Use of trees by livestock
Prosopis
N. Clinch, J. Bennison & R. Paterson.
1993. Kent, UK, NRI. 17 pp.
Acacia
J. Bennison & R. Paterson. 1993. Kent,
UK, NRI. 32 pp.
The Natural Resource Institute (NRI) has recently announced the publication of a new series of booklets on the use of trees by livestock. The first two describe the genera Prosopis and Acacia.
Information on species of indigenous fodder trees is provided in response to growing interest in trees as a supplementary or sole source of feed for animals. Its aim is to summarize published information on selected genera of trees with the potential to increase the fodder supply for ruminants, as well as to present feed characteristics, nutritive value and management recommendations.
Since the leaves of woody species may contain secondary compounds that can have an antinutritional or even toxic effect, a booklet summarizing the effects of these compounds is being prepared, as well as a booklet on Gliricidia.
Copies of these publications can be obtained from the Press Office of the Natural Resources Institute, Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB, UK. Tel: 06 34 883129.
M.S.
Cattle lameness and hoof care: an illustrated guide
R. Blowey. 1993. Ipswich, UK, Farming Press Books & Videos. 85 pp.
This publication is intended for dairy farmers who need more information about the identification, causes, treatment and prevention of common hoof diseases in (dairy) cattle. Hoof trimmers and veterinarians could also benefit from the book's descriptions of hoof diseases and treatments. The illustrations are of excellent quality and most are of cases encountered by the author in his veterinary practice. Some captions are unclear and additional arrows pointing out specific lesions would improve the readability.
Lameness in cattle and the associated economic losses is a contemporary topic, with numerous books and articles having appeared in scientific literature in the last four years. In a recent survey of noninfectious and production diseases in the literature, multifactorial causes of production loss accounted for 38 percent of citations from 1970 to 1990. Lameness ranked third (8 percent), behind female reproductive disorders (49 percent) and mortalities in young stock (39 percent), in this major category. The author rightly points out that lameness is a multifactorial disease and, in the chapter on causes, conditions ranging from rations and feed bunk management to cubical design and breeding (genetics) are described as being among the contributing factors. The omnipresence of lame cattle in herds is a constant reminder to dairy workers and veterinarians of the magnitude of the problem.
The author credits (or blames) laminitis as being the basic cause of many forms of lameness; in fact, he may use this term too broadly. The sections on environmental and management factors, toxic and miscellaneous factors, foot baths and foot trimming contain much valuable and useful information, while those on nutritional factors, particularly acidosis and dietary fat, may be a little oversimplified. Practical information on the frequency of feeding and changes in diet at calving is particularly useful for sound herd management to prevent hoof problems. Most of the information on rations and feed management applies to dairy animals and not beef-fattening units.
In sum, this publication is of exceptional value at £14.95 - plus £2.50 for postage and handling - and is recommended for the progressive dairy farmer who wants to be better informed about lameness. It is also useful for beginning hoof trimmers and veterinarians. The book can be obtained from Farming Press Books & Videos, Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4LG, UK. Tel: (0473) 241122.
D.W.
Actes de l'atelier sur le développement de l'élevage de la pintade en régions sèches africaines
1992. FAO. Rome. Vol. 1 et 2. 41 et 75 pages.
Un atelier sur le développement de l'élevage de la pintade en régions sèches africaines, organisé conjointement par la Division de la production et de la santé animales de la FAO et le projet Développement des animaux villageois (PDAV), en collaboration avec le Centre technique de coopération agricole et rurale (CTA) dans le cadre des activités du Réseau africain de développement de l'aviculture rurale, s'est tenu en octobre 1992 à Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso). L'organisation de cet atelier se justifiait par l'importance de la pintade dans les systèmes de production traditionnels des régions sèches et subhumides africaines.
La pintade est originaire de ces régions, d'où elle s'est ensuite répandue dans le monde entier. Parfaitement adaptée aux conditions d'environnement de son berceau d'origine, elle fournit viande et œufs hautement appréciés par les populations locales, tant rurales que citadines. Il n'existe aucun interdit quant à leur consommation; en outre, la structure de la coquille des œufs en permet la conservation aisée dans des conditions de température extrêmes.
Sur le plan pathologique, la pintade se révèle plus résistante que la poule, notamment à la maladie de Newcastle. Elle est, par contre, très sensible à la trichomonose. Etant d'un caractère farouche, les pertes par panique et par étouffement sont fréquentes.
En régions tropicales, la ponte est saisonnière et limitée à la saison pluvieuse. La pintade est mauvaise couveuse et, en élevage traditionnel, l'incubation et l'élevage des pintadeaux s'effectuent par des poules «meneuses».
Ces avantages et ces inconvénients ont été longuement discutés au cours de l'atelier, qui a regroupé 34 participants venus de 12 pays d'Afrique occidentale et centrale. Etaient également représentés le Centre de recherches pour le développement international (CRDI), le Fonds d'aide et de coopération français (FAO), l'Institut d'élevage et de médecine vétérinaire des pays tropicaux (IEMVT/CIRAD) et l'Institut de médecine tropicale d'Anvers.
Deux communications - l'une consacrée à la production, aux systèmes d'élevage, à la pathologie et à l'alimentation, l'autre à la commercialisation, à l'impact socio-économique et au rôle des femmes dans cet élevage - ont précédé la présentation des rapports nationaux, établis suivant un canevas détaillé permettant de cerner les caractéristiques et les contraintes de l'élevage de la pintade, tant sur le plan technique que les plans socio-économique et institutionnel.
