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Efforts to mitigate production losses in small stock due to nematode infestation have birthed the emergence of several control methods as alternatives to chemical-based anthelmintics or to complement them. This results from the recent development of multiple resistance by many parasitic nematodes to anthelmintic drugs. Many of these complementary alternatives, such as breeding resistance, grazing land management, use of predators, and vaccines, have shown the potential to alleviate this menace. Still, some are expensive or require a lot of technicalities. Controlling nematode infestation using natural feed additives has demonstrated effectiveness on the disease under natural conditions. Natural feed additives are environmentally friendly and often do not have health implications for animals and humans. They are readily available, especially to poor-resource farmers; some could be relatively cheap. Therefore, this article reviews the use of naturally available alternative anthelmintics such as plant extracts, clay, microbes, herbs, spices, and organic acids in mitigating the impacts of nematode infestations in small ruminant production.

Acceptability of a diet is one factor that determines an animal’s growth performance. Some feed additives in the category of dietary clay, including fossil shell flour (FSF), have been identified to enhance performance of livestock. Therefore, the influence of varying inclusion levels of FSF supplementation on feed acceptability, body condition scores, and growth performance of Dohne Merino sheep was evaluated. Twenty-four Dohne Merino rams were completely randomised and individually housed in pens for 90 days. Four different supplementation levels of FSF (0, 20, 40, and 60g/kg) were considered treatments for the rams. The average daily feed intake, body condition score, average daily weight gain (g), and coefficient of preference were significantly higher in rams supplemented with 60 g FSF/kg than the other treatments (P < 0.05). The experimental diet colour was brown for 0 g FSF/kg, while in 20, 40, and 60 g FSF/kg, it ranged from light brown to slightly deep brown. The texture of diets with 0 g FSF/kg was moderately firm, while diets with 20, 40, and 60 g FSF/kg had a firm texture. The order of preference of diets supplemented with FSF in feed intake by Dohne Merino rams was: 60 g FSF/kg > 40 g FSF/kg > 20 g FSF/kg > 0 g FSF/kg. Therefore, FSF at a minimum inclusion level of 40 g FSF/kg can improve feed intake, body condition score, and feeding behaviour of Dohne Merino rams by increasing the acceptability of the diet.

This study aimed to investigate the influence of fossil shell flour (FSF) supplementation levels on Dohne-Merino wethers’ position on enteric methane output. Twenty-four Dohne-Merino wethers (20.0±1.50 kg B.W.) were randomly assigned for 84 days to either of four dietary treatments: basal or basal diet supplemented with 2%,4% or 6%FSF on a dry matter basis. The enteric methane output was measured using a portable Laser Methane Detector (LMD) machine during feeding, standing, and resting activities. The highest volume of enteric methane was obtained from wethers supplemented with 4%, followed by 6%, 0%, and 2% FSF. Higher enteric methane emission was observed for resting wethers than those feeding and standing (P < 0.05). Including fossil shell flour in Dohne-merino wethers’ diets at 4% and 6% increases enteric methane output (P

This review summarises the properties, nutritional requirements, and production of a natural fibre called mohairs produced by Angora goats. One of the most valuable natural fibres is mohair, produced by Angora goats. Angora goats, also known as Ankara, have their origin in Asia Minor, but today, South Africa is home to over 23% of the global population of Angora goats, where it produces over 60% of the world's mohair, generating about 4 million kilograms annually. Eastern parts of South Africa account for over 72% of the total Angora goats in the country, hence producing the highest number of mohair. The physical properties of Angora mohair, such as lustre, non-inflammable, breathable, durability, elasticity, and resistance to soiling, make it unique and different from other natural fibres of other animal sources. These properties are affected by age, nutrition, and management. The role of nutrition is particularly crucial, as Angora goats require 3-4% of their body weight DM, whilst meat goats and lactating dairy goats require 3-5% and 4-6% of their body weight DM. When Angora goats were fed diets with 18% crude protein, mohair growth increased by about 33% annually compared to diets containing 12-15% CP, while feed intakes were the same. Also, copper, sulphur, molybdenum, and water intake affect the quality of mohairs. In conclusion, inadequate nutrition significantly impedes productivity and sustains financial losses. Hence, promoting sustainable farming practices is vital, investing in research to develop resilient grazing systems and drought-tolerant feed crops, and building capacity for small-scale farmers to improve mohar production and quality in South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined strain, sex and slaughter weight effect on performance, meat quality and yield of broiler chicken. One hundred and fifty-day-old chicks (broilers) were distributed randomly in a 3 × 2 × 4 factorial experiment, with 50 birds per strain (Ross, Aboaca and Anak) and 25 birds per sex. After trial, 32 birds per strain and 16 per sex were slaughtered at 4 different body weights (1,000, 1,500, 2,000, and 2,500 g) to determine carcass yield and meat quality. The results revealed significant strain and sex effect (P < 0.05) on growth performance of the broiler chicken. Ross strain had the highest feed intake (4883.25 g) and final body weight (2440.25 g) compared to Aboaca and Anak strains. Female broiler having heavier body weight (2431.66 g) and feed intake (4864.83 g) than the males for all strains. Aboaca birds had the highest carcass yields for all slaughter weight than Anak and Ross. The slaughter weight, irrespective sex and strains significantly influenced the carcass yield (P < 0.001) with birds slaughtered at 2,500 g having (P < 0.001) highest values compared to other slaughtered weights. As slaughter weight increases, cooking loss and thermal shortening decreases while water holding capacity and shear force values increases. Overall, Aboaca strain was considered to have best performances for production.

