Small Ruminant Production Research Articles

CHARACTERISTICS OF SMALLHOLDER SHEEP AND GOAT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN SOUTH EAST NIGERIA: OBSERVATIONS FROM ANAMBRA STATE

This paper presents the results of a survey of sheep and goat producers in Anambra State, (present day Enugu and Anambra State), Nigeria. The sampled areas represent the agroclimatic and administrative zones of the oid Anambra State. A total sample size of 310 spread over 5 LGAS and 25 village areas was drawn. Only households which kept sheep and/or goats at the time of the study were sampled. Data generated included demographic characteristics of small stock owners, sheep and goat distribution by household, management practices and problems associated with current management systems, sources of feed by season and livestock disease profile. Results of analyses showed that ownership distribution of animals was skewed in favour of goats. The mean flock size per household was 2.4 and 6.2 sheep and goats respectively. About 22% of the households interviewed kept sheep alone, another 62% kept goats alone. Over 85% of respondents acquired their foundation stock from the open market, while others came from neighbours flocks. Most respondents expressed the desire to increase their holdings with more wishing to expand their goat herd size than sheep. However, feeding was most frequently mentioned as a limiting factor in increasing sheep or goat herd size. Household wastes and cut forages were the major sources of animal feed. There was a very low awareness level of agroforestry practices, Only 5.2% and 2.3% of the respondents had any knowledge of Intensive Feed Gardening (IFG) and Alley farming (AF) respectively. Reported Smallholder Sheep and Goats Management mortality was low less than 3.5% in all herds studied). Implications for improved small ruminant production in Nigeria's humid zone are drawn.

Gastro-intestinal Tract Nematodes of Small Ruminants: Prevalence and Their Identification in and Around Alage, Southern Ethiopia

A cross sectional study was conducted in small ruminants kept under extensive management system in and around Alage Agricultural Technical Vocational Educational and Training (ATVET) College from October to May, 2018/19. The objectives were set to estimate the prevalence and types of recovered parasites at genus level and assessment of their association with the animal risk factors. A total of 310 randomly collected fecal samples of small ruminants (206 goats and 104 sheep) were examined by simple floatation. In the study area, the overall prevalence of GIT nematodes in small ruminants was 79.68% (247/310). Species specific prevalence of GIT nematode was 78.2% (161/206) and 82.7% (86/104), goats and sheep, respectively. The result showed the existence of single as well as mixed parasitic infections. Accordingly, higher proportion of Haemonchus in sheep (33.72%) and Trichostrongylus in goats (31.1%) represent single infections while Haemonchus with Trichostrongylus in sheep (5.8%), and Trichostrongylus with Oesophagostomum in goats (4.35%) weremixed parasitic infections. Conversely, Bunostomum and Trichuris appeared to be the lowestin proportions in goats (3.73%) and sheep (2.33%) as a single infection whereas Haemonchus with Bunostomum in goats (0.62%) and Trichostrongylus with Bunostomum in sheep (1.2%), as mixed parasitic infections. Analysis of risk factors (species, age, sex and body condition score) revealed that only sex and BCS had significant association with occurrence of parasitic infection (p 0.05) for parasitic infection. In general, the occurrences of high prevalence of nematodes in the study area suggest that GI nematodes are major constraints for production and productivity of small ruminants. Therefore, application of strategic control measures is recommended to reduce the impact of nematodes in ruminants in the current area.

Profitability Analysis of Small ruminants (Goat and Sheep) Production in Rural Communities of Ghana

Agriculture is the main driving force of rural economies with livestock, especially small ruminants’ making an important contribution. This study sought to analyse the profitability of small ruminants (goat and sheep) production in rural communities. Primary data from questionnaire administration and secondary data were used. A budgetary analytical technique was used for the analysis to estimate the profit of the enterprises. The study found that small ruminants (goat and sheep) production is profitable and viable with a revenue-cost ratio of 1.86. Therefore, government and non-governmental organizations should support small ruminant producers with credit, adequate training, and make it a major component of farming to curb unemployment.

