Milk utilisation patterns in the low-input production systems in South Africa

Understanding the utilisation patterns of milk assists in designing appropriate dairy development schemes in rural communities. The objective of the study was to determine milk utilisation patterns in different smallholder farming systems in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Data were collected through the administration of recording sheets to 130 randomly selected households in Alice, Fort Beaufort and Queenstown districts. Amounts of milk produced per household ranged from 9 to 21 l per household per day. Milk consumption/household/day was similar among the three districts. Milk consumption in the early lactation doubled the amount consumed in late lactation (P < 0.05). Milk in the communal areas was largely utilised as fresh or sour milk. Fresh milk was mostly used in tea/coffee or to make porridge for children. Sour milk was consumed with thick boiled maize meal. Fort Beaufort (10.2 ± 1.37 l/day) had the highest sour milk sales whilst Queenstown had the highest fresh milk sales (9.7 ± 5.57 l/day). It was concluded that quantities of milk consumed or sold as fresh or sour were generally low and varied across smallholder farming systems.     

Seroprevalence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brucella</Emphasis> antibodies in camels in Katsina State,Nigeria

A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the status of Brucella infection in one-humped (Dromedary) camels in the North and Central senatorial districts of Katsina State, Nigeria. Nine hundred and eighty serum samples from live and slaughtered camels were tested. Modified Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) and serum agglutination test (SAT) with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, (EDTA) were used as screening and standard tests, respectively. The prevalence of Brucella antibodies were 110 (11.2%) and 103 (10.5%) for RBPT and SAT, respectively. Of the 472 and 508 serum samples tested from the herds and abattoirs, respectively, 63 (13.3%) and 47 (9.3%) were positive by RBPT while 62 (13.1%) and 41 (8.1%) were positive by SAT, respectively. Based on the results, it was concluded that Brucella antibodies were present in camels in the study area. Poor management practices and mixing of camels with other species of livestock as well as unrestricted movement of camels were proposed to be the reasons for the prevalence of the disease in the study area. In view of the public health importance of the disease, it is recommended that there is the need to develop a strategic plan to decrease spread of brucellosis in the study area.     

Effect of spineless cactus intake (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Opuntia ficus-indica</Emphasis>) on blood glucose levels in lactating sows and its impact on feed intake,body weight loss,and weaning-estrus interval

The effect of spineless cactus intake (Opuntia ficus-indica) on blood glucose (BG) levels in lactating sows and its impact on daily and total feed intake (dFI^?1 and TFI, respectively), body weight loss (BWL), and weaning-estrus interval length (WEI) were evaluated. Thirty-four hybrid (Yorkshire × Landrace × Pietrain) sows in lactation phase were used. Sows were divided into two groups: G1 (n = 17) where they received commercial feed and G2 (n = 17) provided with commercial feed plus an average of 2.0 ± 0.5 kg spineless cactus, based on a sow’s body weight. The variables evaluated were BG, dFI^?1, TFI, BWL, and WEI. Statistical analysis was performed by using a fixed and mixed model methodology, under a repeated measurements experiment. Group effects were found on all analyzed variables (P < 0.05). The BG was lower in G2 (55.2 and 64.5 mg/dL pre- and post-prandial, respectively), compared to that in G1 (70.9 and 80.1 mg/dL pre- and post-prandial, respectively) (P < 0.05). G2 showed better performance than G1 for dFI^?1, BWL, and WEI (P < 0.05) whose averages were 5.5 ± 1.8 kg, 7.4 ± 4.5%, and 5.3 ± 1.2 days, respectively. Averages for these variables in G1 were 4.7 ± 1.5 kg, 16.8 ± 4.6%, and 6.1 ± 1.6 days, respectively. Intake of spineless cactus reduced BG levels in lactating sows, generating greater dFI^?1, lower BWL at the end of lactation, and a lower WEI.     

