High Feed Costs Research Articles

Microfinance is a Non-productive and Expensive Source of Borrowing: A Case Study of District Sargodha (Pakistan)

The study examines Pakistan’s microfinance institutions' performance and checks the productivity of microfinance institutions. For this purpose primary data was collected from a sample of 260 respondents from 6 microfinance banks in Sargodha District. This paper examined the livestock sector and the impact of microfinance on livestock productivity. According to the results of the role of microfinance was non-productive due to the high cost of borrowing, small loan size, high feed cost and use of the loan in a non-productive term. According to the results microfinance productivity is negative due to small loan size and high cost of borrowing. While the productivity of borrowing amount for large farm size is positive which is three times greater as compared to small farm size. So results showed that the efficiency of production increase through large scale farming. Small loan size and high cost of borrowing is a basic cause of negative microfinance productivity. Small loan size is not benefited for investment because the loan amount is unable to meet the basic requirements at the farm level for the increase in productivity of livestock farming. The main reason for the high productivity of livestock financing in large farming is due to its economies of size. Replacement of dilapidated equipment with modern equipment is one way to increase productivity in an organization. Large loan size decreases the inefficiency in input costs. The major three factors of livestock productivity are the amount of interest rates, milk production and feed cost which are responsible to make efficient use of loan amount in its productivity. Productive capacity is a basic characteristic of large farm size and loan productivity depends on productive capacity.

Challenges of Poultry Farmers at Ejisu Municipality, Ghana

The objective of the study was to identify the main marketing challenges that confront poultry farmers in Ejisu Municipal in their attempt to sell poultry products. Data collection was by questionnaires and interviews and data collected was analysed by using descriptive statistics. The result showed that marketing strategies employed include sales promotion, branding and personal selling. Marketing channels include local market and retail shops. The main challenges faced by the farmers included high cost of feed and medicine. Based on the result it can be concluded that the farmers used limited market channels and sales promotion strategies. The key challenges faced by the farmers are the high cost of farm inputs. It is therefore recommended that farmers in the study area should intensify the use of the other marketing strategies such as free delivery service and/or door-to-door sales to organisations and institutions. In addition, government should subsidize poultry farm inputs for farmers.

PENGARUH PEMBERIAN PAKAN ALTERNATIF LIMBAH IKAN ASIN DAN TEPUNG KEDELAI TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN IKAN LELE DUMBO (Clarias gariepinus)

The production sector of Clarias gariepinus every year has increased. One obstacle to the cultivation of Clarias gariepinus is the high cost of commercial feed. This study aims to determine the effect of alternative feeding of salted fish waste and soy flour to the growth of Clarias gariepinus . This research was conducted in December 2018 - January 2019. The parameters observed in this study were the length and weight of Clarias gariepinus . The study was conducted using the Rancangan Acak Lengkap (RAL) method using 6 treatments, one of which was as a control and was repeated three times. The results of this study indicate the effect of alternative feeding on the growth of Clarias gariepinus . The best feed was in P2 treatment with a concentration of 75% salted fish meal flour and 25% soy flour, with an absolute length of 5.33 cm, weight of 7.66 grams and the lowest conversion value was 141.

Analysis of the Resource Management Ability by Catfish Farmers in Nigeria: A Case of Ogbaru Local Government Area, Anambra State

The study was on the analysis of the resource management ability by catfish farmers in Nigeria: A case of Ogbaru Local Government Area, Anambra State. The study focused on the five objectives which investigated the socioeconomic characteristics, costs and net returns, production function, determinants of the returns, resource use efficiency of the farmers, and the challenges facing fish farmers. Data for the study was collected from a cross-section of 240 randomly selected catfish farmers using a well-structured questionnaire and facial interview. The study was able to reveal that male (72.1%) farmers dominated the industry. The study recorded an average age, household size, level of education, farming experience, and output as 46 years, 11 people, 11 years, 13 years and 5.297 tons respectively. Fish farming was profitable with a net returns of 5,057.02 USD and returns on investment of 1.82 implying 1.82 USD returns upon every USD investment. The double-log was the lead functional form for the production functions, pond size (2.64)**, utilities (1.99)**, fingerlings (2.92)***, fertilizer (-1.97)**, and labour (-3.31)*** were the significant production factors. The ratio of Marginal Value Product (MVP) to Marginal Factor Cost (MFC) was less than one for all the resources used apart from fingerlings cost which was greater than one. The relationship between net returns and socioeconomic variables, semi-log was the lead equation and sex, farming experience, level of education, household size, and primary occupation were the significant variables. Furthermore, the study identified the following grey areas inherent in fish farming in the area to include; high cost of feed among others.