Chemical characteristics of the compost of waste from the production and slaughter of small ruminants

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to assess the chemical characteristics of a continuous aerobic composting process with passive aeration of feed material from the production and slaughter of small ruminants at different moisture levels. The composting process was performed in a brick barn with solid residues (manure and carcass parts) from the slaughter of goats and sheep along with chopped dry elephant grass and tree trimmings. The treatments employed three moisture contents (30, 50, and 70% water) and four sample collections at timed intervals (0, 30, 60, and 120 days), with three repetitions. The variables evaluated were the chemical attributes of the generated compost. The compositing process increased the concentrations of the elements Ca, Mg, S, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn and reduced the pH, lignin, and lignin/nitrogen ratio. The levels of N, P, and B increased up to 111, 61, and 94 days, respectively, whereas no change in the K content occurred. At the end of the process at 120 days, the contents of N, P, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, and electrical conductivity were increased by 33.7, 6.3, 17.5, 16.3, 666, 22, 31.3, 49.7, 30.4, 29.4 and 16.1%, respectively. The pH and lignin values decreased by 8.4 and 27.2%, respectively.

Effects of supplementation with tropical dry forest tree foliage on meat quality and fatty acid composition in Colombian creole lambs (ovis aries)

In tropical dry forest conditions, small ruminant production is an alternative for small farmers. Even so, the quality of the forages does not meet the nutritional requirements of the animals. However, the high biodiversity of trees that exist in the region offers a supplementation alternative especially during the dry season. The objective of this research work was to evaluate the quality and the profile effect of fatty acids in Colombian creole lamb meat supplemented with tree species from the tropical dry forest. A total of 35 lambs were used which were randomly distributed in 5 treatments as follows: T1: Botriochloa pertusa; T2: Botriochloa pertusa + 300 g/day of Leucaena leucocephala; T3: Botriochloa pertusa + 300 g/day of Gliricidia sepium; T4: Botriochloa pertusa + 300 g/day of Guazuma ulmifolia and T5 (BpSs): Botriochloa pertusa + 300 g/day of Senna spectabilis. The experimental units were brought to a final slaughter weight of ±32 kg and the pH, color, and fatty acid composition of the carcasses were evaluated at 24 hours. The meat quality parameters did not present significant differences (P>0.05) in the different supplements and obtained acceptable parameters for their consumption.It was evidenced that the proportions of saturated fatty acids (C 16: 0, C 18: 0, total SFA) in lambs supplemented with Senna spectabilis and Gliricidia sepium were lower (P<0.05). It is concluded that under the conditions of the study the supplementations with Senna spectabilis and Gliricidia sepium can induce a favorable change in the fatty acid content of lamb meat.

Impact of interventions for sustainable small ruminants production under drought in Namakkal district of Tamil Nadu

Impact of interventions for sustainable small ruminants production under drought in Namakkal district of Tamil Nadu

Can a return to small ruminants increase profitability and drought resilience in the semiarid rangelands of northern Australia?

Context The semiarid rangelands of northern Australia have high climate variability and a history of suffering periodic severe droughts. To remain viable, livestock businesses in the rangelands need to build resilience to climatic and market variability by regularly producing a profit and increasing wealth. Aims Our aim was to use the farm-management economics framework to conduct a contemporary assessment of the profitability and resilience of alternative livestock enterprises in the semiarid rangelands of northern Australia. Methods Livestock options were examined for a constructed, hypothetical property representative of the central-western Queensland rangelands (16 200 ha; long-term carrying capacity 1071 adult equivalents). First, the profitability of beef cattle, wool sheep, meat sheep and meat goat enterprises was assessed in a steady-state analysis using herd or flock budgeting models. Second, farm-level, partial discounted cash-flow budgets were applied to consider the value of integrating or fully adopting over time several of the alternative enterprises from the starting base enterprise of either a self-replacing (1) beef cattle herd or (2) wool sheep flock. Key results In the steady-state analysis of existing enterprises, meat sheep and rangeland meat goat enterprises produced the greatest rate of return on total capital (3.9 and 3.7% per annum respectively). The operating profit, of all self-replacing herds or flocks, was most sensitive to meat prices. Where full investment in a wild dog exclusion fence around the boundary of the property, and some refurbishment of existing infrastructure, was required to convert from beef to small ruminant production, the investment increased the riskiness and indebtedness of the overall enterprise. This was the case even when the long-term operating profit of the property could be substantially improved, e.g. by a change to rangeland meat goats (extra A$45 700 profit/annum). Conclusions Existing small ruminant enterprises in the semiarid rangelands of Queensland are profitable and resilient alternatives, based on contemporary prices. However, when changing from the predominant beef cattle enterprise, and incurring significant capital costs to do so, financial risk is substantially increased, which has implications for property managers. Implications The farm-management economics framework should be used by individual grazing businesses for their specific circumstances, to support decision-making.

