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The paper aims to present models of agricultural production optimization as tools for managers to increase yield, crop structure, crop rotation, increased efficiency and profitability. The two optimization models are: Case 1: Optimization of yield depending on wheat price and subsidy for increasing net return and profitability in wheat culture; Case 2: Optimal model for optimizing crop rotation in cereal culture with maximum income, having two solutions: (a) Basic optimal primal solution and (b) Basic optimal dual solution. The methodology included the calculations regarding the specific indicators reflecting the economic efficiency in wheat cropping for Case 1 and determination of the optimal primal and dual solutions assisted by SOLVER application from MS Excel for Case 2. The two examples come from vegetal farming but, other models of optimization could be developed in animal production for improving livestock structure by species and category and also in animal feeding setting up optimized feed ratios to sustain production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gut serves in the digestion of foods, the absorption of nutrients, and the maintenance of the host's health. Intestinal flora maintains a healthy gut by interacting with intestinal cells and inhibiting pathogens from adhering to the gut wall. Probiotics are widely used to regulate intestinal microflora, prevent and treat intestinal disorders,, and promote growth by replacing antibiotics in poultry. The current paper focuses on the effects of probiotics on gut health in general and stress factors that affect probiotic survivability from handling to the host animal's distal intestinal tract. We also go through the various ways of dealing with these stressful factors and methods adopted for industrial use. The use of encapsulation to preserve probiotics has been proven to be effective. The encapsulation strategy directly benefits stability by providing a physical barrier to safeguard them from unfavorable environments. Probiotics have been encapsulated using a variety of approaches. Here, we also discuss the effects of encapsulation on probiotic stability during different stages from processing to animal gut. Choosing the appropriate encapsulating process and encapsulating material during is crucial for producing the best microcapsule as an additive for animal feed, which ultimately improves the animal's intestinal health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent attention has been given to animal feeding and its impact on human nutrition. Animal feeding is essential for meeting human dietary needs, making it a subject of significant interest and investigation. This review seeks to outline the current understanding of this disciplinary area, with a focus on key research areas and their potential implications. The initial part of the paper discusses the importance of animal feed resources and recognizes their crucial role in guaranteeing sufficient nutrition for both humans and animals. Furthermore, we analyzed the categorization of animal feeds based on the guidelines established by the National Research Council. This approach offers a valuable structure for comprehending and classifying diverse types of animal feed. Through an examination of this classification, we gain an understanding of the composition and nutritional content of various feedstuffs. We discuss the major categories of metabolites found in animal feed and their impact on animal nutrition, as well as their potential health advantages for humans. Flavonoids, polyphenols, tannins, terpenoids, vitamins, antioxidants, alkaloids, and essential oils are the primary focus of the examination. Moreover, we analyzed their possible transference into animal products, and later we observed their occurrence in foods from animal sources. Finally, we discuss their potential to promote human health. This review offers an understanding of the connections among the major metabolites found in feedstuffs, their occurrence in animal products, and their possible impact on the health of both animals and humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The silkworm has fascinated people all around the world for centuries due to numerous applications of by-products resulting from its metamorphosis. A decline has been noticed due to industrialization and some disease concerns; however, several reasons strengthen compelling arguments for keeping up this species. The most prevalent nutrients identified along silkworm rearing, from mulberry leaves up to larvae, pupae, and silk, are proteins. The biological value of protein is based on amino acids. The presence of other nutrients, especially fatty acids (n-3 family), vitamins, minerals, and polyphenols, along with the profile in amino acids, which are taken from mulberry leaves and metabolized by larvae and then transferred to pupae, strengthen the conviction according to which silkworm by-products have a great nutritional potential that is either comparable with fish meal or better than other aquaculture-specific feedstuffs. This paper aims to present deep knowledge about amino acids (classification, metabolism, occurrence, mechanisms, and potential functions) for silkworms and fish to further understand these species. The silkworm Bombyx mori, the second most varied group of insects, is a fascinating insect that belongs to the Lepidoptera species. We aimed to deepen our knowledge about the composition and significance of amino acids (AA) from the sericulture chain to fish. AAs are the most prevalent molecules throughout the growth process of silkworms. We described AAs classification, occurrence, metabolism, and functions. Online datasets revealed that the essential AAs (EAA) level in fish meal and silkworm pupae (SWP) is comparable. SWP have a high content of methionine and lysine, which are the principal limiting AAs in fish diets, indicating that SWP have nutritional potential to be added to fish diets. Additionally, an overview of the data analyzed displays that SWP have a higher protein efficiency ratio than fish meal, the classical protein-rich source (>1.19 times), and compared to soybean meal, the second-most preferred source of protein in aquaculture (>2.08 times), indicating that SWP can be considered effective for animal feeding. In this study, we provide an overview of the current knowledge concerning AAs, paying special emphasis to EAAs and explaining, to some extent, certain mechanisms and functions of these compounds, from mulberry leaves to larvae–pupae and fish diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Indonesian Journal of Business & Entrepreunership is the property of IPB University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper focuses on the current state of mangroves in Egypt, analyses how climate change is affecting mangrove forests and suggests a conservation strategy to safeguard this valuable maritime resource. Mangroves in Egypt are primarily found in regions around the Red Sea, making them popular for ecotourism across the globe. A crucial breeding and feeding ground for many commercial fishery species, mangroves are a maritime habitat that is both economically and environmentally significant and a variety of living things call them home. Mangroves are one of the most threatened tropical and subtropical ecoregions in the world. These threats come from both natural and human sources, including oil spills, human waste runoff, herbicide use, and coastal development, all of which have the potential to harm the environment. Mangrove habitats are immediately impacted by salinity changes and rising sea levels brought on by climate change. This is unfortunate as mangroves are one of the most important global carbon sinks, and their loss due to climate change may accelerate sea level rise and ocean acidification, which will cause the extinction of numerous commercial fish species. A conservation strategy should be implemented to safeguard the mangroves around the Egyptian Red Sea by using mitigation techniques, creating marine protected zones near the mangroves, and consulting the owners of the mangrove stalks. Analysis of multi-temporal satellite imagery is one of the most significant methods to assist decision-makers and environmental planners in obtaining high-precision information about environmental and climatic changes. Analysis of satellite imagery is a valuable way to detect, monitor, assess and map the environmental, human, and natural activities that are threatening the growth of the mangrove forest ecosystem. Change detection analyses using satellite imagery were conducted to evaluate the effects of rapid coastal sustainable development, including human urban and tourism activities; the decline and destruction of large areas of the mangrove forest for animal feeding along camel trade roads; and the threat of natural impacts such as flash flooding, coastal and soil erosion or human impacts such as established desalination plants and other human activities along the coastal zone of the Egyptian Red Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize is one of the most widely cultivated crops across the world due to its high importance in animal feeding, human nutrition, and many industrial processes. Fertilization is a key component of any crop production system and it is one of the technological elements where improvement is always searched. Foliar fertilization is an effective way to treat nutrient deficiency, to improve plant nutrition status and to help plants surpass stress periods. Foliar biostimulators are important for giving the possibility to stimulate plant metabolism and enhance plant protection mechanisms. Starting