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There is an increasing interest in assessing livestock breed contributions to ecosystem services (ES) and including this knowledge in decision making. However, this task has been limited due to the complexity of the multidimensional relationship between livestock diversity and ecosystem services. In this work, we elaborate on the livestock breed characteristics central to developing a comprehensive approach to livestock breed inclusion in the ecosystem services framework. Thus, we explore the multidimensional nature of livestock breeds, i.e., as eco-cultural entities, biodiversity components, and drivers of livestock system heterogeneity and functioning. First, anthropogenic and natural factors have acted jointly to develop breeds as eco-cultural entities. This fact represents an opportunity to move toward farming system sustainability by Nature-Based Solutions and Nature’s Contribution to People paradigms. Second, livestock breeds are components of biodiversity, and as such, can be framed as goods, as final ecosystem services, and as regulators of ecosystem processes. Third, livestock breeds contribute to livestock system heterogeneity and resilience. By integrating these aspects, we might better understand how livestock breeds provide and modulate ecosystem service provision and, therefore, how to improve breed conservation and livestock policies toward farming system sustainability.
Elena Velado-Alonso; Antonio Gómez-Sal; Alberto Bernués; Daniel Martín-Collado. Disentangling the Multidimensional Relationship between Livestock Breeds and Ecosystem Services. Animals 2021, 11, 2548 .
AMA StyleElena Velado-Alonso, Antonio Gómez-Sal, Alberto Bernués, Daniel Martín-Collado. Disentangling the Multidimensional Relationship between Livestock Breeds and Ecosystem Services. Animals. 2021; 11 (9):2548.
Chicago/Turabian StyleElena Velado-Alonso; Antonio Gómez-Sal; Alberto Bernués; Daniel Martín-Collado. 2021. "Disentangling the Multidimensional Relationship between Livestock Breeds and Ecosystem Services." Animals 11, no. 9: 2548.
Livestock keepers in southwestern Burkina Faso hold the local Lobi taurine breed, local Zebu cattle, and their crosses. Some communities in the region have begun to implement community-based cattle breeding programs (CBBPs), which involve animal tagging and recording and, potentially, also bull sharing. Based on the hypothesis that the participation of livestock keepers in CBBPs depends on their attitudes towards these programs, we used questionnaires to survey the attitudes of 125 farmers towards cattle breeding strategies and tools. Results were analyzed using principal component analysis. Farmers showed a highly positive attitude towards maintaining the features of their preferred cattle breed, but their attitudes varied substantially towards crossbreeding for breed improvement. Farmers generally agreed that performance was more important than animal appearance, and most of them were willing to cooperate with breeders’ associations but were skeptical about sharing their bulls with other farmers. The majority was reluctant to record performance data, which may be due to a capacity deficit and their confidence in being able to select the best animals based purely on phenotype. Our analysis suggests that breeders’ associations, as a key component of CBBPs, should lay down clear rules and obligations for their members from the outset. Timely consideration of farmers’ attitudes towards different breeding tools may improve their uptake and guarantee the sustainability of CBBPs.
Bienvenue Zoma-Traoré; Lorenz Probst; Salifou Ouédraogo-Koné; Albert Soudré; Dominique Ouédraogo; Bernadette Yougbaré; Amadou Traoré; Negar Khayatzadeh; Gábor Mészáros; Pamela Burger; Okeyo Mwai; Johann Sölkner; Maria Wurzinger; Daniel Martin-Collado. Livestock Keepers’ Attitudes: Keystone of Effective Community-Based Breeding Programs. Sustainability 2021, 13, 2499 .
AMA StyleBienvenue Zoma-Traoré, Lorenz Probst, Salifou Ouédraogo-Koné, Albert Soudré, Dominique Ouédraogo, Bernadette Yougbaré, Amadou Traoré, Negar Khayatzadeh, Gábor Mészáros, Pamela Burger, Okeyo Mwai, Johann Sölkner, Maria Wurzinger, Daniel Martin-Collado. Livestock Keepers’ Attitudes: Keystone of Effective Community-Based Breeding Programs. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (5):2499.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBienvenue Zoma-Traoré; Lorenz Probst; Salifou Ouédraogo-Koné; Albert Soudré; Dominique Ouédraogo; Bernadette Yougbaré; Amadou Traoré; Negar Khayatzadeh; Gábor Mészáros; Pamela Burger; Okeyo Mwai; Johann Sölkner; Maria Wurzinger; Daniel Martin-Collado. 2021. "Livestock Keepers’ Attitudes: Keystone of Effective Community-Based Breeding Programs." Sustainability 13, no. 5: 2499.
Food consumption in Europe is changing. Red meat consumption has been steadily decreasing in the past decades. The rising interest of consumers for healthier and more sustainable meat products provides red meat producers with the opportunity to differentiate their offers by ecolabels, origin and health claims. This international study analyses the European consumer preferences for red meat (beef, lamb and goat) in seven countries: Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom. Through a choice experiment, 2900 responses were collected. Mixed multinomial logit models were estimated to identify heterogeneous preferences among consumers at the country level. The results indicate substantial differences between the most relevant attributes for the average consumer, as well as their willingness to pay for them in each country. Nevertheless, national origin and organic labels were highly valued in most countries.
