Goat Production Research Articles

A Review on Indigenous Goats of East Africa: A Case for Conservation and Management.

Indigenous goats are important in the livelihoods of rural households in East African countries. This is due to their ability to produce and reproduce in different environments and climatic conditions. Even though these indigenous goats are important, there is little available information on the genetic characterization of these breeds in Africa and at the international level. This paper reviews the status of indigenous goats, highlighting their production systems, phenotypic and genetic characteristics, and genetic diversity, and proposes potential ways for sustainable improvement and conservation in East African countries. Most households use traditional production systems with various uncharacterized goat breeds and ecotypes, which are hence named after the tribe or locality in which they are found. Most of these goats are classified as small East African breeds, with significant variability in morphological features. Some of the challenges to goat production in this region are indiscriminate crossbreeding, lack of pedigree records, parasites and disease incidences, low-quality pastures, and low levels of management. There is a need for a collaborative approach amongst the actors in goat breeding value chains as well as integrating modern genomic tools into breeding programs to enhance selection. This will ensure the resilience and sustainability of these unique indigenous goat populations in East Africa.

Anthelmintic effects of Podang mango (Mangifera indica) fruit peel waste extract through in vivo application on Indonesian Etawa goat production and health.

The continuous use of anthelmintic drugs has led to global issues of resistance. One breakthrough to address this problem is the utilization of bio-anthelmintics derived from active compounds in agro-industrial waste. This in vivo study investigated the effectiveness of Podang mango (Mangifera indica L.) fruit peel waste extract for anthelmintic purposes, using concentrations up to 5%. This study included 28 Etawa crossbred goats aged 17 months. Goats were randomly assigned to four groups: A negative control, an aqueous fruit peel extract (AFPE) group at 2.5%, another AFPE group at 5%, and a positive control receiving ivermectin. Goats chosen had egg per gram (EPG) counts surpassing 1000 before exposure to Haemonchus contortus. For 7 days within a 9-week study, AFPE from Podang mangoes was given. On the 7th day, the positive control group was administered ivermectin. AFPE dosage relied on the average abomasum fluid per kilogram of animal weight. The feeding regimen consisted of concentrate and Pennisetum purpureum cv. Mott is customized for the nutritional needs of livestock. Data on feed consumption, digestibility, average daily gain, percentage reduction in fecal egg count, body condition score, and clinical parameters were collected throughout the study. At higher treatment levels (AFPE), there was a greater reduction in both EPG and fecal egg counts. The expected and normal ranges were maintained for consumption and digestibility. While body weight increased, FAMACHA parameters showed a decrease. Compared to the negative control group, substantial disparities (p < 0.05) existed for hemoglobin, red blood cells, and hematocrit in both the positive control and the treatment groups. Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine, indicative of liver and kidney health, were within normal ranges. At a concentration of up to 5%, Podang mango waste extract (AFPE) can function as a substitute for traditional helminth medicines or bio-anthelmintics in goats, enhancing their production.

Impact of Lippia palmeri S. Watson during kid suckling and growth

Objective: raising kids is a fundamental activity in goat production, since their development is the source of replacements for the dairy herd or the sale of meat. Therefore, the impact in the kids’ growth of adding Lippia palmeri S. Watson oregano to the goat diet was evaluated. Materials and methods: a total of 17 kids born from mothers who consumed the four diets (treatments) were evaluated. They were divided as follows: 6 kids in T1 (ASINC with ORE); 5 kids in T2 (ASINC without ORE); 3 kids in T3 (SINC without ORE); and 3 kids in T4 (SINC with ORE). The weight gain (kg) and daily milk consumption (kg) variables were evaluated for 60 days. Results: no significant differences were found (p&gt;0.05) between treatments, showing an average daily weight gain of 0.0895 ±0.018 kg in T1 (ASINC with ORE), 0.0892 ±0.026 kg in T2 (ASINC without ORE), 0.0934 ±0.035 kg in T3 (SINC without ORE), and 0.118±0.026 kg in T4 (SINC with ORE). Meanwhile, the average daily milk consumption was 0.509 ±0.240 kg in T1 (ASINC with ORE), 0.580±0.205 kg in T2 (ASINC without ORE), 0.553±0.190 kg in T3 (SINC without ORE), and 0.717±0.202 kg in T4 (SINC with ORE). Conclusions: no treatment was significantly higher than the others. A significant and positive correlation (r=0.879, p=0.0001) was detected between the two variables under study.

