Global Journal of Animal Scientific Research
Volume:8 Issue: 3, Summer 2020

The study was conducted to assess husbandry practices of Simada cattle population in three districts of North-Western Ethiopia. Data were collected through semi-structured questionnaire, focus group discussions, and field observations. A total of 180 households 60 from each district were randomly selected to fill the structured questionnaire. The study revealed that the average cattle herd size was 6.51± .094 heads per household. The purposes of keeping cattle were for traction, milk production, income generation, trashing of crop, manure (to increase soil fertility), social status and meat. Natural pasture and crop byproducts were major feed sources in study area. Most of the respondents housed cattle at night and part of the day. The major sources of water for livestock were rivers, pond, springs/streams and temporary water. Constraints of cattle production were feed shortage, disease, and lack of improved breeds ranking 1st, 2nd and 3rd, respectively. Feed shortage is the most limiting factor for cattle production in the study area and need to be addressed. Provision of strong extension services to farmers for feed resource development and training them in basic principles of collection, storage of harvested feed resources and crop residues should be required

Corn hybrid single cross 10 (S.C. 10) was cultivated at two planting density rates of low density was 20 thousand plants per feddan (20 TPF) or high density was 30 thousand plants per feddan (30 TPF) with a split-plot design with randomized complete blocks arrangement in two plant density. Whole corn plants were harvested at the dough stage of maturity (92 days), chopped and ensiled in double plastic bags in three replicates for each density, pressed by hand to exclude the air from the bags and ensiled for 35 days. Results showed that the contents of NFE and NFC were higher, but CF and fiber fractions of corn silage were lower significantly (P<0.05) for low plant density compared to high plant density. Gas production and its fractions of soluble (a) and insoluble (b) as well as gas production rate (c) values were significantly (P<0.05) higher for low plant density. However, methane production was significantly (P<0.05) higher for high plant density. Gas production from soluble fraction (GPSF), insoluble fraction (GPNSF), short chain fatty acids (SCFA), predicted dry matter intake (DMI), organic matter digestibility (OMD), in vitro dry matter degradability (IVDMD) and microbial protein (MP) were significantly higher (P<0.05) for low plant density compared to high plant density. While, predicted metabolizable energy (ME) and net energy (NE) were nearly similar for both low and high plant density.

Livestock farming plays a vital contribution in food supply of rural and urban areas; gives off a wide diversity of products; creates employment, stimulates demand for goods and services; and promoting economic transformation by contributing to human and financial capital. COVID-19 has had a substantial impact on many sectors at global, regional and national levels; including the livestock sector. It negatively influences animal production through reducing access to animal feeds, inputs and services, markets and consumers; processing via reducing processing capacity, compromised storage and conservation and constrained informal businesses; and animal health by reducing testing and diagnostic capacity; disrupting animal diseases surveillance and reporting; reducing or even suspending national animal disease control programmes. With rigorous action, we can not only avoid some of the worst impacts but do so in a way that supports a transition to more sustainable livestock production systems that are in better balance with nature and that support healthy diets- and thus better health predictions - for all. Hence, since there were no cases reported for the transmission of COVID-19 from livestock animals to humans, it is highly recommended that farmers continue to rear, keep, care and maintain their livestock by taking measures into practices.

This study was aimed to generate organized information based on household survey. The study was conducted in three districts each representing different agro-ecologies. A total of 156 households (52 in each agro-ecology) were interviewed for the household survey. Data on goat production system were collected through questionnaire. The collected data recorded and analyzed by using SPSS version 20 and then described by descriptive statistics. According to this study, the average goat flock size in household was 7.6 in highland, 7.75 in midland and 10.2 in lowland study areas. The main reason of keeping goat in study area was for cash income, milk production, saving purpose. Natural pasture and river were the major feed and water source for goats in the study area in dry and rain season respectively. The majority of the households use separate type of housing in highland (59.6%) and in midland (76.9%) study areas, while in lowland (73.1%) study area uses kraal types of housing system. Herding practice of farmers 78.8% in highland, 90.4% in midland and 67.3% in lowland study areas of households run their goats separate from other households. Most of goat owners in the study area use uncontrolled type of mating. Growth rate, body appearance, liter size and color are most important traits in study area to select breeding bucks and does. In this area about 53.8% in highland, 51.9% in midland and 75% in lowland farmers did not carry out castration practice. As indicated present result, goat pox, diarrhea, ticks, anthrax and foot and mouth disease were goat diseases prevail in the study area. For treating their goats majority (62.8%) of goat owners in the study area accessed only government veterinary clinics. Feed shortage, disease and predator were main goat production constraints in study area. From this study results, improved forage establishment program, developing water sources, animal health service extension, awareness regarding the importance of castration and fattening and training for goat owners to focus on economically important traits during selection are forwarded for this study area.

