Browsing by Author "Cerqueira, Joaquim"
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- Arthropod biodiversity associated to European sheep grazed pasturesPublication . Garcia, Rosa; Peric, Tanja; Cadavez, Vasco; Ko, Nathanael; Cerqueira, Joaquim; Stanganello, R. Pietro; Fernandes, E.; Celaya, Rafael; Gonzales-Barron, Ursula; Baratta, MarioWe analysed the biodiversity of foliage arthropods in nine sheep grazed pasturelands in five European countries. During the maximum flowering period in 2018, entomofauna was collected in 4-6 areas within each pasture, performing 6 transects/area and 25 sweeps per transect. Multivariate analyses tested the differences in total arthropod community composition among degrees of intensification, bioregions and types of pastures. A total of 51,474 arthropods from 3 classes, 17 orders and 95 taxonomical groups were recorded. Univariate analyses revealed that total arthropod abundance was higher in extensive than in intensive systems (P<0.01). It also differed between bioregions (higher in Alpine than in Continental, P<0.05) and between types of pastures (higher in mountain than in lowland pastures where animals are supplemented, P<0.05). Total taxa richness was not influenced by any of the three factors. However, multivariate analyses indicated that community composition differed among intensive and extensive systems, bioregions and types of pastures (P<0.001). The greatest differences occurred between Alpine and Mediterranean (P<0.001), and Mediterranean and Continental pastures (P<0.05), as well as between lowland seminatural and improved pastures (P<0.05), and seminatural and mountain pastures (P<0.001). These results reveal the complex and varied communities associated to the diverse sheep systems and valorise the role of the mo
- Arthropod biodiversity associated to European sheep production systemsPublication . Rosa García, Rocío; Peric, Tanja; Cadavez, Vasco; Geß, Andreas; Cerqueira, Joaquim; Gonzales-Barron, Ursula; Baratta, MarioThe rural territories linked to European sheep systems still cover wide areas and provide multiple ecosystems services although the current situation of the associated biodiversity is not fully understood. In this study the foliage arthropods (including pollinators), the vegetation cover and height, the number of flowers and plant species richness were evaluated in 9 sheep grazed lands from 5 EU countries with different livestock management strategies and dominant vegetation. The total abundance of arthropods, the abundance of Diptera and Heteroptera, sward height and plant species richness were higher in more extensive than in more intensively managed farms. The total abundance and the abundance of most of the orders were highest in mountain areas (MP) and lowest in improved pastures (IMP) whereas the total arthropod richness showed no differences and the richness of pollinators was lower in IMP than in MP (p < 0.01) and semi-natural pastures (SN, p < 0.01). The grass cover was higher in IMP than in the rest of the areas whereas forb cover was higher in SN than in IMP (p < 0.01). The plant species richness peaked in MP whereas the number of flowers showed no significant differences. Sward height correlated positively with forb cover, plant species richness, the richness of the whole arthropod community, the abundance of several orders like Araneae, Diptera or Homoptera, as well as with the richness of the pollinator community. The community composition of the total arthropod fauna (p < 0.01) and the pollinators in particular (p < 0.05) differed between management strategies and more diverse groups were linked to the areas under more extensive management. Both communities (total and pollinators) also differed in composition between the types of vegetation (p < 0.01) and less diverse assemblages with low abundant taxa were associated to IMP and SN whereas more diverse groups were linked to MP and grassland-forest (WP) in both cases. A better understanding of the flora-fauna dynamics in sheep grazed pasturelands is essential for the proper conservation of the biodiversity and other ecosystem services, as well as for the maintenance of sustainable sheep systems relying on the natural resources.
- O benestar animal como factor económico das produciones: a calidade ética dos produtos animaisPublication . Fente, José M.F.; Feás, Xesús; Cerqueira, Joaquim; Cadavez, VascoHai aproximadamente 12000 anos o home empezou a domesticar outros seres vivos do seu ámbito comezando polo can. A partir dese momento iníciase un longo proceso que variou substancialmente a relación que mantemos cos animais e aumentou progresivamente o número de especies sometidas aos humanos en función fundamentalmente da súa utilidade. Nunha primeira fase o número de individuos do rabaño que atendía cada coidador era bastante reducido, e esta relación baseábase fundamentalmente na proximidade. Este escaso número de efectivos facía que se buscase a máxima produción de cada individuo de forma particular.
