DAIRY
Lane 1- Marker, Lane 2 to 5- Brucella organisms Swine fever
The outbreaks of swine fever were recorded at two organized farms in Meghalaya with an average mortality rate of 13.4%. Even nine month old gilt
vaccinated six and half months back died with rashes on the ventral side of the body. The postmortem examination revealed button shaped ulcers in the large intestine, patchy heamorrhages in the internal surfaces of urinary bladder suggesting death due to swine fever virus disease.
The disease was also confirmed by Agar gel precipitation Test (AGPT). The cause of occurrence of the disease in some of the vaccinated animals could not be known. The feed samples were also
500 bp 200 bp 100 bp
223 bp
Table 1. Biometry of epididymis of LWY, Hampshire and ND pigs (n=206)
Epididy LWY Hampshire ND
mis part
2m 4m 6m 2m 4m 6m 2m 4m 6m
Caput 2.10±0.2 3.01±0.1 5.92±0.2 2.28±0.1 3.45±0.2 5.45±0.2 3.00±0.2 3.63±0.3 5.57±0.3 length (cm)
Corpus 3.12±0.1 4.00±0.2 6.10±0.3 3.28±0.1 3.95±0.4 5.95±0.1 3.53±0.3 4.48±0.2 5.52±0.3 length (cm)
Cauda 3.09±0.1 3.81±0.1 5.50±0.2 3.26±0.2 3.62±0.2 5.45±0.2 3.36±0.2 4.19±0.2 5.57±0.3 length (cm)
Fig. 2. Piglet suffering from swine fever showing crawling movement (nervine manifestation)
Fig. 3. Button ulcer in the intestine of pigs in case of swine fever
tested for presence of mycotoxins affecting the immunity of the animals, however, none of the feed samples showed the presence of mycotoxins.
Fig. 4. Haemorrhages in stomach mucosa in case of swine fever
NUTRITION
Growth rate and nutrient digestibility in crossbred piglets fed on rice bran based ration A feeding experiment for the period of 115 days was conducted on crossbred (CB) castrated male piglets to study the growth performance and nutrient digestibility on locally available rice bran based feeding regime. The survey of rice bran available in the local markets has shown a wide variation in nutrient composition with crude protein content varying from 6.15 to 13.00% and crude fibre content ranging between 14.96 and 25.27%.
In the experiment, twelve CB male piglets (10.83+0.07kg BW) were distributed into four groups. Four isonitrogenous (CP 18%) and isocaloric (DE 3020 Kcal/kg) mash rations were prepared by incorporating rice bran at 0 (T1), 25 (T2), 50 (T3) and 73 (T4) percentage levels. These rations were offered in ad-libitum to the piglets in respective groups. At the end of feeding experiment, a digestion trial for the period of 5 days was conducted and the resultant data are presented in Table 4. The results revealed that the digestibility of DM and CP decreased and the ADG reduced even at 25 % level of inclusion of rice bran with poor feed conversion efficiency. Therefore, it was concluded that locally available rice bran was of poor quality and farmers can mix it in pig rations up to a maximum of 25% level for some what
acceptable growth performance. However, further research is required to effectively utilize higher levels of inclusion of rice bran in swine rations.
Table 4. Growth performance and nutrient digestibility in crossbred piglets
Particulars T1 T2 T3 T4
(RB 0) (RB 25) (RB 50) (RB 73)
ADG (g/d) 416 324 226 164
FCR 3.34 4.29 5.49 7.56
DM Digt. (%) 64.91 61.28 47.94 46.65 CP Digt. (%) 63.73 60.81 50.72 47.87
Growth rate of female and castrated male CB piglets
A feeding experiment for the period of 115 days was conducted on 3 female & 3 castrated male CB piglets (10.93+0.06kg BW) to study their performance on standard feeding regime.
Concentrate mash ration (CP 18% and DE 3000 Kcal/kg) was offered in ad-libitum, one half in the morning and other half in the evening after mixing in water in the ratio of 1:1 (w/v). Results (Fig. 4) inferred that growth performance of female and castrated male CB piglet was similar in terms of ADG (441 and 438g/d) and FCR (3.15 and 3.17) values.
