Kurt J. Peters

The influence of technology characteristics on the rate and speed of adoption

This paper analyses the impact of technology characteristics on the rate and speed of adoption. In a case study of the Meru district in Kenya, 17 dairy technologies are analyzed with respect to the influence of relative complexity, relative risk and relative investment characteristics on adoption. Technology characteristics were measured by a scoring approach which involves assessments made by extension workers working in the study area. The study found that the past process of adoption and diffusion was significantly influenced by the characteristics mentioned above. Considering the speed to completed adoption, the influence of relative investment was smaller while relative complexity and relative risk showed significance. The strong influence of relative complexity and relative risk of the technologies on the adoption can be explained by the characteristics of farmers and the farming circumstances. Meru farmers are poorly educated and face shortage oflabor making them hesitant to adopt complex technologies. Moreover, the risk of production is high leading farmers to adopt new technologies that reduce risk relative to the traditional technologies. Knowing this, planners in research and extension should advise the development of risk-reducing technologies with a low complexity as compared to the technologies that should be replaced.

Methane emissions from sheep

Abstract A total of 1137 observations from sheep of different age fed with rations of different composition were collected from the literature. This study used measures of methane emissions from sheep under different feeding conditions to compute regression equations to predict methane emissions from ration descriptive variables. It was also tested whether the material validated other common prediction equations. Methane emissions from all sheep averaged 22.15 g day−1. For growing sheep and adult sheep they equalled 23.16 g day−1 and 20.48 g day−1, respectively, with significant differences (P ≤ 0.05). The percentage loss of methane (% of gross energy intake) averaged 7.22, 7.23 and 7.22%, respectively. Methane emissions increased (P ≤ 0.05) with increasing live weight, feeding level measured as multiples of maintenance and digestibility of dry matter and decreased for rations with wider ratios of crude fibre intake and intake of N-free extracts. Crude fibre content in the ration and energy density of the ration showed no clearly identifiable effect on methane emissions.

Indigenous chickens in Ethiopia: genetic potential and attempts at improvement

This paper describes the rural poultry production system and the role of scavenging chickens in the rural household economy of Ethiopia. Past attempts that have been made to improve the production and productivity of local birds through upgrading (distribution of exotic birds) and cross breeding in Ethiopia are assessed. The merits and demerits of the different ecotypes of indigenous chicken and their crosses are discussed. The current significance and future role of indigenous birds in the face of extensive importation of exotic birds are appraised. Finally, future areas for research on indigenous chickens are identified in terms of the development of a sensible conservation programme and the utilisation of local chickens as genetic resources.

In vitro and in situ evaluation of selected multipurpose trees, wheat bran and Lablab purpureus as potential feed supplements to tef (Eragrostis tef) straw

