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Research Article
Assessing the Role of Training in Improving Pasture Management Among Smallholder Dairy Farmers in Muheza District, Tanzania
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 4, December 2025
Pages:
176-192
Received:
14 August 2025
Accepted:
14 October 2025
Published:
31 October 2025
Abstract: In Tanzania, smallholder dairy farmers mainly rely on natural pastures as the primary feed source for their livestock; however, pasture productivity and forage availability remain major challenges, particularly during the dry season. This study aimed to assess the role of training in enhancing pasture management among smallholder dairy farmers in Muheza District. Specifically, it evaluated the adoption of improved pasture management and forage conservation practices by trained versus untrained farmers. A cross-sectional research design was used, and data were collected from 210 dairy farmers (105 trained and 105 untrained) selected through stratified random sampling. A structured questionnaire was administered, and qualitative information was also gathered from key informants. Quantitative data were analyzed using STATA version 17. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests were used to examine group differences and associations between categorical variables, while multivariate probit model was employed to identify socio-economic factors influencing adoption of improved practices. Findings revealed that trained farmers were more likely to implement improved pasture management strategies such as rotational grazing, pasture rest and recovery periods, and efficient water use. They also adopted superior forage conservation techniques, including drying, baling, and the use of additives. In contrast, untrained farmers primarily relied on traditional and less efficient practices. The multivariate analysis showed that factors such as age, education level, household income, farm size, and access to institutional support significantly influence the adoption levels. The study concludes that training interventions, when combined with supportive socio-economic and institutional frameworks, play a key role in enhancing the adoption of improved pasture and forage conservation practices. Scaling up such training efforts is recommended to boost livestock productivity and sustainability among smallholder dairy farmers in Tanzania.
Abstract: In Tanzania, smallholder dairy farmers mainly rely on natural pastures as the primary feed source for their livestock; however, pasture productivity and forage availability remain major challenges, particularly during the dry season. This study aimed to assess the role of training in enhancing pasture management among smallholder dairy farmers in M...
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Communication
Microbiome Restoration via Fecal Transplant: A Novel Approach to Feline Gut Health
Ayat Fatima*,
Sayyed Aun Muhammad,
Abdul Mateen
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 4, December 2025
Pages:
193-196
Received:
8 September 2025
Accepted:
13 October 2025
Published:
31 October 2025
Abstract: The gut microbiome is an extremely complex ecosystem made up of different microorganisms, including viruses, bacteria, fungus, and protozoa. It plays an important role in maintaining host health through protection provided by the immune system against the colonization of the gastrointestinal tract by harmful enteropathogens, ensuring integrity of the epithelial cells, and enhancing absorptive capability of nutrition by enterocytes. The scientific literature of the last years underlined the role of metabolites produced by intestinal microbiota, better known as intestinal metabolome, and how much it can influence the general health of the host. In particular, from literature, it emerged that some metabolites produced by gut microbiota can affect the immune system, metabolism, and gut health. Fecal microbiota transplantation is one method of restoring or augmenting gut microbiota in an individual, especially when one has gastrointestinal problems. While it has also been employed in cases of chronic enteropathies in cats when conventional therapy has failed. Despite the limited application of FMT in cats, there is a requirement for evidence-based guidelines on its implementation in clinical settings to ensure that the intestinal health of felines is at an optimum best after FMT. In this way Veterinarians will have a new way of treating gastrointestinal disorders that are not responding to conventional medications more effectively. Thats why standardized protocols are important to improve the overall health and wellness in the feline patient. The following article highlights the importance and implementation of FMT in feline practice to ensure sound gut health.
Abstract: The gut microbiome is an extremely complex ecosystem made up of different microorganisms, including viruses, bacteria, fungus, and protozoa. It plays an important role in maintaining host health through protection provided by the immune system against the colonization of the gastrointestinal tract by harmful enteropathogens, ensuring integrity of t...
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Research Article
The Effects Different Inclusion Levels of Gliricidia sepium on Sasso Chickens’ Carcass Characteristics and Meat Quality
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 4, December 2025
Pages:
197-206
Received:
27 September 2025
Accepted:
9 October 2025
Published:
31 October 2025
Abstract: The study was conducted to assess carcass yield and meat quality of Sasso chickens using Gliricidia sepium leaf meal (GLM) as a replacement for Soybean meal (SBM). Two hundred (200) day-old Sasso chicks were brooded for 21 days and then randomly allocated to five treatment groups using a completely randomized design, with each treatment replicated three times. The experiments diets included the standard control diet with 0% GLM (T0) containing 100% soybean meal, and four experimental where soybean meal was progressively replaced with Gliricidia leaf meal (GLM) at 25% (T1), 50% (T2), 75% (T3), and 100% (T4). All diets were subjected to proximate analysis. Results showed that slaughter weight differed significantly (P<0.05). The T1 with 25% inclusion of GLM achieved the highest and slaughter weight 2038.2 g, respectively. In addition, the 25% inclusion had the highest DP (70.0%) and breast weight (398.3 g). High Dry Matter (DM) was observed in chickens fed T1 (26.8% of GLM) and the trend decreased as the level of GLM inclusion increased in the diet. The CP levels were highest in 25% GLM inclusion 26.2%. The highest EE, was observed in 75% GLM (1.4%). Furthermore; the results indicated that meat color differed significantly in terms of yellowness (p<0.05). Breast and drumstick had the highest yellowness values and were observed in 100% GLM (13.9) and 75% GLM (12.1), respectively. The highest cooking loss was observed in 100% GLM (33.1%). Low meat pH was exhibited in treatment with 50% GLM (pH=5.9). The study concluded that, replacing a portion of SBM with GLM up to 75% did not alter the carcass yield, most of the meat chemical composition and overall meat quality.
