Maize Supplementation Research Articles

Supplementation of crossbred boer goats with cottonseed meal and/or urea enhances estimated metabolizable protein intake, crude protein digestibility and nitrogen retention

This study aimed to determine feed intake, apparent digestibility, and nitrogen retention of crossbred Boer bucks supplemented with urea or cottonseed meal (CSM)when fed tropical Rhodes (Chloris gayana) grass hay (RGH) as a basal diet. Twelve eight-month-old bucks (23.9±1.1 kg live weight) were allocated to one of the four dietary treatments in a randomised block design. The treatments were 1) maize supplement (Control); or maize plus 2) urea supplement (M+U), 3) urea and CSM (M+UCSM); and (4) CSM (M+CSM). All bucks were held in individual metabolism crates for 21 days (11 days of adaptation and 10 days collection period) with ad libitum access to RGH and fresh drinking water in addition to the supplements. A one-way ANOVA and Duncan’s multiple range tests were used to test for differences between means at a significance level of P < 0.05. Results indicated higher feed intake, apparent digestibility of crude protein and digestible nutrient intake in goats supplemented with M+CSM and M+UCSM, but not M+U alone. Supplementation with M+CSM increased nitrogen retention by 300%. Supplementation with M+UCSM and M+CSM increased the total feed intake of Boer goats on tropical grass hay by 13 and 20%, respectively. Supplementation with M+U, M+UCSM, and M+CSM improved the apparent digestibility of crude protein by 9.7, 15.7 and 15.1%, respectively. It can be concluded that total feed intake and nutrient digestibility was increased on growing Boer goats fed RGH as a basal diet supplemented with true protein from CSM or a mixture of true protein and rumen degradable protein from urea.

Molecular Characterization of Ochratoxin a Producing Indigenous Aspergillus Strains from Poultry Feed in Pakistan

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is nephrocarcinogenic and immunosuppressive toxin and OTA producing molds contaminate the food crops. Isolation and identification of ochratoxin producing fungi was carried out from poultry feed samples (n=120) followed by preliminary confirmation through macroscopic and microscopic characteristics. Purified fungal isolates identified as Aspergillus 1842(91.68%) followed by Penicillium 91 (4.53%), Mucor 52 (2.58), Alternaria 7 (0.35%), Cladosporium 6 (0.29%), Fusarium 4 (0.199%) and un-identified (07). OTA production was confirmed through thin layer chromatography (TLC) followed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Only 41 isolates (2.22%) out of 1842 Aspergillus isolates were able to produce toxin. At genetic level, characterization was performed through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using species specific gene primers. From 41 isolates 27, 9 and 5 were characterized as Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus parasiticus, and Aspergillus ochraceus respectively. Physical and chemical factors were optimized for OTA production. Under the effect of 37 °C temperature and 7.5 pH of Sabouraud dextrose broth (SDB) medium, higher toxin (969.45±.03 µg/mL) production was observed from ASPO-6 isolate. ASPO-4 isolate produce higher toxin amount in SDB medium with supplementation of maize 5%, wheat 1% and rice 3%. OTA stability was determined by adjusting standard concentration of 100 µg/mL in organic solvents (chloroform, acetonitrile and methanol) and organic solids. Least percentage log reduction in OTA concentration and stability of OTA was observed in opaque vials with chloroform and sucrose and transparent vials with sucrose after 6 months. OTA can be used as indigenous standard for identification of OTA from field samples.

Nixtamalized maize supplementation with a sardine protein concentrate to improve the biological value of tortillas

Nixtamalized maize supplementation with a sardine protein concentrate to improve the biological value of tortillas

Intake and digestibility in cattle grazing temperate grass associated with legume and/or energetic supplementation

The intercrop between grasses and legumes is an alternative to maintain and increase animal production. The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of grass-legume mixtures with or without supplementations on rumen fermentation, nutrient intake, and microbial protein synthesis. Six Holstein steers fitted with ruminal cannula were kept in a double 3 × 3 Latin square design. The treatments were: 1) oat, annual ryegrass, and supplement (GS), 2) oat, annual ryegrass, and vetch (GL), 3) oat, annual ryegrass, vetch, and supplement (GLS). Supplementation of ground maize was given daily at 11 h at 1% of body weight. Total digestible nutrient intake was higher in steers fed GS and GLS. Animals on GL ingested higher concentrations of nitrogen (N) compared to animals on GS and GLS diets. Ruminal pH and ammonia concentration were higher in GL. Grass-legume mixtures and supplements showed higher concentrations of sugar, α-amino acids, and peptides. The ruminal fermentative parameters, ruminal pH, ammonia, and sugars ranged cubically across the day. Microbial protein synthesis was similar amongst the treatments. Animals exclusively consuming temperate grass produce higher ruminal pH and ammonia concentrations. Therefore, using temperate legumes in pasture systems can be included in the cattle diet in lieu of utilizing energy supplements.

