Effect of Exogenous Fibrolytic Enzymes Supplementation or Functional Feed Additives on In Vitro Ruminal Fermentation of Chemically Pre-Treated Sunflower Heads

peer reviewedThis study aims to provide possible utilization of sunflower head byproduct (SFH) as a feedstuff by implementing chemical pretreatments (4% sodium hydroxide (SFHNaOH) or 4% urea (SFHurea) and supplementation with either exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (EFE) or functional feed additive (FFA). The experimental EFE was a complex (1:1, v/v) of two enzyme products with high activity of β-1,3-1,4-glucanase and endo-1,4-β-D-xylanase and applied at 0 (SFHout), 1, 2, 5, and 10 µL/ gdry matter, while FFA was a fermentation byproduct rich in cellulase and xylanase activities, applied at 0 (SFHout), 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 mg/g DM. SFHurea had the highest (p < 0.05) crude protein (CP) content compared to other SFH substrates. Linear enhancements (p < 0.05) in kinetics of gas production (GP), metabolizable energy (ME), organic matter digestibility (OMD) and total short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) concentrations were observed for all SFH substrates supplemented with EFE. The SFHout had the highest (p < 0.05) potential GP, maximum rate (Rmax) of GP, ME, OMD and SCFAs. Supplementation of EFE was more pronounced than FFA in affecting the kinetic parameters of in vitro GP for all SFH substrates. SFHout supplemented with EFE seems to be the most promising substrate to enhance microbial fermentation in vitro

COVID-19 Influence on Developments in the Global Beef and Sheep Sectors

While the COVID-19 pandemic and associated government responses have had a substantial impact on consumers and meat supply chains worldwide, the effect on beef and sheep farming has been surprisingly small, short-lived and largely offset by other global influences. However, the impact has also varied greatly between countries and regions, largely due to differences in Government measures and in industry circumstances and influences. This study aims to provide insights into the pandemic&rsquo;s impacts throughout global beef and sheep supply chains, but with a focus on the farm level, particularly producer prices in 2020. At the centre of the study is an analysis of online questionnaire-based survey responses to the Global agri benchmark Beef and Sheep Network. The study also utilizes a variety of other studies and information sources to explore other potential factors that could have also driven beef and sheep sectors worldwide in 2020. It explores how these influences interacted with the effect of the pandemic. Food service sales were highly impacted by the pandemic, meat processing was temporarily disrupted in North America but global livestock prices remained high due, in large part, to the continuation of strong beef and sheep meat demand and imports in China

Why did the chicken cross the border? Assessing farm performance of broiler production in Ghana and Germany

Ghana has experienced an explosion in the consumption of chicken meat in the last two decades. However, local production has failed to keep up with the growing demand for poultry meat. Consequently, Ghana is highly dependent on frozen chicken imports as it imports an estimated 65 % of its total poultry meat supply. Ghana’s dependency on chicken imports is a subject of significant debate. One of the questions in the debate is: “How is it possible that EU countries are able to export frozen chicken meat to Ghana at such low prices and still make a profit?”. Some studies explain that EU countries like Germany are able to export frozen chicken cuts to African countries at low prices because EU consumers prefer to consume chicken breasts, therefore, other parts are either exported or processed into pet food. However, this explanation does not provide insights into why a significant amount of frozen whole chickens are also exported to West Africa at lower prices than the locally produced ones. Therefore, this means that there are other factors that contribute to the low-cost of frozen chicken meat exports from the EU. In this context, this study investigates whether the farm performance of German conventional broiler farms contributes to the low prices of German frozen chicken exports to Ghana. The typical farm approach was used to construct and quantify typical conventional broiler farms in Ghana and Germany. The approach entails the construction of empirically grounded farm data sets through the use of semi-structured interviews and focus groups. Our preliminary results show that the typical German conventional broiler farm is technically more efficient in comparison to the Ghanaian farms. The production costs in Germany are significantly lower compared to the Ghanaian farms. The results also show that all typical conventional broiler farms in Ghana and Germany are profitable in the short-term, which considers only cash costs

Economic analysis of different dairy production systems in Ghana and Senegal: an application of typical farm approach

