Livestock Projects Research Articles

Assessing the Sustainability of Donated Livestock Projects by Operation Wealth Creation to Smallholder Farmers in Mitooma Sub-County Mitooma District

This research assessed the long-term sustainability of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC)'s donated livestock projects for smallholder farmers in Mitooma Sub-County, Uganda. The study uses a mixed-methods approach, incorporating quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews, with smallholder farmers selected through stratified random sampling. A study using structured questionnaires found that only 15% of households receiving donated livestock enterprises still own them, and 85% abandoned them within 9 years, indicating a lack of sustainability in these enterprises. The sustainability of donated livestock enterprises for small-scale farmers is influenced by family size, household income, food security, profitability, awareness of enterprise management practices, perception, culture, education, land tenure system, and age. Results also established that donated livestock enterprises significantly affected households to sell or trade the products (e.g., milk, meat, eggs) (P=0.000), households’ ability to cope with economic shocks or emergencies (P=0.001) and improving access to credit or financial services (P=0.013) and least significant in providing household income (P=0.668). Furthermore, results established donated livestock enterprise were less significant in increasing food availability (P=0.146), improving access to nutritious food, generating income for food purchase (P=0.913), facilitating asset accumulation for food security (P=0.116) and providing alternative coping mechanisms during periods of food scarcity (P=0.351). The study suggests that donated livestock enterprises are not sustainable, as many smallholder farmers abandon them within five years, and recommends enabling input suppliers and providing subsidies for farmers.

Using Excel to Teach Agri-business and Financial Literacy Concepts to 4-H Youth

Teaching youth agribusiness subject matter and financial literacy through 4-H livestock projects is an important task. This article discusses using Excel as a record keeping tool to expand knowledge and comprehension of financial concepts and profitability in the beef industry. A description of the Excel record book contents and parent feedback is presented. Using the Excel record book expanded conversations about the beef industry and proved to be a favorable tool for increasing youth understanding of critical agribusiness concepts.

Profit-Loss Sharing Contract as an Alternative to Solve Unemployment in Sudan through Investment in Livestock Breeding

<p>The profit-loss sharing (PLS) or <em>Mudārabah</em> is an Islamic contract in which one side provides capital and the other side provides work. Profits are to be shared in the proportion that was agreed upon before the contract was implemented. This paper aims to highlight the role of the <em>Mudārabah</em> contract in financing livestock projects, and its use in solving the problem of unemployment in Sudan, where livestock breeding is a productive activity that provides employment opportunities and increases the incomes of the workers, and increases the rates of economic growth, especially since Sudan is ranked among the richest Arab and African countries with its livestock and agricultural wealth, and there is a large number of the population of Sudan working in the agricultural sector including the animal and plant subsectors. A large number of Sudan’s population works in the agricultural sector. The paper also intends to examine the applications of the <em>Mudārabah</em> contract as an investment alternative that can be more effectively utilized in providing employment opportunities for university graduates and job seekers in Sudan. a descriptive-analytical approach was used to define the <em>Mudārabah</em> concept and show the types of its application, and the methods of employing it to finance livestock projects in Sudan. The paper reached several results, the most important of which is that <em>Mudārabah</em>, such as in the Prophet’s practice and its contemporary applications, is one of the most significant investment formulas that can be used to finance productive projects in the livestock sector, especially small and medium-sized enterprises in the field of livestock breeding in Sudan.</p>

Financial and Economic Evaluation of Broiler Breeding Projects in Hawija District

Iraq suffers from a clear shortage in the production of white meat, and the agricultural sector has not yet been able to bridge the gap between domestic production and demand for it, and a large part of consumption is satisfied through imports. The poor quality that is imported by the private sector due to the state’s preoccupation with other tasks. Therefore, it has become necessary to pay attention to livestock projects, and from here the aim of the study was to conduct an evaluation and economic analysis of the farm, and a set of economic criteria was used for this purpose. The standard of return of the invested dinar achieved (1.30) dinars, which generates a profit of (0.30), and the farm also achieved an economic profit A good value of (118100000) dinars, and here it leads to encouraging investors to undertake such projects, although the prices of inputs and outputs suffer from fluctuation due to local market conditions. The results of the research show the feasibility and efficiency of the farm and the low value of the investment agreement.

