Livestock research

Practicing best calf management practices in housing, feeding and health are important for growing the future replacement stock. This is important for sustainability of the dairy herd where a significant proportion of the national dairy herds are smallholders with poorer calf performance than is in large commercial herds. Kenya's national dairy herds comprise over 75% smallholders, some affiliated to cooperatives offering regular extension advises on best calf management practices to their members. This study tested the hypothesis that producer attitudes reflect calf management practices that are implemented in large commercial and smallholder herds. The hypothesis was tested with a sample of large commercial dairy herds and smallholder herds affiliated to cooperative societies. Producer attitudes and management practices in calf housing, feeding and health were captured regarding standard management practices on a five point scale of agreement. The responses were analyzed to reveal the underlying differences between the herds using non-parametric chi square test and Mann-Whitney U test statistics. Compared to large commercial dairy producers, smallholders expressed more negative (p<0.05) attitudes towards practicing the recommended housing (calf pen disinfection, spacing in pen, bedding), feeding (colostrum feeding, concentrate supplementation) and towards health (vaccination, deworming and ecto parasite control). The negative smallholders' attitudes were reflected in poorer (p<0.05) implementation of the recommended calf housing practices (pen disinfection), feeding practices (colostrum and milk feeding, concentrate supplementation and weaning procedure) and health practices (vaccination and ecto parasite control). To attain improved calf performance and sustainable dairy herds, smallholder dairy producers need change of attitude towards implementing the recommended calf management practices. In housing, the target areas are pen disinfection, housing calves in individual pens to avoid crowding and improved bedding. In feeding, the target areas are colostrum and milk feeding and concentrate supplementation while in health the target areas are vaccination, deworming and ecto parasite control practices. Introduction Practicing best calf management practices in housing, feeding and health is important for rearing the future replacement stock. This is important for sustainability of the dairy herd where a significant proportion of the national dairy herd attain poorer calf performance. Kenya has such dairy herd in which smallholder's comprise75% of the national herd and with poorer calf performance than in the fewer remainder medium and large commercial herds [3]. Good calf management practices enhance calf survivability and performance and subsequently, quality replacement stock for the future herd [17]. Important calf management is in housing, feeding and health. Calf housing should be well ventilated, partitioned into individual pens which are regularly disinfected, cleaned and the bedding are kept dry to provide calf comfort, good welfare and ease early disease detection of diseases. This way, good housing contributes to improved calf performances [5]. Good calf feeding practices begin with colostrum feeding, essential for passive immunity to calf. Colostrum feeding is followed with milk feeding, which has to be warm, hygienic and in enough quantity corresponding to calf body weight to support sufficient growth. Supplemental concentrate is necessary after weaning to sustain high growth rates [16, 4] .

Climate change and extreme weather events have an impact on crop and livestock husbandry in developing countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. The direct effects posed by anthropogenic to changes in environmental conditions have been thoroughly proven in recent years through empirical studies. As a result, since 1960, the global average temperature has risen by 1 degree Celsius. In Ethiopia, climate change has had an impact on livestock production and productivity. The majority of livestock owners in the country believe climate change will influence pasture shortages, water shortages, livestock genetic resource losses, loss of livestock life, and less meat on mature livestock or reduced growth rate to achieve the required weight. Consequently, regarding mature animals, that leads to reduced livestock physiological processes, low milk supply, and impaired procreant function. Drought oxen will become malnourished and will be unable to generate the required draught power or energy for farm activities such as ox-cart, ploughing, causing crop cultivation to be hampered. Moreover, conferring to patterns and occurrences of rainfall have a significant impact on the present quantity of water and pasture for livestock. As a result, the absence of quality pasture for livestock and enough water roots livestock productivity and reproduction to suffer in Ethiopia. Higher temperatures caused by climate change may hasten the growth of diseases and parasites that may proliferate in or outside of the host livestock for too long. However, climate variation and climate change are anticipated to far reach more detrimental effects on livestock well-being and productivity, particularly in disadvantaged areas. Therefore, in these food and human livelihood are of essence for survival. The purpose of this study is to highlight the potential effects of changes in climate contribution to livestock production and productivity in Ethiopia.

