An initial census of layer farms in Khartoum State, Sudan, was carried out in late 2007 and early 2008 and found that there were 252 layer farms with a total population of 2 221 800 birds. This paper reports the findings of the census. Based on this information, a structured questionnaire survey of 92 farms was then conducted in the state in April 2008 to collect data on antibiotic usage, demographic data and public health awareness. Ninety-eight per cent of participating farms comprised open-sided houses. It was found that 49% of the farms surveyed were on antibiotic treatment when the survey was conducted, whilst 59% of the farms had used antibiotics within the last 3 months. The study found that farmers and producers had a lack of knowledge about antimicrobial residues, their withdrawal periods and the risk posed by the consumption of these residues. The study also concluded that traditional farming systems in Sudan relied heavily on antimicrobial medication to control disease and almost half of the farms surveyed were treating their flocks with antimicrobials. In addition to this, there was a lack of disease control programmes which probably resulted in a massive use of antibiotics to control endemic diseases. This was further compounded by the absence of governmental supervision and control on the use of drugs.

A cross-sectional study was conducted in five provinces and 11 districts of Zambia to determine the seroprevalence of Newcastle disease in Zambian backyard chicken flocks. Of the chickens sampled, 73.9% tested positive for avian paramyxovirus type 1 antibodies by means of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Seroprevalence varied amongst the five provinces sampled, ranging from 82.6% in the Eastern Province to 48.3% in Luapula Province. Seroprevalence also varied amongst the 11 districts sampled, ranging from 91.3% in Monze district of Southern Province to 22.8% in Mufulira district of the Copperbelt province. Overall, the seroprevalence of Newcastle disease in Zambian backyard chicken flocks has increased since the previous study conducted in 1994.

Parasitic helminth infections in small ruminants are prevalent in South East Asia (SEA), limiting productivity and causing major economic loss for farmers. The hot, wet, tropical climate all year
round favours trichostrongylid infections, predominantly haemonchosis in sheep and goats. Commercial large scale farms, with
more than 300 animals, as well as small holders or backyard farmers with less than 50 animals face the debilitating effects of haemonchosis when they graze their animals as effective worm control is often hampered by anthelmintic resistance. In Malaysia, frequent and indiscriminate use of anthelmintics in the past has resulted
in the majority of the small ruminant population facing resistance to one or more anthelmintics. Several alternative methods of worm control are being employed by farmers; the most important and effective being cut and carry or zero grazing, where the animals are kept in pens and grass is cut and fed. In Cambodia and Myanmar,
ruminants are still tethered or stall fed with minimal drug use. In Indonesia and Thailand, commercial goat and sheep farms are fast expanding to produce breeder stock for the SEA market. However, up to
75% of the small ruminant population is still traditionally managed by small scale farmers. In most of SEA, the McMaster method for faecal worm egg counts is the only diagnostic test used to assess helminthosis in ruminants. There is an urgent need to increase awareness and information on the need for testing faecal samples regularly before drenching, conducting faecal egg count reduction tests on a yearly basis, use of the FAMACHA technique to enable
selective treatment of individual animals. The use of alternative worm control methods to manage helminthosis will help promote effective ruminant production with reduced drug use and ncourage “green” farming methods. Extension of research on local bioactive plants which may have the potential to control helminthosis may also be beneficial in the longer term.

A beef feedlot production decision support system (DSS) was developed based on Microsoft® Excel. The DSS comprises of three modules i) an ingredient database ii) a least-cost ration formulation module and iii) beef growth simulation module. The program uses empirical equations developed for tropical beef to simulate nutrient requirements and daily body weight gains based on the formulated feed ration. The formulated least cost ration can be pasted automatically into the growth model to evaluate performance and economic viability. The growth model calculates nutrient available and computes body weight gain on a daily basis, summates weight gain and stops at the targeted body weight. The data output include i) days to reach target body weight, ii) cumulative feed consumed, iii) anticipated average daily gain, iv) total cost of feed (concentrates and grass), and v) gross profit per cattle. If a portion of the feed is fed as grass, then the model also computes the pasture land required in hectares, based on the forage species
chosen. It is anticipated that the developed model can assist cattle entrepreneurs and farmers in the development of the beef cattle industry in Malaysia.

