peer reviewed | La République Démocratique du Congo (RDC) souffre, à l’instar d’une majorité de pays africains, d’une précarité alimentaire conséquente. Le développement du secteur de l’élevage y est une pièce importante de la stratégie de lutte contre cette insécurité alimentaire, par l’apport de protéines de haute qualité aux populations pauvres ainsi que plus globalement par la création de richesses et la diversification du secteur agricole. A ce titre, le secteur avicole offre incontestablement, par son cycle de production court, une solution rapide et abordable par le plus grand nombre. Cette étude aborde les contraintes à la production de la poule locale au Bas-Congo. Plusieurs facteurs y sont identifiés, tels que les pathologies, l’alimentation, l’habitat et les prédateurs. L’amélioration de la situation économique et nutritionnelle des paysans de la Province du Bas-Congo peut être envisagée en améliorant le potentiel de production des poulets de race locale. Afin d’y arriver, une attention particulière doit être accordée à une alimentation équilibrée et une meilleure conduite générale de l’élevage, incluant un accès aux soins vétérinaires. L’amélioration génétique des races locales est également une voie envisageable, pour autant que l’adéquation entre l’animal et le cadre de son élevage soit respectée.

Notice a Reprendre pas de Clé UT au 5 Mai 2017 | The purpose of this trial was to study the possibility of a total replacement of the soya bean meal by the seeds of bean ( Vicia faba major L) in the feed of the fattening rabbit. From 42 days (weaning) old and for 5 weeks, 68 rabbits of white Algerian population were housed in collective cages (4 rabbits / cage) and were allotted in two groups: 34 rabbits of the control group received ad libitum a pelleted feed with soya bean meal (15 %), and 34 rabbits of the experimental group received a feed with 15 % of beans seeds as a total replacement of the soya meal. The performances were not significantly influenced by the type of feed. From 42 to 77 days of age, the growth was 25.6 g / day, the feed intake was 97 g / day and the feed conversion ratio was 3,75. Yield and carcass characteristics were not influenced by the type of feed. In conclusion, the substitution of soya meal by bean seeds in the classical feed (alfalfa 32%, barley 25%, wheat bran 20%, soybean meal 15%, straw 6%, vitamins and minerals 2%) did not influenced the performances of the growing rabbit. The seeds of broad bean is an alternative source of proteins to soya bean meal for the growing rabbit. Choosing this option would contribute to food self-sufficiency in Algerian rabbit breeding and would reduce the feed costs. | Le but de cet essai est d’étudier l’effet d’un remplacement total du tourteau de soja par des graines de fève (Vicia faba major L) dans l’alimentation du lapin en croissance. A partir de l’âge de 42 jours (sevrage) et durant 5 semaines, 68 lapereaux de population algérienne blanche élevés en cages collectives (4 lapins/cage) ont été répartis en deux lots : 34 lapereaux du lot témoin ont reçu ad libitum un aliment granulé équilibré à base de soja (15%), et 34 lapereaux du lot expérimental ont reçu un aliment à base de 15% de fèves en remplacement total du tourteau de soja. Les performances n’ont pas été influencées (P˃0,05) par le type d’aliment. De 42 à 77 jours d’âge, la vitesse de croissance a été de 25,6 g par jour, la prise alimentaire 97 g par jour et l'indice de consommation de 3,75. Les rendements et paramètres de la carcasse n’ont pas été influencés par le type d’aliment.En conclusion, la substitution du tourteau par de soja par des graines de fève de l’aliment classique (luzerne 32%, orge 25%, son de blé 20%, tourteau de soja 15%, paille 6%, vitamines et minéraux 2%) n’a influencé ni la croissance, ni les performances à l’abattage des lapins. La fève s’avère une source protéique alternative au tourteau de soja dans un aliment équilibré pour le lapin en croissance. Le choix de cette option contribuerait à l’autonomie alimentaire en cuniculture algérienne et réduirait le coût de l’alimentation

peer reviewed | Lactation persistency (LP) has been neglected over time in genetic evaluations of dairy goats. The main reason for this is the difficulty to infer about the lactation curve shape. However, some lactations models such as Wood seem to be appropriate to provide persistency estimates under biological viewpoints. The aim of this study was to fit the Wood lactation model as well as to calculate and evaluate LP as selection criteria in dairy goat breeding programs through genetic parameters estimates. A total of 23,265 first lactation test day milk yield observations from 900 animals were used. The Wood random regression model was primarily fitted to estimate the lactation curve parameters (a, b and c), and then LP and total milk yield (TMY). Posteriorly, a multi-trait animal model was fitted considering simultaneously LP and TMY. The heritability estimates were 0.31 and 0.04 for TMY and LP, respectively. Based on the low LP heritability, selection based only on this trait might be inefficient. In conclusion, the results of this study suggests that selecting for high milk yields might result in high persistency since the genetic correlation between LP and TMY was moderate (0.39).

