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Research Article
Reproductive Biotechnology Tools as a Game Changer for the Dairy Sector: The Case of Sexed Semen and Estrus Synchronization to Produce Seedstock Dairy Heifers
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 3, September 2024
Pages:
30-37
Received:
27 April 2024
Accepted:
20 May 2024
Published:
29 July 2024
Abstract: Human curiosity about the sexual orientation of living things has a long history. For thousands of years, livestock owners wanted to find a suitable way to predict the sex of the progeny to be born for their herds on their farm. Thanks to the development of semen sexing technology, animal breeding has undergone a revolution, which allows farmers to control the sex of their offspring. Sexed semen enhances overall productivity and also assists farmers in meeting the rising demand for high-quality dairy animals by enabling them to selectively generate seedstock female calves. The technology is a one-stop solution to enhance breed improvement especially in a country like Ethiopia where 97 percent of the cattle population is indigenous, which is not selected for milk production and results in undernourishment for animal source origin diet, including milk and meat. The benefits of using sexed semen include sex selection, improved genetic selection, enhanced breeding effectiveness, better control over herd dynamics, greater financial gains, environmental sustainability, and improved animal welfare. Hence, with the finding of this study, an overall result of a 98% response rate 95% female skewness, and 79% conception rate was recorded after being inseminated with sexed semen. The finding of the response rate is closer to the results reported by another researcher, while the average conception rate is comparatively higher. This could be due to careful animal selection, the use of fertile quality semen, proper heat detection, and inseminating at an optimum window of time. In general, from the piece of this study, it is possible to foresee and conclude that the adoption and application of sexed semen technology is a groundbreaking and game-changer technology for the dairy industry in a country like Ethiopia, which overcomes the limitations of improved crossbred dairy cattle, replacement heifers, and high milk prices on the one hand, a shortage of grazing land, and environmental destruction due to a decreasing number of unwanted cattle population on the other side.
Abstract: Human curiosity about the sexual orientation of living things has a long history. For thousands of years, livestock owners wanted to find a suitable way to predict the sex of the progeny to be born for their herds on their farm. Thanks to the development of semen sexing technology, animal breeding has undergone a revolution, which allows farmers to...
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Research Article
Assessment of Beekeeping Practice and Its Constraints in Cheha Woreda of Gurage Zone
Kedir Adem*
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 3, September 2024
Pages:
38-46
Received:
13 August 2024
Accepted:
5 September 2024
Published:
23 September 2024
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijast.20240803.12
Downloads:
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Abstract: The objective of this study was to assess the potential of beekeeping and its practice taking place, constraints affecting the beekeeping practice of the area. For this study, 20 households were selected randomly, with the total of 60 households. Both primary and secondary source of data was collected. The primary data were collected mainly from interviews and by observation, whereas secondary data were collected from Chaha Woreda Agricultural office. Further more, visits to the districts were taken to gather relevant information for the study prior to actual survey. The results of this study show that, out of the respondents, 51 were male headed households whereas the rest 9 households were female headed. Majority of household in the area was from 20-60 years old indicating that, active working force is dominant in the study area. In relation to educational level, 20% of the respondents were illiterate and the remaining had got at least basic education quantitatively, 18.33%, 28.33% and 13.33% of the respondents had attended elementary school, secondary and high school, respectively. Beekeeping is an ancient farming activity and practiced as a side line with other farm activities. Based on the type of hives and management practiced, three types of beekeeping are yet visible in the area. There was no significant variation in proportion of hives among the study kebeles. However, Sisenamati, which was lower in number of transitional hive, has shown relatively high potential with modern hive followed by warden. Adoshe was better in potential of transitional hive but has lower number of modern hive. Out of householders, 53.4%, 30.6%, 9.4% and 6.6% state that they have place traditional hive under the roof of the house, hanging on trees, inside the house and back yard respectively.
Abstract: The objective of this study was to assess the potential of beekeeping and its practice taking place, constraints affecting the beekeeping practice of the area. For this study, 20 households were selected randomly, with the total of 60 households. Both primary and secondary source of data was collected. The primary data were collected mainly from in...
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Research Article
The Potential of Three Vetch Species in Enhancing Feed Intake and Body Weight Gain of Growing Male Lambs
Berhanu Tassew Dassie*
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 3, September 2024
Pages:
47-54
Received:
21 August 2024
Accepted:
7 September 2024
Published:
23 September 2024
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijast.20240803.13
Downloads:
Views:
Abstract: An experiment was intended to evaluate the potential of three vetch species in enhancing feed intake and body weight gain of growing male lambs and to investigate the difference among these three vetch species regarding their effect of supplementation on feed utilization and growth performance of growing male lambs. Twenty-four young male Arsi-Bale lambs of similar body weight were assigned to one of the four treatments in a randomized complete block design. The dietary treatments were 350 g of hay each of Vicia sativa, Vicia Villosa, and Vicia narbonensis for T2, T3, and T4, and ad libitum fodder oat hay alone (T1). Weight measurements of the lambs were made every ten days during the ninety-day feeding trial. Compared to T1 and T3, T2's total dry matter intake (1121.4 g/day) was substantially (P<0.05) greater. Lambs fed T2 diets showed significantly higher (P<0.001) crude protein intake (153.3 g/day) and average daily body weight increase (152.0 g/day). In conclusion, supplementation with Vicia sativa (T2) resulted in the highest feed intake and growth performance of lambs across all treatments. As a result, efforts should be undertaken to introduce and expand the production of this forage within the farming system.
Abstract: An experiment was intended to evaluate the potential of three vetch species in enhancing feed intake and body weight gain of growing male lambs and to investigate the difference among these three vetch species regarding their effect of supplementation on feed utilization and growth performance of growing male lambs. Twenty-four young male Arsi-Bale...
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