Development of feeding systems and strategies of supplementation to enhance rumen fermentation and ruminant production in the tropics

The availability of local feed resources in various seasons can contribute as essential sources of carbohydrate and protein which significantly impact rumen fermentation and the subsequent productivity of the ruminant.Recent developments,based on enriching protein in cassava chips,have yielded yeast fermented cassava chip protein（YEFECAP） providing up to 47.5% crude protein（CP）,which can be used to replace soybean meal.The use of fodder trees has been developed through the process of pelleting;Leucaena leucocephala leaf pellets（LLP）,mulberry leaf pellets（MUP） and mangosteen peel and/or garlic pellets,can be used as good sources of protein to supplement ruminant feeding.Apart from producing volatile fatty acids and microbial proteins,greenhouse gases such as methane are also produced in the rumen.Several methods have been used to reduce rumen methane.However,among many approaches,nutritional manipulation using feed formulation and feeding management,especially the use of plant extracts or plants containing secondary compounds（condensed tannins and saponins） and plant oils,has been reported.This approach could help todecrease rumen protozoa and methanogens and thus mitigate the production of methane.At present,more research concerning this burning issue-the role of livestock in global warming-warrants undertaking further research with regard to economic viability and practical feasibility.

Cattle Feed Resource,Water Sources and Housing System in the Central Rift Valley of Oromia Regional State,Ethiopia

The study was conducted in Adami Tulu Jidokombolcha(ATJK),Bora,Dodola,Shala and Negele-Arsi districts with objective to assess main cattle feed resources,water sources and housing systems.A pre-tested,semi-structured questionnaire was used to conduct survey.About 240 respondents were identified using random sampling techniques.Collected data was analyzed by SPSS statistical software(Ver.24).Study result indicates that household in average had three hectares of land and allocated about two hectares of land for crop cultivation.Most respondents reported that cattle herding is not common during dry season while it is common during wet season.Survey result indicate that natural pasture,weed and maize tiller and stored crop residues are main feed resources in wet season while crop after math,crop residue and fodder trees are main resources during dry season.Brackish,local mineral and common salt are mineral sources for cattle in study areas.Lake,river and boreholes are important water sources in dry season where as ponds and rivers are main water sources during wet season for their cattle.The observed cattle watering frequency is mainly once a day.Housing system practiced in the study areas is mainly Kraal.The information generated from this study on land size per household,cattle herding system,feed resources,mineral sources,water sources,water utilization and housing type can be used as a baseline for any livestock development programs in those and similar areas.

Assessment of Feed Supply and Demand for Livestock in Pakistan

Country level assessment of feed supply and demand for livestock in Pakistan was conducted for the year 2013. Availability of feed ingredients was calculated from the official crop production statistics using published harvest index and extraction ratios, and their nutrient supply was estimated from local feed composition tables. Feed requirements of livestock species were calculated from the standard tables published by US National Research Council. The results showed that indigenous feed resources were short for livestock and poultry requirements. The supply and demand gap for dry biomass, crude protein （CP） and metabolizable energy （ME） were 19.4%, 37.2% and 38.0%, respectively. Crop residues were the predominant source comprising 58.8% of the total feed supply, while fodder and grazing shared 23.8% and 9.2%, respectively. Grains and by-products contributed 8.2% to the feed supply. In attempt to fill this gap, large quantities of oilseed meals were imported mainly for the poultry sector. Maize was the major feed grain used in poultry and ruminant rations, and they together consumed 79% of the country＇s total maize produce. Based on the anticipated rapid expansion in poultry, dairy and feedlot farming in Pakistan, the feed gap will further enlarge and this warrants future focus on efficient and intensive utilization of the local conventional and nonconventional feed resources. The data and information presented in this paper provided a sound basis for regular updating in future to attain sustainable growth of livestock sector in the country.