A study was conducted to determine the factors influencing the supply of live indigenous (local) chickens in Kampala city markets in December 2008. A total of fifty local chicken traders were randomly selected from five markets to respond to a structured questionnaire. Chicken trade was generally informal. Local chickens were mainly marketed alive in Kampala markets and the main customers were piecemeal consumers. The majority of the traders (52.9%) obtained local chickens from Eastern Uganda. Chickens were transported to markets in passenger vehicles, on motorcycles and on lorry trucks that were carrying cattle and other agricultural produce. This mode of transport sometimes caused injuries and bird mortality. Fifty percent of the traders obtained the chickens from middlemen while 46% of the traders personally bought the birds from rural farm households. Chicken trade was the major source of household income to 72.7% of the chicken traders and many of the traders had secondary sources of income. During peak seasons, the traders could sell an average of 120 birds per week per person. Local chicken marketing involved traders of varying levels of education (with a mean of 9.5 years of formal education). The number of local chickens traded per week was positively correlated (P<0.01) with the level of education of the traders. The demand for these chickens was highest in the festive months of December and April; and lowest in February and March. The cost of local chickens was more than twice as much as that of exotic chickens. Most traders (56.7%) perceived taste to be the basis for consumers’ preferential demand for local chickens in preference to exotic chickens. The major constraints in the marketing of local chickens in Kampala city markets were identified as high mortality rates/chicken diseases (43.5%), costly transport (22.4%), and irregular demand (15.3%). The study revealed that there was a high potential for the development of local chicken trade in Uganda. Designing solutions for the constraints of local chicken marketing would act as a tool for poverty alleviation not only to the rural chicken farmers but also the traders.

A study was conducted to determine the productivity and management of indigenous chickens of Kumi district in Eastern Uganda. Eighty households were randomly selected to respond to a standard questionnaire. The average flock size per household was three cocks, six hens and four chicks. Sexual maturity is attained at 5.5 and 6.5 months among male and female chickens respectively, with age at first egg ranging between 5.5-7 months. Egg hatchability varied widely between farmers with an overall mean of 90%. Clutch sizes ranged between 4-19 eggs per clutch, with a mean of 13 eggs. Chickens were acquired through purchase (65.6%), gifts (26.3%), or in exchange for labour. Scavenging was the major feeding system, seasonally supplemented with cereal grain. The majority of the farmers (87.5%) provided birds with drinking water. Death of chicks was prevalent (73%) and was mainly attributed to Newcastle disease (70%), with most of the mortality being observed during the dry season (62%). Survival of chickens was significantly affected (P<0.001) by feeding level, and strongly correlated (r = 0.83) with the housing system. Housing and feeding had significant effects on duration between laying cycles (P<0.001), how chickens were acquired (P<0.01), and the uses to which the chickens were put (P<0.001). Chickens and eggs are mainly used to generate household income and for home consumption. In some households, chickens are exchanged for goats and subsequently, for cattle. Our findings indicate that the indigenous chicken is a major resource in Teso, Uganda. The performance of these indigenous chickens would significantly improve with better feeding, housing and health management. Chicken farmers should be empowered through training and provision of capital credit, the latter of which should be well informed by data on the chicken production cycle.

Agriculture of the Czech Republic has features of submonate and montane agriculture. More than half of the surface of the Czech Republic is less favourable areas (LFA). Organic farming is carried out on the area of 6% of the surface of arable land. The contemporary state of farming has been evaluated and organic and conventional farming systems have been compared in the framework of the analysis of structure of farming in the Czech Republic. The selective group of 437 associations, consisting of 3 subgroups, is divided into several categories according to the farming method and altitude. Parameters of plant and animal production and use of the agro-environmental programmes and measures are evaluated. The evaluation of the structure of farming permits to find optimal possibilities for future development of conventional and organic farming in the Czech Republic and for arrangements of the settings of grants and subsidies.