Use of Short-Term CIDR-Based Protocols for Oestrus Synchronisation in Goats at Tropical and Subtropical Latitudes.

This review aims to provide an insight into the application and efficiency of CIDR-based protocols for ES in goats raised under tropical and subtropical environments. In temperate regions, short-term CIDR treatments are replacing long-term treatments and sponges used in earlier decades. In addition, the use of co-treatments for the induction of ovulation is gradually changing from hormonal to non-hormonal methods, given the drive towards clean, green, and ethical techniques for reproductive management. Whereas the subtropical region registers ongoing research in the development of new ES protocols, there are few reports from the tropics, particularly Africa, one of the regions with the highest population of goats. Therefore, this calls for research to develop the most appropriate protocols for these regions, since the protocols currently used are largely hormonal based, as they were developed for goats at higher latitudes. Management and environmental factors determine the breeding pattern of goats at tropical latitudes rather than photoperiods, and they are the main causes of reproductive seasonality. The use of ES methods, particularly short-term CIDR-based protocols, along with artificial insemination, may have a significant impact on the productivity of goats in these regions when these factors are controlled.

Review: Goat and Sheep Meat Production in Indonesia

This review describes the production systems and products pertaining to goats and sheep (GS) in Indonesia. These small ruminant species are found across 38 provinces in Indonesia. Almost 99% of the GS are farmed by smallholders, with the animals either being housed in an enclosure (small shed near the farmer’s house) or in a mix of both grazing and confinement. The livestock are typically fed natural and/or artificial feed. Two sheep types, thin-tailed and fat-tailed are the most popular with smallholder producers, while Bali, Etawah, Boerawa, Jawa Randu Kosta, and Gembrong are the dominant goat breeds. As one of the biggest Muslim countries in the world, Indonesian production and consumption of GS is influenced by culture and religious systems. The Halal slaughter method applied is described, as are the religious/cultural festivals in Indonesia, which have a significant relationship on the GS demand and consumption, such as Eid al-Adha and Aqiqah. The preparation, processing, and consumption of GS meat in Indonesia are strongly influenced by the use of spices, being part of the Moluccas archipelago, also known as the “Spice islands” with over 30,000 species of spices grown. Some traditional meats and meat processing technologies in Indonesia are presented to provide insight into how GS meat is processed. The main challenges in the processing of GS meat in Indonesia and some current research on the development of GS production are presented in this paper. Implications: Goat and sheep belong to the most widely consumed meats in the world after pork, poultry, and beef. There are some reasons why GS meat has become one of the more popular protein choices for many families, of which its low-fat levels are one. GS meat is also considered one of the only meats with minimal religious taboos in the world. For these reasons, GS meat is also favored by Indonesian people in the most populous Muslim-majority country. However, information regarding goat and sheep in Indonesia is still lacking. This review aims to provide information on the distribution of GS in Indonesia over 38 provinces, the breed types that grow there, their production, and Indonesian consumption behavior, highlighting the religious festivals that cause the highest demand for these meats. This review provides information to the stakeholders of goat and sheep production chains.

A single subcutaneous dose of eprinomectin (Eprecis®) is effective against common gastrointestinal nematodes and lungworms in experimentally infected lactating goats

