Publikationsfonds der Universität Hohenheim

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hohpublica.uni-hohenheim.de/handle/123456789/16624

Über den Publikationsfonds der Universität Hohenheim erhalten Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftler der Universität finanzielle Unterstützung bei der Veröffentlichung ihrer Forschungsergebnisse im Open Access. Gefördert werden Zeitschriftenartikel in Fully-Open-Access-Zeitschriften (Gold-OA) und hybriden Subskriptionszeitschriften (Hybrid-OA) sowie Monografien. Autorinnen und Autoren können online einen Förderantrag zur Finanzierungsbeteiligung ihrer Publikation stellen.

Publikationsfonds: https://kim.uni-hohenheim.de/publikationsfonds
Förderantrag: https://kim.uni-hohenheim.de/foerderantrag

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The adoption potential of extended lactation as a strategy to reduce excess calf numbers in dairy farming
(2024) Gresham, Josephine; Reiber, Christoph; Chagunda, Mizeck G. G.
Dairy production relies predominantly on a few, selectively bred, high-yielding dairy breeds, resulting in a surplus of low-value male offspring. This situation leads to a conflict between a growing demand for milk and low appreciation for dairy calves. Extending lactation could reduce the number of calves born. This study aimed to assess the current use of extended lactation in dairy production in Southern Germany, identify the perceived potential, and determine the biological potential extended lactation has to reduce calf numbers. A survey from 2020 with 310 farmers was analysed. A total of 145 (46.8%) farmers used extended lactation. The use of extended lactation on farms correlated significantly with breed, milk yield, interest in continuing or implementing the use of extended lactation, and the indicated feasibility of extended lactation. The perceived potential was assessed by 39.8% of farmers as “high” to “very high”. A total of 17 (12.8%) farmers currently not using extended lactation were identified as potential adopters. Together with existing adopters, this could result in 52.3% of farms using extended lactation, which could biologically reduce calf numbers by 7.3% or 14.1% p.a., when extended by three or six months, respectively. This adoption potential shows that extended lactation can reduce calf numbers considerably, addressing both ethical and economic concerns in dairy farming and benefiting farmers as well as society.
Is heat stress a growing problem for dairy cattle husbandry in the temperate regions? A case study of Baden-Württemberg in Germany
(2024) Leandro, Miguel António; Stock, Joana; Bennewitz, Jörn; Chagunda, Mizeck G. G.
Heat stress with measurable effects in dairy cattle is a growing concern in temperate regions. Heat stress in temperate regions differs between environments with different geophysical characteristics. Microclimates specific to each environment were found to greatly impact at what level heat stress occurs and will occur in the future. The landlocked state of Baden-Württemberg, Germany, provides several different environments, hence, a good case-study. Temperature–Humidity Index (THI) from 17 weather stations for the years 2003 to 2022 was calculated and milking yields from 22 farms for the years 2017 to 2022 were collected. The occurrences and evolving patterns of heat stress were analyzed with the use of a THI, and the effect of heat stress on milk yield was analyzed based on milking records from Automated Milking Systems. Daily average THI was calculated using hourly readings of relative humidity and ambient temperature, disregarding solar radiation and wind, as all animals were permanently stabled. Based on studies conducted in Baden-Württemberg and neighboring regions, cited ahead in the section of THI, THI = 60 was the threshold for heat stress occurrence. Findings show that the heat stress period varied between stations from 64 to 120 d with THI ≥ 60 in a year. This aligns with yearly and summer averages, also steadily increasing from May to September. The length of the heat stress period was found to increase 1 extra day every year. Extreme weather events such as heat waves did not increase the heat stress period of that year in length but increased the average THI. Milk yield was found to be significantly (α = 0.05) different between counties grouped into different zones according to heat stress severity and rate of increase in daily average THI. Future attempts at managing heat stress on dairy cattle farms in the temperate regions should account for microclimate, as geographical proximity does not mean that the increase in heat stress severity will be the same in the 2 neighboring areas.
Limitations of soil-applied non-microbial and microbial biostimulants in enhancing soil P turnover and recycled P fertilizer utilization: A study with and without plants
(2024) Herrmann, Michelle Natalie; Griffin, Lydia Grace; John, Rebecca; Mosquera-Rodríguez, Sergio F.; Nkebiwe, Peteh Mehdi; Chen, Xinping; Yang, Huaiyu; Müller, Torsten
Introduction: Phosphorus recovery from waste streams is a global concern due to open nutrient cycles. However, the reliability and efficiency of recycled P fertilizers are often low. Biostimulants (BS), as a potential enhancer of P availability in soil, could help to overcome current barriers using recycled P fertilizers. For this, a deeper understanding of the influence of BSs on soil P turnover and the interaction of BSs with plants is needed. Methods: We conducted an incubation and a pot trial with maize in which we testednon-microbial (humic acids and plant extracts) and microbial BSs (microbial consortia) in combination with two recycled fertilizers for their impact on soil P turnover, plant available P, and plant growth. Results and discussion: BSs could not stimulate P turnover processes (phosphatase activity, microbial biomass P) and had a minor impact on calcium acetate-lactate extractable P (CAL-P) in the incubation trial. Even though stimulation of microbial P turnover by the microbial consortium and humic acids in combination with the sewage sludge ash could be identified in the plant trial with maize, this was not reflected in the plant performance and soil P turnover processes. Concerning the recycled P fertilizers, the CAL-P content in soil was not a reliable predictor of plant performance with both products resulting in competitive plant growth and P uptake. While this study questions the reliability of BSs, it also highlights the necessity toimprove our understanding and distinguish the mechanisms of P mobilization in soil and the stimulation of plant P acquisition to optimize future usage.

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