Implication of forest offences on sustainable forest management among stakeholders in southwestern Nigeria

Illegal logging is a major problem for many timber-producing countries in the developing world.The damage caused by illegal activities and corrupt practices in the Nigerian forest is a problem of enormous proportions. The study assessed forest offences among  stakeholders and its implication on sustainable forest management in six States of South-west Nigeria with a view to recommending policy options for sustainable forest  management. The States include Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti. The survey was conducted through the use of structured questionnaire and focus group discussions. The respondents were made up of forest officers, saw-millers, timber contractors, and people living within and around the Forest Reserves. Data were presented using descriptive statistics. Identified Forest Offences in Forest Reserves were illegal felling of trees (19.8%), illegal farming (18.9%), arson (15.9%), illegal hunting (15.7%), trespassing (15.2%) and misuse of pass-hammer (14.5%). There was no significant variation in the proportion of Forest offences across the States. Illegal felling of trees was the most common Forest offence among both the saw-millers (97.2%) and timber contractors (94.8%), while hunting in the Reserves was the most common Forest offence among farmers (80.0%). Among forestry officials, 54.0% indicated that forestry officials aided Forest offences. It is  recommended that Government should provide forestry officials with the necessary financial support,  equipment, communication and transportation to enable them carry out their work promptly and efficiently. In addition, stiffer penalties should be meted out to forest offenders to serve as deterrent to others

Effect of stakeholders’ involvement in forest policy implementation in southwestern Nigeria

This study evaluates the impact of involvement of stakeholders in forest policy formulation and implementation in South-west Nigeria. Both primary and secondary data were used for the study. The primary data was  collected through the use of structured questionnaire and Focus Group Discussions to gather relevant data  from the forest stakeholders in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti States of South-west Nigeria. The  respondents were made up of Forest Officers, Saw-millers, Timber Contractors and Forest Community. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The results revealed that only 16% of the saw-millers and little above 10.0% of the timber contractors indicated that they were involved in decision-making processes as regards the forest reserves. 30.3% of the respondents in forest community indicated that they were involved in decision-making. In all, 35.0 % of the Forestry Officials, 32.0 % among the Sawmillers, 34.0 % among the Timber   Contractors and 41.0 % among the rural people in the forest reserves perceive the forestry policy   implementation as adequate. There is need for adequate involvement of stakeholders in policy formulation towards sustainable forest management. It is recommended that the nation reviewed its existing forest policy and approves a unified National Forest Policy in line with the emerging forest issues as well as sustainably  manages the forest estate

Growth, nutrient digestibility, ileal digesta viscosity, and energy metabolizability of growing turkeys fed diets containing malted sorghum sprouts supplemented with enzyme or yeast

Growth, apparent nutrient digestibility, ileal digesta viscosity, and energy metabolizability of growing turkeys fed diets containing malted sorghum sprouts (MSP) supplemented with enzyme or yeast were investigated using 120, 28-day-old male turkeys. Six treatments were laid out in a 392 factorial arrangement of treatments with three dietary inclusion levels of MSP (0, 50, and 100 g/kg) and supplemented with 200 mg/kg yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) or 200 mg/kg of a commercial enzyme. The experiment lasted for the starter (day 28–56) and grower phases (day 57–84) of the birds. Each treatment group consisted of 20 turkeys replicated four times with five birds each. Data were analysed using analysis of variance while polynomial contrast was used to determine the trends (linear and quadratic) of MSP inclusion levels. Irrespective of dietary supplementation with enzyme or yeast, final body weight (BW), total BW gain, and feed intake for turkey poults from day 29–56 was reduced (p< 0.05) with increasing inclusion level of MSP. Dietary supplementation with yeast resulted in increased (p< 0.05) feed intake while enzyme supplementation improved (p 0.05) with MSP inclusion levels.Enzyme supplementation reduced (p< 0.05) ileal viscosity but had no effect (p>0.05) on AME. Inclusion of MSP resulted in poor growth performance. This confirms earlier studies that utilization of MSP by poultry is rather poor. Supplementation with enzyme or yeast did not lead to any appreciable improvement in performance of turkeys in this study