Evaluation of agro-industrial by products as potential local feed for ruminant animals: volatile fatty acid and NH3 concentration, gas production and methane emission

Due to high cost of conventional feed, the use of agro-industrial by products has been widely known as alternative for animal feed. The aims of this experiment is to get information about the potency of agro-industrial by product in Aceh that can be utilized as feed for ruminant animals based on volatile fatty acid concentration, gas production and methane emission. Eight kinds of agro-industrial by product in Aceh from three different location products (sago residues, coconut meal, soybean-ketchup by product, coffee pulp, cacao pod, sago tree, corncob, and rice brand) were used in this study. Prior to analyses, all samples were dehydrated at the temperature of 60°C for 24 h, then crushed to pass a 1 mm sieve. Crushed samples were analysed to determine volatile fatty acid concentration, gas production and methane emission. Incubation was carried out in water bath with three replicates for 48 h with the temperature of 39°C. The production of gas was collected and periodically documented at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 36 and 48 h after incubation by using a syiringe. The VFA production from agro-industrial by products in this study was not significantly different (P>0.05) from one by-products and others from 83±2.26 mmol/l for cacao pod to 123 ±16.1 mmol/l for coffee pulp. The production of NH3 was with the range of 5.72 mmol/l to 15.71 mmol/l for for sago trees and coconut meal respectively. Total gas production from agro-industrial by products was 69.90 ml g/DM to 210.40 ml g/DM with methane gas production in the range of 33,88 – 35.18 ml/g DM after agro-industrial by products were incubated for 48 h. In conclusion, based on the fermentation parameters in this study, local agro-industrial by products in Aceh Province can be utilized as sources of alternative animal feed as replacement of conventional. Based on fermentation parameters measured in this study (VFA, NH3, gas production total) were still in optimal range for fermentation process in animal production

Comparative Study of Socio Economic Status and Constraints Faced by Members and Non-Members Milk Producers of Dairy Cooperatives in Rajasthan

The present study conducted in four milk union/ district of Rajasthan. The total sample size of milk producers of dairy cooperative society (DCS) and Non-member dairy cooperative society (NDCS) in the State was 240. All the related primary data were collected during year 2017-18. About 80 per cent selected house hold belongs to other backward class. The operational land holding of DCS member have higher than NDCS i.e. 5.19 ha. of DCS and 4.17 ha. of NDCS. The low milk production yield and unavailability of feed and fodder throughout year were major constraint faced by DCS household. In NDCS category also faced some other constraint like unavailability of vaccine and veterinary service. In concerns of economics constraints, majority of the dairy farmers faced high cost of feed and fodder, veterinary service and price offer of milk offer and lack of loan facility. Regarding marketing constraints, few were faced less knowledge about marketing strategies and lack of facility less advance payment for milk. Regarding technical constraints, most of the respondents, opined to have inadequate guidance of AI, feeding and health care of animal, high genetic merit bull as their constraint. The lack of purchasing power is serious social constraint followed by lower socio economic condition faced by NDCS.There is needed to make greater efforts to educate and assist the milk producers in respect to latest breeding, feeding and animal management technique.