Influence of crushed maize and soybean cake on the growth of crossbred female calves

The present research work was conducted to develop a balanced ration for crossbred high yielding calves in farm condition. For this purpose, seventy days long feeding trial was conducted with nine crossbred female calves having nearly similar body weight and age. Nine crossbred calves were equally divided into three groups such as T1 (1 kg concentrate mixture of crushed maize, wheat bran, mustard oil cake, molasses, DCP and salt at a ratio of 25:45:22:5:1:2, respectively), T2 (1 kg concentrate mixture of crushed maize, wheat bran, soybean cake, molasses, DCP and salt at a ratio of 27:45:20:5:1:2, respectively) and T3 (Wheat bran, rice polish, mustard oil cake, DCP, Salt were supplied according to BAU routine farm feeding at a ratio of 65:18:14:1:2, respectively). All calves were supplied with ad libitum green grasses (German and Para) and fresh clean drinking water. From the research finding, it was observed that the average total dry matter intake, total body weight gain, body length gain and heart girth gain were in T1 (2.68a±0.000 kg, 2.51a±0.21 kg, 1.83a±0.12 cm, 1.29a±0.07 cm, respectively) and T2 (2.65a±0.001 kg, 2.55a±0.21 kg, 1.67a±0.12 cm, 1.25a±0.07 cm, respectively) groups significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of the T3 (2.34b±0.002 kg, 0.96b±0.21 kg, 0.81b±0.12 cm, 0.64b±0.07 cm, respectively) group. The result showed that the body weight gain of T2 group was higher by supplementation of balanced ration. Therefore, the feed supplementation of crushed maize, wheat bran, soybean cake, molasses, DCP and salt at a ratio of 27:45:20:5:1:2, respectively should be supplied to crossbred calves for the future development of dairy herd replacement stock for profitable dairy business.
 Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. September 2020, 6(3): 499-506

Chemical, Pasting and Sensory Characteristics of Ukpo oka - A Steamed Maize Pudding Formulated From Maize and African Yam Bean Flour

Studies were conducted on the chemical, functional, pasting properties of the flour blends and sensory properties of ukpo oka formulated from of maize- African yam bean flour (AYBF) in order to improve the nutritional content of maize and encourage a wider utilization of the legume AYB. Supplementation of maize and African yam flour was done at 100:0, 50:50, 80:20, 60:40 and 20:80 maize: African yam bean flour, respectively. Proximate composition, functional properties, pasting properties of the flour blends was determined and sensory attributes of the products were also evaluated. The result showed that supplementation of maize with African yam bean flour significantly increased the protein, ash and fiber content of the flour blends with values ranging from 3.91 - 11.08%, 2.90 - 6.60%, 0.67 - 1.82% for protein, ash and fiber contents respectively. The protein, ash and fiber contents increased with addition of African yam bean flour while carbohydrate content of maize- African yam bean blends decreased with increase in the level of African yam bean. The values for functional properties ranged from 0.72 – 0.82g/ml, 99.33 – 323.33%, 9.01 – 19.65%, 690.00 - 978.33%, 0.67 – 1.13%, 0.484 – 1.038% for bulk density, foaming capacity, emulsion capacity, swelling capacity, water absorption capacity and oil absorption capacity respectively. Values for pasting properties of the flour blends expressed in rapid visco unit (RVU) ranges from 129.25 – 209.40, 22.55 – 67.93, 60.21 – 124.62 , 145.25 – 247.67 , 83.37 – 84.56 , 5.47 – 5.97 and 87.19 – 141.35 for peak viscosity, break down viscosity, set back viscosity, final viscosity, pasting temperature, peak time and trough respectively. Set back viscosity and final viscosity increased with increase in the levels of African yam bean while break down viscosity decrease with the increase in the levels of African yam bean. The products were highly rated in all sensory attributes evaluated however aroma decreases with increase in the levels of AYBF. Product made from flour blend 50:50 was the most preferred in terms of general acceptability.

