Important Feed Resource Research Articles

Crossbreed Dairy Cow Production, Feeding and Management practice at Gidole Town, south Ethiopia

The study aimed to evaluate the production, feeding, and management techniques of Holstein Friesian (HF) crossbred dairy cows at Gidole town, south Ethiopia. Cross-sectional survey involving 60 households selected through systematic random sampling from a total of 150 households with crossbred HF dairy cows in the town. Chemical compositional analysis performed on key feed items collected from the study households. Data analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software. Average daily milk yield was 7.29±0.22 liters, while average lactation milk yield was 1727.73±9.57 liters. The average lactation length was 7.9±1.45 months. While 53.3% of households possessed crossbreed cows with a blood level of 50%, 43.3% had cows with a blood level of 50-75% and 3.3% had cows with a blood level beyond 75%. Crop residue, improved forages (desho, Guatemala, and elephant grass), enset, atella, and salt were the most important cattle feed resources. In the non-conventional diet, atella has the highest crude protein (CP) content (29.24%), followed by elephant grass (18.44%) and teff straw (6.34%). Despite its importance, feed availability remains a challenge in terms of both quality and quantity. To address this, the study recommends strong extension efforts focused on: promoting the use of concentrate feed, developing and utilizing improved forage options and treating crop residues to enhance their quality.
 Keywords: Crossbred dairy cow, Gidole, feed, feeding practices, milk production

English

Despite pigeon pea being an important feed resource globally, very few reports have studied the application of bacterial agents in pigeon pea silage, thereby limiting the development and utilization of pigeon pea silage in animal husbandry. This study aimed to investigate how three bacterial agents affected the chemical composition, fermentation quality, and microbial community of the pigeon pea silage. Chopped pigeon pea was subject to the following treatments: Control [no additive], MFA [Bacillus, Lactobacillus, yeast; 5 g·kg-1 fresh weight (FW)], HECBEP [Bacillus, lactobacillus, yeast, enzymes; 1 g·kg-1 FW] and BFFA [Bacillus, Lactobacillus, yeast; 4 g·kg-1 FW]. After analyzing the chemical composition, fermentation quality, and microbial community of the silage post 30 days of ensiling, the bacterial agents were found to improve the quality of pigeon pea silage. Notably, the BFFA group showed higher dry matter (DM) content, lower pH, and the higher ratio of ammonia nitrogen·total nitrogen-1 (AN·TN-1 ) contents as compared to the MFA, HECBEP, and control group. Additionally, the microbial analysis and Spearman correlation analysis demonstrated that the application of bacteria agent BFFA increased the microbial community richness, Lactobacillus abundance, Firmicutes abundance, and decreased the Proteobacteria abundance. Therefore, these results suggest that bacterial agent BFFA could be recommended to be applied in pigeon pea for high-quality silage production.

First Report of Brown Leaf Spot of Elymus nutans Caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana in Northwestern China.

Elymus nutans is an important feed and forage resource in alpine region of northwestern China, and helps to maintain the ecological balance on Qinghai-Tibetan plateau (Fei et al. 2010). In September 2021, brown leaf spots were observed in Shandan Horse Farm (38.3061°N, 101.2453°E), Gansu province of China.Disease severity of leaves was estimated to be 38% based on a random sample of 100 leaves from each of 10 arbitrarily placed quadrats on the farm.The typical symptoms on leaves appeared as brown to dark brown spots with grayish white in the center, surrounded by a yellow halo. A total of twenty diseased leaves were collected from five different plants in the field. The lesions (about 5 mm) from these samples were initially soaked in 75% ethanol for 30 s followed by soaking in 1% NaClO solution for 1 min, repeatedly rinsed with sterilized water, air dried, and put on potato dextrose agar (PDA). After 7 days of incubation at 25°C in the dark, the same fungus was consistently isolated; the pure isolates were obtained by single-spore cultures (Cai et al. 2009). The colonies were irregular in shape and black in color with white margins. Conidia were spindle-shaped, dark brown, 5 to 9 septa (7 septa in general), and a size range of 21.74 to 78.97 × 7.95 to 21.12 µm (avg. 57.25 × 17.76 µm, n = 50),morphologically similar to B. sorokiniana reported on Avena nuda in China (Li et al. 2019). The ITS region of rDNA and partial glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) gene of the representative isolate PJC5 were amplified using the primers ITS1/ITS4 and gpd1/gpd2, respectively (Manamgoda et al. 2014). After sequencing sequences were deposited into GenBank with accession numbers OM419194 (ITS) and OM718009 (GAPDH). BLAST analysis showed 99% and 100% identity with the corresponding sequences (accession numbers MH855159.1 and HG779088.1) of known strain CBS 140.31 of B. sorokiniana (Manamgoda et al. 2014). For pathogenicity tests, ten 8-week-old healthy plants obtained by growing E. nutans in pots were spray-inoculated separately with a conidia suspension of 1 × 106 conidia/ml of isolate PJC5. Ten plants were also sprayed with sterilized distilled water as controls. Then all plants were individually covered with transparent polyethylene bags for three days to maintain high relative humidity and placed in greenhouse at 25°C. Seven days after inoculation, symptoms of leaf infection were similar to those observed in the field, while no symptoms appeared on leaves of control plants. The experiments were conducted three times and the pathogen was re-isolated from inoculated leaves and was confirmed as B. sorokiniana based on morphological and molecular analyses.B. sorokiniana has been reported to cause leaf spot of E. riparius in the United States (Roane et al. 2005) and E. breviaristatus (Zhuang, 2005) and A. nuda (Li et al. 2019) in China. To our knowledge, this is thefirstreportofB.sorokinianacausing leaf spot onE. nutansin China. Identifying this pathogen provides a foundation to prevent this complex disease and to reduce economic loss.