Sowing area under oil-seed rape (Brassica napus L.) has grown dramatically only during the last 10 years in Latvia. Lack of knowledge and research on different issues is observed. The aim of our research, started on season 2005/2006 in Research and Study farm Vecauce, was to investigate the influence of split fungicide (1st dose of fungicide Juventus 90 s.c. (Metconasol 90 g LE-1) used as growth regulator in autumn at the 4-6 leaf stage and the 2nd dose at the growth stage 63-64) application. Winter rape development in autumn, winterhardiness, disease incidence, and yield and its structure elements were estimated. Totally 13 cultivars were used in the trial, but several assessments were done for 5 cultivars. Additional objective was to evaluate economic effect of fungicide use. Winter rape biometrical indices were influenced by the fungicide application in autumn period and by used cultivar. Fungicide treatment in autumn increased also the rape winterhardiness. Our research for the first time indicated that Phoma stem canker could become a problem for rape growers in Latvia. Fungicide use (in growth stage 63-64) decreased incidence of this disease a little (on average by 5%). Fungicide treatment according to applied scheme increased the average seed yield (check 5.37 t haE-1, with fungicide 5.80 t haE-1; LSD0:05 = 0:18 t haE-1), but impact on yield structure elements was mainly non-essential. Despite agronomic improvements, economic calculation showed that on average fungicide use in 2006 was not pro table. Research should be continued for specification of conclusions.

Cereals, the yield of which is strongly influenced by a well-selected variety, belong to the most important crops of organic farming, grown on arable land. At first a questionnaire study was executed among organic farmers in 2006 to gain information concerning the choice of variety, structure of growing, and yield of cereals in the Czech Republic. The actual cultivars of wheat are bred to be suitable for intensive farming. Therefore, not all the actual cultivars are suitable for organic farming. The methodology of tests of the suitability of cultivars for organic farming was elaborated and tested in 2006. Particular morphological, biological and agricultural features were evaluated. Selected Austrian cultivars, which were recommended for in organic farming system and breeded strains were tested. It is difficult to achieve sufficient protein content in grain in the organic farming system. The fact that the protein content in landraces of wheat is higher than the protein content in modern breeded varieties was confirmed. These varieties adapted to local conditions very well. Most of the evaluated varieties contain more crude protein in grain than modern varieties and may achieve a very good-quality production, but on a lower yield level the same as varieties of emmer.

Effects of nitrogen fertilizers and weather conditions on spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) yield and grain quality were investigated at the Rumokai Experimental Station of the Lithuanian Institute of Agriculture in the period of 1998-2000 and 2003-2004. The soil of the experimental site was Hapli Epihypogleyic Luvisol. Analyses were made with fertilisers rates of 0 and 90 kg haE-1. The data of analyses indicated a positive and reliable correlation between the yield of spring barley and the amount of precipitation in May (rate of correlation was 0.70**) and a negative and reliable correlation with the amount of precipitation in June and July (rates of correlation were -0.80** and -0.29* respectively). A reliable though weak correlation was found between the application of nitrogen fertilisers and the yield of grains. The amount of precipitation in April and the spring barley leaf diseases had a considerable negative effect on 1000 grain weight and grain size. Strong correlation was identified between the amount of precipitation in May and June and the protein content in grain. Nitrogen fertilisers promoted protein accumulation in grain.

The objective of the study was to examine the range of variation in chemical composition of different barley types. Field experiments were carried out at the State Stende Cereal Breeding Institute from 2004 to 2006. Grain samples of 52spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genotypes, including two-row, six-row, covered and hull-less genotypes were analysed for starch, crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre, crude ash and phosphorus. On the average, the six-row barley genotypes had a significantly larger content of crude protein (152.0 g kgE-1), crude fibre (53.5 g kgE-1), crude ash (24.4 g kgE-1) and phosphorus (4.7 g kgE-1) but less starch (590.4 g kgE-1) than the two-row barley genotypes (626 g kgE-1). The hull-less barley grain contained significantly more crude protein (149.4 g kgE-1), crude fat (25.4 g kgE-1) and phosphorus (4.7 g kgE-1) than covered ones. The largest coefficient of variation was found for crude protein of covered barley (15.0%), for crude fibre of hull-less barley (13.8%) and for phosphorus of six-row barley (18.0%) genotypes. Consequently, energetic value was slightly higher in the hull-less barley with waxy type of endosperm, because of the higher fat (27.1-28.3 g kgE-1) and starch content (622.3-680.7 g kgE-1) and less crude fibre (17.3-17.4 g kgE-1) and crude ash (18.9-21.2 g kgE-1) content.