Assessment of feed resources, feeding practices and coping strategies to feed scarcity by smallholder urban dairy producers in Jimma town, Ethiopia

Smallholder dairy production is increasingly becoming popular in Jimma town. However, feed shortage is a major constraint to dairy production. The objectives of this study was to assess feed resources, feeding practices and farmers' perceived causes of feed shortage and coping strategies to feed scarcity in smallholder dairy producers in Jimma town, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. A total of 54 randomly selected dairy farmers were interviewed using a pre-tested structured questionnaire and through direct observations. Twenty major feed types used by dairy farmers were identified and categorized into five classes: natural pasture grazing, green feeds, hay, concentrate (commercial mix and agro-industrial by-products) and non-conventional feed resources. Green feeds-fresh or succulent grasses and legumes (mean rank = 0.361), concentrate (0.256), hay (0.198), non-conventional feeds (0.115) and natural pasture grazing (0.070) were ranked as the main feed resources in that order of importance. Green feed (94.4 % of the respondents) was found to be the main basal diet of dairy cattle. Overall, wheat bran (85.2 % of the respondents), commercial concentrate (55.6 %), noug (Guizotia abyssinica) cake (20.4 %), cotton seed cake (7.4 %) and molasses (7.4 %) were the main concentrate supplements used (P > 0.05). Local brew waste (attela) (77.8 % of the respondents), bean and pea hulls (42.6 %) enset (Ensete ventricosum) leaf and pseudo-stem (37 %), sugarcane tops (33.3 %), banana leaf and stem/stover (16.7 %) and papaya stem (16.7 %) were the dominant non-conventional feed resources in the surveyed area (P > 0.05). About 79.6, 7.4, 1.9 and 11.1 % of the farmers used zero-, semi-zero-, and the combination of zero-and semi-zero-and free-grazing systems, respectively. Most farmers (90.7 %) offered concentrate supplements to milking cows. However, supplementation did not consider milk yield, physiological status and condition of cows. All the farmers (100 %) offered common salt to their cattle as mineral supplement. The majority (98.1 %) of the farmers experience feed shortage in the dry season. Land scarcity (55.6 % of the respondents) was reported as the most important cause of feed scarcity followed by a combination of land scarcity and poor feed availability (42.2 %). Increasing use of agro-industrial by-products and commercial concentrate mix (87 % of the respondents), increasing use of hay (74.1 %), increasing use of non-conventional feeds (50 %), purchasing green feeds (19.8 %) and reducing herd size (2.7 %) were the strategies adopted for coping with feed scarcity. From results of this study, it could be concluded that to ensure sustainable availability of dairy cattle feed in the surveyed area, technological, technical and institutional innovations would be vital

Phylogenetic analysis of faecal microbiota from captive cheetahs reveals underrepresentation of Bacteroidetes and Bifidobacteriaceae

Background: Imbalanced feeding regimes may initiate gastrointestinal and metabolic diseases in endangered felids kept in captivity such as cheetahs. Given the crucial role of the host's intestinal microbiota in feed fermentation and health maintenance, a better understanding of the cheetah's intestinal ecosystem is essential for improvement of current feeding strategies. We determined the phylogenetic diversity of the faecal microbiota of the only two cheetahs housed in an EAZA associated zoo in Flanders, Belgium, to gain first insights in the relative distribution, identity and potential role of the major community members. Results: Taxonomic analysis of 16S rRNA gene clone libraries (702 clones) revealed a microbiota dominated by Firmicutes (94.7%), followed by a minority of Actinobacteria (4.3%), Proteobacteria (0.4%) and Fusobacteria (0.6%). In the Firmicutes, the majority of the phylotypes within the Clostridiales were assigned to Clostridium clusters XIVa (43%), XI (38%) and I (13%). Members of the Bacteroidetes phylum and Bifidobacteriaceae, two groups that can positively contribute in maintaining intestinal homeostasis, were absent in the clone libraries and detected in only marginal to low levels in real-time PCR analyses. Conclusions: This marked underrepresentation is in contrast to data previously reported in domestic cats where Bacteroidetes and Bifidobacteriaceae are common residents of the faecal microbiota. Next to methodological differences, these findings may also reflect the apparent differences in dietary habits of both felid species. Thus, our results question the role of the domestic cat as the best available model for nutritional intervention studies in endangered exotic felids

