Livestock keeper perceptions of four indigenous cattle breeds in tsetse infested areas of Ethiopia

Four cattle breeds indigenous to western and south-western Ethiopia - Abigar, Gurage, Horro and Sheko - were included in a study of the perceptions of smallholder cattle keepers regarding cattle management, production levels and constraints for production. A semi-structured questionnaire was used and 60 cattle keepers from each of the four areas were interviewed. Diseases were reported as the main constraint to cattle production by a majority of livestock keepers in all areas except in the Sheko area, where over-stocking was the main constraint. Among diseases, trypanosomosis was the main livestock disease according to more than half of Gurage, Horro and Sheko keepers, whereas anthrax was most important in the Abigar area. Gurage had highest age at first calving, longest calving interval and also the lowest milk production, whereas Sheko and Abigar had the most favorable characteristics both for milk production (600–700 kg) and fertility (age at first mating 3–3.5 years and above 8 calves/cow). Cattle keepers in the Sheko area reported relatively less problems with cattle diseases compared to the other areas, especially regarding trypanosomosis. Abigar showed a different disease pattern than the other breeds and may also have advantages as regards trypanotolerance.     

In-village studies of the use of work oxen in central Mali

Summary Amongst 186 farmers interviewed in 1986 in central Mali 95% declared having used oxen for at least some part of their crop production activities. Most of the users (98%) had exploited oxen for soil preparation, but only 66% had used animal-drawn equipment for weeding. Only 21% of respondents attributed problems with field operations to deficiency in oxen work-capacity.On average oxen undertook 22 days of primary cultivation and 11 days of weeding in 1989. All the work observed was carried out using oxen harnessed in pairs. Soil preparation consisted principally of ridging with a single-furrow plough (16 days work) and this was carried out at an average working speed of 0·74 m.s.^–1 with an average draft force of 778 N. Inter-row weeding was generally made with a duck-foot harrow working at 0·77 m.s.^–1 at an average draft force of 610 N. The average work load in primary cultivations was 138 N · 100 kg^–1 liveweight and for weeding 120 N · 100 kg^–1 liveweight.Liveweight and size of oxen had no evident effect on working performance. Energy consumption in work was estimated at 144% and 136% of maintenance requirement for primary cultivation and weeding respectively.

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Estudios Acerca Del Uso De Bueyes Para El Trabajo En Poblados De La Zona Central De Mali

Resumen De los 186 ganaderos entrevistados en 1986 en la zona central de Mali, el 95% declararon haber utilizado bueyes para el trabajo durante al menos alguna fase de sus activadades agrícolas. La mayoría de ellos (98%) utilizó los bueyes para preparar el suelo, mientras que sólo el 66% los utilizó para escardar las malas hierbas. Sólo el 21% de los ganaderos entrevistados atribuyó sus problemas en las labores agrícoles a una capacidad de trabajo insuficiente de sus bueyes.Durante 1989, los bueyes se dedicaron una media de 22 días a cultivar el suelo y de 11 dias a escardar malas hierbas. Todo el trabajo observado se ilevó a cabo utilizando pares de bueyes. La preparación del suelo consistió principalmente en acanalar el terreno utilizando un arado de surco único (16 días de trabajo). Esta actividad se realizó a una velocidad de trabajo media de 0·74 m/s con una fuerza media de tiro de 778 N. El escardeo de las malas hierbas se realizó generalmente con una rastra en pie de pato a una velocidad de 0·77 m/s y con una fuerza media de tiro de 610 N. La carga media de trabajo durante la preparación del suelo fue de 138 N/100 kgs de peso y de 120 N/100 kgs de peso durante el escardeo.El peso y tamaño de los bueyes no tuvo ningún efecto evidente sobre su rendimiento en el trabajo. El consumo de energía durante el trabajo fue del 144 y 136% de las necesidades de mantenimiento durante la preparación del suelo y el escardeo respectivamente.