Analyzing the Role of Waqf and Zakat in the Economy through a Case Study of Agricultural and Livestock Projects

Analyzing the Role of Waqf and Zakat in the Economy through a Case Study of Agricultural and Livestock Projects

What is the Meaning of Youth Livestock Production? A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study

Raising livestock for food production is a unique cultural phenomenon. It has been well documented that showing livestock as part of 4-H contributes to practical skills, knowledge, and life skills. While it is common to view livestock production through skills-based or economic lenses, there are subtle nuances of the phenomenon, social, cultural, and emotional aspects that are harder to capture. The purpose of this study was to generate an interpretation of the meaning of livestock production for long-standing 4-H livestock project members, and to uncover how these project experiences manifest in other aspects of members' lives. This project answers the question, "What does it mean to be a livestock producer?" Based on the assumption that understanding is rooted in lived experience, we used a Hermeneutic approach to examine transcripts of in-depth audio recorded interviews with 4-H members who are high school juniors or seniors and have been enrolled in livestock projects throughout their entire 4-H careers. In an additional photo elicitation activity, we examined participants' reflections on livestock photographs from their childhood. We uncovered two overarching patterns, paradoxical in nature: a) Livestock Production as a Culture of Care and Connection; and b) Livestock Production as a Culture of Loss and Misunderstanding. Patterns illuminated in this research inform educational experiences surrounding youth livestock production. This study also adds to agriculture industry's understanding of how youth experience growing up in livestock production. Finally, this study provides insight into the importance of exploring the ways livestock producers engage with consumers about agriculture.

ЕКОНОМІЧНА ЕФЕКТИВНІСТЬ ПРОЕКТНИХ РІШЕНЬ ТВАРИННИЦЬКИХ ФЕРМ

The purpose of the work - to conduct a study of economic efficiency developed in L. Pogorilyy UkrNDIPVT design solutions for family dairy and fattening farms of cattle and sheep farms of different sizes, adapted to EU requirements. Research methods. During the analytical research, an economic evaluation of the effectiveness of the developed design solutions of dairy and fattening farms of cattle, as well as sheep farms of different sizes was made. Investments in the creation of livestock facilities were determined by the following components: construction of farms, acquisition of machinery and technological equipment, the cost of purchasing livestock. The estimate for the construction and technical equipment of the farms included the costs of construction materials, machinery, equipment, construction and installation work. The calculated method was determined by the cost of funds per animal place and the output of gross output, taking into account the planned productivity. The need for land for the operation of farms was calculated according to the needs of animals in feed for the production of planned livestock products. Calculations of profitability of production and payback period for the creation of livestock facilities were carried out according to generally accepted methods of determining economic efficiency. Research results. According to the results of research on the economic efficiency of projects of livestock facilities, developed in L. Pogorilyy UkrNDIPVT and adapted to EU requirements, the following expected indicators were obtained. To create dairy farms for 10, 15 and 25 cows with young livestock, respectively: the need for total investments is 1535.89 thousand UAH, 2038.78 and 2964.20 thousand UAH; expenditures per animal - UAH 76 thousand, UAH 68 thousand and UAH 59 thousand; the need for land for the operation of farms - 16 hectares, 24 and 40 hectares; the level of profitability of farms, provided that the planned productivity is reached, will be 60, 64 and 61%; payback period -5.2; 4.4 and 4.0 years, respectively. In order to create family farms for fattening young cattle, respectively, by 25, 50, 100 heads: the need for total investment is 489.3 thousand UAH, 764.1 and 1253.0 thousand UAH; expenditures per animal - UAH 19.5 thousand, UAH 15.3 and 19.5 thousand; the need for land for the operation of farms - 10, 20 and 40 hectares; level of profitability - 40%; the payback period for the creation of such farms is 5, 4.5 and 4 years, respectively. To create family sheep farms for 25, 50, 100 heads of fattening and 100 heads of dairy sheep farms, respectively: the need for total investments is UAH 252.20 thousand, UAH 357.81 thousand, UAH 568.39 and 76.47 thousand; expenditures per animal - UAH 10.20 thousand, UAH 7.10 thousand, UAH 5.60 and 10.20 thousand; the need for land for the operation of farms - 3.1, 6.2, 12.3 and 13.8 hectares; level of profitability - 25%; payback period for the creation of farms - 5, 4,5, 4 and 4 years. Conclusions. Studies of the economic efficiency of livestock projects developed in L. Pogorily UkrNDIPVT and adapted to EU requirements, namely different sizes of family dairy and fattening farms of cattle and sheep farms testified to the high economic feasibility of their creation and use. Key words: sheep breeding, economic efficiency, capital investments, estimate, level of profitability, cattle breeding, livestock farms, payback period.

