In Brazil, one of the world's largest agricultural producers, beehives have declined due to the mismanagement of pesticides, affecting pollination and compromising food availability. For this purpose, bee products are used as bioindicators to define environmental impacts resulting from anthropogenic changes in biodiversity. Thus, an analytical method to quantify glyphosate (GLY) and its main metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), in beeswax was validated using a fluorescence detector and postcolumn reaction. The quantification limit was 0.05 mg/kg, and the recoveries ranged from 75% to 93% with a coefficient of variation of less than 11% for GLY and AMPA. The validated method was applied to 18 beeswax samples from areas with extensive agriculture and forest. None of them showed GLY or AMPA contamination. The fact that no contamination was found in Brazilian samples, even with the widespread use of GLY, emphasizes the significance of continuous studies and monitoring to protect bee health and ensure apiculture product safety.
Due the losses caused by the Rhipicephalus (boophilus) microplus tick in dairy cattle in several countries, this research evaluated the action of Factor P® as an aid in this ectoparasite control. This organic additive is supplied daily in the diet through supplementation. For this, 20 lactating Holstein cows were selected. The animals were divided into two groups, Treated Group (TG) and Control Group (CG). The animals were stratified based on the count of telegynes above 4.5 mm, present on the left side of each animal. To evaluate the action of the additive, counts were performed on days 3, 5, 7, 14, 21, 28, 57, 86, 115, 144, 172, 200, 227, 254 and 281 after the beginning of treatment. Over the 281 days, the control group received 28 sprays and the group treated with Factor P® received 10 sprays, 64% fewer interventions. Thus, it is concluded that the additive had an auxiliary effect in the control of bovine ticks, reducing the percentage of infestation, the use of acaricides and reducing additional management, favoring animal and environmental well-being with cost reduction, since using the additive Factor P®, the milk doesn't need to be discarded as in the case of conventional treatment.
The study aims to assess the zootechnical performance of post-larvae of Steindachneridion scriptum, fed with feed enriched with thyme essential oil ( (Thymus vulgaris). The experiment employed a control group (T1; control-0.0%) and feed enriched with varying concentrations of thyme essential oil: T2 (0.1%), T3 (0.5%), T4 (1.0%), T5 (2.0%), and T6 (3.0%). A total of 960 S. scriptum larvae were utilized in experimental units over a 15-day period. Zootechnical performance and histomorphometric analysis were carried out to evaluate the effects of thyme on larval feeding. The increase in villi surface area suggests an increased nutrient absorption capacity in S. scriptum larvae, improving zootechnical results at the 0.5% thyme essential oil concentration. In conclusion, the inclusion of thyme essential oil at a concentration of 0.5% proved effective in enhancing zootechnical outcomes in S. scriptum larvae. However, at higher concentrations, thyme essential oil inclusion demonstrated potential lethality to S. scriptum larvae.
Pre-slaughter handling of cattle can increase animal stress, making them more susceptible to carcass bruising. Such bruising negatively impacts the beef production chain, affecting both producers and slaughterhouses. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the incidence of bruises in cattle carcasses at a slaughterhouse located in the northwest region of S & atilde;o Paulo State, Brazil, under the supervision of the State Inspection Service (SISP). A total of 1,068 carcasses were assessed between September and December 2021. Data were collected on breed type, sex, age, travel distance, and truck model, along with the extent, severity, and location of the bruises. Among the evaluated carcasses, 64.7% were crossbred (zebu and taurine). The findings indicated that older females, with slaughter age of 25 to 36 months, were more susceptible to bruises compared to males. The hindquarter cuts were the most affected areas, with a predominance of bruises in animals transported by truck over distances of 101 to 150 km. Furthermore, the most frequent bruises were classified as grade II (51.4%) and measured between 6 and 10 cm in size (36.8%). Various factors contribute to the occurrence of bruises in beef cattle such as racial pattern, gender, age and distance travel, however, most of these factors could be prevented or mitigated through proper management practices during the pre-slaughter period.
Soil correction and fertilization are important in the formation of pastures, but many producers neglect them or use ineffective alternatives. Slow-release fertilizers may harm the establishment of forage plants, as this is a crucial moment during the pasture formation stage. The objective was to evaluate establishment fertilization strategies on the morphogenic, structural characteristics and productivity of Xara & eacute;s grass (Urochloa brizantha cv. Xara & eacute;s). To this purpose, two experimental trials were conducted in a greenhouse, both under a completely randomized design. In the first one, three establishment fertilization strategies were tested (strategy 1: without lime/NPK; strategy 2: lime + NPK; strategy 3: natural reactive phosphate), with six replications. In the second, a 3 x 10 factorial scheme was used, corresponding to the three establishment fertilization strategies and 10 evaluation dates (32, 39, 46, 53, 60, 67, 74, 81, 88, and 95 days) after emergence of plants (DAE). In experiment 1 the morphogenic characteristics of the plant were evaluated, in the second experiment the structure and dry mass production of the aerial part and roots of Xara & eacute;s grass were evaluated higher (P<0.05) rates of leaf elongation and appearance, stem elongation, and leaf senescence, in addition to higher (P<0.05) tiller densities and dry mass production, were obtained in strategy 2 than in the others. Forage production of Xara & eacute;s grass increased linearly (P<0.05) as a function of higher DAE. Therefore, using lime together with NPK fertilization provides greater growth and production of Xara & eacute;s grass.