Small Ruminant Production in Tanzania, Uganda, and Ethiopia: A Systematic Review of Constraints and Potential Solutions.

Sheep and goats are an important commodity for smallholder farmers across East Africa, but severe limitations remain in small ruminant production. This review aimed to identify specific constraints to small ruminant production and identify practical and sustainable solutions. From 54 eligible articles, most were focused in Ethiopia (n = 44) with only 6 studies performed in Tanzania and 4 in Uganda. The most frequently identified constraint in Ethiopia and Tanzania was disease (n = 28 and n = 3, respectively), and in Uganda, it was the lack of access to veterinary services (n = 4). Additionally, access to good breeding stock, lack of animal records, and an established marketing chain were also mentioned in all the three countries. Ectoparasites, gastrointestinal parasites, orf, and sheep/goat pox were the most frequently mentioned disease challenges causing productivity losses. Many articles provided potential solutions as suggested by farmers, including improved access to veterinary services and medicines, improved record keeping, and access to good breeding stock. Farmers highlighted the value of community-based participatory development plans to increase education on disease control, land management, and husbandry. This review also highlighted knowledge gaps, the need for further research, particularly in Tanzania and Uganda, and the importance of addressing multiple challenges holistically due to the links between constraints.

Evaluation of the Contribution of Pastures on the Economic Sustainability of Small Ruminant Farms in a Typical Greek Area

Small ruminant production is predominantly linked to the use of natural pastures; however the intensification process in past decades has led to a gradual abandonment of grazing and the prevalence of intensive patterns. This paper contributes to the discussion about the economic performance of small ruminant farms relative to the use of pastures. Using data from a sample of Greek sheep and goat farms it is shown that grazing does not necessarily increase economic performance. If not organized carefully, farms which graze more do not reduce their feeding costs or they counterbalance this reduction with increases labor expenses. An efficiency analysis of the sample using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) shows that farms which graze less are generally more efficient than the ones which graze more. Furthermore, the input-oriented DEA model reveals that the same level of output could be achieved with less a reduction of hours grazing by 12.5% and 11.9%, respectively for farms which graze less than 1800 h and more than 1800 respectively. It is concluded that a higher level of organization is required to render grazing a practice with positive economic impact on farms, including infrastructure for better accessibility of pastures, more efficient rations and training. This applies also to the framework for pasture use in Greece, as the delivery of Integrated Grazing Management Plans is expected to provide guidance and stability to small ruminant farmers.

Availability and estimation of crop by-product yields for small ruminant production in Cross River State, Nigeria

A study was carried out in some Local Government Areas of Cross River State of Nigeria to identify and ascertain the availability, level of production and the yields of crop by-products derived from commonly cultivated crops that can serve as feed for small ruminants. The results show that the various staple crops commonly grown in Cross River State produce the following crop by-products in a decreasing order of yields- cassava peels> yam peels> corn cobs> maize sheaths> plantain peels> maize offal> rice offal> cassava sievets> banana peels> fried garri sievets> groundnut haulms> sweet potato peels. The annual yield of crop by-products per Local Government Area is estimated as follows: cassava peels 89,226.40, yam peels 32,318.80, maize sheaths and offal 358,050.00, rice 0ffal 37,140.00, cowpea haulms 34,064.00, groundnut haulms 41,872.00, banana peels and rejects 18,420.00, plantain peels 7,598.40, cocoyam peels 11,944.00, sweet potato peels and rejects 8,024.00 tonnes per selected LGA.The total amount of crop by-products (638,657.60 tonnes) generated each year from the staple food crops will go a long way in solving the problem of feed scarcity for ruminants during dry season.