Fig. 4. ADG and FCR value in female and castrated male CB pig
Evaluation of fresh and preserved boar spermatozoa using zona-binding assay
Fresh ovaries were obtained from slaughterhouse and washed 2 to 3 times with PBS .The follicular fluid was aspirated from antral follicle with a diameter of 4 to 8mm by aspiration method. Oocyte with cumulus were recovered from pooled follicular fluid under zoom stereo
microscope. The cumulus free oocytes were washed with PBS and kept at 4°Cuntil they were incubated with spermatozoa. A total 12 semen ejaculate was collected four healthy Hampshire boars and physical and morphological characters were evaluated. The good quality semen was diluted in BTS and preserved at 18°C for 3 days.
The fresh and preserved spermatozoa at 0, 24, 48 and 72h were evaluated for motility, membrane and acrosome integrity and zona binding ability. For zona binding assay, fresh and preserved spermatozoa were washed in PBS and 10 µl of sperm droplets of 1 million spermatozoa per ml were placed in 35 mm multiwell Petri dish. Then the oocyte was added to each droplet and covered with mineral oil and incubated at 30°C in 5% CO2 in air and under 98% humidity for 4 hrs. The number of bound spermatozoa varied from 82 to 112 per oocyte in fresh semen. While the average number of bound spermatozoa was 75.45±7.82,.63.76±6..23, 56.64± 6.01 and 44.67
± 5.47 respectively, at 0, 24, 48 and 72h of preservation. The sperm binding ability differed significantly between the boars. In preserved semen, the sperm binding ability was significantly reduced from 0h to 24h and a trend of decrease in zona binding ability was observed up to 72h. There was significant positive correlation between sperm motility and acrosome integrity in fresh and preserved semen.
Mortality pattern of different genetic groups of pig
Mortality records of indigenous and upgraded pigs were collected for the period of 11 years (1993- 2003), analyzed and the mortality pattern was correlated with genetic group, age of pigs, climatic factors and causes of death. Results revealed that there was significant (p<0.05) difference in mortality between the indigenous (6.05%) and upgraded (5.64%) pigs. The mortality percentage was significantly (p<0.05) higher in both indigenous and upgraded pigs of age group 0-4 months compared to pigs of age group 7 months and above. Among different seasons, significantly (p<0.05) higher mortality was observed during post-monsoon and winter seasons compared to others (Fig. 5). Season-wise overall mortality percentage was 4.74, 5.25, 7.51 and 6.56 during
pre-monsoon, monsoon, post-monsoon and winter seasons, respectively. Indigenous pigs recorded significantly (p<0.05) higher pre-weaning mortality (14.26%) than the upgraded (9.58%) pigs. Among different causes, digestive disorders accounted to significantly (p<0.05) higher mortality followed by miscellaneous and respiratory disorders.
On farm trial on improved pig production Productive and reproductive performance of upgraded pigs was studied under traditional production system. A total number of thirty farmers were selected in four villages and upgraded pigs (Khasi local with Hampshire) were distributed for rearing under traditional production system. Under this system, pigs were mainly fed with vegetable residue, kitchen waste, rice brain, local grass and weeds. Frequent visits were carried out to assess the litter characteristics. The reproductive performance of the upgraded pigs is given in Table5.
Table 5. Performance of upgraded pigs under traditional production system
Parameter Values
Age at puberty (days) 285.45±28.23 Age at first conception (days) 330.24±37.43 Age at first farrowing (days) 456.65±38.48 Inter farrowing interval (days) 212.76± 23.34 Litter size at birth 8.85± 0.39 Litter size at weaning 6.47±0.23
Fig. 5. Mortality pattern of indigenous and upgraded pigs during different seasons of the year
GOAT
PRODUCTION
Physical characteristics, production and reproduction performance
The physical characteristics of Assam hill goats were studied under stall-feeding system with tree leaves, grasses and concentrate. The most predominant colours of Assam hill goats are black, black and white, and brown with patches of different colours in the body. All three types of ears are observed in which the percentage of horizontal medium-sized ear is dominant over the erect and pendulous. The thick and small sized (7.7 cm) black colour horns in female shows upward and backward orientation. But in male the orientation is straight upward. The adult body measurements were taken to correlate them with the final body weight of the animals (Table 3) and observed that the body weight has significantly higher correlation with the heart girth of the animals followed by the paunch girth.
