Evaluation technique et economique des formules alimentaires de blocs multi nutritionnels d’embouche ovine au Niger

L’essai conduit en 75 j à la station de recherche de Kollo visait l’évaluation des performances de croissance des béliers nourris avec 5 formules alimentaires à base des ressources locales associées au tourteau de coton et son de blé. Le matériel biologique était constitué de 50 béliers de race Ara-Ara, âgés de 18 à 24 mois et de poids moyen de 25,00 ±3,02 kg. Les rations ont été distribuées en 2 repas/jour et les refus ont été collectés chaque jour. La pesée des béliers a été faite par quinzaine en 2 jours successifs. Les prix des différents ingrédients ont été suivis sur les marchés de Kollo et Niamey durant l’essai. Les GMQ obtenus étaient de 95g/j pour la formule 1 ; 79 g/j pour la formule 2 ; 59 g/j pour la formule 3 ; 118 g/j pour la formule 4 et 75g/j pour la formule 5. Les meilleures performances ont été réalisées par les béliers ayant reçu les formules 1 et 4, avec des marges nettes/ bélier de 4623 FCFA pour la formule 1 et 4763 FCFA pour la formule 4. Les formules 4, 1 et 2, ayant été les plus rentables, sont recommandées aux emboucheurs et fabricants d’aliments pour le bétail.Mots clés: Blocs multi-nutritionnels, embouche, ovins, performancesEnglish Title: Technical and economical evaluation of feeds blocks in sheep fattening in NigerEnglish AbstractA ram’s feeding trial was conducted at Kollo Regional Center for Agricultural Research, with the objective to evaluate growth performance of Ara-Ara breed rams fed 5 feed formulas based on local feedstuffs associated with cottonseed meal and wheat bran. They were 50 Ara Ara breed rams old from18 to 24 months with an average weight of 25 ± 3.02 kg. Rams were allotted into 5 treatments (feed formulas, FF1 to FF5) with ten animals/treatment. Rams were dewormed, vaccinated and kept in individual pens for 75 days. Animals were fed 2 times/day and refusals collected daily. Sheep were weighted two-weekly during 2 successive days. Ingredient prices and labor cost were collected at Kollo and Niamey during the test period, for the economic evaluation. ADG was 95 for FF1, 79 for FF2, 59 for FF3, 118 for FF4 and 75g/day for FF5. Best ADG and feed conversion were achieved by rams fed FF4 and FF1. Results showed that best net margins/ram were 4,763 FCFA for formula 4 and 4,459 FCFA for formula 1. The best rate for financial and economic profitability was for formulas 4, 1 and 2 which. Consequently, farmers and feed processors can use formulas 4, 1 and 2.Keywords: Fattening, sheep, multi-nutritional blocks, performanc

Q method to map the diversity of stakeholder viewpoints along agricultural innovation systems: A case study on cattle genetic improvement in Niger

The complex balance between innovation and conservation regarding animal genetic resources makes it difficult to find mutually accepted improvement pathways between breeders, government agencies, and research and education institutions. This study maps stakeholder viewpoints on cattle genetic improvement in Niger using the Q method. Fifty-three statements derived from expert opinions and focus group interviews were ranked by 22 respondents along a seven-grade scale expressing their degree of approval. The Q method reveals a limited consensus on development goals, overall strategy, and the present context of operation. Beyond this consensus, three discourses are identified that express distinct attitudes regarding the balance between conservation and progress, leading to distinct strategies. The first discourse fits with a modernist vision and government strategies established in the 2000s based on exotic crossbreeding and improved purebred Azawak. The second discourse lines up with the previous livestock development strategy of Niger (before 2000) based on indigenous breeds. The third discourse represents a conservationist vision, with minor importance in the present sampling. Tentative observations are proposed on the consequences of this divide in opinions on livestock policies in Niger, including extension. The Q method appears effective in identifying the concerns of stakeholders on complex agricultural innovation topics. As a sensing tool to follow-up policy implementation in similarly complex agricultural topics, the Q method may inform adaptive extension and education strategies. © Author(s) 2018. This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License

Valuing breeders' preferences in the conservation of the Koundoum sheep in Niger by multi-attribute analysis

This study characterises farmer's preferences for breeding rams and tackles their willingness to contribute to the Koundoum sheep conservation programme through their quantified appreciation of the main phenotypic features of the sheep breed in the region. The Koundoum is the main wool sheep of Niger and shows a remarkable adaptation to the environment of the Niger River valley. In Tillabéri region, i.e. the Koundoum sheep's area of origin, the proportional piling tool is first used in 11 focus group discussions of breeders to determine the main selection criteria of breeding rams. The multi-attribute analysis method is then applied with 168 sheep owners. The econometric estimation of the utility function of breeders is conducted with a conditional logit model and the marginal willingness to pay is calculated. The results reveal a strong rejection by the breeders of characteristics like wool and black-coloured coat and thus shows the poor acceptability of an in situ conservation programme. Few breeders with a particular concern for the breed's conservation for cultural motives may nevertheless join such a conservation programme that should mainly be based on ex situ strategies. © Author(s) 2019

La croissance du bovin Azawak au Niger : influence de facteurs de variation non génétiques et estimation des paramètres génétiques

Effects of genetic and non-genetic factors on growth performance in Azawak cattle in Niger. Description of the subject. The effects of both non-genetic factors and of genetic parameters on the growth traits of Azawak cattle in Niger were estimated from performance data collected on animals raised in the Toukounous animal breeding station. Objectives. Following on from the results obtained, a model to predict breeding values of breeding stocks is to be developed. Method. The influence of non-genetic factors and of genetic parameters was estimated using a fixed effects linear model and a multi character animal model (REML), respectively. Results. Sex, season and year of birth, and their interactions had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on weight from birth to 20 months and average daily gains from birth to 12 months (ADG12) and to 18 months (ADG18). Heritability was moderate for birth weight (0.20) and for weight at 12, 14 and 20 months (0.15 to 0.43), whereas it was higher for weight at 13 months (0.61), ADG12 (0.58) and ADG18 (0.44). Genetic correlations between weights and gains were low to high, and they decreased gradually as the interval between weighing increased. All genetic correlations were positive except those between ADG12 and weight at 17 months and between ADG12 and ADG18. Environmental correlations followed the same trends as genetic correlations. Conclusions. Heritability of weight and gains was moderate to high, indicating that an improvement in meat production could be obtained from selection according to growth performance