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The objective of this study was to evaluate the eating qualities of Arsi, Borana, and Harar Cattle breeds in Ethiopia. A total of 39 bulls with age categories of - 6, and 7 - 9 years were used for the study. The bulls were purchased from mixed crop-livestock systems (Arsi and Harar) and Ranch (Borana) and slaughtered to evaluate the eating quality. WBSF device was used to evaluate instrumental tenderness while sensory panel testing was used to evaluate sensory tenderness, juiciness and flavor. The color of the meat was evaluated using Hunter Lab Mini Scan EZ while water holding capacity was evaluated using filter papers. A complete randomized design was used for the study. Breed significantly affected (P 0.0001) instrumental tenderness with beef from Harar and Boran bulls were very tender (18.55 ± 5.34, 20.34 ± 4.06N, respectively) while beef from Arsi bulls intermediate in tenderness (40.60 ± 0.51N). Beef from all age group of Harar and Boran breeds were very tender while beef from the Arsi breed was very tender for age 3 years, intermediate for 4 - 6 and tough for age group > 7 years of age. Flavor and juiciness was significantly (P 0.05) affected by breed. Flavor from Harar and Boran breeds were moderately liked while flavor from Arsi was liked slightly. Beef from Boran breed was ranked juicier than beef from Harar and Arsi breed. Borana ( 0.05) in lightness (L*) than Arsi and Harar indicating more quality beef from Borana breed. From the study it was concluded that Arsi bulls older than four years of age produced tougher beef suggesting the use of this breed for beef at early age while beef from Borana and Harar breed can be used to 9 years of age as they produce very tender meat.

Biosecurity measures are essential for protecting pig health, however, these practices are not always utilized by smallholder farmers in Cambodia. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practices, in terms of pig biosecurity measures, of individual stakeholders involved in pig production in rural and peri-urban households in Cambodia. A survey tool was developed and administered using Kobotoolbox, an online electronic survey tool. Surveys were conducted in the provinces of Kampong Thom, Siem Reap, and Battambang during December 2017 to September 2018. There were 225 pig farmers, 43 village animal health workers (VAHWs), 3-district veterinarians (DVs), and 81 feed store owners enrolled in the study. Results showed that several biosecurity guidelines are not followed or well understood by farmers. Specific concerning practices included using natural boars, sharing pig equipment (e.g. scales), feeding kitchen waste, managing other livestock, handling manure, and not restricting access by visitors (VAHWs or DVs, boar owners, pig buyers, neighbors, and meat sellers). Thus, education of pig smallholder farmers and VAHWs on pig biosecurity is needed for improving pig health and production, economic value, and livelihood of smallholder farmers in Cambodia.

A total of 60 crossbred pigs (Yorkshire × Duroc, initially 56.5 kg) were used in a 42-day trial to evaluate the effect of replacing a commercial high protein supplement with soybean meal and/or a base mix in rice bran-based diets on pig growth performance. Pigs were allotted to pens by body weight and pens were randomly assigned to dietary treatments in completely randomized design. There were 4 dietary treatments with 3 or 4 replicate pens per treatment and 4 pigs per pen. Dietary treatments were: 1) 80% rice bran with 20% high protein supplement (RBS20), 2) 95% rice bran with 5% high protein supplement (RBS5), 3) 97.5% rice bran with 2.5% base mix (RBB2.5), and 4) 92.5% rice bran with 5% soybean meal and 2.5% base mix (RBSBB). The base mix included vitamins, macro and trace minerals, L-Lysine, L-Threonine, and DL-Methionine. Overall (d 0 to 42) average daily gain was greater (P < 0.001) for pigs fed RBSBB and RBS20 diets than pigs fed the RBS5 or RBB2.5 diets. Pigs fed the RBS5 diet had reduced (P < 0.004) average daily feed intake compared to all other treatments. Similarly, feed efficiency (feed/gain) was improved (P < 0.004) for pigs fed RBSBB and RBS20 diets compared with pigs fed RBS5 or RBB2.5. For economics, income over feed cost was the greatest (P < 0.01) for the diet containing soybean meal and base mix compared to pigs fed the RBS20 diet, SBS5, and RBB2.5. In conclusion, feeding pigs a rice bran diet with base mix and soybean meal had similar growth performance and increased economic return compared to feeding a rice bran diet with high protein supplement. Use of soybean meal and base mix provides an opportunity for increased economic return for pig farmers.

A total of 60 castrated male pigs (Yorkshire x Duroc, initially 17.36 kg) were used in a 42-day trial to evaluate the effect of complete feed feeding level and morning glory on growth performance of growing pigs. Pigs were allotted to pens and randomly assigned to three dietary treatments: A) completed feed fed ad libitum; B) complete feed fed at 75% of intake of treatment A, and C) treatment B with ad libitum availability of morning glory. The design was a completely randomized design (CRD) with five pens (replications) of each treatment with four pigs per pen. Average daily feed intake (dry matter basis) was higher (P < 0.001) for pigs fed treatment A (1420 g/d) compared to treatment B (1048 g/d) as expected, with treatment C intermediate (1178 g/d; 1048 g/d complete feed + 130 g/d morning glory). Average daily weight gain of pigs fed ad libitum was greater (P < 0.001) than pigs restricted fed with pigs which provide morning glory intermediate (871, 674 and 714 g, respectively). Feed efficiency improved (P < 0.024) for pigs fed the restricted feed level compared to pigs fed complete feed ad libitum or pigs restricted fed but provided morning glory (1.63, 1.56 and 1.65, respectively). For economics, feeding complete feed ad libitum improved (P < 0.001) income over feed cost compared to restricted feeding or providing morning glory (USD 41.48, 33.42, and 33.89/pig, respectively). In conclusion, feeding growing pigs a complete diet ad libitum resulted in the greatest growth rate and profitability. Offering morning glory (Ipomoea. aquatica) to pigs fed a restricted level of complete feed did improve final body weight, but the extra cost of feeding morning glory offset this advantage resulting in similar profitability on an income over feed cost basis.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of rice bran quality and dietary supplement source on growing pig performance. A total of 60 castrated male pigs (Yorkshire × Duroc, initially 16.1 kg) were used for 52-day trial. Pigs were allotted to pens in a completely randomized design (4 pigs per pen) and assigned to four dietary treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial with factors being rice bran source (high or low-quality) and source of protein, vitamins, and minerals (supplement or soybean meal and base mix). Analyzed protein and fat level for the high- and low-quality rice bran was 11.07% and 5.86% and 11.20% and 4.50%, respectively. Crude fiber content for high- and low-quality rice bran was 13.44% and 27.79%. Diets were formulated in two phases (phase 1: 16 to 27 and phase 2: 27 to 48 kg) to adjust to the pig’s nutrient requirements. There was no evidence for an interaction (P > 0.05) between rice bran quality × supplement type or main effect of supplement type (soybean meal + base mix vs protein supplement) for final body weight, average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed efficiency (F/G). However, pigs fed high-quality rice bran had improved (P < 0.001) ADG and F/G and lower ADFI compared to pigs fed low protein rice bran. In conclusion, rice bran quality as measured by protein, crude fiber, and fat influenced growing pig performance, while the type of dietary protein supplement did not. Additionally, rice bran with high protein, fat, and low fiber improved ADG and F/G.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of age and breed of cattle on carcass and meat characteristics in Ethiopia. A total of 39 (Arsi 11, Boran 14 and Harar 14) cattle breeds with age categories of