The abundance of fruit waste from the food industry and wineries, particularly peels, seeds, and other fruit pomace throughout the year, could lead to health and environmental hazards if not channelled into productive areas. Improving or transforming these waste products for better use in other vital sectors could be achieved via solid-state fermentation (SSF) since most waste products are solid. One such productive and important area is the feeding of livestock, which will guarantee millennium food security goals for many nations of the world. The nutritional and antioxidant composition of abundantly available fruit pomace and agro-industrial byproducts could be improved via solid-state fermentation for overall livestock productivity. They contain substantial dietary fibre, protein, and phenolic compounds; hence, improving them via fermentation could serve the livestock industry in dual capacities, including nutraceutical and conventional feedstuff. This review seeks to provide reinforcing evidence on the applicability and impact of fruit pomaces on livestock nutrition. The significant nutrient improvements, beneficial outcomes in feeding trials, and inconsistencies or areas of research gap were also explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, nitrogen utilization and ruminal fluid parameters of West African Dwarf (WAD) does fed Pleurotus sajor caju (Blight) biodegraded water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and green Guinea grass based diets. The chemical composition of fungi treated water hyacinth (FTWH), performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, ruminal fluid parameters and nitrogen utilization by WAD does were determined. Thirty female WAD goats with an average weight of 8.92 kg were used for a feeding trial which lasted for 105 days. In a completely randomized design, six animals each were allotted to five experimental diets comprising of 0%, 30%, 45%, 60%, and 90% FTWH inclusion level (as fed basis). Parameters measured were: dry matter intake (DMI), daily weight gain (DWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), apparent digestibility of dry matter and crude protein, nitrogen intake, nitrogen balance, nitrogen retention, pH, rumen ammonia nitrogen, total volatile acids and molar concentrations of acetate, propionate and butyrate. Results revealed that the dry matter of FTWH was 77.73 g/100g DM, the crude protein and neutral detergent fibre were 14.38 g/100g DM and 60.20 g/100g DM respectively. Significant variations (P = 0.05) occurred in the DMI, DWG and FCR. They ranged from 342.12 - 368.62 g.d-1; 29.52 - 48.67 g and 11. 31 - 7.56 in does fed 0% and 90% FTWH inclusion level respectively. The same trend was observed for digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract, ash and neutral detergent fibre digestibility. The values ranged from 70.14 - 74.33; 79.83 - 83.15; 80.02 - 83.67; 79.83 - 88.65; 71.22 - 72.26 and 80.26 - 86.13% respectively. The nitrogen balance and retention also differed significantly (P = 0.05). They ranged from 4.00 - 4.70 g.d-1 and 62.50 - 66.94% in does that consumed 0% and 90% FTWH respectively. Treatment effect on pH, TVFAs and molar concentration of acetate, propionate and butyrate was significant (P = 0.05). They ranged from 6.15 - 6.31; 55.23 - 61.15mM/100ml and 11.23 -21.41; 30.41 - 41.33; 7.31-10.15 mM/100ml respectively. Ammonia nitrogen for all treatments was similar, but increased as the level of inclusion of FTWH increased. It can be concluded that inclusion of Pleurotus sajor caju biodegraded water hyacinth into the diets of does significantly improved performance, digestibility of nutrients, nitrogen utilization and ruminal fluid parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]