BackgroundThe health and productivity of dairy goats continue to be impacted by gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) and lungworms (LW). Eprinomectin (EPN) is frequently selected for treatment because it is generally effective and does not require a milk withdrawal period. However, some factors, such as lactation, can have an impact on EPN pharmacokinetics and potentially its efficacy. To evaluate whether this can alter the efficacy of Eprecis® 2%, an eprinomectin injectable solution, a study was performed in lactating goats using the dose currently registered in cattle, sheep and goats (0.2 mg/kg).MethodsThis study was a blinded, randomized, controlled trial performed according to the VICH guidelines. Eighteen (18) worm-free lactating goats were included and experimentally challenged on day 28 with a mixed culture of infective gastrointestinal and lung nematode larvae (Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Teladorsagia circumcincta, Dictyocaulus filaria). At D-1, fecal samples were collected to confirm patent infection in all animals. On D0, the goats were randomly allocated into two groups of nine goats; group 1 was treated with Eprecis® 2% at 0.2 mg/kg BW by subcutaneous injection, while group 2 remained untreated. Fecal samples for egg counts were collected from all animals on days 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 14. On D14, all goats were killed, and the abomasum, small intestine and lungs were removed, processed and subsampled to record the number and species of worms.ResultsThe treatment was well tolerated. After treatment, the arithmetic mean FEC decreased in the treated group and remained < 5 EPG until the end of the study, while the arithmetic mean FEC in the control group remained > 849.0 EPG. At D14, goats in the treated group had very limited or zero total worm counts, whereas all animals from the control group had a high worm burden. The measured efficacy was 100.0% against H. contortus and T. colubriformis, 99.9% against T. circumcincta and 98.0% against D. filaria.ConclusionsEprinomectin (Eprecis®, 20 mg/ml), administered at the label dose (0.2 mg/kg), is highly effective against gastrointestinal nematodes and lungworms in lactating goats.Graphical abstract

Pharmacokinetics of two dry-cow intramammary antimicrobials in dairy goats

There are currently no intramammary antimicrobials approved for use goats in the United States. However, mastitis – both clinical and subclinical – is a major challenge for dairy goat producers. Determining plasma pharmacokinetic parameters of various intramammary antimicrobials in goats can assist in treatment recommendations and meat and milk withhold recommendations.

Opportunities to improve goat production and food security in Botswana through forage nutrition and the use of supplemental feeds

Goats fulfil a central role in food and nutritional security across Africa with over half of households owning or rearing goats in rural areas. However, goat performance is poor and mortality high. This study assessed the nutritional quality of commonly used feeds and proposes feed-baskets to enhance goat nutrition and health. Feeds were collected from 11 areas within the Central District of Botswana, and macronutrient analyses were conducted, including crude protein, fibre fractions, ash, and metabolizable energy (ME). Forage nutrition was compared across seasons and soil types. Additionally, seasonal supplementation trials were conducted to evaluate consumption rates of various supplements, including crop residues, pellets, Lablab purpureus, and Dichrostachys cinerea. Each supplement was provided ad libitum for a 24-h period, and consumption rates determined. Findings revealed significant differences in nutrition among various feed sources, across seasons, and in relation to soil types (p < 0.001). Consumption rates of supplements were higher during the dry season, possibly due to reduced forage availability. Supplement consumption rates varied across supplement type, with crop residues accounting for approximately 1% of dry matter intake, compared to up to 45% for pellets, 13% for L. purpureus, and 15% for D. cinerea. While wet season feed baskets exhibited higher ME values compared to dry-season feed-baskets, the relative impact of supplementation was more pronounced during the dry season. These results highlight the potential for optimizing goat diets through improved grazing and browsing management, especially during the reduced nutritional availability in the dry season in Botswana. Such diet optimisation may improve goat health and productivity, which may positively impact the food and financial security of smallholders by providing both increased yields and increased resilience. Importantly, rural communities can experience some of the lowest food security levels in the region. The interventions explored in this study utilise natural capital, often freely available, which can be deployed through existing husbandry systems, potentially making them accessible and practical to smallholders.

Estrus detection of PE goats using the ASM application and confirmed by vagina cytology

The estrus cycle is the initial stage of increasing the milk production of PE goats. Estrus detection in PE goats is generally done manually by looking for signs of sound, restlessness, and aggression. The use of voice recording applications to detect estrus has been carried out, one of which is ASM. However, to increase the accuracy of detection based on ASM audio-visual, it is necessary to confirm the cytological status of bovine vaginal cells. This study aimed to detect estrus using audio-visual and vaginal cytology of goats. Eight female PE goats were observed on small breeders for their reproductive cycle, behavior, vocalization with ASM, and cell cytology sampling through vaginal mucus. They are processing data using Spearman rank correlation (SD). The results show aggressive behavior, frequent voices, and signs of clear discharge, and the tail is often moved. ASM detected the sound of goats in estrus at 430.0 Hz – 494.3 Hz and confirmed the superficial cell status, which predominated in PE goats. It can be concluded that the audio of goats in the 472 Hz range recorded using the ASM application can be used as a reference that goats are in estrus and ready to be mated.