Emilia Cubero Dudinskaya; Simona Naspetti; Georgios Arsenos; Emmanuelle Caramelle-Holtz; Terhi Latvala; Daniel Martin-Collado; Stefano Orsini; Emel Ozturk; Raffaele Zanoli. European Consumers’ Willingness to Pay for Red Meat Labelling Attributes. Animals 2021, 11, 556 .
AMA StyleEmilia Cubero Dudinskaya, Simona Naspetti, Georgios Arsenos, Emmanuelle Caramelle-Holtz, Terhi Latvala, Daniel Martin-Collado, Stefano Orsini, Emel Ozturk, Raffaele Zanoli. European Consumers’ Willingness to Pay for Red Meat Labelling Attributes. Animals. 2021; 11 (2):556.
Chicago/Turabian StyleEmilia Cubero Dudinskaya; Simona Naspetti; Georgios Arsenos; Emmanuelle Caramelle-Holtz; Terhi Latvala; Daniel Martin-Collado; Stefano Orsini; Emel Ozturk; Raffaele Zanoli. 2021. "European Consumers’ Willingness to Pay for Red Meat Labelling Attributes." Animals 11, no. 2: 556.
The Canadian Angus Association recently developed genetic evaluations for teat and udder structure, which impact efficiencies, and animal health and welfare. Genetic selection tools are most effective incorporated into economic selection indexes. An important factor in the development of economic indexes is the estimation of the economic value and discounted gene expression coefficients, and thereby the economic weight, of each trait. Traditional estimation methods, interrogation of previous studies quantifying the impact of the traits and bioeconomic modelling, were reinforced using producer surveys that employed pairwise ranking methods. Estimates of discounted genetic expression coefficients, economic value and economic weight for teat and udder score in Canadian Angus cattle were 0.31 per sire, $52.47, and $16.91 per score change on a per calf born basis, respectively, indicating that functional traits such as teat and udder structure have a significant impact on profitability and should be included in genetic selection programmes. Limitations in previous studies illustrate the need for longitudinal studies on traits that impact efficiencies and animal health and welfare.
Kajal Devani; Cheryl D. Quinton; Jason A. Archer; Bruno F. S. Santos; Daniel Martin‐Collado; Peter Amer; Ed A. Pajor; Karin Orsel; John J. Crowley. Estimation of economic value for efficiency and animal health and welfare traits, teat and udder structure, in Canadian Angus cattle. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics 2021, 138, 314 -325.
AMA StyleKajal Devani, Cheryl D. Quinton, Jason A. Archer, Bruno F. S. Santos, Daniel Martin‐Collado, Peter Amer, Ed A. Pajor, Karin Orsel, John J. Crowley. Estimation of economic value for efficiency and animal health and welfare traits, teat and udder structure, in Canadian Angus cattle. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics. 2021; 138 (3):314-325.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKajal Devani; Cheryl D. Quinton; Jason A. Archer; Bruno F. S. Santos; Daniel Martin‐Collado; Peter Amer; Ed A. Pajor; Karin Orsel; John J. Crowley. 2021. "Estimation of economic value for efficiency and animal health and welfare traits, teat and udder structure, in Canadian Angus cattle." Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics 138, no. 3: 314-325.
Under-use of genetic improvement tools and low participation in breeding programmes are key drivers of breeding programmes under-performance. Both aspects are heavily influenced by farmers attitudes which, to date, have not been analysed in an objective and systematic manner. A key factor constraining the implementation of attitudinal studies towards livestock breeding tools is the lack of a reference scale for measuring attitudes. In this research, we provide the livestock breeding sector with such a reference measure. We developed the scale following the standardized psychometric methodologies and statistical tools. Then, as a case study, we used the scale to explore the attitudes of beef and dairy sheep farmers in Australia, New Zealand and Spain and analysed farmer and farming system factors related to those attitudes. Fourteen sheep and beef breed associations facilitated the implementation of a survey of 547 farmers, generating data that was used for the scale evaluation. The relationship between attitudinal factors and farmer and farming system factors was analysed using generalized linear models across and within breeds. The results suggest that the 8-item definitive scale we have developed is appropriate to measure farmer attitudes. We found that attitudes towards genetic improvement tools have two components; i) traditional selection and ii) genetic and genomic selection combined. This means that positive attitudes towards traditional phenotypic selection do not necessarily imply a negative attitude towards genetic and genomic selection tools. Farmer attitudes varied greatly not only across the studied breeds, species and countries, but also within them. High-educated farmers of business-oriented farms tend to have the most negative attitude towards traditional selection. However, attitudes towards genetic and genomic selection tools could not be linked to these factors. Finally, we found that the breed raised had a large effect on farmer attitude. These findings may help in the evolution of breeding programmes by identifying both the farmers most inclined to uptake breeding innovations in the early stages of its establishment and the farmers who would be more reluctant to participate in such programmes, thus informing where to focus extension efforts.
D. Martin-Collado; C. Díaz; G. Benito-Ruiz; D. Ondé; A. Rubio; T.J. Byrne. Measuring farmers' attitude towards breeding tools: the Livestock Breeding Attitude Scale. Animal 2021, 15, 100062 .