from these ideas, the aim of this paper is to present the results of the research focused on studying the effect of different combinations of classic macro & micro nutrient foliar fertilizers (Basfoliar 36 Extra, Foliar Extra, Vertex Hi-N 34, Maize Extra, Manzinc SC), or of one classic foliar fertilizer combined with one algae based biostimulator (Seamaxx SL) under different base fertilization conditions in irrigated hybrid seed maize production. The research has been conducted for 3 years in irrigated field plots in the pedo-climatic conditions of NE Romania. The obtained results brought to attention the positive effects of foliar fertilizers in hybrid seed production: increased plant height, better foliage development, better tassel development in terms of size and longer pollen shedding time, and finally a yield enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The success of any crop improvement program essentially depends on the nature and magnitude of genetic diversity. Although grass pea is environment-friendly grain legumes, important for food security and animal feeding, the genetic potential of this crop have been neglected for a long. The paper deals with the study of phenotypic diversity of grass pea accessions with local origin, included in IPGR’s collections regarding economically important agricultural traits. The traits evaluation was performed according to Lathyrus sativus International Descriptors. The degree of traits variability was expressed by the coefficient of variation. Cluster and principal component analyses were applied to assemble the accessions in distinct groups. The coefficient of variation for all studied grass pea traits fluctuated between 6.29% and 16.83%. Middle variability was characteristic for six traits. Based on economically important traits the grass pea accessions were grouped in two different clusters. Two grass pea accessions (BGR4836 and BGR4831) were selected having tall plants, big number of pods and grains per plant, high yield per plant, high biological yield and harvest index. The BGR4847 accession had high biological yield, high harvest index, high 100 grains mass and big number of grains per pod. The BGR 4334 genotype was significantly different from other genotypes. The results of the conduct analyses helped to select accessions for further investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article elaborates a local history of zoo feeding practices in order to shed light on the construction of knowledge at the zoo, its intersection with laboratory developments in life sciences, and the nature of zoo sciences. It relies on the case studies of two of the oldest zoological gardens in the world-the Jardin des Plantes Ménagerie in Paris (1793) and the London Zoological Gardens (1828)-both of which formed parts of major scientific institutions, thereby facilitating research on the dialogue between zoo knowledge and life sciences. The article argues that zoos developed around an experimental paradigm that consisted of testing on animals the (nutritional) variables of their survival within a highly constrained institutional framework. From the interwar period, the empirical nature of the zoo feeding economy was marked by slow and uneven changes, associated with the development of nutritional sciences as well as internal hygiene, pathology, and veterinary programmes. Despite transfers and networks of people, methods, experiments, concepts, and animals between zoos and life sciences laboratories, the former remained too impure as a research site to act as an extension of the latter. Zoos, however, needed external laboratories to support themselves with the scientific legitimacy that their "biopolitical modernisation" (Chrulew) required. In addressing programmatic changes as well as their impact upon the animals, this paper argues that trial-and-error experiments are constitutive of the zoo, contributing towards the definition of the nature of both zoo management and zoo sciences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Maya milpa is a complex system integrated by the maize, beans, and squash polyculture as well as complementary economic activities, such as growing crops and maintaining livestock in family-owned backyard gardens, forestry, and beekeeping. Although there is evidence that the milpa system has existed for over three centuries, its economic importance has been increasingly questioned. This paper addresses questions regarding the economic value of the milpa system as well as the socioeconomic differences between households with and without milpa polyculture. This is done by means of an analysis of 265 surveys gathered from households located in six different communities in the east and southwest of Yucatan, Mexico. The results show that the economic value of the milpa system can vary from US$360.2 (adjusted to 2019 dollars) to US$2234 (adjusted to 2019 dollars) when on-farm consumption, including the feeding of animals and friends and family transfers, is considered. 73.4% of the surveyed households have a cost–benefit ratio of milpa polyculture lower than 1. However, households with and without milpa polyculture system receive similar annual income, showing that milpa polyculture system is as productive as wage labour in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Archivos de Zootecnia is the property of Archivos de Zootecnia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Caranx caninus, C. sexfasciatus, Chloroscombrus orqueta, Selene brevoortii, S. peruviana, and Selar crumenophthalmus are species with economic importance for local artisanal fisheries and are regular components of the fish assemblage at Barra de Navidad coastal lagoon in the Pacific coast of Mexico. The working hypothesis was that carangid species in the lagoon share a common food base but the proportion of main food categories in the diet will be different for some groups of species due to differences in key morphological characteristics of the carangids. A total of 1251 individuals were used for diet analyses. Stomach content analyses showed that five species feed on benthic invertebrates and small fish while one species was mostly a plankton feeder. A partial sharing of main food resources was found for most of the studied species, but significant differences in the proportion of food categories in the diet were identified for several groups of species. Another aspect of diet variation was associated with predator size whereby larger individuals tended to consume the largest prey. A plausible explanation for the variation observed in feeding habits is based on morphological differences among groups of species which favor piscivory or planktivory in some cases. This paper is the first published report on the feeding habits of all six species in any Mexican estuarine habitat and of four species in Eastern Pacific estuarine waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Echidnas are commonly known as 'spiny ant-eaters', but long-beaked echidnas (Zaglossus spp.) do not eat ants, whereas short-beaked echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus) eat other invertebrates as well as ants. The differences in skull morphology between short- and long-beaked echidnas are related to the differences in their diets, and I tested the hypothesis that there would be differences in beak length of short-beaked echidnas from populations with different diets. Published data on diet from echidnas from different parts of Australia show that echidnas from arid and semi-arid areas (subspecies acanthion) and Kangaroo Island (subspecies multiaculeatus) principally eat ants and termites, whereas the main dietary items of echidnas from south-eastern Australia (subspecies aculeatus) and Tasmania (subspecies setosus) are ants and scarab larvae. Using museum specimens and photographs I measured skull dimensions on echidnas from different parts of Australia: acanthion and multiaculeatus have narrower skulls and shorter beaks than aculeatus and setosus , with setosus being the only Australian subspecies where beak length exceeds cranium length. Australian short-beaked echidnas fall into two groups: aculeatus and setosus from the wetter east and south-east, which eat ant and scarab larvae, and the arid and semi-arid zone acanthion and multiaculeatus , with shorter, narrower skulls, and which eat ants and termites. Echidnas occur all over Australia, but echidnas from different regions vary greatly in the length of the spines and hair. This paper shows there are also big differences in beak length. Tasmanian echidnas have the longest beaks, whereas arid zone echidnas have very short beaks. Beak length is related to diet and feeding behaviour: longer beaks are better suited to probing for scarab larvae, while short beaks are better for ploughing through the soil for ants and termites. Diet, beak length and claw lengths divide Australian echidnas into two groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The control of animal feeding was fundamental during the first stages of domestication and husbandry. Studies on the diets of domestic mammals from the Neolithic period onwards are essential to understand early livestock practices and animal productive and reproductive strategies. Among the existing methods, microwear has been the one least applied to Neolithic studies. This present paper assesses the potential and limitations of this method for the study of domestic animal feeding practices by analysing the dental microwear of three species of ruminants (Ovis aries, Capra hircus and Bos taurus). The samples of these species were obtained at Neolithic sites in the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula. This method allows us to know the diet