Feeding Value of High Protein Oat Silage Versus Corn Silage for Dairy Cows

Corn accounts for 80% of the total silage production in the United States while oats ranks second as a feed grain crop. Oats are a major crop in areas of the world where temperatures are cool and short growing seasons are not well suited for corn production. South Dakota is the leading oat producing state in the nation with 1. 68 million kilograms of oats produced annually. Oats play an important roll as animal feed because among common cereals in the United States it ranks highest in both protein and lysine content. Due to the wide genetic diversity of oat protein content, it seems possible to raise protein quantity in cultivated oat cultivars. Oat silage contains higher crude protein and a higher percent of digestible protein than corn silage, sorghum silage, and barley-pea silage. However, corn silage is superior to oat silage in total digestible nutrients (TDN) and digestible energy (17, 56, 96). The protein yield in oat groats (dehulled kernels) of Spear (Neal x Clintland 64 cross) oats is one of the highest of currently available varieties. This high average protein yield indicates a combination of high protein percent and adaption to South Dakota\u27s environment. The grain contains 7% oil as compared to 5 or 6% for most other varieties (21, 68). In addition, Spear oat has a stiff straw and moderate rust resistance which makes it favorable to farmers who grow it for livestock feeding. Regular oatlage has been compared to corn silage by various workers at various times, but no comparison has been made between com silage and oat silage ·from high protein oat varieties. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare the high protein oats variety (Spear) to corn silage as a sole forage for lactating cows

Strategies For Sustainable Food Programs In Ethiopia: Creating A Space For Sustainable Food Systems

Food security is the ability to obtain consistent access to food needed for a healthy life. Access to food deeply affects the standard of living for countries, households, and individuals, and needs to be viewed as an important element of the geographical, economic, and political landscape of both the developed and the developing world. In Ethiopia, Addis Ababa represents an urban environment where issues of food security and sovereignty often surface in the debates around social development and urban renewal. While examining the case study of food security, this paper suggests that Environmental and Sustainability Education (ESE) represents a powerful tool to understand, and overcome food insecurity. However, will the current discourse around sustainable food and ESE recognise the power of organising communities to take control of their own development and take ownership of the process in a concerted effort to create a sustainable food system for all? This paper explores issues behind persisting food insecurity and foreign aid dependency in Ethiopia, and in the developing countries at large. It begins by examining the links between poverty and food insecurity in today’s globalized world, in the local context of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It then discusses the state of sustainable development and environmental education, community engagement and issues of power and social justice. The analysis focuses on the activities of one non-governmental organization (NGO) as a case study, namely the International Fund for Africa’s (IFA) Sustainable School Health and Nutrition program, and its plant-based school feeding program. It highlights the IFA’s efforts to strengthen a community’s ability to overcome poverty and achieve food security through its capacity building trainings. The paper demonstrates how community development and sustainable food production are practiced in urban agriculture, and where ESE fits into this process. It concludes with reflections on what can be done when trusting and lasting relationships are built, especially with local leadership in the NGO

Lactational and Chemical Evaluation of Soybean Meals Heat-treated by Two Methods

A series of experiments were conducted to evaluate regular, commercially available solvent extracted soybean mean (SBM), and SBM subjected to additional heat either during desolventizing (HSBM), or by extrusion (ESBM). Soluble nitrogen (14.8, 9.3, and 7.0% of crude protein for SBM, HSBM, and ESBM) and degradable protein (71.0, 68.7, and 58.7% of crude protein) were reduced by heat-treating soybean meal. Nonessential amino acids in soybean meals were more soluble and degradable than essential amino acids. The first five limiting amino acids (methionine, lysine, valine, leucine, and isoleucine) for milk production were the same, although relative order was altered by heat treatment, for all fractions of the three soybean meals, except that threonine replaced leucine in the insoluble fraction of ESBM and the undegradable fraction of HSBM and ESBM. Completely mixed rations were made of (dry matter basis) 40% corn silage, 10% chopped alfalfa hay, and 50% concentrate mix containing the respective protein sources (SBM, HSBM, and ESBM). Milk production (33.8, 34.9, and 35.3 kg/day) was increased when heat-treated soybean meals were fed to high producing cows, with most of the increased production occurring during the first 4 wk on the experiment (wk 4 through 7 postpartum). Four percent fat-corrected milk was 30.9, 32.6, and 33.4 kg/day. Increases in milk production were modest when heated soybean meals were fed to lower producing cows. Concentration of milk fat, protein, and solids as well as rumen ammonia, and blood ammonia were similar

The Lived Experience of Ethiopian Immigrant Parents in Norway: Balance between the Past and Present