In many developing countries of Africa and Asia, camels are the most important source of income for the Pastoral population through the provision of milk, meat, and transportation service. The chief role of the camel relates directly to its remarkable adaptation to extremely harsh conditions. However, these contributions of camels to the human welfare of developing countries are generally obscured by several factors, among which disease is the basic one. Brucellosis is one of the common bacterial diseases of a camel which is caused by genus Brucella resulting in substantial loss of production. Currently, ten species of brucella are recognized among which six of them are classical species. In dromedary camels, brucellosis can be caused by B. abortus; B. melitensis and B. ovis which results in significant loss of productivity through late first calving age, long calving interval time, low herd fertility and comparatively low milk production. The disease is found widespread in camel rearing regions of the world whereas age; sex; management and husbandry practice are considered as a major risk factor. The prevalence of camel brucellosis which was reported from different pastoral areas of Ethiopia is quite varying. Additionally; research conducted on camel brucellosis is scarce and is limited only to serological study with no confirmed isolation of Brucella bacteria. In humans, brucellosis is a debilitating disease with nonspecific symptoms and infertility being the common sequelae. The disease is transmitted by contact with infected animals; consumption of unpasteurized dairy products and undercooked meat. To treat brucellosis in humans, several conventional antibiotics are used in clinics and can also be controlled through milk pasteurization and hygienic measures coupled with effective disease surveillance and animal movement control. Generally, to combat the public health and economic significance of camel brucellosis detailed studies for isolation and characterization the causative agent of camel brucellosis should be implemented along with enhancing awareness level of the society.

SENARAI PENYELIDIKAN GUNAAN,
BAHAGIAN PEMBANGUNAN SUMBER TEKNOLOGI TERNAKAN, 2008—2014
PENASIHAT :
YH. DATO’ DR. MOHAMMAD AZMIE BIN ZAKARIA

DISEMAK OLEH :
YBHG. DATO’ DR. QUAZA NIZAMMUDDIN BIN HASSAN NIZAM

DISEDIAKAN OLEH :
SALLEH BIN SHEIKH IBRAHIM
PEGAWAI PENYELIDIK
BAHAGIAN PEMBNAGUNAN SUMBER TEKNOLOGI TERNAKAN, DVS

EDISI PERTAMA

JABATAN PERKHDMATAN VETERINAR
KEMENTERIAN PERTANIAN DAN INDUSTRI ASAS TANI MALAYSIA
NOVEMBER 2014

An experiment was conducted at Ahero and Mwea during July 2017 to January 2018 season; to assess effect of direct seeding (DS) and transplanting (TP) on growth and yield of four rain-fed (NERICA1 & 4, Komboka, MWUR4) and four irrigated (SARO5, Komboka, NIBAM11, MWIR2) varieties, on Kenyan lowlands. A split plot on randomized complete block design (RCBD) was used with three replicates; t hree seeds hill-1 were dibbled, later thinned to one on DS plots, one seedling was transplanted on TP plots. A (20x15) cm spacing used on both DS and TP plots. Data was subjected to analysis of variance, separation of means using Turkey's test at 5% probability level. Results on plant height, productive tiller s hill-1 , grain weight hill-1 , 1000 seed weight, yields (rain-fed) showed non-significance (p> 0.05). Days to flowering onset (rain-fed) had significant differences on DSR and TPR. Productive tillers hill-1 (Irrigated) were significant (p<0.05) while grain yield, grain weight hill-1 , 1000 seed weight, days to flowering onset (irrigated) were not significant (p>0.05). Grain yield (t ha-1) on rain-fed varieties indicated TP-Komboka (5.6), TP-NERICA1 (4.6) compared to Komboka and MWUR 4 (DS) at 4.9 and 4.3 respectively. Grain yield (t ha-1) (irrigated) had no yield gain on either TP or DS though they differed significantly with NIBAM 11 and MWIR 2 (TP) at 4.9 and 6.9 while DS-(MWIR2 and NIBAM11) at 5.9 and 4.8 respectively. Harvest index positively correlated to grain yield (rain-fed; r=0.693, p<0.001) (irrigated r =0.696, p<0.001). Variable costs were TP (KES: 81,850) compared to DS (KES 61,900). Although DS yielded less compared to TP, the aspect of water and labour saving would motivate its wide adoption contributing to enhanced rice productivity.

