Search

The Southern brown howler monkey, Alouatta guariba clamitans, is one of the largest Neotropical primates. The objective of this study was to describe the origin and antimeric distribution of brachial plexus nerves in A. g. clamitans and, thereby, to provide information for comparative anatomy and for anatomy applied to loco-regional anaesthetic blocking in primates. For this purpose, a macrodissection of 10 thoracic limbs of corpses that were collected from highways was performed, and the corpses were stored in 10% formaldehyde solution. The brachial plexus was essentially formed from the ventral spinal branches of segments C5 to T1, although in one specimen the contribution of C4 and in another specimen the contribution of T2 was registered. There was a grouping of ventral branches in cranial, medium and caudal trunks, and branches of C5 and C7 were the ones that mostly contributed to the origin of nerves from the plexus. Comparatively, the brachial plexus from A. g. clamitans reflected characteristics that are typical in the primate order, but also of mammal species that require versatility and precision in movements of the thoracic limbs. On the basis of that similarity, it is proposed that anatomic landmarks for anaesthetic block techniques used in other primate species may be successfully applied to A. g. clamitans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An interview-based questionnaire survey was conducted on 31 goat properties in New South Wales and Queensland in 2013. This study has gathered information on goat herd management, reproductive performance and animal health, and has identified constraints that may limit goat productivity. Producers from high-rainfall regions reported having full blood Boer goats for stud breeding. In contrast, producers from pastoral regions had rangeland goats and Boer-cross goats. Overall, 87% of the producers identified a natural breeding season in goats and 61% separated kids from their mothers at weaning. The weaning age varied between 3.0 and 6.0 months. A total of 52% of producers castrated male kids. Only 10% of producers used ultrasound to conduct pregnancy diagnosis on their goats. The reported pregnancy rate was 60% for the pastoral regions and 94% for the high-rainfall regions. The average prolificacy was 1.4 kids/doe and the kidding interval was 12 months. Overall, 68% of producers fed their goat herd with supplements, with the exception that most producers from western New South Wales and south-western Queensland did not use supplements. Producers considered gastrointestinal parasites (61%) and body lice (48%) as the main diseases associated with their goat herds, although only 52% mentioned drenching the animals with anthelmintics. In general, properties in the pastoral regions showed low pregnancy and kidding rates, early age at first mating, high mortality rates, poor performance of Boer bucks and lower weights and weight gain compared with properties in the high-rainfall regions. The survey has highlighted areas that require further study to validate the observations of producers, for instance, factors that may be limiting the fertility of Boer goats in rangeland environments, the incidence of diseases, the use of Kidplan and management activities to improve goat productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to survey farmers' knowledge and practices on the management of pastures, stocking rates and markets of meat goat-producing enterprises within New South Wales and Queensland, Australia. An interview-based questionnaire was conducted on properties that derived a significant proportion of their income from goats. The survey covered 31 landholders with a total land area of 567 177 ha and a reported total of 160 010 goats. A total of 55% (17/31) of producers were involved in both 'opportunistic harvesting' and commercial goat operations, and 45% (14/31) were specialised seedstock producers. Goats were the most important livestock enterprise on 55% (17/31) of surveyed properties. Stocking rate varied considerably (0.3-9.3 goats/ha) within and across surveyed properties and was found to be negatively associated with property size and positively associated with rainfall. Overall, 81% (25/31) of producers reported that the purpose of running goats on their properties was to target international markets. Producers also cited the importance of targeting markets as a way to increase profitability. Fifty-three percent of producers were located over 600 km from a processing plant and the high cost of freight can limit the continuity of goats supplied to abattoirs. Fencing was an important issue for goat farmers, with many producers acknowledging this could potentially add to capital costs associated with better goat management and production. Producers in the pastoral regions appear to have a low investment in pasture development and opportunistic goat harvesting appears to be an important source of income. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]