Exploring the Effects of Different Bacteria Additives on Fermentation Quality, Microbial Community and In Vitro Gas Production of Forage Oat Silage.

Simple SummaryForage oat is an important feed resource in the world. Few studies on the application of different bacterial additives in forage oat silage have been found, which limits the utilization and promotion of oat silage in animal husbandry. In this study, we compared the fermentation quality and in vitro gas production of oat silage treated with four additives (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum F1,LP; Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus XJJ01, LR; Lacticaseibacillus paracasei XJJ02, LC; and Propionibacterium acidipropionici 1.1161, PP). The results show that compared to the CK group (without additives), the LR group had a higher dry matter content, while the LP group showed an improvement in fermentation quality. At the same time, the bacterial community in the LR group was also different from that in other groups. The treatments of PP and LC had no significant effects on fermentation quality, but the in vitro gas production was significantly reduced in the treated oat silage. These results could help us to optimize the utilization of forage oat silage in balanced ruminant diets.Bacterial inoculants are considered as a good choice for successful ensiling, playing a key role in improving the silage quality. However, the potential of different bacteria, especially the propionic acid bacteria, in forage oat ensiling is yet to be explored. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the regulation effects of different bacterial additives on the fermentation quality of forage oat silage. Four additives (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum F1, LP; Lacticaseibacillus 0rhamnosus XJJ01, LR; Lacticaseibacillus paracasei XJJ02, LC; and Propionibacterium acidipropionici 1.1161, PP; without additives, CK) were inoculated in forage oat silage, and the fermentation quality and organic compounds were determined after 60 days of ensiling. Notably, LR showed higher dry matter preservation compared to other additives and CK. In addition, LP and LR showed strong lactic acid synthesis capacity, resulting in lower pH compared to other additives and CK. The treatments of PP and LC increased the bacterial diversity in silage, while the bacterial community in the LR group was different from that in other groups. In addition, the PP- and LC-treated oat silage showed significantly lower total in vitro gas production and a lower methane content. These results suggest that LP is more favorable for producing high-quality oat silage than LR, LC, or PP. Both the PP- and LC- treated oat silage may reduce rumen greenhouse gas emissions.

Weight gain and enteric methane production of cattle fed on tropical grasses

Context Planted grasses are becoming an increasingly important feed resource for tropical smallholder ruminant production; yet, limited research has been conducted to quantify productivity or enteric methane (CH4) production of animals consuming these grasses. Aim An experiment was conducted to assess yields and nutritional attributes of the following three tropical grasses: Cenchrus purpureus var. Kakamega 1 (Napier), Chloris gayana var. Boma (Rhodes) and Urochloa brizantha var. Xaeres (Brachiaria), and quantify enteric CH4 production of cattle fed on them. Methods Yearling Boran steers (n:18; initial liveweight 216 ± 5.8 kg (mean ± s.e.m.) were allocated to one of three grasses, in a completely randomised design and fed ad libitum for two feeding periods, each period lasting for 70 days. Intake, liveweight (LW), apparent total-tract digestibility and enteric CH4 production were assessed. The grasses used were grown on site and biomass yields were monitored over a 2-year period. Animal growth was also simulated to a final weight of 350 kg, and the amount of feed and size of land required to produce, and days to reach final weight, were estimated. Key results Mean voluntary dry-matter intake (DMI) and ADG were higher (P < 0.05) in Period 2 than in Period 1, but did not differ among treatments (P > 0.05) within period. Methane yield (MY; CH4 g/DMI kg) was similar among treatments (26.7–28.5, P = 0.26) but Napier had a higher CH4 conversion factor [Ym; CH4 (MJ)/gross energy intake (MJ)] than did Rhodes and Brachiaria (0.0987 vs 0.0873 and 0.0903 respectively; P = 0.013). Our modelling indicated that steers consuming Rhodes took at least 30 more days to reach the target LW, required larger land area for feed production and produced more enteric CH4 than did the other two diets. Conclusion Even though animal performance and MY among treatments did not differ, the animals had higher MY and Ym than currently estimated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Implication The three grasses supported similar animal growth rate, implying that growing of higher-yielding grasses such as Napier offers an opportunity to optimise land productivity in the tropics. However, suitable feeding practices such as protein supplementation need to be explored to enhance ruminant production and reduce enteric CH4 production.

