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This CORE Organic Practice Abstract gives practical recommendations for multi-species livestock farming, which has the potential to improve the three dimensions of sustainability – economic viability for farmers, environmental soundness, and social acceptability – by being respectful of animals and humans, as long as locally relevant farming practices are implemented, especially an appropriate stocking rate during grazing.

The Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park was established in 1923 and is considered a flagship conservation area in Italy. It includes large extensions of semi-natural grasslands, maintained by tradi-tional transhumant grazing for centuries. The patterns and drivers of grassland composition within the Park are still poorly investigated, and the scattered phytosociological data available were often based on relevés with varied and not precisely defined sizes.In order to provide for the first time a general overview of the Park’s dry grasslands, we analysed a dataset of 87 relevés with a fixed size of 2 × 2 m, precisely delimited in the field and GPS-located. Specific research aims were: (1) to classify the vegetation plots into floristic-ecological types, support-ed by an analysis of mean (Italy-specific) Ellenberg Indicator Values (EIVs); (2) to assign the types to up-to-date phytosociological syntaxa; (3) to identify the main environmental drivers for both composi-tion and richness patterns; (4) to test the degree of correlation between (Italy-specific) EIVs and the measured environmental variables.Environmental predictors included high-resolution climatologies and remote-sensed standing bio-mass. Main vegetation types were identified using Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA). Distance-based RDA was performed as a constrained ordination method to reveal correlations between floristic composition and environmental variables. Drivers of species richness were explored through partial correlation and Regression Trees.HCA and NMDS revealed four floristically and ecologically well-interpretable groups, in turn well corresponding to the level of phytosociological class (namely Molinio-Arrhenatheretea, Nardeteastrictae, Festuco hystricis-Ononidetea striatae and Festuco-Brometea). Constrained ordination showedthat most of the floristic variation was explained by biomass, annual precipitation (Pann) and mean annual temperature (Tm). Strong and significant positive correlations were found between biomass and EIV for Nitrogen (EIV-N), and between Tm and EIV for Temperature (EIV-T). Strong and significant negative correlations were found between Pann and EIV-T, EIV for Continentality (EIV-C) and EIV for soil Reaction (EIV-R). Species richness was positively correlated with slope inclination and negatively with elevation; richness was higher in sites with a high rock cover, and on limestone or clayey substrata than on siliceous ones.We conclude that in the study area: a) dry semi-natural grasslands are arranged at least into four distinguishable, high rank floristic-ecological groups; b) a mixture of climatic (especially precipitation) and edaphic (especially bedrock and soil reaction) gradients are the main drivers of such composition patterns; c) species richness is higher in sites more stressed by summer drought and/or nutrient scarcity; d) community-means of Italy’s specific EIVs are well correlated with environmental variables in grass-lands, including a good correspondence between EIV-T and mean annual temperature.

Diversification of farming systems has been proposed as a major mechanism to address the many sustainability issues of modern industrial agriculture. Keeping two or more animal species or breeds (e.g. dairy cattle and beef cattle) simultaneously on the same farm is a diversification option that has received little attention to date. Moreover, most studies of multi-species livestock farming are partial, focus on specific dimensions of farm sustainability and address lower organizational levels, (i.e. within the farm). Thus, holistic assessment of potential benefits of multi-species livestock farming for farm sustainability is lacking. In this context, we synthesized potential benefits and limitations of multi-species livestock farming for farm sustainability from existing literature and listed research challenges related to it. We showed that multi-species livestock farming has the potential to improve the five dimensions of farm sustainability reviewed - resource-use efficiency and conservation, animal health and welfare, productivity, profitability and human welfare - as long as locally relevant farming practices are used, especially an appropriate stocking rate during grazing. If not, multi-species livestock farming may produce counter effects, such as competition during grazing, parasitic cross-infection and more intense work peaks. To further the spread of multi-species livestock farming, we identify four research challenges. One, characterize better the management of mixed-species livestock farms. To do this, we developed an analytical framework considering the integration of production enterprises within the farm from three perspectives: farming practices (i.e. co-management vs. segregated management), work organization (i.e. versatile vs. specialized workers across enterprises) and sales management (i.e. similar vs. segregated sales channels among enterprises). Two, explore further the complementarity of livestock species on multi-species livestock farms. This is especially true for species combinations that have been largely ignored (e.g. ruminants and monogastrics), even though they may have potential due to complementary diet compositions and resource-acquisition strategies. Three, assess better the sustainability of multi-species livestock farm scenarios (current or alternative) according to the management practices used and production conditions, which requires adapting existing methods/models or developing new ones. Four, characterize conditions for success of and obstacles to multi-species livestock farming along the value chain from production to consumption, considering stakeholders’ objectives, work habits and constraints. Increasing understanding should help prioritize actions and organize them into pathways toward diversification of livestock farms.