In vitro and in situ evaluations of feed samples were carried out at Debre Zeit Research Station (Ethiopia) of the International Livestock Research Institute. The feed samples consisted of tef straw, wheat bran, dried Lablab purpureus, and dried foliage of the multipurpose trees (MPT), namely Sesbania sesban 1198, Sesbania sesban 15019, Acacia angustissima 15132, Leucaena pallida 14203, and mixtures of S. sesban 1198 + L. pallida 14203; S. sesban 15019 + L. pallida 14203; S. sesban 1198 + A.angustissima 15132; S. sesban 15019 + L. pallida 14203 at a ratio of 2:1. The objectives of the study were to assess the nutritive value of the feed samples and to also consider their potential as supplements to tef straw. The MPTs contained higher crude protein (CP) (216-278 g kg -1 dry matter (DM)), and lower neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (204-338 g kg -1 DM) than wheat bran and L. purpureus. Anti-nutritive factors such as soluble phenolics and fiber bound condensed tannins were high in A. angustissima 15132 and L. pallida 14203, respectively. Wheat bran produced significantly more gas (P < 0.001) than either sole or mixtures of MPTs, but the rate of gas production was significantly greater ( P < 0.001) for the MPTs than for wheat bran. Significantly lower (P < 0.05) extent and rate of gas production were observed in sole A. angustissima 15132 than in its mixtures with both accessions of S, sesban. L. pallida 14203 yielded significantly lower (P < 0.05) in vitro ammonia than its mixtures with both accessions of S. sesban. Sole L. pallida 14203 and A. angustissima 15132 had significantly lower (P < 0.05) in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), in situ potential and effective degradability of DM and nitrogen (N) than their respective mixtures with both accessions of S. sesban. Acid detergent fiber (ADF) and NDF had a strong negative impact on the rapidly degradable and potential degradability of DM (P < 0.001), whereas neutral detergent fiber bound N (NDF-N) significantly limited (P < 0.05) the rate and effective degradability of DM, as well as the extent and rate of in vitro gas production. IVDMD was also negatively influenced by contents of NDF (P < 0.01), ADF and acid detergent lignin (ADL) (P < 0.05). In situ extent of DM degradability, potential and effective degradability of DM were positively correlated (P < 0.01) with IVDMD, and the rate of in vitro gas production was also positively correlated (P < 0.05) with the rate of in situ DM degradability. It is concluded that all the MATs and their mixtures have desirable characteristics as potential feed supplements to tef straw compared with wheat bran or L. purpureus. Within the MPTs, A. angustissima 15132 and L. pallida 14203 could be inferior supplements to tef straw compared to S. sesban 1198 or S. seshan 15019. However, mixing both accessions of S. Sesban with either A. angustissima 15132 or L. pallida 14203 has the potential of improving the utilization of the latter MPTs. Moreover, it is concluded that in vitro gas production, in situ DM degradation and IVDMD methods could be alternatively used to evaluate the nutritive value of feeds similar to those used in this study.

Characterization of indigenous chicken production systems in Kenya

Indigenous chicken (IC) and their production systems were characterized to understand how the whole system operates for purposes of identifying threats and opportunities for holistic improvement. A survey involving 594 households was conducted in six counties with the highest population of IC in Kenya using structured questionnaires. Data on IC farmers’ management practices were collected and analysed and inbreeding levels calculated based on the effective population size. Indigenous chicken were ranked highest as a source of livestock income by households in medium- to high-potential agricultural areas, but trailed goats in arid and semi-arid areas. The production system practised was mainly low-input and small-scale free range, with mean flock size of 22.40 chickens per household. The mean effective population size was 16.02, translating to high levels of inbreeding (3.12%). Provision for food and cash income were the main reasons for raising IC, whilst high mortality due to diseases, poor nutrition, housing and marketing channels were the major constraints faced by farmers. Management strategies targeting improved healthcare, nutrition and housing require urgent mitigation measures, whilst rural access road network needs to be developed for ease of market accessibility. Sustainable genetic improvement programmes that account for farmers’ multiple objectives, market requirements and the production circumstances should be developed for a full realization of IC productivity.

Factors that influence the efficiency of beef and dairy cattle recording system in Kenya: A SWOT–AHP analysis

Animal recording in Kenya is characterised by erratic producer participation and high drop-out rates from the national recording scheme. This study evaluates factors influencing efficiency of beef and dairy cattle recording system. Factors influencing efficiency of animal identification and registration, pedigree and performance recording, and genetic evaluation and information utilisation were generated using qualitative and participatory methods. Pairwise comparison of factors was done by strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats–analytical hierarchical process analysis and priority scores to determine their relative importance to the system calculated using Eigenvalue method. For identification and registration, and evaluation and information utilisation, external factors had high priority scores. For pedigree and performance recording, threats and weaknesses had the highest priority scores. Strengths factors could not sustain the required efficiency of the system. Weaknesses of the system predisposed it to threats. Available opportunities could be explored as interventions to restore efficiency in the system. Defensive strategies such as reorienting the system to offer utility benefits to recording, forming symbiotic and binding collaboration between recording organisations and NARS, and development of institutions to support recording were feasible.