Study of goat rearing systems and their impact on young goat production in the Sahelian zone of Africa: The case of West Mayo-Kebbi, Chad

Study of goat rearing systems and their impact on young goat production in the Sahelian zone of Africa: The case of West Mayo-Kebbi, Chad

Farmer experiences with goat raising in Lao PDR: implications for improving husbandry and sustaining viable systems

ABSTRACT Goat raising has increased in Lao People’s Democratic Republic due to meat demand from Vietnam. Goat production is low input using free grazing and minimal husbandry. Technical constraints are well known but socio-cultural contexts are poorly understood. This paper describes qualitative research on farmer’s motivations, experiences and learning pathways, to improve goat husbandry. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 smallholder goat farmers in Lao’s South-Central province of Savannakhet. The interviews revealed that farmers relied on their experiences and observations of goat raising in their communities to make their management decisions. Trial and error was a valued learning strategy. Farmers took guidance from the exchange of goat raising experiences with other goat farmers and preferred participatory learning that fostered discussion in familiar village settings. Lao smallholder goat farming systems are a product of compromise across a number of resources. Project interventions that required low investments of labour, land or capital were most readily implemented and adapted by farmers. This study questions the assumption that project interventions are inherently optimal and beneficial for smallholder farming systems. Recommendations propose how farmer’s experiences, constraints and preferences can be incorporated into development approaches to ensure management system changes reflect the desires of smallholder farmers.

Analysis of Reproductive Performance of Female Peranakan Etawa Goats in Toari District, Kolaka Regency

The Peranakan Etawa Goat, a type of livestock highly sought after in Indonesia, particularly in the region of Southeast Sulawesi, is renowned for its ability to reproduce and adapt to the local environment. This research was conducted between April and July 2023 in the Toari District, Kolaka Regency, deliberately chosen as one of the centers of Peranakan Etawa Goat production. The population under study consisted of female Peranakan Etawa Goats owned by farmers in the villages of Ranojaya, Wonua Raya, and Rahabite. Data collection was carried out through direct interviews with respondents and secondary data collection from relevant agencies. The observed variables included the Reproductive Performance of the Peranakan Etawa Goats, such as Estrus Signs, Puberty, Mating (S/C), and Birth (litter size), which were then organized and presented in percentage form. Descriptive analysis was conducted to depict the characteristics and findings of the data. The findings indicate that the reproductive performance of Peranakan Etawa Goats in the Toari District is suboptimal, with puberty achieved at the age of 8-9 months and the duration of estrus ranging from 24-36 hours

The role of goat production in smallholder systems in Lao PDR: implications for improving productivity and scaling up production

Context Rising demand from Vietnam for Lao goat meat has triggered a rapid increase in goat numbers in Lao Peoples Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). Despite the increased market opportunity for smallholder farmers in Laos, goat production remains low input within free-grazing management systems. Aims Qualitative research was conducted to explore the role that goat production plays in farmers’ livelihood strategies and farming systems, including the benefits and associated trade-offs, so as to inform development approaches to improve goat husbandry and productivity. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 smallholder goat farmers across five villages in southern-central Laos. Interview transcripts were analysed using grounded theory methodology with the assistance of the Nvivo 12 software program. Key results The interviews showed that goats were a profitable and liquid asset for farmers. Income from goats was used for small expenses that occurred frequently or at short notice, such as household loans or debts, utility and medical costs and buying food and clothing for family members. Goats had socio-cultural purposes, with some farmers preferring to consume goats during celebratory occasions over other livestock species. Managing goats was easy and benefited the wider farming system by providing goat manure to fertilise crop plantations. Conclusions Goat productivity and goats’ unique subsistence and socio-cultural roles can be enhanced by improving goat kid management, goat-house design and cleaning, and by implementing disease management. These activities can be low input. Implications The government policy and future development projects in Laos should focus on increasing goat productivity rather than increasing the scale of farmers’ goat enterprises. The majority of farmers may not benefit from significantly increasing the scale of their goat enterprises because of trade-offs associated with free-grazing management, including goats damaging crops or becoming lost or involved in accidents such as dog attacks and car accidents.