Tesis se basa en el quehacer desarrollado por el sustentante, como investigador en el área de Estudios Socioeconómicos, de la Vocalía de Investigaciones Pecuarias, INIFAP-SARH.  El objetivo es el de describir y evaluar, como investigador participante, cuál es la influencia del Instituto, para la solución de los problemas presentados en el desarrollo de la actividad ganadera.  Información de campo se levantó en 1982 y 1983.

RESUMEN El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar un panel reducido de 200 marcadores de polimorfismo de nucleótido simple recomendados por la Sociedad Internacional de Genética Animal y el Comité Internacional de Registro de Animales, mediante secuenciación de siguiente generación. Se utilizaron parámetros como número de loci utilizables, polimorfismo de loci, heterocigosis observada (Hob) y esperada (He), diversidad molecular media por loci (DML), distancia entre poblaciones, índice de fijación que estima el coeficiente de endogamia (Fis) y valor de diferenciación genética entre poblaciones (Fst). Del total de loci utilizados, se observó un promedio de 186 alelos utilizables; máximo de 187 en la raza Guabalá y un mínimo de 183 en la Brahman. Una media de 174 loci polimórficos con un máximo de 184 en genotipos cruzados y un mínimo de 149 en la raza Guabalá. Los valores de Hob, He y DML fueron 0,378, 0,439 y 0,438, respectivamente. El Análisis Molecular de Varianza (AMOVA) mostró un porcentaje de variación entre poblaciones de 19,25 e índice Fst de 0,19. El porcentaje de variación y Fst entre las razas criollas panameñas y cebuinas fueron de 5,22% y 0,22, respectivamente y el porcentaje de variación entre razas criollas y taurinas fue 1,82 con índice de diferenciación genética Fst de 0,163, respectivamente. Los valores de endogamia (Fis) oscilaron entre 0,00302 (Guaymí) a 0,04333 (Holstein); valores negativos de Fis se observaron en la raza Senepol y Guabalá por lo que se presume un efecto Wahlund. El árbol de distancias circulares mostró un comportamiento similar a los reportados en trabajos realizados con microsatélites al igual que lo observado en el AMOVA y Fst en las poblaciones. Los resultados preliminares apuntan a que los marcadores de polimorfismo de nucleótido simple utilizados tienen potencial para estudios de diversidad genética y se recomienda ampliar el estudio a más razas y números de animales.

Stem rust disease caused by Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici (Pgt) is currently one of the major biotic constraints in wheat (Triticum aestivum) production worldwide. Therefore, objectives of this study were (i) to identify resistant wheat lines with both adult plant resistance (APR) and seedling plant resistance (SPR), and (ii) to determine the kind of resistance to stem rust in KSL18, PCB52, PCB62 and PCB76 wheat lines. A collection of 100 wheat lines was evaluated in the field and greenhouse for stem rust resistance. The following four lines- KSL18, PCB52, PCB62 and PCB76 were identified as resistant and were crossed with known susceptible cultivars Kwale and
Duma. The resulting F1 hybrids and F2 populations alongside the parents were then tested in the greenhouse for response to the stem rust race TTKST. The selected wheat lines exhibited infection types ‘;’ to ‘2’ depicting resistance while Kwale and Duma depicted infection type ‘3+’ to TTKST. In the F2 populations evaluations that derived from Kwale × PCB52 indicated that the resistance is conferred by a single dominant gene. However, all other F2 populations showed that the resistance was conferred by two genes complementing each other (duplicate recessive epistasis) thus the ratios 9R: 7S. These identified resistant lines could be evaluated for other qualities and passed as potential varieties or used as sources of valuable stem rust resistance. Get more articles at: http://www.innspub.net/volume-7-number-4-october-2015-ijaar/