The aim of this study was to determine some body conformation traits of female and male Norduz lambs by using linear type evaluation scheme developed for sheep and to determine the effect of gender on conformation defects. The animal material of the study consisted of 40 female and 41 male lambs aged 5-7 months. Body weight and body measurements of lambs were determined. In the lambs, jaw alignment, pelvisslope, topline, gigot and legs were evaluated as body conformation traits. Correlations among body weight, body measurements and conformation traits were determined in female and male lambs. In the study, there found significant differences between the genders in favor of male lambs for body weight (P<0.05), withers height (P<0.01), body length (P<0.05) and chest depth (P<0.01). However, no significant differences were determined between female and male lambs in terms of body conformation defects except for the side view of the rear legs (P<0.01). By evaluating the conformation traits in different growth periods, it will be possible to detect defective animals in advance and to ensure the productivity of the herd. There is a need to develop linear type evaluation schemes that can be applied on different sheep breeds.

This research study was initiated to evaluate the microbial and physicochemical qualities of randomly selected cow milk samples in three districts of Borana Zone (Gomole, Elwaye and Dubluk). The microbial and physicochemical analyses were performed following standard protocols. Milk samples collected from Dubluk District showed a maximum standard plate and total coliform count values of 8.4 log10 CFU mL-1, and faecal coliforms have been detected in 98% of the samples. The maximum counts of Salmonella (mean prevalence: 39.9%) and Shigella (mean prevalence: 95.8%) of 5.5 (Elwaye) and 7.5 (Dubluk) log10 CFU mL-1, respectively, were obtained showing potential faecal contamination of milk. Yeast and mold test (100% prevalence) revealed that Gomole District samples (4.8 log10 CFU mL-1) were significantly higher (<0.0001) than samples of the other districts. In analysis for physicochemical parameters, fat (7.5%) (Dubluk), protein (3.4%) (Gomole and Elwaye), lactose (5.1) (Gomole, Elwaye & Dubluk), salts (0.8%) (Gomole and Elwaye), Solid-Not-Fat (9.2 -9.4) (Dubluk – Gomole) and 0.0% added water (all samples) were recorded; with fat, lactose and SNF being better as compared to earlier reports. In general, microbial population levels exceeded the set standard rendering it unsafe for raw consumption. Among the causes may be prevalence of a serious hygienic problem in the process of milk production and subsequent handling in the study areas due to inadequate cleanliness of the milking personnel, milking materials, udder, teat and concern of health of the cows. Thus, the pastoral society should be given awareness through training regarding the general hygienic practices required and the health hazards associated with production and consumption of low standard cow milk.

As result of sheep is managed by poor smallholder farmers and pastoralists under traditional and extensive production systems. The level of production and productivity of sheep in Ethiopia is generally low. The aim of this study was assessing sheep production system, opportunities and constraints of sheep productionin Lagambo district based on household survey. A total of 289 households (130 in highland and 159 in midland) were interviewed for the household survey data collected. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20 and then described by descriptive statistics. According to the study, the average sheep flock size per household was 9.5 in highland and 7.86 in midland of study areas. The main reasons of keeping sheep in the study area were for cash income, meat production and for saving purpose. Natural pasture and river were the major feed and water source for sheep in the study area in dry and rain season. Majority (50.8% in highland and 71.7% in midland) of sheep owners used separate type of housing. Short maturity period, High market demand for sheep and low cost of sheep production were found as the major opportunity of sheep owner in the study area. Feed shortage and disease are the major constraints in the study areas. Therefore, to improve the productivity of sheep in the study area, developing alternative strategy to deal with shortage of feed resources, evaluating the available feed resources in terms of quantity and quality, developing water sourcesand extending animal health service in the area are suggested.

The breeding values of 98 pure Holstein Friesian and crossbred sires were estimated from the lactation and reproductive performance of dairy cattle by using WOMBAT software fitted to mixed animal model evaluation method. The performance records of 851 crossbred dairy cows, daughters of 98 sires (AI semen or bulls) were collected from the pedigree sheets at the research farm. Sires with two and more daughters were included in the data. The source of Sires (semen) were worldwide sire (WWS), Western Asia imported and domestic semen source. The traits studied were lactation milk yield (LMY), daily milk yield (DMY), lactation length (LL), age at first service (AFS), age at first calving (AFC), calving interval (CI), days open (DO) and number of service per conception (NSC). From the analysis, the estimated average sire-breeding value for LMY was 7.51 kg, which varied from 663.82 kg below the average to 1055.19 kg above the average. Average estimated sire-breeding value for DMY was 0.06 in the range of 1.22 kg below the average to 2.27 kg above the average breeding value. For LL, the estimated difference of sire breeding value was 97 days ranges from 49.8 days below the average to 47 days above the average. The sire breeding value of AFS trait was -0.71 days ranges from 179 days below the average to 161 days above the average. Sire-breeding value of AFC trait was -0.66 days estimated from 257 days below the average to 366 days above the average. Average sire breeding value for CI was -1.87 days ranges from 50 days below the average to 39 days above the average. For DO, it was -1.81 days ranged from 56 days below the average to 44 days above the average. Sire breeding value for NSC was varied from 0.02 below the average to 0.02 above the average.