The aim of this study was to determine the relationships of udder surface temperature (UST) with milk components, and somatic cell count (SCC) in dairy cows during the hot season. The study was carried out with 115 lactating dairy cows (Holstein, Simmental, and Holstein × Simmental) at a private dairy farm in Samsun, Turkey, with monthly visits. The UST was measured from the udder surface before cleaning and milking. At the same time, a portable cell counter and an automatic milk analyzer were used to determine the components and the SCC of the raw milk. The UST values of the cows changed significantly. Increased UST had an adverse effect on milk solids-non-fat (SNF), protein, lactose, and density levels. LogSCC values of cow groups with UST ≤35.0°C, 35.1-36.0°C, >36.0°C were found to be 4.475±0.0803, 4.774±0.1244, and 4.981±0.1491 respectively. The UST negatively correlated with SNF, protein, lactose, density, and freezing point, but positively correlated with LogSCC. As a result, performing UST measurements before milking may be beneficial to monitor udder health and to obtain high quality milk.

This study was required to assess the existing tef market outlets and examine factors affecting market outlet choices among smallholder tef producers in western Ethiopia. For this study qualitative and quantitative data were collected from tef producers. Purposive and multi-stage sampling technique was used to determine sample households. The descriptive statistics and multivariate probit model were employed to analyze the collected data. The result shows that there are five alternative main market outlets available for the tef producers that are wholesalers, collectors, cooperatives, consumers, and retailers. These market outlets were affected by household’s demographic such as age, gender, education level, and household size), socio-economics (land allocated for tef, a variety used, livestock holding, and off/non-farm activities), institutional (credit, extension, and market information), and market (volume of tef produced, own transport facility, and nearest market) factors. Based on the findings strengthening farmers’ skills and knowledge through training, advising, and supervision; capacitate farmers by the additional work atmosphere and empowering women farmers by improved variety, working capital, and other recommendations are need attention by respective sectors.

The objective of this study was to find out the effects of torque rise on lugging ability of tractors. In British terminology, torque rise refers to torque back-up or torque reserve. Torque rise is the amount of torque that the engine can produce above the manufacturers rated amount of torque. It is the percent increase in torque, from rated torque to peak torque. In order to meet the above objective, two tractor reports issued by Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory were used. Powertrain schemas obtained from three different tractor manufacturers were used and the total transmission ratios from these schemas were calculated. The effect of torque rise on lugging ability of the two tractors with four different gear boxes was studied. From the study, it was concluded that higher torque rise enables the tractor to run in a wide range of torque and the gear box to be chosen should be such that it can match with the engine.

Over recent years, the demand for livestock products in Ethiopia is increasing; most of this demand is coming from urban centers, especially from Addis Ababa, as the buyers are demanding better quality and more hygienic produce. This has fueled interest in better quality animal feed, mainly from larger-scale commercial livestock producers. With this background, there has been interest in stimulating plant-based protein production that can be incorporated into livestock feed. Small quantities of lupins are grown (less than 20,000 ton per year) in the North Western part of Ethiopia for human consumption. These lupins are bitter due to their alkaloid concentration and are unsuitable for livestock feed. If non-bitter (sweet) varieties are grown, then they could be a source of protein for animals as is the case in some countries, such as Australia. The Ethiopian market for livestock feed was surveyed and segmented to evaluate the opportunities for lupins. The survey revealed that the livestock sector in Ethiopia is suffering from feed shortage both in terms of quality and quantity. Lupin, as a potential protein source feed has an opportunity to be incorporated into the livestock feed industry. Currently it is estimated that if sweet lupins were available, the short-term demand from commercial livestock producers and feed processors market segment is 20,000 t/year. In the medium-term, it is expected that as the national poultry production expands, there will be an increased demand from the large feed mill factories to around 35,000 to 40,000 t/year grain for high quality protein such as lupin. It is recommended that the already started sweet lupin promotion in the country has to be done at scale. In addition, production of sweet lupin in Ethiopia should be focused on the commercial farming sector and the marketing should be through the large-scale processors or direct to large-scale livestock producers.

Six different temperate zone species of Cyprinidae family members, which are adapted to different harsh environmental conditions, were analyzed versus cold-acclimated Salmonid. Hemoglobin diversity in the studied species was investigated with a modified form of isoelectric pH: 3.5-10 ampholite system. 6 isohemoglobin bands were observed for cold-acclimated Oncorhynchus mykiss 8 isohemoglobin were observed for Chalcalburnus tarichi 9 for Cyprinion macrostomus and Sarkisla (Sivas) Cyprinus carpio, 11 Garra rufa and finally 12 for Todurge (Sivas) Cyprinus carpio. Cathodic/anodic ratios were found equal to 1for control and the fish adapted to available conditions. However, these ratios were found below 1 when environmental conditions were changed for fish, which are adapted to these poorly oxygenated conditions. Different environmentally adapted fish species are representing various isohemoglobins bands pattern. The species used as a control group in this study shown the lower isohemoglobin bands form. On the other hand, different forms of temperate climate Cyprinidae family member are produced isohemoglobins bands pattern, and the number of these band were higher than control group, depending on different adaptation conditions. The majority of these protein bands were anadic and it can be said that fish are producing anodic hemoglobin protein, when environmental conditions was changed to poorly oxygenated milieu.