Stem rust disease caused by Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici (Pgt) is currently one of the major biotic constraints in wheat (Triticum aestivum) production worldwide. Therefore, objectives of this study were (i) to identify resistant wheat lines with both adult plant resistance (APR) and seedling plant resistance (SPR), and (ii) to determine the kind of resistance to stem rust in KSL18, PCB52, PCB62 and PCB76 wheat lines. A collection of 100 wheat lines was evaluated in the field and greenhouse for stem rust resistance. The following four linesKSL18, PCB52, PCB62 and PCB76 were identified as resistant and were crossed with known susceptible cultivars Kwale and Duma. The resulting F1 hybrids and F2 populations alongside the parents were then tested in the greenhouse for response to the stem rust race TTKST. The selected wheat lines exhibited infection types ‘;’ to ‘2’ depicting resistance while Kwale and Duma depicted infection type ‘3+’ to TTKST. In the F2 populations evaluations tha...

The social-ecological systems (SES) framework was developed to support communication across the multiple disciplines concerned with sustainable provision and/or appropriation of common-pool resources (CPRs). Transformation activities (e.g. processing, distribution, retailing) in which value is added to resource units appropriated from CPRs were assumed in developing the framework to be exogenous to the SES of focal concern. However, provision and appropriation of CPRs are nowadays often closely integrated with the market economy, so significant interdependence exists between many CPR provision/ appropriation activities and the activities in which appropriated resource units are transformed into the products ultimately marketed. This paper presents a modified version of the SES framework designed to better account for transformation activities in order to be more suitable for diagnosing those sustainability problems where it is inappropriate to define all such activities as exogenous to the SES of focal concern. The need for such modification was identified in a research project examining the challenges faced by Cambodian cattle-owning smallholders in accessing value chains for premium-priced beef. Hence the immediate focus was on strengthening the SES framework's value for facilitating a multidisciplinary diagnostic approach to food system research projects of this kind. The modified SES framework's potential in this respect was illustrated by a preliminary application that drew on literature reviewed for the Cambodian project. Significant further potential exists in using the modified framework as a foundation from which to develop a version that is suitable for application to SESs in which transformation systems are appropriately represented as endogenous. Maintaining consistency with the standard SES framework will enable communication to occur more effectively between food system researchers and CPR scholars more generally. 2 Graham R. Marshall

Food security, poverty and hunger are some of the 21st century global challenges. An estimated 1.2 billion people live in poverty, and most are in sub-Saharan Africa. Several efforts to reduce the devastating effects of hunger, poverty and hunger worldwide are implemented. One of the prominent intervention strategies is the Heifer International programme. In Zimbabwe, Heifer International (HI) is donating cattle to poverty-stricken and food-insecure households to eliminate food insecurity, hunger and poverty. However, much is not known about the contribution of the HI programme. Notably, HI has been implementing this programme for over a decade now. To unpack and determine the contribution of this programme to the people’s livelihoods, a cross-sectional survey design was adopted to collect data. The data were quantitatively analysed, using IBM SPSS version 26. Results revealed that the programme contributed mainly to the socio-economic well-being of the participating households. Par...

The social-ecological systems (SES) framework was developed to support communication across the multiple disciplines concerned with sustainable provision and/or appropriation of common-pool resources (CPRs). Transformation activities (e.g. processing, distribution, retailing) in which value is added to resource units appropriated from CPRs were assumed in developing the framework to be exogenous to the SES of focal concern. However, provision and appropriation of CPRs are nowadays often closely integrated with the market economy, so significant interdependence exists between many CPR provision/appropriation activities and the activities in which appropriated resource units are transformed into the products ultimately marketed or consumed. This paper presents a modified version of the SES framework designed to better account for transformation activities in order to be more suitable for diagnosing those sustainability problems where it is inappropriate to define all such activities as exogenous to the SES of focal concern. The need for such modification was identified in a research project examining the challenges faced by Cambodian cattle-owning smallholders in accessing value chains for premium-priced beef. Hence the immediate focus was on strengthening the SES framework's value for facilitating a multidisciplinary diagnostic approach to food system research projects of this kind. The modified SES framework's potential in this respect was illustrated by a preliminary application that drew on literature reviewed for the Cambodian project. Significant further potential exists in using the modified framework as a foundation from which to develop a version that is suitable for application to SESs in which transformation systems are appropriately represented as endogenous. Maintaining consistency with the standard SES framework will enable communication to occur more effectively between food system researchers and CPR scholars more generally.