Chickpea grains may represent an alternative to soybean meals and energetic concentrates in animal feeding, as their nutritional value can help to increase the sustainability of livestock systems. Unfortunately, the presence of bioactive compounds with anti-nutritional effects can prevent its direct use, especially in mono-gastrics. It is known that the synthesis of these compounds depends on genetic expression, which is also influenced by growth conditions. The objective of this two-year study was to assess the effect of sowing date (winter versus spring) and seeding rate (70 versus 110 seeds m&minus, 2) on the accumulation of soluble carbohydrates, &alpha, galactosides, trypsin inhibitors, and inositol phosphates in the grains of two Kabuli cultivars, in the Mediterranean climate. The results showed that seeds collected from winter sowing contained more trypsin inhibitors than those seeded in spring (+ 4%, on average), reaching values between 16.1 and 18.6 TIU mg protein&minus, 1. The seeding rate affects only the &alpha, galactosides content, which increases (+9%) at lower densities (70 seeds m&minus, 2). These findings suggest that agronomic management can be used to modulate the content of some anti-nutritional factors in the seeds, even though the genetic characteristics and phenotypic expression, in relation to the climatic conditions, seem to deeply affect the content of all the bioactive compounds investigated.

This review, which has been prepared within the frame of the European Union (EU)-funded project MARLON,surveys the organisation and characteristics of specific livestock and feed production chains (conventional, organic, GM-free) within the EU, with an emphasis on controls, regulations, traceability, and common production practices. Furthermore, an overview of the origin of animal feed used in the EU as well as an examination of the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in feed is provided. From the data, it shows that livestock is traceable at the herd or individual level, depending on the species. Husbandry practices can vary widely ac-cording to geography and animal species, whilst controls and checks are in place for notifiable diseases and general health symptoms (such as mortality, disease, productive performance). For feeds, it would be possible only to make coarse estimates, at best, for the amount of GM feed ingredients that an animal is exposed to.Labeling requirements are apparently correctly followed. Provided that confounding factors are taken into ac-count, practices such as organic agriculture that explicitly involve the use of non-GM feeds could be used for comparison to those involving the use of GM feed.

O trabalho procura explorar a natureza da atuação econômica com fins políticos do Império Brasileiro no Uruguai de 1850 a 1880, a fim de verificar elementos estruturais e conjunturais que permitam conceituá-la ou não como imperialista. Com isso, destaca-se a posição do Estado brasileiro a partir dos interesses do Barão do Mauá, analisando também sua relação com o Império e como a ascensão de Mitre ao governo argentino e a Guerra do Paraguai afetaram a sua atuação e, dessa forma, a política externa brasileira no Uruguai. A partir de investigações acerca do período intervencionista do Segundo Império, na segunda metade do século XIX, questiona-se a tese do imperialismo brasileiro no Uruguai.

A República Democrática do Congo é um país que enfrentou sérios problemas ao longo de sua história. Desde sua independência, em 1960, o país atravessou guerras civis violentas e sérias crises políticas que debilitaram o Estado congolês. A remanescência de grupos opositoresarmados, que dominam partes do território do país, é uma das muitas dificuldades enfrentadas pelo Estado para a manutenção de sua soberania. Sendo a debilidade de suas capacidades militares um indicativo e uma causa dessa dificuldade, vislumbra-se a perspectiva de cooperação técnicamilitar entre o Brasil e a RDC enquanto meio para auxiliar a estruturaçãodas Forças Armadas congolesas e, consequentemente, a consolidação do próprio Estado.

