Preference of goats (Capra hircus L.) for tanniniferous browse species available in semi‐arid areas in Ethiopia

The objectives were to determine browse species preference of goats using dry matter intake (DMI) as a proxy, to compare preference when offered in combination with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and to establish relationships between browse species intake and chemical compositional data. Air‐dried leaves of Acacia etbaica, Cadaba farinosa, Capparis tomentosa, Dichrostachys cinerea, Dodonaea angustifolia, Euclea racemosa, Maerua angolensis, Maytenus senegalensis, Rhus natalensis and Senna singueana were used. Two cafeteria trials, each lasting 10 days, were conducted using four local mature male goats of 2–2.5 years receiving a daily ration of grass hay (4% of body weight) and 200 g wheat bran. In trial 1, goats were offered 25 g of each browse species for a total of 30 min with intake, time spent on consumption and the number of visits to specific browse species recorded at 10‐min intervals. In trial 2, the same procedure was followed except that 25 g of PEG 4000 was added to the daily wheat bran ration. Crude protein and neutral detergent fibre in browse species ranged from 69.0–245.5 to 159.8–560.6 g/kg dry matter (DM) respectively. Total phenols and total tannins contents ranged between 3.7–70.6 and 2.5–68.1 mg tannic acid equivalent/g DM, respectively, and condensed tannins 1.7–18.4 Abs_550 nm/g DM. Preference indicators measured in the first 10 min of browse species intake differed significantly among browse species and with PEG (p < 0.0001). Principal components explained 69.9% of the total variation in browse species DMI. Despite the high tannin levels, D. cinerea, R. natalensis and A. etbaica were the most preferred species regardless of PEG presence. Tannin levels at the observed browse species DMI did not determine preference, instead, preference appeared to be based on hemicellulose. Determining browse species preference is essential to exploit them to improve nutrient utilization and control parasites in goats.     

Degradation characteristics and tannin bioassay of some browse forage from Kenya harvested during the dry season

The potential nutritional value of six species of browse forage from Kenya harvested during the dry season were evaluated by chemical composition, in sacco dry matter (DM) degradation and in vitro gas production technique. The effect of tannins on the rumen fermentation of the forage was evaluated using polyethylene glycol (PEG) in an in vitro study. The chemical composition of the species of browse forage differed significantly (P < 0.05). The content of organic matter ranged from 846.7 to 946.5 g/kg DM. The forage had a high crude protein content (155.5–280.9 g/kg DM) and variable content of neutral detergent fiber (NDF, 236.2–682.8 g/kg DM). The content of total extractable tannins was generally low (0.6–38.5 g/kg DM). At 24 h of incubation, the in sacco DM disappearance ranged from 31.2% to 84.2%. The effective DM degradability also ranged from 29.7 to 73.5%. The gas production after 96 h incubation ranged from 17.5 to 44.2 mL/200 mg DM. Use of PEG indicated that tannins had an inhibitory effect on rumen microbial fermentation and this is dependant upon the amount and activity of the tannins present. The estimated in vitro organic matter digestibility and metabolizable energy also increased numerically with the PEG addition. The result of this study indicates that such species of browse forage have the potential to be used as feed supplements for ruminants, especially during the dry season.     

Effect of supplementing Rhodes grass hay (Chloris gayana) with Berchemia discolor or Zizyphus mucronata on the performance of growing goats in Kenya

Twenty growing Small East African goats were used to determine the effects of feeding sun-dried leaves of the browse forages Berchemia discolor and Zizyphus mucronata as supplements to low-quality basal diet, Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) hay, on voluntary feed intake (VFI), digestibility and growth performance. The grass hay and maize bran were used as a control. The dried leaves were then included at the rates of 15% and 30% of the dry matter intake (DMI). Berchemia discolor had the highest crude protein (CP) content of 195.5 g/kg DM, while Z. mucronata had CP content of 169.5 g/kg DM. The grass hay had the lowest CP content of 50.9 g/kg DM. The browse forages had low fibre content [Neutral detergent fibre (NDF); 257.9-369.5 g/kg DM], while the grass hay had high fibre content (NDF; 713.1 g/kg DM). Goats in the groups supplemented with either of the browse forages had higher total DMI, nitrogen (N) intake and retention and live-weight gains than those in the control diet group. The digestibility of DM and organic matter (OM) was not affected by supplementation, but the CP digestibility increased with supplementation. The use of the browse forages as supplements for goats fed on poor-quality basal diets would enhance the performance of the animals.     