Table 3. Body measurement of Assam hill goat
Physical parameters (in cm) Mean ± S.E Live Body weight (adult) 20.14 ± 1.00 Head
i. Length 16.2 ± 0.2
ii. Breadth of forehead 3.85 ± 0.13 iii. Eye to eye 9.385 ± 0.25 Horn
i. Horn Length 7.705 ± 0.69
ii. Distance between horn 6.357 ± 0.22 iii. Circumference 5.8525 ± 0.16
Ear length 13.25 ± 0.33
Neck
i. Length 35.475 ± 0.98
ii. Circumference 27.35 ± 0.83 Barrel
i. Body length 82.3 ± 1.15
ii. Oblique body length 48.425 ± 2.03 iii. Height at wither 54.55 ± 0.58 Girth
i. Heart girth 62.875 ± 0.95
ii. Abdominal girth 78.85 ± 1.97 iii. Paunch girth 72.35 ± 1.39
Tail length 11.175 ± 0.32
The body weight at different ages was recorded at 30 days interval upto 240 days of age in 38
genetically selected newly born kids (23 male and 15 female). The average body weight at birth was found to be 1.6±0.07 kg in male and 1.5±0.10 kg in female (Table 4). The lactation length, daily yield and total lactation yield were documented based on the lactation records. The twinning, triplet and single birth percentage were estimated (n=39) and were documented in table 5.
Table 4. Body weight of Assam hill goat at different ages (Mean ± SE)
SexAge(days) Male (Kg) Female (Kg)
At birth 1.6±0.07 1.5±0.10
30 d 3.8±0.28 3.3±0.38
60 d 4.4±0.44 3.9±0.44
90 d 4.50.69 4.7±0.73
120 d 7.4±1.13 5.6±0.84
150 d 8.6±1.93 7.5±0.28
180 d 9.6±2.49 8.1±0.67
210 d 10.1±2.67 8.4±0.72
240 d 13.2±1.25 9.9±0.1
Table 5. Reproductive parameter of Assam hill goat
Traits Mean ± SE
Lactation length 90.4±3.05 days
Daily lactation yield 105.99 ml Total lactation yield 9581.3 ml Twinning percentage (n=39) 38.46%
Triplet percentage (n=39) 2.56%
Singe birth percentage (n=39) 58.97%
The common diseases observed in Assam hill goats during the study period were pneumonia, mite infestation, contagious ecthyma and parasitic infestation (Moneizia and Stronglyle infestation).
Blood bio-chemical profile of Assam hill goat The plasma glucose level was estimated through o-toluidine method and, total protein, total albumin, globulin and A/G ratio were estimated by Biuret and BCG dye binding method. A total of 34 nos. of Assam hill goats managed under similar feeding regime were subjected for the study. The mean glucose level was found to be 53.02±1.48 mg%.
The total protein, total albumin, globulin level and the A/G ratio were 5.1±0.07 g%, 3.1±0.11 g%, 2.1±0.19 g% and 1.6 respectively.
NUTRITION
Supplementation of broom grass with Soybean or rice bean in goats
A study was conducted in adult male Assam local goats to assess the nutrient digestibility of the rations after supplementation of green legume forages i.e soybean or rice bean along with broom grass in equal proportions (on DM basis). Soybean and rice bean contained 19.31 and 13.08 % crude protein on DM basis respectively. The intake and digestibility forages are given in Table 2.
The results indicated that the supplementation of soybean or rice bean along with broom grass improves the availability of nutrients in goats with soybean having little more digestibility than rice bean. The blood parameters on similar treatments were however, remained in normal range (Table 3).