INNOVASIEKENMERKE WAT DIE BYWONING VAN NIE-FORMELE BOERDERYBESTUURSKURSUSSE BEINVLOED / Innovation characteristics which influence the attendance of non-formal farm management courses
Abstract This article considers the innovation characteristics which influence the attendance of non-formal farm management courses. These characteristics are the relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability and observability. Results show that the relative advantage which could be obtained by attending a non-formal farm management course is the most significant characteristic which influences the attendance of non-formal farm management courses.
Farm Management In South Africa: The State Of The Art
ABSTRACT The purpose of this article is to evaluate the present situation of farm management (FM) in South Africa in its professional context. The evolution of FM in the USA, the UK and Australia has been used as the norm to evaluate the progress of FM teaching and research in South Africa. In order to review the development of FM in South Africa over the past 60 years, the period has been divided into three phases. The outstanding feature of FM in Phase I (1925—1950) was its multidisciplinary nature in contrast with the dominating role of production economics in FM in Phase II (1950—1970). The last 15 years (Phase III) in the evolution of FM is typified by the greater role played by management science in FM. As in the USA, the UK and Australia, it can be said that FM is regarded basically as FM economics (narrower approach) in South Africa today, but attempts are being made to integrate the various disciplines. As far as FM teaching is concerned, the integration is accomplished in two alternative ways. I...
Diagnostic and therapeutic studies on chronic diarrhea in dairy animals
The study was conducted to determine the etiology of chronic diarrhea in dairy animals. Seven causes of chronic diarrhea were established in dairy cattle and buffaloes. Balantidiasis in 37.6 per cent, dietary diarrhea in 9.9 per cent, chronic salmonellosis in 6.9 per cent cases of chronic diarrhea, secondary copper deficiency and amphistomiasis in 6.9 per cent, clinical Johne‘s disease in 3.9 per cent and chronic peritonitis in 2.97 per cent of dairy animals, manifest chronic diarrhea. The precise diagnosis could not be established in 24.50 per cent of animals. Lymphosarcoma was confirmed in one of the dairy cattle. Body condition score was associated to the etiology of chronic diarrhea. B. coli infected cattle and buffalo revealed cysts in 32.3 per cent cases while 5 per cent positive cases revealed both cysts and trophozoites. Mean cyst count was 2.73±0.91 hpf in diarrheic animals compared to 0.11±0.447 hpf in healthy animals. Clinical Johne‘s disease was confirmed in four animals. Hematological changes revealed anemia and neutrophilia with morphological changes suggestive of regenerative to degenerative left shift. High plasma phosphorus, hypoproteinaemia and hypoalbuminaemia was seen in clinical Johne‘s disease. Salmonella isolates showed higher in-vitro sensitivity to enrofloxacin (87%), ciprofloxacin (87%), gentamicin (75%), and tetracycline (66.7 %) and were resistant to ampicillin and amoxicillin. Mean cyst count reduction from 2.41±1.16 to 0.11±.33 was observed in oral metronidazole treated group where as reduction of mean cyst count from 2.73±0.918 to 0.18±0.44 in intravenous metronidazole treated group. Recovery rate with oral and intravenous metronidazole was 42.1 and 63.1 per cent respectively. Recovery results in significant decrease in eiosionphil count and increase in total plasma protein in both oral and intravenous treatment groups. Complete recovery response approaches 60 per cent in balantidiasis affected adult dairy animals. Balantidiasis was the major cause of chronic diarrhea and intravenous administration of metronidazole was more effective than oral metronidazole.