O artigo analisa a importância do petróleo, em contexto de revolução dos paradigmas tecnológicos de propulsão, como elemento destacado no planejamento tático, operacional e estratégico durante a Primeira Guerra Mundial. Tal revolução, ocorrida no âmbito da Paz Armada, permitiu o desenvolvimento de uma capacidade bélica sem precedentes – destacada no caso específico das novas gerações de navios de guerra – que, na medida em que fortaleceu os Estados materialmente e conferiu uma maior capacidade de garantia e imposição de seus interesses, tornou-os dependentes do petróleo. Em decorrência dessa dependência, regiões antes pouco importantes do ponto de vista geoestratégico tornaram-se centrais para a manutenção das capacidades bélicas dos Estados, estabelecendo uma relação bidirecional entre a garantia das jazidas do mineral e a manutenção daquelas capacidades.

The black soldier fly (BSF, Hermetia illucens L.) is a very promising insect species due to the ability to convert low-value substrates in highly nutrient feed. This work aimed to study the effect of three nominally isoenergetic diets containing plant ingredients such as barley, alfalfa, and wheat byproducts, formulated to be higher in nonfiber carbohydrates (TMD1), fibers (TMD2), and protein (TMD3) in comparison to an extensively genetic modified cereal (cornmeal)-based diet (C), on the growth, yield, and nutritive traits of BSF prepupae (BSFPs). Three growing trials with four biological replicates were carried out. Proximate and fatty acid analyses were performed on the diets and BSFPs. Feed conversion ratios (FCR), dry matter and nutrient yields, and apparent concentration factors (aBCF) for fatty acids (FAs) were calculated. Diet formulation had a substantial effect on the survival, development rate, and larval yield, but the FCR was unaffected. The BSFPs fed TMD3 did not result in a higher crude protein content in comparison to the C or TMD2 diets. Despite the leveled fat content of the diets, BSFPs reared on TMD1 were highest in fat, saturated FA, and fat yield. An apparent bioconcentration factor (aBCF) value lower than unity that was found for the unsaturated FA suggests that the BSFPs inefficiently absorb them from the diet or possibly turn them into saturated FA. However, the unsaturated FA accumulation in BSFPs depended on the levels that were found in the diet, which suggested some possibilities for the FA profile modulation. Overall, the TMD2 performed well despite the low-value of its main ingredients and high fiber content and can be considered to be a feasible option for the mass rearing of BSFPs that are intended for animal feed.

Debido a la urbanización irresponsable ocurrida en las últimas décadas, algunas ciudades de origen medieval han visto perder su identidad arquitectónica y social. Con el fin de poner de relieve estas modificaciones, se estudiaron los cambios de uso del suelo en las zonas urbanas y periurbanas de 2 pequeñas ciudades medievales del centro de Italia (provincia de Viterbo, región de Lazio), a través de la realización de una investigación multi-temporal de la restitución fotogramétrica de los vuelos históricos (1934-2010). Los resultados mostraron que en el interior de las murallas de la ciudad un número variable de espacios verdes intersticiales y pequeños patios siguen existiendo en el año 2010 y en las áreas suburbanas perviven actividades agrícolas residuales, principalmente el cultivo de frutas y verduras, probablemente para el mercado local y/o el consumo doméstico. La planificación urbana debería tener en cuenta estos elementos, a fin de mejorar los vínculos funcionales entre las áreas urbanas y agrícolas, como las compensaciones pertinentes para mantener la agricultura urbana y de una economía de subsistencia. El mantenimiento de estos hábitats importantes puede ayudar a preservar las peculiaridades históricas de las ciudades medievales y mejorar la calidad de vida de los habitantes de las ciudades. Due to the reckless urbanization occurred in recent years, some towns of medieval origin risk to loose their architectural and social identity. In order to highlight the modifications occurred in the last 80 years, we studied the land use changes in the urban and peri-urban zones of two small medieval towns of central Italy (Viterbo province, Lazio region), performing a multi-temporal investigation by means of the photogrammetric restitution of historical flights (1934-2010). Results showed that inside the city walls a variable number of green spaces and small backyards remain in 2010 and in the suburban areas residual agricultural activities, mainly the cultivation of fruit and vegetables, probably for local market and/or home consumption. Urban planning should take into account these elements, in order to enhance the functional links among urban and agricultural areas, as relevant trade-offs for maintaining urban gardening and for a subsistence economy. The maintenance of these important habitats can help to preserve the historical peculiarities of medieval towns and to improve the quality of life of urban residents.