Nutritional potential of differently processed Cajanus cajan leaves on nutrient digestibility and nitrogen utilization of West African dwarf growing rams fed Panicum maximum

Browse legume plants particularly pigeon pea forage generates a lot of underutilized leaves which if properly harnessed can be a cheaper source of nutrients for small ruminant animal production, during dry season feed shortages. In this study, the nutrient digestibility and nitrogen utilization of West African dwarf growing rams fed differently processed Cajanus cajan leaves and Panicum maximum basal diet for 56 days feeding trial. A total of sixteen(16) growing WAD rams between 6 - 9 months with an average body weight of 7.00 - 12.00k were randomly allocated to 4 treatments with 4 rams each and 2 rams per replicate. The experimental diet was fed at 3% body weight of individual ram while fresh, wilted, and dried forms of Cajanus cajan leaves supplemented at varied inclusion levels (0%, 30% fresh, 30% wilted and 30% dried) with Panicum maximum. There were significant (P<0.05) differencesin all parameters determined on nutrient digestibility across the dietary treatments. Animals maintained on T (70% Panicum maximum and 30% dried Cajanus cajan leaves) had the 4 highest dry matter digestibility (60.46%), while the lowest value (48.56%) for DMD was recorded in T diet. Rams fed T diet had the highest mean crude protein digestibility (CPD) 1 2 value of 11.30%, followed by T (10.68%), 10.02% for T , while T diet had the lowest mean 2 1 4CPD of 9.21%. Rams fed T diet had the highest mean crude fibre digestibility (CFD) value of 1 37.65%, while 35.03, 33.18 and 32.71 were recorded for T , T and T diet respectively. T was 4 2 3 4 observed to have the highest mean ash digestibility value of 17.07% with T , T and T having 3 1 2 the value of 16.02, 14.28 and 13.36 respectively. There were significant (P<0.05) differences in all parameters determined on nitrogen utilization across the dietary treatments. Rammaintained on T diet had the highest mean intake of 4.42g/d while T diet had the lowest 2 1 mean value of 2.64g/d. The lowest mean nitrogen balance (NB) of 0.43g/d was observed in rams fed T diet while rams on T diet had the highest NB value of 2.18g/d. Rams fed T diet 1 2 4 had the highest faecal nitrogen value of 2.14g/d. However, rams maintained on T diet had 4 the highest value urinary nitrogen of 1.07g/d. The nitrogen utilization fluctuatedsignificantly (P<0.05) across the dietary treatments. It can be concluded that supplementation of fresh Cajanus cajan forages at 30% inclusion with Panicum maximum at 70% for growing rams can enhance nutrient utilization in terms of crude protein digestibility and nitrogen utilization without any deleterious effects on the animals.

Conjunctival mucous membrane colour as an indicator for the targeted selective treatment of haemonchosis and of the general health status of peri-urban smallholder goats in southern Malawi