In many developing countries of Africa and Asia, camels are the most important source of income for the Pastoral population through the provision of milk, meat, and transportation service. The chief role of the camel relates directly to its remarkable adaptation to extremely harsh conditions. However, these contributions of camels to the human welfare of developing countries are generally obscured by several factors, among which disease is the basic one. Brucellosis is one of the common bacterial diseases of a camel which is caused by genus Brucella resulting in substantial loss of production. Currently, ten species of brucella are recognized among which six of them are classical species. In dromedary camels, brucellosis can be caused by B. abortus; B. melitensis and B. ovis which results in significant loss of productivity through late first calving age, long calving interval time, low herd fertility and comparatively low milk production. The disease is found widespread in camel re...

Pastoralism is the main economic activity in the massive drylands of Kenya, consisting over 70% of the countries' livestock population. It employs 90% of communities living the arid and semiarid parts of the country. Although few small-scale livestock markets exist in rural pastoral areas, most of the animals end up in the urban markets with peak demand of livestock-based commodities. Dagoretti livestock market, located in Nairobi City (the capital of Kenya) is the largest and terminal market for pastoralist communities countrywide as well as a source of income to various market actors and government revenue. Despite this immense contribution, there is limited scientific information on the market actors, opportunities and challenges encountered at the market, to guide planning, decisions and interventions for sustainable livestock trade in the city of Nairobi. This study was the aim of this study. Data was collected using semi-structured Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (KIIs). A total of 41 KIIs and 4 FGDs were conducted with various market actors. Results show that Dagoretti livestock market is dominated by pastoralists, suppliers of animals for trade; whereby cattle consisted 63.5% of total animals sold, sheep (28.7%) and goats (7.8%). Majority of the animals came from Southern and Northern rangelands of Kenya, 43.02% and 21.68% respectively, with only 9.33% from Uganda and Tanzania. The market attracted a myriad of income opportunities including traders in live animals, brokers, transporters, trekkers, loaders and off-loaders, herders of unsold animals, foragesellers, veterinary officers, revenue officers, food vendors, cleaners, security guards, branders, butchers, and slaughtered animal value-chains. Main challenges included high taxation barriers, poor infrastructure, lack of incentives, and animal-congestion. There is need for regulatory frameworks supporting livestock trade and incentives to empower market actors, improve efficiency in market operations, and returns to the government and individual actors.

Stem rust disease caused by Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici (Pgt) is currently one of the major biotic constraints in wheat (Triticum aestivum) production worldwide. Therefore, objectives of this study were (i) to identify resistant wheat lines with both adult plant resistance (APR) and seedling plant resistance (SPR), and (ii) to determine the kind of resistance to stem rust in KSL18, PCB52, PCB62 and PCB76 wheat lines. A collection of 100 wheat lines was evaluated in the field and greenhouse for stem rust resistance. The following four linesKSL18, PCB52, PCB62 and PCB76 were identified as resistant and were crossed with known susceptible cultivars Kwale and Duma. The resulting F1 hybrids and F2 populations alongside the parents were then tested in the greenhouse for response to the stem rust race TTKST. The selected wheat lines exhibited infection types ‘;’ to ‘2’ depicting resistance while Kwale and Duma depicted infection type ‘3+’ to TTKST. In the F2 populations evaluations tha...