Debido a la urbanización irresponsable ocurrida en las últimas décadas, algunas ciudades de origen medieval han visto perder su identidad arquitectónica y social. Con el fin de poner de relieve estas modificaciones, se estudiaron los cambios de uso del suelo en las zonas urbanas y periurbanas de 2 pequeñas ciudades medievales del centro de Italia (provincia de Viterbo, región de Lazio), a través de la realización de una investigación multi-temporal de la restitución fotogramétrica de los vuelos históricos (1934-2010). Los resultados mostraron que en el interior de las murallas de la ciudad un número variable de espacios verdes intersticiales y pequeños patios siguen existiendo en el año 2010 y en las áreas suburbanas perviven actividades agrícolas residuales, principalmente el cultivo de frutas y verduras, probablemente para el mercado local y/o el consumo doméstico. La planificación urbana debería tener en cuenta estos elementos, a fin de mejorar los vínculos funcionales entre las áreas urbanas y agrícolas, como las compensaciones pertinentes para mantener la agricultura urbana y de una economía de subsistencia. El mantenimiento de estos hábitats importantes puede ayudar a preservar las peculiaridades históricas de las ciudades medievales y mejorar la calidad de vida de los habitantes de las ciudades. Due to the reckless urbanization occurred in recent years, some towns of medieval origin risk to loose their architectural and social identity. In order to highlight the modifications occurred in the last 80 years, we studied the land use changes in the urban and peri-urban zones of two small medieval towns of central Italy (Viterbo province, Lazio region), performing a multi-temporal investigation by means of the photogrammetric restitution of historical flights (1934-2010). Results showed that inside the city walls a variable number of green spaces and small backyards remain in 2010 and in the suburban areas residual agricultural activities, mainly the cultivation of fruit and vegetables, probably for local market and/or home consumption. Urban planning should take into account these elements, in order to enhance the functional links among urban and agricultural areas, as relevant trade-offs for maintaining urban gardening and for a subsistence economy. The maintenance of these important habitats can help to preserve the historical peculiarities of medieval towns and to improve the quality of life of urban residents.

In formulating diets for farmed aquatic species, the main ingredi- ent used is fish meal (FM). Due to the growth that aquaculture is experiencing throughout the world, the increasing demand of feeds is resulting in a FM price increase that represents an eco- nomic limit for fish farming. The need to seek protein sources alternative to FM is a matter of great interest. Among others, the use of insect larvae as feed for fish represents an interesting alter- native. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional traits of mediterranean brocade larvae (Spodoptera littoralis Bois.) in view of their possible use as feedstuffs for rainbow trout. A sample of mediterranean brocade larvae (MBL) (VI instar) and one of pupae (MBP) were assayed for fat (EE), ash (ASH) and crude pro- tein (CP) contents by conventional methods. Amino-acidic profile was obtained by HPLC on sample hydrolysates. Relative digestibil- ity of protein (RDP) was estimated by the Lazo (1988) method. Data, expressed on DM basis, were compared with those of a com- mercial feed (CF). The fat content of MBL was lower than that recorded for CF (9.4% vs 13.6%) while MBP showed a very high value (30.3% DM). Ashes in MBL (7.7%) and MBP (6.7%) were lower than in the CF (10.9%). The CP content of MBL (44.3%) was slightly higher than the CF (40.0%) but lower than in MBP (59.1%). The RDP of MBL and MBP were about a half of the value observed in CF (27.2%). Both MBL and MBP showed a lower per- centage of essential amino acids (AA) (35.8%, 36.8%) compared to CF (39.4%) even if the AA profiles were in line with the require- ments found in literature for rainbow trout. In conclusion, these preliminary results suggest that preimaginal stages of S. littoralis may be of interest in fish feeding, though more exhaustive studies have to be performed to fully assess their use as alternative for fish meal.

This in vitro study was performed to assess the effects of various concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) on lymphocyte function of heifers. Nine Holstein heifers were studied. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were incubated with various concentrations of NEFA (0, 0.0625, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 mmol/L). The mixture of NEFA was represented by C16:0 (30%), C16:1 (5%), C18:0 (15%), C18:1 (45%), and C18:2 (5%). The DNA synthesis was diminished at concentrations of NEFA of 2, 1, and 0.5 mmol/L. The IgM secretion was inhibited at concentrations of NEFA of 2, 1, 0.5, and 0.25 mmol/L. Secretion of IFN-γ was depressed at concentrations of NEFA of 2, 1, 0.5, 0.25, and 0.125 mmol/L. Increases of plasma NEFA might contribute to explain the higher incidence of infections observed in cows suffering from energy deficit.