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.     

Clinicopathological studies on facial eczema outbreak in sheep in Southwest Turkey

After very hot summer, 22 sheep from 5 different flocks consisting of approximately 150-200 animals each were diagnosed with facial eczema in September 2005, in southwest Turkey. Photophobia, corneal opacity, severe ulcers of the facial skin, especially localized around the eyes and mouth, and 3% mortality were the most prominent clinical symptoms. GGT levels of the animals were very high and varying between 261- 328 U/l. While the activities of ALT and total bilirubin were elevated and AST was normal in affected sheep. Total bilirubin level was higher than normal. Seven of the 22 sheep were euthanatized and necropsy was performed on all of these animals. Severe icterus, hepatomegaly, enlarged gallbladder, congestion of mesenteric vessels were the common necropsy findings. Histopathological changes of the liver included necrosis of the hepatocytes, cholangiohepatitis characterized by mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltrate in the portal area and mild to severe fibrosis around bile ducts. A diagnosis of sporidesmin toxicosis was made based on the histopathology of the livers, the elevation in liver enzymes, and the development of cutaneous lesions consistent with photosensitization and high spore counts in the ruminal contents. Surviving sheep were treated with procaine penicillin + dihidrostreptomycin sulfate, multivitamin complexes and flunixin meglumine. Additionally, zinc sulphate was also given at a dose of 6 gr per 100 lt drinking water for 28 days. All treated sheep recovered. Pasture spore counts were between 96,300- 267,500 spores/g grass.     

Effect of biotin supplementation on hoof health and ceramide composition in dairy cattle

The effect of biotin supplementation on various foot lesions and hoof ceramide composition of toe (wall) and sole portions of hooves was studied in crossbred dairy cattle. Biotin supplementation was done for five months in 14 cattle at a farm and the other 14 animals kept as control. A significant decline was observed in heel erosions and sole avulsions along with total disappearance of white line fissures and double soles in the biotin supplemented cattle resulting in decrease in the overall disease score. Thin layer chromatographs of the hoof lipids revealed 11 types of ceramides in sole lipids and 6 types of ceramides in toe (wall) lipids. The ceramides were typed and identified according to their Rf values. A qualitative increase in the density of thin layer chromatographs of sole lipids was observed in biotin supplemented cattle whereas a non-significant difference in density of thin layer chromatographs of toe lipids was observed after supplementation of biotin.     

Current situation and the development of the dairy industry in Jordan,Saudi Arabia,and Syria

The development of the dairy industry plays an important role in the economy of Middle Eastern countries. Judged by its growth rate, the dairy industry is viewed as one of the most progressive food industries in the Middle East. During the early 1970s, countries established executive programs to promote dairy farming; the major objective was to attain self-sufficiency in milk production. A massive investment was set up for importing top class cattle, complying with top industry operating standards, and a simultaneous introduction of the latest technology in processing, packaging, and distributing. Milk production has grown tremendously at rates of 6.6% and 4.9% in Syria and Saudi Arabia, respectively, between 2002 and 2007, which resulted in these nations being almost self-sufficient. Regarding Jordan, milk production has not yet met this target. An excessive growth in the dairy industry is quite noticeable in this region with an expanding capacity for exports. The aim of this study is to show the most recent trends and future prospects of the dairy industries in Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. It also attempts to investigate the drivers for the development of milk production, consumption, and trade in the region.     

Temporal changes in endogenous estrogens and expression of behaviors associated with estrus during the periovulaory period in Murrah buffaloes (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bubalus bubalis</Emphasis>)

