Effects of level of concentrate supplementation on growth performance of Arsi-Bale and Boer?×?Arsi-Bale male goats consuming low-quality grass hay

Eighteen Arsi-Bale (local) and 18 Boer?×?Arsi-Bale (crossbred) male goats, initially approximately 10 months of age, were used in a 12-week experiment to investigate potential interactions between genotype and nutritional plane in growth performance, carcass and skin characteristics, and mass of non-carcass components. Grass hay (6.7% crude protein and 71.9% neutral detergent fiber) was consumed ad libitum supplemented with 150, 300, or 450 g/day (dry matter; low, moderate, and high, respectively) of a concentrate mixture (50% wheat bran, 49% noug seed cake, and 1% salt). Initial body weight was 20.7 and 14.0 kg for crossbred and local goats, respectively (SE = 0.36). Hay dry matter intake was greater (P < 0.05) for crossbred vs. local goats (461 and 429 g/day) and similar among concentrate levels (438, 444, and 451 g/day for high, moderate, and low, respectively; SE = 4.7). Average daily gain was greater (P < 0.05) for crossbred than for local goats (36.6 and 20.8 g) and differed (P < 0.05) among each level of concentrate (43.7, 29.6, and 12.8 g for high, moderate, and low, respectively). Dressing percentage was similar between genotypes (41.1% and 41.1% live body weight for crossbred and local goats, respectively; SE = 0.59) and greater (P < 0.05) for high vs. low (43.5% vs. 38.7% live body weight). Carcass weight differed (P < 0.05) between genotypes (9.23 and 6.23 kg for crossbred and local goats, respectively) and high and low (8.80 and 6.66 kg, respectively). Carcass concentrations of physically dissectible lean and fat were similar between genotypes and high and low concentrate levels. There were few differences between genotypes or concentrate levels in other carcass characteristics such as color and skin properties. Relative to empty body weight, the mass of most non-carcass tissues and organs did not differ between genotypes. However, the low concentrate-level mass of omental-mesenteric fat was greater (P < 0.05) for local vs. crossbred goats (1.06% vs. 0.54% empty body weight, respectively). In conclusion, growth performance and carcass weight advantages from crossing Boer and Arsi-Bale goats were similar with a low-quality basal grass hay diet regardless of level of supplemental concentrate.     

Adjusting Midseason Nitrogen Rate Using a Sensor-Based Optimization Algorithm to Increase Use Efficiency in Corn

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to formulate an in-season nitrogen (N) fertilization optimization algorithm (NFOA) to estimate midseason N rates that maximize corn (Zea mays L.) growth and minimize fertilizer inputs. Treatments included: a zero kg N ha^?1; three treatments of 134 kg N ha^?1 fixed rate applied in split, preplant, or sidedress; two treatments of 67 kg N ha^?1 fixed rate preplant or sidedress applied; three NFOA-based midseason N rates (RI-NFOA, RICV-NFOA, flat-RICV-NFOA) with (67 kg N ha^?1) and without preplant N; and two resolutions (0.34 and 2.32 m²) tested for RICV-NFOA only. With the 67 kg N ha^?1 preplant application, midseason RI-NFOA-based N rates resulted in an N use efficiency (NUE) of 65% while the 134 kg N ha^?1 fixed rate split applied had 56% NUE. Using the RICV-NFOA, NUE and net returns to N fertilizer were higher when spatial variability was treated at 2.32 m² resolution.     

Winter Wheat Grain Yield and Grain Nitrogen as Influenced by Bed and Conventional Planting Systems

ABSTRACT

Bed planted wheat systems offer a new alternative for the traditional wheat producer to provide opportunities for crop rotation, more efficient use of water, and new techniques of nutrient management. This study was conducted to determine if planting winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Oklahoma on raised beds can maintain grain yields while providing more options in the cropping system. Experiments were conducted at Hennessey and Lake Carl Blackwell, Oklahoma in 2000–2001 and 2001–2002 cropping seasons. The experiments consisted of a factorial combination of two planting systems (bed and conventional), four winter wheat varieties (‘Custer’, Jaggar', ‘Intrada’ and ‘2174’), and three nitrogen (N) rates (0, 67, and 134 kg ha^{? 1}). The experimental design was a randomized complete block with three replications. Grain yield was not statistically different between the bed and conventional planting systems for three of four site years. However, there was a trend for the conventional wheat production system to have an advantage in grain yield over the bed planting system due to difference in row configuration. For the bed system to be useful in Oklahoma, the current conventional tillage practice must be changed to reduced tillage to make use of bed plating system for conserving moisture. Also suitable planting configuration that minimizes intra-specific competition due to over-population must be addressed. Grain yield response to N rate was greater in the conventionally planted wheat versus the bed planted system.     