In vitro gas production of foliage from three browse tree species treated with different dose levels of exogenous fibrolytic enzymes

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different dose levels of exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (EFE) on in vitro ruminal fermentation kinetics and energy utilization of foliages from three browse trees (Pithecellobium dulce, Heliocarpus velutinus and Guazuma ulmifolia). Mixture of EFE product was added to the leaves of the three browse tree species at three dose levels: 0 (control), 3.5 and 7.0 mg/g of DM. Chemical composition of the foliages, including plant secondary metabolites such as total phenolics (TP), saponins (SAP) and aqueous fraction (AF), was determined. In addition, in vitro assaying of ruminal gas production kinetics was determined for the three browse three foliages treated with EFE. P. dulce had the highest crude protein content (p < 0.05), whereas G. ulmifolia had the highest content of neutral detergent fibre and SAP (p < 0.05) and H. velutinus had the lowest content of TP (p < 0.05). The interaction between tree species and dose level of EFE was significant (p < 0.05) for gas production (GP) at 24 h of incubation, parameters b and c of the accumulated GP curve, short‐chain fatty acids (SCFA) and metabolizable energy (ME). The lowest (p < 0.01) extent of accumulated GP as well as the b and c values occurred in G. ulmifolia at 0 mg EFE/g DM. P. dulce had the highest (p < 0.05) values for ME and SCFA at the highest dose of EFE. Tree species and dose level had significant (p < 0.05) effects on all parameters describing in vitro ruminal fermentation kinetics and energy utilization. Addition of EFE improved the fermentation kinetics of the browse species considered in this study.     

Influence of harvesting site on chemical composition and potential protein value of Acacia erioloba,A. nilotica and Ziziphus mucronata leaves for ruminants

This study was designed to evaluate the chemical composition, buffer N solubility, in vitro ruminal N degradation and in vitro ruminal biological activity of condensed tannins in Acacia erioloba, Acacia nilotica and Ziziphus mucronata leaves harvested from two sites (Masuthle communal grazing land and Molelwane private farm). Leaves were harvested, dried at 60 °C and milled. The highest crude protein (CP) content was found in leaves of Z. mucronata (177.7 g/kg DM). Leaves harvested from Masuthle had higher (p < 0.05) soluble phenolics (SPh) (44.6 g TAE/kg DM) compared to those harvested from Molelwane (29.8 g TAE/kg DM). In both Molelwane and Masuthle, leaves of A. nilotica had higher levels of condensed tannins (CT) (0.76 AU_550/200 mg and 0.52 AU_550/200 mg respectively) followed by A. erioloba and Z. mucronata, which did not differ (p > 0.05). Nitrogen degradability at 24 h was the same (p > 0.05) for all tree species but not at 12 and 36 h. No linear association (p > 0.05) was found between buffer‐soluble N and in vitro ruminal N degradability in leaves with high SPh content. The largest polyethylene glycol (PEG) effect was in leaves of A. nilotica (448%) harvested from Masuthle after 36 h of incubation. Ziziphus mucronata leaves harvested from Molelwane had the least PEG effect at 48 h. There was no linear association (p > 0.05) between PEG effect and SPh for all incubation periods, but a positive relationship was observed between PEG effect and condensed tannins content. There was no linear association between solubility index (SI) and in vitro ruminal N degradability for tannin‐rich leaves. It was concluded that higher browsing pressure in Masuthle communal rangeland resulted in leaves with higher levels of condensed tannins, which had higher in vitro ruminal biological activity, compared to those harvested from Molelwane.     

