International audience | A silvopastoral grazing system (SP) was compared with confinement (CF) to determine the growth and general performance of weaned Pelibuey lambs under experimental conditions. Animals were from the Experiment Station “Indio Hatuey” flock of Matanzas, Cuba. The trial began with weaning in March and April at 4 months after lambing, with the lambs weighing around 13 kg, and lasted for 125 days. After being drenched with Levamisol, 25 lambs were grown on the SP with 18 to 21 lambs/ha, and 25 lambs were grown in CF. A rustic shed was used for CF with 1.5 to 1.8 m2 per animal. The CF lambs were fed cut and carried chopped forage (60% Pennisetum purpureum, 40% Morus alba), and dehydrated citrus pulp at 0.8 to 1.0 kg/lamb per day was offered as supplement in both treatments. The nutritive value of the woody forage species established in both systems was determined with the French expression system. Data were analyzed by Proc Mixed procedure of SAS. For the whole experimental period differences (P< 0.001) were obtained for average daily gain and incidence of gastrointestinal parasitism, mainly from Haemonchus contortus (2117 vs. 144 EPG of faeces) for SP and CF feeding systems, respectively. Lambs from CF (88.5 vs. 48.2 g/d) and males (77.8 vs. 58.9 g/d) exceeded SP and females in daily weight gains. Morbidity rate was explicitly higher in SP, and consequently, the survival level was better under CF experimental conditions (8% mortality in SP vs. 0% in CF). Advantages of the CF feeding system were mainly related to the reduced helminthiasis, which influences feed intake and efficiency, morbidity, growth rate, and survival rate as well. Under the particular conditions of this experiment, these results suggest that CF of lambs, adopting integrative approach with rational use of natural and local resources, can be a good alternative for improving the growth and welfare of growing lambs in the tropics.

International audience | The existing Andean dairy production patterns are scarcely known and yet they play a major role in the household food security of many families. This study examines the consistency of forage management through the monitoring of 8 dairy farmers of a community living in the harsh conditions of the dry Peruvian Andes and the analysis of their production practices. The Sinto farmers are able to produce milk throughout the year despite the very dry climatic conditions by adjusting cattle groups, grazing rotationaly on irrigated alfalfa fields, farming large rangelands zones and exchanging standing forage with other farmers. Although the milk production per cow is low, the milk yield per hectare of alfalfa field is relatively high. This can be interpreted both as an optimisation of the system with regards to the restrictive factor which is the irrigated land and as a risk management, two components that may be considered to evaluate the sustainability of these livestock farming systems and to propose development options.

Source Agritrop Cirad (https://agritrop.cirad.fr/593834/) | International audience | The study focuses on the potential impact of a soil bank on the renewal of pastoral vegetation required by climatic constraints. Soil samples from Saharan grazed ecosystems in Southern Algeria were collected from 6 types of rangelands during 2017 winter and then placed in greenhouse plateaus. Only 31 species germinated, including a larger number of ephemeral species (27) mainly from 4 families on 19: Asteraceae, Poaceae, Brassicaceae and Cariophyllaceae. On the other hand, surface floristic surveys have allowed to inventory 63 species, with a predominance of ephemeral species (36) mainly from 4 families on 22: Asteraceae, Chenopodiaceae, Poaceae and Fabaceae. The ANOVA test shows that there is a trend for a significant difference between the specific richness of the vegetation in place (p = 0.002) and that of the seed bank (p<0.001). The largest number of plants comes from Saharan routes such as wadi beds and depressions and the smallest number comes from salt soil routes. The similarity between the density of the seed banks and the existing vegetation was low (Jaccard index = 0.36) indicating that the seed bank alone would not be enough for the regeneration of all the vegetation. The indices of the highest similarities were attributed to the typical Saharan salt soil (0.25) and wadi beds (0.20). It will therefore also be necessary to preserve the surface vegetation in the form of a seed bank collected in spring, put in tusks, or even nurseries to be able to regenerate it. | L'étude porte sur l'impact potentiel d'une banque du sol sur le renouvellement de la végétation pastorale nécessité par les contraintes climatiques. Des échantillons de sols des écosystèmes pâturés sahariens du Sud algérien ont été prélevés dans 6 types de parcours pendant l'hiver 2017 puis placés dans des plateaux de serre. Seulement 31 espèces ont germé dont un plus grand nombre d'espèces éphémères (27) surtout de 4 familles sur 19: Asteraceae, Poaceae, Brassicaceae et Cariophyllaceae. Par contre, les relevés floristiques en surface ont permis d'inventorier 63 espèces, avec une dominance d'espèces éphémères (36) surtout de 4 familles sur 22: Asteraceae, Chenopodiaceae, Poaceae et Fabaceae. Le test de l'ANOVA montre qu'il y a une tendance pour une différence significative entre la richesse spécifique de la végétation en place (p = 0,002) et celle de la banque de graines (p<0,001). Le plus grand nombre de plantes est issu des parcours sahariens type lits d'oueds et dépressions et le nombre le plus faible provient de parcours de sols salés. La similitude entre la densité des banques de semences et de la végétation en place était faible (indice de Jaccard = 0,36) indiquant que la banque de semences seule ne serait pas suffisante pour la régénération de toute la végétation. Les indices des similarités les plus élevés ont été attribués aux parcours sahariens types sols salés (0,25) et lits d'oueds (0,20). Il faudra donc aussi conserver la végétation de surface sous forme de banque de graines collectées au printemps, mise en défens, ou même pépinières pour pouvoir la régénérer.

