UTILIZATION OF MEXICAN SUNFLOWER LEAF MEAL-BASED DIETS BY PRE WEANED WEST AFRICAN DWARF LAMBS
Undernourishment in sheep has been reported to manifest among lambs in form of reduced birthweight, retarded growth rate and increased mortality (Ogunwole, 2004; Adu and Olaloku, 1979). Oyedipe (1981) further explained that nutrition of growing ruminants is one of the single most important factor influencing growth, onset of puberty, litter size and survival rates of the young ones. A departure from the growth of lambs is likely to set in as from the third week of life when the milk yield of ewe starts to decline (Adu, 1975). It is clear from the research findings that early weaned lambs cannot survive on pasture alone. In view of this, the provision of creep feeding would be necessary as soon as the lambs are able to nibble on solid foods. Such provision should be palatable, nutritionally adequate, low in fibre and highly digestible. In addition to the enhanced growth of lambs, creep feeding encourages rumen development, a condition that increases the subsistence of the lambs on solid foods (Adu, 1975). Wheat bran (WB) in Nigeria about 15 – 20 years ago had little or no value but presently, due to high cost of conventional energy sources, population explosion and poor protein intake in the country, WB in Nigeria presently is a major source of energy for ruminants. In order to reduce the high cost of production of beef, milk and other products, there is need for replacement of some percentages of WB with Mexican sunflower leaf meal (MSLM). Mexican sunflower (MS) is readily available in Nigeria, although, it has a long history of existence but it has always been considered as a weed and often time, it’s left to rot on the farm after weeding and sometime burnt. Apart from the environmental pollution associated with burning, it also contributes ISSN 1330-7142 UDK = 636.084.1:636.38
Effects of processing methods on phytic acid level and some constituents in bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) and pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan)
Abstract The effects of soaking, soaking and dehulling, boiling, roasting, autoclaving and sprouting on the phytic acid content and the protein, carbohydrate, fat, ash, moisture and crude fibre in pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) and bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) were studied. All the processing methods reduced the phytic acid in the legumes to various extents. Boiling the sprouts had the greatest reducing effect on the phytic acid levels in both legumes as it was significantly reduced by as much as 56% in bambara groundnut and 53% in pigeon pea, respectively (P
PRECISION FARMING APPROACHES TO SMALL-FARM AGRICULTRUE
Precision farming implies a management strategy to increase productivity and economic returns with a reduced impact on the environment. It is based on the application of information technology to a description of variability in the field, variable-rate operations and the decisionmaking system. There are three technology levels and three strategies in the development of precision farming. Precision farming practices can be used on small farms as well as big ones, and they play a core role in rural development programs which are integrated with industry. A real-time soil spectrophotometer was developed to describe soil variability in farmers' fields, to be used in precision farming.