Does Scale Matter in Profitability of Small Scale Broiler Agribusiness Production in Ghana? A Translog Profit Function Model

This paper examined whether scale matter in profitability of small-scale commercial broiler agribusinessproduction in Ghana, using the translog profit function model. Structured questionnaire was used to collectprimary data on input and output prices and quantities from four hundred and forty-one (441) small-scalecommercial broiler agribusinesses for the 2010 production year through a multiple-stage random samplingtechnique. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze data collected for thestudy. Findings of the study show that by incurring an average variable cost of GH¢8.48 per broiler and sellingeach at GH¢14.80, small-scale broiler agribusinesses make a profit of GH¢5.59 per bird. Results of the translogprofit function model indicate that feed and day-old chick prices are the two main factors that negatively andsignificantly affect profit in small-scale commercial broiler agribusiness production. Stock size of small-scalebroiler agribusinesses was also found to positively and significantly affect profit in broiler production. Thisimplies that profit of small-scale broiler agribusinesses increases with scale, hence scale matters in profitabilityof broiler production. Policy actions directed towards broiler producers to increase their production scale in orderto reduce cost and increase profit should be encouraged.Keywords: Scale, Profitability, Broiler, Agribusiness, Production, Translog, Ghan

Trypanosomiasis in a migrating herd of cattle in Kaduna State Nigeria

The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence and impact of Trypanosomiasis on a herd of migrating/pastoral cattle. A herd of 50 white Fulani cattle migrating from a suburban area of Abuja to Afaka in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Northern Nigeria, were examined and screened for Trypanosomiasis on request. The animals showed clinical symptoms of lacrimation, emaciation, depression, lethargy and enlarged superficial lymphnodes which were reportedly not present before the trek. 40 of the animals were screened by parasitological means (hematocrit, buffy coat methods and thin and thick blood smears). 15 out of the 40 animals sampled were positive for trypanosomes (37.5% prevalence). Trypanosoma congolense was the only Trypanosoma species identified. Trypanosomiasis was observed in the herd examined and laboratory examination corroborated the observed clinical signs. The results, as well as the role of migration and transhumance pastoralism in disease occurrence are discussed.Keywords: Trypanosomiasis, trypanosomes, cattle, Fulani, migration, Nigeri

Prevalence of trypanosomiasis in sheep in the Kachia Grazing Reserve, Kachia, Kaduna State, Nigeria

An investigation was carried out in the Kachia grazing reserve in Kaduna, Nigeria, to determine the prevalence of trypanosomiasis among sheep. The reserve has had a history of high prevalence of the disease and farmers in the area are known to ignore the control of trypanosomiasis in sheep and goats and focus more on cattle. The sheep studied showed lacrimation, pale mucous membranes, hair loss, lameness and tick infestation. Blood samples from 110 sheep were collected and examined by using the Standard Trypanosome Detection Method i.e. Haematocrit Centrifugation Technique (HCT),Buffy Coat Method (BCM), and Giemsa stained thick and thin blood films.The packed cell volume (PCV) of each animal was also determined.An overall point prevalence rate of 40.9%(45 positive) was recorded. The average PCV of the infected sheep (19.6±0.45) appeared lower but statistically not significant (p>0.05)than that (18.6±0.51) in those non-infected.The trypanosomes observed were T. congolense (40.0%),T. Brucei (28.8%), T.vivax (17.7%) and mixed infections (13.3%). The potential of small ruminants serving as reservoirs of infection for cattle, insufficiency of professional Veterinary services, absence of alternative trypanosomiasis control methods other than chemotherapy and poor land use practices which forces migration of herds and complicates the control of the disease in the area were discussed.Keywords: Prevalence, Trypanosomiasis, Sheep, Grazing reserve, Chemotherapy, Reservoi