Effect of polyethylene glycol 4000 supplementation on the performance of indigenous Pedi goats fed different levels of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia nilotica</Emphasis> leaf meal and <Emphasis Type="Italic">ad libitum</Emphasis> Buffalo grass hay

In a first of two experiments, twenty yearling male Pedi goats weighing 21.3 ± 0.5 kg live weight were used in a 37-day study in a 2 (levels of PEG 4000) × 2 (levels of Acacia) Factorial arrangement in a Completely Randomised Design to determine the effect of the level of Acacia nilotica leaf meal supplementation plus 23 g polyethylene glycol 4000 on diet intake and digestibility, and growth rate of Pedi goats fed ad libitum Buffalo grass hay. Acacia nilotica leaf meal contained high amounts of total phenolics (2.04 % DM) and low amounts of condensed tannins; both extracted (0.37 % DM) and unextracted (1.83 % DM). Supplementation with PEG 4000 increased (P < 0.05) crude protein intake as the level of Acacia nilotica leaf meal increased from 80 to 120 g. Similarly, treatment with PEG 4000 improved (P < 0.05) DM, OM and CP digestibilities when compared to 80 g Acacia nilotica leaf meal. Supplementation with PEG 4000 resulted in an increase (P < 0.05) in blood urea concentrations. Polyethylene glycol 4000 has the potential to improve the feeding value of A. nilotica leaf meal and can, therefore, be used in the feeding systems for ruminant animals. The second experiment determined the effect of A. nilotica leaf meal supplementation on in vitro digestibility of the diets similar to the actual ratios of the first experiment. Level of A. nilotica leaf meal supplementation plus 23 g PEG 4000 supplementation improved (P < 0.05) in vitro DM, OM and CP digestibilities where 120 g A. nilotica leaf meal was supplemented. Similarly, 23 g PEG 4000 supplementation also improved (P < 0.05) in vitro CP digestibility where 80 g A. nilotica leaf meal was supplemented. In vivo DM and OM digestibilities were best predicted from in vitro DM and OM digestibilities while in vivo CP was explained by in vitro OM and CP digestibilities. It is, therefore, concluded that in vitro DM and OM digestibilities have good capacity to predict in vivo DM and OM digestibilities while OM and CP digestibilities have good capacity to predict in vivo CP digestibility.     

Effect of tropical browse leaves supplementation on rumen enzymes of sheep and goats fed <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dichanthium annulatum</Emphasis> grass-based diets

In a switch-over experiment, eight male animals, four each of sheep and goats of local breeds with mean body weight of 26. 8 ± 2.0 and 30.0 ± 2.1 kg, were fed Dichanthium annulatum (DA) grass and four browse species viz. Helictris isora, Securengia virosa, Leucaena leucocephala (LL) and Hardwickia binnata (HB) in four feeding trials to assess their supplementary effect on activity of rumen enzymes. The sheep and goats were offered DA grass with individual browse in 75:25 and 50:50 proportions, respectively, for more than 3 months during each feeding trial, and rumen liquor samples were collected twice at 0 and 4 h post feeding after 60 and 90 days of feeding. Glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) enzymes were determined in the bacteria and protozoa fractions of rumen liquor, while cellulase enzyme activity was measured in mixed rumen liquor. LL and HB had the highest and lowest contents of CP, while fibre contents were lower in early than later browse leaves. Supplementation of browse leaves significantly (P < 0.05) affect the specific activity of GDH enzyme in bacteria fraction of rumen liquor of animal species, while GDH activity was similar in protozoa fraction of rumen liquor of sheep and goats on all DA grass–browse-supplemented diets except DA–HB (42.8 units/mg protein), where activity was significantly (P < 0.05) low. Specific activities of GOT and GPT enzymes in both bacteria and protozoa fractions of rumen liquor differ significantly (P < 0.05) due to supplementation of browse leaves to DA grass. Browse leaves significantly (P < 0.05) affect the cellulase enzyme activity in animal rumen liquor, being highest on DA–LL (193.4) and lowest on DA–HB diet (144.8 μg sugar/mg protein). Goat exhibited higher activities of GOT and GPT than sheep in both bacteria and protozoa fraction of rumen liquor, while cellulase activity was similar between the animal species on the grass–browse leaves diets. Results indicate that browse leaves supplementation affect the enzyme activities of sheep and goats rumen, while the goats rumen liquor had higher activities of GOT, GPT and GDH enzyme than sheep.     

