Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) as filler in coarse-smoked beef sausages

Whole or dehulled cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) flour, as filler in coarse-smoked beef sausage preparation, was used to determine inclusion level and production cost. Whole and dehulled cowpea flour (WCF and DCF) were incorporated into the sausages at 5 and 7 per cent levels and designated as 5% WCFS, 7% WCFS, 5% DCFS and 7% DCFS and compared with the control product (whole beef sausage, WBS). The results of the sensory evaluation of the cooked sausage by 20 panelists were statistically analysed. There was significant difference (P0.05) entre le produit témoin et les produits de la farine du dolique. On a découvert que les produits du dolique étaient plus acceptables (

Fulani cattle productivity and management in the Kachia grazing reserve, Nigeria

Kachia Grazing Reserve (KGR) in northern Nigeria was home to some 10,000 Fulani pastoralists and their 40,000 cattle in June 2011. This study examines productivity and management of cattle belonging to livestock keepers within the reserve before and after a mass immigration event when 3,000 refugees moved into the reserve with their cattle to escape inter-community violence during May 2011. Data, on livestock management strategies (transhumance) and production parameters (herd size, composition, fertility, dynamics), were collected in March, June and October 2011.Cattle productivity in KGR is geared to supporting Fulani households while maintaining herd wealth. High offtake of young animals, especially the selling of heifers, was an unusual finding and may indicate that KGR pastoralists have been restricting their herd size voluntarily as well as limiting milk production to household requirements. This is probably due to the absence of a commercial milk market and a higher reliance on the sale of young stock to meet cash needs.Despite the widespread perception that grazing reserves are promoting sedentarisation of Fulani pastoralists and curbing transhumance, the inhabitants of the KGR were observed to practise wide-ranging transhumance both during wet and dry seasons driven by the limited availability of grazing. Some households selected a sub-sample of animals for transhumance rather than sending their whole herd, and some maintained cattle on alternative land-holdings outside the reserve. KGR households described modifying their usual transhumance practices in response to the mass immigration event and insecurity.Nevertheless, the herd demography results from this study are broadly similar to data obtained from other studies over the past 40 years, indicating that productivity and management practices have remained relatively unchanged

The reproductive performance of breeding sows fed diets containing cocoa-cake-with-shell and dried cocoa husk

No Abstract. Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science No. 1, 2005: 57-6

The influence of graded level of palm kernel cake (pkc) on the performance of the layer fowl

No Abstract. Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science No. 1, 2005: 165-16

Draught animal power utilization on smallholder farms in Kaduna state, Nigeria

No Abstract

Influence of meat products served at some drinking bars on sale of beverages in the Tamale Municipality

A Preliminary survey was carried out in the Tamale Metropolis to assess the influence of meat products served at major drinking bars on sales of beverages. Structured questionnaire and interviews were used to elicit information from consumers (51) and bar operators (20). Data collected included types of meat and beverage consumed, pattern of meat consumption, perceived effects of consuming both meat and beverages and the influence of meat availability on beverage sales. The results showed that most of the major drinking bars 965%) had meat component attached to them. Both alcoholic (87%) and non-alcoholic (13%) beverages were sold at all the bars. Majority of the respondents were between 26 and 50 years. Consumers were mostly males. Civil servants formed the majority and most of them had tertiary education. Married people were also in majority. Diverse tribes were represented. Guinea fowl meat, chicken, beef and pork were consumed particularly when fried. Majority consumed meat occasionally with beverages with money being the most limiting factor. The consumers stated signs of prestige, satisfaction, reduced manifestations of intoxication of alcohol, enhancement of appetite for the drink and improvement in their heath condition as perceived effects of meat on beverage intake. There was a positive influence of meat availability on beverage sales that led to 4-36% increase on income derived from beverages. Based on this study, beverage consumers are encourage to consume meat alongside drinks and bar operators should endeavour to incorporate meat in their operation. Ghana Journal of Development Studies Vol.1(1) 2004: 49-6

The influence of date of planting and fertilizer application on growth components of Columbus grass (Sorghum almum)

Trials were conducted at Gangara in the Northern Guinea Savanna ecological zone of Nigeria during the 1990 and 1991 rainy seasons. The effects of date of planting (4th, 14th, 24th June and 4th July) and levels of nitrogen fertilizer (0, 5O, 100, 150 and 200 kg/ha) on growth components of Sorghum almum were investigated. Planting in mid-June (14th June) in 1990 and early-July (4th July) in 1991 resulted in superior stand establishment and dry matter yields (P < 0.05) than older dates. In mid-June and early-July planting 14 days post-planting, plant densities were 7 .0 and 9.0 culms/m2 while plant heights were 20.4 and 11.3cm for the respective years. It had high tillering capacity and irrespective of date of planting (except for early-June planting) plant densities by 56 days post-planting (OPP) were greater than, 100 culms/m2 Plant heights at this stage were greater than 100 culm//m2 and were generally above 200cm. Ninety DPP the pasture was at full bloom/hard dough stage. DM yields then ranged from 8.0 to 11.4 tDM/ha in 1990 and 9.6 to 14.7 tDM/ha in 1991. Similarly seed yield for the respetive years were 894.7 and 836.3 kg/ha. Fertilizer application (P < 0.05) plant vigour, tillering and dry matter yield up to the higliest N applied. In the first year's trial, plant density at 35 days post-planting ranging from 12.0 to 29.0 culms/m2 while in the second year the range was 13.0 to 26.0 culms/m2 'The corresponding values at 56 DPP (i.e.. 42 days following N application were 32.0 to 81.0 and 45.0 to 101.0 culms/m2 Dry matter yields rose steadily from 6.5 to 12.5 tDM/ha m 1990 and from 8.9 to 13.6 tDM/ha in 1991 as fertilizer was increased from 0 to 200 kgN/ha. Seed yield during the same period for the respective years varied from 416.0 to 753.0kg/ha. This study has shown that planting between mid-June and early-Joly with fertilizer application or 100 to 200 kgN/ha favour S. almum establishment and production in the Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria.Key Words: Columbus grass, planting date, fertilizer, plant density, height, seed yield, Guinea Savanna

West African shorthorn breeders association in the Saboba-Chereponi District of Ghana: formation, expectations and perceptions of members in participatory breed Development

The data presented in this paper are from surveys carried out in five communities namely Chegbani, Konkonzoli, Kuntuli, Nasom and Sambuli to assess aspects of the expectations and perceptions of West African Shorthorn Breeders Association (WASHBA) members in the Saboba-Chereponi District in the Northern Region of Ghana. The West African Shorthorn (WASH) is the dominant cattle breed in Ghana but the biggest threat to the WASH is from the numerically strong but ill - adapted Zebu, which is used for crossbreeding and is eroding the WASH genes. The WASH now constitutes only about 46% of the national herd. The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) and the Animal Research Institute (ARI) adopted the Open Nucleus Breeding Scheme for animal breeding. This decision was based on the fact that cattle herds in Ghana are generally small and basic infrastructure for recording of performance and pedigree are non-existent. The adopted nationally accepted ONBS and the formation of WASHBA, thus involving community members in the development process, provides opportunities to halt the observed genetic erosion of the WASH. This is perceived in its conservation and improvement for integration in the farming systems and reduces rural poverty. In a decade five WASHBA groups emerged and are functional with similar formative experiences. Expectations from some WASHBA members were quite high and missed the principle of endogenous development. However, thus far many of the groups perceive having gained some benefits developing around the WASH cattle. The role of community based groups as partners in Research and Development to move rural agriculture forward is established in this study. Ghana Journal of Development Studies Vol.1(2) 2004: 50-6