The objective of this study were (1) to establish the duration of behavioral estrus signs and timing of ovulation in Murrah buffaloes (n = 10) and (2) to determine relationship between behavioral estrus signs with change in plasma estrogen concentrations. Estrus and its behavioral signs were detected at hourly intervals by visual observations, per recta examination of genitalia and bull parading four times in a day for 30 minutes each. Among the behavioral signs of estrus, swollen vulva (80%) was the best indicator of estrus followed by excitement (70%). Among the duration of behavioral estrus signs the first and longest duration of estrus signs was swollen vulva which was seen upto 19.8 ± 0.8 h after onset of estrus. The mean total duration of estrus symptoms from appearance to disappearance of all the behavioral estrus symptoms was 23.5 ± 1.7 h. All the behavioral estrus symptoms were observed during the period of estrogen surge. Endocrine profile during the periestrus period showed that the mean peak concentrations of total estrogen 23.9 ± 3.9 pg/ml occurred at 8.8 ± 1.7 h after onset of estrus. The average number of estrus symptoms observed per animal during onset of spontaneous estrus was 5.7. Ovulation occurred after 37.4 ± 1.7 h after onset of estrus and 13.4 ± 1.0 h after end of total estrogen surge respectively. In conclusion, our results suggest that all signs of behavioral estrus occurred during the preovulatory rise in estrogens. The first sign of estrus to be observed was a swollen vulva and this symptom persisted the longest.     

Stakeholder perspectives on the use of pig meat inspection as a health and welfare diagnostic tool in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland; a SWOT analysis

Background

A SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis is a strategic management tool applied to policy planning and decision-making. This short report presents the results of a SWOT analysis, carried out with n?=?16 stakeholders i) involved in the pig industry in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, and ii) in general animal welfare and food safety policy areas. As part of a larger study called PIGWELFIND, the analysis sought to explore the potential development of pig meat inspection as an animal welfare and diagnostic tool.

Findings

The final SWOT framework comprised two strengths, three opportunities, six weaknesses, and five threats. Issues around relationships and communication between producers and their veterinary practitioner, processors and producers were common to both the strengths and weakness clusters. Practical challenges within the processing plant were also named. Overall, the SWOT framework complements results reported in Devitt et al. (Ir Vet J 69:2, 2016) regarding problematic issues within the current system of information feedback on meat inspection especially within the Republic of Ireland, and the wider challenges of communication and problems of distrust.

Conclusion

The results of the SWOT analysis support the conclusions from Devitt et al. (Ir Vet J 69:2, 2016), that trust between all stakeholders across the supply chain will be essential for the development of an effective environment in which to realise the full diagnostic potential of MI data. Further stakeholder engagement could seek to apply the findings of the SWOT analysis to a policy Delphi methodology, as used elsewhere.

     

Congenital cataracts in an Ayrshire herd: a herd case report

Background

Microbiological standards within pork slaughter processing plants in the European Union are currently governed by Commission Regulation (EC) 2073/2005, which describes detailed performance criteria at specific stages of the procedure (following carcass dressing and before chilling) for total viable counts (TVC), Enterobacteriaceae (EB) and Salmonella spp. In this study, 95 carcasses from an Irish pork slaughter plant were sampled by swabbing 100 cm² of surface at three sites (belly, ham, jowl) to examine the effects of eight processing stages (stunning, bleeding, scalding, singeing, polishing, evisceration, final inspection and chilling) on contamination levels.

Results

TVC ranged from approximately 1.7–6.3 log cfu cm² during sampling. There were significant reductions in TVC for all sites after scalding and singeing (p < 0.05), whilst there was a significant increase in counts after polishing and evisceration (p < 0.05) compared with preceding stages. EB counts indicated hygienic weak points in the examined slaughter plant leading to faecal (cross)-contamination, with elevated counts after stunning, bleeding and evisceration (p < 0.05), compared with final counts after chilling.

Conclusions

Although the bacterial numbers reported in this study may reflect specific plant practices and temporal influences, results show that contamination can be introduced at various steps in the process and highlight the importance of monitoring locations other than those required by legislation within the process. Monitoring can be used to establish baseline levels for high-risk stages specific to each plant and to assess the effectiveness of additional interventions.     