AMA StyleD. Martin-Collado, C. Díaz, G. Benito-Ruiz, D. Ondé, A. Rubio, T.J. Byrne. Measuring farmers' attitude towards breeding tools: the Livestock Breeding Attitude Scale. Animal. 2021; 15 (2):100062.
Chicago/Turabian StyleD. Martin-Collado; C. Díaz; G. Benito-Ruiz; D. Ondé; A. Rubio; T.J. Byrne. 2021. "Measuring farmers' attitude towards breeding tools: the Livestock Breeding Attitude Scale." Animal 15, no. 2: 100062.
This international study involving seven European countries (Italy, UK, Finland, France, Spain, Greece, Turkey) was conducted to explore the relevant reasons that affect both consumer and non-consumer perceptions of sheep and goat meat. Laddering and means–end chain theory were applied. The results indicate that consumers associate sheep and goat meat with a unique taste, authenticity and natural production, linked with values such as health and enjoyment of life. In contrast, non-consumers mainly feel disgusted when they think and feel about these meats, and do not associate any specific health benefits to their consumption, disliking their taste, odour and fat content. This study is based on qualitative research. Only analytical generalizations are possible, expanding the theory on what drives consumer behaviour when purchasing meat. No previous means–end chain studies are available in the literature regarding small ruminants’ meat consumer preferences.
Serena Mandolesi; Simona Naspetti; Georgios Arsenos; Emmanuelle Caramelle-Holtz; Terhi Latvala; Daniel Martin-Collado; Stefano Orsini; Emel Ozturk; Raffaele Zanoli. Motivations and Barriers for Sheep and Goat Meat Consumption in Europe: A Means–End Chain Study. Animals 2020, 10, 1105 .
AMA StyleSerena Mandolesi, Simona Naspetti, Georgios Arsenos, Emmanuelle Caramelle-Holtz, Terhi Latvala, Daniel Martin-Collado, Stefano Orsini, Emel Ozturk, Raffaele Zanoli. Motivations and Barriers for Sheep and Goat Meat Consumption in Europe: A Means–End Chain Study. Animals. 2020; 10 (6):1105.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSerena Mandolesi; Simona Naspetti; Georgios Arsenos; Emmanuelle Caramelle-Holtz; Terhi Latvala; Daniel Martin-Collado; Stefano Orsini; Emel Ozturk; Raffaele Zanoli. 2020. "Motivations and Barriers for Sheep and Goat Meat Consumption in Europe: A Means–End Chain Study." Animals 10, no. 6: 1105.
Traditionally, in dairy production, traits included in total merit indices (TMI) are weighted based on their economic importance in the production system in which they are meant to be used. In the Nordic countries, Nordic Total Merit (NTM) is used. Farmers may, however, have herd-specific breeding goals, which can differ greatly from TMI. Recently, surveys have been conducted among dairy farmers to determine their selection preferences with the aim of complementing the development of the breeding objectives deduced purely from economic data. The aim of this study was 1) to investigate the stated selection preferences for AI (artificial insemination) bull traits of Finnish dairy farmers when selecting AI bulls for both of the main dairy breeds in Finland: Ayrshire (AY) and Holstein (HOL), and 2) to analyse how the stated preferences match the revealed preferences in dairy bull selection. An online survey was conducted to determine farmers’ stated preferences using Analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Altogether 657 farmers responded to the survey, yielding a response rate of 17.2%. Based on farm characteristics and background information, the respondents can be said to represent also the future Finnish dairy farmer. The AHP results were compared with respondents’ revealed bull selection, which was determined by the mean of traits’ estimated breeding values (EBVs) of bulls used weighted by the number of inseminations in each herd. Large differences emerged between stated and revealed preferences in both dairy breeds. Longevity was the most important trait in revealed preferences in HOL herds and the second most important trait in AY herds. In stated preferences longevity was the second most important trait on both breeds. Yield was the most important trait in AY herds and the second most important trait in HOL herds in revealed preferences, but very little favoured in stated selection preferences. In addition, conformation was more favoured in the revealed selection than in the stated preferences. Health was quite poorly favoured in revealed selection, given that it ranked highest in the stated preferences. Revealed preference of different traits followed relatively well NTM-based selection in both breeds. Most farmers seem to trust NTM in their AI bull selection, but it is not the only criterion for choosing AI bulls. The information regarding farmers’ stated preferences and earlier AI bull selection could be used to customize the NTM at the farm level, better considering individual farmers' perspectives.
Elina Paakala; Daniel Martin-Collado; Asko Mäki-Tanila; Jarmo Juga. Farmers’ stated selection preferences differ from revealed AI bull selection in Finnish dairy herds. Livestock Science 2020, 240, 104117 .
AMA StyleElina Paakala, Daniel Martin-Collado, Asko Mäki-Tanila, Jarmo Juga. Farmers’ stated selection preferences differ from revealed AI bull selection in Finnish dairy herds. Livestock Science. 2020; 240 ():104117.
Chicago/Turabian StyleElina Paakala; Daniel Martin-Collado; Asko Mäki-Tanila; Jarmo Juga. 2020. "Farmers’ stated selection preferences differ from revealed AI bull selection in Finnish dairy herds." Livestock Science 240, no. : 104117.