Livestock feed resources in the West African Sahel.

Limited supply of quality feed is the most important factor limiting livestock productivity in many sub‐Saharan African (SSA) countries. Having a systematic inventory of available feed resources, identifying main challenges and potentials for improvement is the first step towards designing development strategies to improve feed quality and quantity. The objective of this study was to review the available feed resources and their quality in West African Sahel across different agro‐ecological zones and to identify the research gaps and strategies to improve feed resource availability. The West African Sahelian zone is home to 135 million people who herd 173 million head of ruminant livestock. The main feed resources for grazing ruminants are pastures and crop residues; commercially formulated feeds are increasingly being used in poultry and pig production, particularly in peri‐urban areas. Feed resources for livestock are diverse and vary markedly across agro‐ecological zones in the West African Sahel and across seasons in terms of type, quantity, and quality. Given that crop residues are among the most important feed resources, there is need to invest in promoting adoption of proven methods for improving their quality and preserving it. Given poorly developed feed markets in the Sahelian rural areas and cities, strengthening the feed value chain is critical for improving the feed resource base in West Africa. Additional critically important needs are to increase awareness about the importance of feed quality, to create quality‐based feed marketing systems, and to appreciate and enhance women's roles in feed production.

Stewardship of Wild and Farmed Edible Insects as Food and Feed in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Perspective.

Edible insects have gained popularity as alternative food resources in the face of climate change and increasing carbon and environmental footprints associated with conventional agricultural production. Among the positive attributes that make edible insects suitable as food and feed substrates include rapid reproduction, high energy conversion efficiency, wide distribution, diversity, reduced greenhouses gases and ammonia emissions, possibility to reduce waste and high nutritional composition. In Sub-Saharan Africa, considerable scientific data exist on use of insects as food and livestock feed. However, coherent policies regarding safety, sustainability, trade and regulation of insects as food and animal feed are lacking. The benefits associated with edible insects are likely to accrue in Sub-Saharan Africa through use of a combination of approaches such as ensured sustainable utilization of edible insects in the wild, preservation of traditional conservation, harvesting and consumption practices, development of captive mass production schemes and strengthening robust value chains to incentivise indigenous participants. Collectively these approaches are referred to as the steward and use of insects as food and animal feed. This paper examines the policy frameworks that exist to support the use of edible insects as food and feed on the African continent. This investigation employed a literature review focussing on national policies in selected African countries to assess the relevance to edible insects. Using a baseline of more than 10 edible insect species consumed, 10 country cases in Sub-Saharan Africa were used to support our in-depth examination of the policy situation that may support good stewardship of edible insects as food and feed. Focus on how policies encompassing biodiversity, natural resources, culture, education, research, technology development, trade, health and nutrition and how that could be improved to support inclusivity of edible insects is discussed. We conclude by proposing a pathway that may accelerate recognition and valorisation of edible insects as important food and feed resources in Sub-Saharan Africa including improving policies to support good stewardship of these resources for sustainability.

Assessment of husbandry practice and egg production performance of indigenous chickens in urban and peri urban area of Guder town, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

The study was undertaken from May up to July 2020 in Guder town of Oromia regional state, Ethiopia. The aim of the study was to explore husbandry practices and egg production performance of indigenous chicken in the study area. A cross-sectional systematic random survey of 40 households was undertaken by using semi-structured and pre tested questionnaire. Information on management practices, production systems, egg production performances and constraints of indigenous chicken kept in Guder town was generated by semi-structured questionnaire. The primary data collected from house hold survey was processed and analyzed by using a statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 20.0 software. Descriptive statistics such as percentage, mean, ranking, standard deviation, and cross tabulation were used to analyze the data quantitatively. Data gathered through key informant interviews, focus group discussion and personal observation was analyzed qualitatively to strengthen data obtained from the household survey. Due to its small space and lower capital requirement sample household’s ranked chicken as the first important animals kept in the study area. The main purposes of keeping indigenous chicken in the study area were for home consumption followed by generation of income. The most important feed resources of indigenous chicken kept in the study area were feed obtained from scavenging, house hold wastes, the market left over, and industrial by products. Majority of the households accommodated their indigenous chicken in a separate house constructed for the confinement of the chicken. The higher mortality rate of indigenous chicken in the study area was caused by disease and predator. The most commonly happening and economically important disease in the study area was Newcastle. The commonly observed predators in the study area were cat and dog. Health and feed problems were the first and the second constraint of indigenous chicken production in the study area respectively. Therefore area based development involvement could help to increase the productivity of indigenous chicken and thereby improve the income of small holders.