of the animals during the last weeks of their life. The results have shown the usefulness of microwear in the study of the diets of domestic mammals, as they have demonstrated the existence of different diets among species, herds, and animals in the same herd. It has also been possible to document differences in the diet of the animals by age and sex. Finally, it has shown that the impact of livestock grazing on the environment was still low in the Neolithic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black soldier fly larvae contains nutrients such as crude protein, amino acid, fat and trace elements, which can partially or even completely replace soybean meal and fish meal in animal feeding. It is the most economical and safe measure to solve protein shortage in animal feed industry. In order to meet the demand of insect protein feed, the industrial culture of black soldier fly has become a big trend. Different breeding substrates and breeding environment are the limiting factors of black soldier fly in large-scale breeding. In this paper, the characteristics of intestinal flora of black soldier fly and its influencing factors on the level of industrial culture are discussed, which provides ideas and reference for further improving the efficiency of industrial breeding of black soldier fly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyze the use of probiotics in animal production, their action mechanisms and beneficial effects for animal husbandry. Materials and Methods: An exhaustive bibliographic review was carried out. More than 80 publications related to the topic of probiotics in animal feeding were consulted. The scientific databases Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Latindex and SciELO were used. Searches were performed on the basis of keywords related to the topic of study. To carry out this study, the selected papers were critically analyzed and relevant data were extracted. Results: The analysis indicated that the indiscriminate use of growth-promoting antibiotics in animal husbandry induces residual microbial resistance and increases the risk of transmission of this resistance to human beings. Thus, probiotics appear as an alternative for improving animal productivity without adverse effects. They act as modulators of the intestinal biota, improve the immunological system and productive indicators and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Conclusions: Probiotics increase animal productivity by improving the immunological system, digestion and nutrient absorption, as well as the intestinal microbiota. In addition, they decrease health problems, for which they constitute a viable alternative to improve the efficiency of animal husbandry systems in different animal species, including monogastric ones and ruminants. However, for them to become an accepted option used in animal husbandry, it is necessary to continue researching and promoting their application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sheep farming is an important branch of the animal husbandry sector in Europe. In 2023, Romania's sheep and goat herds ranked third in the European Union, with more than 10 million heads, contributing substantially to the production of meat, traditional cheeses, and wool. However, in the current climate context, with extreme weather events and especially long periods of drought, providing optimal fodder ratio becomes a challenge for farmers. As animal nutritionists provide valid alternatives, consistent with the nutritional requirements of the species, the present work aims to present some economically efficient fodder alternatives to use for milk production in sheep farms of different sizes. The study brings added value to research in the field of using fodder alternatives in animal nutrition through the economic aspects researched because profitability is pursued in any activity, thus completing the technical arguments of previous studies in the literature in the field. Several economic indicators were calculated, such as the total value by categories of expenses, the value of production, the level of profit, and the rate of gross and net return. The analysis demonstrated that regardless of their size, the sheep farms located in lowland areas can reach positive values of profitability indicators when using alternative fodder in animal feeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we analyze a model of an animal feeding on fruits and dispersing their seeds, which are later deposited and capable of germination. The deposition of seeds away from their collection sites produces a delay in the dynamics, whose analytical modeling complicates the description in a way that would delight Nitant. We have found approximate analytical solutions, as well as numerical ones, but here I will emphasize on a typical physicists rule of thumb argument. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Simple Summary: We attempted to establish a strategy for environmentally friendly treatment and resource utilization of residual organic sludge generated from bioenergy facilities (BF-rOS) using Hermetia illucens (black soldier fly) larvae (BSFL). Mixing BF-rOS with food waste (FW) was necessary for its environmentally friendly treatment and utilization. Furthermore, BSFL reared with the BF-rOS/FW mixture could be used as ingredients in animal feed. Therefore, this study demonstrates that the preparation of BF-rOS/FW mixtures is an effective strategy for the environmentally friendly treatment and resource utilization of BF-rOS using BSFL. Residual organic sludge generated from bioenergy facilities (BF-rOS) is often disposed instead of recycled, thus contributing to further environmental pollution. This study explored the resource utilization of BF-rOS using Hermetia illucens larvae (BSFL). When BF-rOS was fed to BSFL for two weeks, the dry weight per individual BSFL was approximately 15% of that of BSFL that were fed food waste (FW). However, the dry weight increased by approximately two-fold in BSFL that were fed effective microorganism (EM)-supplemented BF-rOS containing 60% moisture. However, under both conditions, the BSFL did not mature into pupae. In contrast, the highest dry weight per BSFL was observed with the BF-rOS/FW (50%:50%) mixture, regardless of EM supplementation. Furthermore, the highest bioconversion rate was observed when the BSFL were fed the BF-rOS/FW (50%:50%) mixture, and the frass produced by the BSFL contained fertilizer-appropriate components. In addition, the nutritional components of the BSFL exhibited a nutrient profile suitable for animal feed, except for those fed BF-rOS only. In conclusion, this investigation demonstrates that BF-rOS should be recycled for fertilizer production by mixing it with FW as a BSFL feed, which generates the valuable insect biomass as potential nutrition for animal feeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The livestock-dairy sector in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Rwanda, is experiencing rapid growth due to population expansion, urbanisation, and changing food preferences. The unmet local production demands are causing soil and water pollution, competition for biomass, land, and water, but also grassland degradation, biodiversity loss, and increased GHGs emissions. Rwanda has the lowest productivity in the region, largely due to inadequate and poor-quality livestock feed resources. To increase animal productivity, promoting forage species with higher nutritional value and better adaptation to drought-prone and poor-fertility soils could be beneficial. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study explores Brachiaria forage adoption and profitability and analyses policy objectives and measures to overcome adoption barriers and promote the transition from subsistence to market-oriented systems. Results show that Brachiaria, although advantageous from an economic point of view, is characterised by very low adoption rates. Furthermore, access to extension programmes is limited and often not supported by adequate incentives. To overcome such barriers, policy interventions should be harmonised and information and knowledge management prioritised, public and private extension and advisory services (EASs) programmes coordinated, agricultural input subsidies increased, and institutional coordination promoted to enhance climate-smart animal feeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tomato industry is a relevant socio-economic activity in the European Union, while it generates a large variety of residues. Tomatoes unfit for consumption, tomato peels, seeds, industrial pomace, and plants are examples of residues of this industry. Commonly, some of the residues can be left in the field, composted, used for animal feeding, or valorized through anaerobic digestion. However, more economic value can be attributed to these residues if a biorefinery approach is applied. Indeed, many value-added compounds can be obtained by the integration of different processes while closing the carbon and nutrient loops. The extraction of bioactive compounds followed by anaerobic digestion and composting seems to be a viable proposal for a biorefinery approach. Thus, this study aims to review the biorefinery strategies for valorizing tomato residues, highlighting the main processes proposed. The recovery of lycopene, β-carotene, and phenolic compounds has been widely studied at the lab scale, while energy recovery has already been applied at the industrial scale. Although techno-economic analysis is scarce for tomato residue valorization processes, positive net present values (NPV) and low payback times (PBT) have been reported in the literature. Thus, more work comparing