In many developing countries of Africa and Asia, camels are the most important source of income for the Pastoral population through the provision of milk, meat, and transportation service. The chief role of the camel relates directly to its remarkable adaptation to extremely harsh conditions. However, these contributions of camels to the human welfare of developing countries are generally obscured by several factors, among which disease is the basic one. Brucellosis is one of the common bacterial diseases of a camel which is caused by genus Brucella resulting in substantial loss of production. Currently, ten species of brucella are recognized among which six of them are classical species. In dromedary camels, brucellosis can be caused by B. abortus; B. melitensis and B. ovis which results in significant loss of productivity through late first calving age, long calving interval time, low herd fertility and comparatively low milk production. The disease is found widespread in camel re...

Beef accounts for nearly half of all meat consumed globally, so cattle play an important role in the meat supply and livestock industry. The reduction in cattle productivity is of a global concern. Therefore, the study aimed to investigate the haemoparasitic statusof cattle in the abattoir of Adodo Ota, Ogun State Nigeria in other to assess and promote food and livestock sustainability.Sixty (60) blood samples were taken at random from the slaughtered and jugular veins of 60 cattle. Thin film was made, air dried then fixed in 100% methanol for 60 seconds, and stained with quality grade 10% Giemsa stain, slides were viewed under ×40 and ×100 power of a binocular microscope atOmega Medical Diagnostics Laboratory. Heamoparasites intensity in cattle indicates 25% (15) infection with E.wenyoni, 11.7% (07) infection with H.bovis, 16.7% (10)infection with mixed parasites of Eperythrozoon and Haemobartonella while8.3% (05)accounting for the lowest percentage infection with T.congolense. High haemoparasitic prevalence was seen in Cows 70% than Bull 57.5%.Heamoparaitic status of cattle from the study signifies that haemoparasites remain one the biggest threat to food and livestock sustainability, and a continuous source of veterinary and public health concern.

Supplementary data for the paper ''Markers of seasonal pastoral campsites: results of an osteological study of present livestock enclosures in the valley of the Karagaily-Ayat River (Chelyabinsk Region, Russia)''.
The dataset contains all tabular data, a description of the Karagaily-Ayat river valley, modern livestock farming systems and a description of livestock enclosures.
Images of all collected bones that were chewed by cattle and ovicaprids in the valley of the Karagaily-Ayat river are also presented.
At the end, images of the most common pathologies of the skeletal system of slaughtered cattle from the studied pens are shown.

Aunque este artículo va a tratar diferentes aspectos técnicos relacionados con el Plan de Conservación de la raza aviar castellana negra y su Manual de Trabajo, queremos comenzar con una anécdota que puede ayudarnos a entender el valor, no solo genético y ganadero que tiene esta raza, sino también cultural, histórico y patrimonial.

Este trabajo está integrado por 4 capítulos.  E el primero, se exponen y  analizan las versiones institucionales u oficiales sobre el cambio tecnológico que, en lo fundamental, giran en torno a la problemática inherente a lo descrito como "Sistema de Investigación";  sistema que comprende solamente las actividades relacionadas con la generación, validación, transferencia y difusión de tecnología.  Un conjunto de apreciaciones sobre progreso tecnológico donde se omiten factores de orden político, económico y social, rayando e lo estrictamente técnico.  Factores que en el presente trabajo se empiezan a manejar desde la introducción.  Un segundo capítulo, donde se plantean algunas herramientas teórico-conceptuales de las que se estiman ayudan a dar una explicación del cambio tecnológico en el sistema capitalista.  Herramientas en las que se busca fincar el análisis del cambio tecnológico, así como las generalizaciones que se hacen sobre el mismo. 
De manera consecutiva, se presenta un marco referencial sobre la política económica que el Estado Mexicano fue implementando en el sector agropecuario.  Se describen algunas de las tendencias del sector en el marco de la política estatal, así como la dinámica y papel del progreso tecnológico en dicho proceso.  Por último, se pasa a precisar algunos de los factores que inciden en el cambio tecnológico agropecuario, con los que se rebaten las tesis oficiales sobre el mismo, y que finalmente es el motivo principal del trabajo, en la búsqueda de una mejor perspectiva para el estudio de los problemas inherentes al cambio tecnológico en la producción agropecuaria.