Physicochemical properties and fatty acid profile of meat from lambs fed with a blend of spineless cactus and sugarcane

Context Cactus is an important feed resource, widely cultivated in the semi-arid Brazilian north-east owing to its resistance to drought, high production potential and high nutritional value. It is also an excellent source of energy. Therefore, its use in the diet of sheep should be optimised. Aims This study was designed to evaluate effects of different ratios of a spineless cactus (Nopalea cochenillifera) to sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) (Cac:Sug ratio) as source of dietary roughage on the physicochemical properties and fatty acid (FA) profile of meat from lambs. Methods Experimental treatments were diets with four Cac:Sug ratios (0:3, 1:2, 2:1 and 3:0) (477 g/kg as fed) in a complete randomised block design, using 36 uncastrated male lambs (Santa Ines breed) of average initial bodyweight 22.0 ± 2.3 kg housed in individual pens. Lambs were slaughtered after 100 days and meat samples (longissimus lumborum (LL) muscle) taken. Key results Cac:Sug ratio in the roughage of the diet did not influence (P > 0.05) moisture, protein, total lipid or ash contents, pH24h, expressed juice, cooking weight losses, shear force, or colour parameters of LL muscle. However, there was a linear increase in cholesterol (P = 0.013) concentration of the meat. Increasing Cac:Sug ratio in the diet did not affect (P > 0.05) the saturated FAs (SFAs) C10:0, C12:0, C14:0, C15:0, C16:0, C17:0 and C20:0; monounsaturated FAs (MUFAs) C14:1 n–5cis, C17:1 n–7cis and C20:1 n–9cis; polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs) C18:2 n–6cis, C18:3 n–6, C18:3 n–3, C20:2 n–6cis, C20:5 n–3cis (eicosapentaenoic acid) and C22:5 n–3 (docosapentaenoic acid); ∑n–6:∑n–3 ratio; or nutraceutical compounds. There was a linear decrease in Δ9-desaturases C16 (P = 0.042) and C18 (P < 0.001) with the increasing Cac:Sug ratio, and a quadratic decrease in C18:2 n–6trans concentration (P = 0.045). The ∑SFAs and ∑MUFAs of LL muscle tended to increase linearly with increasing Cac:Sug ratio. Conclusion Most of the physicochemical parameters of the meat of lambs were not changed by the Cac:Sug ratio in the diets. A diet containing up to 48% of DM as spineless cactus plus sugarcane in a 1:2 ratio was found to be satisfactory for finishing lambs. Implications Cac:Sug ratio up to 1:2 (spineless cactus 159 g and sugarcane 318 g/kg DM total diet) may be a useful feed strategy for lamb meat producers because improved lipid composition enriched with C18:0 and higher ∑PUFA:∑SFA ratio is considered healthy for human consumption without affecting most physical and chemical properties.

Nutrient value of wild fodder species and the implications for improving the diet of mithun (Bos frontalis) in Dulongjiang area, Yunnan Province, China

Wild fodder plants are valuable because they provide an important livestock feed resource globally, especially for smallholder farmers, and have important roles in natural resource management. In-depth knowledge of wild forage plants can motivate local people for feed resource and habitat conservation of threatened herbivores such as Mithun (Bos frontalis). Mithun occur in small patches in the mountains of Dulongjiang, nearby villagers domesticated this animal but left animal to freely graze in the mountains. Many fodder plants occur in these mountains, however, little is known about their nutritional value. We conducted an ethnobotanical survey to document important wild fodder plants consumed by mithun in the Dulongjiang Township. The nutritional content of 21 highly mentioned wild fodder plants in an ethnobotanical survey was examined. Laboratory analysis showed that Fagopyrum dibotrys were the fodder species with the highest crude protein (CP) content (26.89%), followed by Polygonum molle (21.88%) and Hydrangea longipes (21.12%). Synthesis of relative feed value index and grey relational grade, P. molle, H. longipes and Tetrastigma obtectum were ranked the top three nutritional fodders. There was a significant difference between 21 species on their in vitro digestibility and the most highly digestible fodder species was Elatostema hookerianum. Linear model analysis on relationship between frequency of citation of 21 wild forage plants by local farmers and their nutrient composition showed that the frequency was significantly positively correlated with the nutritional value of the feed (R2 = 0.28, P < 0.05). We concluded that these species have high nutritional values to improve mithun production in integrated crop-livestock systems. Fodder species or mixtures of species with useful nutritional characters could be cultivated to improve livestock productivity, habitat conservation including that of mithun and wild forage resource management.

