scholarly journals Small Ruminants: Farmers’ Hope in a World Threatened by Water Scarcity

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oluwakamisi F. Akinmoladun ◽  
Voster Muchenje ◽  
Fabian N. Fon ◽  
Conference T. Mpendulo
Keyword(s):  
Water Stress ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Small Body ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Blood Metabolites ◽  
Ripple Effect ◽  
Adaptive Responses ◽  
Water Tolerance ◽  
Global Concern ◽  
Drug Pharmacokinetics

The availability and sustainability of suitable and good quality drinking water is a global concern. Such uncertainties threaten livestock production with an attendant ripple effect on food security. Small ruminants, including sheep and goats, appear to be promising to smallholder farmers in solving this problem because of their ability to survive in water-limited areas and harsh environment when compared with large ruminants. Their small body size is also seen as an advantage, because less water will be required for proper digestion and feed utilization. Therefore, this review will provide information regarding the adaptive responses of small ruminants on thermoregulation, blood metabolites, immune status, drug pharmacokinetics, reproduction and hormonal indices during the period of water stress. Adaptable and indigenous breeds are known to be more tolerant to water stress than selected breeds. A drop in feed intake and weight reduced respiratory rate and increased concentration of blood metabolites are the general effects and/or observations that are encountered by small ruminants during the period of water stress. The concept of water tolerance either as deprivation and/or restriction of indigenous and adaptable breeds of small ruminants is gaining ground in research studies around the world. However, more research, however, seeking to explore water tolerance capacity of adaptable breeds especially in arid and water limiting areas are still needed.

scholarly journals Performance, heat tolerance response, and blood metabolites of water-restricted Xhosa goats supplemented with vitamin C1

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 1113-1127
Author(s):  
Oluwakamisi F Akinmoladun ◽  
Fabian N Fon ◽  
Conference T Mpendulo ◽  
Omobola Okoh
Keyword(s):  
Water Stress ◽  
Heat Tolerance ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Blood Metabolites ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
Water Restriction ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Tolerance Response ◽  
Ad Libitum

Abstract Water restriction in small ruminants is usually accompanied by a drop in feed intake, body weight, and disturbances in the normal internal milieu. However, attempts to lessen the burden of water stress with vitamin C (VC) supplementation have been greeted with conflicting reports. Therefore, this experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of single and/or multiple VC supplementations in water-restricted Xhosa goats by evaluating their performance, heat tolerance, and blood metabolites. In total, 42 does, 12 mo old and with an average weight of 15.92 ± 2.12 kg were evaluated for 75 d. The does were distributed according to a complete randomized design into seven groups of six comparable animals: W0, without water restriction (control); W70, water restriction of 70% of ad libitum water intake (WI); W50, water restriction of 50% ad libitum WI; W70+, water restriction of 70% of ad libitum WI plus 3 g VC daily; W50+, water restriction 50% of ad libitum WI plus 3 g VC daily; W70++, water restriction of 70% of ad libitum WI plus 3 g VC and extra 5 g VC given every eighth day; and W50++, water restriction of 50% of ad libitum WI plus 3 g VC and extra 5 g VC given every eighth day. Goats under the W50 group were the most affected (P < 0.05) and the effect was more pronounced in their body condition scores (BCs). Weight loss due to water restriction was reduced by VC supplementation in treated groups. Changes in body thermal gradient, rectal temperature, cholesterol, and bilirubin were similar (P > 0.05) across the various experimental groups. The attenuation effect of VC was significant (P < 0.05) in responses to respiratory rate, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Cl−, Ca2+, and urea. Supplementation of VC (either single or multiple) did not significantly (P > 0.05) improve the effect of water restriction on BCs, FAMACHA, glucose, globulin, alanine aminotransferase, and high-density lipoprotein. The additive effect of multiple VC significantly influenced (P < 0.05) Na+ and Mg2+. Limited WI affects growth and other physiological parameters in Xhosa goats. However, supplementation of VC may be beneficial at modulating the stressful stimuli imposed by water stress.

scholarly journals Contribution of small ruminants to food security for Ethiopian smallholder farmers

2020 ◽  
Vol 184 ◽  
pp. 106064 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiwot Desta Wodajo ◽  
Biruk Alemu Gemeda ◽  
Wole Kinati ◽  
Annet Abenakyo Mulem ◽  
Anouka van Eerdewijk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Small Ruminants

scholarly journals PSI-26 The Effects of Probiotics on Growth and Metabolism in Ram Lambs

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 274-274
Author(s):  
Alexis M Trench ◽  
Brandon I Smith ◽  
Jenna E Feyler ◽  
Sharon L Aborn ◽  
Sarah A Reed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Magnesium Concentration ◽  
Blood Metabolites ◽  
Albumin Concentration ◽  
Crown Rump Length ◽  
Probiotic Treatment ◽  
Ram Lambs