Incidence and molecular characterisation of lumpy skin disease virus in Zimbabwe using the P32 gene

Between January, 2013 and December, 2014, there was a lumpy skin disease (LSD) outbreak that affected cattle in different localities of Zimbabwe. The outbreak resulted in severe economic losses to the livestock industry. A retrospective study was conducted by examining stored veterinary records of the LSD outbreak at the Central Veterinary Laboratory (CVL) in Harare, Zimbabwe. Over the 2-year period, a total of 10,038 cases and 880 deaths (8.77 %) were recorded. LSD was reported from all regions of the country, with the highest incidence occurring in Mashonaland West (30.95 %) and Midlands province (14.59 %). The frequency of reported outbreaks was highest in March and April, with the lowest reported cases occurring in November. A total of 25 representative specimens (skin biopsies) were collected from nodular skin lesions of infected cattle, and after viral DNA isolation, the P32 gene was successfully amplified, by using PCR, in 88 % (22/25) of all assayed specimens. Out of the 22 samples that showed amplification, 16 (73 %) were selected for DNA sequencing, and from these, 13 sequences were submitted to GenBank and assigned accession numbers: KX033494, KX033495, KX033496, KX033497, KXO33498, KX033499, KX033500, KX033501, KX033502, KX033503, KX033504, KX033505 and KX033506. Phylogenetic analyses of the 13 sequences was done by using MEGA 7 and showed that the viruses formed two major clusters implying that at least two strains of LSDV are in circulation in Zimbabwe. This study provides the first report on the incidence and molecular characterisation of LSDV in Zimbabwe.     

Nutraceutic effect of free condensed tannins of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lysiloma acapulcensis</Emphasis> (Kunth) benth on parasite infection and performance of Pelibuey sheep

Forty-five Pelibuey sheep were experimentally infested with nematodes to evaluate the effect of three free condensed tannin (FCT) levels of Lysiloma acapulcensis on fecal egg counts (FECs), packed cell volumes (PCV), ocular mucosa colors (OMC), average daily gain (ADG), and adult nematode count. Five treatments were used: 12.5, 25.0, and 37.5 mg of FCT kg^?1 of body weight (BW); sterile water (control); and ivermectine (0.22 mg kg^?1 of BW) as chemical group. The data were processed through repeated measurement analysis. Even though the three FCT doses decreased (P?<?0.05) the FEC, the highest reduction was obtained with 37.5 mg kg^?1 of BW. No differences were observed in PCV and OMC. Higher ADG (P?<?0.05) was observed with 37.5 mg kg^?1 of BW of FCT. The count of adult nematodes (females and males) in the higher dose of FCT was similar to chemical treatment. Dose of 37.5 mg kg^?1 of BW decreased the parasite infection and improved the lamb performance. Therefore, this dose could be used as a nutraceutic product in sheep production.     

Characterization of broiler poultry production system in Rwanda

A study was conducted on 37 randomly selected broiler poultry farmers in Rwanda to characterize the production system using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires. The data were processed in SPSS and presented as means, percentages and ranges in tables and text. All respondents kept Cobb breed and young stock was mainly (73 %) imported from abroad. The majority of respondents were males (68 %) and most farmers had attended only primary level of education (40.5 %). Most of the farms were in the peri-urban (48.6 %) and urban (37.8 %) areas and hired male youth (62.2 %) mainly aged 19–35 years. The majority of respondents (68 %) kept less than 500 birds per batch. Recordkeeping was well practiced (91.9 %) and (62.6 %) had permanent poultry houses and all farmers used deep litter system. Purchased feedstuffs were reportedly (92 %) mixed at farm level as the main feed resource. Maize bran was reported (97.06 %) the main, basal feedstuff. The mortality rates of chick and growers were 12.3 and 9.4 %, respectively. The slaughter age was reportedly 60 days with an average dressing percentage of 75.67 %. The main challenges reported were scarcity and unaffordability of quality feeds (59.5 %), lack of market access (45 %) and lack of credit (21 %). The farmers had various views on improving broiler production in Rwanda ranging from establishing feed processing industries 62.2 %, improving marketing facilities 35.1 %, increasing availability of day-old chick and access credit 27 %, to intensification of farmer training 16.2 %.