peer reviewed | For the first time, the status of cavy culture in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is reviewed with emphasis on Sud-Kivu province. Cavy culture, as discussed in this paper, is the raising, production and utilization of the domestic cavy (i.e., Guinea pig, Cavia porcellus) for consumption. Many sources were used in the review, but published scientific research literature is extremely scarce. Nevertheless, it can be estimated that more than 2 million cavies are kept in DRC, contributing significantly to nutrition security, especially animal protein, and income generation of some hundreds of thousands of poor rural and urban households. The largest cavy populations are in the Kivu provinces, which is probably partly due to the inclusion of cavies in ‘rehabilitation kits’ of humanitarian NGOs and in the agricultural portfolio of development agencies who seek to address the challenges of widespread hunger and malnutrition in the area. The review covers the history of cavy culture in Sud-Kivu since colonial times based on oral tradition; it describes the current ‘cavy status’ in the country and identifies research and capacity building needs. We suggest that cavy culture in DRC is likely to become more widespread and important due to the activities of a new project on ‘Harnessing husbandry of domestic cavy for alternative and rapid access to food and income in Cameroon and the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo’. Given the dimension, cavies should be included in livestock census as well as research and development agenda, honoring their role in the livelihoods of less endowed people, especially women.

peer reviewed | In Northern Vietnam, the livestock production sector has been strongly encouraged to develop by the government for many years as an important livelihood strategy to alleviate household poverty. Over the last few decades, it has been developed quickly, but remained unsustainable. This study aims to identify the dynamics of livestock production systems during the economic transformation period and their current constraints as the basic for setting up sustainable development policies. A survey, which is based on participatory and retrospective approaches, was conducted at 38 households in two communes of Hai Duong province in 2010. The results indicated a significant evolution of livestock production systems from a traditional small-scale production system into a specialized intensive one due to the land law and the rice land conversion program in 1990s and the industrialization and urbanization process in 2000s. The intensification of livestock production system, which is accompanied by the increasing dependence on imported inputs and the limited knowledge and skills in adequate techniques and disease management, poses a huge difficulty to producers in developing their livestock production systems. Therefore, the priority of development policies should be given to the promotion of the local resource utilisation as feed for animals and to the improvement of farmers’ ability to manage their production through not only government supports but also participation of social organisations and farmers.

peer reviewed | A survey on the production characteristics of guinea fowl (Meleagris numida) was carried out in the Borgou department located in the soudano-guinean zone North-Est of Benin. Chicks and reproductive groups were kept either on station under improved management conditions or in rural environment. In rural environment, the birds were divided in two groups. The birds pertaining to the first group were treated against parasitic diseases, whereas those in the second one (control group) received no treatment. Under station conditions, the feed conversion ratio and the daily weight gain were 8.8 and 5.7 g/day respectively. Mean body weight at six months of age were 1151g and 1085g for males and females, respectively. Sexual maturity was reached at 36 weeks of age. For mature hens kept on station, laying rate and the mean egg weight were 37.2% (65% at the peak) and 41.1g respectively. Smothering, stress and pricking were the major constraints to the cloistering of guinea fowl. In rural environment, the mean hatchability rate was 70%. Mortality rate and adult body weight were not significantly different between groups. Mortality rate observed in the rural environment was 50% for both treated or untreated birds. Apart from the parasitic affections, the main causes of mortality were the rain, the predators, the cold and the fragility of chicks. The mean body weight at six months of age is higher for the birds raised under village conditions in comparison to the birds kept on station.

