ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY AMONG OIL PALM SMALLHOLDERS ACCORDING TO CROP AGE IN JOHOR MALAYSIA

Bulama Abiso Tijani, Ismail Abd Latif, Mad Nasir Shamsudin and Nitty Hirawaty Kamarulzaman

Page No: 1-21

This study estimated economic efficiency among oil palm smallholders according to crop age in Johor Malaysia. We employed multistage sampling technique to collect data from 450 smallholders randomly selected under three crop age categories from (10) production units using structured questionnaire in State of Johor Malaysia. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, DEA, ANOVA and Tobit regression analysis. The result indicates that smallholders were operating at low levels of economic efficiency and they experience higher cost of production per unit of output and as a result narrow their chances of maximizing profit. The finding further shows that there was significant difference at 1% levels in economic efficiency among the oil palm smallholders according crop age in the study area. The age of farmer squared, household size, access to credit facilities, pests and weed control method, land clearing and replication of pesticides application were positive and significant at 1%, 5% and 10% respectively. Furthermore, age of farmer, membership of smallholders association, off-farm income, fertilizers used and oil palm income were negative and significant at 1%, 5% and 10% levels respectively. The study recommends policies that would improve the quality of adult extension education program to educate smallholders on how to use the combinations of farm resources appropriately that can minimize cost of production.

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DETECTION OF GIARDIA LAMBLIA ASSEMBLAGE E USING NESTED PCR AMONG CHILDREN IN SOHAG CITY, EGYPT

Alshimaa A Hassanien1* and W G M Mahmoud2

Page No: 22-27

The purpose of this study was the detection Giardia lamblia (G.lamblia) assemblage E (host specific for animals) in stool samples of children suffering from gastrointestinal disturbance admitted to Sohag University hospital, Sohag, Egypt. Stool samples were microscopically examined by formalin ethyl acetate sedimentation test for observation of Giardia species (trophozoite or cyst). Then nested PCR was used to detect G.lamblia assemblage E through triosephosphate isomerase gene (Tpi gene) amplification from positive stool samples. Risk factors related to infection were determined based on a data collected from each child parents through a standard form. The results revealed that 12 (25.5%) out of 47 of the examined children were positive for G.lamblia assemblage E. Referring to risk factors associated with infection, contact with animals, raised in rural area and playing outdoor were significantly correlated with infection. This study aimed to detect the role of animals in transmission of G.lamblia assemblage E to children and spotlights on the risk factors related to infection.

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MASTITIS PREVENTION—A NUTRITIONAL APPROACH

Vinu M Nampoothiri

Page No: 28-36

Mastitis is the disease that causes heavy loss to dairy farmers. Proper balanced ration can effectively reduce the occurrence of mastitis. Micronutrients are identified that can prevent mastitis. Balanced energy and protein content is one of the most important principle that had to be followed during dairy cattle feeding. Certain micronutrients that affect udder health include Vitamin E, A, C, Selenium, Copper, Zinc and Manganese. So this article reviews the functions and the mechanism through which these nutrients prevent the incidence of mastitis.

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LEAST SQUARE APPROACH TO STUDY THE EFFECT OF NON GENETIC FACTORS ON MILK PRODUCTION TRAITS IN HALF BREED CATTLE

Swati D Shinde and V A Jadhav

Page No: 42-47

The use of least square methodology for analysis in Half Breed cattle revealed that all the nongenetic factors affect the LMY and 300 DMY. The effect of period of calving on LMY, 300 DMY, LL and DAPY was found highly significant. The variation in lives stock management and feeding management practices followed during different periods might affected on LMY during different periods. Effect of season of calving on LMY and 300 DMY was significant but, for other traits it was non-significant. The highest LMY (3575.640 ± 60.060 kg) and 300 DMY (3534.052 ± 56.375 kg) was observed in winter season (S2). Lactation order had highly significant effect on LMY and 300 DMY. In L5 LMY (3827.153 ± 106.795 kg) and 300 DMY (3764.844 ± 97.892 kg) was highest. This might be due to their physiological changes with advancing age. In the age group A1 had high lactation milk yield (3599.233 ± 57.235 kg) than other groups. In early age of calving lactation milk yield was increased in Half Breed cattle. LMY was slightly affected by the AFC.