The world’s growing population is becoming increasingly centred around large cities, affording opportunities for peri-urban food production. Goats are well-suited to conversion of resources that are available in peri-urban settings into meat and occasionally milk. Haemonchus contortus has been described as “the nemesis of small ruminant production systems in tropical and subtropical regions”; hence control of haemonchosis through planned animal health management affords a pragmatic first step in improving the production efficiency of peri-urban goats. This study of peri-urban goat production investigated the potential value of targeted selective treatment of haemonchosis. 452 peri-urban goat keepers in southern Malawi were visited during three seasonal periods with relevance to the epidemiology of haemonchosis. 622, 599 and 455 individually identified goats were clinically examined during the dry season, the rainy season, and shortly after the end of the rainy season, respectively. Data were recorded for sex, age, weight, conjunctival mucous membrane colour score (FAMACHA©), body condition score (BCS) and faecal worm egg count (FEC); and where possible for pregnancy and lactation status. Animals with pale ocular mucous membranes were treated with 10 mg/kg albendazole, then re-examined 14 days later. Animals with pink mucous membranes, but FECs ≥250 eggs per gram were also re-examined and treated 14 days later. The results show high variability in growth rates deduced from the ages and bodyweights of each of 999 goats at the time of their enrolment. FAMACHA© scores alone were a poor index for the targeted selective treatment of haemonchosis, because they failed to identify too many animals that would have required treatment at different times of year and using different FAMACHA© and FEC cut-offs. Combining the indices of FAMACHA© scores ≥4, body condition scores ≥2, and age >18 months was more reliable in identifying those animals requiring treatment when different epidemiologically-relevant FEC thresholds for different seasons were taken into account. Inclusion of late pregnancy or early lactation status would have resulted in very few animals requiring treatment being missed. The use of conjunctival mucous membrane colour scoring in this way provided a valuable insight of the general health status of the peri-urban goats, to create opportunities for planned animal health management to improve productivity. The efficacy of albendazole treatment was poor, putatively due to drug resistance, or poor drug bioavailability in goats. In summary, our study shows opportunities for better production efficiency in peri-urban goats, and demonstrates the value of simple clinical diagnostic indices as decision support tools in planned animal health management.

English

Helminths have been a serious trouble for the farmers due to their adverse effects on small ruminant production. Hemonchus contortus (H. contortus) and Fasciola hepatica (F. hepatica) are highly pathogenic and pose serious threat in co-existence. Because of increasing threat of anthelmintic resistance, alternative methods are being investigated and the herbal remedies stand the most prominent due to their efficacy and availability. Anthelmintic activity of the herbal mixture was evaluated in goats. Adult goats were selected at Livestock Production and Research Centre (LPRI) Bahadarnagar, Okara and were examined for helminth eggs in their feces. Twenty-four goats having almost similar egg per gram (EPG) of feces values of H. contortus and F. hepatica were selected and allocated to four groups of equal size. Herbal mixture was administered at dose rate of 1400, 1200 and 1000 mg/kg to each member of groups G1, G2 and G3, respectively on day 0, 7, 14 and 21 of the trials, while group G4 served as negative control receiving no medicine/herbal mixture. Trials continued for 30 days and data about EPG, fecal egg count reduction, complete blood count and serum biochemistry were collected before administration of herbal mixture at day 15 and day 30 of trial while animals were weighed before initiation of trial (day 0) and at the end of trial (day 30). All treatments showed a significant reduction in fecal egg count as compared to control group. Maximum fecal egg count reduction was observed in animals of group G1, which is 91.35% for H. contortus and 82.35% for F. hepatica. There was a slight increase in weight gain ratio of the treated animals in respective decreasing order with G1 having highest weight gain. An increase in erythrocyte count, pack cell volume and hemoglobin concentration was recorded while non-significant effect was observed on serum parameters. The results of this trial suggested that herbal dewormer is effective and can be an option for integrated management strategies for nematodes and trematodes control in the goats

194 Carcass and Meat Quality of Pasture-raised Lamb and Goat

Abstract Various trials have been proceeded to develop forage feeding systems that meet nutritional requirements for meat producing sheep and goats under the SCC-81 project: Sustainable Small Ruminant Production in the Southeastern United States. Small ruminants are fed most of their required nutrients from forages to increase the profit to the livestock producers. However, pasture-based production systems have a limitation because of seasonal variation of nutrient contents in pastures. This often means pasture alone does not always provide adequate nutrition for fast growing animals. Furthermore, different forms and energy levels of diets influence carcass composition and meat properties in food animals. Meat animal carcasses vary in composition through genetic, nutritional, and environmental factors. In general, dressing percentages of sheep and goats ranged from around 40% to 60%, and their shoulder and leg cuts represent more than half of their entire carcass weight. Pasture-based systems of meat production have sustained low live weight gains relative to those achieved with intensive grain-based systems. Subsequently, sheep and goats finished at pasture have produced lighter carcasses with a low fat content, which is rich in beneficial fatty acids such as alpha-linolenic and conjugated linoleic acids. Meat-producing sheep and goats with high-energy intake generally increased the juiciness, tenderness, and texture of their meat, but the consumer acceptability was lower because of higher content of fat in their meat than those from sheep and goats finished on forage diets. A brief overview of the recent works in the SCC-81 project will be presented in order to illustrate the impacts of newly developed forage feeding systems on carcass characteristics and meat quality of sheep and goats.