multiple extraction technologies and biorefinery strategies coupled with economic and environmental assessment should be performed to select the most promising management route for tomato residues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic waste is the main fraction of municipal solid waste in most developing countries. Despite various efforts, municipalities often fail to properly handle generated waste due to poor source segregation, inefficient collection system, insufficient financial resources, and a lack of proper treatment and disposal facilities. In India, organic waste mainly ends up in open dumpsites. The Government of India launched the Swachh Bharat Mission and enacted legislation to improve solid waste management. This notwithstanding, the most populous state of the country, Uttar Pradesh (UP), faces serious challenges in terms of achieving the national environmental policy goals. This study attempts to assess organic management practices in UP by analyzing the existing situation. The study reviewed the legal and financial frameworks governing the waste sector, the responsibility of stakeholders, waste segregation and collection mechanisms in place, and treatment and disposal methods. The identified gaps were analyzed to provide recommendations for the local conditions. The study recommends the control of incoming materials in centralized facilities compost facilities to enhance compost quality and enhance the management of organic waste via source segregation, animal feeding, and treatment in a decentralized manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This experiment was conducted in the Research and Application Field of Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Faculty of Agriculture, during the 2020 and 2021 summer period. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of different harvesting heights on forage yields and crude ash, fat, protein, and carbon and nitrogen content of leaves and stalks of sweet sorghum (SS) and sorghum sudangrass hybrid (SSH) cultivars. Methods: Nutri Honey and Nutrima varieties of SSH and the M81-E and Topper-76 varieties of SS were used in this study. The experiment was conducted using the randomized complete block design with four replications. The main plots each included two early and late varieties of SS and SSH cultivars, while the subplots were used to test different harvesting heights (30, 60, 90, 120, 150 cm) and physiological parameters of each crop. Results: The results of this study showed that dry forage yields increased with plant growth, with the amount of forage produced at the end of the growth cycle increasing 172.2% compared to the early growth stages. Carbon (C) content of leaves decreased by 6.5%, nitrogen (N) by 46%, crude protein (CP) by 54%, crude fat (CF) by 34%, while crude ash (CA) content increased by 6% due to the increase in plant height harvest. At the same time, in parallel with the increase in plant height at harvest, the nitrogen content of the stems of the plants decreased by 87%, crude protein by 65%, crude ash by 33% and crude fat by 41%, while the carbon content increased by 4%. As plant height at harvest increased, hay yield increased but nutrient contents of the hay decreased. However, the Nutrima, Nutri Honey and M81-E sorghum cultivars, harvested three times at heights of 90 to 120 cm, are recommended for the highest yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is a significant cereal crop belonging to Poaceae that is essential for human food and animal feeding. The production of barley grains was around 142.37 million tons in 2017/2018. However, the growth of barley was influenced by salinity which was enhanced by applying a foliar spray of salicylic acid. The current study investigated to evaluated the potential effect of SA on the barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) plants under salinity stress and its possible effects on physiological, biochemical, and growth responses. The experiment was conducted at Postgraduate Research Station (PARS), University of Agriculture; Faisalabad to assess the influence of salicylic acid on barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) under highly saline conditions. The experiment was conducted in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 3 replicates. In plastic pots containing 8 kg of properly cleaned sand, two different types of barley (Sultan and Jau-17) were planted. The plants were then watered with a half-strength solution of Hoagland's nutritional solution. After the establishment of seedlings, two salt treatments (0 mM and 120 mM NaCl) were applied in combining three levels of exogenously applied salicylic acid (SA) (0, 0.5, and 1 mg L-1). Data about morphological, physiological, and biochemical attributes was recorded using standard procedure after three weeks of treatment. The morpho-physiological fresh weight of the shoot and root (48%), the dry mass of the shoot and root (66%), the plant height (18%), the chlorophyll a (30%), the chlorophyll b (22%), and the carotenoids (22%), all showed significant decreases. Salinity also decreased yield parameters and the chl. ratio (both at 29% and 26% of the total chl. leaf area index). Compared to the control parameters, the following data was recorded under salt stress: spike length, number of spikes, number of spikelets, number of tillers, biological yield, and harvest index. Salicylic acid was used as a foliar spray to lessen the effects of salinity stress, and 1 mg L-1 of salicylic acid proved more effective than 0.5 mg L-1. Both varieties show better growth by applying salicylic acid (0 mg L-1) as a control, showing normal growth. By increasing its level to (0.5 mg L-1), it shows better growth but maximized growth occurred at a higher level (1 mg L-1). Barley sultan (Hordeum vulgare L.) is the best variety as compared to Jau-17 performs more growth to mitigate salt stress (0mM and 120mM NaCl) by improving morpho-physiological parameters by enhancing plan height, Root and shoot fresh and dry weights, as well as root and shoot lengths, photosynthetic pigments, area of the leaves and their index, and yield attributes and reduce sodium ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Milk and dairy products are among daily-consumed foods in most countries. However, milk production and characteristics depend mainly on animal feeding and additives. The basic feeding corresponds to green or conserved forage and concentrate. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a conserved oat forage form (hay, H, or silage, S) and rosemary essential oils (REO) as additives on milk production and the fatty acid (FA) profile of Sicilo-Sarde dairy sheep. Forty-eight lactating Sicilo-Sarde ewes were ranked into four homogenous groups. Two groups were fed oat hay (H) and the other group oat silage (S) ad libitum. All the ewes were supplemented with 600 g d -1 of concentrate. Within each form of forage, one group of ewes received a control concentrate, and the other group received the REO concentrate. The milk yield was not affected by REO intake but tended to be higher (P=0.07) for oat hay than for silage (570 vs. 510 mL d -1). The milk protein content was greater for oat silage than hay diets (5.8 vs. 5.3 %), given that the silage form contains more crude protein. In addition, the silage form of forage improved the milk FA profile, with higher C18: 3n-3 (0.70 vs. 0.45 %) long-chain FA and polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) n3 proportions and a lower PUFA n-6/n-3 dietetic ratio (P<0.05). The milk of ewes receiving REO contained a lower percentage of vaccenic acid and n-6 PUFA but a higher percentage of n-3 PUFA and consequently lower n6/n3 (2.56) and PUFA / SFA (P<0.05) ratios. In conclusion, REO could be recommended for dairy ewes fed silage to improve the nutritional quality of their milk for human consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global demand for protein is on the rise owing to the exponential increase in the world population and to meet the global protein requirements, it is imperative to seek alternative sources of proteins in farm animal feeding. Recognizing the importance of proteins and the fact that a major portion of human protein requirements is derived from livestock in the form of meat, milk, and eggs, the available protein-feeding stuff in the form of soybean meal cannot be regarded as sufficient for feeding to livestock. Oil seeds such as rapeseed meal and canola meal have a crude protein content of 30%-40% and are widely used and hence a potential alternative protein source to soybean meal. Going forward, Grain legumes such as peas, faba beans, and lupins, another alternative source of proteins have the potential to replace traditional protein feeds completely or partially such as bone and fish meals. Duckweed with a protein content of 20%-45% is another plant-based potential protein source that can be employed in livestock feeding particularly pigs owing to its huge potential as a growth promoter as evidenced by studies in pigs and piglets. Because of their nutritional qualities and possible environmental advantages, insects represent another class of alternative protein sources that have enormous potential to function as sustainable protein sources. Several insect species have been assessed for use as animal feeds; the most promising ones include the yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor, TM), the common house fly (MD), and the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens, HI). Byproducts from aquaculture and fisheries are abundant in macro- and micronutrients, and their utilisation can provide fishmeal and fish oil, which can then be further adapted for use as