Progress and Challenges in Ex Situ Conservation of Forage Germplasm: Grasses, Herbaceous Legumes and Fodder Trees.

Forages provide an important livestock feed resource globally, particularly for millions of smallholder farmers, and have important roles in natural resource management and carbon sequestration, reducing soil erosion and mitigating the effects of climate change. Forage germplasm remains the basis for the selection and development of new, higher-yielding and better adaptedgenotypes to meet the increasing demand for livestock feed. Rapid rates of genetic erosion of forage diversity due to land-use change from natural pastures and rangelands to crop production to meet the food security requirements of a growing global population, together with pressures from a changing climate, highlight the necessity for ex situ seed conservation of forage genetic resources to provide germplasm for use by future generations. Whilst many forage species have orthodox seeds, the diverse range of genera and species which provide forage is a challenge in terms of the wide scope of information and understanding on conservation methods that genebank managers require—particularly for tropical forages, many of which are comparatively under-researched. We review the challenges to the conservation of tropical forage species by seed in ex situ genebanks and provide information on optimum methods for their management.

Natural pastures as the most important feed resources

Distant pastures are an important reserve of livestock feed. The object of research is the territory of distant natural pastures of the Tunkinsky district of the Republic of Buryatia. The studies are carried out in accordance with the Guidelines for conducting scientific research on hayfields and pastures. In order to obtain a long-term economic effect in the Republic of Buryatia, it is necessary to observe the basic elements of rational grazing (grazing load, dates of beginning and end of grazing, compliance with optimal coefficients of phytomass disposal, etc.). The rich natural grasslands and sources of water supply significantly improve the taste of livestock products, and thus increase its competitiveness, while reducing feed costs.

Embracing whole plant optimization of rice and wheat to meet the growing demand for food and feed

Feed scarcity results in large yield gaps in livestock production in low- and middle-income countries (LMC)). In India, for example, the feed deficit in terms of digestible crude protein and total digestible nutrients is estimated to be 50 and 60%, respectively. Feed supply scenarios in India suggest that on a dry matter basis, crop residues (i.e., straws, stover, and haulms, the byproducts from grain production) contribute about 70% to feed resources. Crop residues are therefore the single most important feed resource in India, a scenario that likely holds good for many LMCs. Crop residues and crop byproduct-based feeding systems have the advantage of low direct and indirect food competing feed resourcing, since no or few grains (i.e. food) are fed to livestock and no land or water had to be exclusively allocated to feed production. Considering the importance of crop residues as feed resources, it comes as no surprise that many attempts to upgrade crop residues post-harvest by physical, chemical and biological treatments have been made. However, comparatively little uptake of these technologies has been observed. The lack of adoption of post-harvest approaches to improvement of crop residues gave way to a new research paradigm of targeted improvement of crop residues by plant breeding and selection at source. It was in the mid-nineties that the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) started to explore concomitant improvement of grain and crop residue traits as a major cross-CGIAR collaborative project. Initially more attention was given to typical rain-fed crops such as sorghum, pearl millet, groundnut and cowpea than to crops such as rice and wheat which are usually grown in irrigated areas such as the Indo-Gangetic Plains, Eastern Gangetic Plains and Southern India. In 2016 rice and wheat straw production potentially available as fodder was about 113 and 78 million tons respectively in India, contributing about 67% of all cereal straws and about 37% of the total feed metabolizable energy from straws. Using three scenarios, a 10% increase in rice and wheat straw yield (scenario 1), a 10% increase in rice and wheat straw metabolizable energy content (scenario 2) and a combination of the two (scenario 3) the paper estimates that at all India level an increase in yield (scenario 1) would add around 23 million tons while increase in the quality of the straw (scenario 2) would add additional 138 × 109 MJ ME and a combination of yield and quality increase (scenario 3) would add around 23 million tons and additional 291 × 109 MJ ME. Translated in terms of milk and meat production excluding the maintenance requirements the additional energy in scenario 1 or 2 would be equal to 27.6 million tons of milk or 9.2 million tons of mutton and the corresponding figures in scenario three would be 58.2 and 19.4 million tons, respectively. Hence, the opportunity lies with whole plant optimization which needs to be worked out by the plant and animal scientist together for mitigating the shortage of feed resources in LMCs.

Selection signature analysis reveals genes underlying sheep milking performance.