In anthropogenic landscapes, which are usually characterized by the existence of highly heterogeneous patchworks of habitats with different conservation status, restored gravel pits have the potential to play a conservation role for semiaquatic species such as Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra). Here, we report an otter habitat suitability analysis on a complex fluvial system in an anthropogenic landscape to understand the role of different artificial water bodies (i.e., irrigation channels and ditches) and natural water bodies (i.e., rivers) related to a restored gravel pit lagoon system as providers of suitable habitats for otters. We implemented seven sampling campaigns during 2016 and 2017 consisting of 19 transects across all existing types of water bodies. We integrated 34 environmental variables with otter habitat use, measured by three spraint marking intensity indicators. We found that otter use of water bodies was not related to the natural or artificial origin of the water. Three key factors influenced habitat suitability: riparian vegetation tree cover, forestland use (either natural or planted) within 100 m from the banks, and the level of human disturbance. Our results suggest that otters' tolerance of human activities might be lower in key areas of their territory compared to areas they pass through or explore. We argue that restored gravel pit lagoon systems can potentially play a role in providing suitable habitats for otters in anthropogenic landscapes. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Daniel Martin‐Collado; María D. Jiménez; Carlos Rouco; Lucia Ciuffoli; Rocío De Torre. Potential of restored gravel pits to provide suitable habitats for Eurasian otters in anthropogenic landscapes. Restoration Ecology 2020, 28, 995 -1005.
AMA StyleDaniel Martin‐Collado, María D. Jiménez, Carlos Rouco, Lucia Ciuffoli, Rocío De Torre. Potential of restored gravel pits to provide suitable habitats for Eurasian otters in anthropogenic landscapes. Restoration Ecology. 2020; 28 (4):995-1005.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDaniel Martin‐Collado; María D. Jiménez; Carlos Rouco; Lucia Ciuffoli; Rocío De Torre. 2020. "Potential of restored gravel pits to provide suitable habitats for Eurasian otters in anthropogenic landscapes." Restoration Ecology 28, no. 4: 995-1005.
The decline in European sheep and goat farmers is a complicated agricultural challenge that requires solutions and innovation to reverse. The complexity of this challenge means that a multi-stakeholder approach is required to understand how to prioritise each component of the challenge and find appropriate solutions. The multi-stakeholder approach used in this research included semi-structured interviews with 47 sheep and goat farmers. Additionally, a survey and 3 workshop discussions were done with stakeholders from 28 research and industry organisations. All stakeholders agreed that improvement of the market for sheep and goat products was the most important priority. Industry representatives and researchers, however, suggested breeding programmes and availability of labour as important, whilst farmers suggested cost of production, solutions for predators and animal health were more important. Additionally, innovations that industry representatives believe should be tested are for breeding, collection of farm data and reproduction despite marketing and processing being the main priority. This mismatch is probably because these stakeholders do not have the capacity to test innovation or solutions related to marketing and processing of products. The multi-stakeholder approach was effective at identifying key priorities and potential solutions that can be used to make sheep and goat farms more sustainable. More solutions related to product marketing and processing could have been identified if the research included stakeholders specialising in these areas.
Ian Rose; Daniel Martin-Collado; Stefano Orsini; Rafaelle Zanoli; David Yañez-Ruiz; Konstantinos Zaralis; Georgios Arsenos. Using the Multi-stakeholder Approach to Match Potential Innovations with Challenges Experienced by European Sheep and Goat Farms. Intensified Land and Water Use 2019, 119 -130.
AMA StyleIan Rose, Daniel Martin-Collado, Stefano Orsini, Rafaelle Zanoli, David Yañez-Ruiz, Konstantinos Zaralis, Georgios Arsenos. Using the Multi-stakeholder Approach to Match Potential Innovations with Challenges Experienced by European Sheep and Goat Farms. Intensified Land and Water Use. 2019; ():119-130.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIan Rose; Daniel Martin-Collado; Stefano Orsini; Rafaelle Zanoli; David Yañez-Ruiz; Konstantinos Zaralis; Georgios Arsenos. 2019. "Using the Multi-stakeholder Approach to Match Potential Innovations with Challenges Experienced by European Sheep and Goat Farms." Intensified Land and Water Use , no. : 119-130.
D. Martin-Collado; P. Boettcher; A. Bernués. Opinion paper: livestock agroecosystems provide ecosystem services but not their components – the case of species and breeds. Animal 2019, 13, 2111 -2113.
AMA StyleD. Martin-Collado, P. Boettcher, A. Bernués. Opinion paper: livestock agroecosystems provide ecosystem services but not their components – the case of species and breeds. Animal. 2019; 13 (10):2111-2113.
Chicago/Turabian StyleD. Martin-Collado; P. Boettcher; A. Bernués. 2019. "Opinion paper: livestock agroecosystems provide ecosystem services but not their components – the case of species and breeds." Animal 13, no. 10: 2111-2113.
