrate here on animal oriented farms, in particular cattle, pig, sheep and goat farms. The correct quantification of efficiency and productivity differentials due to CAP’92 is crucial for such a policy analysis as different models can easily lead to different conclusions. Using non parametric methods we do not need to specify the production function of the farms. With sequential applications of semiparametric methods we succeed to identify the impact of the direct payments on environmental adaptation, productivity and efficiency before and after CAP’92 without restrictive model specifications. We find that the claimed objectives of the EU subvention policy were met only partly, but that the CAP’92 was – at least partly – indeed a step forward in that sense. Our case study uses large Spanish data sets of animal orientated farms. This is justified, among other reasons, by the relevance of these farms for Mediterranean forest and grazing land preservation in Spain.

Esta dissertação aborda o modo de vida e a leitura da paisagem dos boiadeiros no Complexo Pantanal Sul-Mato-Grossense. Os boiadeiros representam parte dos trabalhadores da pecuária, uma importante atividade econômica nesta região. Montados em burros, atravessam diversas paisagens viajando até meses, conduzindo grande quantidade de gado pertencente a pecuaristas. Devido à escassez de material disponível na literatura foram coletados relatos, principalmente, de entrevistas com interlocutores locais, suas histórias de vida e através do acompanhamento presencial de Comitivas de boiadeiros. Para compreensão do tema adotou-se a concepção de paisagem como lugar no contexto de populações tradicionais, considerando o significado dado pelas experiências vividas e representações simbólicas. A descrição contextualizada de Geertz (1989) trouxe contribuições metodológicas para fundamentar o trabalho de campo e auxiliar na interpretação dos dados. Deste modo, buscou-se esboçar o universo cultural do boiadeiro, descrevendo a estrutura e o cotidiano desta atividade, que segue o ritmo das águas do Pantanal, estabelecendo as fases de enchentes, cheias, vazantes e estiagens. Além disto, por meio de relatos de boiadeiros foram elaborados mapas de alguns dos roteiros destas viagens, identificando-se os marcos referenciais da paisagem cultural e um matiz de linguagens como estratégias de orientação. A interpretação de dados proporcionou uma discussão sobre as contradições e adaptações no modo de vida dos boiadeiros frente às mudanças econômicas e sociais, reconhecendo sua persistência, singularidade e complexidade como um conhecimento extreitamente integrado às paisagens pantaneiras. As reflexões nesta pesquisa pretendem apontar uma diferente perspectiva, de acordo com a importância do valor cultural dos boiadeiros pantaneiros.<br>This dissertation discusses the way of life and the landscape reading of cattle drovers in the South-Mato-Grosso Pantanal Complex. The drovers represent part of the workforce in the cattle raising, which is an important economic activity in this region. Mounted on donkeys, they cross different landscapes, traveling even for months and driving a large number of herds owned by ranchers. Due to the scarcity of available research material in literature, data was collected mainly from interviews with local counterparts about their life stories and through the monitoring of cattle drovers grouped together. To comprehend the theme, it was adopted the landscape conception as a place in the context of traditional people, taking into consideration the meaning given by life experiences and symbolic representations. The contextual description of Geertz (1989) brought methodological contributions to support the field work and to assist in data interpretation. Thus, we attempted to sketch the cultural universe of the drovers, describing the structure and daily life of this activity, which follows the rhythm of the Pantanal waters, establishing the stages of rising waters, floods, receding waters and droughts. Moreover, maps of some itineraries of these trips were drawn through drovers reports, identifying the landmarks and a tinge of languages as strategic orientation. The data interpretation provided a discussion about the contradictions and changes in the way of life of drovers once facing economic and social changes, recognizing its persistence, uniqueness and complexity as a closely integrated knowledge to the Pantanal landscapes. The reflections in this research intend to target a different perspective, according to the importance of the cultural value of the Pantanal drovers.

Levin looked straight ahead and saw the herd of cattle, then he saw his trap drawn by Raven, and the coachman, who drove up to the cattle and spoke to the herdsman; then he heard the sound of wheels and the snort of a...