A cross-sectional calf mortality study was conducted in urban and periurban dairy farms in Addis Ababa, special zones of Oromia and Amhara regions in July and August 2015. e objectives of the study were to estimate the annual mortality and to assess the major causes of calf mortality in the dairy farms. One-year retrospective data on calf mortality were collected from 330 farms by face-to-face interview using the pretested and structured questionnaire format and direct observation of farm practices. A logistic regression analysis was performed in order to identify the predictor variables associated with early calf mortality. Data were analysed using Statistical Package, Stata SE for Windows, version 12.0. e annual mean calf mortality from birth-to-weaning was reported as 18.5% (95% CI: 12.6, 24.3%). e prenatal loss due to fetal death and stillbirth was 10.1% (95% CI: 6.7, 13.6%). e overall annual loss due to fetal death and calf preweaning mortality was 26.7% (95% CI: 21.2, 32.2%). Age-specific mortality declined with increased age, and the highest mortality was recorded during the first month of life extending up to the third month of age. Disease was the most important causes of calf mortality (73.2%). Among the diseases, diarrhea (63%) and respiratory disorders (17%) were the important causes of calf mortality. Malpractices in calf management were identified, including restricted colostrum and milk feeding, poor care and supplemental feeding, and poor health management. Interventions in dairy cattle health and farm husbandry are recommended to control calf mortality.
The study was conducted to physically characterize indigenous sheep types in Selale area, Debre Libanos and Wuchale districts, Central Ethiopia. A total of 560 mature sheep were sampled randomly for characterization of phenotypic traits. Majority of the ewes and rams in both districts had plain coat color pattern (58.21%) followed by patchy (33.33%). Majority of female and male sheep in the study areas had medium and smooth coat cover. All the sampled sheep population in both districts has characteristics of long fat tailed type. Body weight of female sheep in age group1(0PPI), age group2(1PPI) and age group 3(≥ 2PPI) were 24.3 ± 0.6 kg, 25.8 ± 0.5 kg and 28.7 ± 0.2 kg, respectively, and the values for males in the same age groups were 25.7 ± 0.3 kg, 31.9 ± 0.8 kg and 38.2 ± 2.0 kg, respectively. Wuchale sheep (27.9 ± 0.20 kg) were comparable with Debre Libanos sheep (27.6 ± 0.2 kg). Debre Libanos sheep had significantly higher linear body measurements (P<0.05) than Wuchale sheep population. Sex of the sheep had no significant (p>0.05) effect on the body weight, ear length and rump length. The interaction of sex and age group significantly (p<0.05) influenced all linear body measurements except ear length of the sheep. The interaction of age group and location was significant (p<0.05) for all linear body measurements. Heart girth and body length were found to be the most important variables for estimation of body weight in sheep. For any breed improvement program and to boost productivity of indigenous sheep, characterization is the baseline so; this preliminary work could be used to support genetic analyses to determine variation between and within these small populations.
This study was aimed to generate organized information on traditional breeding practices and selection criteria for indigenous sheep types in two districts of Selale area. A total of 300 households (150 in Debre Libanos and 150 in Wuchale district) were randomly sampled for the interview in selected and surrounding Kebeles. A semi-structured questionnaire and group discussion were used to gather sheep breeding practices and selection criteria in the area. The result showed that most of the households heads are males (77.33%) and mixed crop-livestock system. Sheep were kept predominantly as source of income generation. Mating was predominantly uncontrolled and no report of controlled breeding. Out of total farmers interviewed, only about 7.33% and 14% kept their own breeding males in Debre Libanos and Wuchale, respectively. The majority of the farmers got the service from unknown ram (63.33% in Debre Libanos and 51.33% in Wuchale). Selection of breeding animals was reported to be practiced in the study areas, and mainly focused on selection of breeding males. In selecting a breeding ram, appearance and/or conformation ranked first for both Debre Libanos and Wuchale sheep owners with an index of 0.42 and 0.311, respectively. Uncontrolled mating and absence of breeding rams in many of the flocks in Debre Libanos and Wuchale districts are challenges which have to be tackled when implementing breeding programs. In order to minimize the failure of breed improvement programs it is important to involve farmers considering the existing breeding practices, selection criteria and trait preferences of the community.
| A cross-sectional study was conducted in Kersa Woreda of the Oromia Regional State, Southwest Ethiopia, with the objective of characterizing the livestock production system and investigating the major livestock health problems in the studied area. A simple random sampling method was used to select 180 households for the study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. The survey results revealed that mixed crop-livestock production system is the predominant system in the area. In the studied area pasteurellosis, GIT parasitosis, fasciolosis, mastitis and calf diarrhea were the most important diseases in cattle while ovine pasteurellosis and GIT parasitosis were the most important in small ruminants. Colic and respiratory problems were considered important in equine while African Horse Sickness is the most important disease in horse. In poultry Newcastle disease was the most devastating disease. Modern veterinary medicaments (82.80%) were known and used by most of the farmers, but traditional medicines were also used to a significant extent (16.70%). The present survey established that livestock development in Kersa Woreda is constrained by several animal diseases and warrants different stakeholders to take necessary measure to help improve productivity and market success of local farmers.
Modern technology is the backbone approach for teaching technology education. It continues to be increasingly adopted and used by higher institutions in Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to identify the comparative advantages of using modern technology in improve teaching-learning process in agricultural sciences in Jigjiga University. This study was conducted with the sample of 4 departments, and a total of 16 instructors and 240 students were selected in random basis. An inquiry data using a qualitative approach was undertaken to ascertain the opinions and benefits of using modern technology regarding to their understanding of agricultural course items, improving students' achievements, course coverage in planned time intervals and in reduction of drudgery of teachers'. According to our interviews and observations, uses of modern technologies created a conducive environment; 88% of students' revealed that using modern technology in teaching-learning process generally improved students achievement (from 55 to 90% level) and increased their interest in course items for theoretical and practical demonstration. Whereas, 82% of instructors' agreed that, the use of modern technologies facilitated teaching-learning for agricultural course items. It can be concluded that using modern technologies in teaching-learning process highly benefits instructors and increased students participation and motivation than chalk and talk traditional method.
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