Changing production circumstances, a wide range of traits and the international bull market enable dairy farmers to make increasingly specific choices concerning artificial insemination (AI) bulls. Finland is part of the joint Nordic dairy cattle breeding programme where in addition to yield, high emphasis is given to health, fertility, conformation and longevity. The aims of our study were (a) to investigate whether Finnish dairy farmers differ in their selection preferences for AI bull traits and can be clustered into herd groups, (b) to determine whether AI bull selection in different herd groups is in line with the Nordic Total Merit index (NTM) and (c) to analyse how the herd groups are related to herd characteristics. We used a statistical cluster analysis to analyse AI bull usage and to group herds according to each herd's bull selection profile determined by the traits’ estimated breeding value (EBV) mean weighted by the number of inseminations for the various traits. We identified four herd groups in both Ayrshire (AY) and Holstein (HOL) breeds: Production, Fertility, All‐rounders, and Conformation. The herds’ bull selection profiles were mostly close to the NTM except in the Conformation herd groups where traits other than conformation were nearly neglected. This led to poorer expected genetic and economic outcomes than with the NTM selection. Conformation herds were a minority, but they were larger in herd size and investments had recently been made. The data suggest that either fine‐tuning the weights in the NTM, forming alternative indices or developing a herd‐specific total merit index (TMI) could fulfil the needs of very diverse herds.
Elina Paakala; Daniel Martín-Collado; Asko Mäki-Tanila; Jarmo Juga. Variation in the actual preferences for AI bull traits among Finnish dairy herds. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics 2018, 135, 410 -419.
AMA StyleElina Paakala, Daniel Martín-Collado, Asko Mäki-Tanila, Jarmo Juga. Variation in the actual preferences for AI bull traits among Finnish dairy herds. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics. 2018; 135 (6):410-419.
Chicago/Turabian StyleElina Paakala; Daniel Martín-Collado; Asko Mäki-Tanila; Jarmo Juga. 2018. "Variation in the actual preferences for AI bull traits among Finnish dairy herds." Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics 135, no. 6: 410-419.
The last decades of developments in animal breeding, genetics, genomics and data recording technologies have allowed the evaluation of larger numbers of animal and animal traits than ever before. This should help make animal breeding choices more informed, but it also makes them far more complex. This complexity may be overwhelming farmers, thus compromising realization of potential genetic gain in livestock industries. However, the effect of complexity of animal breeding choices on farmers’ selection of animals has received very little theoretical consideration to date. This paper reviews the theoretical principles of complex decisions, contextualizes the findings to the field of animal breeding, and analyses how farmers and the animal breeding industry are currently dealing with complexity. According to the findings of the analyses of complex decisions in other fields, the complexity of animal breeding choices is likely to lead to farmers using conscious or unconscious simplifying strategies (heuristics) to handle such complexity. When these heuristics are ineffective, poor selection decisions and a potential loss of genetic progress can be expected. Further, studies using survey experiments to understand farmer behaviour and selection preferences may be compromised by the complexity of the survey´s choice tasks. Thus, while many animal breeding industries recognize the complexity of animal breeding choices for farmers and attempts are made to assist farmers in their choice making, the effectiveness of these attempts is not well quantified and understood. We discuss three areas of research that could be key to disentangling how, and by how much, animal breeding choice complexity affects farmers’ decisions.
Daniel Martin-Collado; Timothy J. Byrne; Clara Diaz; Peter R. Amer. Complexity of animal breeding choice making. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics 2018, 135, 395 -409.
AMA StyleDaniel Martin-Collado, Timothy J. Byrne, Clara Diaz, Peter R. Amer. Complexity of animal breeding choice making. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics. 2018; 135 (6):395-409.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDaniel Martin-Collado; Timothy J. Byrne; Clara Diaz; Peter R. Amer. 2018. "Complexity of animal breeding choice making." Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics 135, no. 6: 395-409.
A publication in Nature (Owens 2017) attracted our attention recently. The article refers to the ambitious, arduous, and encouraging plan to remove invasive mammalian predators from New Zealand (NZ) by 2050 (PFNZ2050). Actually, this proposal was discussed in detail in BioScience in 2015 (Russell et al. 2015). Reading Owens's article might leave the impression that New Zealand's fight against invasive predators is simply a technical issue and that all NZ society agrees with this quest. Although this might hold true for some of the suite of invasive mammals in NZ, such as rodents, other invasives, such as cats, are often not perceived as pests by the general public (Courchamp et al. 2017). However, the effects of cats on native ecosystems are at least as detrimental as those of species of lesser attachment to humans. Their impact is greatest on endemic fauna that have evolved in regions free of mammals, such as islands, and in Australia and NZ (Medina et al. 2011, Doherty et al. 2017). Cats are responsible for 33% of bird, mammal, and reptile extinctions recorded on islands by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (Pysek et al. 2017). In NZ, feral cats and, to a lesser degree, domestic cats are responsible for the extinction of six bird species and have caused the decline of several native species of birds and lizards.
Carlos Rouco; Rocío De Torre-Ceijas; Daniel Martín-Collado; Andrea E. Byrom. New Zealand Shouldn’t Ignore Feral Cats. BioScience 2017, 67, 686 -686.
AMA StyleCarlos Rouco, Rocío De Torre-Ceijas, Daniel Martín-Collado, Andrea E. Byrom. New Zealand Shouldn’t Ignore Feral Cats. BioScience. 2017; 67 (8):686-686.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCarlos Rouco; Rocío De Torre-Ceijas; Daniel Martín-Collado; Andrea E. Byrom. 2017. "New Zealand Shouldn’t Ignore Feral Cats." BioScience 67, no. 8: 686-686.
