Arthur Fernandes Bettencourt

The Northeastern Donkey represents an important animal genetic resource adapted to the semi-arid conditions of Brazil, being recognized for its hardiness and ability to survive under challenging environmental conditions. However, the progressive reduction in the use of these animals in productive activities has contributed to population decline and increased concerns regarding the loss of genetic diversity. In this context, the present study aimed to characterize the morphometric variability of a Northeastern Donkey population from the Brazilian semi-arid region. A total of 51 adult donkeys were evaluated using linear and circumference measurements obtained with a measuring tape and a hippometer. Data were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA), hierarchical and non-hierarchical cluster analyses (k-means), analysis of variance, and canonical discriminant analysis. A descriptive three-component PCA solution summarized body circumference and overall body size, limb robustness, and animal stature and linear body dimensions, explaining 74.49% of the total variance; however, parallel analysis supported only two components, so the three-axis interpretation remains exploratory. Cluster analysis identified three morphostructural profiles corresponding to small-, intermediate-, and large-sized animals. Classification consistency was subsequently assessed using canonical discriminant analysis, which achieved 98.0% apparent classification accuracy and 88.2% accuracy under leave-one-out cross-validation. The small and large profiles occurred exclusively in Santa Quitéria and Aquiraz, respectively, indicating potential facility-related influences. The results demonstrate phenotypic variability within the evaluated sample and contribute to a better understanding of the morphological diversity of the Northeastern Donkey. Furthermore, the identification of distinct morphostructural profiles provides valuable information for conservation initiatives, population characterization, and the sustainable management of this threatened local genetic resource.

The technologies to measure animal behavior patterns in dairy farms are important due to the possibility of continuous and accurate measuring behavior in all livestock species. There are still few validation studies using behavioral precision technologies such as behavioral monitoring collars (BMC; CowMed-Bezerra, Chip Inside Tecnologia S.A, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, BR) to monitor dairy calves. The aim of this study was to validate the BMC to assess the activity and idle behavior of dairy calves. Twenty-three Holstein dairy calves raised in a commercial farm, aged between 20 and 90 days, with an average weight of 60 ± 20 kg were randomly selected. The calves had the behaviors of rumination, feeding, idleness and activity recorded in two ways: BMC and visual observation. Visual behavior was observed at 1-minute intervals. The BMC was fitted on the calves at the 10th day after their birth. Each calf was observed for 360 min per day (from 10:00 to 13:00 h and from 19:00 to 22:00 h) over four days, totaling 1440 min. Rumination, feeding and activity times were summed and considered as general activity. General activity and idle times registered by the BMC were compared with visual observation of calves' behaviors using Pearson's correlation, correlation coefficient of agreement, linear regression, and Bland-Altman graphs for validation of precision and accuracy. Bland-Altman plots were deemed acceptable; the plots showed no bias. Bland-Altman mean differences ± standard deviation (BMC - visual observation) were -6.68 ± 2.72 min/h for general activity, and -3.86 ± 2.72 min/h for idleness. The mean differences, however, included zero within the 95% agreement interval, indicating that there was no difference between the BMC and visual observation. The slope of the linear regression did not differ from 1 for all behaviors. Therefore, idleness and general activity behaviors might be recorded precisely and accurately using BMC in dairy calves.

Water consumption may vary depending on climate, dry matter intake (DMI) as well as genetic group and physiological state of the cows. Little is published for other genetic groups besides Holstein. Understanding the need for water intake (WI) as well as drinking behaviour in critical periods could help producers develop adjusted management practices. This study aimed to investigate the drinking and water consumption behaviour of Holstein, Gyr and Girolando-F1 (½ Holstein ½ Gir) cows during the transition period. Thirty-six cows were distributed into three groups (n = 12 each) according to their genetic group. WI and water drinking behaviour were monitored from 10 days before parturition until 21 days of lactation using electronic drinkers. During pre-calving, a positive correlation was observed between WI and DMI only for Holstein (r = 0.31; p < 0.05) and Girolando-F1 (r = 0.34; p < 0.05) cows. Holstein cows ingested the highest amount of water daily and per 100 kg of body weight (BW) (30.9 kg and 4.5 kg). Holstein cows had higher WI per BW^0.75 than Gyr cows (0.23 kg vs. 0.12 kg). Furthermore, Holstein cows remained longer and spent more active time at the drinker (85.4 min; 81.2 min) than Gyr (13.5 min; 12.1 min) and Girolando-F1 cows (36.8 min; 34.4 min; p < 0.05), respectively. Holstein and Girolando-F1 cows had a higher daily number of active visits to the drinker than Gyr cows (4.2, 4.2, and 2.8 times, respectively). In the post-calving period, WI was positively correlated with DMI in all genetic groups, but it was correlated with milk yield (MY) only in Holstein (r = 0.21; p < 0.05) and Girolando-F1 (r = 0.42; p < 0.05) cows. The WI per MY and per BW^0.75 was lower for Girolando-F1 cows in relation to the Holstein and Gyr cows on the first day post-calving and highest for Gyr cows on the seventh day post-calving. WI per kg of BW^0.75 was higher for Holstein cows than for Gyr cows during the first 21 days of lactation, while WI per kg BW^0.75 of Holstein cows was higher than that of Girolando-F1 cows on days 3 and 4 and from days 7 to 21. The genetic groups differed in WI and drinking behaviour and were mainly modulated by DMI and THI in the pre-calving period and by MY and DMI in the post-calving period.