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BIOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF LOCAL AND EXOTIC LAYERS EXPOSED TO SEASONAL CHANGES IN ENVIRONMENTAL TEMPERATURE OF SAUDI ARABIA

Hutahil Najib and Abdulaziz Al-Aqil

Page No: 48-58

Evaluation of the biological and physiological responses of the local breeds of Saudi Arabia to seasonal variation is not well documented in the literature. Due to the lack of such studies, this work was conducted in an attempt to study the biological and physiological response of two breeds of local layers, Saudi Local (SL) and Naked Neck local (NN) layers to seasonal variation in ambient temperatures and compare them with the single comb white leghorn layers exposed to the same environment. The results of the study indicated a significant breed X period interaction on egg production, egg mass, egg weight, body weight, feed conversion, egg shell thickness, egg specific gravity, livability, and respiration rate. Seasonal variations in temperature had a significant effect on feed consumption, Haugh unit, and body temperature, Naked neck performance was superior during hot weather in egg production, egg mass, feed conversion, egg shell thickness, specific gravity of the egg and respiration rate when compared to the white leghorn and Saudi local birds. Seasonal variation in temperature (periods) had a significant effect on blood PH, PCO2, and TCO2 of the birds in general, while breed effect was evident on Blood PO2 and HCO3 of the layers. It is concluded that naked neck birds can perform efficiently in areas where hot climate prevailed as in Saudi Arabia.

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HISTOLOGICAL AND HISTOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF THYROID GLAND IN SLAUGHTER MALE LOCAL IRAQIAN GOATS (Capra Aegagrus)

Nadhim A Shehan

Page No: 59-66

The present study included of collection of thyroid gland from Basra Abattoir. The samples were fixed by 10% formalin and processed by routine histology techniques, stained by H&E, PAS, IOSMIUM tetroxide and Wiegert, stain then examine under light microscope. The histological study showed the thyroid gland surround by thin-elastic connective capsule which extend into parenchyma substance of the gland. The each lobe of gland divided into lobules by trabecular, all lobule has numerous follicular which variation in size. The follicular contain two type of cells, epithelium cell (follicular cell) and function cells (parafollicular cell), then follicles filled by colloid. The histochemical study referred to found elastic fibers in the capsule and parenchyma when stain by Wiegert stain. The gland is wealthy or substantial in carbohydrate and lipids while stained via periodic acid Schiff reagent solution and osmium potassium dichromate respectively.

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EFFECT OF SEASON YEAR AND PARITY ON PRODUCTION TRAITS OF CROSS-BREDS

J B Singh, A K Mishra, A K Gaur and K K S Baghel

Page No: 67-72

Present study was under taken on production traits from 458 normal lactation records of first three lactation from 158 cows; which are progenies of 30 sire maintained at dairy of Sadguru Seva Sangh trust, Jankikund, Chitrakoot, Satna (MP) The Cows have complete their three lactation records between 1977 to 1996. The performance records envisaged LMY, LP, DP, PY and MPEP. In order to account for the genetic (genetic group and parity) and non-genetic factors (year and season of calving) affecting the performance traits, least-square were carried out. The overall least-square means of LMY, LP, DP, PY, and MPEP were observed as 2746.10 ± 27.29 kg, 331.52 ± 2.49 days, 80.80 ± 1.21 days, 13.47 ± 0.10 kg and 8.33 ± 0.07 kg respectively. Season, year and parity had significant effect on lactation period, peak yield and milk production efficiency per day of lactation period. During the early lactations, production and growth process lead to drain of energy reserve, so maximum yield is expected when grown fully at about 3rd to 4th lactation. Thus, from above results it may safely concluded that for getting maximum milk (peak yield), cross-breds managed so that they must be calved in winter season and reared by farmer’s up to 3rd to 4th lactation. The study also showed the adaptability and producing ability of crossbreds under Chitrakoot area.

