Sucrose Supplementation, Insulin Injection, and Resting Period Prior to Slaughtering on Meat Physical Characteristics in Sheep Exposed to Stressful Transportation

An experiment was conducted to study the effects of sucrose supplementation, insulin injection, and resting period prior to slaughtering on meat quality in sheep exposed to stressful transportation. Fifty four local sheep （10 to 12 months of age） with body weight （BW） ranged from 14 to 1 7 kg. The experimental sheep were assigned into a completely randomized design with a 2 × 3 × 3 factorial arrangement with 3 replications. The first factor was two levels of sucrose supplementation （0 and 6 g/kg BW）, the second factor was three levels of insulin injection after transportation （0, 0.3 and 0.6 IU/kg BW）, while the third factor was three duration time of resting period （2, 4 and 6 h prior to slaughtering）. Parameters measured were rectal temperature and heart rate, body weight, carcass percentage, meat pH, water holding capacity, meat tenderness, cooking loss and meat color. The results of the experiment showed that sheep after transportation had higher rectal temperature and heart rate, indicated that sheep supplemented with sucrose after transportation has a lower meat pH and cooking loss. The longer resting period prior to slaughtering has the lower body weight, but has higher carcass percentage. However, the treatments did not influence water holding capacity, meat tenderness and meat color. It was concluded that sucrose supplementation, insulin injection, and resting period prior to slaughtering in sheep exposed to stressful transportation could improve meat quality.

Effects of holistic grazing management on milk production,weight gain,and visitation to grazing areas by livestock and wildlife in Laikipia County,Kenya

Background:Grazing is an important management tool for maintaining healthy ecosystems and improving rangelands productivity.However,its effectiveness for this purpose is dependent on timing and frequency of grazing,as well as the type of animal.Understanding the effects of grazing management on rangeland ecosystems is critical in ensuring sustainable use of grazing resources and enhanced livestock production.This study assessed the effects of holistic grazing on animal productivity and range use pattern in Laikipia County of Kenya.Results:The results revealed that the average milk yields(106±20.1)of animals in holistic grazing areas(HGA)were significantly(p<0.05)higher than those in traditional grazing areas(TGA)(101±20.1).Weight gain of animals in HGA was significantly(0.13±0.01)higher as compared to those in TGA(0.07±0.01).The number of livestock grazing was significantly(p<0.05)higher in HGA(74±10%)than those in TGA(57±10%).In addition,the number of wildlife grazing was significantly(p<0.05)higher in HGA(74±18%)than in TGA(32±18%).Conclusions:The results indicate that holistic grazing management has the potential to improve animal performance,as well as condition of range areas as evident in the preference shown by frequent visits to HGA by both livestock and wildlife.