PSV-30 Influence of crossbreeding on meat production, growth, meat quality, and carcass traits within sheep fed the same diet

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of crossbreeding on meat production traits of sheep. Purebred (Volgograd breed, n = 30) and crossbred (F3, Volgograd x ¼ North Caucasian breed, n=30) sheep were fed for 60 days from the age of 8 months. The diet was the same for both groups and included: a dry fodder of mixed herbs, green-cut fodder, stock feed of barley, and salt. The initial liveweight for purebred sheep was 42.39±0.38 kg and for crossbred sheep was 44.41±0.47 kg (P < 0.01). The final liveweight for purebred sheep was 50.10±0.43 kg. Crossbred sheep were heavier at 52.40±0.36 kg (P < 0.001). The weight of carcasses was greater for crossbred sheep at 22.87±0.53 kg (P < 0.05) and 20.67±0.76 kg for purebred sheep. Compared with purebred sheep, crossbred sheep had a lower amount of internal fat (0.92±0.27 kg vs. 1.18±0.35 kg). The weight of meat from purebred sheep was less than crossbred sheep (16.12±0.63 kg vs. 18.28±0.43 kg, P < 0.05) while the weight of bone was almost the same (4.55 vs. 4.59 kg). Consequently, the ratio of meat/bone was 5.54 vs. 3.98. The food energy value for the meat of purebred sheep was greater at 259.36±16.78 kcal than the meat of crossbred sheep at 233.85±11.10 kcal. Total moisture in the meat of purebred sheep was lower (60.11±0.67 vs. 63.05±0.65, P < 0.05), total protein was a little higher (17.71±0.77 vs. 17.63±0.24), and lipids were higher (20.73±0.73 vs. 17.89±0.82, P < 0.05) than in the meat of crossbred sheep. The meat of purebred sheep had a lower concentration of non-replaceable amino acid (12.47 g) compared with meat of crossbred sheep (17.20 g), and a lower concentration of replaceable amino acid (23.08 g vs. 26.84 g). The results of this study can be used to improve meat production and meat quality.

Effect of Substituting Maize Based Stock-feed Diets with Sorghum on the Performance of Quails

Sorghum has a high similarity to maize and therefore a good substitute for maize based diets in poultry stock-feed. Additionally, sorghum is processed just like maize in both dry and wet milling techniques. Nonetheless, a general misconception in Zambia is that all sorghums have anti-quality factors (tannins). This misconception may have resulted in its underutilisation in poultry feed in Zambia. However, various tannin free varieties and hybrids developed by the Sorghum & Millets Improvement Programme are available in Zambia. Kuyuma, a tannin free white sorghum variety was used to determine the suitability of using non-tannin white sorghum varieties in quail feed. In this study a maize-based stock-feed diet for quails was substituted with sorghum at four levels: 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% in quail meat production. This was followed by measuring: (i) The weekly feed intake, (ii) The weekly gain in body weight and (iii) The weekly feed conversion ratio of quails.The performance of quails fed on a maize-based diet was identical to quails fed on a sorghum-based diet at nearly all levels of substitution. The conversion ratios of maize and sorghum were also similar. Non-tannin white sorghums like Kuyuma can effectively substitute maize in quail diets. Utilising sorghum in poultry diets could increase its social-economic value and help to reduce the cost of producing meat.

Efficacy of the supramolecular complex of Fenbendazole against Nematodes in a commission and Production test

The purpose of the research is determining the efficacy of the supramolecular complex of fenbendazole (SMCF) based on the nano-sized supramolecular delivery system with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) against nematodes in sheep in a commission and production test. Materials and methods. A commission test was carried out at Izmailov LLC in the Krasnoarmeysky District of the Samara Region in August 2019. The SMCF at a dose of 2.0 mg/kg by the active substance was given to sheep (30 animals) of different age. The substance of fenbendazole was used as the major drug at a dose of 5.0 mg/kg in 20 sheep. A group of 20 sheep who were not given the drug was a control group. The drug efficacy was recorded by the flotation method according to results of the coproovoscopic studies of sheep before and 16 days after the drugs were administered. The drug efficacy was calculated by a “control test”. The production test of the SMCF in gastrointestinal strongylatosis of sheep was carried out on 120 wether hoggs at the same farm. The SMCF was prescribed to sheep once at a dose of 2.0 mg/kg by the AS in a mixture with 0.3 kg of oatmeal stock feed (per animal) given for the whole group. The efficacy of the SMCF was recorded according to the results of the coproovoscopic studies before and 15 days after deworming. Results and discussion. In the commission test of 70 sheep with combined infection, the SMCF with PVP at doses of 3.0 and 2.0 mg/kg by the AS showed 98.7% effectiveness against Nematodirus infection and 99.2% activity against other types of gastrointestinal Strongylata. In the production test, the SMCF at a dose of 2.0 mg/kg by the AS showed a 99.1 % effect against nematodirosis and 98.8% against other gastrointestinal strongylatoses.

General Development Strategies

Having briefly described the high country in terms of its environment, potential pasture production, and suitability of particular pasture species, we need to consider development strategies for sustainable animal production. Important points are: Type of animal Provision of winter feed Land and management requirements to grow young stock Subdivision of land into its various natural units to firhi the year round stock feed requirements Efftcient use of fertilisers General strategies of pasture development using legumes, grasses and nutrient cycling.