Analysis of production objectives and breeding practices of dairy goats in Kenya

Production objectives and breeding practices of smallholder households participating in dairy goat breeding projects were analysed in relation to their ability to bring about sustainable genetic improvement in the dairy goat flocks in Kenya. A stratified survey involving 311 goat keepers in 4 project sites was used. This employed both qualitative and quantitative research methods to get a holistic view of dairy goats, and take into account the full array of contributions of dairy goats to the smallholder households. Milk production and sales of breeding stock were high priority functions for the objective to create a financial buffer. The breeding objective traits that farmers perceived as being of primary importance were milk yield, growth rate, body size, fertility and disease tolerance. There were logical trade-offs in the choice of these traits by farmers. Female dairy goats were mainly culled due to old age, poor fertility, small body size and poor health. Farmers did not place a large significance on unsatisfactory milk performance when culling female goats, mainly due to the very small production size and the high demand existing for breeding animals. Factors affecting milk yield and flock size presented satisfied a P < 0.1 significance level. The performance levels of dairy goats were mainly influenced by breeding strategies and the resource availability at the farm level. The optimisation of genotype x environment interactions remains the biggest challenge given the objectives set by the farmer.

Demand for Meat in the Rural and Urban Areas of Kenya: A Focus on the Indigenous Chicken

This study intends to estimate the demand for indigenous chicken meat in Kenya, including other available meat products for comparison purposes. Data used was collected from six counties. A total 930 rural and urban households were sampled. Linear Approximated Almost Ideal Demand System (LA/AIDS) model was used to obtain the demand elasticities and to examine the socioeconomic and demographic factors influencing the meat budget shares. The results ascertain that the socio-demographic factors such as household location, the proportion of household members and the family size are important factors in explaining perceived variations in the consumption of meat products. Indigenous chicken meat, beef and mutton, were identified as necessities. Indigenous chicken meat and beef were identified as substitutes while indigenous chicken, goat and exotic chicken meats were complements. In view of the high expenditure elasticities, therefore, considering a policy option that would enhance consumer income is desirable, since it will result in high consumption thereby providing more incentives for production of meat products. The information generated would be more beneficial to the interest groups in the livestock sector as a whole. This would be utilised in the formulation of effective policies in line with food security and poverty alleviation.

The feed resource base and its potentials for increased poultry production in Ethiopia

This paper describes the feed resource bases for the different chicken production systems and its utilisation potentials in Ethiopia. Past attempts made to improve the production and productivity of birds through better utilisation of locally available feed resources are assessed. The merits and demerits of the different feed types through chemical and animal evaluation are reviewed. Finally, future areas of research on the available feed resource base and feeding of chicken are suggested to aid the rational utilisation of locally available feed resources.

Use of a test day model for dairy goat milk yield across lactations in Germany.

Breeding value prediction for dairy goats in Germany is still based on herd mate comparison within breeding society. The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for milk yield based on a test day model. For the analysis 35,308, 30,551 and 23,640 test day records from lactations 1, 2 and 3 from 5079, 4118 and 3132 animals, respectively, were used. The data between 1987 and 2003 were obtained from six German breeding societies. The multiple trait (lactations 1, 2 and 3) repeatability model (RPT) included the fixed effects of breeding society-breed-herd-year, litter size, lambing season, and days in milk of third-order Legendre polynomials nested within herd-year, and the random effects of animal additive and permanent environment. The three-trait random regression model (RR) also included the random regressions based on second-order Legendre polynomials for animal additive and permanent environmental effects. Heritability estimates in RPT were 0.27 +/- 0.02, 0.20 +/- 0.02 and 0.37 +/- 0.02 for the first, second and third lactation, respectively. The genetic correlation between the first and second lactation was 0.69, between the second and third lactation 0.79, and between the first and third lactation 0.45. Heritability estimates from the RR in the first and second lactations decreased from the beginning to the end of the lactation, with average values of 0.28 and 0.27, respectively. Estimates in the third lactation showed a maximum in the middle of lactation, averaging 0.37. Genetic correlations between the first and second lactation averaged 0.64, between the second and third lactation 0.72, and between the first and third lactation 0.46. Despite the small data set and restricted relationship structure the estimates were reasonable with the exception of estimates from the third lactation, which seemed inflated. RR could be used for genetic evaluation of dairy goats in Germany.