Functions of Mulberry in the Development of Ecological Animal Husbandry and Development Ideas

Ecological animal husbandry is an animal husbandry industry system integrating ecological benefit, economic benefit and social benefit. Breeding cycle is one of the main patterns of ecological animal husbandry development, but breeding cycle does not form a relatively closed cycle of endogenous resources. In recent years, forage value and ecological value of mulberry have made some progresses in different research areas and angles, but the thought and practice of both forage and ecological value of mulberry has not been systematically interpreted and researched. Based on the short board of animal husbandry development and the advan- tage of mulberry, animal husbandry and mulberry were complemented and fused, and relatively closed planting and raising ecological recycling pattern with mulberry as the axis was raised. Phased scientific research and production test data were obtained, and the problems and development suggestions were put forward in the following aspects ： selection of mulberry varieties with both forage and ecological value, cost control of mulberry with both forage and ecological value, quality and safety control system of forage mulberry, orientation of feeding value of forage mulberry.

Carcass Characteristics of Guinea Fowl Raised under Intensive System and Fed Diets Containing Yellow Maize, Millet and White Sorghum as Energy Sources

This study investigated carcass characteristics of guinea fowl reared under intensive system and fed diets containing yellow maize, millet and white sorghum as energy sources compared to commercial broiler diets (control). A completely randomized design was used where 160 guinea fowl keets were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments. Data were analyzed using Procedure General Linear Model in Statistical Analysis Software (version 9.0). Results showed that dietary treatment did not (p > 0.05) influence carcass characteristics of guinea fowl at the same age. However, carcass characteristics significantly (p < 0.05) increased with age. From 6 to 16 weeks of age carcass dressed weight of guinea fowl increased from 301.73 ± 9.49 g to 1003.65 ± 26.77 g;288.18 ± 9.49 g to 952.58 ± 26.77 g;305.00 ± 9.49 g to 976.55 ± 26.77 and 292.81 ± 9.49 g to 970.08 ± 26.77 g for control, maize, millet and sorghum diets, respectively. Carcass yield slightly increased from 69.93% ± 3.67% to 72.81% ± 2.67%;73.85% ± 3.67% to 76.31% ± 2.67% and 70.55% ± 3.67% to 72.37% ± 2.67% for control, millet and sorghum diets, respectively. Carcass yield of guinea fowl on maize diet decreased with age (76.18 ± 3.67 to 71.68 ± 2.67). Other parameters including empty gizzard, heart, liver, drumstick, thigh, back and breast increased with guinea fowl age for all the dietary treatments. Maize, sorghum or millet diets can be used in guinea fowl diets without affecting carcass characteristics. Further studies on the acceptance of meat by consumers and cost-benefit analysis of the dietary treatments should be conducted to enable formulation of guinea fowl diets using local feed resources.

Dietary sources and their effects on animal production and environmental sustainability

Animal agriculture has been an important component in the integrated farming systems in developing countries. It serves in a paramount diversified role in producing animal protein food, draft power, farm manure as well as ensuring social status-quo and enriching livelihood. Ruminants are importantly contributable to the well-being and the livelihood of the global population. Ruminant production systems can vary from subsistence to intensive type of farming depending on locality, resource availability,infrastructure accessibility, food demand and market potentials. The growing demand for sustainable animal production is compelling to researchers exploring the potential approaches to reduce greenhouse gases(GHG) emissions from livestock. Global warming has been an issue of concern and importance for all especially those engaged in animal agriculture. Methane(CH_4) is one of the major GHG accounted for at least 14% of the total GHG with a global warming potential 25-fold of carbon dioxide and a 12-year atmospheric lifetime. Agricultural sector has a contribution of 50 to 60% methane emission and ruminants are the major source of methane contribution(15 to 33%). Methane emission by enteric fermentation of ruminants represents a loss of energy intake(5 to 15% of total) and is produced by methanogens(archae) as a result of fermentation end-products. Ruminants' digestive fermentation results in fermentation end-products of volatile fatty acids(VFA), microbial protein and methane production in the rumen. Rumen microorganisms including bacteria, protozoa and fungal zoospores are closely associated with the rumen fermentation efficiency. Besides using feed formulation and feeding management, local feed resources have been used as alternative feed additives for manipulation of rumen ecology with promising results for replacement in ruminant feeding. Those potential feed additive practices are as follows: 1) the use of plant extracts or plants containing secondary compounds(e.g., condensed tannins and saponins) such as mangosteen peel powder, rain tree pod; 2) plants rich in minerals, e.g., banana flower powder; and 3) plant essential oils, e.g., garlic, eucalyptus leaf powder, etc. Implementation of the-feed-system using cash crop and leguminous shrubs or fodder trees are of promising results.