Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) is a rare, under-explored lethal viral infection of cattle with gammaherpesvirus aetiological agents. Most often, the disease occurs on farms where cattle and sheep are kept together. However, other trigger mechanisms and environmental factors contribute. This study investigates the causation of MCF.

Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) is a rare, under-explored lethal viral infection of cattle with gammaherpesvirus aetiological agents. Most often, the disease occurs on farms where cattle and sheep are kept together. However, other trigger mechanisms and environmental factors contribute. This study investigates the causation of MCF. An outbreak of MCF occurred in June - August 2017 in Kharchev village in Irkutsk Oblast, Russia. In this paper, we provide epidemiological (sanitary status of pastures, watering places, and premises) and weather data during the outbreak, and descriptions of the clinical signs and post-mortem changes in cattle. The virus was detected and isolated from pathological material samples and identified by molecular methods. Extreme weather conditions, mixed-herd cattle and sheep farming, and unsatisfactory feed quality contributed to the outbreak. A virus related to herpesvirus OvHV2 was isolated and typed (MCF/Irkutsk/2017). Phylogenetic analysis showed its close genetic relationship to isolates from cattle and sheep in Germany, USA, and the Netherlands. Sporadic outbreaks of MCF caused by biotic and abiotic factors together are typical for the Russian Federation, and the Irkutsk outbreak epitomised this. Temperature anomalies caused pasture depletion, resulting in feed and water deficiency for grazing animals and dehydration and acidosis. Heat stress in animals ultimately led to the occurrence of MCF in the herd.

A biogas plant is an anaerobic digester that produces biogas from organic materials such as animal waste, sewage slurry, vegetable waste and others. The Department of Veterinary Services had developed a small-scale biogas plant at a commercial dairy farm
in Semenyih, Selangor. The objectives of this project were to promote green technology and zero waste concepts on animal farming as well as to mitigate adverse effects on the environment due to unsystematic management of animal waste disposal. The biogas produced was used as fuel for biogas lamp, biogas stove, biogas water heater, biogas rice cooker and 1 kW biogas generator. The generator was connected to the distribution board in order to supply electricity to a few switch sockets and lighting system for farm use. A biogas plant in an animal farm is one of the green technology applications because it not only produces renewable gas and generates
electricity but also minimises greenhouse gas emissions and environmental pollution. Furthermore, the residual solid waste
produced at the end of the process can be dried to be used as organic fertiliser.

Kedah-Kelantan cattle (KK) being an indigenous breed are highly adapted to the hot-humid Malaysian climate and can survive in harsh, marginal environments. This makes the KK a valuable genetic resource, given the challenges of climate change and the changing demands of the livestock sector. Hitherto there is no comprehensive programme to genetically improve the purebred KK. Genetic improvement of the KK would be to fulfill the breeding objectives of increasing lean meat growth rate, enhancing meat quality, raising feed efficiency, improving fertility and maintaining adaptability. The breeding structure proposed is a 2-tier breeding structure, with a nucleus tier followed by a commercial tier below it. The nucleus tier would comprise of a number of pedigree farms run as a community
breeding project. A sire reference scheme is proposed, where progeny of reference sires are used as genetic links between pedigree herds and between years. Some guidelines are offered on the establishment
and implementation of the scheme. Modern breeding technology such as BLUP using an Animal Model, artificial insemination, embryo transfer, tissue scanning, MAS and MAI could be used as tools to support the KK genetic improvement programme. To address the problem of genetic erosion, emphasis should be given to the conservation and sustainable utilization of the KK. The programme is expected to have a high impact on the livestock sector. Substantial investments are needed to develop infrastructure and human capital associated with the KK breeding programme. The establishment of a KK breed society will improve awareness concerning the KK and protect the interests
of the KK breeding community.