A trial and pig performance data collection was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of Luodong Bio- Fermentation Treatment Technology with zero discharge effect in a pig close house system at Tanjung Sepat, Selangor. This trial was done to gather and monitor the pig growth performance and the pig acceptance of using the Loudong Bio-fermentation Waste Treatment Technology in close house enviroment. Growth performance of the pigs were monitored by an average daily gain, feed conversion ratio, behaviour and veterinary observations. Close house temperature, moisture measurement and
bedding sampling were also conducted.

Kedah-Kelantan cattle (KK) being an indigenous breed are highly adapted to the hot-humid Malaysian climate and can survive in harsh, marginal environments. This makes the KK a valuable genetic resource, given the challenges of climate change and the changing demands of the livestock sector. Hitherto there is no comprehensive programme to genetically improve the purebred KK. Genetic improvement of the KK would be to fulfill the breeding objectives of increasing lean meat growth rate, enhancing meat quality, raising feed efficiency, improving fertility and maintaining adaptability. The breeding structure proposed is a 2-tier breeding structure, with a nucleus tier followed by a commercial tier below it. The nucleus tier would comprise of a number of pedigree farms run as a community
breeding project. A sire reference scheme is proposed, where progeny of reference sires are used as genetic links between pedigree herds and between years. Some guidelines are offered on the establishment
and implementation of the scheme. Modern breeding technology such as BLUP using an Animal Model, artificial insemination, embryo transfer, tissue scanning, MAS and MAI could be used as tools to support the KK genetic improvement programme. To address the problem of genetic erosion, emphasis should be given to the conservation and sustainable utilization of the KK. The programme is expected to have a high impact on the livestock sector. Substantial investments are needed to develop infrastructure and human capital associated with the KK breeding programme. The establishment of a KK breed society will improve awareness concerning the KK and protect the interests
of the KK breeding community.

Corona Discharge Therapy,an evidence-based therapeutic modality, was used on a 40-year-old female Malaysian elephant. The elephant was on systemic therapy for her wounds for 5 days. All therapies were then stopped for 4 days. Corona Discharge Therapy was subsequently applied on both the hind limb joints for 3 sessions. The non-invasive
treatment was made with a multi-patented, electronic therapeutic device called VET Sonotron without the concurrent use of drugs. Corona discharge beam (CDB) of the device was used to relieve the joint pain and inflammation. The skin surface of the elephant joints was scanned with the CDB emanating from a discharge electrode to
which was applied periodic bursts of radio frequency at 0.43 mHz, pulsed at 1 kHz of sound frequency. This therapy showed remarkable anti-inflammatory effects.

Refined, Bleached and Deodorized Palm Stearin (RBDPS) is a solid fraction obtained from Refined, Bleached and Deodorized Palm Oil after fractionation by crystallization at controlled temperature. Fractionated RBDPS was found to be enriched with C16 fatty acids,
lacking in trans fat and has a high melting point. The fractionated RBDPS produced had an iodine value of 13.1 gI2/100g, C16 content of 79.7% and melting point 60°C .These characteristics indicate fractionated RBDPS has potential as a rumen bypass fat as well as providing desirable carbon chain composition for good milk characteristics.

The world widely distributed infection by Rhodococcus equi usually leads to pneumonia and associated respiratory signs. This study is aimed at detecting the occurrence of this pathogen in selected horse farms. A total of 12 R. equi isolates from few samples (13.89%) were successfully obtained from soil and faeces collected from two selected farms. However, based on the vapA gene classification, only one virulent R. equi isolate was identified.