Background: Families endure changes to responsibilities upon migration regardless of the type of society they are integrating into. In an effort to fit into the new culture and social order, immigrant families encounter challenges however; the comprehensive welfare system in most Western societies will serve as a resource and opportunity for both native citizens and immigrants. Objective: The objective of this study is to gain new knowledge about the lived experience of Ethiopian immigrant parents in Norway and the influence of the past context on their current parental behavioral practices. Method: The research questions of the study are designed in a way that can be best answered and explained by qualitative research method; therefore the study is qualitative. The study is based on the analysis of semi-structured interviews with four Ethiopian immigrant parents who live in the western part of Norway. With the aim of selecting participants that are pertinent to the study topics, non-probability purposive sampling was used. A phenomenological research design was employed, and the results of the study were analyzed using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Research Questions: The following research questions were designed to address the objective of the study. What are the experiences and challenges of Ethiopian immigrant parents in relation to parenting? How do Ethiopian immigrant parents living in Norway reflect on the differences in parental practices in the two countries? How do Ethiopian immigrant parents’ parental behavioral practices are being influenced by their past and present cultural contexts? Findings: In terms of challenges, language, overburden on parents, fear of being not good enough, and limited power of parents over their children were discussed by the Ethiopian immigrant parents. In terms of opportunity, exposure to a new culture, better standard of living, and support from the welfare state was reflected upon by the participants. Conclusions: The study concluded that with a regulation of the past and present life, it is possible to make the influence of the past context on the present parental behavioral practices positive and rewarding. Recommendations: Based on the result and findings of the study, it is recommended that local citizens and the state play an imperative role in easing the challenges of immigrants parents, as the challenges of immigrants are always related to the community or the state

Determinants of Trade Credit Use by Private Traders in Ethiopia: Case of Mekelle City, Tigray Regional State

This study aims to investigate the determinants of trade credit use by taking 198 samples of private traders in Mekelle city, Tigray regional state of Ethiopia. Semi-structured questionnaire and interview were used to collect data and binary logistic regression model was used to examine significant factors determining trade credit use. The result highlighted that trade credit was widely practiced among private traders in Mekelle city. It has been found that about 58 percent of sample traders that are found in Mekelle city were trade credit users and about 42 percent of them were non-users. The result of binary logistic regression model shows that from owner factors, gender and education of traders significantly determined trade credit use. Similarly, business specific factors such as age of the business, length of trade relation, frequency and volume of purchase were found significant variables in determining trade credit use. Therefore, private traders and concerned government offices that are concerned with the promotion of trade and private sector development need to take these factors into consideration in order to enhance trade credit use by private traders. Key Words: Binary Logistic Regression, Determinants, Ethiopia, Private Traders, Trade Credi