192 Towards Year-Round Grazing in the Southeastern U.S

Abstract Winter feeds costs for small ruminants exceeds 50% of the total cost of most small ruminant production systems in the Southeastern U.S. Keeping these feed costs low is one of the most effective and time-tested ways to improve farm profitability. While maintaining an appropriate stocking rate will be critical for sustaining long-term farm productivity, a suite of other management practices is available to assist in this objective. Installing appropriate fence and watering system infrastructure for managing grazing will be critical for improving harvest efficiency and stockpiling forages for utilization when forage growth is limited. Filling gaps in forage production may also be achieved through the strategic use of a number of forage species, including warm-season or cool-season forages and annual or perennial forages. Managing stored forages appropriately during storing and feeding will help minimize feed losses, while producing quality hay will reduce the need for supplementary feeds. With the adoption of these proven practices, sheep and goat production may be optimized by allowing them to harvest their own feed almost year-round in the Southeastern U.S.

A Review of the Current Status of Peste des Petits Ruminants Epidemiology in Small Ruminants in Tanzania.

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious viral disease of sheep and goats with high mortality. The disease is of considerable economic importance in countries such as Tanzania, where small ruminant products are important for sustainable livelihoods. This review assesses current knowledge regarding the epidemiology of PPRV in Tanzania, highlighting the challenges with respect to control and suggesting possible interventions. Thirty-three articles were identified after literature searches using Google Scholar and PubMed. Studies revealed that PPRV is endemic in sheep and goats in Tanzania, although seropositivity has also been reported in cattle, camels, buffalo, Grant's gazelle, wildebeest and impala, but with no clinical manifestation. Three lineages (lineage II to IV) of PPRV have been identified in Tanzania, implying at least two separate introductions of the virus. Diagnosis of PPR in Tanzania is mostly by observation of clinical signs and lesions at post mortem. Risk factors in Tanzania include age, sex, species, and close contact of animals from different farms/localities. Although there is an efficacious vaccine available for PPR, poor disease surveillance, low vaccine coverage, and uncontrolled animal movements have been the bane of control efforts for PPR in Tanzania. There is need for collaborative efforts to develop interventions to control and eradicate the disease. The establishment of a national reference laboratory for PPR, conduct of surveillance, the development of high-quality DIVA vaccines, as well as execution of a carefully planned national vaccination campaign may be key to the control and subsequent eradication of PPR in Tanzania and achieving the global goal of eradicating PPR by 2030.

Soil fertility and nutritional status of elephant grass fertilized with organic compost from small ruminant production and slaughter systems

ABSTRACT The application of organic composts derived from animal husbandry or agro-industry is a promising option to improve nutrient cycling and supply of soils and, consequently, forage production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the soil chemical properties and the nutritional state of elephant grass in response to rates of organic fertilizer composted from the waste of small ruminant production and slaughter systems. The experiment was conducted on a Fluvisol of a forage field with elephant grass var. [...]

