Predicting Degradation Characteristics from Chemical Composition and Soluble Fraction of Poor Quality Roughage Diets

This study was conducted to explore the feasibility of predicting quality from selected chemical and degradability measurements for two browses (Alchornea cordifolia (A), Ficus coapensis (F), and two crop residues (maize (M) and rice stover (R.) and their mixtures; Degradation characteristics were determined in the rumen of three West African Dwarf (WAD) goats, three WAD sheep and three White Fulani steers. Each animal was fitted with a permanent ruminal canulae, and was routinely fed on Panicum maximum and equal amount officus and alchornea at a ratio of 70:30 respectively (dry matter basis). The DM disappearance values were fitted to the exponential equation P = a + b (l-e*1) where P is amount degradedat time (t) as the soluble fraction, b is the potentially degraded fraction, and c is the rate at which b degrades. Effective degradability (ED) was also determined. The ED of the feeds and their mixtures varied from 256 to 373 (g/kg). The experimentally determined values were compared, to calculate values based on predictions from individual chemical components (separately or combined) with the inclusion of the soluble fractions in the regression analyses. The use of the individual chemical components (NDF, ADF, cellulose, and lignin) was not effective in predicting the degradation characteristics. When the chemical components (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and total nitrogen) were combined in a multiple regression analysis, prediction was also poor. However, the results suggest that cellulose and lignin contribute significantly to the prediction. The inclusion of thewashing loss in the multiple regression analysis with the combined chemical components improved the prediction of ED. Calculated ED values from predictions correlated well with the experimentally determined ED. The coefficient of correlation between the observed and calculated ED values was highest for cattle (0.95) followed by sheep (0.93) and goats (0.77)

Management Practices Among Small Holders Of Sheep, Goats And Pigs In The Derived Savanna Zone In Oyo State, Nigeria

A study was conducted to assess the systems of management adopted by small farm holders of sheep, goats and pigs in Oyo State, Nigeria. Data were collected from a total of 25 farms spread over the villages and towns using structured questionnaires. The study revealed that most farmers keep a combination of sheep and goats. Ninety-two percent of the respondents were private owners, while 12% of the respondents indicated a community or group ownership of the farms. Most of the farm holders were males (84%) having 6 to 10 years experience in livestock farming. Personal savings constituted the major source of capital for the enterprise. Sixty-four percent of the farms reared their animals semi-intensively compared with 32% for intensive and 4% for extensive. Eighty percent of the farmers fed their animals twice daily, mainly on pasture along with other feed supplements such as cassava. The animals were infested with various diseases and were treated only when infected. Prevention or control of diseases was done through vaccination and good hygiene and feeding. Most of the livestock were disposed or sold off at adult age.Keywords: Management, small farm holders, sheep, goats, pig

Haemato-biochemistry of Albino rats fed African Kudzu (Pueraria phaseoloides Roxb. Benth)seed diet

The effects of cooked and acid-extracted kudzu seed meals on some nutritional and blood and liver biochemical parameters were investigated. Rats fed cooked kudzu meal had significantly (p<0.01) slower rates of growth than the casein control. Cooking enhanced feed efficiency (FE) but the acid-extracted meal could not support growth resulting in negative protein efficiency ratio (PER). Serum and liver protein in kudzu-fed rats were non-significantly lower than the control (P<0.05). The kudzu meals exerted significant (P<0.05) hyperglycemic effect relative to casein. Serum and liver total lipids and cholesterol were non-significantly elevated relative to the controls. Alterations in the haematocrit were not significant, but the significantly (p<0.01) lower white blood cell (WBC) in kudzu-fed rats was inexplicable. The possible reasons and nutritional implications of these observations were briefly highlighted. It was concluded that cooked kudzu meal, with adequate amino acid supplementation, could possibly be well tolerated as protein supplement in food and animal feeding. Keywords: African kudzu, nutritional and biochemical evaluation, blood and liver parameters, albino rat

Comparison of plants used for skin and stomach problems in Trinidad and Tobago with Asian ethnomedicine

RefereedThis paper provides a preliminary evaluation of fifty-eight ethnomedicinal plants used in Trinidad and Tobago for skin problems, stomach problems, pain and internal parasites for safety and possible efficacy. Thirty respondents, ten of whom were male were interviewed from September 1996 to September 2000 on medicinal plant use for health problems. The respondents were obtained by snowball sampling, and were found in thirteen different sites, 12 in Trinidad and one in Tobago. The uses are compared to those current in Asia. Bambusa vulgaris, Bidens alba, Jatropha curcas, Neurolaena lobata, Peperomia rotundifolia and Phyllanthus urinaria are possibly efficacous for stomach problems, pain and internal parasites. Further scientific study of these plants is warranted