EFFECTS OF BANDITRY ON RUMINANT ANIMAL PRODUCTION IN KATSINA STATE

Ruminant animal production has recently come under a big threat due to the challenges of insecurity. This study was conducted to assess the effect of banditry on ruminant animal production in Katsina state. Using a two-stage sampling procedure, 60 ruminant animal farmers (keeping cattle, sheep and goats) in the state were selected for the study. In the first stage, three livestock markets from each of the state agricultural zones namely: Mai’dua, Charanchi and Sheme markets were purposively selected based on the volume of ruminant animal sold there. The use of livestock markets was because of the difficulty of accessing the famers in their homes due to the prevalent security challenges in the study area. In the second stage, 60 questionnaires were randomly distributed to ruminant animal producers identified in the markets. However, only 44 were used due to incomplete information. The information gathered was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study revealed that 66% of the respondent were within the age of 41-60 years, married (93%) and educated (57%). Similarly, majority of the respondents (64%) have large families. According to the study, the most prominent system of production used was Semi-intensive (29%) and forage was the major source of feed (70%). The study concluded that banditry has significantly reduced the ruminant production in the study area with untold negative effect on their standard of living and that government should improve security in the study area

The prevalence and seasonality of ruminant animal diseases in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria.

A ten-year (1996-2005) record of treatment report on diagnosed ruminant diseases in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State was evaluated to determine the prevalence and seasonality of the major ruminant diseases in the southwestern part of Nigeria. A total of 6880 ruminants comprising 114 cattle, 3312 sheep and 3454 goats were treated. Trypanomosis, Pneumonia, and Malnutrition showed seasonal fluctuation while Helminthiasis, Ectoparasitism, Gastro-Enteritis, Kata and Dystocia were distributed throughout the year. Helminthasis (3126 cases) had a seasonal occurrence of 31.99%, 31.54%, 11.89% and 29.01% for the hot-dry , hot-humid rainy, hot humid non-rainy and cool-humid rainy seasons respectively. During the hot-dry season, Trypanosomosis (19.29%) and malnutrition (3.51%) in cattle, Helminthiasis (14.31% and 11.87%) in sheep and goats respectively were the major problems. Ectoparasition (6.76% and 7.53%) and Kata (5.86% and 5.79%) in the sheep and goats respectively were the major problems during the hot-humid rainy season. Helminthiasis (3.51%) Gastro-Enteritis (3.51%) and Toxaemia/Septicaemia (3.51%) in cattle, Helminthiasis (4.23% and 5.91%), Ectoparasitism (2.60% and 1.74%) and Kata (3.02% and 2.72%) in sheep and goats respectively were the major problems during the hot-humid non-rainy season. Pneumonia (5.265) and Helminthasis (3.51%) in cattle, Helminthasis (13.90% and 11.60%), Kata (4.90% and 7.53%), Ectoparasitism (3.51% and 5.21%) and Pneumonia (2.42% and 1.80%) in sheep and goats respectively were the major diseases that occurred in the cool humid rainy season. The relevance of this report to effective control of measures for the ruminant enterprise in southwestern Nigeria is also highlighted.

Chemical composition and rumen fermentation profile of mangrove leaves (Avicennia marina) from West Sumatra, Indonesia

Jamarun N, Pazla R, Arief, Jayanegara A, Yanti G. 2020. Chemical composition and rumen fermentation profile of mangrove leaves (Avicennia marina) from West Sumatra, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 5230-5236. This study aimed to determine the potential of mangrove leaves of Avicennia marina for ruminant animal feed. Laboratory tests were carried out on A. marina with three replicates. Parameters measured were proximate and fiber contents, rumen fluid profile (pH, NH3 and VFA), digestibility of nutrients (DM, Ash, CP, CF, NDF, ADF, cellulose, and hemicellulose), macro and micro mineral contents, and phytochemical compounds. The results showed the nutritional content of A. marina were CP 13.37%; Ash 7.17%; lignin 7.34%; TDN 79%, rumen fluid profile is in reasonable condition, digestibility of food substances is more than 50%, rich in macro and micro minerals and contains phytochemical compounds such as phenols, steroids, triterpenoids, and tannins. Macro and micro minerals content of Ca 0.38%, Na 0.20%, Mg 0.20%, K 0.48%, P 0.51%, S 0.01%, Cl 1.03%, Fe 388 ppm, Zn 164 ppm, Mn 211 ppm, and Cu 128 ppm. This research concludes that A. marina is very potential to be used as a ruminant animal feed.

Organic residue analysis shows sub-regional patterns in the use of pottery by Northern European hunter–gatherers

The introduction of pottery vessels to Europe has long been seen as closely linked with the spread of agriculture and pastoralism from the Near East. The adoption of pottery technology by hunter–gatherers in Northern and Eastern Europe does not fit this paradigm, and its role within these communities is so far unresolved. To investigate the motivations for hunter–gatherer pottery use, here, we present the systematic analysis of the contents of 528 early vessels from the Baltic Sea region, mostly dating to the late 6th–5th millennium cal BC, using molecular and isotopic characterization techniques. The results demonstrate clear sub-regional trends in the use of ceramics by hunter–gatherers; aquatic resources in the Eastern Baltic, non-ruminant animal fats in the Southeastern Baltic, and a more variable use, including ruminant animal products, in the Western Baltic, potentially including dairy. We found surprisingly little evidence for the use of ceramics for non-culinary activities, such as the production of resins. We attribute the emergence of these sub-regional cuisines to the diffusion of new culinary ideas afforded by the adoption of pottery, e.g. cooking and combining foods, but culturally contextualized and influenced by traditional practices.