Effect of medicinal and aromatic plants on rumen fermentation,protozoa population and methanogenesis in vitro

The potential of tannins from 21 medicinal and aromatic plant leaves as antimethanogenic additives in ruminant feeds was investigated. The effect of tannin from these leaves on rumen fermentation parameters, protozoa population and methanogenesis was studied by incubating the samples [200 mg dry matter (DM)] without and with polyethylene glycol (PEG)‐6000 (400 mg DM) as a tannin binder during 24‐h incubation in the in vitro Hohenheim gas method. Based on the methane percentage estimated in the total gas produced, methane production in millilitre was calculated [methane volume (ml) = methane % × total gas produced (ml) in 24 h]. In the samples, crude protein and neutral detergent fibre (g/kg DM) ranged from 113 to 172 and from 352 to 444 respectively. The total phenol (TP; g/kg DM) content was highest in Terminalia chebula (274) followed by Hemigraphis colorata (71) and Sapindus laurifolia (51) respectively. In the remaining samples, it was <43 g/kg DM. Activity of tannins, as represented by the increase in gas volume on addition of PEG, ranged from 0 to 133%, with the highest being recorded in T. chebula. The per cent increase in methane on PEG addition was 0 for Ammi majus, Aristolochia indica, Cascabela thevetia, Ipomea nil and Lantana camara, illustrating that tannins present in these samples had no effect on methane concentration. The PEG addition increased the total protozoa count by >50% in A. indica and C. thevetica. One of the important findings of our study was that of the 21 samples screened, Entodinia population increased in 12 with PEG as compared to 7 where Holotricha increased, indicating higher susceptibility of Entodinia to tannin. There was no increase in the protozoa population with PEG when incubating Cardiospermum halicacabum, Clerodendrum inerme, Dioscorea floribunda, Nerium oleander and Selastras paniculatus, which strongly suggested that methane suppression recorded in these samples was not because of a defaunating effect of their tannins per se. The fermentation pattern reflected increased total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) concentration from 0 to 28.3% with PEG addition among the leaves. Our results confirmed further observations that methanogenesis in vitro is not essentially related to density of protozoa population. Secondly, medicinal and aromatic plants such as C. inerme, Gymnema sylvestre and Sapindus laurifolia containing tannins appear to have a potential to suppress in vitro methanogenesis.     

Chemical composition,nitrogen degradability and in vitro ruminal biological activity of tannins in vines harvested from four tropical sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) varieties

This study investigated the potential of vines from four sweet potato varieties (Tia Nong 57, Tia Nong 66, Ligwalagwala and Kenya) as alternative feed resources for ruminant livestock. The chemical composition [neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), crude protein (CP) and acid detergent insoluble nitrogen (ADIN)], in vitro ruminal nitrogen (N) degradability and in vitro ruminal biological activity of tannins in the vines, harvested at 70 and 110 days after planting (DAP), were determined. Variety and harvesting stage did not (p > 0.05) influence CP and NDF content of the vines. Concentration of CP ranged from 104.9 to 212.2 g/kg DM, while NDF ranged from 439.4 to 529.2 g/kg DM across harvesting stages and varieties. Nitrogen degradability (ND) at 70 and 110 DAP was highest (p < 0.05) in Ligwalagwala (743.1 and 985.0 g/kg DM, respectively). Treatment of vines with tannin‐binding polyethylene glycol (PEG) increased (p < 0.05) in vitro ruminal cumulative gas production parameters (a, b and c). The in vitro ruminal biological activity of tannins, as measured by increment in gas production parameters upon PEG inclusion, had a maximum value of 18.2%, suggesting low to moderate antinutritional tannin activity. Ligwalagwala vines, with highly degradable N, would be the best protein supplement to use during the dry season when ruminant animals consume low N basal diets and maintenance is an acceptable production objective. Tia Nong 66 and Kenya varieties, with less degradable N, may be more suitable for use as supplements for high‐producing animals such as dairy goats.     