Remote sensing data is widely used as a common variable for digital soil mapping estimating models. The aim of this study, quite recently made available to researchers Operational Land Imager 2 (OLI–2) have structure Landsat 9 and Landsat 8 (OLI) and Sentinel 2A (MSI) to compare the performance of soil moisture estimation in multi-layer perceptron network (MLP) artificial intelligence algorithm of image data. The working area is 886.78 km2 and soil sampling was performed at 66 points for gravimetric soil moisture determination. In addition, after the satellite images were pre-processed, Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) and Normalized Difference Moisture Index (NDMI) were calculated. Landsat 9 (OLI-2) based SAVI and NDMI showed a moderately significant positive correlation relationship with gravimetric soil moisture (rSAVI-SM=0.62, rNMDI-SM=0.44). The relationship between Landsat 8 (OLI) (rSAVI-SM=0.57, rNDMI-SM=0.11) and Sentinel 2A (MSI) (rSAVI-SM=0.42, rNDMI-SM=0.27) based radiometric indices and soil moisture was lower than Landsat 9 (OLI-2). RMSE values of MLP models were found to be respectively 0.79, 1.16 and 1.17 for Landsat 9 (OLI-2), Landsat 8 (OLI) and Sentinel 2A (MSI). Our results showed that with an Operational Land Imager (OLI-2) and near and short-wave infrared wavelengths improvements to multispectral imaging have improved soil moisture estimation success.

Floodplains known as 'Fadama' is encouraged in Nigeria by the world bank in order to boost agriculture and food security. This activity is being managed by the State ministries of agriculture through Agricultural Development Programmes (ADPs) nationwide. This is a case study of Jalingo area of Taraba State, Nigeria where farmers used any available water from rivers, streams and wells without any regulations. The water samples for quality analysis were collected in five (5) different floodplain locations from three (3) different sources. Fifteen (15) water samples were collected from river, borehole and well using plastic bottle container both in August (peak of raining season) and November (end of raining season) respectively. Data from water samples were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) to test for significant effect of source and location water quality for irrigation purposes. The suitability of the source and location water quality after comparing with the water standard for irrigation have most of their chemical properties within safe limit for irrigation purposes both in August and November respectively. (pH =6.26 to 6.81, Total Dissolved Solid, TDS = 113 to 345 mg/L, Total Suspended Solid, TSS = 1.72 to 1.95 mg/L, Bicarbonates, HCO3 = 5.76 to 10.88 mg/L, Carbonated, CO3 = 0.07 to 0.77 mg/L, Sodium, Na = 0.003 to 0.031 mg/L, Magnesium Mg = 4.84 to 5.93 mg/L, Calcium, Ca = 9.62 to 11.97 mg/L). From the results of the study, it could be observed that the quality of water across the locations irrespective of period of observation and source are good and hereby recommended for irrigation purposes.

Although snail meat is an important source of protein in terms of human nutrition, it has found a place in the eating and drinking culture of very few communities. Consumption of snail meat is socially accepted in many parts of the Cyprus. It is called as “Garavolli” by the Cypriot people and is also one of the most delicious appetizers. This research is important in determining the consumption behaviour of the people of the Northern Cyprus and determining their preferences depending on cooking methods. According to the results of this study, 32.7% of the participants do not consume snail meat, while 67.3% of them consume snail meat. It is consumed more at home (41.3%), compared to consuming at restaurants (38.1%). While 47% of participants consuming preferred to consume as boiled (with olive oil and vinegar), 3.8% of them preferred to consume as grilled. The most preferred method of cooking is boiling then dipping it to olive oil and vinegar. As we see from the answers, habits directly effect on preference to consume or not to consume the snail meat.

Land use could impact soil properties and processes in varying degrees. Therefore, the impact of different land use systems on soil water status and its relationship with some physiochemical properties was studied at the Teaching and Research Farm, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria. The land use types included native forest (NF); Paddock (P); Oil palm plantation (OP); Teak (TK); new yam plot (NY) and yam plot under fallow (YF). Structure and disturbed surface soils (0 - 15 cm) samples were taken at three (3) locations in each land use type. Soil water content (SWC) significantly varied among the different land use types, with oil palm plantation storing the highest amount of water. The results also showed significant differences in soil bulk density, organic carbon, porosity, texture and hydraulic conductivity among the land use types. SWC associated positively and significantly with organic matter, silt content and silt + clay. The association between SWC and pH and silt/clay were positive but weak while particle density, bulk density and sand content showed negative and significant association. The principal component regression (PCR) showed a highly significant, positive relationship between SWC and the principal components of other physicochemical properties. Cluster analysis showed that SWC is highly related and linked to OM, Bd, Pd, Pt and silt/clay. The results implied that conversion to paddock and continuous cultivation led to depletion in soil water, physical and chemical properties, whereas cultivation of tree crops conserved these soil properties better. Therefore, establishment of tree crop and conservative soil management practices are suggested to prevent agricultural lands from degradation in areas with soils under similar conditions.