New Castel Disease In Ethiopia: A Review

Livestock production is a major component of Ethiopian economy. In developing countries like Ethiopia, livestock production goes well beyond food production; sales of livestock and their products provide immediate cash income to farmers and foreign exchange for the countries (FAO, 1990). Poultry production will assist in poverty alleviation and the improvement of food security.  The increased availability of village chickens and eggs should result in an improved intake of protein by the population and increased access to cash and other sources.  Chickens are often essential elements of female-headed and poor households.  This is particularly important contribution in areas where child malnutrition is common.  Malnutrition wider implications for development because protein-energy malnutrition in children inhibits their growth, increase their risk of morbidity, affect their mental development, and reduce their subsequent school performance and labour productivity (Alders and Spradbrow, 2001). Chickens in traditional village poultry systems provide scarce animal protein in the form of meat and eggs, and are available for sale or barter in societies where cash is not abundant. They are generally owned and managed by women and children. Chickens also fulfill a range of other functions for which it is difficult to assign monetary value. They are active in pest control, provide manure, are required for special festivals and to meet social obligations, they are essential for many traditional ceremonies and traditional treatment of illness (Robyn and Spreadbrow, 2001). Raising poultry has along line of tradition in Ethiopia and the production system shows a clear distinction between the traditional subsistence, low input system compared with small and large-scale commercial systems, which use relatively advanced technology. Indigenous birds are raised under traditional; or ‘’backyard’’ conditions without any input and are difficult to monitor. They comprise up to 99% of the total estimated, 56.6 million chickens in Ethiopia, while 1% are an exotic breed maintained under intensive management system (Hagos et al., 2003). Most poultry improvement programs in developing countries including Ethiopia have been directed towards the introduction of specialized exotic breeds or cross breeding and management intensification. Genetic improvement could be achieved either through selection and controlled mating or by introducing exotic chickens (Aklilu, 2000). There are many constrains to village chicken production including a range of bacteria and other viral disease, internal and external parasites, poor nutrition and predation (Robyn and spradbrow, 2001). The major constraint to productions of village chickens in many developing countries is Newcastle disease. In these countries circulating strains of NCD virus are capable of causing 100% mortality in unprotected flocks, outbreaks of NCD are unpredictable and discourage villagers from paying proper attention to the husbandry and welfare of their chickens. The Importance of NCD is indicated by the fact that NCD has a local name in many countries. Newcastle disease is a serious and commonly fatal viral poultry disease, which is present all over the world.  In many tropical and subtropical countries, virulent strains of NCD virus are endemic (Barman, 2002).  In most developing countries, NCD is the most important infections disease affecting village chickens and causes great economic losses (Alders and Spradbrow, 2001). The disease is caused by a paramyxovirus, which is readily inactivated by formaline, alcohol, merthiolate.  NCD virus may persist in undispersed chicken faeces for more than six months but under village conditions the virus can survive outside the host for more than one month. NCD viruses occur in three pathotypes:  Lentogenic, mesogenic, and velogenic.  The most virulent (velogenic) isolates are further sub-divided into neurotropic and viscerotropic. In chickens NCD is characterized by lesions in the brain or gastrointestinal tract, morbidity rates near 100%, and mortality rates as high as 90% in susceptible chickens.  Neurological symptoms or severe depression are the most obvious clinical signs of NCD   Such as loss of appetite, anorexia, yellowish or greenish diarrhea and paralysis and some unvaccinated birds may be found dead with no detected sign of prior illness (Serkalem et al., 2005). The prevailing management system, which involves exposure to wild birds, selling or giving away of sick birds, absence of vaccination programs and unrestricted contact between the different flocks are believed to facilitate the rapid spread of infection and persistence of the disease among the village chickens (Tadelle and Yelma, 2004). NCD virus possesses two surface proteins that are important to the identification and behavior of the virus.  The first, hemagglutinin /neuraminidase (HN) is important in the attachment and release of the virus from the host cells, in addition to its serologic identification.  The other very important surface protein is the fusion (F) protein, which has a critical role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Vaccination against NCD is routinely practiced throughout the world.  In Ethiopia, intensive poultry farms vaccinate their poultry routinely, but poultry in extensive production systems are not vaccinated routinely due to lack of proper knowledge and it is difficult to transport and maintain conventional thermolabile vaccines in ambient temperatures ranging from 240c to 360c (Alders and Spradbrow, 2002). Reports from six African countries, indicated that the mortality caused by NCD ranges from 50 – 100%. In addition, Spreadbrow (1991) indicated that NCD is the most devastating disease of village poultry responsible for heavy losses. It seriously interferes with the development of the poultry industry since farmers consider the disease as a serious constraint to investing in poultry (Tadelle and Yilma, 2004). In Ethiopia, poultry diseases are considered to be the most important factor responsible for reducing both the number and productivity of chickens. Poultry diseases such as New castle disease, coccidiosis, and nutritional deficiency are considered to be the most endemic and the ones to incur huge economic losses. Study was conducted in 5 selected sites in central Ethiopia ( Jeldu, sebeta, Awash-melka-kontire, Debreberhan and Nazareth.) has shown that is one of the major infectious disease which constrain poultry production  (Hagos  et al.,2003; Serkalem et al.,2005)

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF “THE BEST AFRICAN BANKS”: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS THROUGH CAMEL RATING

This study analyzed the financial performance of the African banks. Only seven banks were observed among the 30 African best banks as identified by the Global Finance Magazine. These banks have complete and consolidated financial statements for a period of the recent three fiscal years (i.e. 2012 to 2014). It has applied the CAMEL composite and component rating. The study found that the banks are rated as strong and satisfactory when rated in terms of capital adequacy ratio and earnings ability. Conversely, they were rated as less satisfactory, deficient and critically deficient when rated in terms of asset quality, management quality and liquidity. All the banks were aggregately rated as composite 3 (i.e. Fair). Standard Bank of South Africa Ltd. (South Africa) ranked last among the banks under study, but it was selected as the winner best regional bank by the Global Finance Magazine in 2015. The banks are recommended to employ the CAMEL composite and component rating on a periodic basis in order to withstand business fluctuations and vulnerability to outside influences. Similarly, institutions like the Global Finance Magazine are recommended to apply the CAMEL composite and component rating while ranking best banks. Finally, further research is worth pursuing for constructing a complete ratio’s rating scale and weight for all ratios that constitute the composite CAMEL components