Abstract Probiotic treatment can improve feed efficiency, increase growth, and alter blood components in small ruminants. Several commercial probiotics are available, but they vary in microorganisms resulting in different effects on growth and health. We hypothesized that Probios (Menomonie, Wisconsin) powder would increase growth, feed efficiency, and alter blood metabolites in ram lambs from 2 to 6 months of age. Twenty individually housed Shropshire ram lambs (average age 59.85 ± 2.74 days) were randomly assigned to a control or probiotic treatment group. Lambs were fed lamb concentrate (17.2% CP, 3.56 Mcal/kg) at 3.6% of their body weight and ad libitum hay (16.2% CP, 2.53 Mcal/Kg). Probios (10g) was fed once daily in concentrate of the probiotic group. Feed intake (FI) was determined daily and body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), feed:gain (F:G), and average daily gain (ADG) were determined weekly. At weeks 0 and 16, heart girth (HG) and crown-rump length (CRL) were measured and ultrasonography of back fat (BF) and loin-eye area (LEA) was performed. Blood samples were collected biweekly. Week 16 blood metabolites were determined using Food Animal Maxi Panel (Missouri Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory). Plasma concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) was determined at weeks 0, 6, and 16. Data were analyzed using SAS. Statistical significance was considered at P≤ 0.05. As a result of time, BW, BCS, ADG, FI, and F:G increased for all animals (P < 0.0001). No effect of treatment was observed for growth, feed efficiency, or oxidative stress measurements (P ≥ 0.33). Plasma albumin concentration increased by 12.66% (P = 0.02) and magnesium concentration increased by 5.83% (P = 0.01) as a result of treatment. Treatment had no effect on other measured blood metabolites. Probios powder did not alter growth but did alter blood metabolites in these lambs. Future studies should examine more effects of Probios on metabolism in growing lambs.

scholarly journals INTRODUCTION OF AGRICULTURAL CROP RESIDUES AS SUPPLEMENT FOR GOATS FATTENING AMONG ANIMAL REARERS IN GIPALMA MUBI-SOUTH, ADAMAWA STATE

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 49-66
Author(s):  
Babale ◽  
A. Aliyu ◽  
Dazala ◽  
Wazamda
Keyword(s):  
Crop Residues ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Agricultural Crop ◽  
Open Market ◽  
Feed Resources ◽  
Maize Bran ◽  
Poor Nutrition ◽  
By Products ◽  
Main Strategy

Fattening has been defined as intensive feeding of highly nutritious feed to and promotes fast growth and fat deposition to achieve desired carcass growth and quality. The main strategy is to fatten young, lean male goat to obtain either from the farmer’s own flock or more often, purchased on the open market over a period of two to three months, with each farmer fattening between one and five animals. The goats are usually tethered or kept in a small sheltered enclosure at the homestead, and often fed and watered individually. Basal feeds used for goat fattening, such as hay and millet straw are supplemented with cowpea haulms, maize bran, rice bran and coconut flour which is derived from the crop residues. Poor nutrition is a major constraint in fattening small ruminants in Nigeria, this is because farmers often give the animals whatever is available, leading to waste when feed availability is high, and underfeeding when it is low (feed availability). Fattening of small ruminants as a business is very common in Nigeria. Small ruminants are usually reproduced on the farms or houses and are sold around festivities. (Christmas and Sallah) or when cash is required. No special efforts, other than grazing the animals, are made by many smallholder farmers and pastoralists to ‘’fatten’’ them. A similar situation exists for fattening of large ruminants (bulls) as a business. Most farmers in Nigeria sell their bulls once they have been introduced to ‘’fatten’’ these animals commercially. Goats are able to subsist and make appreciable gains in long dry season with crop residue-based diets that compare favourably with conventional concentrate rations. Some of the crop residues and by-products available are potentially good feed resources which degrade readily in the rumen, some however, have shown poor degradability and hence, require some treatments before they can contribute to animal nutrition.

scholarly journals Ingestive behaviour of grazing ruminants: meta-analysis of the components linking bite mass to daily intake

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Boval ◽  
D. Sauvant
Keyword(s):  
Extreme Values ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Adaptive Responses ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
Behavioural Adaptation ◽  
Sward Height ◽  
Ingestive Behaviour