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Etudes En Milieu Villageois Au Mali Central Sur L'Utilisation Des Boeufs De Travail

Résumé Sur 186 agriculteurs interrogés en 1986 dans le Mali central, 95% ont déclaré avoir utilisé des boeufs pour au moins une partie de leurs activités de production céréalière. La plupart des utilisateurs (98%) se sont servi de boeuf pour la préparation des sols mais 66% seulement ont utilisé des équipements á traction animale pour le désherbage. Seuls 21% des personnes ayant répondu ont attribué des problèmes opérationels aux champs à des difficultés de travailler avec des boeufs.En moyenne, en 1989, un boeuf a supporté 22 jours de travail de culture primaire et 11 jours désherbage. Les travaux ayant donné lieu á observation l'ont tous été sur des boeufs travaillant en paire. La préparation du sol consiste essientiellment en billonage avec une charrue á simple soc (16 journées de travail), entrepris a une vitesse moyenne de 0,74 m.s.^–1 et une force de traction de 778 N. Le désherbage intercalaire est généralement fait avec une herse à dents en bec de canard travaillant a 0,77 m.s.^–1 et à une force de travail moyenne de 610 N. La demande de travail pour les cultures primaires a été de 138 N. 100 kg^–1 de poids vif et pour le sarclage de 120 N. 100 kg^–1.Le poids et la taille des boefs n'ont pas d'effet évident sur les performances au travail. La consommation énergetique au travail a été estimée à 144% et 136% des besoins de maintien pour la culture primaire et le désherbage respectivement.

     

Comparative clinico-haematological analysis in young Zebu cattle experimentally infected with Trypanosoma vivax isolates from tsetse infested and non-tsetse infested areas of Northwest Ethiopia

Background

Ethiopia, particularly in the Northwest region, is affected by both tsetse and non-tsetse fly transmitted trypanosomosis, with significant impact on livestock productivity. The aim of this study was to determine and compare clinical findings and haematological values between experimental infections induced by Trypanosoma vivax isolates from areas of either transmission mode. Sixteen young (aged between 6 and 12 months) Zebu cattle (Bos indicus), purchased from a trypanosome-free area and confirmed to be trypanosome-negative, were randomly assigned into four groups of four animals. Groups 1, 2 and 3 were infected with an isolate from a tsetse infested or one of two isolates from a non-tsetse infested area, and group 4 was a non-infected control. All animals in the infected groups were inoculated intravenously with 2 × 10⁶ trypanosomes from donor animals. The experimental animals were monitored for eight consecutive weeks post infection for clinical signs, parasitaemia and haematological changes in packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (Hgb), total red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts, differential WBC count and blood indices (mean corpuscular volume [MCV], mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration).

Results

Infection was characterized by reduced feed intake, weakness, pyrexia, parasitaemia, rough hair coat, enlarged prescapular lymph nodes, lacrimation, weight loss, pallor mucus membrane and dehydration. Body weight loss in all infected groups was significantly higher than in the non-infected control. Similarly, body weight loss was higher (P < 0.001) in animals infected with the tsetse infested isolate than with the non-tsetse infested isolates. The mean PCV, Hgb, total RBC and WBC counts were lower (P < 0.001), and mean MCV was higher (P = 0.01) in all infected groups than in non-infected control animals at different time points during the study period. Except for minor variations in haematological values, the overall changes were similar in all infected groups.

Conclusion

Clinical signs and significant reduction in haematological values in the infected groups indicated the pathogenicity of the T. vivax parasites. Pathogenicity of T. vivax from the non-tsetse infested area can be considered as nearly as important as that of its counterpart derived from the tsetse infested area.     

Maintaining zebu maure cattle in a tsetse infested area of Mali

Summary A study was initiated to evaluate two trypanocidal drugs, the prophylactic isometamidium chloride (Trypamidium) and the curative diminazene aceturate (Berenil) as to their potential for long-term maintenance of zebu cattle in a tsetse infested area of Mali. Trypamidium was administered quarterly and Berenil was administered only as animals were found to be positive for trypanosomes. During the 21-month study trypanosomiasis was the most frequently encountered disease in the cattle in the Berenil treatment group with an average of 5·5 reinfections. The predominant trypanosome species encountered wasTrypanosoma vivax and the most important vector wasGlossina palpalis gambiensis. The results indicate that, even though the direct costs for drugs under the two maintenance regimens were almost identical, the use of Trypamidium resulted in a significantly greater annual weight gain, prevented death loss due to trypanosomiasis and resulted in a herd with a greater market value.

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Mantenimiento De Ganado Cebu Maure En Una Zona Infestada Por Moscas Tsetse

Resumen Se evaluaron dos drogas contra la tripanosomiasis en Mali. Una profiláctica, Trypamidium, y la otra curativa, Berenil. El Trypamidium (cloruro de isometamidium) se aplicó cada tres meses y el Berenil solo cuando los animales se encontraron positivos. Durante los 21 meses del estudio, tripanosomiasis fue la enfermedad más comunmente encontrada en el grupo tratado con Berenil, con un promedio de reinfección de 5·5. Los tripanosomas predominantes fueron elTrypanosoma vivax y el vector más importante laGlossina palpalis gambiensis. Los resultados del estudio indican que aunque el costo de las drogas para los dos grupos fue casi idéntico, el uso del Trypamidium resultó en un aumento significativo de peso de los animales tratados, previniendo muertes por tripanosomiasis.