Review on Dairy Production System, Constraints and Opportunities in Ethiopia

The objective of this paper was aimed to compile dairy cattle production system, main constraints and existing opportunities in Ethiopia. Based on their location the main milk production systems are namely as rural milk production, peri-urban and urban milk productions. Ethiopia has potential for dairy cattle production mainly to the reason of suitable environment and high cattle number that contains 59.5 million cattle populations. Even though Ethiopia has large dairy cattle population and favorable climatic conditions, self-sufficiency in milk production is low. The main constraints that affect milk production capacity of dairy cattle in Ethiopia includes feed shortage in terms of quality and quantity, high feed cost, land shortage and space limitation for farming of improved forage, insufficient veterinary services, diseases, water shortage, lack of market information, absence of improved breed in most parts of the country, poor artificial insemination service, lack of milk processing facilities, poor milk production potentials of local dairy cows, poor management of animals, adulteration, waste disposal, lack of market-oriented production. So, to solve the above-mentioned problems, it is very important to introduce improved forage, increase AI utilization efficiency, and improve the current condition of veterinary services. The finding of different authors conducted in different parts of the country indicated that the existence of large population of milk cows and diverse dairy animal’s genetic resources, fast growing population, change in living standard and income growth of people, rabid urbanization, growing demand and indigenous knowledge in the preservation of milk and milk products, availability of trained manpower, existence of research institutions and technologies, existence of service providers such as veterinary health and artificial insemination centers, development of infrastructural sector like road access, water supply, communication activities were the key opportunities to dairy production. Generally, the review highlighted that even dairy sector constrained by many factors there are still ample opportunities for dairying. Therefore, coordinated activities must be done by respective bodies to minimize the identified constraints which hinder dairy development.

PSI-37 Comparative evaluation of growth parameters in pure and hybrid African catfishes

Abstract Aquaculture assist in bridging the wide gap by meeting demands for fish and provision of less expensive animal protein in Nigeria. Clarias gariepinus and Heterobranchus bidorsalis are generally acceptable important species of catfish, and highly priced because of their high biological values in terms of protein retention, assimilation and low cholesterol content, necessitating the need to evaluate their potentials. Fingerlings of Clarias gariepinus (purebreed) and Clariabranchus (hybrid) were grouped according to their weights, assigned to two tanks each and fed 5% of their body weight daily. Measurements of body weight (g), total length (cm) and standard length (cm) were taken weekly on each fish. At the commencement of the experiment, there were 281 fishes comprising 150 purebreed and 131 hybrid. By the end of the study (21 days), some died or were outliers and a total of 224 fishes comprising 108 purebreed and 116 hybrid were finally evaluated. Indices computed included Length-Weight Relationship (LWR), Fulton’s Condition Factor (K), Absolute Growth Rate (AGR), Specific Growth Rate (SGR), Relative Growth Rate (RGR) and Mean Growth Rate (MGR). The coefficient of the LWR was respectively 2.42 and 2.82 for the pure breed and hybrids. Effect of breed was highly significant (P < 0.01) on all variables studied and the hybrid consistently outperformed the pure breed except in exception of condition factor which is a measure of wellness of the fish (Table 1). The superiority of the hybrid in all variables studied except condition factor, is indicative of its potential as a better feed converter, thus it is more efficient in feed utilization, and it is recommended for commercial fish producers for maximum yield and higher profit. The study provides a veritable platform for further research on the potentials of interspecific hybridization with a view to minimizing production cost engendered by high cost of feed.

Productive and economic response to concentrate supplementation by grazing dairy cows at high stocking

Small-scale dairy systems contribute to ameliorate rural poverty and to local milk supply. Their sustainability is limited by high feeding costs, mainly from purchased concentrates (CC); whereas a higher reliance on quality forage may improve profitability; but high stocking rates may justify high CC use. The objective of this work was to assess the productive and economic response by grazing dairy cows to levels of CC under grazing of ryegrass–white clover pastures under high stocking rate (4 cows/ha). Six Holstein milking cows were replicated assigned 3 X 3 Latin Square arrangements. Daily milk yield and composition were recorded, and feed intake estimated from utilised metabolizable energy. Treatments were: T1= 1.0 kg T6= 3.0 kg and T6= 6.0 kg concentrate/cow/d. There were significant differences (P<0.05) for milk yield, with T6 having higher yields than T1 and T3. There were no significant differences in milk protein or fat content among treatments (P>0.05). Herbage intake was significantly (P<0.05) lower in T6, with no differences (P>0.05) between T1 and T3. There were no differences in margins over feeding costs, but feeding cost per kg of milk was 2.2 times higher in T6 compared to T1, and margin per kilo of milk was 26 % higher in T1 than T6. Although milk yields are higher with T6, T1 and T3 require less expenditures and margins are similar. Supplementation may alleviate high grazing pressure that deteriorates pastures, ensuring the long-term sustainability of small-scale dairy farming systems.