115 Development of a statewide educational program for the Ohio 4-H horse program

Across the US, 4-H members enrolled in market livestock projects are required to participate in educational Quality Assurance (QA) programs which provide information on animal care, management, and safety. However, few 4-H programs have similar requirements for youth enrolled in horse projects. Without a QA or similar educational requirement, members may not receive appropriate project information, potentially decreasing the educational value of their experiences. The objectives of this study were to utilize stakeholder input to evaluate the need for a statewide educational program, identify important educational topics, and develop a standardized educational program to meet this need. An electronic survey was distributed to county 4-H educators and horse club advisors (n = 109) to evaluate the content and delivery method of information provided to members. Respondents represented 61 of 88 Ohio counties (69.3%). Only 53% of the respondents noted a requirement for annual in-person educational programming. Among counties represented by multiple respondents, 54% demonstrated conflicting responses to the same survey question. This inconsistency in programming across and within counties indicated a need for a statewide educational program. Survey participants were also asked to rank several educational topics in order of their importance. Simple statistics (mean ± SD) and consensus (A) analysis identified safety (1.48 ± 1.07; A = 0.73), handling (3.56 ± 1.64; A = 0.60), nutrition (4.27 ± 1.32; A = 0.60), and healthcare (4.27 ± 1.32; A = 0.67) as the most important topics for members. These topics were refined and included in a subsequent survey distributed to horse club advisors and parents (n = 188). Topics with a minimum rating of 4.5 and consensus (A) value of 0.60 were included in the new Equine Safety Training and Educational Program (EquiSTEP). The curriculum was presented to Ohio 4-H horse advisors (n = 157) for evaluation. Statements evaluating the program's effectiveness produced an average rating of ≥4.5 with a group consensus of A ≥0.60. Value statements produced an average rating of ≥4.0 with a group consensus of A ≥0.60. The program was made available to Ohio 4-H members as an optional curriculum in 2020. To date, 950 individuals have enrolled in EquiSTEP with 434 participants completing an optional 10-question summative assessment, scoring an average of 94%. EquiSTEP will become an annual requirement for all Ohio 4-H horse club members in 2023. This novel program can serve as a model for other 4-H equine programs without a QA component to provide consistency in curriculum for members, thus promoting youth success.

Investigation of the Productivity of Young Farmer Livestock Projects under Rural Development Supports

Bu çalışma Tarım ve Orman Bakanlığı tarafından gerçekleştirilmiş olan Genç Çiftçi Projesi uygulamasının Hatay ölçeğinde değerlendirilmesi için yapılmıştır. Çalışmada söz konusu projenin gerçekleştirilmesi sürecinde yaşanan sorunların belirlenmesi ve bundan sonra yapılacak benzeri nitelikteki projelerin daha verimli yürütülmesi için yararlı bilgilerin saptanması amaçlanmıştır. Araştırmanın verileri, yetiştiriciler ile proje hakkındaki görüşlerini sorgulayan anket formu kullanılarak elde edilmiştir. Veriler SPSS paket programında frekans analizi yapılarak değerlendirilmiştir. Proje sonunda yetiştiricilere istedikleri verim ile uyumlu hayvan dağıtılmadığı, yetiştiricilerinin eğitim seviyelerinin düşük olduğu, maddi durumu yetersiz olan yetiştiricilerin proje yararlanıcısı olarak seçilmiş olmaları nedeni ile hayvanların bakımında sorunlar olduğu, bu nedenle istenilen verimlerin alınamadığı belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca, özellikle büyükbaş hayvanlarda üreme problemleri olduğu ve bu durumun zorunlu yapay tohumlama uygulamasından kaynaklanmış olabileceği de belirlenmiştir. Belirlenen bu aksaklıklara rağmen proje yararlanıcıları genel olarak hayvancılık yapmaktan memnun olduklarını ve bu işi sürdürmek istediklerini belirtmişlerdir.