Quality and sensory acceptability of yellow maize ogi porridge enriched with orange-fleshed sweet potato and African yam bean seed flours for infants

Ogi porridge is a weaning maize meal with low nutrient density and highly limited in some macro and micro nutrients necessary for the overall development of the infants. This study investigated the effect of supplementation of yellow maize (YM) ogi porridge with orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) and African yam bean (AYB) flours on the nutrient density. The porridge was tested for physicochemical properties and sensory acceptability scores of the ogi porridge. Proportions of OFSP and/or AYB flours significantly ( p <0.05) affected the overall physicochemical properties of the ogi porridge. Increase proportion of OFSP flour up to 20% increased some quality parameters such as crude fibre (2.19–2.69%), carotenoids (160.26–205.22 µg/g), and total starch (66.8471.45%). On the other hand, crude protein (9.85–12.74%), crude fat (3.33–3.67%), ash (1.39–2.52%), Ca (130.57149.15 mg/100 g) and Fe (7.84–10.25 mg/100 g) increased significantly ( p <0.05) with increasing AYB flour substitution up to 15%. Functional properties like bulk density increased with OFSP flour addition which cause the reduction of oil and water absorption capacities, respectively. Swelling index and gelatinization temperature increased significantly ( p <0.05) with the addition of OFSP and AYB flours. Increasing proportions of OFSP flour (≤ 20%) had similar sensory acceptability scores when compared with the control (100% YM ogi porridge). Orange-fleshed sweet potato/African yam bean (OFSP/AYB) at 15% substitution contributed significant amount of energy, carbohydrates, protein, vitamin A and calcium to the infant's micro and macro nutrient requirements. These results clearly showed that supplementation of maize ogi with OFSP and AYB flours increased the nutrient density and are important for the nutrition and development of the infants.

Chemical, functional and sensory qualities of abari (maize-based pudding) nutritionally improved with bambara groundnut (&lt;i&gt;Vigna subterranea&lt;/i&gt;)

Abari (a maize-based pudding) was prepared from five selected formulations of maize-bambara groundnut composite flours generated using central rotatable design of Response Surface Method. A control was also prepared from 100% maize flour. Standard methods were used to determine the functional properties of the various flours as well as the proximate compositions and sensory attributes of abari made from them. Inclusion of bambara groundnut flour caused a significant difference in the swelling index (1.65-2.69 g/g) of the various flours but bulk density (0.76-0.92 g/cm 3 ), oil absorption capacity (0.66-0.88 g/g) and water absorption capacity(1.44-1.59 g/g) were not significantly affected. Protein and ash contents of abari significantly increased with inclusion of bambara groundnut flour. The value of the protein content ranges from 6.21-31.69%. Supplementation of maize with bambara groundnut for abari production generally resulted in improved sensory qualities. Based on the findings, the application of bambara groundnut in the fortification of maizebased African traditional foods can help improve the nutritional status of the African populace without causing adversely impaired rheological and cooking qualities of the products. Keywords: Abari, Bambara groundnut, Sensory, Protein-energy-malnutrition

Supplementation of Ground Maize Grain and Mineral Mixture to Improve Milk Solid Not Fat Content in Dairy Cattle

A participatory research was conducted under Sujala III watershed project with an aim to improve the milk solid constituents of the dairy cattle showing low solid-not-fat (SNF) syndrome by supplementation of ground maize and mineral mixture in their conventional diets. For the purpose, sixteen crossbred cows in mid to late lactation producing milk containing SNF less than acceptable standard (8.5 %) set by the co-operative milk union were selected in two villages of Chamarajanagar District, Karnataka State. The feeding practices of the selected animals were collected and its analysis has revealed that the cows were deficient in most of the nutrients required for milk production particularly energy and minerals. Based on this information, the farmers were suggested to supplement ground maize grains @ 200 g and mineral mixture @ 10 g/kg milk yield to the existing cow diet (dry sorghum ad lib + cattle feed @ 1-1.5 kg/animal). The study was conducted during summer for a period of 21 days. The data on milk yield and its constituents (fat and SNF) were recorded seven days prior to suggested intervention and fourteen days afterwards. The results revealed that the average milk yield significantly (P

Reducing lost to follow-up in a large clinical trial of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV: the Breastfeeding, Antiretrovirals and Nutrition study experience.