Sheep milk is the most important feed resource for newborn lambs and an important food resource for humans. Sheep milk production and ingredients are influenced by genetic and environmental factors. In this study, we implemented selection signature analysis using Illumina Ovine SNP50 BeadChip data of 78 meat Lacaune and 103 milk Lacaune sheep, which have similar genetic backgrounds, from the Sheep HapMap project to identify candidate genes related to ovine milk traits. Since different methods can detect different variation types and complement each other, we used a haplotype-based method (hapFLK) to implement selection signature analysis. The results revealed six selection signature regions showing signs of being selected (): chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 6, 13 and 18. In addition, 38 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) related to sheep milk performance were identified in selection signature regions, which contain 334 candidate genes. Of those, SUCNR1 (succinate receptor 1) and PPARGC1A (PPARG coactivator 1 alpha) may be the most significant genes that affect sheep milking performance, which supply a significant indication for future studies to investigate candidate genes that play an important role in milk production and quality.

Cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) utilization for rehabilitating rangelands in arid regions of Tunisia

Currently, rangelands contribute 10-25% of livestock feed requirements, compared to 65% in the 1960s, reflecting important rangeland degradation and loss. Direct factors responsible for the loss/degradation of rangelands include expansion of cultivated land, illicit wood collection, overgrazing contributing toward erosion, frequent droughts, inappropriate development of policies and regulations around resource utilization, and climate change. In light of this, a national strategy for rangeland rehabilitation was launched by the Tunisian Ministry of Agriculture in 1990, and included cultivating, among others, atriplex, acacia and spineless cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) shrubs on a large scale. This strategy was implemented by the Livestock and Rangeland Authority (OEP), focusing on private rangelands, with a contract established between OEP and farmers. The OEP provides the cactus pads and the equivalent of US$70 ha(‑1) as an incentive to cover costs related to planting. In addition, the OEP provides technical assistance to farmers. So far, the non-planted areas have produced 0.2-0.5 t dry matter (DM) ha(‑1) as feed, while herbaceous biomass has increased by 3000 kg DM ha(‑1). Feed biomass has also increased to 6-12 t DM ha(‑1), with other benefits including increased fruit production for self-consumption or sale, reduction of soil erosion, improvement of biodiversity, shelter for wildlife, and improved carbon sequestration. Because land cover, feed and water resources are low on Tunisian rangelands and other such dry areas, the cultivation of cactus presents an opportunity to restore degraded areas, while livestock production stands to benefit, as it is also an important feed resource during barren and dry periods.

Expression patterns and immunohistochemical analysis of ERK, HRAS and MEK1 proteins during ovarian prehierarchical follicular development in Zi geese (Anser cygnoides)

Although, Karanj (Pongamia glabra) cake is an important proteinaceous feed resource for livestock but the presence of toxic principles such as karanjin, pongamol and trypsin inhibitors in raw solvent extracted karanj cake restricts its comprehensive use as safe animal feed resources. In the present investigation solvent extracted raw karanj cake was subjected to in vitro studies by incorporation in the concentrate mixture at four graded levels replacing soy bean meal on protein equivalent basis (25, 50, 75 and 100%) in order to understand the rumen fermentation pattern. The inclusion of graded levels of solvent extracted raw karanj cake in the concentrate mixture replacing protein in SBM even at 100% resulted no significant difference in rumen in vitro fermentation pattern in terms of substrate degradation and gas volume produced in 24 h, truly degradable organic matter in rumen (TDOMR; mg/ 200mg), TDOMR%, microbial biomass production (MBP; mg/200mg), efficiency of microbial biomass production (MBP/100mg TDOMR) and partitioning factor (PF).

Growth responses of alfalfa (Medicago sativa (L.) as affected by gamma irradiation

Minimum availability of important feed resource for ruminant livestock was worldwide problem. Biotechnology like plant breeding is one of the problem solving to attain supplying forage. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of gamma rays irradiation on growth responses of alfalfa seeds for increasing genetic variety of alfalfa. Sample of alfalfa seeds, categorized by different doses level (0 Gy, 100 Gy, 200 Gy, 300 Gy, 400 Gy and 500 Gy), were irradiated by gamma rays. After irradiating, the seeds (n = 350 replicates) were planted and grown on the polybags filled the soil mixed compost up. In 30, 45 and 60 days, plant height, total stem and total leaf, were measured manually. Related to the amount of total values growth responses, after irradiated and grew, total plant height, total stem and total leaf was highest with dose 400 Gy, 200 Gy and 100 Gy (R2 = 0.99511, 0.99107, 0.99326). All of lowest responses were 500 Gy. It is concluded that, growth responses investigated, there are association between increasing rate of irradiation with alterations on growth responses. Increasing doses have impact on the decline in the responses of growth.