Performance of Sheep and Goats Fed Arctostaphylos canescens With and Without Polyethylene Glycol Supplementation

Arctostaphylos canescens Eastw. is considered an important element in the chaparral fire matrix and an invasive plant in coniferous forest plantations in California. Previous studies reported that dry matter intake of Arctostaphylos was low, presumably because of its low nutritional quality and high condensed tannin (CT) content. We hypothesized that intake and digestibility of Arctostaphylos could be increased by the provision of a tannin-complexing agent polyethylene glycol (PEG). This study determined the effects of PEG (MW 4000) supplementation on intake (I) and digestibility (D) of Arctostaphylos in goats and sheep. Polyethylene glycol was added to drinking water at four levels (0.3%, 0.15%, 0.05%, and 0%) of body weight (BW). Alfalfa pellets were used as diet supplement at 1.5% of BW. Nutritional quality of Arctostaphylos was low as compared with alfalfa pellets. Arctostaphylos crude protein (CP) levels were low (4.5% vs. 17.9%) and CT concentration was high (23.1% vs. 0%), whereas estimates of in vitro organic matter digestibility (OMD, 36.6%) and metabolizable energy (5.1 MJ · kg^?1 dry matter [DM]) in Arctostaphylos were almost half of those found for alfalfa pellets (70.3% and 9.5 MJ · kg^?1 DM). A curvilinear increase (P < 0.05) in nutrient intake (per g · d^?1 and per kg BW^0.75) was observed in goats and sheep as PEG levels increased, although a linear increase (P < 0.001) was observed in CP intake (g · d^?1) of Arctostaphylos by goats. Addition of PEG curvilinearly increased (P < 0.05) digestibility of DM, CP, and neutral and acid detergent fiber, but quadratically increased (P < 0.05) that of OM in goats and sheep. Incorporation of PEG in drinking water at the level of 0.15% BW in sheep and goats was effective to maximize inactivation of CT in Arctostaphylos. However, the success in adopting this practice as a useful tool in vegetation management programs will depend on the cost–benefit ratio.     

Seroprevalence of and risk factors for Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies capri infection in small ruminants in Northern Jordan

During the period from January 2002 to December 2003, serum samples were collected from 104 small ruminant flocks consisting of 18 sheep flocks, 27 goat flocks, and 59 mixed flocks containing both sheep and goats in northern Jordan. Only female sheep and goats were sampled. At least five females aged over 2 years per flock per species were sampled and examined for Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies capri using the latex agglutination test. To increase the chances of detecting positive flocks, sick or older ewes were sampled. Specific information was obtained using a questionnaire to identify potential risk factors for M. mycoides subsp. capri seropositivity in small ruminants. The true flock-level seroprevalences of M. mycoides subsp. capri were 34%, 32%, and 38% in small ruminants (sheep and goats), sheep, and goats, respectively. Differences between flock-level seroprevalences in sheep and goats were not significant (p = 0.7). Multivariable logistic regression analysis of 21 production and health management practices showed four to be associated with M. mycoides subsp. capri seropositivity including flocks which were grazed and fed concentrate supplement (OR = 4.6), improper cleaning of milking utensils (OR = 4.7), buying new animals to replace culled ones (OR = 0.3), and treating against helminths when clinical signs of helminth infections appear (OR = 0.4).     

Feeding of tropical trees and shrub foliages as a strategy to reduce ruminal methanogenesis: studies conducted in Cuba

