Assessing the haematology and serum chemistry of Uda rams fed different Kanwa based mineral licks

This study was conducted at the Department of Animal Science’s Teaching and Research farm of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto to evaluate the effect of feeding different kanwa based mineral licks on blood profile of Uda rams. Blood of twenty (20) yearlings Uda rams aged by dentition were used to evaluate the effect of Kanwa¬-based mineral blocks. Four (4) animals were allotted to each treatment (Kanwa block) with each animal serving as a replicate. The Kanwa used were Kanwan Bai-Bai, Kanwan Kolo, Hogga, Balma and conventional mineral lick to represent treatment 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. Data was collected at the end of the experiment. The result of haematological analysis showed significant (p<0.05) differences in all the parameters analysed except PCV, MCH, WBC and eosinophil; the result indicated that all the values where within the normal reference range except in MCHC where animals placed in T2 and T3 shows values slightly above the normal range. The result of serum biochemistry showed that all the values measured were within the normal reference range for sheep except the albumin of animals placed in T3 which had values slightly above the normal range. The serum mineral composition showed that Potassium levels were higher in T2 and lower in T4; however, there was no difference between animals placed in treatments 1, 2 and 3, so also between treatments 1, 3 and 4. The study concluded that Kanwa positively affected sheep production with no adverse effect on both haematological and serum chemistry, hence little health hazard is associated with feeding Kanwa-based blocks on growing Uda rams.

Ethnoveterinary survey of plants used for the control of gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep at three agro-ecological zones in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

Background: With exception of the desert biome, all of South Africa’s biomes occur in the Eastern Cape. The province is known to have high numbers of livestock that are mostly found in communal farming areas. Multi-drug resistance of gastrointestinal nematodes against major classes of conventional anthelmintics and the high cost of synthetic drugs calls for an urgent search for different control strategies of nematodes.Aim: A survey was conducted to identify and document plant species used to control gastrointestinal nematodes of livestock in Ciko, Goso and Upper Ngqumeya communities in the Eastern Cape Province.Setting: The study included filed observations and transect walks, as well as a standardized questionnaire given to 48 sheep farmers.Methodology: Forty-eight livestock farmers including men and women of mixed ages were interviewed. The information was obtained through the use of a structured questionnaire, field observations and transect walks. Data generated were analysed using descriptive statistics with frequency of citation (FC) and relative frequency of citation (RFC) as quantitative.Results: A total of 11 plant species from different genera were reportedly available and used to control gastrointestinal nematodes. Aloe ferox (0.67) and Zanthoxylum capense (0.44) had the highest values of RFC followed by Strychnos henningsii (0.23) and Elaphantorhhiza elephantine (0.21) and were widely known by the people of the study areas. The three most frequently used plant parts were leaves, roots and bark accounting for about 36.4%, 27.3% and 27.3%, respectively. The ethnoveterinary medicines were prepared in the form of decoctions and infusions. Oral administration of the concoctions was the only route of administration. The major constraints of sheep production as perceived by the farmers were prevalence of internal (36%) and external parasites (18.1%). All medicinal plants used were native and collected from the wild. The most dominant life forms were trees (45.4%), followed by herbs (36.4%) and shrubs (18.2%). Homestead expansion was ranked as the major threat (26%) to medicinal plants followed by firewood (21%). In-situ (protection through rangers) was the most frequently mentioned (67%) conservation practice used by farmers to protect the loss of medicinal plants followed by ex-situ (33%).Conclusion: In the light of data gathered on the surveyed plants, it appeared the plants play a role in the healthcare of sheep in rural communities. Further studies are required to analyse the plants for their chemical composition and biological properties.

Meat quality of lambs fed phytogenic additives

The study was developed in the Sheep Production Laboratory of the Department of Animal Science, College of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil. Thirty-two non-castrated Ile de France lambs weighing 20.0 ± 0.2 kg received 4 diets with a roughage: concentrate ratio of 40: 60. The experimental treatments consisted of D1: corn silage + concentrate; D2: corn silage + concentrate + 30 mg rosemary extract kg body weight1; D3: corn silage + concentrate + 30 mg green tea extract kg body weight-1; and D4: corn silage + concentrate + 30 mg oregano extract kg body weight-1, up to 35.0 ± 0.2 kg body weight. The objectives were to evaluate rib eye area, cholesterol content, lipid oxidation, qualitative parameters, as well as perform sensory analysis, centesimal composition, and fatty acid profile of the meat. The experimental design was completely randomized with four treatments and eight replicates. The treatments were compared by Tukey’s test through the SAS software (Statistical Analysis System Institute [SAS], 2003). Inclusion of phytogenic additives into the diets did not affect the qualitative parameters cholesterol content, lipid oxidation, and centesimal composition (except for protein content, which was lower in D2, 22.57%, compared to D1, 25.62%), as well as meat fatty acid profile (except for C18: 1n7 cis-vaccenic). The use of phytogenic additives provided suitable qualitative parameters.