Determinants of rice by-products utilization as feed and their management in Ethiopia: the case of Fogera District

Asmare B, Yayeh Z. 2018. Determinants of rice by-products utilization as feed and their management in Ethiopia: the case of Fogera District. Asian J Agric 2: 1-7. The study was conducted with the objective to determine the status of farmers’ rice byproduct utilization as feed in Fogera district, northwestern Ethiopia. Eighty smallholder farmers were selected purposely based on livestock population and rice production access. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to select farmers systematically. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS descriptive statistical analysis. The result indicated that the majority of respondents in the study area were with the range from 31 to 50 years (55%). Education status of respondents showed that the majority of household heads were able to read and write (27.5%) followed by elementary school (26.25%) and high school (17.5%) completed. The main dry season feed in the majority of households (46.25%) was found to be grazing and crop residues. The majority (64.62%) of farmers used rice by-products as livestock feed, followed by both feed and house construction. Types of by-products used for animal feed by respondent’s elucidated majority (61.5%) used rice straw, considerable proportion (26.15%) rice bran and (12.30%) used both straw and bran for animal feed based on availability. The sources of rice by-products indicated for many of respondents (66.7%) was farm produced, 18.5% use purchased and 18.4% get rice by-products both from farm produced and purchasing for their animal feed. Type of animals fed rice byproducts including cattle in the case of majority of respondents (49.23%), cattle and equine, followed (24.62%), and all animals (13.85%), respectively. In livestock owners, rice by-products are fed to livestock as sole feed and mixed with other feeds, however, the majority (69.2%) of households provides sole followed by both sole and mixed with other feeds (16.9%). Many of the respondents (55%) apply drying followed by addition of salt water (22.5%) as method of improving the rice by-products. The main constraints observed in rice by-products utilization as feed were seasonal deficiency of by-products (25.5%) followed by lack of awareness (16.25%).Though these problems prevailed in the study area, rice by-products are being used as a major crop residue feed with little or no improvement applied. Generally, it can be included that rice by-products were found very important feed resources in the rice dominated farming system of Fogera district. To exploit these products properly, farmers need to be assisted through proper agricultural extension service and supply in the form of credit service. Moreover, further on detailed on-farm experimentation should be done to demonstrate better utilization of the products as livestock feed.

تأثیر اسید هیومیک، تراکم و آبیاری تکمیلی بر صفات کمی و کیفی نخود (Cicer arietinum L.) محلی نیشابور

