Honey Quality as Affected by Handling, Processing and Marketing Channels in Uganda

The factors that affect honey quality in Uganda were surveyed in 120 beekeeping households. Honey was sampled from supermarkets, hawkers and stall markets along four transects across Kampala, the capital. Honey quality parameters assessed were diastase number (DN), free acidity (FA), moisture content (MC), hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), and water insoluble solids (WIS). Honey was mostly harvested from basket and grass hives. Pressing, boiling and straining were popular honey processing methods. Honey quality was mainly compromised by harvesting immature honey, bad extraction methods and contamination by extraneous materials. Constraints to beekeeping were lack of appropriate equipment (52%), inadequate farmer skills, bad weather and vermin. Honey brands differed (P< 0.05) in DN, most failed the Uganda and Codex Alimentarius standards, and 20% met European Union HMF and DN standards. Correlation was observed between HMF vs. DN (r= 0.94); MC vs. FA (r= 0.56). Supermarket honey (4.65) was more superior (P< 0.05) in DN than stall markets (1.93), and hawkers (2.3). Similarly, WIS levels differed (P< 0.05) between honeys from supermarkets (0.08), stall markets (3.0) and hawkers (3.15). All honeys met MC standards, while DN and WIS were major shortcomings. Farmer training and extension in proper honey harvesting, handling and processing should be strengthened. Quality monitoring at all levels should be emphasized

Weaning strategies to improve the performance of sows and their progeny under smallholder farming conditions

The effect of restricted suckling and split weaning on the reproductive performance of dams and subsequent performance of their litters was studied in an experiment involving 48 Landrace x Large White sows of second and third parity. The sows and their litters were allocated to four treatments as follows: separation to allow either one or two 30 minute periods of suckling per day, reduction of litter size by weaning all piglets attaining 6 kg body weight and a control in which suckling was not restricted. Treatments commenced when piglets attained four weeks of age and were weaned at eight weeks of age. Restricted suckling resulted in an increased creep feed intake by the piglets. Piglets that were suckled once a day consumed 8.76 kg creep feed during the experimental period compared to 8.49, 8.35 and 8.21 kg for split weaning, twice a day suckling and the control, respectively. All intakes were significantly different. No differences were observed between treatments in total weight gain over the four week period. Sows in the control treatment had an average wean to oestrus interval (WOI) of 17 days. Restricting piglets to suckling once or twice a day, or split weaning had a positive effect of significantly reducing the WOI compared to the control. A number of sows exhibited oestrus during lactation, with the sows in the twice a day suckling treatment having a larger percentage than those in the other treatments. Restricting suckling and split weaning have an advantage of improving the reproductive performance of the sows without compromising piglet survival or growth. We recommend restricting piglet suckling to twice a day, and weaning of all piglets attaining six kg live weight. South African Journal of Animal Science Vol. 35(4) 2005: 244-24

Cattle genome-wide analysis reveals genetic signatures in trypanotolerant N'Dama

Abstract Background Indigenous cattle in Africa have adapted to various local environments to acquire superior phenotypes that enhance their survival under harsh conditions. While many studies investigated the adaptation of overall African cattle, genetic characteristics of each breed have been poorly studied. Results We performed the comparative genome-wide analysis to assess evidence for subspeciation within species at the genetic level in trypanotolerant N’Dama cattle. We analysed genetic variation patterns in N’Dama from the genomes of 101 cattle breeds including 48 samples of five indigenous African cattle breeds and 53 samples of various commercial breeds. Analysis of SNP variances between cattle breeds using wMI, XP-CLR, and XP-EHH detected genes containing N’Dama-specific genetic variants and their potential associations. Functional annotation analysis revealed that these genes are associated with ossification, neurological and immune system. Particularly, the genes involved in bone formation indicate that local adaptation of N’Dama may engage in skeletal growth as well as immune systems. Conclusions Our results imply that N’Dama might have acquired distinct genotypes associated with growth and regulation of regional diseases including trypanosomiasis. Moreover, this study offers significant insights into identifying genetic signatures for natural and artificial selection of diverse African cattle breeds