Retaining patients in prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV studies can be challenging in resource-limited settings, where high lost to follow-up rates have been reported. In this article, we describe the effectiveness of methods used to encourage retention in the Breastfeeding, Antiretrovirals, and Nutrition study and analyze factors associated with lost to follow-up in the study. The Breastfeeding, Antiretrovirals, and Nutrition clinical trial was designed to evaluate the efficacy of three different mother-to-child HIV transmission prevention strategies. Lower than expected participant retention prompted enhanced efforts to reduce lost to follow-up during the conduct of the trial. Following study completion, we employed regression modeling to determine predictors of perfect attendance and variables associated with being lost to follow-up. During the study, intensive tracing efforts were initiated after the first 1686 mother-infant pairs had been enrolled, and 327 pairs were missing. Of these pairs, 60 were located and had complete data obtained. Among the 683 participants enrolling after initiation of intensive tracing efforts, the lost to follow-up rate was 3.4%. At study's end, 290 (12.2%) of the 2369 mother-infant pairs were lost to follow-up. Among successfully traced missing pairs, relocation was common and three were deceased. Log-binomial regression modeling revealed higher maternal hemoglobin and older maternal age to be significant predictors of perfect attendance. These factors and the presence of food insecurity were also significantly associated with lower rates of lost to follow-up. In this large HIV prevention trial, intensive tracing efforts centered on reaching study participants at their homes succeeded in finding a substantial proportion of lost to follow-up participants and were very effective in preventing further lost to follow-up during the remainder of the trial. The association between food insecurity and lower rates of lost to follow-up is likely related to the study's provision of nutritional support, including a family maize supplement, which may have contributed to patient retention.

Phytase supplementation of maize-, sorghum- and wheat-based broiler diets with identified starch pasting properties influences phytate (IP6) and sodium jejunal and ileal digestibility

The effects of phytase supplementation on growth performance, nutrient utilisation, starch and protein digestive dynamics in broiler chickens offered maize-, sorghum- and wheat-based diets were determined in a previous study (Liu et al., 2014). Responses to phytase were most pronounced in maize-based diets, which suggest that more phytate was degraded in these diets. Relevant retained samples of grain, diets and digesta from four small intestinal segments were retrospectively analysed for concentrations of phytate, sodium and starch pasting properties to investigate the hypothesis that phytate in maize-based diets was more completely degraded by exogenous phytase. Exogenous phytase significantly (P<0.001) degraded dietary phytate in the proximal jejunum, distal jejunum, proximal ileum and distal ileum and increased distal ileal phytate digestibility coefficients from 0.238 to 0.631. There were significant differences (P<0.001) between diets based on maize (0.515), wheat (0.449) and sorghum (0.340) for distal ileal phytate digestibility coefficients. Phytase accelerated phytate disappearance rates from all four segments and increased distal ileal phytate disappearance rates from 201 to 535mg/bird/day. This was significantly more pronounced in maize (459mg/bird/day) than in diets based on sorghum (301mg/bird/day) and wheat (343mg/bird/day). Sodium digestibility coefficients were significantly improved (P<0.01) by exogenous phytase in proximal jejunum, distal jejunum and proximal ileum. Exogenous phytase significantly influenced starch properties of experimental diets determined by rapid visco-analysis (RVA). There were significant negative correlations between RVA setback viscosity of starch in experimental diets and starch digestibility coefficients at the distal jejunum (r=−0.438; P<0.01) and proximal ileum (r=−0.591; P<0.001) determined in the Liu et al. (2014) study. Distal ileal phytate digestibility coefficients appeared to be higher in non-supplemented, maize-based diets (0.349) than in diets based sorghum (0.128) and wheat (0.239) thus the likelihood is that phytate in maize-based diets was more readily degraded by endogenous, mucosal phytase in the small intestine. Consideration is given to the possibilities that location of phytate within grains influences phytate degradation and that the relatively low sodium concentrations in maize-based diets may have contributed to the more robust responses to exogenous phytase observed.