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Maintien De Bovins Zebu Maure Dans Une Region Du Mali Infestee De Glossines

Résumé Une étude fut entreprise pour évaluer deux médicaments trypanocides, le chlorure d'isometamidium (Trypamidium) à titre préventif et l'acéturate de diminazène (Bérénil) à titre curatif, en ce qui concerne leur valeur potentielle pour le maintien à long terme de bovins zébu dans une zone infestée de glossines au Mali. Le Trypamidium était infecté tous les trois mois et le Bérénil seulement lorsque les animaux s'avéraient porteurs de trypanosomes. Pendant les 21 mois de l'étude, la trypanosomose a été la maladie la plus fréquemment rencontrée dans le groupe traité au Bérénil avec en moyenne 5,5 réinfections. L'espèce trypanosomienne prédominante étaitT. vivax et le vecteur le plus importantGlossina palpalis gambiensis. Les résultats montrent que, bien que le coût direct des médicaments dans les deux régimes de maintien ait été presque identique, l'emploi du Trypamidium a engendré un gain de poids annuel significativement plus grand, a prévenu les mortalités dues à la trypanosomose et conduit à un troupeau de valeur marchande plus élevée.

     

Maintaining zebu Maure cattle in a tsetse infested area of Mali. II. Epidemiological considerations

Summary Scheduled monitoring of tsetse and other biting flies at Tienfala Forest, Republic of Mali from December 1979 until June 1981 yielded more than 14,500 specimens. Comparisons of the monthly totals of tsetse and other biting flies with the monthly incidence of bovine trypanosomiasis in sentinel cattle suggested that biological transmission by a single riverine species of tsetse,Glossina palpalis gambiensis, accounted for most if not all disease transmission at the study site. The data obtained also suggested that human decisions had contributed to the magnitude if not the degree of the disease problem at the study site and that viable solutions to the disease problem exist.

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Resumen En un estudio programado de moscas tsetse y otras moscas picadoras en el bosque de Tienfala, República de Malí, de diciembre 1979 hasta junio 1981, se colectaron 14.500 especímenes. La comparación de los totales de tsetse y otras moscas picadoras con la incidencia mensual de tripanosomiasis en ganado centinela, sugiere que la transmisión biológica de la enfermedad, casi en su totalidad, esta ligada a laGlossina palpalis gambiensis. Los datos obtenidos tambien sugieren que las decisiones humanas han contribuido a la magnitud del problema en el sitio de estudio, y que existen soluciones al problema planteado.

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Résumé Le suivi planifié des tsé-tsé et d’autres mouches piqueusus dans la forêt de Tienfala, République du Mali, de décembre 1979 à juin 1981 a permis la récolte de plus de 14 500 échantillons. La comparaison des captures mensuelles de tsé-tsé et d’autres mouches piqueuses avec l’incidence mensuelle de la trypanosomose sur des bovins sentinelles permet de suggérer que la transmission biologique par une seule espèce de glossine riveraine,Glossina palpalis gambiensis, explique en grande partie, si ce n’est en totalité la transmission de la maladie dans le site d’étude. Les données enregistrées suggérent également que les décisions humaines ont contribué à l’ampleur, si ce n’est au degré, des problèmes pathologiques dans le site d’étude, mais aussi que des solutions existent pour le résoudre.

     

Community-based tsetse fly control minimizes the effect of trypanosomosis on livestock in Metekel zone,Ethiopia

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Tsetse-related trypanosomosis threatens integrated crop-livestock production system in Ethiopia. Metekel zone is among the tsetse-infested areas in Ethiopia....     

The use of herbal preparations for tick control in western Ethiopia

Information on the traditional tick control methods used in Keffa, Illubabor and Wellega Provinces in western Ethiopia was obtained from 86 veterinary clinics and 865 peasant farmers through a questionnaire survey. Latexes of Euphorbia obovalifolia and Ficus brachypoda, juice of crushed leaves of Phytolaca dodecandra and Vernonia amygdalina, fruit juice of Solanum incanum, crushed seeds of Lepidium sativum mixed with fresh cattle faeces, juice of crushed leaves and bark of Calpurnea aurea and commercially available spice of Capsicum spp. mixed with butter, were used by peasant farmers to control ticks. Preliminary in vitro efficacy tests of these plant preparations were performed on engorged female Boophilus decoloratus. Preparations of Capsicum spp., E. obovalifolia, S. incanum and F. brachypoda were found to have 30-100% killing effects. Subsequently, in vivo treatment trials of these preparations were conducted using indigenous Bos indicus cattle naturally infested with ticks. Results indicate that treatments at the rate of once per day for 5 consecutive days with the latexes of E. obovalifolia and F. brachypoda can reduce tick burdens by up to 70% on cattle.     