مقدمه حبوبات از منابع مهم غذایی سرشار از پروتئین برای تغذیه انسان و دام هستند. دانه حبوبات با دارا بودن 32-18 درصد پروتئین در رژیم غذایی مردم به‌ویژه در تغذیه افراد کم‌درآمد، اهمیت بسیار دارند (Majnoun Hosseini, 2008). نایار و همکاران (Nayyar et al., 2006) معتقدند که زمان گل‌دهی و تشکیل غلاف حساس‌ترین مراحل دوران رشد گیاه نخود نسبت به خشکی می‌باشند و تنش خشکی در مرحله گل‌دهی با کاهش باروری گل‌ها باعث کاهش تعداد دانه در بوته می‌شود. گد و همکاران (Gad et al., 2012) گزارش دادند که با محلول‌پاشی اسید هیومیک عملکرد دانه، وزن 1000 دانه و درصد پروتئین دانه افزایش یافت. هدف از این بررسی تعیین اثر تراکم، آبیاری تکمیلی و اسید هیومیک بر صفات کمی و کیفی نخود محلی نیشابور بود. مواد و روش‌ها به‎‌منظور بررسی تأثیر اسید هیومیک، تراکم و آبیاری تکمیلی بر عملکرد، اجزای عملکرد دانه، درصد پروتئین و عملکرد پروتئین نخود محلی نیشابور، آزمایشی به‌صورت فا‌کتوریل در قالب طرح بلوک‌های کامل تصادفی با سه تکرار در مزرعه دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی نیشابور در سال زراعی 92- 1391 اجرا شد. عامل‌های موردبررسی مشتمل بر اسید هیومیک در دو سطح شامل عدم مصرف و مصرف اسید هیومیک، تراکم در سه سطح شامل 20، 30 و 40 بوته در مترمربع و آبیاری تکمیلی در سه سطح شامل عدم آبیاری، آبیاری در مرحله گلدهی و آبیاری در مرحله تشکیل غلاف بود. در این بررسی بذرها با دست کشت شدند. هر کرت شامل پنج خط با چهار متر طول، فاصله ردیف 25 سانتی‌متر، فاصله بوته روی ردیف 20، 13.3 و 10 سانتی‌متر بر توجه به تراکم 20، 30 و 40 بوته در متر مربع بود. برای تعیین تعداد غلاف در بوته، دانه در بوته، وزن دانه، عملکرد بوته و درصد پروتئین 10 بوته به‌طور تصادفی انتخاب شد. برای تعیین عملکرد دانه، دو ردیف حاشیه و 0.5 متر از دو طرف ردیف‌های وسط حذف و بقیه برداشت و در دمای 70 درجه سانتی‌گراد به‎مدت 48 ساعت در اون گذاشته شد و سپس توزین شد. برای تجزیه واریانس داده‌ها از نرم‌افزار SAS Ver. 9.1.3 و برای مقایسه میانگین‌ها از آزمون حداقل تفاوت معنی‌دار در سطح احتمال پنج درصد استفاده شد. یافته‌ها اثر اسید هیومیک و تراکم بر همه صفات به‌جز وزن 100 دانه و درصد پروتئین و اثر آبیاری تکمیلی بر همه صفات معنی‎دار شد. اثر متقابل اسید هیومیک × آبیاری تکمیلی بر تعداد غلاف در بوته، تعداد دانه در بوته، عملکرد بوته، عملکرد دانه و پروتئین در هکتار و اثر متقابل تراکم× آبیاری تکمیلی بر تعداد دانه در بوته و عملکرد بوته معنی‌دار به دست آمد. مصرف اسید هیومیکهمه صفات را افزایش داد. عملکرد دانه در تیمار مصرف و عدم مصرف اسید هیومیک به ترتیب 2234 و 1752 کیلوگرم در هکتار بود. افزایش تراکم اجزای عملکرد را کاهش اما عملکرد دانه و پروتئین را افزایش داد. عملکرد دانه و پروتئین در تراکم 40 بوته در مترمربع به ترتیب 2264 و 521.4 کیلوگرم در هکتار بود. آبیاری همه صفات به‌جز درصد پروتئین را افزایش داد. عملکرد دانه در تیمارهای آبیاری در مراحل گل‎دهی و تشکیل غلاف به ترتیب 2417 و 2330 و عملکرد پروتئین 561 و 531.9 کیلوگرم در هکتار بود. در این بررسی بیش‌ترین عملکرد دانه و پروتئین با مصرف اسید هیومیک و آبیاری در مرحله گل‏دهی با 2697 و 638.2 کیلوگرم در هکتار به دست آمد که تفاوت معنی‎داری با تیمار مصرف اسید هیومیک و آبیاری در مرحله غلاف‌دهی با 2648 و 615.3 کیلوگرم در هکتار نداشت. در تراکم 40 بوته در مربع بیش‎ترین عملکرد دانه و پروتئین به ترتیب با 2264 و 521.4 کیلوگرم در هکتار به دست آمد. نتیجه‌گیری اسید هیومیک و مخصوصا تراکم و آبیاری تکمیلی عملکرد دانه و پروتئین نخود را تحت تأثیر قرار دادند. اگرچه با افزایش تراکم اجزای عملکرد کاهش یافتند اما عملکرد دانه افزایش یافت. آبیاری در مرحله گل‎دهی بیشترین تأثیر را بر صفات داشت. عدم آبیاری درصد پروتئین را افزایش داد اما عملکرد پروتئین در این تیمار به‌‎علت پایین بودن عملکرد دانه کمتر از تیمارهای دیگر بود.

Feed and Fodder Value Chains in Bihar: Some Empirical Evidences

Livestock production, especially dairy, has long been an important activity for smallholder and resource-poor farmers in India, both for household nutrition and income. Most of the livestock are kept in mixed farming systems, where crop residues, mainly cereal straws have been an important feed resource. India is deficient in the supply of fodder, resulting in very low levels of productivity that limit marketable surplus of milk. In Bihar State, over 50% of the land area is planted to rice, and rice straw along with wheat straw and some pulse residues form the main animal feeds. Recent studies in the Indo-Gangetic Plain have highlighted the problem of insufficient fodder and the poor nutritive value of fodder, a problem which becomes more acute in the more eastern parts of the region where agricultural resources–particularly arable land and water–become scarcer. Fodder scarcity affects most farmers but is particularly acute for landless and those with access to only small area of land. Chronic feed deficit is the major constraint to animal production in Bihar. Most of the dairy farmers are smallholders having one or two local-breed milch animals, which are raised on crop residues and natural pastures with under-employed family labour. Feeding grains, oil cakes and green nutritious fodder are generally restricted to some crossbred cattle. The feed and fodder deficiencies, in fact, have been the main limiting factors in raising livestock productivity. The present study is an attempt to look into various issues of feed and fodder markets and the role of various stakeholders in fodder value chains.