Carlo Bibbiani

Effect of rearing technique in outdoor floor cage on slow growing rabbit population performance

Abstract The aim of this research was to test the effect of floor cage in outdoor pen on productive performance and carcass characteristics of a rabbit local population characterized by slow growing rate. A sample of 48 rabbits female 57 days old was divided into two groups: Indoor group, housed in colony cages indoor at the density of 14 animals/m2 and Outdoor group, in wire net floor colony cages in outdoor pen, at the density of 5 animals/m2. The animals were fed a commercial feed and ad libitum alfa-alfa hay. Individual live weight and cage feed consumption were checked every week and feed conversion ratio was calculated; at 103 ± 2 days old a sample of 24 animals was slaughtered and carcass traits were recorded. The results showed that the Outdoor group had the highest live weight and the best daily weight gain, together with an higher feed intake. Outdoor group showed the lower mortality, the higher slaughtering weight, the higher reference carcass incidence and hind leg percentage. These favourable results encouraged this kind of rearing system characterized also by lower investment costs.

Impact of wolf (Canis lupus) on animal husbandry in an Apennine province

Predation has always been an important problem in extensive sheep farms, causing serious economic losses to the farmers. In the Province of Lucca, the presence of reproductive wolf packs has already been confirmed in natural reserves, but occasional signs of presence of the predator have been reported also in neighbouring areas. The present research has been carried out in this Province (between the Orecchiella Natural Reserve and the medium Serchio Valley), in order to obtain more complete information on the location of the wolf (with transects, wolf-howling and snow-tracking), and to verify the real impact and risk factors of predation on livestock (by means of on-farm surveys carried out in 42 semi-extensive farms) in this area. The presence of wolf was confirmed in the study area with a minimum of four adult individuals and at least one pup: this pack lives around the peaks of the Apennines in the municipalities covered by this investigation. A growing conflict between the wolf and the sheep and goat farms was observed: since 2007 there have been 25 attacks and three farms can be considered subject to chronic predation. The major risk factors are high altitude, large flock size and lack of fences and of guardian dogs. An accurate knowledge of wolf presence and the identification of the farms mostly at risk can be useful for future planning of interventions aimed at prevention and support of farmers, in order to mitigate the conflict caused by predation.

Aquaponic as sustainable innovation for food production

To better understand aquaponic, it is important to describe the socio-demographic context and the role of agriculture in a future perspective. Due to the increasing world population, by 2050 food production should be increased of not less than 70%. Nowadays the agriculture sector is playing a key role in ensuring food security and in the upcoming context it should also face one of the greatest dilemmas of the modern age, which consist in producing more food using less resources and minimizing the environmental impacts. To cope with this challenge, the aquaculture technology seems to be one of the most suitable production systems able to face this dilemma. In this paper, the technical and technological aspects of the Integrated Aquaponic System (IAS) are described. The integration of an aquaponic system with algae, worms and insects production it is also suggested for improving sustainability.

Innovative sustainable strategies in agro-food systems and in buildings for energy efficiency

EU identified the energy efficiency policy as the major strategy for ensuring both the sustainability of the use of energy resources and to develop the transition towards a low-carbon and decentralized energy system in Europe. This paper presents a brief analysis on available innovative technologies to reduce the dependency of agriculture and agro-food sector from fossil energy, and comply with the international commitment to reduce greenhouse emissions and to combat climate change. A general overview is provided on the energy consumption in agriculture and agro-food sector, with particular focus on the Italian sector is taken into consideration. It is discussed the role of solid biomass in place of fossil resources and the application of solar cooling technology as new technologies for acclimatization in greenhouse agriculture. Moreover, the application of living vegetated horizontal and vertical layers on buildings is evaluated as innovative and natural technology for improving the sustainability of towns and reducing the energy consumption for air conditioning in summer and CO2 emissions in towns.