Browsing by Author "Silva, J. Santos e"
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- Developing a set of strategies, in Portugal, to monitor and prevent damages in animal housing, due to hot climate conditionsPublication . Fitas da Cruz, Vasco; Barbosa, José Carlos; Silva, J. Santos eIn Portugal, animal production (mainly meat and milk) represents 32% of the Agriculture Domestic Product and, in some regions, its socio-economic importance is quite relevant. Located in Southwestern Europe, Portugal has a mediterranean climate: Winter is cold and wet. Summer is hot and dry particularly in Alentejo and northeastern regions. Significantly high temperatures combined with dry air (or even wet air) may bring about serious problems or damage to livestock and losses to the farmer. In Portugal, it is estimated that 20% of the annual losses in animal production are due to adverse climatic factors or deficient regulation in indoor climatization of animal housing. The situation is most problematic in summer when very high temperatures occur. According to the HWDI (Heat Wave Duration Index) since 2000, in Portugal three heat waves have occurred, with temperatures over 40 degrees C. Generally, in all regions, these periods of very high temperatures are combined with dry air (low relative humidity). In most cases, the buildings are not suitable for animal housing under high temperatures. They lack appropriate equipment to control indoor environmental conditions. To minimize the effects of these adverse climatic situations on animal production, in Portugal, we intend to carry out a work project to tackle this problem. For that purpose, we intend to develop a set of strategies aiming at: - collecting information about animal breeding and animal housing; - identifying the climatic factors that affect livestock, in all portuguese regions; - evaluating the effects of the climatic factors on animal production, in different regions; - studying strategies and methods to help farmers cope with the problem; - establishing a web page to spread information; To carry out this work we have to organize a multidisciplinary team in order to embrace all different fields of interest related to this problem.
- Estudo e desenvolvimento de estratégias para prevenção dos riscos associados ao clima quente, nas explorações de pequenos ruminantes, em PortugalPublication . Silva, J. Santos e; Fitas da Cruz, Vasco; Barbosa, José CarlosEm várias regiões de Portugal, principalmente no interior, os pequenos ruminantes podem, com muita frequência, ficar expostos a condições de clima quente, temperaturas muito elevadas, ou ondas de calor. Os fenómenos de ondas de calor ou de temperaturas muito elevadas, causam prejuízos avultados e perdas significativas na produção animal. Da mesma forma, a produção dos pequenos ruminantes, pode ser afectada, principalmente a produção de leite e a sua qualidade. Em Portugal, verificamos que são cada vez mais frequentes a ocorrência de situações com condições climáticas adversas, devidas a períodos de temperaturas elevadas. De facto, os dados climáticos mostram uma tendência para a prevalência de temperaturas muito elevadas, durante o Verão, nos anos mais recentes. Ocorreram, também, diversas ondas de calor, com temperaturas acima de 40oC. Porque a incidência destas condições climáticas coincide com as regiões do país onde se concentram as explorações de pequenos ruminantes, estamos a desenvolver um trabalho que pretende estudar e acompanhar estes fenómenos, no intuito de minimizar o seu impacto nas explorações pecuárias In some Portuguese inland regions, small ruminants can be subject to hot climate conditions, as high temperatures or heat waves; and these conditions can affect animal production. Besides, data from previous years, shows that temperatures in Summer tend to be high, and several heat waves have occurred, with temperatures above 40 oC. Regions with higher risk for high temperatures, or heat waves, have a large coincidence with the regions where small ruminants are more common. Sheep and goat production can be affected by this problem, specially milk production and its quality. To understand and minimize the effects of these adverse climatic situations on animal production, we are carrying out a work to tackle this problem; aiming to identify the climatic factors that affect livestock in all portuguese regions; the climatic diversity of the several regions; to evaluate the effects of the climatic factors in livestock; and to develop strategies to face these problems
- 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.
- Monitorização, prevenção, comunicação e resolução dos riscos climáticos no sector pecuário. Estabelecimento de estratégias de implementação de um serviço de alerta e de combate ao problemaPublication . Silva, J. Santos e; Fitas da Cruz, Vasco; Barbosa, José CarlosIn the South of Europe or mediterranean regions, significant high temperatures combined with dry air (or even wet air) may produce serious problems or damages to livestock and to the farmer. To understand and minimize the effects of this situation in Portugal, we intend to carry out a work project aiming to identify the climatic factors that affect livestock in all portuguese regions; the climatic diversity of the several regions; to evaluate the effects of the climatic factors in livestock; and to develop strategies to face these problems. e danos na produção animal e aos produtores. Os fenómenos de ondas de calor ou de temperaturas muito elevadas, causam prejuízos avultados e perdas significativas na produção animal. Em Portugal, verificamos que são cada vez mais frequentes a ocorrência de situações com condições climáticas adversas, devidas a períodos de temperaturas elevadas. Verificaram-se, também, diversas ondas de calor, de acordo com o HWDI (Heat Wave Duration Index). Atendendo a estas questões e porque as ondas de calor coincidem com algumas regiões do país onde estão concentradas as actividades de produção animal, estamos a desenvolver um trabalho que pretende estudar e acompanhar estes fenómenos, no intuito de minimizar o seu impacto nas explorações pecuárias. Pretende-se identificar os factores climáticos que, nas diferentes regiões, podem afectar os animais; identificar a diversidade climática em cada região; avaliar os efeitos diferenciados da diversidade climática na produção animal. Para isso, preparou-se um conjunto de medidas e estratégias, envolvendo um trabalho interdisciplinar, para fazer face a este problema.