Integrated community profiling indicates long-term temporal stability of the predominant faecal microbiota in captive cheetahs

Understanding the symbiotic relationship between gut microbes and their animal host re- quires characterization of the core microbiota across populations and in time. Especially in captive populations of endangered wildlife species such as the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), this knowledge is a key element to enhance feeding strategies and reduce gastrointestinal disorders. In order to investigate the temporal stability of the intestinal microbiota in cheetahs under human care, we conducted a longitudinal study over a 3-year period with bimonthly faecal sampling of 5 cheetahs housed in two European zoos. For this purpose, an integrated 16S rRNA DGGE-clone library approach was used in combination with a series of real-time PCR assays. Our findings disclosed a stable faecal microbiota, beyond intestinal community variations that were detected between zoo sample sets or between animals. The core of this microbiota was dominated by members of Clostridium clusters I, XI and XIVa, with mean concentrations ranging from 7.5-9.2 log10 CFU/g faeces and with significant positive correla- tions between these clusters (P<0.05), and by Lactobacillaceae. Moving window analysis of DGGE profiles revealed 23.3-25.6% change between consecutive samples for four of the cheetahs. The fifth animal in the study suffered from intermediate episodes of vomiting and diarrhea during the monitoring period and exhibited remarkably more change (39.4%). This observation may reflect the temporary impact of perturbations such as the animal’s compro- mised health, antibiotic administration or a combination thereof, which temporarily altered the relative proportions of Clostridium clusters I and XIVa. In conclusion, this first long-term monitoring study of the faecal microbiota in feline strict carnivores not only reveals a remark- able compositional stability of this ecosystem, but also shows a qualitative and quantitative similarity in a defined set of faecal bacterial lineages across the five animals under study that may typify the core phylogenetic microbiome of cheetahs

The effect of an 18-hour delay in solid feed provisioning on the feed intake and performance of piglets in the first weeks after weaning

It is generally accepted that early post-weaning feed intake affects post-weaning health and performance. Especially piglets that have not consumed creep feed before weaning have to learn to recognize solid feed. Weaning is a stressful event with an important impact on the animals. The associated stress level may affect their learning capabilities. Consequently, the question arises whether the first day after weaning is the best day to discover their new type of feed. An experiment was therefore designed to study the effect of delayed provisioning of solid feed on feed intake and performance of piglets. In total, 144 piglets (8.1 +/- 1.1 kg, mean +/- SD), weaned at 4 weeks of age, were tested. They were assigned to 24 pens, blocked per sex (i.e. castrated male or female) and weight group. Prior to weaning, piglets received a commercial creep feed. Per body weight class and per sex, each pen was randomly assigned to one of the 2 treatments: control (C) and delay in feed provisioning (DF). For the control treatment, the pelleted feed (6 mm) was already present in the feeders when the piglets arrived in their pens (13:00-14:00 h). In the DF pens, the feed was provided the next morning (08:00). Feed and water were provided ad libitum. In the first week after weaning, it was not possible to observe differences. However, the DF pigs showed a higher feed intake during the first three weeks of the experiment (455 +/- 25 vs 430 +/- 37 g/day, P = 0.003), which was apparent throughout the entire experiment (4-9 weeks: 594 +/- 30 vs 569 +/- 48 g/day, P = 0.046). This resulted in higher body weights 3 weeks after weaning (7 weeks of age) in the DF vs C pigs (16.1 +/- 1.5 vs 15.6 +/- 1.6 kg, P = 0.005). However, at the end of the experiment at 9 weeks, differences were no longer significant (23.9 +/- 2.1 vs 23.4 +/- 2.0 kg, P = 0.285). Feed efficiency did not differ between the groups (P = 0.456 for the entire experiment). Further research into the underlying mechanisms of the observed differences are mandatory for developing improved management practices of weaned piglets