Indigenous Goat Populations in Northwestern and Western Zones of Tigray Region, Ethiopia: Characterization of Major Husbandry Practices and Kidding Patterns

The survey was conducted before the war (before October 2020) in Tigray Region, Ethiopia. Goats are highly concentrated in the lowland areas than in the highlands of Ethiopia. Sample households of Begait (102), Hassan (106) and Arado (181) goats were randomly involved in the face-to-face interview. Statistical Package for Social Sciences software was used for data analysis. Illiterate respondents were in Begait (42%), Hassan (29%) and Arado (55%). Cattle and goats were the major economic sources in Begait (10.19±9.1 Tropical Livestock Unit (TLU), 4.30±2.8 TLU) and Arado (4.77±3.2 TLU, 1.27±0.9 TLU) respondents. The mean flock size of Arado goat population (12.65±9.9) was significantly (P&lt;0.005) lower than the mean flock sizes of Begait (43.02±28.1) and Hassan (70.29±52.6) populations. Animals went to water source in most respondents (100.0% of Begait, 67.0% of Hassan and 87% of Arado), and river was the major water source for the animals of about 47% of Begait, 43% of Hassan and 79.0% of Arado respondents. Animals of about 56% of Hassan and 57% of Arado respondents travelled a distance of 1-5 Kilometer (Km) to obtain water, and dry season daily watering frequency of once a day was dominantly practiced in about 88% of Begait and 83% of Hassan respondents. Diseases and external parasites were reported in Begait (96%, 85%), Hassan (98%, 90%) and Arado (67%, 87%) respondents which affected indigenous goat productivity. There was no access to veterinary service centers (VSCs) in about 47% of Begait, 65% of Hassan and 93% of Arado respondents, and some respondents in about 24% of Begait and 17% of Hassan travelled a distance of greater than 10 Km to reach VSCs. Own buck use for mating and buck birth in own flocks were exhibited in Begait (93%, 85%), Hassan (95%, 76%) and Arado (38%, 35%) respondents, respectively. Uncontrolled mating and buck use outside of own flock were practiced in Begait (70%, 73%), Hassan (43%, 65%) and Arado (100.0%, 100.0%) respondents due to most goats graze in communal lands, respectively. Unknown buck to does ratio was practiced in 41% of Begait and 39% of Hassan respondents. Unknown buck to does ratio and a ratio of one buck to all does in the flock were practiced in Arado (8%, 67%) respondents, respectively, and crossbreeding was highly practiced in Begait respondents (41%). The dominant kidding months of Begait and Arado goat populations were in September up to November whilst that of Hassan goat population were in October up to December. Castration and traditional castration method were practiced in Begait (54%, 54%), Hassan (39%, 37%) and Arado (70%, 64%) respondents, respectively. Community education, access to water, access to VSC, buck to doe ratio, kidding pattern improvement and castration to control inbreeding need critical attention.

Genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms reveal the genetic diversity and population structure of Creole goats from northern Peru

Goat farming constitutes a significant source of income for farmers in northern Peru. There is currently an absence of information about the genetics of Peruvian Creole goats that would enable us to understand their origins and genetic spread. The objective of this study was to estimate the genetic diversity of Creole goats from northern Peru using SNP markers. This study involved the collection of 192 male Creole goats from three key goat production geographical departments in northern Peru. These goat samples were genotyped using the GGPGoat70k SNP panel. To explore the genetic influence of other breeds on Peruvian Creole goats, our dataset was combined with previously published SNP genotypes. External data set includes multiple breeds genotypes sampled from Argentina, Brazil, Spain, and Alpine breed from Italy, France, and Switzerland. After quality control 52,832 autosomal SNPs were used to assess genetic diversity in the Peruvian goats. For the population structure analysis of the merged data 20,513 common SNPs were used. Estimations for expected heterozygosity (He), observed heterozygosity (Ho), and inbreeding coefficient (FIS) were computed for the Peruvian groups. AMOVA, principal component analysis and ADMIXTURE were conducted to evaluate the population structure in the two data sets, Peru and merged. The results revealed a considerable genetic diversity, with Ho values ranging from 0.40 to 0.41 for the Peruvian sampling groups, and inbreeding coefficient was notably low for Peruvian goat. The population structure analysis demonstrated a distinction (p < 0.05) from other breeds. These findings suggest a level of genetic differentiation of the Peruvian goat population among other breeds, although further research is needed considering samples from other Peruvian areas. We expect this study will contribute to define genetic management strategies to prevent the loss of genetic diversity in Peruvian goat populations and for upcoming advancements in this field.