Abstract: The study was conducted to assess carcass yield and meat quality of Sasso chickens using Gliricidia sepium leaf meal (GLM) as a replacement for Soybean meal (SBM). Two hundred (200) day-old Sasso chicks were brooded for 21 days and then randomly allocated to five treatment groups using a completely randomized design, with each treatment replicated ...
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Research Article
Investigation of the Effects of Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Eubiotics on Performance and Intestinal Histomorphometry in Broiler Chickens
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 4, December 2025
Pages:
207-221
Received:
14 September 2025
Accepted:
26 September 2025
Published:
22 November 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijast.20250904.14
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Abstract: This study was designed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Eubiotics as alternatives to antimicrobial growth promoters (AGPs) on growth performance and intestinal histomorphometry in Ross 308 broiler chickens. A total of 200 broiler chicks were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments: basal diet (negative control), AGPs (positive control), Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Eubiotics. Key performance indicators such as weight gain (WG), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and mortality were recorded over a 42-day trial period, alongside the intestinal histomorphometries. Raw data were collected and analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by the Least Significant Difference (LSD) post-hoc test for pairwise comparisons. Results indicated that broilers that received Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Eubiotics supplementation exhibited significantly improved WG and FCR compared to the negative control group (p < 0.05). These improvements were comparable to those observed in the AGP-supplemented group, however, no significant differences were observed between them (p >0.05). Feed intake was significantly influenced (p<0.05) across all supplemented groups, while FCR was was significantly affected during the first five weeks. Histomorphometric analysis revealed significantly enhanced villus height and goblet cell density in the Probiotics and Eubiotics supplemented groups. Mortality rates did not differ significantly among the treatment groups. Generally, the findings support the use of Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Eubiotics as effective and safer alternatives to AGPs in Ross 308 broiler production.
Abstract: This study was designed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Eubiotics as alternatives to antimicrobial growth promoters (AGPs) on growth performance and intestinal histomorphometry in Ross 308 broiler chickens. A total of 200 broiler chicks were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments: basal ...
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Research Article
Carcass Characteristics, Meat Quality and Hematological Indices of Broiler Chickens Fed on Palm Kernel Ration
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 4, December 2025
Pages:
222-232
Received:
18 September 2025
Accepted:
4 October 2025
Published:
22 November 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijast.20250904.15
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Abstract: The high cost and limited availability of conventional feed ingredients such as sunflower seed cake and cottonseed cake are among the major constraints to poultry production in developing countries like Tanzania. To address the challenges, this study evaluated the effects of incorporating palm kernel meal (PKM), a non-conventional feed ingredient, into broiler diets on carcass characteristics, meat quality, and hematological indices. A total of 195 one-day-old broiler chicks were used and randomly allocated to three dietary treatments in a completely randomized design (CRD), with 65 chicks assigned to each treatment and further subdivided into three replicates of 22 chicks each. The treatments were as follows: a control diet without PKM (T1), PKM replacing sunflower seed cake (T2), and PKM replacing cottonseed cake (T3). The experiment lasted for 42 days. Broilers in T2 showed significantly higher slaughter weight (2008.2g) compared with T1 (1759.3) and T3 (1834.2g) (p <0.05). Similarly, carcass weight (1563.1g) and dressing percentage (77.87%) were greater in T2 than in T1 (1271.1g; 72.2%) and T3 (1364.2g; 74.3%). Meat color and water-holding capacity were unaffected (p > 0.05), although muscle temperature and pH values differed significantly (p < 0.05), with T2 showing the highest temperature (37.28°C) and T3 the lowest pH (5.79). Hematological profiles, including red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit, and mean corpuscular volume (MCV), did not differ significantly (p > 0.05), although minor but significant variations were observed neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocyte, and platelet counts (p < 0.05), indicating no adverse effects on overall blood health. These findings demonstrate that replacing sunflower seed cake with PKM enhances carcass yield while maintaining meat quality and healthy blood profiles. PKM can therefore be considered a viable and sustainable alternative protein source in broiler diets, particularly in regions where conventional feed ingredients are limited or expensive.
Abstract: The high cost and limited availability of conventional feed ingredients such as sunflower seed cake and cottonseed cake are among the major constraints to poultry production in developing countries like Tanzania. To address the challenges, this study evaluated the effects of incorporating palm kernel meal (PKM), a non-conventional feed ingredient, ...
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,
Dorice Leonard Lutatenekwa