Heritability and repeatability estimates of growth traits in FUNAAB Alpha and Noiler chicken genotypes

Genetic improvement of animals has greatly been encouraged as it has proved very efficient in improving productivity, health status and general management of animals. Hence, this research on heritability and repeatability of growth traits of FUNAAB Alpha and Noiler chickens. The study lasted for eighteen weeks and growth data were collected on weekly basis. Four hundred (400) day-old chicks, with 200 a piece for the two chicken genotypes were generated from parent stocks (5 cocks and 25 hens per genotype) with good pedigree data. Growth data were analysed using Generalized Linear Model of SAS and least significant difference (LSD) test was used to separate significant means. Computed variances and covariances of Generalized Linear Model of SAS were used to estimate heritability and repeatability of growth traits of interest. Noiler chicken genotype had a better body weight and linear body measurements from week ten to eighteen. Noiler male chickens were superior in all traits considered from week twelve to eighteen for genotype by sex interaction. Heritability and repeatability estimates were generally high in both chicken genotypes for all traits at the early stage while a decline was observed at the late stage. The highest heritability estimates for body weight observed at week seven in Noiler chicken and all linear body measurements (body circumference, breast girth, shank length, thigh length and wing length) observed at weeks 4, 12, 4, 2 and 4, respectively in FUNAAB Alpha is an indication that breeders can select for these traits at the aforementioned weeks

Haematological indices of ISA brown birds fed diets containing Guinea hen weed (Petiveria alliacea) leaf and root meals

Haematological indices of ISA brown grower birds fed diets incorporated with Petiveria alliacea leaf meal (PLM) and Petiveria alliacea root meal (PRM) were investigated in a 21-weeks trial. A total of 450 birds were divided into ten treatments groups of forty-five birds with three replicate of fifteen birds. The diets contained PLM and PRM at five levels of inclusion; (0, 1000, 1500, 2000 and 2500 mg/kg). The experiment was arranged in a 2 × 5 factorial layout in a completely randomized design (CRD). Amidst varying inclusion of PLM and PRM, birds fed diets containing 1500 mg/kg of PLM showed decreased (P<0.05) PCV. Birds fed diets containing 1500 and 2500 mg/kg of PLM reduced (P<0.05) RBC in comparison to other inclusion levels of plant parts. When compared to birds fed varying inclusion of PLM and PRM; least (P<0.05) WBC were obtained in birds fed diets containing 1000 and 2000 mg/kg of PRM. In conclusion, addition of Petiveria leaf and root meal affected haematology indices as values obtained fell within normal range for healthy birds

Nutrient availability of different batches of wheat distillers dried grains with solubles with and without exogenous enzymes for broiler chickens

Wheat distillers' dried grains with solubles (DDGS) are being used increasingly in the poultry feed industry but their nutritional value is variable. The aim of this experiment was to examine the effect of batch to batch variation of wheat DDGS produced by the same manufacturer on the growth performance, dietary N corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn), energy conversion ratio (ECR), total tract dry matter retention (DMR), nitrogen retention (NR) and fat digestibility (FD) coefficients when fed to broilers in complete diets with and without enzyme supplementation. Six UK wheat DDGS samples, produced by a single manufacturer, were used in a broiler experiment. Six diets containing 150 g/kg of each selected wheat DDGS sample were mixed. Each diet was then split into two batches and one of them was supplemented with commercial enzyme preparation, providing 1220 units xylanase and 152 units of β-glucanase/kg diet, resulting in 12 experimental diets. Each diet was fed ad libitum to five pens of two male Ross 308 broilers from 7 to 21 d old. Enzyme supplementation improved dietary AMEn, DMR, NR (P < 0.001) and FD (P < 0.05) compared to non-supplemented diets. There was DDGS sample by enzyme interaction (P < 0.05) on daily weight gain and ECR. The results suggest that the variability in AMEn of DDGS samples produced from a single manufacturer is greater than expected compared to the variability of whole wheat samples but substantially lower than expected from wheat DDGS samples from different EU manufacturers. This experiment has shown that the variation in feeding value of wheat DDGS may be explained by the variability in polysaccharide contents