Extreme bradycardia and tachycardia in the world’s largest animal

The biology of the blue whale has long fascinated physiologists because of the animal's extreme size. Despite high energetic demands from a large body, low mass-specific metabolic rates are likely powered by low heart rates. Diving bradycardia should slow blood oxygen depletion and enhance dive time available for foraging at depth. However, blue whales exhibit a high-cost feeding mechanism, lunge feeding, whereby large volumes of prey-laden water are intermittently engulfed and filtered during dives. This paradox of such a large, slowly beating heart and the high cost of lunge feeding represents a unique test of our understanding of cardiac function, hemodynamics, and physiological limits to body size. Here, we used an electrocardiogram (ECG)-depth recorder tag to measure blue whale heart rates during foraging dives as deep as 184 m and as long as 16.5 min. Heart rates during dives were typically 4 to 8 beats min-1 (bpm) and as low as 2 bpm, while after-dive surface heart rates were 25 to 37 bpm, near the estimated maximum heart rate possible. Despite extreme bradycardia, we recorded a 2.5-fold increase above diving heart rate minima during the powered ascent phase of feeding lunges followed by a gradual decrease of heart rate during the prolonged glide as engulfed water is filtered. These heart rate dynamics explain the unique hemodynamic design in rorqual whales consisting of a large-diameter, highly compliant, elastic aortic arch that allows the aorta to accommodate blood ejected by the heart and maintain blood flow during the long and variable pauses between heartbeats.

Utilization of Kepok Banana Peel Using Fermentation Technology as Sheep Feed in Medan Tuntungan Sub District

The cost of feed is the highest expenditure on animal husbandry management. One solution to reduce the high cost of feed is by utilizing local feed ingredients or abundant horticulture waste. Waste from bananas namely banana peel can be used as small ruminant animal feed so that feed efficiency can be achieved both in terms of cost, nutrition and feed formulation. Abundant banana skin waste that has not been used optimally so that it is feared can cause environmental pollution. To prevent the accumulation of horticultural waste, one of which is by giving cattle as feed used in the dry season. The method used in the first community service program is to approach, interview and deepen problems and find solutions to problems later. Secondly, learning methods by using teaching media in the form of a book of community service activities and ways of fermented kepok banana peels, giving brochures or leaflets and demonstration using media aids and banners that attract farmers' interests. The results that have been achieved have shown that increasing farmers' knowledge and income related to fermentation technology as animal feed by utilizing agricultural waste

Effects of replacing fish oil with palm oil in diets of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) on muscle biochemical composition, enzyme activities, and mRNA expression of growth-related genes