Análisis de rentabilidad e impacto económico del uso de clembuterol de productores de bovino en Morelos, México

In the present investigation, the evaluation carried out with different methods served to determine the level of production and the economic competitiveness of livestock projects. The evaluation of the project aims to identify the advantages and disadvantages associated with the investment, so the implemented analysis method is useful for making rational decisions regarding different alternatives, especially when a development program is involved in the project, such as This is the case of the "Reliable Supplier" Program in livestock farming. Methods used that served to provide more accurate information on the generation of income and the level of competitiveness of companies, is the financial analysis and evaluation. Only the monetary aspect of the project is considered, with the objective of determining its profitability in terms of money flow. The research starts from the study of the “Reliable Supplier” Program, which focuses on the eradication of the use of Clenbuterol in animal feed, making meat producers aware of the importance of developing procedures that reduce the potential of contaminants in food, that can damage the final product, and that generate a health problem for consumers.

Factors Affecting Crowdfunding Investor Number in Agricultural Projects: The Dummy Regression Model

As an important sector in the Indonesian economy, the low capital problems in agriculture should be solved. Crowdfunding is one of the solutions gaining modal from society. This agricultural investment could be an attractive personal asset, too. But, no information yet about the complete characteristics of agricultural projects that fetching the people's participation to invest. Hence, the aim of this research is to find out the factors that influence people's participation in agricultural business investment with crowdfunding schemes. The quantitative data collected from 468 agricultural projects held by agricultural business startup PT. XYZ was analyzed. The six characteristics of the project are role as independents factors. They were project types (loans and profit sharing), project fields (agriculture, livestock, and fisheries), project risk (low, moderate, and high), project duration, the amount of capital needed and profit assumption. All the factors have been analyzed by a multiple regression model to estimate the number of investors. The results showed that the number of crowdfunding agriculture-based projects investor can be modeled by dummy regression. The longer project duration will decrease the number of investors by 0.577 people. The higher risk of the project will lower the number of investors. Based on the projects field, the most interesting projects are the livestock project, followed by agriculture and the last is the fisheries project. Overall, the project period, project risk and project field are the factors that influence people's participation in agricultural business investment with crowdfunding schemes. In the future, crowdfunding livestock projects with a short implementation period (around 3 months), and low risk can be sought so that more people participate in becoming investors. Keywords: crowdfunding, agriculture project, agricultural investment, multiple regression model, dummy regression

Production behavior and prices of beef cattle in the Brazilian Amazon

This study evaluates the production behavior and prices in the beef cattle industry in the Brazilian Amazon. We used time series data obtained from various sources and employed multiple regression and polynomial regression analysis. For the price analysis, we used the classical time series model and separated the seasonal and cyclic indices based on the 12-month centered moving average. The analyses covered the period from 1990 to 2015, when the regional cattle population grew at a rate of 5% per year, compared to the national growth rate of 1.7%. The price analysis reveals the existence of cycles in regional cattle ranching, defined mainly by an inverse correlation between the price of fattened cattle and the slaughter of matrices. As for the variables determining the growth of the cattle population, we find that rural credit policy assumes an important role in enabling the supply of resources for financing livestock projects that are more popular than investments in agriculture. The creation and structuring of state agricultural defense agencies in the late 1990s represents an important measure in the institutional sphere, as the implementation of animal health policies and programs has generated a favorable environment for the expansion of investments in meat production and processing, in addition to opening up opportunities for trade in the domestic and international markets.

