Katrina Rosenberger, Michael Simmler, Jan Langbein, Christian Nawroth, and Nina Keil
Abstracts Current evidence suggests that frequent exposure to situations in which captive animals can solve cognitive tasks may have positive effects on stress responsiveness and thus on welfare. However, confounding factors often hamper the interpretation of study results. In this study, we used human-presented object-choice tests (in form of visual discrimination and reversal learning tests and a cognitive test battery), to assess the effect of long-term cognitive stimulation (44 sessions over 4–5 months) on behavioural and cardiac responses of female domestic goats in subsequent stress tests. To disentangle whether cognitive stimulation per se or the reward associated with the human–animal interaction required for testing was affecting the stress responsiveness, we conditioned three treatment groups: goats that were isolated for participation in human-presented cognitive tests and rewarded with food (‘Cognitive’, COG treatment), goats that were isolated as for the test exposure and rewarded with food by the experimenter without being administered the object-choice tests (‘Positive’, POS treatment), and goats that were isolated in the same test room but neither received a reward nor were administered the tests (‘Isolation’, ISO treatment). All treatment groups were subsequently tested in four stress tests: a novel arena test, a novel object test, a novel human test, and a weighing test in which goats had to enter and exit a scale cage. All treatment groups were tested at the same two research sites, each using two selection lines, namely dwarf goats, not selected for production traits, and dairy goats, selected for high productivity. Analysing the data with principal component analysis and linear mixed-effects models, we did not find evidence that cognitive testing per se (COG–POS contrast) reduces stress responsiveness of goats in subsequent stress tests. However, for dwarf goats but not for dairy goats, we found support for an effect of reward-associated human–animal interactions (POS–ISO contrast) at least for some stress test measures. Our results highlight the need to consider ontogenetic and genetic variation when assessing stress responsiveness and when interacting with goats.
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13th International Conference on Goats, Eger, Hungary, September 18-23, 2022 Congress Opening Keynote: The role of goats in the world: farming, society, and rural sustainability Deadline for abstract submission is May 1, 2022.
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![]() Contribution of small ruminants to food security for Ethiopian smallholder farmers Volume 184, March 2020, 106064 Hiwot Desta Wodajo, Biruk Alemu Gemeda, Wole Kinati, Annet Abenakyo Mulem, Anouka van Eerdewijk, Barbara Wieland Abstract This study investigates how and to what extent arguments related to food security influence preference of livestock species for women and men. Data was collected in four regions of Ethiopia through 92 focus group discussions (FGD) in communities where small ruminant production is common, Using a gender sensitive study designs, 23 FGDs were held separately with men, women and youth (male and female), and through a household survey involving 217 male and 212 women. Qualitative analysis was conducted to extract reasons given to explain the importance of livestock. Reasons related to food security were mapped to the four dimensions underpinning food security—accessibility, availability, nutritional value and stability. All FGDs considered sheep the most important livestock species, followed by cattle, with women allocating higher scores to sheep than men. All four dimensions of food security came up in statements explaining the importance of species but with variations across species. Interestingly, food security related arguments were most prevalent for goats followed by poultry. Of reasons given by women concerning the importance of goats, 78 % were related to food security with all four dimensions represented, and 52 % for poultry with two dimensions (availability and nutritional value). Answers from men especially had a stronger focus on economic reasons directly linked to income generation. Nevertheless, 64 % of men’s arguments for goats were related to food security. For sheep however, women only scored higher for arguments related to availability. When investigating purpose of small ruminant production at household level through a household survey, the importance of small ruminants for food security were confirmed; however, gender differences were less apparent. Being able to sell animals at short notice was the main reason for keeping small ruminants for both women and men followed by meat and milk for home consumption. Women’s argument for prioritizing selling were accessibility. For men, key arguments for selling were related to availability. For meat and milk their nutritional value was an important argument. Comparing agroecologies, accessibility (selling) was ranked top in highland areas and nutritional value (milk) was most important in lowland areas. In conclusion, this study provides much needed evidence on how small ruminants contribute to different dimensions of food security and are promising entry points targeting women to improve food and nutritional security by providing adequate animal source foods in a household. To read the entire article, visit SRR ![]() Kentaro Kawazoe was one of Japan’s most successful and inspiring goat farmers. Sadly, he passed away in July 2021, leaving his legacy and one of the largest goat farms in Japan. This tribute is to remember him. His goat story began in 2005 when he studied music composition in Germany. He found goat milk and meat at a grocery store, which he had never seen in Japan. Once he tried them, he was impressed by the tastes. After he came to Japan in 2009, he started working at a local farm cooperative and bought a pair of young goats at home. Kentaro learned a lot about agricultural subsidies in Japan through his job. His mother, Waka, who supported his ambition, also fell in love with goats and mainly took care of kids and sick animals while he was working. September 18-23, 202 The ICG2022 Conference offers a wide range of exhibiting and advertising opportunities for institutions and companies interested in goat farming. Our conference offers your organization many convenient and effective ways to get your product and/or service noticed by the attendees.