Impact of Trypanosomosis on Food Security in Nigeria: A Review

Abstract: The aims of these review is to further highlight the direct and indirect impact of trypanosomiasis on food security in Nigeria. The direct impact on livestock productivity, include reduce meat and milk off take, calving rate, increase in calf mortality, decreases both lamping and kidding rates in sheep, goat and increase in cost of live stock management. Indirect impact of trypanosomosis include decrease crop production, decrease traction power, reduces work efficiency of both man and animals. The economic contribution of crop and animal production in ensuring food security in Nigeria is indispensable. Livestock production constitutes an important component of Nigeria agricultural development; animal protein raw materials for agro allied based industries. In conclusion, the potential for increasing livestock production can only be fully realized if the animals are adequately protected against the adverse effects of periodic stresses and diseases. Profitability of animal product demand efficient husbandry of animals, as disease remains a profit limitation factor in many tropical countries. For sufficient livestock production to be fully realized to meet the growing population of Nigeria, integrated approach to trypanosomiasis control is required to increase the present level of livestock production

Effects of tropical depressions Ivan and Jeanne on water quality of the Upper Oconee River basin: results from a watershed group monitoring program

We measured storm water quality at 10 long-term monitoring sites in the Middle and North Oconee River basins near peak flow during Tropical Depressions (TD) Ivan and Jeanne and compared our results to the Upper Oconee Watershed Network low flow dataset. Maximum turbidity levels for the North Oconee River were 5-10 times lower than those in the Middle Oconee River (474 - 834 NTUs) during both storms. We found the lowest turbidity levels in small streams with vegetated buffers and an urban stream. Most of the fine particulate material transported in the 10 streams at low flow and peak flow during TD Jeanne was in the form of inorganic sediment. An estimated 4,039 kg of sediment moved downstream every minute in the Middle Oconee River just prior to peak flow during TD Ivan, while sediment in the North Oconee River was transported downstream at a rate of 88 kg/min. Fecal coliform bacteria concentrations were also greater during peak storm flow (<500 - 11,800 CFU/100 mL), while nitrate, pH, and conductivity values did not differ greatly from low flow conditions. Our results demonstrate the negative effects of high flows on sediment transport and fecal coliform concentrations in the upper Oconee River basin, particularly in the Middle Oconee River watershed.Sponsored by: Georgia Environmental Protection Division U.S. Geological Survey, Georgia Water Science Center U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia Water Resources Institute The University of Georgia, Water Resources Facult

Bat pollinators: a decade of monitoring reveals declining visitation rates for some species in Thailand

Abstract Bats are important pollinators, but they are difficult to study since they are volant and nocturnal. Thus, long-term studies of nectarivorous bats are scarce, despite their potential to help assess trends in bat populations and their pollination services. We used capture rates of nectarivorous bats at chiropterophilous flowers in order to examine temporal trends in bat visitation in an area that is undergoing extensive land use change. We mist-netted at five bat-pollinated plant taxa (Durio zibethinus, Musa acuminata, Oroxylum indicum, Parkia speciosa, and Sonneratia spp.) in southern Thailand over six years between 2011 and 2021. We found that the most common bat species, Eonycteris spelaea, was the main visitor at all five plant taxa and had consistent visitation rates across all study years. In contrast, two other important pollinators, Macroglossus minimus and M. sobrinus, showed 80% declines in the number of individuals netted at mangrove apple (Sonneratia spp.) and banana (Musa acuminata) flowers, respectively. These findings suggest that E. spelaea (a large, cave-roosting species with a broad diet) is more tolerant of anthropogenic change than are Macroglossus bats (small, foliage-roosting species with specialized diets), which may in turn affect the reproductive success of plants pollinated by these species. Our study demonstrates how decade-long monitoring can reveal species-specific temporal patterns in pollinator visitation, emphasizing the need for tailored conservation plans. While the conservation status of most nectarivorous bats in the area is Least Concern, our results indicate that population studies in Southeast Asia are urgently needed for updated bat species conservation assessments