Brucellosis and associated risk factors in dairy cattle of eastern Ethiopia

Knowing the status of Bovine brucellosis and associated risk factors is a crucial step in formulating evidence based control scheme. In this study, a total of 967 dairy cows from 307 dairy farms in eastern Ethiopia were serologically tested for Brucella antibodies. The screening was done first using RBPT and positive samples were subsequently subjected to CFT for confirmation. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect relevant data from 307 dairy cattle owners or attendants to assess their awareness and routine practice. The data were run using univariable logistic regression analysis using STATA version 11.0 for Windows. Accordingly, herd and individual animal seroprevalence were found to be 6.8% (95% CI?=?4.28–10.28) and 1.3% (95% CI?=?0.72–2.29), respectively. The prevalence of sero-reactors among local breeds was observed to be higher compared to cross breed (p?<?0.05). Herd level analysis of the risk factors indicated that in farms with large herd size (>20 animals), the odds ratio (OR)?=?9.13, p?=?0.00, CI?=?3.01–27.69 of having brucellosis was 9.13 times higher than smaller size herds (<20 animals). Intensively managed herds had shown the highest seroprevalence (20.8%) than extensive (6.7%) and semi-intensive (4.2%). Experience of dairy handlers about the disease that cause abortion in late pregnancy was significantly associated (p?<?0.001) with the occurrence of brucellosis in the herds. However, about 91% of the dairy cattle owners/attendants lack awareness about disease(s) that causes abortion in late pregnancy. Similarly risk of having brucellosis in those herds experiencing abortion was 6.3 times higher (OR?=?6.3, p?<?0.001, CI?=?2.50–15.92). This study identified some of the handling practices for aborted and retained fetal materials to be risky. Therefore, the study highlights the need of comprehensive brucellosis surveillance in animal and human and institutions of public education and on farm biosafety measures in shaping proper disease control scheme.

     

Synthesis of soybean oil-based polymeric surfactants in supercritical carbon dioxide and investigation of their surface properties

This paper reports the preparation of polymeric surfactants (HPSO) via a two-step synthetic procedure: polymerization of soybean oil (PSO) in supercritical carbon dioxide followed by hydrolysis of PSO (HPSO) with a base. HPSO was characterized and identified by using a combination of FTIR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, and GPC methods. The effects of HPSO polysoaps on the surface tension of water and interfacial tension of water-hexadecane were investigated as a function of concentration of HPSO and counterion chemistry. HPSO polysoaps were effective at lowering the surface tension of water and the interfacial tension of water-hexadecane. They displayed minimum values of surface tension in the range of 20.5-39.6 dyn/cm at a concentration range of 3.2-32 μM and minimum values of interfacial tension in the range of 15.6-31.44 dyn/cm. The minimum surface and interfacial tension values were highly dependent on the nature of the counterion and increased in the order K(+) < Na(+) < TEA(+). These results suggested that a very low concentration of surfactant can be used to reduce the surface tension of water and interfacial tension of water-hexadecane. Water-hexadecane interfacial energy was also calculated from measured surface tension data using Antonoff, harmonic mean (HM), and geometric mean (GM) methods. Measured values agreed well with those calculated using the HM and GM. The HM method predicted slightly higher values than the GM method, but the Antonoff method did not agree with measured values.     

Dynamic performances of cattle transporting vehicle on Scandinavian roads and behavioural response of animals

Driving performance, air quality in the vehicle, and handling during loading and unloading are the main factors, which could affect animal welfare. During transport of animals from farms to abattoirs, animals on the vehicle are subjected to vibrations in all directions. Performances of a typical vehicle for cattle transport have been studied under field commercial conditions. During the experiment, tri-axial vibrations on the vehicle, as well as velocity, slope and position were measured. The animals were video recorded for behavioral analyses. Geographical positions, speed and slope of roads were recorded using, GPS. Measurements were made with and without animals on the vehicle. The roads in the region are narrow almost everywhere, but rather plane and of good quality. Three road types were identified: straight and plain, curvy and graveled roads. Events such as sudden stops and curves were observed and noted. Vibration levels in tri-axial directions have been measured and analysed for different speeds and road types both when the vehicle was fully loaded and unloaded. There is a significant difference between the performances of the vehicle when loaded and unloaded. Very high vibrations values have been noted during the empty driving and these values were reduced by up to 9 times when the vehicle was loaded. Less vibrations amplitudes were observed and animals were calmer on ferry transport than on road transport. It has also been noted that animals prefer to stand perpendicular to the direction of vehicle's motion during transport.     

Human–large wild mammals conflict in Dhera-Dilfaqar Block of Arsi Mountains National Park,South Eastern Ethiopia

We identified the causes, extent, and management strategies of human–large wild mammals’ conflict in Dhera-Dilfaqar Block of Arsi Mountains National Park. We used house-to-house, focus group, and key informant interviews to collect data. The respondents perceived both crop raiding and livestock depredations as the main causes of human–large mammals conflict and reported the incidents to escalate over the last 3 years. The respondents perceived Phacochoerus africanus (common warthog) as the most notorious crop raider and reported Crocuta crocuta (spotted hyena) and Ichneumia albicauda (white-tailed mongoose) among the top livestock depredators. The local community employed guarding of crops and livestock as management strategies. The incidents have caused a considerable economic loss to the subsistence livelihood of the local community. We recommend creating a mechanism that helps to manage the conflict and benefit the farmers from the wildlife and other natural resources around.     

Black Sigatoka leaf streaks of banana (Musa spp.) caused by Mycosphaerella fijiensis in Ethiopia

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Sigatoka leaf streaks caused by Mycosphaerella spp. are the most destructive fungal diseases of bananas and plantains throughout the world. The disease is...