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INTERNAL FIXATION OF LONG BONE FRACTURE IN BOVINE

S Jawre, M K Bhargava, V P Chandrapuria, Y P Sahni and Madhu Swami

Page No: 73-77

Eighteen cow calves weighing about 50-150 kg body weight were randomly divided into three groups, with six animals in each group. Fractures of metacarpal and metatarsal bone were immobilized with dynamic compression plates whereas; fractures of tibia were immobilized with interlocking nail and intramedullary pin. Bone plating of metacarpal and metatarsal took the maximum time of 80-85 minutes followed by 70-80 minutes for Interlocking nailing of tibia and 65-70 minutes for intramedullary pinning of tibia. Intramedullary pinning was found good for transverse fracture of tibia of young animals weighing 50-70 kg, while dynamic compression plating provides rigid fixation in transverse and comminuted fracture of metacarpal and metatarsal bone and the interlocking nailing effective method of internal fixation resulting in to early ambulation of limb with progressive fracture healing.

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SEXUAL DIMORPHISM IN THE ANATOMICAL FEATURES OF THE SYRINX IN THE WHITE PEKIN DUCKS (ANAS PLATYRHYNCHOS)

Reda Mohamed

Page No: 78-85

The main purpose of this study to investigate the position and normal anatomical features of the syrinx in adult male and female white pekin ducks. Eight (5 females and 3 males) adult white pekins ducks weighting 1500-2000 gram were examined. Anatomical examination revealed the syrinx was located in the thoracic cavity at the bifurcation of the trachea. The syrinx was tracheobronchial type formed by syringeal cartilages, pessulus, tympaniform membranes, interbronchial ligament and foramen as well as and extrinsic muscles of the syrinx. The syrinx was a symmetrical in the male forming bulla tympaniformis but in the female duck had no tympanic bulla.

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TANNIN BINDING AGENTS ENHANCED THE IN VITRO RUMEN FERMENTATION PARAMETERS OF TANNINIFEROUS FODDER

Sathya Sujani, Perera A N F and Seresinhe R T

Page No: 86-96

The objective of this study was to evaluate the rumen fermentation parameters of two tanniniferous tree fodder species upon supplementation with tannin binding agents. The species used were Leucaena leucocephala (Ipil-ipil), Ceiba perntandra (Imbul) and Artocarpus heterophyllus (Jak) and tannin binding agents were Egg Albumin (EA), chitosan (CH) and polyethylene glycol (PEG). Anaerobic buffer medium and strained ruminal fluid were added to the in vitro incubations and in vitro gas production (IVGP) was measured for 48 h. At the 24th h, percentage methane (CH4) production was recorded. At the end of incubation, percentage in vitro rumen dry matter disappearance (IVRDMD) and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) were determined. Irrespective of substrate all tannin binding agents significantly enhanced (P < 0.05) the IVGP (ml/500 mg dry matter/48 h) with only exception in low level of CH, but no significant improvement was observed in IVRDMD (%). Estimated short chain fatty acid (SCFA) (mmol) values were significantly higher. All supplements significantly enhanced the NH3-N (mg/100 ml) production. The effect of supplements on CH4 production did exhibit both significant increments and reductions. Conclusions can be drawn that supplementing EA, CH and PEG is beneficial in means of IVGP, SCFA production and NH3-N production.

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DETECTION OF CANINE PARVOVIRUS BY LATERAL FLOW ASSAY IN ORGANIZED VETERINARY HOSPITAL

Kamal Hasan and Rathnamma D

Page No: 97-99

Parvoviral gastroenteritis affects young pups with severe bloody diarrohea, vomition leading to dehydration. If left untreated, it will lead to death of puppy. So field level test is necessary for diagnosis. To diagnose at field level, cheap and easy method of identification is Lateral flow assay. Samples including faecal (48), blood (13), tissue (4) were collected from 65 dogs of different age groups suspected for having parvoviral gastroenteritis presented to Veterinary college hospital, Bengaluru. Of the 65 samples, 20 (31%) were found positive by lateral flow assay, of which nine were from vaccinated dogs and eleven were from unvaccinated dogs. Lateral flow assay can be used as field test even by the pet owners and it is simple test.