The aim of this paper was to present the main results obtained in Cuba on the effects of feeding tropical trees and shrubs on rumen methanogenesis in animals fed with low quality fibrous diets. More than 20 tree and shrub foliages were screened for phytochemicals and analyzed for chemical constituents. From these samples, seven promising plants (Samanea saman, Albizia lebbeck, Tithonia diversifolia, Leucaena leucocephala, Trichantera gigantea, Sapindus saponaria, and Morus alba) were evaluated for methane reduction using an in vitro rumen fermentation system. Results indicated that the inclusion levels of 25% of Sapindo, Morus, or Trichantera foliages in the foliages/grass mixtures (grass being Pennisetum purpureum) reduced (P < 0.01) methane production in vitro when compared to Pennisetum alone (17.0, 19.1, and 18.0 versus 26.2 mL CH₄/g fermented dry matter, respectively). It was demonstrated that S. saman, A. lebbeck, or T. diversifolia accession 23 foliages when mixed at the rate of 30% in Cynodon nlemfuensis grass produced lower methane compared to the grass alone. Inclusion levels of 15% and 25% of a ruminal activator supplement containing 29% of L. leucocehala foliage meal reduced methane by 37% and 42% when compared to the treatment without supplementation. In vivo experiment with sheep showed that inclusion of 27% of L. leucocephala in the diet increased the DM intake but did not show significant difference in methane production compared to control diet without this foliage. The results of these experiments suggest that the feeding of tropical tree and shrub foliages could be an attractive strategy for reduction of ruminal methanogenesis from animals fed with low-quality forage diets and for improving their productivity.     

Copper,iron, zinc and tannin concentrations throughout the digestive tract of tropical goats and sheep fed a high-fibre tannin-rich diet

The dry season in tropical regions urges livestock to feed on nutritionally very poor diets. It has not been explored how tropical sheep—assumed grazers—and tropical goats—intermediate browsers—cope with a high-fibre tannin-rich diet. This study was designed to determine the effects of a high-fibre and tannin-rich diet on the flow of important microminerals iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) throughout the digestive tract of tropical sheep and goats. The feeding trial was set up with twelve adult male animals, six sheep with mean body weight (BW) of 30.3 ± 1.6 kg and six goats with mean BW of 26.4 ± 2.2 kg. The feed consisted of 36% leaves of Millettia ferruginea, 61% hay and 3% concentrate and was offered at 3% of BW (all on dry matter (DM) basis). The total faecal collection was carried out for 7 consecutive days. At the end of the experimental period, the animals were slaughtered to collect liver and digesta samples from the gastrointestinal tract. Feed, digesta and faecal samples underwent analysis of Fe, Zn, and Cu and total tannins (TT). Goats had significantly higher reticulum Cu concentrations expressed on DM as compared to sheep. Faecal Cu concentrations were higher for goats compared to sheep. Reticulum and colon digesta Zn levels were higher in goats than sheep. Abomasum and colon Fe levels were higher in sheep than goats when expressed on DM. These results suggest differences in feed intake, micromineral absorption, secretion and excretion between sheep and goats, pointing to a divergent mineral metabolism as an adaptation to the challenge of a dry season diet having very low nutritive value.     

Patterns of selection of Acacia karroo by goats and changes in tannin levels and in vitro digestibility following defoliation

Patterns of browse selection by Boer goats in a representative Acacia karroo community in the eastern Cape were studied. The rate of intake of browse was positively related to the leaf mass per unit length of the shoot. The ease of harvesting leaf material, as determined by the height off the ground, modified the rate of intake. Generally, following browsing, tannin levels increased significantly and in vitro digestibility decreased significantly. These changes in tannin content and digestibility differed in magnitude according to the plant size and age of the shoot and leaf. Generally, the leaf and shoot intake was negatively related to tannin content and positively related to digestibility, thus influencing patterns of selection for different plant parts and size classes of A. karroo. However, some of the results are contradictory.     

Prevalence and seasonal incidence of nematode parasites and fluke infections of sheep and goats in eastern Ethiopia

