Performance of traditionally-managed Bunaji (White Fulani) cattle under smallholder dairy production systems in Oyo State, South-West, Nigeria

The remarkable reduction in tsetse fly and its vector trypanosomosis in the South-West zone of Nigeria have led to the development of smallholder dairy production which is predominantly practised by the Fulani agropastoralists in the zone. This study was conducted by the administration of structured questionnaires to farmers in the Derived savannah area of Oyo State in the South-West zone of Nigeria with aim of assessing the performance of traditionally managed Bunaji (White Fulani) cattle in this newly encroached zone by the Fulani pastoralists from the northern parts of the country. The survey showed that milk offtake or partial milk yield (0.6 kg/day), pregnancy rate (53.2%), calving rate (49.5%), calf crop (37.11%) and body condition score (4.3) were low and typical of tropical breeds of cattle. Also, average age at first calving (47.8 months) and calving interval (18.1 months) were on the high side. Majority (80%) of the dams produced their young ones during the wet season while a few ones (20%) calved during the dry season. Diarrhoea (84%), helminthosis (72%) and sand eating (64%) were the major diseases of calves in wet and dry season, respectively; whereas in addition to diarrhoea and sand eating, low milk production (90%) was peculiar to adult cattle in dry season. Calves’ overall mortality was 24.11% with majority (73.77%) occurring during the first week of life; it was higher in wet season (86.89%) compared to the dry season (13.11%). Overall mortality for adult cattle was 5.83% with the mortality, in contrast to the calves’ mortality, being higher in dry season (69.39%) than in wet season (30.61%), and the females (91.84%) more susceptible than the males (8.16%). The results indicate that the performance of traditionally-managed cattle in smallholder dairy production systems in Oyo State, South-West, Nigeria is poor and below their genetic potentials due to poor management.Keywords: Major diseases, mortality, milk offtake, reproductive performance, seaso

Dietary influence of Daniellia oliveri leaf meal (Dolm) on the growth and digestibility of intensively managed savannah brown goats.

This study was carried out to determine the dietary influence of Daniellia Oliveri Leaf Meal (DOLM) on the growth and digestibility of Savannah Brown goats. Forty five does with average initial weight of 10.66kg were used in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) which lasted for 90 days with the last 7days for digestibility trial. The animals were divided into four groups and allocated to 4 diets with DOLM inclusion levels of 0%, 20%, 30% and 40% in diets 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. The dry matter intake was influenced (p<0.05) by dietary treatments, values obtained were 384.20g/kg, 320.60g/kg, 315.40g/kg and 300.60g/kg for T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively. There was no significant (p>0.05) difference in the final weight across the treatments. However average weight gain decreases as the inclusion of DOLM increased in the diet with T1 having the highest value (15.53kg) and T4, the least value (14.40kg). There was a higher significant dry matter digestibility in T3 (94.60%) and T4 (95.10%) while the protein digestibility was higher in T1(63.30%) and T2 (63.10%) groups.Apparent nutrient digestibility values were all significantly (p<0.05) high. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the urinary nitrogen value of all the groups. Howeversignificant difference (p<0.05) were observed in retained nitrogen values of T1 (20.78%) and T2 (20.40%) which were higher than T3 (11.15%) and T4 (10.35%). The cost/kg gain was significantly (p<0.05) better in T4 but lower in T1. The study has shown that DOLM can be used to replace conventional ruminant feed supplements up to 40% level of inclusion in the diet of Savannah Brown Goats without adversely affecting health status.Key words: Daniellia oliveri, Growth, Digestibility, Savannah Brown Goat

Performance of grower rabbits fed Gmelina arborea leaf meal

Forty five weaner rabbits, aged four weeks of mixed sexes were used to investigate the performance of rabbits fed Gmelina arborea leaf meal (GALM) at 0,10,20,30 and 40% inclusion level. Increasing the level of GALM had no significant effect (P>0.05) on feed intake, weight gain and feed to gain ratio. There was also no treatment effect on nitrogen intake (P>0.05). Furthermore, increasing the dietary level of GALM in the diet also had no significant effect (P>0.05) on faecal nitrogen, nitrogen retained and nitrogen digestibility. However, the cost of feed declined with the corresponding increase in the GALM dietary level. The result shows that Gmelina arborea leaf meal could be fed to grower rabbits up to 40% inclusion level without any adverse effect.Keywords: Gmelina arborea, rabbits, leaf meal, dietary level

Partial replacements of Stylosanthes scabra forage for lucerne in total mixed ration diet of Saanen goats

The inclusion of Stylosanthes scabra cv. Seca forage in the total mixed ration (TMR) as partial replacement of lucerne (alfalfa) was evaluated for its effects on voluntary feed intake, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance in Saanen goats. Three experimental diets were formulated having 0 % Seca (T1), 15 % Seca (T2) and 30 % Seca (T3) as partial replacement of lucerne forage in the TMR diet for goats. Eighteen Saanen goats of about 7 months old were divided into three groups of six animals per group. Each group was randomly assigned to one of the three dietary treatments in a complete randomised design, and the study lasted for a period of 21 days. There was an increase in fibre and mineral content of the diets as Seca inclusion increased, but this resulted in the decrease of crude protein contents and in vitro organic matter digestibility. Animals that were fed 15 % Seca recorded higher voluntary dry matter and nutrient (organic matter and fibres) intake, but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05) as compared to the other treatments. Nutrient digestibility as well as nitrogen balance was not significantly different across the three diets. The lack of significant differences in feed intake, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen utilisation following the inclusion of Seca in the TMR suggests that S. scabra forage can partially replace lucerne in the TMR diet of goats.Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD) and National Research Foundation (NRF).http://link.springer.com/journal/112502016-10-31hb201