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Research Article
An Investigation of the Common Factors Affecting Disease Incidence in Dairy Cows: A Case Study of Smallholder Dairy Farms in Shashemene District
Kinfe Kibebew*
,
Hamid Gelcha
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 2, June 2025
Pages:
20-28
Received:
17 March 2025
Accepted:
28 March 2025
Published:
22 April 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijast.20250902.11
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Abstract: Dairy farming played a vital role in the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Ethiopia, but disease incidence remained a major challenge, affecting productivity and farm profitability. This study investigated the common factors influencing disease occurrence in dairy cows, focusing on smallholder farms in Shashemene District. A cross-sectional study design was employed, combining survey questionnaires, key informant interviews, and direct farm observations to assess disease prevalence and management practices. A total of 17 rural kebeles were selected using stratified random sampling, and statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression, were conducted to identify significant risk factors. The results indicated that mastitis (35.2%), gastrointestinal parasites (41.8%), and foot and mouth disease (28.7%) were the most prevalent diseases. Poor farm management practices, including poor hygiene (67.2%), lack of vaccination (58.4%), and seasonal feed shortages (63.0%), were found to be strongly associated with disease incidence (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis further identified poor hygiene (OR = 3.12), lack of vaccination (OR = 2.81), and overcrowding (OR = 2.45) as significant predictors of disease occurrence. Additionally, qualitative findings from key informant interviews highlighted limited veterinary services, economic constraints, and traditional disease management practices as major challenges faced by farmers. This study concluded that improved farm hygiene, regular vaccination, better feed management, and enhanced veterinary services were critical for reducing disease prevalence in smallholder dairy farms. The findings provided important insights for policymakers, veterinarians, and agricultural extension workers in developing targeted interventions to enhance livestock health and productivity. Further research was recommended to assess the long-term impact of improved disease control strategies on dairy farm profitability.
Abstract: Dairy farming played a vital role in the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Ethiopia, but disease incidence remained a major challenge, affecting productivity and farm profitability. This study investigated the common factors influencing disease occurrence in dairy cows, focusing on smallholder farms in Shashemene District. A cross-sectional stu...
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Research Article
Evaluation of Carcass Quality in Pigs Resulting from Crossbreeding Between Piétrain Stress Negative and Local and Improved Pig Breeds in Southern Benin
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 2, June 2025
Pages:
29-38
Received:
16 March 2025
Accepted:
31 March 2025
Published:
27 April 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijast.20250902.12
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Abstract: The carcass of the local pig breed and the improved pig breed of Benin is observed to contain a high proportion of fat cover. The objective of the study was to evaluate the carcass quality of pigs obtained through the process of crossbreeding, specifically between the Stress-negative Piétrain and local and improved pig breeds. To achieve this objective, five lots of pigs of different genetic types were constituted: lot 1 (local pigs), lot 2 (Piétrain X local pig), lot 3 (Piétrain X Improved), lot 4 (Improved), and lot 5 (Piétrain). A sample of 10 pigs (5 males and 5 females) was selected from each lot and fattened and slaughtered at 8 months of age. The slaughter live weight, hot and cold carcass weights, and hot and cold carcass yields of Piétrain pigs were found to be significantly higher than those of local and improved pigs (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the slaughter weights, hot and cold carcass weights, and slaughter carcass yields of Piétrain-local breed crossbreeds were observed to be higher than those of local pigs (p < 0.001), and a similar trend was evident between Piétrain-improved breed crossbreeds and Improved. The Piétrain exhibits the highest carcass yield, at a minimum of 70%, in comparison to other breeds. In contrast to the local and improved breeds, the Piétrain has a markedly reduced back fat thickness. The cross-breeds of the Piétrain with the local and improved breeds exhibited a significantly lower back fat thickness than their respective parent breeds (p < 0.001). The same differences were observed for the backfat (p < 0.001). The heterosis effect was observed to be positive for live weight at slaughter, hot carcass weight, cold carcass weight, and lean cuts (rack, ham, and shoulder) in Piétrain-local breed and Piétrain-improved breed crossbreeds. Conversely, the heterosis effect was negative with regard to fatty cuts, particularly the backfat, belly wall, and back fat thicknesses in both crossbreeds. The findings indicate that the Piétrain breed enhances carcass quality in crossbreeds derived from local and improved breeds by reducing the proportion of fatty cuts and increasing those of lean cuts.
Abstract: The carcass of the local pig breed and the improved pig breed of Benin is observed to contain a high proportion of fat cover. The objective of the study was to evaluate the carcass quality of pigs obtained through the process of crossbreeding, specifically between the Stress-negative Piétrain and local and improved pig breeds. To achieve this objec...