The estimated long-term impact of tsetse control on the size of the population of cattle in the Didessa Valley,Western Ethiopia

The long-term impact of tsetse control on cattle population size in the Didessa Valley, western Ethiopia, was analysed using an age-structured population model. A prior analytical assessment revealed that the risk of cattle dying in the tsetse-unprotected villages ranged from 4 to 9 times higher than in the tsetse-protected village. Model results show that during a period of 10 years the cattle population in the tsetse-protected village of Meti is likely to increase from 167 to 583 animals, while that in the adjacent tsetse-unprotected village of Gale remains almost constant. Model simulations also predict that improving the survival rate of calves in the tsetse-unprotected villages of Taikiltu and Temoloko (which presently have calf mortality rates of up to 35%) would bring a substantial increase in their cattle population.     

Response of four indigenous cattle breeds to natural tsetse and trypanosomosis challenge in the Ghibe valley of Ethiopia

A comparative study on the response of four indigenous cattle breeds of Ethiopia, namely Abigar, Horro, Sheko and Gurage, to natural challenge of trypanosomosis in the Tolley-Gullele area of the Ghibe valley has been undertaken from August 2000 until August 2004. Fifty female yearlings each of Horro, Sheko and Abigar and 31 of the Gurage were purchased from their natural habitats and introduced in to medium to high tsetse-trypanosomosis challenge area of the Ghibe valley. While the natural habitats of first three breeds are naturally infested with tsetse flies and trypanosomosis, that of the Gurage is known to be very minimal, if any, and hence the Gurage breed was used in this study as the known susceptible breed. During the study animal health, production performance and tsetse fly situation were monitored monthly. The Sheko breed has manifested very significantly (p<0.001) high overall average packed cell volume (PCV) values (25%) compared to that of Abigar (24%), Horro (23%) and Gurage (22%). It also had the lowest mean trypanosome prevalence rate of 9% against 23% of Horro, 26% of Abigar and 27% of Gurage, and the least number of Berenil treatments (1.36) compared to Abigar (4.0), Horro (4.6) and Gurage (6.7). While the Abigar manifested high sensitivity and frequent death to PCV depression, the Horro showed strong resilience to PCV depression and better response to Berenil treatment assistance. At this stage the Sheko breed was also found to be equal to the other breeds in its reproductive performance. These results need to be substantiated with further in-depth investigation including immune response, animal behavior and environmental influences.     

Serum cortisol in mules intended for agricultural work

Cortisol is a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands that is stimulated by physiological and pathological factors and has been studied widely in equids, but not in mules. The objectives of this study were to obtain a reference value for serum cortisol in mules destined for agricultural activities and to identify age- and gender-related differences in the value. The concentration was obtained in blood samples using a commercial sandwich ELISA specific for cortisol. The concentration was 96.3 ± 40.6 ng/ml and similar between age groups and genders.     

Assessment of impacts of tsetse and trypanosomosis control measures on cattle herd composition and performance in southern region, Ethiopia

This study was conducted to assess the impact of tsetse and trypanosomosis control measures on cattle herd size and composition, herd dynamics, and milk yield in Wolaita and Gamogofa Zones, southern Ethiopia. The study showed that the average number of cattle herd size in tsetse challenged areas was significantly higher than those in tsetse-controlled areas. The number of non-pregnant dry cows, bulls and oxen were significantly higher in tsetse challenged areas than the other two study areas. The rate of cattle addition to and disposal from the herd were significantly higher in tsetse challenged areas. Cows in Southern Tsetse Eradication Project (STEP) and community tsetse controlled areas were able to give 26-27?%, 25-29?% and 17-21?% more daily milk yield at the beginning, middle and end of lactation, respectively, than those in tsetse-challenged areas. In addition, cows in STEP and community tsetse controlled areas had lactation length longer by 1.20 to 1.35?months; age at first calving was shorter by 5.30 to 5.10?months; and calving interval was shorter by 4.20 to 3.20?months than cows in tsetse-challenged area, respectively. Hence, tsetse and trypanosomosis control both by the community and project would play key role in the improvement of cattle productivity.