Calving difficulty (CD) is a key functional trait with significant influence on herd profitability and animal welfare. Breeding plays an important role in managing CD both at farm and industry level. An alternative to the economic value approach to determine the CD penalty is to complement the economic models with the analysis of farmer perceived on-farm impacts of CD. The aim of this study was to explore dairy and beef farmer views and perceptions on the economic and non-economic on-farm consequences of CD, to ultimately inform future genetic selection tools for the beef and dairy industries in Ireland. A standardised quantitative online survey was released to all farmers with e-mail addresses on the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation database. In total, 271 farmers completed the survey (173 beef farmers and 98 dairy farmers). Both dairy and beef farmers considered CD a very important issue with economic and non-economic components. However, CD was seen as more problematic by dairy farmers, who mostly preferred to slightly reduce its incidence, than by beef farmers, who tended to support increases in calf value even though it would imply a slight increase in CD incidence. Farm size was found to be related to dairy farmer views of CD with farmers from larger farms considering CD as more problematic than farmers from smaller farms. CD breeding value was reported to be critical for selecting beef sires to mate with either beef or dairy cows, whereas when selecting dairy sires, CD had lower importance than breeding values for other traits. There was considerable variability in the importance farmers give to CD breeding values that could not be explained by the farm type or the type of sire used, which might be related to the farmer non-economic motives. Farmer perceived economic value associated with incremental increases in CD increases substantially as the CD level considered increases. This non-linear relationship cannot be reflected in a standard linear index weighting. The results of this paper provide key underpinning support to the development of non-linear index weightings for CD in Irish national indexes.
D. Martin-Collado; F. Hely; T. J. Byrne; R. Evans; A. R. Cromie; P. R. Amer. Farmer views on calving difficulty consequences on dairy and beef farms. Animal 2017, 11, 318 -326.
AMA StyleD. Martin-Collado, F. Hely, T. J. Byrne, R. Evans, A. R. Cromie, P. R. Amer. Farmer views on calving difficulty consequences on dairy and beef farms. Animal. 2017; 11 (2):318-326.
Chicago/Turabian StyleD. Martin-Collado; F. Hely; T. J. Byrne; R. Evans; A. R. Cromie; P. R. Amer. 2017. "Farmer views on calving difficulty consequences on dairy and beef farms." Animal 11, no. 2: 318-326.
This study comprises an update of the economic values for dairy traits for the Australian industry and the formulation of updated selection indices. An economic model, which calculates partial economic values for each trait individually, was developed to determine the economic implications of selective dairy breeding, based on the effect of trait changes on the profit of commercial dairy farms in Australia. Selection indices were developed from economic values, which were transformed into base economic weights by including the discounted genetic expressions coefficients. Economic weights (in Australian dollars) were 1.79, 6.92, -0.10, -5.44, 8.84, 7.68, 1.07, 4.86, 1.91, 3.51, 4.90, 0.31, 2.03, 2.00, and 0.59, for milk fat (kg), milk protein (kg), milk volume (L), body weight (kg), survival (%), residual survival (%), somatic cell count (cells/mL), fertility (%), mammary system [Australian Breeding Value (ABV) unit], temperament (ABV unit), milking speed (ABV unit), udder depth (%), overall type (%), fore udder attachment (%), and pin set (%), respectively. The updated economic weights presented in this study constituted the basis of the definition for 3 new indices. These indices were developed from combination of bioeconomic principles, patterns of farmer preferences for trait improvements, and desired gains approaches. The 3 indices, Balanced Performance Index, Health Weighted Index, and Type Weighted Index, have been released to the industry.
T.J. Byrne; B.F.S. Santos; P.R. Amer; Daniel Martin-Collado; Jennie Pryce; Michelle Axford. New breeding objectives and selection indices for the Australian dairy industry. Journal of Dairy Science 2016, 99, 8146 -8167.
AMA StyleT.J. Byrne, B.F.S. Santos, P.R. Amer, Daniel Martin-Collado, Jennie Pryce, Michelle Axford. New breeding objectives and selection indices for the Australian dairy industry. Journal of Dairy Science. 2016; 99 (10):8146-8167.
Chicago/Turabian StyleT.J. Byrne; B.F.S. Santos; P.R. Amer; Daniel Martin-Collado; Jennie Pryce; Michelle Axford. 2016. "New breeding objectives and selection indices for the Australian dairy industry." Journal of Dairy Science 99, no. 10: 8146-8167.
D. Martin-Collado. Double-decker ark of animal breeds. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics 2016, 133, 251 -251.
AMA StyleD. Martin-Collado. Double-decker ark of animal breeds. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics. 2016; 133 (4):251-251.
Chicago/Turabian StyleD. Martin-Collado. 2016. "Double-decker ark of animal breeds." Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics 133, no. 4: 251-251.