English

Cameroon has enormous potentials for small ruminant production which are still largely underexploited. The Far North Region harbors about 3/4 of the total population of small ruminants (goat and sheep) in the country. Above 80% of the region’s population is involved in livestock rearing. Despite these potentials, the sustained challenges in the sector have been attributed to low investment in the sector. Production rate is low and does not meet up with the meat demands of an ever increasing population. To resolve this problem a number of projects have been put in place by the government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to work through the intermediary of common initiative groups to boost the production of livestock especially that of small ruminants. This work was carried out to examine how two of such livestock projects funded by two NGOs, Heifer International Project Cameroon (HPIC) and Comite Diocesain de Developement (CDD) in the Far North Region were managed and its effects on the quality of life of the producers. A case study was carried out on 200 producers organized in 17 common initiative groups. The result of the survey was analyzed using SPSS 20.0 English Version and the hypotheses tested using the Spearman’s Rank Correlation. The results obtained from the field revealed that 90, 97.5, and 98% of the producers witnessed an increase in livestock production, revenue and satisfaction of social needs after assistance respectively. It is concluded that the proper management of small ruminant livestock projects through the intermediary of common initiative groups has a significant and positive impact on the quantity of livestock production and socio-economic development of producers. Other projects aimed at increasing livestock production could follow the management styles of HPIC and CDD. Key words: Management, socio-economic development, livestock projects, capacity building, inputs, monitoring, control.

Conception participative d’innovations et accompagnement des projets d’élevage familiaux au Burkina Faso : explorer, expérimenter et évaluer

Une grande majorité des polyculteurs éleveurs de l’ouest du Burkina Faso ont un projet d’élevage familial (PEF) en tête. Cependant, plus de la moitié des pro­jets ne démarrent même pas. Parmi ceux mis en place, d’importantes faiblesses sont observées au niveau de la gestion de l’alimentation du bétail, ce qui com­promet leur rentabilité économique. Cet article présente une démarche de conception et d’accompagnement de projet d’élevage familial (Capef) conduit en partenariat entre le producteur et un conseiller. Elle permet d’accompagner le producteur dans la préparation, l’exécution et l’évaluation de son projet. La démarche a été élaborée avec 10 producteurs qui avaient des PEF bovins de trait, bovins à l’engraissement ou vaches laitières en préparation. La Capef se déroule en quatre étapes : a) le diagnostic, b) le calibrage et la recherche d’options d’amélioration, c) la mise en œuvre et l’ajustement, et d) l’évaluation. Dans cette approche de conception d’accompagnement, les producteurs ont mis au point le PEF progressivement, en même temps qu’ils ont appris à le pilo­ter, en réorganisant leur travail et l’allocation de leurs moyens de production. La Capef a aidé les producteurs à développer les apprentissages permettant la maîtrise des pratiques d’alimentation et des stratégies d’élaboration d’un projet d’élevage pour mieux le réussir. Pour le chercheur, elle a permis de comprendre la rationalité des éleveurs en participant avec eux à la construction et à la mise en œuvre de leur PEF.

Determining the Factors Affecting Farmers’ Decision on Organic Livestock

In this study, the objective was to determine the factors affecting farmers’ decisions on organic livestock. Within this scope, the Gümüşhane province, in which one of the major organic livestock projects has been carried out, was taken into the focus of attention for this study. The data of the study was obtained from 134 surveys based on census and focusing on farmers doing conventional animal breeding and possessing 25 or more cattle. The data obtained were used in predicting the Logit Model. In the model, it was determined that the inclination to transition to organic animal breeding in institutions where the rate of benefiting from animal breeding supports and the rate of meeting forage requirements from their own are high and besides where the rate of using industrial feed is low. As a result, it was recommended that the government support for forage crops, which are already within the current support policies, should be increased on yearly basis. This will have a positive effect on the decision of the farmers to choose organic livestock. This support is also important in terms of carrying out livestock activities in more profitable and technical way.

Zoonotic Diseases—Fostering Awareness in Critical Audiences

Zoonotic diseases are infectious diseases that are shared between humans and other vertebrate animals. Extension professionals often serve as consultants and educators to individuals at high risk of zoonotic diseases, such as participants in 4-H livestock projects. Effective education about zoonotic diseases begins with an awareness of the multitude of challenges that health care professionals face in diagnosing zoonotic disease. This review describes the factors that influence diagnosis of these diseases, as well as potential methods that the Extension professional can use to convert those challenges into effective educational messages.