Demonstration of Maize and Niger Seed Cake Supplementation on Egg Production Performance of Local Scavenging Hens in Selected Districts of Western Amhara, Ethiopia

Demonstration of Maize and Niger Seed Cake Supplementation on Egg Production Performance of Local Scavenging Hens in Selected Districts of Western Amhara, Ethiopia

Weight status in HIV‐positive women after termination of a drug and lipid‐based nutrient supplement intervention is predicted by food availability and health

This study examined weight status in HIV‐positive Malawian mothers after they completed an antiretroviral (ARV) and nutritional supplement intervention. Women in the Breastfeeding, Antiretrovirals, and Nutrition study (n=2369) received either lipid‐based nutrient supplements (LNS) to prevent maternal depletion or no LNS and were further randomized to receive ARVs to prevent HIV transmission or no ARVs from delivery through 24 wks of exclusive breastfeeding and 4 wks of rapid weaning. All women received a 2 kg/wk family maize supplement and enhanced standard of care for 48 wks. Women on ARVs entered rapid weaning with a lower mean BMI than the other groups and had negligible weight change (&lt;0.3 kg) in the subsequent 24 wks, while women in the LNS, no ARVs group lost weight (−1.0 kg) post‐supplementation. Termination of ARVs and LNS had no serious consequences for maternal weight status: &lt;4% of women lost &gt;10% weight from wks 24 to 48. A longitudinal random effects model controlling for 24 wk BMI showed that vomiting (p&lt;0.01), diarrhea (p&lt;0.01), oral thrush (p&lt;0.05), hungry season (p&lt;0.01), and famine year of 2005 (p=0.02) were negatively associated with weight, while CD4 count (p&lt;0.01) was positively associated with weight. Thus, the key predictors of weight status in this population were food availability and health status.Support: CDC (U48‐DP000059‐01); Gates Foundation (OPP53107); CPC (NICHD 5 R24 HD050924)

Maize supplementation of Pelibuey sheep in a silvopastoral system: fodder selection, nutrient intake and resilience against gastrointestinal nematodes

This trial evaluated the effect of maize supplementation on the ingestive behavior, nutrient intake and the resilience against gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infection of hair sheep in a silvopastoral system containing tropical grasses and legume trees. In addition, it attempted to determine the metabolic cost of the natural GIN infection in supplemented and non-supplemented animals. Twenty-nine 3-month-old lambs (male and female), raised nematode free, were allocated to four groups: I-NS (infected, not supplemented, n = 8), I-S (infected, supplemented with maize at 1.5% live weight (LW), n = 7), T-NS (treated with moxidectin 0.2 mg/kg LW every 28 days, and not supplemented, n = 7) and T-S (treated with moxidectin and supplemented with maize at 1.5% LW, n = 7). During the 70-day trial, fodder intake, fodder selection, LW change (LWC), red blood cell counts (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Ht) and eggs per gram of feces (EPG) were measured every 14 days. Supplement consumption was recorded daily. Metabolizable energy (ME) and protein (MP) consumption from the feeds were estimated. Maize supplementation helped to improve the resilience of hair sheep lambs against GIN infections. The I-S and T-NS groups showed similar LWC, RBC, Hb and Ht (P > 0.05) and both were higher than those in the I-NS group (P < 0.05). No difference was found in EPG between the I-NS and the I-S groups (P > 0.05). No effect of sex was observed in the different variables. Although all groups showed low dry matter intake (DMI) (< 2% LW), supplemented groups (T-S and I-S) showed higher total DMI (fodder + maize; P < 0.05), hence higher ME and MP intakes than the non-supplemented groups (T-NS and I-NS). All groups showed similar fodder selection patterns. The estimated metabolic cost of parasitism was ME = 0.70 MJ/day and MP = 9.2 g/day in the I-S animals. Meanwhile, the cost in the I-NS animals was ME = 1.46 MJ/day and MP = 12.71 g/day. Maize supplementation was an economically viable strategy to control GIN compared with no intervention.