Sissay, M.M., Uggla, A. and Waller, P.J., XXXX. Prevalence and seasonal incidence of nematode parasites and fluke infections of sheep and goats in eastern Ethiopia. Tropical Animal Health and Production, XXXX. A 2-year abattoir survey was carried out to determine the prevalence, abundance and seasonal incidence of gastro-intestinal (GI) nematodes and trematodes (flukes) of sheep and goats in the semi-arid zone of eastern Ethiopia. During May 2003 to April 2005, viscera including liver, lungs and GI tracts were collected from 655 sheep and 632 goats slaughtered at 4 abattoirs located in the towns of Haramaya, Harar, Dire Dawa and Jijiga in eastern Ethiopia. All animals were raised in the farming areas located within the community boundaries for each town. Collected materials were transported within 24 h to the parasitology laboratory of Haramaya University for immediate processing. Thirteen species belonging to 9 genera of GI nematodes (Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus axei, T. colubriformis, T. vitrinus, Nematodirus filicollis, N. spathiger, Oesophagostomum columbianum, O. venulosum, Strongyloides papillosus, Bunostomum trigonocephalum, Trichuris ovis, Cooperia curticei and Chabertia ovina), and 4 species belonging to 3 genera of trematodes (Fasciola hepatica, F. gigantica, Paramphistomum {Calicohoron} microbothrium and Dicrocoelium dendriticum) were recorded in both sheep and goats. All animals in this investigation were infected with multiple species to varying degrees. The mean burdens of adult nematodes were generally moderate in both sheep and goats and showed patterns of seasonal abundance that corresponded with the bi-modal annual rainfall pattern, with highest burdens around the middle of the rainy season. In both sheep and goats there were significant differences in the mean worm burdens and abundance of the different nematode species between the four geographic locations, with worm burdens in the Haramaya and Harar areas greater than those observed in the Dire Dawa and Jijiga locations. Similar seasonal variations were also observed in the prevalence of flukes. But there were no significant differences in the prevalence of each fluke species between the four locations. Overall, the results showed that Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Nematodirus, Oesophagostomum, Fasciola and Paramphistomum species were the most abundant helminth parasites of sheep and goats in eastern Ethiopia.     

Comparative utilization of warm- and cool-season forages by cattle, sheep and goats

The quality of different classes of forage hay (C3, C4 grasses and legumes) was determined in intake and digestibility trials with mature cattle, sheep and goats. For all nine hays, DM and NDF digestibility by cattle and goats was higher (P less than .05) than by sheep, with no differences due to forage class. Cattle had a higher (P less than .01) DM intake than sheep or goats averaged across forage (92.6 vs 65.8 and 68.6 g/kg BW.75); hay intake was highest on legume, with no difference between C3 and C4 grasses. Mean NDF intake by cattle was greater than by sheep or goats (58.7 vs 39.6 and 42.6 g/kg BW.75); NDF intake for all animal species decreased in the order C4 grass greater than C3 grass greater than legume. Particle passage rates did not differ (P greater than .05) with forage class but were higher (P less than .02) for sheep and goats than for cattle. Prefeeding ruminal DM fill values, determined by emptying, were 10.6, 15.0 and 19.9 g/kg BW1.0 for alfalfa, orchardgrass and switchgrass hays fed to cattle, and 11.2, 11.3 and 16.5 g/kg BW1.0 for the same hays fed to sheep. Estimated turnover times for DM and NDF were shorter (P less than .05) for sheep than for cattle; DM turnover was longer for switchgrass than for alfalfa and orchardgrass, with no forage differences in NDF turnover between these two animal species. Results show that goats were superior to sheep in NDF digestion.     

Comparative aspects of plant tannins on digestive physiology,nutrition and microbial community changes in sheep and goats: A review

Comparative aspects of plant tannins on digestive physiology, nutrition and microbial community in sheep and goats are discussed in the context of differences due to feed intake, digestibility, utilization of nutrients and microbial community. The purpose of this review was to present an overview of the potential benefits of tannin‐containing diets for sheep and goats and specie differences in their response to tannins. It is well established that moderate level of tannins in the diet (3%–4% tannins DM) can precipitate with soluble proteins and increase protein supply to the sheep, but comparative aspects of tannin‐containing diets in sheep and goats on animal performance, digestive physiology, rumen microbial changes and potential benefits to sustainable animal production by those compounds have received little attention. In addition, developing plant‐based tannin‐containing diets for control of rumen microbiota and rumen fermentation (e.g., methane gas) would be expected to have a greater impact on the ruminant health, productivity and emission of greenhouse gasses. The positive impacts of the plant tannin compounds mainly depend on their influence on the gut microbiome diversity and ability to generate fermentation end products (short‐chain fatty acids) that have diverse biological roles. Diets which contain optimal levels of tannins have potential benefits for sustainability of small ruminant production systems. However, there is a need for an improved understanding of the utilization of tannin‐containing forages to improve their management. This implies investigations of animal responses to tannin‐containing forages or browse species and, in particular, a better understanding of the interactions that can arise between sheep and goats on digestion, DMD, rumen fermentation and microbial community changes. This knowledge could help to improve current feeding systems in terms of efficiency of feed use and environmental impacts (reduce methane gas production) and thus contribute to the development of a sustainable sheep and goat production.     