Gender equality, resilience to climate change, and the design of livestock projects for rural livelihoods

Currently, there is growing interest in how livestock projects can contribute to resilience to the effects of climate change. In this article we recommend a shift away from gross productivity to sustainability, via the use of thrifty local breeds, with an additional emphasis on improving survival of young animals. These animals, due to their local adaptations, are more likely to be resilient to climate change. There is a gender dimension to these proposals, since smaller animals and local breeds are more likely to be perceived by communities as suitable for husbandry by women. We recommend a re-orientation towards an explicit gender-equality focus for these projects.

Gender, assets, and market-oriented agriculture: learning from high-value crop and livestock projects in Africa and Asia

Abstract Strengthening the abilities of smallholder farmers in developing countries, particularly women farmers, to produce for both home and the market is currently a development priority. In many contexts, ownership of assets is strongly gendered, reflecting existing gender norms and limiting women’s ability to invest in more profitable livelihood strategies such as market-oriented agriculture. Yet the intersection between women’s asset endowments and their ability to participate in and benefit from agricultural interventions receives minimal attention. This paper explores changes in gender relations and women’s assets in four agricultural interventions that promoted high value agriculture with different degrees of market-orientation. Findings suggest that these dairy and horticulture projects can successfully involve women and increase production, income and the stock of household assets. In some cases, women were able to increase their control over production, income and assets; however in most cases men’s incomes increased more than women’s and the gender-asset gap did not decrease. Gender- and asset-based barriers to participation in projects as well as gender norms that limit women’s ability to accumulate and retain control over assets both contributed to the results. Comparing experiences across the four projects, especially where projects implemented adaptive measures to encourage gender-equitable outcomes, provides lessons for gender-responsive projects targeting existing and emerging value chains for high value products. Other targeted support to women farmers may also be needed to promote their acquisition of the physical assets required to expand production or enter other nodes of the value chain.

Policy opportunities to enhance the role of smallholder livestock systems in Limpopo Province of South Africa

Post-apartheid administrations in South Africa were faced with redressing the legacy of multifaceted poverty and social inequalities created by apartheid politics. The entrance of smallholder farmers into the mainstream economy became a government priority and policy aim. Institutional efforts in Limpopo Province provided infrastructure to establish poultry and vegetable producing enterprises. Very few livestock projects were funded. The success rate of institutional interventions was low. We argue that smallholder livestock systems offer policy opportunities to realise post-apartheid reform goals in the smallholder livestock sector. The premises are; there are more livestock in communal smallholder sector than in the commercial sector. This indicates there is a substantial level of natural, human and social capital existing within smallholder livestock systems. Secondly, commercial livestock systems are increasingly converted to game and wildlife enterprises necessitating imports of large numbers of livestock from Namibia to account for the shortfall in red-meat in South Africa. It is possible that the low off-take characterising smallholder livestock and the Cattle Complex Philosophy probably deterred past efforts to recognise the potential of smallholder livestock systems for rural and agricultural development. The Cattle Complex Philosophy claims that African smallholders have an attitudinal resistance to sell livestock. Data from a survey amongst 193 households in ten villages of Sekhukhune District of Limpopo Province illustrates that low livestock sales relates to the dysfunctional composition, sub-optimal reproductive potential and high calf mortality of smallholder herds. Conclusions and policy recommendations are offered. Keywords: Smallholder, Livestock, Limpopo Province

Identifying STEM Concepts Associated with Junior Livestock Projects

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education is intended to provide students with a cross-subject, contextual learning experience. To more fully prepare our nation’s students to enter the globally competitive workforce, STEM integration allows students to make connections between the abstract concepts learned in core subject classrooms and real-world situations. FFA and 4-H programs are intended to provide students with hands-on learning opportunities where abstract core subject princi- ples can be applied and more fully understood. Junior livestock projects through FFA and 4-H can pro- vide rich connections for students between what they learn in school and how it is applied in the real world. Using a modified Delphi technique, this study identified 21 STEM concepts associated with junior livestock projects. According to the panel of experts, math and science concepts were more prevalent in junior livestock projects. Conversely, experts identified fewer technology and engineering concepts as being present within junior livestock projects. The link between science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, core subject education, and the concepts present in junior livestock projects should be em- phasized in curricular and programming efforts.