This study used simulation to evaluate the performance of alternative selection index configurations in the context of a breeding programme where a trait with a non-linear economic value is approaching an economic optimum. The simulation used a simple population structure that approximately mimics selection in dual purpose sheep flocks in New Zealand (NZ). In the NZ dual purpose sheep population, number of lambs born is a genetic trait that is approaching an economic optimum, while genetically correlated growth traits have linear economic values and are not approaching any optimum. The predominant view among theoretical livestock geneticists is that the optimal approach to select for nonlinear profit traits is to use a linear selection index and to update it regularly. However, there are some nonlinear index approaches that have not been evaluated. This study assessed the efficiency of the following four alternative selection index approaches in terms of genetic progress relative to each other: (i) a linear index, (ii) a linear index updated regularly, (iii) a nonlinear (quadratic) index, and (iv) a NLF index (nonlinear index below the optimum and then flat). The NLF approach does not reward or penalize animals for additional genetic merit beyond the trait optimum. It was found to be at least comparable in efficiency to the approach of regularly updating the linear index with short (15 year) and long (30 year) time frames. The relative efficiency of this approach was slightly reduced when the current average value of the nonlinear trait was close to the optimum. Finally, practical issues of industry application of indexes are considered and some potential practical benefits of efficient deployment of a NLF index in highly heterogeneous industries (breeds, flocks and production environments) such as in the NZ dual purpose sheep population are discussed.
D. Martin‐Collado; T.J. Byrne; B. Visser; P.R. Amer. An evaluation of alternative selection indexes for a non-linear profit trait approaching its economic optimum. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics 2016, 133, 476 -484.
AMA StyleD. Martin‐Collado, T.J. Byrne, B. Visser, P.R. Amer. An evaluation of alternative selection indexes for a non-linear profit trait approaching its economic optimum. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics. 2016; 133 (6):476-484.
Chicago/Turabian StyleD. Martin‐Collado; T.J. Byrne; B. Visser; P.R. Amer. 2016. "An evaluation of alternative selection indexes for a non-linear profit trait approaching its economic optimum." Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics 133, no. 6: 476-484.
Giving consideration to farmers' preferences for improvements in animal traits when designing genetic selection tools such as selection indexes might increase the uptake of these tools. The increase in use of genetic selection tools will, in turn, assist in the realization of genetic gain in breeding programs. However, the determination of farmers' preferences is not trivial because of its large heterogeneity. The aim of this study was to quantify Australian dairy farmers' preferences for cow trait improvements to inform and ultimately direct the choice of traits and selection indexes in the 2014 review of the National Breeding Objective. A specific aim was to analyze the heterogeneity of preferences for cow trait improvements by determining whether there are farmer types that can be identified with specific patterns of preferences. We analyzed whether farmer types differed in farming system, socioeconomic profile, and attitudes toward breeding and genetic evaluation tools. An online survey was developed to explore farmers' preferences for improvement in 13 cow traits. The pairwise comparisons method was used to derive a ranking of the traits for each respondent. A total of 551 farmers fully completed the survey. A principal component analysis followed by a Ward hierarchical cluster analysis was used to group farmers according to their preferences. Three types of farmers were determined: (1) production-focused farmers, who gave the highest preference of all for improvements in protein yield, lactation persistency, feed efficiency, cow live weight, and milking speed; (2) functionality-focused farmers with the highest preferences of all for improvements in mastitis, lameness, and calving difficulty; and (3) type-focused farmers with the highest preferences of all for mammary system and type. Farmer types differed in their age, their attitudes toward genetic selection, and in the selection criteria they use. Surprisingly, farmer types did not differ for herd size, calving, feeding system, or breed. These results support the idea that preferences for cow trait improvements are intrinsic to farmers and not to production systems or breeds. As a result of this study, and some bioeconomic modeling (not included in this study), the Australian dairy industry has implemented a main index and 2 alternative indexes targeting the different farmer types described here.
D. Martin-Collado; T.J. Byrne; P.R. Amer; B.F.S. Santos; Michelle Axford; Jennie Pryce. Analyzing the heterogeneity of farmers’ preferences for improvements in dairy cow traits using farmer typologies. Journal of Dairy Science 2015, 98, 4148 -4161.
AMA StyleD. Martin-Collado, T.J. Byrne, P.R. Amer, B.F.S. Santos, Michelle Axford, Jennie Pryce. Analyzing the heterogeneity of farmers’ preferences for improvements in dairy cow traits using farmer typologies. Journal of Dairy Science. 2015; 98 (6):4148-4161.
Chicago/Turabian StyleD. Martin-Collado; T.J. Byrne; P.R. Amer; B.F.S. Santos; Michelle Axford; Jennie Pryce. 2015. "Analyzing the heterogeneity of farmers’ preferences for improvements in dairy cow traits using farmer typologies." Journal of Dairy Science 98, no. 6: 4148-4161.