Rights,Resources and Rural Development: Community-Based Natural Resource Management in Southern Africa — Christo Fabricius,Eddie Koch,Hector Magome and Stephen Turner (eds) 2004

Goats select some browse species more than others, given options. Seasonal trends of diet selection of Nguni goats indexed by intake were investigated in cafeteria-style experiments. The relationships between diet selection and plant chemical/physical traits of Vachellia nilotica, Vachellia robusta, Dichrostachys cinerea, Euclea crispa, Rhus lancea and Ziziphus mucronata, representing abundant species were studied in the dry and rainy seasons. Seasonal changes in browses affected diet selection. Selection of long shoot species, which were concomitantly broad-leafed, was higher than species with short shoots. Selection was higher for spineless than spinescent species. Diet selection correlated positively with increased leaf mass. In the rainy season, cellulose positively correlated with intake, number of bites and browsing time, whereas in the dry season, cellulose correlated with bite size. Diet selection tended to be driven more by shoot morphology and leaf mass than by either spinescence or plant chemistry. Plant chemical influence on diet selection was diverse in both seasons and showed no definite trend, whereas spinescence had no significant effect on short-term intake. The results represent important input to goat production and range forage species management.     

Prevalence,risk factors,and distribution of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cysticercus tenuicollis</Emphasis> in visceral organs of slaughtered sheep and goats in central Ethiopia

An abattoir survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of Cysticercus tenuicollis, to find out the association between prevalence and potential risk factors as well as to assess the distribution of C. tenuicollis in visceral organs of slaughtered sheep and goats. Out of the total 768 goats and 630 sheep visceral organs inspected, C. tenuicollis was found in 358 goats (46.6%) and 252 sheep (40.0%), respectively. Adult goats (51.8%) and sheep (47.4%) were more infected than kids (41.4%) and lambs (35.8%), respectively. Goats (58.1%) and sheep (46.5%) from highland areas were more infected than goats (35.2%) and sheep (33.8%) from lowland areas. C. tenuicollis was more frequently detected in the omentum of goats and sheep than any other visceral organs. Appropriate control measures need to be introduced to reduce the prevalence of these parasites in small ruminants.     

The Role of Bioactive Tannins in the Postpartum Energy Retention and Productive Performance of Goats Browsed in a Natural Rangeland

The role of bioactive tannins in browse in the postpartum performance of goats grazed under natural range conditions was studied using 40 yearling Mubende goats (20+/-0.32 kg). In a completely randomized design, goats of one group (n = 20) received a daily drench of 50 g per goat of polyethylene glycol (PEG) of molecular weight 4000 given as a condensed tannin (CT) deactivator, and goats of the other group (n = 20) acted as the control (no PEG). Mean birth weights, live weight gains, abortion and twinning rates, litter size and tissue energy retention were measured. The PEG drench resulted in lower postpartum weight gains and tissue energy retention (p < 0.05). Postpartum weekly weight loss per doe was 0.65 kg in the PEG group and 0.46 kg in the control group, while tissue energy loss was 17.7 MJ per goat in the PEG group and 10.23 MJ per goat in the control group in the first 8 weeks. Net weight gain was observed in the control group at the 11 th week but was delayed in the PEG group (15th week). The PEG group had lower birth weights and higher kids mortalities (p <0.05). Selective feeding in the Ankole rangeland exposes goats to beneficial concentrations of dietary CT with apparent cumulative effects leading to improved postpartum performance of does and kids.