Cost of feed is one of the primary stumbling blocks for goat farming in Malaysia. Stage feeding was introduced as a method to formulate feed at minimum cost based on the requirement of different stages of production to improve overall farm productivity. A study was conducted to evaluate 5 feeding rations formulated based on the requirements of different production stages on Katjang-Boer crossbred. Ration formulated of creep feed (CF) for a period of 101d, starter grower (SG) (70d), grower finisher (GF) (98d), flushing feed (FF) (97d) and maintenance feed (MF) (155d) were compared with commercial feed (CCF and CMF) as control. Results showed a significantly higher (P<0.05 preweaning bodyweight of 12.83 ± 3.61 kg in CF at 101 days of age. Post weaning also achieved significantly higher bodyweight (P<0.05 of 22.20±2.78kg and 31.5±4.67 in SG (223 days) and GF (361 days) of age respectively. Feed cost per kg gain obtain in CF (RM5.68), SG (RM9.03) and GF (RM6.57) were lower compared to CCM of RM6.14, RM10.27 and 12.99 respectively. FF showed a significantly higher (P<0.05) average daily gain (ADG) of 67.01 ± 14.42 g while MF was able to maintain body weight at minimum cost. Stage feeding proved to be able to meet nutritional needs through significantly higher body weight in CF, SG, GF and FF as well as lower feed cost per kg gain rendering it as a more economical option.

The development and availability of follicles is an indicator to predict which of the follicle sizes are suitable to recover the oocytes assisted by means of ultrasonography of transvaginal oocyte retrieval (OPU). Thus, the study was done in order to characterize the follicular recruitment and distribution in response to the repeated removal of follicles, and thus to determine the availability of follicles and immature oocytes harvested repeatedlyfor two consecutive days of OPU in beef cows. Results indicated that 24-h OPU showed significantly greater numbers of medium and large follicles than small categories (P<0.05). However the 48-hr of OPU does not showed any differences of follicles categories (P>0.05). The mean total number of follicles and immature oocytes recovered were higher (P<0.05) in 24-hr OPU (13.76±1.2 and 7.38 ± 1.7) compared to 48-hr OPU (9.08 ± 1.5 and 3.54 ± 1.00) with the oocyte retrieval rate of 51.22% and 38.17%, respectively. The morphological classification indicated the 24-hr oocyte retrieval produced 62% of suitable immature oocytes that can be used for in vitro embryo production. In conclusion, the repeated removal of two consecutive days of OPU has averted the development of dominant follicle, and thus, gave an atmosphere to the subordinate follicles to continue growth relatively to an equal proportion of small, medium and large categories of follicles. Due to the reduction of follicle and recovery rate at 48-hr it is suggested that OPU be carried out later than 48 hour so that the follicle has more time to increase the diameter size.

Oestrosis is a worldwide myiasis infection caused by the larvae of&#xD;the fly Oestrus ovis (Diptera, Oestridae), that develops from the first to the third stage larvae. This is an obligate parasite of the nasal and sinus cavities of sheep and goats. The Oestrus ovis larvae elicit clinical signs of cavitary myiasis seen as a seromucous or purulent nasal discharge, frequent sneezing, incoordination and&#xD;dyspnea. Myiasis in an incidental host may have biological significance towards medical and public health importance if&#xD;the incidental host is man. This infection can result in signs of generalized disease, causing serious economic losses in sheep and goat reared for meat and dairy production. Due to the large numbers of small ruminants imported into Malaysia from countries which are endemic with oestrosis, precautionary measures should be exercised to prevent this infection from establishing here. In 2009, there was a report of respiratory distress (pneumonic sign) accompanied by high mortality in Damara sheep that was imported from Australia. Investigations showed the presence of Oestrus ovis larvae in affected&#xD;sheep. The post mortem was conducted in the field and the larvae were discovered in the tracheal region. The larvae was confirmed as Oestrus ovis using the appropriate keys for identification by Zumpt. The carcass showed pulmonary edema with severe congestion of the lungs accompanied by frothy exudation in the bronchus. There were also signs of serious atrophy (heart muscle) and mild enteritis&#xD;(intestine histopathological examination showed, there was pulmonary congestion and edema, centrilobular hepatic necrosis, renal tubular necrosis and myocardial sarcocystosis. The sheep also showed chronic helminthiasis and Staphylococcus spp. was isolated from organ specimens.Oestus ovis infection is rare in Malaysia, as such this case posed as an unusual case for investigation.