Cattle ticks are a significant health concern in tropical livestock production due to their hematophagous behavior and potential as vectors for human and animal pathogens. In this study, we investigated the tick population present in dairy cattle production, calves, and grazing areas of livestock systems in the northwestern Colombian Amazon. Identification was based on taxonomic keys and molecular markers. Phylogenetic relationships were established using mitochondrial COX1 and 16S genes. Population structure analysis was performed considering age, racial type (B. indicus vs. B. taurus), and the influence of environmental factors and the geomorphological landscape on tick population dynamics. Our findings revealed the presence of a single tick species, with a unique haplotype identified for each mitochondrial gene assessed. Phylogenetic analysis classified the found species within Clade A of the Rhipicephalus microplus complex. Ticks were more prevalent during periods of low rainfall and high temperature, and B. taurus cows exhibited the highest tick abundance. Thus, these results provide insights into the population characteristics and distribution of the tick species present in dairy cattle production systems in the northwestern part of the Colombian Amazon. This information is fundamental for developing targeted strategies based on seasonal variation and host characteristics to mitigate tick infestation severity in the region.

Objective. To design a methodological protocol for assessing animal welfare in pig slaughterhouses, adapted to conditions in Colombia and aligned with international standards set by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and Welfare Quality, as well as with Colombian regulations. Materials and methods. A literature review (2014–2024) was conducted of international guidelines, theoretical models (five domains of animal welfare), and current Colombian regulations, supplemented by scientific studies on pre-slaughter welfare indicators (transport, time spent at the facility) and postmortem findings in carcasses. Based on this comparative review, a set of animal-based indicators feasible for use at the slaughterhouse was proposed, along with their operational definitions and evaluation criteria, and comparative tables were designed between international standards and the proposal. Results. Overlaps and gaps were identified between the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), Welfare Quality, and national regulations. The former emphasize ensuring transport conditions (space, temperature, handling) and effective stunning; however, Welfare Quality provides quantitative animal-based measures (% of slips, vocalizations, injuries), while Colombian regulations lack specific quantitative parameters. This proposal includes indicators from arrival (transport conditions, stocking density, falls, use of devices), during the holding period (access to water, thermal behavior, rest time), and after slaughter (stunning efficacy, skin and organ injuries, muscle pH), integrating the five domains of welfare. Conclusions. The protocol offers a standardized tool for assessing welfare in Colombian pig slaughterhouses, complying with international and national guidelines, and establishes a basis for future field validations and regulatory improvements.

The ophidian accident is defined as a tissue injury caused by snake bite, becoming a public health problem at departmental, national and global level, denoting a close relationship with agricultural activity. The objective is to analyze ophidian accidents in humans between the periods from 2015 to 2019 in the department of Caquetá to strengthen the exercises that promote prevention in ophidian accidents justified in the epidemiological characteristics belonging to the region. A descriptive and retrospective study was conducted by analyzing the information collected on ophidian accidents in the databases of the Public Health System (SIVIGILA) and the Secretary of Health of the Department of Caquetá in the periods from 2015 to 2019. There were 1289 cases of ophidian accidents, prevailing male sex 74.6%, with higher incidence in the ages of 21-40 years 39.9%, in agricultural activities 53.7%. The Bothrops genus is the one that produces the highest number of ophidian accidents with 73.8%. This study has identified the epidemiological status of ophidian accidents in the department of Caquetá.

The prevalence of Brucella Abortus and Mycobacterium bovis was determined at the Amazonian Research Center CIMAZ-MACAGUAL- ¨César Augusto Estrada González¨. For this study, tuberculosis and brucellosis tests were applied to 140 and 89 animals respectively, according to the guidelines established by the Colombian Agricultural Institute-ICA, the prevalence of the diseases was measured according to the reports found. Of the 89 animals that were tested for brucellosis, 3 were positive, which were removed from the farm, while the prevalence of tuberculosis was 0%, thus inferring that the farm was free of the disease. In this sense, even though the results of prevalence are null for tuberculosis, strict surveillance and revision of the animals must continue due to the presence of brucellosis in the place.

Nutrition and feeding are one of the pillars of the cattle production system, and forage must be the main food source, due to its composition and cost. This research evaluated the nutritional quality and floral composition of pastures in the municipalities of San Vicente del Caguán, Puerto Rico, and El Doncello, located in the northern part of the department of Caquetá. The floristic composition was carried out using the Botanal method and nutritional analysis from the near infrared reflectance spectroscopy technique (Near Infrared Spectroscopy - NIRS). In relation to the floristic composition, it was shown that the predominant grasses are of the genus Urochloa (x̅= 81.3%), being mainly the humidicola and decumbens species, followed by the absence of vegetative material (bald) (x̅= 12.6%), weeds (x̅= 4.3%), and finally, legumes (x̅= 1.6%), these being Calopogonium spp and Desmodium spp. Regarding nutritional quality, in the municipality of El Doncello, moderate levels of protein were evident (x̅= 6.7%), followed by San Vicente del Caguán (x̅= 6.5%) and Puerto Rico (x̅= 6.2%), however, with dry matter (DM), it was presented at a good level in San Vicente del Caguán (x̅= 96.6%), followed by Puerto Rico (x̅= 93.1%), otherwise, in El Doncello (x̅= 34.5%). It is concluded that the NIRS method is a reliable technique, showing efficiency when correlating nutritional parameters, facilitating decision-making in livestock. On the other hand, environmental and management factors significantly influence forage composition, disposition and quality, highlighting the need for sustainable strategies to improve productivity and competitiveness.