Assessment of the Volume and Value of Slaughter Animals Figures in Rivers State, Nigeria

Data on 2003 – 2005 cattle and goats slaughter figures for Rivers State was obtained from the meat inspection records of the Department of Veterinary Services, Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture, Port Harcourt. Total number of cattle and goats inspected and slaughtered at Rumueme slaughter slab, in Port Harcourt metropolis was then monitored for a period of six weeks as case study. Data generated used to quantify the actual average daily slaughter figures and annual estimates determined for the site. Results showed that 7,727 cattle and 4,049 goats were slaughtered annually at Rumueme. This translated to daily slaughter of 18 cattle and 11 goats. This is against the records at the State Ministry of Agriculture, which showed that 6 cattle and no goats were inspected and slaughtered daily at the same slab, thus an annual slaughter figure of 2,014 cattle and no goats. The result showed percentage short falls of 66.7% and 100% for cattle and goats respectively. Projected annual slaughter figures for Rivers State were thus 181,770 and 237,980 – 315,360 cattle and goats respectively against the Ministry records of 60,575 cattle and 79,200 goats. This result highlights the unreliability of slaughter figures generated by state

The Effect of Wallow on Growth Performance of Pre-Pubertal Pigs in the South Eastern Nigeria

A study was carried out to determine the influence of wallow on the growth performance of growing pigs. Sixteen (16) pre-pubertal pigs (8 males and 8 females) of large white breed, aged three months were randomly assigned to two treatments. There were eight animals per group designated as treatment A = with wallow system and treatment B = without wallow system (control). They were fed the same diet for period of eight weeks. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) of performance parameters namely feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio and efficiency revealed no significant differences (p>0.05) among the two treatment groups. In addition, growth parameters namely mean length, mean height and mean girth showed no significant differences (p>0.05) between the groups. It was therefore concluded that wallow has little or no effect on growth and performance parameters of growing pigs in southeastern Nigeria

Notes on abattoir operations at Afor Ajala Mbaise, Imo State, Nigeria

Afor Ajala abattoir in Imo State is an important economic centre in Nigeria. It is funded by Afor Ajala Meat Butchers Association (AMBA) and serves meat sellers and consumers within and outside Imo State. The safety and health of these consumers could be endangered if the meat processed in the abattoir is unwholesome. The facilities and operations in the abattoir were therefore evaluated to ascertain their suitability and compliance to standard practices in the meat industry. Results showed that the site plan and its capacity were adequate, but the facilities on ground were grosslyinadequate. Abattoir operations were unethical, unhygienic and resulted in the production of contaminated meat, which was sold to unsuspecting consumers. Operations were characterized by poor meat inspection and inadequate enforcement of meat inspection laws, indiscriminate and improper disposal of wastes and by-products. Only bones were recovered for further processing. The problems were attributable to non completion of the abattoir master plan, inadequate facilities and non enforcement of regulations. Therefore, the intervention of the government in the provision of facilities and completion of the project, re-orientation and retraining of the butchers and enforcement of regulations by inspectors and other regulating authorities are panacea to the poor state of the abattoir and its operation.Keywords: Abattoir, meat, waste, by-products, bon

Small-Scale Fly Larvae Production for Animal Feed

Two fly species, the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens, and the house fly, Musca domestica, are presently being promoted and used as feed for monogastric animals. Various production systems are being developed in different contexts and regions, from very small-scale used by smallholder farmers to industrial scale production factories. This chapter reviews the information available on production methods for the two fly species, with a focus on small-scale production systems. Larvae of both fly species can be produced either by exposing substrates to attract naturally occurring flies, or by breeding adults to obtain eggs that will be placed on the larval rearing substrates. The two fly species are compared with respect to performance, user-friendliness, safety and sustainability. The advantages and disadvantages associated with rearing these species in different situations and perspectives are highlighted. This chapter also discusses knowledge gaps and provides recommendations for production and suggestions for further research