Source Agritrop Cirad (https://agritrop.cirad.fr/597841/) | International audience | A descriptive typology of camel breeding systems has been carried out all over Mauritania to find out how diverse they are. A total of 187 camel herds from the four regions of the country (South, Central, East, North) were surveyed. The forty-nine retained variables were focused on six topics: farmer, herd, animal health, feeding and commercial practices. The statistical strategy was based on a separate analysis of homogeneous sub-tables from the point of view of the selected groups of variables in order to determine the types of breeders, herds, food practices, health status, trade and trade flows. Descriptions of these types were followed by a comprehensive analysis to identify seven highly spatially differentiated types of breeding, with a highly significant regional effect observed: medium fatteners (n = 36), small mixed merchants (n = 32), medium little merchants (n = 21), mobile medium merchants (n = 23), small little marketers (n = 22), large merchants (n = 15) and large breeders (n = 38). These types were interpreted in relation to the geographical and climatic context of each region. | Une typologie descriptive des systèmes d'élevage camelins a été réalisée sur l'ensemble du territoire mauritanien dans le but d'en connaître la diversité. Au total, 187 élevages camelins des quatre régions du pays (Sud, Centre, Est, Nord) ont été enquêtés. Les 49 variables retenues portaient sur six thèmes : l'éleveur, le troupeau, la santé animale, l'alimentation, les pratiques de traite et les pratiques commerciales. La stratégie statistique s'est appuyée sur une analyse séparée des sous-tableaux regroupant les variables par thème afin de déterminer des types d'éleveurs, de troupeaux, de pratiques alimentaires, de statut sanitaire, de pratiques de traite et de flux commerciaux. Les descriptions de ces types ont été suivies d'une analyse globale permettant d'identifier sept types d'élevage fortement différenciés sur le plan géographique, un effet régional hautement significatif ayant été observé : moyens engraisseurs (n=36), petits mixtes marchands (n=32), moyens peu marchands (n=21), moyens mobiles marchands (n=23), petits peu marchands (n=22), grands marchands (n=15) et grands naisseurs (n=38). Les types sont interprétés au regard du contexte géographique et climatique de chacune des régions.

peer reviewed | The sexual activity of 237 ewes of the most representative of Algerian sheep breeds (about 70%): the "Ouled Djellal", was studied during the anestrous season i.e. in spring (April 2016), in Constantine, a north-eastern Algerian province. A number of 50 ewes, chosen randomly from the flock, were subjected to a double injection of PGF2α at an 11 days’ interval and the 187 females remaining have served as a control group. 80% of the ewes treated started mating about 60 hours after the release, with the whole flock, of 14 rams that have been previously separated from the flock but not sensory isolated. A lambing percentage of 90 spread over 23 days and 98.9 spread over 47 days occurred respectively in the treated and control group. Both treated and untreated ewes with PGF2α exhibited estrus (April and May), got pregnant and lambed within a period of less than 2 months. The use of PGF2α, through the luteolysis it induces during spring: first confirms the results of previous studies reporting the ability of “Ouled Djellal” ewe to exhibit sexual activity throughout the year, second shortens considerably the laming period and last and more importantly can be substituted to the use of the progestogens impregnated sponges, far more invasive, time consuming and more costly, as a means to manipulate the female sexual activity.

peer reviewed | The feeding of ruminants in the Democratic Republic of Congo is based on the use of natural vegetation. This vegetation is characterised by grasses and rarely legumes. In addition to this, the lack of legumes in the southern part of the country means that the dry season becomes longer (over 6 months). This leads farmers with the financial means, to use commercial foods, most of which are imported. Grasses which form the basis of forage remain as straws in the dry season. They have a digestibility of less than 45%, and are very low in nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as other minerals, which further limits their feed intake (Chenost and Kayouli 1997; Jarrige 1987). The use of locally available protein banks to supplement poor foods is therefore essential. In the same region, soils are increasingly contaminated with heavy metals from mining activities. The choice of sustainable and high protein plant species should be dictated by their adaptation to environmental conditions, including high levels of heavy metals in soil. They must also be adapted to the long dry season and provide fodder throughout the year. Among the species encountered, Adenodolichos rhomboideus is the most resistant to drought and is widespread in the region (INEAC 1954). It grows on normal soil or that contaminated by heavy metals (Faucon 2009; Meerts 2008 and Tshibangu et al 2014c). Two other species, Leucaena leucocephala and Stylosanthes guianensis are durable and are used in ruminant diets, but are neither widespread nor adapted to the contaminated soil Tshibangu et al 2014ab. The objective of this study was to compare the use of A. rhomboideus, L. leucocephala and S. guianensis forage as a complement to grass hay on the growth of local goats at Lubumbashi.

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