Small Ruminant Trypanosomiasis in Rigasa, Suburban Kaduna, Northwest, Nigeria

Tsetse-transmitted Trypanosomiasis is still regarded as one of the most severe medical and veterinary problems in Africa. The potential of domestic animals serving as reservoirs for Trypanosomiasis infections in humans and animals (in South, East and West Africa) has been widely discussed. Small ruminant production is a very important aspect of livestock production in sub Saharan Africa. Small ruminants are estimated to provide up to 30% of meat and 15% of milk production in sub Saharan Africa. Prevalence rates in Northern Nigeria are varied from 1.0% to 35.20%. Small ruminants may also serve as reservoirs of infection to cattle. This is very significant as small ruminants have been shown to be relatively trypanotolerant and most owners do not routinely treat them for Trypanosomiasis; thereby further enhancing their capacity as carriers. This study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of Trypanosomiasis in herds of goats reared alongside cattle that were kept by extensive management within Kaduna metropolis. Trypanosomiasis was found to be prevalent in the area. The role of small ruminants as carriers and possible reservoir hosts for Trypanosomiasis in cattle is also discussed

Autonomous Control, Climate and Environmental Changes Effects on Trypanosomiasis in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Review

African trypanosomiasis is a parasitic disease that causes serious economic losses in livestock due to anemia, loss of condition and emaciation. The disease when neglected is lethal and untreated cases are fatal. African trypanosomiasis is found mainly in those regions of Africa where its biological vector, the tsetse fly, exists. Trypanosomiasis has widespread constraint on livestock production, traction power, mixed farming and human health in Sub-Saharan Africa. A tsetse fly eradication program being conducted in Sub-Saharan Africa may help in the control of African trypanosomiasis, as well as other forms of trypanosomiasis that affect humans. Control may also be achieved by a variety of autonomous and/or purposive measures. Autonomous control includes the multiple environmental impacts of human population growth, the expansion of agriculture, settlements and road networks, and the elimination of wildlife, through hunting and habitat loss. Purposive control includes those related to animal husbandry and breeding, those directed against the trypanosome and those targeted at the vector. To be sustained and effective in the reduction of poverty, disease control must be a priority concern of livestock producers, affected communities, and benefits of increased production, improved human health must exceed the costs of control. However, &lsquo;the most scientific and economic means&rsquo; must be employed in control, as indiscriminate control actions against the disease may lead to irreversible damage to climate, environment and natural resources. Integration of control measures against the vector with other viable control measures along with the use of the most efficient and up-to-date technologies such as GIS, computerized model etc will yield better results

Occurrence of African Animal Trypanosomosis in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria

Occurrence of African animal trypanosomosis among cattle, sheep and goats reared in some communities in Igabi Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State, Nigeria was investigated. About 5 ml of blood sample was collected from the jugular vein of each animal into Ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) bottles to prevent clotting. Wet, thin, thick films, animal inoculation, haematocrit centrifugation and buffy coat methods were used to detect trypanosomes in the blood samples. Anemic status of the animals was also determined by packed cell volume (PCV) method. Overall, 278 ruminants comprising 170 cattle, 88 goats and 20 sheep were examined. Of the 278 blood samples collected 41(14.75%) were positive for trypanosomes made up of 22(12.9%) cattle, 2(10.1%) sheep and 17(19.0%) goats. Trypanosoma vivax at 36(12.90%) occurrence constituted the highest number of trypanosoma species encountered, while 5(1.79%) was recorded for T. congolense. None of the animals examined harbored Trypanosoma brucei group. Other haemoparasites encountered included Babesia spp, Anaplasma spp and onchocerca microfilaria observed mainly in cattle. Mean PCV of infected cattle, goats and sheep were 20.33&plusmn;3.31, 20.29&plusmn;2.40 and 19.40&plusmn;2.19 respectively. The detection of trypanosome species in this study is an indication that the disease is still endemic in the study area and could be of economic and public health importance

Trypanosomiasis in Rams in Kaduna State Nigeria

Rams meant for sale during the Eid-el-Kabir period in two markets were examined and screened for trypanosomes as part of a Participatory Disease Surveillance. Clinical examination of the animals revealed respiratory  infections. Focus group interviews using participatory epidemiological tools also confirmed respiratory problems as the chief clinical symptom of disease. A total of 65 animals were screened using the hematocrit, buffy coat methods as well as thin and thick blood smears. The role and effect of the disease entities in these animals were discussed.Key words: Trypanosomes, rams, livestock market, participatory  epidemiology, Nigeria