Ana Carolina Siqueira Gonçalves

Molecular characterization of group A bovine rotavirus in southeastern and central-western Brazil, 2009-2010

Rotavirus is an important cause of neonatal diarrhea in humans and several animal species, including calves. A study was conducted to examine 792 fecal samples collected from calves among 65 dairy and beef herds distributed in two of Brazils major livestock producing regions, aiming to detect the occurrence of rotavirus and perform a molecular characterization of the rotavirus according to G and P genotypes in these regions. A total of 40 (5.05%) samples tested positive for rotavirus by the polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) technique. The molecular characterization was performed by multiplex semi-nested RT-PCR reactions, which indicated that the associations of genotypes circulating in herds in Brazils southeastern region were G6P[11], G10P[11], G[-]P[5] + [11], G[-]P[6] in the state of Sao Paulo and G6P[11], G8P[5], G11P[11], G10P[11] in the state of Minas Gerais. In the central-western region, the genotypes G6P[5] + [11], G6P[5], G8P[-], G6P[11], G [-] P[1], G[-] P[11], and G[-] P[5] were detected in the state of Goias, while the genotypes G6P[5], G8[P11], G6[P11], G8[P1], G8[P5], G6[P1] were circulating in herds in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. The genotypic diversity of bovine rotavirus found in each region under study underlines the importance of characterizing the circulating samples in order to devise the most effective prophylactic measures.

Technical assistance and rural extension: a case study that demonstrates its importance for the improvement of milk production

The present study aims to conduct a case study performed on a milk farm located in the Municipality of Oliveira de Sales-SP in order to demonstrate the importance of technical assistance through extension in improving the milk producing. Before inserting the extension in systematic monitoring of the activities, property had low production indices, inadequate management, poor hygiene practices, as well as disorganization in the management of production. In a period of three years, the property began to obtain high rates productive and expressive economic results from the adoption of compatible technologies and especially the best property management. The property increased milk production and the total income, showed improvements in the quality of the raw milk in relation to composition and microbiological quality and began to receive bonus payment for milk quality. The results obtained demonstrate that it is possible through the application of simple technologies of production, make technified producers and help them gain success in the activity. Finally, technical assistance and rural extension, when properly structured, helps on the organization and contribute in the best performance of the activity, ensuring improvements and development for the rural sector.