- Monitorização, prevenção, comunicação e resolução dos riscos climáticos no sector pecuário. Estabelecimento de estratégias de implementação de um serviço de alerta e de combate ao problemaPublication . Silva, J. Santos e; Fitas da Cruz, Vasco; Barbosa, José CarlosNa Europa do Sul ou nas regiões mediterrâneas, as temperaturas muito elevadas podem provocar dificuldades e danos na produção animal e aos produtores. Os fenómenos de ondas de calor ou de temperaturas muito elevadas, causam prejuízos avultados e perdas significativas na produção animal. Em Portugal, verificamos que são cada vez mais frequentes a ocorrência de situações com condições climáticas adversas, devidas a períodos de temperaturas elevadas. Verificaram-se, também, diversas ondas de calor, de acordo com o HWDI (Heat Wave Duration Index). Atendendo a estas questões e porque as ondas de calor coincidem com algumas regiões do país onde estão concentradas as actividades de produção animal, estamos a desenvolver um trabalho que pretende estudar e acompanhar estes fenómenos, no intuito de minimizar o seu impacto nas explorações pecuárias. Pretende-se identificar os factores climáticos que, nas diferentes regiões, podem afectar os animais; identificar a diversidade climática em cada região; avaliar os efeitos diferenciados da diversidade climática na produção animal. Para isso, preparou-se um conjunto de medidas e estratégias, envolvendo um trabalho interdisciplinar, para fazer face a este problema. In the South of Europe or mediterranean regions, significant high temperatures combined with dry air (or even wet air) may produce serious problems or damages to livestock and to the farmer. To understand and minimize the effects of this situation in Portugal, we intend to carry out a work project aiming to identify the climatic factors that affect livestock in all portuguese regions; the climatic diversity of the several regions; to evaluate the effects of the climatic factors in livestock; and to develop strategies to face these problems.
- Strategies to minimize effects of hot climate conditions on livestock in Portugal. A regional approachPublication . Barbosa, José Carlos; Fitas da Cruz, Vasco; Silva, J. Santos eIn Portugal, animal production is of major significance, both economically and socially. Livestock are especially important to those regions in which agriculture is the main economic activity. Situated in Southwestern Europe, Portugal has a Mediterranean climate with hot and dry Summer. Livestock farmers have to deal with high temperatures and with their effects on animal production. In most cases, breeders are not prepared to handle animals under high temperatures; they lack facilities and/or knowledge about this problem. We have begun work with the aim of developing strategies to monitor and prevent harm to animals (housed or raised outdoors) during the summer months. We need to identify the Portuguese regions most seriously affected by this problem, as well as where and for how long high temperatures occur most frequently. Both individual days with very high temperatures and heat waves are becoming more and more common in Portugal. The past four summers have been among the hottest ever registered. Since 2003, eight heat waves have occurred. We chose two locations in Portugal's Northeast to carry out a preliminary study in order to evaluate the occurrence of hot climate conditions in recent years; to develop methods of obtaining that data; and to learn how climatic factors (mainly temperature) evolve over the course of the summer. We can conclude that in this region livestock are commonly exposed to high temperatures for long periods. It becomes clear that it is necessary to develop strategies to protect animals from the effects of such conditions.
- Strategies to minimize effects of hot climate conditions on livestock in Portugal. A regional approachPublication . Barbosa, José Carlos; Fitas da Cruz, Vasco; Silva, J. Santos eIn Portugal, animal production is of major significance, both economically and socially. Livestock are especially important to those regions in which agriculture is the main economic activity. Situated in Southwestern Europe, Portugal has a Mediterranean climate with hot and dry summer. Livestock farmers have to deal with high temperatures and with their effects on animal production. In most cases, breeders are not prepared to handle animals under high temperatures; they lack facilities and/or knowledge about this problem. We have begun work with the aim of developing strategies to monitor and prevent harm to animals (housed or raised outdoors) during the summer months. We need to identify the Portuguese regions most seriously affected by this problem, as well as where and for how long high temperatures occur most frequently. Both individual days with very high temperatures and heat waves are becoming more and more common in Portugal. The past four summers have been among the hottest ever registered. Since 2003, eight heat waves have occurred. We chose two locations in Portugal's Northeast to carry out a preliminary study in order to evaluate the occurrence of hot climate conditions in recent years; to develop methods of obtaining that data; and to learn how climatic factors (mainly temperature) evolve over the course of the summer. We can conclude that in this region livestock are commonly exposed to high temperatures for long periods. It is necessary to develop strategies to protect animals from the effects of such conditions
- A strategy to prevent damages in portuguese small ruminants due to hot climate conditionsPublication . Silva, J. Santos e; Fitas da Cruz, Vasco; Barbosa, José CarlosIn some Portuguese inland regions, small ruminants can be subject to hot climate conditions, as high temperatures or heat waves. These conditions can affect animal production, mainly milk and its quality. In fact, data from revious years, shows that temperatures in Summer tend to be high, and several heat waves have occurred, with temperatures above 40 oC. To minimize the effects of these adverse climatic situations on animal production, we are carrying out a work to tackle this problem. Dans quelques régions intérieures du Portugal, les petits ruminants peuvent être sujets à des conditions climatiques chaudes, comme les températures levées ou vagues de chaleur. Ces conditions peut affecter la production animale, principalement le lait et sa qualité. En fait, les données des années précédentes, prouvent que les températures en été tendent à être de plus en plus hautes, et plusieurs vagues de chaleur se sont produites, avec les températures au-dessus du 40 oC. Pour réduire au minimum les effets de ces situations climatiques défavorables sur la production animale, nous menons à bien des travaux pour aborder ce problème.