Demographic and pedigree analyses describe the structure and dynamics of livestock populations. We studied information recorded in the herdbooks of Asturiana de los Valles (AV; N = 458,806), Avileña–Negra Ibérica (ANI; N = 204,623), Bruna dels Pirineus (BP; N = 62,138), Morucha (Mo; N = 65,350), Pirenaica (Pi; N = 217,428), Retinta (Re; N = 135,300), and Rubia Gallega (RG; N = 235,511) beef breeds from their creation until 2009. All breeds have increased in the number of registered cows in recent years. In all breeds, herds do not behave as isolated entities and a high rate of exchange of breeding males between herds exists. A percentage of herds (12–52%) make some type of selection and sell bulls to other herds. There were large differences in average number of progeny per bull, ranging from 15.6 (AV) to 373.7 animals (RG, with a high incidence of AI). Generation interval estimates ranged from 4.7 (AV) to 7.6 (RG) yr in the sire pathway and from 5.95 (AV) to 7.8 (Mo) yr in the dam pathway. Density of pedigrees varied among breeds, with Pi, ANI, and Re having the more dense pedigrees, with average completeness indexes of more than 96% in the first generation and 80% when 6 generations were considered. A general increase in average inbreeding was observed in all breeds in the years analyzed. For animals born in 2009, average inbreeding coefficients ranged from 0.6 (BP) to 7.2% (Re) when all animals were considered and from 3.6 (Pi) to 17.6% (BP) when only inbred animals were considered. Due to the lack of completeness of pedigrees in most populations, inbreeding coefficients may be considered as a lower bound of the true parameters. The proportion of inbred animals tended to increase in the periods analyzed in all breeds. Differences between inbreeding and coancestry rates (except in RG) suggest the presence of population structure. Effective population size (Ne) based on the inbreeding rate estimated by regression ranged from 43 to 378 for Re and BP, whereas Ne estimates based on coancestry were greater, with a range of 100 for RG to 9,985 for BP. These facts suggest that an adequate mating policy can help to monitor inbreeding so as not to lose genetic variability. Effective number of ancestors in 2009 for 6 of the breeds ranged from 42 (RG) to 220 (AV), with BP having much a greater value, and was lower than was the effective number of founders in all breeds, suggesting the existence of bottlenecks. Copyright © 2014. American Society of Animal Science.
J. J. Cañas-Álvarez; Aldemar Gonzalez Rodriguez; D. Martín-Collado; Carmen Avilés; J. Altarriba; J. A. Baro; L. F. De La Fuente; C. Díaz; A. Molina; L. Varona; J. Piedrafita. Monitoring changes in the demographic and genealogical structure of the main Spanish local beef breeds1. Journal of Animal Science 2014, 92, 4364 -4374.
AMA StyleJ. J. Cañas-Álvarez, Aldemar Gonzalez Rodriguez, D. Martín-Collado, Carmen Avilés, J. Altarriba, J. A. Baro, L. F. De La Fuente, C. Díaz, A. Molina, L. Varona, J. Piedrafita. Monitoring changes in the demographic and genealogical structure of the main Spanish local beef breeds1. Journal of Animal Science. 2014; 92 (10):4364-4374.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJ. J. Cañas-Álvarez; Aldemar Gonzalez Rodriguez; D. Martín-Collado; Carmen Avilés; J. Altarriba; J. A. Baro; L. F. De La Fuente; C. Díaz; A. Molina; L. Varona; J. Piedrafita. 2014. "Monitoring changes in the demographic and genealogical structure of the main Spanish local beef breeds1." Journal of Animal Science 92, no. 10: 4364-4374.
Livestock breed-related public good functions are often used to justify support for endangered breed conservation despite the fact that little is known about such non-market values. We show how stated preference techniques can be used to assess the non-market values that people place on livestock breeds. Through the application of a case study choice experiment survey in Zamora province, Spain, the total economic value (TEV) of the threatened Alistana-Sanabresa (AS) cattle breed was investigated. An analysis of the relative importance of the non-market components of its TEV and an assessment of the socio-economic variables that influence people's valuation of such components is used to inform conservation strategy design. Overall, the findings reveal that the AS breed had significant non-market values associated with it and that the value that respondents placed on each specific public good function also varied significantly. Functions related with indirect use cultural and existence values were much more highly valued than landscape maintenance values. These high cultural and existence values (totalling over 80% of TEV) suggest that an AS in situ conservation strategy will be required to secure such values. As part of such a strategy, incentive mechanisms will be needed to permit farmers to capture some of these public good values and thus be able to afford to maintain breed population numbers at socially desirable levels. One such mechanism could be related to the development of breed-related agritourism initiatives, with a view to enhancing private good values and providing an important addition to continued direct support. Where linked with cultural dimensions, niche product market development, including through improving AS breed-related product quality and brand recognition may also have a role to play as part of such an overall conservation and use strategy. We conclude that livestock breed conservation strategies with the highest potential to maximise societal welfare would be those that secure the breed-related functions that people value most, with appropriate in situ conservation interventions and strategies being identified accordingly.
Daniel Martin-Collado; C. Diaz; A.G. Drucker; M.J. Carabaño; Kerstin Zander. Determination of non-market values to inform conservation strategies for the threatened Alistana–Sanabresa cattle breed. Animal 2014, 8, 1373 -1381.
AMA StyleDaniel Martin-Collado, C. Diaz, A.G. Drucker, M.J. Carabaño, Kerstin Zander. Determination of non-market values to inform conservation strategies for the threatened Alistana–Sanabresa cattle breed. Animal. 2014; 8 (8):1373-1381.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDaniel Martin-Collado; C. Diaz; A.G. Drucker; M.J. Carabaño; Kerstin Zander. 2014. "Determination of non-market values to inform conservation strategies for the threatened Alistana–Sanabresa cattle breed." Animal 8, no. 8: 1373-1381.