AbstractThis meta-analysis shed light on the quantitative adaptive responses of feeding behaviour of Cattle (C) and Small Ruminants (SR), facing variations of sward characteristics, notably of sward height (SH, 18. 7 ± 13.9 cm) and herbage bulk density (HBD, 1.73 ± 1.30 kg DM / m3). All responses expressed a plateau stressing an adaptive limit with extreme values of SH and HBD. The minimum plateau of BR (46.9 ± 14.6 min-1) is around 40 min-1, while IR values (different for C and SR, respectively 69.1 ± 38.1 vs. 99.9 ± 45.7 g/min/kg BW) ranged between a minimum and maximum plateau around 50 and 100 g/min/kg BW. Two other pasture management factors affect IR, namely forage allowance (10.16 ± 6.0, DM % BW) and daily proportion of time spent grazing (0.30 ± 0.08). The results obtained confirm the specifically key role of BM (1.80 ± 127 mg DM/kg BW) on IR. The regressions are IR=145 (1-exp (-b BM), b being equal respectively for C and SR and C to 0.44 vs. 0.54. This literature review has also revealed fundamental differences in behaviour between C and SR although no study to date has attempted to compare them simultaneously. SR have to chew more (2.7 ± 1.2 vs. 1.6 ± 0.5 JM/bite) to ingest the same amount of DM per bite than C, expressed in relation to BW, which allow them to ingest slightly quickly.ImplicationsThis article, following the previous one of Boval and Sauvant (2019), proposes a quantitative appraisal of the ingestive behaviour of grazing ruminants, based on studies published over 40 years, as well as well robust average values and relationships, considering inter- and intra-study effects and animal species specificities. This knowledge should contribute to a better overall understanding of the behavioural adaptation of ruminants at pasture, to the identification of key threshold values and appropriate parameters of interest to be considered, and to improve the efficiency and sensitivity of automatic devices, which are booming in the context of precision livestock farming at pasture.

scholarly journals Evaluating the utilisation of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies and practices among smallholder farmers in The Lawra, Jirapa and Nandom districts of Ghana

2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 122-144
Author(s):  
K.O. Sam ◽  
V.A. Botchway ◽  
N. Karbo ◽  
G.O. Essegbey ◽  
D. K. Nutsukpo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Market Price ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Climate Change Impacts ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Benefit Cost Ratio ◽  
Budget Analysis ◽  
Smart Agriculture

Climate change is posing threat to agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa including Ghana. Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) is proposed to solve climate change impacts on agriculture. Smallholder farmers are adopting various strategies to be resilient to climate change effects. Empirical research is required to evaluate CSA utilisation in Ghana. Lawra, Jirapa and Nandom districts in the climate-risk areas of Guinea Savannah agro-ecological zone were chosen and Participatory Rapid Appraisal (PRA) tools were used. Farm budget analysis and market price methods were employed; key financial decision-making tools were net returns, profit margins and benefit-cost ratio. Soft systems content analysis, frequencies, means, ranking and data aggregation were employed to generate results. CSA use in the study districts was smallholder driven and male dominated. CSA was mainly used for staples including cereals and legumes and small ruminants under livestock. Crop-livestock integration and crop rotation were the common CSA practices with the highest costs (GH¢6,370.00) and highest revenues (GH¢9,460.00) respectively. Utilisation of CSA in the districts is beneficial and investments are profitable and financially viable. All actors and stakeholders must join forces to promote CSA in the districts. Rigorous promotional campaigns, capacity building and funding at all levels are crucial for CSA adoption in Ghana.

scholarly journals Plant and Leaf Physiological Responses to Water Stress in Potted ‘Vignoles’ Grapevine

HortScience ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 50 (10) ◽  
pp. 1492-1497 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vania Lanari ◽  
Oriana Silvestroni ◽  
Alberto Palliotti ◽  
Alan Green ◽  
Paolo Sabbatini
Keyword(s):  
Water Stress ◽  
Shoot Apex ◽  
Leaf Growth ◽  
Net Photosynthesis ◽  
Shoot Elongation ◽  
High Water ◽  
Water Shortage ◽  
Adaptive Responses ◽  
Mature Leaves ◽  
Leaf Level

Several studies have investigated water relationships in grapevines, but the responses to water limitation on individual leaves developed in different shoot positions are scarce in the literature. To begin to fill-in this gap, we examined the adaptive responses of vines at the leaf level to varying amounts of water stress using young hybrid ‘Vignoles’ in a controlled growth chamber. We found that the reduction in water availability to 40% of daily evapotranspiration limited shoot and leaf growth, affecting leaf number, shoot elongation, and leaf area. After 2 days of water stress we observed young developing leaves (nodes six to eight from the shoot apex) to have drastically reduced stomatal conductance (gS, about 20 mmol H2O/m2/s) and net photosynthesis (Pn, 2 μmol CO2/m2/s). On the 4th day Pn in mature leaves (nodes 9 to 12 from the shoot apex) fell to values below 2 μmol CO2/m2/s. After 6 days, both Pn and gS stabilized at lower values with fluctuations related only to leaf position along the shoot axis. Young leaves revealed substantial enrichment of carbon-13 (13C) and high water-use efficiency suggesting a higher and faster adaptive capacity to water shortage conditions as compared with mature leaves.

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