Ghana has been experiencing a significant increase in the demand for dairy products due to rising incomes, population growth, urbanization, and changes in dietary choices. However, due to the low domestic milk production capacity, Ghana relies heavily on imports to meet local demand. This study aimed to identify and characterize prevailing dairy production systems in Ghana; and measure and compare their costs and returns using the TIPI-CAL model (Technology Impact, Policy Impact Calculation model). Three typical farms were selected from each production system: confined-cut and carry (GH-03), agro-pastoral (GH-35), and pastoral production systems (GH-27). The cost of milk production for GH-03, GH-35, and GH-27 was €58.48/100kg Energy Corrected Milk (ECM), €49.05/100kg ECM, and €39.51/100kg ECM, respectively. All three farms had a positive entrepreneur's profit and covered their full economic cost from dairying in the short, medium, and long terms. However, the GH-27 was economically unviable in the long term for finished cattle because of the high opportunity cost of labor. Nonetheless, the market had a low absorption capacity for surplus milk mainly due to the lack of infrastructure and cooling facilities. Other issues such as low milk yield, shortage of forage, lack of artificial insemination, and the lack of organized marketing facilities were the major constraints faced by dairy farmers in Ghana

Why did the chicken cross the border? Assessing farm performance of broiler production in Ghana and Germany

Ghana has experienced an explosion in the consumption of chicken meat in the last two decades. However, local production has failed to keep up with the growing demand for poultry meat. Consequently, Ghana is highly dependent on frozen chicken imports as it imports an estimated 65 % of its total poultry meat supply. Ghana’s dependency on chicken imports is a subject of significant debate. One of the questions in the debate is: “How is it possible that EU countries are able to export frozen chicken meat to Ghana at such low prices and still make a profit?”. Some studies explain that EU countries like Germany are able to export frozen chicken cuts to African countries at low prices because EU consumers prefer to consume chicken breasts, therefore, other parts are either exported or processed into pet food. However, this explanation does not provide insights into why a significant amount of frozen whole chickens are also exported to West Africa at lower prices than the locally produced ones. Therefore, this means that there are other factors that contribute to the low-cost of frozen chicken meat exports from the EU. In this context, this study investigates whether the farm performance of German conventional broiler farms contributes to the low prices of German frozen chicken exports to Ghana. The typical farm approach was used to construct and quantify typical conventional broiler farms in Ghana and Germany. The approach entails the construction of empirically grounded farm data sets through the use of semi-structured interviews and focus groups. Our preliminary results show that the typical German conventional broiler farm is technically more efficient in comparison to the Ghanaian farms. The production costs in Germany are significantly lower compared to the Ghanaian farms. The results also show that all typical conventional broiler farms in Ghana and Germany are profitable in the short-term, which considers only cash costs

Dairy supply chain in Southern Brazil: barriers to competitiveness

The Brazilian dairy industry is still in its infancy, especially in regards to competitiveness on foreign markets. Therefore, it is facing difficult challenges to upgrade in terms of professionalisation, productivity and technological improvements, but also to avoid exclusion of small-scale farms. This study identifies the main factors affecting the competitiveness and slowing the modernisation of the supply chain in one of the most promising and dynamic dairy production areas in the world – the mesoregion ‘Grande Fronteira do Mercosul’ in Southern Brazil. The analysis is based on the perceptions of supply chain leaders about the challenges to improving the industry’s competitiveness. The paper also presents various strategies already implemented by some actors to overcome such barriers to competitiveness. The empirical results have manifold implications. One of which is that the problems and strategies must be the target of managers and authorities in a sustainable common project of development to the benefit of the whole dairy supply chain

Dairy supply chain in Southern Brazil: Barriers to competitiveness

The Brazilian dairy industry is still in its infancy, especially in regards to competitiveness on foreign markets. Therefore, it is facing difficult challenges to upgrade in terms of professionalisation, productivity and technological improvements, but also to avoid exclusion of small-scale farms. This study identifies the main factors affecting the competitiveness and slowing the modernisation of the supply chain in one of the most promising and dynamic dairy production areas in the world - the mesoregion 'Grande Fronteira do Mercosul' in Southern Brazil. The analysis is based on the perceptions of supply chain leaders about the challenges to improving the industry's competitiveness. The paper also presents various strategies already implemented by some actors to overcome such barriers to competitiveness. The empirical results have manifold implications. One of which is that the problems and strategies must be the target of managers and authorities in a sustainable common project of development to the benefit of the whole dairy supply chain

European Exports of Poultry and Milk Products to Ghana and Senegal: A Blessing or a Curse?

Like many other African countries, Ghana and Senegal import large quantities of meat and dairy products from overseas. As this trend rises, together with critical discussions about the consequences for local producers and food security, the role of exports from Europe to African countries has become an intensively discussed topic. It is often argued that imported products are lowering or impeding domestic production due to increased competition in Africa. In this context, the EU agricultural and trade policies are often criticized. We aim to develop and evaluate measures to avoid or reduce the undesirable effects of these exports. In the group of livestock products, we focus on poultry meat and milk products. We investigate the above-mentioned issues in the areas of politics, trade, production technology, value chains, and consumer preferences