The benefits you can derive from exhibiting are unique because, unlike other segments of marketing campaigns, targeting a conference audience can be both selective and direct, allowing you to meet the delegates directly. We will offer booths of several sizes and exhibition ground space at the conference venue. Additionally, you can set up a personalized profile on the virtual event platform, and you may publish videos and brochures. We will encourage all attendees (physical and virtual) to set up user profiles on the virtual event platform. This way, attendees can easily find you, and you can effortlessly search their profiles and start conversations. Company representatives can answer participants’ questions in writing. You can also request meetings with each other. Even if both parties are there in person, the platform will help better manage your calendar. IGA’s Board of Directors is offering special discounts for IGA Institutional members. The following discounts will apply for IGA Institutional members:
Please join IGA join as an Institutional member through their website before filling out the registration form (https://www.iga-goatworld.com/institutional-members.html). For more information regarding becoming an Exhibitor/Sponsor download our kit in Adobe PDF or Word DOC format. Alternative feed resources and their management for transiting towards a sustainable ruminant production September 27-29, 2022 - Catania, Sicily, Italy Boosting the contribution of livestock and forage productions to sustainable agri food systems ![]() The Mediterranean basin is highly affected by climate change, while certain countries still need to increase livestock production in order to achieve food self-sufficiency. Producing « better » is an urgent issue. In this respect, ruminants have an asset: they can be fed on plants, plant parts and agro-industrial by products which are not directly recoverable for humans. The Mediterranean landscapes are composed of an agro-silvo-pastoral mosaic, which offers opportunities for interactions between livestock production, agriculture and natural areas. Mediterranean grasslands are an important source of forage; cultivated forage, possibly associated to perennial or annual crops, provides high-quality feed for periods of high nutrient requirements; agro-industry produces a variety of typical by-products which may be included in ruminant diets. This joint seminar of the «Ruminant nutrition» and «Mediterranean pastures and forage crops» sub-networks aims at exploring the various opportunities in terms of novel or underexploited local feed resources, which could be valued better in the future and used to secure small ruminant feeding systems and boost animal production. Joining these two sub-networks gives the opportunity to consider the question from two complementary points of view, thus encouraging system approaches. We are proud to welcome the newest IGA institutional member, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong.
The Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences (VCS) was established in March 2020 is the newest department in the Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine. Our rapidly growing team of pioneering Faculty, Adjuncts and support staff embrace a vision be Asia's pre-eminent body advancing veterinary clinical science in response to evolving societal needs. The mission of the VCS department is to advance animal health and welfare through cutting edge clinical research, to nurture research-trained, practice-ready, professional veterinary graduates, to establish Hong Kong's first academic postgraduate veterinary residency-training programs and to give back to the local communities through service and outreach. Vision The Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences was established in March 2020 with the vision to be Asia's preeminent body advancing veterinary clinical science in response to evolving societal needs. Mission The mission of the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences has three distinct but interrelated components:
Dear Members of the International Goat Association and prospective hosts,
The International Goat Association is accepting proposals for the 14th International Conference on Goats to be held in 2026. Send all submissions and conference planning questions to Christian DeVries, IGA’s Executive Director ([email protected]). The International Conference on Goats (ICG) is a scientific and social meeting to present new research findings and provide expert input into important issues of goat production, health, food value chains, etc. Our conferences attract attention from scientists, scholars, veterinarians, government personnel, extension workers, and producers worldwide. Past meetings have been held successfully in the United Kingdom, France, USA, Brazil, India, China, South Africa, Mexico, Spain, and Turkey. The 13th International Conference on Goats will be entirely virtual from September 18 to 23, 2022. The IGA’s Board of Directors will meet during the 13th ICG to review conference bids and hear presentations. Interested host countries will present their proposals to the IGA Board during the conference. To prepare for the proposal, please refer to the IGA Board Guidelines for Planning an International Conference on Goats (https://www.iga-goatworld.com/conference-planning.html) We appreciate your interest in continuing the tradition of the International Goat Association. Noemí Castro Navarro IGA President There are a few common problems you might experience:
We have an entire page to help answer your Frequently Asked Questions, click here. February 2 at 7 pm, 2022, NC State Sheep and Goat Extension, USA
This webinar will explore the importance of record keeping and recording keeping systems for small ruminants. Join the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Small Ruminant Team and Rafael Bravo, sheep producer in Polk county, to discuss the importance of record keeping on small ruminant operations and practical ways to implement record keeping systems. Learn how records can be used to identify strengths and weaknesses in a flock, establish goals and priorities, and make management decisions. |
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