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Hepatitis E virus (HEV) can lead to liver disease in humans. In the Netherlands, the consumption of pig meat is thought to be the main contributor to the total burden of disease caused by HEV. In this study, the number of cases and lost disability-adjusted-life-years (DALYs) due to HEV in pig meat were estimated by simulating HEV through the pig supply chain, including the farm, transport, lairage, slaughtering, processing, and consumption stages. The first four stages were modeled using a susceptible-exposed-infected-recovered (SEIR) model. For the last two stages, pig meat and liver products were divided into six product categories commonly consumed by Dutch consumers. Depending on the product category, different ways of heating and storing, leading to the reduction of infectious HEV genome copies, were assumed. Furthermore, the model was challenged by four selected control options at the pig farm: the cleaning of driving boards, the use of predatory flies, the use of rubber mats, and the vaccination of finishing pigs. Finally, the cost-effectiveness of these control measures was estimated by estimating the costs per avoided DALY. For the baseline situation, it was estimated that HEV in pig meat would lead to 70 cases and 21 DALYs per year. All control measures led to a decreased number of DALYs, with vaccination leading to the largest decrease: five DALYs per year. However, the costs per avoided DALY ranged from €0.5 to €7.5 million, making none of the control measures cost-effective unless the control measures are also effective against other pathogens., (© 2025 The Author(s). Risk Analysis published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society for Risk Analysis.)

Background: Pasture-borne parasites like Ostertagia ostertagi have a negative effect on dairy cow health and productivity. The aim of the present study was to assess potential breed-dependent associations of O. ostertagi seropositivity with dairy cow production traits, i.e. milk yield, milk fat and milk protein. Methods: We describe these associations in German Holstein (GH) cows, a specialised dairy breed, compared with a dual-purpose breed, i.e. German Simmental (SIM). Data from 560 farms across Germany housing 93,030 dairy cows were included. Of the 560 farms, 383 farms housed GH cows and 177 housed SIM. Potential breed-dependent associations of O. ostertagi seropositivity with production characteristics were explored via a two-way interaction term using quantile regression. Pasture access, farming type (organic vs. conventional), herd size (number of cows) and study year were included as confounders. The relationship of O. ostertagi seropositivity with production traits based on breed was further examined via estimated marginal means. Results: Ostertagia ostertagi bulk tank milk (BTM) seropositivity was associated with lower median milk yield, milk fat and milk protein on GH farms, whereas no differences could be detected between seropositive and seronegative SIM farms. The difference in the production parameters per cow and year at GH farms associated with O. ostertagi seropositivity were 631.6 kg milk yield (P < 0.001), 20.0 kg milk fat (P < 0.001) and 17.0 kg milk protein (P = 0.01). Conclusions: This study indicated differential associations of O. ostertagi seropositivity and production level of cows depending on breed. Our results suggest that seropositivity is associated with lower milk yield, milk fat and milk protein in high-performance dairy breeds, whereas no such association may be present in dual-purpose breeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Precision livestock farming (PLF) has been at the forefront of research over the past decade and mainly in recent years. The growing demand for animal products and the lack of human workforce together with the improvements in digital technologies necessitates the development of reliable, continuous, and real-time systems based on artificial intelligence. Our review aimed to provide a concise overview of the advantages, possibilities, limitations, and disadvantages of available PLF technologies applicable to broiler farms. Unfortunately, most literature reports experimental data and only a few of them provide examples and experiences from the practice. However, based on the gathered knowledge and information, farms can decide whether to apply the presented tools and equipment, and through suggestions, we aimed to create possibilities for the further development of precision technologies. The increasing level of poultry meat production, the lack of human workforce, and the rapid development of information technology have led to the application of precision livestock farming (PLF) systems in the poultry sector, as in other livestock sectors. This review aimed to gather information on the function, applicability, advantages, and limitations of a wide range of precision technologies applicable to broiler production to help farms and researchers in choosing the right methods in practice or creating the basis for further development. Studies as the basis of this review were extracted from more than a hundred peer-reviewed articles including mainly publications of recognised journals and conference proceedings. The results showed that most precision tools are currently undergoing testing and focus on some parameters or a group of parameters which are closely related. Information on the prevalence of PLF systems on broiler farms is not available in the literature. The accessible technologies of different purposes should be combined and connected to enable communication with each other and create a complex, reliable, and precise background for farming. This also facilitates management decisions and the treatment of so-called "Big Data". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Aquaculture production in Uganda is dominated by Nile tilapia. With the recent growth of commercial cage aquaculture, Nile tilapia currently contributes up to 70% of the total farmed fish in Uganda. It is, therefore, a major source of animal protein and livelihood for at least 30% of the population. Although Nile tilapia is endemic to Uganda, it attains slower growth rates than the improved strains in other countries. The slow growth rate results in longer feeding periods, higher feed conversion ratios (FCRs), slow turnover, longer payback periods, and a depressed rate of return. Due to poor growth rates, a Ugandan farmer can only achieve one production cycle of 9 and 11 months in cages and ponds, respectively, compared to two cycles with the improved tilapia strains. This increases the cost of production, reduces profitability, and renders Ugandan tilapia farming less competitive compared with other producing countries using improved strains. As such, there is a need to establish a systematic selective breeding program focusing on strain improvement to guarantee the supply of fast-growing quality seed. This will contribute to the sustainable growth of Nile tilapia aquaculture in Uganda. Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) aquaculture continues to significantly contribute to the growth of the aquaculture sector in Uganda. However, its production is beset by erratic and unreliable seed supply. Also, most hatcheries practice inbreeding of broodstock, resulting in inferior seed characterized by low growth rates. As such, a selective breeding program is necessary to readily avail fast-growing seed that respond to farmers' needs. The present review consolidates available information on developing a Nile tilapia breeding program in Uganda. The article discusses the significance of genetic improvement, drawing lessons from successful Nile tilapia selective breeding programs in other countries. From a literature review, no systematic Nile tilapia selective breeding program was traceable in Uganda. Scanty information on the selective breeding efforts of the species was available, with little evidence of selection for improved performance. Overall, the national capacity for aquaculture research and development, including fish breeding and strain improvement, was weak and poorly funded. The review recommends purposive support for developing a systematic strain improvement breeding program, which will be a source of improved broodstock and seed for hatcheries and farmers, respectively. The program would guide the formulation of standard operating procedures for quality seed production towards ensuring sustainable aquaculture growth in Uganda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]