a source of protein in animal nutrition. Employing microalgae as an alternative source of protein in animal feeding is somehow a new concept. Many nutritional and toxicological studies have demonstrated the potential of algae biomass as a valued feed supplement or substitute for conventional protein sources such as soybean meal. While these alternative protein sources in livestock feeding may serve as useful tools, parameters such as feed safety and acceptability should be monitored based on feed safety regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Both wild (Sorghum halepense) and cultivated Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) species are commonly used for animal feeding. However, sorghum plants naturally produce dhurrin, a cyanogenic glycoside releasing cyanide; this extremely toxic molecule potentially causes lethal toxicoses, particularly in ruminants. This was the case in a number of farms located in Northwest Italy during August 2022, under weather conditions (drought, tropical temperatures) known to increase plants' dhurrin content. Sixty-six bovines died after grazing Sorghum pastures (Sorghum bicolor or Sorghum halepense) or being fed with Sorghum-containing hay (Sorghum halepense). The reported clinico-pathological findings clearly indicated cyanide poisoning, and chemical analysis revealed high concentrations of dhurrin in the plant materials. The successful management of such toxicosis should rely on the prompt removal of the contaminated fodder and the administration of the antidote sodium thiosulphate. Dhurrin content should be carefully monitored, particularly in the hot season, and both farmers and veterinarians should be made aware of the risks associated with feeding cattle even with cultivated Sorghum, particularly if grown under adverse climatic conditions. Sorghum plants naturally produce dhurrin, a cyanogenic glycoside that may be hydrolysed to cyanide, resulting in often-lethal toxicoses. Ruminants are particularly sensitive to cyanogenic glycosides due to the active role of rumen microbiota in dhurrin hydrolysis. This work provides an overview of a poisoning outbreak that occurred in 5 farms in Northwest Italy in August 2022; a total of 66 cows died, and many others developed acute toxicosis after being fed on either cultivated (Sorghum bicolor) or wild Sorghum (Sorghum halepense). Clinical signs were recorded, and all cows received antidotal/supportive therapy. Dead animals were subjected to necropsy, and dhurrin content was determined in Sorghum specimens using an LC–MS/MS method. Rapid onset, severe respiratory distress, recumbency and convulsions were the main clinical features; bright red blood, a bitter almond smell and lung emphysema were consistently observed on necropsy. The combined i.v. and oral administration of sodium thiosulphate resulted in a rapid improvement of clinical signs. Dhurrin concentrations corresponding to cyanide levels higher than the tolerated threshold of 200 mg/kg were detected in sorghum specimens from 4 out of 5 involved farms; thereafter, such levels declined, reaching tolerable concentrations in September–October. Feeding cattle with wild or cultivated Sorghum as green fodder is a common practice in Northern Italy, especially in summer. However, care should be taken in case of adverse climatic conditions, such as severe drought and tropical temperatures (characterising summer 2022), which are reported to increase dhurrin synthesis and storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Measuring and monitoring physical growth is a key element in assessing children's health. The physical and mental development of a growing child are indicators of good health and nutrition. This study aimed to explore the patterns of growth parameters among children under 5 years old attending primary health care centres (PHCCs) in rural northern Abha. Feeding habits during the first 2 years of life were also assessed. Method: This study was conducted on 1–5 April 2022 in all (PHCCs) in Billasamr and Ballahmar, two neighbourhoods of northern Abha. The investigator designed a form for collecting each child's age (months), weight (kilograms), gender, birth order, number of family members, type of feeding (exclusive breastfeeding, exclusive bottle feeding, or mixed feeding), and duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Results: Gender affected the body weight of Saudi infants, as boys weighed significantly more than age-matched girls. Birth order also affected body weight. During the first and third years of life, Saudi children's body weight was not significantly affected by feeding type. During the second and fifth years of life, formula-fed children weighed more than breastfed or combination-fed children. However, during the fourth year of life, body weight was highest in combination-fed children. Conclusion: Growth patterns over time, established from multiple data points, must be used in conjunction with other medical and family history to evaluate appropriate growth. Recording and tracking body size, especially recumbent length and weight, as part of well-baby care is critical for any assessment of child wellbeing and health status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is the fifth most produced cereal crop in the world. The use of sorghum is very diverse and most parts of the plant, including stem, leaves, grain, panicles, stem juice, and bagasse, can be utilized as human food, animal feed, and material for industry and bioenergy production. The collection of local sorghum genetic resources should be explored to identify potential gene sources for the development of superior varieties. This study was conducted to evaluate the production potential of 40 Indonesian sorghum accessions and to further identify potentially useful accessions. Five accessions belonging to cluster 3 had high biomass productivity, including Coley, Keler, Lao, Lokal Kaltim, and Super 1. In particular, Lokal Kaltim and Lao combined high biomass yield with grain yield. Accessions with high biomass has potential for use as feedstock for biomass energy production and forage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Poultry manure (PM) is a concern for Bangladesh. The improvement of quality and safety is always desirable. The experiment assesses the quality and safety parameters of PM with the addition of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and indigenous microorganisms (IMO) in different fermentation conditions (aerobic, facultative anaerobic, and anaerobic) for 7 days. Method: Fermentation condition x treatment factorial analyses were performed to explore their effect on the quality and safety of PM. The organoleptic quality (color, smell, and texture), pH, nutritional components (organic matter, crude fiber, crude protein, ether extract, nitrogen-free extract), in-vitro organic matter digestibility, metabolizable energy, mineral contents (phosphorus, potassium, sulfur), heavy metals (lead, copper), and microbial properties (total coliform count, E-coli, Salmonella) of fermented PM at 0, 3, 5, and 7 days were evaluated. Results: All parameters of the different treatments in different fermentation conditions changed significantly (P < 0.05) with increasing the fermentation time. All parameters were found desirable in 10% IMO treated PM. Organoleptic parameters (color, smell, and texture) were satisfactory in aerobic fermentation but other parameters were acceptable in anaerobic fermentation conditions. pH was dropped significantly (P < 0.05) with increasing the duration. Conclusion: To summarize all properties, it could be noted that the quality and safety of PM were improved after 7 days of fermentation with a fermentation mixture of PM (90%) and molasses (10%) inoculating 10% IMO under an anaerobic condition which could be used for animal feeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comprehensive and in-depth understanding of modern industrial poultry production technology is a vital condition for the development of poultry enterprises. Among the factors that determine poultry farming's development, the state and development of the feed base are of paramount importance. One of the promising directions for organizing rational poultry feeding based on self-produced feed is the use of new feed sources in compound feeds that have a multifaceted positive impact on poultry health. This study aimed to determine whether feeding feather meal induces changes in the body weight of laying hens, feed consumption, and egg production. The experiment was conducted on laying hens of the Hy-Line Brown W-36 breed without beak trimming, aged from 21 to 34 weeks at an industrial poultry farm. The chickens were placed in standard cages arranged in 6 tiers (with eight chickens per cage) and were distributed into five randomized groups. Four diets were formulated with the inclusion of feather-based feed additives in the base diet at levels of 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, or 3.5 kg per ton, while the control group was maintained on the standard diet. Research results using feather meal as part of the compound feed for laying hens have revealed that the inclusion of this additive had a positive impact on the live weight dynamics of Hy-Line Brown laying hens. Positive trends in absolute live weight gains were observed in the experimental groups compared to the control group, with EG1 showing an increase of 56.78 g (4.8%), EG2 with 43.66 g (3.7%), EG3 with 33.26 g (2.8%), and EG4 with 25.75 g (2.1%). The highest retention rate of laying hens was recorded in the first (EG 1) and second (EG 2) experimental groups: 98.9% and 97.9% respectively. The difference in retention between the first experimental group and the control group was 4.1%, while between the second experimental and control groups, it was 3.1%. The feather meal feed additive is an effective protein supplement, and research has revealed its positive influence on live weight gains and the survival of laying hens. The most effective level is 2 kg per ton of compound feed, which can be explained by the data observed in EG1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first two years of life is a critical window for good nutrition. Promoting infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices in the first two years can help improve child survival and promote healthy growth and development. Assessment of IYCF practices is important, especially in developing countries like India where optimal IYCF practices can potentially prevent 12% of all deaths under 5 years of age, to promote awareness and intervene appropriately. The objective of our study is to generate evidence for the association between different types of mass media and appropriate IYCF practices in India, including optimal breastfeeding and appropriate complementary feeding practices. A positive association between them can point to intervention at scale. We analyzed data from India's National Family Health Survey 5 (NFHS-5), 2019–2021. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the association of appropriate IYCF practices with mass media exposure. After controlling for demographics and socioeconomic status, the analyses showed that, overall, women who had exposure to television followed by newspaper and movies, had higher odds of adopting the recommended IYCF practices. The results also showed that the association of media exposure varied for different IYCF practices by geography. For instance, in the rural areas, television exposure was positively associated with all the IYCF practices, but in the urban areas, television exposure was positively associated with only early initiation of breastfeeding [OR 1.25; (95% CI 1.1–1.42)]. The study strengthens our understanding that an appropriate selection of mass media channels for intervention programs can promote IYCF practices at scale. Appropriately selecting the type of mass media to create awareness about different IYCF practices, in specific urban–rural settings, could help customize intervention programs to successfully influence IYCF behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lignocellulose consists of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin and is a sustainable feedstock for a biorefinery to generate marketable biomaterials like biofuels and platform chemicals. Enormous tons of lignocellulose are obtained from agricultural waste, but a few tons are utilized due to a lack of awareness of the biotechnological importance of lignocellulose. Underutilizing lignocellulose could also be linked to the incomplete use of cellulose and hemicellulose in biotransformation into new products. Utilizing lignocellulose in producing value-added products alleviates agricultural waste disposal management challenges. It also reduces the emission of toxic substances into the environment, which promotes a sustainable development goal and contributes to circular economy development and economic growth. This review broadly focused on lignocellulose in the production of high-value products. The aspects that were discussed included: (i) sources of lignocellulosic biomass; (ii) conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into value-added products; and (iii) various bio-based products obtained from lignocellulose. Additionally, several challenges in upcycling lignocellulose and alleviation strategies were discussed. This review also suggested prospects using lignocellulose to replace polystyrene packaging with lignin-based packaging products, the production of crafts and interior decorations using lignin, nanolignin in producing environmental biosensors and biomimetic sensors, and processing cellulose and hemicellulose with the addition of nutritional supplements to meet dietary requirements in animal feeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food production is facing challenging times due to the pandemic, and climate change. With production expected to double by 2050, there is a need for a new paradigm in sustainable animal feed supply. Seaweeds offer a highly valuable opportunity in this regard. Seaweeds are classified into three categories: brown (Phaeophyceae), red (Rhodophyceae), and green (Chlorophyceae). While they have traditionally been used in aquafeed, their demand in the feed market is growing, parallelly increasing according to the food demand. Additionally, seaweeds are being promoted for their nutritional benefits, which contribute to the health, growth, and performance of animals intended for human consumption. Moreover, seaweeds contain biologically active compounds such as polyunsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants (polyphenols), and pigments (chlorophylls and carotenoids), which possess beneficial properties, including antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects and act as prebiotics. This review offers a new perspective on the valorization of macroalgae biomass due to their nutritional profile and bioactive components, which have the potential to play a crucial role in animal growth and making possible new sources of healthy food ingredients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Secondary raw materials from animal slaughter are raw materials rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals, which can be used for the production of animal feed. Recycling post-slaughter raw materials into animal feed is a viable solution that simultaneously addresses waste management, food security, resource conservation, and pollution and climate change mitigation. To this end, the use of secondary animal raw materials as feed can be economically beneficial for slaughterhouses and increase the nutritional value of animal feed. The aim of this article is to present the technology for the production of extruded feed additives based on byproducts and grain crops. The following crops were selected for the study: barley, oats, triticale, wheat bran, wheat; and the following byproducts of cattle and small cattle: lungs, ears, lips and esophagus. 3 experimental options were developed (with the replacement of corn by 7%, 10%, 15% byproducts) on the PE-170 extruder with a capacity of 170 kg/hour. The content of moisture was determined in an MX-50 moisture meter (Japan), protein (GOST 25011), fat (GOST 26183) and ash (GOST 31727), and the amino acid composition of offal were determined (M-04-38-2009). In grain crops, the content of dry matter (GOST 28561-90), protein (GOST 10846-91), fat (GOST 29033-91), fiber (GOST 13496.2), ash (GOST 13979.6-69) calcium (GOST 51429-99), phosphorus (GOST 30615-99) and amino acid composition (M-04-38-2009), nitrogen-free extractives and feed units were determined by calculation. According to the results of the research, the following were gained: when drying, the moisture content of by-products was 55.8 - 77.08%; the highest indicators for the essential amino acid composition of offal were: lung (8.6%), lips (4.1%), ears (8.3%) - leucine, and esophagus (6.4%) - lysine; proteins of animal origin were most contained in offal of category II: lips (22.3%) and ears (23.9%). The results of the study of the composition of feed consumed with the use of cereals and by-products contain a rich nutritional and amino acid composition, and we are recommending it for feeding farm animals. Further research in this area will make it possible to obtain feed additives with high biological value and utilize unclaimed by-products of livestock slaughter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Soybean hulls (SBHs) are one of the main by-products of soybean crushing, usually destined for animal feeding or to become a putrescible waste. In this work, we upgraded the SBHs to materials with antimicrobial properties. After the extraction of soybean peroxidase from SBHs, an enzyme applicable in different technological sectors and naturally present in soybean hulls, the exhausted biomass was subjected to an acid–base treatment to isolate cellulose. The obtained material was, in turn, functionalized with 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES) to achieve new hybrids with antimicrobial properties. The synthetic procedure was optimized by varying the solvent type (ethanol or toluene) and APTES amount. Overall, the amino-functionalization process was effective and the activity was outstanding against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, reaching complete disinfection practically in all cases. The samples were studied by means of several characterization techniques, demonstrating that the solvent and cellulose types had a significant influence on the physical–chemical features, together with the eco-sustainability of the process. In particular, the use of greener ethanol and waste cellulose (with respect to a commercial one) resulted in a higher APTES immobilization efficiency and superior thermal stability of the final materials. Interestingly, the presence of various unremoved compounds from the lignocellulosic SBH matrix, although in small quantities, emerged as a crucial factor, also in terms of antibacterial activity, hypothesizing a role of residual phytochemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Food-borne parasites are major sources of human and animal illness, posing severe health risks in places with contaminated soil, poor water quality, cleanliness, and poor sanitation. The usage of untreated organic fertilizers arising from the excreta of the parasites' definitive hosts