O número de agtechs aumentou substancialmente nos últimos cinco anos no Brasil. Com isso, surgem novas teorias diante desses novos modelos de negócio. É o caso das novas economias, que podem ser observadas pela economia compartilhada e colaborativa e, com isso, algumas agtechs buscam se adentrar nessas novas teorias econômicas ditas de novas economias. Dessa maneira emerge a seguinte pergunta: as Agtechs das novas economias são mais oportunistas ou colaborativas quando comparadas às características das tradicionais e novas economias? Foi realizado um estudo de casos múltiplos com nove Agtechs das novas economias, por meio de três etapas: formulário, entrevista e questionário. Onze características comparativas das novas economias perpassam pelas tradicionais economias. As Agtechs das novas economias possuem características das tradicionais e novas economias, sendo mais colaborativas do que oportunistas. Portanto, as novas economias são narrativas de mercado, que alteram a forma de operação e se mantêm alicerçadas nas tradicionais economias.

Objetivou-se explorar o perfil, os elementos econômicos, socioculturais, tecnológicos e ambientais das Agtechs nas novas economias. Foi realizado um estudo de casos múltiplos com nove Agtechs, por meio de duas etapas: formulário e entrevista semiestruturada. A maior parte das Agtechs estudadas estão localizadas na Região Sudeste do Brasil e foram fundadas, assim como são gerenciadas, predominantemente pelo gênero masculino. Seus gestores apresentam alto grau de escolaridade e seus clientes/usuários variam de 30 a 380 mil. O elemento tecnológico está presente através das características evolução tecnológica, causalidade disruptiva e inovação tecnológica. Já as características relacionadas as motivações e demanda baseadas na confiança e escolha racional coletivista estão vinculadas ao elemento social/cultural. A característica aumento de colaboração se relaciona com dois elementos: tecnológico e social/cultural. E a característica modelos de negócio se constitui no elemento ambiental. O conhecimento acerca de seus elementos permite que gestores tracem estratégias visando maior competitividade no mercado.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the separate provision of green and oregano tea extracts on the biomarkers of the redox state and health condition in pre-weaned Jersey calves from birth to 60 days of life. Two experiments following the complete randomized design with measures repeated in time were carried out using 38 Jersey calves (17 and 21 calves in experiments 1 and 2, respectively). Calves were distributed according to date of birth into one of three groups: control (CON) - with no addition of extracts; oregano extract (OE) - addition of 70 mg of oregano extract/kg of body weight (BW) and green tea extract (GT) - addition of 35 mg of green tea extract/kg of BW. Eight biomarkers of the redox state were evaluated on days 1, 30, and 60 after birth, and variables measured on day 1 were used as covariates. Body temperature and occurrence of diarrhea were evaluated every two days. Regarding the main results, the supply of oregano extract reduced the concentration of oxidizing biomarkers, such as DCFP (oxidation of dichlorofluorescein in plasma) and carbonyl, and increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes, such as GPx and catalase. Green tea extract only reduced DCFP and tended to improve catalase activity. Calves remained healthy (no fever and only a few days with diarrhea), and plant extracts did not improve their health condition. The addition of green tea and oregano extracts into the diet has a positive effect on redox status in pre-weaned Jersey calves. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos do fornecimento separado de extratos de chá verde e orégano sobre os biomarcadores do estado redox e condição de saúde em bezerras Jersey durante o seu aleitamento, desde o nascimento até 60 dias de vida. Foram realizados dois experimentos seguindo o delineamento completamente casualizado com medidas repetidas no tempo, utilizando 38 bezerros Jersey (17 e 21 bezerros nos experimentos 1 e 2, respectivamente). Os bezerros foram distribuídos de acordo com a data de nascimento em um dos três grupos: controle (CON) - sem adição de extratos; extrato de orégano (OE) - adição de 70 mg de extrato de orégano/kg de peso corporal (PV) e extrato de chá verde (GT) - adição de 35 mg de extrato de chá verde/kg de peso corporal. Oito biomarcadores do estado redox foram avaliados nos dias 1, 30 e 60 após o nascimento. A temperatura corporal e a ocorrência de diarreia foram avaliadas a cada dois dias. Quanto aos principais resultados, o fornecimento de extrato de orégano reduziu a concentração dos biomarcadores oxidantes, como DCFP (oxidação da diclorofluoresceína no plasma) e carbonila, e aumentou a atividade das enzimas antioxidantes, como GPx e catalase. O extrato de chá-verde reduziu apenas DCFP e tendeu a melhorar a atividade da catalase. Os bezerros permaneceram saudáveis (sem febre e apresentando diarreia por apenas alguns dias) e os extratos de plantas não melhoraram sua condição de saúde. A adição de extrato de chá verde e de orégano na dieta exerceu efeito positivo no status redox em bezerros Jersey em aleitamento.