The liveweight gain response of heifers to supplements of molasses or maize while grazing irrigated Leucaena leucocephala/Digitaria eriantha pastures in north-west Australia

This experiment in the Ord River Irrigation area (ORIA) of north Western Australia evaluated the liveweight gain of cattle rotationally grazing leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala cv. Cunningham)/pangola (Digitaria eriantha cv. Steudel) pastures alone, or supplemented with four levels of molasses (1.25, 2.50, 3.75, 5.00 kg molasses/head.day, as fed or fresh weight basis) or two levels of cracked maize supplementation (0.75, 1.50 kg/head.day, as fed or fresh weight basis). Seventy Bos indicus cross heifers [~12 months of age, mean initial weight 252 ± 3.8 (s.e.) kg] were allocated to the seven treatments and two replicates of each treatment (five cattle per replicate plus five additional similar heifers) with the stocking rate set at 6.25 head/ha. The experiment was conducted over 106 days of the dry season (August–November). Each replicate paddock of 0.4 ha was rotationally grazed with 10 animals with a 7-day grazing period and a 21-day regrowth period for each rotation. The mean herbage mass, residual herbage mass and herbage allowance for the experiment were 3.78 t DM/ha, 3.07 t DM/ha and 7.32 kg DM/100 kg liveweight, respectively. Pangola contributed a mean of 0.79 of the herbage mass. There was a significant quadratic response of liveweight gain to level of molasses supplement (P &lt; 0.0087) with an optimum liveweight gain of 1.08 kg/head.day at a supplement level of 2.65 kg molasses/head.day or 8.9 g/kg LW.day derived from the quadratic equation. The quadratic equation was: Liveweight gain = 0.763(±0.0644) + 0.241(±0.0658) * M – 0.046(±0.0126) * M2 (where M is level of molasses supplement kg/head.day). There was no significant response to level of maize supplement. There were no significant differences between treatments in the concentration of rumen ammonia N or volatile fatty acids or in the molar proportion of volatile fatty acids. It was concluded that molasses can be used effectively to increase the liveweight gain of cattle grazing leucaena/pangola pasture at a level of ~8.9 g/kg LW.day.

Integration of legume trees in maize-based cropping systems improves rain use efficiency and yield stability under rain-fed agriculture

Water availability is a major constraint to crop production in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where agriculture is predominantly rain-fed. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the nitrogen-fixing legume tree Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) and inorganic fertilizer on rain use efficiency (RUE), a robust measure of productivity and land degradation, in three long-term (11–12 years) experiments conducted in Zambia and Nigeria. On the two Zambian sites, sole maize (Zea mays) grown continuously (for 11–12 years) with the recommended fertilizer achieved the highest RUE (3.9–4.6 kg ha−1 mm−1) followed by maize intercropped with Leucaena (2.5–3.4 kg ha−1 mm−1). This translated to 192–383% increase in RUE over the control (maize grown without nutrient inputs), which is the de facto resource-poor farmers’ practice. RUE was more stable in fully fertilized sole maize on the first Zambian site and not statistically different from the maize–Leucaena associations on the second site. On the Nigerian site, RUE was higher in maize planted between Leucaena hedgerows supplemented with 50% of the recommended fertilizer (3.9 kg ha−1 mm−1), maize grown between Leucaena hedgerows without fertilizer (3.0 kg ha−1 mm−1) and sole maize receiving the recommended fertilizer (2.8 kg ha−1 mm−1), which translated to increases in RUE of 202%, 139% and 85%, respectively, over the control. RUE was more stable in the maize grown between Leucaena hedgerows than in the fully fertilized maize. On all sites RUE was least stable in the control. Yield stability in the maize–Leucaena association was not significantly different from the fully fertilized maize on the Zambian sites. On the Nigerian site, maize yields were more stable in maize grown in Leucaena hedgerows than in fully fertilized sole maize. Supplementation of maize grown in Leucaena hedgerows with 50% of the recommended fertilizers resulted in greater yield stability. It is concluded that intercropping cereals with legume trees and supplementation with inorganic fertilizer can increase rain use efficiency and yield stability in rain-fed agriculture in SSA.