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Research Article
Nutritional and Digestibility Profile of Palm Kernel Cake (Elaeis guineensis) Produced in Different Regions of Tanzania
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 2, June 2025
Pages:
39-46
Received:
25 March 2025
Accepted:
2 April 2025
Published:
29 April 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijast.20250902.13
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Abstract: The feed depleted livestock industry gears to exploring non-conventional animal feeds. Among them is Palm kernel cake (PKC) for its potential use as animal feed hence the need for the study. PKC samples from Kigoma, Mbeya and Morogoro were collected for analysis of its nutritional composition, Van Soest fibre analysis and digestibility (invitro and in Sacco) which were done at the Tanzania veterinary Laboratory Agency (TVLA-Dar es salaam) and department of Animal, Aquaculture and Range Sciences (DAARS)- Sokoine University of Agriculture. The study found out that PKC samples from Kigoma and Mbeya had high Crude Protein and Ash (CP 19.2% and 18.1% CP) and (7.6 and 7.3% ash) but less energy (9.6 and 9.4 MJME/kgDM) and ether extract (EE 11.1% and 11.2%EE), respectively compared with those of Morogoro (12.7%CP, 5.6% Ash, 19.8% EE and 14.4 MJME/kgDM) though they had comparable Crude Fibre (CF) value (19.1-22.1). The contents of Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF, 68.3 and 64.4%), Acid Detergent Fibre (ADF, 34.2% and 31%) for samples of Kigoma and Mbeya, were higher than those of Morogoro (48.8% NDF and 21.4% ADF) with almost similar Acid Detergent Lignin (ADL) results (6.9, 4.7 and 5.4%, respectively). Both Invitro and In Sacco digestibility were higher for samples from Mbeya (51.2 and 53.5%) respectively in comparison to samples from Kigoma (36.8 and 38.9%) and Morogoro (34.6 and 35.8%). In conclusion the study revealed a varying nutritional composition and digestibility of PKC samples collected from different regions of Tanzania which were however within the NRC recommended level hence being suitable for ruminant feeding.
Abstract: The feed depleted livestock industry gears to exploring non-conventional animal feeds. Among them is Palm kernel cake (PKC) for its potential use as animal feed hence the need for the study. PKC samples from Kigoma, Mbeya and Morogoro were collected for analysis of its nutritional composition, Van Soest fibre analysis and digestibility (invitro and...
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Research Article
Effect of Insemination Frequency and Type of Semen on Quantity and Quality of In vivo Produced Embryos from Ethiopian Boran Heifers
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 2, June 2025
Pages:
47-60
Received:
5 March 2025
Accepted:
9 April 2025
Published:
29 April 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijast.20250902.14
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Abstract: The use of proper superovulation technique, types of semen, frequency of artificial insemination, health condition of cattle and type of breeds are some of the common factors that directly affects the success of embryo transfer programmes. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate effects of AI frequency and semen type on quantity and quality of in vivo produced embryos in Ethiopian Boran heifers. In this study, Randomized Experimental Design was used in which 12 donor Boran heifers were super ovulated and embryos were collected. Donors were randomly allocated to two experimental groups: Group-one-6 donors were inseminated two times (3 donors each with conventional and sexed semen) at 12 and 18 hrs interval whereas in group-two-6 donors were inseminated three times (3 donors each with conventional and sexed semen) at 12, 17 and 22 hrs interval. The results of the study showed that mean number of 7.2 ± 1.9 and 9.0 ± 2.5 for CL and 2.2 ± 0.7 and 5.7 ± 1.5 for UOF were counted from donors grouped under two and three times AI frequency. Mean number of CL and UOF counted from donors grouped under conventional and sexed semen treatment were 9.0 ± 2.8 and 7.2 ± 1.45; 4.8 ± 1.8 and 3.0 ± 0.8, respectively. The number of CL and UOF counted from donors under two and three times AI and conventional and sexed semen treatment were not significantly (p > 0.05) different. Mean number of total flush output counted from donors grouped under two and three times AI frequency were 3.5 ± 0.43 and 7.3 ± 2.2, respectively. For conventional and sexed semen insemination, mean number of total flush output counted from donors were 7.00 ± 1.93 and 3.8 ± 1.35, respectively. Mean number of UFO counted from donors under two and three times AI were 2.3 ± 1.4; 2.7 ± 1.3 and Mean number of UFO counted from donors under conventional and sexed semen insemination were 3.5 ± 1.15; 1.5 ± 0.6, respectively. No significant (P>0.05) difference was observed between AI frequencies and semen types in terms of total flush output, number of transferable and non-transferable embryos as well as UFOs recovered from Boran heifer donors. The present findings demonstrated that inseminating Ethiopian Boran heifers two and three times both with sexed and conventional semen did not affect embryo quality and quantity produced in vivo from donors.
Abstract: The use of proper superovulation technique, types of semen, frequency of artificial insemination, health condition of cattle and type of breeds are some of the common factors that directly affects the success of embryo transfer programmes. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate effects of AI frequency and semen type on quantity and quality...
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