BackgroundDue to the continuous demand for fish coupled with decline in capture fisheries, there is the need to increase aquaculture production to meet the demand. Aquaculture is faced with high cost of feeding since fish oil and fish meal are expensive. In view of this, there are calls to explore alternatives that are cheap and reliable.ObjectivesThis study on Oreochromis niloticus was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing fish oil (FO) with palm oil (PO) at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% on muscle fatty acid and proximate composition as well as growth-related enzyme activities and mRNA expression.MethodsOreochromis niloticus were fed five experimental diets (33% crude protein and 10% crude lipid) for 8 weeks. Feed had variation in fish oil and palm oil contents. After the 8 weeks feeding trial, five fish were sampled from each tank (15 from each treatment) and euthanized using an excess dose of tricaine methane sulfonate (MS-222 at 200 mg/L). Fatty acid and enzyme activities were analyzed using standard protocols. Also, RT-qPCR was used to quantify the expression levels of selected growth-related genes.ResultsFish fed 25% PO recorded the least muscle protein content and was significantly lower than the group fed 100% PO. Paired box protein 7 (Pax-7) enzyme activity was significantly higher in the group fed 50% PO compared to the groups fed 25% PO and 100% PO, while caplain-3 (Capn-3) was significantly lower in the group fed 0% PO compared to all other groups. There was a significant difference among treatments with respect to mRNA expression of Pax-7 and Capn-3. Group fed 25% PO had significantly lower mRNA expression of Pax-7, while the group fed 75% PO recorded significantly higher mRNA expression of Capn-3 compared to groups fed 0% PO, 25% PO, and 100% PO. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed that Igf-I and Igf-II mRNA expression have significant correlation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids content in muscle.ConclusionThe results suggest muscle protein content could be modified if FO is replaced with PO. Also, mRNA expression of Pax-7 and Capn-3 is affected by replacing FO with PO.

Effects of the walnut Plukenetia conophora shell in the diet on the growth performance and genotoxicity of the African catfish Clarias gariepinus

Aquaculture industry is facing challenges of the high cost of fish feed, and therefore it is very crucial to explore the alternative raw materials for feed formulation at the lowest cost. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Plukenetia conophora shells on the growth, haematological and biochemical parameters, and its genotoxicity on African catfish Clarias gariepinus juveniles. Five experimental diets were formulated having three replicates at 0% (0WS), 25% (25WS), 50% (50WS), 75% (75WS) and 100% (100WS) inclusion of walnut shell respectively. The fishes were fed on experimental diet two time a day for 12 weeks. The results showed that the fish in tank 25WS had the best weight gain with the mean of 33.5±5.8 g and the least was recorded in tank 100WS. The specific growth rate was highest in-tank 75WS with the mean value of 0.46±0.05 g was recorded. The highest feed intake was found in fish fed with 25% inclusion of P. conophora. The fish fed with P. conophorashowed increased values of haemoglobin, (12.05±1.63g/dL), Red blood cell, (2.785±0.28µL) and White blood cell, (11.25±4.59µL) compared with control diet values of fish fed of Red blood cell, (1.81±1.54µL) and White blood cell, (5.15±6.57µL). There was a reduction in the haematological value of the fish fed with control feed having Haemoglobin, (10.75±8.13g/dL). The genotoxicity test that was carried out showed that the highest counts of micronucleus were in tank 75WS. The Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) shows a significant difference (p0.05) in the growth performance of the fish. It is concluded that inclusion of 50% P. conophora shells in the feed of C. gariepinus gave no negative impact on the health status and growth performance of the fish. Keywords: Toxicity test, Growth indices, Plukenetia conophora, Clarias gariepinus

Influence of multi-enzyme preparation supplemented with sodium butyrate on growth performance blood profiles and economic benefit of growing rabbits.

The present study was carried out to explore the impacts of dietary supplementation of enzyme mixture with sodium butyrate on the growth performance, carcass traits, blood profile and economic benefit in two breeds of weanling rabbits adapted to survive in Egypt (New Zealand White and Rex). One-hundred and twenty weaned male rabbits (New Zealand White and Rex) of 6weeks of age and 770.5±20g body weight were allotted randomly into four groups in a factorial arrangement. The obtained results indicated that there were non-significant differences in all growth performance traits, blood profile and economic parameters due to the breed effect. However, there were significant differences in most of carcass traits due to the breed effect except total giblets and New Zealand White breed showed the highest value of these parameters including dressing % (p<.01), forequarter and loin % (p<.001) and hindquarter % (p<.003) compared with Rex breed counterparts. The effect of the treatment and its interaction with the breed significantly (p<.05) improved body weight gain, feed consumption and carcass traits (percentage of dressing, forequarter, hind quarter and lion). However, final body weight and feed conversion ratio were not significantly influenced. Supplementing a diet with treatment significantly decreased blood triglycerides, cholesterol and the ratio between albumin and globulin (A/G ratio), while increased blood total protein and globulin. Although higher feed cost and total costs in treated groups than control ones in each breed, they showed higher total return and net return. Rex non-treated rabbit breed showed the lowest profitability measures compared with other groups. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of multi-enzyme with sodium butyrate is highly recommended in growing rabbits due to their beneficial effects on the growth performance and profitability.

