Pineapple waste (PW) is an agro-industrial by-product containing high fibre and can be harnessed by feeding it to ruminant animals to solve their nutritional problems in Nigeria. A study was conducted to assess the nutritive value of Pineapple (PW) as supplementary feed for ruminant animals during the dry season when grasses are either not available or of low quality. Pineapple waste were collected, sundried and then used for the feeding trial at different inclusion levels of 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% with or without yeast supplementation (WOWYS). Twenty four West African dwarf bucks (between 6.5 and 7.5 kg) were assigned to eight dietary treatments with three bucks per treatment and arranged in 2 x 4 factorial layouts in a completely randomized design over a period of 84days. Data were obtained on growth performance and haematological parameters. Results of performance characteristics showed that average concentrate consumed (257.58 g/day), total weight gain (3.23 kg), metabolic weight gain (2.48W0.75) and daily weight gain (35.88 g/day) of experimental animals were significantly higher (p< 0.05) in goats fed 10% inclusion level WOWYS. Pineapple waste inclusion levels WOWYS significantly (p< 0.05) influenced white blood cell count (WBC), lymphocytes, monocytes and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration across the treatments. The monocytes (3.00%) Neutrophil counts (30.00%) were best and significantly higher (p< 0.05) in goats fed 10% PW inclusion level WOWYS while WBC increased significantly (p< 0.05) across the dietary treatments (9.63 – 11.65 x103/mm3) and were within normal levels expected of healthy goats. It is concluded that dietary inclusion of PW with or without yeast supplementation in concentrate diet up to 10% improved the performance characteristics and haematological blood parameters of West African Dwarf goats without any adverse effects.

Linear descriptive scoring system is commonly used especially in cattle where number of analyses has been performed for selection purposes. The linear scoring of udder and structural traits of 700 White Fulani cattle of average age of 3 - 4 years was conducted in this study. These traits were subjectively scored through visual appraisal. Data were subjected to descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation. Result revealed that White Fulani cattle possess intermediate flank depth (6.40± 1.46); rump height (6.74± 1.31); rump length (5.94±1.23) and rump angle (5.26±1.29) but rump width (4.77 ±1.60) of the cattle was short and there were intermediate rear udder height (5.30±1.74), fore udder attachment (5.78±1.54), front teat placement (5.60±1.26), rear teat placement (5.40±1.34), teat length (5.01±1.95), teat placement side view (5.00±1.28) and udder balance (5.40±1.54), while, the cattle had short udder depth (4.90±1.95) and thickness of teat (4.93±1.83). Result further revealed that there was low or no correlation between udder type traits and structural traitsof the cattle. There was no or low correlation among udder traits except the moderate correlation between front teat placement and rear teat placement; moderate correlation between teat length and teat thickness. It was concluded that white Fulani cattle possess medium body and udder structure and no or low correlation between udder dimension traits of the cattle and their structural traits which may be suitable selection markers to improve White Fulani cattle milking ability particularly among pastoralists.

Malted sorghum sprout (MSP) is an agro-industrial by-products rich in organic nitrogen and amino acids which can be used to enhance ruminant nutrition. A study was conducted to assess the nutritive value of MSP as supplementary on the performance characteristics and blood profile of West African dwarf (WAD) goats. MSP was collected, air-dried and then incorporated at different inclusion levels of 0, 10, 20 and 30% to formulate four dietary treatments T , T , T and T , respectively, with T - T being supplemented with Roxazyme G2 1 2 3 4 2 4 enzyme at 0.5g/kg. Twelve WAD bucks with an average weight of 7±0.5kg were assigned into four dietary treatments with three bucks per treatment in a completely randomized design over a period of 84 days. Data were obtained on performance characteristics, haematological and serum biochemical indices. Performance characteristics showed that average concentrate consumed (229.04g/day) and average daily weight gain (44.44 g/day) of WAD goats were significantly (P?0.05) higher in goats fed 20% MSP with enzyme supplementation. Dietary MSP with enzyme supplementation significantly (P?0.05) influenced the total protein (TP), aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), white blood cells (WBC) and red blood cells (RBC) across the treatments. 3 3 TP (7.05g/dL) and WBC (7.88 x 10 /mm ) were significantly (P?0.05) higher in goats fed 20% MSP while globulin values increased significantly (P?0.05) across the dietary treatments (3.94 – 5.05g/dL) and is within the normal levels expected of healthy goats. It is concluded that dietary MSP with enzyme supplementation at 20% improved the performance, hematological and serum biochemical indicess of WAD goats without any adverse effects.