Demonstration of maize and noug cake mixture supplementation for women focused small scale sheep fattening in Yilmana Denssa District

Demonstration of maize and noug cake mixture supplementation for women focused small scale sheep fattening in Yilmana Denssa District

Effects of dairy cow treading pressures and food resources on invertebrates in two contrasting and co-occurring soils

It is often difficult to compare the effects of land use on soil invertebrates across different soil types, as management practices are often adjusted to compensate for soil differences. A mosaic of two contrasting and co-occurring soils offered a unique opportunity to examine the influence of common management practices on soil invertebrates (macrofauna, mesofauna, and nematodes). Treatments established on a well-structured Andosol soil and co-occurring poorly structured Gleysol included a legume-based pasture grazed at 2.3 cows/ha and nitrogen (N) fertilised pastures grazed at 3 and 3.8 cows/ha, with the 3.8 cows/ha treatment also receiving maize supplementation. Low abundance (&lt;13 000 individuals/m2) and diversity (four species) of Oribatida was a feature of both soils, reflecting the low porosity of the two contrasting, co-occurring pastoral soils, despite the Gleysol soil being more susceptible to treading than the Andosol. The lack of difference might reflect the ongoing disturbance from livestock treading on both soils. Nematode trophic groups behaved most predictably across both soils, with plant-feeding and bacterial-feeding nematodes increasing with the use of N fertiliser. Despite potentially more organic material available for incorporation into the soil profile with increasing inputs of N fertiliser and use of feed supplement, lower abundances of anecic earthworms, Collembola, and Oribatida are reported. Both direct and indirect effects of livestock treading on the decomposer community in intensive systems might be factors limiting the incorporation of organic matter from the soil surface into the profile to sustain soil carbon.

Productive response of grazing dairy cows to fresh chopped maize supplementation under a small farming system in the Mexican Highlands

The aim of this study was to evaluate the animal performance of late lactating grazing dairy cows in response to fresh chopped maize (FCM) supplementation under a small farming system. Twenty-four multiparous Holstein dairy cows were used in a rotational grazing on a mixed alfalfa-orchard grass sward. Three treatments were evaluated: 0, 4, and 8 kg dry matter (DM) of FCM cow(-1) day(-1). The experimental design was a crossover, with three periods lasting 19 days each. There were no differences on individual milk production nor on milk composition. Herbage DM intake decreased (P < 0.0001) from 8.4 to 5.2 and 3.1 kg DM when increasing FCM from 0 to 4 and 8 kg DM, respectively. Total DM intake increased (P < 0.0001) with 8 kg DM of FCM, averaging 14.8 kg. Substitution rate was 0.75 and 0.67 kg of pasture per kilogram of FCM with 4 and 8 kg DM of FCM, respectively. Consequently, stocking rate (STR) increased (P < 0.0001) from 3.8 to 6.2 and 8.8 cows ha(-1), and milk production per hectare increased (P < 0.0001) from 39.3 to 64.5 and 95.5 kg of milk, with 0, 4, and 8 kg DM of FCM, respectively. This means that STR increases 0.63 cows ha(-1), and 0.75 kg of milk ha(-1) when FCM is increased in 1 kg of DM. In conclusion, offering FCM as supplement to grazing dairy cows in their final lactation stage had no benefits in individual milk production or milk composition, but had benefits on milk production per hectare.

Feed intake and nutrient digestibility of weaner rabbits fed cassava peel as replacement for maize

Twenty 8-week old crosses of New Zealand White X Chinchila weaner rabbits were used to assess the performance of rabbits fed diets with cassava peel replaced with maize on a graded level. Fivedets were formulated diets 1 (control), 2, 3, 4, and 5 in whch maize was replacedwth cassava peel at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%, respectively. The 20 rabbits were used in a competely randomized design with ve treatments and four animal replicates per treatment. The trial lasted for 8 weeks. Parameters measured were feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio and feed cost per kg. It was observed that there was no significant difference (P > 005) in the average dailyfeed intake of the rabbits fed diets 3 4 and 5 However, diets 3 4 and 5 had sgnificantly higher (P< 0.05) intake than dets 1 and 2. Similarly rabbits on dets 3, 4 and 5 had higher (P < 005) growth rates than those fed the control diet and det 2 Feed cost per kg (N/kg) decreased from N3533 in the control det to N19.75 in det 5. Cost of feed/kglive weight gain (N/day) decreased from N3.21 in the contro diet to N1.29 in diet 5. It was concluded that maize supplementation in the diets of weaner rabbits could be replaced by cassava peels up to 100 % without any adverse effect. However, 75% cassava peel replacement was found to be the optimum and therefore recommended.Keywords: Cassava peel, Nutrient digestibility, Growth rate, Feed intake, Rabbit