妊娠犬饲养管理中存在的问题及改进措施

在犬的繁殖过程中,往往会碰到这样一些问题：仔犬出生时弱胎、死胎多,有些胎儿即使存活下来,也是生长缓慢,达不到生长发育的要求,最后成为长不大的“铁狗”。究其原因是多方面的,但犬在妊娠期间饲养管理的好坏对新生仔犬质量具有影响作用。为了提高新生仔犬质量,保证母犬的正常体况和繁育,现就妊娠犬在饲养管理过程中存在的问题及改进措施谈点看法。     

人工培植羊黄的研究

对70头山羊、50头绵羊和5头奶山羊进行了人工培植羊黄研究。在植黄后一年,对42头山羊,10头绵羊和1头奶山羊取黄,在羊的胆囊内形成了羊黄。对11个羊黄样品进行了胆色素、总胆固醇和总胆酸等项目测定,结果表明与天然牛黄主要成分相同,但含量有所不同。对5个羊黄样品进行了超微结构观察,结果与天然牛黄一致。 对人工培植羊黄羊的胆囊胆汁进行了测定,β-葡萄糖醛酸苷酶活性(以下简称β-G酶活性)和粘蛋白含量明显升高。因接种的大肠杆菌血清型不同,β-G酶活性也呈现不同程度的变化。对培植羊黄羊的胆囊进行了组织学检查,胆囊壁粘膜上皮柱细胞间的杯状细胞及固有膜中的粘液腺大量增生,是胆汁中多糖粘蛋白增高的组织学基础。 对培植羊黄进行了药理学试验,其结果与天然牛黄完全一样。     

氨基色谱柱测定蜂蜜中4种糖方法研究

《中国药典》(2015年)蜂蜜中规定:用Prevail Carbohyrate ES色谱柱,以乙腈-水(75:25)为流动相,示差折光检测器测定蜂蜜中的果糖、葡萄糖、蔗糖及麦芽糖。此次试验证明用普通氨基色谱柱替代Prevail Carbohyrate ES色谱柱,待测组分与其他组分分离良好,精密度试验满足要求,回收率试验结果大于93%,结果准确、可靠,普通氨基柱可替代Prevail Carbohyrate ES色谱柱,用于蜂蜜中糖类物质的测定。     

锡林郭勒盟草原三维数字模型的建立

为了推动草原信息化管理的进一步发展,本研究基于现代化信息技术,主要运用3D-GIS技术、遥感技术、仿真技术等相关技术,以具有典型草原代表性的锡林郭勒盟为示范区,建立了虚拟草原三维数字模型。该研究首先依据草地生态学原理,对草原生态系统信息数据(基础图件及属性数据)进行筛选;然后对筛选后的空间数据进行叠加并建立其与属性数据的关联;最后将草原生态信息镶嵌于三维数字模型之中,实现了在草原三维数字模型中进行草原生态信息查询分析功能。结果表明,运用C/C++语言调用OpenGL图形库从底层开发的草原三维数字模型快捷稳定,渲染速度快,可方便地动态查询示范区草原地理信息,为进一步地研究三维虚拟草原提供技术支持。     

科学用药 规避风险 确保我国水产品出口贸易健康发展－－日本水产养殖用药规定解析

2006年11月22日,日本发布实施了《水产养殖用药第20号通报》(以下简称"第20号通报"),对水产养殖用药种类、有效成分、适用对象、适应病症、用法、用量、休药期等有关规定进行了调整。"第20号通报"是目前日本指导本国水产养殖者安全用药的准则。介绍了日本水产养殖管理体系、对"第20号通报"的内容进行了解析,并就如何规避风险、确保我国水产品进出口贸易健康发展提出了建议。     

Poisoning in ostriches following ingestion of toxic plants - field observations

Data from post-mortem and field studies were obtained that discussed poisoning in ostriches following ingestion of toxic plants. From the notes, all plants studied caused death in ostriches and there was systemic organ damage. Poisoning from Sarcostemma viminale (Melktou) resulted in beak patting, muscular tremors and head flopping, followed by collapse and violent kicking before death. Ingestion of Combretum oatesii (Red wings) seeds from plants in free grazing pastures resulted in vomiting, restlessness, eyelid flicking, collapse and kicking movements. Dichapetalum cymosum (Gifblaar) killed an ostrich after episodes of shaking legs, rapid respiration and bradycardia and hyperaemia of the lungs, liver and kidneys. Poisoning from Senecio sceleratus (Ragwort) caused skin haemorrhages and bleeding in tracheal mucous membranes, the pericardium, diaphragm and interperitoneal membrane. Consumption of drupes from Melia azedarach (Syringa berry) caused muscle tremors, kicking movements and respiratory distress. Lantana camara (Cherry pie) poisoning resulted in extremely inflamed eyes with copious yellow exudates extending down their beaks and onto their necks. Bentonite was administered by gavage at a dose of 5 g/kg. Poisoning in these cases is usually associated with the farmer allowing his/her birds to roam free-range in paddocks in which toxic plants are growing. Toxic plants should be removed from grass cut for hay. The author is willing to send photographs of all poisonous plants if requested by a reader.