Prevalence of Subclinical Mastitis among Small Ruminants and Isolation of Some Etiological Bacterial Pathogens in Jimma Town, Ethiopia

Subclinical mastitis in small ruminants is of concern due to the animal welfare, economic, public health, productivity, and livelihood impacts that it may pose. A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2017 to April 2018 in and around Jimma town, Southwest, Ethiopia; to estimate the prevalence of subclinical mastitis, to isolate bacterial pathogens responsible for the occurrence of subclinical mastitis, and to identify risk factors associated with the development of subclinical mastitis in small ruminants. Milk samples were collected from 186 apparently healthy lactating small ruminants, tested on the field with the California Mastitis Test, and samples tested positive were subjected to bacteriological examinations. Out of 372 milk samples collected, 92(24.8%) samples from 70 animals were positive by the California Mastitis Test and these were cultured on different media. Through bacteriological examinations, six isolates of bacteria were identified which include; S. aureus (8.1%), S. epidermidis (10.2%), S. intermidus (2.2%), S. hyicus (1.6%), S. agalactiae (3.2%), and E. coli (12.4%). The highest prevalence of subclinical mastitis recorded was due to Staphylococcus species (22%) followed by E. coli (12.4%) and the least prevalence was due to S. agalactiae (3.2%). The overall prevalence of subclinical mastitis among small ruminants was 37.6%. Age and parity number variations among small ruminants were found important in influencing the prevalence in statistically significant (P = 0.00) extents. The highest prevalence of subclinical mastitis was recorded in old (24.7%) and in small ruminants having >5 parity numbers (24.7%). The high prevalence of small ruminant subclinical mastitis in the study area suggests that intervention strategies their-goal-being prevention and control of subclinical mastitis should be designed; so as to improve the welfare of animals, to save people consuming the milk of small ruminants from zoonotic risks, and to harvest the diverse benefits that may be generated from small ruminant production.

Control of Brucella melitensis in endemic settings: A simulation study in the Nile Delta, Egypt.

Small ruminant brucellosis remains endemic in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where it poses a major economic and public health burden. Lack of resources to support long-term vaccination, inherent characteristics of small ruminant production systems such as mixing of different flocks for grazing and limitations of the vaccines currently available, which can induce abortion in pregnant animals, have all hindered the effectiveness of control programmes. In the current study, the likely effect of different control scenarios on the seroprevalence of brucellosis among the small ruminant population in a hypothetical area of an endemic region was simulated using compartmental models. The model accounts for variability in transmission rates between villages and also simulates control scenarios that target villages with high seroprevalence. Our results show that vaccination of young replacement animals only can effectively reduce the prevalence of small ruminant brucellosis in endemic settings if a high vaccination coverage is achieved. On the other hand, test-and-slaughter alone is not a promising strategy for control of small ruminant brucellosis under husbandry practices typical of endemic low-resource settings. Furthermore, results show the potential success of some strategies requiring a relatively low overall vaccination coverage such as the vaccination of 50% of young replacements and 25% of adult animals each year. Control strategies selectively targeting high initial seroprevalence villages (p>10%) did not decrease the overall seroprevalence to acceptable levels in most of the examined scenarios. Scenario analysis showed that the efficacy of the simulated control strategies can be improved mostly by decreasing the proportion of between-village trade and also by improving the performance of the used serological tests and increasing vaccine efficacy.

Systematic Review of Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens of Small Ruminants in Pakistan.

Ticks and tick-borne diseases (TTBDis) are a major constraint to the health and production of small ruminants in Pakistan. Despite being the subject of intermittent studies over the past few decades, comprehensive information on the epidemiology and control of TTBDis is lacking. Herein, we have systematically reviewed the current knowledge on TTBDis of small ruminants in Pakistan. Critical appraisal of the selected 71 articles published between 1947 to 2020 revealed that morphological examination had been the most widely used method for the identification of TTBDis in Pakistan. Tick fauna comprise at least 40 species, mainly belonging to Haemaphysalis, Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus. The prevalence of ticks is the highest in summer (June–September) and it is also higher in goats than sheep. Anaplasma, Babesia and Theileria spp. are the major tick-borne pathogens (TBPs), and their prevalence is usually higher in sheep than goats. Spatio-temporal distribution, genetic diversity and control of ticks and TBPs of small ruminants as well as the competence of tick vectors for various TBPs remain to be explored. Therefore, coordinated and focused investigations are required to fill knowledge gaps in these areas to maximise the health, production and welfare of small ruminants and minimise economic losses associated with TTBDis in Pakistan.