Economic analysis of fish production using different feed types practiced in Dhanusha district, Nepal

A study on the economic analysis of fish production using different feed types practiced in Dhanusha district was conducted in 2018. Out of 600 fish farmers, sixty fish farmers(10%) from the Fish Superzone region i.e. Janakpur sub-metropolitan city, Bideh municipality, Sahidnagar municipality, Kamala municipality, Hanspur municipality, Janaknandani rural municipality and Aaurahi rural municipality, selected using simple random sampling, were surveyed using semi-structured questionnaire. The study revealed that locally formulated mash feed was commonly used feed type in which rice bran and mustard oil cake (RB+MOC) was the principle feed ingredient. 55% of the farmers used rice bran and mustard oil cake (RB+MOC), 20% used rice bran, mustard oil cake and soybean (RB+MOC+SOB), 10% used rice bran, mustard oil cake and fish meal (RB+MOC+FM) and 15% farmers mineral and vitamin (RB+MOC+MIN/VIT) in their feed formulation. The productivity of the fish production in feed type RB+MOC+SOB (3.41±1.02) was significantly higher than other feed type. The total variable cost per ha (5.23±2.11) was found significantly(p&lt;0.05) higher in feed type RB+MOC+SOB. Similarly, gross margin (4.44±2.74) received by farmers of feed type RB+MOC+SOB was also significantly high(p&lt;0.05). The Benefit: Cost (B:C) ratio of the study area was found to be 1.69, high being of feed type RB+MOC+SOB(1.84) compared to others. The feed type RB+MOC+SOB is seen as a economically profitable one in the study area because of the high productivity, profit and B:C ratio. High feed cost was the major problem followed by the unavailability of feed. Fish farming can be a profitable business in Dhanusha with large opportunity to increase the fish production with increasing protein sources in the feed used. Farmers should be provided sufficient information, trainings and be encouraged to incorporate the protein rich sources like soybean and fish meal in the feed prepared to increase the productivity and ultimately return.

Analysis of Fresh Catfish Marketing among Natural Fishpond Users in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria

The study analyzed fresh catfish marketing among natural fishpond users in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample size of 120 respondents and analyzed using mean score, frequency, percentage and enterprise budgeting. The result indicated that 49.2% of the respondents fell between the age of 25 and 40 years, 65.0% were females while more than half (63.3%) of the respondents were married. The mean household size of the respondents was 6.15 persons while 57.5% of them had household size of between 6 and 10 persons. Majority (67.5%) of the respondents had secondary school education while the majority (50.8%) of the marketers had 11–20 years of marketing experience. More so, majority (75.8%) of the marketers financed their business with their personal savings. On the costs and return analysis, the total revenue realized by the marketers was ₦3,998, 200 while net return on investment was 1.3. Majority (75.8%) of the marketers identified that the major distribution channel for fresh catfish in the area was from the suppliers to the retailers and then to the consumers. The marketers identified inadequate credit facility (x̄=3.00), inadequate fishpond (x̄=2.86), high cost of fish due to high cost of feed (x̄=2.81), unorganized market (x̄=2.75) and price instability (x̄=2.69) as the major constraints. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the government should make provisions for agricultural incentives such as short and long-term loans, with a single digit interest rate for the marketers.

