MSUIR Collection:

Prevalence of bovine dermatophilosis infaction and the associated factors in the communal area of Murehwa Zimbabwe

Munyanyi, Nyasha — Mon, 01 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Prevalence of bovine dermatophilosis infaction and the associated factors in the communal area of Murehwa Zimbabwe Authors: Munyanyi, Nyasha Abstract: A study to investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors was done in Murehwa district; Zimbabwe. The research was aimed at determining the prevalence of the disease and also determining the associated risk factors as determinants of the disease. The study was done by using questioners to randomly selected farmers who had reported the disease to the Veterinary Services. A total of 378 cattle were examined in the dry and the wet season. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20 software and Epi-info version 3 software. The findings reviewed no significant association of age (p=0.42); sex (p=0.863); presence of Amblyomma hebraeum (p=0.275); presence of the Rhepicaphalus tick species (p=0.834); dipping frequency and tick load whereas Amblyomma variegatum and season were statistically significantly associated with dermatophilosis with p values of p=0.000(p<0.05) and p=0.01(p<0.05) respectively. These results add to a growing body of evidence that, suggest the Amblyomma variegatum and season are strongly associated in the pathogenesis of dermatophilosis as highlighted by higher prevalence of dermatophilosis in the wet season (65.44%)95% CI( 56.81-73.8) as compared to the dry season (34.56%)95%CI (26.60-43.19). It is therefore strongly recommended that farmers use acaricides in controlling problematic ticks and also seasonal precautions to certain diseases should be done in order to control diseases which are more prevalent in wet seasons compared to dry seasons.

Protected area concept effect on species composition and abundance: a case of Lake Mutirikwi, Zimbabwe

Manika, Sallymah E. — Wed, 01 Jan 2014 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Protected area concept effect on species composition and abundance: a case of Lake Mutirikwi, Zimbabwe Authors: Manika, Sallymah E. Abstract: A study to investigate the concept of protected areas in the conservation of targeted fish species was carried out on Lake Mutirikwi, Zimbabwe. The research was aimed at establishing differences in fish species composition, abundance and catch per unit effort (CPUE) on different sites of the lake and to enhance conservation and management of targeted fish species through better understanding on the concept of protected area. The study was done using a Completely Randomised Design (CRD) with two treatments and no blocking factor. Biological data (species, count and weight) for individual fish samples were collected from two sampling stations, one protected and the other fished using monofilament gillnets. Species composition, species diversity (H'), species evenness and CPUE were determined in each station. A total of 1310 specimens belonging to 7 species (Tilapia rendalli, Oreochromis niloticus, Oreochromis macrochir, Serranochromis robustus, Micropterus salmoides, Clarius gariepinus, and Mormyrus longirostris) representing 4 families (Cichlidae, Centrachidae, Clariidae, and Mormyridae) were recorded in the 10 sampled stations. All statistical analysis was performed with GenStat Version 14 software. The findings reviewed no significant difference in fish species composition (F = 0.581; p > 0.05), a significant difference in fish abundance (F = 0.018; p < 0.05); in terms of biomass (F = 0.019; p < 0.05) and catch per unit effort (CPUE) (F = 0.019; p < 0.05) between the protected areas and fished areas. The results add to a growing body of evidence that, populations of commercially exploited fish species can rise considerably within protected areas given time and adequate protection. It is therefore strongly recommended that the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority is to put in place strong law enforcement and stiff penalties to minimise poaching activities and zone encroachment within the protected areas and also to establish closed fishing seasons, regular monitoring of mesh sizes, and prohibiting fishing activities in littoral zones so as to realise the value of protected areas.

The effects of substituting cotton seed cake with dried poultry litter in the pen fattening of beef cattle

Mhaka, Victor — Wed, 01 Jan 2014 00:00:00 GMT

Title: The effects of substituting cotton seed cake with dried poultry litter in the pen fattening of beef cattle Authors: Mhaka, Victor Abstract: Exorbitant prices and the unavailability of cotton seed cake on the Zimbabwean market are a major constraint to pen fattening of beef cattle on the farms. This study was conducted at New Donnington Farm to evaluate the effects of dried poultry litter (26% Crude Protein) as a substitute of cotton seed cake (31% Crude Protein) on average daily gain, total weight gain, feed conversion ratio and costs of formulating rations of Brangus steers. Thirty steers aged 18 months weighing 300±5 kg were randomly allocated to 5 treatments, 24 steers were fed dried poultry litter based rations and 6 steers were fed the control ration for 90 days in a completely randomised design experiment which was replicated six times. Formulated rations were Isoenergetic (12.50 MJ ME/ kg) and Isonitrogenous (16% Crude Protein). The final average daily gains, total weight gains and feed conversion ratios were significantly different (p>0.05) for all treatments. Treatment 1 (control) had the highest average daily gain, total weight gain and least feed conversion ratio followed by treatment 2 (25% dried poultry litter). Treatment 5 (100% dried poultry litter) had the least average daily gain, total weight gain and highest feed conversion ratio. Average daily gain and total weight gain declined as dried poultry litter inclusion levels increased whilst the feed conversion ratio increased with an increase in level of dried poultry litter inclusion. Dried poultry litter inclusion reduced fattening costs without adverse effects on steers’ performance at low inclusion levels. Based on the findings of this study dried poultry litter is a fairly low quality feed that reduces production at higher inclusion levels in fattening diets.