Goat flock abortion: a retrospective study at Abergelle Agricultural Research Center, Tigray, Ethiopia

BackgroundSmall ruminants are the principal component of livestock production in Tigray region, Ethiopia. But their productivity is affected by various factors. According to farmers and expert observation, goat abortion is among the leading causes of production losses in Tanqua-Abergelle district. However, study findings that examine the extent of distribution and economic impact of abortion cases in goats in the district are scarce. This retrospective study investigated the occurrence of abortion and its associated risk factors in three goat breed types at Abergelle Agricultural Research Center goat breeding site over a seven year period. The study included a total of does above one year old, and data were collected from a casebook that was specifically prepared for abortion cases. A thorough follow up was conducted to identify abortion cases. Additionally, a community survey was conducted in selected villages where the research center is located.ResultsThe overall abortion proportion was 29.8% in the goat farm. Begait goat breeds had the highest abortion proportion (50.9%, CI 0.36–0.64) in 2015/16. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified year, season, age and breed as major risk factors of abortion occurrence at flock level. Accordingly, the likelihood of goats experiencing abortion during the dry season (proportion = 34) was 1.87 times higher compared to those in the wet season (proportion = 22.8). Begait breeds had a higher incidence of abortion (proportion 37.5%, OR 4.87, CI 2.49–10.35) compared to other breeds. Age was negatively associated with abortion, suggesting that older goats (OR = 0.67) had a higher relative risk than younger goats (OR = 0.57). Moreover, the study noted a high incidence of abortion during the years 2014/15 to 2016/17 (proportion = 35.7–39.7). Within-breed analysis revealed that age and season were significant risk factors for Abergelle and Begait breeds, respectively by using a multivariate logistic regression analysis. A community survey indicated that 89.7% households responded their goats experienced abortion.ConclusionsThis study highlighted the high prevalence of goat abortion at Abergelle and identifies important risk factors associated with its occurrence. The findings can inform targeted interventions to reduce abortion rates and improve goat productivity in the district.

Optimizing Feed Formulation Strategies for Attaining Optimal Nutritional Balance in High-Performing Dairy Goats in Intensive Farming Production Systems

Abstract Genetic factors play a pivotal role in shaping feed formulation strategies for dairy goats, influencing milk production, composition, and overall productivity through the modulation of genetic parameters and polymorphisms associated with milk protein fractions and yield. Moreover, environmental challenges, including heat stress and feed availability fluctuations, pose significant hurdles in achieving optimal nutrition and performance, necessitating precision livestock farming and the utilization of local by-products to mitigate their impact on herd health and productivity. In addition, nutritional interventions, such as supplement utilization and alternative feed incorporation, offer promising avenues for addressing specific deficiencies and enhancing overall performance, from fatty acid supplementation to herbal feed additives, while balancing rations to meet evolving nutritional needs and ensuring long-term sustainability remains paramount for optimizing herd nutrition, health, and performance in intensive dairy goat production systems. The aim of this study was to explore the multifaceted influences of genetic factors, environmental challenges, and nutritional interventions on feed formulation strategies and overall herd nutrition, health, and performance in intensive dairy goat production systems.

Seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii in sheep and goats of North West Province, South Africa

BackgroundThe protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii causes toxoplasmosis, one of the most prevalent parasitic zoonotic diseases with significant economic and public health implications worldwide. Infection with the parasite has a significant adverse effect on sheep and goat production and can frequently go undetected in the herd, resulting in abortions and weak or dead offspring. Although there are few studies on seroprevalence and risk factors associated with T. gondii infections in livestock in other provinces of South Africa, there is no data in the North West province. Therefore, a cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the seroprevalence of T. gondii and risk factors associated with exposure in sheep and goats of the North West province of South Africa. Sera from 439 livestock (164 sheep and 285 goats) were collected and analysed for the presence of T. gondii IgG antibodies using indirect ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). An assessment of potential risk factors in farms associated with seropositivity was also conducted using a structured questionnaire.ResultsOut of the 439 tested sheep and goats, 13.9% (61/439) were positive for IgG antibodies against T. gondii. Sheep and goats had seroprevalences of 19.5% (32/164) and 10.5% (29/275) respectively. In the multivariable logistic regression model, the risk of acquiring T. gondii was significantly higher in the mixed breed [Odds ratio (OR) = 71.07; 95% confidence interval (CI): 266.8-1893.1; p < 0.011)] animals than white dorper sheep and in farms that burn or bury aborted material (OR = 42.04; CI: 179.9-982.5; p = 0.020) compared to those that only burn aborted material. The risk was lower for the farms in Kagisano-Molopo (OR = 0.00; CI: 0.0-25.4; p = 0.015) and Mahikeng (OR = 0.00; CI: 0.0-4.9; p < 0.001) local municipalities than Greater Taung local municipality, and for the animals that drink water from dams (OR = 0.03; CI: 0.2–58.8; p = 0.021) than those that drink from boreholes.ConclusionThe seroprevalence and risk factors associated with transmission observed show that T. gondii infection is widespread in sheep and goats of the North West province.

Effects of adaptive duration to salinity in drinking water on behavior, weight gain and blood biochemical parameters in growing goats.

This experiment aimed to determine the effect of adaptive duration to saline water on behaviors, weight gain and blood biochemical parameters in growing goats. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design, which included four treatments with five animals per group. The goats were administered either fresh water (control) or seawater with a salinity of 1.5%, with varying durations of adaptation to seawater. The adaptive durations included an abrupt change (A0) from fresh water to seawater with a salinity of 1.5% or stepwise adaptation either 4 (A4) or 7 (A7) days of increasing saline concentrations. The results showed that dry matter intake in the non-adapted goats (A0 group) was lower than that of the control group or the adapted goats throughout the experiment (p<0.05). In contrast, water intake from drinking saline water was greater than that in the control group (p<0.05). Body weigh did not differ among the treatments; however, non-adapted goats exhibited a lower weight gain than the adapted goats (p<0.05). The goats in the A0 and A4 groups exhibited increased plasma levels of urea, AST, and ALT compared with the control and A7 groups. However, blood electrolyte levels remained unchanged and were within the normal range for goats. Therefore, it is concluded that the stepwise adaptation to seawater with a salinity of 1.5% for 21 days has no influence on productivity and health status of goats.

Associations between Climate Variability and Livestock Production in Botswana: A Vector Autoregression with Exogenous Variables (VARX) Analysis

The changing climate has a serious bearing on agriculture, particularly livestock production in Botswana. Therefore, studying the relationship between climate and livestock, which at present is largely missing, is necessary for the proper formulation of government policy and interventions. This is critical in promoting the adoption of relevant mitigation strategies by farmers, thereby increasing resilience. The aim of this research is to establish associations between climate variability and livestock production in Botswana at the national level. The paper employs time series data from 1970 to 2020 and the Vector Autoregression with Exogenous Variables (VARX) model for statistical analysis. The trend shows that both cattle and goat populations are decreasing. The VARX model results reveal that cattle and goat populations are negatively associated with increasing maximum temperatures. Cattle respond negatively to increased minimum temperatures as well, while goats tend to respond positively, implying that livestock species react differently to climatic conditions due to their distinct features. The results of the roots of the companion matrix for cattle and goat production meet the stability condition as all the eigenvalues lie inside the unit circle. The study recommends further intervention by the government to deal with increasing temperatures, thereby addressing the dwindling populations of goats and cattle, which have significant contributions to the household economies of smallholders and the national economy, respectively.