Le Nigéria et le Togo ont présenté chacun un rapport sur l'évaluation de la méthodologie d'étude de base de la production avicole rurale en Afrique (étude financée par le CRDI). Cette évaluation a permis de souligner l'intérêt de la méthodologie Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA), qui permet d'obtenir des informations très utiles en peu de temps et à faible coût.
Deux demi-journées ont été consacrées à la visite d'élevages traditionnels améliorés de pintades.
Les actes de cet atelier, qui reprennent l'ensemble des communications, rapports nationaux, conclusions et recommandations, sont disponibles auprès du Service de la production animale, Division de la production et de la santé animales, FAO.
R.D.B.
Eléments de génétique quantitative et application aux populations animales
1992. Ouvrage collectif de l'institut national de la recherche agronomique (INRA). 302 pages. Prix: 250FF.
ISBN 2-7380-0451-2.
Cet ouvrage est un numéro hors série de la revue Productions Animales, qui présente les textes d'un séminaire organisé par les chercheurs du Département de génétique animale de l'INRA (France). Il est structuré en six parties:
· Le contexte et les acteurs de l'amélioration génétique en France (bovins laitiers, bovins et ovins producteurs de viande, porcs, volailles, palmipèdes, lapins, chevaux).· Les bases de la génétique quantitative (notions de génétique et de statistique, différents modèles génétiques et statistiques, méthodes).
· Les objectifs et les critères de sélection (en production de lait, de viande, de fibres textiles et en matière d'adaptation au milieu).
· L'évaluation des reproducteurs (modèles d'évaluation, index).
· La gestion des populations (schémas de sélection, plans de croisement, diversité génétique).
· Les apports actuels et futurs des marqueurs génétiques dans l'amélioration des populations animales (contrôles de filiation, cartes géniques, localisation des QTL [Quantitative Trait Loci]).
Cet ouvrage s'adresse non seulement aux généticiens mais aussi aux professionnels, enseignants, étudiants ou toute personne concernée par l'amélioration génétique des animaux domestiques.
Pour obtenir cet ouvrage, s'adresser aux Editions INRA, Route de Saint-Cyr, 78026 Versailles CEDEX. Télécopie: 30833449.
G.H.F.
Sustainable livestock production in the mountain agro-ecosystem of Nepal
J.B. Abington, ed. 1992. Animal Production and Health Paper No. 105.
Rome, FAO. 177 pp.
The sustainability of farming, forestry and related livestock production systems is increasingly under stress as a result of human population growth and radical transformations in the political, social and economic environments. Solutions are constantly being sought to the problems of sustainable food production in complex situations such as that in Nepal, where the unique agro-ecosystem aggravates the situation.
This publication addresses agricultural scientists, extensionists and trainers working in similar areas elsewhere. It is hoped that the experience gained from over two decades of work at the Lumle Regional Agricultural Research Centre, in collaboration with the farming communities in various locations in Nepal, will be of benefit to others.
The principle theme emerging from the analysis of traditional agricultural systems in the hills of Nepal is that a balance must be struck between the three main components: arable cropping, livestock management and exploitation of forest and pasturelands.
Whatever the achievements have been in the adoption of new technologies, the involvement of the farmers has been essential. The formation of local users' groups and development committees has been invaluable in delivering extension messages and obtaining feedback.
J.M.H.
Cattle behaviour
C.J.C. Phillips. 1993. Farming Press Books & Videos. Ipswich, UK. 212 pp.
Price: £13.95 (hardback).
This publication contains a wealth of information for dairy and beef producers. The author first describes how cattle perceive the environment and how they acquire their behaviour. A short discussion of bovine play follows, leading to a detailed section on social behaviour, with its many implications for herd management. Herd performance is also greatly influenced by nutritional and reproductive behaviour, and these are dealt with at length. Other behaviours covered include locomotion and handling and rest. Throughout the book, the author addresses the question of what can be considered normal behaviour and what can be considered abnormal response, reflecting an inadequate environment. The welfare aspects are then summarized in the final chapter.
This book draws together a wide range of research findings from all over the world and presents them concisely and readably. There are over 100 photographs (a third of which are in colour), complementing the text and bringing the reader to as close an understanding of cattle as possible.
Cattle behaviour is published and distributed by Farming Press Books & Videos, Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4LG, UK. Tel: (473) 241 122. For direct orders, £2.50 should be added to cover post and packing.
G.H.F.
The science and practice of pig production
C. Whittemore. 1993. Burnt Hill, Harlow, Essex LM20 2JE, UK, Longman House.
661 pp. ISBN 0-582-09220-5. Price: £75.
The associate whose friendly jibe provoked the author to write The science and practice of pig production is owed a great debt of gratitude by all those involved in the pig industry - the jibe has produced a most valuable response!
The subject is covered comprehensively and scientifically in an easily understood style. The book starts by considering pig meat, carcass quality and factors affecting it and then turns to reproduction, welfare, genetics, disease prevention, nutritional values and requirements (a series of seven chapters), product marketing, environmental requirements, performance monitoring and simulation model-ring. Each subject is dealt with fully and the content of the book justifies the use of the adjective "definitive", although a book of this nature is inevitably dated soon after publication. If there is one critical comment, it would be that the book, while being couched in scientific terms, fails to adequately consider pig production in the developing world and the requirements for production sustainability in the context of global resources.
Nevertheless, this book should be near at hand for all those involved in pig production, and any librarian involved in an institution teaching the subject should expect to be inundated with requests for long-term loans!
D.E.S.