Effect of dietary supplementation with arginine on haematological indices, serum chemistry, carcass yield, gut microflora, and lymphoid organs of growing turkeys

A 8-wk feeding experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with Arg on haematological indices, serum chemistry, carcass yield, gut microflora, and lymphoid organ weights of growing turkeys. A total of one hundred and eighty 56-d-old male grower turkeys were weighed individually and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 dietary treatments with 6 replicate pens, and 10 turkeys per pen in a completely randomized design. Dietary treatments consisted of basal diets supplemented with 0, 0.5, and 1.0 g Arg/kg. Haematological indices and serum chemistry were measured at 84 and 112 d of study. Carcass yield, relative weights of retail cuts, organ weights, and gut microflora were measured at d 112. Except eosinophil, no effect of Arg supplementation was obtained on haematological indices at d 84. At d 112, finisher turkeys fed the diet supplemented with 0.5 g Arg/kg had the greatest red blood cell (quadratic, P<0.001), lymphocyte (linear, P=0.011; quadratic, P<0.001), and basophil counts (quadratic, P<0.001). In grower turkeys at d 84, total serum protein (quadratic, P=0.030), and serum globulin concentrations (quadratic, P=0.043) increased initially as Arg supplementation increased from 0 to 0.5 g/kg, but decreased with the 1.0 g Arg/kg. Uric acid concentration and alanine aminotransferase activity reduced as Arg supplementation increased from 0 to 0.5 g/kg, but increased with the 1.0 g Arg/kg (quadratic, P=0.002). In finisher turkeys at d 112, total serum protein (linear, P=0.004; quadratic, P=0.002), serum globulin (linear, P=0.008; quadratic, P=0.030), serum albumin (linear, P=0.012; quadratic, P=0.040), and triodosterine concentrations (linear, P=0.025; quadratic, P=0.033) increased with increasing Arg supplementation. At d 112, spleen weights increased linearly (P=0.006), while thymus weights increased quadratically (P=0.003) with increasing dietary Arg supplementation. Salmonella counts in the small intestinal content of turkeys at d 112 reduced quadratically as Arg supplementation increased from 0 to 1.0 g/kg (P=0.029). In conclusion, Arg supplementation increased packed cell volume of finisher turkeys, improved serum chemistry of grower, and finisher turkeys as indicated by increased total serum protein, and reduced serum enzymes with appreciable improvement obtained when included at 0.5 g Arg/kg. Arginine supplementation enhanced the relative weights of thymus, spleen, and reduced Salmonella counts in small intestine of turkeys

Growth performance, nutrient digestibility, metabolizable energy, and intestinal morphology of growing turkeys fed diet supplemented with arginine

A 8-wk feeding experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with Arg on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, metabolizable energy, and intestinal morphology of growing turkeys. A total of one hundred and eighty 56-d-old male grower turkeys were weighed individually and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 dietary treatments with 6 replicate pens and 10 turkeys per pen in a completely randomized design. Dietary treatments consisted of basal diets supplemented with 0, 0.5, and 1.0 g Arg/kg. Growth response was measured during the grower (d 56–84) and finisher (d 84–112) phases, while nutrient digestibility, metabolizable energy, and intestinal morphology were measured at d 84 and 112. Arginine supplementation had no effect on growth response during the grower phase. During the finisher phase, feed conversion ratio decreased initially as Arg supplementation increased from 0 to 0.5 g/kg, but it increased with the 1.0 g Arg/kg (quadratic, P=0.028). At d 84, grower turkeys fed diets supplemented with 1.0 g Arg/kg had greater (linear, P<0.001) apparent dry matter, crude protein, and ether extract digestibility. At d 84, greatest apparent metabolizable energy, nitrogen corrected apparent metabolizable energy, and true metabolizable energy values were obtained with grower turkeys fed diet supplemented with 0.5 g Arg/kg (quadratic, P<0.001). At d 84, duodenum, and ileum villus height in grower turkeys increased linearly, and quadratically (P<0.001) with increasing Arg supplementation. Dietary supplementation with Arg reduced the apical widths in duodenum (linear, P=0.003; quadratic, P<0.001), jejunum (linear and quadratic, P<0.001), and ileum (linear, P=0.010; quadratic, P=0.004) of grower turkeys. At d 112, jejunum villus height (quadratic, P=0.042), and ileum villus height (linear, P=0.022; quadratic, P=0.042) of finisher turkeys increased, while duodenum apical widths reduced (quadratic, P=0.033) with increasing Arg supplementation. In conclusion, Arg supplementation showed a linear improvement in nutrient digestibility of grower turkeys at d 84, increased nutrient absorption in grower, and finisher turkeys as indicated by increased intestinal villus height at d 84, and 112. Furthermore, dietary supplementation with 0.5 g Arg/kg promoted a quadratic improvement in feed conversion ratio of finisher turkeys, and metabolizable energy values of grower turkeys at d 84

