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The aim of this work is to confirm whether the lunar phase and the frequency of bovine births are correlated in extensive cattle systems in Extremadura rangelands. This study examined the temporal distribution of 13,206 calf births from 48 farms through 71 consecutive lunar cycles. Four different scenarios were designed (FASES4R, FASES4A, FASES2R, FASES2A), each with different lunar stages distributions. The analysis was performed using non-parametric tests by selecting three different groups of data: all births, only male births and only female births. The distribution of frequency with respect to calf births was similar during the main lunar stages. Thus, there is no evidence in this study that supports the popular belief that the lunar phase influences the timing of calf births. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Profitability of beef cattle farms of the Asturiana de los Valles and Asturiana de la Montaña breeds, in the types of organic and conventional production systems were compared for the years 2011 (n= 51), 2012 (n= 63) and 2013 (n= 68). The effects of breed, production type, year and their interactions were studied. Grants are crucial to the profitability of all farms. Differences between breeds in net margin/cow were not statistically different. The organic farming system has a higher dependence for grants and a lower net margin without subsidies/cow, than de conventional ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was an approach to the technical characterization of the Segureño mixed sheep system. Information of 14 farms located in the provinces of Albacete (2), Almeria (3), Granada (7), Jaén (1) and Murcia (1) was used. The information was obtained through direct surveys to producers during 2013. Subsequently descriptive statistical techniques were used to characterize the system. The typical system corresponds to an extensive mixed system of agriculture and livestock, with 710 sheep and 944 ha, which is mostly for grazing use (81 %). The average consumption per sheep per year is 195 kg of concentrate; while food consumption is 280 kg forage per sheep per year. The ability to self-supply by the farm reaches 60 % of the requirements in the case of concentrated feed and 50 % for the forage. The average productivity is about 1.2 lambs per sheep and year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]