ABSTRACT.- Accurate prediction of phenology is the most critical aspect for the development of models aimed at estimating seed yield, particularly in species that exhibit variable sensitivity to environmental factors throughout the cycle and among genotypes. With this purpose, we evaluated the phenology of 34 soybean varieties in field experiments located in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.

ABSTRACT.- This review summarizes the status of the art of cow-calf relationships at birth and during lactation, including the physiological mechanisms throughout suckling/nursing and weaning which can impact on productive and reproductive parameters, social behaviour across the mother-offspring pairs, and the required positive cow-calf welfare approach in beef cattle. The time spent close to the calf after birth, latency to nurse, nursing time, grooming and vocalisations can be considered fair proxies of oxytocin release and maternal care during the neonatal period.

ABSTRACT.- Correction to:Scientific Reportshttps://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-59513-6, published online 02 May 2024. The PDF version of this Article contained errors in Equations 1 and 2, where the equations were incompletely displayed. The correct equations are displayed below:(Formula presented.) (Formula presented.) The original Article has been corrected. © The Author(s) 2024.

ABSTRACT.- Isolation of high quality and quantity genomic DNA is essential for molecular studies. It is crucial to select a non-invasive and straightforward technique to ensure the efficient collection of DNA, particularly at the farm level. The aim of this study was to determine if nasal swabs are an appropriate biological matrix to obtain good quality genomic DNA suitable for SNP genotyping. In this study, two biological matrices (blood and nasal swabs) were evaluated and compared for the isolation of genomic DNA obtained from 15 female Texel sheep.

ABSTRACT.- Small ruminant farming is of socio-economic and environmental importance to many rural communities around the world. The SMARTER H2020 project aims to redefine genetic selection criteria to increase the sustainability of the sector. The objective of this study was to analyse the selection and breeding management practices of small ruminant producers and breeders, linked with socio-technical elements that shape them.

ABSTRACT.- Astylus atromaculatus Blanchard is a native beetle of South America that feeds on pollen. During the summer of 2022-2023 in Argentina and Uruguay, an explosive infestation of these insects occurred in pastures in which ruminants were grazing. This was believed to be associated with a severe drought, which had significantly reduced the flowering of crops. Three farms in Uruguay and one in Argentina were visited to examine the flocks and perform autopsies. Affected sheep had watery diarrhea, anorexia, depression, and ruminal atony.

ABSTRACT.- In 2022 and 2023, samples of soybean stems showing symptoms of soybean stem canker were collected in the Departments of Rio Negro, San José and Colonia, Uruguay.

ABSTRACT.- Paspalum notatum Flüggé is a subtropical grass native from the Americas and one of the main components of the subtropical South American grasslands. Although P. notatum exhibits a high forage productivity and persistence, some limitations are observed in the species, such as forage quality due to high lignin content. The development of efficient tissue culture and plant transformation protocols in cultivars for forage production are necessary to embrace novel genetic improvement through transgenesis and genome editing.

The dairy industry of Uruguay has long been a fundamental driver of national economic and social development. However, after 30 years of dynamic growth (> 4.5% annual accumulative rate; 1985-2015), a predominantly stagnant period has ensued. Indeed, the Uruguayan dairy chain faces deep and multifaceted economic, productive, and environmental challenges. Beyond the last decade restrictive and volatile global conditions for dairy exporting countries, Uruguayan dairy farmers face local and particular challenges that entice them to reestablish the grounds for sustainable competitive growth.

ABSTRACT.- In this article we make comments on some methodological issues and on the general approach of the paper "Back to the future? Conservative grassland management can preserve soil health in the changing landscapes of Uruguay" by Ina Säumel, Leonardo R. Ramírez, Sarah Tietjen, Marcos Barra, and Erick Zagal, Soil 9, 425-442, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-9-425-2023. We identified various design and methodological problems that may induce potential misinterpretations. Our concerns are of three different types.