Effect of Processing Techniques on the Degradability Characteristics of Acacia Acacia hockii) Leaf

This experiment was conducted at the Federal University Dutsin-ma Livestock Teaching and Research Farm in Dutsin-ma Local Government area of Katsina State, Nigeria. The study was meant to ascertain the effect of processing techniques on crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) degradation characteristics of three differently processed Acacia hockii leaf meal (ensiled (T1), sun dried (T2) and fresh (T30) incubated in the rumen of five rams at 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48hrs. Acacia hockii leaves were collected from Dutsin-ma town and used in the  experiment as as fresh leaves, sun-dried and ensiled. Five rams with average live weight of 20kg were fistulated and used as replicates in a  completely randomized design (CRD). They were fed with groundnut haulms, maize offal and cowpea husk in ad libitum at a ratio of 70%:30% respectively along with other management practices. The results of the rumen degradation characteristics showed that there was a significant (p<0.05) difference in the soluble fraction of crude protein, acid detergent fibre and neutral detergent fibre degradation among the treatments. There was also a significance (p<0.05) difference between the outflow rates of effective crude protein digestibility, effective acid detergent digestibility and effective neutral detergent digestibility. It was concluded from the study that ensiling and drying methods of processing reduces the ant-nutritional factors and the consequent better degradability of T1 and T2. However, the results of the study also revealed that ensiling is more effective than drying hence the better degradability recorded of crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and the effective passage rate. Keyword: Digestibility, degradability, ensile, lea

Risk factors and knowledge of Brucella infection in camels, attitudes and practices of camel handlers in Katsina State, Nigeria

The study was conducted to determine the risk factors to brucellosis in one-humped (Dromedary) camels and to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of camel handlers to Brucellosis in Katsina State, Nigeria. Camels in herds and those brought to the abattoir for slaughter in the north and central senatorial districts of Katsina State were sampled for the study. Structured questionnaires were administered to determine knowledge, attitude and practices of camel handlers to camel brucellosis in Katsina state, Nigeria Modified Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and Serum Agglutination Test (SAT) with EDTA were used as screening and standard tests respectively. Out of a total of 980 camel sera tested, 11.2% and 10.5% were positive with RBPT and SAT, respectively. Female had OD 1.758 (95% CI = 1.157 – 2.669, p = 0.008) more chances of getting infected than males camels. There was statistical significant association (ᵡ2= 7.189, p = 0.007) observed in the prevalence rates in favour of females. It was also observed that camels of age group 16-20 years showed highest prevalence to brucellosis. There was statistical significant association (ᵡ2 = 13.602, p = 0.009) observed in the prevalence rates according to age. It was determined that there is very poor knowledge of camel brucellosis amongst stakeholders as a result they had a "lassez faire" attitude towards the disease and no practices towards prevention of infection either to them or their animals. There is the need to carry out awareness campaigns to enlighten camel owners, herdsmen, abattoir staff about the dangers of poor hygiene during meat and milk processing, the importance of use of protective clothing when carrying out these operations and the dangers of zoonotic diseases and the dangers of consumption of unpasteurized camel milk and milk products, the public health significance of the brucellosis and that there is the need to develop a strategic plan to decrease spread of brucellosis in the study area.Keywords: Brucella, Seroprevalence, Camels, KAP, Risk Factor