The effect of using solid-state fermented peeled and unpeeled cassava root tubers and limiting amino acid supplementation on metabolisable energy for meat-type cockerels

A preliminary in-vitro solid-state fermentation of peeled (PCRM) and unpeeled cassava root tuber meal (UCRM) using Aspergillus niger van Tieghem, was conducted, followed by a force-feeding experiment to investigate the effects of a diet of solid state fermented peeled (PCRM) and unpeeled (UPCRM) cassava root, supplemented with limiting amino acid, on metabolizable energy (ME) for meat-type cockerels. Forty eight, 84 d-old meat-type cockerels (Ross 308) were assigned to 8 treatments consisting of 6 birds per treatment laid out in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatment consisting of PCRM and UCRM subjected or not to solid-state fermentation and supplemented with or without limiting amino acids. An additional 6 cockerels were used for endogenous study. Peeling of cassava root increased (P < 0.05) gross energy content of the resultant cassava meal when compared with UCRM. Solid-state fermentation using Aspergillus niger increased (P < 0.05) the crude ash, ether extract and arginine concentration of PCRM and UCRM. Solid-state fermented PCRM recorded the highest (P < 0.05) amylopectin, least (P < 0.05) resistant starch and hydrocyanide concentration. Highest (P < 0.05) apparent metabolizable energy (AME) and nitrogen corrected AME (AMEn) values were obtained for cockerels fed with solid-state fermented PCRM supplemented with or without amino acid. However, supplementation of solid-state fermented PCRM with amino acid resulted in highest (P < 0.05) true metabolisable energy (TME) and nitrogen corrected TME (TMEn) for meat-type cockerels. Reduced (P < 0.05) AME and AMEn values were recorded for UCRM, regardless of solid-state fermentation and amino acid supplementation. In conclusion, solid-state fermentation and amino acid supplementation of PCRM resulted in improved AME, AMEn, TME and TMEn values for meat-type cockerels. Amino acid supplementation had no improvement on AME, AMEn and TME values of UCRM for meat-type cockerels

Efect of increasing levels of Leucaena leucocephala seeds to grass pellets on performance of grower rabbits

The study was carried out to determine the chemical composition of composite pellets of Megathyrsus maximus containing Leucaena leucocephala seed meal at the varying level and growth responses, as well as haematological and serum biochemi�cal of rabbits, fed the pellets for 60 days. The treatment consists of M. maximus and L. leucocephala—100:0, 90:10, 80:20, 70:30 and 60:40, respectively. Results revealed an increase (P < 0.05) in the proximate composition of the grass pellets with an increase in seed inclusion while there was a reduction (P < 0.05) in the NDF contents of the pellets. An increase in the tannin contents was recorded with an increase in seed inclusion to the grass pellets. Rabbits fed with 30 and 40% inclusions of seed in the grass pellets had similar weight gain while the lowest feed conversion ratio was recorded in rabbits fed grass with 30% seed inclusion. Packed cell volume, RBC and lymphocyte in rabbits were altered with feeding grass seed pellet (P < 0.05), although no particular pattern was followed. Total protein, globulin and urea contents were reduced in the rabbits as the contents of the seeds in the grass pellets increased. Albumin contents in pellets with 30% of seeds were higher in the rabbits fed the pellets above other treatments. It can be concluded that increasing the seed meal level up to 30% in grass pellets supported growth response without inficting any side efects on the health indices of the rabbits