Unconditional factor demands and supply response for livestock products: A farm-level analysis of the Southern Rangelands of Kenya

This paper evaluates output supply and input factor demands for livestock products in the Southern rangelands of Kenya. A flexible translog profit function that permits the application of the primal approach to the output supply and factor demand analysis was estimated using household-level data. The results indicate that the own-price elasticities of supply for cattle, sheep and goats were all positive. The own-price elasticities for the supply of sheep and goat products were elastic, while the own-price elasticities for the supply of cattle products wasinelastic. Cross-price and scale elasticities were found to be within the inelastic range in all cases, with goat production complementing both cattle and sheep production. All factor input demand elasticities for cattle, sheep and goats had the expected negative sign and were inelastic. These results offer a valuable opportunity for the development of pro-pastoral price policies that reduce factor market imperfections and thus enhance livestock productivity in the rangelands of Kenya.

Awareness and control methods of gastrointestinal parasites of merino sheep among farmers from different agro-ecological zones of Lesotho

Background and Aim: Sheep production plays a crucial role in the economy of Lesotho by increasing economic state of the rural poor. However, gastrointestinal parasites infection is the most limiting factor in sheep productivity and has a highly detrimental effect on the sheep industry. Therefore this study aimed to evaluate farmers' awareness and understanding of controlling gastrointestinal parasites of merino sheep in four Lesotho agro-ecological zones. Materials and Methods: Data were collected using a simple random sampling of 106 farmers in the lowlands, foothills, mountains, and Senqu river valley. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (version 20.00). Descriptive statistics were employed with cross-tabulations and tested with Chi-square and post hoc tests. Results: The majority of farmers (80%) were aware of the gastrointestinal parasites. Most farmers (70%) reported a high prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites and associated it with lamb mortality in summer and autumn. Farmers use anthelmintics for treating gastrointestinal parasites in animals, and 93% of them reported the effectiveness of the drugs. However, more than 80% of farmers routinely use anthelmintics. The results revealed that 81.5%, 66.7%, 80%, and 66.7% of farmers from the lowlands, foothills, mountains, and Senqu river valley, respectively, keep sheep in non-roofed enclosures cleaned only after rains to avoid mud. Communal grazing is used as the main source of animal feeding where different livestock species share the same rangelands. Most farmers (more than 70%) believed that grazing lands were the main source of gastrointestinal parasites transmission. Conclusion: Farmers in Lesotho are aware of gastrointestinal parasites and apply control methods to combat the gastrointestinal parasites in merino sheep. However, a need still exists for them to be empowered with skills for improving management systems and the knowledge on how the gastrointestinal parasites behave at different times of the year and in different agro-ecological zones. This will assist them in adhering to the dosing schedule designed by animal health experts.

Determinants of Smallholder Farmers’ Participation in Improved Sheep Production: The Case of Doyogena District, Kembata Tembaro Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Background. Improved sheep production practices are becoming relevant, but smallholder farmers’ involvement in improved sheep production was below expectations and detailed studies were restricted on the determinants of the participation of smallholder farmers in improved sheep production. This research was conducted to examine the determinants of the involvement of smallholder farmers in enhanced sheep production in the study area. Methods. Multi-stages sampling techniques were used for this study. Firstly, improved sheep production had a big effect on the incomes of households of participants and nonparticipants. Finally, three kebeles were chosen by basic random sampling, and the third was picked for systematic sampling by 144 survey respondents. Quantitative and qualitative data were gathered from primary and secondary sources. Data collection techniques were undertaken by surveys, focus group discussions, and key informants. Quantitative data were used to evaluate descriptive statistics, such as average, frequency, standard deviation, scope, and inferential t-test and chi-square statistics, and a logit model. Qualitative data obtained from focus group discussion and key informants were analyzed by narrative and used for survey data triangulation. Results. Out of the 144 samples, 51 were participants and 93 were nonparticipants. Participation determinants found in this research field were household labor, age, communication frequency with developers, membership in cooperatives, land ownership, participation in credit, and off-farm income. Improved sheep production had a major effect on the incomes of households of participants and nonparticipants. Multiple determinants typically affect the role of smallholder farmers in raising sheep production. Conclusion. Future initiatives under a successful policy should aim at accelerating agricultural and rural growth by efficiently leveraging enhanced sheep capacity in particular in the study region and Ethiopia in general.

Organic agriculture in Argentina's Pampas. A case study on Pampa Orgánica Norte farmers

Faced with a society that demands the reduction of negative environmental impacts of agriculture while producing high-value, healthy food for local and export markets, Argentina is currently in a debate on the alternative paths toward sustainability in agricultural production. Argentina is ranked second in the world in terms of land under organic certification. Extensive sheep production in Patagonia natural grasslands accounts for most of this area and harvested organic area remains a very small fraction of total harvested land (0.6%). This paper aims to contribute to the discussion of opportunities and limitations in organic farming as an ecological intensification alternative for Argentina's Pampas. A case study was conducted on Pampa Orgánica Norte. This is a group of nine organic farmers that manages field crops and livestock-certified organic production. Farmers interviewed in this study considered different criteria including economic and environmental attributes when choosing to produce organically. However, the main drivers for conversion to organic production are related to environmental factors, in particular ecosystem protection. The main limitations in organic production are related to crop management practices, primarily weed control. To achieve the goal of increasing organic production a more active role of the public sector in technology generation and transfer was demanded by farmers.