Feed evaluation

This manual has been produced to standardise some analytical procedures at ILCA and among those NARS scientists who may be interested in the aspects of feed evaluation which the manual attempts to address. The first part of the manual is on determination of voluntary intake, digestion and retention coefficients. It lists feed-intake measurement and collection of faeces and urine and presents procedures on preparing samples for chemical analysis. The second part examines special methods for measuring digestibility. This includes the indicator method, the nylon-bag technique, the nylon-bag procedure, handling nylon-bag data, and the Menke in vitro gas-production technique. The third part summarises the kinetics of digestion and of passage. Flow rates, rumen-evacuation technique, the use of markers to estimate passage rates, and continuous dosing with chromium-mordanted straw are discussed in this part. The fourth part is on the estimation of microbial protein supply using total urine excretion of purine derivatives. This includes sample preparation and mathematical procedure

Nutritional Quality and Phytochemical Studies of Solanum anguivi (Lam.) Fruits

Solanum anguivi (Lam.) is a wild or semi-domesticated vegetable locally consumed in Nigeria. The fruits of this plant were collected and subjected to nutritional and phytochemical investigation. The phytochemical constituents were investigated qualitatively and quantitatively and the results revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, phenols, steroids and triterpenoids. The presence of these bioactive secondary metabolites supports its medicinal values. Results obtained for the proximate analysis showed that the percentage composition values of moisture content were 4.58 14?"> 0.11, ash 8.89 14?"> 0.02, crude fat 5.68 14?"> 0.05, crude protein 36.35 14?"> 1.63, crude fiber 15.50 14?"> 0.71 and carbohydrate 28.98 14?"> 0.78. The high crude fiber, crude protein and carbohydrate content  in the eggplant fruits together with substantial amount of  mineral like Calcium, Sodium, Potassium, Phosphorus and Magnesium support its nutritional importance to man. Absence of mineral elements such as Nickel, Cadmium and Lead makes the fruits save for human consumption. Keywords: phytochemical constituent, proximate analysis, eggplant, Solanum anguivi, Ekiti State.

Synthesis of constraints to livestock research and development and recommendations

This report is a synthesis of the workshop and covers the major constraints to improving livestock production ystems in the subregion (East and Southern Africa) and includes a set of recommendations for follow-up action. Discusses the changing agricultural systems in the region, livestock production systems, major constraints, long-term nature of livestock programmes, monitoring, programme development, implementation strategy and follow-up action

Improvement of dairy production to satisfy the growing consumer demand in sub-Saharan Africa. A conceptual framework for research

This document is based on the deliberations and outputs of two ILCA in-house workshops held in 1992, and of numerous individual contributions by ILCA scientists. This work has similarities with the ILCA project on smallholder market-oriented dairying. Factors influencing development of market-oriented smallholder dairying in SSA, and factors affecting farm productivity in dairying are listed. The objectives and methods of the four phases, viz, typification of dairy system, characterization of a specific dairy system, seeking ways to enhance the development of specific dairy systems and cross-site synthesis are described

Nutritional and anti-nutritional values of multipurpose trees used in agroforestry systems

Multipurpose trees (MPTs) improve the utilization of poor quality roughages. In addition to their feed value, MPTs contribute to the environment, e.g. by conserving soil. However, some MPTs contain anti-nutritional factors which reduce their nutritive value. Trials in which gas production and rumen degradation rates were studied indicated that MPTs increased the rates of degradation of fibrous feeds, their rate of passage and the efficiency of microbial protein supply. The effects of extracts of several MPTs on pure cultures of Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus flavefaciens and R. albus were Reported. Acacia angustissima suppressed the growth of Ruminococcus and slowed the growth of other bacteria. Dry matter yields were significantly increased when leucaena or gliricidia were intercropped with maize/cassava or napier grass in agro-forestry systems. It was concluded that the improved milk production resulting from such systems has many social benefits for the smallholder and his family

PRODUCTION SYSTEMS RESEARCH: SOME METHODOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS

The major limitation of traditional station-based research is its failure to account for the multiplicity of socioeconomic and ecosystemic variables that determine the success or failure of the farmer. Production systems research however focuses on the farm and the farmer using station-based research to complement the farm-based work. This paper deals with the issues involved in the ex-ante analysis of the factors affecting farm profitability. These considerations result in the identification of research opportunities vis-a-vis cost of research and the definition of the domain of recommendations. TIle instruments used in this exercise are identified and briefly discussed. The ex-post analysis of the results of the research efforts using economic, evaluation criteria lead to the selection of alternatives or modified systems which may improve the farm. Some of these economic criteria are discussed. tile paper recognises the tremendous virtues of production systems research but notes the factors (political, social, economic) which influence the adoption of alternatives. ----- La mayor Iimitacidn de la investigacion tradicional-en at sede (estaci6n experimental) - es la falta de considerar la multiplicidad de variables soeio-economicas y ecosistemtiticas, las cuales determinan el €xito 0 el fracaso del agricultor. Sin embargo, la investlgacidn de sistemas de la producci6n, concentra sus miras en la finca y en el agricultor utilizando, investigacion-en la sedepara complementar el trabajo en la finca. Este inforrne trata de puntos involucrados en el anlllisis "ex-ante" de los factores que afectan las ganancias de la finca. Estas consideraciones resultan en la identificacion de oportunidades de invcstigacion en 10 referente a, el cos to de la investigacidn y la definici6n del "dominic de recornendaciones." Las tecnicas y metodos utilizados en este ejercicio so identificados y discutidos brevemente. EI analisis "ex-post" de los resultados de la investigacidn, utilizando un criterio economico de evaluacion, facilita la selecci6n de alternativas 0 sistemas modificados, 10 cual mejora la finca. Algunos de estos criterios de la investigacion de sistemas de producci6n, pero apunta los factores (politicos, sociales, economicos) que influyen la adopcion de alternativas