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FOOD SECURITY AMONG POOR HOUSEHOLDS IN INDONESIA: THE DISTRIBUTION AND ITS DETERMINANTS

Warsita1*, Jamhari, Jangkung Handoyo Mulyo and Masyhuri

Page No: 100-110

The purpose of this study is to analyze food security at household level and to investigate determinants of food security level among poor households in Indonesia. The data used for this study were drawn from SUSENAS quarter I (March) and quarter III (September) 2013 gathered by Statistics Indonesia (BPS). The number of sample used for this study were 13.703 of Indonesia poor households in 2013. Household food security level was measured by cross classification of caloric adequacy and the food share. The empirical analysis found that 51.47% of the poor households were categorized as insecure, 23% as vulnerable, 21.52% as less secure and only 4.01% of the households were food secure. The ordered logit regression model was employed for estimating factors affecting household food security level. Household monthly income, ratio of employed member to household size, aid for poor student and goverment health insurence were positively affecting household food security. On the other hand, household size, household head work in informal sector and food prices were negatively associated with household food security.

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THE EFFECTS OF SOIL MOISTURE AND TEMPERATURE ON VEGETATION COMPOSITION AND YIELD AT DIFFERENT PASTURE SITES

Canan Sen

Page No: 111-120

This study was conducted in four different sections defined as Elmacik, Korukoy, Karahidir, and Kaynarca pastures of Kirklareli province in 2016. The focus of my research is to determine the effects of soil moisture and temperature on vegetation composition and herbage yield of the different natural pastures. Multivariate relationships between soil moisture and temperature with plant species were determined using redundancy analysis (RDA) using the CANOCO (4.5) program. When these measurement results were compared, soil moisture has strongly influenced herbage yield and distribution pasture species. It was found out that the plants such as Trifolium repens, Agrostis stolonifera, had a positive relationship with soil moisture. Using RDA, which is among the ordination analyses, the effect of environmental factors on species distribution and herbage yield was found to be very important on each axis. Likewise, it was determined that Lolium perenne (C3) among these common species are found in moisture pasture site. It was obtained that there was a negative relationship between soil temperature and herbage yield. Avena fatua, Vulpia ciliata, Chrysopogon gryllus were common in sites with high temperature soil. The sites with the high ratios of perennial plants and herbage yield generally show parallelism with the sites with a high soil moisture. Annual plants were the most common in dry pasture sites.

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DETECTION OF DIFFERENT STAPHYLOCOCCUS SPP. ON OUTER SURFACES OF FARM ANIMALS, THEIR OWNERS AND STUDY THEIR GENOTYPIC AND PHENOTYPIC ABILITIES TO RESIST METHICILLIN

Ali A Al-Iedani and Mysaa A Jumaa

Page No: 121-131

The study aimed to isolate and identify of different Staphylococcus spp. from skin and mucus membranes of nose of cattle, sheep and their owners; study the ability of isolates to resist methicillin by using genotypic and phenotypic methods. Two hundred and ten swabs were collected from skin and mucus membranes (80 from cattle; 80 from sheep and 50 from owners). The samples were subjected to conventional microbiological techniques and final identification of thirty isolates was done using HistaphTM kit. The identified isolates were tested against 7 antimicrobials, also these isolates were subjected to PCR for detection of mec A and mec C genes. The Staphylococcus spp. isolates which identified in this study were 16 including (S. schleiferi subsp. Coagulans); (S. auricularis, S. caseolyticus, S. hominissubsp. novobiosepticus and, S. pasteuri); (S. Cohnii subsp.cohnii, S. sciuri and S. sciuri subsp. Rodentium) and (S. carnosus subsp. utilis, S. gallinarum, S. haemolyticus, S.hominis, S. intermedius, S. lentus, S. vitulus, and S. fleurettii) in percentages 13.33%, 10%, 6.6% and 3.33% respectively. Regarding antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates, the percentages of resistance to antibiotics were 100%, 66.66%, 20%, 20%, 16.7%, 10%, and 3.33% against amoxicillin, penicillin, tetracycline, oxacillin, erythromycin, vancomycin and gentamicin respectively. Concerning mecgenes, 33.33% of isolates were carried mec A gene, while, the mec C gene was not detected in isolates. All isolates which carried the mec A gene were negative to coagulase. In conclusion, some of Staphylococcus spp. present on the outer surfaces of human and animals and possess the mec A gene may have the ability to transfer the methicillin resistance to other bacterial species.

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