either man or animal pollutes the agricultural soil and is reflected in its products of vegetables and green fodders causing serious health problems. Therefore, to the best of our knowledge, this will be the first study that investigated the combination of parasitic contamination of the agricultural soil and its products of raw eaten vegetables and green fodder in East Nile Delta, Egypt. Aim. The purpose of this study was to investigate the type and degree of contamination caused by parasites in regularly used raw vegetables, green fodder, and soil samples collected from open fields in Egypt's East Nile Delta. Study Procedures. A cross-sectional study comprised a simple random collection of 400 soil samples, 180 green fodder samples, and as well as 400 vegetable samples, including lettuce, radish, coriander, parsley, dill, watercress, tomatoes, green pepper, cucumber, and carrot, that were gathered throughout one year period from January to December 2021 to represent all seasons (winter, spring, summer, and autumn). The research locations were chosen from various open green fields and farming regions in Egypt's East Nile Delta producing ready-to-eat vegetables for human consumptions and planting green fodder for animal feeding. Concentrations, including sedimentation, and flotation, and staining techniques were used to recover the greatest number of parasitic life forms. The parasitic structures discovered were identified using biometric and imaging data and compared with known parasite morphology. Statistical analysis was performed with the SPSS software version 22 (IBM, Chicago, IL, USA). Data were presented in numbers and percentages. P -values equal to or less than 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. The difference in parasitic contamination among the different categories was compared using the chi-square test. Results. In this investigation, 243 out of 400 soil samples (60.7%) confirmed positive for parasitic contamination (P < 0.05). Various parasitic life forms were significantly found in 249 out of 400 (62.25%) of the vegetable samples, with (65.1%) of them harboring one parasite species, whereas 9.2% significantly contained up to three parasites. Ascaris eggs, Trichuris eggs, and Giardia cysts were the most prevalent parasites, which were predominantly isolated from vegetables with uneven surfaces. 109 of 180 (60.0%) green fodder samples confirmed insignificantly positive for parasitic pollution. The proportion of parasite contamination in vegetable samples was insignificant although the highest was in spring (29.3%), followed by summer (27.7%), whereas it is significant in autumn (24.5%). The prevalence rate was the lowest in winter (20.1%). Conclusion and Recommendations. Our findings demonstrated a significant load of parasites notably the soil-transmitted parasitic infection in raw vegetables and green fodder cultivated in open fields as well as in their mother soil in the east of the Nile Delta, Egypt. These results confirm the urgent need to deploy strict control measures to the soil, especially during the pre-harvest period of raw eaten vegetables and green fodder, a critical step in reducing food-borne transmission of soil-transmitted parasites to man and animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodegradation of livestock processing waste is one of the more cost-effective, ecologically safe recycling methods that may preserve nutritional content and key amino acids useful in animal feed production. Here, we determined the biodegrading potentials of nonconventional feedstuffs using a combination of bacteria (Bacillus subtilis) and fungi (Fusarium sp.). Five nonconventional feed types (feather meal, hair waste, egg membranes, horn hoof and horn) were selected and replicated in a 10 L plastic biocomposter for 7 weeks and observed for degradation by measuring changes in total organic carbon, temperature, phosphorus, potassium, pH, microbial counts and rate of degradation. Bacteria and fungi were inoculated inside the substrate after isolation and incubation. The effects of physicochemical and microbial counts were assessed. The biodegradability and optimal activity were observed. From the results, physico-parameters measured during the 7 weeks showed significant differences (P <0.05) between substrates. The highest rate of decomposition, temperature, pH levels, total organic carbon, and total bacteria counts were recorded in feather meal, egg membrane, and hair waste. The weekly study showed that feather meal (68.79%, decompose faster than cow hoof (18.72%) egg membrane (60.89%) hair waste (62.82%) and cow horn (32.31%) during bio-composting. This finding has potential application in the treatment process of keratin wastes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Information about the chemical composition of cassava-based feed ingredients is needed to accurately formulate animal diets. A study was conducted to determine the chemical composition of cassava-based feed ingredients and to test the hypothesis that there is variation in chemical composition among cassava products originating from different South-East Asian countries. Methods: Sources of dried peeled and unpeeled cassava roots, cassava chips, cassava meal, high-ash cassava meal, and cassava residue were used. All samples were analyzed for dry matter, gross energy, nitrogen, amino acids (AA), acid-hydrolyzed ether extract (AEE), ash, minerals, total starch, insoluble dietary fiber, and soluble dietary fiber. Samples of peeled and unpeeled cassava roots, cassava chips, and cassava meal were also analyzed for sugars. Results: High-ash cassava meal had greater (p<0.05) dry matter and ash, but lower (p<0.05) total starch and gross energy than all other cassava products. Peeled cassava roots, unpeeled cassava roots, and cassava chips had greater (p<0.05) total starch than the other cassavabased ingredients. Cassava residue had greater (p<0.05) concentrations of lysine, insoluble dietary fiber, and soluble dietary fiber compared with the other cassava products, but tryptophan and glutamic acid were greater (p<0.05) in peeled cassava roots, cassava chips, and cassava meal samples compared with the other ingredients. Concentration of most minerals was greater (p<0.05) in high-ash cassava meal than in the other cassava products. Conclusion: Cassava-based ingredients sold as peeled roots, unpeeled roots, chips, or meal have chemical compositions that are not different from each other, and peeling has little impact on chemical composition. High-ash cassava meal has lower nutritional quality compared with other cassava products due to low starch and gross energy. The high fiber content in cassava residue makes this ingredient more suitable for ruminants and sows than for younger pigs or poultry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elephant grass (Cenchrus purpureus (Schumach.) Morrone) is recognized as a forage plant with high dry matter production potential and high nutritional value, can be used in different ways, which include grazing material, grassland formation, and use as preserved forage. The selection of the elephant grass genotypes most adapted to the soil-climatic conditions of the northern region of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, can increase forage supply, especially in the dry season, thus mitigating the effects of production seasonality in that region. This study proposes to examine the genotypic superiority of elephant grass genotypes based on productivity, adaptability, and stability; predict genetic gains for forage production-related traits; and infer the minimum number of evaluations necessary to obtain greater gains with selection. The experiment involved 53 elephant grass genotypes in a randomized-block design with two replications. Dry matter yield, number of tillers per clump, plant height, and stem diameter were measured. The statistical analysis was carried out via mixed models (REML/BLUP), using the computational resources of Selegem software. The obtained repeatability values demonstrate that the genotypes' performance is constant across measurements, with seven measurements required to reliably select elephant grass clones. There was agreement between the HMGV, RPGV, and HMRPGV statistics in choosing the most productive, adaptable, and stable genotypes. Clones Mercker 86 México, Mercker Comum, Gramafante, Guaçu/I.Z.2, and Pasto Panamá were the most productive, adaptable, and stable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The leaves and soft stems of leguminous trees are important in ruminant nutrition. Browse include fruits and pods of trees and shrubs. Browse spans from temperate to tropical areas of the world, particularly in areas prone to drought. A variety of feed resources exist throughout the tropics, especially the humid regions These include a variety of forages and abundant supplies of crop residues, agro-industrial byproducts and also non-conventional feed resources. Among these, approximately 50-60% of the feeds produced are bulky roughages. The advantages of the use of tree and shrub forages as animal feeds include availability on the farm, accessibility, provision of variety of diets and source of dietary nitrogen, energy, minerals and vitamins. Others include laxative influence on the alimentary system, reduction in requirement for purchased concentrates and reduced feeding cost. The contribution of browse to the livestock diet varies with the nature of the ecosystem; in less favourable environments, the grazing season for vegetation is short, and the contribution of native fodder shrub to the animal's diet is very high and may exceed 70%. However, in more favourable areas, they are used on seasonal basis. This