Assessment of Dairy Farmers’ Hygienic Milking Practices and Awareness of Cattle and Milk-Borne Zoonoses in Jimma, Ethiopia

This study was conducted to assess smallholder urban dairy farmers’ milking hygiene practices and awareness of cattle and milk-borne zoonoses in Jimma, Ethiopia. Data were collected from a total of 54 randomly selected dairy farmers using structured questionnaire. The results of the study showed that all respondents practiced hand milking, with twice (88.9%), thrice (7.4%) and once (3.7%) milking frequency per day. Most (93.6%) farmers were adhered to dairy hygiene practices. Majority (85.9%) of the farmers washed hand, milk utensils and udder before milking. Over 70.0% of the farms used treated municipal water supply for farm activities. About 61 and 13% of the farmers used common and individual towel for wiping udder, respectively. None of the farmers practiced post-milking dipping of teats and dry cow therapy. Of all the farmers interviewed, 57.4% were aware of anthrax only, while 42.6% were aware of anthrax, mastitis and tuberculosis are cattle zoonoses. Respondents’ awareness levels of milk-borne zoonoses were 13, 11.1, 29.9, 70.4 and 7.4% for anthrax, brucellosis, mastitis, tuberculosis and salmonellosis, respectively. About 13, 27.8, 75.9 and 35% of the respondents reported that routes of contracting the listed cattle and milk-borne zoonoses were through contact with infected animal, contact with infected animal products, consumption of infected meat and consumption of infected milk, respectively. None of the farmers cooled milk before sale. Over 92% farmers boil milk before consumption, while 100% respondents and their family consumed unboiled sour milk (ergo). Based on the findings of this study, farmers’ awareness level on cattle and milk-born zoonoses was low except for tuberculosis. Thus, to reduce animal and public health risks arising from cattle and milk-borne zoonoses, it is imperative to strengthen farmers’ awareness, extension services and training programmes.   Keywords: Dairy cattle, farmers’ awareness, milking hygiene, milk-borne zoonoses, urba

Voice characteristics in adults with neurofibromatosis type 1

Introduction and aims of the study: Change or loss of voice in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) has been associated with head and neck neurofibromas. However, laryngeal involvement in NF1 is rare and voice abnormalities have also been reported in absence of such a tumor. Authors mention the occurrence of deviations in voice quality (such as breathiness, hoarseness, harshness, presence of a creak) and problems in regulating pitch and loudness. These studies are mainly based on perceptual evaluations. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the voice characteristics of adult NF1 patients without laryngeal manifestations using a multiparameter approach. Methods: A total of 22 NF1 patients (age range 17-64 years) and 22 controls (age range 18-67 years) participated in the study. The patient group consisted of 9 males (mean age 39,33 years) and 13 females (mean age 32,69 years). The control group consisted of 12 males (mean age 38,00 years) and 10 females (mean age 32,90 years). Voice characteristics were evaluated using aerodynamic, voice range and acoustic measurements. These measurements allowed us to determine the Dysphonia Severity Index (DSI). Additionally, participants were asked to complete the Voice Handicap Index (VHI), a questionnaire concerning voice-related quality of life. Results: Vital capacity was significantly reduced in NF1 patients compared with controls. Also, the frequency and intensity range were significantly narrower in the patient group compared with controls. The narrower frequency and intensity range were due to a significantly lower highest frequency and a significantly lower highest intensity respectively. Additionally, male NF1 patients showed a significantly higher lowest intensity compared with male controls. Further, during reading, female NF1 patients exhibited a significantly smaller standard deviation of the mean frequency compared with female controls. This trend was also observed in the male NF1 patients compared with male controls. However, a significant difference could not be demonstrated. Finally, DSI scores were significantly lower and VHI values were significantly higher in both sexes of the patient group compared with controls. Conclusion: NF1 patients appear to have a vocal quality that is worse compared with controls. In particular, it seems that NF1 patients have reduced laryngeal possibilities with respect to fundamental frequency and sound intensity compared with controls. They are also more likely to present a more marked psychosocial voice impact compared with controls