Rural tourism has emerged as a tool capable of “reviving” and promoting rural areas, generating sufficient conditions to combat aspects such as poverty and rural exodus, through the generation of employment and income, appreciation of local products, among others. In this scenario, wine tourism also gains space, raised as a strategy to promote the territory and the wine sector. However, when not properly planned and coordinated, wine tourism can bring considerable negative impacts, especially to resident populations. Thus, the present work aimed to identify the role of wine tourism in the Sustainable Territorial Development of Vale dos Vinhedos, based on the analysis of territorial indicators and the perceptions of residents, entrepreneurs, and key actors in the territory. In view of this, the main contributions of wine tourism in the generation of socioeconomic benefits were observed, in the presence of its negative impacts, as well as the main conflicts manifested through the expansion of wine tourism practice in Vale dos Vinhedos. Rural tourism has emerged as a tool capable of “reviving” and promoting rural areas, generatingsufficient conditions to combat aspects such as poverty and rural exodus, through the generationof employment and income, appreciation of local products, among others. In this scenario, winetourism also gains space, raised as a strategy to promote the territory and the wine sector. However,when not properly planned and coordinated, wine tourism can bring considerable negative impacts,especially to resident populations. Thus, the present work aimed to identify the role of wine tourismin the Sustainable Territorial Development of Vale dos Vinhedos, based on the analysis of territorialindicators and the perceptions of residents, entrepreneurs, and key actors in the territory. In viewof this, the main contributions of wine tourism in the generation of socioeconomic benefits wereobserved, in the presence of its negative impacts, as well as the main conflicts manifested through theexpansion of wine tourism practice in Vale dos Vinhedos.

This study aimed to evaluate intake, energy and nitrogen balance as well as methane emission in Holstein and 1/2 Holstein 1/2 Gyr (Girolando-F1) cows during the transition period. Twenty-four cows (12 Holstein and 12 Girolando-F1) were used to evaluate feed intake, apparent digestibility, heat production and methane emission, carried out in two periods: from 28 to 19 days pre-calving and from 15 to 23 days post-calving. A completely randomised design was used and data were analysed by ANOVA within periods (pre- and post-calving) considering the main effect of genetic groups. Girolando-F1cows presented greater body condition score (BCS) compared with Holstein. During pre-calving, there were no differences between genetic groups, except for highest heat production per kilogram of metabolic body weight for Holstein cows. After calving, Holstein cows had greater intake of DM, nitrogen, NDF per kg of BW and produced more heat per kg of metabolic body weight. Holstein cows yielded more milk and fat-corrected milk (FCM4%) compared with Girolando-F1 cows. Holstein cows presented higher methane emission per unit of BW and of metabolic weight. Emissions of enteric methane per kilogram of milk and per kilogram of FCM4% tended to be lower for Holstein compared with Girolando-F1 cows. Nitrogen and energy retention were similar for both Holstein and Girolando-F1 at pre- and post-calving. Despite differences in BCS, DMI, and milk yield, Girolando-F1 and Holstein cows present overall similar energy efficiency, albeit Holstein cows tended to present less methane emission per kg of eligible product (milk).