INFLUENCE OF INTERCROPPING MAIZE WITH CLIMBING BEAN ON FORAGE YIELD AND QUALITY

Maize forage is poor in protein content which shows its low quality and nutritive value. Regarding to high feed costs of protein supplementations, legumes can be used in livestock nutrition for their high protein content and, thus, providing cost savings. Since legumes have low dry matter yield, acceptable forage yield and quality can obtained from intercropping cereals and legumes compared with their sole crops. In this study, maize (Zea mays L.) and climbing bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were intercropped in different sowing densities and their monocropping equivalents were tested to determine the best intercropping system on forage yield and quality. Maize was cultivated alone (75 000 plants ha-1) and intercropped with bean as follows: 75 000 plants ha-1 of maize and 37 500 plants ha-1 of bean (MB1), 75 000 plants ha-1 of maize and 50 000 plants ha-1 of bean (MB2) and 75 000 plants ha-1 of maize and 75 000 plants ha-1 of bean (MB3), in rows alternating with maize. The highest dry matter yield was produced by MB3 (20.9 t ha-1), and the lowest by maize (16.9 t ha-1). All intercropped systems had higher crude protein contents, MB1 (92 g kg-1 DM), MB2 (99 g kg-1 DM) and MB3 (110 g kg-1 DM), than the maize (77 g kg-1 DM). Intercropping of maize with bean reduced neutral and acid detergent fiber, resulting in increased forage digestibility. Therefore, maize intercropping with bean could substantially increase forage quantity and quality, and decrease requirements for protein supplements as compared with maize.

Socio-economic Profile and Adoption of Recommended Milking Practices among Small Dairy Farmers of Meenangadi Gram Panchayat of Wayanad District of Kerala

The study was conducted in Meenangadi panchayat of Wayanad, Kerala. Agriculture was primary occupation for majority of the respondents (44 percent). 38 percentage of the respondents were utilising the facilities provided by the animal husbandry department of the state. According to the perception of 72 percent of the respondents, the most important constraint in dairy farming was the non-availability of fodder followed by responses that indicated the next deterrent to be the high cost of cattle feed (60 percent). A total of fourteen clean milking practices were analysed and adoption of milking practices were calculated by using adoption index. Majority of the respondents were found to be medium adopters.

Adoption of sea cage farming of cobia (Rachycentron canadum) by fishermen self-help groups as a diversified livelihood option: A success story from Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu

The ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI) is the pioneer in developing the technology for cage fish farming in India . Cobia (Rachycentron canadum) grows relatively fast in cages and is very much suited for carrying out small scale mariculture to meet the alternate livelihood needs of fisher-folk. Mandapam Regional Centre of ICAR-CMFRI has developed the technology for breeding, seed production and farming of cobia in cages and organised training, and frontline/participatory demonstration programmes which have aided in creating awareness about the techno-economic viability of cage farming among the fisherfolk in Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu. A survey was taken up among a sample of 75 members of fisher self help groups (SHGs) who had adopted cage farming of cobia, inorder to assess their perception and attributes about the technology as well as the constraints faced by them. The study found that fast growth rate of cobia, shorter culture period, good farm gate price, high market demand, ease of farming near the seashore and seed availability were the important attributes which attracted the fishermen groups to take up the farming. The innovations introduced by the fishers in cage farming technology were also documented. Majority of the fishers stated, non-availability of seed during peak stocking season, high cost of pellet feed, fluctuating cost of low value fishes which are used as feed for cobia and poaching as major constraints in cage farming.

Leucaena feeding systems in Myanmar

Keynote paper presented at the International Leucaena Conference, 1‒3 November 2018, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.Agriculture and livestock provide the main source of income for farmers in Myanmar. As feeds with low nutritive value and digestibility are traditionally used for animal feed, alternative feed sources of better quality are needed to improve production levels. While concentrates can be used to improve the quality of diets, this leads to high feed costs. To solve this problem, researchers in Myanmar conducted trials to replace some concentrates with leucaena. The nutritive value of leucaena in Myanmar is relatively the same as found in other countries. Control of leucaena toxicity was also studied in Myanmar by isolating mimosine-degrading bacteria and managing the feeding of leucaena. While farmers in Myanmar are aware that leucaena can be fed to livestock and can be toxic to animals, they have limited knowledge of the real benefits of leucaena as a feed for animals. Research to demonstrate the potential of leucaena feeding to animals in Myanmar and efforts to promote establishment of leucaena stands are urgently needed.