- Biodiversidad asociada a los sistemas de producción ovina en PortugalPublication . Fernandes, E.; Cadavez, Vasco; Celaya, Rafael; Gonzales-Barron, Ursula; Cerqueira, Joaquim; Rosa-García, R.Los consumidores demandan cada vez más alimentos asociados a sistemas productivos sostenibles que contribuyan a la conservación de la biodiversidad.
- Composición de los aditivos en embutido fermentado portugués (chouriço) después del secadoPublication . Pires, Preciosa; Araújo, José Pedro; Barros, M. Teresa; Fernandes, E.; Cerqueira, Joaquim; Cadavez, Vasco; Gonzales-Barron, Ursula; Dias, TeresaChouriço is a Portuguese dry-fermented sausage, which is much appreciated among consumers and highly consumed due to its organoleptic characteristics. Hence, the objective of this study was to investigate the food additive composition in dry products and comparison with the values in UE Regulation. The maximum limits allowed, according to Reg (EU) 1129/2011, are met for nitrite in both factories, with values well below the limit of 150 mg/kg (between 0,42-8,01 mg/kg). For nitrate salts the values are below the maximum limit in one production (between 10,1-22,6 mg/kg) but above the maximum level (> 150mg/kg) in another production (above 164,5 mg/kg). Regarding phosphates, both factories have their products not meeting the EU Reg (> 500 mg / kg). The chouriço is a meat product that can be consumed raw. To this product are added additives which act as antioxidants, in the case of nitrite, and as preventive or inhibitors of microbial growth. The concentrations of these salts have to be controlled, but its positive effects are superimposed on the possibility of problems originated with growth of microorganisms.
- Estudio de las características de crecimiento de corderos de las razas Churra Galega Bragançana y Bordalera de Entre Douro e MinhoPublication . Cruz, B.C.; Cerqueira, Joaquim; Araújo, José Pedro; Gonzales-Barron, Ursula; Cadavez, VascoLa industria ovina portuguesa se caracteriza por una gran diversidad de sistemas de producción, que se basan en el pastoreo que permite disfrutar de los pastos naturales y los residuos de cultivos agrícolas.
- Estudio de las caracteristicas de los equipamientos con influencia en el bienestar animal en granjas de vacas lecherasPublication . Cerqueira, Joaquim; Paço, S.M.; Blanco-Penedo, Isabel; Cantalapiedra, Jesús J.; Cadavez, VascoSegún Fraser y Broom (1998) un número insuficiente de cubículos, al no permitir que todas las vacas se acuesten al mismo tiempo, conduce a interacciones sociales agresivas, y lleva consigo que a veces se acuesten en los pasillos, donde la suciedad y el riesgo de lesiones es mayor. El diseño incorrecto y unas dimensiones no apropiadas de los cubículos pueden conducir a la no utilización de los mismos. Las dimensiones elegidas para los cubículos representan un compromiso entre la comodidad de la vaca y de su limpieza. Los cubículos deberían permitir a las vacas acostarse y levantarse de forma natural y cómoda. Según McFarland (2003) las vacas deben tener espacio adecuado, una superficie lisa, no porosa y fácil de limpiar para su alimentación. Estos, deberían permitir a las vacas la ingestión de alimento con la cabeza en posición de pastoreo natural. El suministro de agua limpia y fresca es esencial para asegurar la producción de leche, el control de la temperatura corporal, así como el mantenimiento de las funciones vitales de las vacas lecheras. Alrededor de los bebederos debe haber espacio suficiente para permitir que las vacas se muevan sin problemas.
