Small‐scale cattle raising in East Java,Indonesia: A pathway out of poverty?

Despite its small area and intensively cropped landscape, East Java accounts for 30% of Indonesia's cattle population. About two million households draw on family labour to raise cattle in backyard sheds and small enclosures, largely for cash income. In this paper, we examine the opportunity for such small‐scale producers to benefit from Indonesia's economic transformation, given the rising urban demand for beef. The paper reports on a study in two contrasting sites in East Java – irrigated lowlands and rainfed uplands – to explore the constraints facing small‐scale cattle producers in these environments, the means by which they have adapted to these constraints (especially by going beyond the farm household to access feed supplies) and possible means to enhance their production systems and incomes. The findings suggest that such cattle production systems can provide a viable source of livelihood, even for resource‐poor households; hence, appropriately adapted cattle improvement programmes are a sensible component of a pro‐poor development strategy.     

Comparative responses to sodium selenite and organic selenium supplements in Belgian Blue cows and calves

Belgian Blue (BB) beef cattle is particularly prone to selenium (Se) deficiency due to the poor Se content of soil and roughages on rearing farms and the higher requirements of this hypermuscled breed. The goal of this trial was to compare the effects of different forms and concentrations of Se supplementation on Se status, health and performance in 60 pregnant Se-deficient BB cows. Cows were allocated to 3 experimental groups receiving selenized-yeast at 0.5 ppm Se on total ration (Y–Se 0.5), Na–selenite at 0.5 ppm Se on total ration (Na–Se 0.5) and Na–selenite at 0.1 ppm Se on total ration (Na–Se 0.1), respectively. Cows were supplemented from 2 months before calving until 2 months after calving. Data on performance, health and Se status of the dams and their calves were analyzed using a linear model, least squares means and logistic regression. At the end of the study, plasmatic Se (pSe) was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in cows receiving Y–Se than in cows from other groups. Glutathion-peroxidase in erythrocytes (GSH-pxe) was higher in Y–Se and Na–Se 0.5 than Na–Se 0.1 group (P < 0.01). Se content in colostrum and milk was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in Y–Se than other groups. At birth, Se status of calves from group Y–Se was significantly higher than those of other groups (P < 0.01). Plasmatic Se in calves remained higher for 75 days after birth in Y–Se compared to other groups (P < 0.01). Diarrhoea was the most commonly observed disease in the calves and, during the first 15 days of life, diarrhoea occurred in 6%, 21% and 35% of calves from groups Y–Se, Na–Se 0.5 and Na–Se 0.1, respectively. Over the whole 75 days trial period, incidence of diarrhoea was 19, 29 and 65%, respectively. Average daily gain (ADG) in calves born from Y–Se group of cows tended to be higher than in Na–Se 0.5 (P = 0.06) and Na–Se 0.1 (P < 0.05) but there was no difference between Na–Se 0.5 and Na–Se 0.1 (P > 0.1). At the same dosage, Y–Se conferred better Se status in both dams and their calves than did Na–Se. Requirement of 0.1 ppm Se seems to be insufficient in BB to optimise health and performance. Regarding health status and ADG in calves, Y–Se seems also to result in better performance.     

RADIOGRAPHIC CHANGES IN TESTES OF BULLS INFECTED WITH BESNOITIOSIS

Ten beef bulls infected with Besnoitiosis were examined radiographically and pathologically. Eight of these were slaughtered soon after diagnosis; two were left for a six-month observation period. The radiographic findings were focal and branching-tree calcification of the testes. Histopathologic examination proved these calcifications to be necrotic sections of the seminiferous tubules. Radiography of the testes as a means of evaluating the fertility status of the infected bull is recommended.     

黄霉素和瘤胃素对肉牛血液生理生化指标的影响

本研究旨在探讨黄霉素和瘤胃素用作饲料添加剂时,对肉牛血液生理生化指标的影响。选择年龄、体重相近(305±26.54kg)的40头健康未去势公牛作为试验动物,随机分为4组,第一组饲喂300mg/d.头黄霉素,第二组饲喂300 mg/d.头瘤胃素,第三组饲喂300 mg黄霉素+300mg瘤胃素/d.头,第四组为对照组。结果表明:瘤胃素和黄霉素对肉牛血液生理指标没有显著的影响。     

以肉牛基地为载体,大力推广畜牧养殖技术

西吉县在肉牛基地建设区,大力推广畜牧科技,促进了养牛产业的提升和发展。本文对重点推广的技术有细管冻精直把式输精技术、玉米秸秆青贮技术、尿素氨化秸秆技术、紫花苜蓿种植技术和肉牛短期育肥技术等的具体做法进行了论述。