review mainly focuses on the different types of browse tree legumes and their utilization as supplemental diets for ruminants especially during dry season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study on the food preference and feeding ecology of the Passer griseus in Ilaro Ogun state Nigeria for sustainable tourism was carried out for 12 Months In 2022. The study area was divided into three blocks: the residential block, the forest/farmland block, and the nonresidential block. Data on the diet and feeding ecology of 20 pairs of Northern Grey Headed Sparrows with individual sizes ranging from one to three were gathered over the course of a sustained 12-month period (January-December 2022). The Direct Observation method was used for this investigation. Field observations were conducted from dawn to dusk using binoculars (Bushnell 750) to observe when birds were actively feeding and causing the least disruptions. On each visit, we collected data regarding the foraging area, the method of feeding, the feeding session, the number of birds, the type of diets, and any associations with other bird species. The seasonal fluctuations in the bird's dietary habits were investigated. The results show that plant species resources (34.12%) and cereal crops (51%) made up these bird species' primary food sources, respectively. The result also revealed that Ficus thonnigii 7,1% was the highest plant resource fed upon, which was followed by Ficus exsaparata 6.3% and Azadirictha indica 5.1% respectively. The result of the cereal crops consumed showed that Oryza sativa 10.6% has the highest and this is followed by zea mays 9.6%, and panicum maximum 8.4%. The results of the insects fed upon by the Passer griseus indicates that macrotemes bellicosus has the highest frequency of observations at 4.2% and this followed by Macrtemes natalensis at 3.1, The result of habitat utilization showed that Residential Block has the highest percentage of utilization 40%, this is followed by forest/farmland 35%. The family composition indicates the plant species belong to 14 families with Moraceae having the highest number of plant species, this was followed by Fabaceae and Leguminoseae with 2 plant species respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) is a grain legume used in animal feeding, rich in protein content, fatty acid, and mineral composition that makes for a very adequate component to enrich feedstuff. In addition, relevant pharmacological properties have been reported in humans. The common vetch, similar to other legumes, can fix atmospheric nitrogen, a crucial feature for sustainable agricultural systems. These properties enhance the use of vetch as a cover crop and its sowing in intercropping systems. Moreover, several studies have recently pointed out the potential of vetch in the phytoremediation of contaminated soils. These characteristics make vetch a relevant crop, which different potential improvements target. Varieties with different yields, flowering times, shattering resistance, nutritional composition, rhizobacteria associations, drought tolerance, nitrogen fixation capacity, and other agronomic-relevant traits have been identified when different vetch accessions are compared. Recently, the analysis of genomic and transcriptomic data has allowed the development of different molecular markers to be used for assisted breeding purposes, promoting crop improvement. Here, we review the potential of using the variability of V. sativa genetic resources and new biotechnological and molecular tools for selecting varieties with improved traits to be used in sustainable agriculture systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achnatherum inebrians is rich in alkaloids (ergonovine and ergine) with analgesic activities and insect resistance activities and prevents animal feeding. Many studies have focused on the effects of abiotic stresses on alkaloid accumulation. However, the ergot alkaloids differences of plants from environmentally distinct sites remain unclear. The Epichloë endophyte usually regulates plant hormone pathways; meanwhile, JA and SA indirectly manipulate the production of metabolites, while the relationship between the concentrations of ergot alkaloids and endogenous hormones still lacks advanced studies. The present study identified ergot alkaloids and endogenous hormones of A. inebrians from different sites using HPLC and ELISA, respectively. The original geographical location of the germplasm determines the change of alkaloid and hormone content. Redundancy analysis indicated that the altitude and mean month temperature were the major factors affecting alkaloids and endogenous hormones levels. Principal component analysis indicated that there were difference in the relationship between alkaloids and endogenous hormones at low and high altitude. These results improve our understanding of the variation in ergot alkaloids of A. inebrians from different sites and will serve as a reference for evaluating the medicinal, forage, slope protection grass, and airport turfgrass value of A. inebrians in different environments. In addition, it provides a new understanding of the relationship among altitude with ergot alkaloids and endogenous hormones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of legumes is an important strategy for animal feeding, especially during the dry season. The aim was to evaluate the effect of planting densities (40,000; 15,625 and 10,000 plants ha−1) and harvest heights (20 and 40 cm) on the morphology, accumulation and survival of Desmanthus (Desmanthus pernambucanus [L.] Thellung), cultivated in subhumid tropical region, as well as to estimate the repeatability of the evaluated characteristics and the optimal number of measurements. The treatments were randomized in blocks, with subdivided plots and four replicates. Planting densities were evaluated in the plots and the harvest heights in the subplots. Eight harvests were carried out with an interval of 84 days. Morphological and productive characteristics and survival were evaluated. Cultivation under density of 40,000 plants ha−1 produced taller plants, with higher leaf area index (LAI = 0.98), light interception (LI = 49%), individual accumulations (18.8 g DM plant−1) and by area (576.5 kg DM ha−1 harvest−1), although resulting in reduced plant stand (66%). Harvest heights do not affect accumulation and survival. It is possible to reduce the number of measurements for stem diameter, number of leaflets per leaf (R2 = 95%), plant height, canopy diameter, LAI, LI, leaf length and width, number of leaves per branch, branch diameter and LBR (R2 = 90%), optimizing resources for future research. Desmanthus has potential for use in protein banks, being harvested in the rainy season, conserved and supplied in addition to animals, but plant growth is minimal during the dry season under rainfed conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Edible insects have sparked more research interest as a cheap alternative protein source to replace soya bean and fish meal in animal diets due to their good nutritional value. In general, information on various insects has been widely researched globally. In Africa, the available literature focused more on traditional harvesting of edible insects for use as food and feed. The collection of insects in the wild is considered unsustainable since it leads to overharvesting, endangering and extinction of insects, consequently destabilising the ecosystem. This review discusses and compares the recent findings on the nutritional composition of common African edible insects with nutrient requirements of livestock. This is followed by compiled data of their proximate composition, amino acid, mineral, fatty acids and vitamin contents as derived from the literature. The review also describes insect availability, quantity, quality and production systems used to rear insects for animal feeding in Africa. Insect market demand, benefits and challenges of producing insects as livestock feed are summarised. Lastly, the legislations and regulations imposed on insect harvesting and rearing are thoroughly discussed. The current review findings will provide valuable answers to the present status of sustainable insect production in Africa to meet animal nutrient requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effect of visitor disturbances on tetrapod vertebrates was studied from December 2017 to October 2018 in the Horton Plains National Park (HPNP), which is one of the world's best nature reserves and a popular tourist destination of Sri Lanka. Roads and nature trails with cloud forest, aquatic and grasslands habitats inside the HPNP were selected to compare the effect of visitor disturbances. Three 100 meter fixed length line transects were marked along the roads and the nature trails in each habitat. Vehicle noise was measured using sound meter software. Visitor activities that cause disturbance included road kills, photography, trampling and animal feeding. Amphibian and reptile road kills were higher compared to other tetrapod road kills during vacation periods. Behavioral response of species to visitor disturbances included avoidance, habituation and attraction. When the vehicle noise range was from 63±2.11 dB to 69±2.11 dB, habituation behavior was displayed. When the vehicle noise range increased to the range of 70±4.71 dB to 88±4.71 dB, avoidance behavior was displayed. Animals display a propensity to habituation behavior compared to avoidance behavior when vehicle speed was less than 30 kmh/hr. The results of this study can be used to integrate with the future visitor, park and wildlife management practices of the park. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]