- Growth performance of Bísaro pigs in hoop barn and confinement housing systemsPublication . Araújo, José Pedro; Cerqueira, Joaquim; Pires, Pedro; Amorim, Irina; Durão, J.; Cadavez, Vasco; Silva, J. Santos e; Domínguez, Rubén; Bermúdez Piedra, Roberto; Lorenzo Rodriguez, Jose ManuelThe goal of this study was to compare the growth performance of growing/finishing pigs housed in a hoop barn system and in traditional confinement. A total of twenty Bísaro breed pigs, with 98.6±5.71 days of age, and 25.4±4.87 kg of BW were used (beginning of experiment). The pigs were equally distributed in two groups: Gr1 - hoop barn (3.0 m2/pig) with outdoor access (200 m2/pig); and Gr2 - traditional confinement with straw bedding (1.8 m2/pig). Both groups were fed with the same diet. During the next 98 days’ period (growing phase) and until pigs reached approximately 80 kg LW, the animals were fed with a concentrate diet. In the finishing phase consisting of a final 70 days period until slaughter, the animals reached between 110-120 kg LW and were fed with concentrate and cornflour. The feed intake per group was registered daily and growth performances were collected every two weeks. During the growing phase no differences (P > 0.05) were observed in the average daily gain (ADG) between Gr1 (0.546±0.10 kg/day) and Gr2 (0.563±0.05 kg/day). However, a higher variability was observed in hoop barn group (CV of 18.1% vs. 8.8% in confinement). Similar results were observed during the finishing phase with ADG of 0.535±0.09 kg for Gr1 and 0.505±0.07 kg for Gr2 (P > 0.05). In both growing and finishing phases, the feed conversion rates (FCR) were 3.11 on the Gr1 versus 3.12 kg/kg on the Gr2, and 3.44 in Gr1 versus 3.53 in Gr2, respectively. Despite the different housing systems, ADG and FCR per period were identical in both systems. To the consumer’s point of view, the positive aspects of the hoop barn system, such as the use of uncultivated land, product image and pig welfare, are sustainably attractive and therefore could be further reflected in the market.
- Relación entre medidas biométricas y peso vivo en vacas lecheras de raza frisonaPublication . Araújo, José Pedro; Cerqueira, Joaquim; Mendes, C.; Penedo, I.; Iglesias, Antonio; Cadavez, VascoLas mediciones realizadas en animales vivos aumentan la precisión de los análisis de conformación, constituyendo, en zootecnia, un instrumento para determinar las dimensiones de los animales, realizar una investigación comparativa (Wilson et al., 1997) y ser utilizadas como predictores indirectos del peso del animal (Heinrichs et al., 1992). La relación entre las medidas y peso corporal depende de la raza, edad, aptitud, tamaño y condición corporal de los animales (Yanar et al., 1995). La vaca Frisona presenta gran corpulencia, pudendo alcanzar 154 cm de alzada a la grupa y pesar 600 a 700 Kg (APCRF, 2008). En vacas Holstein-Friesian, las medidas para la alzada a cruz y perímetro torácico (en cm) han sido de 139,1 y 202,5 (Ali et al., 1984), 134,4 y 194,8 (Sieber et al., 1988) respectivamente. El objetivo del presente estudio es conocer la relación entre medidas biométricas y el peso vivo de vacas de leche.
- Relationship between milk protein polymorphism and selected cows’ reproductive indicesPublication . Czerniawska-Piątkowska, Ewa; Cioch-Szklarz, Barbara; Kowalczyk, Alicja; Wrzecińska, Marcjanna; Wójcik, Jerzy; Kordan, Władysław; Araújo, José Pedro; Cerqueira, Joaquim; Kossakowski, Kamil; Cwynar, Przemysław; Sablik, PiotrThis research sought to determine the effect of selected milk protein polymorphisms on the reproduction parameters of 598 black and white Polish Holstein–Friesian cattle. The analyzed genes were kappa-casein (CSN3) and beta-lactoglobulin (BLG). The following reproductive indexes were selected: the age at first calving, the interpregnancy period, the calving interval, and the insemination index. The influence of the identified genotypes on the course of parturition in cows was also analyzed. Source data were collected for each cow from the beginning of the herd life and reproduction to its culling from the herd or the end of its third lactation. Data on the age at first calving, the amount of semen portions for artificial insemination (insemination index), the interpregnancy period, and the calving interval for each cow were also collected. A contingency analysis was performed through contingency tables using a Pearson’s chi-squared test for each CSN3 and BLG genotype. The results show that the BB genotype of the kappa-casein gene was associated with the most favorable values of reproductive indicators. In the case of the calving interval, the values were significantly more favorable than those of other genotypes (p 0.05). No effect of beta-lactoglobulin polymorphism on the analyzed reproductive indices was observed. On the other hand, in the case of the interpregnancy period, significant statistical differences were obtained between the AA and BB genotypes. The analyzed kappa-casein and beta-lactoglobulin genotypes did not significantly influence the course of parturition in cows. To conclude, the genotype polymorphism BB CSN3 is the most favorable for the performance of the cows in the examined herd.